Direct Oxidation of Benzene to Phenol with Hydrogen Peroxide over a Modified Titanium Silicalite

Stopping the rot! The selective oxidation of benzene to phenol with hydrogen peroxide is achieved by using a new zeolite catalyst (TS-1B), obtained by the modification of titanium silicalite with NH4HF2 and H2O2 (see scheme). The new catalyst, used in presence of a particular cosolvent (sulfolane) protects the produced phenol from overoxidation and dramatically enhances the selectivity of the reaction.