A new Schiff‑base complex of copper supported on MCM-41 as an organic–inorganic hybrid nanocatalyst in the organic reactions

MCM-41 as a mesoporous structure of the silica including regular and hexagonal cannels with high density of hydroxyl groups could be available for immobilization of metal ions. Nontoxicity, availability, high specific surface area (more than 1200 m2/g), large and uniform pore size, thermal and mechanical stability are unique properties of MCM-41 which have received much attention in various fields. In this work, mesoporous MCM-41 nanoparticles were synthesized and a new Schiff base complex of copper wasimmobilized on its inner surface (Cu-Schiff-base@MCM-41) and further its catalytic application was studied in selective oxidation of sulfides and synthesis of 5- substituted tetrazoles. The structure of this nanocatalyst has been characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, SEM, EDS, XRD, TGA, FT-IR, and AAS techniques. This catalyst can be reused for several times and the all products were obtained in high TOF and TON values.[1-3]