Investigating Lanthanide Ions for Catalysis of Alcohols

Abstract

Small molecule alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol) are fuels limited by their oxidative kinetics. For these small molecules to be used as fuels, catalysts must be developed. One domain of chemicals which has not had its catalytic properties entirely studied are lanthanides. These lanthanides contain many properties not found in d-block metals or other compounds frequently used as catalysts. The ability to catalyze oxidation of small molecule alcohols is studied here. Performance of these lanthanides as a catalyst are measured for each small molecule using common voltametric techniques. Plausible mechanisms for any charge transfer enhancement are also estimated.