[SbW9O33]-based polyoxometalate combined with a phase transfer catalyst: A highly effective catalyst system for selective oxidation of alcohols with H2O2, and spectroscopic investigation

Pathways towards true catalysts: computational modelling and structural transformations of Zn-polyoxotungstates

Current catalysis undergoes a paradigm shift from molecular and heterogeneous realms towards new dynamic catalyst concepts. This calls for innovative strategies to understand the essential catalytic motifs and true catalysts emerging from oxidative transformation processes. Polyoxometalate (POM) clusters offer an inexhaustible reservoir for new noble metal-free catalysts and excellent model systems whose structure-activity relationships and mechanisms remain to be explored. Here, we first introduce a new {Zn_nNa_6-n(B-α-SbW₉O₃₃)₂} (n = 3-6) catalyst family with remarkable tuning options of the Zn-based core structure and high activity in H₂O₂-assisted catalytic alcohol oxidation as a representative reaction. Next, high level solution-based computational modelling of the intermediates and transition states was carried out for [Zn₆Cl₆(SbW₉O₃₃)₂]^12- as a representative well-defined case. The results indicate a radical-based oxidation process with the involvement of tungsten and adjacent zinc metal centers. The {Zn_nNa_6-n(B-α-SbW₉O₃₃)₂} series indeed efficiently catalyses alcohol oxidation via peroxotungstate intermediates, in agreement with strong spectroscopic support and other experimental evidence for the radical mechanism. Finally, the high performance of [Zn₆Cl₆(SbW₉O₃₃)₂]^12- was traced back to its transformation into a highly active and robust disordered Zn/W-POM catalyst. The atomic short-range structure of this resting pre-catalyst was elucidated by RMC modelling of the experimental W-L₃ and Zn-K edge EXAFS spectra and supported with further analytical methods. We demonstrate that computational identification of the reactive sites combined with the analytical tracking of their dynamic transformations provides essential input to expedite cluster-based molecular catalyst design.

Synthesis, characterization and optimization of heterogeneous catalytic cyclohexene oxidation by tungstophospho(aqua)ruthenate via the fractional factorial design methodology

Keggin-type tungstophospho(aqua)ruthenate (PRuW) was synthesized and supported on acid activated montmorillonite under mild conditions.

Lanthano-phosphotungstate: A water soluble and reusable catalyst for oxidation of alcohols using H2O2 as an oxidant

Oxidation of alcohols using H₂O₂ to corresponding carbonyl compounds in good yields for lanthano-phosphotungstates catalysts and its recyclability up to five cycles was envisaged in water.

Metal-ligand cooperation in the catalytic dehydrogenative coupling (DHC) of polyalcohols to carboxylic acid derivatives

Several polyols, which are easily available from sugars through biochemical conversion or hydrogenolytic cleavage, are directly converted into carboxylic acids and amides. This efficient dehydrogenative coupling process, catalyzed by a rhodium(I) diolefin amido complex, is an attractive approach for the production of organic fine chemicals from renewable resources. This method tolerates the presence of several hydroxy groups and can be extended to the direct synthesis of lactams from the corresponding amino alcohols under mild conditions.