An efficient production of benzene from benzoic acid in subcritical water using a copper(i) oxide catalyst

Abstract

A method combining subcritical water technology and a commercially available copper(I) oxide catalyst has been used for the production of benzene from benzoic acid. The benzene yield reached 91 mol% with 100% selectivity at 350 °C and ∼25 MPa in 90 min. This is the first time the reaction from benzoic acid to benzene using an environmentally-friendly, efficient and economical method has been realized. The proposed reaction mechanism indicates that Cu₂O was an effective and stable catalyst, and the process was driven by the unique properties of subcritical water: the high ion product, the enhanced solubilisation of products, and the high diffusivity.