Abstract
Catalysts are well-known to convert alkylbenzenes at high thermal condition to a number of useful products. However, the current schemes of transformation are not suitable for the hazard-free industrial applications because their reactive intermediates are transformed to a variety of side products that often retard the optimum yield and cause environmental pollutions. It is also observed that the formation of products depends on a wide range of parameters which are extremely difficult to control and often incur extra cost. Recently, heterogeneous catalysts have received huge commercial interests for the oxidation of alkylbenzene into carbonyl compounds which are platform chemicals in various synthetics and fine chemicals. This review is an up-to-date documentary on various catalysts used for the oxidation of alkyl-substituted benzenes along with their reaction condition and selectivity profiles. This work updates our knowledge for the selection and/or design of novel catalysts for the chemists and engineers in the industrial and academic settings.