Solvent-free aerobic oxidation of ethylbenzene over supported Ni catalysts using molecular oxygen at

We investigated the aerobic oxidation of ethylbenzene in the absence of solvent or any additive carded out over Ni on difierent types of supports namely SiO2,hydroxyapatite,SBA-15,and USY Zeolites.The oxidation of ethylbenzene activities was measured in a round bottom flask immersed in oil bath at known reaction temperature.The physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts were examined by BET surface area.XRD.FT-IR and the oxidation activities were correlated with the acidities of the catalysts obtained bv TPD of NH3.It was observed that both hydroxyapatite and USY(13％Na2O)supported Ni catalysts displayed higher ethylbenzene conversion and 80％selectivity towards acetophenone.