Multistep anchoring of a catalytically active ruthenium complex in porous mesostructured silica

Abstract

A supported [Ru(dmp)₂(Py@LUS)Cl]Cl complex (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenantroline) was synthesised in LUS, a 2D hexagonal porous mesostructured silica, via a step-by-step approach for the sake of site isolation, unicity and localisation in the confined space of the nanopores of the silica matrix. A pyridine terminated tether, Py@LUS, was homogeneously distributed on the surface using a molecular stencil patterning technique, followed by reaction of [Ru(dmp)₂Cl₂] at 78 °C. All intermediate materials were thoroughly characterised with a panel of techniques, including X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, ²⁹Si and ¹³C solid state NMR, diffuse reflectance UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopies, and cyclovoltamperometry. Site isolation, unicity and localisation are achieved in the confined space of the nanopores of the silica matrix. The final material is selectively active in the catalytic oxidation of methylphenylsulfide into sulfoxide.