Zinc-containing mesoporous silicas as a catalyst for the benzylation of benzene and other aromatics by benzyl chloride

The benzylation of benzene and the substituted benzenes reaction employing benzyl chloride as the alkylating agent over a series of zinc-containing mesoporous silicas with different Zn contents have been investigated. These materials (Zn-HMS-n) have been characterized by chemical analysis, BET, and XRD. The mesoporous zinc-containing materials showed both high activity and high selectivity for benzylation of benzene. The activity of these catalysts for the benzylation of different aromatic compounds is in the following order: benzene > toluene > p-xylene > anisole. The kinetics of the benzene benzylation over these catalysts has also been investigated. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2007, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 421–425.     

Catalytic properties of antimony-SBA-15 materials in the benzylation of aromatics reactions

Antimony-containing mesoporous SBA-15 with different Si/Sb ratio has been synthesized using a post-treatment procedure with an aqueous solution of SbCl₃ and characterized by elemental analysis, XRD method, N₂ adsorption measurements (BET and BJH theory) and FTIR spectroscopy. The benzylation of aromatics by benzyl chloride has been investigated over these solids. Indeed, the antimony-containing mesoporous SBA-15 showed both high activity and high selectivity for this reaction. More interesting is the observation that Sb-SBA-15 (35) catalyst is active and selective for large molecules like naphthenic compounds such as 2-methylnaphthalene and it can also be reused in the benzylation of benzene for several times. Kinetics of the benzene benzylation over these catalysts have also been investigated. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2009, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 428–433. The article is published in the original.     

Study of the benzylation of benzene and other aromatics by benzyl chloride over transition metal chloride supported mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts

The benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride to diphenylmethane over FeCl₃, InCl₃, GaCl₃, ZnCl₂, CuCl₂ and NiCl₂ supported on mesoporous SBA-15 at 353 K has been investigated. The redox property due to the impregnation of the SBA-15 by transition metal chloride seems to play a very important role in the benzene benzylation process. Among the catalysts, the FeCl₃/SBA-15 showed both high conversation and high selectivity for the benzylation of benzene. The activity of these catalysts for the benzylation of different aromatic compounds is in the following order: benzene > toluene > p-xylene > anisole. More interesting is the observation that this catalyst is always active and selective for large molecules like naphthenic compounds such as methoxynaphthalene and he can also be reused in the benzylation of benzene for several times. Kinetics of the benzene benzylation over these catalysts have also been investigated.     

Benzylation of benzene and substituted benzenes by benzyl chloride over InCl3, GaCl3, FeCl3 and ZnCl2 supported on clays and Si-MCM-41

Liquid phase benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride to diphenyl methane over InCl₃, GaCl₃, FeCl₃ and ZnCl₂ supported on commercial clays (viz. Montmorillonite-K10, Montmorillonite-KSF and Kaolin) or on high silica mesoporous MCM-41 (at 60, 70 and 80 °C) has been investigated. The supported InCl₃, GaCl₃ and FeCl₃ showed high activity for the benzylation of benzene. The redox function created due to the impregnation of the clays or Si-MCM-41 by InCl₃, GaCl₃, FeCl₃ or ZnCl₂ seems to play a very important role in the benzylation process. Among the catalysts, the InCl₃/Mont.-K10 showed both high activity and high selectivity for the benzylation. The activity of this catalyst for the benzylation of different aromatic compounds is in the following order: benzene>toluene>mesitylene>anisole. The InCl₃ (or GaCl₃)/Mont.-K10 (or Si-MCM-41) catalyst showed high benzene benzylation activity even in the presence of moisture in the reaction mixture. The catalyst can also be reused in the benzylation for several times. Kinetics of the benzene benzylation (using excess of benzene) over the supported metal chloride catalysts have also been thoroughly investigated. A plausible reaction mechanism for the benzylation over the supported metal chloride catalysts is proposed.     

Highly selective synthesis of diphenyl methane via liquid phase benzylation of benzene over cobalt doped zinc nanoferrite catalysts at mild conditions

Liquid phase benzylation of benzene with benzyl chloride was investigated over different compositions of cobalt zinc ferrite (Co_xZn_1-xFe₂O_4, x-0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) nano composites, synthesized by sol–gel method. The un-substituted cobalt ferrite catalyst exhibited excellent activity among the series effecting complete conversion of benzyl chloride in 60?min at 90?°C with 100% selectivity for diphenyl methane. The effect of various reaction parameters on the reaction was studied. Higher benzylation activity of cobalt ferrite nanocomposite is attributed to the presence of higher quantities of moderately acidic sites and a good correlation was observed between surface acidity and benzylation activity of catalysts. The catalysts are reusable without any significant structural change as indicated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).     

Reactions of organic exhausts and the thermal stability of catalysts

The catalytic combustion of various organic compounds has been investigated over noble and non-noble metal catalysts using a fixed bed. It was concluded that the activity order of different organic compounds on a noble metal catalyst, is toluene > 2-butanone > benzene >n-heptane≈isopropyl alcohol > acrylonitrile > cyclohexane. On non-noble metal catalyst, it is isopropyl alcohol > 2-butanone > acrylonitrile > toluene >n-heptane > cyclohexane > benzene. In order to compare the thermal stability of catalysts, the catalytic reaction of toluene has been studied over noble and non-noble metal catalysts which were calcined at various temperatures up to 900°C for 3 h.     

Mesoporous inorganic salts with crystal defects: unusual catalysts and catalyst supports

We proposed a strategy to synthesize mesoporous inorganic salt particles using the special properties of ionic liquid (IL) mixtures, and hollow mesoporous LaF₃, NdF₃, and YF₃ particles were synthesized and characterized using different techniques. The size of the mesopores in the salt particles was about 4 nm, and the materials were full of crystal defects. The LaF₃, NdF₃ and YF₃ particles were used as the catalysts for the cyanosilylation reaction of benzaldehyde using trimethylsilyl cyanide, and Ru/LaF₃ and Ru/NdF₃, in which Ru nanocatalysts were supported on the LaF₃ and NdF₃ particles with mesopores, were used to catalyze hydrogenations of benzene to cyclohexane and levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL). It was discovered that the activities of these catalysts were unprecedentedly high for these reactions. Detailed study showed that both the crystal defects and the mesopores in the salt particles played crucial roles for the extremely high catalytic activity.     

Highly Ordered Mesoporous Cobalt-Copper Composite Oxides for Preferential CO Oxidation

Highly ordered mesoporous cobalt-copper composite oxides were prepared by the nanocasting method with various Co and Cu ratios. The catalysts obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption, H₂-temperature programmed reduction, CO-temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All of the catalysts had uniform mesopores and high surface areas. The distinct catalytic properties of these well-characterized mesoporous materials were demonstrated for preferential CO oxidation. It is found that the mesoporous cobalt-copper composite oxides, exhibited the higher catalytic activity for CO conversion and selectivity compared with the mesoporous Co₃O₄ and mesoporous CuO. Among these catalysts the mesoporous cobalt-copper catalyst with Co:Cu molar ratio of 70:30, shows the best catalytic activity and the broadest operating temperature “window” for the high CO conversion in the range of 125–200^oC. The higher catalytic activity was attributed to the higher CO adsorption and oxygen vacancies.     

Nanostructured CoMoO4 Supported on Mesoporous SBA-15 for Catalytic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane to Propene

Nanostructured cobalt molybdate catalysts supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 with different loadings were prepared by citric acid coordination-impregnation method and characterized by XRD, TEM, and BET techniques. The characterization results showed that high loading of well-dispersed crystalline CoMoO₄ may be achieved using citric acid coordination-impregnation method and the mesoporous structure of the support remained intact. The catalytic activity of these catalysts in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane was investigated. The catalysts of nanostructured cobalt molybdate supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 showed better catalytic performance than the corresponding bulk composite oxide and nanostructured CoMoO₄ supported on SBA-15 with loading of 13% (mass fraction, w) displayed propene yield of 16.8% at 823 K.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven CO2 Reduction by Mesoporous Carbon Nitride Modified with Polymeric Cobalt Phthalocyanine

The integration of molecular catalysts with low‐cost, solid light absorbers presents a promising strategy to construct catalysts for the generation of solar fuels. Here, we report a photocatalyst for CO₂ reduction that consists of a polymeric cobalt phthalocyanine catalyst (CoPPc) coupled with mesoporous carbon nitride (mpg‐CN_x) as the photosensitizer. This precious‐metal‐free hybrid catalyst selectively converts CO₂ to CO in organic solvents under UV/Vis light (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2, λ>300 nm) with a cobalt‐based turnover number of 90 for CO after 60 h. Notably, the photocatalyst retains 60 % CO evolution activity under visible light irradiation (λ>400 nm) and displays moderate water tolerance. The in situ polymerization of the phthalocyanine allows control of catalyst loading and is key for achieving photocatalytic CO₂ conversion.     

A Nd-carboxylate catalyst for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene: The effect of alkylaluminums and alkylaluminum chlorides

The ternary neodymium-based catalyst for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene, Nd(versatate)₃/Ali-Bu₂H/tert-butyl chloride, has been examined with respect to the effects of a range of alkylaluminums and alkylaluminum chlorides. Using either pre-formed or in situ catalysts, observations pertaining to catalyst activity and physical state and the characteristics of the final polymer are discussed. The catalyst activity series with the type of alkylaluminum was found to be: Aln-Pr₃ ? Aln-Dodec₃ = Aln-Oct₃ = Aln-Hex₃ > Ali-Bu₂H > Ali-Bu₃ > AlEt₃ ? AIMe₃. Polybutadiene cis content was found to vary with the type of alkylaluminum used. Pre-formed catalysts using methylaluminum chlorides as chloride source were found to be the most active; AlMe₂Cl chloride gave the highest activity. The activity of in situ catalysts prepared using alkylaluminum chlorides was found to be independent of alkylaluminum chloride structure. Polybutadiene prepared using catalysts based on different alkylaluminums and alkylaluminum chlorides was found to decrease in cis content with conversion. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Metallic nickel supported on mesoporous silica as catalyst for hydrodeoxygenation: effect of pore size and structure

Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of anisole, a methoxy-rich lignin-derived bio-oil model compound, was carried out over a series of Ni-containing (5, 10, 20, and 30 wt%) catalysts with commercial silica and ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 as support. Both supports and catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, CO chemisorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Catalytic reaction was performed at 250 °C and 10 bar H₂ pressure. Depending on the catalyst support used and the content of active metal, the catalytic activity and product distribution changed drastically. Increase of the nickel loading resulted in increased anisole conversion and C₆ hydrocarbon (benzene and cyclohexane) yield. However, loading more Ni than 20 wt% resulted in a decrease of both conversion and C₆ yield due to agglomeration of Ni particles. In addition, Ni/SBA-15 samples exhibited much stronger catalytic activity and selectivity toward C₆ hydrocarbon products compared with Ni/silica catalysts. The differences in catalytic activity among these catalysts can be attributed to the effect of the pore size and pore structure of mesoporous SBA-15. SBA-15 can accommodate more Ni species inside channels than conventional silica due to its high pore volume with uniform pore structure, leading to high HDO catalytic activity.     

AgMn/HZSM-5催化剂上室温O3氧化脱除空气中的苯：Mn含量和水含量的影响

考察了Mn含量和水含量对AgMn/HZSM-5（AgMn/HZ）催化剂上室温O₃氧化（OZCO）脱除空气中苯的影响. 研究发现,Mn含量为2.4 wt%的AgMn/HZ催化剂（AgMn/HZ（2.4））具有大的比表面积和高的MnO_x分散度,OZCO活性和稳定性最高. 反应后的程序升温脱附结果表明,2.4 wt%的Mn含量能有效抑制苯和甲酸在催化剂上的残留. 当Mn含量≤ 2.4 wt%时,催化剂分解O₃的活性在苯氧化过程中占主导;当Mn含量 > 2.4 wt%时,苯的活化起主要作用. 基于AgMn/HZ（2.4）催化剂优越的反应活性和稳定性,进一步研究了湿气流中该催化剂上苯的氧化. 与干气流相比,水汽的加入能显著提高催化剂的反应活性和稳定性,且以0.1-0.2 vol%水含量时最优.     

Transformations of cyclohexane and benzene on the bimetallic Ru-Pt oxide catalysts

The bimetallic Ru-Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts with an overall metal content of 1 wt. % and Pt: Ru weight ratios from 1: 3 to 3: 1 were studied. The catalytic activity for cyclohexane and benzene transformations, including hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, and skeletal isomerization of the initial substrates and products of intermediate transformations, was studied at temperatures 180–350 °C and H₂ pressures from 1.0 to 5.0 MPa. The maximum yield of n-hexane from cyclohexane and benzene was obtained on the catalysts with a ruthenium content of 0.75–1.0%, being ∼29–30 wt.% at 40% selectivity. The selectivity to form n-hexane decreases with an increase in the cyclohexane conversion and is almost independent of the composition of the Ru-Pt system. On the catalysts under study, benzene is converted to the same products but at temperatures by 60 °C lower as compared to cyclohexane conversion. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 633–637, April, 2006.     

Order of Reactivity of OH/NH Groups of Glucosamine Hydrochloride and N-Acetyl Glucosamine Toward Benzylation Using NaH/BnBr in DMF

The order of reactivity of OH and NH groups of glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcNH₂^.HCl) and N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) toward benzylation with NaH/BnBr in DMF was investigated. For GlcNH₂^.HCl, benzyl groups were introduced in the order of N-Bn > N-Bn₂ > 1-O-Bn > 6-O-Bn > 4-O-Bn > 3-O-Bn; for GlcNAc, benzyl groups were introduced in the order of 1-O-Bn > 6-O-Bn > 4-O-Bn > 3-O-Bn > N-Bn. A range of partially benzylated 2-N,N′-dibenzyl glucopyranosides and GlcNAc derivatives were obtained in a single step.     

Study on the Solvent Extraction with Radio-Tracers. I. Extraction Study on Protactinium-233 with the Noyltrifluoroacetone

Protactinium-233, separated from the irradiated thorium, was used as a tracer for the extraction study with thenoyItrifluoroacetone. From the results obtained by the variation of acidities of HCl with the constant concentration of TTA in benzene, a slope of ?2 was obtained by plotting the distribution coefficients against acidities. With a definite acid concentration of HCl in the aquous solution and by the variation of TTA concentration, a slope of 4 was obtained by plotting the distribution coefficients against the concentration of β-diketone. With these results, species extracted by the organic layer was assumed to be Pa[TTA]₂[HTTA]₂. If the composition of the organic layer was changed by the addition of the following solvents into the TTA in benzene solution, the order of the extraction was found as follows: n-amyl alcohol > cyclohexane > chloroform > n-hexane > carbon tetrachloride > benzene > nitrobenzene > hexone > cyclohexanone > n-butyl alcohol.     

An XPS study of microporous and mesoporous titanosilicates

In this contribution we report on an XPS study of microporous and mesoporous titanosilicates, in particular microporous titanium silicalite TS‐1, ordered mesoporous Ti‐MCM‐41 and [Ti]‐MCM‐41 and amorphous mesoporous silica–titania (MST) catalysts. Our aim was to obtain both photoemission and x‐ray‐excited Auger data for Ti species on these catalysts and use them in a Ti Wagner plot to rationalize the dependence of the local electronic structure on the atomic environment. Isolated Ti(IV) species coordinated to four and six oxygen anions and segregated TiO₂ clusters were detected on all catalysts by a curve‐fitting procedure of Ti 2p, O 1s and related peaks. The presence of the Si 2p peak excited by an O Kα ghost makes the detection of Ti LMM Auger transitions in mesoporous samples impossible due to the low Ti loadings and its homogeneous distribution in the silica matrix. Small TiO₂ clusters are eventually segregated within the mesopores of the catalysts and not at their external surface. On TS‐1 microporous catalysts with similar Ti loadings to the mesoporous catalysts we were able to detect Ti LMM Auger transitions, and by the Ti Wagner plot we clearly identify the presence of octahedrally coordinated Ti(IV) species. Thus, it is suggested that on TS‐1 the in‐framework (? O)₄Ti species are easily changed to (? O)₄(H₂O)₂Ti species by insertion of water molecules from the atmosphere. Small TiO₂ clusters (diameter <5 nm), eventually present on samples with Ti loading >2 wt.%, are segregated at their external surface and present spectroscopic features similar to (? O)₄(H₂O)₂Ti species. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dual-template synthesis of defect-rich mesoporous Co3O4 for low temperature CO oxidation

CO oxidation is a benchmark in heterogeneous catalysis for evaluation of redox catalysts due to its practical relevance in many applications and the fundamental problems associated with its very high activity at low temperatures. Among which, Co₃O₄ is one of the most active non-precious metal catalysts. Exposed crystal planes and cobalt sites are considered to be important for its high catalytic activity. Herein, we demonstrate an enhanced CO oxidation activity by a defect-rich mesoporous Co₃O₄ that prepared by a designed dual-template method. Two different kinds of silicas are used as hard-templates at the same time, resulting in a defect-rich mesoporous Co₃O₄ with a surface area as high as 169 m²/g. This catalyst exhibited a very high catalytic activity for low temperature CO oxidation with a light-off temperature at −73 ^oC under the space velocity of 80,000 mL h^-1 g_cat^-1. Further studies reveal that the high surface area promotes the lattice oxygen mobility, surface rich of Co²⁺ species and active oxygen species are crucial for the high catalytic activity. Moreover, the dual-template approach paves a way towards the design and construction of high-surface-area mesoporous metal oxides for various applications.     

苯部分加氢制环己烯新型Ru-B/MOF催化剂

制备了多种金属-有机骨架(MOF)材料,采用浸渍-化学还原法制备了非晶态Ru-B/MOF催化剂,考察了它们在苯部分加氢反应中的催化性能.催化性能评价结果表明,这些催化剂的初始反应速率(r0)顺序为Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)-NH2Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)-NH2Ru-B/MIL-53(Cr)Ru-B/MIL-101(Cr)Ru-B/MIL-100(Fe),环己烯初始选择性(S0)顺序为Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)≈Ru-B/MIL-53(Cr)Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)-NH2Ru-B/MIL-101(Cr)Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)-NH2Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)≈Ru-B/MIL-100(Fe).催化性能最好的Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)催化剂上的r0和S0分别为23 mmol·min-1·g-1和72%.采用多种手段,对催化性能差异最为显著的Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)和Ru-B/MIL-100(Fe)催化剂的物理化学性质进行了表征.发现MIL-53(Al)载体能够更好地分散Ru-B纳米粒子,粒子的平均尺寸为3.2 nm,而MIL-100(Fe)载体上Ru-B纳米粒子团聚严重,粒径达46.6 nm.更小的粒径不仅能够提供更多的活性位,而且也有利于环己烯选择性的提高.对Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)催化剂的反应条件进行了优化,在180°C和5 MPa的H2压力下,环己烯得率可达24%,展示了MOF材料用作苯部分加氢催化剂载体的良好前景.     

Polyoxometalate-Derived Multi-Component X/W2C@X,N-C (X=Co,Si, Ge,B, and P) Nanoelectrocatalysts for Efficient Triiodide Reduction in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Multi-component tungsten carbide-based hybrid materials featuring different heteroatom dopants coated with X,N dual-doped carbon layers (X/W₂C@X,N-C, XWXNC) were prepared by selecting Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) (NH₄)_n[XW₁₂O₄₀] (X=Co, Si, Ge, B, and P) and dicyandiamide (DCA) as precursors. The electrocatalytic activity of these nanocomposites as counter electrode (CE) catalysts for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was systematically investigated. Structure characterizations show that X,N heteroatoms were successfully introduced into the W₂C and carbon frameworks. The obtained X,N dual-doped carbon layers were modified and loaded with W₂C nanoparticles, promoting the improvement of catalytic performance by a synergistic effect. The consequence of photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) is CoWCoNC (6.68 %)>SiWSiNC (6.56 %)>GeWGeNC (6.49 %)>BWBNC (6.45 %)>PWPNC (6.20 %)>WNC (6.05 %). With the increase in electronegativity of the dopants, the photovoltaic performance decreases in a reverse order. This work provides a shortcut to the rational design of highly efficient and cost-effective catalysts for DSSCs.