Generation of gold nanoclusters encapsulated in an MCM-22 zeolite for the aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Jan 31;55(11):1607-1610. doi: 10.1039/c8cc07185c.

Abstract

In this work, we will report the generation of Au clusters in a purely siliceous MCM-22 zeolite. The catalytic properties of these Au clusters have been tested for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (KA-oil). The Au clusters encapsulated in the MCM-22 zeolite are highly active and selective for the oxidation of cyclohexane to KA-oil, which is superior to Au nanoparticles on the same support. These results suggest that Au clusters are highly active for the activation of oxygen to produce radical species.