Selective Heterogeneous Transfer Hydrogenation from Tertiary Amines to Alkynes

Dehydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation of Alkenones to Phenols and Ketones on Carbon-Supported Noble Metals

The catalytic dehydrogenation of substituted alkenones on noble metal catalysts supported on carbon (Pt/C, Pd/C, Rh/C, and Ru/C) was investigated in an organic phase under inert conditions. The dehydrogenation and semihydrogenation of the enone starting materials resulted in aromatic compounds (primary products), saturated cyclic ketones (secondary products), and cyclic alcohols (minor products). Pd/C exhibits the highest catalytic activity, followed by Pt/C and Rh/C. Aromatic compounds remain the primary products, even in the presence of hydrogen donors. Joint experimental and theoretical analyses showed that the four catalytic materials stabilize a common dienol intermediate on the metal surfaces, formed by keto-enol tautomerization. This intermediate subsequently forms aromatic products upon dehydrogenation. The binding orientation of the enone reactants on the catalytic surface is strongly metal-dependent, as the M-O bond distance changes substantially according to the metal. The longer M-O bonds (Pt: 2.84 Å > Pd: 2.23 Å > Rh: 2.17 Å > Ru: 2.07 Å) correlate with faster reaction rates and more favorable keto-enol tautomerization, as shorter distances correspond to a more stabilized starting material. Tautomerization is shown to occur via a stepwise surface-assisted pathway. Overall, each of the studied metals exhibits a distinct balance of enthalpy and entropy of activation (ΔH°‡, ΔS°‡), offering unique possibilities in the realm of enone dehydrogenation reactions that can be achieved by suitable selection of catalytic materials.

Photoinduced NiH Catalysis with Trialkylamines for the Stereodivergent Transfer Semi-Hydrogenation of Alkynes

We report a selectivity-switchable nickel hydride-catalyzed methodology that enables the stereocontrolled semi-reduction of internal alkynes to E- or Z-alkenes under very mild conditions. The proposed transfer semi-hydrogenation process involves the use of a dual nickel/photoredox catalytic system and triethylamine, not only as a sacrificial reductant, but also as a source of hydrogen atoms. Mechanistic studies revealed a pathway involving photo-induced generation of nickel hydride, syn-hydronickelation of alkyne, and alkenylnickel isomerization as key steps. Remarkably, mechanistic experiments indicate that the control of the stereoselectivity is not ensuing from a post-reduction alkene photoisomerization under our conditions. Instead, we demonstrate that the stereoselectivity of the reaction is dependent on the rate of a final protonolysis step which can be tuned by adjusting the pKa of an alcohol additive.

MIL-100(Fe) Supported Pt-Co Nanoparticles as Active and Selective Heterogeneous Catalysts for Hydrogenation of 1,3-Butadiene

Superior catalytic performance for selective 1,3‐butadiene (1,3‐BD) hydrogenation can usually be achieved with supported bimetallic catalysts. In this work, Pt−Co nanoparticles and Pt nanoparticles supported on metal–organic framework MIL‐100(Fe) catalysts (MIL=Materials of Institut Lavoisier, PtCo/MIL‐100(Fe) and Pt/MIL‐100(Fe)) were synthesized via a simple impregnation reduction method, and their catalytic performance was investigated for the hydrogenation of 1,3‐BD. Pt1Co1/MIL‐100(Fe) presented better catalytic performance than Pt/MIL‐100(Fe), with significantly enhanced total butene selectivity. Moreover, the secondary hydrogenation of butenes was effectively inhibited after doping with Co. The Pt1Co1/MIL‐100(Fe) catalyst displayed good stability in the 1,3‐BD hydrogenation reaction. No significant catalyst deactivation was observed during 9 h of hydrogenation, but its catalytic activity gradually reduces for the next 17 h. Carbon deposition on Pt1Co1/MIL‐100(Fe) is the reason for its deactivation in 1,3‐BD hydrogenation reaction. The spent Pt1Co1/MIL‐100(Fe) catalyst could be regenerated at 200 °C, and regenerated catalysts displayed the similar 1,3‐BD conversion and butene selectivity with fresh catalysts. Moreover, the rate‐determining step of this reaction was hydrogen dissociation. The outstanding activity and total butene selectivity of the Pt1Co1/MIL‐100(Fe) catalyst illustrate that Pt−Co bimetallic catalysts are an ideal alternative for replacing mono‐noble‐metal‐based catalysts in selective 1,3‐BD hydrogenation reactions.