Gold supported on carbon nanotubes for the selective oxidation of glycerol

Experimental and theoretical study on the regioselective bis- or polyalkylation of 6-amino-2-mercapto-3H-pyrimidin-4-one using zeolite nano-gold catalyst and a quantum hybrid computational method

The synthetic utility of 6-amino-2-mercapto-3H-pyrimidin-4-one 3 as building blocks for new poly (pyrimidine) by alkylation using the bis(halo) compounds and zeolite nano-gold as a catalyst was investigated. Furthermore, the experimental findings by the theoretical Density functional theory (DFT) computations at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory, utilizing the 6-311++G (d,p) basis set in the gas phase, were used to investigate the distinct phases for Regio isomer 11a & 12a and 11b & 12b compounds was fair and of good quality. The stability of the 12a and 12b phases is higher than the other Regio isomer 11a and 11b phases, according to DFT modelling. By computing HOMO and LUMO pictures, the electronic parameters: dipole moment of these compounds in the ground state were theoretically investigated. Non-linear optical (NLO) characteristics and quantum chemical parameters were examined using frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis. Natural bond orbital analysis was used to characterize the charge transfer of the electron density in the investigated compounds (NBO). The molecular electrostatic potential surfaces (MEPS) plots have been generated, and absorption spectral analysis in different solvents has been theoretically and experimentally examined to better understand the reactivity spots. At the B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level of theory, thermodynamic properties were also calculated. Finally, DFT calculations were used to connect the structure-activity relationship (SAR) with real antibacterial results for compounds 12a and 12b.

Impact of the Experimental Parameters on Catalytic Activity When Preparing Polymer Protected Bimetallic Nanoparticle Catalysts on Activated Carbon

Sol immobilization is used to produce bimetallic catalysts with higher activity to monometallic counterparts for a wide range of environmental and commercial catalytic transformations. Analysis of complementary surface characterization (XPS, Boehm's titration, and zeta potential measurements) was used to elucidate alterations in the surface functionality of two activated carbon supports during acid exposure. When considered in parallel to the experimentally determined electrostatic and conformational changes of the polymer surrounding the nanoparticles, an electrostatic model is proposed describing polymer protected nanoparticle deposition with several polymer-carbon support examples described. Consideration of the electrostatic interactions ensures full deposition of the polymer protected nanoparticles and at the same time influences the structure of the bimetallic nanoparticle immobilized on the support. The normalized activity of AuPd catalysts prepared with 133 ppm H₂SO₄ has a much higher activity for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide compared to catalysts prepared in the absence of acid. Detailed characterization by XPS indicates that the surface becomes enriched in Au in the Au-Pd samples prepared with acid, suggesting an improved dispersion of smaller bimetallic nanoparticles, rich in Au, that are known to be highly active for the direct synthesis reaction. Subsequent microscopy measurements confirmed this hypothesis, with the acid addition catalysts having a mean particle size ∼2 nm smaller than the zero acid counterparts. The addition of acid did not result in a morphology change, and random alloyed bimetallic AuPd nanoparticles were observed in catalysts prepared by sol immobilization in the presence and absence of acid. This work shows that the deposition of polymer protected AuPd nanoparticles onto activated carbon is heavily influenced by the acid addition step in the sol immobilization process. The physicochemical properties of both the polymer and the activated carbon support should be considered when designing a bimetallic nanoparticle catalyst by sol immobilization to ensure the optimum performance of the final catalyst.

Preparation of pyrimido[4,5-b][1,6]naphthyridin-4(1H)-one derivatives using a zeolite–nanogold catalyst and their in vitro evaluation as anticancer agent

Catalysis using supported gold nanoparticles has attracted significant research interest due to their unique properties and potential that is directly related to their particle size. An efficient one-pot, three-component procedure is developed for the preparation of pyrimido[4,5- b][1,6]naphthyridin-4( 1H)-one derivatives (4a–h) by cyclocondensation of 6-amino-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-4( 1H)-one (1), aromatic aldehydes (2), and 1-benzylpiperidin-4-one (3) in the presence of zeolite-nano Au as a green catalyst in ethanol at 80 °C. The presented methodology has a number of advantages including a reusable catalyst, easy access, short reaction times, high yields, and an easy work-up. The nanogold catalyst is characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The structures of the prepared compounds are established by elemental analyses and spectral data (infrared, mass spectrometry, 1H, and 13C NMR). While molecular docking studies show that products 4a and 4c have binding affinities with the active site of CDKs. A bio-evaluation assay revealed that some of the products exhibit strong to moderate effects against proliferation of Huh7 in an in vitro model of human liver cancer cells as confirmed by morphological alteration. Compounds 4c and 4a offer the lowest IC50 values at 22.5 and 39 µM, respectively.

Blue luminescent graphene quantum dot conjugated cysteamine functionalized-gold nanoparticles (GQD-AuNPs) for sensing hazardous dye Erythrosine B

Erythrosine B (ErB) is a xanthenes approved dye that widely used in various fields such as foods, drugs and cosmetics. This work intended to analyze the interaction of this dye on synthesized graphene quantum dot conjugated cysteamine functionalized gold nanoparticles. Pyrolysis of citric acid was applied to graphene quantum dots (GQDs) synthesis. These are zero dimensional materials promising considerable applications because of their extraordinary physicochemical properties. In this work, to improve its applications conjugates of GQDs and gold nanoparticles (GQD-AuNPs) are synthesized and characterized with FESEM, TEM, EDX and FTIR techniques. Interaction of ErB with synthesized conjugates was investigated using fluorescence technique and the results demonstrate that ErB can quench fluorescence of GQD-AuNPs conjugates, considerably. At last, we used of this good interaction for construction sensor for detection of ErB in the concentration range of 1.2 nM to 50 nM and the obtained LOD was 0.03 nM (S/N = 3) with correlation coefficient of (99%).

The effects of calcination temperature of support on Au/CuO-ZrO2 catalysts for oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a fine chemical and has been widely used in the cosmetics industry. In this work, DHA was synthesized with high selectivity over Au catalysts, also supported by Cu-Zr mixed oxide calcined at different temperatures. The effects of the calcination temperature of supports on the properties and catalytic performance for glycerol oxidation to dihydroxyacetone were also studied. BET and CO₂-TPD measurements demonstrated that the increase in the support calcination temperature reduced the specific surface area of the catalyst and further reduced the surface basic sites of the catalysts. With increased support calcination temperature, the surface content of Au⁰ and the dispersion of Au first increase until the calcination temperature of the support was 600 °C and then decrease. It was also observed that the glycerol conversion is positively correlated with the surface content of Au⁰ and the dispersion of Au, while upon the increase of the amount of the basic sites, the catalytic activity increases first and then decreases. The suitable support calcination temperature is beneficial for the conversion of glycerol, and the best catalytic performance is obtained when the calcination temperature is 600 °C.

Selective Oxidation of Glycerol to Dihydroxyacetone over Au/CuxZr1-xOy Catalysts in Base-Free Conditions

In this paper, a series of Cu-Zr mixed metal oxide-supported Au catalysts were prepared by deposition-precipitation and evaluated for selective oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in base-free conditions. The best catalytic performance was obtained with DHA selectivity of up to 95% and yield of 70% in 4 h, 50 °C and P_O2 = 0.2 MPa over the Au/Cu_0.95Zr_0.05 and Au/Cu_0.9Zr_0.1 catalysts. Combined with the characterization results of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and CO₂ temperature programmed desorption, it was proposed that the content of Au⁰, the size of Au, and the basicity of the catalyst affected the glycerol conversion and DHA selectivity. After the catalyst was recycled four times, the glycerol conversion decreased by about 14% which might result from the carbon deposition or the byproduct adsorption and the agglomeration of Au particle.

Supported Gold Nanoparticles as Catalysts for the Oxidation of Alcohols and Alkanes

Supporting gold nanoparticles have shown to be extremely active for many industrially important reactions, including oxidations. Two representative examples are the oxidation of alcohols and alkanes, that are substrates of industrial interest, but whose oxidation is still challenging. This review deals with these reactions, giving an insight of the first studies performed by gold based catalysts in these reactions and the most recent developments in the field.

Selective oxidation of glycerol on morphology controlled ceria nanomaterials

It is reported, for the first time, that morphology controlled ceria without any addition of other metal exhibits catalytic activity for selective oxidation of glycerol. Moreover, development of {111} nanofacets plays an important role in both activity and selectivity.

Enhanced performance of bimetallic PtCo/MCM-41 catalysts for glycerol oxidation in base-free medium

Optimizing the electronic coupling in heterogeneous catalysts by tuning metal–metal interactions remains a significant challenge.

Selective Oxidation of Glycerol Using 3% H2O2 Catalyzed by Supported Nano-Au Catalysts

A series of transition metal oxides or mixed oxides supported nano-Au catalysts were prepared for the selective oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid using 3% H2O2. It was found that the composition and structure of supports significantly influenced the catalytic performance of catalysts. The mesoporous trimetal mixed oxide (CuNiAlO) supported nano-Au catalysts were more active in comparison with the others. In the present catalytic system, the highest glycerol conversion was 90.5%, while the selectivity of glyceric acid could reach 72%. Moreover, the catalytic performance remained after 11 times of reaction.

The Role of Mg(OH)2 in the So-Called "Base-Free" Oxidation of Glycerol with AuPd Catalysts

Mg(OH)2 - and Mg(OH)2 -containing materials can provide excellent performance as supports for AuPd nanoparticles for the oxidation of glycerol in the absence of base, which is considered to be a result of additional basic sites on the surface of the support. However, its influence on the reaction solution is not generally discussed. In this paper, we examine the relationship between the basic Mg(OH)2 support and AuPd nanoparticles in detail using four types of catalyst. For these reactions, the physical interaction between Mg(OH)2 and AuPd was adjusted. It was found that the activity of the AuPd nanoparticles increased with the amount of Mg(OH)2 added under base-free conditions, regardless of its interaction with the noble metals. In order to investigate how Mg(OH)2 affected the glycerol oxidation, detailed information about the performance of AuPd/Mg(OH)2 , physically mixed (AuPd/C+Mg(OH)2 ) and (AuPd/C+NaHCO3 ) was obtained and compared. Furthermore, NaOH and Mg(OH)2 were added during the reaction using AuPd/C. All these results indicate that the distinctive and outstanding performance of Mg(OH)2 supported catalysts in base-free condition is in fact directly related to its ability to affect the pH during the reaction and as such, assists with the initial activation of the primary alcohol, which is considered to be the rate determining step in the reaction.

Gold Nanoparticles Deposited on Surface Modified Carbon Xerogels as Reusable Catalysts for Cyclohexane C-H Activation in the Presence of CO and Water

The use of gold as a promotor of alkane hydrocarboxylation is reported for the first time. Cyclohexane hydrocarboxylation to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (up to 55% yield) with CO, water, and peroxodisulfate in a water/acetonitrile medium at circa 50 °C has been achieved in the presence of gold nanoparticles deposited by a colloidal method on a carbon xerogel in its original form (CX), after oxidation with HNO₃ (-ox), or after oxidation with HNO₃ and subsequent treatment with NaOH (-ox-Na). Au/CX-ox-Na behaves as re-usable catalyst maintaining its initial activity and selectivity for at least seven consecutive cycles. Green metric values of atom economy or carbon efficiency also attest to the improvement brought by this novel catalytic system to the hydrocarboxylation of cyclohexane.

Regioselective Heck reaction catalyzed by Pd nanoparticles immobilized on DNA-modified MWCNTs

This is the first report of regioselective Heck reaction of aryl iodides with 2,3-dihydrofuran using heterogonous nanocatalyst.

Metal-supported carbon-based materials: opportunities and challenges in the synthesis of valuable products

We summarize relevant applications and limitations of metal-supported carbons and nanocarbons in the synthesis of valuable products and the recent advances in this field.

Improvement of performance of a Au–Cu/AC catalyst using thiol for acetylene hydrochlorination reaction

Thiol could bond to the surface, mitigating the oxidation by HCl and protecting the active structure of Au NPs.

Engineering noble metal nanomaterials for environmental applications

Besides being valuable assets in our daily lives, noble metals (namely, gold, silver, and platinum) also feature many intriguing physical and chemical properties when their sizes are reduced to the nano- or even subnano-scale; such assets may significantly increase the values of the noble metals as functional materials for tackling important societal issues related to human health and the environment. Among which, designing/engineering of noble metal nanomaterials (NMNs) to address challenging issues in the environment has attracted recent interest in the community. In general, the use of NMNs for environmental applications is highly dependent on the physical and chemical properties of NMNs. Such properties can be readily controlled by tailoring the attributes of NMNs, including their size, shape, composition, and surface. In this feature article, we discuss recent progress in the rational design and engineering of NMNs with particular focus on their applications in the field of environmental sensing and catalysis. The development of functional NMNs for environmental applications is highly interdisciplinary, which requires concerted efforts from the communities of materials science, chemistry, engineering, and environmental science.

Selective oxidation of veratryl alcohol with composites of Au nanoparticles and graphene quantum dots as catalysts

Veratryl alcohol can be oxidized to veratryl aldehyde or veratric acid with excellent selectivity and efficient conversion using Au and graphene quantum dot composites (Au/GQDs) as catalysts.

PtAu alloy nanoparticles supported on thermally expanded graphene oxide as a catalyst for the selective oxidation of glycerol

Thermally expanded graphene oxide supported PtAu alloy nanoparticles showed high catalytic activity in the oxidation of glycerol in base-free aqueous solution.

Synthesis of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their excellent catalytic performance for oxidation of benzyl alcohol

A simple approach to synthesize highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles on CNTs without a capping agent is presented which exhibits high activity and selectivity for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol.

Platinum nanoparticles supported on N-doped carbon nanotubes for the selective oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid in a base-free aqueous solution

Pt/N-CNT out-performed Pt/CNT for glycerol oxidation with molecular oxygen under atmospheric pressure in a base-free aqueous solution, in terms of glycerol conversion and glyceric acid selectivity.

The hydrogenation of aromatic-naphthalene with Ni2P/CNTs

Ni₂P/CNTs was firstly used for HYD of aromatic-naphthalene compounds.

Gold-Based Catalysts

The discovery of the catalytic power of gold, always regarded as inert, dates back to the early 1990s. The keystone is the nanometric scale: only when bulk gold was found to be dramatically enhanced when downsized to nanometric particles did its extraordinary catalytic activity definitely come out and it still continues to show more of this peculiarity. This represented a breakthrough in chemistry, especially in organic synthesis, allowing catalyzed selective oxidations of various substrates to be carried out to give important chemicals under green conditions. Gold, alone or alloyed with a second metal, has turned out to be particularly effective in the selective oxidation of different alcohols, which can be tuned to their carbonylic and carboxylic derivatives. In this chapter, an overview of the aerobic oxidation of alcohols carried out with supported gold-based catalysts in the liquid phase is presented, with a particular focus on substrates of interest such as glycerol and allyl alcohol. Some vapor-phase processes worthy of mention are also included, plus a section introducing the main methods of preparation of gold-based catalysts and their characterization.