In Situ Generation of Active Sites in Olefin Metathesis

The depth of our understanding in catalysis is governed by the information we have about the number of active sites and their molecular structure. The nature of an active center on the surface of a working heterogeneous catalyst is, however, extremely difficult to identify and precise quantification of active species is generally missing. In metathesis of propene over dispersed molybdenum oxide supported on silica, only 1.5% of all Mo atoms in the catalyst are captured to form the active centers. Here we combine infrared spectroscopy in operando with microcalorimetry and reactivity studies using isotopic labeling to monitor catalyst formation. We show that the active Mo­(VI)–alkylidene moieties are generated in situ by surface reaction of grafted molybdenum oxide precursor species with the substrate molecule itself gaining insight into the pathways limiting the number of active centers on the surface of a heterogeneous catalyst. The active site formation involves sequential steps requiring multiple catalyst functions: protonation of propene to surface Mo­(VI)–isopropoxide species driven by surface Brønsted acid sites, subsequent oxidation of isopropoxide to acetone in the adsorbed state owing to the red-ox capability of molybdenum leaving naked Mo­(IV) sites after desorption of acetone, and oxidative addition of another propene molecule yielding finally the active Mo­(VI)–alkylidene species. This view is quite different from the one-step mechanism, which has been accepted in the community for three decades, however, fully consistent with the empirically recognized importance of acidity, reducibility, and strict dehydration of the catalyst. The knowledge acquired in the present work has been successfully implemented for catalyst improvement. Simple heat treatment after the initial propene adsorption doubled the catalytic activity by accelerating the oxidation and desorption-capturing steps, demonstrating the merit of knowledge-based strategies in heterogeneous catalysis. Molecular structure of active Mo­(VI)–alkylidene sites derived from surface molybdena is discussed in the context of similarity to the highly active Schrock-type homogeneous catalysts

Multifunctionality of Crystalline MoV(TeNb) M1 Oxide Catalysts in Selective Oxidation of Propane and Benzyl Alcohol

Propane oxidation at 653–673 K and benzyl alcohol oxidation at 393 K over phase-pure MoV­(TeNb) M1 oxide catalysts were studied to gain insight into the multiple catalytic functions of the surface of the M1 structure. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the phase purity of the M1 catalysts. Propane oxidation yields acrylic acid via propene as intermediate, while benzyl alcohol oxidation gives benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, benzyl benzoate, and toluene. The consumption rates of benzyl alcohol and propane level in the same range despite huge difference in reaction temperature, suggesting high activity of M1 for alcohol oxidation. Metal–oxygen sites on the M1 surface are responsible for the conversion of the two reactants. However, different types of active sites and reaction mechanisms may be involved. Omitting Te and Nb from the M1 framework eliminates acrylic acid selectivity in propane oxidation, while the product distribution in benzyl alcohol oxidation remains unchanged. The results suggest that the surface of M1 possesses several types of active sites that likely perform a complex interplay under the harsh propane oxidation condition. Possible reaction pathways and mechanisms are discussed

High-Temperature Stable Ni Nanoparticles for the Dry Reforming of Methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) has been studied for many years as an attractive option to produce synthesis gas. However, catalyst deactivation by coking over nonprecious-metal catalysts still remains unresolved. Here, we study the influence of structural and compositional properties of nickel catalysts on the catalytic performance and coking propensity in the DRM. A series of bulk catalysts with different Ni contents was synthesized by calcination of hydrotalcite-like precursors Ni_<i>x</i>Mg_{0.67–<i>x</i>}Al_0.33(OH)₂(CO₃)_0.17·<i>m</i>H₂O prepared by constant-pH coprecipitation. The obtained Ni/MgAl oxide catalysts contain Ni nanoparticles with diameters between 7 and 20 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed a nickel aluminate overgrowth on the Ni particles, which could be confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In particular, catalysts with low Ni contents (5 mol %) exhibit predominantly oxidic surfaces dominated by Ni²⁺ and additionally some isolated Ni⁰ sites. These properties, which are determined by the overgrowth, effectively diminish the formation of coke during the DRM, while the activity is preserved. A large (TEM) and dynamic (microcalorimetry) metallic Ni surface at high Ni contents (50 mol %) causes significant coke formation during the DRM