Catalytic Synthesis of 2-Methyl-1,4-Naphthoquinone (Vitamin K3) Over Silica-Supported Aminomethyl Phosphine-Ru(II), Pd(II), and Co(II) Complexes

Abstract

Ru(II), Pd(II), and Co(II) complexes of the free ditertiary aminomethylphosphine ligand, N,N-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)aminopropyltriethoxysilane [(EtO)3Si(CH2)3 N(CH2PPh2)2] (DIPAPTES), and its SiO2-DIPAPES have been synthesized under a nitrogen atmosphere using Schlenk techniques. All the complexes were used as catalysts for the oxidation of 2-methyl naphthalene (2MN) to give 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (vitamin K3, menadione, 2MNQ) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as a clean and cheap oxidant. The catalytic synthesis of vitamin K3 was investigated using both homogeneous catalysis with free complexes and heterogeneous catalysis with silica-supported complexes. [(DIPAPTES)PdCl2] and its silica-supported form showed the best catalytic activity for the selective oxidation of 2-methyl naphthalene to 2-methyl-1,4-naphtoquinone compared to the other metal complexes. 2MNQ yield reached 52.26% with the 2MN conversion of 90.52% using complex [(DIPAPTES)PdCl2] and 58.59% with the 2MN conversion of 99.56% using the silica supported [SiO2(DIPAPES)PdCl2] complex for 1 h. Recycling was investigated for the silica-supported Pd(II) complex and compared with the classical production of vitamin K3. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.