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Fullerene‐Catalyzed Reduction of Azo Derivatives in Water under UV Irradiation
Author(s) -
Guo Yong,
Li Wengang,
Yan Jingjing,
Moosa Basem,
Amad Ma'an,
Werth Charles J.,
Khashab Niveen M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201200701
Subject(s) - catalysis , fullerene , photochemistry , chemistry , irradiation , aqueous solution , metal , organic chemistry , nuclear physics , physics
Metal‐free fullerene (C 60 ) was found to be an effective catalyst for the reduction of azo groups in basic aqueous solution under UV irradiation in the presence of NaBH 4 . Use of NaBH 4 by itself is not sufficient to reduce the azo dyes without the assistance of a metal catalyst such as Pd and Ag. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that C 60 catalyzes this reaction by using its vacant orbital to accept the electron in the bonding orbital of azo dyes , which leads to the activation of the NN bond. UV irradiation increases the ability of C 60 to interact with electron‐donor moieties in azo dyes .