An active and recyclable bicontinuous cubic Ia3d mesostructural Rh(I) organometal catalyst for 1,4-conjugate addition reaction in aqueous medium

An active and reusable heterogeneous Rh(I) organometal catalyst (Rh(I)-PMO-3D) was synthesized by template-directed co-condensation of Rh[PPh₂(CH₂)₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃]₃Cl and (CH₃CH₂O)₃SiPhSi(OCH₂CH₃)₃. This catalyst displayed bicontinuous cubic Ia3d mesostructure channel, which ensured the high dispersion of Rh(I) active sites and the convenient diffusion of reactant molecules into the pore channels. Meanwhile, the Ph-functionalization could enhance the surface hydrophobicity, which promoted the adsorption of organic reactant molecules on the catalyst, especially in aqueous medium. During water-medium 1,4-conjugate addition reactions, Rh(I)-PMO-3D catalyst exhibits higher catalytic activity than the corresponding homogeneous Rh(I) catalyst and could be used repetitively for more than five times, showing a good potential in industrial applications.     

Periodic mesoporous organosilica grafted palladium organometallic complex: efficient heterogeneous catalyst for water‐medium organic reactions

Water‐medium organic reactions were studied over periodic mesoporous silica (PMO) containing Pd(II) organometallic complex. This heterogeneous catalyst was achieved by Pd(II) compound coordinated with the PPh₂‐ligand onto the pore surface of phenylene‐bridged PMO support. This catalyst displayed ordered mesoporous channels, which ensured the high dispersion of Pd(II) active sites and the convenient diffusion of reactant molecules into the pore channels. Meanwhile, the phenyl group in the pore wall of PMO could enhance the surface hydrophobicity which promoted the adsorption of organic reactant molecules on the catalyst in aqueous environment. As a result, this elaborated catalyst exhibited comparable activity and selectivity with the corresponding PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ homogeneous catalyst in the water‐medium organic reactions, and could be used repeatedly, showing a good potential in industrial applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steam reforming for syngas production over Ni and Ni-promoted catalysts

In this article, nanocrystalline γ-alumina with high surface area (309 m² g^?1) and mesoporous structure with an average pore size of 4.3 nm was synthesized and employed as a carrier for the synthesis of Ni catalysts in steam reforming of methane. The results revealed that the metal–support interaction decreased by increasing the nickel loading and led to the movement of the T_max of reduction temperature to lower temperatures. The results demonstrated that the synthesized catalysts exhibited high CH₄ conversion and stability and increasing the nickel loading up to 10 wt% improved the CH₄ conversion. The results revealed that the incorporation of MgO in nickel catalyst improved the resistance of the catalyst against carbon deposition and also enhanced the catalytic activity and the 10%Ni–5%MgO–Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibited high stability during 60 h. The high stability of the promoted catalyst was related to the high basicity of the catalyst.

     

Catalytic properties of Ru nanoparticles embedded on ordered mesoporous carbon with different pore size in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

A series of 3 wt% Ru embedded on ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) catalysts with different pore sizes were prepared by autoreduction between ruthenium precursors and carbon sources at 1123 K. Ru nanoparticles were embedded on the carbon walls of OMC. Characterization technologies including power X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) were used to scrutinize the catalysts. The catalyst activity for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was measured in a fixed bed reactor. It was revealed that 3 wt% Ru-OMC catalysts exhibited highly ordered mesoporous structure and large surface area. Compared with the catalysts with smaller pores, the catalysts with larger pores were inclined to form larger Ru particles. These 3 wt% Ru-OMC catalysts with different pore sizes were more stable than 3 wt% Ru/AC catalyst during the FTS reactions because Ru particles were embedded on the carbon walls, suppressing particles aggregation, movement and oxidation. The catalytic activity and C₅₊ selectivity were found to increase with the increasing pore size, however, CH₄ selectivity showed the opposite trend. These changes may be explained in terms of the special environment of the active Ru sites and the diffusion of products in the pores of the catalysts, suggesting that the activity and hydrocarbon selectivity are more dependent on the pore size of OMC than on the Ru particle size.     

Synthesis of Highly-Dispersed Ni/Mesoporous Silica via an Ammonia Evaporation Method for Dry Reforming of Methane: Effect of the Ni Loadings

Mesoporous silica was used in conjunction with the ammonia evaporation method to prepare highly dispersed Ni catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM). The effect of Ni dispersion on the catalytic performance was investigated by applying different Ni loadings. The pore structure, morphology, Ni dispersion, catalytic activity for DRM as well as the coke resistance were investigated. During the reaction at a relatively low temperature of 600 °C, all the three catalysts exhibited high stability in CH₄ and CO₂ conversion and excellent coke resistance, in comparison to Ni/SiO₂ catalyst prepared by the incipient wetness method. Among them, 10% Ni–SiO₂ exhibited the best catalytic performance with the maximum steady conversions of 62% and 69% for CH₄ and CO₂ at 600 °C, which was beneficial from its optimal Ni content and the presence of highly-dispersed metal nanoparticles confined in the mesopores.

     

有序介孔有机金属 Pd(II) 的制备及其催化水介质中的 Suzuki 反应

 以有机金属 Pd 硅烷和乙基桥联硅烷为混合硅源, 在表面活性剂作用下进行共缩聚反应, 制备了有序介孔有机金属 Pd(II) 催化剂 Pd(II)-PMO(Et). 采用傅里叶变换红外光谱、核磁共振谱、X 射线衍射、透射电子显微镜和 N2 吸附脱附等手段对催化剂进行了表征. 结果表明, 与后嫁接法相比, 共聚法制得的催化剂活性位分散均匀, 孔道不易堵塞, 同时乙基修饰的孔壁增强了催化剂表面疏水性, 有利于反应物在孔道内的扩散和吸附. 在水介质 Suzuki 反应中, Pd(II)-PMO(Et) 的催化活性与均相催化剂 Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 的相当, 且可重复使用.     

Catalytic Glucose Isomerization by Porous Coordination Polymers with Open Metal Sites

Highly efficient catalytic isomerization reactions from glucose to fructose in aqueous media using porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is reported for the first time. The catalytic activity of PCPs functionalized with ? NH₂, ? (CH₃)₂, ? NO₂, and ? SO₃H groups on the pore surface is systematically tested. The catalytic activity can be tuned by the acidity of open metal sites (OMSs) by modifying the organic linkers with the functional groups. As a result, it is demonstrated that MIL‐101 functionalized with ? SO₃H not only shows high conversion of glucose but also selectively produces fructose. Further, catalytic one‐pot conversion of amylose to fructose is achieved, thanks to the high stability of the framework in an acidic solution. These results show that MOF/PCP compounds having OMSs are promising materials for various useful heterogeneous catalytic reactions, in particular in the biomass field.     

Axial base‐controlled catalytic activity,oxidative stability and product selectivity of water‐insoluble manganese and iron porphyrins for oxidation of styrenes in water under green conditions

A series of water‐insoluble iron(III) and manganese(III) porphyrins, FeT(2‐CH₃)PPCl, FeT(4‐OCH₃)PPCl, FeT(2‐Cl)PPCl, FeTPPCl, MnT(2‐CH₃)PPOAc, MnT(4‐OCH₃)PPOAc, MnT(2‐Cl)PPOAc and MnTPPOAc, in the presence of imidazole (ImH), F^?, Cl^?, Br^? and acetate were used as catalysts for the aqueous‐phase heterogeneous oxidation of styrenes to the corresponding epoxides and aldehydes with sodium periodate. Also, the effect of various reaction parameters such as reaction time, molar ratio of catalyst to axial base, type of axial base, molar ratio of olefin to oxidant and nature of metal centre on the activity and oxidative stability of the catalysts and the product selectivity was investigated. Higher catalytic activities were found for the iron complexes. Interestingly, the selectivity towards the formation of epoxide and aldehyde (or acetophenone) was significantly influenced by the type of axial base. Furthermore, Br^? and ImH were found to be the most efficient co‐catalysts for the oxidation of olefins performed in the presence of the manganese and iron porphyrins, respectively. The optimized molar ratio of catalyst to axial base was different for various axial bases. Also, the order of co‐catalyst activity of the axial bases obtained in aqueous medium was different from that reported for organic solvents. The use of a convenient axial base under optimum reaction catalyst to co‐catalyst molar ratio in the presence of the manganese porphyrin gave the oxidative products with a conversion of ca 100% in a reaction time of less than 3 h. However, the catalytic activity of the iron porphyrins could not be effectively improved by increasing the catalyst to co‐catalyst molar ratio.     

The Effect of Chemical Reducing Agents in the Synthesis of Sol-Gel Ru-Sn Catalysts: Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde

The influence of chemical reduction on the properties of bimetallic Ru-Sn/SiO₂ catalyst was studied. Prepared sol-gel catalysts were reduced by NaBH₄, KBH₄, H₂, and CH₂O. Physical and catalytic properties of reduced catalysts were compared to non-reduced ones in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. The influence of boron impregnation was investigated. The observed hydrogenation activity and selectivity towards cinnamylalcohol were effected by reduction pretreatment. The NaBH₄ reduced catalyst exhibited the highest activity and selectivity. Reduction pretreatment influenced the pore sizes, active metal surface as well as content of carbon impurities. Traces of the reduction agents were detected in the catalysts. Boron impregnation presumably improved the catalyst activity, but had a minor effect on the selectivity.     

Phenylene‐Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles that Boost Aqueous Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation Reactions

Phenylene‐coated organorhodium‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are developed through co‐condensation of chiral 4‐(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl)phenylsulfonyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylene‐diamine and 1,4‐bis(triethyoxysilyl)benzene onto Fe₃O₄ followed complexation with [{Cp*RhCl₂}₂]. This magnetic catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity and high enantioselectivity in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation in aqueous medium. Such activity is attributed to the high hydrophobicity and the confined nature of the chiral organorhodium catalyst. The magnetic catalyst can be easily recovered by using a small external magnet and it can be reused for at least 10 times without loss of its catalytic activity. This characteristic makes it an attractive catalyst for environmentally friendly organic syntheses.     

Environmentally friendly and highly efficient synthesis of benzoxazepine and malonamide derivatives using HPA/TPI‐Fe3O4 nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst in aqueous media

A magnetic inorganic–organic nanohybrid material (HPA/TPI‐Fe₃O₄ NPs) was produced as an efficient, highly recyclable and eco‐friendly catalyst for the one‐pot multi‐component synthesis of malonamide and 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzo[b ][1,4]oxazepine derivatives with high yields in short reaction times (25–35 min) in aqueous media at room temperature. The nanohybrid catalyst was prepared by the chemical anchoring of H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂ onto the surface of modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) with N ‐[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl]isonicotinamide (TPI) linker. The magnetic recoverable catalyst was easily recycled at least ten times without any loss of catalytic activity.     

Self-Suspended Nanoparticles for N-Alkylation Reactions: A New Concept for Catalysis

The catalytic activity of snowman-like and core-shell Fe₃O₄/Au nanoparticles (NPs), obtained through a “wet chemistry” approach which directly restitutes nanocatalysts stable and highly active in the reaction medium, was tested towards N-alkylation reactions. The nanocatalysts were tested for the synthesis of secondary amines. The core-shell NPs, thanks to the surface properties, homogeneous dispersion and intimate connection with reagents in the catalyst medium, exhibited an excellent catalytic activity (e. g. >99 % yield and conversion of aniline in very short time and mild conditions). Owing to the magnetic part, the nanoparticles can be easily separated and reused, showing an almost stable activity after 10 cycles.     

Bifunctional Heterogeneous Catalysis of Silica–Alumina‐Supported Tertiary Amines with Controlled Acid–Base Interactions for Efficient 1,4‐Addition Reactions

We report the first tunable bifunctional surface of silica–alumina‐supported tertiary amines (SA–NEt₂) active for catalytic 1,4‐addition reactions of nitroalkanes and thiols to electron‐deficient alkenes. The 1,4‐addition reaction of nitroalkanes to electron‐deficient alkenes is one of the most useful carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions and applicable toward a wide range of organic syntheses. The reaction between nitroethane and methyl vinyl ketone scarcely proceeded with either SA or homogeneous amines, and a mixture of SA and amines showed very low catalytic activity. In addition, undesirable side reactions occurred in the case of a strong base like sodium ethoxide employed as a catalytic reagent. Only the present SA‐supported amine (SA–NEt₂) catalyst enabled selective formation of a double‐alkylated product without promotions of side reactions such as an intramolecular cyclization reaction. The heterogeneous SA–NEt₂ catalyst was easily recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and reusable with retention of its catalytic activity and selectivity. Furthermore, the SA–NEt₂ catalyst system was applicable to the addition reaction of other nitroalkanes and thiols to various electron‐deficient alkenes. The solid‐state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopic analyses, including variable‐contact‐time ¹³C cross‐polarization (CP)/MAS NMR spectroscopy, revealed that acid–base interactions between surface acid sites and immobilized amines can be controlled by pretreatment of SA at different temperatures. The catalytic activities for these addition reactions were strongly affected by the surface acid–base interactions.     

Synthesis of porous hematite nanorods loaded with CuO nanocrystals as catalysts for CO oxidation

Porous hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanorods with the diameter of 20-40 nm and the length of 80-300 nm were synthesized by a simple surfactant-assisted method in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).The α-Fe2O3 nanorods possess a mesostructure with a pore size distribution in the range of 5-12 nm and high surface area,exhibiting high catalytic activity for CO oxidation.CuO nanocrystals were loaded on the surface of porous α-Fe2O3 nanorods by a deposition-precipitation method,and the catalysts exhibited superior activity for catalytic oxidation of CO,as compared with commercial α-Fe2O3 powders supported CuO catalyst.The enhanced catalytic activity was attributed to the strong interaction between the CuO nanocrystals and the support of porous α-Fe2O3 nanorods.     

Synthesis of magnetically recyclable Fe3O4@[(EtO)3Si–L1H]/Pd(II) nanocatalyst and application in Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

A Pd(II) Schiff base complex as an efficient and highly heterogeneous catalyst was developed by immobilization of a palladium complex on the surface of modified Fe₃O₄ magnetite nanoparticles. These surface‐modified nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The palladium catalyst exhibited efficient catalytic activity in Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions. This method has notable advantages such as excellent chemoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times and excellent yields. The yields of the products were in the range 85–100%. Also, the nanocatalyst can be easily recovered with a permanent magnet and reused at least five times without noticeable leaching or loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dicationic surfactant based catalytic systems for alkaline hydrolysis of phosphonic acid esters

Use of aqueous micellar solutions of dicationic surfactants with the general formula [R(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₆N(CH₃)₂R]²⁺2Br⁻ (R = n-C₁₀H₂₁ to n-C₁₆H₃₃) as the reaction medium for the alkaline hydrolysis of phosphonic acid esters has revealed a strong catalytic effect of the surfactants, which can increase the reaction rate by two orders of magnitude. This effect depends on the surfactant structure, shows itself at low surfactant concentrations, and is substrate-specific. The effect of the micelles on the phosphonate hydrolysis rate is largely determined by the hydrophobicity factor.     

Cobalt imine–pyridine–carbonyl complex functionalized metal–organic frameworks as catalysts for alkene epoxidation

Aerobic epoxidation of alkene is a green and economical route to produce epoxides. For such reaction, transition metal complexes exhibit favorable catalytic activity. In this work, NH₂-MIL-101, a stable metal–organic framework (MOF) material with large surface area and high pore volume, was functionalized with pyridine-2,6-dicarbaldehyde and Co(NO₃)₂, to realize the immobilization of Co(II) via imine–pyridine–carbonyl (N,N,O) tridentate ligands bonding to MOF skeleton. The modified materials were applied as heterogeneous catalysts for the aerobic epoxidation of cyclohexene at ambient temperature, and multiple factors were studied to explore their influences on catalytic effects. Under the optimal reaction conditions, satisfactory substrate conversion and epoxide selectivity were reached. In addition, this catalytic system is suitable for a variety of alkene substrates. Furthermore, recycle experiments and infrared spectroscopy characterization illustrated that the coordination surroundings of Co are altering smoothly during the reaction process, thus having an impact on the performance of catalyst.

     

High catalytic activity of a new Ag phosphorus ylide complex supported on montmorillonite: synthesis,characterization, and application for room temperature nitro reduction

In this work, the phosphorus ylide, [PPh₃CHC(O)CH₂Cl], was reacted with AgNO₃ to give the [Ag{C(H)PPh₃C(O)CH₂Cl}₂]⁺NO₃ ^? as the product. Then, it was supported on the modified montmorillonite nanoclay to prepare a new catalyst for the reduction reaction. The structure and morphology of the nanoclay catalyst were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy techniques; also, the content of silver was obtained by inductively coupled plasma analyzer. This composition was exploited to study its catalytic activity in the reduction in aromatic nitro compounds; it displayed the high catalytic activity. Factors such as catalyst amount, solvent, temperature and reaction time were all systematically investigated to elucidate their effects on the yield of catalytic reduction in nitroarenes. This catalytic system exhibited high activity toward aromatic nitro compounds under mild conditions. The catalyst was reused five times without any significant loss in its catalytic activity.     

Encapsulation of N-heterocyclic carbene–gold (I) catalysts within magnetic core/shell silica gels: A reusable alkyne hydration catalyst

In this study, N-heterocyclic carbene–Au(I) complex, chloro[1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]gold (I), was successfully encapsulated within mesopores of a magnetic core/shell (γ-Fe₂O₃@SiO₂) silica gel through post-pore-size reduction by silylation reactions The post-reduction of the pore size not only minimizes the catalyst leaching during the alkyne hydration reactions but also eliminates any need for covalent modification of the catalyst or support surface. The resulting catalyst exhibits high activity in hydration reactions of various alkynes even under low catalytic loadings. The catalyst can be easily recycled from the reaction mixture using a magnet and can be reused in alkyne hydration reactions up to six times with only 52. wt% Au leaching.     

Lewis acid–catalyzed green synthesis and biological studies of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles in aqueous medium

An environmentally benign approach in aqueous medium by means of Lewis acid catalyst affords a wide spectrum of pyrazoline derivatives in satisfactory yields. [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of substituted azomethine-N-imines to maleimide in aqueous medium at relatively high concentrations of Lewis acid catalyst have emerged as an environment friendly alternative to conventional solvents. Promising catalytic activity has been revealed by Lewis acid like Cu (NO₃)₂ in aqueous medium. The obvious features of this synthetic protocol were short reaction time, high efficiency, less hazardous synthesis by benign solvent, catalysis, modest workup, and a clean reaction methodology.