A Phosphate‐based Organic Polymer Nanocontainer Efficiently Hosts Ag/Ru Nanoparticles for Heterogeneous Catalytic Reduction of Nitroaromatics and Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohols

Abstract

AbstractOrganic polymer networks (OPNs) are an interesting class of materials showing immense potential for supporting various metal nanoparticles for their heterogeneous catalytic applications. Herein, we delineate a protocol for generating metal‐based nanoparticles including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs) within a phosphate‐based OPN (OPN‐4) prepared by the copolymerization of phosphoryl chloride and 1,3,5‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)benzene in order to generate the heterogeneous catalysts, M@OPN‐4 (M=Ag/Ru). OPN‐4 emerged as an excellent host for the loading of these nanoparticles. These nanoparticles loaded OPN‐4 were characterized by several techniques including scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and FTIR studies. M@OPN‐4 acted as the heterogeneous catalysts towards various organic reactions including reduction of nitroaromatics (Ag@OPN‐4) and oxidation of benzyl alcohols (Ru@OPN‐4) furnishing desired products from moderate to excellent yield with high selectivity over a broad range of substrates. They also exhibited easy recovery via filtration and reuse for up to five cycles without losing their catalytic activity significantly. Above all, the as synthesized catalysts were found to possess air and moisture endurance, high cost‐effectiveness and robust behavior. Thus, the OPN‐4 nanocontainer could establish itself as a versatile host towards different metal nanoparticles attributed to electron donating phosphate moiety.