Ru xPt ySn z cluster-derived nanoparticle catalysts: Spectroscopic investigation into the nature of active multinuclear single sites

Maela Manzoli, Vasudev N. Shetti, Jonathan A.L. Blaine, Lei Zhu, Derek Isrow, Veeranna Yempally, Burjor Captain, Salvatore Coluccia, Robert Raja, Enrica Gianotti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cluster-derived Ru xPt ySn z nanoparticles are active catalysts in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. The nature of the active sites has been elucidated by FTIR spectroscopy using CO and NO as probe molecules. A new metal carbonyl cluster precursor, Pt 2Ru 2(SnBu t 3) 2(CO) 9(μ-H) 2, has been synthesized to obtain a Ru 2Pt 2Sn 2/SiO 2 catalyst, that displayed remarkably high levels of conversion and selectivities compared to other bi-and monometallic analogues. Spectroscopic comparisons with Ru 5PtSn/ SiO 2 indicate that both the nature and the stoichiometry of the metals play a key role in modulating the catalytic activities and selectivities. A multinuclear single-site containing Pt centers, which facilitate the hydrogen activation, coupled with a highly reactive Ru site, possibly involved in the nitrobenzene activation, can be hypothesized. The oxophilicity of tin helps with the anchoring of the nanoparticles, aids the dispersion of the other metals, and can play an important role in influencing the selectivity to aniline.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)982-989
Number of pages8
JournalDalton Transactions
Volume41
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

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