One-step synthesis of phenol by O– and OH– emission material

A novel approach to the direct synthesis of phenol from benzene was obtained with high benzene conversion (30%) and phenol selectivity (approximately 90%) by using a microporous material [Ca24Al28O64]4+.4O-(C12A7-O-) as catalyst with oxygen and water; active O- and OH- anions are proposed to play important roles in the formation of phenol by hydroxylating the aromatic ring of benzene.