Efficient conversion of 1,2-dichlorobenzene to mucochloric acid with ozonation catalyzed by V2O5 loaded metal oxides

Ozone initiated oxidation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene ( DCB) in aqueous system catalyzed by different loadings of V2O5 supported on metal oxides namely; Al2O3. SiO2 and TiO2 was investigated. Catalyst materials were characterized by different surface techniques including BET, TPD, SEM, FT-IR, ICP, and XRD methods. Mucochloric acid (MCA) was identified to be main oxidation product. The conversion and selectivity of MCA were compared. With 5% V2O5, all three supports gave 100% conversion and 100% selectivity after 5 h ozonation. Conversion efficiency of the support was SiO2 > Al2O3 > TiO2 for 2 h ozonation duration and 5% V2O5 loaded catalysts registered higher conversions than with 1% loaded. Probable reaction scheme is described. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.