Method for the oxidation of benzene and/or toluene to phenol and/or cresols

A method for oxidizing a starting material selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene and combinations thereof, to an oxidation product selected from the group consisting of phenol, creosols and combinations thereof, wherein the oxidizing agent comprises nitrous oxide, and said oxidation is performed in the presence of a zeolite catalyst wherein the catalyst is prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

• a) calcining a zeolite at a temperature of from 500-950° C. in air or at 300-850° C. in an inert gas,
• b) impregnating the zeolite with Zn ions by ion exchange or by exposing the zeolite to an aqueous solution of a zinc salt, and
• c) activating the impregnated zeolite by heating it in air or an inert gas to a temperature of 300-850° C.,
• wherein the reaction is performed by contacting the starting material with the catalyst in the presence of nitrous oxide at a temperature of 225 to 500° C.