Surface modified nanoparticles: a green catalyst for the reduction of ketones

Abstract

In the present study, a creative and eco-friendly synthetic method was demonstrated for the reduction of ketones using surface modified metal oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs). Nickel oxide, iron oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles were biosynthesized from the aqueous immature fruit extract of Cocos nucifera and the nanoparticle’s surface was modified using glycerol to improve the catalytic efficiency. Surface modification of the nanoparticles enhanced the catalytic activity of nanoparticles as compared to the unmodified metal oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs) for the reduction of ketones. Among the MO NPs used as catalysts for the reduction of acetophenone derivatives, glycerol modified iron oxide nanoparticles showed greater results with 74%–91% of yield due to its uniform morphology. The catalyst retained its stability even after seven repeated cycles of reaction.

Keywords:

• nanoparticles
• glycerol
• immature coconut fruit
• carbonyl reduction
• alcohols

Acknowledgement

Authors are grateful to Science and Engineering Research Board, India (Grant number: ECR/2016/001523) for the financial support.