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Acrolein hydrogenation on Pt(211) and Au(211) surfaces: a density functional theory study
Bo Yang1, Dong Wang, Xue-Qing Gong
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Center for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
Density functional theory calculations reveal distinct partial hydrogenation pathways for acrolein on platinum and gold surfaces. Selectivity differences arise from reactant interactions within transition states, favoring enol on Pt and propenol on Au.
Area of Science:
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- Surface science
- Computational chemistry
Background:
- Partial hydrogenation of acrolein is a key reaction in catalysis.
- Understanding selectivity on different metal surfaces is crucial for catalyst design.
- Acrolein is the simplest α,β-unsaturated aldehyde.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate acrolein partial hydrogenation on Pt(211) and Au(211) surfaces.
- Determine the formation routes and selectivities of partial hydrogenation products.
- Elucidate the underlying factors governing selectivity differences between Pt and Au.
Main Methods:
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
- Analysis of reaction pathways for propenol, propanal, and enol formation.
- Energy decomposition analysis to study transition state barriers.
Main Results:
- Enol formation is kinetically favored on Pt(211).
- Propenol formation is preferred on Au(211).
- Propanal formation on Pt(211) proceeds via an indirect pathway.
- Interaction energies in transition states are key to selectivity differences.
Conclusions:
- DFT calculations accurately model acrolein hydrogenation selectivity on Pt and Au.
- Surface interactions significantly influence reaction outcomes.
- The findings provide insights for designing selective hydrogenation catalysts.
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