Zeolite-Y based nanohybrid materials: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic aspects

Abstract

This article reports the zeolite-Y based nanohybrid materials with general formulae [M(STCH)·3H2O]+-Y and [M(SFCH)·3H2O]+-Y [where, M=Ru(III) and Fe(III); STCH=salicylaldehyde thiophene-2-carboxylic hydrazone, SFCH=salicylaldehyde furoic-2-carboxylic hydrazone]. These new host–guest nanohybrid materials were characterized by several techniques: elemental analysis, ICP-OES, and spectroscopic methods [FT-IR, UV–vis], X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area analysis (BET) and scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). Amongst them, [Ru(STCH)·3H2O]+-Y was found to be an effective catalyst over the liquid phase hydroxylation of phenol using H2O2 as an oxidant under mild conditions. This hydroxylation was successfully achieved via transfer of oxygen from H2O2 to phenol, followed by the formation of catechol and hydroquinone as the final product. A maximum conversion of 52.1% of phenol was obtained with selectivity of 93.2% of the catechol in acetonitrile solvent at 80°C after 6h. Recycling test of the catalyst showed that it was recovered and reused without much loss in activity.