Towards an efficient oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides over magnetic and grafted polyoxometalate on graphene oxide nanosheets

Abstract

In this study, a tri-component composite consisting of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, Keggin-type polyoxometalate, and graphene oxide components was prepared using an ultrasonic-assisted method. The resulting Fe3O4/SiW12/GO composite was successfully characterized using multiple methods. The performance of the Fe3O4/SiW12/GO composite as a heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides was investigated under mild conditions, with H2O2 serving as the oxidant. The catalyst exhibited excellent stability and high yields, completing the conversions within one hour. Furthermore, the Fe3O4/SiW12/GO catalyst demonstrated remarkable recyclability, as it could be recovered and reused up to four times without any significant loss in activity. This finding was supported by the results obtained from the ICP-OES analysis, which confirmed the negligible leaching of the active site. One of the key advantages of the Fe3O4/SiW12/GO catalyst is its heterogeneous nature, which allows for its rapid recovery from the reaction mixture. Additionally, it offers smooth and clean reaction conditions at room temperature, making it an innovative and cost-effective choice for accelerating reaction times. In summary, the Fe3O4/SiW12/GO composite represents a highly efficient and versatile heterogeneous catalyst with a unique structure. Its exceptional stability, high yields, and recyclability make it a superior choice for various organic–inorganic hybrid catalytic reactions conducted under mild conditions.