Preparation of Fe@Cu‐BDC and its catalytic performance for benzene hydroxylation

Novel Fe@Cu‐BDC catalysts were synthesized by adsorbing various contents of Fe ions on the surface and into the channels of Cu‐BDC support through an in situ method under ultrasonication. The structure of the catalysts was characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic activity of catalysts for benzene hydroxylation was evaluated. The results showed that the Fe@Cu‐BDC catalysts had favorable catalytic activity for benzene hydroxylation. The yield of products can reach ca 37% and the selectivity of phenol can reach ca 62% over the 6% Fe@Cu‐BDC catalyst at 60°C in a reaction time of 75 min. Furthermore, the contents of Fe and solvent played a key role in benzene hydroxylation. After the reaction, the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by centrifugation and reused for five times without significant decrease in activity.