Hydrogen-Catalyzed Acid Transformation for the Hydration of Alkenes and Epoxy Alkanes over Co-N Frustrated Lewis Pair Surfaces

Qiang Deng, Xiang Li, Ruijie Gao, Jun Wang, Zheling Zeng, Ji Jun Zou, Shuguang Deng, Shik Chi Edman Tsang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hydrogen (H2) is widely used as a reductant for many hydrogenation reactions; however, it has not been recognized as a catalyst for the acid transformation of active sites on solid surface. Here, we report the H2-promoted hydration of alkenes (such as styrenes and cyclic alkenes) and epoxy alkanes over single-atom Co-dispersed nitrogen-doped carbon (Co-NC) via a transformation mechanism of acid-base sites. Specifically, the specific catalytic activity and selectivity of Co-NC are superior to those of classical solid acids (acidic zeolites and resins) per micromole of acid, whereas the hydration catalysis does not take place under a nitrogen atmosphere. Detailed investigations indicate that H2 can be heterolyzed on the Co-N bond to form Hδ-Co-N-Hδ+ and then be converted into OHδ-Co-N-Hδ+ accompanied by H2 generation via a H2O-mediated path, which significantly reduces the activation energy for hydration reactions. This work not only provides a novel catalytic method for hydration reactions but also removes the conceptual barriers between hydrogenation and acid catalysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21294-21301
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume143
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 22 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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