Selective Oxidation of Tetrahydrofuran to Gamma-Butyrolactone over Spinel ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticle Catalyst

The selective oxidation of tetrahydrofuran (THF) to gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) on spinel ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles (ZFNPs) was investigated. catalyst prepared with the coprecipitation method and characterized by FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, TGA, XPS, BET surface area. characterization techniques showed that a nonuniform spherical spinal oxide an average particle size 26 nm formed. reaction carried out using hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent under solvent-free conditions. GC-MS analysis revealed main product GBL. 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran (THF-2-OH), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA), gamma-hydroxybutaldehyde (GHBAl) were obtained minor products. effects different parameters, such temperature, H2O2/THF mole ratio, dose, time, reusability, evaluated. A 47.3% conversion THF 88.2% selectivity GBL achieved conducting at 80 °C for nine hours 1:1 ratio H2O2/THF. slight increase in degree attained higher temperatures; however, over-oxidation process observed temperature exceeded °C. remained effective stable over four reuses.