Cationic η-benzyl nickel compounds with diphosphine ligands as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization/polymerization: influence of the diphosphine bite angle

The oligomerization and/or polymerization of ethylene catalyzed by the cationic η³-benzylcomplexes [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₄-p-CF₃)(P-P)]⁺ BPh₄⁻ (P-P=ⁱPr₂P(CH₂)_nPⁱPr₂, n=1-3) have been studied. The activity of these single component catalysts depends on the length of the (CH₂)_n bridge of the diphosphine ligand. Thus, the dippm derivative (n=1) displays higher activity than compounds of the dippe (n=2) or dippp (n=3) ligands. The molecular weight of the products is also a function of n, and varies in the order dippm > dippe > dippp, with the former two catalysts giving rise to low molecular weight polyethylenes and the latter to oligomers.     

Cationic rhodium hydrogenation catalysts containing chelating diphosphine ligands: effect of chelate ring size

Earlier studies on the [(1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane)rhodium]^p+-catalyzed hydrogenation of 1-hexene and methyl-(Z)-α-acetamidocinnamate have been extended to catalysts containing larger chelating diphosphine ligands, i.e., Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂, where n = 3, 4 and 5. Comparisons include measurements of equilibrium constants for the binding of the olefinic substrates to the catalysts and of the catalytic hydrogenenation rates. Some related measurements also are reported for the corresponding catalyst systems containing the chiral ligand, 4R,5R-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2,2,-dimethyldioxalane (DIOP) and non-chelating PPh₃ ligands.     

Mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing two different phosphines in trans position: II. Catalytic hydrogenation of CC and CO bonds

Bis(acetate) ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PⁿBu₃)[P(p-XC₆H₄)₃] (OAc = acetate, X = CH₃O, CH₃, H, F or Cl), containing different phosphine ligands trans to PⁿBu₃, have been employed as catalyst precursors for the hydrogenation of 1-hexene, acetophenone, 2-butanone and benzylideneacetone. For comparative purposes, analogous reactions have been performed using the homodiphosphine precursors Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PⁿBu₃)₂ and Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PPh₃)₂. The catalytic activity of the heterodiphosphine complexes depends on the basicity of the triarylphosphine trans to PⁿBu₃ as this factor controls, inter alia, the rate of formation of hydride(acetate), Ru(CO)₂(H)(OAc)(PⁿBu₃)[P(p-XC₆H₄)₃], or dihydride, Ru(CO)₂(H)₂(PⁿBu₃)[(p-XC₆H₄)₃], complexes, by hydrogenation of the bis(OAc) precursors. The catalytic hydrogenation of the CC double bond is best accomplished by homodiphosphine dihydride catalysts, while heterodiphosphine monohydrides are more efficient catalysts than the homo- and heterodiphosphine dihydrides for the reduction of the keto CO bond.     

On the structure and cure acceleration of phenol-urea-formaldehyde resins with different catalysts

Phenol-urea-formaldehyde (PUF) resins with different catalysts [calcium oxide (CaO), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), zinc oxide (ZnO), and magnesium oxide (MgO)] were prepared to accelerate the cure of the resin at low temperature. The cure-acceleration effects of catalysts on chemical structure and cure characteristics of PUF resins were investigated by using both liquid ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The liquid ¹³C NMR analysis indicated that the catalyst such as CaO seemed to present a retarded effect on the polycondensation reaction of phenolic components with urea units, while the Na₂CO₃ appeared to promote the self-condensation reaction of phenolic methylol groups at para position toward the formation of para-para methylene linkage. Both ZnO and MgO in PUF resins promoted self-condensation reaction of para methylol groups and condensation reaction of ortho methylol groups with para methylol groups. The catalysts such as Na₂CO₃, ZnO, and MgO can make PUF resins cure at a low temperature. Among these catalysts, the MgO had the most significant accelerating effect on polycondensation and cure reaction of PUF resin.     

Promoted porous Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for ammonia decomposition

Transition metal catalysts have been considerably used for NH₃ decomposition because of the potential application in CO_x-free H₂ generation for fuel cells. However, most transition metal catalysts prepared via traditional synthetic approaches performed the inferior stability due to the agglomeration of active components. Here, we adopted an efficient method, aerosol-assisted self-assembly approach (AASA), to prepare the optimized cobalt-alumina (Co₃O₄-Al₂O₃) catalysts. The Co₃O₄-Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the NH3 decomposition reaction, which can reach 100% conversion at 600 °C and maintain stable for 72 h at a gaseous hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 18000 cm³ g_cat^?1 h^?1. The catalysts were characterized by various techniques including transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nitrogen sorption, temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂-TPR), ex-situ/in-situ Raman and ex-situ/in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain the information about the structure and property of the catalysts. H₂-TPR and in-situ XRD results show that there is strong interaction between the cobalt and alumina species, which influences the redox properties of the catalysts. It is found that even a low content of alumina (10 at%) is able to stabilize the catalysts due to the adequate dispersion and rational interaction between different components, which ensures the high activity and superior stability of the cobalt-alumina catalysts.     

An evaluation of silica-supported catalysts for the reaction between ethanol and polymethylhydrogensiloxane

Catalysis of the reaction between Me₃SiO[Si(H)Me)O]_nSiMe₃ (n ≈ 50) and ethanol by silica-supported rhodium and iridium catalysts has been investigated. Donor groups in the anchored ligands were PPh₂, S^?, or C₅H₄^?. The rhodium-PPh₂ system showed marked inhibition by dihydrogen. The supported iridium catalysts all showed high activity which declined rapidly during successive cycles of re-use, but the iridium-PPh₂ catalyst was the least affected. In every case, the separated liquid products showed activity as homogeneous catalysts, indicating that leaching of the metal from the support was occurring. That ligand was also being leached was shown by labelling with tritium. The results demonstrate the necessity to test supported catalysts through more than one cycle.     

Catalytic asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones by rhodium(I) complexes containing the enantiomers of (R1, R1)-(±)-1,2-phenylenebis(methylphenylarsine) and their phosphorus isosteres

Soluble (bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene)rhodium(I) complexes containing the enantiomers of (R¹,R¹-(±)-1,2-phenylenebis(methylphenyl-arsine) or its phosphorus isosteres have been found to be highly efficient catalysts for the asymmetric hydrosilylation of prochiral ketones. The rates of reaction for both the bis(tertiary arsine)- and the bis(tertiary phosphine)-containing catalysts appear to be amongst the fastest of their type hitherto reported, with both catalysts giving comparable optical yields of asymmetric silyl ethers. This is the first successful use of a tertiary arsine-containing complex for catalytic asymmetric hydrosilylation. The optical yields varied between 18 – 41% for C₆H₅COCH₃ and CH₃COC(CH₃)₃, depending upon conditions and catalyst, but with o-MeOC₆H₄COCH₃ as substrate, the optical yield dropped to 1 – 2% for both catalysts.     

Pt immobilized spontaneously on porous MXene/MAX hybrid monolith for hydrogen evolution reaction

Designing efficient electrocatalysts with low Pt loadings for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) is urgently required for renewable and sustainable energy conversion.Here,we report a strategy that Pt nanoparticulates are spontaneously immobilized on porous MXene/MAX monolith as HER catalysts by utilizing the redox reaction between Ti_3C_2T_x MXene and [PtCl_4]~2 in H_2 PtCl_6 aqueous solution.By taking advantage of homogeneously distributed Pt nanoparticulates on highly electrically conductive porous Ti_3C_2T_x/Ti_3AlC_2 monolith,the as-prepared electrocatalysts show high catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution.Specifically,the binder-free electrocatalysts have Pt loadings as low as 8.9 μg/cm~2,with low overpotential of 43 mV at a curre nt density of 10 mA/cm~2 and low Tafel slope that three times lower than porous Ti_3C_2T_x/Ti_3AlC_2 without Pt loading.This strategy offers a new approach to constructing ultra-low Pt-loading HER catalysts on the basis of in situ redox reaction between noble metal ions and MXenes.     

Optimized Pt-MnOx interface in Pt-MnOx/3DOM-Al2O3 catalysts for enhancing catalytic soot combustion

The catalysts of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Al₂O₃-supported core-shell structured Pt@MnO_x nanoparticles (3DOM-Pt@MnO_x/Al₂O₃) were successfully prepared by the gas bubbling-assisted membrane reduction-precipitation (GBMR/P) method. Pt@MnO_x core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) are highly dispersed on the inner surface of 3DOM-Al₂O₃ support. Pt@MnO_x/3DOM-Al₂O₃ catalysts, which combine both advantages of high-efficiency soot-catalyst contact by 3DOM-Al₂O₃ structure and the abundant active sites by the optimized Pt-MnO_x interface, exhibit high catalytic activities for soot combustion, and the catalytic activities are strongly dependent on the thickness of MnO_x shell. Among the catalysts, 3DOM-Pt@MnO_x/Al₂O₃-1 catalyst with optimized Pt-MnO_x interface shows the highest catalytic activity for soot combustion, i.e., its values of T₅₀ and S_CO2^m are 351 °C and 98.6%, respectively. The highest density of Pt-MnO_x active sites for adsorption-activation of gaseous O₂ is responsible for enhancing catalytic activity for soot combustion. Pt@MnO_x/3DOM-Al₂O₃ catalysts are promising to practical applications for the emission reduction of soot particles.     

Catalytic Combustion of Methane over CeO2-MOx (M=La, Ca) Solid Solution Promoted Pd/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts

Solid solution CeO₂-MO_x (M=La³⁺, Ca²⁺) promoted Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by a deposition-precipitation method. The structural properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that Mⁿ⁺ ions incorporated into CeO₂ lattice and solid solutions formed in Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-MO_x catalysts. The formation of solid solution was confirmed by the change in lattice parameters of CeO₂ and the shift of 2θ angles as compared with pure CeO₂. A strain formed in the O²⁻ sub-lattice of CeO₂ was revealed by Raman analyses, which decreased the intensity of the Raman-active band at around 463 cm⁻¹ owing to the F_2g symmetric stretching of Ce−O bond. The appearance of a new band at 615 cm⁻¹ (in the case of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-CaO) and a shoulder at 320 cm⁻¹ (in the case of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-La₂O₃) was also confirmed. Ionic Pd^δ+ species were formed in the catalysts, which exhibited higher binding energies (0.5−0.6 eV higher for Pd 3d_5/2) than that of normal PdO. The catalysts showed high activity and stability for low temperature methane combustion. 10% and 100% conversions of methane could be obtained at temperatures of 254 and 340 °C, respectively, over Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-La₂O₃ catalyst under an hourly space velocity of 50000 h⁻¹.     

Manganese(II), cobalts(II) and nickel(II) complexes of tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine and their catalytic activity toward oxidation of tetralin

Abstract  

Monomeric Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ complexes of tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine (P(2-py)₃ were synthesized through the reaction of the hydrated metal(II) chlorides with P(2-py)₃ in near-quantitative yields. The solid-state structure of the Mn complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three complexes were tested as homogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of tetralin to α-tetralone with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. The influences of temperature, solvent, catalyst molar ratio and time of the reaction on the catalyzed reactions were investigated.     

Ethylbenzene to chemicals: Catalytic conversion of ethylbenzene into styrene over metal-containing MCM-41

Isomorphously substituted (MeDM) and impregnated metal-containing MCM-41 (MeO_x/IM) catalysts, in which Me = Co, Cu, Cr, Fe or Ni, have been prepared. Structural and textural characterizations of the catalysts were performed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), N₂ adsorption isotherms and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cr⁴⁺/Cr³⁺ species were found over the catalysts as cations incorporated in the MCM-41 structure (MeDM) or highly dispersed oxides on the surface (MeO_x/IM). The MeDM catalysts exhibited a good performance in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO₂. However, MeO_x/IM catalysts had a low performance in styrene production (activity less than 15 × 10^?3 mmol h^?1 and selectivity for styrene less than 80%) due to the high reducibility of the metals species. However, Ni²⁺ or Fe³⁺ coordinated with the MCM-41 framework, as well as NiO_x and Fe₂O₃ extra-framework species, is continuously oxidized by the CO₂ to maintain the active sites for dehydrogenating ethylbenzene. Deactivation studies on the FeDM sample showed that Fe³⁺ species produced active sp² carbon compounds, which are removed by CO₂; the referred sample is catalytically selective for styrene and stable over 24 h of reaction. In contrast, highly active Ni²⁺ and Ni⁰ species produced a large amount of polyaromatic carbonaceous deposits from styrene, as identified by TPO, TG and Raman spectroscopy. An acid–base mechanism is proposed to operate to adsorb ethylbenzene and abstract the β-hydrogen. CO₂ plays a role in furnishing the lattice oxygen to maintain the Fe³⁺ active sites in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to form styrene.     

Titanium ketimide complexes as α-olefin homo- and copolymerisation catalysts. X-ray diffraction structures of [TiCp(NCBu2)Cl2] (Cp=Ind, Cp*)

The synthesis of [TiInd(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] and the applications of [TiCp^′(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] (Cp^′=Ind, Cp*, Cp) as ethylene and propylene homopolymerisation catalysts, as well as its behaviour as catalysts of ethylene and 10-undecen-1-ol copolymerisation are described. The optimisation of the catalytic reactions showed that all compounds are very active homopolymerisation catalysts, particularly [TiInd(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] that gives 123.37 × 10⁶ g/(molTi [E] h) and 50.77 × 10⁶ g/(molTi [P] h) of linear polyethylene and atatic polypropylene, respectively. The less active homopolymerisation catalyst, [TiCp(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂], is the most effective ethylene/10-undecen-1-ol copolymerisation catalyst, leading to the highest degree of polar monomer incorporation. The polymers obtained were characterised by NMR and DSC. The molecular structures of [TiCp^′(NC^tBu₂)Cl₂] (Cp^′=Ind, Cp*) were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

One-step synthesized SO42–-TiO2 with exposed (001) facets and its application in selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3

A sample of sulfated anatase TiO₂ with high-energy (001) facets (TiO₂-001) was prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal route using SO₄^2– as a morphology-controlling agent. After doping ceria, Ce/TiO₂-001 was used as the catalyst for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃. Compared with Ce/P25 (Degussa P25 TiO₂) and Ce/P25-S (sulfated P25) catalysts, Ce/TiO₂-001 was more suitable for medium- and high-temperature SCR of NO due to the high surface area, sulfation, and the excellent properties of the active-energy (001) facets. All of these facilitated the generation of abundant acidity, chemisorbed oxygen, and activated NO_x-adsorption species, which were the important factors for the SCR reaction.     

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial studies of mixed ligand silver(I) complexes of triphenylphosphine and heterocyclic thiones: Crystal structure of bis[{(μ-diazinane-2-thione)(diazinane-2-thione)(triphenylphosphine)silver(I) nitrate}]

Mixed ligand silver(I) complexes of triphenylphosphine and heterocyclic thiones (imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt), diazinane-2-thione (Diaz) and 2-mercaptopyridine (Mpy)) having the general formulae [(Ph₃P)Ag(thione)₂]NO₃ and [(Ph₃P)₂Ag(thione)]NO₃ were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopic methods. The crystal structure of one of the complexes, [Ag(Ph₃P)(Diaz)₂]₂(NO₃)₂ (1) was determined by X-ray crystallography. The title complex (1) is dinuclear, having each silver atom coordinated to three thione sulfur atoms of Diaz and to one phosphorus atom of PPh₃ in a nearly tetrahedral environment, with an average P-Ag-S bond angle of 108.5°. The spectral data of the complexes are consistent with sulfur coordination of the thiones to silver(I). Antimicrobial activities of the complexes were evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentrations and the results showed that the complexes exhibit a wide range of activity against two gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) and molds (A. niger, P. citrinum), while the activities were poor against yeasts (C. albicans, S. cerevisiae).     

Application of the impulse oscillation model for modelling the formation of peroxocarbonates via carbon dioxide reaction with dioxygen transition metal complexes: A comparison with the experimental results obtained for Rh(η2-O2)ClP3 [P=phosphane ligand]

The reaction of CO₂ with (η²-dioxygen)-transition metal complexes to give peroxocarbonates has been modelled using the Impulse Oscillation Model (IOM).¹ In accordance with our experimental findings concerning the reactivity of P₃ClRh(η²-O₂) (P=phosphane ligand) complexes towards carbon dioxide, application of the model to this reaction shows that the insertion of carbon dioxide into the OO bond is the preferred pathway. In fact, the probability for CO₂ insertion into the OO bond equals maximum to 0.98 while into the M–O bond equals to 0.02. The concordance of calculated and experimental stretching frequencies indicates the possibility of identifying, through the vibration modes, proper ligands and metal systems that behave as selective catalysts at molecular level.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of alkenes with planar chiral 2-phosphino-1-aminoferrocene-iridium(I) complexes

The first highly enantioenriched and enantiopure planar chiral 2-phosphino-1-aminoferrocene ligands and their Ir(COD)BAr_F complexes are reported. The ligands display bidentate coordination behavior towards iridium, as indicated by trends in ³¹P and ¹H NMR spectra of the phosphine moieties and the α to nitrogen substituents of the amines. All of the new complexes showed good reactivity as catalysts in promoting asymmetric hydrogenation of several prochiral alkenes, with enantioselectivities up to 92%. Iridium complexes of dimethylaminoferrocene derivatives containing P-Ar groups [PPh₂ and P(o-tol)₂] gave the highest levels of asymmetric induction.     

Ligand-enforced intimacy between a gold cation and a carbenium ion: impact on stability and reactivity

Controlling the reactivity of transition metal complexes by positioning non-innocent functionalities around the catalytic pocket is a concept that has led to significant advances in catalysis. Here we describe our efforts toward the synthesis of dicationic phosphine gold complexes of general formula [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Carb)Au(tht)]²⁺ decorated by a carbenium moiety (Carb) positioned in the immediate vicinity of the gold center. While the most acidic examples of such compounds have limited stability, the dicationic complexes with Carb⁺ = 9-N-methylacridinium and Carb⁺ = [C(Ar^N)₂]⁺ (Ar^N = p-(C₆H₄)NMe₂) are active as catalysts for the cycloisomerization of N-propargyl-4-fluorobenzamide, a substrate chosen to benchmark reactivity. The dicationic complex [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)C(Ar^N)₂)Au(tht)]²⁺, which also promotes hydroarylation and enyne cyclization reactions, displays a higher catalytic activity than its acridinium analog, indicating that the electrophilic reactivity of these complexes scales with the Lewis acidity of the carbenium moiety. These results support the role of the carbenium unit as a non-innocent functionality which can readily enhance the activity of the adjacent metal center. Finally, we also describe our efforts toward the generation and isolation of free γ-cationic phosphines of general formula [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Carb)]⁺. While cyclization into phosphonium species is observed for Carb⁺ = [C(Ar^N)₂]⁺, [C(Ph)(Ar^N)]⁺, and 9-xanthylium, [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)-9-N-methylacridinium)]⁺ can be isolated as an air stable, biphilic derivative with uncompromised Lewis acidic and basic properties.

This work describes the synthesis of carbenium-based, γ-cationic phosphines and their coordination to Au(i) cations , leading to carbophilic catalysts whose activity is enhanced by the ligand-enforced convergence of the positively charged moieties.     

Highly active double metal cyanide complexes： Effect of central metal and ligand on reaction of epoxide/CO2

Various novel double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts were successfully prepared by modifying the central metal (M) and one of cyanide ion (CN-) in Zna[M(CN)b]c complex. Such modifications have significant impact on the catalytic efficiency as well as the polymer selectivity for the reaction of PO/CO2. Zn–Ni(Ⅱ) DMC is a potential catalyst for alternating copolymerization of PO/CO2, and DMC catalysts based on Zn3[Co(CN)5X]2 (X = Br-and N3-) exhibit moderate efficiency for the production of polycarbonates. This research presents the preliminary exploration of novel DMC complex via chemical modification of its central metal and ligand.     

Isobutane dehydrogenation over chromia alumina catalysts prepared from MIL-101: Insight into chromium species on activity and selectivity

Various mesoporous chromia alumina catalysts were prepared by five different methods based on a metal-organic framework MIL-101 and their catalytic performances over isobutane dehydrogenation were investigated. The highly dispersed chromium species were produced on catalyst KCr Al-I1 with largest specific surface area of 198 m2 g-1prepared with aluminium isopropoxide(Al(i-OC3H7)3) by ultrasonic impregnation method. However, the catalyst KCr Al-I2 synthesized by stirring impregnation possessed crystalline α-Cr2O3 phase, which was poorly dispersed. Two types of Cr-rich and Al-rich Crx Al2-xO3 solid solutions, designated as Cr Al-I and Cr Al-II phase, were formed over the catalysts KCr Al-I3(prepared by Al(i-OC3H7)3with nitric acid regulation), KCr Al-C4(prepared by aluminium chloride hexahydrate) and KCr Al-N5(prepared by aluminium nitrate nonahydrate). Catalytic evaluation results revealed that KCr Al-I1 exhibited the high isobutane conversion due to its highly dispersed chromium species. However, KCr Al-I3, KCr Al-C4 and KCr Al-N5 showed the higher isobutene selectivity(95.2%-96.4%) on account of the formation of chromia alumina solid solutions in the catalysts. Moreover, the solid solution over the chromia alumina catalysts could greatly suppress the coke formation.