Pt, Pd and Au nanoparticles supported on a DNA-MMT hybrid: efficient catalysts for highly selective oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes, acids and esters.

Novel DNA-MMT hybrid supported metal nanoparticle catalysts, such as Pt/DNA-MMT, Pd/DNA-MMT, Au/DNA-MMT, were prepared for application in highly selective aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes, acids and esters, respectively. Taking advantage of the water-soluble reversibility of these catalysts, all the transformations could be performed smoothly in water and reuse of the catalysts has also been accomplished by a very simple phase separation process.