Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of Fe(Salen) intercalated α-zirconium phosphate for the oxidation of cyclohexene

Iron(III)-Salen intercalated α-zirconium phosphate, abbreviated as {α-ZrP·Fe(Salen)} was synthesized in situ by the flexible ligand method. The resulting compound was characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared, Mössbauer and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of α-ZrP·Fe(Salen) with dry tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant was studied for oxidation of cyclohexene. In the oxidation reaction, cyclohexene was oxidized to cyclohexene oxide, cyclohexenol and cyclohexenone. A maximum conversion of 18.04% for the oxidation of cyclohexene was observed after 5 h of reaction when concentrations of the catalyst, the substrate and the oxidant were 0.20, 20 and 4 mmol respectively. The catalyst, α-ZrP·Fe(Salen) was recycled for eight cycles.

A catalytic system, α-ZrP·Fe(Salen)/dry TBHP, gave a maximum conversion of 18.04% in the oxidation of cyclohexene. The catalyst was stable and recycled for eight runs.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (98 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Synthesis of a heterogeneous catalyst, α-ZrP·Fe(Salen) by flexible ligand method.
► Catalyst characterized by BET, XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, AAS and Mössbauer spectroscopy.
► Catalytic activation of α-ZrP·Fe(Salen) with dry TBHP for oxidation of cyclohexene.
► Study of recycling of the catalyst up to eight cycles.