Single-Site Heterogeneous Catalysts

Sustainability in catalytic oxidation: an alternative approach or a structural evolution?

This Review documents some examples of recent innovations in the field of catalytic selective oxidation from an industrial point of view. The use of alkanes as building blocks for the synthesis of bulk chemicals and intermediates is discussed, along with the main properties that catalysts should possess in order to efficiently catalyse the selective oxidation of these hydrocarbons. The currently developed processes for propene oxide and new processes under investigation for the synthesis of adipic acid are also described, highlighting innovative aspects for a better sustainability of the chemical industry.

The effect of substituents of immobilized Rh complexes on the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives

Using a modified Augustine’s method variously substituted Rh complexes were anchored on Al2O3 support. The prepared catalysts were characterized by spectroscopic methods and were applied in the hydrogenation of several acetophenone derivatives (p-CF3-acetophenone, acetophenone, p-NH2-acetophenone). Enantioselective C=O hydrogenations were observed with reasonable activity and selectivity on all heterogenized complexes, e.e. up to 80%. At the same time the immobilized samples showed the advantages of the heterogeneous systems: easy handling and recyclability.

Ruthenium and osmium carbonyl clusters incorporating stannylene and stannyl ligands

The reaction of [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] with Ph(3)SnSPh in refluxing benzene furnished the bimetallic Ru-Sn compound [Ru(3)(CO)(8)(mu-SPh)(2)(mu(3)-SnPh(2))(SnPh(3))(2)] which consists of a SnPh(2) stannylene bonded to three Ru atoms to give a planar tetra-metal core, with two peripheral SnPh(3) ligands. The stannylene ligand forms a very short bond to one Ru atom [Sn-Ru 2.538(1) A] and very long bonds to the other two [Sn-Ru 3.074(1) A]. The germanium compound [Ru(3)(CO)(8)(mu-SPh)(2)(mu(3)-GePh(2))(GePh(3))(2)] was obtained from the reaction of [Ru(3)(CO)(12)] with Ph(3)GeSPh and has a similar structure to that of as evidenced by spectroscopic data. Treatment of [Os(3)(CO)(10)(MeCN)(2)] with Ph(3)SnSPh in refluxing benzene yielded the bimetallic Os-Sn compound [Os(3)(CO)(9)(mu-SPh)(mu(3)-SnPh(2))(MeCN)(eta(1)-C(6)H(5))] . Cluster has a superficially similar planar metal core, but with a different bonding mode with respect to that of . The Ph(2)Sn group is bonded most closely to Os(2) and Os(3) [2.786 and 2.748 A respectively] with a significantly longer bond to Os(1), 2.998 A indicating a weak back-donation to the Sn. The reaction of the bridging dppm compound [Ru(3)(CO)(10)(mu-dppm)] with Ph(3)SnSPh afforded [Ru(3)(CO)(6)(mu-dppm)(mu(3)-S)(mu(3)-SPh)(SnPh(3))] . Compound contains an open triangle of Ru atoms simultaneously capped by a sulfido and a PhS ligand on opposite sides of the cluster with a dppm ligand bridging one of the Ru-Ru edges and a Ph(3)Sn group occupying an axial position on the Ru atom not bridged by the dppm ligand.

Exploiting nanospace for asymmetric catalysis: confinement of immobilized, single-site chiral catalysts enhances enantioselectivity

In the mid-1990s, it became possible to prepare high-area silicas having pore diameters controllably adjustable in the range ca. 20-200 Å. Moreover, the inner walls of these nanoporous solids could be functionalized to yield single-site, chiral, catalytically active organometallic centers, the precise structures of which could be determined using in situ X-ray absorption and FTIR and multinuclear magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. This approach opened up the prospect of performing heterogeneous enantioselective conversions in a novel manner, under the spatial restrictions imposed by the nanocavities within which the reactions occur. In particular, it suggested an alternative method for preparing pharmaceutically and agrochemically useful asymmetric products by capitalizing on the notion, initially tentatively perceived, that spatial confinement of prochiral reactants (and transition states formed at the chiral active center) would provide an altogether new method of boosting the enantioselectivity of the anchored chiral catalyst. Initially, we anchored chiral single-site heterogeneous catalysts to nanopores covalently via a ligand attached to Pd(II) or Rh(I) centers. Later, we employed a more convenient and cheaper electrostatic method, relying in part on strong hydrogen bonding. This Account provides many examples of these processes, encompassing hydrogenations, oxidations, and aminations. Of particular note is the facile synthesis from methyl benzoylformate of methyl mandelate, which is a precursor in the synthesis of pemoline, a stimulant of the central nervous system; our procedure offers several viable methods for reducing ketocarboxylic acids. In addition to relying on earlier (synchrotron-based) in situ techniques for characterizing catalysts, we have constructed experimental procedures involving robotically controlled catalytic reactors that allow the kinetics of conversion and enantioselectivity to be monitored continually, and we have access to sophisticated, high-sensitivity chiral chromatographic facilities and automated high-throughput combinatorial test rigs so as to optimize the reaction conditions (e.g., H(2) pressure, temperature, time on-stream, pH, and choice of ligand and central metal ion) for high enantioselectivity. This Account reports our discoveries of selective hydrogenations and aminations of synthetic, pharmaceutical, and biological significance, and the findings of other researchers who have achieved similar success in oxidations, dehydrations, cyclopropanations, and hydroformylations. Although the practical advantages and broad general principles governing the enhancement of enantioselectivity through spatial confinement are clear, we require a deeper theoretical understanding of the details pertaining to the phenomenology involved, particularly through molecular dynamics simulations. Ample scope exists for the general exploitation of nanospace in asymmetric hydrogenations with transition metal complexes and for its deployment for the formation of C-N, C-C, C-O, C-S, and other bonds.

A comparison of types of catalyst: the quality of metallo-enzymes

The purpose of this review is to compare four kinds of catalyst: molecular and enzymic, both homogeneous, and non-conducting and conducting solids, both heterogeneous, in order to show the full power of metallo-enzymes. For ease of comparison we restrict ourselves to describing catalysts containing single metal atom or ion units, only briefly mentioning more complex units. Their common ground lies in the nature of their active sites for attacking the substrate, but here we stress that their differences often rest in the value of their frameworks. The frameworks contribute to activity through binding of substrate, creating selectivity, or even by directly aiding the catalytic act of transforming the substrate to the product, when there is an active region rather than a site. It may also provide limited directed motion aiding effective progress of the active groups themselves through a cycle of activity. The article highlights the difficulties in the use of other kinds of catalysts as aids to the understanding of enzymes. Part A is a general description and Part B is a set of examples of the catalysts.

SYNTHESIS OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL-IMINES BY SOLID ACID/SUPERACID CATALYZED MICROWAVE ASSISTED APPROACH

A new solid acid/superacid catalyzed microwave assisted synthesis of trifluoromethyl-imines is described. Various α,α,α-trifluoromethylketones react readily with primary amines to produce the corresponding imines. Two different strategies have been employed; one is the application of microwave irradiation coupled with solvent-free solid acid catalysis. The other method, for highly deactivated substrates includes the use of a pressure vessel at 175 °C temperature, with solid superacid catalysis. Using the solid acid K-10 montmorillonite or the superacidic perfluorinated resinsulfonic acid Nafion-H, a wide variety of trifluoromethylated imines have been synthesized using the above methods. The products have been isolated in good to excellent yields and high selectivities. This new environmentally friendly synthetic methodology provides significantly higher yields than traditional methods during relatively short reaction times for the preparation of the target compounds.

Grafting of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes on aminosilane linker modified mesoporous SBA-15 silicates

Cyclopentadienyl ruthenium phosphane and carbene complexes are grafted on the surface of mesoporous SBA-15 molecular sieves through an aminosilane linker. The nature of the support after the grafting is examined by powder XRD, TEM and N(2) adsorption/desorption analysis. Elemental analysis, FT-IR, DRIFTS, TG-MS and MAS-NMR studies confirm the successful grafting of the complexes on the surface. The grafted materials are applied for catalytic aldehyde olefination and cyclopropanation.

Chiral catalysis in nanopores of mesoporous materials

This article reviews the recent progress made in asymmetric catalysis in the nanopores of mesoporous materials and periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs). Some examples of chiral catalysts within the nanopores show improved catalytic performance compared to homogeneous catalysts. The factors including the confinement effect, the properties of the linkages and the microenvironment in nanopores, which affect the activity and enantioselectivity of asymmetric catalysis in nanopores, are discussed.

A well-defined silica-supported dinuclear tungsten(iii) amido species: synthesis, characterization and reactivity

Grafting of [W(2)(NMe(2))(6)] onto dehydroxylated silica affords the well-defined surface species [([triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-O)W(2)(NMe(2))(5)], characterized by elemental analysis, and infrared, Raman and NMR spectroscopies, and the catalytic reactivity of this supported tungsten(III) d(3)-d(3) dimer and of its alkoxide derivatives towards alkynes has been probed.

A high-performance selective oxidation system for the facile production of fine chemicals

Mn(III)AlPO-5 and Cr(VI)AlPO-5 redox (microporous) catalysts are effective, in the presence of dissolved acetylperoxyborate (APB) under mild conditions (333-373 K), and much superior to the titanosilicate, TS-1 (also a single-site heterogeneous catalyst), in the selective oxidation of primary, secondary, benzylic and other unsaturated alcohols, p-cymene, methyl cyclohexene and other speciality organics which are of value in the fine-chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Advanced Surface Functionalization of Periodic Mesoporous Silica: Kinetic Control by Trisilazane Reagents

The surface reactions of mesoporous silica MCM-41 with a series of new trisilylamines (trisilazanes) (SiHMe2)2NSiMe2R and (SiMe2Vin)2NSiMe2R (R = indenyl, norpinanyl, chloropropyl, 3-(N-morpholin)propyl; Vin = vinyl), disilylalkylamine (SiHMe2)iPrNSiMe2(CH2)3Cl, and monosilyldialkylamines Me2NSiMe2R (R = indenyl, chloropropyl, 3-(N-morpholin)propyl) were investigated. 1H, 13C, and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, infrared spectroscopy, and model reactions with calix[4]arene as a mimic for an oxo surface were used to clarify the chemical nature of surface-bonded silyl groups. The trisilylamines exhibited a comparatively slow surface reaction, which allowed for the adjustment of the amount of silylated and nonreacted SiOH groups and led to a stoichiometric distribution of surface functionalities. The 2:1 integral ratio of SiHMe2 and SiMe2R moieties of such trisilazanes was found to be preserved on the silica surface as indicated by microanalytical as well as 13C and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopic data of the hybrid materials. For example, the reaction of MCM-41 with (SiHMe2)2NSiMe2(CH2)3Cl, (SiHMe2)iPrNSiMe2(CH2)3Cl, and Me2NSiMe2(CH2)3Cl provided bi- and monofunctional hybrid materials with one-third, one-half, or all chemically accessible silanol groups derivatized by chloropropyl groups, respectively. Thus, a molecular precursor strategy was developed to efficiently control the relative amount of three different surface species, SiHMe2 (or SiVinMe2), SiMe2R, and SiOH, in a single reaction step. The reaction behavior of indenyl-substituted monosilazanes and trisilazanes (R = Ind) with calix[4]arene proved that the indenyl substituent can act as a leaving group forming a dimethylsilyl species, which is anchored bipodally on the silica surface, that is, via two Si-O bonds.