Microwave-assisted deposition of a highly active cobalt catalyst on mesoporous silica for photochemical CO

Coupling with robust surfaces is a promising approach to improve the stability and recyclability of highly active molecular catalysts. This study builds on our prior success to deposit a Co(iii) cyclam complex, where cyclam is 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, on mesoporous silica via a microwave-assisted process. The Co(iii) complex was successfully deposited on the silica surface through reacting with silanol groups in the silica mesopores. The resulting surface Co(iii) catalyst was characterized by different techniques and tested in photochemical CO