Oxide solid solutions as catalysts

Opportunities of MXenes in Heterogeneous Catalysis: V2C as Aerobic Oxidation Catalyst

MXenes are two-dimensional nanomaterials having alternating sheets of one atom-thick early transition metal layer and one atom-thick carbide or nitride layer. The external surface contains termination groups, whose nature depends on the etching agent used in the preparation procedure from the MAX phase. The present concept proposes that, due to their composition, the metal-surface termination groups make MXenes particularly suited as heterogeneous catalysts for some reactions. This proposal comes from the consideration that early transition metal atoms bonded to hydroxyl and oxo groups are a general type of active sites in heterogeneous catalysis and that similar catalytic centers can also be present in the MXene structure. After having presented the concept, we have selected V2C Mxene as an example to illustrate its catalytic activity and to show how the catalytic performance varies when the surface groups are modified. As a test reaction, we selected the aerobic oxidation of indane to the corresponding indanol/indanone mixture using molecular oxygen as terminal oxidizing reagent. Two previously reported procedures to modify the surface groups, namely surface dehydroxylation by thermal treatment under diluted hydrogen flow and surface oxidation with ammonium persulfate to convert some surface groups into oxo groups were used, observing in both cases a decrease in the catalytic activity of V2C. Based on this, VIII/IV-OH are proposed as catalytic centers in this aerobic oxidation. Overall, the present concept shows the merits of MXenes in heterogeneous catalysis, based on their chemical composition and the surface functionality.

Selective nucleophilic α-C alkylation of phenols with alcohols via Ti=Cα intermediate on anatase TiO2 surface

C-C bond forming reaction by alkylation of aryl rings is a main pillar of chemistry in the production of broad portfolios of chemical products. The dominant mechanism proceeds via electrophilic substitution of secondary and tertiary carbocations over acid catalysts, forming multiple aryl alkylation products non-selectively through all secondary and tertiary carbons in the alkyl chains but producing little α-C alkylation products because primary carbocations are poorly stable. Herein, we report that anatase TiO2 (TiO2-A) catalyzes nucleophilic α-C alkylation of phenols with alcohols in high selectivity to simply linear alkylphenols. Experimental and computational studies reveal the formation of Ti=C- bond with the α-carbon of the alkyl group at oxygen vacancies of the TiO2-A surface. The subsequent α-C alkylation by selective substitution of phenol ortho-C-H bond is verified by deuterium exchanged substrate and DFT calculations.

Sustainable Conversion of Carbon Dioxide: An Integrated Review of Catalysis and Life Cycle Assessment

CO₂ conversion covers a wide range of possible application areas from fuels to bulk and commodity chemicals and even to specialty products with biological activity such as pharmaceuticals. In the present review, we discuss selected examples in these areas in a combined analysis of the state-of-the-art of synthetic methodologies and processes with their life cycle assessment. Thereby, we attempted to assess the potential to reduce the environmental footprint in these application fields relative to the current petrochemical value chain. This analysis and discussion differs significantly from a viewpoint on CO₂ utilization as a measure for global CO₂ mitigation. Whereas the latter focuses on reducing the end-of-pipe problem "CO₂ emissions" from todays' industries, the approach taken here tries to identify opportunities by exploiting a novel feedstock that avoids the utilization of fossil resource in transition toward more sustainable future production. Thus, the motivation to develop CO₂-based chemistry does not depend primarily on the absolute amount of CO₂ emissions that can be remediated by a single technology. Rather, CO₂-based chemistry is stimulated by the significance of the relative improvement in carbon balance and other critical factors defining the environmental impact of chemical production in all relevant sectors in accord with the principles of green chemistry.

Screening mechanisms at polar oxide heterointerfaces

The interfaces of polar oxide heterostructures can display electronic properties unique from the oxides they border, as they require screening from either internal or external sources of charge. The screening mechanism depends on a variety of factors, including the band structure at the interface, the presence of point defects or adsorbates, whether or not the oxide is ferroelectric, and whether or not an external field is applied. In this review, we discuss both theoretical and experimental aspects of different screening mechanisms, giving special emphasis to ways in which the mechanism can be altered to provide novel or tunable functionalities. We begin with a theoretical introduction to the problem and highlight recent progress in understanding the impact of point defects on polar interfaces. Different case studies are then discussed, for both the high thickness regime, where interfaces must be screened and each interface can be considered separately, and the low thickness regime, where the degree and nature of screening can be manipulated and the interfaces are close enough to interact. We end with a brief outlook toward new developments in this rapidly progressing field.