Solvent Free Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Benzaldehyde over RuO2/CeO2 Nano-Mixed Oxide

Abstract In this study, Ce oxide and Ru-Ce mixed oxide were prepared by co-precipitation method in alkaline media. Also, the Ru-Ce mixed oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a reverse micelle approach. All of the samples were characterized with XRD and BET methods and the size of nanoparticles synthesized in the reverse micelle was measured by the TEM technique. The catalytic activities of synthesized samples were investigated for oxidation of benzyl alcohol in the presence of molecular oxygen and solvent free condition. The obtained results show that the nano-catalyst is suitable candidates for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to the benzaldehyde. In order to obtain maximum conversion of benzyl alcohol, the reaction parameters, like reaction temperature, amount of catalyst and reaction time, were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a maximum of 99%benzyl alcohol conversion and 94 % selectivity for benzaldehyde was achieved with Ru-Ce nano mixed oxide as catalyst, at 80 oC and 3h.