In this study, the transition metal (Co (II), Cu (II), and Mn (II)) salts of carboxylated carbon nanotubes were synthesized and characterized (the determined metal contents were in the range of 0.89-1.16%). The catalytic activity and the possibility for recovery and reuse of the obtained heterogeneous salts were then studied in the solvent-free oxidation of ethylbenzene with oxygen. The oxidation processes were carried out at 80 °C under atmospheric pressure in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide. The highest conversion of ethylbenzene, 27%, was obtained with a system consisting of the Cu (II) salt of the carboxylated carbon nanotubes, N-hydroxyphthalimide, and the azo initiator AIBN.
Keywords: N-hydroxyphthalimide; carbon nanotubes; ethylbenzene; oxidation; oxygen.