Organoselenium functionalized SBA-15 as a new catalyst for the cyanide-free conversion of oximes to nitriles

Abstract

Background Here we report a new selenium-based heterogeneous catalyst, which was prepared from the immobilization of diphenyl diselenide on amine-functionalized Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15). The catalyst characterization study has been confirmed by different analysis methods including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Results The newly designed catalyst was successfully applied in the green dehydration reaction of oximes to corresponding nitriles in the presence of hydrogen peroxide/air. To demonstrate the role of the catalyst in this study, the model reaction was also carried out in the absence of the catalyst and a trace yield of the relevant product was achieved. Conclusion In this way, a series of nitrile derivatives were obtained with 72–96% yields, also, the catalyst could be separated easily and recycled for four consecutive runs with no obvious drop in catalytic activity.

Recent Advances in the Use of Diorganyl Diselenides as Versatile Catalysts

“…Rangraz and co-workers [ 53 ] promoted the oxidation of oxime 57 to nitrile 2 by employing a new selenium-based catalyst. In order to create the novel organoselenium functionalised SBA-15 BZ , diphenyl diselenide A was immobilised on Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15), which was previously functionalised with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane.…”