Monodispersed Ag Nanoparticles as Catalyst: Preparation Based on Crystalline Supramolecular Hybrid of Decamethylcucurbit[5]uril and Silver Ions

Monodispersed silver nanoparticles (Ag-0 NPs) have been first prepared on the basis of a postsynthesis via mild reduction from a new crystalline supramolecular hybrid solid assembled from Ag+ ions and decamethylcucurbit[5]uril (Me10CB[5]). Uniform growth of nearly spherical Ag-0 NPs with an average size of ca. 4.4 nm was observed on the organic Me10CB[S] support to form Ag@Me10CB[5] composite material. The as-synthesized composite material was characterized by a range of physical measurements (PXRD, TGA, XPS, ICP, TEM, etc.) and was further exploited as a heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of various nitrophenols in the presence of NaBH4. The kinetics of the reduction process was monitored under various experimental conditions. The Ag@Me10CB[S] composite material showed excellent catalytic performance over the reduction reactions and remained active after several consecutive cycles.