Synthesis and characterization of Co (II) and Fe (III) Schiff base complexes grafted onto mesoporous MCM-41: A heterogeneous and recyclable nanocatalysts for the selective oxidation of sulfides and oxidative coupling of thiols

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid heterogeneous catalysts containing cobalt(II) and iron(III) Schiff base complexes, grafted on the internal surface of MCM-41 pores were prepared by introducing a metal salt into a mesoporous silica functionalized with a Schiff base ligand. The chemical and physical properties of the catalysts were investigated by BET, TGA, XRD, FT-IR, and TEM techniques. These complexes were found to be efficient, selective catalysts for the oxidation of various sulfides to sulfoxides and oxidative coupling of thiols to their corresponding disulfides with urea hydrogen peroxide in excellent yield at room temperature. The designed catalytic system prevents effectively the overoxidation of sulfides and thiols to sulfoxides and sulfones, respectively. Also the heterogeneous catalysts can be recovered easily and reused many times without significant loss of activity and selectivity.

KEYWORDS:

• MCM-41
• heterogeneous catalyst
• urea hydrogen peroxide
• oxidation
• sulfides
• thiols

Funding

The authors thank the research facilities of Ilam University, Ilam, Iran, for financial support of this research project.