Pure Appl. Chem., 2007, Vol. 79, No. 11, pp. 1847-1854
doi:10.1351/pac200779111847
Supported gold nanoparticles for aerobic, solventless oxidation of allylic alcohols*
Alberto Abad, Avelino Corma, and Hermenegildo García
Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIC-UPV), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Av. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
After giving some general considerations about the specific properties of nanoparticles below 20 nm, procedures for size stabilization, and the importance of developing green alcohol oxidation reactions, catalytic data are presented showing that gold nanoparticles (3-7 nm) supported on nanoparticulated ceria (4 nm) are far more chemoselective than related palladium catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of allylic alcohols. Using palladium catalysts, in addition to minor oxidation of the alcohol functional group, we have also observed polymerization, 1-2 hydrogen shift, and hydrogenation. In contrast, ceria-supported gold nanoparticles exhibit a remarkable chemoselectivity (in many cases, almost complete) to the alcohol oxidation.
Keywords: allylic alcohols; chemoselectivity; gold nanoparticles; green alcohol oxidation; solventless reactions.
*Pure Appl. Chem. 79, 1831-2100. An issue of reviews and research papers based on lectures presented at the 1st International IUPAC Conference on Green-Sustainable Chemistry, held in Dresden, Germany, 10-15 September 2006.