More than just a support: Graphene as a solid-state ligand for palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

On the Catalytic Performance of (ZrO)n (n=1-4) Clusters for CO Oxidation: A DFT Study

The unique characteristic of superatoms to show chemical properties like those of individual atoms opens a new avenue towards replacing noble metals as catalysts. Given the similar electronic structures of the ZrO superatom and the Pd atom, the CO oxidation mechanisms catalysed by (ZrO)_n (n=1-4) clusters were investigated in detail to evaluate their catalytic performance. Our results reveal that a single ZrO superatom exhibits superior catalytic ability in CO oxidation than both larger (ZrO)_n (n=2-4) clusters and a Pd atom, indicating the promising potential of ZrO as a "single-superatom catalyst". Moreover, the mechanism of CO oxidation catalysed by ZrO^+/- suggests that depositing a ZrO superatom onto the electron-rich substrates is a better choice for practical catalysis application. Accordingly, a graphene nanosheet (coronene) was chosen as a representative substrate for ZrO and Pd to assess their catalytic performances in CO oxidation. Acting as an "electron sponge", this carbon substrate can both donate and accept charges in different reaction steps, enabling the supported ZrO to achieve enhanced catalytic performance in this process with a low energy barrier of 19.63 kcal/mol. This paper presents a new realization on the catalytic performance of Pd-like superatom in CO oxidation, which could increase the interests in exploring noble metal-like superatoms as efficient catalysts for various reactions.

Robust C-PdNi-CNF Sandwich-Structured Catalyst for Suzuki Reactions and Experimental Study on the Mechanism

The stability of metal nanoparticles is one of the key issues for their catalytic applications. In this study, we fabricated a sandwich structure to protect the metal nanoparticles. A carbon layer was used to wrap the PdNi nanoparticles on the carbon fiber, and the whole preparation process was simple and green. Electron transfer occurs between the carbon layer and the metal nanoparticles, making the two more closely combined. As a catalyst for the Suzuki reaction, it exhibits highly efficient catalysis and excellent stability. The calculated TOF reaches 18 662 h^-1. After nine cycles, there was almost no decrease in performance. Additionally, we found that the addition of iodobenzene into the chlorobenzene reaction system could significantly improve the chlorobenzene conversion, and we proved that the catalyst has fine activity and stability with a bright future in commercial applications. The possible catalytic mechanism of Suzuki reaction was proposed based on experimental results. This study provides a simple and green method to prepare encapsulated metal nanoparticle catalysts and gives a deep insight into Suzuki reaction.

Solid-State Reaction Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials: Strategies and Applications

Nanomaterials (NMs) with unique structures and compositions can give rise to exotic physicochemical properties and applications. Despite the advancement in solution-based methods, scalable access to a wide range of crystal phases and intricate compositions is still challenging. Solid-state reaction (SSR) syntheses have high potential owing to their flexibility toward multielemental phases under feasibly high temperatures and solvent-free conditions as well as their scalability and simplicity. Controlling the nanoscale features through SSRs demands a strategic nanospace-confinement approach due to the risk of heat-induced reshaping and sintering. Here, we describe advanced SSR strategies for NM synthesis, focusing on mechanistic insights, novel nanoscale phenomena, and underlying principles using a series of examples under different categories. After introducing the history of classical SSRs, key theories, and definitions central to the topic, we categorize various modern SSR strategies based on the surrounding solid-state media used for nanostructure growth, conversion, and migration under nanospace or dimensional confinement. This comprehensive review will advance the quest for new materials design, synthesis, and applications.

The superatomic state beyond conventional magic numbers: Ligated metal chalcogenide superatoms

The field of cluster science is drawing increasing attention due to the strong size and composition-dependent properties of clusters and the exciting prospect of clusters serving as the building blocks for materials with tailored properties. However, identifying a unifying central paradigm that provides a framework for classifying and understanding the diverse behaviors is an outstanding challenge. One such central paradigm is the superatom concept that was developed for metallic and ligand-protected metallic clusters. The periodic electronic and geometric closed shells in clusters result in their properties being based on the stability they gain when they achieve closed shells. This stabilization results in the clusters having a well-defined valence, allowing them to be classified as superatoms-thus extending the Periodic Table to a third dimension. This Perspective focuses on extending the superatomic concept to ligated metal-chalcogen clusters that have recently been synthesized in solutions and form assemblies with counterions that have wide-ranging applications. Here, we illustrate that the periodic patterns emerge in the electronic structure of ligated metal-chalcogenide clusters. The stabilization gained by the closing of their electronic shells allows for the prediction of their redox properties. Further investigations reveal how the selection of ligands may control the redox properties of the superatoms. These ligated clusters may serve as chemical dopants for two-dimensional semiconductors to control their transport characteristics. Superatomic molecules of multiple metal-chalcogen superatoms allow for the formation of nano-p-n junctions ideal for directed transport and photon harvesting. This Perspective outlines future developments, including the synthesis of magnetic superatoms.

A Hierarchical-Structured Impeller with Engineered Pd Nanoparticles Catalyzing Suzuki Coupling Reactions for High-Purity Biphenyl

Suzuki cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by palladium are authoritative protocols in fine-chemical synthesis. Mass transfer and catalyst activity are both significant factors affecting the reaction efficiency in heterogeneous reactions. Although the holistic catalysts hold great promise in heterogeneous reactions due to the enhanced mass transport and convenient recycling, the unsatisfied catalytic activity has impeded further large-scale applications. In addition, another pronounced barrier is the product separation in the intricate system. Here, the catalytic production and separation of biphenyl (purity of 99.7%) were achieved by integrating the Suzuki cross-coupling reactions and the crystallization separation for the first time. A hierarchical-structured impeller with Pd nanoparticles (NPs) loaded on the Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets was prepared to catalyze the Suzuki reactions for bromobenzene, which exhibits a high turnover frequency (TOF) value of 25,976 h^-1 and a yield of 99.5%. The X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis has unveiled that the electron transfer between the Pd NPs and Ni(OH)₂ accounts for the greatly enhanced catalytic activity. The findings inspire new insights toward rational engineering of highly efficient holistic catalysts for Suzuki reaction, and the innovative integrated technology offers an avenue for the separation and collection of products.

A New ternary organometallic Pd(ii)/Fe(iii)/Ru(iii) self-assembly monolayer: the essential ensemble synergistic for improving catalytic activity

The synergistic catalytic effect in a hetero-trimetallic catalytic monolayer is one of the intriguing topics because the additive effects of the second or third component play an important role in improving the activity. In this paper, a new Schiff-base organometallic nanosheet containing Pd/Fe/Ru immobilized on graphene oxide (GO@H-Pd/Fe/Ru) was prepared and characterized. The catalytic performance of GO@H-Pd/Fe/Ru and synergistic effect were systematically investigated. GO@H-Pd/Fe/Ru was found to be an efficient catalyst with higher turnover frequency (TOF) (26 892 h-1) and stability with recyclability of at least 10 times in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. The deactivation mechanism was caused by the aggregation of the active species, loss of the active species, the changes of the organometallic complex, and active sites covered by adsorbed elements during the catalytic process. GO@H-Pd/Fe/Ru was a heterogeneous catalyst, as confirmed by kinetic studies with in situ FT-IR, thermal filtration tests and poisoning tests. The real active center containing Pd, Ru and Fe arranged as Fe(iii)-Ru(iii)-Pd(ii)-Fe(iii) was proposed. Although Ru(iii) and Fe(iii) were shown to be less active or inactive, the addition of Fe and Ru could effectively improve the entire activity by their ''indirect'' function, in which Fe or Ru made Pd more negative and more stable. The ensemble synergistic effect between metals, the ligand and support was described as a process in which the electron was transferred from GOvia ligand to Ru, and then to Pd or from Fe to Pd to make Pd more negative, promoting the oxidation addition with aryl halide. Also, the vicinity of Ru around Pd as the promoter adsorbed aryl boronic acid, which facilitates its synergism to react with the oxidation intermediate to the trans-metallic intermediate.

Evaluation of the role of graphene-based Cu(i) catalysts in borylation reactions

A methodical experimental and theoretical analysis of different carbon-based Cu(i) materials in the context of the development of an efficient, general, scalable, and sustainable borylation reaction of aliphatic and aromatic halides has been performed.

Anchoring Positively Charged Pd Single Atoms in Ordered Porous Ceria to Boost Catalytic Activity and Stability in Suzuki Coupling Reactions

Single-atom (SA) catalysis bridging homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis offers new opportunities for organic synthesis, but developing SA catalysts with high activity and stability is still a great challenge. Herein, a heterogeneous catalyst of Pd SAs anchored in 3D ordered macroporous ceria (Pd-SAs/3DOM-CeO₂ ) is developed through a facile template-assisted pyrolysis method. The high specific surface area of 3DOM CeO₂ facilitates the heavily anchoring of Pd SAs, while the introduction of Pd atoms induces the generation of surface oxygen vacancies and prevents the grain growth of CeO₂ support. The Pd-SAs/3DOM-CeO₂ catalyst exhibits excellent activity toward Suzuki coupling reactions for a broad scope of substrates under ambient conditions, and the Pd SAs can be stabilized in CeO₂ in long-term catalytic cycles without leaching or aggregating. Theoretical calculations indicate that the CeO₂ supported Pd SAs can remarkably reduce the energy barriers of both transmetalation and reductive elimination steps for Suzuki coupling reactions. The strong metal-support interaction contributes to modulating the electronic state and maintaining the stability of Pd SA sites. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to design and synthesize stable single-atom catalysts as well as sheds new light on the origin for enhanced catalysis based on the strong metal-support interactions.

Thermoreversible Switchlike Electrocatalytic Reduction of Tizanidine Based on a Graphene Oxide Tethered Stimuli-Responsive Smart Surface Supported Pd Catalyst

In this work, a graphene oxide (GRO)-based temperature-sensitive smart catalytic support material was developed by tethering biodegradable and hydrophilic poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) on a GRO (i.e., GRO-PVCL) surface. GRO-PVCL-supported palladium catalyst (i.e., Pd/GRO-PVCL) was then prepared for tizanidine (TZN) electroreduction. The impact of a temperature-sensitive smart surface on the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties was examined. Moreover, when the large surface area, excellent electron transfer, and electrochemical catalysis abilities of GRO were combined with the responsive characteristics of PVCL, temperature-triggered reversible electrocatalysis of TZN with enhanced sensitivity has been proved. Results designated that GRO-PVCL exposed the hydrophilic surface at 20 °C, resulting in Pd NPs highly dispersed on the GRO-PVCL surface. Subsequently, the wettability of the Pd catalyst surface arbitrarily adapted to hydrophobicity at 40 °C, which highly enhanced the TZN reduction on the catalyst in electrochemical detection. The synergistic effect amid Pd and GRO-PVCL on Pd/GRO-PVCL improved the electrocatalytic activity of TZN. The detection of TZN with the Pd/GRO-PVCL modified electrode ranged from 0.02 to 276 μM with a low detection limit of 0.0015 μM at 40 °C. The Pd/GRO-PVCL modified electrode also possesses excellent stability, reproducibility, and anti-interference ability. Lastly, the modified electrode attained good recovery results in human urine and human plasma samples for the determination of TZN and also pharmacokinetics study in rat plasma.

Highly Active Hydrogenation Catalysts Based on Pd Nanoparticles Dispersed along Hierarchical Porous Silica Covered with Polydopamine as Interfacial Glue

New catalysts based on Pd(0) nanoparticles (Pd NPs) on a bimodal porous silica of the UVM-7/polydopamine (PDA) support have been synthesized following two preparative strategies based on the sequential or joint incorporation of two components of the composite (Pd and PDA). We analyzed the role played by the PDA as ‘interfacial glue’ between the silica scaffold and the Pd NPs. The catalysts were tested for the hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol using (NEt4)BH4 as the hydrogenating agent. In addition to the palladium content, the characterization of the catalysts at the micro and nanoscale has highlighted the importance of different parameters, such as the size and dispersion of the Pd NPs, as well as their accessibility to the substrate (greater or lesser depending on their entrapment level in the PDA) on the catalytic efficiency. Staged sequential synthesis has led to better catalytic results. The most active Pd(0) centers seem to be Pd NPs of less than 1 nm on the PDA surface. The efficiency of the catalysts obtained is superior to that of similar materials without PDA. A comprehensive comparison has been made with other catalysts based on Pd NPs in a wide variety of supports. The TOF values achieved are among the best described in the literature.

Superatomic molecules with internal electric fields for light harvesting

Traditional p-n junctions used for photovoltaics require an interface where a light induced electron-hole pair is separated by an electric field. Developing alternative strategies for forming strong internal electric fields for electron-hole pair separation offers the possibility for better performance. We demonstrate that fusing two superatomic clusters with donor/acceptor ligands on opposite sides of the cluster leads to such a strong internal electric field. In two fused metal-chalcogenide Re₆S₈Cl₂(L)₄ clusters with donor PMe₃ ligands and acceptor CO ligands on the opposite sides of the fused clusters, the electronic levels undergo shifts analogous to band bending in traditional p-n junctions. The fused cluster has a large dipole moment, and an optical spectrum that strongly absorbs excitation above the HOMO-LUMO gap of the fused clusters, but is optically very weak for the lowest energy excitation that can lead to electron-hole pair recombination. This is because the electron is localized on the CO portion of the fused cluster, while the electron-hole pair is localized on the PMe₃ side of the cluster. It is shown that the electronic states localized on each side of the cluster can be aligned/misaligned by applying a voltage in different directions, offering diode like characteristics.

Strategy used to synthesize high activity and low Pd catalyst for Suzuki coupling reaction: an experimental and theoretical investigation

Compared with Pd₁₄₇ DEN, Pd₇₄Cu₇₃ DEN shows comparable catalytic performance, with TOFs of 8519 and 8728 h⁻¹, and provides a valuable strategy for designing a low Pd dosage and high-activity catalyst for Suzuki coupling.

A Study of Graphene-Based Copper Catalysts: Copper(I) Nanoplatelets for Batch and Continuous-Flow Applications

The use of graphene derivatives as supports improves the properties of heterogeneous catalysts, with graphene oxide (GO) being the most frequently employed. To explore greener possibilities as well as to get some insights into the role of the different graphenic supports (GO, rGO, carbon black, and graphite nanoplatelets), we prepared, under the same standard conditions, a variety of heterogeneous Cu catalysts and systematically evaluated their composition and catalytic activity in azide-alkyne cycloadditions as a model reaction. The use of sustainable graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) afforded a stable Cu^I catalyst with good recyclability properties, which are compatible with flow conditions, and able to catalyze other reactions such as the regio- and stereoselective sulfonylation of alkynes (addition reaction) and the Meerwein arylation (single electron transfer process).

Three dimensional composites of graphene as supports in Pd-catalyzed synthetic applications

A facile solid-state method to synthesize a highly active and recyclable Pd catalyst of 3D supports made of Ni, G and, CNTs for Suzuki reaction and C–H activation is presented.

Highly-active, graphene-supported platinum catalyst for the solventless hydrosilylation of olefins

Herein we report the development of the first graphene-supported platinum catalyst that has demonstrated exceptional catalytic activity and stability for hydrosilylation reactions of olefins (TOF 4.8 × 106 h-1, TON = 9.4 × 106). The catalyst also exhibited functional group tolerance over a broad range of industrially relevant substrates with minimal metal leaching. In addition, the catalyst system was successfully translated into a packed bed platform for continuous hydrosilylation reactions.