Catalytic activity of iron-containing polymers in hydroxylation of benzene with hydrogen peroxide

Hydroxylation of benzene with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous acetonitrile at 50°C was studied. The KU-2-8 and KU-1 cation exchangers, and also specially synthesized cation exchangers and phenolformaldehyde resins derived from pyrocatechol and resorcinol, all modified with Fe(III) cations, were used as catalysts. The macrocomplex KU-2-8/Fe³⁺ showed the highest catalytic activity and ensured 32% yield of phenol in 15 min. The formation of phenol depends in a complex fashion on the initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide, content of Fe(III) ions in the polymer, and reaction time.