Magnetic nanoparticles supported manganese(III) tetrapyridylporphyrin catalyst via covalent interaction: A highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the oxidation of hydrocarbons

In the present work, the highly efficient epoxidation of alkenes and hydroxylation of alkanes catalyzed by tetra(4-N-pyridyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate, [Mn(TPyP)OAc], supported on silica coated magnetite nanoparticles, SiO2–Fe3O4, are reported. First, the SiO2–Fe3O4 nanoparticles were modified with triethoxysilylpropyl chloride and then [Mn(TPyP)OAc] was attached to the support via covalent linkages. The prepared catalyst was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy. This new heterogenized catalyst was used for efficient epoxidation of alkenes and hydroxylation of alkanes with NaIO4 at room temperature. This new heterogeneous catalyst is of high reusability in the oxidation reactions, in which the catalyst was reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.

Graphical abstractHighly efficient epoxidation of alkenes and hydroxylation of alkanes catalyzed by [Mn(TPyP)OAc] supported on silica coated magnetite nanoparticles are reported. The prepared catalyst was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy. This new heterogeneous catalyst is of high reusability in the oxidation reactions, in which the catalyst was reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► By supporting [Mn(TPyP)OAc] on magnetic nanoparticles. ► A heterogeneous catalyst was prepared. ► The catalyst was used for alkene epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation with NaIO4. ► Makes the catalyst reusable.