Geminal-atom catalysis for cross-coupling.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have well-defined active sites, making them of potential interest for organic synthesis1-4. However, the architecture of these mononuclear metal species stabilized on solid supports may not be optimal for catalysing complex molecular transformations owing to restricted spatial environment and electronic quantum states5,6. Here we report a class of heterogeneous geminal-atom catalysts (GACs), which pair single-atom sites in specific coordination and spatial proximity. Regularly separated nitrogen anchoring groups with delocalized π-bonding nature in a polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) host7 permit the coordination of Cu geminal sites with a ground-state separation of about 4 Å at high metal density8. The adaptable coordination of individual Cu sites in GACs enables a cooperative bridge-coupling pathway through dynamic Cu-Cu bonding for diverse C-X (X = C, N, O, S) cross-couplings with a low activation barrier. In situ characterization and quantum-theoretical studies show that such a dynamic process for cross-coupling is triggered by the adsorption of two different reactants at geminal metal sites, rendering homo-coupling unfeasible. These intrinsic advantages of GACs enable the assembly of heterocycles with several coordination sites, sterically congested scaffolds and pharmaceuticals with highly specific and stable activity. Scale-up experiments and translation to continuous flow suggest broad applicability for the manufacturing of fine chemicals.

Graphitic phosphorus coordinated single Fe atoms for hydrogenative transformations.

Single-atom metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts have sparked intensive interests, however, the development of an atomically dispersed metal-phosphorus-carbon (M-P-C) catalyst has not been achieved, although molecular metal-phosphine complexes have found tremendous applications in homogeneous catalysis. Herein, we successfully construct graphitic phosphorus species coordinated single-atom Fe on P-doped carbon, which display outstanding catalytic performance and reaction generality in the heterogeneous hydrogenation of N-heterocycles, functionalized nitroarenes, and reductive amination reactions, while the corresponding atomically dispersed Fe atoms embedded on N-doped carbon are almost inactive under the same reaction conditions. Furthermore, we find that the catalytic activity of graphitic phosphorus coordinated single-atom Fe sharply decreased when Fe atoms were transformed to Fe clusters/nanoparticles by post-impregnation Fe species. This work can be of fundamental interest for the design of single-atom catalysts by utilizing P atoms as coordination sites as well as of practical use for the application of M-P-C catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis.

Conversion of cellulose into isosorbide over bifunctional ruthenium nanoparticles supported on niobium phosphate.

Considerable effort has been applied to the development of new processes and catalysts for cellulose conversion to valuable platform chemicals. Isosorbide is among the most interesting products as it can be applied as a monomer and building block for the future replacement of fossil resource-based products. A sustainable method of isosorbide production from cellulose is presented in this work. The strategy relies on a bifunctional Ru catalyst supported on mesoporous niobium phosphate in a H2 atmosphere under pressure without further addition of any soluble acid. Over 50 % yield of isosorbide with almost 100 % cellulose conversion can be obtained in 1 h. The large surface area, pore size, and strong acidity of mesoporous niobium phosphate promote the hydrolysis of cellulose and dehydration of sorbitol; additionally, the appropriate size of the supported Ru nanoparticles avoids unnecessary hydrogenolysis of sorbitol. Under a cellulose/catalyst mass ratio of 43.3, the present bifunctional catalyst could be stably used up to six times, with its mesoporous structure well preserved and without detectable Ru leaching into the reaction solution.