Generation and Stabilization of a Dinickel Catalyst in a Metal-Organic Framework for Selective Hydrogenation Reactions

Although many monometallic active sites have been installed in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for catalytic reactions, there are no effective strategies to generate bimetallic catalysts in MOFs. Here we report the synthesis of a robust, efficient, and reusable MOF catalyst, MOF-NiH, by adaptively generating and stabilizing dinickel active sites using the bipyridine groups in MOF-253 with the formula of Al(OH)(2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate) for Z-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes and selective hydrogenation of C=C bonds in α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. Spectroscopic studies established the dinickel complex (bpy⋅⁻)Ni^II(μ₂-H)₂Ni^II(bpy⋅⁻) as the active catalyst. MOF-NiH efficiently catalyzed selective hydrogenation reactions with turnover numbers of up to 192 and could be used in five cycles of hydrogenation reactions without catalyst leaching or significant decrease of catalytic activities. The present work uncovers a synthetic strategy toward solution-inaccessible Earth-abundant bimetallic MOF catalysts for sustainable catalysis.     

Ziegler-type hydrogenation catalysts made from group 8–10 transition metal precatalysts and AlR3 cocatalysts: A critical review of the literature

Ziegler-type hydrogenation catalysts (group 8–10 transition metal precatalysts plus AlR₃ cocatalysts) are one of the most important families of industrial hydrogenation catalysts, especially for polymer hydrogenation. Despite their ～40 year history of industrial use, there is a need for improved fundamental understanding in order to make further, rationally directed improvements in these catalysts. This review examines the existing literature on Ziegler-type hydrogenation catalysts, specifically: (i) the variables important to catalyst synthesis, (ii) the catalyst formation reaction mechanism, (iii) the compositional and structural nature of the active catalyst species, and (iv) the mechanism of catalytic hydrogenation. This review also (v) discusses the current approaches to the homogeneous versus heterogeneous catalysis question, with the goal of identifying if Ziegler-type hydrogenation catalysts are homogeneous (e.g., monometallic) versus heterogeneous (e.g., nanoclusters) as the true catalyst(s). A summary of the main insights from each section of the review is also given.     

New supramolecular transition metal catalysts

The covalent connection of a catalytically active transition metal center with a water-soluble receptor (host molecule) generates a new type of supramolecular catalyst in which the features of molecular recognition, phase transfer catalysis and transition metal catalysis are combined in a single system. The first examples of this principle make use of commercially available β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the receptor and rhodium complexes of diphosphanes as the catalytically active center, these being covalently connected to one another via a spacer. In competitive hydrogenation of certain olefins, unusual degrees of substrate selectivity based on molecular recognition are observed, not possible by conventional transition metal catalysts. The two-phase (water/organic) hydrogenation of nitro-aromatics also is a smooth process catalyzed by these supramolecular complexes. They also constitute an unusually active catalyst system for the selective hydroformylation of higher olefins such as 1-octene in a two-phase system. Dendrimers having diphosphane moieties on the surface provide ligands for transition metals, the corresponding metal complexes (e.g., Pd) functioning as efficient catalysts which can be recycled due to their nanoscopic properties.     

Sustainable Production of Chemicals via Hydrotreating of CO2 and Biomass Derived Molecules Using Heterogeneous Noble Metal Oxide Catalysts

The noble metals are widely used in heterogeneous catalysis and automobile industry. The limited natural sources and high cost of noble metals dictates improving the efficiency of modern industry. This review considers the applications of noble metal oxide as potential solutions to the sustainability issues, including biomass conversion, CO₂ capture and conversion, green fuel production, etc. Noble metal oxides with their different compositions (monometallic and bimetallic) and structures exhibit a wide range of properties in heterogeneous catalysis. Although platinum metals in an oxidized form may not be the most common choice in hydroprocesses; recently, there have been studies indicating that they were highly active and selective catalysts in hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis. This review outlines the most established noble metal oxide catalysts used in hydrogenation catalysis and shed the light on the relation of noble metal oxide species to catalyst selectivity based on state-of-the-art techniques. Finally, the perspectives on the application of noble metal oxide catalysts to produce value-added chemicals are discussed.     

Parahydrogen Induced Polarization: A New Magnifying Glass for Examining Reactions with Hydrogen

Parahydrogen-included polarization (PHIP), its occurrence and mechanistic implications in homogeneous hydrogenation chemistry, and its appearance in the oxidative addition of H₂ to transition metal centers are described and analyzed. The PHIP phenomenon, which is characterized by unusual NMR absorptions and emissions in product spectra, arises when para-enriched H₂ is employed in hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates with a homogeneous metal catalyst or when para-enriched H₂ is added to a metal complex to form a metal dihydride. Examples of PHIP are found in ruthenium phosphine-catalyzed hydrogenations, catalysis by binuclear rhodium complexes, and in H₂ oxidative addition to Ir(I) complexes. The decay of polarization has been shown in the case of asymmetric hydrogenation catalyzed by Rh(chiraphos)⁺ to correlate well with the measured rate of reaction. For asymmetric hydrogenation of aprotic substrates using Noyori's Ru(BINAP)(OAc)₂ catalyst (1), PHIP is observed indicating a pairwise hydrogen transfer mechanism. Through the signal enhancement of PHIP, it has been possible to observe Rh hydride species never previously detected including binuclear complexes in the reaction of H₂ with RhCl(CO)(PR₃)₂ (R = Ph, Me) and in hydrogenation catalysis promoted by RhCl(PPh₃)₃. Also observed in the hydrogenation catalysis is the putative olefin dihydride catalytic intermediate.     

Highly Active and Selective Manganese C=O Bond Hydrogenation Catalysts: The Importance of the Multidentate Ligand,the Ancillary Ligands,and the Oxidation State

The replacement of expensive noble metals by earth‐abundant transition metals is a central topic in catalysis. Herein, we introduce a highly active and selective homogeneous manganese‐based C=O bond hydrogenation catalyst. Our catalyst has a broad substrate scope, it is able to hydrogenate aryl–alkyl, diaryl, dialkyl, and cycloalkyl ketones as well as aldehydes. A very good functional group tolerance including the quantitative and selective hydrogenation of a ketone in the presence of a non‐shielded olefin is observed. In Mn hydrogenation catalysis, the combination of the multidentate ligand, the oxidation state of the metal, and the choice of the right ancillary ligand is crucial for high activity. This observation emphasizes an advantage and the importance of homogeneous catalysts in 3d‐metal catalysis. For coordination compounds, fine‐tuning of a complex coordination environment is easily accomplished in comparison to enzyme and/or heterogeneous catalysts.     

High-Loading Pt Single-Atom Catalyst on CeO2-Modified Diatomite Support

Single-atom catalysis has become a new branch in heterogeneous catalysis. Although the naturally produced SiO₂-based materials are abundant and stable, fabrication of single-atom catalysts on such supports with high loading remains as a formidable challenge due to the lack of bonding sites to anchor the isolated metal species. Herein, modifying the diatomite, a kind of pure SiO₂ mineral, with CeO₂ nanoparticles is demonstrated to increase the defect sites on the support. The enhanced metal-support interaction maintains the atomic dispersion of Pt species with above 1 wt.% loading, exhibiting good performance in the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to styrene.     

Asymmetric Syntheses with the Aid of Homogeneous Transition Metal Catalysts

The progress made in the field of homogeneous catalysis during the last five to six years has led, inter alia, to the development of highly selective catalysts for asymmetric syntheses. Homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation, using well defined transition metal catalysts, may be achieved with optical yields of 85 to 90% or more. Catalytic reactions, in which the chiral centers are generated by C? C bond formation, can result in optical yields of 70 to 80%. The hydrogenation catalysts consist primarily of rhodium(I) complexes containing “Homer phosphanes”, phosphanes with chiral C atoms, or optically active amides. Catalysts which induce optical activity through the formation of C? C bonds have been developed from π-allylnickel halides, Lewis acids, and phosphanes containing chiral C atoms. The results obtained signify a breakthrough in an area of catalysis previously restricted to syntheses involving enzymes.     

Preparation,characterization, and application of fine metal particles and metal colloids using hydrotriorganoborates

The reduction of transition metal salts and oxides using hydrotriorganoborates in organic media allows the production of X-ray amorphous nanopowders of metals and alloys under mild conditions. For example, the reduction of needle-shaped iron oxides at 80°C in organic solvents leads to acicular iron-magnet pigments suitable for recording magnetic signals. The reduction of TiCl₄ with K[BEt₃H] gives an ether-soluble [Ti(0)·0.5THF]_x which serves as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of titanium or zirconium sponges and related systems and as a powerful activator for heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. The use of tetraalkylammonium hydrotriorganoborates as reducing agents leads to colloidal transition metals in organic phases. These colloids may also be obtained using conventional reducing agents after first reacting the metal salts with the stabilizing tetraalkylammonium halide. Colloidal metals prepared in this way serve as sources for heterogeneous metal catalysts.     

Role of single-site catalysts in the hydrogenation of thiophenes: from models systems to effective HDS catalysts

The hydrogenation of thiophenes, leading to cyclic thioethers, thiols or hydrocarbons and H₂S, can be achieved by single-site metal catalysts in both homogeneous and heterogeneous phase. An overview of the processes that have provided useful mechanistic information on hydrodesulfurization catalysis, is presented and commented.     

Manganese Complexes for (De)Hydrogenation Catalysis: A Comparison to Cobalt and Iron Catalysts

The sustainable use of the resources on our planet is essential. Noble metals are very rare and are diversely used in key technologies, such as catalysis. Manganese is the third most abundant transition metal of the Earth's crust and based on the recently discovered impressive reactivity in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions, is a potentially useful noble‐metal “replacement”. The hope of novel selectivity profiles, not possible with noble metals, is also an aim of such a “replacement”. The reactivity of manganese complexes in (de)hydrogenation reactions was demonstrated for the first time in 2016. Herein, we summarize the work that has been published since then and especially discuss the importance of homogeneous manganese catalysts in comparison to cobalt and iron catalysts.     

Homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of diethyland biphenyl-acetylene and isomerization ofCis-Stilbene in the presence of [(C5H5)2Ru3(CO)3(μ-CO)(μ3-CO)(C2Ph2)]

The title complex (1) is a good hydrogenation catalyst tar diphenylacetylene in homogeneous conditions; it comparison with the activity of other ruthenium clusters is made. Apparently cluster catalysis occurs, but fragmentation to binuclear metallacyclic products containing two alkyne molecules was also observed: these 40 not been previously described and have been characterized by elemental analyses and mass spectrometry. Complex1 contains all alkyne bound parallel to one metal-metal edge. The results obtained support the hypothesis that transition metal clusters with alkynes bound in this fashion could ad as catalysts precursors or as intermediates in the homogeneous hydrogenation of alkynes; this behavior would be an example of structure-reactivity relationship in homogeneous catalysis. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Manganese-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral Thiolation of Alkyl Halides with Thioformates

Transition metal-catalyzed C−S cross-coupling has emerged as an important strategy to furnish thioethers; however, the dominant utilization of noble metal catalysts as well as the construction of challenging C(sp³)−S bonds by transition metal-catalysis remain highly problematic. Earth-abundant manganese has gathered increasing interest as an attractive catalyst for new reaction development; nevertheless, C(sp³)−S cross-coupling reaction by manganese catalysis has not been reported. Herein, we disclose a highly efficient manganese-catalyzed redox-neutral thiolation of a broad range of alkyl halides with thioformates as practical sulfuration agents. Strategically, employing easily synthesized thioformates as thiyl radical precursors allows access to various aryl and alkyl thioethers in good to excellent yields. Notably, this redox-neutral method avoids the utilization of strong bases, external ligands, forcing reaction conditions, and stoichiometric manganese, thus presenting apparent advantages, such as broad substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility, and mild reaction conditions. Finally, the utilities of this method are also illustrated by downstream transformations and late-stage thiolation of structurally complex natural products and pharmaceuticals.     

In Situ Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions

Synthesis methods to prepare lower transition metal catalysts and specifically Ni for Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SHINERS) are explored. Impregnation, colloidal deposition, and spark ablation have been investigated as suitable synthesis routes to prepare SHINERS-active Ni/Au@SiO₂ catalyst/Shell-Isolated Nanoparticles (SHINs). Ni precursors are confirmed to be notoriously difficult to reduce and the temperatures required are generally harsh enough to destroy SHINs, rendering SHINERS experiments on Ni infeasible using this approach. For colloidally synthesized Ni nanoparticles deposited on Au@SiO₂ SHINs, stabilizing ligands first need to be removed before application is possible in catalysis. The required procedure results in transformation of the metallic Ni core to a fully oxidized metal nanoparticle, again too challenging to reduce at temperatures still compatible with SHINs. Finally, by use of spark ablation we were able to prepare metallic Ni catalysts directly on Au@SiO₂ SHINs deposited on a Si wafer. These Ni/Au@SiO₂ catalyst/SHINs were subsequently successfully probed with several molecules (i. e. CO and acetylene) of interest for heterogeneous catalysis, and we show that they could be used to study the in situ hydrogenation of acetylene. We observe the interaction of acetylene with the Ni surface. This study further illustrates the true potential of SHINERS by opening the door to studying industrially relevant reactions under in situ or operando reaction conditions.     

Catalysis by Heterogenized Metal Polymers: Advances and Prospects

The current status, trends, and a specific role for macroligands in catalysis by heterogenized metallopolymeric complexes are considered. Relations between homogeneous catalysis, enzyme catalysis, and catalysis by heterogenized metal complexes are traced. The effects of various factors on the catalysis of the main reactions used in organic synthesis—hydrogenation, polymerization (in particular, under the action of immobilized metallocene and postmetallocene catalysts), and redox processes (such as the catalysis of oxygenation, hydroperoxide oxidation, epoxidation, and hydroformylation)—are analyzed. In this review, attention is focused on the nondestructive identification of intermediates and catalytically active species in heterogenized systems. Experimental evidence is presented in support of the fact that the high activity, stability, and selectivity of immobilized catalysts are associated with a dramatic inhibition of concerted reactions in the coordination sphere of a transition metal, which result in catalyst deactivation, as well as with substrate enrichment. Prospects for the development of these highly organized hybrid systems and possibilities to consider the main requirements imposed on metal complex catalysis even at the stage of designing them are predicted.     

Developments in the chemistry of tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine

Tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, P(CH₂OH)₃, a water-soluble compound, has been known for about 50 years but development of its coordination chemistry has been slow and relatively recent. During some collaborative studies with a pulp and paper research institute on testing water-soluble catalysts for hydrogenation of lignin in pulp and the unsaturated functionalities in lignin model compounds, with the aim of bleaching pulps, we discovered new, in situ, Ru-P(CH₂OH)₃ hydrogenation catalysts. Interest in the coordination chemistry of this phosphine thus ensued, and this review covers this topic as well as the coordination chemistry of a diphosphine analogue, bis[bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphino]ethane, (HOCH₂)₂P(CH₂)₂P(CH₂OH)₂. The applications of the water-soluble metal complexes of these two phosphines in the areas of catalysis and medicinal drugs are also described. These phosphines, in the absence of metals, were found serendipitously to be effective bleaching agents for pulps (and also brightness stabilizing agents), and some relevant organo-phosphorus chemistry from our group is also briefly presented, particularly because of its possible significance in hydroformylation and hydrogenation processes catalyzed by metal–phosphine complexes.     

Single-Atom Catalysis Using Chromium Embedded in Divacant Graphene for Conversion of Dinitrogen to Ammonia

Reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia under ambient conditions is a long-standing challenge. The few metal-based catalysts proposed have conspicuous disadvantages such as high cost, high energy consumption, and being hazardous to the environment. Single-atom catalysis has emerged as a new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis and metal atoms atomically dispersed on supports receive more and more attention owing to rapid advances in synthetic methodologies and computational modeling. Herein, we propose metal atoms embedded in divacant graphene as a catalyst for N₂ fixation based on density functional calculations. We systematically investigate the potential of using transition metal like Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo and Ru as catalysts and our study reveals that Cr embedded in graphene exhibit good catalytic activity for N₂ fixation. The synergy between the metal atoms and graphene surface provides a stable support to the metal center that has a high spin density to promote adsorption of N₂ and activation of its N≡N triple bond. Our study deciphers the mechanism of conversion of N₂ to ammonia following two possible reaction pathways, distal and enzymatic routes, via sequential protonation and reduction of activated N₂. The study provides a rational framework for conversion of dinitrogen to ammonia using single atom catalyst.     

Catalytic properties of transition metal salts immobilized on nanoporous silica polyamine composites II: hydrogenation

The transition metal compounds Pd(OAc)₂, RhCl₃·4H₂O and RuCl₃ · nH₂O were adsorbed onto the nanoporous silica polyamine composite (SPC) particles (150–250 µm), WP‐1 [poly(ethyleneimine) on amorphous silica], BP‐1 [poly(allylamine) on amorphous silica], WP‐2 (WP‐1 modified with chloroacetic acid) and BP‐2 (BP‐1 modified with chloroacetic acid). Inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry analysis of the dried samples after digestion indicated metal loadings of 0.4–1.2 mmol g^?1 except for RhCl₃·4H₂O on BP‐2 which showed a metal loading of only 0.1 mmol g^?1. The metal loaded composites were then screened as hydrogenation catalysts for the reduction of 1‐octene, 1‐decene, 1‐hexene and 1, 3‐cyclohexadiene at a hydrogen pressure of 5 atm in the temperature range of 50–90 °C. All 12 combinations of SPC and transition metal compound proved active for the reduction of the terminal olefins, but isomerization to internal alkenes was competitive in all cases. Under these conditions, selective hydrogenation of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene to cyclohexene was observed with some of the catalysts. Turnover frequencies were estimated for the hydrogenation reactions based on the metal loading and were in some cases comparable to more conventional heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. Examination of the catalysts before and after reaction with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that, in the cases of Pd(OAc)₂ on WP‐2, BP‐1 and BP‐2, conversion of the surface‐ligand bound metal ions to metal nano‐particles occurs. This was not the case for Pd(OAc)₂ on WP‐1 or for RuCl₃ · nH₂O and RhCl₃· 4H₂O on all four composites. The overall results are discussed in terms of differences in metal ion coordination modes for the composite transition‐metal combinations. Suggested ligand interactions are supported by solid state CPMAS ¹³C NMR analyses and by analogy with previous structural investigations of metal binding modes on these composite materials. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal–Support Cooperative Catalysts for Environmentally Benign Molecular Transformations

Metal–support cooperative catalysts have been developed for sustainable and environmentally benign molecular transformations. The active metal centers and supports in these catalysts could cooperatively activate substrates, resulting in high catalytic performance for liquid‐phase reactions under mild conditions. These catalysts involved hydrotalcite‐supported gold and silver nanoparticles with high catalytic activity for organic reactions such as aerobic oxidation, oxidative carbonylation, and chemoselective reduction of epoxides to alkenes and nitrostyrenes to aminostyrenes using alcohols and CO/H₂O as reducing reagents. This high catalytic performance was due to cooperative catalysis between the metal nanoparticles and basic sites of the hydrotalcite support. To increase the metal–support cooperative effect, core–shell nanostructured catalysts consisting of gold or silver nanoparticles in the core and ceria supports in the shell were designed. These core–shell nanocomposite catalysts were effective for the chemoselective hydrogenation of nitrostyrenes to aminostyrenes, unsaturated aldehydes to allyl alcohols, and alkynes to alkenes using H₂ as a clean reductant. In addition, these solid catalysts could be recovered easily from the reaction mixture by simple filtration, and were reusable with high catalytic activity.     

Earth-abundant Metal-catalyzed Reductive Amination: Recent Advances and Prospect for Future Catalysis

Nitrogen-containing compounds, as an important class of chemicals, have been used widely in pharmaceuticals, materials synthesis. Transition metal-catalyzed reductive amination of an aldehyde or a ketone with ammonia or an amine has been proved to be an efficient and practical method for the preparation of nitrogen-containing compounds in academia and industry for a century. Given the above, several effective methods using transition metals have been developed in recent years. Noble transition metals like Pd, Pt, and Au-based catalysts have been predominately used in reductive amination. Because of their high prices, strict official regulations of residues in pharmaceuticals, and deleterious effects on the biological system, their industrial applications are severely hampered. With the increasing sustainable and environmental problems, the Earth-abundant transition metals including Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zr have also been investigated for the reductive amination reaction and showed great potential to the advancement of sustainable and cost-effective reductive amination processes. This critical review will mainly summarize the work using Earth-abundant metals. The effects of different transition metals used in catalytic reduction amination were discussed and compared, and some suggestions were given. The last section highlights the catalytic activities of bi- and tri-metallic catalysts. Indeed, this latter family is very promising and simultaneously benefits from increased stability, and selectivity, compared to monometallic NPs, due to synergistic substrate activation. Few comprehensive reviews focusing on Earth-abundant transition metals catalyst has been published since 1948, although several authors reported some summaries dealing with one or the other part of this aspect. It is hoped that this critical review will inspire researchers to develop new efficient and selective earth-abundant metal catalysts for highly, environmentally sustainable reductive amination methods, as well as improve the pharmaceutical industry and related chemical synthesis company traditional method with the utilization of the green method widely.