Magnetic
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-Fe
2O
3 nanocrystallites dispersed in a hydroxyapatite matrix (HAP-
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-Fe
2O
3) have beensynthesized for the first time as a new catalyst support. The cation-exchange ability of the external HAPsurface enables an equimolar substitution of Ru for Ca to form a catalytically active center (RuHAP-
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-Fe
2O
3). C
haracterization by several spectroscopic methods demonstrated the formation of
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-Fe
2O
3nanocrystallites within the HAP matrix having a mean diameter of 8.0 nm (
![](/images/gifchars/sigma.gif)
= 18.4 Å,
![](/images/gifchars/sigma.gif)
/
d = 21.7%).The Ru species was proven to exist in the monomeric form in a highly dispersed manner. The RuHAP-
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-Fe
2O
3 exhibits superior catalytic activity for the oxidation of various alcohols to the correspondingcarbonyl compounds using molecular oxygen as a primary oxidant. The magnetic properties of the RuHAP-
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-Fe
2O
3 provided a convenient route for separation of the catalyst from the reaction mixture by applicationof an external permanent magnet. No metal leaching was detected, and the spent catalyst could be recycledwithout appreciable loss of catalytic activity.