Novel Polymer–Silica Composite-Based Bifunctional Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One as Model Substance for Furfural–Acetone Aldol Condensation Products

Novel bifunctional metal-loaded polymer–silica composite (PSC) catalysts were investigated in the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of 4-(2-furyl)-3-buten-2-one (FAc) as a model substance for furfural–acetone aldol condensation products. PSC catalysts were synthesized via a sol–gel method with different polymer contents and subsequently doped with different noble metals. The product composition of the HDO of FAc could be tuned by using catalysts with different polymer (i.e., acidic properties) and metal content (i.e., redox properties), showing the great potential of metal-loaded PSC materials as tunable catalysts in biomass conversions with complex reaction networks. Furthermore, high yields (>90%) of the fully hydrodeoxygenated product (n-octane) could be obtained using noble metal-loaded PSC catalysts in only 8 h of reaction time

Current State of the Art of the Solid Rh-Based Catalyzed Hydroformylation of Short-Chain Olefins

The hydroformylation of olefins is one of the most important homogeneously catalyzed processes in industry to produce bulk chemicals. Despite the high catalytic activities and selectivity’s using rhodium-based homogeneous hydroformylation catalysts, catalyst recovery and recycling from the reaction mixture remain a challenging topic on a process level. Therefore, technical solutions involving alternate approaches with heterogeneous catalysts for the conversion of olefins into aldehydes have been considered and research activities have addressed the synthesis and development of heterogeneous rhodium-based hydroformylation catalysts. Different strategies were pursued by different groups of authors, such as the deposition of molecular rhodium complexes, metallic rhodium nanoparticles and single-atom catalysts on a solid support as well as rhodium complexes present in supported liquids. An overview of the recent developments made in the area of the heterogenization of homogeneous rhodium catalysts and their application in the hydroformylation of short-chain olefins is given. A special focus is laid on the mechanistic understanding of the heterogeneously catalyzed reactions at a molecular level in order to provide a guide for the future design of rhodium-based heterogeneous hydroformylation catalysts

Impact of the Local Environment of Amines on the Activity for CO2_{2} Hydrogenation over Bifunctional Basic – Metallic Catalysts

Bifunctional basic-metallic catalysts proved to be efficient for the selective hydrogenation of CO$_{2}$ to methanol. The activity of these catalysts depends on the cooperative interaction between the amine groups and metallic sites, which is a function of amine group density, Pd particle perimeter length and the geometric properties of support pores. The pore width has the highest effect on the activity, increasing the methanol yield by about half an order of magnitude. Confining the space leads to a three-dimensional utilization of the available metal surface sites compared to a two-dimensional distribution of the bifunctional sites in larger pores, where the metal particle diameter is the decisive factor for the catalytic properties

How Research Data Management Plans Can Help in Harmonizing Open Science and Approaches in the Digital Economy

Within this perspective article, we intend to summarise definitions and terms that are often used in the context of open science and data-driven R&D and we discuss upcoming European regulations concerning data, data sharing and handling. With this background in hand, we take a closer look at the potential connections and permeable interfaces of open science and digital economy, in which data and resulting immaterial goods can become vital pieces as tradeable items. We believe that both science and the digital economy can profit from a seamless transition and foresee that the scientific outcomes of publicly funded research can be better exploited. To close the gap between open science and the digital economy, and to serve for a balancing of the interests of data producers, data consumers, and an economy around services and the public, we introduce the concept of generic research data management plans (RDMs), which have in part been developed through a community effort and which have been evaluated by academic and industry members of the NFDI4Cat consortium. We are of the opinion that in data-driven research, RDMs do need to become a vital element in publicly funded projects

Thermally stable mesoporous tetragonal zirconia through surfactant-controlled synthesis and Si-stabilization

Thermally stable, highly mesoporous Si-stabilized ZrO₂ was prepared by sol–gel-synthesis. By utilizing the surfactant dodecylamine (DDA), large mesopores with a pore width of ∼9.4 nm are formed. Combined with an NH₃-treatment on the hydrogel, a high specific surface area of up to 225 m² g⁻¹ and pore volume up to 0.46 cm³ g⁻¹ are obtained after calcination at 973 K. The individual contributions of Si-addition, DDA surfactant and the NH₃-treatment on the resulting pore system were studied by inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ sorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electron tomography was applied to visualize and investigate the mesopore network in 3D space. While Si prevents the growth of ZrO₂ crystallites and stabilizes the t-ZrO₂ phase, DDA generates a homogeneous mesopore network within the zirconia. The NH₃-treatment unblocks inaccessible pores, thereby increasing specific surface area and pore volume while retaining the pore width distribution