The influence of metal and carrier natures on the effectiveness of catalysts of the deoxygenation of fatty acids into hydrocarbons

The activity and selectivity of palladium, copper, platinum, and nickel catalysts in the decarbonylation of stearic acid into hydrocarbons were studied at a 14 atm hydrogen pressure and temperatures of 300-350°C. If ??-alumina was used as a carrier, the catalysts formed the series Pd > Cu > Pt > Ni according to desired product yields. Quantum-chemical simulation was performed to show that the free energy of activation increased in the same series. The same metals deposited on mixed tungsten and zirconium oxides catalyzed decarbonylation with a low yield of C₁₇ hydrocarbons, likely because such a superacidic carrier could catalyse cracking of olefins or their oligomers formed.     

Mechanism of the formation of palladium complexes serving as catalysts in hydrogenation reactions : I. Reactions of complexes with molecular hydrogen

The interaction of Ph₃PPD(OAc)₂₂ with molecular H₂ yields a binuclear complex of zero-valent palladium, (Ph₃P)₂Pd₂. This complex interacts reversibly with H₂ in CH₂Cl₂, yielding (Ph₃P)₂Pd₂H₂. In argon atmosphere (Ph₃P)₂Pd₂ reacts with [Ph₃PPd(OAc)₂₂ to form a binuclear complex of Pd^I with a metal—metal bond. These data, as well as the results of kinetic studies of the reactions between [Ph₃PPd(OAc)₂₂ and H₂, are in agreement with an autocatalytic mechanism for the process, including catalysis of the reduction of Pd^II complexes by the Pd⁰ compounds. It has been established that the synthesized compound of Pd^II, Pd^I and Pd⁰ with the ratio P/Pd?1, are inactive in the hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. The catalytically active complex (PPh)₂Pd₅ is formed when palladium acetate reacts with (Ph₃P)₂Pd₂ in the presence of H₂. The same compound is formed when a solution of (Ph₃P)₂Pd₂ is treated with a mixture of H₂ and O₂ (or H₂O₂ in an atmosphere of H₂). (PPh)₂Pd₅ is an effective catalyst for the hydrogenation of olefins, dienes, acetylenes, aldehydes, organic peroxides, quinones, O₂, Schiff bases, and nitro, nitroso, and azo compounds.     

Kinetics and mechanism of palladium(II) acetate reduction by hydrogen on the surface of a carbon support

The kinetics of the reduction of Pd(II) compounds by dihydrogen on the surface of a carbon support has been investigated for palladium acetate as an example. A kinetic model has been constructed for this reaction. An autocatalytic mechanism is suggested, in which the key role is played by Pd(0) compounds and their hydrides. The reaction occurring on the support surface is compared with the same reaction in solutions of palladium phosphine acetate complexes, where a similar mechanism is observed. One of the most important features of the surface reaction is the relatively slow reduction of the Pd(I) compounds to Pd(0). This makes it possible to obtain materials with a high Pd(I) content of 5% and above.