Heterogenization of homogenous reaction system on carbon surface with ionic liquid as mediator

A new concept of ionic liquid (IL) mono-dispersing catalyst on nanocarbon surface is presented. The liquid mixture of IL and model catalyst (1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium phosphotungstate, OPW) on carbon nanotube is in a solid state which can be easily characterized and give a fundamental understanding of the interaction between the catalyst and the IL. The condensed IL is found to weaken the WO bond of a catalyst that favours its interaction with an oxidizing agent that exhibited a reaction rate of 176 times to the performance of a single OPW during the oxidation of dibenzothiophene. Due to the heterogenization of this system, the catalyst can be easily recycled by a simple gravity separation.