Bringing Selectivity in H/D Exchange Reactions Catalyzed by Metal Nanoparticles through Modulation of the Metal and the Ligand Shell

Ru and Rh nanoparticles catalyze the selective H/D exchange in phosphines using D₂ as the deuterium source. The position of the deuterium incorporation is determined by the structure of the P-based substrates, while activity depends on the nature of the metal, the properties of the stabilizing agents, and the type of the substituent on phosphorus. The appropriate catalyst can thus be selected either for the exclusive H/D exchange in aromatic rings or also for alkyl substituents. The selectivity observed in each case provides relevant information on the coordination mode of the ligand. Density functional theory calculations provide insights into the H/D exchange mechanism and reveal a strong influence of the phosphine structure on the selectivity. The isotope exchange proceeds via C-H bond activation at nanoparticle edges. Phosphines with strong coordination through the phosphorus atom such as PPh₃ or PPh₂Me show preferred deuteration at ortho positions of aromatic rings and at the methyl substituents. This selectivity is observed because the corresponding C-H moieties can interact with the nanoparticle surface while the phosphine is P-coordinated, and the C-H activation results in stable metallacyclic intermediates. For weakly coordinating phosphines such as P(o-tolyl)₃, the interaction with the nanoparticle can occur directly through phosphine substituents, and then, other deuteration patterns are observed.

Ruthenium nanoparticles canopied by heptagon-containing saddle-shaped nanographenes as efficient aromatic hydrogenation catalysts

Ruthenium nanoparticles stabilized with non-planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are active catalysts in the hydrogenation of aromatic substrates under mild conditions.

Mechanistic Understanding of the Heterogeneous, Rhodium-Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene-Catalyzed (Fluoro-)Arene Hydrogenation

Recently, chemoselective methods for the hydrogenation of fluorinated, silylated, and borylated arenes have been developed providing direct access to previously unattainable, valuable products. Herein, a comprehensive study on the employed rhodium-cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) catalyst precursor is disclosed. Mechanistic experiments, kinetic studies, and surface-spectroscopic methods revealed supported rhodium(0) nanoparticles (NP) as the active catalytic species. Further studies suggest that CAAC-derived modifiers play a key role in determining the chemoselectivity of the hydrogenation of fluorinated arenes, thus offering an avenue for further tuning of the catalytic properties.

An N-heterocyclic carbene ligand promotes highly selective alkyne semihydrogenation with copper nanoparticles supported on passivated silica

Binding of an N-heterocyclic carbene to Cu nanoparticles on passivated silica enables high selectivity in alkyne semihydrogenation.

We report a surface organometallic route that generates copper nanoparticles (NPs) on a silica support while simultaneously passivating the silica surface with trimethylsiloxy groups. The material is active for the catalytic semihydrogenation of phenylalkyl-, dialkyl- and diaryl-alkynes and displays high chemo- and stereoselectivity at full alkyne conversion to corresponding (Z)-olefins in the presence of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy using the NHC ligand ¹³C-labeled at the carbenic carbon reveals a genuine coordination of the carbene to Cu NPs. The presence of distinct Cu surface environments and the coordination of the NHC to specific Cu sites likely account for the increased selectivity.

Rh nanoparticles from thiolate dimers: selective and reusable hydrogenation catalysts in ionic liquids

Thiolate-capped RhNPs in imidazolium-based ionic liquids were synthesized from [Rh(μ-SR)(COD)]₂ dimmers under H₂ pressure without external addition of ligand stabilizers, preserving thiolate integrity on the nanoparticle surface. This nanoparticulated systems showed a remarkable selectivity that led to their application in the one pot reductive N-alkylation to produce amines.

Highly efficient aqueous phase reduction of nitroarenes catalyzed by phosphine-decorated polymer immobilized ionic liquid stabilized PdNPs

Phosphino-decorated polymer immobilised ionic liquid-stabilised PdNPs are highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous phase hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds in batch and continuous flow.

A new approach for the preparation of well-defined Rh and Pt nanoparticles stabilized by phosphine-functionalized silica for selective hydrogenation reactions

In this work, a new methodology for the synthesis of well-defined metallic nanoparticles supported on silica is described. This methodology is based on the surface control provided by SOMC. The nanoparticles are formed via the organometallic approach and are catalytically active in the hydrogenation of p-xylene, 3-hexyne, 4-phenyl-2 butanone, benzaldehyde, and furfural.

Surface characterisation of phosphine and phosphite stabilised Rh nanoparticles: a model study

The surface characterisation of Rh nanoparticles stabilized by triphenylphosphine and triphenylphosphite shows differences that were correlated with distinct selectivities in catalytic styrene hydrogenation.

Selective catalytic deuteration of phosphorus ligands using ruthenium nanoparticles: a new approach to gain information on ligand coordination

Selective deuteration of phenyl rings in phenyl-alkyl phosphines, including diphosphines, was achieved using Ru/PVP nanoparticles and D₂, which enables the comprehension of how different phosphorus ligands coordinate to the nanoparticle surface.