Magnetically separable polyoxometalate catalyst for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene with H2O2

Two types of polyoxometalate-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles catalysts consisting of H3PW12O40 supported on surface-modified Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles were prepared using an easy synthetic route and successfully applied for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene. The magnetic catalysts showed a catalytic performance in the oxidation of dibenzothiophene in acetonitrile with hydrogen peroxide, and high conversions were obtained. The catalysts could be easily separated from the reaction solution by applying an external magnetic field and recycled several times. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.