Comparison of catalytic performance of synthesized EU-1 zeolite with dealuminated EU-1 zeolite for <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-xylene isomerization reaction

EU-1 zeolite was synthesized with high purity by a hydrothermal method and under optimum conditions: synthesis time 72 h, temperature 200°C, and aging time 12 h. Then, the synthesized EU-1 zeolite was modified by dealumination with nitric acid and the changes of the properties such as surface area, pore volume, and Si/Al ratio were investigated. The catalytic performance of these two catalysts was studied and compared with a commercial mordenite catalyst for meta-xylene isomerization reaction in a fixed bed reactor. The results showed that the modification of catalyst with acid increases Si/Al ratio from 25 to 50 due to the removal of a number of aluminium atoms from the framework of zeolite. Also the catalyst surface area increased from 300.237 m² g^?1 for EU-1 to 333.639 m² g^?1 for modified EU-1. According to results, the modified Eu-1 had higher para/ortho ratio, meta-xylene conversion, and para-xylene yield than EU-1 and commercial mordenite in the meta-xylene isomerization reaction.     

Iridium–nickel composite oxide catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction in acidic water electrolysis

A series of Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) composite oxides have been prepared by a simple pyrolysis method in ethanol system and used as the electrocatalysts for OER in acidic medium. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical performances of these Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y composite catalysts are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and steady-state measurements. The resulting oxides with the Ni content (x) less than 0.3 have a complex nature of metal Ir and rutile structure IrO₂ which is similar to the Ir oxide prepared by the same approach and possess the contracted lattice resulted from the Ni-doping. Although the addition of Ni reduces the electroactive surface areas due to the coalescence of particles, the catalytic activity of the Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 < x ≤ 0.3) catalysts is slightly higher than that of the pyrolyzed Ir oxide. Regardless of the surface area difference, the intrinsic activity first increases and then decreases with the Ni content in Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y catalysts, and the intrinsic activity of Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst is about 1.4 times of the Ni-free Ir oxide mainly attributed to the enhancement of conductivity and a change of the binding energy as increasing amount of the incorporated Ni with respect to the pure IrO₂. The Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst shows a prospect of iridium-nickel oxide materials in reducing the demand of the expensive Ir oxide catalyst for OER in acidic water electrolysis.     

One-Pot Synthesis of Secondary Amines from Nitroarenes and Aldehydes on Supported Copper Catalysts in a Flow Reactor: The Effect of the Support

The effect of the support on the properties of copper catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and TiO₂–SiO₂ with a ~5 wt % Cu content was studied in the one-pot synthesis of N-heptyl-p-toluidine from p-nitrotoluene and n-heptanal. The catalysts were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The reaction was carried out in a flow reactor with the use of molecular hydrogen as a reducing agent. It was established that the nature of the support exerts a profound effect on the yield of the target secondary amine; in this case, 5%Cu/Al₂O₃ was found the most active catalyst. A combination of high catalyst activity in the hydrogenation of a nitro group to an amino group with the presence of acid sites, which facilitate imine formation as a result of the interaction of n-heptanal with p-toluidine, on the catalyst surface is necessary for reaching the greatest yield of N-heptyl-p-toluidine. The study of reaction mechanism on the 5%Cu/Al₂O₃ catalyst showed that p-nitrotoluene inhibits the hydrogenation of n-heptanal, and aldehyde hydrogenation into alcohol begins only after the conversion of the major portion of p-nitrotoluene as a result of the selective adsorption of the nitroarene under the conditions of the simultaneous presence of p-nitrotoluene and n-heptanal in the reaction mixture.     

Effect of Halogen Chain End Fidelity on the Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-styrene) by ATRP

Poly(methyl methacrylate-b-styrene) (PMMA-b-PS) block copolymers are synthesized by two consecutive ATRPs and fractionated into four fractions. The halogen chain end fidelity (CEF) in PMMA-b-PS is quantified based on the analysis of each fraction. Compared to ethyl 2-phenyl-2-bromoacetate/CuBr/2,2′-bipyridine (EPBA/CuBr/bpy) and CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (CuBr/PMDETA) catalysts, PMMA-b-PS synthesized using p-toluenesulfonyl chloride/CuCl/bpy (TsCl/CuCl/bpy) and CuCl/PMDETA catalysts has a higher halogen CEF and a better control on molecular weight.     

Prereforming of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-tetradecane over Ce-promoted 50 wt% Ni/MgO–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst with high coke resistance

The effect of Ce-promotion on 50 wt% Ni-based catalysts during the prereforming of n-tetradecane and its optimum content were investigated. The Ni catalyst was synthesized by deposition–precipitation method. Next, various amounts of Ce (0–13 wt%) were loaded on the Ni catalyst by impregnation. The characteristics of the prepared catalysts were analyzed by XRD, H₂-TPR, BET, BJH, and H₂-chemisorption analyses. The prepared catalysts were tested under the prereforming conditions (temperature = 400 °C, GHSV = 3000 h^?1, and S/C = 3 and 4). The Ni catalyst was easily deactivated under the following conditions: temperature = 400 °C, GHSV = 3000 h^?1, and S/C = 4. The stability of all Ce-promoted Ni catalysts was improved as compared to that of the Ni catalyst. Among the Ce-promoted catalysts, 5 wt% Ce/50 wt% Ni/MgO–Al₂O₃ catalyst showed excellent stability even under the severe condition of S/C = 3. SEM, TEM, and TG analyses were performed in order to identify the main factor responsible for the rapid deactivation of the Ni catalyst. In the case of 0Ce/50Ni, Ni particles were encapsulated by many folds of coke and it was related to the rapid catalyst deactivation. However, after Ce promoted on the Ni catalyst, the thickness of the coke layers and the number of encapsulated Ni particles decreased and the deposited amount of coke on the catalyst also decreased.     

Effect of the structure of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">meta</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">para</Emphasis> isomers of perhydroterphenyl on their reactivity in heterogeneous catalytic dehydrogenation

The kinetics of the dehydrogenation of the individual ortho, meta, and para isomers of perhydroterphenyl and their mixtures over a (3 wt % Pt)/C catalyst has been investigated in a flow reactor at 280–340°C. The rate of the isomerization of the stereoisomers of the initial substrate (perhydroterphenyl) and terphenyl dehydrogenation products has an effect on the hydrogen release kinetics. The highest reactivity in isomerization is shown by the ortho isomer. The largest amount of hydrogen (7.0 wt %) is released in the dehy-drogenation of perhydro-meta-terphenyl and perhydro-para-terphenyl, whose conversion at 320°C is 96%.     

Highly efficient mesoporous WO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/KIT-6 catalysts for oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene with hydrogen peroxide

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of organic compounds containing sulfur element from a model oil was performed using tungsten oxide catalysts supported on mesoporous silica with cubic Ia3d mesostructure, well-defined mesopores (7.2 nm), high surface area (719 m²/g), and three-dimensional pore network (WO _x /KIT-6). The prepared WO _x /KIT-6 catalysts (5–20 wt% WO _x ) were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, N₂ sorption measurements, electron microscopy, H₂-temperature programmed reduction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Among the mesoporous catalysts, 10 wt% WO _x /KIT-6 exhibited the best catalytic performance. Sulfur-containing organic compounds, such as dibenzothiophene, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzothiophene, were completely (100 %) removed from the model oil over 10 wt% WO _x /KIT-6 catalyst in 2 h. In addition, the catalyst could be reused several times with only slight decrease in catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and structural study of 3-phenyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrocyclopenta[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]naphthalene-containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">ansa</Emphasis>-complexes of zirconium

The zirconium rac- and meso-complexes of the ansa-type that contain a 3-phenyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrocyclopenta[a]naphthalene fragment and a dimethylsilylene bridge are synthesized. The compounds obtained are characterized by NMR spectroscopy; the structure of rac-complex is studied by X-ray diffraction, which maked it possible to evaluate the steric availability of the zirconium center in the corresponding catalysts for the olefin polymerization.     

Latent ruthenium carbene complexes with six-membered N- and S-chelate rings

New ruthenium carbene complexes with chelating N- and S-benzylidene ligands were synthesized by the reactions of second- and third-generation Grubbs catalysts with ortho-vinylbenzyl-substituted amines or sulfides. These complexes were shown to exhibit catalytic activity in ring-opening metathesis polymerization and ring-closing metathesis.     

Metathesis polymer based on 5-trimethylsilylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene: Synthesis and gas-transport properties

A new silicon-containing bicyclic monomer 5-trimethylsilylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene has been synthesized, and its metathesis polymerization and gas transport properties of the polymer based on it have been studied. The monomer is synthesized by the two-step scheme using the Diels–Alder reaction from 1,3-cyclohexadiene and vinyltrichlorosilane followed by methylation with a Grignard reagent. The resulting 5-trimethylsilylbicyclo[ 2.2.2]oct-2-ene is inactive in metathesis homopolymerization in the presence of first- and second- generation Grubbs catalysts and a Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst, but it slowly polymerizes when norbornene is present in the reaction mixture. The high-molecular-mass copolymer (M _w = 3.0 × 10⁵, M _w/M _n = 2.8) of 5-trimethylsilylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene and norbornene possesses good film-forming properties, and its glass transition temperature is 126°C. The gas-transport properties of the copolymer have been studied.     

Reversible hydrogenation—dehydrogenation reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">meta</Emphasis>-terphenyl on catalysts with various supports

For developing new composite systems (substrate—catalyst) for hydrogen storage, the activities of Pt and Pd catalysts on various supports were compared in reversible meta-terphenyl hydrogenation and perhydro-meta-terphenyl dehydrogenation. The microstructure of the catalysts was studied. Carbon-supported catalysts are more efficient in both reversible reactions than alumina-supported systems.     

Enhanced NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SCR activity of Sb-V/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst at low temperatures by synthesis modification

In this work, the synthesis of Sb-V/CeO₂–TiO₂ catalyst was modified by controlling pH with the addition of monoethanolamine solution. All the catalysts were systematically investigated for NO _x reduction with NH₃ at different reaction conditions and then characterized by XRD, BET-surface area, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, NO-TPD, NH₃-TPD, and H₂-TPR. This modified synthesis method for the Sb-V/CeO₂–TiO₂ catalyst exhibited noticeably higher NO _x reduction activity at low temperatures (<250 °C). H₂-TPR revealed an increase of reducible species for the modified catalyst at basic pH, followed by neutral pH and acidic pH, respectively. High activity of the catalyst synthesized at basic pH was persistent for NO _x reduction with time that was confirmed by the time on stream durability test under SO₂ and water. The Ce 3d XPS spectra of spent catalyst synthesized at basic pH explains the gradual decrease in activity due to the decrease of Ce⁴⁺ to Ce³⁺ ratio by the formation of sulfates.     

Synthesis and piezoelectric properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-phthaloylglutamic acid derivatives

The (S,S)- and (R,R)-enantiomers of dimethyl 2,4-diphthalimidoglutarate were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of bromine in dimethyl (2S,4RS)-4-bromo-N-phthaloyl-glutamate upon treatment with potassium phthalimide, followed by separation. The crystal structure of the obtained compounds was studied by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of enantiomerically pure dimethyl 4-hydroxy- and 4-phthalimido-N-phthaloylglutamates were found to possess a noticeable piezoelectric activity.     

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial evaluation of 6-substituted 4-amino-pyrazolo[3,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]pyrimidines

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines are one of the most important classes of fused heterocyclic compounds which exhibit a broad range of biological and medicinal properties. They are known as anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, some new 6-substituted 4-amino-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were prepared via reaction of 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile with various nitriles in the presence of sodium ethoxide as catalyst. The inhibitory properties of synthesized compounds were studied according to CLSI guidelines against some pathogenic bacteria including four gram-positive strains (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii) and three gram-negative strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica). The antibacterial effects of all derivatives were compared with those of antibiotics belonging to different classes. The values were reported as inhibition zone diameter (IZD), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The effect of substituents on the biological activity of derivatives was discussed as well. The inhibitory effect of compound 6a, was shown to be the most, with MIC values in the range of 32–4096 μg/mL. Since most of the synthesized compounds were effective against Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, they can be considered as inhibitors of these two bacteria.     

Effect of the cerium content on the activity of Cu-Ce-Al-O catalysts in the methanol steam reforming reaction in a flow reactor

The Cu_18.5Ce _x Al_{81.5 ? x} (where x = 2, 7.4, and 14) oxide catalysts were synthesized by coprecipitation and tested in the methanol steam reforming reaction in an integral flow reactor at 270°C. It was found that the activity of the catalysts increased with the calcination temperature and catalysts with intermediate cerium contents exhibited the highest activity; these catalysts exhibited the greatest values of S _BET and S _Cu. The phase analysis demonstrated that copper in these samples occurred almost entirely as a CuO-CeO₂ solid solution. The concentration of carbon monoxide at the reactor outlet decreased with the calcination temperature. For the most active sample with a cerium content of 7.4% calcinated at 700°C, the concentration of CO reached a minimum of no higher than 0.3%.     

1,2- and 3,4-rich polyisoprene synthesized by Mo(VI)-based catalyst with phosphorus ligand

Polyisoprene with relatively high content of 1,2/3,4 structure was synthesized using a novel catalyst system composed of MoO₂Cl₂ supported by phosphorus ligand and Al(OPhCH₃)(i-Bu)₂ as co-catalyst. The effects of phosphites, phosphates and phosphoric acid as ligands were investigated in the coordination polymerization of isoprene in the chosen catalyst system. The studied ligands significantly affected the catalytic activity of the Mo–Al catalytic active center without significant effect on the stereoselectivity. Mo(VI)-based catalyst system was proved to be highly effective in the polymerization of isoprene even at low [Al]/[Mo] ratio (10), affording polyisoprene with 1,2- and 3,4-% structural units in the range of 44.6–52.5%, high molecular weights M_n ~ 10⁵, and relatively broad molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 3.0–4.4). The effect of molar ratio of phosphorous ligand to Mo-catalyst on catalyst activity of isoprene polymerization was discussed, and the structures of Mo–phosphite complexes were preliminarily studied by IR.     

Gas-phase and supercritical <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-pentane isomerization on H-mordenite

The skeletal isomerization of supercritical n-pentane on the H form of mordenite under flow conditions was studied for the first time. It was found that the conversion of supercritical n-pentane was 30–35% at 90% selectivity for isopentane at 260°C, 130 atm, and a liquid hourly space velocity of 30 h^?1. The catalyst was deactivated as the temperature was increased above 280°C. According to differential thermal analysis data, the deactivation was related to the deposition of condensation products on the surface. The resistance of the H form of the zeolite to poisoning in n-pentane isomerization in a gas phase at 1–8 atm was lower than that under supercritical conditions. It was found that H-mordenite deactivated under gas-phase reaction conditions at 260°C and 8 atm can be regenerated by passing to supercritical isomerization conditions (260°C and 130 atm).     

Monofluoro-substituted azomethine ylides in fluorocarbene reactions with imines. Synthesis and transformations of monofluoroaziridines

N-Arylmethylene and N-benzhydrylideneamines react with fluorocarbene yielding fluoro-substituted azomethine ylides that undergo 1,3-π-cyclization into aziridines. Generation of fluoroylides in the presence of dipolarophiles (dimethyl maleate or dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate) led to the reaction of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition resulting in substituted 2-pyrrolines or pyrroles. 2-Fluoroaziridines, products of N-alkyl-N-benzhydrylideneamines 1,3-π-cyclization, in the presence of acid catalysts suffer isomerization into α-fluoroimines and 1,3-disubstituted indoles.     

Novel olefin metathetis catalysts with fluorinated <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>´-arylimidazolin-2-ylidene ligands

Novel ruthenium carbene complexes bearing unsymmetrical NHC-ligands based on N-alkyl-N´-arylimidazoline with hexafluoroisopropylmethoxy group in para-position of N-aryl moiety have been synthesized. Catalytic activity of complexes obtained was investigated on model reactions of intra- and intermolecular olefin metathesis.     

Hydroisomerization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-Stilbene into <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-Stilbene on Supported Heterogeneous Metal Catalysts (Rh,Pd, Pt,Ru, Ir/α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)

The hydroisomerization of a cis-isomer to produce a trans-isomer on Rh, Pd, Pt, Ru, and Ir/α-Al₂O₃ catalysts is studied. It is shown that Rh and Ru catalysts on which the hydroisomerization reaction mostly takes place exhibit the most favorable characteristics, whereas on the other metals, the main route is the hydrogenation reaction. Rh/α-Al₂O₃ is the optimum catalyst, since it has much higher activity than Ru/α-Al₂O₃. It is found that the increased selectivity of the trans-isomer formation is facilitated by a decrease in the hydrogen pressure and by an increase in the substrate concentration. The maximum selectivity is achieved when the reaction is carried out in nonpolar n-hexane and toluene, whereas in the case of the more polar tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMFA), and methanol both the reaction rate and the selectivity of the trans-isomer formation decline.