Studies of Catalytic Properties of Inorganic Rock Matrices in Redox Reactions

Intrinsic catalytic properties of mineral matrices of various kinds (basalts, clays, sandstones) were studied, which are of interest for in-situ heavy oil upgrading (i.e., underground) to create advanced technologies for enhanced oil recovery. The elemental, surface and phase composition and matrix particle morphology, surface and acidic properties were studied using elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, adsorption and desorption of nitrogen and ammonia. The data on the catalytic activity of inorganic matrices in ammonium nitrate decomposition (reaction with a large gassing), oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, and hydrocracking of asphaltenes into maltenes (the conversion of heavy hydrocarbons into more valuable light hydrocarbons) were discussed. In order to check their applicability for the asphaltenes hydrocracking catalytic systems development, basalt and clay matrices were used as supports for iron/basalt, nickel/basalt and iron/clay catalysts. The catalytic activity of the matrices in the reactions of the decomposition of ammonium nitrate, oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, and hydrocracking of asphaltens was observed for the first time

Utilization of single-chamber microbial fuel cells as renewable power sources for electrochemical degradation of nitrogen-containing organic compounds

By employing promising single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as renewable power sources, an aerated electrochemical system is proposed and for nitrogen-containing organic compounds (pyridine and methyl orange) removals. Carbon felt performed the best as electrode material while lower initial contaminant concentration and lower initial pH value could improve the performance. A degradation efficiency of 82.9% for pyridine was achieved after 360 min electrolysis with its initial concentration of 200 mg/L, initial pH of 3.0 and applied voltage of 700 mV. Mechanisms study implied that indirect electrochemical oxidation by generated hydrogen peroxide was responsible for their degradation. This study provides an alternative utilization form of low bioelectricity from MFCs and reveals that applying it to electrochemical process is highly-efficient as well as cost-effective for degradation of nitrogen-containing organic compounds. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [21307117, 41440025]; Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China [20120022120005]; Beijing Excellent Talent Training Project [2013D009015000003]; Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project [YETP0657]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [2652015226, 2652015131]SCI(E)[email protected]

Alkinylation reactions of benzaldehyde by ethynylbenzene in the presence of some catalysts

The synthesis of acetylene alcohol 1,3-diphenyl propin-2-ol-1, which has several reaction centers in the molecule, is studied. This product was obtained for the first time from a representative of aromatic hydrocarbons of benzaldehyde with phenylacetylene based on an alkynylation reaction in the presence of stereoselective catalysts - ZnEt2/Ti(OiPr)4/PhMe and Sn(OTf)2/NEt3/MeCN. The influence of the activity, stability, and selectivity of the selected catalysts on the yield of products, as well as, the rate of the main reactions, along with side reactions was analyzed. The optimal conditions for the alkynylation reaction and the selectivity of the process are determined. The main and by-products formed in this process are identified. Suggestions are made for the formation of unstable intermediate compounds - carbcations, carbanions, radicals, as well as, active complexes of reactions and catalytic modifications formed in the transition state. A number of efficiencies have been developed for catalysts for the enantoselective alkynylation reaction