MCM-41 anchored manganese salen complexes as catalysts for limonene oxidation

This work reports the covalent attachment of three different salen-based complexes on MCM-41, using two different methods. In both methods, a diisocyanate is used as a binder. All the prepared catalysts were tested on the liquid phase limonene oxidation reaction, using diluted t-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. Limonene oxide, carveol, carvone and a polymer were the main products obtained. The preservation of the MCM-41 channel system was checked by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Catalytic activity seems to increase in the following order: Mn(4-OHsalen) < Mn(4-OHsalhd) < Mn(4-OHsalophen).The most active catalysts were used in four consecutive experiments without any activity loss, confirming the success of the anchoring process and the catalysts stability.