Catalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Efficiently Synthesize Amide by (−CF3) Substituted Copper Phthalocyanine Based Composite Catalyst

Abstract Using a type of tetra‐substituted metal phthalocyanine carbon nanotubes composite material [ 4 a (OPh‐ p ‐CF 3 )CuPc]‐MWCNTs as a catalyst, a method to synthesize benzamides through the oxidative amidation of benzyl alcohol was developed. Synthesize copper phthalocyanine by simple DBU liquid phase catalytic method, and then load phthalocyanine on carbon nanotubes by ultrasound to form four‐substituted metal phthalocyanine carbon nanotubes composite material [ 4 a (OPh‐ p ‐CF 3 )CuPc]‐MWCNTs. The composite materials were detected by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). To achieve high‐efficiency and optional catalyze, studied solvent type, oxidant type and dosage, catalyst dosage, time and temperature. In the screening experiment, [ 4 a (OPh‐ p ‐CF 3 )CuPc]‐MWCNTs composite material has high catalytic ability in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. At the greatest of times, the highest conversion ratio of benzyl alcohol (100 %), selectivity of benzamide (89 %) was obtained. The oxidant was TBHP and the amount was 3 mL, 60 °C for 24 h in DMF. Different kinds of amides were set up by various substituted benzyl alcohols, and good results were obtained.