Supported Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles As Catalyst for Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols in Liquid Phase

Supported cobalt oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared by wetness impregnation on different supports and subsequent heat treatment in argon at 350 °C for 2 h. The thus prepared cobalt oxide (Co3O4) can be well dispersed on carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon (AC) and covalent trizaine frameworks (CTF), with average particle sizes below 5 nm. The catalytic performance of supported Co3O4 NPs was tested by aerobic oxidation of alcohols in liquid phase. The results show that AC supported Co3O4 NPs, Co3O4/AC, exhibit ∼100% conversions for alcohol oxidation and can be reused for at least 4 runs without appreciable loss of activity, when a thermal regeneration step is carried out, suggesting that the Co3O4 NPs are well embedded and stabilized on the support, making Co3O4/AC a promising catalyst for aerobic oxidation of alcohols in liquid phase.