The catalyst containing redox sites in addition to acid functional groups was prepared by sulphonation of a macroporous chloromethylated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer with concentrated sulphuric acid at elevated temperatures. Its activity was tested for the oxidation of 2-propanol by molecular oxygen at 120 °C and was found to be comparable to that of the iridium on carbon catalyst.Neutralisation of acid functional groups by alkali metal led to proportional decrease in the oxidation activity. The results of EPR spectroscopic study of these catalysts show that the redox properties of the polymer are caused by carbon clusters which are capable of electron exchange.
