Smart biopolymer surfaces for Chemical Warfare Agents catalytic degradation: involved mechanisms

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

New trendy magnetic C-scorpionate iron catalyst and its performance towards cyclohexane oxidation

Publication . Da Costa Ribeiro, Ana Paula; Matias, Inês; Alegria, Elisabete; Ferraria, Ana Maria; Rego, Ana; Pombeiro, Armando; Martins, Luisa

For the first time, a magnetic C-scorpionate catalyst was prepared from the iron(II) complex [FeCl2{_3-HC(pz)3}] (pz = pyrazol-1-yl) and ferrite, using the sustainable mechanochemical synthetic procedure. Its catalytic activity for the cyclohexane oxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) was evaluated in different conditions, namely under microwave irradiation and under the effect of an external magnetic field. The use of such magnetic conditions significantly shifted the catalyst alcohol/ketone selectivity, thus revealing a promising, easy new protocol for tuning selectivity in important catalytic processes.

2018-02Journal article

Restricted access

Comparison of microwave and mechanochemical energy inputs in the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane

Publication . Da Costa Ribeiro, Ana Paula; Alegria, Elisabete; Kopylovich, Maximilian; Ferraria, Ana Maria; Rego, Ana; Pombeiro, Armando

The effect of microwave and mechanochemical ball milling energy inputs was studied for the peroxidative oxidation (with aqueous H2O2) of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, over CoCl2 and/or V2O5 dispersed (μm scale) catalysts. A maximum total yield of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone of 43% after 1 h of reaction at 30 °C, in acetonitrile and under microwave irradiation (5 W), was achieved over the CoCl2–V2O5 (3 : 1) catalyst prepared by ball milling. Cyclohexanol is the main final product with a selectivity of up to 93% over cyclohexanone. Conducting the oxidation reaction under microwave irradiation under the same conditions but without any mechanochemical treatment of the catalyst prior to use resulted in a lower total yield of 30% with a lower selectivity (69%) towards cyclohexanol over cyclohexanone. The sole application of mechanochemical treatment for the catalyst preparation and the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane allowed to reach yields of 29% after 1 h of reaction, at room temperature, without microwave irradiation and any additive and in the absence of any organic solvent. Ball milling is shown to provide a convenient, solvent-free method to disperse these solid catalysts and to promote the above cyclohexane oxidation, although, in the latter case, not so effectively as microwave irradiation.

2018-07-07Journal article

Open access

Effect of phenolic compounds on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and its catalytic activity in the reduction of nitro compounds

Publication . Alegria, Elisabete; Da Costa Ribeiro, Ana Paula; Mendes, Marta; Ferraria, Ana Maria; Rego, Ana; Pombeiro, Armando

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared using an eco-friendly approach in a single step by reduction of HAuCl4 with polyphenols from tea extracts, which act as both reducing and capping agents. The obtained AuNPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). They act as highly efficient catalysts in the reduction of various aromatic nitro compounds in aqueous solution. The effects of a variety of factors (e.g., reaction time, type and amount of reducing agent, shape, size, or amount of AuNPs) were studied towards the optimization of the processes. The total polyphenol content (TPC) was determined before and after the catalytic reaction and the results are discussed in terms of the tea extract percentage, the size of the AuNPs, and their catalytic activity. The reusability of the AuNP catalyst in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol was also tested. The reactions follow pseudo first-order kinetics.

2018-05Journal article

Open access