Liquid phase benzylation of toluene using benzyl alcohol over iron promoted sulfated zirconia

Concentrated (0.2 M) aqueous solutions of HP-acids, such as H_3+x+mPV^IV _mV^V _x-mMo_12-xO₄₀ and their analogues with an excess VO²⁺ cation, are oxidized by dioxygen at 343 K and atmospheric pressure through intermediate active complexes (IAC) H_x+m-1PV^IV _mV^V _x-mMo_12-xO₄₀ ^{4 -}] · VO²⁺]_y · O₂, where m + y ≥ 3. The electron transfer to the coordinated O₂ molecule inside AC is the limiting stage at high m. At low m, the formation of IAC becomes the limiting stage that results in a sharp decrease in the oxidation rate. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.