Styrene oxidation by copper(ii) complexes salen-type encapsulated into NaY zeolite

Abstract

The copper(II) complex with a Schiff-base salen-type ligand has been encapsulated in the nanopores of a NaY zeolite by using two different methodologies, the flexible ligand and in situ complex preparation methods. The encapsulated and non-encapsulated copper(II) complexes were screened as catalysts for styrene oxidation by using TBHP as the oxygen source in acetonitrile solvent. Under the optimized conditions, the catalysts exhibited moderate activity with higher selectivity to benzaldehyde. Both heterogeneous catalysts were found to be reusable after the catalytic cycle, but with some loss of activity.