Nanostructured Ni2P as a Robust Catalyst for the Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia–Borane

Ammonia–borane (AB) is a promising chemical hydrogen‐storage material. However, the development of real‐time, efficient, controllable, and safe methods for hydrogen release under mild conditions is a challenge in the large‐scale use of hydrogen as a long‐term solution for future energy security. A new class of low‐cost catalytic system is presented that uses nanostructured Ni₂P as catalyst, which exhibits excellent catalytic activity and high sustainability toward hydrolysis of ammonia–borane with the initial turnover frequency of 40.4 mol_(H2) mol_(Ni2P)^?1 min^?1 under air atmosphere and at ambient temperature. This value is higher than those reported for noble‐metal‐free catalysts, and the obtained Arrhenius activation energy (E_a=44.6 kJ mol^?1) for the hydrolysis reaction is comparable to Ru‐based bimetallic catalysts. A clearly mechanistic analysis of the hydrolytic reaction of AB based on experimental results and a density functional theory calculation is presented.     

Metal‐Free Ammonia–Borane Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by a Bis(borane) Lewis Acid

The storage of energy in a safe and environmentally benign way is one of the main challenges of today’s society. Ammonia–borane (AB=NH₃BH₃) has been proposed as a possible candidate for the chemical storage of hydrogen. However, the efficient release of hydrogen is still an active field of research. Herein, we present a metal‐free bis(borane) Lewis acid catalyst that promotes the evolution of up to 2.5 equivalents of H₂ per AB molecule. The catalyst can be reused multiple times without loss of activity. The moderate temperature of 60 °C allows for controlling the supply of H₂ on demand simply by heating and cooling. Mechanistic studies give preliminary insights into the kinetics and mechanism of the catalytic reaction.     

A Concerted Transfer Hydrogenolysis: 1,3,2‐Diazaphospholene‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of NN Bond with Ammonia–Borane

1,3,2‐diazaphospholenes catalyze metal‐free transfer hydrogenation of a N?N double bond using ammonia–borane under mild reaction conditions, thus allowing access to various hydrazine derivatives. Kinetic and computational studies revealed that the rate‐determining step involves simultaneous breakage of the B? H and N? H bonds of ammonia–borane. The reaction is therefore viewed as a concerted type of hydrogenolysis.     

Facile Synthesis of Platinum–Cerium(IV) Oxide Hybrids Arched on Reduced Graphene Oxide Catalyst in Reverse Micelles with High Activity and Durability for Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane

Highly dispersed Pt‐CeO₂ hybrids arched on reduced graphene oxide (Pt‐CeO₂/rGO) were facilely synthesized by a combination of the reverse micelle technique and a redox reaction without any additional reductant or surfactant. Under a N₂ atmosphere, the redox reaction between Ce³⁺ and Pt²⁺ occurs automatically in alkaline solution, which results in the formation of Pt‐CeO₂/rGO nanocomposites (NCs). The as‐synthesized Pt‐CeO₂/rGO NCs exhibit superior catalytic performance relative to that shown by the free Pt nanoparticles, Pt/rGO, Pt‐CeO₂ hybrid, and the physical mixture of Pt‐CeO₂ and rGO; furthermore, the nanocomposites show significantly better activity than the commercial Pt/C catalyst toward the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃) at room temperature. Moreover, the Pt‐CeO₂/rGO NCs have remarkable stability, and 92 % of their initial catalytic activity is preserved even after 10 runs. The excellent activity of the Pt‐CeO₂/rGO NCs can be attributed not only to the synergistic structure but also to the electronic effects of the Pt‐CeO₂/rGO NCs among Pt, CeO₂, and rGO.     

CuxCo1−xO Nanoparticles on Graphene Oxide as A Synergistic Catalyst for High‐Efficiency Hydrolysis of Ammonia–Borane

Ammonia–borane (AB) is an excellent material for chemical storage of hydrogen. However, the practical utilization of AB for production of hydrogen is hindered by the need of expensive noble metal‐based catalysts. Here, we report Cu_xCo_1?xO nanoparticles (NPs) facilely deposited on graphene oxide (GO) as a low‐cost and high‐performance catalyst for the hydrolysis of AB. This hybrid catalyst exhibits an initial total turnover frequency (TOF) value of 70.0 (H₂) mol/(Cat‐metal) mol?min, which is the highest TOF ever reported for noble metal‐free catalysts, and a good stability keeping 94 % activity after 5 cycles. Synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigations suggested that the high catalytic performance could be attributed to the interfacial interaction between Cu_xCo_1?xO NPs and GO. Moreover, the catalytic hydrolysis mechanism was studied by in situ XAS experiments for the first time, which reveal a significant water adsorption on the catalyst and clearly confirm the interaction between AB and the catalyst during hydrolysis.     

A Three‐Dimensional Porous Organic Semiconductor Based on Fully sp2‐Hybridized Graphitic Polymer

Dimensionality plays an important role in the charge transport properties of organic semiconductors. Although three‐dimensional semiconductors, such as Si, are common in inorganic materials, imparting electrical conductivity to covalent three‐dimensional organic polymers is challenging. Now, the synthesis of a three‐dimensional π‐conjugated porous organic polymer (3D p‐POP) using catalyst‐free Diels–Alder cycloaddition polymerization followed by acid‐promoted aromatization is presented. With a surface area of 801 m² g^?1, full conjugation throughout the carbon backbone, and an electrical conductivity of 6(2)×10^?4 S cm^?1 upon treatment with I₂ vapor, the 3D p‐POP is the first member of a new class of permanently porous 3D organic semiconductors.     

Vapor‐Phase Deposition and Modification of Metal–Organic Frameworks: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Directions

Materials processing, and thin‐film deposition in particular, is decisive in the implementation of functional materials in industry and real‐world applications. Vapor processing of materials plays a central role in manufacturing, especially in electronics. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of nanoporous crystalline materials on the brink of breakthrough in many application areas. Vapor deposition of MOF thin films will facilitate their implementation in micro‐ and nanofabrication research and industries. In addition, vapor–solid modification can be used for postsynthetic tailoring of MOF properties. In this context, we review the recent progress in vapor processing of MOFs, summarize the underpinning chemistry and principles, and highlight promising directions for future research.     

Cu Nanoparticles Electrodeposited at Liquid–Liquid Interfaces: A Highly Efficient Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The electrochemical deposition of Cu nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 25–35 nm has been reported at liquid–liquid interfaces by using the organic‐phase electron‐donor decamethylferrocene (DMFc). The electrodeposited Cu nanoparticles display excellent catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); this is the first reported catalytic effect of Cu nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces.     

Eliminated Phototoxicity of TiO2 Particles by an Atomic‐Layer‐Deposited Al2O3 Coating Layer for UV‐Protection Applications

We demonstrate the conformal coating of an ultrathin Al₂O₃ layer on TiO₂ nanoparticles through atomic layer deposition by using a specifically designed rotary reactor to eliminate the phototoxicity of the particles for cosmetic use. The ALD reactor is modified to improve the coating efficiency as well as the agitation of the particles for conformal coating. Elemental and microstructural analyses show that ultrathin Al₂O₃ layers are conformally deposited on the TiO₂ nanoparticles with a controlled thickness. Rhodamine B dye molecules on Al₂O₃‐coated TiO₂ exhibited a long life time under UV irradiation, that is, more than 2 h, compared to that on bare TiO₂, that is, 8 min, indicating mitigation of photocatalytic activity by the coated layer. The effect of carbon impurities in the film resulting from various deposition temperatures and thicknesses of the Al₂O₃ layer on the photocatalytic activity are also thoroughly investigated with controlled experimental condition by using dye molecules on the surface. Our results reveal that an increased carbon impurity resulting from a low processing temperature provides a charge conduction path and generates reactive oxygen species causing the degradation of dye molecule. A thin coated layer, that is, less than 3 nm, also induced the tunneling of electrons and holes to the surface, hence oxidizing dye molecules. Furthermore, the introduction of an Al₂O₃ layer on TiO₂ improves the light trapping thus, enhances the UV absorption.     

The Baylis–Hillman Adducts as Valuable Source for One‐Pot Multi‐Step Synthesis: A Facile Synthesis of Substituted Piperidin‐2‐ones

A facile, convenient, and one‐pot multi‐step synthesis of substituted piperidin‐2‐ones from the Baylis–Hillman alcohols derived from various aldehydes and acrylonitrile, involving Johnson–Claisen rearrangement, reduction of an α,β‐unsaturated nitrile moiety into the saturated amine‐skeleton, followed by cyclization, in an operationally simple procedure, is described.     

Charge Polarization at a Au–TiC Interface and the Generation of Highly Active and Selective Catalysts for the Low‐Temperature Water–Gas Shift Reaction

Au atoms in contact with TiC(001) undergo significant charge polarization. Strong metal–support interactions make Au/TiC(001) an excellent catalyst for the low‐temperature water–gas shift (WGS), with turnover frequencies orders of magnitude larger than those observed for conventional metal/oxide catalysts. DFT calculations indicate that the WGS reaction follows an associative mechanism with HOCO as a key intermediate.     

Highly Active Catalysts for the Transfer Dehydrogenation of Alkanes: Synthesis and Application of Novel 7–6–7 Ring‐Based Pincer Iridium Complexes

A series of Ir–PCP pincer precatalysts [(7–6–7‐^RPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] and [(7–6–7‐^ArPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)(MeCN)] bearing a novel “7–6–7” fused‐ring skeleton have been synthesized based upon the postulate that the catalytic species would have durability due to their rather rigid structure and high activity owing to the low but sufficient flexibility of their backbones, which are not completely fixed. Treatment of these precatalysts with NaOtBu gave rise to the active 14 electron (14e) species [(7–6–7‐^iPrPCP)Ir] and [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir], which can trap hydrogen and were spectroscopically characterized as the tetrahydride complexes. Both [(7–6–7‐^iPrPCP)Ir] and [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir] were found to be highly effective in the transfer dehydrogenation of cyclooctane with tert‐butylethylene as the hydrogen acceptor, the initial reaction rate at high temperature (230 °C) being higher for [(7–6–7‐^iPrPCP)Ir] than [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir], and the turnover number (TON) of the overall hydrogen transfer being higher for the latter. Nonetheless, the estimated TONs were as high as 4600 and 4820 for the two complexes at this temperature, respectively, which are unprecedented absolute values. In terms of durability, the [(7–6–7‐^PhPCP)Ir] complex is the catalyst of choice for this reaction. Structural analysis and computational studies support the importance of the low flexibility of the ligand core.     

Palladium Nanoparticles Bonded to Two‐Dimensional Iron Oxide Graphene Nanosheets: A Synergistic and Highly Reusable Catalyst for the Tsuji–Trost Reaction in Water and Air

Low cost, high activity and selectivity, convenient separation, and increased reusability are the main requirements for noble‐metal‐nanocatalyst‐catalyzed reactions. Despite tremendous efforts, developing noble‐metal nanocatalysts to meet the above requirements remains a significant challenge. Here we present a general strategy for the preparation of strongly coupled Fe₃O₄ and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) to graphene sheets by employing polyethyleneimine as the coupling linker. Transmission electron microscopic images show that Pd and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the graphene surface, and the mean particle size of Pd is around 3 nm. This nanocatalyst exhibits synergistic catalysis by Pd nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and a tertiary amine of polyethyleneimine (Pd/Fe₃O₄/PEI/rGO) for the Tsuji–Trost reaction in water and air. For example, the reaction of ethyl acetoacetate with allyl ethyl carbonate afforded the allylated product in more than 99 % isolated yield, and the turnover frequency reached 2200 h^?1. The yield of allylated products was 66 % for Pd/rGO without polyethyleneimine. The catalyst could be readily recycled by a magnet and reused more than 30 times without appreciable loss of activity. In addition, only about 7.5 % of Pd species leached off after 20 cycles, thus rendering this catalyst safer for the environment.