Encapsulation of a Cu(II) complex with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid in zeolite-X nanoporosity as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of aniline

The Cu(II) complex of 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PydcH2, dipiconilic acid) was successfully prepared and readily trapped in the nanocavity of zeolite-X (NaX) through a flexible synthetic method. The characterization of nanocomposite ([Cu(pydcH2)(pydc)]-NaX) was performed by FT-IR, XRD, BET isotherm, SEM, TEM, and elemental analysis, that approved the encapsulating of coordination compound in the channels of NaX, with no change in the zeolite structure and morphology. The catalytic activity of the prepared material was also studied in respect of the oxidation of aniline with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent. The experiments were performed to optimize aniline oxidation under different extents of catalyst, temperature, and time. Optimized reaction conditions of this catalyst exhibited moderate activity (~92%) of aniline oxidation. This catalyst was stable in the oxidation of aniline as recovered and reused for an additional three runs. The outcomes reflected that the catalyst was reusable with no considerable loss in the catalytic activity.