Design, synthesis, and characterization of a new efficient and reusable Ru complex immobilized on nano-silica for oxidation of alcohols

In this work, we present the synthesis and characterization of a new poly(N-heterocyclic carbene Ru complex) immobilized on nano-silica, [(Ru-III-NHCs)(n)@nSiO(2)]. This heterogenous dendritic polymer was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, ICP-OES, and UV-vis techniques. The catalytic activity of this catalyst was studied in the oxidation of alcohols with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tert-BuOOH) at room temperature, and the corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused four consecutive times without significant leaching of Ru and loss of its activity which illustrated the chemical stability of the catalyst during the oxidation reactions.