The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Investigating cobalt zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as catalysts for cross-dehydrogenative couplings; exploring mesoporous silicas as scaffolds for an organocatalyst

Investigating cobalt zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as catalysts for cross-dehydrogenative couplings; exploring mesoporous silicas as scaffolds for an organocatalyst
Investigating cobalt zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as catalysts for cross-dehydrogenative couplings; exploring mesoporous silicas as scaffolds for an organocatalyst
One of the greatest challenges for homogeneous catalysis is the difficulty in recovering and reusing the catalyst following a reaction. In order for applications to be carried out industrially, it is highly desirable to choose a system with a tuneable design, higher stability, and easy recyclability. This report presents novel applications of heterogeneous catalysts in reactions which have previously relied upon homogeneous systems. The heterogeneous alternatives reported here look to incorporate the growing fields of visible-light photocatalysis and organocatalysis in an ever more environmentally focused world.

Two zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been identified as solid photocatalysts for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of isoquinolines and nitromethane. There are few reports of Co-ZIFs in catalysis, with fewer still utilising photoactivation, here high yields have been achieved with ZIF-9 and ZIF-67 in the aza-Henry reaction using a solar simulator. A combination of UV-Vis and XAS spectroscopy, alongside theoretical simulations, was used to elucidate the nature of the framework’s activity. The catalysts were then trialled in C-O bond formations to produce functionalised benzoxazoles. Comparing and contrasting their mode of action, oxidation state transitions, and applicability to wider research.

The immobilisation of organic catalysts onto mesoporous supports is an exciting evolution of the recent insurgence of organocatalysis. The aim was to adopt highly attractive properties of the homogeneous parent catalysts, such as high enantioselectivity and low toxicity, with a solid support to aid recyclability. By harnessing pendant silanols, a pyrrolidine silyl ether was successfully anchored onto a range of mesoporous silicas, as confirmed by elemental analysis, NMR and BET. The materials were then trialled in the cyclopropanation of a benzyl halide with an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, revealing the support has a significant effect on the yield and enantioselectivity achieved.
University of Southampton
Ross, Cameron Philip
5b007ac6-83e7-4a42-a619-2706250cc05e
Ross, Cameron Philip
5b007ac6-83e7-4a42-a619-2706250cc05e
Rios Torres, Ramon
609bedf2-e886-4d62-a676-a32b6f8c1441

Ross, Cameron Philip (2019) Investigating cobalt zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as catalysts for cross-dehydrogenative couplings; exploring mesoporous silicas as scaffolds for an organocatalyst. Doctoral Thesis, 242pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges for homogeneous catalysis is the difficulty in recovering and reusing the catalyst following a reaction. In order for applications to be carried out industrially, it is highly desirable to choose a system with a tuneable design, higher stability, and easy recyclability. This report presents novel applications of heterogeneous catalysts in reactions which have previously relied upon homogeneous systems. The heterogeneous alternatives reported here look to incorporate the growing fields of visible-light photocatalysis and organocatalysis in an ever more environmentally focused world.

Two zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been identified as solid photocatalysts for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of isoquinolines and nitromethane. There are few reports of Co-ZIFs in catalysis, with fewer still utilising photoactivation, here high yields have been achieved with ZIF-9 and ZIF-67 in the aza-Henry reaction using a solar simulator. A combination of UV-Vis and XAS spectroscopy, alongside theoretical simulations, was used to elucidate the nature of the framework’s activity. The catalysts were then trialled in C-O bond formations to produce functionalised benzoxazoles. Comparing and contrasting their mode of action, oxidation state transitions, and applicability to wider research.

The immobilisation of organic catalysts onto mesoporous supports is an exciting evolution of the recent insurgence of organocatalysis. The aim was to adopt highly attractive properties of the homogeneous parent catalysts, such as high enantioselectivity and low toxicity, with a solid support to aid recyclability. By harnessing pendant silanols, a pyrrolidine silyl ether was successfully anchored onto a range of mesoporous silicas, as confirmed by elemental analysis, NMR and BET. The materials were then trialled in the cyclopropanation of a benzyl halide with an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, revealing the support has a significant effect on the yield and enantioselectivity achieved.

Text
Cameron Ross Thesis (1)
Available under License University of Southampton Thesis Licence.
Download (9MB)
Text
PDThesis form Ross - SIGNED
Restricted to Repository staff only

More information

Published date: December 2019

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 447401
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/447401
PURE UUID: 077a183c-00b8-4f65-8216-80b2795a8b4a
ORCID for Ramon Rios Torres: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3843-8521

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 10 Mar 2021 17:43
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 10:21

Export record

Contributors

Author: Cameron Philip Ross
Thesis advisor: Ramon Rios Torres ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×