Skeletal Ni Catalysts Prepared from Amorphous Ni–Zr Alloys: Enhanced Catalytic Performance for Hydrogen Generation from Ammonia Borane

Skeletal Ni catalysts were prepared from Ni–Zr alloys, which possess different chemical composition and atomic arrangements, by a combination of thermal treatment and treatment with aqueous HF. Hydrogen generation from ammonia borane over the skeletal Ni catalysts proceeded efficiently, whereas the amorphous Ni–Zr alloy was inactive. Skeletal Ni prepared from amorphous Ni₃₀Zr₇₀ alloy had a higher catalytic activity than that prepared from amorphous Ni₄₀Zr₆₀ and Ni₅₀Zr₅₀ alloys. The atomic arrangement of the Ni–Zr alloy also strongly affected the surface structure and catalytic activities. Thermal treatment of the amorphous Ni–Zr alloys at a temperature slightly lower than the crystallization temperature led to an increase of the number of surface‐exposed Ni atoms and an enhancement of the catalytic activities for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane. The skeletal Ni catalysts also showed excellent durability and recyclability.     

Highly Conductive Core–Shell Nanocomposite of Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)–Polypyrrole with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

In this communication, the synthesis, characterization, and properties of highly conductive core–shell nanocomposites of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PNVC)–polypyrrole (PPY) copolymers with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are described. A unique free‐radical coupling reaction between PNVC and PPY cation radicals in chloroform solvent, using feric chloride as an oxidant, in the presence of suspended MWCNTs in the reaction medium, was used for the synthesis of nanocomposite. Field‐emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies showed the formation of the core–shell nanocomposite. Raman spectrocopy results as well as thermogravimetric analysis supported the electron microscopic observations. The resulting PNVC–PPY copolymer‐coated MWCNTs showed an unprecedentedly increased value of direct electrical conductivity (bulk) compared to the conductivity of all samples even with pure MWCNTs.

     

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.     

Ni-B非晶态合金催化苯丙酮酸加氢合成苯丙氨酸

通过化学还原法制备了纳米非晶态Ni-B合金催化剂,考察了其对苯丙酮酸胺化加氢合成苯丙氨酸的催化性能.结果表明,相对于传统雷尼镍和漆原镍催化剂,非晶态合金催化剂表现出更为优异的活性和选择性,并且当非晶态Ni-B合金负载在SiO2载体上时,其活性和选择性均得到较大提高(高达97.67%).非晶态合金催化剂对苯丙氨酸合成反应表现出较好活性和选择性的原因主要是硼提供部分电子给镍的效应以及非晶态合金颗粒的纳米尺寸效应.     

Carboxylation Reactions with Carbon Dioxide Using N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Copper Catalysts

The development of versatile catalyst systems and new transformations for the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is of great interest and significance. This Personal Account reviews our studies on the exploration of the reactions of CO₂ with various substrates by the use of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐copper catalysts. The carboxylation of organoboron compounds gave access to a wide range of carboxylic acids with excellent functional group tolerance. The C?H bond carboxylation with CO₂ emerged as a straightforward protocol for the preparation of a series of aromatic carboxylic esters and butenoates from simple substrates. The hydrosilylation of CO₂ with hydrosilanes provided an efficient method for the synthesis of silyl formate on gram scale. The hydrogenative or alkylative carboxylation of alkynes, ynamides and allenamides yielded useful α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and α,β‐dehydro amino acid esters. The boracarboxylation of alkynes or aldehydes afforded the novel lithium cyclic boralactone or boracarbonate products, respectively. The NHC‐copper catalysts generally featured excellent functional group compatibility, broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. The unique electronic and steric properties of the NHC‐copper units also enabled the isolation and structural characterization of some key intermediates for better understanding of the catalytic reaction mechanisms.     

Active Skeletal Ni Catalysts Prepared from an Amorphous Ni‐Zr Alloy in the Pre‐Crystallization State

Skeletal Ni catalysts were prepared from an amorphous Ni₄₀Zr₆₀ alloy (a‐NiZr) by heating at various temperatures under vacuum, followed by the selective extraction of Zr moieties by an HF treatment. Each sample was characterized by various spectroscopic methods, and the catalytic performance was tested in the hydrogenation of 1‐octene. The differences in preparation temperatures of a‐NiZr strongly affected the catalytic performance of the obtained catalysts, whereby those prepared from heated a‐NiZr in the pre‐crystallization state exhibited higher catalytic activity. Especially, moderate thermal treatment of a‐NiZr at a temperature slightly lower than that for its crystallization, that is, ～573 K, resulted in a significant enhancement of the catalytic activity. Such prepared skeletal Ni catalyst can also be used efficiently for hydrogen generation from aqueous hydrazine.     

The Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Platinum‐Promoted Gold–Palladium Catalysts

The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide offers a potentially green route to the production of this important commodity chemical. Early studies showed that Pd is a suitable catalyst, but recent work indicated that the addition of Au enhances the activity and selectivity significantly. The addition of a third metal using impregnation as a facile preparation method was thus investigated. The addition of a small amount of Pt to a CeO₂‐supported AuPd (weight ratio of 1:1) catalyst significantly enhanced the activity in the direct synthesis of H₂O₂ and decreased the non‐desired over‐hydrogenation and decomposition reactions. The addition of Pt to the AuPd nanoparticles influenced the surface composition, thus leading to the marked effects that were observed on the catalytic formation of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, an experimental approach that can help to identify the optimal nominal ternary alloy compositions for this reaction is demonstrated.     

催化剂中Cu含量对CVD法制备碳纳米管的影响

本文以溶胶-凝胶法制备了以铜为助剂的Ni/MgO催化剂，X-射线衍射(XRD)表明，经400 ℃氢气处理，催化剂中只有部分镍被还原，原因是NiO和MgO间存在强相互作用，形成固溶体。XRD和程序升温还原(TPR)表明，加入铜促进了镍的还原。CO化学吸附得出，随着催化剂中铜含量的增加，还原后催化剂表面镍原子数目增多，因此，催化剂的活性和反应寿命增加，C₂H₄裂解生成碳纳米管(CNT)的产率随之增加；但是，铜含量过高会引起催化剂表面镍颗粒增大，导致产物中纳米碳纤维（CNF）量增多，CNT量减少。对于约50% Ni/MgO催化剂，铜的最佳含量为4%～6%，此时得到的CNT产率最高，达36 g·g^-1，质量较好(纯度高、管径均匀、石墨化程度高)。     

Ni-Mo2N/SiO2复合纳米催化剂的制备及其对四氢萘加氢的催化活性

采用程序升温氮化法制备了Mo2N/SiO2,在此基础上负载Ni盐,制备了Ni-Mo2N/SiO2复合纳米催化剂,并考察了催化剂对四氢萘加氢的催化活性.结果表明,与Ni2Mo3N/SiO2及Ni/SiO2催化剂相比,Ni-Mo2N/SiO2复合催化剂具有较高的催化活性.采用"分离床"方法研究了Ni和Mo2N对四氢萘加氢活性的影响.通过X射线粉末衍射、透射电镜、氢吸附、元素分析和比表面积测定等技术对Ni-Mo2N/SiO2催化剂进行了表征.结果表明,与Ni/SiO2催化剂相比,Ni-Mo2N/SiO2复合催化剂中Ni的分散度并未提高;催化活性的提高归因于Ni与Mo2N在四氢萘加氢中的协同作用.氮化物的引入增加了芳烃吸附活性位的数目.提出了四氢萘在Ni-Mo2N/SiO2催化剂上的可能加氢机理.     

Micro‐/Mesoporous Platinum–SiCN Nanocomposite Catalysts (Pt@SiCN): From Design to Catalytic Applications

The synthesis, characterization, and catalytic studies of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) supported by a polymer‐derived SiCN matrix are reported. In the first step and under mild conditions (110 °C), a block copolymer (BCP) based on hydroxyl‐group‐terminated linear polyethylene (PEOH) and a commercially available polysilazane (PSZ: HTT 1800) were synthesized. Afterwards, the BCP was microphase separated, modified with an aminopyridinato (Ap) ligand‐stabilized Pt complex, and cross‐linked. The green bodies thus obtained were pyrolyzed at 1000 °C under nitrogen and provided porous Pt@SiCN nanocomposite via decomposition of the PEOH block while Pt nanoparticles grew in situ within the SiCN matrix. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) studies confirmed the presence of the cubic Pt phase in the amorphous SiCN matrix whereas transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements revealed homogeneously distributed Pt nanoparticles in the size of 0.9 to 1.9 nm. N₂ sorption studies indicated the presence of micro‐ and mesopores. Pt@SiCN appears to be an active and robust catalyst in the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride under harsh conditions.     

Design and Synthesis of Copper–Cobalt Catalysts for the Selective Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Ethanol and Higher Alcohols

Combining quantum‐mechanical simulations and synthesis tools allows the design of highly efficient CuCo/MoO_x catalysts for the selective conversion of synthesis gas (CO+H₂) into ethanol and higher alcohols, which are of eminent interest for the production of platform chemicals from non‐petroleum feedstocks. Density functional theory calculations coupled to microkinetic models identify mixed Cu–Co alloy sites, at Co‐enriched surfaces, as ideal for the selective production of long‐chain alcohols. Accordingly, a versatile synthesis route is developed based on metal nanoparticle exsolution from a molybdate precursor compound whose crystalline structure isomorphically accommodates Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ cations in a wide range of compositions. As revealed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray nanospectroscopy and temperature‐resolved X‐ray diffraction, superior mixing of Cu and Co species promotes formation of CuCo alloy nanocrystals after activation, leading to two orders of magnitude higher yield to high alcohols than a benchmark CuCoCr catalyst. Substantiating simulations, the yield to high alcohols is maximized in parallel to the CuCo alloy contribution, for Co‐rich surface compositions, for which Cu phase segregation is prevented.     

Copolymerization of Ethene and Carbon Monoxide with (Diphosphine)nickel Catalysts

This work presents the results of the ethene–CO copolymerization with in situ generated catalysts based on atropisomeric 1,4‐diphosphines and nickel(II). The influence of the reaction conditions and the NMR characterization of the copolymers are described.     

Synthesis and reactivity of allyl nickel(II) N‐heterocyclic carbene enolate complexes

Two new N‐heterocyclic carbene enolate nickel(II) allyl complexes have been prepared and their activity towards ethylene polymerization was investigated. It was found that in the presence of diethyl zinc, the carbene enolate complex bearing a nitro substituent produces highly linear polyethylene of modest molecular weight and high polydispersity. The influence of the reaction parameters on catalytic activity and the characteristics of the resulting polymer were investigated through systematic variation of the time, temperature, and diethyl zinc concentration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45:3637–3647, 2007     

多相不对称催化氢化研究进展*

本文综述了多相不对称催化氢化反应的最新研究进展.特别是对最近几年来两个典型的多相不对称催化氢化体系即酒石酸盐修饰镍催化剂催化β-酮酸酯的不对称氢化反应体系和金鸡纳生物碱修饰铂催化剂催化α-酮酸酯的不对称氢化反应体系进行了详细的介绍和讨论,同时展望了多相不对称催化氢化反应研究的前景.     

单层分散型Pd/Ni双金属催化剂的制备及其催化加氢性能

通过置换反应制备了Pd/Ni双金属催化剂,利用X射线衍射、CO化学吸附和吸附H2的程序升温脱附对其进行了表征,并测定了该催化剂对环己烯、苯乙烯和丙酮气相加氢反应的催化性能.结果发现,在这种催化剂中Pd原子单层分散在金属Ni的表面,因而该催化剂表现出比浸渍法制备的相同Pd含量的Pd/Ni-im和Pd/-γAl2O3催化剂更高的催化加氢活性.     

Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane to Synthesis Gas Over Ni/MgO-Al2O3-AlPO4 Catalysts

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane to synthesis gas was studied over Ni/MgO-Al₂O₃-AlPO₄ catalysts. The conventional Ni/Al₂O₃ and Ni/MgO-Al₂O₃ catalysts were included for comparison. These catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption and hydrogen chemisorption. The results show that Ni/MgO-Al₂O₃-AlPO₄ was more active than the other two catalysts especially at high reaction temperatures. MgO-Al₂O₃-AlPO₄ has a large pore diameter with a very uniform pore size distribution. It can overcome the pore diffusion effect under high temperature reaction conditions.     

A Versatile Iron–Tannin‐Framework Ink Coating Strategy to Fabricate Biomass‐Derived Iron Carbide/Fe‐N‐Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

The conversion of biomass into valuable carbon composites as efficient non‐precious metal oxygen‐reduction electrocatalysts is attractive for the development of commercially viable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel‐cell technology. Herein, a versatile iron–tannin‐framework ink coating strategy is developed to fabricate cellulose‐derived Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts using commercial filter paper, tissue, or cotton as a carbon source, an iron–tannin framework as an iron source, and dicyandiamide as a nitrogen source. The oxygen reduction performance of the resultant Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts shows a high onset potential (i.e. 0.98 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), and large kinetic current density normalized to both geometric electrode area and mass of catalysts (6.4 mA cm^?2 and 32 mA mg^?1 at 0.80 V vs RHE) in alkaline condition. This method can even be used to prepare efficient catalysts using waste carbon sources, such as used polyurethane foam.     

不同Ni前驱物对Ni催化剂甲烷部分氧化制合成气的影响

考察了由硝酸镍,醋酸镍和氯化镍为前驱物制备的催化剂（分别记为Ｎｉ－Ｎ,Ｎｉ－Ａｃ和Ｎｉ－Ｃｌ）对催化甲烷部分氧化反应的影响,并结合和ＴＧ等手段对催化剂进行了表征,结果表明,Ｎｉ－Ａｃ催化剂在６２５℃就能自引发甲烷部分氧化反应,而在Ｎｉ－Ｎ和Ｎｉ－Ｃｌ催化剂上,直到７５０℃甲烷部分氧化反应仍未能引发,三种催化剂上的反应结果表明,Ｎｉ－Ｎ和Ｎｉ－Ｃｌ的催化活性较低。９００℃下的高温反应结果表明,Ｎｉ－