An efficient photocatalysis-self-Fenton system based on Fe(ii)-MOF/g-C3N4 for direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol

In order to avoid the issues causing weaknesses in the cumene method, a heterojunction catalyst based on Fe(ii)-MOF/g-C3N4 was synthesized via in situ synthesis. The combination of Fe(ii)-MOF and g-C3N4 was stable. With the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and the Fenton effect, the catalyst could achieve efficient direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol. The yield and selectivity were 16.4% and 98.8% under the optimum conditions, respectively. And the catalytic activity of the heterojunction still sustained well after 5 reaction cycles. Hence, the explored photocatalysis-self-Fenton system could be applied in the field of direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol.