Synthesis and application of polymer–clay nanocomposite‐supported dichromate oxidizing agent

A hybride polymer–clay nanocomposite supported dichromate reagents was prepared. Direct interaction of poly(styrene‐co‐N‐methyl‐4‐vinylpyridinium) iodide with sodium montmorillonite (MMT) through ion exchange between sodium cations in MMT and pyridinium ions in the copolymer afforded a polymer–clay nanocomposite (3). The resulting nanocomposite was reacted with potassium dichromate to form the nanocomposite‐supported reagents (4). The structure of the resulting nanocomposite was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The dispersion of the MMT particles in the polymer matrix was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. X‐ray mapping for silicon in the nanocomposite revealed uniform distribution of Si in the polymer matrix. The effectiveness of these materials has been tested for oxidation of saturated primary, secondary and benzylic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydic and ketonic compounds in addition to oxidation of quinol to the corresponding quinone. Importantly, there is almost no formation of side‐product of this process. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2066–2075, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineer