New technical challenges and recent advances in hydrotreatment catalysis. A critical updating review

Competition between reactive adsorption desulfurization and olefin hydrogenation over the NiO/ZnO–Al2O3–SiO2 adsorbent

The RADS process inhibits olefin hydrogenation by competitive adsorption, which is affected by temperature and Ni loading.

The unexpected effect of vacancies and wrinkling on the electronic properties of MoS2 layers

We report a combined experimental/theoretical approach to study the connection of S-vacancies and wrinkling on MoS₂ layers, and how this feature produces significant changes in the electronic structure and reactivity of this 2D material.

Aerosol processing: a wind of innovation in the field of advanced heterogeneous catalysts

Aerosol processing technologies represent a major route of innovation in the mushrooming field of heterogeneous catalysts preparation.

Room-Temperature Ring-Opening of Quinoline, Isoquinoline, and Pyridine with Low-Valent Titanium

The complex (PNP)Ti═CH^tBu(CH₂^tBu) (PNP = N[2-PⁱPr₂-4-methylphenyl]₂^-) dehydrogenates cyclohexane to cyclohexene by forming a transient low-valent titanium-alkyl species, [(PNP)Ti(CH₂^tBu)], which reacts with 2 equiv of quinoline (Q) at room temperature to form H₃C^tBu and a Ti(IV) species where the less hindered C₂═N₁ bond of Q is ruptured and coupled to another equivalent of Q. The product isolated from this reaction is an imide with a tethered cycloamide group, (PNP)Ti═N[C₁₈H₁₃N] (1). Under photolytic conditions, intramolecular C-H bond activation across the imide moiety in 1 occurs to form 2, and thermolysis reverses this process. The reaction of 2 equiv of isoquinoline (Iq) with intermediate [(PNP)Ti(CH₂^tBu)] results in regioselective cleavage of the C₁═N₂ and C₁-H bonds, which eventually couple to form complex 3, a constitutional isomer of 1. Akin to 1, the transient [(PNP)Ti(CH₂^tBu)] complex can ring-open and couple two pyridine molecules, to produce a close analogue of 1, complex (PNP)Ti═N[C₁₀H₉N] (4). Multinuclear and multidimensional NMR spectra confirm structures for complexes 1-4, whereas solid-state structural analysis reveals the structures of 2, 3, and 4. DFT calculations suggest an unprecedented mechanism for ring-opening of Q where the reactive intermediate in the low-spin manifold crosses over to the high-spin surface to access a low-energy transition state but returns to the low-spin surface immediately. This double spin-crossover constitutes a rare example of a two-state reactivity, which is key for enabling the reaction at room temperature. The regioselective behavior of Iq ring-opening is found to be due to electronic effects, where the aromatic resonance of the bicycle is maintained during the key C-C coupling event.

A review of metal recovery from spent petroleum catalysts and ash

With the increase in environmental awareness, the disposal of any form of hazardous waste has become a great concern for the industrial sector. Spent catalysts contribute to a significant amount of the solid waste generated by the petrochemical and petroleum refining industry. Hydro-cracking and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts are extensively used in the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries. The catalysts used in the refining processes lose their effectiveness over time. When the activity of catalysts decline below the acceptable level, they are usually regenerated and reused but regeneration is not possible every time. Recycling of some industrial waste containing base metals (such as V, Ni, Co, Mo) is estimated as an economical opportunity in the exploitation of these wastes. Alkali roasted catalysts can be leached in water to get the Mo and V in solution (in which temperature plays an important role during leaching). Several techniques are possible to separate the different metals, among those selective precipitation and solvent extraction are the most used. Pyrometallurgical treatment and bio-hydrometallurgical leaching were also proposed in the scientific literature but up to now they did not have any industrial application. An overview on patented and commercial processes was also presented.

Cadmium ions and cadmium sulphide particles in γ-titanium dihydrogen phosphate. Synthesis, thermal behaviour and X-ray characterization

Layered compounds with CdS particles supported on the ion-exchanger, γ-titanium dihydrogen phosphate, were prepared by the stepwise reaction of the ion-exchanger and cadmium solution, followed by reaction with H2S gas. The CdS content on the ion-exchanger is dependent on the timeframe of the H2S gas flow. The materials obtained were layered, as shown by the X-ray measurements that exhibit both precursor and CdS diffraction peaks. The thermal treatment of the material obtained gives evidence of its stability (≤ 320°C) before the CdS decomposition, which occurs in a single step.

Novel dual-bed reactors: utilization of hydrogen spillover in reactor design

Hydrogen spillover over macroscopic distances was demonstrated and exploited in the design of two novel catalytic reactors for 1-butene isomerization. A dual-bed reactor containing separate zones of noble metal and bimetallic catalysts yielded activities up to 2.7 times greater than that of the noble metal alone. The noble metal catalyst contained palladium supported on graphitic carbon. The bimetallic catalyst contained a base metal, either iron or cobalt, and a lanthanide metal, either cerium or praseodymium, also supported on graphitic carbon. The bimetallic catalysts by themselves had no measurable activity at the current experimental conditions. Results from a dual-bed, dual-feed reactor using the same catalysts showed dramatic activity increases relative to controls. In this reactor, the hydrocarbon never contacted the noble metal catalyst, yet substantial hydrocarbon conversion was measured. No hydrocarbon conversion was detected when blank support replaced the bimetallic catalyst or when no material at all was placed above the noble metal catalyst. In both reactors, the activity increase was attributed to hydrogen spillover. That is, molecular hydrogen adsorbed and dissociated on the noble metal catalyst. The adsorbed atomic hydrogen was then transported via surface diffusion to the bimetallic catalyst, activating those sites. The results also demonstrated that a catalytic reaction may occur at distinctly different reactive sites and that catalysts may be selected to promote specific steps within the reaction.

Hydrogen activation on Mo-based sulfide catalysts, a periodic DFT study

Hydrogen adsorption on Mo[bond]S, Co[bond]Mo[bond]S, and Ni[bond]Mo[bond]S (10 1 macro 0) surfaces has been modeled by means of periodic DFT calculations taking into account the gaseous surrounding of these catalysts in working conditions. On the stable Mo[bond]S surface, only six-fold coordinated Mo cations are present, whereas substitution by Co or Ni leads to the creation of stable coordinatively unsaturated sites. On the stable MoS(2) surface, hydrogen dissociation is always endothermic and presents a high activation barrier. On Co[bond]Mo[bond]S surfaces, the ability to dissociate H(2) depends on the nature of the metal atom and the sulfur coordination environment. As an adsorption center, Co strongly favors molecular hydrogen activation as compared to the Mo atoms. Co also increases the ability of its sulfur atom ligands to bind hydrogen. Investigation of surface acidity using ammonia as a probe molecule confirms the crucial role of sulfur basicity on hydrogen activation on these surfaces. As a result, Co[bond]Mo[bond]S surfaces present Co[bond]S sites for which the dissociation of hydrogen is exothermic and weakly activated. On Ni[bond]Mo[bond]S surfaces, Ni[bond]S pairs are not stable and do not provide for an efficient way for hydrogen activation. These theoretical results are in good agreement with recent experimental studies of H(2)[bond]D(2) exchange reactions.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study of surface acidity by pyridine adsorption on Mo/ZrO2-SiO2(Al2O3) catalysts

Acidity of the oxidic molybdenum catalysts supported on mixed ZrO2-SiO2 and ZrO2-Al2O3 carriers was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of pyridine adsorption. Deposition of molybdenum on ZrO2-SiO2 and ZrO2-Al2O3 supports leads to formation of surface Brønsted acid sites. The number of the Brønsted and Lewis acid sites in supported-molybdenum catalysts depends on both the ZrO2 content and the type of the support. With increasing ZrO2 content, the Lewis acid sites increase for both series of catalysts. The Brønsted acid sites are higher for Mo/ZrO2-SiO2 samples compared to those for Mo/ZrO2-Al2O3 and also increase with zirconia.