Catalytic activity of Co-HMS modified by organic groups for cyclohexane oxidation

By a one-step co-condensation route using hexadecylamine as the template, various organic groups were successfully immobilized on the surface of hexagonal mesoporous silicas (HMS) along with Co2+ ions incorporated into the framework. The obtained bifunctionalized materials showed high activity in the selective oxidation of cyclohexane. The Co2+ cations were active for oxidation while the organic groups played the key roles in modifying the surface properties. During the oxidation reaction, a phenyl group was found to be better than methyl and propyl groups.