title: Sol-gel encapsulation of Au nanoparticles in hybrid silica improves gold oxidation catalysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of an heterogeneously catalyzed gold-based alcohol oxidation process of broad applicability using a clean primary oxidant would be highly desirable. Gold is non toxic and carbonyl and carboxyl compounds are widely used to produce medicines, plastics, colorants, paints, detergents, fragrances, flavors, and other valued functional products.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sol-gel entrapment of gold nanoparticles in hybrid silica improves gold-based oxidation catalysis applied to the selective oxidation of alcohols with aqueous hydrogen peroxide as eco-friendly primary oxidant. Pronounced physical and chemical stabilization of the sol-gel entrapped Au nanoparticles is reflected in catalyst recyclability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential implications of these findings are significant, especially considering that the highly stable, mesoporous glassy catalyst is ideally suited for application in microreactors for carrying out the reaction under flow. Graphical abstractSelective oxidation of 2-phenylethanol over SiliaCat Au nanoparticle. Hydrogen peroxide is the clean oxidant.
authors: Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, PA Italy.
authors: Rosaria
authors: R
authors: Ciriminna
authors: SiliCycle Inc., 2500, Parc Technologique Blvd, Quebec City, QC G1P 4S6 Canada.
authors: Valerica
authors: V
authors: Pandarus
authors: Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, PA Italy.
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Delisi
authors: Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, PA Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Scurria
authors: Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, PA Italy.
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Casaletto
authors: Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, PA Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Giordano
authors: SiliCycle Inc., 2500, Parc Technologique Blvd, Quebec City, QC G1P 4S6 Canada.
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Béland
authors: Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, PA Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Pagliaro
keywords: Alcohol oxidation; Gold; Hydrogen peroxide; Nanoparticle; Sol–gel