Bernd Hannebauer

Photocatalytic Acceptorless Alkane Dehydrogenation: Scope, Mechanism, and Conquering Deactivation with Carbon Dioxide

Alkane dehydrogenation is of special interest for basic science but also offers interesting opportunities for industry. The existing dehydrogenation methodologies make use of heterogeneous catalysts, which suffer from harsh reaction conditions and a lack of selectivity, whereas homogeneous methodologies rely mostly on unsolicited waste generation from hydrogen acceptors. Conversely, acceptorless photochemical alkane dehydrogenation in the presence of trans-Rh(PMe3 )2 (CO)Cl can be regarded as a more benign and atom efficient alternative. However, this methodology suffers from catalyst deactivation over time. Herein, we provide a detailed investigation of the trans-Rh(PMe3 )2 (CO)Cl-photocatalyzed alkane dehydrogenation using spectroscopic and theoretical investigations. These studies inspired us to utilize CO2 to prevent catalyst deactivation, which leads eventually to improved catalyst turnover numbers in the dehydrogenation of alkanes that include liquid organic hydrogen carriers.

Operando Infrared Spectroscopic and Quantum-chemical Studies on Iridium-catalyzed Hydroformylation

Hydroformylation of 1-butene using a triphenylphosphine-modified iridium catalyst was investigated by operando infrared spectroscopy. The spectra were interpreted by comparison with quantumchemically calculated vibrational spectra at the density functional theory level. The processes during activation of the catalyst and hydroformylation were investigated in detail, and the results are discussed. The recently discovered phenomenon of activity enhancement in iridium-catalyzed hydroformylation by a preceding activation step, in which the reaction mixture is treated with synthesis gas containing an excess of carbon monoxide under pressure, could be correlated with the appearance of a complex HIr(PPh3)(CO)3. The similarities and differences between iridium- and rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation are discussed. Graphical Abstract Operando Infrared Spectroscopic and Quantum-chemical Studies on Iridium-catalyzed Hydroformylation