[Ru(salen)(NO)] complex encapsulated in mesoporous SBA-16 as catalyst for hydrogenation of ketones

SBA-16 mesoporous silica with cubic Im3m structure was synthesized using Pluronic F127 poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer (EO106PO70EO106) and it blends with Pluronic P123 triblock copolymer (EO20PO70EO20) as supramolecular templates. The resulting material was used for encapsulating [Ru(salen)(NO)] complex and used in the hydrogenation of ketones to the corresponding alcohols. The pore entrance size of SBA-16 was precisely tailored by silylation with diphenyldichlorosilane to trap [Ru(salen)(NO)] complex in the cage of SBA-16. Small angle XRD, N2 sorption measurements, UV–Vis and FT-IR analysis evidences the structural integrity of mesoporous silica as well as the complex.