Oxidation of octane and cyclohexane using a new porous substrate, Ti-MMM-1

Ti-MMM-1 (MMM=microporous mesoporous material), a mixed-phase material containing both micro- and mesopores, has been synthesized by a unique process involving the addition of organic templates for mesoporous and microporous phases at staggered times and the temperature manipulation of a single reaction mixture. Powder X-ray diffraction indicates that the material contains both MCM-41 and MFI structures. N-2 physisorption measurements show a lower surface area and pore volume as compared to purely mesoporous materials and indicate that the mesopores are larger than in the parent MCM-41. IR indicates that the mixed-phase material contains framework Ti species and contains more atomic order within its walls than Ti-doped MCM-41. Finally, Ti-MMM-1 is used for the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane and n-octane. Interestingly, Ti-MMM-1 is more selective for these processes than either Ti-MCM-41 or TS-1 (Ti-MFI). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.