Direct synthesis of phenol from benzene over hydroxyapatite catalysts

The direct synthesis of phenol from benzene in the gas phase was studied over hydroxyapatite catalysts. The reaction was carried out in a fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure and reaction temperature of 450°C in the presence of ammonia. A high selectivity (about 97%) of phenol formation at about 3.5% conversion of benzene was achieved over catalysts containing Ca and Cu ions in the cation part of hydroxyapatite. Besides phenol as the main reaction product, aniline is also formed. The reaction mechanism involves formation of N₂O from NH₃ in the first step of reaction. Benzene is oxidized by active oxygen species which are formed on the catalyst by decomposition of N₂O.