Mo(vi) complex supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles: magnetically separable nanocatalysts for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

Abstract

A molybdenum complex, [MoO₂Cl₂(DMSO)₂], was immobilized on amino propyl and Schiff base modified magnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles by covalent linkage. The resulting nanoparticles were used as efficient and recyclable catalysts for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using urea hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. The complete characterization of catalysts was carried out by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis, FT-IR and Raman microprobe techniques.