Direct oxidative esterification of alcohols and hydration of nitriles catalyzed by a reusable silver nanoparticle grafted onto mesoporous polymelamine formaldehyde (AgNPs@mPMF)

A nitrogen-rich mesoporous organic polymer was synthesized as a novel support. A silver nanoparticle was synthesized and grafted onto it. The prepared catalyst (AgNPs@mPMF) was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), N-2 adsorption, Raman spectroscopy and EPR study. The catalytic activity was evaluated for the oxidative esterification reaction of alcohols and hydration of nitriles. The oxidative esterification reaction was carried out for various activated alcohols giving excellent yields of the corresponding ester products. The catalyst was also efficient in the hydration of nitriles. Both reactions were optimized by varying the bases, temperatures and solvents. The catalyst can be facilely recovered and reused six times without a significant decrease in its activity and selectivity.