Abstract
The investigation comprised an evaluation of the use of the catalyst 1%Ru/TiO2 in the liquid-phase conversion of toluene to benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms were deployed to delineate the properties of the supported catalysts. The findings indicated a good catalytic performance by 1%Ru/TiO2 under green reaction conditions. This performance was deemed a consequence of the spread and loading of Ru on the TiO2. The reaction conditions such as temperature, reaction time, type of support, catalyst preparation method, and activating quantity) were optimized to achieve superior reaction parameters. Catalyst produced via sol-immobilization has higher activity than the one prepared with the wet-impregnation method, which lead to a transformation rate of up to 9.5%, with the selectivity for benzyl alcohol at 92%.
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•1-1%Ru/TiO2 catalyst has been investigated for oxidation of toluene and showed excellent activity under solvent-free condition and air as primary oxygen source.•2-Good activity and excellent benzyl alcohol selectivity were exhibited without utilization of high pressure or temperature.•3-Ruthenium supported catalysts observed highest activity with TiO2 support.•4-The catalyst exhibiting the greatest activity was the one synthesized via sol-immobilization method.