Catalysis Science & Technology Blog

Sequential synthesis to integrate catalysts – no need to purify

04 Oct 2012

Scientists from Spain have developed a new method for increasing yields in synthetic organic reactions.

One pot syntheses may seem like an attractive option for syntheses with multiple reaction steps but reagents are not always compatible, leading to serious reductions in yields. An alternative sequential approach has been adopted that allows several different heterogeneous catalysts to be used, producing the target compound in much higher yields than the classical approach. Three reactions are conducted in sequence by simply filtering the catalyst after each step and proceeding with the crude mixture.

Sound like a good idea? Read the article for more information…

Integration of Heterogeneous Catalysts into Complex Synthetic Routes: Sequential vs One-Pot Reactions in a (Knoevenagel + Mukaiyama-Michael + Hydrogenation + Transesterification) Sequence
J M Fraile et al, Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2cy20442h

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Shedding light on photosynthesis reactions

04 Oct 2012

By Matthew Cude, Development Editor.

Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: A Carrefour of Chemical Reactivity

It has been 100 years, almost to the day, since Italian Chemist Giacomo Luigi Ciamician first proposed harnessing the sun’s power to produce energy. Writing in Science, Ciamician stated “And if in a distant future the supply of coal becomes completely exhausted, civilization will not be checked by that, for life and civilization will continue as long as the sun shines!”. With these words in mind, we have selected Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: A Carrefour of Chemical Reactivity edited by Sebastiao Formosinho and Monica Barroso as the October book of the month.

Amongst other topics, this fascinating book discusses both natural and artificial photosynthesis and highlights the importance of proton-coupled electron transfer in biological systems, in particularly for bioenergetic conversion.

“The book gives a good insight into current research on a vibrant topic. It is to be expected that it will be the first in a long upcoming list of publications, given the importance of PCET processes such as the activation of water, production of H₂, reduction of CO₂, and reduction of N₂.” Reviewed in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Using personal accounts of experimental examples this book will provide a unique insight into the current understanding of this important reaction type.

Let the sun shine on your reactions.

Interested in other books on catalysis? Read more in the RSC Catalysis Series.

You may also be interested in the latest themed issue of Energy & Environmental Science on ‘Proton-coupled electron transfer’ .

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Theoretical study of palladium leaching

28 Sep 2012

By Fiona McKenzie, Executive Editor.

A collaboration of scientists in China, Germany and Singapore have used a computational model to study palladium leaching processes under a carbon monoxide atmosphere.

Deactivation of solid catalysts is an important issue in chemical industries and other catalytic applications. One of the causes of deactivation is the loss of active component due to corrosion or leaching by the reaction medium.

The team found that the loss of the active metal component is governed by the structure of the catalyst surface and the pressure (coverage) of carbon monoxide. They concluded that Pd leaching is likely under common catalytic conditions.

To read about the proposed mechanism by which this occurs, read the article now…

Theoretical study on the leaching of palladium in a CO atmosphere
C.-R. Chang et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012

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Taking in situ catalysis to a new level

20 Sep 2012

By Jennifer Newton, Publishing Editor.

This article is HOT as recommended by the referees

Raimund Horn and colleagues have combined the measurement of kinetic and spectroscopy reactor profiles to establish catalyst structure–function relationships in this HOT Catalysis Science & Technology paper.

Their research focuses on the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene using a MoO₃ based catalyst supported on γ-alumina spheres. We are shown how measuring spatially resolved kinetic and spectroscopic profiles along the centreline of a fixed bed tubular reactor can be used to resolve the dynamics of a catalyst under working conditions.

For more details, download the article now…

Resolving kinetics and dynamics of a catalytic reaction inside a fixed bed reactor by combined kinetic and spectroscopic profiling
Michael Geske, Oliver Korup and Raimund Horn
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY20489D

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Keeping coke in check

17 Sep 2012

By Fiona McKenzie, Executive Editor.

There’s always room for improvement and with this at the forefront of their minds, Giuseppe Bellussi and colleagues from Eni, Italy have focused on “converting the bottom of the barrel” – that is, turning high molecualr weight oil fractions into lighter compounds in the more useful boiling point range.

There are several different technologies that address this (see the Catalysis Science & Technology article for more information) but Bellussi et al. have concentrated their efforts on upgrading the slurry bed technology – a process that so far has seen limited industrial development.

The slurry technology that Eni put their cracking catalyst/Mo₂S catalyst to use in

The key to their success in fully converting the heavy and extra heavy oils into the middle distillates was using a dual catalyst – a catalytic system which comprises both a conventional cracking catalyst and nano dispersed molybdenum disulfide, the latter of which is responsible for protecting the cracking catalyst from coke and metal deposition.

For more details, download the article now…

The role of MoS₂ nano-slabs in the protection of the heterogeneous cracking catalyst for the total conversion of heavy oils to good quality distillates
Giuseppe Bellussi, Giacomo Rispoli, Daniele Molinari, Alberto Landoni, Paolo Pollesel, Nicoletta Panariti, Roberto Millini and Erica Montanari

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Catalysis in industry themed issue now online

14 Sep 2012

By Fiona McKenzie, Executive Editor.

This month’s Catalysis Science & Technology issue is the devoted to Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis in Industry.

The themed issue which is guest edited by Professors Hans de Vries (DSM and University of Groningen) and David Jackson (University of Glasgow) comprises a selection of articles that illustrate the research necessary for moving a reaction off the lab bench and into the industrial plant. Unsurprisingly, catalytic research is often key to this journey.

Select the links below to read the Editorial and review articles. The full issue can be accessed here.

Editorial
Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis in Industry; Johannes G. de Vries and S. David Jackson

Perspective
First-principles kinetic modeling in heterogeneous catalysis: an industrial perspective on best-practice, gaps and needs; Maarten K. Sabbe, Marie-Françoise Reyniers and Karsten Reuter

Mini Review
Advances in conversion of hemicellulosic biomass to furfural and upgrading to biofuels; Saikat Dutta, Sudipta De, Basudeb Saha and Md. Imteyaz Alam

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Cheaper catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

07 Sep 2012

By Jennifer Newton, Publishing Editor.

This article is HOT as recommended by the referees.

K-promoted Mo carbide catalyst could replace expensive Pt in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

This HOT paper reports the promotional effect of potassium addition to an alumina-supported molybdenum carbide catalyst in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis of higher hydrocarbons like olefins and paraffins. Such a catalyst could replace expensive expensive platinum catalysts for liquid fuel production.

Download the manuscript to find out more…

A potassium-promoted Mo carbide catalyst system for hydrocarbon synthesis
Dai-Viet N. Vo and Adesoji A. Adesina
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY20385E, Paper

You might also find the following articles interesting…

Low temperature hydrogenolysis of waxes to diesel range gasoline and light alkanes: Comparison of catalytic properties of group 4, 5 and 6 metal hydrides supported on silica–alumina
Sebastien Norsic, Cherif Larabi, Marco Delgado, Anthony Garron, Aimery de Mallmann, Catherine Santini, Kai C. Szeto, Jean-Marie Basset and Mostafa Taoufik
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, 2, 215-219
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00256B

Fischer–Tropsch reaction–diffusion in a cobalt catalyst particle: aspects of activity and selectivity for a variable chain growth probability
David Vervloet, Freek Kapteijn, John Nijenhuis and J. Ruud van Ommen
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, 2, 1221-1233
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY20060K

A highly selective Raney Fe@HZSM-5 Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst for gasoline production: one-pot synthesis and unexpected effect of zeolites
Bo Sun, Guobin Yu, Jun Lin, Ke Xu, Yan Pei, Shirun Yan, Minghua Qiao, Kangnian Fan, Xiaoxin Zhang and Baoning Zong
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, 2, 1625-1629
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY20155K

Make sure that you’re signed up to the Catalysis Science & Technology e-alerts to keep up-to-date with the latest journal content.

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Acid functionalized carbon nanotubes provide superior catalyst support

06 Sep 2012

By Helen Lunn, Publishing Editor.

This article is HOT as recommended by the referees. And we’ve made it free to access for 4 weeks

Aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in base-free aqueous solutions using acid-functionalized CNT as catalyst support

In this HOT Article, Yang et al have investigated the use of acid-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT) as a catalyst support for benzyl alcohol oxidation in a base-free aqueous solution under mild conditions.

CNT supported Pt-based bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized by finely alloying Pt with Ru or Sn by microwave assisted polyol reduction (MAPR). The MAPR method was found to produce superior CNT supports compared to conventional methods of impregnation or deposition, yielding homogeneously dispersed particles with narrow size distribution and hence enhanced surface Pt exposure. Characterization results revealed the mechanism of action of Ru and Sn promoters on the catalysts: Ru reacted with the surface of the Pt-hydride species to liberate free Pt active sites whereas Sn enhanced electronic transfer.

Catalysis Science & Technology Blog

Sequential synthesis to integrate catalysts – no need to purify

Shedding light on photosynthesis reactions

Top ten most accessed articles in August

Theoretical study of palladium leaching

Taking in situ catalysis to a new level

Keeping coke in check

Catalysis in industry themed issue now online

Top ten most accessed articles in July

Cheaper catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Acid functionalized carbon nanotubes provide superior catalyst support

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