Ruthenium nanoparticles supported on mesoporous MCM-41 as an efficient and reusable catalyst for selective oxidation of arenes under ultrasound irradiation

Mesoporous MCM-41 was used as a support for the uniform dispersion of ruthenium nanoparticles having an average particle size of ∼5 nm. The obtained nanocomposite, MCM-41-Ru, was characterized using inductively coupled plasma, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, and BET surface area measurements. The material was employed as an efficient and recyclable catalyst in the ultrasound-assisted oxidation of arenes. It was observed that ultrasound irradiation in combination with KBrO3 as the oxidant, in the presence of MCM-41-Ru nanoparticles, accelerates the oxidation reaction to afford the desired products in good yields. The recovered catalyst retained activity for successive runs, with a continuous change in the nature of its active sites.

MCM-41 crystallites loaded with Ru nanoparticles were used as heterogeneous catalysts in selective oxidation of arenes under sonic waves. The catalyst active site was found to be RuO2 species formed during the course of reactionFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide