Multi-wall carbon nanotube supported manganese(III) porphyrin: an efficient and reusable catalyst for oxidation of 2-imidazolines with sodium periodate

The oxidation of 2-substituted imidazolines with sodium periodate catalyzed by tetrakis(p-aminophenyl)-porphyrinatomanganese(III) chloride, [Mn(TNH2PP)Cl], supported on functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes is reported. A wide variety of 2-imidazolines were efficiently converted to their corresponding imidazoles by this catalytic system. When the same reaction was subjected to ultrasonic irradiation, the reaction times were reduced significantly and the product yields were increased. This catalyst could be reused several times without significant loss of activity. The effects of reaction parameters such catalyst amount, choice of solvent, and the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the catalytic activity have been investigated.