Gold nanoparticles onto cerium oxycarbonate as highly efficient catalyst for aerobic allyl alcohol oxidation

Au nanoparticles, generated by the metal vapor synthesis technique, were supported onto cerium oxycarbonate monohydrate (Ce2O(CO3)2·H2O) giving Au@Ce2O(CO3)2·H2O. The obtained heterogeneous catalyst was used in the aerobic allyl alcohol oxidation reaction performed in toluene, showing a notably higher catalytic substrate conversion and isomerization activity compared to Au onto ceria, which is the reference catalyst for this type of catalysis. Results originating from catalytic recycling experiments and PXRD, HRTEM and XPS measurements carried out on recovered Au@Ce2O(CO3)2·H2O, confirmed the stability of the catalyst under aerobic oxidation reaction conditions and hence its recyclability, without the need of a regeneration step.