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Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Introduction
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.

Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called 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...

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2025

On the Preparation and Testing of Fuel Cell Catalysts Using the Thin Film Rotating Disk Electrode Method

On the Preparation and Testing of Fuel Cell Catalysts Using the Thin Film Rotating Disk Electrode Method

Published on: March 16, 2018

Low-Temperature Pyrolysis: A Universal Route to High-Loading Single-Atom Catalysts for Fuel Cells.

Xiaoyang Cheng¹, Shuhu Yin², Jianing Zhang¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Engineering Research Center of Electrochemical Technologies of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|April 4, 2025

Summary

A novel low-temperature trans-metalation method synthesizes high-loading single-atom catalysts (SACs) at 450°C, overcoming Ostwald ripening. The resulting Fe-based SACs show excellent performance in fuel cells.

Keywords:

high single‐atom loading low‐temperature trans‐metalation molten salt oxygen reduction reaction single‐atom catalysts

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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

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Last Updated: May 16, 2025

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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production

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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Catalysis
Electrochemistry

Background:

High-temperature pyrolysis (HTP) is common for single-atom catalysts (SACs) but limited by Ostwald ripening at high temperatures (≥900°C).
Achieving high single-atom loading is challenging due to aggregation and phase transformation issues at elevated synthesis temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a low-temperature synthesis strategy for high-loading single-atom catalysts.
To investigate a trans-metalation approach for creating atomically dispersed M-N4 sites.
To evaluate the catalytic performance of synthesized SACs in oxygen reduction reactions and fuel cells.

Main Methods:

A low-temperature trans-metalation synthesis involving cation exchange between transition metal ions and Zn2+ on a nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) matrix.
Utilizing a molten salt medium to facilitate cation exchange at reduced temperatures (450°C).
Characterization and performance testing of the synthesized catalysts, including electrochemical evaluation in H2-O2 fuel cells.

Main Results:

Successfully synthesized single-atom catalysts with high mass loading (3.7-4.7 wt.%) of atomically dispersed M-N4 sites.
Demonstrated that cation exchange occurs effectively at 450°C, significantly lowering synthesis energy barriers.
The Fe-SAC catalyst exhibited a peak power density of 1.12 W cm-2 in an H2-O2 fuel cell, showcasing excellent catalytic activity.

Conclusions:

The developed low-temperature trans-metalation method is effective for synthesizing high-loading single-atom catalysts, mitigating Ostwald ripening.
This approach offers a more energy-efficient pathway for producing advanced SACs for electrochemical applications.
The synthesized Fe-based SACs demonstrate promising potential for efficient oxygen reduction reactions and fuel cell performance.