One-pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Ultrafine Pd Clusters within Beta Zeolite for Selective Oxidation of Alcohols†

Highly dispersive and ultrafine Pd clusters were straightforwardly encapsulated within the crystals of Beta zeolite. This series of Pd@Beta material was hydrothermally synthesized by involving a unique acid co-hydrolysis of silica and Pd salt precursors in the early gelation stage, by virtue of which the interaction between Si and Pd species was strengthened to inhibit the potential phase separation under the followed high pH alkali crystallization. The ultrafine Pd clusters within the wall of zeolite framework enabled the happening of catalysis in the microchannels, resulting in a high and recyclable yield above 95% and large turnover number ~ 50,000 in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol with atmosphere O2 in water, which is extendable to other microchannel-diffusive aromatic alcohols. Moreover, the catalyst also showed high activity in the aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The excellent activity is attributable to the synergistic effect of Pd clusters and preferential substrate adsorption behavior. were obtained. Shape-selective catalysis and stable reusability were attained. The result proves a novel straightforward synthesis route for fabricating zeolite encapsulated noble metal clusters that effectively and stably catalyze aerobic organic oxidation reactions with shape-selectivity.