Cu supported over Al-pillared interlayer clays catalysts for direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol

Aluminum-pillared interlayer clays (Al-PILCs) were prepared from Na-montmorillonite and used as catalyst supports for copper with an impregnation method. The Cu supported over Al-PILCs showed high catalytic activity for the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. XRD, N₂ adsorption measurements showed clear evidence for the success of pillaring procedure and FTIR, TEM techniques were performed to characterize the catalysts. The effects of Cu supported content, solvent, reaction temperature, benzene:H₂O₂ mole ratio, were also studied.