Thesis presented June 26, 2008

Abstract:
A supported ruthenium complex was synthesised in LUS, a MCM-41 type porous mesostructured silica, via a step-by-step approach. Surface engineering was performed through a controlled process of protection / deprotection of surface silanols. A pyridine terminated tether, Py@LUS, was homogeneously distributed on the surface using a molecular stencil patterning technique, followed by reaction of [Ru(dmp)₂Cl₂] (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl- 1,10-phenantroline). All intermediate materials were thoroughly characterised with a panel of techniques, including XRD, elemental analysis, TGA, ²⁹Si and ¹³C MAS-NMR, DRUV, FT- IR, Raman and cyclovoltamperometry. Integrity of the porous structure, formation of the complex and localisation in the confined space of the pores of the silica matrix were confirmed. The final material was selectively active in the catalytic oxidation of methylphenylsulfide into sulfoxide.

Keywords:
Grafting, Surface, catalytic reactivity, oxidation

On-line thesis.