The role of metal ions in selective and sustainable processes

Sustainability and recycling are core values in today’s industrial operations. New materials, products and processes need to be designed in such a way as to consume fewer of the diminishing resources we have available and to put as little strain on the environment as possible. An integral part of this is cleaning and recycling. New processes are to be designed to improve the efficiency in this aspect. Wastewater, including municipal wastewaters, is treated in several steps including chemical and mechanical cleaning of waters. Well-cleaned water can be recycled and reused. Clean water for everyone is one of the greatest challenges we are facing today. Ferric sulphate, made by oxidation from ferrous sulphate, is used in water purification. The oxidation of ferrous sulphate, FeSO4, to ferric sulphate in acidic aqueous solutions of H2SO4 over finely dispersed active carbon particles was studied in a vigorously stirred batch reactor. Molecular oxygen was used as the oxidation agent and several catalysts were screened: active carbon, active carbon impregnated with Pt, Rh, Pd and Ru. Both active carbon and noble metal-active carbon catalysts enhanced the oxidation rate considerably. The order of the noble metals according to the effect was: Pt >> Rh > Pd, Ru. By the use of catalysts, the production capacities of existing oxidation units can be considerably increased. Good coagulants have a high charge on a long polymer chain effectively capturing dirty particles of the opposite charge. Analysis of the reaction product indicated that it is possible to obtain polymeric iron-based products with good coagulation properties. Systematic kinetic experiments were carried out at the temperature and pressure ranges of 60B100°C and 4B10 bar, respectively. The results revealed that both non-catalytic and catalytic oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ take place simultaneously. The experimental data were fitted to rate equations, which were based on a plausible reaction mechanism: adsorption of dissolved oxygen on active carbon, electron transfer from Fe2+ ions to adsorbed oxygen and formation of surface hydroxyls. A comparison of the Fe2+ concentrations predicted by the kinetic model with the experimentally observed concentrations indicated that the mechanistic rate equations were able to describe the intrinsic oxidation kinetics of Fe2+ over active carbon and active carbon-noble metal catalysts. Engineering aspects were closely considered and effort was directed to utilizing existing equipment in the production of the new coagulant. Ferrous sulphate can be catalytically oxidized to produce a novel long-chained polymeric iron-based flocculent in an easy and affordable way in existing facilities. The results can be used for modelling the reactors and for scale-up. Ferric iron (Fe3+) was successfully applied for the dissolution of sphalerite. Sphalerite contains indium, gallium and germanium, among others, and the application can promote their recovery. The understanding of the reduction process of ferric to ferrous iron can be used to develop further the understanding of the dissolution mechanisms and oxidation of ferrous sulphate. Indium, gallium and germanium face an ever-increasing demand in the electronics industry, among others. The supply is, however, very limited. The fact that most part of the material is obtained through secondary production means that real production quota depends on the primary material production. This also sets the pricing. The primary production material is in most cases zinc and aluminium. Recycling of scrap material and the utilization of industrial waste, containing indium, gallium and geranium, is a necessity without real options. As a part of this study plausible methods for the recovery of indium, gallium and germanium have been studied. The results were encouraging and provided information about the precipitation of these valuables from highly acidic solutions. Indium and gallium were separated from acidic sulphuric acid solutions by precipitation with basic sulphates such as alunite or they were precipitated as basic sulphates of their own as galliunite and indiunite. Germanium may precipitate as a basic sulphate of a mixed composition. The precipitation is rapid and the selectivity is good. When the solutions contain both indium and gallium then the results show that gallium should be separated before indium to achieve a better selectivity. Germanium was separated from highly acidic sulphuric acid solutions containing other metals as well by precipitating with tannic acid. This is a highly selective method. According to the study other commonly found metals in the solution do not affect germanium precipitation. The reduction of ferric iron to ferrous, the precipitation of indium, gallium and germanium, and the dissolution of the raw materials are strongly depending on temperature and pH. The temperature and pH effect were studied and which contributed to the understanding and design of the different process steps. Increased temperature and reduced pH improve the reduction rate. Finally, the gained understanding in the studied areas can be employed to develop better industrial processes not only on a large scale but also increasingly on a smaller scale. The small amounts of indium, gallium and germanium may favour smaller and more locally bound recovery.

Kinetic and product studies for the oxidtion of organic sulfides and sulfoxides in the presence of transition metal complexes

Rates and products of the oxidation of diphenyl sulfide, phenyl methyl sulfide, p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfide and diphenyl sulfoxide have been determined. Oxidants included t-Bu02H alone, t-Bu02H plus molybdenum or vanadium catalysts and the molybdenum peroxo complex Mo0(02)2*HMPT. Reactions were chiefly carried out in ethanol at temperatures ranging from 20° to 65°C. Oxidation of diphenyl sulfide by t-Bu02H in absolute ethanol at 65°C followed second-order kinetics with k2 = 5.61 x 10 G M~1s"1, and yielded only diphenyl sulfoxide. The Mo(C0)g-catalyzed reaction gave both the sulfoxide and the sulfone with consecutive third-order kinetics. Rate = k3[Mo][t-Bu02H][Ph2S] + k^[Mo][t-Bu02H][Ph2S0], where log k3 = 12.62 - 18500/RT, and log k^ = 10.73 - 17400/RT. In the absence of diphenyl sulfide, diphenyl sulfoxide did not react with t-Bu02H plus molybdenum catalysts, but was oxidized by t-Bu02H-V0(acac)2. The uncatalyzed oxidation of phenyl methyl sulfide by t-Bu02H in absolute ethanol at 65°C gave a second-order rate constant, k = 3.48 x 10~"5 M^s""1. With added Mo(C0)g, the product was mainly phenyl methyl sulfoxide; Rate = k3[Mo][t-Bu02H][PhSCH3] where log k3 = 22.0 - 44500/RT. Both diphenyl sulfide and diphenyl sulfoxide react readily with the molybdenum peroxy complex, Mo0(02)2'HMPT in absolute ethanol at 35°C, yielding diphenyl sulfone. The observed features are mainly in agreement with the literature on metal ion-catalyzed oxidations of organic compounds by hydroperoxides. These indicate the formation of an active catalyst and the complexation of t-Bu02H with the catalyst. However, the relatively large difference between the activation energies for diphenyl sulfide and phenyl methyl sulfide, and the non-reactivity of diphenyl sulfoxide suggest the involvement of sulfide in the production of an active species.

Aerobic oxidations catalyzed by combinations of transition metal salts and N-hydroxyphthalimide

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Carbon-carbon bond formation : from transition metal catalysis to base-promoted homolytic aromatic substitution

Cette thèse de doctorat porte sur la catalyse à partir de métaux de transition et sur la substitution homolytique aromatique favorisée par une base visant à former de nouvelles liaisons C–C, et à ainsi concevoir de nouvelles structures chimiques. Au cours des vingt dernières années, des nombreux efforts ont été réalisés afin de développer des méthodologies pour la fonctionnalisation de liens C–H, qui soient efficaces et sélectives, et ce à faible coût et en produisant le minimum de déchets. Le chapitre d'introduction donnera un aperçu de la fonctionnalisation directe de liens C–H sur des centres sp2 et sp3. Il sera également discuté dans cette partie de certains aspects de la chimie radicalaire reliés a ce sujet. Les travaux sur la fonctionnalisation d’imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines catalysée par des compleces de ruthénium seront présentés dans le chapitre 2. Malgré l'intérêt des imidazo[1,5-a]azines en chimie médicinale, ces composés n’ont reçu que peu d'attention dans le domaine de la fonctionnalisation de liens C–H. L'étendue de la réaction et l'influence des effets stériques et électroniques seront détaillés. Les cyclopropanes représentent les 10ème cycles carbonés les plus rencontrés dans les petites molécules d’intérêt pharmacologique. Ce sont aussi des intermédiaires de synthèse de choix pour la création de complexité chimique. Malgré de grands progrès dans le domaine de la fonctionnalisation de liens C(sp3)–H, l'étude des cyclopropanes comme substrats dans les transformations directes est relativement nouvelle. Le chapitre trois présentera l'arylation intramoléculaire directe de cyclopropanes. Cette réaction est réalisée en présence de palladium, en quantité catalytique, en combinaison avec des sels d’argent. Des études mécanistiques ont réfuté la formation d'un énolate de palladium et suggéreraient plutôt une étape de métallation - déprotonation concertée. En outre, les cycles de type benzoazepinone à sept chaînons ont été synthétisés par l'intermédiaire d'une séquence d'activation de cyclopropane/ouverture/cyclisation. Une arylation directe intermoléculaire des cyclopropanes a été réalisée en présence d'un auxiliaire de type picolinamide (Chapitre 4). Les deux derniers chapitres de ce mémoire de thèse décriront nos études sur la substitution homolytique aromatique favorisée par une base. Le mécanisme de la réaction de cyclisation intramoléculaire d'halogénures d'aryle, réalisée en présence de tert-butylate de potassium, a été élucidé et se produit via une voie radicalaire (Chapitre 5). La transformation, exempte de métaux de transition, ne nécessite que la présence d’une base et de pyridine comme solvant. Cette réaction radicalaire a été étendue à la cyclisation d'iodures d'alkyle non activés en présence d'un catalyseur à base de nickel et de bis(trimethylsilyl)amidure de sodium comme base (Chapitre 6). Des études de RMN DOSY ont démontré une association entre le catalyseur, la base et le matériel de départ.

Synthesis of transition metal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and applications in catalysis

Les ligands de carbènes N-hétérocycliques (NHC) qui possèdent une symétrie C1 attirent beaucoup l’attention dans la littérature. Le présent projet de recherche propose de synthétiser une nouvelle série de ligands NHC C1-symétriques avec deux groupements N-alkyles qui exploitent un relais chiral. Un protocole modulaire et efficace pour la synthèse des sels d’imidazolium chiraux qui servent comme préligands pour les NHC a été développé. Quelques-uns de ces nouveaux ligands ont été installés sur le cuivre et de l’or, créant de nouveaux complexes chiraux. Les nouveaux complexes à base de cuivre ont été évalués comme catalyseurs pour le couplage oxydatif de 2-naphthols. Les ligands C1-symmétriques ont fourni des meilleurs rendements que les ligands C2-symmétriques. Au cours de l’optimisation, des additifs ont été évalués; les additifs à base de pyridine ont fourni des énantiosélectivités modérées tandis que les additifs à base de malonate ont donné des meilleurs rendements de la réaction de couplage oxydatif. Ultérieurement, les additifs à base de malonate ont été appliqués envers l’hétérocouplage de 2-naphthols. Le partenaire de couplage qui est riche en électrons est normalement en grand excès à cause de sa tendance à dégrader. Avec le bénéfice de l’additif, les deux partenaires de couplage peuvent être utilisés dans des quantités équivalentes. La découverte de l’effet des additifs a permis le développement d’un protocole général pour l’hétérocouplage de 2-naphthols.

Structural and Spectral Investigations of Transition Metal Complexes Of Di-2-Pyridyl Ketone N (4), N (4)-Disubstituted Thiosemicarbazones

The study deals with structural and spectral investigations of transition metal complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4),N(4)-disubstituted thiosemicarbazones. The main objective and scope of the work deals with di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4),N(4)-disubstituted thiosemicarbazones are quardridentate NNNS donor ligands. To chosen this ligand for study because, the ligands are prepared and characterized for the first time, since there are two pyridyl nitorgens, dimmers and polymers of complexes may result leading to interesting structural aspects. The work includes the preparation of the thiosemicarbzones and their structural and spectral studies, synthesis and spectral characterization of complexes of copper(II),,nickel(II),manganese(II), dioxovanadium(V),cobalt(III),zinc(II),cadmium(II) of the ligand HL, synthesis and spectral characterization of complexes of copper(II),manganese(II), of the ligand HL and the development of X-ray quality crystals and its X-ray diffraction studies. The structural characterization techniques are elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic spectroscopy, H NMR spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Studies on Some Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived from Quinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde

Two series of transition metal complexes of Schiff bases derived from quinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde with semicarbazide (QSC) and furfurylamine (QFA) were synthesised and characterised by elemental analyses, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies. The QSC complexes have the general formula [M(QSC)Cl2]. A tetrahedral structure has been assigned for the Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and a square-planar structure for the Cu(II) complex. The QFA complexes have the formula [M(QFA)2Cl2]. An octahedral structure has been assigned for these complexes. All of the complexes exhibit catalytic activity towards the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (DTBC) to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone (DTBQ) using atmospheric oxygen. The cobalt(II) complex of the ligand QFA was found to be the most active catalyst.

Synthesis and Characterization of Some New Transition Metal Complexes of the Schiff Base Derived from Quinoxaline-2-Carboxaldehyde and 2- Aminophenol

Some new transition metal complexes of the Schiff base quinoxaline-2-car boxalidene-2-aminophenol (HQAP) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductance and magnetic measurements and IR and UV-Visible spectral studies. The complexes have the following empirical formulae: [Mn(QAP121, [Fe(QAPl2C1I, [Co(QAPl21, [Ni(QAP121 and [Cu(QAP121. A tetrahedral structure has been assigned for the manganese(=), cobalt(II1, nickel(II1 and copper(II1 complexes. For the iron(IIIl complex an octahedral dimeric structure has been suggested

Synthesis and Characterisation of New Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2- carboxaldehyde and Application of Some ofthese Complexes as Hydrogenation and Oxidation Catalysts

The thesis deals with studies on the synthesis, characterisation and catalytic applications of some new transition metal complexes of the Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline 2-carboxaldehyde.. Schiff bases which are considered as ‘privileged ligands’ have the ability to stabilize different metals in different oxidation states and thus regulate the performance of metals in a large variety of catalytic transformations. The catalytic activity of the Schiff base complexes is highly dependant on the environment about the metal center and their conformational flexibility. Therefore it is to be expected that the introduction of bulky substituents near the coordination sites might lead to low symmetry complexes with enhanced catalytic properties. With this view new transition metal complexes of Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde have been synthesised. These Schiff bases have more basic donor nitrogen atoms and the presence of the quinoxaline ring may be presumed to build a favourable topography and electronic environment in the immediate coordination sphere of the metal. The aldehyde was condensed with amines 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 2-aminophenol and 4-aminoantipyrine to give the respective Schiff bases. The oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) and ruthenium(II)complexes of these Schiff bases were synthesised and characterised. All the oxovanadium(IV) complexes have binuclear structure with a square pyramidal geometry. Ruthenium and copper form mononuclear complexes with the Schiff base derived from 4- aminoantipyrine while binuclear square planar complexes are formed with the other Schiff bases. The catalytic activity of the copper complexes was evaluated in the hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Catechol and hydroquinone are the major products. Catalytic properties of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes were evaluated in the oxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Here allylic oxidation products rather than epoxides are formed as the major products. The ruthenium(II) complexes are found to be effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of benzene and toluene. The kinetics of hydrogenation was studied and a suitable mechanism has been proposed.

Structural, EPR and Antimicrobial Studies on Some Transition Metal Complexes of Thiosemicarbazones

Department of Applied chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Investigations on some Y-Zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes of Schiff bases

Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology