Abstract
In this study, we synthesized 5 wt% MoOx and WOx conjugated iron phosphate nanotubes (FeP-NT) catalysts for benzylation of benzene using benzyl alcohol to investigate the role of acid and redox sites. The catalysts were analysed by different techniques along with insitu FT-IR spectroscopy. The 5WO(x)-FeP-NT catalyst exhibited 100% conversion of benzyl alcohol in 60 min, whereas 5MoO(x)-FeP-NT catalyst offered only 59% benzyl alcohol conversion in 240 min. The characterization results indicated that high acidity and moderate redox nature of 5WO(x)- FeP-NT is responsible for better benzyl alcohol adsorption and benzylation activity compared to low acidity and high redox nature of 5MoO(x)-FeP-NT.