Selectively Obtaining ε-Caprolactam from Cyclohexanone Oxime Over Al-MCM-41 Catalysts

Catalysts with Al-MCM-41 structure were prepared by direct hydrothermal synthesis. Nest silanols with weakly acid character, associated to the presence of framework Al, have been identified. These silanols seem be the active sites for the rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime. Selectivity to caprolactam of 100 % was obtained.