Supported Gold Nanoparticles Catalysts for Solvent-free Selective Oxidation of Benzylic Compounds into Ketones at 1 atm O2

Supported gold nanoparticles catalyst (Au/TiO2) was investigated for the oxidation of benzylic compounds into corresponding ketones without any organic solvent at 1 atm O2 under mild reaction conditions (≤100 °C). For instance, indan was oxidized with conversion of 46% and 1-indanone selectivity of 90% at 90 °C for 24 h. Effect of various reaction parameters viz., temperature, time, and effect of a range of supports was studied for the oxidation of indan. The conversion of indan and selectivity of 1-indanone over recycled catalyst remains almost same.