Preparation of catalysts based on iron(III) porphyrins heterogenized on silica obtained by the sol-gel process for hydroxylation and epoxidation reactions

Abstract

Solid catalysts have been prepared by chemical interaction of iron(III) porphyrins with the surface of the pores of a silica matrix obtained by the sol-gel method. The presence of the complexes in the silica matrix and the morphology of the obtained particles were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic activity of the immobilized iron(III) porphyrins in the oxidation of (Z)-cyclooctene, cyclohexene and cyclohexane was evaluated in dichloromethane/acetonitrile 1:1 solvent mixture (v/v) using iodosylbenzene as oxidant. Results were compared with those achieved with the homogeneous counterparts.