Highly selective synthesis of diphenyl methane via liquid phase benzylation of benzene over cobalt doped zinc nanoferrite catalysts at mild conditions

Liquid phase benzylation of benzene with benzyl chloride was investigated over different compositions of cobalt zinc ferrite (Co_xZn_1-xFe₂O_4, x-0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) nano composites, synthesized by sol–gel method. The un-substituted cobalt ferrite catalyst exhibited excellent activity among the series effecting complete conversion of benzyl chloride in 60?min at 90?°C with 100% selectivity for diphenyl methane. The effect of various reaction parameters on the reaction was studied. Higher benzylation activity of cobalt ferrite nanocomposite is attributed to the presence of higher quantities of moderately acidic sites and a good correlation was observed between surface acidity and benzylation activity of catalysts. The catalysts are reusable without any significant structural change as indicated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).