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Atomic-level insights in optimizing reaction paths for hydroformylation reaction over Rh/CoO single-atom catalyst
Liangbing Wang1, Wenbo Zhang1, Shenpeng Wang1
1Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Key Laboratory of Strongly-Coupled Quantum Matter Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Science Center &National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
We developed cobalt oxide-supported rhodium single-atom catalysts (Rh/CoO) for propene hydroformylation, achieving high selectivity for butyraldehyde. This breakthrough offers a promising bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Heterogeneous rhodium (Rh)-based catalysts often lack selectivity in hydroformylation compared to homogeneous catalysts.
- Separating heterogeneous catalysts is convenient, but achieving high selectivity remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop highly active and selective Rh-based heterogeneous catalysts for propene hydroformylation.
- To investigate the structure-performance relationship of Rh single-atom catalysts on cobalt oxide (CoO).
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of CoO-supported Rh single-atom catalysts (Rh/CoO).
- Evaluation of catalytic performance in propene hydroformylation.
- Mechanistic studies using kinetic analysis and in-situ structural analysis.
Main Results:
- Rh/CoO catalysts exhibited remarkable activity and selectivity for propene hydroformylation.
- Optimal selectivity of 94.4% for butyraldehyde and a turnover frequency of 2,065 h⁻¹ were achieved.
- Structural reconstruction of Rh single atoms was observed during catalysis, enhancing reactant adsorption and activation.
Conclusions:
- Rh/CoO single-atom catalysts effectively bridge homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.
- The developed catalysts show potential for industrial applications in hydroformylation and other reactions.
- Structural dynamics of single atoms are crucial for catalytic performance.
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