Manganese and cobalt-terephthalate metal-organic frameworks as a precursor for synthesis of Mn2O3, Mn3O4 and Co3O4 nanoparticles: Active catalysts for olefin heterogeneous oxidation

The thermal decomposition of manganese and cobalt-terephthalate Metal-Organic Framework precursors was utilized as a synthetic route for fabrication of Co3O4, Mn3O4 and Mn2O3 nanoparticles. The prepared metal oxide nanoparticles of CO3O4, Mn3O4 and Mn2O3 possess average size diameter of 40, 60 and 80 nm respectively. The findings demonstrate that spinel structure nanoparticles of Co3O4 and Mn3O4 exhibit efficient catalytic activity toward heterogeneous olefin epoxidation in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide. In addition, Co3O4 and Mn3O4 nanoparticles illustrated excellent catalytic stability and reusability for nine and four cycles, respectively, toward olefin oxidation. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.