Development of Practical Method for Atomically Precise Loading of Ligand Protected Gold Cluster and its Catalytic Application

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22548
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0502:Inorganic/coordination chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic materials chemistry, energy-related chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Masuda Shinya 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 特任助教 (80885468)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 金クラスター担持触媒 / 配位子保護金クラスター / アルコール酸化反応 / 原子精度調製 / 低温配位子除去

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this work, atomically precise ligand protected gold cluster was used as precursor for atomically precise synthesis of active supported gold cluster catalyst by removing the ligand with keeping its original size. It was found that bare gold cluster with atomic precision could be synthesized on double metal hydroxide composed of Co and Ce by aging at low temperature. This support not only facilitates oxidation of ligands at low temperature, but also stabilizes the gold cluster by strong anchoring effect at the temperature. Therefore, size of gold cluster was maintained even after long-term aging. Obtained catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for benzyl alcohol oxidation in the basic aqueous condition at low temperature under atmospheric oxygen pressure. Correlation between electronic state of gold cluster and the mechanism of benzyl alcohol oxidation was considered by evaluating kinetic experiments.

Free Research Field

触媒化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

原子精度でサイズ・組成を制御した配位子保護金クラスターの触媒応用は15年程前から研究が進められているが、未だその精密性を保ちつつ高い触媒能を発現させることは難しい。本研究では、脱配位子した金クラスターを触媒担体を用いて安定化することで原子精度のサイズ・組成を保ち、配位子保護状態では得られない高い活性の達成およびその発現機構を考察した。こうした比較的明瞭な活性点を有した高活性な触媒の開発およびその活性発現機構の解明は、今後より高活性な触媒を合成する設計指針を得る上で重要な意味を持つ。