Intermolecular [2+2+1] Carbonylative Cycloaddition of Aldehydes with Alkynes,and Subsequent Oxidation to γ‐Hydroxybutenolides by a Supported Ruthenium Catalyst

Intermolecular [2+2+1] carbonylative cycloaddition of aldehydes with alkynes and subsequent oxidation to γ‐hydroxybutenolides is achieved using a supported ruthenium catalyst. A ceria‐supported ruthenium catalyst promotes the reaction efficiently, even with an ambient pressure of CO or without external CO, thus giving the corresponding γ‐hydroxybutenolide derivatives in good to high yields. Moreover this catalyst can be reused with no loss of activity.     

Efficient conversion of fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural by functionalized γ‐Al2O3 beads

Millimeter size γ‐Al₂O₃ beads were prepared by alginate assisted sol–gel method and grafting organic groups with propyl sulfonic acid and alkyl groups as functionalized γ‐Al₂O₃ bead catalysts for fructose dehydration to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF). Experiment results showed that the porous structure of γ‐Al₂O₃ beads was favorable to the loading and dispersion of active components, and had an obvious effect on the properties of the catalyst. The lower calcination temperature of γ‐Al₂O₃ beads increased the specific surface area, the hydrophobicity and the activity of catalysts. Competition between the reaction of alkyl groups and ‐SH groups with surface hydroxyl during the preparation process of the catalyst influenced greatly the acid site densities, hydrophobic properties and activity of the catalyst. With an increase in the alkyl group chain, the hydrophobicity of catalysts increased obviously and the activity of the catalyst was enhanced. The most hydrophobic catalyst C₁₆‐SO₃H‐γ‐Al₂O₃–650°C exhibited the highest yield of 5‐HMF (84%) under the following reaction conditions: reaction medium of dimethylsulfoxide/H₂O (V/V, 4:1), catalyst amount of 30 mg, temperature of 110°C and reaction time of 4 hr.     

HAp‐encapsulated γ‐Fe2O3‐supported dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst for highly efficient one‐pot synthesis of benzoxanthenones and 3‐pyranylindoles

A novel method is reported for the synthesis of benzoxanthenone and 3‐pyranylindole derivatives via one‐pot three‐component reactions using a newly synthesized HAp‐encapsulated γ‐Fe₂O₃‐supported dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst, as a reusable and highly efficient nanocatalyst. In this protocol the use of the nanocatalyst provided a green, useful and rapid method to generate products in short reaction times (4–20 min) and in excellent yields (87–96%). The paramagnetic nature of the catalyst provided a simple, trouble‐free and facile approach for the separation of the catalyst by applying an external magnet, and it could be used in eight cycles without significant loss in catalytic efficiency.     

Asymmetric γ‐Allylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes by Combined Organocatalysis and Transition‐Metal Catalysis

The first asymmetric regio‐ and diastereodivergent γ‐allylation of cyclic α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes based on combined organocatalysis and transition‐metal catalysis is disclosed. By combining an aminocatalyst with an iridium catalyst, both diastereomers of branched allylated products can be achieved in moderate to good yields and excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivities. Furthermore, by replacing the iridium catalyst with a palladium catalyst, the linear allylated products are formed in good yields and excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. The developed method thus provides selective access to all six isomers of the γ‐allylated product in a divergent fashion by choosing the appropriate combination of organocatalyst, transition‐metal catalyst, and ligand.     

Preparation and characterization of ultrathin [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 and [BMIM][Tf2N] films on Al2O3/NiAl(110) under UHV conditions

Towards a better understanding of the interface chemistry of ionic liquid (IL) thin film catalytic systems we have applied a rigorous surface science model approach. For the first time, a model homogeneous catalyst has been prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The catalyst, di-μ-chlorobis(chlorotricarbonylruthenium) [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2), and the solvent, the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [BMIM][Tf(2)N], have been deposited by physical vapor deposition onto an alumina model support [Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110)]. First, the interaction between thin films of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) and the support is investigated. Then, the ruthenium complex is co-deposited with the IL and the influence of the solvent on the catalyst is discussed. D(2)O, which is a model reactant, is further added. Growth, surface interactions, and mutual interactions in the thin films are studied with IRAS in combination with density functional (DFT) calculations. At 105 K, molecular adsorption of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) is observed on Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110). The IRAS spectra of the binary [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) + [BMIM][Tf(2)N] and ternary [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) + [BMIM][Tf(2)N] + D(2)O show every characteristic band of the individual components. Above 223 K, partial decomposition of the ruthenium complex leads to species of molecular nature attributed to Ru(CO) and Ru(CO)(2) surface species. Formation of metallic ruthenium clusters occurs above 300 K and the model catalyst decomposes further at higher temperatures. Neither the presence of the IL nor of D(2)O prevents this partial decomposition of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) on alumina.     

Location of the Spinel Vacancies in γ‐Al2O3

A non‐spinel model for the structure of γ‐Al₂O₃, with 25 % of the Al³⁺ cations at tetrahedral positions, has been the subject of wide interest. However, ¹⁷O NMR measurements and, more recently, ²⁷Al NMR measurements have shown that there are considerably more Al³⁺ cations at tetrahedral positions. This means that the Al³⁺ vacancies in γ‐Al₂O₃ are not at tetrahedral but at octahedral positions, as in isostructural γ‐Fe₂O₃ and in accordance with density functional theory predictions. This has consequences with regard to the surface structure of γ‐Al₂O₃, and thus, for catalysis.     

Microporous Crystalline γ‐Al2O3 Replicated from Microporous Covalent Triazine Framework and Its Application as Support for Catalytic Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane

Significant progress has been made on the synthesis and application of mesoporous γ‐alumina. To date, little attention has been paid to the synthesis of microporous crystalline alumina. Here, fabrication of microporous crystalline γ‐alumina using a microporous covalent triazine framework (CTF‐1) as a template is described. Microporous crystalline γ‐alumina with a micro‐meso binary pore system was replicated by infiltration of aluminum nitrate into the micropores of the CTF‐1 template through a NH₃/water‐vapor‐induced internal hydrolysis method, followed by thermal treatment, and subsequent removal of the CTF‐1 template with a 30 % H₂O₂ aqueous solution. The obtained crystalline γ‐alumina material exhibits a large surface area (349 m² g⁻¹) with micropore distribution centered at about 1.27 nm. Ru supported on microporous γ‐Al₂O₃ can be employed as catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, and it exhibits high catalytic activity and good durability. This finding provides a new benchmark for preparing well‐defined crystalline microporous alumina materials by a template method, which can be applied in a wide range of fields.     

Laws of selective CO oxidation over a Ru/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst in the surface ignition regime: II. Transition states

The kinetics of selective CO oxidation (or individual CO or H₂ oxidation) over ruthenium catalysts are considerably as affected by the heat released by the reaction and specifics of the interaction of ruthenium with feed oxygen. In a reactor with reduced heat removal (a quartz reactor) under loads of ∼701 g_Cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ and reagent percentages of ∼1 vol % CO, ∼1 vol % O₂, ∼60 vol % H₂, and N₂ to the balance, the reaction can be carried out in the catalyst surface ignition regime. When catalyst temperatures are below ∼200°C, feed oxygen deactivates metallic ruthenium, the degree of deactivation being a function of temperature and treatment time. Accordingly, depending on the parameters of the experiment and the properties of the ruthenium catalyst, various scenarios of the behavior of the catalyst in selective CO oxidation are realized, including both steady and transition states: in a non-isothermal regime, a slow deactivation of the catalyst accompanied by a travel of the reaction zone through the catalyst bed along the reagent flow; activation of the catalyst; or the oscillation regime. The results of this study demonstrate that, for a strongly exothermic reaction (selective CO oxidation, or CO, or H₂ oxidation) occurring inside the catalyst bed, the specifics of the entrance of the reaction into the surface ignition regime and the effects of feed components on the catalyst activity should be taken into account.     

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich‐type Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated γ‐Butyrolactam with Ketimines

We report a direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich‐type addition of α,β‐unsaturated γ‐butyrolactam to α‐ethoxycarbonyl ketimines promoted by a soft Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalyst. A thiophosphinoyl group on the nitrogen of ketimines was crucial for both electrophilic activation and α‐addition of γ‐butyrolactams. The obtained aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman‐type products bear an α‐amino acid architecture with a tetra‐substituted stereogenic center.     

Applications of iron and nickel immobilized on hydroxyapatite‐core‐shell γ‐Fe2O3 as a nanomagnetic catalyst for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under solvent‐free conditions

In the present study, Fe²⁺ and Ni²⁺ immobilized on hydroxyapatite‐core‐shell γ‐Fe₂O₃ (γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Fe²⁺ and γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Ni²⁺) with a high surface area has been synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Then, γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Fe²⁺ and γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Ni²⁺ were used as a new and magnetically recoverable nano catalyst for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with 33% aqueous H₂O₂ (0.5 mL) as an oxidant at room temperature in good to excellent yields and short reaction time. Nontoxicity of reagent, mild reaction condition, inexpensive and high catalytic activity, simple experimental procedure, short period of conversion and excellent yields, and ease of recovery from the reaction mixture using an external magnet are the advantages of the present method.     

A novel hydrophobic copper complex supported on γ‐Fe2O3 as a magnetically heterogeneous catalyst for one‐pot three‐component synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates

A novel hydrophobic copper complex supported on γ‐Fe₂O₃ is synthesized and characterized by different methods such as FT‐IR, XRD, TEM, SEM, TGA, VSM, ICP and CHN analysis. It was used as a magnetically recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates via a one‐pot three‐component reaction under solvent‐free conditions. The present catalytic system worked extremely well for the synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates even up to five subsequent trails without significant loss of its catalytic activity or copper leaching. The TEM image and FT‐IR spectrum of the catalyst after five times recovery showed that the structure of the catalyst was stable under the reaction conditions with no change being observed. The strong magnetic properties of the reused catalyst were revealed by complete and easy attraction using an external magnet and also by VSM curve. This work represents the first and unique example of a hydrophobic copper complex for catalysis in water generating reactions.     

Hydroxyl‐Mediated Non‐oxidative Propane Dehydrogenation over VOx/γ‐Al2O3 Catalysts with Improved Stability

Supported vanadium oxides are one of the most promising alternative catalysts for propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and efforts have been made to improve its catalytic performance. However, unlike Pt‐based catalysts, the nature of the active site and surface structure of the supported vanadium catalysts under reductive reaction conditions still remain elusive. This paper describes the surface structure and the important role of surface‐bound hydroxyl groups on VO_x / γ‐Al₂O₃ catalysts under reaction conditions employing in situ DRIFTS experiments and DFT calculations. It is shown that hydroxyl groups on the VO_x /Al₂O₃ catalyst (V?OH) are produced under H₂ pre‐reduction, and the catalytic performance for PDH is closely connected to the concentration of V?OH species on the catalyst. The hydroxyl groups are found to improve the catalyst that leads to better stability by suppressing the coke deposition.     

Reaction HFCO + 2H2O — Calculated Mechanisms

Three possible reaction mechanisms of methanoyl fluoride with 2H₂O include a concerted and a stepwise hydrolysis of HFCO into HCOOH + HF, and a pure catalytic decomposition of HFCO into HF + CO. Among these, the two H₂O molecules acting as catalyst to decompose HFCO has the lowest calculated barrier, 25.1 kcal/mol with respect to the reactant‐adduct complex, whereas the barriers for the concerted and stepwise hydrolytic reactions in which one H₂O acts as a reactant and the other H₂O as catalyst are similar, 30.8 kcal/mol for concerted and 29.9 kcal/mol for stepwise. The formation of transoid HCOOH in the hydrolysis of HFCO is more favorable than cisoid HCOOH.     

Catalytic Enantioselective γ‐Selective Additions of 2‐Allylazaarenes to Activated Ketones

Reported herein is the first example of 2‐allylazaarenes in asymmetric catalysis. Highly γ‐selective allylation was demonstrated for activated ketones, including isatins and trifluoromethyl ketones. In the presence of either an amino‐acid‐based tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium salt catalyst, two series of tertiary hydroxy‐containing moieties were installed at the remote δ‐position of azaarenes in good chemical yields, excellent enantioselectivities, and E /Z ratios. The success of current γ‐selective reactions should provide inspiration for expansion to other allylazaarene derivatives and would open up new paradigms for the synthesis of chiral γ‐ and/or δ‐functionalized azaarenes.     

Phosphahelicenes in Asymmetric Organocatalysis: [3+2] Cyclizations of γ‐Substituted Allenes and Electron‐Poor Olefins

The first use of phosphahelicene in enantioselective organocatalysis is reported. New chiral phosphahelicenes have been prepared and enable highly enantioselective [3+2] cyclization reactions between arylidene‐ or alkylidenemalononitriles and γ‐substituted allenoates or cyanoallenes. These reactions afford cyclopentene derivatives in both high yields and diastereoselectivities, with enantiomeric excesses of up to 97 %.     

Perylene diimide‐modified magnetic γ‐Fe2O3/CeO2 nanoparticles as peroxidase mimics for highly sensitive colorimetric detection of Vitamin C

Perylene diimide‐modified magnetic γ‐Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ nanoparticles (γ‐Fe₂O₃/CeO₂‐PDI) were prepared and exhibited excellent peroxidase‐like activity. The samples were characterized by HR‐TEM, XRD, Raman, N₂ adsorption, magnetic strength and XPS. The obtained γ‐Fe₂O₃/CeO₂‐PDI had size of 10~20 nm with high specific surface area of 77 m²/g, and could be easily separated from the aqueous solution by using a magnet, which are in favor of its practical application. Due to the decoration of PDI, the γ‐Fe₂O₃/CeO₂‐PDI possessed more surface defects (Ce³⁺) and active oxygen species than that of γ‐Fe₂O₃/CeO₂, resulting in the outstanding catalytic performance. And the composite catalyst also showed highly sensitive and selectivity toward VC with a limit of detection of 0.45 μM. Based on the fluorescent results, a possible hydroxyl radical (?OH) catalytic mechanism was proposed. It is believed that the as‐prepared γ‐Fe₂O₃/CeO₂‐PDI nanoparticles are promising biosensors applied for biomedical and food analysis.     

MoP/Al2O3 as a novel catalyst for sulfur‐resistant methanation

We reported γ‐alumina supported molybdenum phosphide (MoP) catalysts as a novel catalyst for sulfur‐resistant methanation reaction. The precursors of the catalyst were prepared by impregnation method and the effect of reduction temperatures (550 °C, 600 °C, 650 °C) of the precursors for sulfur‐resistant methanation was examined. The results indicated catalyst obtained by lower reduction temperature delivered better sulfur‐resistant methanation performance. Meanwhile, the influence of H₂/CO ratios and H₂S content was also investigated. The results indicated that high H₂/CO ratio and low H₂S content was favorable for methanation of MoP catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD, XPS and TEM. The results confirmed that the MoP phase was formed on all the catalysts and the physicochemical properties of the samples influenced the performance for sulfur‐resistant methanation.     

Catalyst‐Free Regioselective [3+2] Cycloadditions of α,β‐unsaturated N‐arylnitrones with Alkenes to Access Functionalized Isoxazolidines: A DFT Study

The catalyst‐free regioselective [3+2]‐cycloaddition of α,β‐unsaturated N‐arylnitrones with alkenes are developed. The series of synthetically important functionalized isoxazolidines are prepared in good to excellent yields by step economic pathway under ligand and transition‐metal‐free conditions. The regioselective cycloaddition pathway supported by control experiment and computational study.     

Novel π2s+π2a Electrocyclization of Triethylenic‐Malonic Acids Exemplified for a One‐Pot Synthesis of New γ‐Dilactones cis‐Fused with a Cyclopentene

A new, easy and rapid synthesis of γ‐dilactones is cis‐fused with a cyclopentenic ring via cyclization of 7‐chlorotriethylenic‐malonic acids. The key step implicates an intramolecular cyclization to a cyclopentenyl cation, according to an electrocyclic π_2s + π_2a conrotatory process. This cyclopentenyl cation led to unstable γ‐lactones intermediates that are rearrange to more stable isomers. δ‐lactones (6Z and 6E‐(3‐chlorobut‐2‐en‐2‐yl)‐5‐methyl‐3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one) were obtained as secondary products. Mechanistic pathways were considered. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by elemental and spectral data.     

3D Porous Carbon Framework Stabilized Ultra‐Uniform Nano γ‐Fe2O3: A Useful Catalyst System

We present a novel strategy for the scalable fabrication of γ‐Fe₂O₃@3DPCF, a three‐dimensional porous carbon framework (PCF) anchored ultra‐uniform and ultra‐stable γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanocatalyst. The γ‐Fe₂O₃@3DPCF nanocomposites were facilely prepared with the following route: condensation of iron(III) acetylacetonate with acetylacetonate at room temperature to form the polymer precursor (PPr), which was carbonized subsequently at 800 °C. The homogeneous aldol condensation offered an ultra‐uniform distribution of iron, so that the γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) were uniformly distributed in the 3D carbon architecture with the average size of approximate 20 nm. The Fe₂O₃ NPs were capped with carbon, so that the iron oxide maintained its γ‐phase instead of the more stable α‐phase. The nanocomposite was an excellent catalyst for the reduction of nitroarene; it gave >99 % conversion and 100 % selectivity for the reduction of nitroarenes to the corresponding anilines at 100 °C. The fabrication of the γ‐Fe₂O₃@3DPCF nanocatalyst represents a green and scalable method for the synthesis of novel carbon‐based metal oxide nanostructures.