Surface properties of CoMg/Al2O3 catalysts evaluated in aerobic oxidation of p-cresol

The surface properties of CoMg/Al 2 O 3 were evaluated in the aerobic oxidation of p -cresol. The surface interaction is enhanced greatly after Co and Mg impregnation with the mole ratio of Co/Mg from 2 : 1 and 2 : 3. The strongest interaction for the nonpolarity and benzene ring was found on CoMg/Al 2 O 3 with Co/Mg of 2 : 3. But for the interaction with p -π group bonding with negative anion, the highest value appears on the catalyst with the Co/Mg of 2 : 2. In aerobic oxidation of p -cresol, the conversion is significantly increased with Co addition and reaches around 60 % after 24 h' reaction at 338 K. The highest selectivity of p -hydroxybenzaldehyde of 99 % is achieved on Al 2 O 3 with the co-impregnation mole ratio of Co/Mg of 2 : 2. It is suggested that medium adsorption of the reactants and strong stabilization of the intermediates facilitate the aerobic oxidation of p -cresol to p -hydroxybenzaldehyde.