Ordered mesoporous SBA‐15/PrSO3Pd and SBA‐15/PrSO3PdNP as active,reusable and selective phosphine‐free catalysts in CX activation Heck coupling process

The incorporation of sulfonate into mesoporous SBA‐15 molecular sieves as ligands for palladium ions was used. Then SBA‐15/PrSO₃Pd and SBA‐15/PrSO₃Pd_NP were prepared and applied for the Heck arylation reaction of conjugate alkenes with aryl halides, to afford corresponding cross‐coupling products under phosphine‐free aerobic conditions with good to excellent yields. These supported palladium pre‐catalysts could be separated easily from reaction products and reused several times, showing superiority over homogeneous catalysts for industrial and chemical applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bio‐assisted synthesized Ag(0) nanoparticles immobilized on SBA‐15/cyclodextrin nanosponge adduct: Efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the ultrasonic‐assisted synthesis of benzopyranopyrimidines

For the first time, SBA‐15/cyclodextrin nanosponge adduct was synthesized through reaction of Cl‐functionalized SBA‐15 and amine‐functionalized cyclodextrin nanosponge (CDNS). This adduct, which benefits from features of both SBA‐15 and CDNS, was then used for immobilization of Ag(0) nanoparticles which were prepared and capped using a bio‐based approach. Ag@CDNS–SBA‐15 was applied as a heterogeneous catalyst for promoting the three‐component reaction of benzaldehydes, 4‐hydroxycoumarin and urea or thiourea under ultrasonic irradiation to furnish benzopyranopyrimidines. The reaction variables were optimized using response surface methodology. The catalytic activity of Ag@CDNS–SBA‐15 was higher than those of Ag@CDNS, Ag@SBA‐15 and Ag@SBA‐15 + CDNS, confirming the contribution of both components to catalysis as well as a synergistic effect between CDNS and SBA‐15. The role of CDNS was to accommodate the substrates and bring them to the vicinity of the Ag(0) nanoparticles. Notably the catalyst was reusable and could be recovered and reused for up to four reaction runs with slight Ag(0) leaching and loss of catalytic activity.     

An efficient,mild and selective Ullmann‐type N‐arylation of indoles catalysed by Pd immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 as heterogeneous and recyclable nanocatalyst

A wide range of N‐arylated indoles were selectively synthesized through intermolecular C(aryl)? N bond formation from the corresponding aryl iodides and indoles through Ullmann‐type coupling reactions in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 (SBA‐15/AO/Pd(0)) under mild reaction conditions. These cross‐coupled products were obtained in excellent yields under mild conditions at extremely low palladium loading (ca 0.3 mol%), and the heterogeneous catalyst can be readily recovered by simple filtration and reused seven times with loss in its activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pd(OAc)2@SBA‐15/PrEn nanoreactor: a highly active,reusable and selective phosphine‐free catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction in aqueous media

A series of ordered mesoporous organic–inorganic hybrid material was designed by using the amine‐functionalized SBA‐15 (PdX₂@SBA‐15/N_Y, Y = 1, 2) as solid support for palladium complexes. Among them, the Pd(OAc)₂/ethylenediamine complex encapsulated into SBA‐15 (Pd(OAc)₂@SBA‐15/PrEn or Pd(OAc)₂@SBA‐15/PrNHEtNH₂) exhibits higher activity and selectivity toward Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction under aerobic conditions and water solvent mixture. The SBA‐15/PrEn supported palladium pre‐catalyst could be separated easily from reaction products and used repetitively several times, showing its superiority over homogeneous catalysts for industrial and chemical applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Epoxidation of cyclohexene with H2O2 over efficient water‐tolerant heterogeneous catalysts composed of mono‐substituted phosphotungstic acid on co‐functionalized SBA‐15

A series of Keggin‐type heteropolyacid‐based heterogeneous catalysts (Co‐/Fe‐/Cu‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15) were synthesized via immobilized transition metal mono‐ substituted phosphotungstic acids (Co‐/Fe‐/Cu‐POM) on octyl‐amino‐co‐functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 (octyl‐NH₂‐SBA‐15). Characterization results indicated that Co‐/Fe‐/Cu‐POM units were highly dispersed in mesochannels of SBA‐15, and both types of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites existed in Co‐/Fe‐/Cu‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15 catalysts. Co‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15 catalyst showed excellent catalytic performance in H₂O₂‐mediated cyclohexene epoxidation with 83.8% of cyclohexene conversion, 92.8% of cyclohexene oxide selectivity, and 98/2 of epoxidation/allylic oxidation selectivity. The order of catalytic activity was Co‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15 > Fe‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15 > Cu‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15. In order to obtain insights into the role of ‐octyl moieties during catalysis, an octyl‐free catalyst (Co‐POM‐NH₃‐SBA‐15) was also synthesized. In comparison with Co‐POM‐NH₃‐SBA‐15, Co‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15 showed enhanced catalytic properties (viz. activity and selectivity) in cyclohexene epoxidation. Strong chemical bonding between ‐NH₃⁺ anchored on the surface of SBA‐15 and heteropolyanions resulted in excellent stability of Co‐POM‐octyl‐NH₃‐SBA‐15 catalyst, and it could be reused six times without considerable loss of activity.     

Supported Palladium Oxide Nanoparticles in SBA‐15 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

Palladium nanoparticles were first synthesized through the thermal decomposition method and subsequently immobilized on ordered mesoporous silica material, SBA‐15, to afford PdO/SBA‐15 catalyst. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption measurement, transmission electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The catalytic activity was tested for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols. Easy recovery, high yeilds and relatively short reaction times were observed for the mentioned catalyst.     

Synthesis of new TCH/Ni‐based nanocomposite supported on SBA‐15 and its catalytic application for preparation of benzimidazole and perimidine derivatives

A stable nickel‐decorated SBA‐15 nanocomposite (Ni/TCH@SBA‐15) was synthesized through surface modification of silica nanoparticles with 3‐chloropropyltriethoxysilane (CPTES) and thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) followed by metal–ligand coordination with Ni (II). The structure of this organometallic nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption–desorption (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) techniques. The catalytic performance of Ni/TCH@SBA‐15 (NNTS‐15) was determined for the synthesis of 2‐aryl‐substituted benzimidazoles and 2,3‐dihydroperimidines. The excellent yields within shorter reaction times, simplicity of catalytic methods, non‐toxicity and clean reactions, mild reaction conditions and easy work‐up procedure are the important merits of these synthetic protocols. Moreover, the Ni (II) bonded to the SBA‐15 surface was stable under the catalytic reaction conditions resulting in its efficient recycling and reuse.     

Dehydrogenation of Isobutane to Isobutene with Carbon Dioxide over SBA‐15‐Supported Chromia‐Ceria Catalysts

A series of SBA‐15‐supported chromia‐ceria catalysts with 3% Cr and 1%–5% Ce (3Cr‐Ce/SBA) were prepared using an incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM, TEM‐EDX, Raman spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, XPS and H₂‐TPR, and their catalytic performance for isobutane dehydrogenation with CO₂ was tested. The addition of ceria to SBA‐15‐supported chromia improves the dispersion of chromium species. 3Cr‐Ce/SBA catalysts are more active than SBA‐15‐supported chromia (3Cr/SBA), which is due to a higher concentration of Cr⁶⁺ species present on the former catalysts. The 3Cr‐3Ce/SBA catalyst shows the highest activity, which gives 35.4% isobutane conversion and 89.6% isobutene selectivity at 570 °C after 10 min of the reaction.     

CO2‐promoted Water‐medium Ullmann Reaction over a Pd/Phenyl‐SBA‐15 Mesoporous Catalyst

Water‐medium Ullmann reaction was carried out in CO₂ atmosphere over the mesoporous Pd/Ph‐SBA‐15 catalyst exhibiting high activity and selectivity owing to the uniform dispersion of Pd particles and hydrophobilic mesoporous channels which facilitate the diffusion and adsorption of organic molecules, especially in an aqueous medium. The CO₂ also shows promoting effect on activity and selectivity, which could be understood by considering the role of H⁺ in the mechanism of Ullmann reaction. The optimum Ph‐Ph yield (84.0%) was obtained at p=0.8 MPa and V=6.0 mL and could remain almost unchanged even after the catalyst has been used repetitively for 5 times.     

Cobalt(II) acetylacetonate complex immobilized on aminosilane‐modified SBA‐15 as an efficient catalyst for epoxidation of trans‐stilbene with molecular oxygen

From environmental and economic points of view, it is highly desirable to develop a clean and efficient catalytic process to produce epoxides. An attractive approach is to use a solid, recyclable catalyst and molecular oxygen as the oxidant without any sacrificial reductant or other additives. Nonetheless, the catalysts reported up to now still cannot balance catalytic activity with epoxide selectivity. It is of great importance to explore novel catalysts with both high activity and selectivity for the epoxidation of olefins. In this work, cobalt(II) acetylacetonate (Co(acac)₂) was covalently bonded to the silica surface of SBA‐15 molecular sieve by multi‐step grafting using 3‐aminopropytrimethoxysilane (APTS) as coupling agent. Characterizations with nitrogen physisorption, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis suggested that the metal complex was successfully immobilized on the aminosilane‐modified SBA‐15 surface and the channel structure remained intact. The synthesized Co(acac)₂APTS@SBA‐15 catalyst was used in the epoxidation of trans‐stilbene (TS) with molecular oxygen. Compared to the sample prepared by the impregnation method as well as Co(acac)₂ solutions under the same reaction conditions, the Co(acac)₂ immobilized catalyst exhibited remarkably higher TS conversion and trans‐stilbene oxide (TSO) selectivity. An increase in TS conversion with Co content was observed when the Co loading was lower than 0.70% and the 0.70Co(acac)₂APTS@SBA‐15 sample exhibited the best catalytic performance. Up to 50.1% of TS conversion could be achieved within 6 h, affording TSO selectivity as high as 96.7%. The superior catalytic performance of this particular catalyst is attributed to the high activity of the immobilized Co(acac)₂ species on SBA‐15. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxygenation of sulfides catalysed by SBA‐15‐immobilized molybdenum(VI) complex of a bis(phenol) diamine ligand using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant

A highly efficient and reusable molybdenum‐based catalyst has been synthesized by covalent grafting of a bis(phenol) diamine ligand, namely 2‐(((2‐bromoethyl)(2‐((3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amino)ethyl)amino)methyl)‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol, onto functionalized ordered mesoporous silica (SBA‐15) followed by complexation with MoO₂(acac)₂. The resulting organic–inorganic hybrid material was found to be a highly effective catalyst for oxygenation of various sulfides to their corresponding sulfoxides or sulfones. The catalyst was characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X‐ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared and atomic absorption spectroscopies, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Mild reaction conditions, high selectivity and easy recovery and reusability of the catalyst render the presented protocol very useful for addressing industrial needs and environmental concerns.     

Preparation of magnetic Fe3O4/P (GMA‐DVB)‐PEI/Pd highly efficient catalyst with core‐shell structure

In this paper, a simple route for palladium (Pd) nanoparticles attached to the surface of hollow magnetic Fe₃O₄/P (GMA‐DVB)‐polyethyleneimine (PEI) microspheres was established. Due to the large amount of imidogen groups and tertiary amine groups presenting in the PEI, Pd²⁺ ions could be anchored to the support by complexation with a polyfunctional organic ligand. Thereafter, a magnetic Pd catalyst having a high loading amount and good dispersibility was obtained by reducing Pd²⁺ ions. Afterwards, the prepared catalyst was characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, VSM, and UV–vis in detail. Ultimately, their catalytic activity was evaluated using the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP). Research showed that the Fe₃O₄/P (GMA‐DVB)‐PEI/Pd catalyst possessed high catalytic performances for the reduction of 4‐NP with a conversion rate of 98.43% within 540 s. Furthermore, the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused at least for nine successive cycles.     

Catalytic Hydrodechlorination of 1,2,4,5‐Tetrachlorobenzene over Various Supports Loaded Palladium Catalysts

Water pollution by polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons has always been a global issue. In this work, we reported a synthesis of supported palladium catalysts Pd/C, Pd/CeO₂, Pd/SBA‐15, Pd/ZrO₂,Pd/SiO₂, and Pd/Al₂O₃ as well as their catalytic activities on hydrodechlorination (HDC) of 1,2,4,5‐tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB). These Pd catalysts were characterized by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) specific surface area, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), CO‐chemisorption, and H2‐temperature programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) analysis. Pd/C, Pd/CeO₂ and Pd/SBA‐15 catalysts showed relatively high catalytic activities. The catalytic activities were associated with dispersion of Pd, metal surface area, and reaction temperature, etc.     

Mesoporous silica SBA‐15 functionalized with acidic deep eutectic solvent: A highly active heterogeneous N‐formylation catalyst under solvent‐free conditions

Mesoporous silica SBA‐15 functionalized with N‐methylpyrrolidonium‐zinc chloride based deep eutectic solvent (DES) is found to be a more efficient and reusable catalyst for a convenient N‐formylation of a variety of amines at room temperature. N‐Formylation of primary, secondary as well as heterocyclic amines have been carried out in good to excellent yields by treatment with formic acid in low loading of DES/SBA‐15 an environmentally benign catalyst for the first time. The DES/SBA‐15 catalyst, which possesses both Brønsted and Lewis acidities as well as an active SBA‐15 support, makes this procedure quite simple, reusable, more convenient and practical. This catalyst was tolerant of a wide range of functional groups, and it can be reused for four runs without obvious deactivation.     

Efficient One‐Pot Solvent‐Free Synthesis of 1H‐Pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐5,10‐diones Catalyzed by Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Nanoporous Silica (SBA‐Pr‐SO3H)

A green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 1H‐pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐5,10‐diones by one‐pot cyclocondensation reaction of phthalhydrazide, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate using sulfonic acid functionalized SBA‐15 (SBA‐Pr‐SO₃H) as a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst under solvent‐free conditions.     

Nano tetraimine Pd(0) complex as an efficient catalyst for phosphine‐free Suzuki reaction in water and copper‐free Sonogashira reaction under aerobic conditions

A nano tetraimine Pd(0) complex catalyst was successfully used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the phosphine‐free palladium‐catalysed Suzuki coupling reaction in water at 80 °C. This nano tetraimine Pd(0) complex was also used for copper‐free Sonogashira reaction in dimethylformamide at 100 °C. The catalyst was easily recovered from the reaction mixture by centrifugation and reused for at least six cycles without any significant loss in its catalytic activity. Analysis of the reaction mixture using inductively coupled plasma analysis showed that leaching of palladium from the catalyst was negligible. The reactions can be performed efficiently for aryl iodides, bromides and also chlorides. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A robust UV–visible light‐driven SBA‐15‐PS/phthalhydrazide nanohybrid material with enhanced photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of methyl orange

SBA‐15‐PS/phthalhydrazide (PHD) is presented as a new heterogeneous inorganic–organic nanohybrid photocatalyst with high stability, superior recyclability and remarkable performance in the degradation of methyl orange (MO). Distinctive parameters, including photocatalyst and dye concentrations, pH and degradation time, were assessed for MO degradation catalysed by SBA‐15‐PS/PHD. This new heterogeneous nanocatalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopies and elemental analysis. Photodegradation of MO of up to 92% under the optimum conditions (photocatalyst = 0.015 g, [MO] = 4 ppm, pH = 2) was accomplished in 25 min using SBA‐15‐PS/PHD. A preliminary kinetic investigation was performed, and pseudo‐first‐order kinetics with a high rate constant (0.068 min^?1) was found for MO degradation. Additional results showed that the photodegradation of MO was increased in the presence of hole scavengers. Therefore a photoreduction mechanism for MO degradation is proposed.     

Nanocomposite with Polypyrrole Encapsulated within SBA‐15 Mesoporous Silica: Preparation and Its Electrochemical Application

The nanocomposite with polypyrrole (PPy) confined in ordered mesoporous silica SBA‐15 channels was synthesized by in situ electropolymerization. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption/desorption, and FT‐IR studies indicated that the nanocomposite has the well‐ordered hexagonal structures and PPy was in situ polymerized into the channels instead of the outer surface of SBA‐15. Furthermore, the PPy/SBA‐15 nanocomposite was used as an electrode modifier. We found that the nanocomposite‐modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic activities for hydroquinone oxidation where PPy chains could facilitate the electron transfer between molecular sieves and electrode surface. Three dihydroxybenzene isomers (hydroquinone, catechol and resorcinol) have been successfully detected at PPy/SBA‐15 modified electrode by preconcentration of the analyte.     

Cyclodextrin‐supported palladium complex: A highly active and recoverable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction in aqueous medium

A water‐soluble, cyclodextrin‐supported palladium complex (DACH‐Pd‐β‐CD) catalytic system was designed and synthesized, which can efficiently catalyze Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions between aryl halides and arylboronic acid in water under mild conditions. The catalyst was successfully characterized using the methods of transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and still maintain high catalytic activity after ten cycles. No leaching of palladium into the reaction solution occurred. The advantages of green solvent (water), short reaction times (2–6 h), low catalyst loading (0.001 mol%), excellent yields (up to 99%) and reusability of the catalyst mean it will have potential applications in green chemical synthesis.