Synthesis,characterization and catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen over host (nanopores of zeolite-Y)/guest ([Ni([R]2-N2X2)]2+ (R = H,CH3; X = NH,O, S) nanocatalyst

Nickel(II) complexes of 12-membered macrocyclic ligands with different donating atoms (N₂O₂, N₂S₂ and N₄) in the macrocyclic ring have been encapsulated in the nanocavity of zeolite-Y by the fexible-ligand method. Nickel(II) complexes with macrocyclic ligands were entrapped in the nanocavity of zeolite-Y by a two-step process in the liquid phase: (i) adsorption of precursor ligand; 1,2-di(o-aminophenyl-, amino, oxo, thio)ethane, N₂X₂; in the supercages of the Ni(II)–NaY, and (ii) in situ condensation of the Ni(II) precursor complex; [Ni(N₂X₂)]²⁺; with glyoxal or biacetyl. The new host–guest nanocatalysts (HGNM), [Ni([R]₂-N₂X₂)]²⁺–NaY (R = H, CH₃; X = NH, O, S), have been characterized by FT-IR, DRS and UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques, XRD and elemental analysis, as well as nitrogen adsorption, and were used for oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen.