Fabrication of CuCr2O4 spinel nanoparticles: A potential catalyst for the selective oxidation of cycloalkanes via activation of Csp3–H bond

Abstract We report here preparation of CuCr 2 O 4 spinel nanoparticle catalyst, mediated by cationic surfactant CTAB in hydrothermal route. XRD revealed the formation of CuCr 2 O 4 spinel phase and TEM showed the particle size of 30–60 nm. The catalyst was speculated to be highly active for selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone with H 2 O 2 . A cyclohexane conversion of 70% with 85% cyclohexanone selectivity was achieved over this catalyst at 50 °C temperature. Moreover, the catalyst did not show any significant activity loss even after 8 reuses and proved its efficacy in the oxidation of other cycloalkanes also.