Direct Synthesis of Phenol from Benzene by PdVOx Nanoparticles Using Molecular Oxygen

Novel PdVO x nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by a one‐pot hydrogenation method are reported. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV/Vis spectroscopy were performed to characterize the PdVO x NPs. The NPs catalyzed benzene directly to phenol in 5.2 % yield with more than 99 % selectivity using O 2 as the sole oxidant.