P-Doped carbons derived from cellulose as highly efficient metal-free catalysts for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in water under an air atmosphere†
Abstract
P-Doped carbons, prepared by carbonizing phosphoric acid-treated cellulose, exhibit high catalytic activity in metal-free aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde (99.7% yield) in water under air. A high turnover frequency is obtained due to the doped P-species of C3PO, identified via experiments and DFT calculations.