Cobalt(II), Copper(II) and Zinc (II) complexes of 2-methyl benzimidazole encapsulated in zeolite as catalysts for the hydroxylation of phenol

Cobalt(II), Copper(II) and Zinc (II) complexes of 2-methylbenzimidazole (Mebzlh) encapsulated in the super cages of zeolite-Y and ZSM-5 have been synthesized by flexible ligand method and characterized by various physico-chemical measurements. The catalytic activity of encapsulated complexes was investigated for the decomposition of H₂O₂ and for the hydroxylation of phenol using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. The hydroxylation of phenol yielded catechol and hydroquinone as the major products. All catalysts show good selectivity for diphenol products. The results showed that conversion of phenol varies in the order [Cu(Mebzlh)]-Y > [Cu(Mebzlh)]-ZSM-5 > [Zn(Mebzlh)]-Y > [Co(Mebzlh)]-Y > [Zn(Mebzlh)]-ZSM-5 > [Co(Mebzlh)]-ZSM-5 after 6 h of reaction time.