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Fullerene‐Catalyzed Reduction of Azo Derivatives in Water under UV Irradiation |
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| Authors: | Dr Yong Guo Dr Wengang Li Dr Jingjing Yan Dr Basem Moosa Dr Ma'an Amad Prof Charles J Werth Prof Niveen M Khashab |
| Institution: | 1. Controlled Release and Delivery Lab (CRD), Center of Membrane and Porous Materials, Chemical and Life Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955‐6900 (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia);2. Analytical Chemistry Core Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955‐6900 (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia);3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 (USA) |
| Abstract: | Metal‐free fullerene (C60) was found to be an effective catalyst for the reduction of azo groups in basic aqueous solution under UV irradiation in the presence of NaBH4. Use of NaBH4 by itself is not sufficient to reduce the azo dyes without the assistance of a metal catalyst such as Pd and Ag. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that C60 catalyzes this reaction by using its vacant orbital to accept the electron in the bonding orbital of azo dyes, which leads to the activation of the N?N bond. UV irradiation increases the ability of C60 to interact with electron‐donor moieties in azo dyes. |
| Keywords: | amines azo compounds electron transfer fullerenes heterogeneous catalysis |