Synthesis of Schiff-Base Molybdenum Complex Supported on Magnetic Nanoparticles Fe3O4@SiO2 and their Application as Recyclable Catalyst in Oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

A molybdenum(VI) Schiff base complex as an efficient and highly heterogeneous catalyst was developed by immobilization of a molybdenum complex on the surface of modified Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles were employed as catalysts for the selective oxidation of sulfides to corresponding sulfoxides using urea hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Furthermore, the obtained catalysts showed not only high catalytic activity in oxidation reactions but also high degree of chemical stability in various organic solvents. This nanocatalyst can be easily recovered from the reaction system by using an external magnet and reused several times with high yields. The complete characterization of catalysts was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and FT-IR techniques.