Highly Selective Oxidation of Styrene Over FeCl.sub.3-Imidazolium Ionic Liquid Grafted SBA-15

A composite material (FeSIL) prepared by FeCl.sub.3-imidazolium ionic liquid grafted on SBA-15 exhibited effective catalytic activity for solvent-free oxidation of styrene into benzaldehyde with high selectivity using H.sub.2O.sub.2 oxidant and it presented easy recovery and reusability. In situ DRIFTS spectra for styrene and H.sub.2O.sub.2 adsorption showed that an intermediate Fe.sup.3+-[pi] surface complex on the catalyst surface was responsible for the activation of styrene and its reaction with H.sub.2O.sub.2 molecules on the surface or in the bulk phase.