Novel heterogeneous catalyst, supported undecamolybdophosphate: synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and solvent-free oxidation of styrene.

A novel heterogeneous catalyst comprising undecamolybdophosphate and hydrous zirconia was synthesized, characterized by various physicochemical techniques and used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of styrene using H(2)O(2) as an oxidant. The novelty of the present work lies in obtaining >99% conversion of styrene with >99% selectivity for benzaldehyde under solvent free mild reaction conditions.