Ultrafine MnO2 nanoparticles decorated on graphene oxide as a highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol.

The highly active and selective aerobic oxidation of aromatic alcohols over earth-abundant, inexpensive and recyclable catalysts is highly desirable. We fabricated herein MnO2/graphene oxide (GO) composites by a facile in-situ growth approach at room temperature and used them in selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. TEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis were employed to systematically investigate the morphology, particle size, structure and surface properties of the catalysts. The 96.8% benzyl alcohol conversion and 100% benzaldehyde selectivity over the MnO2/GO (10/100) catalyst with well dispersive ultrafine MnO2 nanoparticles (ca. 3nm) can be obtained within 3h under 383K. Simultaneously, no appreciable loss of activity and selectivity occurred after recycling use up to six times. Due to their significant low cost, excellent catalytic performance, the MnO2/GO composites have huge application prospect in organic synthesis.