Synthesis and characterization of magnetic silica-supported Mn(II)-substituted polyoxophosphotungstate as catalyst in sulfoxidation reaction

Polyoxometalate-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2-MnPOW) were successfully synthesized via covalent anchoring of Mn(II)-substituted phosphotungstate on ammonium-modified Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles. The complete characterization of nanoparticles has been carried out by scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and elemental analysis. The resulting nanocomposites were efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of sulfides with different green oxidants in good to excellent yields and also high selectivity. Leaching and recycling tests showed that the nanocatalyst can be reused several times without significant loss of efficiency.