Leach-resistant Pt nanoparticles on a silica support serving as a clean, efficient, and recyclable catalyst for solvent-free hydrosilylation

Abstract

Pt nanoparticles of sub-3 nm diameter immobilized within a crosslinked polysiloxane network covalently attached to a silica support have been shown to be highly efficient recyclable leach-resistant catalysts for olefin hydrosilylation, especially by hydrosiloxanes. Efficient entrapment of Pt nanoparticles on the silica surface was established unambiguously by ²⁹Si NMR, SEM, EDS, HRTEM and leaching studies. The present catalyst offers several advantages over conventional homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts such as easy handling, high activity, user friendly recycling, and tolerance to a variety of functional groups which makes this catalyst a valuable alternative for industrial manufacturing of high purity organosilicones.