rare earth ce- and nd-doped spinel nickel ferrites as effective heterogeneous catalysts in the (ep)oxidation of alkenes

Cerium (ce)- and neodymium (nd)-doped spinel nickel ferrites catalysts system were synthesized using a cost-effective sol–gel route. the as-prepared nickel ferrites and its doped ce and nd nanomaterials were characterized in terms of fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area diffraction pattern, zeta potential and magnetism techniques. their catalytic potential was examined in the (ep)oxidation of 1,2-cyclooctene by using hydrogen peroxide (h2o2) or tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-buooh). optimization of various parameters, including solvent, oxidant and catalyst type revealed that chloroform (chcl3) or 1,2-dichloroethane as a solvent and t-buooh as an oxidant were found to be the best choice for this catalytic system. the catalytic efficiency was found as nd–nife2o4 > ce–nife2o4 > nife2o4. further, the applied nanocatalysts could be easily renovated and exhibited high catalytic reactivity for 5 times of recycling experiments with long-time durability. a reasonable discussion of the mechanism reaction reinforced the action of these spinel catalysts.