Oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde and styrene oxide over nickel and copper ceria solution combustion catalysts

CeO 2 , Cu 0.05 Ce 0.95 O 2-δ Ni 0.04 0.96 0.90 catalysts were synthesised via solution combustion technique using urea as a fuel. The pre-preared characterised X-ray powder diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopy analysis. characterisation techniques strongly suggested that all the prepared successfully, copper nickel successfully incorporated into lattice structure of ceria. effect reaction conditions on catalytic properties material studied in detail model catalyst. temperature, solvents co-oxidants was investigated optimisation studies. A combination acetonitrile, tert-butyl hydroperoxide temperature 60 °C found to be optimal after 24 hours used for catalysts. All active styrene oxidation under these conditions, with conversion high 69% over selectivity benzaldehyde oxide 38 26% respectively.