Encapsulated Complex Research Articles

Probing host guest inclusion complex and its applications by biophysical approach subsequently optimized by molecular docking

Herein, we explored the construction of a supramolecular encapsulated complex between Nile blue (NB) and p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene (TSC4X). The developed inclusion complex (NB-TSC4X) was established by fluorescence spectroscopy, TGA, FTIR, 1H NMR, and DFT studies. Benesi-Hildebrand calculation showed a linear plot that indicated a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio having a fairly high stability constant of 2720 M−1 in the solution phase. DFT analysis helps us to find out the optimized structure of the inclusion complex. Finally, the binding interaction of the inclusion complex with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated. In brief, this work uncloses a new strategy to enhance the performance of fluorescent dye.

Encapsulation-induced hypsochromic shift of emission properties from a cationic Ir(III) complex in a hydrogen-bonded organic cage: A theoretical study.

Encapsulation of coordination complexes within the confined spaces of self-assembled hosts is an effective method for creating supramolecular assemblies with distinct chemical and physical properties. Recent studies with calix-resorcin[4]arene hydrogen-bonded hexameric capsules revealed that encapsulated metal complexes exhibit enhanced and blue-shifted photoluminescence compared to their unencapsulated forms. The photophysical change has been hypothetically attributed to encapsulation-induced confinement, which isolates the metal complex from the solvent, suppressing stabilization of the excited state of the guest by solvent reorganization and structural relaxation, and altering the local environment, such as solvent polarity and viscosity, around the guest. In this study, density-functional theory calculations were conducted to explore how encapsulation affects the photophysical properties of a cationic iridium complex within a hydrogen-bonded hexameric capsule. The encapsulation-induced emission shift was analyzed by separating it into three factors: suppression of solvent reorganization, suppression of structural relaxation of the complex, and electronic interactions between the complex and the capsule. The findings indicate that the photoluminescence modulation is driven by the electronic interaction between the host and guest, which affects the energy levels of the molecular orbitals involved in the T1 excited state and the suppression of excited-state structural relaxation of the Ir complex due to the presence of the host. This study advances our understanding of the photophysical dynamics of coordination complexes within the confined spaces of hexameric capsules, providing a valuable approach for tuning the excited state properties of guest molecules.

Periodic Bonding Behaviors of Actinide Atoms (An = Th-Cm) with Negatively Curved Nanographene.

The nanographene with negative curvature has been extensively studied due to its interesting properties and potential applications. In the present work, we have performed all-electron scalar relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand the periodic interaction mechanisms of actinide atoms (An = Th, Cm) with the TB8C nanographene. The encapsulated complexes (An@TB8C) were formed due to the octagonal vacancy in the TB8C nanographene. TB8C shows fairly high affinity toward An atoms, especially for Th and Pa. AIMD simulations further confirmed the effective trapping of An atom with TB8C. The partial covalent characters of An-C bonds in An@TB8C were revealed through various bond analysis methods. The 6d electrons of An play an important role in the participation of chemical bonds. The delocalization index (DI) is proposed as a useful descriptor in the study of bond strength involving the actinides. Electronic absorption spectra were simulated for further identification in the experiments. The current work has expanded the potential molecular properties and applications of nanographene.

Zeolite-encapsulated copper(II) complexes with NNO-tridentate Schiff base ligands: catalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation under near neutral conditions.

Three novel copper Schiff base complexes, L1Cu(OAc)-L3Cu(OAc), bearing NNO tridentate ligands were synthesized and successfully entrapped in zeolite. All free and encapsulated complexes were fully characterized through experiments combined with theoretical calculations, and were subsequently employed as catalysts to activate H2O2 for degradation of methylene blue (MB). The catalytic activity of free complexes was tunable by substitution effects. The complex L3Cu(OAc) displayed enhanced efficiency by adopting bulky and donor substitutions due to the lower oxidation states. However, the free complexes exhibited modified structural and catalytic properties upon encapsulation into the zeolite. The constraint from the zeolite holes and coordination geometry caused the alteration of electronic structures and subsequently modified the reactivity. This study revealed that upon encapsulation, the larger molecular dimension of L3Cu(OAc) resulted in additional distorted geometry, leading to higher catalytic efficiency for MB degradation with more blue shifts in the UV-Vis spectrum. There was high catalytic activity by LnCu(OAc)-Y compared to that of the free complex, and high recyclability under near neutral conditions. In addition, the catalytic efficiency of L3Cu(OAc)-Y was higher or equivalent compared to other catalysts. This work provides new complexes with NNO tridentate ligands encapsulated inside zeolite and explains the relationship between the modified structure and functionality.

Encapsulation of 5-fluorouracil in cholesteryl-modified cyclodextrin: thermal, spectral, and computational assessment of drug inclusion efficiency.

This research investigates the encapsulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within cholesteryl-modified β-cyclodextrin (CD21chol) and aims to elucidate the drug inclusion efficiency through a comprehensive analysis employing both experimental and computational techniques. The study employs thermogravimetric characterization to assess the thermal stability of the encapsulated complex and infrared measurements to explore the vibrational characteristics, providing valuable insights into the physicochemical properties. Additionally, molecular simulations are employed to evaluate the interactions between 5-FU and CD21chol on the molecular-level dynamics of drug encapsulation. This integrated approach facilitates a comprehensive understanding of encapsulation, offering valuable data for developing drug delivery systems.

A ratiometric luminescence thermometer based on lanthanide encapsulated complexes.

Lanthanide-containing complexes have been widely developed as ratiometric luminescence thermometers, which are non-invasive, contactless and accurate. The synthesis of these Ln complexes generally requires high temperatures, multiple steps and other harsh conditions. Moreover, bimetallic lanthanide complexes, which have been reported to be better thermometers, are even more challenging to synthesize. This complexity can be simplified by preparing a host-guest complex of lanthanides. In this work, Tb or both Tb and Eu are encapsulated in an MOF host, making them emissive. The ratio of Tb/Eu was also easily tuned by simply changing their ratio in the solution, resulting in a tunable emission. Accordingly, we were able to synthesise both the emissive Tb complex and Tb/Eu complexes at different ratios using a single host. The complexes were found to be suitable as ratiometric luminescent thermometers in the temperature range of 160-380 K, with reasonably good sensitivity and uncertainty. The thermometer's sensitivity and uncertainty were significantly improved using bimetallic Tb and Eu host-guest complexes. Calculations using the host and Eu emission ratio were found to provide better thermometer parameters than the commonly reported Tb and Eu emission ratio. Thus, using a single host, we were able to synthesise different lanthanide complexes that can sense temperature, and we improved the thermometer parameters by incorporating multiple lanthanides in a single host. This research will enable the scientific community to reexamine the applicability of unexplored host-guest lanthanide complexes.

Effect of sorbitol on stabilisation of gardenia blue and food 2D/3D printing

SummaryThe stability of gardenia blue is challenged under light and heat. Gardenia blue was designed to be stablised using gelatin, magnesium stearate and sorbitol, and the stabilisation effects and food application were investigated. Effect of sorbitol was studied by CIELab colorimeter, particle size meter, SEM, absorbance, FTIR, XRD, Raman spectrum, and rheometer. Appropriate‐content sorbitol could effectively enhance colour, and promote the UV irradiation stability of gardenia blue encapsulated complex systems, which is mainly owing to the hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions among components. These interactions induced by sorbitol also facilitated the shear‐thinning properties and excellent thermal stability of the complex systems. When writing & drawing on food, and 2D/3D printing food, the complex sample demonstrated the clear colour and outstanding effects. The gardenia blue based complex systems provide some reference for stabilising natural functional materials and illustrates potential application value in food decoration and food functionalisation.

New liposome-radionuclide-chelate combination for tumor targeting and rapid healthy tissue clearance

Radionuclide imaging and therapy are promising methods for controlling systemic cancers; however, their clinical application has been limited by excessive radionuclide accumulation in healthy tissues. To minimize radionuclide accumulation in non-cancerous tissues while ensuring sufficient build up in tumors, we aimed to develop a method that controlled the in vivo dynamics of radionuclides post-administration. To this end, we describe a novel strategy that combines liposomes, a potent carrier system for drug delivery, with unique radionuclide-ligand complexes based on 111In-ethylenedicysteine.Conventional 111In-ligand-complexes-carrying liposomes delivered substantial amounts of radionuclides to tumors; however, they also accumulated in the liver and spleen. In contrast, 111In-ethylenedicysteine-carrying liposomes greatly reduced non-specific accumulation, while being retained selectively at high doses within tumors. Liposomes were rapidly broken down in the liver, releasing encapsulated 111In-ligand complexes. Among the chelates used, only 111In-ethylenedicysteine could escape from the liver and be excreted in the urine. Instead, most liposomes remained intact in tumors, retaining the radionuclide-ligand complexes within them. Therefore, high tumor accumulation was obtained regardless of the type of 111In-ligand complexes in the liposomes. In vivo single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging with 111In-ethylenedicysteine-carrying liposomes accurately revealed tumor-selective radionuclide retention with little background. Hence, our new strategy could greatly enhance tumor-to-healthy tissue ratios, improve diagnostic imaging, boost therapeutic efficacy, reduce toxicity to healthy tissues, and facilitate radionuclide imaging and therapy.

Development of stable and functional encapsulated chrysin using casein–polysaccharide complexes for food applications

SummaryChrysin is a hydrophobic flavonoid with multiple health benefits. The various applications of chrysin are challenged by its poor solubility, instability and loss of bioactivity. Casein–chrysin complex and casein–polysaccharide–chrysin complexes have developed to overcome these limitations. Very high encapsulation efficiency of 98.23 ± 0.22% was achieved with casein–inulin–chrysin complex. The chrysin was able to form a stable casein–polysaccharide–chrysin complex suspension with a hydrodynamic diameter of 382.3 nm, zeta potential value of −12.3 mV and a Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 27.7. The antioxidant activity of chrysin increased about threefold after encapsulation. The release of chrysin from its encapsulated complexes to different buffers in the pH range of 3 to 10 was studied at 1:10 ratio. At the end of 48 h, only 6%–8% of chrysin was released in the pH range 3–4, 33%–58% at pH 5–9 and 62% at pH 10. The chrysin encapsulated in casein–inulin–chrysin complex was able to overcome the rapid release of chrysin from the casein–chrysin complex. The results indicate the successful development of a stable encapsulated chrysin complex which can overcome the various limitations of chrysin in its potential applications.

Photophysics of Iridium(III) (2‐phenylpyridine)(2,2’,6,2”‐terpyridine) Chloride Encapsulated within the Zinc(II) Polyhedral MOF, USF‐2

AbstractPhotoactive metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) provide an important class of functional porous materials for a wide range of applications including light harvesting, photocatalysis and photodynamic therapy. Two strategies have been employed in the development of photoactive MOFs, one in which the photoactive element is incorporated as an element of the framework itself and the other in which the photoactive element serves as a guest within the MOF cavities. Transition metal polyimines have now been non‐covalently incorporated within the cavities of a large number of MOFs with the RuII‐polyimine being the most widely examined guest complex. Previous studies have demonstrated that the nature of the cavity modulates the Ru‐polyimine photophysics. Here, an IrIII(terpyridine)(phenylpyridine)Cl complex has been encapsulated within the Zn‐polyhedral MOF, USF‐2. Unlike the Ru‐polyimines, the excited state photophysics associated with the encapsulated Ir polyimine shows very little change in either the steady state emission and emission lifetime. The slight decrease in emission lifetime is attributed to energy transfer between encapsulated Ir complexes. These results indicate that transition metal polyimines that exhibit excited state structural changes demonstrate the largest perturbations upon confinement.

The anticancer, anti-oxidant, and antibacterial activities of chitosan-lecithin-coated parthenolide/tyrosol hybrid nanoparticles

Tyrosol (TYR) and parthenolide (PLT) have been used as synthetic antioxidant and natural anticancer compounds. In the current study, we aimed to synthesize an encapsulated complex of both PLT and TYR in a hybrid coating layer consisting of lecithin and chitosan molecules, a proper biocompatible drug delivery system to evaluate its antibacterial and anticancer potentials on human liver HepG2 and pancreatic Panc cancer cell lines. The chitosan-lecithin-coated PLT/TYR nanoparticles (clPT-NPs) were synthesized applying an auto-self-assembling method. The clPT-NPs were characterized utilizing DLS, FTIR, zeta potential, and TEM analysis. The clPT-NPs’ antioxidant activity was measured by running ABTS and DPPH antioxidant assays. Moreover, the antibacterial potential of clPT-NPs was evaluated by applying disk diffusion, MIC, and MBC assays. Finally, the nanoparticles’ cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity were studied by conducting MTT, Flow cytometry, AO/PI cell staining, and real-time PCR techniques. The clPT-NPs (38 nm) exhibited significant antioxidant activity by inhibiting ABTS and DPPH radicals at 187 and 290 μg/mL IC50 concentrations, respectively. Also, the nanoparticles induced a notable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 0.0625 mg/mL MIC and 0.125 mg/mL MBC concentrations. The clPT-NPs selectively decreased the cancer cells’ survival and increased the apoptotic dead cells by up-regulating apoptotic gene expression (BAX and Cas-8) and down-regulating BCL-2 anti-apoptotic gene expression. The PLT toxicity has been merged with improved TYR antioxidant activity, which has been functionalized in a safe, biocompatible hybrid nano-delivery system.

Host-Guest Encapsulation of RIBO with TSC4X: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Application by Physicochemical and Computational Investigations.

In our present work, we synthesized a new encapsulated complex denoted as RIBO-TSC4X, which was derived from an important vitamin riboflavin (RIBO) and p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene(TSC4X). The synthesized complex RIBO-TSC4X was then characterized by utilizing several spectroscopic techniques such as 1H-NMR, FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, and TGA. Job's plot has been employed to show the encapsulation of RIBO (guest) with TSC4X (host) having a 1:1 molar ratio. The molecular association constant of the complex entity (RIBO-TSC4X) was found to be 3116.29 ± 0.17 M-1, suggesting the formation of a stable complex. The augment in aqueous solubility of the RIBO-TSC4X complex compared to pure RIBO was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, and it was viewed that the newly synthesized complex has almost 30 times enhanced solubility over pure RIBO. The enhancement of thermal stability upto 440 °C for the RIBO-TSC4X complex was examined by TG analysis. This research also forecasts RIBO's release behavior in the presence of CT-DNA, and at the same time, BSA binding study was also carried out. The synthesized RIBO-TSC4X complex exhibited comparatively better free radical scavenging activity, thereby minimizing oxidative injury of the cell as evident from a series of antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation assay. Furthermore, the RIBO-TSC4X complex showed peroxidase-like biomimetic activity, which is very useful for several enzyme catalyst reactions.

Unveiling the gemcitabine drug complexation with cucurbit[n]urils (n = 6–8): a computational analysis

In this work, we have investigated the complex formation capability of gemcitabine drug with host cucurbit[n]urils, Q[n] (n = 6, 7, and 8) using density functional theory (DFT). The DFT studies demonstrate that the most stable configuration is a fully encapsulated complex. In the encapsulated gemcitabine@Q[6] and gemcitabine@Q[7] complexes, the gemcitabine amino -NH2 and the alcoholic groups bond with the carbonyl units of Q[n]. The addition of sodium ions leads to the partial exclusion of the gemcitabine molecule and the sodium atoms lie close to the carbonyl portal of Q[7]. Thermodynamic parameters computed for the complexation process exhibit high negative Gibbs free energy change, implying that the encapsulation process is spontaneous and is an enthalpy-driven process. Frontier molecular orbitals are located mainly on the gemcitabine uracil ring, before and after encapsulation, indicating that the encapsulation occurs by pure physical adsorption. Quantitative molecular electrostatic potentials demonstrate a shift in electron density during the complex formation and are more pronounced in gemcitabine@Q[7]. Atoms-in-molecule (AIM) topological analysis illustrate that these complexes are stabilized by various non-covalent interactions including hydrogen bonding (HBs) and C···F interactions. The reduced density gradient (RDG) graph exhibits the presence of strong HBs and weak van der Waals interactions and the presence of steric repulsion. The isosurface non-covalent interactions (NCI) diagram shows predominant steric interaction in the gemcitabine@Q[6] complex. The NCI isosurface for gemcitabine encapsulated complexes with Q[7] and Q[8] host displays that the green patches are uniformly distributed in all directions. Finally, EDA results demonstrate Pauling’s repulsive energy is predominant in gemcitabine@Q[6] complex, while the orbital and dispersion energies stabilize the gemcitabine@Q[7] complex.

Liposomal MRI probes containing encapsulated or amphiphilic Fe(III) coordination complexes.

Liposomes containing high-spin Fe(III) coordination complexes were prepared towards the production of T1 MRI probes with improved relaxivity. The amphiphilic Fe(III) complexes were anchored into the liposome with two alkyl chains to give a coordination sphere containing mixed amide and hydroxypropyl pendant groups. The encapsulated complex contains a macrocyclic ligand with three phosphonate pendants, [Fe(NOTP)]3-, which was chosen for its good aqueous solubility. Four types of MRI probes were prepared including those with intraliposomal Fe(III) complex (LipoA) alone, amphiphilic Fe(III) complex (LipoB), both intraliposomal and amphiphilic complex (LipoC) or micelles formed with amphiphilic complex. Water proton relaxivities r1 and r2 were measured and compared to a small molecule macrocyclic Fe(III) complex containing similar donor groups. Micelles of the amphiphilic Fe(III) complex had proton relaxivity values (r1 = 2.6 mM-1 s-1) that were four times higher than the small hydrophilic analog. Liposomes with amphiphilic Fe(III) complex (LipoB) have a per iron relaxivity of 2.6 mM-1 s-1 at pH 7.2, 34 °C at 1.4 T whereas liposomes containing both amphiphilic and intraliposomal Fe(III) complexes (lipoC) have r1 of 0.58 mM-1 s-1 on a per iron basis consistent with quenching of the interior Fe(III) complex relaxivity. Liposomes containing only encapsulated [Fe(NOTP)]3- have a lowered r1 of 0.65 mM-1 s-1 per iron complex. Studies show that the biodistribution and clearance of the different types liposomal nanoparticles differ greatly. LipoB is a blood pool agent with a long circulation time whereas lipoC is cleared more rapidly through both renal and hepatobiliary pathways. These clearance differences are consistent with lower stability of LipoC compared to LipoB.

Enhanced Design of Gold Catalysts for Bioorthogonal Polyzymes

Bioorthogonal chemistry introduces nonbiogenic reactions that can be performed in biological systems, allowing for the localized release of therapeutic agents. Bioorthogonal catalysts can amplify uncaging reactions for the in situ generation of therapeutics. Embedding these catalysts into a polymeric nanoscaffold can protect and modulate the catalytic activity, improving the performance of the resulting bioorthogonal “polyzymes”. Catalysts based on nontoxic metals such as gold(I) are particularly attractive for therapeutic applications. Herein, we optimized the structural components of a metal catalyst to develop an efficient gold(I)-based polyzyme. Tailoring the ligand structure of gold phosphine-based complexes, we improved the affinity between the metal complex and polymer scaffold, resulting in enhanced encapsulation efficiency and catalytic rate of the polyzyme. Our findings show the dependence of the overall polyzyme properties on the structural properties of the encapsulated metal complex.

Nanoencapsulation of Ru(p-cymene) Complex Bearing Ginger-based Natural Product into Liposomal Nanoformulation to Improve Its Cellular Uptake and Antiproliferative Activity.

The organometallic compounds are prospective candidates in the row of developing metallochemotherapeutics with the aim of overcoming the limitations of platinum drugs. In order to explore the anticancer properties of organometallic compounds with the natural medicines, two Ru(II)-p-cymene complexes containing the natural products, viz., 6-gingerol (6G) and benzylated-6-gingerdione (B-6GD) have been synthesized and characterized well. The phenolic group of the Ru(6G) complex facilitates its higher cell-free antioxidant activity than its analogue complex. Also, the same complex shows higher cytotoxicity toward A549 lung and HeLa-S3 cervical cancer cells than the Ru(B-6GD) complex but lower cytotoxicity toward A2058 metastatic melanoma cancer cells. Both complexes are shown to easily accumulate in melanoma cancer cells, and their degree of cytotoxicity in the same cells is found to be positively correlated with cell uptake. The cytotoxicity of complexes arises from their intracellular activity, mainly due to the induction of singlet oxygen production in cancer cells. The subcellular fractionation study shows that mitochondria and ER-Golgi membranes might be their predominant targets. Also, the mechanistic investigation revealed that Ru(B-6GD) induces caspase-dependent non-apoptotic cell death whereas Ru(6G) can induce caspase-independent non-apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, both complexes are found to moderately alter the adhesion properties of cancer cells, which is beneficial for antimetastatic treatment. Despite the potential pharmacological activity, Ru(6G) is encapsulated into polymer-supported liposomes to reduce its toxicity and further improve its anticancer potency. The π-conjugated yne-ene chain of polydiacetylene aids in the development of a stable nanoformulation, which achieved a slow release of the complex. Most importantly, the cancer cell uptake of the liposome-encapsulated Ru(6G) complex is 20 times enhanced and the total ROS formation in cancer cells is significantly increased compared to the non-encapsulated complex. However, the nanoformulation does not alter the antimetastatic potency of the encapsulated complex.

Zeolite encapsulated Cu(II)-salen complexes for the catalytic degradation of dyes in a neutral condition

A series of copper complexes derived from salen ligands bis(salicylaldimine) (L1), bis(pyrrole-2-carboxaldimine) (L2) and bis(pyridine-2-carboxaldimine) (L3) have been synthesized and encapsulated into the supercage of zeolite. These complexes were well investigated by various spectrochemical and physicochemical techniques with DFT calculations. Both free and encapsulated complexes were applied as catalyst to the degradation of methylene blue (MB) using H2O2 as oxidant. The alternation of coordinated sites N2O2 with N4 causes the enhanced catalytic activity, which is attributed to the increased molecular planarity and lower oxidation states for the free complexes. Moreover, encapsulated complexes showed modified geometric, optical and catalytic properties due to electronic effects and steric constraints from the host zeolite supercage. The encapsulated complexes show high catalytic efficiency in organic dye degradation in a neutral condition compared to other encapsulated catalyst studied and show good resistance to radical scavenger. Encapsulated complexes CuL2-Y and CuL3-Y coordinated with N4 sites, exhibiting enhanced catalytic reactivity and recyclability compared to free complexes in solution, which is important for the design of heterogeneous catalyst. The encapsulated complexes with the highest energy electronic band are more reactive. The zeolite and electronic effects from different coordination sphere play an important role in the functionality of the modified geometries.

Pore dynamics and asymmetric cargo loading in an encapsulin nanocompartment.

Encapsulins are protein nanocompartments that house various cargo enzymes, including a family of decameric ferritin-like proteins. Here, we study a recombinant Haliangium ochraceum encapsulin:encapsulated ferritin complex using cryo–electron microscopy and hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to gain insight into the structural relationship between the encapsulin shell and its protein cargo. An asymmetric single-particle reconstruction reveals four encapsulated ferritin decamers in a tetrahedral arrangement within the encapsulin nanocompartment. This leads to a symmetry mismatch between the protein cargo and the icosahedral encapsulin shell. The encapsulated ferritin decamers are offset from the interior face of the encapsulin shell. Using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, we observed the dynamic behavior of the major fivefold pore in the encapsulin shell and show the pore opening via the movement of the encapsulin A-domain. These data will accelerate efforts to engineer the encapsulation of heterologous cargo proteins and to alter the permeability of the encapsulin shell via pore modifications.

Transition metal complexes of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde embedded in fly ash zeolite as catalysts for phenol hydroxylation

The focus of this work is to use fly ash, a waste generated by thermal power plants, to synthesize an economical and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the fine chemicals industry. To achieve this goal, fly ash zeolite (FAZ) was prepared from fly ash and Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde [M(VAN)-FAZ] were loaded in the channels of zeolite matrix by flexible ligand strategy. The prepared FAZ was characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, TGA, XRF and BET analyses. Encapsulation of metal complexes in zeolite gains the advantage of heterogeneity thereby facilitating easy separation of products and selectivity. The incorporation of metal complexes in the framework of FAZ was further assured by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, AAS and UV–Visible analyses of M(VAN)-FAZ. Thermographs indicated a loading of 6.70–16.09% of the metal complexes in FAZ. The –OH stretching reported at 3184 cm−1 for the free ligand was absent in the FT-IR spectra of the encapsulated metal complexes, indicating the binding of this group with the metal ion. The loading of metal complexes in the pores of FAZ have been further confirmed by AAS reports. The FAZ encapsulated transition metal complexes of vanillin have been established as catalysts for phenol hydroxylation. The extent of phenol conversion increased with time, after 240 min, 90% phenol conversion was observed and the preferential catalytic activity of [M(VAN)-FAZ] was observed as: [Cu(II)(VAN)-FAZ] > [Co(II)(VAN)-FAZ] > [Ni(II)(VAN)-FAZ]. The products were characterized by GC-MS analysis and the recyclability of the prepared catalyst was assessed up to three cycles.

Encapsulation of Molybdenum Schiff‐base Complex Inside the SBA‐16 Nanocages with ship‐in‐a–bottle Strategy for Selective Epoxidation of Alkenes

AbstractA new heterogeneous catalyst with a unique design was successfully synthesized through a ship‐in‐a‐bottle strategy to incorporate a highly active molybdenum Schiff‐base complex within the nanocages of SBA‐16 for epoxidation reaction. For this aim, all the chemical precursors for preparation of this complex were mixed step by step in the presence of SBA‐16 and the entry of nanocages were finally tuned via silylation with long chain trimethoxyoctylsilane reagent in order to avoid the possible release of encapsulated complex. The final catalyst (named as PPh3‐Sal/Mo@SBA‐16) was characterized by FT‐IR and UV‐Vis spectroscopies, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM). All of these physicochemical techniques approved the incorporation of molybdenum Schiff‐base complex inside the SBA‐16 nanocages and maintenance of physical properties of SBA‐16 after encapsulation process. As predicted, epoxidation of some allylic alcohols and alkenes were proceeded selectively toward desired epoxides with high efficiency beyond 80 % over PPh3‐Sal/Mo@SBA‐16 catalyst. Eventually, the reusability experiment revealed the catalyst stability after five successive epoxidation reaction with only minor reduction of overall efficiency.