Electronic interactions between a stable electride and a nano-alloy control the chemoselective reduction reaction. Issue 9 (7th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ye, Tian-Nan; Li, Jiang; Kitano, Masaaki; Sasase, Masato; Hosono, Hideo
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 7:Issue 9(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 5969
• Page End: 5975
• Publication Date: 2016-06-07
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sc01864e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : The electronic effects induced by the synergy of stable C12A7:e − electride and bimetallic Ru–Fe nanoparticles efficiently control the chemoselective reduction reaction. Abstract : Controlling the electronic structure of heterogeneous metal catalysts is considered an efficient method to optimize catalytic activity. Here, we introduce a new electronic effect induced by the synergy of a stable electride and bimetallic nanoparticles for a chemoselective reduction reaction. The electride [Ca24 Al28 O64 ] 4+ ·(e − )4, with extremely low work function, promotes the superior activity and selectivity of a Ru–Fe nano-alloy for the conversion of α, β-unsaturated aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols in a solvent-free system. The catalyst is easily separable from the product solution and reusable without notable deactivation. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that electron injection from the electride to the Ru–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles promotes H2 dissociation on the highly charged active metal and preferential adsorption of CO bonds over CCs bond of the unsaturated aldehydes, to obtain the thermodynamically unfavorable but industrially important product.