Catalytic conversion of lactic acid into propylene glycol over various metals supported on silica

Catalytic hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol was performed over various metals (Ag, Co, Cu, Ni, Pt, and Ru) supported on silica prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The loading amount of each metal was 5 wt%. Crystallinity of the synthesized catalysts was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the BET method was utilized to examine the surface area. Pore volume and pore size of catalysts were determined using BJH analysis of the N₂ adsorption isotherm. Particle sizes of various metals were determined from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The catalytic activity was found to be strongly dependent on the supported metal. Among catalysts tested, Ru/SiO₂ showed the highest propylene glycol yield. The yield of propylene glycol increased with pressure, and the highest yield was achieved at 130 °C.     

Pb-Pt/AC催化甘油一步法制备丙酮酸

生物质能具有绿色环保、可再生、来源广泛和安全性高等优点,成为当前的研究热点.作为生物柴油的主要副产物,甘油是一种重要的生物质平台化合物.甘油的高效利用,不仅能够获得重要的精细化学品及聚合物,也可以延长生物柴油的产业链,降低其生产成本,增加其市场竞争力.丙酮酸是一种弱有机酸,为生物体内葡萄糖分解代谢的中间产物,在生物能量代谢和物质代谢过程中起着重要的枢纽作用.同时,由于它同时含有羧基和酮羰基,具有很强的反应性,可参与多种化学反应,在化学工业中有广泛应用.目前,工业上主要采用酒石酸脱水脱羧法生产丙酮酸,丙酮酸收率可达50–55%,但生产过程需要消耗大量的KHSO4粉末,生产成本高,且高耗能高污染,不符合可持续发展的要求.因此,利用可再生资源甘油在温和条件下生产丙酮酸显现出良好的应用前景.目前,由甘油一步法获得丙酮酸仅可通过发酵法实现,但是其规模化生产存在效率低、废弃物污染等问题.因此,研究化学方法由甘油一步制备丙酮酸可行也十分必要.本课题组以Pt/AC或Cu-Pt/AC为催化剂进行甘油氧化制备乳酸的研究,所得产物中几乎未检出丙酮酸;当以Pb-Pt/C为催化剂进行乳酸脱氢氧化制备丙酮酸,可获得较高选择性的丙酮酸.因此,本文通过向Pt/AC催化剂中引入Pb助剂,以期调变甘油氧化的产物分布,从而获得相对高的丙酮酸选择性.通过浸渍-沉积沉淀法(Im-DP)制备了一系列不同Pb载量(1–7.0 wt%)的xPb-5Pt/AC-Im-DP催化剂,并采用不同方法制备了一系列5Pb-5Pt/AC催化剂,用于在温和条件下甘油选择性氧化制备丙酮酸反应中.结果表明,Pb载量和催化剂制备方法都对其催化活性有显著影响.当xPb-5Pt/AC-Im-DP催化剂中Pb载量为1%时,甘油转化率和丙酮酸选择性均较单金属5Pt/AC催化剂高,但当Pb载量继续升高至3%及以上时,甘油转化率明显下降.我们推测这与Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2物种的形成有关.采用该方法制备催化剂时,Pb载量宜为5.0 wt%.保持Pt和Pb载量均为5.0 wt%,采用共沉积沉淀(Co-DP)、共浸渍(Co-Im)、以及对催化剂进行500oC氩气焙烧等,制备了具有Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2物种、铂铅合金物种(PtPb和PtxPb)和两物种均没有的5Pb-5Pt/AC催化剂.通过评价它们的催化性能,进一步探究了Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2物种、铂铅合金物种、表面金属价态与催化剂活性的关系.实验表明,Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2和表面Pb0物种不利于甘油的转化,铂铅合金对甘油转化有一定的促进作用,对丙酮酸生成显现出明显促进作用.通过对Co-DP、Im-DP催化剂进行500oC氩气焙烧,能够除去Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2物种,同时形成铂铅合金.综上,本文在温和条件下,采用Pb-Pt/AC催化剂进行甘油选择性氧化制备丙酮酸反应.采用优化的方法制备的5Pb-5Pt/AC催化剂在90oC条件下反应10 h,丙酮酸收率可达18.4%,这是目前甘油一步法氧化制备丙酮酸的最高值.进一步优化反应条件、催化剂组成与结构,探索反应机理仍十分必要.     

Catalytic oxidation of glyoxal to glyoxalic acid over Au-Pd alloy nanoparticles on hydrotalcite

Synthesis of glyoxalic acid by selective oxidation of glyoxal at ambient temperatures with O₂ as an oxidant is an important problem. We found that gold nanoparticles supported on hydrotalcite (Au/HT) exhibit an appreciable catalytic activity for this reaction in the liquid phase. Moreover, Au-Pd/HT, prepared by the deposition-precipitation method is superior in the catalytic behavior to monometallic Au/HT and Pd/HT catalysts. Introduction of palladium enhances ability of the catalysts to oxidize carbonyl to carboxyl, weakens the power to rupture C-C bond and in this way improves the catalytic performance. Furthermore, the Au: Pd ratio also influences the properties of the alloy catalysts. The 1.5Au-1.5Pd/HT catalysts show the highest activity for the selective oxidation at ambient temperature producing glyoxalic acid in 13.4% yield at pH 7.7. Moreover, due to basic properties of hydrotalcite, glyoxalic acid could be synthesized over 1.5Au-1.5Pd/HT in 8.0% yield without adding a base. It is hoped that results of this study can fuel further research in designing new catalysts with alloy nanoparticles supported by hydrotalcite that can be used for the selective oxidation of other useful compounds.     

Active control of catalysis and product selectivity by a fuel cell system

A new concept to control catalysis and catalytic reaction through partial oxidation of alkenes with O₂ is described. Oxidation of alkenes was studied by alkene/Pd-anode/H₃PO₄-electrolyte/cathode/O₂ fuel cell (FC). An idea based on electrocatalysis and electrochemical reactions to control reaction rates and product selectivity was proposed and proven through the oxidation of propylene, Wacker and π-allyl oxidation. The oxidation rate and the product selectivity to the Wacker and the π-allyl oxidations could be controlled by changing electrode potentials. We could active control oxidation states of Pd on the anode, Pd(II) or Pd(0), during the oxidation from outer circuit. The oxidation states of Pd on the anode decided the product selectivity.     

Active control of catalysis and product selectivity by a fuel cell system

A new concept to control catalysis and catalytic reaction through partial oxidation of alkenes with O₂ is described. Oxidation of alkenes was studied by alkene/Pd-anode/H₃PO₄-electrolyte/cathode/O₂ fuel cell (FC). An idea based on electrocatalysis and electrochemical reactions to control reaction rates and product selectivity was proposed and proven through the oxidation of propylene, Wacker and π-allyl oxidation. The oxidation rate and the product selectivity to the Wacker and the π-allyl oxidations could be controlled by changing electrode potentials. We could active control oxidation states of Pd on the anode, Pd(II) or Pd(0), during the oxidation from outer circuit. The oxidation states of Pd on the anode decided the product selectivity.     

Chloroform extraction of metal ethyl xanthates from hydrochloric acid media

The chloroform extraction of 32 elements (Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Ge, Sn, Pb, V, As, Sb, Bi, Cu, Ag, Au, Mn, Re, Ga, In, Tl, Ce, Se, Te, Cr, Mo, U, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Ru and Os) from O.1-10M hydrochloric acid media in the presence of potassium ethyl xanthate has been studied. The oxidation states in which some elements react, and potential analytical separations, are discussed. Pd(II), As(III) and Se(IV) are completely extracted as ethyl xanthate complexes, Te(IV) is almost completely extracted, and Au(III) is largely extracted over the range of acid concentration investigated. Mn(II), Zn, Rh(III), Ir(IV), Ru(III), Os(IV), Cr(III), Cr(VI), Ce(III) and Ce(IV) are not extracted. Ge is partly extracted from 6-10M media as the chloro-complex. Depending on the acid concentration, the remaining elements are all partially extracted as xanthate complexes.     

A study of the surface region of the Mo-V-Te-O catalysts for propane oxidation to acrylic acid

The bulk mixed Mo-V-Te oxides possess high activity and selectivity in propane oxidation to acrylic acid and represent well-defined model catalysts for studies of the surface molecular structure-activity/selectivity relationships in this selective oxidation reaction. The elemental compositions, metal oxidation states, and catalytic functions of V, Mo, and Te in the surface region of the model Mo-V-Te-O system were examined employing low energy ion scattering (LEIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This study indicated that the surfaces of these catalysts are terminated with a monolayer, which possesses a different elemental composition from that of the bulk. The rates of propane consumption and formation of propylene and acrylic acid depended on the topmost surface V concentration, whereas no dependence of these reaction rates on either the surface Mo or Te concentrations was observed. These findings suggested that the bulk Mo-V-Te-O structure may function as a support for the unique active and selective surface monolayer in propane oxidation to acrylic acid. The results of this study have important practical consequences for the development of improved selective oxidation catalysts by introducing surface metal oxide components to form new surface active V-O-M sites for propane oxidation to acrylic acid.     

Preparation of Pd/C catalyst for formic acid oxidation using a novel colloid method

A novel colloid method using (WO₃)_n·xH₂O as colloidal source was developed to prepare Pd/C catalyst for formic acid oxidation. Transmission electron microscopy image shows that the Pd/C nanoparticles have an average size of 3.3 nm and a narrow size distribution. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the Pd/C catalyst exhibits significantly high electrochemical active surface area and high catalytic activity with good stability for formic acid oxidation compared with that prepared by common method. The colloid method is very simple and has great potentials for mass-producing Pd/C and others noble metal catalysts.     

Bismuth modified Pd/C as catalysts for hydrogen related reactions

The electrocatalytic activity of bimetallic BiPd catalysts supported on Sibunit carbon towards hydrogen oxidation/evolution reactions (HOR/HER) was studied in a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) setup. Catalysts were synthesized by deposition of Pd on the carbon support, followed by impregnation of Pd/C precursor with Bi(NO₃)₃ solution and reduction in hydrogen. Transmission electron microscopy and local EDX elemental analysis revealed that BiPd/C catalysts contain bimetallic particles with narrow size distribution with maxima at 3.2–4.1 nm. X-ray diffraction evidenced that bimetallic particles are constituted by Pd–Bi solid solution. It was shown that modification of Pd/C by bismuth increases the specific activity of palladium towards HOR/HER by a factor of 3.     

Oximidobenzotetronic acid as a reagent for the separation and gravimetric determination of palladium and cobalt

Oximidobenzotetronic acid is recommended for the separation and gravimetric determination of palladium and cobalt An ethanolic solution of the reagent quantitatively precipitates palladium(II) from solutions which are 0.75 N in acid up to pH 5.1, the complex is weighed as Pd(C₉H₅NO₄)₂. Cobalt(II) can be determined in the filtrate after the precipitation of palladium. With 0.5 N acid solutions, no interference was found from Pt(IV), Ir(IV), Rh(III), Ru(III), Os(IV), Au(III), Ag(I), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Hg(II). Pb(II), Bi(III), Cd(II), As(V), Se(VI), Te(IV), Mo(VI), Sb(III), Al(III), Cr(III), Zn(II), Ti(IV), Zr(IV). acetate, oxalate, citrate, tartrate, phosphate and fluoride.     

Cyclopentanes from N‐Aminoglyconolactams: Reaction Mechanism and Improved Access to Diazocyclopentanones

One of the two mechanisms to rationalize the Pb(OAc)₄ oxidation of 1 to 2 and 3 postulates the intermediate generation of a carbene 25 via the acetoxy‐diazepinone 22 and the oxadiazoline 23 (Scheme 2). This mechanism was excluded on the basis of the oxidation of the diazepinone 32 that was synthesized in six steps from the ribonolactone 26 . Oxidation of 32 with Pb(OAc)₄ provided the unstable acetoxy‐diazepinone intermediate 22 , its C(5) epimer, and the stable 5‐O‐acetyl‐1,5‐ribonolactone 33 ; the ¹H‐NMR spectra of the products of the oxidation of 32 and the decomposition of 22 showed no evidence for the formation of the acetoxy epoxide 2 and the diazo ketone 3 , excluding 22 as intermediate in the oxidation of 1 . To increase the yield of the diazo‐cyclopentanones, we oxidized the acetohydrazide 34 , the 4‐toluenesulfonohydrazide 44 , and the N,O‐diacetate 46 with Pb(OAc)₄. Oxidation of the acetohydrazide 34 with Pb(OAc)₄ led to a higher yield of the diazo ketone 3 (40%) than oxidation of the N‐amino‐ribonolactam 1 without affecting the yield of 2 . Oxidation of the 4‐toluenesulfonohydrazide 44 gave mostly the product 45 of C‐acetoxylation, while the analogous oxidation of 46 gave the acetoxy lactone 33 ; neither 2 nor 3 could be detected among the products, excluding 46 as intermediate of the oxidation of 34 . Oxidation of the N‐acetamido‐lyxonolactam 47 with Pb(OAc)₄ provided the diazo ketone 8 (77 vs. 37% from 5 ); higher yields of diazo ketones resulted also from the oxidation of the acetohydrazides 48 and 49 .     

Selective and efficient oxidation of ethylene to ethylene glycol acetates with H2O2 catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2-di(2-pyridyl)ketone-di(2-pyridyl)methanesulfonate system

Novel systems for palladium-catalyzed selective oxidation of ethylene to a mixture of ethylene glycol mono- and di-acetates as the major reaction products (90-95% selectivity) with H₂O₂ in acetic acid solution at ambient pressure and 20 °C were developed. The catalytic reaction is very efficient with up to 90% combined yield of glycol acetates with H₂O₂ as a limiting reagent and 1 mol% catalyst loading. The catalytic systems developed are comprised of a mixture of Pd(OAc)₂, and 6-methyl substituted (2-pyridyl)methanesulfonate and/or di(6-pyridyl)ketone ligands. Compositions of the binary, Pd(OAc)₂-dpk, Pd(OAc)₂-Me-dpms, and ternary, Pd(OAc)₂-dpk-Me-dpms, systems have been studied by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. Kinetics studies were performed as well and plausible reaction mechanism was suggested, which features facially chelating ligand-enabled facile oxidation of Pd^IIC₂H₄OAc intermediates with H₂O₂ to form Pd^IVC₂H₄OAc transients.     

Bismuth as an additive modifying the selectivity of palladium catalysts

The influence of bismuth addition on the activity and selectivity of palladium catalysts supported on SiO₂ in the reaction of glucose oxidation to gluconic acid was studied. The catalysts modified with Bi show much better selectivity and activity than palladium catalysts. The XRD studies proved the presence of intermetallic compounds BiPd and Bi₂Pd, which probably increase activity and selectivity of PdBi/SiO₂ catalysts in the oxidation of glucose. The TPO studies of catalysts containing 5 wt.% Pd/SiO₂, 3 wt.% Bi/SiO₂ and 5 wt.% Pd–5 wt.% Bi/SiO₂ show that palladium oxidation occurs at much higher temperatures than in the case of bismuth. The maximum rate of Pd oxidation occurs at around 580 K while the maximum rate of Bi oxidation takes place at around 430 K. Considering the above facts, a reaction involving bimetallic catalysts in oxidizing atmosphere at 333 K should not lead to surface oxidation of palladium and thus their deactivation.     

Hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol over copper-containing catalysts

Catalytic properties of different copper-containing catalysts synthesized from different precursors were studied in the hydrogenation of lactic acid at mild conditions. The most active catalyst was found to be chrysocolla-like copper hydroxysilicate with the copper loading of about 50 at%. At the optimal reaction conditions (T = 473 K, WHSV = 0.08 h⁻¹), 95% conversion of lactic acid over this catalyst and 65% selectivity to 1,2-propylene glycol were achieved. The effect of the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) on the lactic acid conversion and selectivity to propylene glycol was studied. It is found that the formation of propylene glycol and propanoic acid as a byproduct proceeds via parallel pathways.     

Selective Oxidation of Glucose to Gluconic Acid over Bimetallic Pd–Me Catalysts (Me = Bi,Tl, Sn,Co)

Catalytic properties of bimetallic Pd–Bi, Pd–Tl, Pd–Sn, and Pd–Co catalysts supported on C (from plum stones) and SiO₂ were studied in the reaction of glucose oxidation to gluconic acid. Catalysts modified with Bi show the best selectivity and activity. The results obtained from research on 5% Pd–5% Bi/C and 5% Pd–5% Bi/SiO₂ catalytic systems were compared with the results for a commercial catalyst containing 1% Pt–4% Pd–5% Bi supported on active carbon (Degussa). For both Pd–Bi/support catalysts and 1% Pt–4% Pd–5% Bi/C, similar selectivity in the reaction of glucose oxidation was observed. XRD studies proved the presence of intermetallic compounds BiPd and Bi₂Pd, which probably increase the selectivity of PdBi/SiO₂ catalysts.     

A facile preparation of carbon-supported Pd nanoparticles for electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid

A low temperature approach via the complexing of PdCl₂ with EDTA followed by NaBH₄ reduction has been used to prepare Vulcan XC-72 carbon-supported Pd nanoparticles (Pd/C). The mean particle size of the Pd/C catalysts is found to increase from 3.3 to 9.2 nm with heat-treated temperature. TEM images demonstrated that the Pd nanoparticles are well dispersed on the support with a relatively narrow particle size distribution. A correlation between the electrocatalytic activity of formic acid oxidation and particle size of the Pd/C catalysts indicates that the highest activity of formic acid oxidation is found with a Pd mean particle size of ca. 4.7 nm. The preparation method used here is cost-effective and should be easily scaled for industrial production.     

Separation of rhenium by thin-layer chromatography with polyethyleneimine cellulose in hydrochloric acid media

Summary The thin-layer chromatographic behavior of 49 inorganic ions on polyethyleneimine (PEI) cellulose has been investigated in hydrochloric acid media (0.01–1.0 mol dm⁻³). The sorption on the cellulose decreases with increasing acid concentration for most of the ions, but As(III), Ti(IV) and Te(VI) do not exhibit any R_f variation with the acid concentration. The R_f spectra of TI(I), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) have a maximum. Ag(I), Bi(III), Nb(V), Ta(V), Mo(VI) and W(VI) are retained tightly on the layer, due to either insoluble salt formation or extensive hydrolysis. The extremely low R_f values of Hg(II), Pd(II), Au(III), Ru(III) and Pt(IV) are accounted for by stability of their chlorocomplexes. Re(VII) distributes chromatographically, having moderate R_f values between 0.3 and 0.6, so that the selective separation of Re(VII) from the other ions is feasible.     

Oxidation of 1,3-butadiene over Pd/C and Pd-Te/C catalysts in polar media

The oxidation of 1,3-butadiene over the Pd/C and Pd-Te/C heterogeneous catalysts occurs in organic solvents containing water at a temperature of 100°C and an oxygen partial pressure of $P_{\left[ {O_2 } \right]} = 4$ atm. Crotonaldehyde dominates among the three major products of oxidation over the Pd catalyst. The introduction of Te into the catalyst increases the methyl vinyl ketone yield, the furan yield being the lowest in all cases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the active catalyst components can be in a partially oxidized state, particularly after storing the catalysts in air. Additional hydrogen treatment results in almost complete reduction of the active components to metals and enhances the catalytic activity. It is supposed that the oxidation of 1,3-butadiene over the Pd-Te catalysts proceeds via the activation of dioxygen over the Pd⁰ sites, with oxidized Pd and Te participating in subsequent chemical transformations.     

Effect of HCl acid on the hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene over palladium supported catalysts

Ammonia and hydrochloric acid effects have been studied in the chlorobenzene hydrodechlorination in liquid phase on Pd/C catalysts. The addition of NH₄OH to the reactant medium does not modify the reaction rate while in hydrochloric acid medium the activity was increased. The role of HCl acid in the activity is explained by a partial oxidation of the Pd particles.     

The effect of palladium dispersion and promoters on lactose oxidation kinetics

Lactose oxidation was investigated at 70 °C and at pH 8 using oxygen as an oxidant over a comprehensive set of commercially available mono- and multi-metallic as well as promoted Pd catalysts with active carbon, alumina and calcium carbonate as catalyst supports. An optimum cluster size of 6–10 nm resulted in the highest initial turnover frequencies. High conversion levels above 90% were achieved on Pd/C catalyst, as well as over Pd/Al₂O₃ and (Pd–Pb)/CaCO₃, whereas (Pd–V)/C catalyst gave only 30% conversion after 200 min. The latter catalyst was relatively inactive due to its high support acidity and profound deactivation during oxidation. Besides the main oxidation product, lactobionic acid, also, lactulose was generated as a result of lactose isomerisation under alkaline conditions. The electrochemical potentials of the catalysts were measured during lactose oxidation. The main result of these measurements was that, when the electrochemical potential of the catalyst increased very quickly, its oxidation activity was low due to metal over-oxidation. The selectivities to the desired product, lactobionic acid, were relatively high, above 80% for most of the catalysts, except for (Pd–V)/C. Furthermore, the selectivity to the lactobionic acid decreased with increasing metal dispersion, thus, indicating that the optimum metal particle sizes for producing high amounts of lactobionic acid is above 3 nm.