Oxidation of a lignin-derived-model compound: Iso-eugenol to vanillin over cerium containing MCM-22

A series of Ce-containing MCM-22 zeolites with varying cerium concentrations were synthesized and thoroughly studied by various spectroscopic and analytical methods. The powder XRD, FT-IR and surface area analysis confirm the presence of well-ordered MCM-22 framework. The DRUV-Vis spectral and XPS analyses confirmed the presence of cerium ion in both +3 and + 4 oxidation states with tetrahedral coordination. Interestingly MCM-22 containing a small amount of cerium ion (Si/Ce ratio of 200) facilitates a good conversion of isoeugenol (63%), with the selective formation of vanillin (75%) and the catalyst retains its activity for several cycles.