Facile synthetic route of TiO2–ZnO heteronanostructure coated by oxovanadium (IV) bis-Schiff base complex as a potential effective homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysts for alcohols redox systems

Abstract

Oxovanadium (IV) bis-Schiff base complex was synthesized by a facile complexation of 2 molar ratio of 2‑hydroxy-Schiff base ligand (HL) with 1 molar ratio of VO2+ ion giving mononuclear VOL2 complex with a square pyramidal geometry. The structure conformation of HL and its corresponding VOL2 complex was assigned within various spectroscopic tools (IR, UV–vis. Mass spectra), as well as the elemental analyses (EA). The deprotonated 4-OH group in VOL2 caused a successful coating of VOL2 on a mixed oxides of TiO2–ZnO nanoparticles awarding nanocomposite of TiO2–ZnO@VOL2. By applying alternative analytical techniques, the surface morphology and internal structure TiO2–ZnO@VOL2 nanocomposites were investigated compared to that of TiO2–ZnO, i.e. by XRD, FESEM, HR-TEM, EDS and IR spectra), and also with TGA and BET (adsorption–desorption isotherm).The catalytic effectiveness of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts (VOL2 and TiO2–ZnO@VOL2) was examined in the productive oxygenation reactions of BA (benzyl alcohol) by an aqueous hydrogen peroxide under an aerobic environment to the chemo-selective product benzaldehyde (BZ), and benzoic acid (BO), as the overodixation product. Both VOL2 and TiO2-ZnO@VOL2 catalysts exhibited obvious classified action by 89% and 91% yielding amount of benzaldehyde after 4 h for reaction temperature 80 and 90 °C, respectively. The differentiation between them in the catalytic reactivity was depending on the heterogeneity and the effect of the coated TiO2–ZnO nanoparticles on the VOL2 catalytic potential. The kinetic parameter of the productive redox protocols for both catalyst was examined. Additionally, some other cyclic and acyclic alcohols were exhibited the productive redox protocol in the optimum control of both catalysts.