Mono- and Bimetallic Nanoparticles Stabilized by an Aromatic Polymeric Network for a Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction

This work addresses the Suzuki cross-coupling between 4-bromoanisole (BrAn) and phenylboronic acid (PBA) in an environmentally benign ethanol–water solvent catalysed by mono- (Pd) and bimetallic (PdAu, PdCu, PdZn) nanoparticles (NPs) stabilised within hyper-cross-linked polystyrene (HPS) bearing tertiary amino groups. Small Pd NPs of about 2 nm in diameters were formed and stabilized by HPS independently in the presence of other metals. High catalytic activity and complete conversion of BrAn was attained at low Pd loading. Introduction of Zn to the catalyst composition resulted in the formation of Pd/Zn/ZnO NPs, which demonstrated nearly double activity as compared to Pd/HPS. Bimetallic core-shell PdAu/HPS samples were 3-fold more active as compared to Pd/HPS. Both Pd/HPS and PdAu/HPS samples revealed promising stability confirmed by catalyst recycling in repeated reaction runs.

Aqueous phase conversion of CO2 into acetic acid over thermally transformed MIL-88B

Sustainable production of acetic acid (AA) is a high priority due to its high global manufacturing capacity and numerous applications. Currently it is predominantly synthesized via carbonylation of methanol, in which both the reactants are fossil-derived. CO2 transformation into AA is highly desirable to achieve net zero carbon emissions, but significant challenges remain to achieve this efficiently. Herein, we report a heterogeneous catalyst, thermally transformed MIL-88B with Fe0 and Fe3O4 dual active sites, for highly selective AA formation via methanol hydrocarboxylation. This efficient catalyst showed high AA yield (590.1 mmol/gcat.L) with 81.7% selectivity at 150°C in aqueous phase using LiI as a co-catalyst. The reaction is believed to proceed via formic acid intermediate. No significant difference in AA yield and selectivity was noticed during catalyst recycling study up to five cycles. This work scalable and industrially relevant for CO2 utilisation to reduce carbon emissions, especially if green methanol and green hydrogen are used.

Organic Solvent Nanofiltration of Water-in-Oil Pickering Emulsions—What Influences Permeability?

Pickering emulsions (PEs) have received increasing interest for their application in catalytic multiphase reactions. Organic solvent nanofiltration of PEs was shown to be a promising procedure for efficient and effective catalyst recycling. In this work, a systematic parameter study to identify the main influencing parameters on PE filtration was conducted for a large variety of PE compositions for the first time. In addition to temperature, only the type of organic solvent significantly influenced the filtration performance, which could be mathematically modeled via a combination of the solution–diffusion and the resistance in the series model. Particle type and concentration, dispersed phase fraction and the presence of reaction (by-)products did not show any significant impact on the permeability. The stirrer speed only became important when emulsions stabilized by particles without the tendency to form 3D network structures were filtered in long-term filtration experiments. These results pave the way towards the application of PE membrane filtration for catalyst recovery in continuous liquid/liquid multiphase reactions and enable broad operation windows. As the mechanical separation of PEs was shown to be a very robust process, the emulsion composition can now be tuned to meet the needs of the reaction without any (significant) loss in filtration performance.

Active pyridinium based ionic liquid anchored quinuclidine organocatalyst for Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

: In the present manuscript, we easily synthesized three different types of ionic liquid supported 3-quinuclidinone organocatalysts such as [PyAmEQ][BF4] (Py-CATALYST-1), [PyAmEQ][PF6] (Py-CATALYST-2), and [PyAmEQ][NTf2] (Py-CATALYST-3). After performing the careful characterization of the above catalysts with sophisticated analytical techniques, we utilized them as a catalyst to study the passive Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. The corresponding Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts were easily isolated, followed by the simple ether extraction method. Moreover, the above protocol also promoted low catalyst loading, short reaction time, wide substrate scope, easy product, and catalyst recycling. We easily recycled the catalytic system for 5 runs with no noticeable loss in the chemical yield. Additionally, Py-CATALYST-3 was also used to prepare biologically active materials, i.e., N-((E,3S,4R)-5-benzylidene-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl) palmitamide derivatives.

Acceleration of Baylis-Hillman reaction using ionic liquid supported organocatalyst

Background: Baylis-Hillman reaction suffers from the requirement of cheap starting materials, easy reaction protocol, possibility to create the chiral center in the reaction product has increased the synthetic efficacy of this reaction, and high catalyst loading, low reaction rate, and poor yield. Objective: The extensive use of various functional or non-functional ionic liquids (ILs) with organocatalyst increases the reaction rate of various organic transformations as a reaction medium and as a support to anchor the catalysts. Methods: In this manuscript, we have demonstrated the synthesis of quinuclidine-supported trimethylamine-based functionalized ionic liquid as a catalyst for the Baylis-Hillman reaction. Results: We obtained the Baylis-Hillman adducts in good, isolated yield, low catalyst loading, short reaction time, broad substrate scope, accessible product, and catalyst recycling. N-((E,3S,4R)-5-benzylidene-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl) palmitamide was also successfully synthesized using CATALYST-3 promoted Baylis-Hillman reaction. Conclusion: We successfully isolated the 25 types of Baylis-Hillman adducts using three different quinuclidine-supported ammonium-based ionic liquids such as Et3AmQ][BF4] (CATALYST-1), [Et3AmQ][PF6] (CATALYST-2), and [TMAAmEQ][NTf2](CATALYST-3) as new and efficient catalysts. Tedious and highly active N-((E,3S,4R)-5-benzylidene-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl) palmitamide derivative was also synthesized using CATALYST-3 followed by Baylis-Hillman reaction. Generally, all the responses demonstrated higher activity and yielded high competition with various previously reported homogenous and heterogeneous Catalytic systems. Easy catalyst and product recovery followed by six catalysts recycling were the added advantages of the prosed catalytic system.

Recyclable Catalysts for Alkyne Functionalization

In this review, we present an assessment of recent advances in alkyne functionalization reactions, classified according to different classes of recyclable catalysts. In this work, we have incorporated and reviewed the activity and selectivity of recyclable catalytic systems such as polysiloxane-encapsulated novel metal nanoparticle-based catalysts, silica–copper-supported nanocatalysts, graphitic carbon-supported nanocatalysts, metal organic framework (MOF) catalysts, porous organic framework (POP) catalysts, bio-material-supported catalysts, and metal/solvent free recyclable catalysts. In addition, several alkyne functionalization reactions have been elucidated to demonstrate the success and efficiency of recyclable catalysts. In addition, this review also provides the fundamental knowledge required for utilization of green catalysts, which can combine the advantageous features of both homogeneous (catalyst modulation) and heterogeneous (catalyst recycling) catalysis.

β-Zeolite Assisted Lignin-First Fractionation in a Flow-Through Reactor

<p>Lignin is one of the main constituents of lignocellulosic biomass, whose valorization is essential for an economically feasible biorefinery process scheme. In the present work, a hydrogen-free one step catalytic fractionation of woody biomass using commercial b-zeolite as catalyst in a flow-through reactor was carried out, leading to a maximum aromatic monomer yield of 20.5 wt.%. Birch, spruce and walnut shells were used and compared as lignocellulosic feedstocks. Relevant insights in the reaction mechanism were obtained through 2D HSQC NMR analysis, revealing that b-O-4 cleavage is catalyzed by the zeolite. To optimize system operation, a rate limiting step analysis was performed by using different reactor configurations. It was found that the system operated in a mixed regime where the rates of both solvolytic delignification and zeolite-based depolymerization/dehydration affect the net rate of aromatic monomer production. Oxalic acid addition was found to enhance monomer production at moderate concentrations by improving solvolysis; however, it caused structural changes to the zeolite leading to lower monomer yields at higher concentrations. Zeolite stability was assessed through catalyst recycling and characterization using NH₃-TPD, XRD, N₂ physisorption and TGA. Main catalyst deactivation mechanisms were found to be coking and leaching, respectively leading to larger pore size and lower concentration of acid sites.</p>