Ti(IV)-based catalytic membranes for efficient and selective oxidation of secondary amines

The incorporation of homogenous Ti(IV)/trialkanolamine catalyst in polymeric membranes provided new polymeric catalytic Ti(IV)-based membranes, stable and efficient as heterogeneous catalysts for chemoselective oxidations of secondary amines to nitrones by alkyl hydroperoxides. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based catalytic membranes gave the best results affording products in short reaction times, high yields and selectivity using as little as 1% of catalyst, comparable with the performances of the corresponding homogeneous system. PVDF–Ti membrane could be recycled up to five runs with no loss of activity.