Liquid phase oxidation of amines to azoxy compounds over ETS-10 molecular sieves

Abstract

A convenient method for the oxidation of aryl amines to azoxybenzenes with H₂O₂ or tertiary butyl hydroperoxide over the titanosilicate ETS-10 is reported. Over ETS-10, aniline is transformed into azoxybenzene in greater than 97% yield with H₂O₂ as the oxidant. Substituted anilines are also transformed in good yields. Yield and H₂O₂ efficiency depend largely on experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, H₂O₂: substrate mole ratio and the nature of the solvent.