Cobalt Single-Atom Catalysts with High Stability for Selective Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived Co-N-C catalysts with isolated single cobalt atoms have been synthesized and compared with cobalt nanoparticles for formic acid dehydrogenation. The atomically dispersed Co-N-C catalyst achieves superior activity, better acid resistance, and improved long-term stability compared with nanoparticles synthesized by a similar route. High-angle annular dark-field–scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption fine structure characterizations reveal the formation of Co^IIN_x centers as active sites. The optimal low-cost catalyst is a promising candidate for liquid H₂ generation.     

Cobalt nanoparticles anchored to porous silicon as a novel modifier for the construction of enzyme‐free hydrogen peroxide screen‐printed sensor

In this work, a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with a cobalt/porous silicon (Co@PSi) nanocomposite powder to develop a nonenzymatic sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. The Co@PSi nanocomposite was synthesized through the chemical reaction between silicon powder in a HF/HNO₃ solution and cobalt cations. In this process, cobalt nanoparticles were anchored on the porous silicon. The structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocomposite were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The constructed nonenzymatic, screen‐printed sensors based on the Co@PSi nanocomposite showed perfect electrocatalytic oxidation response to hydrogen peroxide over the range 1–170 and 170–3,770 μmol/L with the limit of detection of 0.8 μmol/L. In addition, the Co@PSi‐SPCE sensor exhibited good selectivity for the determination of H₂O₂ in the presence of common interfering species including glucose, ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, nitrate, and nitrite ions. The constructed electrochemical sensor was successfully used for the determination of H₂O₂ in real samples.     

Promotion of Mn Doped Co/CNTs Catalysts for CO Hydrogenation to Light Olefins

With various contents, Mn was introduced into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported cobalt catalysts and the obtained Mn‐Co/CNTs catalysts were investigated for CO hydrogenation to light alkenes and characterized by N₂ adsorption, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), H₂ temperature programmed reduction (TPR), CO temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicate that the addition of a small amount of Mn (0.3 wt%) to CNTs‐supported Co catalyst significantly increased the selectivity of C₂–C₄ olefins and decreased the selectivity of CH₄. However, with further addition of Mn to the cobalt catalysts, the CH₄ selectivity decreased obviously along with the increase of the C₅₊ selectivity. Compared with the unpromoted catalysts, the Mn‐promoted cobalt catalysts increased the C₂^?–C₄^?/C₂⁰–C₄⁰ molar ratio.     

Vanadium supported on spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as an efficient and magnetically recoverable catalyst for oxidative degradation of methylene blue

Vanadium supported on spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy. For the first time, the prepared material was used for the catalytic degradation of methylene blue as an organic dye in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant and NaHCO₃ as a co‐reagent at room temperature. The dependency of removal percentage on various parameters such as amount of catalyst, pH, reaction time and temperature and the effect of radical scavenging agents were studied. Finally, recoverability and reusability of the vanadium supported on spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were investigated.     

Structural,compositional and hardness properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride thin films synthesized by dense plasma focus device

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (a‐CN_x:H) thin films were synthesized on the SS‐304 substrates using a dense plasma focus device. The a‐CN_x:H thin films were synthesized using CH₄/N₂ admixture gas and 20 focus deposition shots on substrates placed at different distances from the anode top. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis confirmed different C–N bonding in the a‐CN_x:H thin films. A decrease in the N/C ratio as well as the sp³/sp² ratio with an increase in the substrate distance has been observed. The higher amount of C–N formation for the film synthesized at 10 cm is observed which decreases with increasing distance. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis affirmed the C ≡ N presence in all the thin films synthesized at different distances. The morphology of the synthesized a‐CN_x:H thin films showed nanoparticles and nanoparticle clusters formation at the surface. The hardness results showed comparatively lower hardness of the a‐CN_x:H thin films due to the presence of C ≡ N. The C–N formation with lower amount of C ≡ N and a higher N/C ratio as well as a higher sp³/sp² ratio for the films synthesized at 10 cm show reasonably higher hardness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Orthopalladated complexes of phosphorus ylide: Poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles as reusable heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki and Heck cross‐coupling reactions

The phosphorus ylide [Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₄‐NO₂–4] reacted with Pd(OAc)₂ to give the C,C‐orthometallated complex [Pd{κ²(C,C)‐C₆H₄PPh₂C(H)CO(C₆H₄‐NO₂–4)}(μ‐OAc)]₂, which underwent bridge exchange reaction with NaN₃, NaCl, KBr and KI, respectively, to afford the binuclear C,C‐orthopalladated complexes [Pd{κ²(C,C)‐C₆H₄PPh₂C(H)CO(C₆H₄‐NO₂–4)}(μ‐X)]₂ (X = N₃ ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), Br ( 3 ) and I ( 4 )). The complexes were identified using spectroscopy (infrared and NMR), CHNS technique and single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. Thereafter, palladium nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were easily prepared using the refluxing reaction of iodo‐bridged orthopalladated complex 4 with poly(N ‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) as the protecting group. The PVP‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles were characterized using a variety of techniques including X‐ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the PVP‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles was evaluated in the Suzuki reaction of phenylboronic acid and the Heck reaction of styrene with aryl halides of varying electron densities. This catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions in ethanol–water. Notably, aryl chlorides which are cheaper and more accessible than their bromide and iodide counterparts also reacted satisfactorily using this catalyst. After completion of reactions, the catalyst could be separated using a simple method and used many times in repeat cycles without considerable loss in its activity.     

Cobalt supported on dendronized magnetic nanoparticles: A new highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for the Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reaction

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) is one of the most interesting types of hyperbranched polymers that carry a large number of amino groups on its surface. PAMAM has gained significant attention from synthetic organic chemists due to its structural characteristics, controllable structure, inner porosity, and ability to trap a wide range of ions and molecules. So, in this work, the PAMAM dendrimer was synthesized, grafted onto the surface of magnetite nanoparticles, and the resulting hybrid nanoparticles were then employed as suitable host for immobilizing cobalt nanoparticles. The newly developed catalyst was well characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, element mapping and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. The efficiency of the as‐prepared nanocatalyst was evaluated for the Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reactions. The MNP@PAMAM‐Co represented perfect catalytic efficiency and high selectivity for the Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reaction compared with previously reported catalysts. The catalyst separation from the reaction mixture was easily achieved with the assistance of an external magnetic field, and its recycling was also investigated for five consecutive runs. Hot filtration confirmed no leaching of the active metal during the Heck coupling.     

A Two‐Coordinate Cobalt(II) Imido Complex with NHC Ligation: Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity

The synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of the first two‐coordinate cobalt complex featuring a metal–element multiple bond [(IPr)Co(NDmp)] ( 4 ; IPr=1,3‐bis(2′,6′‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazole‐2‐ylidene; Dmp=2,6‐dimesitylphenyl) is reported. Complex 4 was prepared from the reaction of [(IPr)Co(η²‐vtms)₂] (vtms=vinyltrimethylsilane) with DmpN₃. An X‐ray diffraction study revealed its linear C? Co? N core and a short Co? N distance (1.691(6) Å). Spectroscopic characterization and calculation studies indicated the high‐spin nature of 4 and the multiple‐bond character of the Co? N bond. Complex 4 effected group‐transfer reactions to CO and ethylene to form isocyanide and imine, respectively. It also facilitated E? H (E=C, Si) σ‐bond activation of terminal alkyne and hydrosilanes to produce the corresponding cobalt(II) alkynyl and cobalt(II) hydride complexes as 1,2‐addition products.     

A Two‐Coordinate Cobalt(II) Imido Complex with NHC Ligation: Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity

The synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of the first two‐coordinate cobalt complex featuring a metal–element multiple bond [(IPr)Co(NDmp)] ( 4 ; IPr=1,3‐bis(2′,6′‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazole‐2‐ylidene; Dmp=2,6‐dimesitylphenyl) is reported. Complex 4 was prepared from the reaction of [(IPr)Co(η²‐vtms)₂] (vtms=vinyltrimethylsilane) with DmpN₃. An X‐ray diffraction study revealed its linear C Co N core and a short Co N distance (1.691(6) Å). Spectroscopic characterization and calculation studies indicated the high‐spin nature of 4 and the multiple‐bond character of the Co N bond. Complex 4 effected group‐transfer reactions to CO and ethylene to form isocyanide and imine, respectively. It also facilitated E H (E=C, Si) σ‐bond activation of terminal alkyne and hydrosilanes to produce the corresponding cobalt(II) alkynyl and cobalt(II) hydride complexes as 1,2‐addition products.     

Betti base‐modified magnetic nanoparticles as a novel basic nanocatalyst in Knoevenagel condensation and its related palladium nanocatalyst in Suzuki coupling reactions

Betti base‐modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles have been successfully designed and synthesized for the first time through the condensation of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles coated by (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane with β‐naphthol and benzaldehyde. Their application as a novel magnetic nanocatalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation and also application to immobilization of palladium nanoparticles for Suzuki coupling reactions have been investigated which opens a new field for application of Betti base derivatives in organic transformations. The synthesized inorganic–organic hybrid nanocatalyst has been fully been characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies and inductively coupled plasma techniques. The catalyst was easily separated with the assistance of an external magnet from the reaction mixture and reused for several consecutive runs with no significant loss of its catalytic efficiency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Green,cost‐effective and efficient procedure for Heck and Sonogashira coupling reactions using palladium nanoparticles supported on functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2 by polyvinyl alcohol as a highly active,durable and reusable catalyst

A novel heterogenized organometallic catalyst was synthesized by coordinating palladium with polyvinyl alcohol‐functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanospheres. This novel catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope, dynamic light scattering, UV–vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma analysis. The prepared palladium nanoparticles supported on polyvinyl alcohol functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles were successfully applied as a magnetically recyclable catalyst in Heck and Sonogashira coupling reactions in water. They showed remarkable activity toward aryl halides (I, Br, Cl) using very low palladium loading in excellent yields and demonstrated high TONs (mmol of product per mmol of catalyst). Also, the catalyst could be magnetically separated and reused seven times without any appreciable loss of catalytic activity.     

Cu(II) immobilized on mesoporous organosilica as an efficient and reusable nanocatalyst for one‐pot Biginelli reaction under solvent‐free conditions

Cu(II) immobilized on mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (Cu²⁺@MSNs‐(CO₂^?)₂) has been synthesized, as a inorganic–organic nanohybrid catalyst, through a post‐grafting approach. Its characterization is carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyses (TGA‐DTA), and Nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis. Cu²⁺@MSNs‐(CO₂^?)₂ exhibits high catalytic activity in the Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of a diverse range of 3, 4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones, under mild conditions. The anchored Cu(II) could not leach out from the surface of the mesoporous catalyst during the reaction and it has been reused several times without appreciable loss in its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and Structure of Low‐valent η4‐Cinnamaldehyde Cobalt Complexes

Three η⁴‐(C=C–C=O) coordination cobalt(I) complexes 1 – 3 were synthesized by the reactions of cinnamaldehyde, p‐fluorocinnamaldehyde, and p‐chlorocinnamaldehyde with CoMe(PMe₃)₄. Complex 4 as η²‐(C=C) coordination was prepared by the reaction of chalcone with Co(PMe₃)₄. The structures of complexes 1 – 4 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Although the reactions didn't undergo C–H bond activation and decarbonylation, the formation of complexes 1 – 4 deepens our understanding of the reactions between α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde or ketone with low‐valent central cobalt atom.     

Spinel copper ferrite nanoparticles: Preparation,characterization and catalytic activity

The magnetic CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), O K, Cu and Fe K ‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The azide‐alkyne cycloaddition by the reaction of various phenylacetylenes with a mixture of benzyl halides and NaN₃ and also three component (A³) coupling reaction of aldehyde, alkyne and amine catalyzed by CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles under aerobic conditions led to the formation of the 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles and propargylamines in excellent yields. The catalyst can be recovered by applying an external magnetic field for the subsequent cycloaddition reactions and reused without any tangible loss in catalytic efficiency.     

Highly selective aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes catalyzed by cobalt‐based nanocatalyst in aqueous solution

The catalytic aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes catalyzed by cobalt supported on a highly crystalline γ‐Al₂O₃ support (Co/Al₂O₃ nanocatalyst) is reported. The catalyst was prepared by a co‐precipitation method and characterized using scanning and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and surface area measurements. A wide range of alkylarenes were converted to corresponding ketones. The catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration is recyclable for up to six consecutive runs.     

Stabilization of a Two‐Coordinate Mononuclear Cobalt(0) Compound

Compound (Me₂‐cAAC:)₂Co⁰ ( 2 ; Me₂‐cAAC:=cyclic (alkyl) amino carbene; :C(CH₂)(CMe₂)₂N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) was synthesized by the reduction of the precursor (Me₂‐cAAC:)₂Co^ICl ( 1 ) with KC₈ in THF. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 exhibited one‐electron reduction, which suggests that synthesis of a bent 2‐metallaallene ( 2 ) from 1 should be possible. Compound 2 contains one cobalt atom in the formal oxidation state zero, which is stabilized by two Me₂‐cAAC: ligands. Bond lengths from X‐ray diffraction are 1.871(2) and 1.877(2) Å with a C‐Co‐C bond angle of 170.12(8)°. The EPR spectrum of 2 exhibited a broad resonance attributed to the unique quasi‐linear structure, which favors near degeneracy and gives rise to very rapid relaxation conditions. The cAAC?Co bond in 2 can be considered as a typical Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson type of bonding, which in turn retains 2.5 electron pairs on the Co atom as nonbonding electrons.     

Preparation of 1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted imidazoles over magnetic core–shell titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Magnetic core–shell titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂) were applied for the efficient preparation of 1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted imidazole derivatives by the one‐pot multi‐component condensation of benzil with aldehydes, primary amines and ammonium acetate under solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst was synthesized and studied using several techniques including X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxidation of alkenes catalysed by molybdenum(VI)–oxodiperoxo complex anchored on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles under solvent‐free conditions

A new epoxidation catalyst has been prepared by grafting a molybdenum(VI)–oxodiperoxo complex containing an oxazine ligand, [MoO(O₂)₂(phox)], on chloro‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The synthesized heterogeneous catalyst (MoO(O₂)₂(phox)/Fe₃O₄ was characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, vibrating sample magnetometry, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The immobilized complex gave high product yields and high selectivity for epoxide compared to the corresponding homogeneous one in the epoxidation of various olefins in the presence of tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide at 95°C without any co‐solvent. Also, the heterogeneous catalyst can be recycled without a noticeable change in activity and selectivity.     

Preparation and Characterization of Pt/Co‐Core Au‐Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles

Pt/Co‐core Au‐shell nanoparticles were synthesized via a two‐step route using NaBH₄ as a reducing agent. The nanoparticles are characterized by UV‐vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the as‐synthesized Pt/Co‐core Au‐shell nanoparticles have a disordered face centered cubic (fcc) structure, whereas the annealed Pt/Co‐core Au‐shell nanoparticles exhibit an ordered face centered tetragonal (fct) structure. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) studies reveal that the coercivity of the annealed Pt/Co‐core Au‐shell nanoparticles increases to 510 Oe after heat treatment at 500 °C for 2 h.     

Magnetic NiFe2O4 nanoparticles: efficient,heterogeneous and reusable catalyst for synthesis of acetylferrocene chalcones and their anti‐tumour activity

A robust synthesis of magnetic NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles via a hydrothermal technique was investigated. The prepared magnetic NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution TEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. XRD and TEM analyses confirmed the formation of single‐phase ultrafine nickel ferrite nanoparticles with highly homogeneous cubic shape and elemental composition. Moreover, the prepared magnetic NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were used as an efficient, cheap and eco‐friendly catalyst for the Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction between acetylferrocene and various aldehydes (aromatic and/or heterocyclic) yielding acetylferrocene chalcones in excellent yields, with easy work‐up and reduced reaction time. The products were purified via crystallization. The structures of the produced compounds were elucidated using various spectroscopic analyses (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, GC–MS). The catalyst is readily recovered by simple magnetic decantation and can be recycled several times with no discernible loss of catalytic activity. Furthermore, the prepared chalcone derivatives were evaluated for their anti‐tumour activity against three human tumour cell lines, namely HCT116 (colon cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer) and HEPG2 (liver cancer), and showed a good activity against colon cancer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.