Host (nanodimensional pores of zeolite Y)-guest (tetraaza[14]annulene nickel(II) complexes, [Ni(Me4R2Bzo[14]tetraeneN4)]) nanocomposite materials:: Ship-in-a-bottle synthesis, characterization and liquid phase oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide

Nickel(II) complexes with tetraaza[14]annulene ligands "5,7,12,14-tetramethyldibenzo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecine [Ni(Me4R2- Bzo[14]tetraeneN(4))] (R = H, CH3, Cl and NO2) have been prepared from the one-pot template condensation reaction of substituted-1,2-phenylenediamine (4-methyl-; 4-chloro-; 4-nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine) with 2,4-pentanedione in the presence of nickel(II) ion within the nanocavity pores of zeolite-Y [Ni(Me(4)R(2)Bzo[14]tetraeneN(4))]@NaY". The new materials were characterized by several techniques: chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV/VIS, XRD, BET and DRS). All encapsulated complexes served as catalyst for the oxidation of phenol to a mixture of catechol and hydroquinone using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. A suitable reaction condition has been optimized for [Ni(Me-4(NO2)(2)Bzo[14]tetraeneN(4))]@NaY by considering the effect of various parameters such as reaction time and amount of oxidant, different solvents, concentration of substrate etc., for the maximum transformation of phenol. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.