Ultra‐low‐loading palladium nanoparticles stabilized on nanocrystalline Polyaniline (Pd@PANI): A efficient,green, and recyclable catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes

Ultra‐low‐loading Pd@PANI nanocomposites (0.048 w.t% Pd) were synthesized via a method that combined interfacial polymerization and in situ composite with camphor sulfonic acid ((+)‐CSA) as a dopant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed to characterize the structures. It can be used as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes in aqueous solution by using a smaller amount of NaBH₄ (2.5 equiv.) at room temperature with high activity (TON = 3.4 × 10³), good stability (cycled eight times), as well as wide applicability (27 substrates). The catalyst also showed a marvelous activity in the gram‐level reaction (yield = 92%). UV–Visible spectrophotometry was used to investigate the reaction kinetics for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol, and the results reconfirmed the excellent performance of the catalyst. The unique properties and superior performance of the prepared ultra‐low‐loading Pd@PANI nanocomposites lead it be an attractive alternative catalyst for conventional organic catalytic applications.     

High Catalytic Performance of Mesoporous Dual Brønsted Acidic Ternary Poly (Ionic Liquids) for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation

A newfangled cross‐linked dual Brønsted acidic ternary mesoporous poly (ionic liquids)(MPILs) with mesoporous structure was successfully synthesized with divinylbenzene as cross linker, 1‐vinyl‐3‐butyl imidazole bromide and sodium p‐styrene sulfonate as functional group through an ordinary post‐modification method and anion exchange process. A sponge‐like mesoporous tunnel structure was observed and the obtained P (BVS‐SO₃H)‐SO₃CF₃ sample appeared a relatively high thermal stability, a large surface area (up to 286.8 m²/g) and great pore volume (0.73 cm³/g). The abundant dual acidic group of sulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid of the composite in the polymer framework impart Brønsted acidity. For the sake of demonstrating our claims, the sample has been used as a novel solid acid catalyst for the reaction of alkylation of o‐xylene with styrene to 1‐diphenylethane (PXE). Under optimal reaction conditions (reaction under 120 °C for 3 hr, catalyst amount was 0.5 wt% of the reaction system, and the mass ratio of o‐xylene/styrene was 7.5:1, a 100% conversion of styrene and 93.7% PXE yield was acquired. After four times recycle, the yield remains 53.3%. Comparing with the commercial liquid acid catalyst, it processing a higher catalytic property and recyclability. Moreover, this fresh dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst owning a promising future applied in other acidic catalytic reactions and provide a new method to modify catalyst.     

Functional mesoporous poly (ionic liquid) derived from P123: From synthesis to catalysis and alkylation of styrene and o‐xylene

A novel strategy was proposed for the fabrication of high‐performance acidic mesoporous poly ionic liquids catalyst. In this work, mesoporous poly ionic liquids (MPILs) were synthesized with P123 (PEO₂₀PPO₇₀PEO₂₀) served as pore‐forming agent. Then, MPILs were treated with PW^3? anion exchange, thereby fabricating PW/MPIL‐S(x). MPIL and PW/MPIL‐S(x) were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TA), N₂ adsorption–desorption and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. The effect of solvent and concentration of P123 on the morphology and mesoporous structure of MPILs were investigated systematically. And the results show that MPILs were featured with mesoporous channel structure, high surface area (up to 737 m²/g) and large pore volumes (1.16 cm³/g), which benefit heterogeneous phase reaction (such as, alkylation of styrene with o‐xylene). In the alkylation reaction, under optimal reaction conditions, the catalyst PW/MPIL‐THF (4.0 g) shows high conversion of styrene (100%) and PXE yield (96.21%), demonstrating the excellent catalytic activities. Furthermore, PW/MPIL‐S(x) are easy to be separated from the catalytic system by filtration and show no obvious decrease in catalytic activity after 6 cycle runs. The obtained PW/MPIL‐S(x) catalyst exhibit high thermal and mechanical stability as well, indicating extensive application in high temperature acidic catalysis. This work might open up a new method for the synthesizing of porous polymer catalysts in the future.     

Epoxidation of cyclooctene using soluble or MCM-41-supported molybdenum tetracarbonyl-pyridylimine complexes as catalyst precursors

The ligand N-(n-propyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine (pyim) and an immobilised analogue of this ligand (MCM-41-pyim) were prepared by the condensation reaction of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde with either propylamine or aminopropyl groups covalently attached to the ordered mesoporous silica MCM-41. Free and immobilised tetracarbonyl complexes of the type cis-[Mo(CO)₄(L)] (L = pyim (1), MCM-41-pyim) were then prepared by microwave-assisted heating of a mixture of Mo(CO)₆ and the organic ligand or ligand-silica in toluene at 110 °C for 30-45 min. The products were characterised by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si, in solution and in the solid state), elemental analysis, N₂ adsorption, and FT-IR spectroscopy. When used as catalyst precursors for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene by tert-butylhydroperoxide at 55 °C (1 mol% catalyst (Mo), no additional co-solvent), 1,2-epoxy-cyclooctane was obtained as the only reaction product in quantitative yield after 5 h for 1 and 36% yield after 24 h for the supported complex. The use of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as co-solvent led to lower catalytic activities (epoxide selectivity was always 100%) but allowed the catalyst/IL mixtures (homogeneous mixture for IL+1 and a biphasic solid + IL system for IL+MCM-41-pyim/Mo) to be easily recovered and reused in subsequent runs without loss of catalytic performance.     

Cobalt complexes based on hyperbranched salicylaldimine ligands as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization

Three hyperbranched salicylaldimine ligands with tetradecyl as core, with hexadecyl as core and with octadecyl as core were synthesized in good yields. These ligands were reacted with cobalt chloride hexahydrate to form three complexes ( C1 – C3 ). The compounds were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, mass and UV spectroscopies and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. The catalytic properties of the hyperbranched cobalt complexes were evaluated for ethylene oligomerization. The effects of solvent and reaction parameters (Al/Co molar ratio, temperature and reaction pressure) on ethylene oligomerization were studied using the cobalt complex C3 as pre‐catalyst and methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co‐catalyst. Under these conditions ([Co] = 5 μmol, Al/Co = 500, 25 °C, 0.5 MPa ethylene, 30 min), the catalytic activity of complex C3 in toluene was 1.85 × 10⁵ g (mol Co)⁻¹ h⁻¹ and the selectivity for C₈₊ oligomers was 55.72%. The complex structure also had a significant influence on both the catalytic activity and selectivity. All three cobalt complexes, activated with MAO, showed moderate activities towards ethylene oligomerization and the activity of cobalt complex C1 was up to 1.99 × 10⁵ g (mol Co)⁻¹ h⁻¹. The kinds of metal center of complexes (cobalt complex C1 and nickel complex with tetradecyl as core) and their catalytic properties were investigated in detail under the same conditions.     

Transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalysed by half‐sandwich (η6‐p‐cymene) ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating benzoylhydrazone ligands

Neutral half‐sandwich η⁶‐p ‐cymene ruthenium(II) complexes of general formula [Ru(η⁶‐p ‐cymene)Cl(L)] (HL = monobasic O, N bidendate benzoylhydrazone ligand) have been synthesized from the reaction of [Ru(η⁶‐p ‐cymene)(μ‐Cl)Cl]₂ with acetophenone benzoylhydrazone ligands. All the complexes have been characterized using analytical and spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR) techniques. The molecular structures of three of the complexes have been determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, indicating a pseudo‐octahedral geometry around the ruthenium(II) ion. All the ruthenium(II) arene complexes were explored as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of a wide range of aromatic, cyclic and aliphatic ketones with 2‐propanol using 0.1 mol% catalyst loading, and conversions of up to 100% were obtained. Further, the influence of other variables on the transfer hydrogenation reaction, such as base, temperature, catalyst loading and substrate scope, was also investigated.     

An efficient, high yielding, and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of 14-aryl- or 14-alkyl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes using polyvinylsulfonic acid as a recyclable Br?nsted acid catalyst

Abstract  

Aryl or alkyl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthene derivatives were synthesized efficiently by the reaction of 2-naphthol and aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of polyvinylsulfonic acid (PVSA) as a reusable Br?nsted acid catalyst under aqueous conditions at 90 °C. This reaction was studied under different conditions, and several solvents were examined. In terms of reaction yield and time, water was found to be the optimum solvent. The catalytic performance of PVSA was then compared with various acidic catalysts under optimized reaction conditions. The catalyst is well characterized using IR and DSC techniques.     

Mesoporous Mn promoted Co3O4 oxides as an efficient and stable catalyst for low temperature oxidation of CO

Mesoporous Mn-doped Co₃O₄ catalysts were successfully prepared via a dry soft reactive grinding method based on solid state reaction, and their catalytic performances on CO oxidation were evaluated at a high space velocity of 49,500 mL g⁻¹ h⁻¹. A significant promoted effect was observed once the atomic ratios of Mn/(Co+Mn) were lower than 10%, for instance, the temperature for 50% conversion decreased to about −60 °C, showing superior catalytic performance compared to the single metal oxide. Especially, the Mn-promoted Co₃O₄ catalyst with a Mn/(Co+Mn) molar ratio of 10% could convert 100% CO after 3000 min of time-on-steam without any deactivation at room temperature. As prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, N₂-adsorption/desorption, TEM, H₂-TPR, O₂-TPD and CO-titration analysis. The significant enhancement of performance for oxidation of CO over Mn-Co-O mixed oxides was associated with the high active oxygen species concentrations formed during the pretreatment in O₂ atmosphere.     

Improved lifetime of PEM fuel cell catalysts through polymer stabilization

A novel approach to increase lifetime of Pt/C catalysts was demonstrated and shown that Nafion-stabilized Pt catalyst (denoted here as Nafion-Pt/C) synthesized by a colloid route gives rise to an enhanced durability as compared to a conventional Pt/C catalysts commonly used in PEM fuel cell. A high catalytic activity of the catalyst is also observed by both CV (cyclic voltammetry) and ORR (oxygen reduction reaction) measurements. This catalyst durability in comparison with conventional Pt/C is increased directly by electrochemically-accelerated durability test (ADT). The loss rate of electrochemical active area (ECA) for Nafion-Pt/C catalysts is only 0.004 m² g⁻¹ cycle⁻¹, compared to a value of 0.012 m² g⁻¹ cycle⁻¹ for Pt/C. This indicates the catalyst is three times higher durability than Pt/C.     

Fe3O4@SiO2@sulfated boric acid as superparamagnetic and recyclable nanocatalyst‐assisted,one‐pot,pseudo four‐component synthesis of 5‐amino‐2‐aryl‐3H‐chromeno[4,3,2‐de][1,6]naphthyridine‐4‐carbonitrile derivatives

The catalytic performance of the superparamagnetic nanocatalyst Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Sulfated boric acid as a green, recyclable, and acidic solid catalyst in the synthesis of chromeno[4,3,2‐de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives has been studied. Chromeno[4,3,2‐de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives via a pseudo four‐component reaction from aromatic aldehydes (1 mmol), malononitrile (2 mmol), and 2′‐hydroxyacetophenone in the presence of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Sulfated boric acid (0.004 g) as a nanocatalyst in 3 mL of water as a green solvent at 80°C has been synthesized. The advantages of this method are higher product yields in shorter reaction times, easy recyclability and reusability of the catalyst, and easy work‐up procedures. The nanocatalyst was reused at least six times. The nanocatalyst retained its stability in the reaction, and after reusability, it was separated easily from the reaction by an external magnet.     

Ultra‐deep desulfurization of a model fuel using novel VOHPO4 0.5H2O/boehmite catalysts

A high‐surface‐area boehmite was used as the support for a series of vanadium phosphate catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by heating of V₂O₅ in an isobutyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol mixture at 140°C for 5 h to reduce V⁵⁺ to more active V⁴⁺ in the presence of phosphoric acid. Then a series of catalysts with various VPO loadings on boehmite were synthesized. The catalysts were characterized using various techniques. The catalysts were utilized for extraction combined with catalytic oxidation of dibenzothiophene. The important factors influencing the desulfurization process, including reaction time, temperature, H₂O₂, catalyst loading, catalyst amount and solvents, were systematically investigated. Under the optimized reaction conditions, i.e. 30 mg of catalyst loading at 50°C and in 60 min, sulfur removal reached 94%. The catalyst was recycled and reused five times.     

Green chemical synthesis of Pd nanoparticles for use as efficient catalyst in Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction

Herein, we report the synthesis of tiny spherical Pd nanoparticles (NPs) by green chemical method under ambient conditions using flower extract of Lantana camara plant. The size of the Pd NPs is tunable from 4.7 to 6.3 nm by systematically controlling the concentration of either metal ions or plant extract. The synthesized Pd NPs were well characterized by different spectroscopic, microscopic and diffractometric techniques. The Pd NPs offered good size‐dependent catalytic activity in the Suzuki‐Miyaura C‐C coupling reaction under mild reaction conditions in (1: 1) water‐ethanol mixture. The catalyst is stable and exhibited excellent reusability up to three cycles of coupling reaction after which the catalytic activity decreases.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic application of a new organometallic oligomer based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Although homogeneous catalysts provide high performance and selectivity, the difficulty of separation and recycling of these catalysts has bothered the scientific community worldwide. Therefore, the demand for heterogeneous catalysts that possess the advantages of homogeneous ones, with ease of separation and recyclability remains a topic of major impact. The oligomeric catalyst synthesized in this work was characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis and compared to its homogeneous counterpart [W(CO)₃Br₂(ATC)] in the epoxidation of 1‐octene, cyclooctene, (S )‐limonene, cis ‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, trans ‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol and styrene. The results showed that the percentage conversion for the homogeneous species [W(CO)₃Br₂(ATC)] was slightly higher than for the oligomeric catalyst (POSS‐ATC‐[W(CO)₃Br₂]). Furthermore, the selectivity for epoxide of the oligomeric catalyst was greater than that of the homogeneous catalyst by about 25% when (S )‐limonene was used. Great conversions (yields) of products were obtained with a wide range of substrates and the catalyst was recycled many times without any substantial loss of its catalytic activity.     

Polymeric ionic liquid as novel catalyst for the Prins reaction

A series of micro-mesoporous polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) have been successfully synthesized by the method of anion and cation copolymerization. Then use FT-IR, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, SEM, and TG to characterize them. Furthermore, the catalytic performance of the synthesized PILs was investigated for the Prins reaction of propylene with 1, 3, 5-trioxane. Among the four PILs synthesized, VIMBs-DVB-SSA has better catalytic activities for the Prins reaction. Under the optimal conditions, 100 °C, 8 wt%, 4 h and n (propylene)/n (1, 3, 5-trioxane) = 4:1, the conversion of formaldehyde (99.8%) and selectivity (81.7%) for 4-methyl-1, 3-dioxane. In addition, the effects of reaction time, catalyst dosage, and reaction temperature and mole ratio of reaction substrates on the reaction were also investigated. The prepared catalyst had good thermal stability and can be reused easily.     

Investigation of catalytic properties of two new orthopalladated complexes supported on montmorillonite: Synthesis,characterization and application in aerobic oxidation of alcohols

Two new complexes, [Pd(L₁)(C,N)]NO₃ ( 1 ) and [Pd(L₂)(C,N)]NO₃ ( 2 ) (L₁ = 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline, L₂ = 4‐methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, C,N = benzylamine), have been synthesized and characterized using infrared and NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. Montmorillonite (MMT‐K10 clay) was used as a solid support for incorporating the cationic part of complexes 1 and 2 to produce catalysts 1 and 2 , respectively, as heterogeneous catalysts. Catalyst 1 was identified using powder X‐ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and the content of palladium obtained from inductively coupled plasma analysis. By changing the electron‐donating group on the L₁ ligand with an electron‐withdrawing one, a minor improvement was observed in the catalytic properties. Catalyst 1 showed better efficiency for oxidation of benzyl alcohol in comparison with catalyst 2 , so catalyst 1 was used for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols to corresponding aldehydes or ketones without over‐oxidation (with and without bubbling of air). This catalytic system showed high activity towards alcohols under mild conditions. Finally, the reusability of catalyst 1 was investigated with multiple reuses of the supported catalyst in subsequent alcohol oxidation reactions.     

Rapid Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction catalyzed by zirconium carboxyphosphonate supported mixed valent Pd(0)/Pd(II) catalyst

Mixed valent Pd(0)/Pd(II) nano‐sized aggregates supported onto a chemically robust layered zirconium carboxyphosphonate framework is prepared and its catalytic activity in Suzuki‐Miyaura cross coupling reaction is explored. The exceptionally high catalytic efficacy of the heterogeneous catalyst in Suzuki‐Miyaura cross coupling reaction is signified by remarkably short reaction time 2 minutes and high turnover frequency of 1.3 x 10⁴ hr^?1. The catalyst can be recycled several times without significant loss of catalytic efficacy, while spectroscopic, structural and microscopic investigations suggest the integrity of the catalyst even after fifth catalytic cycle. The unique ability of the zirconium carboxyphosphonate framework to interact strongly with palladium in dual Pd(0)/Pd(II) oxidation states has been attributed to this remarkable augmentation of catalytic efficacy.     

Synthesis of new fluorinated aromatic poly (ether ketone amide)s containing cardo structures by a heterogeneous palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative polycondensation

New fluorinated aromatic poly (ether ketone amide)s containing cardo structures were prepared by a heterogeneous palladium‐catalyzed polycondensation of fluorinated aromatic diiodides with ether ketone units, aromatic diamines containing cardo groups, and CO. Polymerizations were conducted in N,N‐dimethylacetamide at 120°C using 6 mol% of magnetic nanoparticles‐supported bidentate phosphine palladium (II) complex [Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐2P‐PdCl₂] as catalyst and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5,4,0]‐7‐undecene as base and resulted in fluorinated cardo poly (ether ketone amide)s with inherent viscosities up to 0.75 dL/g. All the polymers were readily soluble in many organic solvents and could afford transparent, flexible, and strong films by solution casting. These polymers showed good thermal stability with the glass transition temperature of 237°C–258°C, the temperature at 5% weight loss of 462°C–477°C in nitrogen. These polymer films also exhibited good mechanical properties, excellent electrical and dielectric performance, and high optical transparency. The incorporation of bulky fluorinated groups and cardo structures into polymer backbone has played an important role in the improvement of solubility, dielectric performance, and optical properties. Importantly, the heterogeneous palladium catalyst can easily be recovered from the reaction mixture by simply applying an external magnet and recycled up to 7 times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Square‐Planar Carbonylchlororhodium(I) Complexes Containing trans‐Spanning Diphosphine Ligands as Catalysts for the Carbonylation of Methanol

The rhodium(I) complexes trans‐[Rh(diphos)(CO)Cl] 7 (diphos=pbpb), 8 (diphos=nbpb), and 9 (diphos=cbpb) were synthesized (Scheme 4) and used as catalysts for the carbonylation of MeOH to AcOH (Scheme 1). The trans coordination imposed by the rigid C‐spacer framework of the diphos ligands pbpb, nbpb, and cbpb, demonstrated by ³¹P‐NMR and IR spectroscopy of 7 – 9 and unambiguously confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of 7 , improved the thermal stability of the rhodium(I) system under carbonylation conditions and, hence, the catalytic performance of the complexes. For the catalytic carbonylation of MeOH, the active catalyst could be prepared in situ from the mixture of [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ and the corresponding diphos ligand pbpb, nbpb, or cbpb, giving the same results as carbonylation in the presence of the isolated complexes 7, 8 or 9 (see Table). The highest activity was observed for complex 7 (or the mixture [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂/pbpb, the catalytic turnover number (TON) being 950 after 15 min (170°, 22 bar).     

Optimization of ethylene trimerization using catalysts based on TiCl3/half‐sandwich ligands

Catalytic trimerization of ethylene using three titanium‐based complexes [η⁵‐C₉H₆C(R)thienyl]TiCl₃ with various types of bridges (R = cyclo‐C₅H₁₀ ( C1 ), cyclo‐C₄H₈ ( C2 ) and (CH₃)₂ ( C3 )) has been successfully optimized and compared. First of all, three benzofulvene precursors, C₉H₆C(R), were synthesized. Then the corresponding indenyl‐based ligands were obtained via the reaction of the precursors with thienyllithium. The final titanium‐based catalysts display a distorted tetrahedral geometry, as expected for Ti(IV), with the ligand coordinated with a hemilabile behaviour. The structures of the compounds were confirmed on the basis of various analyses. The effect of catalyst concentration, ethylene pressure, reaction temperature and nature of the bridge as the significant factor affecting coordination and orientation of thienyl group relative to the metal centre on 1‐hexene (1‐C₆) productivity and selectivity was investigated. Results revealed that the bulky bridge groups such as cyclo‐C₅H₁₀ and cyclo‐C₄H₈ are appropriate for ethylene trimerization due to the closer coordination of sulfur atom with Ti, especially in cationic state, and catalyst C2 with cyclo‐C₄H₈ bridge exhibits moderate productivity equal to 785 kg 1‐C₆ (mol Ti)^?1 h^?1. According to the results, ethylene at a pressure of 10 bar, 50°C and 1.5 μmol of catalyst were selected as the best conditions for obtaining 1‐C₆ with high productivity and selectivity. The presence of indenyl enhances the thermal stability of the catalysts and preserves their activity in higher temperatures such as 50 and 80°C.     

One-step synthesis of a novel carbon-based strong acid catalyst through hydrothermal carbonization

Abstract  

A novel carbon-based strong acid catalyst was synthesized through the one-step hydrothermal carbonization of furaldehyde and p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) in aqueous solution at 180 °C for only 4 h. The novel carbon-based solid acid possessed high acidity, and the catalytic activities were investigated by esterification and oxathioketalization. The results showed that the novel catalyst demonstrated much greater activity than the traditional solid acids and was comparable to sulfuric acid. The one-step method provides an efficient procedure for the synthesis of various functionalized carbons by one-step hydrothermal carbonization.