One-step synthesis of phenol by O- and OH- emission material.

A novel approach to the direct synthesis of phenol from benzene was obtained with high benzene conversion (30%) and phenol selectivity (similar to 90%) by using a microporous material [Ca24Al28O64](4+)center dot 4O(-) ( C12A7-O-) as catalyst with oxygen and water; active O- and OH- anions are proposed to play important roles in the formation of phenol by hydroxylating the aromatic ring of benzene.