Complex study of nickel skeleton catalysts: V. Study of novel non-pyrophoric nickel skeleton catalysts by derivatograph

The structure and properties of non-pyrophoric skeleton catalysts prepared from NiSi, NiAlSi, NiMg and NiZn alloys have been studied—apart from other thermal methods—by means of the derivatograph.Our experimental results have contributed to the explanation of the non-pyrophoric behaviour of these catalysts. We demonstrated that the desorption of the hydrogen content in our catalysts is not accompanied by the oxidation of active nickel. This oxidation takes place only at higher temperatures, above 200°C, at a rate proportional to the amount of active nickel.Other constituents of the catalysts (adsorbed water, hydroxide content) were also determined from the experimental data. The outstandingly high Mg(OH)₂ content of the NiMg catalyst indicates that its structure is dissimilar: Mg(OH)₂ also acts as support for the catalyst.     

An Easily Accessed Nickel Nanoparticle Catalyst for Alkene Hydrosilylation with Tertiary Silanes

The first efficient and non‐precious nanoparticle catalyst for alkene hydrosilylation with commercially relevant tertiary silanes has been developed. The nickel nanoparticle catalyst was prepared in situ from a simple nickel alkoxide precatalyst Ni(O^tBu)₂?x KCl. The catalyst exhibits high activity for anti‐Markovnikov hydrosilylation of unactivated terminal alkenes and isomerizing hydrosilylation of internal alkenes. The catalyst can be applied to synthesize a single terminal alkyl silane from a mixture of internal and terminal alkene isomers, and to remotely functionalize an internal alkene derived from a fatty acid.     

Green oxidation of alcohols by a reusable nickel catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen

An easily prepared and reusable Ni(OH)₂ catalyst for the oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols by molecular oxygen has been developed.     

Probing the effect of nitrate anion in CAN: An additional opportunity to reduce the catalyst loading for aerobic oxidations

Catalyzed by cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN), the oxidative cracking reaction of alkenes occurred to produce carbonyls in good yields under mild conditions. The reaction employed molecular oxygen (O₂) as the safe and clean oxidant. The catalyst dosage was reduced to as low as 0.5 mol%, while no additive was required. Thus, it may afford a generally green synthetic approach for introducing oxygen into organic molecules as well as the biomass degradation and the resource recycling from the C=C bond-containing waste polymers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and control experiments demonstrated that the process proceeded via a single electron transfer (SET) reaction-initiated free radical reaction mechanism. In the process, both Ce and NO₃⁻ acted as the oxygen carrier to promote the oxidation reaction. The application of the abundantly existed nitrate in CAN was found to be the key for reducing the catalyst loading.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Oxyboration of Unactivated Alkenes

The first regiodivergent oxyboration of unactivated terminal alkenes is reported, using copper alkoxide as a catalyst, bis(pinacolato)diboron [(Bpin)₂] as a boron source, and (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) as an oxygen source. The reaction is compatible with various functional groups. Two regioisomers are selectively produced by selecting the appropriate ligands on copper. The products may be used as a linchpin precursor for various other functionalizations, and net processes such as carbooxygenation, aminooxygenation, and dioxygenation of alkenes can be achieved after C?B bond transformations. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves the following steps: 1) Transmetalation between CuOtBu and (Bpin)₂ to generate a borylcopper species; 2) regiodivergent borylcupration of alkenes; 3) oxidation of the thus‐generated C?Cu bond to give an alkyl radical; 4) trapping of the resulting alkyl radical by TEMPO.     

Immobilized manganese porphyrin on functionalized magnetic nanoparticles via axial ligation: efficient and recyclable nanocatalyst for oxidation reactions

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, have been prepared and functionalized by 3-(chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane and then by imidazole to synthesize Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-Im. The functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were used as a support to anchor manganese porphyrin via axial ligation. The prepared catalyst was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Application of immobilized manganese porphyrin as a heterogeneous catalyst in oxidation of alkenes and sulfides was explored. To find suitable reaction conditions, effect of different parameters such as solvent and temperature on immobilization process and also various reaction parameters (oxidant, solvent, and time) on oxidation reactions has been investigated. The results showed that the immobilized Mn-porphyrin on functionalized MNPs is an efficient and reusable catalyst for oxidation of substrates.     

Polystyrene‐Supported (Catecholato)oxorhenium Complexes: Catalysts for Alcohol Oxidation with DMSO and for Deoxygenation of Epoxides to Alkenes with Triphenylphosphine

Polymer‐supported catalysts offer practical advantages for organic synthesis, such as improved product isolation, ease of catalyst recycling, and compatibility with parallel solution‐phase techniques. We have developed the (carboxypolystyrene‐catecholato)rhenium catalyst 2 derived from tyramine (=4‐(2‐aminoethyl)phenol), which is effective for alcohol oxidation with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and for epoxide deoxygenation with triphenylphosphine. The supported [Re(catecholato)]catalyst 2 is air‐ and moisture‐stable and can be recovered and used repeatedly without decreasing activity. The procedures work with non‐halogenated solvents (toluene). DMSO for Re‐catalyzed alcohol oxidation is inexpensive and safer for transport and storage than commonly used peroxide reagents. The oxidation procedure was best suited for aliphatic alcohols, and the mild conditions were compatible with unprotected functional groups, such as those of alkenes, phenols, nitro compounds, and ketones (see Tables 1 and 2). Selective oxidation of secondary alcohols in the presence of primary alcohols was possible, and with longer reaction time, primary alcohols were converted to aldehydes without overoxidation. Epoxides (oxirans) were catalytically deoxygenated to alkenes with this catalyst and Ph₃P (see Table 3). Alkyloxiranes were converted to the alkenes with retention of configuration, while partial isomerization was observed in the deoxygenation of cis‐stilbene oxide ( cis‐1,2‐diphenyloxirane). These studies indicate that supported [Re(catecholato)] complexes are effective catalysts for O‐atom‐transfer reactions, and are well suited for applications in organic synthesis.     

Chemoselective Oxidation of Alkenes by Metal-Organic Framework-Supported Copper Catalyst

Oxidation of alkenes to carbonyls or diols compounds is important in synthesizing fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates. We report the synthesis and characterization of an aluminum metal-organic framework node-supported copper(II) chloride (DUT-5-CuCl), which is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of alkenes using H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent. Styrene and various substituted styrenes were transformed into the corresponding carbonyl compounds in excellent selectivity and yields. DUT-5-CuCl is tolerant with various functional groups and could be recycled and reused at least 5 times in the oxidation of α-methylstyrene. Unlike the oxidation of styrene derivatives, DUT-5-Cu catalyzed oxidation of aliphatic and cyclic alkenes produced 1,2-diols compounds selectively. The mechanism of the DUT-5-Cu catalyzed oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde was investigated in detail by various experiments such as the determination of reaction intermediates and characterization of the catalyst after catalysis, and computational studies. This work highlights the importance of MOF-supported earth-abundant metal catalysts for oxidation reactions to produce fine chemicals.     

Selective Oxidation of Ethylbenzene by Molecular Oxygen: Effect of Macrocyclic 18-Crown-6 Polyether Additives on Catalysis by Bicyclic Nickel Complexes

The catalytic activity of the two-component catalytic system based on nickel bis(enaminoacetonate) (enamac) and 18-crown-6 (18C6) macrocyclic polyether is studied in ethylbenzene oxidation by molecular oxygen. The {Ni(enamac)₂ + 18-crown-6} system is a more active catalyst of ethylbenzene oxidation into -phenylethyl hydroperoxide compared to Ni(enamac)₂ and the {Ni(acac)₂ + 18-crown-6} system. The formation of Ni(enamac)₂–18-crown-6 complex is confirmed both kinetically and spectroscopically. It is suggested that a rise in the oxidation selectivity is due to Ni(enamac)₂ transformation activated by 18-crown-6. The order of oxidation product formation at different oxidation stages is determined. The activity of catalysts in the elementary steps of the chain process is discussed.     

Direct oxidative C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling reaction using recyclable Sr-doped LaCoO3 perovskite catalyst

A strontium-doped lanthanum cobaltite perovskite, La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃, was prepared and utilized as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the direct oxidative C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling reaction between cyclic ethers and alkenes or coumarins to achieve corresponding α-functionalized ethers. The α-functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins was also achieved via this protocol. The La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃ catalyst exhibited better performance than a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Utilizing a recyclable catalyst would offer a greener option for the direct oxidative C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling reaction. To our best knowledge, the C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling between olefins and ethers to generate α-functionalized ethers using a heterogeneous catalyst has not been previously reported, and the α-functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins is new.     

High surface area Pd, Pt and Ni ion-exchanged Zr, Ti and Sn(IV) phosphates and their application to selective heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes

Amorphous acidic metal(IV) phosphates of zirconium, titanium and tin have been prepared and hydrogen-exchanged for bivalent Pd, Pt and Ni. These bivalent metals were returned to the zero valent state by reducing them with either hydrogen at 400 °C or with sodium tetrahydroborate at room temperature. The resulting Pd⁰, Pt⁰ and Ni⁰ phosphates were investigated as selective catalysts for heterogeneous hydrogenation of alkenes in solution at normal temperatures and pressures and, for Ni, also in the vapour phase. Quantitative studies on rates of hydrogenation are discussed. The usual methods for preparing metal(IV) phosphates give either crystalline or amorphous solids having low specific surfaces areas. A method has been developed, by which metal(IV) phosphates having large surface areas (lsa) may be prepared easily. These lsa supports take up large amounts of transition metal cations by simple exchange. The enhanced incorporation of Pd, Pt or Ni and increases in surface areas of the phosphate supports have provided some active, selective catalysts. Pd/Ti phosphates were the most active and compared well with commercial Pd on carbon. Ni/Ti phosphate is a very selective catalyst for vapour phase hydrogenation of alkenes and, at slightly higher temperatures, it is an efficient hydrocarbon cracking catalyst.     

Recent advances in the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of the ruthenium-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes

The group’s recent advances in catalytic carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes are described. For the C-O bond formation reaction, a well-defined bifunctional ruthenium-amido catalyst has been successfully employed for the conjugate addition of alcohols to acrylic compounds. The ruthenium-hydride complex (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the regioselective alkyne-to-carboxylic acid coupling reaction in yielding synthetically useful enol ester products. Cationic ruthenium-hydride catalyst generated in-situ from (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl/HBF₄·OEt₂ was successfully utilized for both the hydroamination and related C-N bond forming reactions of alkenes. For the C-Si bond formation reaction, regio- and stereoselective dehydrosilylation of alkenes and hydrosilylation of alkynes have been developed by using a well-defined ruthenium-hydride catalyst. Scope and mechanistic aspects of these carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions are discussed.     

Oxidation of propane over ammonium-transition metal mixed keggin phosphomolybdate salts

Mixed ammonium-transition metal salts with formula of (NH4)xMyHzPMo12O40 (M = Ni2+, Co2+ or Fe 3+) denoted as MPMo12 have been investigated for the oxidation of propane, with molecular oxygen, at temperature range between 380℃ and 420℃ after in-situ pre-treatment performed at two heating rate of 5 or 9℃/min. They were characterized by BET method, XRD, UV-Vis and IR techniques. The catalysts were found to be active in the propane oxidation and selective to propene or acrolein, in particular for samples pre-t...     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of a polymer-supported copper(II) complex with a thiosemicarbazone ligand

A thiosemicarbazone Cu(II) complex anchored to a polystyrene framework has been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The complex was found to be a highly active catalyst for the oxidation of various organic substrates including alkenes and alcohols using H₂O₂ as oxidant. The reaction conditions were optimized with respect to temperature, solvent, oxidant, catalyst amount, and substrate to peroxide ratio. The heterogeneous catalyst was reused five times without significant loss of activity. A comparison between the catalytic activities of this polymer-supported Cu(II) complex and its homogeneous analogue was carried out.     

Oxidative Transformations of Organic Compounds Mediated by Redox Molecular Sieves

Zeolites are viewed by some as the “philosopher's stone” of modern chemistry.^[1] They are more or less indispensable in oil refining and petrochemicals manufacture where they are widely applied as solid acid catalysts. More recently attention has been focused on their use in the manufacture of fine chemicals. The synthetic utility of zeolites and related molecular sieves (zeotypes) has been considerably extended by the incorporation of redox metals into their frameworks. The resulting redox molecular sieves catalyze a variety of selective oxidations under mild conditions in the liquid phase. Their structural diversity–including variation of the redox metal, incorporation of metal complexes, and the size and polarity of the micropores–provides the possibility of designing tailor-made solid catalysts (“mineral enzymes”) for liquid-phase oxidations with clean oxidants such as O₂, H₂O₂, and RO₂H. Hence, they have enormous potential in industrial organic synthesis as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional oxidations employing inorganic oxidants in stoichiometric amounts. A primary aim of this review is to familiarize organic chemists with the synthetic potential of redox molecular sieves. An outline of their synthesis, structures, and chemical properties, highlighting their unique advantages, is followed by a discussion of general (mechanistic) features that influence the choice of a suitable catalyst for a particular type of oxidation. The main part of the review deals with the oxidation of various substrates of synthetic interest–such as alkanes, alkenes, (alkyl)arenes, alcohols, and amines–and emphasizes the advantages of redox molecular sieves (including selectivity and stability) over their homogeneous counterparts. New directions towards truly biomimetic solid catalysts, for example zeolite-encapsulated chiral metal complexes as heterogeneous catalysts for asymmetric oxidations, are high-lighted.     

A mild oxidative aryl radical addition into alkenes by aerobic oxidation of arylhydrazines

A mild and practical oxyarylation of alkenes by oxidative radical addition has been developed by using aerobic oxidation of hydrazine compounds. The use of a catalytic amount of potassium ferrocyanide trihydrate (K₄[Fe(CN)₆]?3 H₂O) and water accelerated this radical reaction to give peroxides or alcohols from simple alkenes in good yields. The environmentally friendly and economical radical reactions were achieved at room temperature in the presence of iron catalyst, oxygen gas, and water. A method involving aniline as a radical precursor is also described.     

Photocatalytic Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling of Alkenes with Alcohols or Azoles without External Oxidant

Direct cross‐coupling between alkenes/R‐H or alkenes/RXH is a dream reaction, especially without external oxidants. Inputting energy by photocatalysis and employing a cobalt catalyst as a two‐electron acceptor, a direct C−H/X−H cross‐coupling with H₂ evolution has been achieved for C−O and C−N bond formation. A new radical alkenylation using alkene as the redox compound is presented. A wide range of aliphatic alcohols—even long chain alcohols—are tolerated well in this system, providing a new route to multi‐substituted enol ether derivatives using simple alkenes. Additionally, this protocol can also be used for N ‐vinylazole synthesis. Mechanistic insights reveal that the cobalt catalyst oxidizes the photocatalyst to revive the photocatalytic cycle.     

Magtrieve™: a convenient catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols

We find that Magtrieve™ (CrO₂) catalyzes the oxidation of a wide variety of alcohols with periodic acid as the terminal oxidant. Mild conditions, short reaction times, and facile aqueous work-up make this a most attractive method. Olefins are not oxidized under these conditions; thus alcohols react selectively in the presence of alkenes. Conditions have been optimized with respect to catalyst loading, solvent, and co-oxidant; and the scope of the reaction includes primary and secondary benzylic, allylic, and aliphatic alcohols.     

Selective oxidation of alkenes using [bmim]5[PW11ZnO39]·3H2O hybrid catalyst

The catalytic activity of [bmim]₅[PW₁₁ZnO₃₉]·3H₂O as a hybrid catalyst was studied in the oxidation of various alkenes in acetonitrile, using hydrogen peroxide as oxygen source. The effect of reaction parameters such as type of solvent and oxidant, amount of catalyst and oxidant, and temperature was also investigated. From our results, [bmim]₅[PW₁₁ZnO₃₉]·3H₂O hybrid catalyst gave higher yields and selectivity in the oxidation of alkenes and was reused four times without loss of its catalytic activity.     

Detection of Palladium(I) in Aerobic Oxidation Catalysis

Palladium(II)‐catalyzed oxidation reactions exhibit broad utility in organic synthesis; however, they often feature high catalyst loading and low turnover numbers relative to non‐oxidative cross‐coupling reactions. Insights into the fate of the Pd catalyst during turnover could help to address this limitation. Herein, we report the identification and characterization of a dimeric Pd^I species in two prototypical Pd‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions: allylic C−H acetoxylation of terminal alkenes and intramolecular aza‐Wacker cyclization. Both reactions employ 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (DAF) as an ancillary ligand. The dimeric Pd^I complex, [Pd^I(μ‐DAF)(OAc)]₂, which features two bridging DAF ligands and two terminal acetate ligands, has been characterized by several spectroscopic methods, as well as single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The origin of this Pd^I complex and its implications for catalytic reactivity are discussed.