Synthesis and Characterization of V-SBA-16 Nanoporous and Its Application as a Catalyst for Direct Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol

In this research, a V-SBA-16 catalyst was prepared using SBA-16 nanoporous material as a support and vanadium complex via a reflux method (V-SBA-16). The catalyst was characterized using N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Characterization results showed that the ordered nanoporous structure of the support was retained during the catalyst preparation and did not collapse. The efficiency of catalyst was evaluated for direct oxidation of benzene to phenol at different reaction temperatures (25, 60 and 90 °C). The higher yield and selectivity toward phenol were obtained of 16% and 60%, respectively, at 60 °C.