Activation, Deactivation and Reversibility Phenomena in Homogeneous Catalysis: a Showcase Based on the Chemistry of † Rhodium/Phosphine Catalysts
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
catalysts Review Activation, Deactivation and Reversibility Phenomena in Homogeneous Catalysis: A Showcase Based on the Chemistry of y Rhodium/Phosphine Catalysts Elisabetta Alberico 1 , Saskia Möller 2, Moritz Horstmann 2, Hans-Joachim Drexler 2 and Detlef Heller 2,* 1 Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare—CNR, Tr. La Crucca 3, 07100 Sassari, Italy 2 Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V., Albert-Einstein-Strasse 29a, 18059 Rostock, Germany * Correspondence: [email protected] Dedicated to Piet W. N. M. van Leeuwen. y Received: 5 June 2019; Accepted: 29 June 2019; Published: 30 June 2019 Abstract: In the present work, the rich chemistry of rhodium/phosphine complexes, which are applied as homogeneous catalysts to promote a wide range of chemical transformations, has been used to showcase how the in situ generation of precatalysts, the conversion of precatalysts into the actually active species, as well as the reaction of the catalyst itself with other components in the reaction medium (substrates, solvents, additives) can lead to a number of deactivation phenomena and thus impact the efficiency of a catalytic process. Such phenomena may go unnoticed or may be overlooked, thus preventing the full understanding of the catalytic process which is a prerequisite for its optimization. Based on recent findings both from others and the authors’ laboratory concerning the chemistry of rhodium/diphosphine complexes, some guidelines are provided for the optimal generation of the catalytic active species from a suitable rhodium precursor and the diphosphine of interest; for the choice of the best solvent to prevent aggregation of coordinatively unsaturated metal fragments and sequestration of the active metal through too strong metal–solvent interactions; for preventing catalyst poisoning due to irreversible reaction with the product of the catalytic process or impurities present in the substrate. Keywords: Rh; homogeneous catalysis; catalyst deactivation 1. Introduction The term “catalysis” was first introduced by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in a report published in 1835 by the Swedish Academy of Sciences [1]. The report was a reflection on earlier findings by European scientists on chemical changes both in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Although far from being understood, the recorded phenomena were unified, according to Berzelius, by the fact that “several simple or compound bodies, soluble and insoluble, have the property of exercising on other bodies an action very different from chemical affinity. By means of this action they produce, in these bodies, decompositions of their elements and different recombinations of these same elements to which they remain indifferent.” [2] Berzelius designated this unifying property as “catalytic force” and coined the term “catalysis” to describe the decomposition of bodies by this force. Catalysis is the macroscopic manifestation of the reduction of the activation energy of an exergonic reaction. It is as such a purely kinetic phenomenon; Berzelius however did not know the concept of reaction rate yet and therefore he could only describe known findings phenomenologically. Catalysts 2019, 9, 582; doi:10.3390/catal9070582 www.mdpi.com/journal/catalysts Catalysts 2019, 9, 582 2 of 45 Catalysts 2018, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 45 Catalysts 2018, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 45 It was not until 1894 that Wilhelm Ostwald succeeded in giving an exact description of catalysis [3]. Later,It was in notnot his untiluntil Nobel 18941894 Lecture that that Wilhelm Wilhelm of 1909, Ostwald Ostwaldhe said succeededabout succeeded catalysis in in giving giving that an“… an exact the exact essence description description of which of catalysisof catalysisis not [to3]. be[3].Later, sought Later, in his inin Nobel histhe Nobelpromotion Lecture Lecture of of 1909, aof reaction, 1909, he said he but said about in about its catalysis acceleration,…” catalysis that that “ ::: “… [4]the theFurther essence essence introduction of whichof which is not isinto not to the beto historybesought sought of in catalysis thein the promotion promotion can be offound aof reaction, a reaction,in references but but in in its[5–8]. its acceleration, acceleration,…” ::: ”[ [4]4] FurtherFurther introductionintroduction into the history of catalysis can be found in references [[5–8].5–8]. An updated definition to be found in the IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, though,An suggestsupdated adefinition clear distinction to be foundbetween in athe catalyst, IUPAC that Compendium is a substance of that Chemical increases Terminology, the rate of a An updated definition to be found in the IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, though, reaction,though, suggests and an inhibitor, a clear distinction which instead between reduces a catalyst, it [9]. that is a substance that increases the rate of a suggests a clear distinction between a catalyst, that is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction, reaction,Catalysis and an is inhibitor,widely applied which insteadboth in reducesindustry it [9].[10–13] and academia [14,15]: the switch from a and an inhibitor, which instead reduces it [9]. stoichiometricCatalysis processis widely to applieda catalytic both one in represents industry a[10–13] way to andgreatly academia improve [14,15]: efficiency, the switch as less energyfrom a Catalysis is widely applied both in industry [10–13] and academia [14,15]: the switch from a inputstoichiometric and less process feedstock to a catalyticare usually one representsrequired, lea ssway waste to greatly is generated, improve efficiency,and a greater as less product energy stoichiometric process to a catalytic one represents a way to greatly improve efficiency, as less energy selectivityinput and isless in generalfeedstock achieved. are usually required, less waste is generated, and a greater product input and less feedstock are usually required, less waste is generated, and a greater product selectivity selectivityAlthough is in heterogeneousgeneral achieved. catalysts were the first to be applied at the industrial level, where they is in general achieved. dominatedAlthough the heterogeneousscene for several catalysts decades, were homogenous the first to catalystsbe applied started at the toindustrial raise increasing level, where attention they Although heterogeneous catalysts were the first to be applied at the industrial level, where they indominated the early the1960s scene when for theyseveral were decades, considered homogenous for the large catalysts scale startedproduction to raise of bulkincreasing chemicals. attention One dominated the scene for several decades, homogenous catalysts started to raise increasing attention majorin the contributionearly 1960s when came theyin those were years considered from Slaugh for th ande large coworkers scale production at Shell Research of bulk (USA)chemicals. [16] laterOne in the early 1960s when they were considered for the large scale production of bulk chemicals. One onmajor supported contribution by further came in developments those years from in Wilkinson’sSlaugh and coworkerslaboratory at [17], Shell of Research Co- and (USA) Rh-phosphine [16] later major contribution came in those years from Slaugh and coworkers at Shell Research (USA) [16] catalystson supported which by furtherwere applied developments in the in rapid,Wilkinson’s selective laboratory liquid-phase [17], of hydroformylationCo- and Rh-phosphine and later on supported by further developments in Wilkinson’s laboratory [17], of Co- and Rh-phosphine hydrogenationcatalysts which of alkeneswere applied under mildin conditions.the rapid, Theselective possibility liquid-phase to tailor the hydroformylation catalyst properties and by catalysts which were applied in the rapid, selective liquid-phase hydroformylation and hydrogenation properhydrogenation selection of of alkenes additional under ligands mild triggeredconditions. further The possibility research which to tailor led the in thecatalyst following properties decades by of alkenes under mild conditions. The possibility to tailor the catalyst properties by proper selection of toproper the development selection of additionalof important ligands industrial triggered processe furthers based research on the which use of ledhomogeneous in the following catalysts decades such additional ligands triggered further research which led in the following decades to the development of asto thethe development SHOP process of important for the oligomerization industrial processe of sethylene based on or the the use producti of homogeneouson of enantioenriched catalysts such important industrial processes based on the use of homogeneous catalysts such as the SHOP process herbicideas the SHOP Metholachlor process forand the the oligomerizationaroma ingredient of citronellal ethylene [11].or the production of enantioenriched herbicide Metholachlor and the aroma ingredient citronellal [11]. Catalysts 2019, 9, 582 3 of 45 for the oligomerization of ethylene or the production of enantioenriched herbicide Metholachlor and the aroma ingredient citronellal [11]. The discovery of a novel catalyst for a certain process may be serendipitous or the result of extensive screening. Yet improvement of the catalyst productivity and efficiency, both in terms of activity and selectivity in the desired product, requires knowledge of the chemical transformations the catalyst undergoes during the course of the reaction. The nature and distribution of the resulting species may vary over time due to the interaction