<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Role of zinc oxide in V₂O₅-K₂SO₄-ZnO-SiO₂ catalyst in vapour phase oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde</span>

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">Catalytic vapour phase oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde has been studied to formulate optimal catalyst. V₂O₅-K₂SO₄ combination at 15:20 ratio on silica gel has been optimised. Method of preparation of support grade silica gel, specific for platforming the catalyst constituents for the controlled oxidation of toluene has been worked out. Incorporation of zinc oxide in the aforesaid combination confers the catalyst system improved activity, matching selectivity and adequate stability. The V₂O₅-K₂SO₄–SiO₂ system, provides a framework for the arrangement and strategic placement of Zn, hosted in prescribed manner so that their mutual electronic interaction can exhibit their desired catalytic function.</span>