Baeyer–Villiger co-oxidation of cyclohexanone with Fe–Sn–O catalysts in an O <sub>2</sub> /benzaldehyde system
Jingjing Sun, Qianqian Zhu, Xiaoyan Guo, Haibo Jin, Guangxiang He, Lei Ma, Rongyue Zhang, Qingyang Gu, Suohe Yang
Abstract
Abstract Baeyer–Villiger (BV) oxidation of cyclohexanone to ε -caprolactone was studied by a co-precipitation method using Fe–Sn–O catalysts in an O 2 /benzaldehyde system. The effects of the Fe:Sn ratio, calcination temperature, calcination time, and reaction conditions on the catalytic performance were investigated. The catalysts present the best activity when it is prepared at a Fe:Sn ratio of 1:1, calcination temperature of 850°C, and calcination time of 5 h. Under these conditions, catalysts form a large number of small prisms, which result in a larger specific surface area and enhanced catalytic activity. The optimum reaction conditions for the synthesis of ε -caprolactone in the presence of the Fe–Sn–O catalyst are as follows: catalyst (0.12 g), 1,2-dichloroethane (30 mL), O 2 flow rate of 25 mL min −1 , cyclohexanone to benzophenone of 3:1, reaction temperature of 60°C, and reaction time of 5 h. The conversion of cyclohexanone and the average yield of ε -caprolactone are determined at 98.96% and 83.36%, respectively.