Ni-based catalysts derived from a metal-organic framework for selective oxidation of alkanes

Ni nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon (Ni@C-N) materials were prepared by thermolysis of a Ni-containing metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) under inert atmosphere. The as-synthesized Ni@C-N materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The MOF-derived Ni-based materials were then examined as heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes under mild reaction conditions. The Ni@C-N composites displayed high activity and selectivity toward the oxidation of a variety of saturated C-H bonds, affording the corresponding oxidation products in good-to-excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalysts could be recycled and reused for at least four times without any significant loss in activity and selectivity under the investigated conditions. (C) 2016, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.