Iron(III), cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes bearing 8‐quinolinol encapsulated in zeolite?Y for the aerobic oxidation of styrene

A series of Fe(III), Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 8‐quinolinol were encapsulated into the supercages of zeolite? Y and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, SEM, N₂ adsorption/desorption, FT‐IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ICP‐AES and TG/DSC measurements. The encapsulation was achieved by a flexible ligand method in which the transition metal cations were first ion‐exchanged into zeolite Y and then complexed with 8‐quinolinol ligand. The metal‐exchanged zeolites, metal complexes encapsulated in zeolite–Y plus non‐encapsulated homogeneous counterparts were all screened as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of styrene under mild conditions. It was found that the encapsulated complexes always showed better activity than their respective non‐encapsulated counterparts. Moreover, the encapsulated iron complex showed good recoverability without significant loss of activity and selectivity within successive runs. Heterogeneity test for this catalyst confirmed its high stability against leaching of active complex species into solution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Epoxidation of styrene with molecular oxygen catalyzed by a novel oxovanadium(IV) catalyst containing two different kinds of ligands

A novel type of oxovanadium(IV) 8‐hydroxyquinoline (8‐Q) complex and oxovanadium(IV) acetylacetonate (acac) complex were synchronously anchored on to amino‐modified SBA‐15 (named VO(acac:8‐Q)‐SBA‐15) and examined as a catalyst for styrene oxidation. The structure of the synthesized catalyst was characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), FT‐IR, diffusion reflection UV–visible, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Characterizations with FT‐IR, diffusion reflection UV‐visible, ICP‐AES and TG suggested the incorporation of oxovanadium(IV) complex in amino‐modified SBA‐15. XRD and SEM results indicated that SBA‐15 remained intact throughout the grafting procedure. It was found that VO(acac:8‐Q)‐SBA‐15 catalyst was more active than single‐ligand catalysts VO(acac)₂‐SBA‐15 and VO(8‐Q)₂‐SBA‐15 and that the product selectivity varied in cases of different oxidants. The catalyst VO(acac:8‐Q)‐SBA‐15 with two different ligands showed high yield of styrene oxide (45.8%) and good recoverability when using air as oxidant. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cu(II) Schiff base complex supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles as an efficient nanocatalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

Herein, we have prepared a new Cu(II) Schiff base complex supported onto the surface of modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as highly stable, heterogeneous and magnetically recyclable nanocatalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of different alcohols. The structure, morphology, chemical composition and magnetic property of the nanocatalyst and its precursors were characterized using FT‐IR, TGA, AAS, ICP‐AES, XRD, SEM, EDS, VSM and N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses. Characterization results exhibited the uniform spherical morphology for nanocatalyst and its precursors. A promising eco‐friendly method with short reaction time and high conversion and selectivity for oxidation of various primary and secondary alcohols under O₂ atmosphere condition was achieved. The synthesized nanocatalyst could be recovered easily by applying an external magnetic field and reused for least eight subsequent reaction cycles with only negligible deterioration in catalytic performance.     

Cobalt Phthalocyanine Immobilized on Graphene Oxide: An Efficient Visible‐Active Catalyst for the Photoreduction of Carbon Dioxide

New graphene oxide (GO)‐tethered–Co^II phthalocyanine complex [CoPc–GO] was synthesized by a stepwise procedure and demonstrated to be an efficient, cost‐effective and recyclable photocatalyst for the reduction of carbon dioxide to produce methanol as the main product. The developed GO‐immobilized CoPc was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, XPS, Raman, diffusion reflection UV/Vis spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FTIR, XPS, Raman, UV/Vis and ICP‐AES along with elemental analysis data showed that Co^II–Pc complex was successfully grafted on GO. The prepared catalyst was used for the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide by using water as a solvent and triethylamine as the sacrificial donor. Methanol was obtained as the major reaction product along with the formation of minor amount of CO (0.82 %). It was found that GO‐grafted CoPc exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than homogeneous CoPc, as well as GO, and showed good recoverability without significant leaching during the reaction. Quantitative determination of methanol was done by GC flame‐ionization detector (FID), and verification of product was done by NMR spectroscopy. The yield of methanol after 48 h of reaction by using GO–CoPc catalyst in the presence of sacrificial donor triethylamine was found to be 3781.8881 μmol g^?1 cat., and the conversion rate was found to be 78.7893 μmol g^?1cat. h^?1. After the photoreduction experiment, the catalyst was easily recovered by filtration and reused for the subsequent recycling experiment without significant change in the catalytic efficiency.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4@SiO2@DOPisatin‐Ni(II) and Cu(II) nanoparticles: Highly efficient catalyst for the synthesis of sulfoxides and disulfides

The catalytic activity of two magnetic catalysts Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@DOPisatin‐M(II) (M = Ni, Cu) was investigated in the environmentally green H₂O₂ oxidant‐based oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and oxidative coupling of thiols to disulfides. By using these catalysts, various substrates were successfully converted into their corresponding product. These catalysts could also be reused multiple time without significant loss of activity. The physical and chemical properties of the catalysts were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).     

Catalytic Performance and Dispersion Behavior of Supported Nano‐Amorphous Alloy NiB/MCM‐41 Catalysts Prepared by Chemical Reductive Deposition

Supported nano‐amorphous alloy NiB/MCM‐41 catalysts were prepared by chemical reductive deposition. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDAX, ICP, and N₂ adsorption‐desorption. The amorphous alloy structure of NiB active sites, mesoporous structure of catalysts, and higher BET area have been proved by the experiments. The catalysts have given excellent catalytic activity and selectivity in the production of 3‐(N‐benzyl)‐amino‐4‐methoxy‐ acetanilide from 3‐amino‐4‐methoxy‐acetanilide and benzaldehyde.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new kind of immobilized Mn(salen) and catalytic epoxidation of styrene on the catalyst

A linear polystyrene‐isopropenyl phosphonic acid (PS‐IPPA) copolymer was newly synthesized by free radical reaction in solution with isopropenyl phosphonic acid (IPPA) and styrene. Zirconium poly(styrene‐isopropenyl phosphonate)‐phosphate acid (ZPS‐IPPA) was also synthesized. The benzene rings of ZPS‐IPPA were hydroxylated and then further reacted with Mn(salen)Cl. Thus the heterogeneous catalyst, Mn(salen) axially immobilized onto ZPS‐IPPA was synthesized. These substances were characterized by IR spectra, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, and AAS. The catalyst showed good activity to epoxidation of styrene, which is close to that of the corresponding homogeneous catalyst. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) or cobalt(II) acetylacetone complexes immobilized on amino‐functionalized CMK‐3 for the aerobic epoxidation of styrene

Oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) and cobalt(II) acetylacetone complexes have been grafted onto amino‐modified CMK‐3‐O (VO‐NH₂‐CMK‐3, Cu‐NH₂‐CMK‐3 and Co‐NH₂‐CMK‐3,respectively) and the materials thus prepared were used as heterogeneous catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of styrene. X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption and transmission electron microscopy measurements confirmed the structural integrity of the mesoporous hosts, and spectroscopic characterization techniques (Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron, Raman) and thermogravimetry confirmed the ligands and the successful anchoring of the acetylacetone complexes to the modified mesoporous support. VO‐NH₂‐CMK‐3 displayed a relatively good catalytic performance with 94.6% of styrene conversion using air as oxidant, while Cu‐NH₂‐CMK‐3 gave 99.6% of styrene conversion using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly efficient and excellent reusable catalysts of molybdenum(VI) complexes grafted on ZPS‐PVPA for epoxidation of olefins with tert‐BuOOH

Four new kinds of heterogeneous catalysts for olefins epoxidation were obtained by grafting diamines on organic polymer–inorganic hybrid material, zirconium poly (styrene‐phenylvinylphosphonate)‐phosphate (ZPS‐PVPA), and subsequently coordinating with Schiff base Mo(VI) complexes. The catalysts were characterized by IR, XPS, SEM and TEM. All catalysts were evaluated through the epoxidation of olefins using tert‐BuOOH as oxidant. The heterogeneous catalysts possess the advantages of high conversion, selectivity and excellent reusability. The catalysts were easily separated from the reaction systems and could be reused 13 times without significant loss of catalytic activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fe3O4‐supported Schiff‐base copper (II) complex: A valuable heterogeneous nanocatalyst for one‐pot synthesis of new pyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide derivatives

A novel Cu (II) Schiff‐base complex immobilized on core‐shell magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SPNC) was successfully designed and synthesized. The structural features of these nanoparticles were studied and confirmed by using various techniques including FT‐IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (WDX), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). These newly synthesized nanoparticles have been used as efficient heterogeneous catalytic system for one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of new pyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide derivatives. Notably, the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnet and reused for several successive reaction runs with no significant loss of activity or copper leaching. The present protocol benefits from a hitherto unreported MNPs‐immobilized Cu (II) Schiff‐base complex as an efficient nanocatalyst for the synthesis of newly reported derivatives of pyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide from one‐pot multicomponent reactions.     

A new efficient adsorbent in the preconcentration studies of the Cr(III) and Fe(III) ions

In this study, the imine‐graphene hybrid material (HM) was used as an adsorbent for removal of Fe(III) and Cr(III) metal ions from the drinking waters. The adsorbent material (HM) was prepared at three steps. At the first step, the graphite was oxidized by Hummer's method for preparation of graphene oxide (GO), in the second step, the silanization derivative (GO‐APTES) was obtained from the reaction of the 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propylamine and GO. In the final step, the hybrid material (HM) was synthesized from the reaction of the 3,5‐diiodosalicylaldehyde and GO‐APTES. The chemical structures of three materials GO, GO‐APTES and HB were characterized by using the FT‐IR, XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM and UV‐vis methods. Thermal properties of the materials GO, GO‐APTES and HB were investigated by TGA/DTA methods in the 25–1000°C temperature range. Adsorption and desorption studies of the hybrid material toward Fe(III) and Cr(III) metal ions were investigated using the Batch method. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, concentration on the adsorption properties of the hybrid material were investigated by ICP‐OES. The Fe(III) and Cr(III) ions have the maximum adsorption at the pH 7. The adsorption capacity decreases with the increase in pH values because above pH 9 the adsorption decreases due to the precipitation of metal hydroxide.     

Transition metal complexes on mesoporous silica nanoparticles as highly efficient catalysts for epoxidation of styrene

We have synthesized a series of catalysts for epoxidation of styrene by immobilizing salicylaldimine transition metal (copper, manganese, and cobalt) complexes on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with diameters of 120-150 nm. The prepared catalysts are characterized by infrared (IR) spectra, thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), CHN elemental analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These catalysts possess excellent catalytic efficiency in epoxidation of styrene when using tert-BuOOH (TBHP) as oxidant. Styrene shows a high conversion (～99%) as well as epoxide selectivity (～80%) over Cu-MSN catalysts, and high conversion (～99%) and moderate epoxide selectivity (～65%) over Mn-MSN and Co-MSN catalysts. The recycling experiment results indicate that these catalysts maintain catalytic activity even after being used for three cycles. Our results indicate that MSNs can serve as better catalyst supports.     

Cu(II) immobilized on mesoporous organosilica as an efficient and reusable nanocatalyst for one‐pot Biginelli reaction under solvent‐free conditions

Cu(II) immobilized on mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (Cu²⁺@MSNs‐(CO₂^?)₂) has been synthesized, as a inorganic–organic nanohybrid catalyst, through a post‐grafting approach. Its characterization is carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyses (TGA‐DTA), and Nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis. Cu²⁺@MSNs‐(CO₂^?)₂ exhibits high catalytic activity in the Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of a diverse range of 3, 4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones, under mild conditions. The anchored Cu(II) could not leach out from the surface of the mesoporous catalyst during the reaction and it has been reused several times without appreciable loss in its catalytic activity.     

Dehydration of Castor Oil over NaHSO4/MCM‐41 Catalyst Modified by n‐Dodecyltriethoxysilane

n‐Dodecyltriethoxysilane (DTEOS) modified NaHSO₄/MCM‐41 catalysts (silanized catalysts) were synthesized by different impregnation sequences and evaluated in the liquid‐phase dehydration of castor oil. The samples were evaluated by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption, SEM, TEM, FT‐IR spectroscopy, XPS, ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, NH₃‐TPD, and pyridine‐FT‐IR spectroscopy. The analyses demonstrated that silanization enhanced the hydrophobicity of the catalysts, and the impregnation sequence of silanized catalysts had a significant effect on the NaHSO₄ dispersion, surface area, acid distribution, and hydrophobicity of the silanized catalysts. The catalytic activity of the silanized catalysts was much higher than that of NaHSO₄/MCM‐41. Among the silanized catalysts, the catalyst prepared by simultaneous impregnation with DTEOS and NaHSO₄ showed the highest iodine value of 141.8 [g(I₂) per 100 g] and lowest hydroxyl value of 11.3 [mg(KOH) · g^–1].     

Ni‐W Catalysts Supported on HZSM‐5/HMS for the Hydrogenation Reaction of Aromatic Compounds: Effect of Ni/W Ratio on Activity,Stability, and Kinetics

Ni‐W/HZSM5‐HMS catalysts were evaluated for the benzene hydrogenation reaction at 130–190°C. To study the catalyst characterization, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, UV–vis, diffuse reflectance spectra, temperature‐programmed desorption of NH₃, FT‐IR of adsorbed pyridine measurements (Py‐IR), H₂ chemisorption, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and TGA techniques were used. Kinetics of benzene hydrogenation was investigated under various hydrogen and benzene pressures, and the effect of reaction conditions on catalytic performance was studied. The results showed that bimetallic catalysts have better ability than a monometallic catalyst (Ni/HZSM5‐HMS) for this reaction, such as maximum benzene conversion (100%), minimum toluene conversion (1.76–40%), very low converted xylene, benzene selectivity (100%), good catalytic stability against coke deposition, and appropriate kinetic parameters.     

Porous Organic Zirconium Phosphonate as Efficient Catalysts for the Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Ethyl Levulinate to γ‐Valerolactone without External Hydrogen

Organic hybrid zirconium phosphonate materials (ZrATMP, ZrEDTMPS, ZrDTPMPA, and ZrHEDP) were synthesized through reaction of organic phosphonic acid sodium salt and ZrOCl₂ in water, which exhibited high catalytic activity on the conversion of ethyl levulinate (EL) to γ‐valerolactone (GVL) in the presence of isopropanol. The obtained catalysts were characterized by FT‐IR, TGA, XRD, BET, XPS, ICP‐AES, SEM, TEM, NH₃‐TPD, and CO₂‐TPD. The results demonstrate that the number of acid sites and basic sites between the layers of the catalysts play a very important role in promoting the conversion of EL to GVL and that the functional groups that exist in phosphates could regulate the number of acid and basic sites. Meanwhile, the catalysts could be easily separated from the reaction system and reused at least five times without any obvious decrease in activity or selectivity.     

Synthesis of multifunctional polymer containing Ni‐Pd NPs via thiol‐ene reaction for one‐pot cascade reactions

Recently, acid–base bifunctional catalysts have been considered due to their abilities, such as the simultaneous activation of electrophilic and nucleophilic species and their high importance in organic syntheses. However, the synthesis of acid–base catalysts is problematic due to the neutralization of acidic and basic groups. This work reports a facial approach to solve this problem via the synthesis of a novel bifunctional polymer using inexpensive materials and easy methods. In this way, at the first step, heterogeneous poly (styrene sulfonic acid‐n‐vinylimidazole) containing pentaerythritol tetra‐(3‐mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) cross‐linkers were synthesized in the pores of a mesoporous silica structure using click reaction as a novel bifunctional acid–base catalyst. After that, Ni‐Pd nanoparticles supported on poly (styrenesulfonic acid‐n‐vinylimidazole)/KIT‐6 as a novel trifunctional heterogeneous acid–base‐metal catalyst was prepared. The prepared catalysts were characterized by various techniques like FT‐IR, TGA, ICP‐AES, DRS‐UV, TEM, FE‐SEM, EDS‐Mapping, and XRD. The synthesized catalysts were efficiently used as bifunctional/trifunctional catalysts for one‐pot, deacetalization‐Knoevenagel condensation and one‐pot, three‐step and a sequential reaction containing deacetalization‐Knoevenagel condensation‐reduction reaction. It is important to note that the synthesized catalyst showing high chemo‐selectivity for the reduction of nitro group, alkenyl double bond and ester group in the presence of nitrile. Moreover, it was found that the different nanoparticles including Ni, Pd, and alloyed Ni‐Pd showing different chemo‐selectivity and catalytic activity in the reaction.     

Synthesis and characterization of 4‐AMTT‐Pd(II) complex over Fe3O4@SiO2 as supported nanocatalyst for Suzuki‐Miyaura and Mizoroki‐heck cross‐coupling reactions in water

Immobilization of Pd(II) nanoparticles on silica‐coated modified magnetite particles has been readily achieved via a surface modification of Fe₃O₄ particles with 4‐amino‐5‐methyl‐4‐H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol (4‐AMTT) as a ligand. This magnetite nanocatalyst was characterized by various analyses such as FT‐IR, SEM/EDX, ICP‐AES, VSM, TEM, XRD, XPS and TGA. This nanocatalyst showed admirable catalytic activity for Suzuki‐Miyaura and Mizoroki‐Heck cross‐coupling reactions under mild conditions in water, and could be simply separated by an outer magnet and reused for several times.     

Catalytic Activity of Bimetallic (Ruthenium/Palladium) Nano‐alloy Decorated Porous Carbons Toward Reduction of Toxic Compounds

Chicken feather‐derived high‐surface‐area porous activated carbon (CFAC) material was prepared using chemical activation. A new composite composed of Ru‐Pd nanoparticles supported on CFAC (Ru‐Pd@CFAC) has been prepared by microwave‐thermal reduction in the presence of the support. Characterization by XRD, Raman, BET, FE‐SEM/TEM, FT‐IR, TGA, XPS, HAADF‐STEM‐EDS, H₂‐chemisorption, H₂‐TPR, and ICP‐AES was used to analyze the catalyst. This catalyst is found to be efficient for the reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr^VI), potassium ferricyanide (K₃[Fe(CN)₆]), 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), and pendimethalin (PDM), at room temperature, and remains stable, even after several repeated runs. Moreover, it showed excellent catalytic activity compared with the monometallic counterparts.