Highly Efficient Catalytic Oxidation of Ethylbenzene to Acetophenone over CuO-Loaded Mesoporous FDU-12 Under Mild Conditions

Heterogenous catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons under mild conditions is highly desirable for industrial applications due to easy catalyst recovery and recycling and environmental benefits. This study focuses on the catalytic performance of mesoporous FDU-12-supported CuO materials (CuO(5 wt %)-FDU-12, CuO(10 wt %)-FDU-12, and CuO(15 wt %)-FDU-12) on the oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone with the aid of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. The experiments were conducted from 60 to 100 °C, with reactant-to-oxidant feed ratios varied between 1:1 and 1:5. Among the three catalysts, CuO(15 wt %)-FDU-12 demonstrated superior catalytic performance, achieving a conversion of 93.12% with 90% selectivity for acetophenone. The reaction parameters were carefully adjusted to maximize the yield and selectivity. The presence of copper oxide was confirmed by XRD, and XPS spectra showed Cu in the +2 oxidation state. The catalyst’s ability to maintain its performance across multiple cycles highlights its stability and potential for industrial-scale applications. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of CuO(15 wt %)-FDU-12 catalysts in promoting oxidation reactions under mild conditions, offering a promising approach for sustainable chemical processes.