Efficient microwave oxidation of alcohols using low-loaded supported metallic iron nanoparticles

Selective glycerol transformations to high value-added products catalysed by aluminosilicate-supported iron oxide nanoparticles

Conversion of glycerol to cyclic acetals and to mono-, di- and triacetylglycerides was investigated using a supported iron oxide nanoparticle system of a mesoporous aluminosilicate heterogeneous catalyst (Fe/Al-SBA-15).

Hollow iron oxide nanoshells are active and selective catalysts for the partial oxidation of styrene with molecular oxygen

Well defined hollow iron oxide nanoshells are active, selective and recyclable catalysts for the oxidation of styrene into benzaldehyde using difficult-to-activate molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant.

Solvent-free and catalysts-free chemistry: a benign pathway to sustainability

In the past decade, alternative benign organic methodologies have become an imperative part of organic syntheses and chemical reactions. The various new and innovative sustainable organic reactions and methodologies using no solvents or catalysts and employing alternative energy inputs such as microwaves, sonication, conventional and room temperature heating conditions, mechanochemical mixing, and high-speed ball milling are discussed in detail. Environmentally benign and pharmaceutically important reactions such as multicomponent, condensation, and Michael addition reactions; ring opening of epoxides; and oxidation and other significant organic reactions are discussed. An overview of benign reactions through solvent- and catalyst-free (SF-CF) chemistry and a critical perspective on emerging synergies between SF-CF organic reactions are discussed.

A facile one-pot synthesis of ruthenium hydroxide nanoparticles on magnetic silica: aqueous hydration of nitriles to amides

One-pot synthesis of ruthenium hydroxide nanoparticles on magnetic silica is described which involves the in situ generation of magnetic silica (Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)) and ruthenium hydroxide immobilization; the hydration of nitriles occurs in high yield and excellent selectivity using this catalyst which proceeds exclusively in aqueous medium under neutral conditions.

Catalytic applications of mesoporous silica-based materials

Mesoporous materials featuring high surface areas (>600m2g−1), narrow pore size distribution and tuneable pores diameters (>2nm), have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to their promising properties and applications in various areas including adsorption, separation, drug delivery, sensing and catalysis. Catalytic applications of such materials have been extended to numerous processes and reactions which range from acid catalysis (alkylations, acylations, esterifications, biodiesel production, etc.) to redox chemistries (oxidation of alcohols, alkenes, sulfides and hydrogenations of acids, aldehydes and ketones and alkenes/alkynes). In this chapter, we aim to provide an overview on the utilisation of mesoporous materials in heterogeneous catalysis, with special emphasis on acid and redox catalysed processes.

Sustainable preparation of supported metal nanoparticles and their applications in catalysis

Metal nanoparticles have attracted much attention over the last decade owing to their unique properties as compared to their bulk metal equivalents, including a large surface-to-volume ratio and tunable shapes. To control the properties of nanoparticles with particular respect to shape, size and dispersity is imperative, as these will determine the activity in the desired application. Supported metal nanoparticles are widely employed in catalysis. Recent advances in controlling the shape and size of nanoparticles have opened the possibility to optimise the particle geometry for enhanced catalytic activity, providing the optimum size and surface properties for specific applications. This Review describes the state of the art with respect to the preparation and use of supported metal nanoparticles in catalysis. The main groups of such nanoparticles (noble and transition metal nanoparticles) are highlighted and future prospects are discussed.