A silica gel supported cobalt（II） Schiff base complex as efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of alkyl aromatics

A silica gel supported cobalt（lI） Schiff base complex was synthesized and used for the oxidation of alkyl aromatics using molecular oxygen as an oxidant under atmosphere pressure. The catalyst shows a high conversion of alkyl aromatics and selectivity to benzylic ketones, and could be reused at least 5 times without significant loss of catalytic activity.