Catalytic Performance of Nanoporous Metal Skeleton Catalysts for Molecular Transformations. Issue 13 (24th April 2019) - Jin, Tienan
Abstract: Nanoporous metal (MNPore) skeleton catalysts have attracted increasing attention in the field of green and sustainable heterogeneous catalysis owing to their unique three‐dimensional nanopore structural features. In general, MNPores are fabricated through chemical or electrochemical corrosive dealloying of monolithic alloys. The dealloying process produces various MNPores with an open nanoporous network structure by formation of concave and convex hyperboloid‐like ligaments. The large surface‐to‐volume ratio compared to bulk metals and high density of steps and kinks on ligaments of the unsupported MNPores make them promising heterogeneous catalyst candidates for highly active and selective molecular transformations. In this context, a variety of heterogeneous catalytic reactions using MNPores as nanocatalysts under gas‐ and liquid‐phase conditions were developed over the last decade. In addition, the bulk metallic shape and mechanistic rigidity of the MNPore catalysts make the processes of catalyst recovery and reuse more facile and greener. This Minireview mainly focuses on the catalytic performance of nanoporous Au, Pd, Cu, and AuPd with respect to the achievements on catalytic applications in various molecular transformations. Abstract : Precious holes to transform : Nanoporous metals prepared by dealloying methods have emerged as green and sustainable heterogeneous catalysts because of their high surface area, high catalytic activity and selectivity, facile recovery method, and high reusability. This Minireview describes, by highlighting recent advances, remarkable catalytic performances of nanoporous gold, palladium, copper, and AuPd alloy on a variety of organic molecular transformations in the liquid phase.