A series of Mn(II)bipy complexes with different loading of Mn2+ supported on HMS was prepared. These samples were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC), Ultraviolet and Visible spectra (UV-Vis) and Fourier transforms Infrared (FT-IR). The catalytic activity of the supported Mn(II)bipy complexes, [Mn(bipy)2]2+/HMS was evaluated in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol in the liquid phase using tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. The effects of Mn2+ loading and various solvents on the conversion and selectivity were studied. A second order function for the variation in catalytic activity with respect to the loading of Mn2+ ions in different catalyst samples was observed. The activity of the [Mn(bipy)2]2+/HMS catalyst differs with the type of the solvent and in this case, acetonitrile gives the best conversion results. The kinetic of benzyl alcohol oxidation was investigated at temperatures of 27, 46, 60, 75 and 90◦C using [Mn(bipy)2]2+/HMS and excess TBHP. The order of reaction with respect to benzyl alcohol was determined to be pseudo-first order. The value of the apparent activation energy was also determined.
