Supported Gold Nanoparticles for Alcohols Oxidation in Continuous-Flow Heterogeneous Systems

Recently, we presented the preparation, without any need of additional reducing and/or stabilizing agents, of a variety of stable silica-supported gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using as the only reactants an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and different functionalized-silica supports. We started using commercial polyethyleneimine-functionalized silica bead [1] and we went on preparing silica nanoparticles with alkynyl carbamate moieties [2]. We now present the results of our recent work with supported AuNPs, which has been focused on the synthesis of a material with the right features for the application as catalyst in a continuous flow system. Indeed, flow chemistry is recognized by the Green Chemistry Institute (GCI) as a key area for research activities in the aim of developing sustainable manufacturing [3]. [1] S. Fazzini , D. Nanni , B. Ballarin , M. C. Cassani , M. Giorgetti , C. Maccato, A. Trapananti, G. Aquilanti and S. I. Ahmed, J. Phys. Chem. C. 116 (2012) 25434 1225443. M. Giorgetti, G. Aquilanti, B. Ballarin, M. Berrettoni, M. C. Cassani, S. Fazzini, D. Nanni and D. Tonelli, Anal. Chem. 88 (2016) 6873-6880. [2] S. Fazzini, M. C. Cassani, B. Ballarin, E. Boanini, J. S. Girardon, A.S. Mamede, A. Mignani and D. Nanni, J. Phys. Chem. C. 118 (2014) 24538-24547. [3] C. Wiles and P. Watts, Green Chem. 16 (2014), 55-62