Synthesis of Cu (II) Schiff base complex supported on multi-wall carbon nanotube for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols

In this study, a new copper (II) Schiff base complex supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-Cu) has been prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Inductively coupled plasma (ICP), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Copper (II) Schiff base complex has been used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol derivations affording various benzaldehydes. The results indicated that the optimized reaction conditions are 1,4-Dioxane as solvent, 1 mmol of tert-BuOOH as oxidizing agent, and 0.05 g of MWCNTs-Cu as heterogeneous catalyst at 80 °C. The reusability of the heterogeneous catalyst has also been examined in at least three runs without significant loss of its catalytic activity.