Project Title
Synthesis and Characterization of Silica-Porphyrin Heterogenous Sol-Gel Catalysts
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Lisse
Abstract
The synthesis and characterization of an iron porphyrin catalyst entrapped in a silica sol-gel matrix was conducted during this summer research project. The catalyst was synthesized through hydrolysis and condensation of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF), methanol and ammonia hydroxide, in the presence of the iron (III) porphyrin Fe(TPP)Cl. The doped silica sol-gel particles’ ability to catalyze cyclohexane oxidation was tested using iodosylbenzene as the oxygen donor and the oxidation products were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The interaction and functionality of the porphyrin, and the structural integrity of the doped silica sol-gel were examined using thermogravimetric analysis, NMR, digital microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that the iron porphyrin sol-gel particles have the potential to be used as reusable and reliable catalysts. The experimental methodology and preliminary results of the study will be presented.
Synthesis and Characterization of Silica-Porphyrin Heterogenous Sol-Gel Catalysts
The synthesis and characterization of an iron porphyrin catalyst entrapped in a silica sol-gel matrix was conducted during this summer research project. The catalyst was synthesized through hydrolysis and condensation of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF), methanol and ammonia hydroxide, in the presence of the iron (III) porphyrin Fe(TPP)Cl. The doped silica sol-gel particles’ ability to catalyze cyclohexane oxidation was tested using iodosylbenzene as the oxygen donor and the oxidation products were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The interaction and functionality of the porphyrin, and the structural integrity of the doped silica sol-gel were examined using thermogravimetric analysis, NMR, digital microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that the iron porphyrin sol-gel particles have the potential to be used as reusable and reliable catalysts. The experimental methodology and preliminary results of the study will be presented.