Application of Coordination Compounds with Transition Metal Ions in the Chemical Industry—A Review
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International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Application of Coordination Compounds with Transition Metal Ions in the Chemical Industry—A Review Jacek Malinowski 1 , Dominika Zych 1, Dagmara Jacewicz 1, Barbara Gawdzik 2,* and Joanna Drze˙zd˙zon 1 1 Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gda´nsk,Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gda´nsk,Poland; [email protected] (J.M.); [email protected] (D.Z.); [email protected] (D.J.); [email protected] (J.D.) 2 Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, Swi˛etokrzyska15´ G, 25-406 Kielce, Poland * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +48-41-349-70-16 Received: 4 July 2020; Accepted: 27 July 2020; Published: 30 July 2020 Abstract: This publication presents the new trends and opportunities for further development of coordination compounds used in the chemical industry. The review describes the influence of various physicochemical factors regarding the coordination relationship (for example, steric hindrance, electron density, complex geometry, ligand), which condition technological processes. Coordination compounds are catalysts in technological processes used during organic synthesis, for example: Oxidation reactions, hydroformylation process, hydrogenation reaction, hydrocyanation process. In this article, we pointed out the possibilities of using complex compounds in catalysis, and we noticed what further research should be undertaken for this purpose. Keywords: coordination compounds; chemical industry; polymer materials; technological processes 1. Introduction The use of complex compounds in processes employed in the broadly understood chemical industry is a very important aspect of the work of scientists around the world. Processes carried out on an industrial scale and conducted by scientists are enjoying the growing recognition of global corporations dealing in the production of various polymeric materials used in many aspects of our lives [1–4]. In order to understand the important function of coordination compounds in catalytic reactions during industrial processes carried out on an industrial scale, it is necessary to learn the exact mechanisms of the reactions carried out. Delving into the mechanism of an exemplary process will allow us to conclude that the most important changes occur in the coordination sphere of the comprehensive relationship. This means that many factors related to geometry, steric hindrance, or the used central atom and attached ligands of the complex compound affect the catalytic reaction. In recent years, the focus has been on improving the efficiency and selectivity of processes. It has been confirmed that the selection of appropriate ligands in the metal coordination sphere allows a catalyst with properties that have been planned to be obtained. We can therefore conclude that the catalytic properties of the complex compound used depend to the greatest extent on the structure of the catalyst [5,6]. A very important aspect of work on chemical technologies is the smallest possible pollution of the environment, i.e., the application of the principles of green chemistry. Conducting reactions in organic solvents is replaced by supercritical liquids or ionic liquids. Developing the implement of Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 5443; doi:10.3390/ijms21155443 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 26 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 5443 2 of 26 organic solvents is replaced by supercritical liquids or ionic liquids. Developing the implement of biotechnological andand organocatalytic organocatalytic methods methods allows environmentallyallows environmentally friendly chemical friendly technologies chemical technologiesto be obtained to [ 7be,8 ].obtained [7,8]. In this publication, we present the latest methods of using coordination compounds in catalytic reactions used used in in the the chemical chemical indus industry.try. We We present present the the influence influence of coordination of coordination compounds compounds on the on coursethe course of reactions of reactions taking taking place place in inorganic organic synthesis synthesis (for (for example: example: H Hydroformylationydroformylation process, process, hydrogenation reaction, oxidation processes, olefin olefin polymerization processes). We We also describe the application of green chemistry principles in a catalysis catalysis with with the the participation participation of of complex complex compounds. compounds. 2. Oxidation Oxidation P Processesrocesses 2.1. Wacker Wacker P Processrocess The Wacker processprocess was was developed developed in in cooperation cooperation of twoof two concerns, concerns, Wacker Wacker and and Hoechst, Hoechst, and thenand publishedthen published in 1959. in 195 The9. The process process is ais well-knowna well-known reaction reaction for for obtaining obtaining acetaldehyde acetaldehyde byby oxidation of ethene. ethene. The The reaction reaction is carried is carried out outin an in aqueous an aqueous environment environment usingusing a homogeneous a homogeneous catalyst catalyst (PdCl2 (PdCl CuCl ). The synthesis was recognized by the chemical industry, due to the fact that it was an · CuCl22·). The 2synthesis was recognized by the chemical industry, due to the fact that it was an alternative to the hydroformylation reaction. The The acetaldehyde acetaldehyde obtained obtained in in the the synthesis is widely used. It It is is mainly applied for production of acetic acid, acetic anhydride or chloroform. In In addition, addition, it can form syntheticsynthetic resinsresins inin condensationcondensation reactions reactions with with phenols phenols and and amines. amines. The The Wacker Wacker process process is isshown shown in Figurein Figure1, in 1, which in which stoichiometric stoichiometric reactions reactions combine combine in one in catalytic one catalytic cycle. cycle. In the In first the stage, first stage,in an aqueousin an aqueous environment, environment, it reacts it with reacts palladium(II) with palladium( chloride,II) formingchloride, a forming stoichiometric a stoichiometric amount of amountacetaldehyde, of acetaldehyde, and palladium(II) and palladium(II) is reduced tois reduced palladium(0). to palladium(0). In the next In stage, the next palladium(0) stage, palladium(0) undergoes undergoesreoxidation reoxidation in the presence in the ofpresence copper(II) of copper(II) compounds. compounds. Copper(I) Copper(I) is formed is formed as the product as the product of this ofreaction this reaction while in while the last in the stage last copper(I) stage copper(I) is oxidized is oxidized with oxygen with tooxygen copper(II). to copper(II). Reaction Reaction 4 in Figure 4 in1 Figurerepresents 1 represents the overall the reaction overall ofreaction the process of the [ 9process,10]. [9,10]. Figure 1. ReactionsReactions forming forming the the catalytic catalytic cycle of the Wacker process [11].]. 2 According to research recommendations, thethe oxidationoxidation stagestage isis actuallyactually catalyzedcatalyzed byby [PdCl[PdCl44]]2−−,, which is formed underunder thethe conditionsconditions ofof waterwater andand ClCl−− ions.ions. In In the the analyzed cycle, two chloride ligands are replaced by ethene and water. In the next stage, there is a nucleophilic attack of water on ethene in in the the complex, complex, followed followed by by substitution substitution of of the the chloride chloride ligand ligand by byanother another water water molecule. molecule. β- eliminationβ-elimination of ofa hydrogen a hydrogen atom atom leads leads to tothe the formation formation of ofvinyl vinyl alcohol. alcohol. This This stage stage is isfollowed followed by by a seriesa series of ofpro processescesses leading leading to tothe the production production of ofacetaldehyde acetaldehyde and and palladium(II) palladium(II) hydride. hydride. Due Due to the to factthe factthat that palladium(II) palladium(II) hydride hydride is unstable, is unstable, Pd(0) Pd(0) and and HCl HCl are are formed formed as as a aresult result of of the the reduction reaction. The The cycle cycle is closed. Palladium(0) Palladium(0) is is oxidized oxidized to to palladium(I palladium(II)I) with CuCl 2 [11,12].[11,12]. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 5443 3 of 26 In [13] the researchers carried out quantum mechanical tests and they concluded that the anti-nucleophilic attack is the step determining the Wacker process under standard conditions. Unfortunately, experimental studies did not confirm the results obtained by calculation methods. Keith et al. report that the Wacker process is determined by a syn-nucleophilic attack [14]. The Wacker oxidation usually gives ketones as reaction products, but the literature reports that one can carry out the Wacker process that will give 99% selectivity in obtaining aldehydes, e.g., using 1,4-benzoquinone, t-BuOH, and PdCl2 (MeCN)2 [15–18]. Regarding the selectivity of the Wacker process, products with high selectivity are also obtained using styrene derivatives as substrates with the reaction carried out under mild conditions [19]. Studies conducted over the years proved that the Wacker process produces environmentally hazardous, chlorinated by-products, as well as harmful copper waste. According to the principles of green chemistry, solutions are being sought that affect the protection of ecosystems and the whole world. Researchers at the University of Pune proposed the Pd(0)/C system as a heterogeneous catalyst that can be recycled. This allowed the elimination of pure