Synthesis and modification of mesoporous molecular sieve catalyst used for phenol hydroxylation

A series of binary-assistants modified Fe-containing mesoporous molecular sieves were synthesized with tartaric acid as auxiliary template, and characterized by XRD (X-Ray diffraction), ICP (Inductively coupled plasma), IR, UV-Vis, low temperature N₂ adsorption-desorption methods. Their catalytic performances in the hydroxylation of phenol with hydroperoxide were studied. The influences of the amount of tartaric acid on the meso-structure and catalytic activity of Fe-containing mesoporous molecular sieves were investigated. Results showed that the Fe-containing mesoporous molecular sieves catalysts had a good mesoporous structure and exhibited excellent catalytic activity in phenol hydroxylation. Compared to tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) as auxiliary template, with tartaric acid as auxiliary template the cost of the catalysts could be greatly reduced. Compared to TS-1, the Fe-containing mesoporous molecular sieves catalysts had a large price advantage, which lay the foundation for industrial application.