Using reduced catalysts for oxidation reactions: mechanistic studies of the "Periana-Catalytica" system for CH4 oxidation.

Designing oxidation catalysts based on CH activation with reduced, low oxidation state species is a seeming dilemma given the proclivity for catalyst deactivation by overoxidation. This dilemma has been recognized in the Shilov system where reduced Pt(II) is used to catalyze methane functionalization. Thus, it is generally accepted that key to replacing Pt(IV) in that system with more practical oxidants is ensuring that the oxidant does not over-oxidize the reduced Pt(II) species. The "Periana-Catalytica" system, which utilizes (bpym)Pt(II)Cl2 in concentrated sulfuric acid solvent at 200 °C, is a highly stable catalyst for the selective, high yield oxy-functionalization of methane. In lieu of the over-oxidation dilemma, the high stability and observed rapid oxidation of (bpym)Pt(II)Cl2 to Pt(IV) in the absence of methane would seem to contradict the originally proposed mechanism involving CH activation by a reduced Pt(II) species. Mechanistic studies show that the originally proposed mechanism is incomplete and that while CH activation does proceed with Pt(II) there is a solution to the over-oxidation dilemma. Importantly, contrary to the accepted view to minimize Pt(II) overoxidation, these studies also show that increasing that rate could increase the rate of catalysis and catalyst stability. The mechanistic basis for this counterintuitive prediction could help to guide the design of new catalysts for alkane oxidation that operate by CH activation.

Gas-phase azide functionalization of carbon.

Tailoring the surface and interfacial properties of inexpensive and abundant carbon materials plays an increasingly important role for innovative applications including those in electrocatalysis, energy storage, gas separations, and composite materials. Described here is the novel preparation and subsequent use of gaseous iodine azide for the azide modification of carbon surfaces. In-line generation of gaseous iodine azide from iodine monochloride vapor and solid sodium azide is safe and convenient. Immediate treatment of carbon surfaces with this gaseous stream of iodine azide provides a highly reproducible, selective, and scalable azide functionalization that minimizes waste and reduces deleterious side reactions. Among the possible uses of azide-modified surfaces, they serve as versatile substrates for the attachment of additional functionality by coupling with terminal alkynes under the mild copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) "click" reaction. For instance, coupling ethynylferrocene to azide-modified glassy carbon surfaces achieves ferrocene coverage up to 8 × 10(13) molecules/cm(2) by voltammetric and XPS analyses. The 1,2,3-triazole linker formed during the CuAAC reaction is robust and hydrolytically stable in both aqueous 1 M HClO(4) and 1 M NaOH for at least 12 h at 100 °C.

Carboxylic solvents and O-donor ligand effects on CH activation by Pt(II).

We report on the design of more efficient C-H activation catalysts based on DFT calculations. The first examples of well-defined, N,O-donor ligated platinum complexes that are competent for fast C-H activation are detailed. These complexes exhibit thermal and protic stability and are efficient catalysts for H/D exchange reactions with benzene. The C-H activation is shown to benefit from design elements that (A) reduce the barrier for substrate coordination and (B) retain a low barrier for CH cleavage via a novel six-membered transition state involving the carboxylate group of the solvent.