Chemical and Biological Sciences Research Highlights

Revealing the 3D Configuration of SOMC Catalysts

The three dimensional structure, orientation, and configuration of a supported Ir catalyst was determined with atomic precision; the first such demonstration for a supported complex.

Observing the Dynamics of Supported Metal Complexes

The dynamics of a supported scandium complex have been mapped with unprecedented detail

Enhanced dynamics of nanostructures on Au(111) surfaces: facile mass transport mediated by adsorbed Au-S complexes

Accelerated decay of Au nanoclusters (NCs) on Au(111) is revealed

Uniform Organolanthanide Sites Catalyze C–O Bond Cleavage in Epoxides

A new class of highly active and recyclable catalysts

Ozonolysis of Alkynes to a-Diketones. Synthesis of AI-2

The new method uses no metals and proceeds readily at sub-ambient temperatures.

Transition Metal-like Carbocatalyst (NACs) for Activating Strong Bonds

Discovery of the first metal-free carbocatalyst (nitrogen assembly carbons

Selective hydrogenation of nitrate to ammonia in the absence of precious metal catalysts

Nitrate removal from water supplies is a thermodynamically difficult and expensive task. Removal by hydrogenation has relied on catalysts that include scarce precious metals, e.g., Pd. Thus, discovery of an effective alternative is essential.

Maximizing Hydrogen Efficiency in the Conversion of Biorenewables to Polymer Precursors

An advanced catalyst enables conversion of biomass derivatives into nylon precursors at low temperature and ambient hydrogen pressure. This advancement can lead to large energy savings, decreased environmental impact,
and lower cost reactors for processing biorenewables with improved safety.

Illustration of catalytic hydrodemethoxylation

Reshaping of Truncated Pd Nanocubes

Realistic Atomistic-Level and Coarse-Grained Modeling of Energy Landscapes and Kinetics

Complex oscillatory decrease with size in the diffusivity of epitaxially-supported 3D metal nanoclusters

Theoretical analysis reveals a complex oscillatory decay in the diffusivity of {100}-epitaxially supported fcc metal nanoclusters (NCs) with increasing size. NCs have a 3D structure for weak adhesion to oxide or other supports.
Results contrast traditional assumptions of monotonic decay with increasing size.