PW_{12}-APTES@MCF: effective nanosized mesoporous composites for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols

Authors: RAZIEH FAZAELI, HAMID ALIYAN, SOMAIEH PARISHANI FOROUSHANI, ZAHRA MOHAGHEGHIAN

Abstract: The surface of mesocellular silica foam (MCF) was modified by grafting 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) to have a positive charge, and thus to provide sites for the immobilization of H_3PW_{12}O_{40} (PW_{12}). This modified nanosized mesoporous silica (PW_{12}-APTES@MCF) was characterized by FTIR, XRD, BET, and TEM. XRD and adsorption--desorption analysis shows that the mesostructure of silica remains intact after various modifications, while the spectral technique shows the successful grafting of the neat PW_{12} inside the porous silica support. The oxidation of alcohols occurs effectively and selectively with H_2O_2 as the oxidant. PW_{12}-APTES@MCF was used as the catalyst. The catalyst can be reused several times but it will be less active.

Keywords: Mesocellular silica foam (MCF), heterogeneous catalysis, polyoxotungstate

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