Unique Reaction Path in Heterogeneous Catalysis: The Concerted Semi-Hydrogenation of Propyne to Propene on CeO2

ABSTRACT: Despite its ubiquity in homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis, concerted mechanisms have been over- looked for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. The elusive nature of transition states leaves Density Functional Theory, DFT, as the only robust tool for their identification and characteriza...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: García-Melchor, Max, Bellarosa, Luca, Loṕez, Nuria
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2014
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2072/357543
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/2072/357543
https://doi.org/10.1021/cs5011508
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:54
Descripción
Sumario:ABSTRACT: Despite its ubiquity in homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis, concerted mechanisms have been over- looked for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. The elusive nature of transition states leaves Density Functional Theory, DFT, as the only robust tool for their identification and characterization. By means of this method, we show that a concerted path takes part in the recently discovered semi- hydrogenation of propyne on CeO2, for which an excellent activity and selectivity have been reported. The high surface H coverage imposed by the experimental hydrogenation con- ditions induces site isolation and drives the reaction through a six-membered ring transition state. This unprecedented pathway accounts for many of the experimental observations, such as the unique syn-stereoselectivity, the excellent alkene selectivities, or the high temperature and large H2/alkyne ratios required.