An experimental and theoretical study of glycerol oxidation to 1,3‐dihydroxyacetone over bimetallic Pt‐Bi catalysts

It is important to utilize glycerol, the main by‐product of biodiesel, to manufacture value‐added chemicals such as 1,3‐dihydroxyacetone (DHA). In the present work, the performance of five different catalysts (Pt‐Bi/AC, Pt‐Bi/ZSM‐5, Pt/MCM‐41, Pt‐Bi/MCM‐41, and Pt/Bi‐doped‐MCM‐41) was investigated experimentally, where Pt‐Bi/MCM‐41 was found to exhibit the highest DHA yield. To better understand the experimental results and to obtain insight into the reaction mechanism, density functional theory (DFT) computations were conducted to provide energy barriers of elementary steps. Both experimental and calculated results show that for high DHA selectivity, Bi should be located in an adatom‐like configuration Pt, rather than inside Pt. A favorable pathway and catalytic cycle of DHA formation were proposed based on the DFT results. A cooperative effect, between Pt as the primary component and Bi as a promoter, was identified for DHA formation. Both experimental and theoretical considerations demonstrate that Pt‐Bi is efficient to convert glycerol to DHA selectively. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 705–715, 2017     

Palladium and platinum catalysts supported on carbon nanofiber coated monoliths for low-temperature combustion of BTX

In this work carbon nanofiber (CNF)-coated monoliths with a very thin, homogeneous, consistent and good adhered CNF layer were obtained by means of catalytic decomposition of ethylene on Ni particles.The catalytic behaviour of Pt and Pd supported on the CNF-coated monoliths was studied in the low-temperature catalytic combustion of benzene, toluene and m-xylene (BTX) and compared with the performance of Pt and Pd supported on γ-Al₂O₃ coated monoliths.The catalysts supported on CNF-coated monoliths were the most active, independent of the metal catalyst or the type of the tested aromatic compound. TPD experiments showed that the γ-Al₂O₃ phase retained important amounts of the water molecules produced during the reaction. When water vapour was supplied to the reactant flow, the activity of Pd catalysts decreased much stronger than the Pt ones, and the activity of the Pt catalysts supported on the γ-Al₂O₃ was more affected than that of the catalysts supported on CNF.BTX combustion reactions seem to be catalyzed by Pt and Pd through different kinetic mechanisms, explaining why Pt catalysts always were more active than the Pd ones deposited on the same type of support. Pd catalyzed combustion of benzene is strongly inhibited by oxygen and by water.Catalysts supported on CNF-coated monoliths showed a selectivity to burn benzene better than toluene or m-xylene, attributed to a better aromatic-CNF surface interaction.     

Synergistic effect of Pt or Pd and perovskite oxide for water gas shift reaction

The water gas shift (WGS) reaction over Pt and Pd catalysts supported on various perovskite oxides has been investigated at 573 K without catalyst pretreatment. The Pt and Pd catalysts on LaCoO₃ support showed high catalytic activity. Interaction between Pt or Pd and the support is considered to promote the WGS reaction: Pt/LaCoO₃ had high initial activity but deactivated immediately; Pd/LaCoO₃ was less active than Pt/LaCoO₃, but had superior stability. Catalysts were characterized using XRD, STEM, XPS, and H₂-temperature programmed reduction (TPR). Results of this study showed that reduction of the support decreased the CO conversion on Pt/LaCoO₃. On the other hand, Pd/LaCoO₃ showed stable activity for the WGS reaction. Therefore, Pd was added to Pt/LaCoO₃ for stabilizing the catalyst activity, and 0.5 wt.% Pd/1 wt.% Pt/LaCoO₃ catalyst showed higher activity and stability.     

Influence of formic acid on electrochemical properties of high‐porosity Pt/TiN nanoparticle aggregates

Platinum‐deposited titanium nitride (Pt/TiN) nanoparticle aggregates with high porosities were successfully prepared via a self‐assembly‐assisted spray pyrolysis method. The addition of formic acid (HCOOH) had a significant influence on the process, promoting the simultaneous formation of metallic Pt and reduction on the surface of the TiN support material. Complete reduction of the Pt/TiN nanoparticle aggregates improved the catalytic activity. The electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of Pt/TiN with HCOOH (Pt/TiN_w/HCOOH) was 87.15 m²/g‐Pt, which was higher than that of Pt/TiN without HCOOH (Pt/TiN_w/o‐HCOOH). The catalytic durability of Pt/TiN_w/HCOOH was twice that of Pt/TiN_w/o‐HCOOH. An effective strategy for obtaining carbon‐free catalysts with high activities and durabilities was identified. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2753–2760, 2013     

Air Oxidation of Benzene to Biphenyl – A Dual Catalytic Approach

Facile oxidative homocoupling of benzenes to the respective biphenyls is effected under moderate conditions, using air or oxygen in the presence of catalytic PdCl₂ and AcOH/AcONa as solvent. The fast regeneration of the active Pd ²⁺ species is accomplished by combining several oxygen‐binding catalysts, such as Zr(IV), Mn(II), and Co(II) acetates. In this way, it is possible to increase the content of active oxygen in solution so that the rate of catalyst regeneration is faster than the rate of aggregation of the „spent catalyst”︁, Pd(0), to palladium black. The effects of various process parameters are studied and some mechanistic implications are discussed.     

Enantioselective Platinum‐Catalyzed Silicon‐Boron Addition to 1,3‐Cyclohexadiene

Silaboration of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene in the presence of Pt(acac)₂, DIBALH, and a phosphoramidite prepared from (S)‐1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol and diisopropylamine led to (1R,4S)‐1‐(dimethylphenylsilyl)‐4‐(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)‐2‐cyclohexene with 70% ee. Chiral catalysts based on Ni gave no or essentially racemic product, whereas complexes containing Pd were inactive.     

Alkoxycarbonylation of 3,3,3‐Trifluoropropyne: an Intriguing Reaction to Prepare Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Unsaturated Acid Derivatives

The addition of CO and methanol to 3,3,3‐trifluoropropyne is catalysed by Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of (6‐methylpyrid‐2‐yl)diphenylphosphine and CH₃SO₃H. The main products of the reaction are the methyl esters of 2‐(trifluoromethyl)propenoic acid 1 and of 3‐(trifluoromethyl)propenoic acid 2 (4,4,4‐trifluorobut‐2‐enoic acid). The regioselectivity of the reaction can be controlled to a great extent by a suitable choice of the composition of the catalytic system and the reaction conditions. Thus, 1 can be obtained in 93% yield by using P(CO)=20 atm and high ligand/Pd and acid/Pd ratios. On the other hand, selectivity up to 85% in 2 can be achieved using P(CO)=80 atm and a low ligand/Pd ratio together with a high acid/Pd ratio. The reaction mechanism is also discussed.     

Effect of pH Value and Temperatures on Performances of Pd/C Catalysts Prepared by Modified Polyol Process for Formic Acid Electrooxidation

The highly active Pd/C catalysts for formic acid electrooxidation have been prepared by a modified polyol process at different pH values of reaction solutions and different reducing temperatures, respectively. Their physical properties have been characterised by energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Their electrochemical performances for formic acid electrooxidation have been tested by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric i–t curves. The results of physical characterisations show that all the Pd/C catalysts present an excellent face centered cubic crystalline structure. Their particle sizes are decreasing firstly and then increasing with the increasing of the pH values of reaction solutions. The reducing temperatures also markedly affect the Pd particle sizes. And their nanoparticles have narrow size distributions and are highly dispersed on the surface of carbon support, and Pd metal loading in Pd/C catalyst is similar to the theoretical value of 20 wt.%. The results of electrochemical measurements present that the Pd/C catalyst prepared by waterless polyol process at the pH value of 10 and the reducing temperature of 120 °C has the smallest particle size of about 5.6 nm, and exhibits the highest catalytic activity (1172.0 A · g_Pd<?h‐2.85>^–1<?h.8>) and stability for formic acid electrooxidation.     

Complete oxidation of methane at low temperature over Pt and Pd catalysts for the abatement of lean-burn natural gas fuelled vehicles emissions: influence of water and sulphur containing compounds

The catalytic activity of fresh Pd and Pt catalysts supported on γ-alumina in the complete oxidation of CH₄ traces under lean-burn conditions was studied in the presence or the absence of water or H₂S. Steam-aged catalysts were also studied in order to simulate long-term ageing in real lean-burn natural gas fuelled vehicles (NGVs) exhaust conditions. Without water or H₂S added to the feed, Pd catalysts exhibit a superior catalytic activity in methane oxidation compared to Pt ones, whatever the catalysts were fresh or aged. The addition of 10 vol.% water vapour to the feed strongly affects the activity of the fresh Pd catalyst, thus being only slightly more efficient than the fresh Pt one. H₂S has a strong poisoning effect on the catalytic activity of Pd catalysts, while Pt catalysts are more resistant. The fresh H₂S-poisoned Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst was studied by TPD in O₂/He. Poisoning species decompose above 873 K as SO₂ and O₂ in relative concentrations consistent with the decomposition of surface sulphate species. However, a treatment in O₂/He at temperatures as high as 923 K does not allow the complete regeneration of the catalytic activity of H₂S-poisoned Pd/Al₂O₃. A mechanism involving the poisoning of PdO by sulphate species is proposed. Different diffusion processes by which these sulphate species can migrate back and forth between PdO and the support, depending on the experimental conditions, are suggested.     

Direct Coupling Reactions of Alkynylsilanes Catalyzed by Palladium(II) Chloride and a Di(2‐pyridyl)methylamine‐Derived Palladium(II) Chloride Complex in Water and in NMP

Symmetrical internal alkynes can be prepared either by diarylation of mono‐ and bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene (TMSA and BTMSA) catalyzed by ligand‐less palladium(II) chloride or by a di(2‐pyridyl)methylamine‐derived palladium(II ) chloride complex 1 (typical 0.1–1 mol % of Pd loading) in water using pyrrolidine as base and tetra‐n‐butylammonium bromide as additive. Alternatively, this same process is performed in NMP in the presence of tetra‐n‐butylammonium acetate (TBAA) as base with even lower Pd loadings (0.001–1 mol % Pd). The same reaction conditions are applied to the synthesis of unsymmetrical internal alkynes by monoarylation of silylated terminal alkynes. Aryl iodides can be coupled with TMSA, BTMSA and silylated terminal alkynes under heating or at room temperature, whereas for aryl bromides couplings are performed under water reflux or at 110 °C in the case of NMP. Complex 1 can be reused during several cycles either in water or in NMP without loss of catalytic activity. These simple reaction conditions allow the preparation of internal alkynes without secondary products, most probably by succesive protiodesilylation‐Sonogashira coupling.     

Electrochemical Recycling of Benzoquinone in the Pd/Benzoquinone‐Catalyzed Heck‐Type Reactions from Arenes

Palladium(II ) acetate‐catalyzed Heck‐type reactions have been performed from the arene 1 and alkenes (n‐butyl acrylate, styrene) in acetic acid at room temperature, in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzoquinone or hydroquinone. The reactions have been made catalytic in benzoquinone [which is used to continuously oxidize the Pd(0) into to the active Pd(II) species able to activate the Ar H bond] by the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone, formed in the reaction, back to benzoquinone.     

Oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over supported Pt, Pd and Au catalysts

Supported Pt, Pd, and Au catalysts were evaluated in the aqueous-phase oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) at 295 K and high pH in a semibatch reactor. The intermediate reaction product 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HFCA) was formed in high yield over Au/C and Au/TiO₂ at 690 kPa O₂, 0.15 M HMF and 0.3 M NaOH, but did not continue to react substantially to FDCA at the specified O₂ pressure and base concentration. In contrast, the final reaction product FDCA was formed over Pt/C and Pd/C under identical conditions. The initial turnover frequency of HMF conversion was an order of magnitude greater on Au catalysts compared to either Pt or Pd. Increasing the O₂ pressure and NaOH concentration facilitated the conversion of HFCA to FDCA over the supported Au. The significant influence of base concentration on the product distribution indicates an important role of OH⁻ in the activation, oxidation and degradation of HMF.     

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis using Co/SiO2 catalysts prepared from mixed precursors and addition effect of noble metals

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in Co/SiO₂ catalysts, which were prepared by mixed impregnation of cobalt (II) nitrate and cobalt (II) acetate, was studied under mild reaction conditions (Total pressure=1 MPa, H₂/CO=2, T=513 K). X-ray diffraction indicated that highly dispersed cobalt metal was the main active sites on the catalyst prepared by the same method. It was considered that the metallic crystallines, which were readily reduced from cobalt nitrate, promoted the reduction of Co²⁺ to metallic a state in cobalt acetate by H₂ spillover mechanism during the catalyst reduction process. The reduced cobalt, from cobalt acetate, was highly dispersed one and remarkably enhanced the catalytic activity. The addition of a small amount of Ru to this type of catalyst remarkably increased the catalytic activity and the reduction degree. Its turn over frequency (TOF) increased but the selectivity of CH₄ was unchanged. However, when Pt or Pd were added into catalysts, they exhibited a higher selectivity of CH₄. Although Pt and Pd hardly exerted an effect on cobalt reduction degree, they promoted cobalt dispersion and decreased the value of TOF. Characterization of these bimetallic catalysts suggested that a different contact between Co and Ru, Pt or Pd existed. Ru was enriched on the metallic cobalt surface but, Pt or Pd dispersed well in the form of Pt–Co or Pd–Co alloy.     

Three‐Phase Nitrobenzene Hydrogenation over Supported Glass Fiber Catalysts: Reaction Kinetics Study

The catalytic properties of Pd and Pt supported on woven glass fibers (GF) were investigated in the three‐phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene (NB). Over all catalysts, a 100 % yield of aniline was attained. The catalytic activity for the best catalysts was two times higher than the activity of commercial Pt/C catalyst traditionally used for liquid–phase hydrogenation. The intrinsic reaction kinetics were studied and a reaction scheme is suggested. The direct formation of aniline from NB was observed over Pd/GF with traces of intermediates. Four intermediate products were detected during aniline formation over Pt/GF: nitrosobenzene, phenylhydroxylamine, azoxybenzene, and azobenzene. The Eley‐Rideal kinetic model fits the experimental data well. The parameters of the model were determined as a function of initial NB concentration and hydrogen pressure. Pt and Pd supported on GF in woven fabrics are suggested as suitable materials for reactors with a structured catalytic bed in multi‐phase reactor performance.     

The Interaction of Noble Metal With La1–xSrxMnO3 (001) Surface and Catalytic Role for Oxygen Adsorption: A Density Functional Theory Study

Adsorption mechanisms of noble metals (Ag, Pd, Pt) on MnO₂‐terminated (001) surface and their catalytic role for oxygen adsorption have been investigated using the first‐principles density functional theory calculations. The analysis of the adsorption energies reveals that the energetically favorable configuration for Ag and Pd adsorption is at the O site, whereas one for Pt adsorption is at the Mn site. Pt atom exhibits the largest adsorption energy, followed by Pd and Ag atoms. Both bond population and PDOS (partial density of states) analysis confirm the formation of adatom–O–Mn bonds. Adsorption is accompanied by a charge transfer between adatoms and surface atoms. Significantly, we predict that the order on the increase of O₂ adsorption energy follows the Pd > Ag > Pt due to pre‐adsorbed noble metal atoms. The calculated bond length and bond population of O₂ molecule demonstrate that pre‐adsorbed noble metal atoms facilitates O₂ molecule dissociate to O atoms, thus contributing to the surface oxygen diffusion process. Our calculations identify an important catalytic role of noble metal in LSM‐based catalysts, which may improve electrochemical performance for SOFCs cathodes.     

The synergic effects of highly selective bimetallic Pt-Pd/SAPO-41 catalysts for the n-hexadecane hydroisomerization

The hydroisomerization of n-hexadecane over Pt-Pd bimetallic catalysts is an effective way to produce clean fuel oil. This work reports a useful preparation method of bimetallic bifunctional catalysts by a co-impregnation or sequential impregnation process. Furthermore, monometallic catalysts with loading either Pt or Pd are also prepared for comparison. The effects of the metal species and impregnation order on the characteristics and catalytic performance of the catalysts are investigated. The catalytic test results indicate that the maximum iso-hexadecane yield over different catalysts increases as follows: Pt/silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-41iso-hexadecane yield of 89.4% when the n-hexadecane conversion is 96.3%. Additionally, the Pt-Pd/SAPO-41 catalyst also presents the highest catalytic activity and best stability even after 150 h long-term tests.     

A Density Functional Theory Study of the Stille Cross‐Coupling via Associative Transmetalation. The Role of Ligands and Coordinating Solvents

An associative mechanism has been computationally characterized for the Stille cross‐coupling of vinyl bromide and trimethylvinylstannane catalyzed by PdL₂ (L=PMe₃, AsMe₃) with or without dimethylformamide as coordinating ligand. All the species along the catalytic cycles that start from both the cis‐ and the trans‐PdL(Y)(vinyl)Br complexes (Y=L or S; L=PMe₃, AsMe₃ or PH₃; S=DMF) have been located in the gas phase and in the presence of polar solvents. Computations support the central role of species trans‐PdL(DMF)(vinyl)Br which react by ligand dissociation and stannane coordination in the rate‐limiting transmetalation step via a puckered four‐coordinate (at palladium) transition state comprised of Pd, Br, Sn and sp² C atoms. A donating solvent may enter the catalytic cycle assisting isomerization of cis‐PdL₂(vinyl)Br to trans‐PdL(DMF)(vinyl)Br complexes via a pentacoordinate square pyramidal Pd intermediate. In keeping with experimental observations, the activation energies of the catalytic cycles with arsines as Pd ligands are lower than those with phosphines. Polytopal rearrangements from the three‐coordinate T‐shaped Pd complexes resulting from transmetalation account for the isomerization and the C C bond formation on the reductive elimination step.     

Palladium(II) Complexes of C2‐Bridged Chiral Diphosphines: Application to Enantioselective Carbonyl‐Ene Reactions

(11bR,11′bR)‐4,4′‐(1,2‐Phenylene)bis[4,5‐dihydro‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin] [abbreviated as (R)‐BINAPHANE], (3R,3′R,4S,4′S,11bS,11′bS)‐4,4′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐4,4′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐3,3′‐bi‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin [(S)‐BINAPINE], (1S,1′S,2R,2′R)‐1,1′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐2,2′‐biphospholane [(S,S,R,R)‐TANGPHOS] and (2R,2′R,5R,5′R)‐1,1′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis[2,5‐bis(1‐methylethyl)phospholane] [(R,R)‐i‐Pr‐DUPHOS] are C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines that form stable complexes with palladium(II) and platinum(II) containing a five‐membered chelate ring. The Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst displayed good to excellent enantioselectivities with ee values as high as 99.0% albeit in low yields for the carbonyl‐ene reaction between phenylglyoxal and alkenes. Its Pt(II) counterpart afforded improved yields while retaining satisfactory enantioselectivity. For the carbonyl‐ene reaction between ethyl trifluoropyruvate and alkenes, the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst afforded both good yields and extremely high enantioselectivities with ees as high as 99.6%. A comparative study on the Pd(II) catalysts of the four C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines revealed that Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE afforded the best enantioselectivity. The ee values derived from Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE are much higher than those derived from the other three Pd(II) catalysts. A comparison of the catalyst structures shows that the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst is the only one that has two bulky (R)‐binaphthyl groups close to the reaction site. Hence it creates a deep chiral space that can efficiently control the reaction behavior in the carbonyl‐ene reactions resulting in excellent enantioselectivity.     

Atomically dispersed Pd on nanostructured TiO2 for NO removal by solar light

Reducing the particle size of noble metals on ceramic supports can maximize noble metal performance and minimize its use. Here Pd clusters onto nanostructured TiO₂ particles are prepared in one step by scalable flame aerosol technology while controlling the Pd cluster size from a few nanometers to that of single atoms. Annealing such materials at appropriate temperatures leads to solar photocatalytic NO_x removal in a standard ISO reactor up to 10 times faster than that of commercial TiO₂ (P25, Evonik). Such superior performance can be attained by only 0.1 wt.% Pd loading on TiO₂. Annealing these flame‐made powders in air up to 600 °C decreases the amorphous TiO₂ fraction and increases its crystal and particle sizes as observed by x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and N₂ adsorption. The growth of single Pd atoms to Pd clusters on TiO₂ prepared at different Pd loading and annealing conditions was investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy and XRD. The single Pd atoms and clusters on TiO₂ are stable up to, at least, 600 °C for 2 h in air but at 800 °C they grow into PdO nanoparticles whose fraction is comparable with the nominal Pd loading. Hence, most of Pd atoms are on the TiO₂ surface where at 800 °C they diffuse and coalesce. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy reveals NO adsorption on single, double, three and fourfold coordinated Pd atoms depending on their synthesis and annealing conditions. The peak intensity of NO adsorption sites involving multiple Pd atoms is substantially lower in TiO₂ containing 0.1 wt.% than 1 wt.% Pd but that intensity from single Pd atoms is comparable. This indicates the dominance of isolated Pd atoms compared to clusters in Pd/TiO₂ containing 0.1 wt.% Pd that match or exceed the photocatalytic NO_x removal of Pd/TiO₂ of higher Pd contents. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 139–146, 2017     

Catalytic activity of supported metal particles for sulfuric acid decomposition reaction

Production of hydrogen by splitting of water in the thermochemical sulfur-based cycles that employs the catalytic decomposition of sulfuric acid into SO₂ and O₂ is of considerable interest. However, all of the known catalytic systems studied to date that consist of metal particles on oxide substrates deactivate with time on stream. To develop an understanding of the factors that are responsible for catalyst activity, we investigate the fresh activity of several platinum group metals (PGM) catalysts, including Pd, Pt, Rh, Ir, and Ru supported on titania at 850 °C and perform an extensive theoretical study (density-functional-theory-based first-principles calculations and computer simulations) of the activity of the PGM nanoparticles of different size and shape positioned on TiO₂ (rutile and anatase) and Al₂O₃ (γ- and η-alumina) surfaces. The activity and deactivation of the catalytic systems are defined by (i) the energy barrier for the detachment of O atoms from the SO_n (n = 1, 2, 3) species, and (ii) the removal rate of the products of the sulfuric acid decomposition (atomic O, S, and the SO_n species) from metal nanoparticles. We show that these two nanoscale features collectively result in the observed experimental behavior. The removal rate of the reaction products is always lower than the SO_n decomposition rates. The relation between these two rates explains why the “softer” PGM nanoparticles (Pd and Pt) exhibit the highest initial catalytic activity.