Zeolite-x encapsulated Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid as catalysts for oxidative degradation of atenolol in an aqueous solution

ABSTRACT. Complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II) with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PydcH2) have been synthesized in the NaX (zeolite-X) nanopores. The formation of zeolite X encapsulated Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes ([M(pydcH)2]-NaX, [M = Co(II) and Ni(II])] were confirmed using spectroscopic methods of FT-IR, elemental analysis, XRD, FE-SEM, and TEM. It was affirmed that the encapsulation of complexes in NaX pores was formed without changes in the structure and shape of the zeolite. The oxidative degradation reaction of atenolol with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant was performed in the presence of synthesized [M(pydcH)2]-NaX nanocomposites to study their catalytic activity. Therefore, oxidation of atenolol was performed under different conditions of catalyst, temperature, and time. Under optimal conditions, catalysts [Co(pydcH)2]-NaX and [Ni(pydcH)2]-NaX showed 82.3% and 71.1% activity of atenolol oxidation, respectively. These catalysts were stable after recovery and were used three more times. The results showed that these catalysts were reusable and had a reduction in the catalytic activity of less than ten percent. KEY WORDS: Zeolite-X, Nano porosity, Ion-exchange, Degradation of atenolol, 2,6-Pyridine dicarboxylic acid Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(3), 611-622. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i3.6