Effect of tin content on silica mixed oxides: Sulfated and unsulfated catalysts

Simple and effective synthesis of methoxy-dimethylbenzene from electrochemical oxidation of p-xylene in methanol solvent catalyzed by SO(4)(2-)/ZrO(2)-M(x)O(y)

A series of composite solid superacid catalysts SO(4)(2-)/ZrO(2)-M(x)O(y) (M=Ti, Ni, Si) were prepared and investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All catalysts exhibit good catalytic activity in the electrochemical reaction of p-xylene with methanol assisted with a pair of porous graphite plane electrodes and the selectivity of main products higher than 90% were observed. In particular, SO(4)(2-)/ZrO(2)-SiO(2) catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity. According to the experimental results, a possible free radical reaction mechanism confirmed by XPS and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra was proposed. It may be concluded that a simple and feasible electrochemical catalytic oxidation reaction at room temperature and standard atmosphere may be possible.

Direct oxidation of n-heptane to ester over modified sulfated SnO2 catalysts under mild conditions

The direct oxidation of n-heptane to ester using air as the oxidant under mild conditions assisted by sulfated tin oxide (SO(4)(2-)/SnO(2)) and Co modified sulfated tin oxide (SO(4)(2-)/SnO(2)-Co(2)O(3)) prepared by chemical co-precipitation method and characterized by means of SEM, XRD, FT-IR and XPS techniques was studied. From the results it was found that the catalytic activity of SO(4)(2-)/SnO(2)-Co(2)O(3) is higher than that of SO(4)(2-)/SnO(2) in this target reaction, and two asymmetric esters: diisobutyl phthalate and cyclohexylmethyl tridecyl oxalate that have not been reported in the directly oxidation of n-heptane by traditional method have been obtained. The possible mechanism was also discussed.

Biogenic synthesis of tubular SnO2 with hierarchical intertextures by an aqueous technique involving glycoprotein

Tetragonal SnO2 with hierarchical interwoven structures was prepared by a convenient soaking technique followed by a calcination treatment over 823 K. On the basis of the biomaterial eggshell membrane (ESM) being immersed in aqueous Sn colloid medium and a calcination treatment in succession, SnO2 nanocrystallites with a size of about 5 nm were formed, assembled into tubular fibers, and further intertwisted to construct hollow interconnective fibrous meshworks. With the biomaterial ESM serving as the physical substrate, chemical revulsant, and capping agent, the formation and assembly of hierarchical SnO2 nanomaterials should be under the control of glycoprotein contained in the ESM fiber mantle and directed by the interactions between the glycoprotein macromolecules (containing carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amino groups, etc.) and Sn colloid ingredients of the Sn impregnant. The unique hierarchical SnO2 nanomaterials of structural particularity and complexity are expected to find potential applications in gas sensors, photocatalysts, and dye-sensitized solar cells, etc.