Computational mechanistic studies of acceptorless dehydrogenation reactions catalyzed by transition metal complexes

Acceptorless dehydrogenation (AD) that uses non-toxic reagents and produces no waste is a type of catalytic reactions toward green chemistry. Acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation (AAD) can serve as a key step in constructing new bonds such as C-C and C-N bonds in which alcohols need to be activated into more reactive ketones or aldehydes. AD reactions also can be utilized for hydrogen production from biomass or its fermentation products (mainly alcohols). Reversible hydrogenation/ dehy-drogenation with hydrogen uptake/release is crucial to realization of the potential organic hydride hydrogen storage. In this article, we review the recent computational mechanistic studies of the AD reactions catalyzed by various transition metal complexes as well as the experimental developments. These reactions include acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenations, reversible dehydrogenation/hydrogenation of nitrogen heterocycles, dehydrogenative coupling reactions of alcohols and amines to construct C-N bonds, and dehydrogenative coupling reactions of alcohols and unsaturated substrates to form C-C bonds. For the catalysts possessing metal-ligand bifunctional active sites (such as 28, 45, 86, 87, and 106 in the paper), the dehydrogenations prefer the "bifunctional double hydrogen transfer" mechanism rather than the generally accepted-H elimination mechanism. However, methanol dehydrogenation involved in the C-C coupling reaction of methanol and allene, catalyzed by the iridium complex 121, takes place via the-H elimination mechanism, because the Lewis basicity of either the-allyl moiety or the carboxyl group of the ligand is too weak to exert high Lewis basic reactivity. Unveiling the catalytic mechanisms of AD reactions could help to develop new catalysts.     

氧化铝负载的银纳米颗粒高选择性催化合成亚胺(英)

The oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols to aldehydes catalyzed by Ag nanoparticles supported on Al_2O_3 was studied.The catalyst promoted the direct formation of imines by tandem oxidative dehydrogenation and condensation of alcohols and amines.The reactions were performed under mild conditions and afforded the imines in high yield(up to 99%) without any byproducts other than H_2O.The highest activity was obtained over 5 wt%Ag/Al_2O_3 in toluene with air as oxidant.The reactions were also performed under oxidant-free conditions where the reaction was driven to the product side by the production of H_2 in the gas phase.The use of an efficient and selective Ag catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohol in the presence of amines gives a new green reaction protocol for imine synthesis.     

A robust NNP-type ruthenium (II) complex for alcohols dehydrogenation to esters and pyrroles

A Ru (II) complex bearing pyridyl-based benzimidazole-phosphine tridentate NNP ligand was synthesized and structurally characterized by NMR, IR. The complex can efficiently and selectively catalyze the acceptorless dehydrogenation of primary alcohols to esters under relatively mild conditions and the synthesis of pyrroles by means of the reactions of secondary alcohols and β-amino alcohols through acceptorless deoxygenation condensation.     

Highly efficient dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols catalyzed by iridium-CNP complexes

A new highly practical method is presented for dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to the corresponding ketones catalyzed by the iridium-CNP complexes. The reactions are compatible with substrates bearing diverse functional groups and proceed efficiently under mild conditions.     

氧化铝负载的银纳米颗粒高选择性催化合成亚胺(英)

The oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols to aldehydes catalyzed by Ag nanoparticles supported on Al₂O₃ was studied.The catalyst promoted the direct formation of imines by tandem oxidative dehydrogenation and condensation of alcohols and amines.The reactions were performed under mild conditions and afforded the imines in high yield（up to 99%） without any byproducts other than H₂O.The highest activity was obtained over 5 wt%Ag/Al₂O₃ in toluene with air as oxidant.The reactions were also performed under oxidant-free conditions where the reaction was driven to the product side by the production of H₂ in the gas phase.The use of an efficient and selective Ag catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohol in the presence of amines gives a new green reaction protocol for imine synthesis.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Synthesis of Pyrimidines from Alcohols and Amidines

The development of catalytic reactions for synthesizing different compounds from alcohols to save fossil carbon feedstock and reduce CO₂ emissions is of high importance. Replacing rare noble metals with abundantly available 3d metals is equally important. We report a manganese‐complex‐catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of pyrimidines from amidines and up to three alcohols. Our reaction proceeds through condensation and dehydrogenation steps, permitting selective C−C and C−N bond formations. β‐Alkylation reactions are used to multiply alkylate secondary alcohols with two different primary alcohols to synthesize fully substituted pyrimidines in a one‐pot process. Our PN₅P‐Mn‐pincer complexes efficiently catalyze this multicomponent process. A comparison of our manganese catalysts with related cobalt catalysts indicates that manganese shows a reactivity similar to that of iridium but not cobalt. This analogy could be used to develop further (de)hydrogenation reactions with manganese complexes.     

Manganese-Catalyzed Sustainable Synthesis of Pyrroles from Alcohols and Amino Alcohols

The development of reactions that convert alcohols into important chemical compounds saves our fossil carbon resources as alcohols can be obtained from indigestible biomass such as lignocellulose. The conservation of our rare noble metals is of similar importance, and their replacement by abundantly available transition metals, such as Mn, Fe, or Co (base or nonprecious metals), in key technologies such as catalysis is a promising option. Herein, we report on the first base-metal-catalyzed synthesis of pyrroles from alcohols and amino alcohols. The most efficient catalysts are Mn complexes stabilized by PN₅P ligands whereas related Fe and Co complexes are inactive. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions at catalyst loadings as low as 0.5 mol %, and has a broad scope and attractive functional-group tolerance. These findings may inspire others to use Mn catalysts to replace Ir or Ru complexes in challenging dehydrogenation reactions.     

Direct α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols catalyzed by iridium–CNP complex

The α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols was realized by CC cross-coupling with iridium–CNP complexes as catalyst. This reaction proceeds via dehydrogenation reactions, aldol condensation, and hydrogenation using the borrowed hydrogen atoms from alcohols. The pyridyl methanols and other heterocyclic substituted methanols, especially alkyl alcohols, were also suitable for this transformation.     

非贵金属(Mn,Co,Fe)配合物催化醇类脱氢偶联/缩合反应研究进展

随着全球资源的可持续利用以及绿色化学的发展,近年来,利用非贵金属配合物催化反应取得了重要进展,我们主要概述非贵金属催化的以醇作为偶联试剂的脱氢反应的最新成果,重点介绍锰,钴,铁配合物的成功应用.     

Iridium phosphine abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in catalytic hydrogen transfer reactions

Several iridium complexes bearing chelating abnormal N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are shown to be active catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of ketones or enones, dehydrative C-C coupling between primary and secondary alcohols, and dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol to benzyl benzoate. In the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone, abnormal NHC complexes give higher activity than a normal analogue. Dehydrative C-C coupling reactions between primary and secondary alcohols result in β-alkylation of the secondary alcohols, using primary alcohols as the apparent alkylating reagents, and such reactions proceed with high yield and selectivity. These catalytic processes are known to involve metal-mediated temporary borrowing of hydrogen from alcohols and subsequent delivery of the hydrogen to CC and /or CO bonds.     

Conversion of C<Subscript>2</Subscript>-C<Subscript>4</Subscript> alcohols over copper-containing catalysts on carbon and fluorocarbon fibers

Carbon and fluorocarbon fibers were used as carriers for the preparation of copper catalysts from copper oxalate as precursor. The catalytic properties of catalyst were studied in the reaction of the dehydrogenation of C₂-C₄ alcohols by the pulsed microcatalytic method. The effect of the copper content in the catalyst, the reaction temperature on the degree of conversion, and the relation of the reaction channels were studied. The electron microphotographs were obtained, specific surfaces were measured, and X-ray pictures and infrared spectra of catalysts were taken. The activity of the catalysts on the carbon and fluorocarbon fibers in the dehydration-dehydrogenation reactions of C₂-C₄ alcohols was comparatively estimated. It was shown that the selectivity of the products from the dehydrogenation reaction is higher for the Cu-fluorocarbon fiber catalyst.     

Isotope Effects in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

The present article shows the extent to which isotope effects are likely to be encountered in the use of isotope techniques and what problems are studied with primary and secondary isotope effects. By way of example, the results of studies on E2 reactions, particularly in the Hofmann degradation, are discussed, followed by a discussion of some “analytical isotope effects”. Finally, the problems encountered and the information that can be obtained from isotope effects studies on enzyme reactions, and the advantages and disadvantages of competitive and non-competitive techniques are described. In addition to a survey of isotope effects in dehydrogenase reactions, new isotope effects encountered in the dehydrogenation of T-labeled alcohols are reported.     

Co-Catalyzed Metal-Ligand Cooperative Approach for N-alkylation of Amines and Synthesis of Quinolines via Dehydrogenative Alcohol Functionalization

Herein we report a cobalt-catalyzed sustainable approach for C−N cross-coupling reaction between amines and alcohols. Using a well-defined Co-catalyst 1 a bearing 2-(phenyldiazenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ligand, various N-alkylated amines were synthesized in good yields. 1 a efficiently alkylates diamines producing N, N′-dialkylated amines in good yields and showed excellent chemoselectivity when oleyl alcohol and β-citronellol, containing internal carbon-carbon double bond were used as alkylating agents. 1 a is equally compatible with synthesizing N-heterocycles via dehydrogenative coupling of amines and alcohols. 1H-Indole was synthesized via an intramolecular dehydrogenative N-alkylation reaction, and various substituted quinolines were synthesized by coupling of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol and secondary alcohols. A few control reactions and spectroscopic experiments were conducted to illuminate the plausible reaction mechanism, indicating that the 1 a -catalyzed N-alkylation proceeds through the borrowing hydrogen pathway. The coordinated arylazo ligand participates actively throughout the reaction; the hydrogen eliminated during dehydrogenation of alcohols was set aside in the ligand backbone and subsequently gets transferred in the reductive amination step to imine intermediates yielding N-alkylated amines. On the other hand, 1 a -catalyzed quinoline synthesis proceeds through dehydrogenation followed by successive C−C and C−N coupling steps forming H₂O₂ as a by-product under air.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes as novel promoter of catalysts for certain hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions

From the chemical catalysis viewpoint,the excellent performance of CNTs in adsorption-activation of H2 and in promoting spillover of adsorbed H-species is very attractive,in addition to their nanosize channels,sp2-C constructed surfaces,and high thermal/electrical conductivity.This review examines some recent progresses of CNTs as a novel support or promoter of catalysts for certain hydrogenation or dehydrogenation reactions,e.g.,hydrogenation-conversion of syngas to yield alcohols and decomposition or steam-reforming of methanol to generate H2,mainly based on recent work carried out in our laboratory.     

Divergent Coupling of Alcohols and Amines Catalyzed by Isoelectronic Hydride MnI and FeII PNP Pincer Complexes

Herein, we describe an efficient coupling of alcohols and amines catalyzed by well‐defined isoelectronic hydride Mn^I and Fe^II complexes, which are stabilized by a PNP ligand based on the 2,6‐diaminopyridine scaffold. This reaction is an environmentally benign process implementing inexpensive, earth‐abundant non‐precious metal catalysts, and is based on the acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation concept. A range of alcohols and amines including both aromatic and aliphatic substrates were efficiently converted in good to excellent isolated yields. Although in the case of Mn selectively imines were obtained, with Fe—exclusively monoalkylated amines were formed. These reactions proceed under base‐free conditions and required the addition of molecular sieves.     

Small gold clusters catalyzing oxidant-free dehydrogenation of glycerol initiated by methene hydrogen atom transfer

We report a finding of feasible oxidant-free dehydrogenation of glycerol over small Au clusters, with a low-energy barrier of transition state initiated by hydrogen atom transfer from methene, which differs from the general reaction mechanism based on hydroxyl.     

Catalytic conversion of aliphatic alcohols on carbon nanomaterials: The roles of structure and surface functional groups

Carbon nanomaterials with the structure of graphene and different compositions of the surface groups are used as catalysts for the conversion of С₂–С₄ aliphatic alcohols. The conversions of ethanol, propanol- 1, propanol-2, butanol-1, butanol-2, and tert-butanol on carbon nanotubes, nanoflakes, and nanoflakes doped with nitrogen are investigated. Oxidized and nonoxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, nanoflakes, and nanoflakes doped with nitrogen are synthesized. X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electronic microscopies, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, derivatographic analyses, and the pulsed microcatalytic method are used to characterize comprehensively the prepared catalysts. It was established that all of the investigated carbon nanomaterials (with the exception of nondoped carbon nanoflakes) are bifunctional catalysts for the conversion of aliphatic alcohols, and promote dehydration reactions with the formation of olefins and dehydrogenation reactions with the formation of aldehydes or ketones. Nanoflakes doped with nitrogen are inert with respect to secondary alcohols and tert-butanol. The role of oxygen-containing and nitrogen-containing surface groups, and of the geometrical structure of the carbon matrix of graphene nanocarbon materials in the catalytic conversion of aliphatic alcohols, is revealed. Characteristics of the conversion of aliphatic alcohols that are associated with their structure are identified.     

脂肪醇水溶液在Rh2O3/CdS上的可见光催化脱氢

本文报道了在Rh₂O₃/CdS微粒悬浮体系中脂肪醇水溶液可见光催化脱氢的研究结果.实验表明:脂肪醇的脱氢是在水参与下的氧化脱氢反应,产氢速度不仅与醇的碳数有关,且强烈地依赖于溶液的pH值;醇的氧化反应明显地抑制了CdS的光腐蚀,提高了催化剂的操作稳定性,如Rh₂O₃/CdS/EtOH-H₂O体系经100小时的连续光照反应,催化剂活性未见有下降.文中对反应机理也进行了初步讨论.     

Aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohols to benzaldehydes by using a cyclometalated ruthenium catalyst

The ruthenium(III) complex bearing phenylpyridine as a cyclometalated ligand serves as an efficient catalyst for the aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohols to the corresponding benzaldehydes under mild conditions and for the one-pot synthesis of benzonitriles from benzyl alcohols with ammonia.