Catalysis Communications (Apr 2021)

Unravelling the role of AgCr interfacial synergistic effect in Ag/Cr2O3 nanostructured catalyst for the ammoxidation of toluene via low temperature activation of Csp3-H bond

  • Shankha Shubhra Acharyya,
  • Shilpi Ghosh,
  • Rubina Khatun,
  • Rajaram Bal

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 152
p. 106290

Abstract

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An environmentally benign and cost-effective synthesis of benzonitrile is reported by direct oxidative cyanation of aromatic Csp3-H bonds of toluene over Ag(I)/Cr2O3 nanostructured catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by a hydrothermal route using cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and was characterized by powder XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, TGA, TPD, TPR, UV-visible, FTIR, XANES, and ICP-AES methods. Conjugal effect of Lewis plus Brønsted acidity coupled with AgCr interfacial synergistic interaction appears as detrimental for its high catalytic activity and selectivity (98.4%) for benzonitrile. In situ DRIFTS analysis suggested that the catalytic system proceeded via a reaction pathway explained by Mars-van Krevelen mechanism.

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