Formation of liquid menisci in flexible nanochannels

In the present paper a novel mechanochemical process for the elimination of organic pollutants dissolved in water is proposed. In this regard, phenol aqueous solutions (100 mg L⁻¹) were ball-milled for 0, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h with and without a well-characterized (XRD, SEM, and N₂ Adsorption), rutile powder catalyst and the reaction products analyzed with UV and GC/MS. It was found that when the catalyst was not included in the process, phenol was not affected, but when it was included, phenol was decomposed. The catalyst itself did not change and the reaction follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics. Besides, intermediates which are characteristic of the OH radical mechanism were found in the reaction products. Then, a mechanism similar to those accepted for other advanced oxidation processes was proposed. The value measured for the pseudo-first-order reaction constant was very low, indicating that the reported process is inefficient. Nevertheless, this problem could be solved by applying catalysts consisting of particles with smaller diameters.     

Efficient hydroxylation of aromatic compounds catalyzed by an iron(II) complex with H2O2

A mononuclear iron(II) complex, Et₄N[Fe(C₁₀H₆NO₂)₃], coordinated by three 1‐nitroso‐2‐naphtholate ligands in a fac‐N₃O₃ geometry, was initiated to catalyze the direct hydroxylation of aromatic compounds to phenols in the presence of H₂O₂ under mild conditions. Various reaction parameters, including the catalyst dosage, temperature, mole ratio of H₂O₂ to benzene, reaction time and solvents which could affect the hydroxylation activity of the catalyst, were investigated systematically for benzene hydroxylation to obtain ideal benzene conversion and high phenol distribution. Under the optimum conditions, the benzene conversion was 10.2% and only phenol was detected. The catalyst was also found to be active towards hydroxylation of other aromatic compounds with high substrate conversions. The hydroxyl radical formed due to the reaction of the catalyst and H₂O₂ was determined to be the crucial active intermediate in the hydroxylation. A rational pathway for the formation of the hydroxyl radical was proposed and justified by the density functional theory calculations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct Oxidation of Benzene to Phenol Catalyzed by Vanadium Substituted Heteropolymolybdic Acid

Direct synthesis of phenol by hydroxylation of benzene with H₂O₂ over the vanadium-substituted heteropolymolybdic acid catalyst was investigated at 70 °C. H₂O₂ was used as an oxidant while 36 wt.% MeCO₂H was employed as the solvent. After 100 min the selectivity for phenol was 93% and the yield of PhOH was 10.1%. The catalyst was characterized by elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, u.v.–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and ³¹P-n.m.r. and ⁵¹V-n.m.r. techniques. The experimental conditions such as reaction temperature, the amounts of H₂O₂ and catalyst were explored. The as-prepared phenol could be separated by column chromatography and was characterized by infrared and mass spectrometry.     

Liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of organic substrates by a recyclable polymer-supported copper(II) complex

Chloromethylated polystyrene beads cross-linked with 6.5 % divinylbenzene were functionalized with 2-(2′-pyridyl) benzimidazole (PBIMH) and on subsequent treatment with Cu(OAc)₂ in methanol gave a polymer-supported diacetatobis(2-pyridylbenzimidazole)copper(II) complex [PS-(PBIM)₂Cu(II)], which was characterized by physicochemical techniques. The supported complex showed excellent catalytic activity toward the oxidation of industrially important organic compounds such as phenol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, styrene, and ethylbenzene. An effective catalytic protocol was developed by varying reaction parameters such as the catalyst and substrate concentrations, reaction time, temperature, and substrate-to-oxidant ratio to obtain maximum selectivity with high yields of products. Possible reaction mechanisms were worked out. The catalyst could be recycled five times without any metal leaching or much loss in activity. This catalyst is truly heterogeneous and allows for easy work up, as well as recyclability and excellent product yields under mild conditions.     

Photochemical generation of carbonate radicals and their reactivity with phenol

The reaction of carbonate radical with phenol in aqueous solution has been investigated in systems in which carbonate radicals were generated by UV irradiation of an aqueous solution of [Co(NH₃)₅CO₃]⁺ (pH 8.0 phosphate buffer). Both steady state and time resolved photolysis experiments were performed. Upon continuous irradiation of complex phenol mixtures, phenol was converted into benzoquinone and dihydroxybenzenes. Benzoquinone was the major by-product in the early stages of the reaction. Laser flash excitation (266 and 355 nm) of the cobalt complex clearly showed the formation of the carbonate radical. When phenol was added to the solution of the complex, a second species was observed which was assigned to the phenoxyl radical. The second-order rate constant of reaction between phenol and carbonate radical was found to be equal to 1.6 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, in agreement with literature data of 2.2 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Heterogeneous Fenton Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water Enhanced by Combining Iron-type Layered Double Hydroxide and Sulfate

Water pollution derived from organic pollutants is one of the global environmental problems. The Fenton reaction using Fe²⁺ as a homogeneous catalyst has been known as one of clean methods for oxidative degradation of organic pollutants. Here, a layered double hydroxide (Fe²⁺Al³⁺-LDH) containing Fe²⁺ and Al³⁺ in the structure was used to develop a “heterogeneous” Fenton catalyst capable of mineralizing organic pollutants. We found that sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) immobilized on the Fe²⁺Al³⁺-LDH significantly facilitated oxidative degradation (mineralization) of phenol as a model compound of water pollutants to carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a heterogeneous Fenton process. The phenol conversion and mineralization efficiency to CO₂ reached >99% and ca. 50%, respectively, even with a reaction time of only 60 min.     

Kinetics and reaction mechanism of phenol hydroxylation catalyzed by La-Cu<Subscript>4</Subscript>FeAlCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The present work synthesizes La-Cu₄FeAICO₃ catalyst under microwave irradiation and characterizes its structure using XRD and IR techniques. The results show that the obtained La-Cu₄FeAICO₃ has a hydrotalcite structure. In the phenol hydroxylation with H₂O₂ catalyzed by La-Cu₄FeAICO₃, the effects of reaction time and phenol/H₂O₂ molar ratio on the phenol hydroxylation, and relationships between the initial hydroxylation rate with concentration of the catalyst, phenol, H₂O₂ and reaction temperature are also investigated in details. It is shown the phenol conversion can reach 50.09% (mol percent) in the phenol hydroxylation catalyzed by La-Cu₄FeAICO₃, under the reaction conditions of the molar ratio of phenol/H₂O₂1/2, the amount ratio of phenol/catalyst 20, reaction temperature 343 K, reaction time 120 min, 10 ml_ distilled water as solvent. Moreover, a kinetic equation of v = k[La-Cu₄FeAlCO₃][C₆H₅OH][H₂O₂]. and the activation energy of E _a=58.37 kJ/mol are obtained according to the kinetic studies. Due to the fact that the HO-Cu⁺-OH species are detected in La-Cu₄FeAICO₃/H₂O₂ system by XPS, the new mechanism about the generation of hydroxyl free radicals in the phenol hydroxylation is proposed, which is supposed that HO-Cu⁺-OH species are transition state in this reaction.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal degradation of oligo-2-[(4-fluorophenyl) imino methylene] phenol and some of its oligomer-metal complexes

In this study, the oxidative polycondensation reaction conditions of 2-[(4-fluorophenyl) imino methylene] phenol (FPIMP) with air oxygen and NaOCl were studied in an aqueous alkaline medium between 60 and 90 °C. Synthesized oligo-2-[(4-fluorophenyl) imino methylene] phenol was characterized by ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and elemental analysis techniques. The yield of oligo-2-[(4-fluorophenyl) imino methylene] phenol (OFPIMP) was found to be 62.00% (for air O₂ oxidant) and 97.70% (for NaOCl oxidant) at the optimum reaction conditions. According to the SEC analysis, the number-average molecular weight (M_n), weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and polydispersity index (PDI) values of OFPIMP were found to be 1370 g mol⁻¹, 1979 g mol⁻¹ and 1.45, using NaOCl, 2105 g mol⁻¹, 2557 g mol⁻¹, and 1.22, using air O₂, respectively. During the oxidative polycondensation reaction, (2.88%) a part of -CHN group oxidized to carboxylic acid (-COOH). TG and TG-DTA analyses were shown to be more stable of oligo-2-[(4-fluorophenyl) imino methylene] phenol and its oligomer metal complexes than monomer against thermo-oxidative decomposition. The weight loss of OFPIMP was found to be 97.00% at 900 °C. The weight losses of OFPIMP-Co, OFPIMP-Ni OFPIMP-Cu oligomer-metal complex compounds were found to be 88.66%, 94.36% and 83.21%, respectively, at 1000 °C.     

Photo-Fenton oxidation of phenol over a Cu-doped Fe-pillared clay

A Cu-doped Fe-pillared Tunisian clay (Cu/Fe–PILC) was synthesized and used as a catalyst in the heterogeneous photo-Fenton oxidation of phenol in aqueous solution. Textural, structural and chemical characterization pointed to successful pillaring and incorporation of the Cu active phase. Photo-Fenton experiments proved the high activity of the Cu/Fe–PILC catalyst, which was able to completely mineralize the phenol present in the treated solution after a reaction time of 40 min and in the presence of UV-C light. Moreover, the catalytic activity was not influenced by the pH of the initial phenol solution, over a wide range of pH from 3 to 7. An optimal dosage of H₂O₂ and of the catalyst was found. Phenol degradation was found to be slower in the presence of UV-A irradiation, needing longer reaction times. Negligible metal leaching and catalyst reutilization without noticeable loss of activity point to an excellent catalytic stability for this Cu/Fe–PILC catalyst.     

Green phenol hydroxylation by ultrasonic-assisted synthesized Mg/Cu/Al-LDH catalyst with different molar ratios of Cu2+/Mg2+

Nitrate-intercalated Mg/Cu/Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation method under ultrasonic irradiation as a fast, simple, and low-cost technique. The LDHs were synthesized with six different molar ratios of Cu²⁺/Mg²⁺, and then they were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, ICP, BET, TEM, and FE-SEM analyses. The results showed that the nitrate ions were well intercalated between layers without any carbonate ions. According to the XRD and TGA results, increasing of Cu ions in the LDHs lowered the crystallization and improved the thermal stability of samples at the same time. The morphological studies carried out by FE-SEM and TEM analyses showed the morphological structure similar to the lamellar structure and plate-like shape particles. However, the surface property of binary LDHs, including Al and only one of Cu or Mg elements, was better than ternary ones. Furthermore, this catalyst was used for the phenol hydroxylation using H₂O₂ as oxidant and water as a solvent. The results exhibit that the CuMg₃₂Al-NO^3? catalyst had the best catalytic activity, as well as it was found that the catalyst is active under mild reaction conditions such as the temperature of 65 °C, phenol: oxidant ratio of 2:1, phenol/catalyst?=?100, and reaction time of 1 h. Thus, these conditions gave better activity with the conversion of 27%, the selectivity of 92.05% for catechol and hydroquinone, and CAT/HQ ratio of 1.5.

     

Hydroformylation of styrene catalyzed by a rhodium thiolate binuclear catalyst supported on a cationic exchange resin

The binuclear complex [Rh₂(μ-S(CH₂)₂NMe₂)₂(cod)₂] 1 (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) was anchored to a sulfonic exchange resin through the residual amine groups. The reaction of the immobilized complex with CO and PPh₃ yielded the catalytically active complex [Rh₂(μ-S(CH₂)₂NHMe₂)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]²⁺ supported in the polymer matrix. When methanol was used as solvent, the metal complex loaded cationic resin behaved as a multifunctional catalyst, since it was active in the hydroformylation of styrene and the subsequent formation of the acetals, directly rendering 1,1-dimethoxy-2-phenylpropane in 85% selectivity. Furthermore, the immobilized catalyst can be separated from the reaction mixture and recycled. A homogeneous model of the supported catalyst was generated by reacting complex 1 with HTsO, PPh₃, and CO. Thus, the methanol soluble complex [Rh₂(μ-S(CH₂)₂NHMe₂)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂](TsO)₂ was also found to be active in the hydroformylation of styrene yielding identical selectivity in the branched isomer to that of the immobilized catalyst, although the latter is much slower (20-fold) than the homogeneous catalyst.     

Synthesis of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene wax using a bulky Ti(IV) aryloxide–alkyl aluminum catalytic system

Complexes of titanium(IV) with bulky phenolic ligands such as 2‐tert‐butyl‐4 methylphenol, 2, 4‐di‐tert‐butyl phenol and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl phenol were prepared and characterized. These catalyst precursors, formulated as [Ti(OPh*)_n(OPrⁱ)_4?n] (OPh* = substituted phenol), were found to be active in polymerization of ethylene at higher temperatures in combination with ethylaluminum sesquichloride (Et₃Al₂Cl₃) as co‐catalyst. It was observed that the reaction temperature and ethylene pressure had a pronounced effect on polymerization and the molecular weight of polyethylene obtained. In addition, this catalytic system predominantly produced linear, crystalline ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight polyethylenes narrow dispersities. The polyethylene waxes obtained with this catalytic system exhibit unique properties that have potential applications in surface coating and adhesive formulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rhodium–Iodide Complex on a Catalytically Active SiO2 Surface for One-Pot Hydrosilylation–CO2 Cycloaddition

In this study, a novel Rh–iodide complex was synthesized through a surface reaction between an immobilized Rh cyclooctadiene complex and alkylammonium iodide (N⁺I⁻) on SiO₂. In the presence of ammonium cations, the SiO₂-supported Rh–iodide complex could be effectively used for the one-pot synthesis of various silylcarbonate derivatives starting from epoxy olefins, hydrosilanes, and CO₂. The maximum turnover numbers (TONs) for the hydrosilylation reaction and the CO₂ cycloaddition were 7600 (Rh) and 130 (N⁺I⁻), respectively. The catalyst exhibited much higher performance for hydrosilylation than solely the Rh complex on SiO₂. The mechanism of the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction and the local structure of Rh, which is affected by the co-immobilized N⁺I⁻, were investigated by using Rh and I K-edge XAFS and XPS. Analysis of the XAFS profiles indicated the presence of a Rh−I bond. The Rh unit was in its electron-rich state. Curve-fitting analysis of the Rh K-edge EXAFS profiles suggests dissociation of the cycloocta-1,5-diene (COD) ligand from the Rh center. Results from spectroscopic and kinetic analyses revealed that the high activity of the catalyst (during hydrosilylation) could be attributed to a decrease in steric hindrance and the electron-rich state of the Rh. The decrease in the steric hindrance could be attributed to the absence of COD, and the electron-rich state promoted the oxidative addition of Si−H. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a one-pot silylcarbonate synthesis as well as a determination of a novel surface Rh–iodide complex and its catalysis.     

Hydrodechlorination of 4-Chlorophenol on Pd-Fe Catalysts on Mesoporous ZrO2SiO2 Support

A mesoporous support based on silica and zirconia (ZS) was used to prepare monometallic 1 wt% Pd/ZS, 10 wt% Fe/ZS, and bimetallic FePd/ZS catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by TPR-H₂, XRD, SEM-EDS, TEM, AAS, and DRIFT spectroscopy of adsorbed CO after H₂ reduction in situ and tested in hydrodechlorination of environmental pollutant 4-chlorophelol in aqueous solution at 30 °C. The bimetallic catalyst demonstrated an excellent activity, selectivity to phenol and stability in 10 consecutive runs. FePd/ZS has exceptional reducibility due to the high dispersion of palladium and strong interaction between FeOx and palladium, confirmed by TPR-H₂, DRIFT spectroscopy, XRD, and TEM. Its reduction occurs during short-time treatment with hydrogen in an aqueous solution at RT. The Pd/ZS was more resistant to reduction but can be activated by aqueous phenol solution and H₂. The study by DRIFT spectroscopy of CO adsorbed on Pd/ZS reduced in harsh (H₂, 330 °C), medium (H₂, 200 °C) and mild conditions (H₂ + aqueous solution of phenol) helped to identify the reasons of the reducing action of phenol solution. It was found that phenol provided fast transformation of Pd⁺ to Pd⁰. Pd/ZS also can serve as an active and stable catalyst for 4-PhCl transformation to phenol after proper reduction.     

Water‐Enhanced Synthesis of Higher Alcohols from CO2 Hydrogenation over a Pt/Co3O4 Catalyst under Milder Conditions

The effect of water on CO₂ hydrogenation to produce higher alcohols (C₂–C₄) was studied. Pt/Co₃O₄, which had not been used previously for this reaction, was applied as the heterogeneous catalyst. It was found that water and the catalyst had an excellent synergistic effect for promoting the reaction. High selectivity of C₂–C₄ alcohols could be achieved at 140 °C (especially with DMI (1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐imidazolidinone) as co‐solvent), which is a much lower temperature than reported previously. The catalyst could be reused at least five times without reducing the activity and selectivity. D₂O and ¹³CH₃OH labeling experiments indicated that water involved in the reaction and promoted the reaction kinetically, and ethanol was formed via CH₃OH as an intermediate.     

Generation of sulfate radicals by supported ruthenium catalyst for phenol oxidation in water

In this study we report the preparation of RuO₂/Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂ core–shell powder mesoporous catalyst for heterogeneous oxidation of phenol by peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as oxidant. The properties of this supported catalyst were characterized by SEM–EDS (scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), XRD (powder X-ray diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption. It is found that using ruthenium oxide-based catalyst is highly effective in activating PMS for related sulfate radicals. The effects of catalyst loading, phenol concentration, PMS concentration, reaction temperature, and reusability of the as-prepared catalyst on phenol degradation were investigated. In RuO₂/Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂ mesoporous catalyst, Oxone (PMS) was effectively activated and 100 % phenol degradation occurred in 40 min. The magnetic RuO₂/Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂ catalyst was facility separated from the solution by an external magnetic field. To regenerate the deactivated catalyst and improve its catalytic properties, three different methods involving annealing in air, washing with water, and applying ultrasonics were used. The catalyst was recovered thoroughly by heat treatment.     

Alkylation of Phenol with Methanol Over Rare Earth Promoted Sulfated Tin Oxide Catalyst

A comparative account of the tin-samarium binary oxide and its sulfate modified analogue (SO₄ ^2- / SnO₂-Sm₂O₃) in the alkylation of phenol with methanol is reported. Sulfate modification resulted in a large variation in product selectivity and reaction pathway due to the creation of strong acid sites, which alters the nature of adsorption of phenol on the catalyst surface.     

On the applicability of nanodiamonds produced by detonation synthesis for phenol testing in aqueous media

It was found that the catalytic effect of modified nanodiamonds (MND) in the H₂O₂–4-aminoantipyrine–phenol oxidative azo coupling reaction is due to microimpurities of iron and copper ions on the surface of nanoparticles. The efficiency of MND as a catalyst is determined by the amount of surface impurities of these ions and can be doubled by their additional adsorption on nanoparticles. Using MND for phenol indication ensures a linear yield of the colored product of the azo coupling reaction over an analyte concentration range of 0.05–10 μg/mL. The possibility of reusing MND for phenol testing in aqueous samples was demonstrated.     

Palladium- and Ruthenium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbene CAr−H Functionalization of γ-Amino-α-diazoesters for the Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines

A synthetic method to prepare tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acid esters has been developed through the transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular aromatic C−H functionalization of α-diazoesters. Both [{Pd(IMes)(NQ)}₂] (IMes=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene, NQ=1,4-naphthoquinone) and the first-generation Grubbs catalyst proved effective for this purpose. The ruthenium catalyst was found to be the most versatile, although in a few cases the palladium complex afforded better yields or selectivities. According to DFT calculations, Pd⁰- and Ru^II-catalyzed sp²-C_Ar−H functionalization proceeds through different reaction mechanisms. Thus, the Pd⁰-catalyzed reaction involves a Pd-mediated 1,6-H migration from the sp²-C_Ar−H bond to the carbene carbon atom, followed by a reductive elimination process. In contrast, electrophilic addition of the ruthenacarbene intermediate to the aromatic ring and subsequent 1,2-proton migration are operative in the Grubbs catalyst promoted reaction.     

Hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid in the presence of the Wilkinson complex

Formic acid was synthesized in a high yield at room temperature in the presence of the Wilkinson complex and an excess of PPh₃. The catalytic properties of the rhodium complex depend strongly on the reaction conditions. The mechanism of the rhodium catalyst deactivation was studied by the kinetic method and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The methods for the stabilization of the rhodium catalyst were found.