Single-Atoms on Crystalline Carbon Nitrides for Selective C─H Photooxidation: A Bridge to Achieve Homogeneous Pathways in Heterogeneous Materials

Single-atom catalysis is a field of paramount importance in contemporary science due to its exceptional ability to combine the domains of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Iron and manganese metalloenzymes are known to be effective in C─H oxidation reactions in nature, inspiring scientists to mimic their active sites in artificial catalytic systems. Herein, a simple and versatile cation exchange method is successfully employed to stabilize low-cost iron and manganese single-atoms in poly(heptazine imides) (PHI). The resulting materials are employed as photocatalysts for toluene oxidation, demonstrating remarkable selectivity toward benzaldehyde. The protocol is then extended to the selective oxidation of different substrates, including (substituted) alkylaromatics, benzyl alcohols, and sulfides. Detailed mechanistic investigations revealed that iron- and manganese-containing photocatalysts work through a similar mechanism via the formation of high-valent M═O species. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is employed to confirm the formation of high-valent iron- and manganese-oxo species, typically found in metalloenzymes involved in highly selective C─H oxidations.

One-Pot Production of 1,5-Pentanediol from Furfural Through Tailored Hydrotalcite-Based Catalysts

The one-pot production of a relevant chemical such as 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PDO) from sustainable sources (furfural) is a key reaction to compete with existing fossil sources. This work provides new evidence on the influence of the starting reagent, the features of layered double hydrotalcite (LDH)-derived catalysts in the form of mixed metal oxides (MMO) and of reaction conditions on the productivity of 1,5-PDO under batch conditions. Unlike reported studies, these results suggest the direct pathway through furfuryl alcohol intermediates, allowing the one-pot production from furfural at lower temperature than analogous systems. Productivity is maximized when Co2+ species partially substitute Mg2+ species in parent LDH, yielding promising pentanediol yields under mild reaction conditions. MMOs containing Co2+ sites show marked differences compared to analogous bivalent metals, which is here attributed to the position in which reaction intermediates such as furfuryl alcohol are adsorbed onto surface specie. This is consistent with characterized surface species by XRD, temperature programmed reduction under H2, and chemisorption experiments using CO or CO2 as probe molecules, indicative of a proper balance between metal and basic sites onto MMOs. The reported data aim to provide new reaction evidence to contribute into the search of sustainable 1,5-PDO sources.

Graphical Abstract

Thermal Defect Engineering of Precious Group Metal-Organic Frameworks: A Case Study on Ru/Rh-HKUST-1 Analogues

A methodology is introduced for controlled postsynthetic thermal defect engineering (TDE) of precious group metal-organic frameworks (PGM-MOFs). The case study is based on the Ru/Rh analogues of the archetypical structure [Cu₃(BTC)₂] (HKUST-1; BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate). Quantitative monitoring of the TDE process and extensive characterization of the samples employing a complementary set of analytical and spectroscopic techniques reveal that the compositionally very complex TDE-MOF materials result from the elimination and/or fragmentation of ancillary ligands and/or linkers. TDE involves the preferential secession of acetate ligands, intrinsically introduced via coordination modulation during synthesis, and the gradual decarboxylation of ligator sites of the framework linker BTC. Both processes lead to modified Ru/Rh paddlewheel nodes. These nodes exhibit a lowered average oxidation state and more accessible open metal centers, as deduced from surface-ligand IR spectroscopy using CO as a probe and supported by density functional theory (DFT)-based computations. The monometallic and the mixed-metal PGM-MOFs systematically differ in their TDE properties and, in particular in the hydride generation ability (HGA). This latter property is an important indicator for the catalytic activity of PGM-MOFs, as demonstrated by the ethylene dimerization reaction to 1-butene.

Thermal defect engineering of precious group metal–organic frameworks: impact on the catalytic cyclopropanation reaction

This work highlights the catalytic cyclopropanation and its characteristics as a novel analytical tool to investigate complex MOF structures.

Heterogeneous Catalyzed Thermochemical Conversion of Lignin Model Compounds: An Overview

Thermochemical lignin conversion processes can be described as complex reaction networks involving not only de-polymerization and re-polymerization reactions, but also chemical transformations of the depolymerized mono-, di-, and oligomeric compounds. They typically result in a product mixture consisting of a gaseous, liquid (i.e., mono-, di-, and oligomeric products), and solid phase. Consequently, researchers have developed a common strategy to simplify this issue by replacing lignin with simpler, but still representative, lignin model compounds. This strategy is typically applied to the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and the exploration of novel lignin conversion approaches. In this review, we present a general overview of the latest advances in the principal thermochemical processes applied for the conversion of lignin model compounds using heterogeneous catalysts. This review focuses on the most representative lignin conversion methods, i.e., reductive, oxidative, pyrolytic, and hydrolytic processes. An additional subchapter on the reforming of pyrolysis oil model compounds has also been included. Special attention will be given to those research papers using "green" reactants (i.e., H₂ or renewable hydrogen donor molecules in reductive processes or air/O₂ in oxidative processes) and solvents, although less environmentally friendly chemicals will be also considered. Moreover, the scope of the review is limited to those most representative lignin model compounds and to those reaction products that are typically targeted in lignin valorization.

Gas reactions under intrapore condensation regime within tailored metal-organic framework catalysts

Production of 1-butene, a major monomer in polymer industry, is dominated by homogeneous protocols via ethylene dimerization. Homogeneous catalysts can achieve high selectivity but require large amounts of activators and solvents, and exhibit poor recyclability; in turn, heterogeneous systems are robust but lack selectivity. Here we show how the precise engineering of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) holds promise for a sustainable process. The key to the (Ru)HKUST-1 MOF activity is the intrapore reactant condensation that enhances ethylene dimerization with high selectivity (> 99% 1-butene) and high stability (> 120 h) in the absence of activators and solvents. According to spectroscopy, kinetics, and modeling, the engineering of defective nodes via controlled thermal approaches rules the activity, while intrapore ethylene condensation accounts for selectivity and stability. The combination of well-defined actives sites with the concentration effect arising from condensation regimes paves the way toward the development of robust MOF catalysts for diverse gas-phase reactions.

The search for robust heterogeneous catalysts for the production of linear α-olefins is still a challenge as they do not show well-defined sites and lack the high selectivity reported for homogeneous counterparts. Here the authors show how the precise engineering of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) holds promise for a sustainable process.

Catalytic routes to fuels from C1 and oxygenate molecules

This account illustrates concepts in chemical kinetics underpinned by the formalism of transition state theory using catalytic processes that enable the synthesis of molecules suitable as fuels from C₁ and oxygenate reactants. Such feedstocks provide an essential bridge towards a carbon-free energy future, but their volatility and low energy density require the formation of new C–C bonds and the removal of oxygen. These transformations are described here through recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms and site requirements in catalysis by surfaces, with emphasis on enabling concepts that tackle ubiquitous reactivity and selectivity challenges. The hurdles in forming the first C–C bond from C₁ molecules are illustrated by the oxidative coupling of methane, in which surface O-atoms form OH radicals from O₂ and H₂O molecules. These gaseous OH species act as strong H-abstractors and activate C–H bonds with earlier transition states than oxide surfaces, thus rendering activation rates less sensitive to the weaker C–H bonds in larger alkane products than in CH₄ reactants. Anhydrous carbonylation of dimethyl ether forms a single C–C bond on protons residing within inorganic voids that preferentially stabilize the kinetically-relevant transition state through van der Waals interactions that compensate for the weak CO nucleophile. Similar solvation effects, but by intrapore liquids instead of inorganic hosts, also become evident as alkenes condense within MCM-41 channels containing isolated Ni²⁺ active sites during dimerization reactions. Intrapore liquids preferentially stabilize transition states for C–C bond formation and product desorption, leading to unprecedented reactivity and site stability at sub-ambient temperatures and to 1-alkene dimer selectivities previously achieved only on organometallic systems with co-catalysts or activators. C₁ homologation selectively forms C₄ and C₇ chains with a specific backbone (isobutane, triptane) on solid acids, because of methylative growth and hydride transfer rates that reflect the stability of their carbenium ion transition states and are unperturbed by side reactions at low temperatures. Aldol condensation of carbonyl compounds and ketonization of carboxylic acids form new C–C bonds concurrently with O-removal. These reactions involve analogous elementary steps and occur on acid–base site pairs on TiO₂ and ZrO₂ catalysts. Condensations are limited by α-H abstraction to form enolates via concerted interactions with predominantly unoccupied acid–base pairs. Ketonization is mediated instead by C–C bond formation between hydroxy-enolates and monodentate carboxylates on site pairs nearly saturated by carboxylates. Both reactions are rendered practical through bifunctional strategies, in which H₂ and a Cu catalyst function scavenge unreactive intermediates, prevent sequential reactions and concomitant deactivation, and remove thermodynamic bottlenecks. Alkanal–alkene Prins condensations on solid acids occur concurrently with alkene dimerization and form molecules with new C–C bonds as skeletal isomers unattainable by other routes. Their respective transition states are of similar size, leading to selectivities that cannot sense the presence of a confining host. Prins condensation reactions benefit from weaker acid sites because their transition states are less charged than those for oligomerization and consequently less sensitive to conjugate anions that become less stable as acids weaken.

Regeneration of surface acid sites via mild oxidation on dehydration catalysts

This work reports novel experimental evidence for the use of mild oxidation conditions to remove humin deposits on active xylose dehydration catalysts that showed deactivation.

Oxidative steam reforming of methane over nickel catalysts supported on Al2O3–CeO2–La2O3

Nickel supported on Al₂O₃–CeO₂–La₂O₃ provided excellent catalytic features and high coking resistance in oxidative steam reforming of methane.

Quantification of acidic sites of nanoscopic hydroxylated magnesium fluorides by FTIR and 15N MAS NMR spectroscopy

A new method is described for the calculation of molar extinction coefficients for quantitative FTIR measurements of acidic surface sites.

Dehydration of xylose and glucose to furan derivatives using bifunctional partially hydroxylated MgF2 catalysts and N2-stripping

The current furfural production yield is low due to the use of non-selective homogeneous catalysts and expensive separation.

Production of furfural from pentosan-rich biomass: analysis of process parameters during simultaneous furfural stripping

Among the furan-based compounds, furfural (FUR) shows interesting properties as building-block or industrial solvent. It is produced from pentosan-rich biomass via xylose cyclodehydration. The current FUR production makes use of homogeneous catalysts and excessive amounts of steam. The development of greener furfural production and separation techniques implies the use of heterogeneous catalysts and innovative separation processes. This work deals with the conversion of corncobs as xylose source to be dehydrated to furfural. The results reveal differences between the use of direct corncob hydrolysis and dehydration to furfural and the prehydrolysis and dehydration procedures. Moreover, this work focuses on an economical analysis of the main process parameters during N2-stripping and its economical comparison to the current steam-stripping process. The results show a considerable reduction of the annual utility costs due to use of recyclable nitrogen and the reduction of the furfural purification stages.

Furfural production from xylose using sulfonic ion-exchange resins (Amberlyst) and simultaneous stripping with nitrogen

The aim of this work deals with the development of new approaches to the production of furfural from xylose. It combines relatively cheap heterogeneous catalysts (Amberlyst 70) with simultaneous furfural stripping using nitrogen under semi-batch conditions. Nitrogen, compared to steam, does not dilute the vapor phase stream when condensed. This system allowed stripping 65% of the furfural converted from xylose and almost 100% of selectivity in the condensate. Moreover, high initial xylose loadings led to the formation of two water-furfural phases, which could reduce further purification costs. Constant liquid-vapor equilibrium along stripping could be maintained for different xylose loadings. The modeling of the experimental data was carried out in order to obtain a liquid-vapor mass-transfer coefficient. This value could be used for future studies under steady-state continuous conditions in similar reaction-systems.