Decarbonylation Products Research Articles

Decarbonylation Products of Binuclear Methylphosphinidene Complexes of Cyclopentadienyliron Carbonyls: Triplet and Quintet Structures Are Favored Energetically over Singlet Structures with Iron-Iron Multiple Bonding.

The structures, energetics, and energetically preferred spin states of methylphosphinidene-bridged binuclear cyclopentadienyliron carbonyl complexes MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4, 3, 2, and 1) related to the experimentally known (μ-RP)Fe2(μ-CO)(CO)2Cp2 (R = cyclohexyl, phenyl, mesityl, and 2,4,6-tBu3C6H2) complexes have been investigated by density functional theory. Singlet structures having a pyramidal pseudotetrahedral phosphorus environment with 18-electron iron configurations are energetically preferred in the tricarbonyl and tetracarbonyl systems MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4 and 3) with the lowest energy structures of the tricarbonyl very closely resembling the experimentally determined structures. For the more unsaturated dicarbonyl and monocarbonyl systems MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 2 and 1), higher spin state triplet and quintet structures are energetically preferred over singlet structures. These more highly unsaturated structures can be derived from the lowest energy singlet MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4, 3) by the removal of carbonyl groups. The iron atoms giving up carbonyl groups in their 16- and 14-electron configurations bear the spin density of the unpaired electrons in the higher spin states. The lowest energy singlet structure of the monocarbonyl MePFe2(CO)Cp2, although a relatively high energy isomer, is unusual among the collection of MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4, 3, 2, and 1) structures by having both the formal Fe=Fe double bond and the four-electron donor MeP unit with the planar phosphorus coordination required to allow each of its iron atoms to attain the favored 18-electron configuration.

Synthesis of jet fuel range paraffins from cellulose

Jet fuel range C16 and C11 paraffins were synthesized by the hydroxyalkylation/alkylation of cellulose derivated 5-methylfurfural and its decarbonylation product 2-methylfuran, followed by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO).

Binuclear methylphosphinidine complexes of cyclopentadienylruthenium carbonyls: effects of the higher ligand field strength of ruthenium derivatives relative to iron derivatives.

The structures and energetics of the binuclear methylphosphinidene complexes of cyclopentadienylruthenium carbonyls of the type [MePRu2(CO)nCp2] (n = 4, 3, 2, 1) have been investigated for comparison with their previously studied iron analogues. For the tetracarbonyls and tricarbonyls [MePM2(CO)nCp2] (n = 4, 3) substituting ruthenium for iron has relatively little effect on the energetically preferred structures. Thus such structures have two-electron donor bridging MeP groups with no metal-metal bond for the tetracarbonyls and a metal-metal single bond for the tricarbonyls. This leads to favored 18-electron configurations for both ruthenium atoms in all cases. However, the higher ligand field strengths of ruthenium complexes relative to analogous iron complexes have major effects on the energetically preferred structures for the dicarbonyls and monocarbonyls [MePM2(CO)nCp2] (M = Fe, Ru; n = 2, 1). Thus the 11 lowest energy structures for the dicarbonyl [MePFe2(CO)2Cp2] are triplet or quintet spin state structures whereas the 6 lowest energy structures for the ruthenium analogue [MePRu2(CO)2Cp2] are all singlet structures. These low-energy singlet [MePRu2(CO)2Cp2] structures include species in which both ruthenium atoms attain the favored 18-electron configurations in different ways: either by a Ru-Ru single bond and an agostic C-H-Ru interaction from the methyl group, a Ru-Ru single bond and a four-electron donor bridging MeP ligand with PRu double bonds, or a formal RuRu double bond with a two-electron donor bridging MeP ligand. The 8 lowest energy structures for the diiron monocarbonyl [MePFe2(CO)Cp2] are all triplet or quintet spin structures whereas the lowest energy structure for the diruthenium monocarbonyl [MePRu2(CO)Cp2] by more than 20 kcal mol-1 is a singlet structure with a formal RuRu double bond and bridging CO and four-electron donor MeP groups. Thermochemical information predicts such monocarbonyl derivatives to be the dominant binuclear decarbonylation products of the tricarbonyls [RPRu2(CO)3Cp2] by thermal or photochemical methods.

Understanding hydrogen pressure control of furfural hydrogenation selectivity on a Pd(1 1 1) model catalyst

We investigate the postulate that hydrogen pressure influences the furfural hydrogenation selectivity on palladium to form decarbonylation products at low hydrogen pressures, but 2-methyl furan at higher pressures. This change is caused by co-adsorbed hydrogen changing the orientation of adsorbed furfural; low hydrogen coverages favor flat-lying furfural, higher coverages form tilted species. This was tested for hydrogenation of furfural on a Pd(111) single crystal. The product distribution agreed with the postulate, with 100% selectivity to furan and tetrahydrofuran for low hydrogen pressures, with 2-methyl furan increasing with hydrogen pressure. The origin of the effect is explored using reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy. This showed that co-adsorbed hydrogen influenced the orientation in a way predicted by theory. It was also found that other co-adsorbates displayed similar effects implying that a range of molecules in the reaction mixture could have significant effects on the furfural selectivity.

Simple and Inexpensive Method for the Detection of Carbon Monoxide Released from Thermal Cheletropic Decarbonylation Reactions

This work presents a simple protocol that demonstrates the use of an inexpensive household carbon monoxide detector as a useful tool to detect the release of carbon monoxide gas from thermal cheletropic decarbonylation reactions. The carbon monoxide detection method described has been employed in a short series of reactions used in a university teaching laboratory setting, and full procedures for these are outlined. In each case, the procedure to isolate and identify the decarbonylation products has also been provided.

A Thermally Stable Magnesium Phosphaethynolate Grignard Complex.

The 2-phosphaethynolate (OCP) anion has found versatile applications across the periodic table but remains underexplored in group 2 chemistry due to challenges in isolating thermally stable complexes. By rationally modifying their coordination environments using 1,3-dialkyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), we have now isolated and characterized thermally stable, structurally diverse, and hydrocarbon soluble magnesium phosphaethynolate complexes (2, 4Me, and 8-10), including the novel phosphaethynolate Grignard reagent (2iPr). The methylmagnesium phosphaethynolate and magnesium diphosphaethynolate complexes readily activate dioxane with subsequent H-atom abstraction to form [(NHC)MgX(μ-OEt)]2 [X = Me (3) or OCP (8 and 9)] complexes. Their reactivities increased with the Lewis acidity of the Mg2+ cation and may be attenuated by Lewis base saturation or a slight increase in carbene sterics. Solvent effects were also investigated and led to the surreptitious isolation of an ether-free sodium phosphaethynolate (NHC)3Na(OCP) (6), which is soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons and can be independently prepared by the reaction of NHC and [Na(dioxane)2][OCP] in toluene. Under forcing conditions (105 °C, 3 days), the magnesium diphosphaethynolate complex (NHC)3Mg(OCP)2 (10) decomposes to a mixture of organophosphorus complexes, among which a thermal decarbonylation product [(NHC)2PI][OCP] (11) was isolated.

Tethered Tungsten-Alkylidenes for the Synthesis of Cyclic Polynorbornene via Ring Expansion Metathesis: Unprecedented Stereoselectivity and Trapping of Key Catalytic Intermediates.

This report describes an approach for preparing tethered tungsten-imido alkylidene complexes featuring a tetra-anionic pincer ligand. Treating the tungsten alkylidyne [tBuOCO]W≡CtBu(THF)2 (1) with isocyanates (RNCO; R = tBu, Cy, and Ph) leads to cycloaddition occurring exclusively at the C═N bond to generate the tethered tungsten-imido alkylidenes (6-NR). Unanticipated intermediates reveal themselves, including the discovery of [(O2CtBuC═)W(η2-(N,C)-RNCO)(THF)] (11-R) and an unprecedented decarbonylation product [(tBuOCO)W(≡NR)(tBuCCO)] (14-R), on the pathway to the formation of 6-NR. Complex 11-R is kinetically stable for sterically bulky isocyanate R = tBu (11-tBu) and is isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Finally, adding to the short list of catalysts capable of ring expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP), complexes 6-NR and 11-tBu are active for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclic polynorbornene.

The role of nitride species in the gas-phase furfural hydrogenation activity of supported nickel catalysts

A series of C-rich nickel nitride nanoparticles supported on silica has been prepared by the urea glass route, with urea as nitrogen and carbon source, and characterized by different physico-chemical techniques. They consist of Ni3N nanoparticles of 20−25 nm embedded into a carbonaceous matrix. These catalysts are much more active and stable than a nickel supported silica catalyst, which drastically deactivates. The supported Ni3N catalyst with a 10 wt.% Ni maintained a furfural conversion higher than 80 % after 5 h of time-on-stream, at 170 °C, with a high WHSV of 6 h−1. Complete initial furfural conversion values were observed at reaction temperatures varying from 170 to 230 °C, and the selectivity toward furan and furfuryl alcohol (decarbonylation and hydrogenation products, respectively) was tuned by varying this temperature. After the catalytic tests, XPS and XRD have demonstrated that nanoparticles are stable, although carbonaceous deposits were also detected.

Unraveling the mechanism of the hydrodeoxygenation of propionic acid over a Pt (1 1 1) surface in vapor and liquid phases

Microkinetic models based on first principles calculations have been developed for the vapor and liquid phase hydrodeoxygenation of propionic acid over a Pt (1 1 1) surface. Calculations suggest that decarboxylation does not occur at an appreciable rate. In the vapor phase, decarbonylation products, propanal and propanol are all produced at similar rates. However, in both liquid water and 1,4-dioxane, propanol and propanal are favored over decarbonylation products. While a condensed phase can shift the reaction rate and selectivity significantly, the dominant pathways towards the various products are hardly affected. Only for propanal production do we observe a shift in mechanism. At 473 K, the propionic acid conversion rate is increased by one order of magnitude in liquid 1,4-dioxane relative to the gas phase. In liquid water, the conversion rate is similar to the vapor phase since adsorbed propionic acid blocks a large fraction of the surface sites.

Reaction mechanism, rate constants, and product yields for the oxidation of embedded five-member ring radicals with atomic oxygen

Oxidation mechanism of an embedded five-member ring on a surface of a carbonaceous particle with atomic oxygen has been studied employing G3(MP2,CC)//B3LYP/6-311G* potential energy surface calculations for C15H9 + O reactions. Temperature- and pressure-dependent reaction rate constants have been evaluated using the RRKM – Master Equation approach. The mechanism involves barrierless oxygen atom addition to a carbon atom on a free edge of a five-member ring followed by migration of the H atom from the attacked C atom to an ortho position followed by the five-member ring opening and elimination of the CO group, with the five-member ring being fully destroyed. When the embedded ring has three common sides with surrounding six-member rings and one free-edge carbon atom, the only product is the 4-phenanthrenyl radical. When the embedded ring has two common sides with the six-member rings and two free-edge C atoms, two different decarbonylation products possessing a phenalene core can be formed depending on the direction of the 1,2-H shift.

Reaction of electron-deficient 6-methoxyquinolinate-substituted cluster [Os3(CO)9{μ3-η1,κ1-C9H5N(6-OMe)}(μ-H)] with PPh3: Thermally induced ligand isomerization, decarbonylation and orthometallation

Abstract The reaction of the electron-deficient 6-methoxyquinolinate-substituted triosmium cluster [Os3(CO)9{μ3-η1,κ1-C9H5N(6-OMe)}(μ-H)] (1) with PPh3 proceeds readily at room temperature to afford the electron-precise adduct [Os3(CO)9(PPh3){μ-η1,κ1-C9H5N(6-OMe)}(μ-H)] (2), in which the PPh3 ligand is bound to the osmium that serves as the coordination site for the hydride and the metallated-carbon atom of the benzoheterocycle. This reaction also leads to a change in the hapticity of the 6-methoxyquinolinate ligand from μ3-η1,κ1 to μ-η1,κ1 as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Thermolysis of 2 in boiling toluene furnishes five new triosmium clusters (3–7) as a result of ligand isomerization, decarbonylation and orthometallation of the ancillary PPh3 ligand. Clusters 3 and 4 are isomers of 2 and the location of the metal-bound hydride and PPh3 with respect to 6-methoxyquinolinate moiety is the only difference between these isomers. Control experiments show that 5 is a decarbonylation product of 4 which converts into 6 as a result of further decarbonylation with concomitant orthometallation of one of the phenyl rings of the coordinated PPh3 ligand, whilst 7 is formed from 6 through replacement of an equatorial carbonyl of the nitrogen-bound osmium by PPh3 ligand. All the new clusters have been characterized by a combination of analytical and spectroscopic methods as well as by X-ray crystallography in the case of 2, 3, 6 and 7.

Unexpected differences in the reactivity between the phosphorus and arsenic derivatives [(CpBIGFe)2(μ,η4:4-E4)] (E = P and As).

Different reaction pathways were determined between thermolysis and photolysis reactions of the butterfly complex [{CpBIGFe(CO)2}2(μ,η1:1-As4)] (1b). The thermolysis leads to novel arsenic-rich compounds [(CpBIGFe)2(μ,η4:4-As4)] (2b), [(CpBIGFe)3(μ3,η4:4:4-As6)] (4) and [CpBIGFe(η5-As5)] (5), whereas the photolysis of [{CpBIGFe(CO)2}2(μ,η1:1-E4)] (1a: E = P; 1b: E = As) exclusively results in the decarbonylation products [(CpBIGFe)2(μ,η4:4-P4)] (2a), 2b and [(CpBIGFe)(μ,η4:1-As4)(CpBIGFe(CO)2)] (3). The E4 complexes 2a and 2b show unique structural differences in the solid state despite their related compositions.

Selective synthesis of acetaldehyde from lactic acid on acid zeolites

The gas-phase lactic acid conversion to acetaldehyde was studied on zeolites HMCM22, HZSM5 and NaZSM5 in a plug-flow fixed-bed reactor at 583K. HMCM22 was a strong Brønsted acid zeolite that yielded 39.7% of lactic acid decarbonylation products (acetaldehyde+CO), but formed significant amounts of coke because of lactic acid oligomerization in the narrow sinusoidal channels of the zeolite. HZSM5 exhibited a high density of Brønsted acid sites (Brønsted/Lewis acid sites ratio of 3.1) and promoted at high rates the lactic acid conversion, mainly to decarbonylation products (acetaldehyde+CO yield=57.0%) and lactic acid oligomers. NaZSM5 contained mainly Lewis acid sites of intermediate strength (Brønsted/Lewis acid sites ratio of 0.4) that promoted the high-selectivity synthesis of acetaldehyde from lactic acid (acetaldehyde+CO yield=96.0%) by suppressing the competitive lactic acid oligomerization and coke precursor formation.

The influence of the support on activity and selectivity of nickel sulfide catalysts in the decarbonylation of stearic acid to heptadecenes

The influence of the support nature on the performance of nickel sulfide catalyst in the decarbonylation of stearic acid to heptadecenes was investigated. The catalyst supported on silica demonstrated higher activity and selectivity in comparison with the catalyst on γ-Al2O3 used as a reference. The reaction schemes over these catalysts are nearly the same; however, the contributions from the side reactions of hydrogenation and oligomerization are reasonably different. Introduction of the products of decarbonylation (CO and water vapor) decreases the stearic acid conversion; and in the case of the catalyst supported on silica, the addition of CO strongly reduces the rate of hydrogenation of heptadecenes. The reasons for the observed differences were discussed. It was suggested that the dispersion of the nickel component as well as the nature of support acidity played a significant role.

Temperature-programmed Deoxygenation of Acetic Acid on Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts.

Temperature programmed reaction (TPRxn) is a simple yet powerful tool for screening solid catalyst performance at a variety of conditions. A TPRxn system includes a reactor, furnace, gas and vapor sources, flow control, instrumentation to quantify reaction products (e.g., gas chromatograph), and instrumentation to monitor the reaction in real time (e.g., mass spectrometer). Here, we apply the TPRxn methodology to study molybdenum carbide catalysts for the deoxygenation of acetic acid, an important reaction among many in the upgrading/stabilization of biomass pyrolysis vapors. TPRxn is used to evaluate catalyst activity and selectivity and to test hypothetical reaction pathways (e.g., decarbonylation, ketonization, and hydrogenation). The results of the TPRxn study of acetic acid deoxygenation show that molybdenum carbide is an active catalyst for this reaction at temperatures above ca. 300 °C and that the reaction favors deoxygenation (i.e., C-O bond-breaking) products at temperatures below ca. 400 °C and decarbonylation (i.e., C-C bond-breaking) products at temperatures above ca. 400 °C.

Effect of Reduction Protocol of Pd Catalysts on Product Distribution in Furfural Hydrogenation

AbstractSingle step conversion of furfural to ring hydrogenation and decarbonylation products, 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MeTHF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) in high selectivity was achieved by controlling the particle size of Pd/C catalyst. The particle size variation of Pd/C catalysts in the range of 3.8 to 22 nm could be achieved by employing different reducing agents. Of particular interest was the NaBH4 reduced catalyst (Pd−B/C), which gave the lowest crystallite size of 4.8 nm due to incorporation of B into the inner lattices of Pd−Pd. This phase was evidenced by a characteristic XRD peak of Pd−B at 2θ=38.85 O as well as a shift of (111) peak (40.07 O) of Pd towards the lower value (39.8 O). As compared to formaldehyde reduced catalyst (Pd−F/C), Pd−B/C catalyst completely suppressed the formation of furfuryl alcohol to give > 65 % selectivity to 2‐MeTHF and THF. At 180 OC, almost equal distribution of side chain hydrogenation and ring opening products, 2‐MF (45 %) and PeDO (37 %), respectively, was observed while, higher temperature clearly favoured ring hydrogenation and decarbonylation reactions to give 2‐MeTHF and THF.

Tandem Catalytic Depolymerization of Lignin by Water-Tolerant Lewis Acids and Rhodium Complexes.

Lignin is an attractive renewable feedstock for aromatic bulk and fine chemicals production, provided that suitable depolymerization procedures are developed. Here, we describe a tandem catalysis strategy for ether linkage cleavage within lignin, involving ether hydrolysis by water‐tolerant Lewis acids followed by aldehyde decarbonylation by a Rh complex. In situ decarbonylation of the reactive aldehydes limits loss of monomers by recondensation, a major issue in acid‐catalyzed lignin depolymerization. Rate of hydrolysis and decarbonylation were matched using lignin model compounds, allowing the method to be successfully applied to softwood, hardwood, and herbaceous dioxasolv lignins, as well as poplar sawdust, to give the anticipated decarbonylation products and, rather surprisingly, 4‐(1‐propenyl)phenols. Promisingly, product selectivity can be tuned by variation of the Lewis‐acid strength and lignin source.

Binuclear rhenium carbonyl nitrosyls related to dicobalt octacarbonyl and their decarbonylation products.

The geometries and thermochemistry of Re2(NO)4(CO) n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) structures isovalent with the binuclear cobalt carbonyls Co2(CO) n+4 have been examined using density functional theory. Eight low-energy Re2(NO)4(CO)4 structures, all with formal Re-Re single bonds, lie within 6kcalmol(-1) of the global minimum. These eight structures include unbridged structures as well as structures with two bridging NO groups but no structures with bridging CO groups. Similarly, five low-energy Re2(NO)4(CO)3 structures, all with formal Re=Re double bonds, lie within 6kcalmol(-1) of the global minimum. Again these five structures include unbridged structures as well as structures with one or two bridging NO groups but no structures with bridging CO groups. The Re2(NO)4(CO) n (n = 4, 3) appear to be fluxional systems similar to the well-known Co2(CO)8 for which doubly bridged and unbridged structures have approximately the same energies. The lowest energy Re2(NO)4(CO)2 structures have formal Re=Re double bonds including a structure with a five-electron donor bridging η(2)-μ-NO group. Isomeric Re2(NO)4(CO)2 structures with formal Re≡Re triple bonds lie approximately ∼10kcalmol(-1) above the global minimum. For the more highly unsaturated Re2(NO)4(CO) and Re2(NO)4 systems, the lowest energy structures have formal Re≡Re triple bonds of length ∼2.6Å. Higher energy Re2(NO)4(CO) structures have shorter Re-Re distances of length ∼2.5Å suggesting formal quadruple bonds. Graphical Abstract The geometries and thermochemistry of Re2(NO)4(CO) n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) structures isovalent with the binuclear cobalt carbonyls Co2(CO) n+4 have been examined using density functional theory. A number of energetically closely spaced Re2(NO)4(CO)4 and Re2(NO)4(CO)3 structures are found, including unbridged and NO-bridged structures but no CO-bridged structures. The Re2(NO)4(CO) n (n = 2, 1, 0) systems provide examples of Re-Re multiple bonds of orders ranging from 2 to 4.

Reactivity and stability of supported Pd nanoparticles during the liquid-phase and gas-phase decarbonylation of heptanoic acid

The liquid-phase and gas-phase decarbonylation of heptanoic acid over carbon- and silica-supported Pd nanoparticles was studied in a continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor at 573K. The liquid-phase turnover frequency (TOF) under steady state conditions (>20h) was very low at ≈0.00070s−1, presumably because of deposition of carbonaceous species and in some cases sintering of the metal particles, as revealed by H2 chemisorption, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The steady state rate was independent of the support composition, synthesis method, Pd loading (1–20wt%), and acid concentration (0.1–6.6M). Although the gas-phase reaction also led to deactivation of the supported Pd catalysts, extrapolation of the rate to initial time gave a TOF of ≈0.035s−1 at 573K. The liquid- and gas-phase reactions at low conversion levels were selective towards the formation of decarbonylation products such as CO and hexenes. Higher conversion levels resulted in the subsequent conversion of the primary decarbonylation products. Post mortem analysis of the catalysts revealed that concentrated, liquid-phase heptanoic acid at 573K severely sintered the Pd nanoparticles supported on carbon but not those supported on silica. The Pd nanoparticles were able to maintain the high dispersion on carbon when exposed to low concentrations of liquid-phase heptanoic acid or gaseous heptanoic acid at 573K.

Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation/Hydrogenolysis for Reductive Upgrading of Furfural and 5‐(Hydroxymethyl)furfural

The sequential transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran was studied over in situ reduced, Fe2 O3 -supported Cu, Ni, and Pd catalysts, with 2-propanol as hydrogen donor. The remarkable activity of Pd/Fe2 O3 in both transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis is attributed to a strong metal-support interaction. Selectivity towards hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, decarbonylation, and ring-hydrogenation products is shown to strongly depend on the Pd loading. A significant enhancement in yield to 62%, of 2-methylfuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran was observed under continuous flow conditions.