Mn(III) active site in hydrotalcite efficiently catalyzes the oxidation of alkylarenes with molecular oxygen

Abstract Developing efficient heterogeneous catalytic systems based on easily available materials and molecular oxygen for the selective oxidation of alkylarenes is highly desirable. In the present research, NiMn hydrotalcite (Ni2Mn-LDH) has been found as an efficient catalyst in the oxidation of alkylarenes using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant without any additive. Impressive catalytic performance, excellent stability and recyclability, broad applicable scope and practical potential for the catalytic system have been observed. Mn3+ species was proposed to be the efficient active site, and Ni2+ played an important role in stabilizing the Mn3+ species in the hydrotalcite structure. The kinetic study showed that the aerobic oxidation of diphenylmethane is a first-order reaction over Ni2Mn-LDH with the activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A0) being 85.7 kJ mol−1 and 1.8 × 109 min−1, respectively. The Gibbs free energy (ΔG≠) was determined to be -10.4 kJ mol-1 K-1 for the oxidation based on Eyring-Polanyi equation, indicating the reaction is exergonic. The mechanism study indicated that the reaction proceeded through both radical and carbocation intermediates. The two species were then trapped by molecular oxygen and H2O or hydroxyl species, respectively, to yield the corresponding products. The present research might provide information for constructing highly efficient and stable active site for the catalytic aerobic oxidation based on available and economic material.