Teaming up main group metals with metallic iron to boost hydrogenation catalysis

Christian Färber, Philipp Stegner, Ulrich Zenneck, Christian Knüpfer, Georg Bendt, Stephan Schulz and Sjoerd Harder ()
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Christian Färber: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Philipp Stegner: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Ulrich Zenneck: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Christian Knüpfer: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Georg Bendt: Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5-7
Stephan Schulz: Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5-7
Sjoerd Harder: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Hydrogenation of unsaturated bonds is a key step in both the fine and petrochemical industries. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts are historically based on noble group 9 and 10 metals. Increasing awareness of sustainability drives the replacement of costly, and often harmful, precious metals by abundant 3d-metals or even main group metals. Although not as efficient as noble transition metals, metallic barium was recently found to be a versatile hydrogenation catalyst. Here we show that addition of finely divided Fe0, which itself is a poor hydrogenation catalyst, boosts activities of Ba0 by several orders of magnitude, enabling rapid hydrogenation of alkynes, imines, challenging multi-substituted alkenes and non-activated arenes. Metallic Fe0 also boosts the activity of soluble early main group metal hydride catalysts, or precursors thereto. This synergy originates from cooperativity between a homogeneous, highly reactive, polar main group metal hydride complex and a heterogeneous Fe0 surface that is responsible for substrate activation.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30840-4

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