Synthesis, characterizations and catalytic allylic oxidation of limonene to carvone of cobalt doped mesoporous silica templated by reed leaves

Abstract Reeds ( Phragmites communis ) leaves were successfully used as template in synthesis of cobalt doped mesoporous silica (Co/SiO 2 /PC). The catalyst exhibited very high substrate conversion (100%) and relatively good product (carvone) selectivity (40.2%) for allylic oxidation of limonene to carvone using air as oxidant and acetic anhydride as solvent without adding any initiator. Fast hot catalyst filtration experiment proved that the catalyst acted as a heterogeneous one and it can be recycled easily and reused two times without significant loss of activity and selectivity.