Immobilization of dioxomolybdenum(VI) Schiff base complex on graphene oxide nanosheets and its catalytic activity for oxidation of sulfides

Graphene oxide was an effective supporting material for immobilizing a dioxomolybdenum Schiff base complex via covalent interaction. The large surface of graphene oxide plays important roles to obtain a good degree of catalytic reaction. Catalytic capacity of the graphene-bound dioxomolybdenum Schiff base complex was investigated for the oxidation of various sulfides to sulfoxide compounds using hydrogen peroxide urea as an oxidant. The catalyst was characterized by various techniques including XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM, UV–vis, and ICP-AES. The immobilized complex was very efficient with the extra benefits of easy recovery and recycling of the heterogeneous catalyst. The graphene oxide bound dioxomolybdenum Schiff base complex was reused for several runs without meaningful loss in catalytic activity.