Immediate hydroxylation of arenes to phenols via V-containing all-silica ZSM-22 zeolite triggered non-radical mechanism.

Zhou, Yu; Ma, Zhipan; Tang, Junjie; Yan, Ning; Du, Yonghua; Xi, Shibo; Wang, Kai; Zhang, Wei et al. · Nat Commun · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Hydroxylation of arenes via activation of aromatic C<sub>sp2</sub>-H bond has attracted great attention for decades but remains a huge challenge. Herein, we achieve the ring hydroxylation of various arenes with stoichiometric hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) into the corresponding phenols on a robust heterogeneous catalyst series of V-Si-ZSM-22 (TON type vanadium silicalite zeolites) that is straightforward synthesized from an unusual ionic liquid involved dry-gel-conversion route. For benzene hydroxylation, the phenol yield is 30.8% (selectivity >99%). Ring hydroxylation of mono-/di-alkylbenzenes and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons cause the yields up to 26.2% and selectivities above 90%. The reaction is completed within 30 s, the fastest occasion so far, resulting in ultra-high turnover frequencies (TOFs). Systematic characterization including <sup>51</sup>V NMR and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses suggest that such high activity associates with the unique non-radical hydroxylation mechanism arising from the in situ created diperoxo V(IV) state.