Homogeneous & Interfacial Catalysis in 3D Controlled Environments Research Highlights

Sensitive NMR Method Reveals Motions of Surface Sites

A new, high-sensitivity, approach for studying molecular dynamics is reported, enabling the study of surface sites.

Stylized 1H chemical shift anisotropy measurements

17O NMR Facilitates Structural Studies of Catalytic Sites

A new strategy generalized the high-resolution structural characterization of oxide-supported species.

Earth-Abundant Metals Catalyze Energy-Efficient Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

Replacement of precious metals is achieved for chemical CDR with two earth-abundant metals working in tandem.

General Synthetic Strategy to Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Catalysts with Single-Atom Metal Sites for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction (CO2RR)

Single-atom metals supported on ordered mesoporous carbons are promising catalysts for selective electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO.

Single-atom metals on NAC hydrocarbons visuals

Lanthanum Catalyzes CH Borylation Inside Zeolite Micropores

The zeolite-supported lanthanum borohydride, La(BH4)x-HY30, catalyzes C–H borylation of benzene with pinacolborane (HBpin) at 120 °C to give PhBpin. By capping the external silanol on zeolite particles, the single-site La catalyst was selectively grafted at Brønsted acid sites in micropores, increasing turnovers compared to La grafted on the unprotected support.

Benzene borylation diagram and catalysis results graph

3D Structures of Single Site Catalysts From the Ground Up

A robust method for determining the 3D structures of arbitrary silica-supported molecules is developed.

Visual 3D structures of the grafted Sc amidinate complex

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.

Uniform Organolanthanide Sites Catalyze C–O Bond Cleavage in Epoxides

A new class of highly active and recyclable catalysts

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.