In Situ Encapsulation of Pt Nanoparticles within Pure Silica TON Zeolites for Space-Confined Selective Hydrogenation

Renaissance in Alkyne Semihydrogenation: Mechanism, Selectivity, Functional Group Tolerance, and Applications in Organic Synthesis

Alkenes constitute a significant class of chemical compounds with applications in the bulk, pharmaceutical, or perfume industry. Among the known methods of olefin production, semihydrogenation of the C-C triple bond seems to be the most straightforward one. Nonetheless, the success of this reaction requires full control over diastereoselectivity, eradication of a parasitic process of over-reduction or migration of the C-C double bond formed, and achieving satisfactory functional-group compatibility. The review demonstrates developments in the field of alkyne semihydrogenation over the period 2010-2022, with selected papers published in 2023 and 2024, emphasizing solutions to the above-mentioned limitations. We discuss mechanistic aspects of this transformation, including those related to unconventional systems. The review includes examples of applications of alkyne semihydrogenation in organic synthesis, confirming the considerable utility of this process. Finally, strategies to enhance catalyst selectivity are summarized. For the reader's convenience, we provided a graphical guidebook to catalytic systems, illustrating the efficiency of the particular method.

Hierarchical zeolite-encapsulated metal nanoparticles for heterogeneous catalysis

Zeolites, characterized by their highly porous structure, have become integral to modern industry and environmental science due to their broad applications in adsorption, separation, and catalysis. Recent advancements in zeolite synthesis, particularly through hydrothermal methods and the incorporation of metal nanoparticles, have significantly expanded their utility. This review delves into the innovative strategies for encapsulating metal nanoparticles within zeolite matrices, enhancing catalytic reactions' efficiency, selectivity, and durability. Challenges such as nanoparticle agglomeration and catalyst deactivation are addressed through hierarchical zeolite encapsulation, which provides a novel route for the development of multifunctional materials. By examining methods ranging from in situ encapsulation to post-synthetic recrystallization, this review highlights the versatility and potential of metal@zeolite catalysts in various applications, including organic synthesis, pollutant treatment, and energy conversion. The review underscores the importance of optimizing the interaction between metal nanoparticles and the zeolite framework to achieve superior catalytic performance, offering new directions for research in catalytic science and industrial process optimization.

Preparation of Metal-Supported Nanostructured Zeolite Catalysts and their Applications in the Upgrading of Biomass-Derived Furans: Advances and Prospects

The development of platform chemicals derived from biomass, in particular, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and furfural (FUR), is of crucial importance in biorefinery. Over the past decades, metal-supported nanostructured zeolites, in particular, metal-supported hierarchically porous zeolites or metal-encapsulated zeolites, have been extensively elaborated because of their multiple functionalities and superior properties, for example, shape-selectivity, (hydro)thermal stability, tunable acidity and basicity, redox properties, improved diffusion, and intimacy of multiple active sites. In this review, the effects of such properties of metal-supported nanostructured zeolites on the enhanced catalytic performances in furanic compound upgrading are discussed. In addition, the recent rational design of metal-supported nanostructured zeolites is exemplified. Consequently, the ongoing challenges for further developing metal-supported nanostructured zeolites-based catalysts and their applications in HMF and FUR upgrading are identified.

Construction of a Metal-Silica Interface for Semihydrogenation of Alkynes

Fabricating optimum surface structures represents an attractive approach for synthesizing supported catalysts with high activity and specific selectivity. New active sites could be flexibly constructed via the strong metal-support interaction under the redox condition. Herein, we demonstrated the formation of a new Rh-Si surface on a silica-modified carbon nanotube supported Rh catalyst under the high-temperature reduction condition as well as a thin amorphous silica coating layer and weak chemisorption toward the CO molecule. The electronic interactions between Rh and Si, along with the particular structure, guarantee desirable catalytic performance for the semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene under mild conditions. This facile approach might be extensively used in constructing new active sites with robust activity and specific selectivity in diverse heterogeneous catalysis systems.

Room temperature removal of high-space-velocity formaldehyde boosted by fixing Pt nanoparticles into Beta zeolite framework

Catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde (HCHO) over the noble metals catalysts at room temperature is among the most promising strategies to control indoor pollution but remains one challenge to maximize the efficiency of noble metal species. Herein, we demonstrated the straightforward encapsulation of highly dispersive Pt nanoparticles (NPs) within BEA zeolite and adjacent with the surface hydroxyl groups to reach the synergistic HCHO oxidation at 25 °C. High efficiency and long-term stability was reached under large space velocity (∼100% conversion at 180,000 mL (g_cat × h)^-1 and >95% at 360,000 mL (g_cat × h)^-1), affording rapid elimination rate of 129.4 μmol (g_Pt × s)^-1 and large turnover frequency of 2.5 × 10^-2 s^-1. This is the first synergy example derived from the hydroxyl groups and confined noble metals within zeolites that accelerated the rate-determining step, the formate transformation, in the HCHO elimination.

Review on supported metal catalysts with partial/porous overlayers for stabilization

Heterogeneous catalysts of supported metals are important for both liquid-phase and gas-phase chemical transformations which underpin the petrochemical sector and manufacture of bulk or fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Conventional supported metal catalysts (SMC) suffer from deactivation resulting from sintering, leaching, coking and so on. Besides the choice of active species (e.g. atoms, clusters, nanoparticles) to maximize catalytic performances, strategies to stabilize active species are imperative for rational design of catalysts, particularly for those catalysts that work under heated and corrosive reaction conditions. The complete encapsulation of metal active species within a matrix (e.g. zeolites, MOFs, carbon, etc.) or core-shell arrangements is popular. However, the use of partial/porous overlayers (PO) to preserve metals, which simultaneously ensures the accessibility of active sites through controlling the size/shape of diffusing reactants and products, has not been systematically reviewed. The present review identifies the key design principles for fabricating supported metal catalysts with partial/porous overlayers (SMCPO) and demonstrates their advantages versus conventional supported metals in catalytic reactions.

Enhanced Alkene Selectivity for Transfer Semihydrogenation of Alkynes over Electron-Deficient Pt Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Hollow Silica Nanospheres

In this work, we report that Pt nanoparticles confined in hollow porous silica nanospheres (Pt@HPSNs) function as highly selective catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to styrene with ammonia borane. Relative to the deep hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to ethylbenzene over the supported Pt/SiO2, Pt@HPSNs exhibit above 88% of styrene selectivity at nearly 100% of phenylacetylene conversions, and the high selectivity of Pt@HPSNs can be maintained even at high ammonia borane/phenylacetylene ratios and longer reaction time. The Pt 4f X-ray photoelectron spectrum of Pt@HPSNs shows a remarkable ∼1.5 eV shift to high binding energy, proving the nature of electron deficiency of such encapsulated Pt nanoparticles. Combined with extremely minor transfer hydrogenation of styrene to ethylbenzene when styrene as substrates, the enhanced styrene selectivity of Pt@HPSNs is ascribed to the electron deficiency of encapsulated Pt nanoparticles, which leads to the fast desorption of styrene and thus avoids deep hydrogenation.

Toward n-Alkane Hydroisomerization Reactions: High-Performance Pt-Al2O3/SAPO-11 Single-Atom Catalysts with Nanoscale Separated Metal-Acid Centers and Ultralow Platinum Content

Long-chain n-alkane hydroisomerization reaction plays a vital role in petrochemical and coal chemical industries, which could produce high-quality hydrocarbon fuels and lubricant base oils for modern transportation and mechanical drive. However, minimizing precious metal usage while maintaining the catalyst performance remains a great challenge. Herein, a novel bifunctional catalyst toward n-alkane hydroisomerization reactions, Pt-Al₂O₃/SAPO-11 (Pt-A/S11) featuring nanoscale separated metal-acid active centers has been synthesized via a simple two-step procedure. In detail, Pt species was first loaded on the nanometer-sized alumina matrices through an incipient wetness impregnation method and then mixed with SAPO-11 molecular sieve to form the composite catalyst. Importantly, 0.015Pt-A/S11 catalyst with the ever-reported lowest Pt loading amount of 0.015 wt % exhibits an extraordinarily high isomer yield of 85.8% compared to previous published results and the traditional Pt-SAPO-11/Al₂O₃ (Pt-S11/A) catalyst accompanying with the direct contact between metal and acid sites (65.6%). It has been confirmed that the Pt species in 0.015Pt-A/S11 samples exist in single-atom form, leading to an excellent hydroisomerization performance. The possible reaction processes have been discussed to elucidate the exemplary catalytic performance of the synthesized Pt-A/S11 catalysts with nanoscale intimacy of metal-acid sites.

Metal Sites in Zeolites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalysis

Zeolites with ordered microporous systems, distinct framework topologies, good spatial nanoconfinement effects, and superior (hydro)thermal stability are an ideal scaffold for planting diverse active metal species, including single sites, clusters, and nanoparticles in the framework and framework-associated sites and extra-framework positions, thus affording the metal-in-zeolite catalysts outstanding activity, unique shape selectivity, and enhanced stability and recyclability in the processes of Brønsted acid-, Lewis acid-, and extra-framework metal-catalyzed reactions. Especially, thanks to the advances in zeolite synthesis and characterization techniques in recent years, zeolite-confined extra-framework metal catalysts (denoted as metal@zeolite composites) have experienced rapid development in heterogeneous catalysis, owing to the combination of the merits of both active metal sites and zeolite intrinsic properties. In this review, we will present the recent developments of synthesis strategies for incorporating and tailoring of active metal sites in zeolites and advanced characterization techniques for identification of the location, distribution, and coordination environment of metal species in zeolites. Furthermore, the catalytic applications of metal-in-zeolite catalysts are demonstrated, with an emphasis on the metal@zeolite composites in hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and oxidation reactions. Finally, we point out the current challenges and future perspectives on precise synthesis, atomic level identification, and practical application of the metal-in-zeolite catalyst system.

A Magnetically Separable Pd Single-Atom Catalyst for Efficient Selective Hydrogenation of Phenylacetylene

Selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes plays a crucial role in the synthesis of fine chemicals. However, how to achieve high selectivity and effective separation of the catalyst and substrate while obtaining high activity is the key for this reaction. In this work, a Pd single-atom catalyst is anchored to the shell of magnetic core-shell particles that consist of a Ni-nanoparticles core and a graphene sheets shell (Ni@G) for semi-hydrogenation of phenylacetylene, delivering 93% selectivity to styrene at full conversion with a robust turnover frequency of 7074 h^-1 under mild reaction conditions (303 K, 2 bar H₂ ). Moreover, the catalyst can be recovered promptly from the liquid phase due to its magnetic separability, which makes it present good stability for enduring five cycles. Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that H₂ and substrates are activated by atomically dispersed Pd atoms and Ni@G hybrid support, respectively. The hydrogenation reaction occurs on the surface of Ni@G via hydrogen spillover from the metal to the support. Such a strategy opens an avenue for designing highly active, selective, and magnetically recyclable catalysts for selective hydrogenation in liquid reaction systems.

In situ synthesis of Pt nanoparticles encapsulated in Silicalite-1 zeolite via a steam-assisted dry-gel conversion method

In this work, Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were directly encapsulated into MFI-type zeolite (Pt@S-1) via a steam-assisted dry-gel conversion method. The synthesis process included the disaggregation of Pt immobilized SiO2-SH spheres...

Promotion Effect of the X-Zeolite Host on Encapsulated Platinum Clusters for Selective Hydrogenation of Phenylacetylene to Styrene

The microenvironment surrounding the metal clusters on a carrier produces a tremendous influence on its catalytic performance. In this work, the promotion effect of the zeolitic inner host on catalytic performance of encapsulated platinum nanoclusters is reported. In the reaction of phenylacetylene semihydrogenation to styrene, Pt@X-zeolite, where platinum nanoclusters are encapsulated into the inner microporosity of the X-zeolite, exhibits an ∼3.37 times increased turnover frequency and a much better selectivity of 87.6% in comparison to the referenced Pt/X-zeolite of 79.3% selectivity to styrene at the same reaction conditions, in which the platinum nanoclusters are located at the exterior of the zeolite. Meanwhile, the Pt@X-zeolite displays a higher stability after 10 cycles of the reaction. Through the detailed characteristics, the excellent performance of Pt@X-zeolite is mainly due to the promotion of the zeolitic framework on the encapsulated Pt clusters, resulting in "electron-deficient" Pt clusters, leading to a stronger interaction with the π* molecular orbitals of phenylacetylene and thus enhancing the activation and conversion of phenylacetylene. The zeolite cavity wrapped with encapsulated Pt clusters regulates the adsorption trend of phenylacetylene through the acetylene group on it, promotes the desorption of styrene, and strengthens its selectivity. Meanwhile, Pt@X-zeolite has an excellent stability through the zeolite framework, which protects the Pt species from being lost. This investigation reveals the importance of the zeolitic microenvironment on the catalytic performance of encapsulated metal species and deepens the cognition for this type of catalyst.

Fabrication of Superamphiphilic Carbon Using Lignosulfonate for Enhancing Selective Hydrogenation Reactions in Pickering Emulsions

Superamphiphilic materials have great potential to enhance the mass transfer between phases in liquid-liquid catalysis due to their special affinities. Constructing superamphiphilic surfaces that possess superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic properties simultaneously has been a tough assignment. So, exploration of simple methods to prepare such materials using renewable and abundant feedstocks is highly desired. Here, we reported an effective strategy to construct superamphiphilic carbon directly from sodium lignosulfonate, which is a renewable resource from paper industry wastes. From the characterization of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for superamphiphilic carbon, we found that element C was responsible for the hydrophobic nature and the existence of O and S endowed the carbon with hydrophilic characteristics. Further, micro/nanohierarchical pores were found beneficial for the superamphiphilicity of carbon. Meantime, in the selective hydrogenation of styrene, phenylacetylene, and cis-stilbene in liquid-liquid systems, conversion became double using superamphiphilic carbon compared with blank results, and the yields were three times more than those in blank experiments. The reasons were that superamphiphilic carbon induced the formation of Pickering emulsions and enriched the reactants around catalysts, as concluded by the characterization of confocal laser scanning microscopy and relating contrastive experiments. This work revealed a different route to obtain superamphiphilic carbon and provided a diverse perspective to promote Pickering emulsion catalysis by the superamphiphilicity of carbon.

Enormous passivation effects of a surrounding zeolitic framework on Pt clusters for the catalytic dehydrogenation of propane

The significant passivation effect of the zeolitic framework on the catalytic performance of Pt clusters for dehydrogenation of propane to propylene is displayed. Pt/NaX shows 1100% enhanced TOFs and largely improved selectivity compared with Pt@NaX.