Oxidation Catalysis of Au Nano-Particles Immobilized on Titanium(IV)- and Alkylthiol-Functionalized SBA-15 Type Mesoporous Silicate Supports

Novel Au nano-particle catalysts immobilized on both titanium(IV)- and alkylthiol-functionalized SBA-15 type ordered mesoporous silicate supports were developed. The bi-functionalized support could be synthesized by a one-pot method. To the supports, was reaction of alkylthiol groups with AuCl4−, following reduction NaBH4. amount formed structures electronic property species depended loading alkylthiol. moderate size (2–3 nm) nano particulate sites Ti(0.5)-SBASH(0.5) negatively charged. aerobic alcohol oxidation activity structure nano-particles. non-thiol-functionalized catalyst (Au/Ti(0.5)-SBASH(0)) composed large (5–30 higher thiol-loaded (Au/Ti(0.5)-SBASH(8)) small cationic almost inactive. most active Au/Ti(0.5)-SBASH(0.5) electron-rich nano-particles electron donation from highly dispersed thiol groups. Styrene in presence 1-phenylethanol O2 loadings titanium(IV) Au/Ti(x)-SBASH(0.5). trapped H2O2 generated through reaction, also contributed to alkene activating H2O2.