Selective oxidation of o -nitrotoluene to o -nitrobenzaldehyde with metalloporphyrins as biomimetic catalysts

Abstract

Selective oxidation of o-nitrotoluene to o-nitrobenzaldehyde with metalloporphyrins as biomimetic catalysts was studied. The peripheral substituent around porphyrin rings and various process parameters of NaOH concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time and oxygen pressure all affect the selectivity of o-nitrobenzaldehyde. Further, 82.0% selectivity of o-nitrobenzaldehyde was achieved under the optimum conditions: 1.0×10^−5mol•L^−1 of T(p-NO₂)PPFeCl catalyst, 2.5mol•L^−1 of NaOH, 0.2mol•L^−1 of o-nitrotoluene, 45°C and 2.0MPa for 6h.