Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Organic carbonates as stabilizing solvents for transition-metal nanoparticles
Christian Vollmer1, Ralf Thomann, Christoph Janiak
1Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Strukturchemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, D-40204 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Abstract:
Biodegradable, non-toxic, "green" and inexpensive propylene carbonate (PC) solvent is shown to function as a stabilizing medium for the synthesis of weakly-coordinated transition-metal nanoparticles. Kinetically stable nanoparticles (M-NPs) with a small and uniform particle size (typically <5 ± 1 nm) have been reproducibly obtained by easy, rapid (3 min) and energy-saving 50 W microwave irradiation under an argon atmosphere from their metal-carbonyl precursors in PC. The M-NP/PC dispersions are stable for up to three weeks according to repeated TEM studies over this time period. The rhodium nanoparticle/PC dispersion is a highly active catalyst for the biphasic liquid-liquid hydrogenation of cyclohexene to cyclohexane with activities of up to and 1875 (mol product) (mol Rh)(-1) h(-1) and near quantitative conversion at 4 to 10 bar H(2) and 90 °C. From the PC dispersion the M-NPs can be coated with organic capping ligands such as 3-mercaptopropionic acid or trioctylphosphine oxide for further stabilization.
More Related Videos
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
07:47Reverse Microemulsion-mediated Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Early Transition Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles
Published on: November 27, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Properties of Organometallic Compounds
Formation of Complex Ions
Colloidal precipitates
Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents