Ordered mesoporous carbon molecular sieves with functionalized surfaces

Ordered mesoporous carbon molecular sieves designated as CMK-1 and CMK-5 were synthesized by using nanocasting technique with the synthetic procedures reported previously. After carboxylic acid groups were generated on the carbon frameworks through the partial oxidation with nitric acid, pore walls of the mesoporous carbons were functionalized with various organic and organometallic functional groups using esterification and amidization reactions. Mn-Schiff base complex grafted on the mesoporous carbon surface by using ester bond formation showed remarkable catalytic activity for partial oxidation of cyclohexene. The mesoporous carbons were also functionalizable with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), which could be used for the effective removal of heavy metal ions.