2 research outputs found
Few Layer 2D Pnictogens (P & Sb) Catalyze the Alkylation of Soft Nucleophiles with Esters
Group 15 elements in zero oxidation state (P, As, Sb and Bi), also called pnictogens, are rarely used in catalysis due to the difficulties associated in preparing wellâstructured and stable materials. Here, we report on the synthesis of highly exfoliated, few layer 2D phosphorene and antimonene in zero oxidation state, suspended in an ionic liquid, with the native atoms ready to interact with external reagents while avoiding aerobic or aqueous decomposition pathways, and on their use as efficient catalysts for the alkylation of nucleophiles with esters. The few layer pnictogen material circumvents the extremely harsh reaction conditions associated to previous
superacidâcatalyzed alkylations, by enabling an alternative mechanism on surface, protected from the water and air by the ionic liquid. Thus, the CalkylâO bond of the ester is selectively activated on the catalytic pnictogen surface with respect to the much more reactive neighboring CâC and C=O bonds, allowing the alkylation of a variety of acidâsensitive organic molecules and giving synthetic relevancy to the use of simple esters as alkylating agents.</p