Immobilization of metalloporphyrin complexes in molecular sieves and their catalytic activity

A series of Fe-porphyrin complexes have been prepared inside the pores of NaY and Al-MCM-41 by various synthesis procedures. The complexes were characterized by XRD, diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy, IR spectra and thermal analysis. The catalytic performance of the synthesized material was tested by carrying out the epoxidation of cyclohexene at room temperature. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) was found to be the most convenient oxidizing reagent. No leaching of the metalporphyrin or uncomplexed metal ions was observed.