Water-compatible gold and silver nanoparticles as catalysts for the oxidation of alkenes

Water-compatible Ag/Au nanoparticles (NP) catalyze the liquid-phase oxidation of 1,1-diphenylethylene in H2O at 90 °C with TBHP (tert-butylhydroperoxide) as co-oxidant. Conversions of up to 100% to benzophenone were obtained with 1.5 mol% of these Au or Ag NP (10 nm) further supported on functionalized silica. The systems could be recycled.