A new Fenton-like system in a medium of hydrophilic triethylammonium type of ionic liquid(IL) was used for the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol. The triethylammonium acetate([Et3NH][CH3COO]) IL exhibited retardation performance for the decomposition of H2O2 and protection performance for the further oxidation of phenol, thus the yield and selectivity to phenol were promoted greatly. The acidity of the system was proved to be an important factor for the selectivity to phenol. The utilization of H2O2 and the selectivity to phenol, as well as the Turnover number(TON) of the catalyst were effectively enhanced by a benzene-[Et3NH][CH3COO] bi-phase system. The catalyst with [Et3NH][CH3COO] IL was recycled with stable catalytic performance.
HU Xiao-ke ZHU Liang-fang GUO Bin LIU Qiu-yuan LI Gui-ying HU Chang-wei
