Synthesis and characterization of a novel ruthenium(ii) trisbipyridine complex magnetic nanocomposite for the selective oxidation of phenols

Anchoring ruthenium(ii) trisbipyridine complex [Ru(Bpy)(3)](2+) into a magnetic dendritic fibrous silica nanostructure produces an unprecedented strong nanocatalyst, FeNi(3)/DFNS/[Ru(Bpy)(3)](2+). Impressive oxidation of phenols to 1,4-benzoquinones catalyzed by FeNi(3)/DFNS/[Ru(Bpy)(3)](2+) is obtained in acetonitrile and water solution with molecular dioxygen as oxidant. Exclusively, apparently inert phenols such as phenol itself and mono-alkyl-substituted phenols are impressively oxidized to produce 1,4-benzoquinones through activation of the C–H bond in the position para to the carbon–oxygen bond under mild conditions. In addition, the production of industrially significant quinones that are known intermediates for vitamin combinations is investigated and studied FeNi(3)/DFNS/[Ru(Bpy)(3)](2+) magnetic nanoparticles were produced, and their properties were investigated by AFM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM, and VSM.