Synthesis and characterization of zeolite-encapsulated metalloporphyrins

Metalloporphyrins of Fe-III and Cu-II were prepared inside the large pores of the zeolite NaY by a process of sequential introduction of components followed by assembly inside the void space of the zeolite. The appropriate process chosen for the porphyrin synthesis was using the propionic acid solvent for reaction between pyrrole and benzaldehyde and this solvent was not destructive for zeolite. The powder X-ray diffraction data confirmed that the crystallinity of the zeolite was maintained. The resulting materials were purified by Soxhlet extractor. The zeolite-included metalloporphyrins were identified for studies using UV-Vis, FTIR and EPR Spectroscopy, CA (chemical analysis), AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy), TG/DSC, XRD, SEM and C-13-NMR techniques. The catalytic activity of these products was examined and the catalyst showed to be a promising catalytic system to aliphatic hydrocarbon oxidation reactions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.