Surface Activation of Pt Nanoparticles Synthesised by “Hot Injection” in the Presence of Oleylamine

Oleylamine (OA) based “hot injection” colloidal synthesis offers a versatile approach to the synthesis of highly monodisperse metallic and multi‐metallic alloyed nanostructures in the absence of potentially toxic and unstable phosphine compounds. For application in heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis, the adsorbed OA species at the metal surfaces should be effectively removed without compromising the structure and composition of the nanostructures. Herein, we investigate the removal of OA from colloidal Pt nanoparticles through 1) “chemical methods” such as washing in acetic acid or ethanol, and ligand exchange with pyridine; and 2) thermal pre‐treatment between 185 and 400 °C in air, H₂ or Ar atmospheres. The electrochemical reactivity of Pt nanoparticles is acutely affected by the presence of surface organic impurities, making this material ideal for monitoring the effectiveness of OA removal. The results showed that thermal treatment in Ar at temperatures above 400 °C provides highly active particles, with reactivity comparable to the benchmark commercial catalyst, Pt/ETEK. The mechanism involved in thermal desorption of OA was also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis coupled to mass spectrometry (TGA‐MS). Oxidation of HCOOH and adsorbed CO in acidic solution were used as test reactions to assess the Pt electrocatalytic activity.     

“Metal‐Free” Catalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Heteroatom‐Doped Graphene is Caused by Trace Metal Impurities

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of high industrial importance. There is a large body of literature showing that metal‐based catalytic nanoparticles (e.g. Co, Mn, Fe or hybrid Mn/Co‐based nanoparticles) supported on graphene act as efficient catalysts for the ORR. A significant research effort is also directed to the so‐called “metal‐free” oxygen reduction reaction on heteroatom‐doped graphene surfaces. While such studies of the ORR on nonmetallic heteroatom‐doped graphene are advertised as “metal‐free” there is typically no sufficient effort to characterize the doped materials to verify that they are indeed free of any trace metal. Here we argue that the claimed “metal‐free” electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction on heteroatom‐doped graphene is caused by metallic impurities present within the graphene materials.     

Steroid-bismetalloporphyrin as enzyme model of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase

The model compounds of androgenic steroid-bismetallopor-phyrins 3a-3d and androgenic monometalloporphyrins 2a-2d have been synthesized. Catalytic study in two-phase condition on epoxidation of styrene under the catalysis of model catalysts shows (hat the catalytic performances of steriod-bismet-alloporphyrin is superior to steroid- metalloporphyrin and the corresponding simple metalloporphyrin. The excellent catalytic property of steriod-bismetallopotphyrin can be rationalized as the hydrophobic action of steroid framework and the cooperative action of two metalloporphyrins in catalysis.     

A review on synthesis of kaolin-based zeolite and the effect of impurities

Zeolite is extensively synthesized for the application in a large variety of catalysis processes such as ion exchange, hydrocarbon cracking, and organic synthesis. In order to satisfy the serious terms of sustainability that denotes to the reduction of costs and chemical waste, kaolinite-based zeolites were produced from cheap natural resources as against to the conventional process that employs pure sodium silicate and sodium aluminate. This review paper is to highlight the current trends in the synthesis of zeolite. Prior to previous reviews, great concern is focused on the impurities effect on the catalytic performance of kaolinite-based zeolites. This study reveals that the impact of impurities in a catalytic reaction was in fact, underestimated or neglected. For instance, it was found that Fe ion concentration as small as 60 ppm gives significant catalytic output. Hence, a new practice to report the concentration of impurities in the research publication is suggested. This undoubtedly will generate a better interpretation of the catalytic activity from the zeolite framework.     

Minimizing Temperature Bias through Reliable Temperature Determination in Gas-Solid Photothermal Catalytic Reactions

Enormous advances in photothermal catalysis have been made over the years, whereas the temperature assessment still remains controversial in the majority of photothermal catalytic systems. Herein, we methodically uncovered the phenomenon of temperature determination bias arising from prominent temperature differences in gas-solid photothermal catalytic systems, which extensively existed yet has been overlooked in most relevant cases. To avoid the interference of temperature bias, we developed a universal protocol for reliable temperature evaluation of gas-solid photothermal catalytic reactions, with emphasis on eliminating the temperature gradient and temperature fluctuation of catalyst layer via optimizing the reaction system. This work presents a functional and credible practice for temperature detection, calling attention to addressing the effects of temperature differences, and reassessing the actual temperature-based performances in gas-solid photothermal catalysis.     

Understanding plasmonic catalysis with controlled nanomaterials based on catalytic and plasmonic metals

Recently, it has been established that the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation in plasmonic nanoparticles can be put toward the acceleration and control of molecular transformations. This field, named plasmonic catalysis, has emerged as a new frontier in nanocatalysis. For metals such as silver (Ag), gold (Au), and copper (Cu), the LSPR excitation can take place in the visible and near-infrared ranges, opening possibilities for the conversion of solar to chemical energy and new/alternative reaction pathways not accessible via conventional, thermally activated catalytic processes. As both catalytic and optical properties can be tuned by controlling several physical and chemical parameters at the nanoscale, design-controlled nanomaterials open the door to unlock the potential of plasmonic catalysis both in terms of fundamental understanding and optimization of performances. In this context, after introducing the fundamentals of plasmonic catalysis, we provide an overview on the current understanding of this field enabled by the utilization of designed-controlled nanostructures based on plasmonic and catalytic metals as model systems. We start by discussing trends in plasmonic catalytic performances and their correlation with nanoparticle size, shape, composition, and structure. Then, we highlight how multimetallic compositions and morphologies containing both catalytic and plasmonic components enables one to extend the use of plasmonic catalysis to metals that are important in catalysis but do not support LSPR excitation in the visible range. Finally, we focus on key challenges and perspectives that are critically important to assist us in designing future energy-efficient plasmonic-catalytic materials.     

Trace metal impurities in catalysis

Metal-catalysed transformations are a powerful tool in organic chemistry and the enormous progress, which has been made in the last few decades, was one more time honoured by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2010. Many metal-containing compounds have been applied in carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formations. However, not every component originally claimed as catalyst turned out to be the active ingredient in the end. Sometimes trace metal impurities were the actual catalytic species. In this tutorial review, we will highlight recent findings in transition metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions and detail several reports from the past, which illustrate that "trace metal catalysis" is not a newly discovered phenomenon.     

Catalytic Dearomatization of N-Heteroarenes with Silicon and Boron Compounds

Dearomatized N-heterocycles are an important class of structural motifs for organic synthesis and chemical biology. The catalytic dearomative reduction of unactivated N-heteroarenes using silicon and/or boron-containing compounds as a reductant is one of the most straightforward alternatives to hydrogenation. However, thus far, there are few reported examples on the catalytic reduction of N-heteroaromatic compounds with silane or borane reducing agents. This Review presents recent advances in the catalytic reduction of unactivated N-heteroarenes by hydrosilanes, hydroboranes, silaboranes, and diboranes. The focus is on the chemical reactivity and selectivity of transition-metal or metal-free organocatalyst systems. In addition, the working modes of these catalysis will be described primarily on the basis of experimental mechanistic insight.     

Metal‐Free Boron‐Containing Heterogeneous Catalysts

Metal‐free catalysts have distinct advantages over metal and metal oxide catalysts, such as lower cost as well as higher reliability and sustainability. Among the nonmetal compounds used in catalysis, boron‐containing compounds with a few unique properties have been developed. In this Minireview, the recent advances in the field of boron‐containing metal‐free catalysts are presented, including binary and ternary boron‐containing catalytic materials. Additionally, the three main applications in catalysis are considered, namely, electrocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and photocatalysis, with the role of boron discussed in depth for each specific catalytic application. Boron‐containing compounds could have a substantial impact on the field of metal‐free catalysts in the future.     

Impurities within carbon nanotubes govern the electrochemical oxidation of substituted hydrazines

Electrochemistry and electrocatalysis on carbon nanomaterials is at the forefront of research. The presence of carbonaceous and metallic impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a persistent problem. Here we show that the electrochemistry of the entire group of hydrazine compounds is governed by impurities within single-walled, double-walled and few-walled CNTs. The oxidation of organic substituted hydrazines at CNTs is driven by nanographitic impurities, in contrast to unsubstituted hydrazine, for which the electrochemistry is driven by metallic impurities within CNTs. This finding is unexpected, as one would assume that a whole group of compounds would be susceptible to "electrocatalysis" by only one type of impurity. This discovery should be taken into account when predicting the susceptibility of whole groups of compounds to electrocatalysis by metallic or nanographitic impurities. Our findings have strong implications on the electrochemical sensing of hydrazines and on the use of hydrazines as fuels for nanomotors.     

Progress on the synthesis and catalytic and anti‐migration properties of ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts

Burning rate catalysts are of great importance in solid composite propellants for their unique property of accelerating combustion speed. Among various kinds of burning rate catalysts, ferrocene and its derivatives exhibit excellent catalytic effects and have become the most widely used burning rate catalysts. However, these simple ferrocenyl compounds trend to migrate in solid composite propellants during storage, which causes great damage to the propellants, equipment and environment and can even affect personal safety. The exploration of novel anti‐migratory ferrocene‐based compounds has become an advanced research hotspot in the field of burning rate catalysis. This review focuses on recent progress on the synthesis and catalytic properties of ferrocene‐based polymers and ferrocene derivatives as burning rate catalysts. Two main aspects of anti‐migratory exploration, i.e. synthesis of ferrocene‐based polymers and modification of the side groups of ferrocene, are summarized. Ferrocene‐based polymers can be obtained via condensation polymerization, addition polymerization, ring‐opening polymerization, polymer reactions, etc. Ferrocenyl compounds with active groups and ferrocene‐based metal coordination compounds were developed instead of the methods of lengthening the carbon chain of side groups and improving molecular polarity. Also, possible mechanisms of burning rate catalytic activity and migration are discussed and analyzed. Finally, the key points of the development of ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts and solid composite propellants are proposed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High Oxidation State Organometallic Chemistry,A Challenge—the Example of Rhenium

Homogeneous catalysis as the major industrial outlet of organometallic basic research has been enjoying great benefit from organotransition metal species that promote bond forming between hydrocarbon fragments. Most of the commercially important processes that serve to produce large-volume organic feedstock chemicals such as linear α-olefins (Shell Higher Olefins Process), linear aldehydes (hydroformylation), acetaldehyde (Wacker-Hoechst), acetic acid (Monsanto), adiponitrile (DuPont hydrocyanation of butadiene) operate at low-valent metal centers. It is thus hardly surprising that by far the most part of organometallic research during the past few decades has been directed towards an understanding and the improvement of these catalytic reactions as well as towards the related stoichiometric chemistry. As a matter of consequence, our present knowledge on high-valent organotransition metal compound is comparatively shallow, nor do we know much about the chemical relationship and interconvertability of high and low oxidation states within a given class of compounds. In this article I want to point out some ostensibly challenging perspectives of future organometallic research by describing a novel class of high oxidation state organorhenium compounds as well as by speculating on possible generalizations for other transition metals.     

Application of supported perovskite-type catalysts for vehicular emission control

Catalytic control of auto-exhaust emissions is one of the most successful applications of heterogeneous catalysis, both in commercial and environmental point of views. Although noble metal-based catalysts have dominated this area, efforts were always put in towards development of low cost non-noble metal-based catalysts. With the recent need of closed-coupled catalytic converter, thermal stability requirements have also become more severe, leading to the search for stable catalytic materials. Mixed oxides, including those perovskite type compounds with ABO₃ structure have been extensively studied, mainly for their catalytic and electrical properties. Low surface area of these catalysts has so far been the most important limitation for their catalytic applications involving high space velocities, e.g. auto-exhaust catalysis. Various synthesis routes have been earlier attempted to improve their surface area, yet this was much inferior than the noble metal catalysts, dispersed on high surface area alumina. The in situ synthesis of these oxides on alumina is often associated with the formation of undesired phases, due to the reactive nature of perovskite precursors. However, alumina washcoat, commonly used for improving the surface area of ceramic and metallic catalyst supports, can be modified for perovskite applications. In situ synthesis of stabilized perovskites on modified alumina-washcoated supports offer high surface area and excellent catalyst adhesion. Although, it is difficult to ascertain the presence of pure perovskite type materials on support, such improved synthesis has resulted in remarkable improvement in their catalytic activity for their applications in auto-exhaust catalytic converters. This review presents our work on synthesis of various improved perovskite-type mixed oxides supported on modified alumina-washcoated cordierite honeycomb, their characterization, and detailed catalytic evaluations for possible application in automobile pollution control.     

Recent developments in cyclodextrin‐mediated aqueous biphasic hydroformylation and tsuji–trost reactions

New cyclodextrin‐based systems have recently been developed for aqueous organometallic catalysis. Through this review, the major advances made in the field are commented upon and discussed. The role of cyclodextrins as mass transfer promoters, molecular platforms, building blocks for the formation of Pickering emulsions and thermoresponsive catalytic systems is especially emphasized. The catalytic performances of these cyclodextrin‐based catalytic systems are highlighted in two model reactions, namely the rhodium‐catalysed hydroformylation of terminal olefins and the palladium‐catalysed cleavage of allyl carbonates (Tsuji–Trost reaction). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Literature-based generation of hypotheses on chemical composition using database co-occurrence of chemical compounds

Candidates for identification of unknown constituents in a sample to be chemically analyzed are hypothetical. It is proposed to generate these hypotheses according to the co-occurrence of different chemical compounds with a known sample constituent in the chemical literature. The efficiency of the co-occurrence approach for predicting chemical compositions was tested for 67 impurities in 17 chemical/pharmaceutical products. The relative co-occurrence of impurity compounds and these products in the Chemical Abstracts Service database was evaluated and compared with corresponding values for several reference groups of probability sampled compounds from the literature. Almost all impurities (97%) and only < or = 8% randomly sampled compounds co-occurred with these chemical products. Mean and median values of relative co-occurrence for impurities are much higher than those of probability sampled compounds which co-occurred with the products. For the combination of impurities and the probability sample of 396 interfering compounds, the power to predict the chemical composition using the highest co-occurrences is 0.49-0.59. The co-occurrence value can also be considered as an "empiric" indicator of chemical similarity useful to generate new hypotheses on relationships both between compounds and between compounds and their properties.     

Bimetallic nickel and palladium complexes for catalytic applications

South Africa is a mineral-rich country and one area in which minerals can be very important is catalysis. Over an extended period of time, homogeneous catalysis has grown to become very useful, particularly in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The organometallic compounds required in the catalysis industry have advanced from metallocenes to an alternative in the form of a-diimines. Most a-diimines are prepared from iminopyridyl moieties and are most active with nickel and palladium transition metals. This review providesa history of homogeneous catalysis and a discussion on iminopyridines, with the main focus on the nickel and palladium complexes formed from them. There follows a discussion of the bimetallic nickel and palladium complexes in various catalytic applications such as Suzuki and Heck coupling, with the main focus on ethylene polymerisation. The limitations are addressed and possible solutions presented to overcome those challenges. Several reviews in the related topics are to be found in the literature but not the a-diimine with iminopyridines and bimetallic nickel and palladium metals.     

Metallic Impurities within Residual Catalyst Metallic Nanoparticles Are in Some Cases Responsible for “Electrocatalytic” Effect of Carbon Nanotubes

It′s what′s on the inside that counts : In some cases, the metallic impurities within residual catalyst metallic nanoparticle impurities, which remain in carbon nanotubes even after their purification, are responsible for the “electrocatalytic” properties of carbon nanotubes. This is demonstrated by using double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) containing cobalt residual catalyst nanoparticle impurities, which themselves contain iron‐based impurities.

     

Polymérisation “basse pression” de l'ethylène en préasence de noir de carbone

The polymerization of ethylene with Ziegler-Natta catalysts in the presence of carbon black has shown three characteristic features both with a heterogeneous catalyst, AlBu₃? TiCl₄, and with a soluble catalyst, Cl₂Ti(C₅H₅)₂? AlEt₂Cl. They are, in order of increasing importance: reactivity of the organoaluminum derivatives with surface chemical groups of the carbon black, adsorption of a certain amount of organoaluminum compounds on the carbon black surface, and influence of the specific surface of carbon black, which controls the dispersion degree of the catalytic system. Furthermore, it was possible to obtain polyethylene by this procedure, containing different amounts and different types of carbon black.     

QbD approached comparison of reaction mechanism in microwave synthesized gold nanoparticles and their superior catalytic role against hazardous nirto‐dye

Microwave irradiation (MI) process characteristically enables extremely rapid “in‐core” heating of dipoles and ions, in comparison to conventional thermal (conductance) process of heat transfer. During the process of nanoparticles synthesis, MI both modulates functionality behaviors as well as dynamic of reaction in favorable direction. So, MI providing a facile, favorable and alternative approach during nanoparticles synthesis nanoparticles with enhanced catalytic performances. Although, conventionally used reducing and capping reagents of synthetic origin, are usually environmentally hazardous and toxic for living organism. But, in absence of suitable capping agent; stability, shelf life and catalytic activity of metallic nanoparticles adversely affected. However, polymeric templates which emerged as suitable choice of agent for both reducing and capping purposes; bearing additional advantages in terms of catalyst free one step green synthesis process with high degree of biosafety and efficiency. Another aspect of current works was to understand role of process variables in growth mechanism and catalytic performances of microwave processed metallic nanoparticles, as well as comparison of these parameters with conventional heating method. However, due to poor prediction ability with previously published architect OFAT (One factor at a time) design with these nanoparticles as well as random selection of process variables with their different levels, such comparison couldn't be possible. Hence, using gum Ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia) as a model bio‐template and under simulated reaction conditions; architect of QbD design systems were integrated in microwave processed nanoparticles to establish mechanistic role these variables. Furthermore, in comparison to conventional heating; we reported well validated mathematical modeling of process variables on characteristic of nanoparticles as well as synthesized gold nanoparticles of desired and identical dimensions, in both thermal and microwave‐based processes. Interestingly, despite of identical dimension, MI processed gold nanoparticles bearing higher efficiency (kinetic rate) against remediation of hazardous nitro dye (4‐nitrophenol), into safer amino (4‐aminophenol) analogues.     

SWNTs as catalyst and/or support in the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons

Various SWNT samples as either catalyst or catalytic support were used in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the growth of MWNTs. Catalysts were prepared by the impregnation of SWNT soot with different transition metals. Decomposition of acetylene was investigated at different temperatures (650–720 °C). The quality of both original SWNTs and the newly formed carbon nanostructures was assessed by TEM. A significant difference was found between selectivities of original (known as metallic impurities in SWNT soot) and the posteriorly deposited metallic particles. In the presence of active catalyst SWNT ropes tend to disappear, absorbed into carbon fibers or MWNTs.