One-step production of methoxymethyl benzene by selective oxidation of toluene in a electrochemical system assisted by SO4

Methoxymethyl benzene was synthesized through direct oxidation of toluene in methanol at room temperature and standard atmosphere using an electrochemical catalytic reactor assisted by SO4 (2−)/Fe2O3–MoO3 catalyst has been studied by UV–vis spectrum and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This new system showed a high selectivity to methoxymethyl benzene, minimizing its over-oxidation and other by-products production. SO4 (2−)/Fe2O(3–) MoO3 catalysts were prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect of various dosage of MoO3 in the catalyst was also investigated. The results showed that 5.0 g SO4 (2−)/Fe2O(3–)20% MoO3 as the catalyst, 3.0 g KF as the assisted catalyst, current intensity at 0.8A for 120 min at room temperature (298 K), gave the better system performance in terms of produced methoxymethyl benzene with high selectivity (51.341%).