The work done in our group includes the use of complexes of 1,2,4-triazoles with non precious metals (NPMs) including Fe, Mn, Cu and Co, for the conversion of several types of biomass including switchgrass, hard wood, soft woods, in addition to isolated lignin, like Kraft lignin, to organic building blocks. Our catalysts operate under mild conditions and a wide range of pH using either hydrogen peroxide or molecular oxygen, as co-oxidants.   Similarly, 1,2,4-triazole ligands, covalently anchored on the surface of carbon and complexed with Cu(II) salts are active as catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We have explored various methods to covalently anchor these ligands on the surface of carbon and also used a variety of different carbon surfaces. These immobilized catalysts appear to be comparable in activity to their adsorbed counterparts, while showing enhanced durability. 

Utility of 1,2,4-triazole based non precious complexes in biomass conversion and ORR

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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