Immobilization of Co(III) using tethered cyclam ligand on SBA-15 mesoporous silica for aerial oxidation of ethylbenzene

Cyclam type macrocyclic ligand was tethered onto mesoporous silica surface through N-functionalization of the cyclam. The mesoporous silica was synthesized directly with in-built chloropropyl functional group by applying microwave synthesis approach and the cyclam ligand was tethered via the surface substitution reaction of the chloro group. The tethered cyclam ligand was proven to facilely accommodate Co(III) cation into its cavity. This Co(III)cyclam-functionalized mesoporous silica showed good catalytic activity in the aerial oxidation of ethylbenzene to give acetophenone as the major product, which exceeded 60%. The presence of pyridine ligand which bounded to the axial sites of the tethered Co(III)cyclam complex enhanced the activity of the catalyst with sustaining the selectivity.