Metal NPs as catalysts are considered at the frontier between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and could combine the advantages of both, namely high activity /selectivity and recovery and reuse. To enhance their catalytic performance, it is necessary to selectively produce small and well-defined nano-objects. From previous results, we known that strongly coordinating ligands can limit the growth of the particles. As N-heterocyclic carbenes showed a very high ability to coordinate at the NP surface due to their specific electron donor properties,[1] we considered the use of more complex ligands derived from NHC-carbenes. The use of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) from stable zwitterionic adducts such as imidazolium carboxilates (NHC-CO2) for the stabilization of Ni- and Cu-nanoparticles by NHC-ligands is presented. The metal NPs are immobilization into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which are considered to be potential supports for heterogeneous systems due to their exceptional features. These supported Ni and Cu NPs will be used as electrocatalysis in the context of the European project TERRA. The application of Ni NPs in the stereoselective hydrogenation of internal alkynes will also be presented in this communication. Although several metal including Pd, Pt, Ru, and Rh supported on different materials [2] have provided high conversions in the selective hydrogenation of alkynes, the use of novel catalytic systems based on non-noble metals has raised much interest [3].

Size-controlled NHC-stabilized Ni and Cu NPs immobilized in CNTs Application in stereoselective hydrogenation

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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