Synthesis and characterization of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid salt and its application as a highly effectual Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalyst for the production of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides

In this research, a novel organic–inorganic hybrid salt, namely, N¹,N¹,N²,N²‐tetramethyl‐N¹,N²‐bis(sulfo)ethane‐1,2‐diaminium tetrachloroferrate ([TMBSED][FeCl₄]₂) was prepared and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mapping, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric (TG), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), and vibrating‐sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses. Catalytic activity of the hybrid salt was tested for the synthesis of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides through the reaction of benzamide (2 eq.) and aromatic aldehydes (1 eq.) under solvent‐free conditions in which the products were obtained in high yields and short reaction times. The catalyst was superior to many of the reported catalysts in terms of two or more of these factors: the reaction medium and temperature, yield, time, and turnover frequency (TOF). [TMBSED][FeCl₄]₂ is a Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalyst; there are two SO₃H groups (as Brønsted acidic sites) and two tetrachloroferrate anions (as Lewis acidic sites) in its structure. Highly effectiveness of the catalyst for the synthesis of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides can be attributed to synergy of the Brønsted and Lewis acids and also possessing two sites of each acid.     

Effect of Brønsted/Lewis Acid Ratio on Conversion of Sugars to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural over Mesoporous Nb and Nb‐W Oxides

A series of mesoporous Nb and Nb‐W oxides were employed as highly active solid acid catalysts for the conversion of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF ). The results of solid state ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy with adsorbed trimethylphosphine as probe molecule show that the addition of W in niobium oxide increases the number of Brønsted acid sites and decreases the number of Lewis acid sites. The catalytic performance for Nb‐W oxides varied with the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites and high glucose conversion was observed over Nb₅W₅ and Nb₇W₃ oxides with high ratios of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites. All Nb‐W oxides show a relatively high selectivity of HMF , whereas no HMF forms over sulfuric acid due to its pure Brønsted acidity. The results indicate fast isomerization of glucose to fructose over Lewis acid sites followed by dehydration of fructose to HMF over Brønsted acid sites. Moreover, comparing to the reaction occurred in aqueous media, the 2‐butanol/H₂O system enhances the HMF selectivity and stabilizes the activity of the catalysts which gives the highest HMF selectivity of 52% over Nb₇W₃ oxide. The 2‐butanol/H₂O catalytic system can also be employed in conversion of sucrose, achieving HMF selectivity of 46% over Nb₅W₅ oxide.     

Efficient and convenient oxidation of cyclohexene to adipic acid with H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyzed by H<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in acidic ionic liquids

A simple, efficient, and eco-friendly catalytic system for the oxidation of cyclohexene to adipic acid with H₂O₂ catalyzed by H₂WO₄ in Brønsted acidic ionic liquids under solvent-free conditions has been developed. Reaction conditions such as the catalysts, the types of anions and cations for Brønsted acidic ionic liquids, reaction temperature, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide, were investigated. Moreover, the Hammett acidity functions (H ₀) of Brønsted acidic ionic liquids were determined using UV–visible spectrophotometry. The optimum reaction condition identified was n(H₂WO₄):n(Brønsted acidic ionic liquids):n(cyclohexene):n(H₂O₂) = 0.02:0.02:1:4.4, and the yield of adipic acid was 96% under the reaction scale of 10 mmol. The catalytic system can be easily recovered and reused for four reaction runs without significant loss of catalytic activity. Simple operation of the catalyst system and avoidance of the emission of nitrous oxide are the benefits of this work.     

Insight into Three‐Coordinate Aluminum Species on Ethanol‐to‐Olefin Conversion over ZSM‐5 Zeolites

Commercial bioethanol can be readily converted into ethylene by a dehydration process using solid acids, such as Brønsted acidic H‐ZSM‐5 zeolites, and thus, it is an ideal candidate to replace petroleum and coal for the sustainable production of ethylene. Now, strong Lewis acidic extra‐framework three‐coordinate Al³⁺ species were introduced into H‐ZSM‐5 zeolites to improve their catalytic activity. Remarkably, Al³⁺ species working with Brønsted acid sites can accelerate ethanol dehydration at a much lower reaction temperature and shorten the unsteady‐state period within 1–2 h, compared to >9 h for those without Al³⁺ species, which can significantly enhance the ethanol dehydration efficiency and reduce the cost. The reaction mechanism, studied by solid‐state NMR, shows that strong Lewis acidic EFAl‐Al³⁺ species can collaborate with Brønsted acid sites and promote ethanol dehydration either directly or indirectly via an aromatics‐based cycle to produce ethylene.     

Efficient cyclodehydration of diethylene glycol in Brønsted acidic ionic liquids

Cyclodehydration of diethylene glycol using various Brønsted acidic ionic liquids as dual solvent-catalysts has been studied for the first time. Better results were obtained in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([PSmim]HSO₄) compared with other Brønsted acidic ionic liquids. Effects of the reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, reaction time and molar ratio of ionic liquid to diethylene glycol have been investigated. High diethylene glycol conversion, 97.0 %, and high 1,4-dioxane selectivity, 89.3 %, were obtained in [PSmim]HSO₄ under optimum conditions. Hammett method was used to determine the acidity order of these ionic liquids and the results were consistent with the catalytic activities observed in the cyclodehydration reaction. Utilization of Brønsted acidic ionic liquids as dual solvent-catalysts has some advantages, e.g. high conversion of DEG, easy preparation and reuse of ionic liquids, avoiding toxic catalysts and solvents.     

Chlorozincate(II) acidic ionic liquid: Efficient and biodegradable silylation catalyst

A practical and highly efficient silylation of alcohol and phenol derivatives with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) using acidic ionic liquids under mild reaction conditions is described. A series of Brønsted as well as Brønsted–Lewis acidic ionic liquids were prepared and their performance investigated for the silylation of a wide variety of alcohols and phenols with HMDS. Imidazole‐ as well as N ‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone‐based acidic ionic liquids have a higher catalytic activity for the protection of sensitive, hindered alcohols and phenols, thus providing an environmentally begin and versatile alternative to current acid catalysts. In addition, the acidic ionic liquids are reusable, being recovered easily and reused several times without significant deterioration in catalytic activity.     

Brønsted Acid Mediated Novel Rearrangements of Diarylvinylidenecyclopropanes and Mechanistic Investigations Based on DFT Calculations

Diarylvinylidenecyclopropanes undergo a novel rearrangement in the presence of the Brønsted acid Tf₂NH (Tf: trifluoromethanesulfonyl) to give the corresponding naphthalene derivatives in good to high yields upon heating, whereas in the presence of the Brønsted acid toluene‐4‐sulfonic acid (p‐TSA), the corresponding triene derivatives are afforded in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. Corresponding mechanistic studies on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) with the Gaussian03 program by using the B3LYP method have revealed that the pK_a value of the Brønsted acid, as well as the entropy and solvent effects, plays a significant role in this reaction; these factors can discriminate the differences in the reactivity and regioselectivity among the Brønsted acids used in this reaction. In the presence of Lewis acid Sn(OTf)₂, a butatrienecyclopane can produce the corresponding ring‐opened products in moderate yields.     

Brønsted酸性离子液体中的二甘醇脱水环化反应

首次报道了Brønsted酸性离子液体介质中的二甘醇的脱水环化反应,考察了不同的离子液体、离子液体/二甘醇摩尔比、反应温度和时间对反应的影响。结果表明,Brønsted酸性离子液体作为反应介质能够促进脱水环化反应的有效进行,且在离子液体1-(3-磺酸根丙基)-3-甲基咪唑硫酸氢盐([SPmim]HSO4)中,二甘醇的转化率和1,4-二氧六环的选择性更高。采用Hammett指示剂法测定了离子液体的酸度函数H0,其酸性强弱顺序为[SPmim]HSO4 > [Bmim]HSO4 > [Amim]HSO4 > [Hmim]BF4> [Bmim]H2PO4 >[Amim]H2PO4 > [Hmim]Tsa,这与离子液体在脱水环化反应中的催化效果一致。当温度为170 ˚C,离子液体/二甘醇摩尔比为1:1时,二甘醇在[SPmim]HSO4中反应2 h,转化率可达到97.0%,1,4-二氧六环的选择性为89.3%。     

Synergic Effect of Active Sites in Zinc‐Modified ZSM‐5 Zeolites as Revealed by High‐Field Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Understanding the nature of active sites in metal‐supported catalysts is of great importance towards establishing their structure–property relationships. The outstanding catalytic performance of metal‐supported catalysts is frequently ascribed to the synergic effect of different active sites, which is however not well spectroscopically characterized. Herein, we report the direct detection of surface Zn species and ¹H–⁶⁷Zn internuclear interaction between Zn²⁺ ions and Brønsted acid sites on Zn‐modified ZSM‐5 zeolites by high‐field solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The observed promotion of C?H bond activation of methane is rationalized by the enhanced Brønsted acidity generated by synergic effects arising from the spatial proximity/interaction between Zn²⁺ ions and Brønsted acidic protons. The concentration of synergic active sites is determined by ¹H–⁶⁷Zn double‐resonance solid‐state NMR spectroscopy.     

Characterization of Thermally Stable Brønsted Acid Sites on Alumina‐Supported Niobium Oxide after Calcination at High Temperatures

Thermally stable Brønsted acid sites were generated on alumina‐supported niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅/Al₂O₃) by calcination at high temperatures, such as 1123 K. The results of structural characterization by using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, TEM, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis indicated that the Nb₂O₅ monolayer domains were highly dispersed over alumina at low Nb₂O₅ loadings, such as 5 wt %, and no Brønsted acid sites were presents. The coverage of Nb₂O₅ monolayer domains over Al₂O₃ increased with increasing Nb₂O₅ loading and almost‐full coverage was obtained at a loading of 16 wt %. A sharp increase in the number of hydroxy groups, which acted as Brønsted acid sites, was observed at this loading level. The relationship between the acidic properties and the structure of the material suggested that the bridging hydroxy groups (Nb? O(H)? Nb), which were formed at the boundaries between the domains of the Nb₂O₅ monolayer, acted as thermally stable Brønsted acid sites.     

Efficient Synthesis of 3,5,6‐Trisubstituted‐1,2,4‐triazines in the Brønsted Acidic Ionic Liquid, 1‐n‐Butylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate ([Hbim]BF4)

3,5,6‐Trisubstituted‐1,2,4‐triazines were synthesized in a one‐pot reaction with acid hydrazide, 1,2‐diketone, and ammonium acetate in the Brønsted acidic ionic liquid, 1‐n‐butyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Hbim]BF₄).     

Significant Influence of Zn on Activation of the C‐H Bonds of Small Alkanes by Brønsted Acid Sites of Zeolite

Herein, we analyze earlier obtained and new data about peculiarities of the H/D hydrogen exchange of small C₁–n‐C₄ alkanes on Zn‐modified high‐silica zeolites ZSM‐5 and BEA in comparison with the exchange for corresponding purely acidic forms of these zeolites. This allows us to identify an evident promoting effect of Zn on the activation of C? H bonds of alkanes by zeolite Brønsted sites. The effect of Zn is demonstrated by observing the regioselectivity of the H/D exchange for propane and n‐butane as well as by the increase in the rate and a decrease in the apparent activation energy of the exchange for all C₁–n‐C₄ alkanes upon modification of zeolites with Zn. The influence of Zn on alkane activation has been rationalized by dissociative adsorption of alkanes on Zn oxide species inside zeolite pores, which precedes the interaction of alkane with Brønsted acid sites.     

Bifunctional Boron Phosphate as an Efficient Catalyst for Epoxide Activation to Synthesize Cyclic Carbonates with CO2

Development of inexpensive, easily prepared, non‐toxic, and efficient catalysts for the cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxides to synthesize five‐membered cyclic carbonates is a very attractive topic in the field of CO₂ transformation. In this work, we conducted the first work on the cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxides to produce cyclic carbonates catalyzed by a binary catalyst system consisting of KI and boron phosphate (BPO₄), which are both inexpensive and non‐toxic, and various corresponding cyclic carbonates could be produced with high yields (93–99 %) at 110 °C with a CO₂ pressure of 4 MPa under solvent‐free conditions. In the BPO₄/KI catalyst system, BPO₄, a Brønsted and Lewis acid hybrid, played the role of activating the epoxy ring through the formation of hydrogen bonds with Brønsted acidic sites and the interaction with Lewis acidic sites simultaneously, and thus enhanced the activity of KI for the cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxides significantly. Additionally, the activity of the BPO₄/KI catalyst system showed no noticeable decrease after being reused five times, indicating that the BPO₄ was stable under the reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective Addition Reaction of Azlactones with Styrene Derivatives Catalyzed by Strong Chiral Brønsted Acids

An enantioselective intermolecular addition reaction of azlactones, as carbon nucleophiles, with styrene derivatives, as simple olefins, was demonstrated using a newly developed chiral Brønsted acid catalyst, namely, F₁₀BINOL‐derived N‐triflyl phosphoramide. Addition products having vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon centers, one of which is an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center, were formed in good yields with moderate to high stereoselectivities. Extremely high acidity of the new chiral Brønsted acid was confirmed by its calculated pK_a value based on DFT studies and is the key to accomplishing not only high catalytic activity but also efficient stereocontrol in the intermolecular addition.     

Chiral Brønsted Acid Directed Iron‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with β‐Aryl α′‐Hydroxy Enones

A cooperative catalytic system established by the combination of an iron salt and a chiral Brønsted acid has proven to be effective in the asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with β‐aryl α′‐hydroxy enones. Good to excellent yields and enatioselectivities were observed for a variety of α′‐hydroxy enones and indoles, particularly for the β‐aryl α′‐hydroxy enones bearing an electron‐withdrawing group at the para position of the phenyl ring (up to 90 % yield and 91 % ee). The proton of the chiral Brønsted acid, the Lewis acid activation site, as well as the inherent basic site for the hydrogen‐bonding interaction of the Brønsted acid are responsible for the high catalytic activities and enantioselectivities of the title reaction. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed. The key catalytic species in the catalytic system, the phosphate salt of Fe^III, which was thought to be responsible for the high activity and good enantioselectivity, was then confirmed by ESIMS studies.     

硫酸化对CeO2-ZrO2催化剂上NH3选择催化还原NO反应的影响

由发电厂等固定源和柴油机等移动源排放的一氧化氮(NO)造成的环境污染问题日益严重.随着严苛的排放法规出台,NO排放控制技术受到越来越多关注.NH3选择性催化还原(SCR)技术是目前去除NO应用最为广泛的方法之一.商业催化剂V2O5-WO3/TiO2在300–400℃温度窗口内显示出优越的NO去除效率,但仍存在一些问题,如钒氧化物的毒性以及在高温时形成N2O和SO3.因此,开发出低钒或无钒的新型催化剂是解决上述问题的关键.CeO2和含铈材料是重要的催化剂载体,具有良好的还原能力和氧存储功能,因而广泛应用于催化领域.CeO2添加到商用催化剂中不仅可以降低钒用量,而且可以提高催化剂抗碱金属中毒能力.CeO2-WO3催化剂在200℃以上时比商用催化剂具有更宽的温度窗口,并展现出较高的抗SO2和碱金属中毒能力.CeO2-ZrO2催化剂通过添加过渡金属元素可以提升其SCR活性,在较宽的温度窗口内具有较高的催化活性.废气中SO2可导致催化剂失活,在实际应用中催化剂硫中毒是较为常见的催化剂失效原因.通常情况下,锰基和铁基催化剂最容易硫中毒.然而CeO2催化剂在硫酸化处理后却展现出良好的SCR活性.催化剂硫酸化主要包括气相、液相和前驱体硫化三种方法.三种方法各有异同,但在催化剂表面形成的硫物种都是SO42–.硫酸化可以增强Ce基催化剂的SCR活性,但是对于硫化引起的催化剂表面酸性、氧化还原性以及NO吸附脱附性质的详细研究报道较少.本文通过液相法对CeO2-ZrO2(CeZr)催化剂进行了硫酸化.XRD结果表明,硫酸化并未对催化剂结晶结构产生影响.TPD和TPR结果表明,硫酸化后催化剂(S-CeZr)表面酸性增强,但抑制了其氧化性.通过原位红外光谱技术系统研究了催化剂在SCR反应过程中表面物种的变化,结果发现,CeZr和S-CeZr的催化机理相同,不同的SCR活性主要是由表面酸性和氧化性引起的.CeO2基催化剂在不同温度窗口遵循不同反应机理.CeZr催化剂具有较强的氧化还原性,使其对NO和NH3具有很强的氧化能力,所以其在低于200℃时具有较好的SCR活性.而S-CeZr催化剂具有更多的Br?nsted酸性位,导致NO不易吸附在催化剂表面,所以其在低温时SCR活性较差,但在高温时(>200℃)具有优良的SCR活性.通过SCR活性和反应机理研究,发现在高温时(>200℃),表面酸性尤其是强酸Br?nsted酸性位在SCR反应中起到决定性作用;而在低温时(<200℃),酸性位对NH3分子较强的键合作用导致NH3难以被氧化,所以较强的酸性位对SCR活性具有抑制作用,而氧化还原性在低温时对SCR反应起到主要作用.同时,在高温时,较高的氧化性可使NH3被O2直接氧化,导致N2选择性降低.     

Metal-reinforced sulfonic-acid-modified zirconia for the removal of trace olefins from aromatics

Metal-reinforced sulfonic-acid-modified zirconia catalysts were successfully prepared and used to remove trace olefins from aromatics in a fixed-bed reactor. Catalysts were characterized by ICP-OES, N₂ adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and pyridine-FTIR spectroscopy. Different metals and calcination temperatures had great influence on the catalytic activity. Alumina-reinforced sulfated zirconia exhibited outstanding catalytic performance, stable regeneration activity, and giant surface area, and are promising in industrial catalysis. TGA showed that the decomposition of methyl could be attributed to Brønsted acid sites, and pyridine-FTIR spectroscopy proved the weak Brønsted sites on these synthesized metal-reinforced sulfated zirconia. Also, a relation between the reaction rate and weak Brønsted acid density is proposed.     

The Significance of Lewis Acid Sites for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitric Oxide on Vanadium‐Based Catalysts

The long debated reaction mechanisms of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitric oxide with ammonia (NH₃) on vanadium‐based catalysts rely on the involvement of Brønsted or Lewis acid sites. This issue has been clearly elucidated using a combination of transient perturbations of the catalyst environment with operando time‐resolved spectroscopy to obtain unique molecular level insights. Nitric oxide reacts predominantly with NH₃ coordinated to Lewis sites on vanadia on tungsta–titania (V₂O₅‐WO₃‐TiO₂), while Brønsted sites are not involved in the catalytic cycle. The Lewis site is a mono‐oxo vanadyl group that reduces only in the presence of both nitric oxide and NH₃. We were also able to verify the formation of the nitrosamide (NH₂NO) intermediate, which forms in tandem with vanadium reduction, and thus the entire mechanism of SCR. Our experimental approach, demonstrated in the specific case of SCR, promises to progress the understanding of chemical reactions of technological relevance.     

High Catalytic Performance of Mesoporous Dual Brønsted Acidic Ternary Poly (Ionic Liquids) for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation

A newfangled cross‐linked dual Brønsted acidic ternary mesoporous poly (ionic liquids)(MPILs) with mesoporous structure was successfully synthesized with divinylbenzene as cross linker, 1‐vinyl‐3‐butyl imidazole bromide and sodium p‐styrene sulfonate as functional group through an ordinary post‐modification method and anion exchange process. A sponge‐like mesoporous tunnel structure was observed and the obtained P (BVS‐SO₃H)‐SO₃CF₃ sample appeared a relatively high thermal stability, a large surface area (up to 286.8 m²/g) and great pore volume (0.73 cm³/g). The abundant dual acidic group of sulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid of the composite in the polymer framework impart Brønsted acidity. For the sake of demonstrating our claims, the sample has been used as a novel solid acid catalyst for the reaction of alkylation of o‐xylene with styrene to 1‐diphenylethane (PXE). Under optimal reaction conditions (reaction under 120 °C for 3 hr, catalyst amount was 0.5 wt% of the reaction system, and the mass ratio of o‐xylene/styrene was 7.5:1, a 100% conversion of styrene and 93.7% PXE yield was acquired. After four times recycle, the yield remains 53.3%. Comparing with the commercial liquid acid catalyst, it processing a higher catalytic property and recyclability. Moreover, this fresh dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst owning a promising future applied in other acidic catalytic reactions and provide a new method to modify catalyst.     

IR observation of adsorption and initial reactions of olefins on Brønsted acid sites of a deuterated ZSM-5

Adsorption of linear olefins (C₂?C₄) on a deuterated H-ZSM-5 (D-ZSM-5) was studied by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The initial interaction of the olefins with Brønsted acidic OD groups was hydrogen-bonding to form π-complexes at low temperatures. The adsorbed ethene and propene desorbed by heating under evacuation, while various reactions took place for adsorbed 1-butene; double bond migration (DBM) to 2-butene below 230 K followed by dimerization at room temperature. An unusual reaction path was deduced for DBM of 1-butene, where proton transfer from Brønsted acid sites (BAS) to the adsorbed 1-butene was not essential.