Unprecedented high selectivity of n -hexane dehydroaromatization to benzene over metal-free phosphorus-doped activated carbon catalysts

Phosphorus-doped activated carbon is reported for the first time as a highly selective catalyst for n-hexane dehydroaromatization to benzene and hydrogen with 100% n-hexane conversion and 97% benzene selectivity. The weak/medium-strength acidic centres composed of (CO)(C)-P(O)(OH) units on the catalyst surface would be the catalytic active sites. This work provides a new alternative in the preparation of metal-free catalysts for the highly selective functionalization of C-H bonds of n-alkanes.