Selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using monometallic and bimetallic supported nanoparticles

This work deals with the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) using metal supported catalysts. Catalysts were prepared from the immobilisation of preformed monometallic (Au, Pd) and bimetallic (AuCu, AuPd) nanoparticles on commercial oxides (TiO2, CeO2). Au-TiO2 catalyst was found to be very active for HMF oxidation; however, this system deactivated very fast. For this reason, we prepared bimetallic gold-copper nanoparticles and an increase in the catalytic activity was observed together with an increase in catalyst stability. In order to optimise the interaction of the metal active phase with the support, Au and AuCu nanoparticles were supported onto CeO2. Au-CeO2 catalyst was found to be more active than the bimetallic one, leading to the conclusion that in this case the most important feature is the interaction between gold and the support. Catalyst pre-treatments (calcination and washing) were carried out to maximise the contact between the metal and the oxide and an increase in the FDCA production could be observed. The presence of ceria defective sites was crucial for FDCA formation. Mesoporous cerium oxide was synthesised with the hard template method and was used as support for Au nanoparticles to promote the catalytic activity. In order to study the role of active phase in HMF oxidation, PdAu nanoparticles were supported onto TiO2. Au and Pd monometallic catalysts were very active in the formation of HMFCA (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furan carboxylic acid), but Pd was not able to convert it, leading to a low FDCA yield. The calcination of PdAu catalysts led to Pd segregation on the particles surface, which changed the reaction pathway and included an important contribution of the Cannizzaro reaction. PVP protected PdAu nanoparticles, synthesised with different morphologies (core-shell and alloyed structure), confirmed the presence of a different reaction mechanism when the metal surface composition changes.

Bio-inspired polymer-supported nitrido molybdenum(VI) complexes for ammonia synthesis − reactivity towards protons and electrons : EPR investigations on paramagnetic molybdenum(V) and copper(II) complexes

Die biologische Stickstofffixierung durch Molybdän-haltige Nitrogenasen sowie die Erforschung des zugrundeliegenden komplexen Mechanismus (N2-Aktivierung an Metall-Zentren, 6-fache Protonierung und Reduktion, N–N Bindungsspaltung unter Bildung von Ammoniak) ist von erheblichem Interesse. Insbesondere Molybdän-Komplexe wurden bereits erfolgreich als Modellverbindungen für die Untersuchung elementarer Einzelschritte der N2-Aktivierung eingesetzt. Durch die Verwendung von Triamidoamin-Liganden ist es Schrock et al. sogar gelungen mehrere Katalysezyklen zu durchlaufen und einen Mechanismus zu formulieren. Trotz der sterisch anspruchsvollen Substituenten in den Schrock-Komplexen ist die Umsatzrate dieses homogenen Katalysators, aufgrund Komplex-Deaktivierung infolge intermolekularer Reaktionen wie Dimerisierung und Disproportionierung, limitiert. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden einige dieser Herausforderungen angegangen und die aktiven Spezies auf einer Festphase immobilisiert, um intermolekulare Reaktionen durch räumliche Isolierung der Komplexe zu unterdrücken.rnEin Polymer-verankertes Analogon des Schrock Nitrido-Molybdän(VI)-Komplexes wurde auf einem neuen Reaktionsweg synthetisiert. Dieser beinhaltet nur einen einzigen Reaktionsschritt, um die funktionelle Gruppe „MoN“ einzuführen. Protonierung des immobilisierten Nitrido-Molybdän(VI)-Komplexes LMoVIN (L = Polymer-verankerter Triamidoamin-Ligand) mit 2,6-Lutidinium liefert den entsprechenden Imido-Molybdän(VI)-Komplex. Durch anschließende Ein-Elektronen-Reduktion mit Cobaltocen wird der Polymer-angebundene Imido-Molybdän(V)-Komplex erhalten, bewiesen durch EPR-Spektroskopie (g1,2,3 = 1.989, 1.929, 1.902). Durch die Immobilisierung und die effektive räumliche Separation der Reaktionszentren auf der Festphase werden bimolekulare Nebenreaktionen, die oft in homogenen Systemen auftreten, unterdrückt. Dies ermöglicht zum ersten Mal die Darstellung des Imido-Molybdän(V)-Intermediates des Schrock-Zyklus.rnEPR-Spektren des als Spin-Label eingeführten immobilisierten Nitrato-Kupfer(II)-Komplexes wurden unter verschiedenen Bedingungen (Lösungsmittel, Temperatur) aufgenommen, wobei sich eine starke Abhängigkeit zwischen der Zugänglichkeit und Reaktivität der immobilisierten Reaktionszentren und der Art des Lösungsmittels zeigte. Somit wurde die Reaktivität von LMoVIN gegenüber Protonen und Elektronen, welches zur Bildung von NH3 führt, unter Verwendung verschiedener Lösungsmittel untersucht und optimiert. Innerhalb des kugelförmigen Polymers verläuft die Protonierung und Reduktion von LMoVIN stufenweise. Aktive Zentren, die sich an der „äußeren Schale“ des Polymers befinden, sind gut zugänglich und reagieren schnell nach H+/e− Zugabe. Aktive Zentren im „Inneren des Polymers“ hingegen sind schlechter zugänglich und zeigen langsame diffusions-kontrollierte Reaktionen, wobei drei H+/e− Schritte gefolgt von einer Ligandenaustausch-Reaktion erforderlich sind, um NH3 freizusetzen: LMoVIN  LMoVNH  LMoIVNH2  LMoIIINH3 und anschließender Ligandenaustausch führt zur Freisetzung von NH3.rnIn einem weiteren Projekt wurde der Bis(ddpd)-Kupfer(II)-Komplex EPR-spektroskopisch in Hinblick auf Jahn−Teller-Verzerrung und -Dynamik untersucht. Dabei wurden die EPR-Spektren bei variabler Temperatur (70−293 K) aufgenommen. Im Festkörperspektrum bei T < 100 K erscheint der Kupfer(II)-Komplex als gestreckter Oktaeder, wohingegen das EPR-Spektrum bei höheren Temperaturen g-Werte aufzeigt, die einer pseudo-gestauchten oktaedrischen Kupfer(II)-Spezies zuzuordnen sind. Diese Tatsache wird einem intramolekularen dynamischen Jahn−Teller Phänomen zugeschrieben, welcher bei 100 K eingefroren wird.

Zirconia and alumina based catalysts for steam reforming of naphthalene

The present paper deals with experimentation of ZrO2 and Al2O3-supported catalysts for conversion of naphthalene, chosen as tar model compound of pyrolysis or gasification syngas. In particular, the reforming capacity of active metals and promoters such as Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Ce and Pt was tested in a fixed bed reactor at temperature from 400 to 900 °C. As regards ZrO2-supported catalysts, the best results were achieved by the Ni/Fe/Pt catalyst with 96% naphthalene conversion, 78% and 280% as CO and H2 production yield at 800 °C. Regarding Al2O3-supported catalysts, they were more active on average than the zirconia ones, achieving a very good performance even at 500 °C (90–100% naphthalene conversion, 30–40% CO yield and 300–350% H2 yield at 550 °C). Influence of different amounts of alumina, montmorillonite and carbon on carrier composition as well as pellets’ size were also studied. Both zirconia and alumina catalysts showed deactivation at higher temperatures due to coke deposition, resulting in a strong H2 production drop. Regeneration of catalysts by O2 and steam as well as activation by H2 were also studied. The activated catalyst was able to convert more than 99% naphthalene at 450 °C with a CO and H2 production yield of 26% and 420%, respectively.

Nanostructured catalysts for the development of the hydrogen economy

La catalyse joue un rôle essentiel dans de nombreuses applications industrielles telles que les industries pétrochimique et biochimique, ainsi que dans la production de polymères et pour la protection de l’environnement. La conception et la fabrication de catalyseurs efficaces et rentables est une étape importante pour résoudre un certain nombre de problèmes des nouvelles technologies de conversion chimique et de stockage de l’énergie. L’objectif de cette thèse est le développement de voies de synthèse efficaces et simples pour fabriquer des catalyseurs performants à base de métaux non nobles et d’examiner les aspects fondamentaux concernant la relation entre structure/composition et performance catalytique, notamment dans des processus liés à la production et au stockage de l’hydrogène. Dans un premier temps, une série d’oxydes métalliques mixtes (Cu/CeO2, CuFe/CeO2, CuCo/CeO2, CuFe2O4, NiFe2O4) nanostructurés et poreux ont été synthétisés grâce à une méthode améliorée de nanocasting. Les matériaux Cu/CeO2 obtenus, dont la composition et la structure poreuse peuvent être contrôlées, ont ensuite été testés pour l’oxydation préférentielle du CO dans un flux d’hydrogène dans le but d’obtenir un combustible hydrogène de haute pureté. Les catalyseurs synthétisés présentent une activité et une sélectivité élevées lors de l’oxydation sélective du CO en CO2. Concernant la question du stockage d’hydrogène, une voie de synthèse a été trouvée pour le composét mixte CuO-NiO, démontrant une excellente performance catalytique comparable aux catalyseurs à base de métaux nobles pour la production d’hydrogène à partir de l’ammoniaborane (aussi appelé borazane). L’activité catalytique du catalyseur étudié dans cette réaction est fortement influencée par la nature des précurseurs métalliques, la composition et la température de traitement thermique utilisées pour la préparation du catalyseur. Enfin, des catalyseurs de Cu-Ni supportés sur silice colloïdale ou sur des particules de carbone, ayant une composition et une taille variable, ont été synthétisés par un simple procédé d’imprégnation. Les catalyseurs supportés sur carbone sont stables et très actifs à la fois dans l’hydrolyse du borazane et la décomposition de l’hydrazine aqueuse pour la production d’hydrogène. Il a été démontré qu’un catalyseur optimal peut être obtenu par le contrôle de l’effet bi-métallique, l’interaction métal-support, et la taille des particules de métal.

Modified silicas covalently bounded to 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)porphyrinato iron(III): synthesis, spectroscopic and EPR characterization. Catalytic studies

In this work we have studied cyclooctene epoxidation with PhIO, using a new iron porphyrin, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)porphyrinato iron(III), supported on silica matrices via eletrostatic interaction and / or covalent bonds as catalyst. These catalysts were obtained and immobilized on the solid supports propyltrimethylammonium silica (SiN+); propyltrimethylammonium and propylimidazole silica [SiN+(IPG)] and chloropropylsilica (CPS) via elestrostatic interactions and covalent binding. Characterization of the supported catalysts by UV-Vis spectroscopy and EPR (Electron paramagnetic resonance) indicated the presence of a mixture of FeII and FeIII species in all of the three obtained catalysts. In the case of (Z)-cyclooctene epoxidation by PhIO the yields observed for cis-epoxycyclooctane were satisfactory for the reactions catalyzed by the three materials (ranging from 68% to 85%). Such results indicate that immobilization of metalloporphyrins onto solid supports via groups localized on the ortho positions of their mesophenyl rings can lead to efficient catalysts for epoxidation reactions. The catalyst 1-CPS is less active than 1-SiN and 1-SiN(IPG), this argues in favour of the immobilization of this metalloporphyrin onto solids via electrostatic interactions, which is easier to achieve and results in more active oxidation catalysts. Interestingly, the activity of the supported catalysts remained the same even after three successive recyclings; therefore, they are stable under the oxidizing conditions.

Ironporphyrin immobilized onto montmorillonite as a bimimetical model for azo dye oxidation

In this work, we studied the oxidation of the azo dye Disperse orange 3 (DO3) by hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by 5,10,15, 20-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin iron(III) chloride immobilized onto montmorillonite K10, FeP-K10. Results showed that the FeP-K10/H2O2 system is efficient for discoloration of the DO3 dye, especially at pH 3.0. The catalyst was shown to be relatively stable and could be recycled many times, leading to good yields. DO3 oxidation products were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, being 4-nitroaniline the main product. Tert-butylhydroperoxide and iodosylbenzene were also used as oxidants, giving rise to 4-nitroaniline as product too. The studied system is a good biomimetic model of oxidative enzymes, being a promising discoloring agent for azo dyes. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization and voltammetric behavior of Pt(y)Mo(z)O(x)/C electrodes prepared by the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors

Carbon-supported catalysts containing platinum and molybdenum oxide are prepared by thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors. The Pt(y)Mo(z)O(x)/C materials are characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalysts present a well-controlled stoichiometry and nanometric particles. Molybdenum is present mainly as the MoO(3) orthorhombic structure, and no Pt alloys are detected. The voltammetric behavior of the electrodes is investigated; a correlation with literature results for PtMo/C catalysts prepared by other methods is established. The formation of soluble species and the aging effect are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Trits(Pyrazol-1-YL)methane metal complexes for catalytic mild oxidative functionalizations of alkanes, alkanes and ketones

This work concerns recent advances (since 2005) in the oxidative functionalization of alkanes, alkenes and ketones, under mild conditions, catalyzed by homoscorpionate tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane metal complexes. The main types of such homogeneous or supported catalysts are classified, and the critical analysis of the most efficient catalytic systems in the different reactions is presented. These reactions include the mild oxidation of alkanes (typically cyclohexane as a model substrate) with hydrogen peroxide (into alkyl hydroperoxides, alcohols, and ketones), the hydrocarboxylation of gaseous alkanes (with carbon monoxide and potassium peroxodisulfate) into the corresponding Cn+1 carboxylic acids, as well as the epoxidation of alkenes and the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of linear and cyclic ketones with hydrogen peroxide into the corresponding esters and lactones. Effects of various reaction parameters are highlighted and the preferable requirements for a prospective homogeneous or supported C-scorpionate-M-based catalyst in oxidative transformations of those substrates are identified. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Eletrocatálise e poluição ambiental

This work considers mainly the problem of environmental pollution due to the production of energy by burning fossil fuels, particularly in urban vehicles. Electrochemical energy conversion is proposed as a partial solution to this problem, through the use of hydrogen in fuel cells. In both the production of hydrogen by electrolysis and in the electrochemical processes in fuel cells, the key factor is electrocatalysis. The concept of electrocatalysis, the production of catalysts and supported catalysts and their use in practical systems for the conversion of energy is discussed.

Tecnologia dos nanotubos de carbono: tendências e perspectivas de uma área multidisciplinar

An overview of the properties of carbon nanotubes is presented as a function of the structural characteristics and of the method of synthesis of these novel advanced materials. Emphasis is given to the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons over metal-supported catalysts and also the role of the support in obtaining homogeneous carbon nanotubes in high yelds is discussed. Some potential and real applications of carbon nanotubes are presented in a perspective view.

Advances in ethanol reforming for the production of hydrogen

Catalytic steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) is a promising route for the production of renewable hydrogen (H2). This article reviews the influence of doping supported-catalysts used in SRE on the conversion of ethanol, selectivity for H2, and stability during long reaction periods. In addition, promising new technologies such as membrane reactors and electrochemical reforming for performing SRE are presented.

Functionalized Silicon Polymers: Novel Materials for Catalysis

Dept.of Applied Chemistry,Cochin University of Science and Technolgy

Heterogenisation of Os species on MCM-41 structure for epoxidation of trans-stilbene

Metal organic chemical vapour deposition technique (MOCVD) has been used to immobilise Os species onto the internal porous structure of MCM-41. Evidence suggests that volatile Os-3(CO)(12) cluster reacts with surface silanol groups of the MCM-41 via an oxidative addition reaction to yield a trinuclear HOs3(CO)(10)(OSi-) surface species. After heat treatment in air or at their very low surface coverage, these triangular sites break up to partially oxidised mononuclear surface species. In the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant, we demonstrate that the mononuclear species form extremely active species that catalyse the oxidation of trans-stilbene selectively to the corresponding epoxide. By carefully controlling the parameters of the MOCVD method (loading and calcination temperature), we report a new class of optimised MCM-41 porous heterogeneous catalysts carrying isolated but active Os sites for the selective oxidation of trans-stilbene in liquid phase. The reaction selectivity of the solid supported Os is apparently higher than the soluble homogeneous Os-3(CO)(12) cluster. It is envisaged that our solid supported catalysts not only facilitate separation from products but also offer an excellent utilisation of Os for catalysis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel catalyst systems based on Ni(II), Ti(IV), and Cr(III) complexes for oligo-and polymerization of ethylene

The complex of Brookhart Ni(α-diimine)Cl2 (1) (α-diimine = 1,4-bis(2,6- diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine) has been characterized after impregnation on silica (S1) and MAO-modified silicas (4.0, 8.0 and 23.0 wts.% Al/SiO2 called S2, S3 and S4, respectively). The treatment of these heterogeneous systems with MAO produces some active catalysts for the polymerization of the ethylene. A high catalytic activity has been gotten while using the system supported 1/S3 (196 kg of PE/mol[Ni].h.atm; toluene, Al/Ni = 1000, 30ºC, 60 min and atmospheric pressure of ethylene). The effects of polymerization conditions have been tested with the catalyst supported in S2 and the best catalytic activity has been gotten with solvent hexane, MAO as cocatalyst, molar ratio Al/Ni of 1000 and to the temperature of 30°C (285 kg of PE/mol[Ni].h.atm). When the reaction has been driven according to the in situ methodology, the activity practically doubled and polymers showed some similar properties. Polymers products by the supported catalysts showed the absence of melting fusion, results similar to those gotten with the homogeneous systems by DSC analysis. But then, polymers gotten with the transplanted system present according to the GPC’s curves the polydispersity (MwD) varies between 1.7 and 7.0. A polyethylene blend (BPE/LPE) was prepared using the complex Ni(α-diimine)Cl2 (1) (α-diimine = 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine) and {TpMs*}TiCl3 (2) (TpMs* = hydridobis(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)(5-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)) supported in situ on MAO-modified silica (4.0 wts. -% Al/SiO2, S2). Reactions of polymerization of ethylene have been executed in the toluene in two different temperatures (0 and 30°C), varying the molars fraction of nickel (xNi), and using MAO as external cocatalyst. To all temperatures, the activities show a linear variation tendency with xNi and indicate the absence of the effect synergic between the species of nickel and the titanium. The maximum of activity have been found at 0°C. The melting temperature for the blends of polyethylene produced at 0 °C decrease whereas xNi increases indicating a good compatibility between phases of the polyethylene gotten with the two catalysts. The melting temperature for the blends of polyethylene showed be depend on the order according to which catalysts have been supported on the MAO-modified silica. The initial immobilization of 1 on the support (2/1/S2) product of polymers with a melting temperature (Tm) lower to the one of the polymer gotten when the titanium has been supported inicially (1/2/S2). The observation of polyethylenes gotten with the two systems (2/1/S2 and 1/2/S2) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the spherical polymer formation showing that the spherical morphology of the support to been reproduced. Are described the synthesis, the characterization and the catalytic properties for the oligomerization of the ethylene of four organometallics compounds of CrIII with ligands ([bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)ethyl]amine] chromium (III) chloride (3a), [bis[2-(3,5- dimethyl-l-pyrazolyl)ethyl]benzylamine] chromium (III) chloride (3b), [bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-lpyrazolyl) ethyl]ether] chromiun(III)chloride (3c), [bis[2-(3-phenyl-lpyrazolyl) ethyl]ether]chromiun(III)chloride (3d)). In relation of the oligomerization, at exception made of the compounds 3a, all complex of the chromium showed be active after activation with MAO and the TOF gotten have one effect differentiated to those formed with CrCl3(thf)3. The coordination of a tridentate ligand on the metallic center doesn't provoke any considerable changes on the formation of the C4 and C6, but the amount of C8 are decrease and the C10 and C12+ have increased. The Polymers produced by the catalyst 3a to 3 and 20 bar of ethylene have, according to analyses by DSC, the temperatures of fusion of 133,8 and 136ºC respectively. It indicates that in the two cases the production of high density polyethylene. The molar mass, gotten by GPC, is 46647 g/mols with MwD = 2,4 (3 bar). The system 3c/MAO showed values of TOF, activity and selectivity to different α-olefins according to the pressure of ethylene uses. Himself that shown a big sensibility to the concentration of ethylene solubilized.

Conversão do metano via oxicloração em reator de leito fixo utilizando catalisador do tipo CuCl2/SiO2

Supported catalysts of CuCl2 on sílica were used in the methane oxychlorination reaction. The materials were synthesized by the ion exchange technique in a basic solution, using a copper-ammonia complex with 3 and 6 % of nominal copper loading. The materials where characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDS), BET specific area and pore distribution. The characterization confirms the presence of copper on the support surface, concluding that the ion exchange technique was adequate in the catalyst synthesis. For the reaction test, an oxychlorination bench scale unit was employed. The tests were carried at 673 and 773 K. The results showed the influence of temperature and catalyst copper content on the oxychlorination of methane reaction