Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation
Published on: July 18, 2017
Silica-Supported Cu Nanoparticle Catalysts for Alkyne Semihydrogenation: Effect of Ligands on Rates and Selectivity
Alexey Fedorov1, Hsueh-Ju Liu1, Hung-Kun Lo1
1ETH Zürich , Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Narrowly dispersed, silica-supported Cu nanoparticles (ca. 2 nm) prepared via surface organometallic chemistry from a mesityl complex [Cu5Mes5] are highly active for the hydrogenation of a broad range of alkynes. High-throughput experimentation allows for identifying the optimal ligand and reaction conditions to turn these supported Cu nanoparticles into highly chemo- and stereoselective catalysts for the preparation of Z-olefins (overall, 23 examples). For instance, PCy3-modified Cu nanoparticles semihydrogenate 1-phenyl-1-propyne to cis-β-methylstyrene (20 bar H2, 40 °C) with turnover number and turnover frequency of ca. 540 and 1.9 min-1, respectively, and with 94% selectivity at full conversion.
More Related Videos
12:08Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes
Published on: June 24, 2022
09:37Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Analogous to alkenes, alkynes also undergo acid-catalyzed hydration. While the addition of water to an alkene gives an alcohol, hydration of alkynes produces different products such as aldehydes and ketones.
Preparation of Alkynes: Dehydrohalogenation
Alkynes can be prepared by dehydrohalogenation of vicinal or geminal dihalides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide in liquid ammonia. The reaction proceeds with the loss of two equivalents of hydrogen halide (HX) via two successive E2 elimination reactions.
Catalysis