Development of electron donating ligand for metal clusters: effects on electronic structures and catalysis

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K13619
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Physical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Tsukuda Tatsuya 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 教授 (90262104)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 金属クラスター触媒 / 電子供与性配位子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The main achievements of the project are summarized as follows.
(1) Gold clusters (diameter ~1.2 nm) stabilized by polymer exhibited localized surface plasmon resonance band in the presence of NaBH4 due to electron doping to the Au sp band by the adsorbed H atoms. (2) Pd-doped gold clusters PdAu33 and PdAu43 were successfully produced. Single Pd atom doping enhanced the catalytic activity for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol and provided hydrogenation catalysis in a chemoselective manner. (3) Oxidation catalysis of size-selected gold clusters supported on porous carbon was studied in the presence of various ligands. Although the catalysis was not affected in the presence of ethylpyrrolidone which was expected to act as an electron donating ligand, gold clusters exhibited specific selectivities in the presence of excess amount of thiols.

Free Research Field

物理化学