Grafting of a chiral Mn(iii) complex on graphene oxide nanosheets and its catalytic activity for alkene epoxidation

Abstract

A chiral Mn(III) complex supported by a covalent grafting method on modified graphene oxide was synthesized using 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane as a reactive surface modifier. The heterogeneous catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet-visible spectra, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalytic potential of the heterogeneous catalyst and comparison with its homogeneous counterpart were studied for enantioselective epoxidation of various alkenes using m-chloroperbenzoic acid as an oxidant and it showed high selectivity and comparable catalytic reactivity with its homogeneous analogue. In addition, higher enantioselectivity and higher yield were observed in the presence of 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide and pyridine N-oxide, respectively. The catalyst was reused for several runs without significant loss of activity and selectivity.