Oxidation of ethylbenzene catalysed by organic salts of decavanadate and decavanadate-grafted silica nanoparticles
(2025) KEMP30 20251Department of Chemistry
- Abstract
- This work explores the catalytic activity of decavanadate (V10)-based catalysts in the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene (EB), a model compound of lignin-derived molecules, under mild conditions. The goal is to assess the catalytic efficiency, product selectivity, and the influence of counter-ions on activity through systematic testing of parameters such as temperature and catalyst loading. Additionally, the mechanism of reaction has been investigated. First, through the oxidative conversion of 1-phenylethanol (PE), a product of ethylbenzene oxidation, towards further products, granted insight regarding its intermediate role in the ethylbenzene conversion. Secondly, the introduction of a radical scavenging compound in the EB reaction... (More)
- This work explores the catalytic activity of decavanadate (V10)-based catalysts in the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene (EB), a model compound of lignin-derived molecules, under mild conditions. The goal is to assess the catalytic efficiency, product selectivity, and the influence of counter-ions on activity through systematic testing of parameters such as temperature and catalyst loading. Additionally, the mechanism of reaction has been investigated. First, through the oxidative conversion of 1-phenylethanol (PE), a product of ethylbenzene oxidation, towards further products, granted insight regarding its intermediate role in the ethylbenzene conversion. Secondly, the introduction of a radical scavenging compound in the EB reaction provided possible evidence of a radical mechanism. Finally, observations regarding colour and characteristic changes of the catalysts post-reaction, in some conditions, were possibly related to the catalytic cycle of the reaction and the oxidation state of the decavanadate core. Additionally, in this study, amino and imidazolium group functionalized silica nanoparticles were grafted with V10 cores. Via ion exchange of sodium decavanadate Na6V10O26⸱18H2O with the positively charged surface groups of the silica particles, ionic bonding of V10 was achieved. The materials were then tested in the catalytic oxidation of EB. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Chemistry provides us with a huge variety of compounds, materials, and dyes, but often at a high environmental cost. To reduce this impact while still enabling production and innovation, green chemistry is deployed aiming to minimize the use of harmful materials (such as solvents) and promote catalysis, where reactions happen faster and with less energy. Another important approach is to rely on abundant raw materials like lignin, a natural polymer found in plants that can be broken down into smaller, useful building blocks.
Many catalysts rely on rare and expensive metals such as platinum, palladium, or gold. In contrast, vanadium is far more abundant and affordable, making it an attractive candidate for greener catalyst design. In our... (More) - Chemistry provides us with a huge variety of compounds, materials, and dyes, but often at a high environmental cost. To reduce this impact while still enabling production and innovation, green chemistry is deployed aiming to minimize the use of harmful materials (such as solvents) and promote catalysis, where reactions happen faster and with less energy. Another important approach is to rely on abundant raw materials like lignin, a natural polymer found in plants that can be broken down into smaller, useful building blocks.
Many catalysts rely on rare and expensive metals such as platinum, palladium, or gold. In contrast, vanadium is far more abundant and affordable, making it an attractive candidate for greener catalyst design. In our work, we focused on vanadium-based catalysts known as decavanadates (V₁₀)—large clusters of ten vanadium atoms connected by oxygen bridges. Using these catalysts, we transformed ethylbenzene (a lignin-derived compound) into more valuable products through oxidation, a reaction where oxygen is introduced into the molecule to form acetophenone as the main product.
To make our catalysts reusable, we attached the decavanadate clusters onto silica particles, which act as carriers and allow easy recovery after the reaction. Our results are promising for both the free V₁₀ compounds and the supported versions, highlighting their potential in green chemistry and sustainable catalysis. Work like this brings us a step closer to industrial processes that are efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9211894
- author
- Christoforou, Alexandros LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- KEMP30 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- L3 - Miscellaneous, Projetcs etc.
- subject
- keywords
- inorganic chemistry, catalysis, decavanadate, decavanadate-grafted particles, ethylbenzene oxidation
- language
- English
- id
- 9211894
- date added to LUP
- 2025-09-10 14:39:22
- date last changed
- 2025-09-10 14:39:22
@misc{9211894,
abstract = {{This work explores the catalytic activity of decavanadate (V10)-based catalysts in the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene (EB), a model compound of lignin-derived molecules, under mild conditions. The goal is to assess the catalytic efficiency, product selectivity, and the influence of counter-ions on activity through systematic testing of parameters such as temperature and catalyst loading. Additionally, the mechanism of reaction has been investigated. First, through the oxidative conversion of 1-phenylethanol (PE), a product of ethylbenzene oxidation, towards further products, granted insight regarding its intermediate role in the ethylbenzene conversion. Secondly, the introduction of a radical scavenging compound in the EB reaction provided possible evidence of a radical mechanism. Finally, observations regarding colour and characteristic changes of the catalysts post-reaction, in some conditions, were possibly related to the catalytic cycle of the reaction and the oxidation state of the decavanadate core. Additionally, in this study, amino and imidazolium group functionalized silica nanoparticles were grafted with V10 cores. Via ion exchange of sodium decavanadate Na6V10O26⸱18H2O with the positively charged surface groups of the silica particles, ionic bonding of V10 was achieved. The materials were then tested in the catalytic oxidation of EB.}},
author = {{Christoforou, Alexandros}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Oxidation of ethylbenzene catalysed by organic salts of decavanadate and decavanadate-grafted silica nanoparticles}},
year = {{2025}},
}