Highly selective aerobic oxidation of alkyl arenes and alcohols: cobalt supported on natural hydroxyapatite nanocrystals

Cobalt was successfully immobilized on natural hydroxyapatite nanocrystals which were obtained from cow bones (Co-NHAp). The chemical, structural, and electronic properties of this nanobiocatalyst were investigated using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Natural hydroxyapatite (NHAp) as the support enhanced both catalytic activity and selectivity in the liquid phase aerobic oxidation of alkyl arenes and alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds. The use of air as an inexpensive oxidant, the recyclability of the Co-NHAp nanobiocatalyst without significant decrease in its catalytic activity and easy workup are some advantages of this work.