Copper‐ and phosphine‐free Sonogashira coupling reaction catalyzed by silica–(acac)‐supported palladium nanoparticles in water

A palladium‐based catalyst supported on acac‐functionalized silica was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction of various aryl halides and phenylacetylene under copper‐ and phosphine‐free conditions. This catalytic system serves as an efficient and stable catalyst for this cross‐coupling reaction and allows easy separation and recycling of the catalyst. The catalyst could be recycled for five runs without appreciable loss of its catalytic activity. In addition, the reaction was carried out in water as a green solvent. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetite tethered mesoionic carbene‐palladium (II): An efficient and reusable nanomagnetic catalyst for Suzuki‐Miyaura and Mizoroki‐Heck cross‐coupling reactions in aqueous medium

In this paper, a highly active, air‐ and moisture‐stable and easily recoverable magnetic nanoparticles tethered mesoionic carbene palladium (II) complex (MNPs‐MIC‐Pd) as nanomagnetic catalyst was successfully synthesized by a simplistic multistep synthesis under aerobic conditions using commercially available inexpensive chemicals for the first time. The synthesized MNPs‐MIC‐Pd nanomagnetic catalyst was in‐depth characterized by numerous physicochemical techniques such as FT‐IR, ICP‐AES, FESEM, EDS, TEM, p‐XRD, XPS, TGA and BET surface area analysis. The prepared MNPs‐MIC‐Pd nanomagnetic catalyst was used to catalyze the Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reactions and exhibited excellent catalytic activity for various substrates under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, MNPs‐MIC‐Pd nanomagnetic catalyst could be easily and rapidly recovered by applying an external magnet. The recovered MNPs‐MIC‐Pd nanomagnetic catalyst exhibited very good catalytic activity up to ten times in Suzuki–Miyaura and five times in Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reactions without considerable loss of its catalytic activity. However, MNPs‐MIC‐Pd nanomagnetic catalyst shows notable advantages such as heterogeneous nature, efficient catalytic activity, mild reaction conditions, easy magnetic work up and recyclability.     

Copper(I) and palladium nanoparticles supported on ethylenediamine‐functionalized cellulose as an efficient catalyst for the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition/direct arylation sequence

Cu(I) and nanoparticles of Pd supported on ethylenediamine‐functionalized cellulose as a novel bio‐supported catalyst was synthesized and characterized. The synthesized catalyst was found to be a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 1,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles through a sustainable 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition/direct arylation sequence. The catalyst could be easily recovered by simple filtration and reused for at least five cycles without losing its activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbon to electricity in a solid oxide fuel cell combined with an internal catalytic gasification process

This study explores strategies to develop highly efficient direct carbon fuel cells (DCFCs) by com‐bining a solid‐oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a catalyst‐aided carbon‐gasification process. This system employs Cu/CeO2 composites as both anodic electrodes and carbon additives in a cell of the type:carbon|Cu‐CeO2/YSZ/Ag|air. The study investigates the impact on in situ carbon‐gasification and DCFC performance characteristics of catalyst addition and variation in the carrier gas used (inert He versus reactive CO2). The results indicate that cell performance is significantly improved by infusing the catalyst into the carbon feedstock and by employing CO2 as the carrier gas. At 800 °C, the maxi‐mum power output is enhanced by approximately 40% and 230% for carbon/CO2 and car‐bon/catalyst/CO2 systems, respectively, compared with that of the carbon/He configuration. The increase observed when employing the catalyst and CO2 as the carrier gas can be primarily at‐tributed to the pronounced effect of the catalyst on carbon‐gasification through the re‐verse‐Boudouard reaction, and the subsequent in situ electro‐oxidation of CO at the anode three‐phase boundary.     

Single and binary catalyst systems based on nickel and palladium in polymerization of ethylene

The catalyst (N,N‐bis(2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐ethoxyphenyl)butane‐2,3‐diimine)nickel dibromide, a late transition metal catalyst, was prepared and used in ethylene polymerization. The effects of reaction parameters such as polymerization temperature, co‐catalyst to catalyst molar ratio and monomer pressure on the polymerization were investigated. The α‐diimine nickel‐based catalyst was demonstrated to be thermally robust at a temperature as high as 90 °C. The highest activity of the catalyst (494 kg polyethylene (mol cat)^?1 h^?1) was obtained at [Al]/[Ni] = 600:1, temperature of 90 °C and pressure of 5 bar. In addition, the performance of a binary catalyst using nickel‐ and palladium‐based complexes was compared with that of the corresponding individual catalytic systems in ethylene polymerization. In a study of the catalyst systems, the average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution for the binary polymerization were between those for the individual catalytic polymerizations; however, the binary catalyst activity was lower than that of the two individual ones. The obtained polyethylenes had high molecular weights in the region of 10⁵ g mol^?1. Gel permeation chromatography analysis showed a narrow molecular weight distribution of 1.44 for the nickel‐based catalyst and 1.61 for the binary catalyst system. The branching density of the polyethylenes generated using the binary catalytic system (30 branches/1000 C) was lower than that generated using the nickel‐based catalyst (51/1000 C). X‐ray diffraction study of the polymer chains showed higher crystallinity with lower branching of the polymer obtained. Also Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed that all obtained polymers were low‐density polyethylene.     

Catalysis with Gold Complexes Immobilised on Carbon Nanotubes by π–π Stacking Interactions: Heterogeneous Catalysis versus the Boomerang Effect

A new pyrene‐tagged gold(I) complex has been synthesised and tested as a homogeneous catalyst. First, a simple 1,6‐enyne was chosen as a model substrate for cyclisation by using different solvents to optimise the reaction conditions. The non‐covalent immobilisation of our pyrene‐tagged gold complex onto multi‐walled carbon nanotubes through π–π stacking interactions was then explored to obtain a supported homogeneous catalyst. The heterogenised catalyst and its homogeneous counterpart exhibited similar activity in a range of enyne cyclisation reactions. Bearing in mind that π–π interactions are affected by temperature and solvent polarity, the reuse and robustness of the supported homogeneous catalyst was tested to explore the scope and limitations of the recyclability of this catalyst. Under the optimised conditions, recyclability was observed by using the concept of the boomerang effect.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed β‐Methylation of Alcohols by Methanol

We report an earth‐abundant‐metal‐catalyzed double and single methylation of alcohols. A manganese catalyst, which operates at low catalyst loadings and short reaction times, mediates these reactions efficiently. A broad scope of primary and secondary alcohols, including purely aliphatic examples, and 1,2‐aminoalcohols can be methylated. Furthermore, alcohol methylation for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals has been demonstrated. The catalyst system tolerates many functional groups among them hydrogenation‐sensitive examples and upscaling is easily achieved. Mechanistic investigations are indicative of a borrowing hydrogen or hydrogen autotransfer mechanism involving a bimetallic K‐Mn catalyst. The catalyst accepts hydrogen as a proton and a hydride from alcohols efficiently and reacts with a chalcone via hydride transfer.     

Mathematical Modeling of the Long‐Chain Branch Structure of Polyolefins Made with Two Metallocene Catalysts: An Algebraic Solution

A mathematical model was developed to describe the populations of polymer chains containing different numbers of long‐chain branches (LCBs) made with a combination of two single‐site catalysts. One of the catalysts produces only linear chains (linear‐catalyst) and the other produces linear and long‐branched chains (LCB‐catalyst). The model shows that when the selectivity for macromer formation of the linear‐catalyst is the same as that of the LCB‐catalyst, it is not possible to maximize the number of LCB per chain, even though the number of LCB per 1 000 carbon atoms (C) can be maximized. On the other hand, if the selectivity for macromer formation of the linear‐catalyst is higher than that of the LCB‐catalyst, both LCB/1 000 C and LCB/chain pass through maxima when varying the fraction of the linear‐catalyst in the reactor. More importantly, polymer populations with different numbers of LCB per chain will reach their maximum values at different ratios of linear‐catalyst to LCB‐catalyst, thus permitting the maximization of individual polymer populations in the mixture.     

Sustainable synthesis of sulfonamides using supported ionic liquid phase catalyst containing Keggin‐type anion

A silica‐supported ionic liquid phase catalyst containing Keggin‐type anion has been prepared by covalent grafting of ferrocene‐tagged ionic liquid in a matrix of silica followed by anion metathesis reaction. This novel catalyst served as a robust heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of biologically active sulfonamides from 4‐toluenesulfonyl chloride and amines. Additionally, recycling experiments showed that the catalyst could be reused five times. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization. Synthesis of π‐conjugated polymers with controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity

We describe the development of chain‐growth condensation polymerization for the synthesis of well‐defined π‐conjugated polymers via a new polymerization mechanism, catalyst‐transfer polymerization. We first studied the condensation polymerization of Grignard‐type hexylthiophene monomer with a Ni catalyst as a part of our research on chain‐growth condensation polymerization, and found that this polymerization also proceeded in a chain‐growth polymerization manner. However, the polymerization mechanism involving the Ni catalyst was different from that of previous chain‐growth condensation polymerizations based on substituent effects; the Ni catalyst catalyzed the coupling reaction of the monomer with the polymer, followed by the transfer of Ni(0) to the terminal C? Br bond of the elongated molecule. This catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization is generally applicable for the synthesis of polythiophene with an etheric side chain and poly(p‐pheneylene), as well as for the synthesis of polyfluorene via the Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 753–765, 2008     

A Fast‐Initiating Ionically Tagged Ruthenium Complex: A Robust Supported Pre‐catalyst for Batch‐Process and Continuous‐Flow Olefin Metathesis

In this study, a new pyridinium‐tagged Ru complex was designed and anchored onto sulfonated silica, thereby forming a robust and highly active supported olefin‐metathesis pre‐catalyst for applications under batch and continuous‐flow conditions. The involvement of an oxazine–benzylidene ligand allowed the reactivity of the formed Ru pre‐catalyst to be efficiently controlled through both steric and electronic activation. The oxazine scaffold facilitated the introduction of the pyridinium tag, thereby affording the corresponding cationic pre‐catalyst in good yield. Excellent activities in ring‐closing (RCM), cross (CM), and enyne metathesis were observed with only 0.5 mol % loading of the pre‐catalyst. When this powerful pre‐catalyst was immobilized onto a silica‐based cationic‐exchange resin, a versatile catalytically active material for batch reactions was generated that also served as fixed‐bed material for flow reactors. This system could be reused at 1 mol % loading to afford metathesis products in high purity with very low ruthenium contamination under batch conditions (below 5 ppm). Scavenging procedures for both batch and flow processes were conducted, which led to a lowering of the ruthenium content to as little as one tenth of the original values.     

Magnetic‐based picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex for the one‐pot synthesis of hexahydroquinolines via Hantzsch four‐component reactions

A picolinaldehyde–melamine copper complex was loaded on a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core, so that it contained 0.33 mmol of Cu per gram, and was used as an efficient catalyst. The as‐synthesized catalyst was characterized using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalyst was used to activate the raw materials in the synthesis of hexahydroquinoline derivatives in one‐pot four‐component reactions. Low reaction time (minutes versus half an hour), solvent‐free condition and magnetically separable catalyst are some salient features of the developed catalyst. Also, the optimum amount of catalyst and temperature were determined as 0.07 g and 87.6 °C, respectively, which were obtained using response surface methodology and optimization techniques.     

The reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and 2‐nitroaniline by palladium catalyst based on a KCC‐1/IL in aqueous solution

KCC‐1/IL/Pd NPs can used as an excellent support for the synthesis of highly sparse homogeneous catalyst. KCC‐1 has high surface area that was functionalized with ionic liquid phase acting as the strong performers so that the Pd catalyst was well‐dispersed without aggregation on the framework of the KCC‐1/IL. This nano catalyst was specified by TGA, XRD, TEM, SEM, FT‐IR, and ICP. For reduction of 2‐nitroaniline and 4‐nitrophenol used from the KCC‐1/IL/Pd NPs as a green catalyst that showed excellent catalytic activities. Compared with the traditional substrate, KCC‐1 substantially increases protection and the accessibility of the nanoparticle sites due to its three dimensional hierarchical structure.     

Copper immobilized onto polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst for ‘click’ reaction

Copper supported on polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles was designed and synthesized as a separable heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst was fully characterized using several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. All results showed that copper was successfully supported on the polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles. Also, results showed that the synthesized material can be used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of a series of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles from corresponding halides, alkynes and sodium azide. The catalyst can be easily isolated from the reaction solution by applying an external magnet and reused for nine runs without any significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Mesoporous silica SBA‐15 functionalized with acidic deep eutectic solvent: A highly active heterogeneous N‐formylation catalyst under solvent‐free conditions

Mesoporous silica SBA‐15 functionalized with N‐methylpyrrolidonium‐zinc chloride based deep eutectic solvent (DES) is found to be a more efficient and reusable catalyst for a convenient N‐formylation of a variety of amines at room temperature. N‐Formylation of primary, secondary as well as heterocyclic amines have been carried out in good to excellent yields by treatment with formic acid in low loading of DES/SBA‐15 an environmentally benign catalyst for the first time. The DES/SBA‐15 catalyst, which possesses both Brønsted and Lewis acidities as well as an active SBA‐15 support, makes this procedure quite simple, reusable, more convenient and practical. This catalyst was tolerant of a wide range of functional groups, and it can be reused for four runs without obvious deactivation.     

Salep as a biological source for the synthesis of biochar with utility for the catalysis

Hydrothermal carbonization of salep as a domestic biosource was carried out to afford a biochar, BC, with exceptional catalytic activity. BC can be further magnetized by incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles to furnish a magnetic catalyst, BC‐Fe, with improved recovery and recyclability for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes in the absence of any precious metal. BC‐Fe was also applied as a catalyst support for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles and development of an efficient, biocompatible and cost‐effective catalyst, Pd@BC‐Fe, with utility for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols under mild reaction condition in a selective manner to afford corresponding acids in high yields. The study of the recyclability of the catalyst confirmed high recyclability of Pd@BC‐Fe.     

Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions mediated by poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid)‐stabilized magnetically separable palladium catalyst

The purpose of this work was to synthesize and characterize a new magnetic polymer nanosphere‐supported palladium(II) acetate catalyst for reactions requiring harsh conditions. In this regard, an air‐stable, moisture‐stable and highly efficient heterogenized palladium was synthesized by the coordination of palladium(II) acetate with poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid)‐grafted modified magnetic nanoparticles with a core–shell structure. The structure of the newly developed catalyst was characterized using various techniques. The catalytic activity of the resultant nano‐organometallic catalyst was evaluated in Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions to afford the corresponding coupling products in good to excellent yields. High selectivity as well as outstanding turnover number (14 143, 4900) and turnover frequency (28 296, 7424) values were recorded for the catalyst in Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck reactions, respectively. Magnetic separation and recycling of the catalyst for at least six runs became possible without any significant loss of efficiency or any detectable palladium leaching.     

一步法合成微-介孔多级孔道金属-有机骨架固载磷钨酸催化剂及其催化性能

磷钨酸具有酸性,而且具有氧化还原性,是一种多功能的新型催化剂,具有很高的催化活性,稳定性好,既可作均相催化剂,也可做多相催化剂.磷钨酸作为多相催化剂主要负载于无机氧化物、介孔分子筛、活性炭和离子交换树脂等材料中,然而这些多相催化剂存在着结构不明确,磷钨酸分散不均、易流失、活性点易中毒等问题.为了克服以上问题,需要寻找更加合适的载体来制备新颖的负载型的磷钨酸多相催化剂,金属-有机骨架的独特性质,使该材料成为一种优良的催化剂载体.金属-有机骨架(MOFs)又称配位聚合物,是指由金属离子与有机配体通过配位键和其他一些弱作用力连接而成的具有超分子微孔网络结构的一种颇具应用前途的类沸石材料.这种材料具有丰富的孔结构和很大的比表面积,同时具有孔结构规整、孔径大小设计可调、表面化学基团修饰可调等优点,使得它在吸附分离、多相催化、环境保护等领域具有很好的应用前景. HKUST-1(Cu-BTC或MOF-199)是该领域内研究和应用较多的一种金属-有机骨架材料,它最早由香港大学Williams教授课题组报道,其为面心立方晶体.在结构中,每个Cu2簇与四个均苯三甲酸相连,每个均苯三甲酸桥连着三个Cu2簇,形成轮浆式次级结构单元.这些次级结构单元相互交错连接形成3D网络结构,具有孔径约为0.9 nm ×0.9 nm的正方形孔道,孔道中的客体分子可以除去,并可以为其它的客体分子所置换. HKUST-1本身即是一种优良的催化剂,同时也可作为一种性能稳定的催化剂载体.目前,关于HKUST-1在催化领域中的应用主要限制在微孔范围,其较小的孔道不利于物质扩散和传输,从而限制其实际应用.本论文利用超分子模板法,以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)为模板剂、铜为金属中心、均苯三甲酸为有机配体、磷钨酸(HPWs)为活性组分,采用一步水热法合成微-介孔多级孔道金属-有机骨架固载磷钨酸催化剂HPWs@Meso-HKUST-1,详细研究了该催化剂对环戊烯选择氧化制备戊二醛的催化性能,并采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、傅里叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、N2吸附、透射电镜(TEM)和室温CO原位吸附红外(CO-FT-IR)等表征手段对HPWs@Meso-HKUST-1催化剂进行了结构表征,从而解释该催化剂对目标反应具有优良催化性能的本质原因. N2吸附表征结果说明, HPWs@Meso-HKUST-1催化剂的吸附-脱附曲线在低相对压力范围内呈现I型吸附等温线,在高相对压力范围内呈现具有H2型滞后环的IV型吸附等温线;催化剂独特的吸附等温线表明以CTAB为模板剂,采用一步水热合成法可以得到具有微孔和介孔多级孔道的催化剂材料.催化剂的比表面积和孔容随着磷钨酸含量的增加而减少,结合文献报道,可以得出一步水热合成法使活性组分HPWs分布在载体的介孔孔道内. XRD和FT-IR测试结果表明,一步水热合成法可以成功的将HPWs引入HKUST-1中,且HPWs高度分散在载体中; HPWs@Meso-HKUST-1催化剂保持了载体HKUST-1的骨架结构.小角XRD和TEM结果说明,催化剂的多级孔结构为无序蠕虫状介孔组织.室温CO-FT-IR说明,在HPWs@Meso-HKUST-1催化剂中, HPWs提供了不同于载体HKUST-1的L酸酸性位.从以上结果可以得出,一步水热合成法使HPWs包裹在载体的介孔孔道内,防止了HPWs的流失,使HPWs@Meso-HKUST-1催化剂为环戊烯选择氧化制备戊二醛提供了大量的、高度分散的、具有L酸酸性位的活性中心,且催化剂的介孔孔道有利于反应物和产物的扩散,从而使该催化剂表现出优良的催化性能;在优化条件下,环戊烯的转化率达到92.5%,戊二醛的得率达到78.9%;热过滤实验表明该催化剂是真正的多相催化剂,且至少可以重复使用3次.     

Iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction: Heterogeneous palladium and copper‐free Heck and Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions catalyzed by a reusable Fe(III) complex

An interesting silica‐supported iron catalyst was successfully prepared and demonstrated as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides. The as‐prepared nanocatalyst was well characterized and found to be highly efficient in Heck reaction under mild and sustainable conditions (water as solvent at 80 °C in short reaction time). Furthermore, the obtained catalyst was used as an efficient, inexpensive and green heterogeneous catalyst for Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions of various aryl iodides and provided the corresponding products with moderate to good yields. This phosphine, copper and palladium‐free catalyst was simply recovered from the reaction mixture and recycled five times without substantial decrease in its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of graphene palladium porphyrin as a nanocatalyst for the coupling reactions such as: Suzuki‐Miyaura and Mizoroki‐Heck

The palladium(II)‐coordinated 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis‐(4‐hexyloxyphenyl)‐porphyrin as a macrocyclic palladium complex was covalently grafted to the surface of graphene oxide (denoted as GO‐CPTMS@Pd‐TKHPP). GO‐CPTMS@Pd‐TKHPP was characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques for confirmation of functionalization. The synthesized catalyst was checked in the Suzuki‐Miyaura and the Mizoroki‐Heck coupling reactions. The catalyst is very easy to handle, environmentally safe and economical. Also, this catalytic system shows high catalytic activity and the yields of the products are excellent. Moreover, the suggested catalyst was reusable for five runs with no significant decrease in catalytic activity.