Effects of Ions in Aqueous Medium on the Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol over TS-1 Catalyst

Abstract

This research investigates effects of ions (H⁺, NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, Cl^- and CH₃COOH^-) in aqueous phase medium used in the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol by hydrogen peroxide over a titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) catalyst. The reaction is carried out in a 3-phase stirred reactor operated above atmospheric pressure.  The experimental results reveal that ions which increase (a) solubility rate of benzene into the aqueous phase (such as H⁺ and NH₄⁺) and (b) saturated concentration of benzene in the aqueous phase (such as H⁺) enhance the formation of the desired product (phenol). The increase solubility rate has more pronounce effect than the increase saturated concentration.