Molybdovanadophosphoric anion ionic liquid as a reusable catalyst for solvent-free benzene oxidation to phenol by H2O2.

Molybdovanadophosphoric anion (H 2 PMo 11 VO 40 2 − ) room temperature ionic liquid was prepared and characterized by the methods of FT-IR and TG. Then, this ionic liquid was employed as catalyst for the oxidation of benzene to phenol by H 2 O 2 without using solvent. The homogeneous emulsion formed by the catalyst and substrates during the reaction facilitated the catalytic process. After reaction, the catalyst could self-precipitate from the reaction media and proved to be recyclable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]