We are interested in synthesizing materials that catalyze alkane transformations with high selectivity to a desired product. Considering that abundant feeds like alkanes contain only C–H and C–C bonds, with no other functionality, studying the mechanism of C–H bond activation is paramount. In this regard, every (or almost every) catalytic transformation of an alkane <i>first</i> involves C–H activation, even ones that lead to C–C bond cleavage, and therefore studying and learning about the mechanisms of C–H bond activation may be broadly insightful and impactful. One technique that peaked our interest was hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange. In this talk, the general mechanistic concepts concerning H/D exchange and catalysis will be discussed, and attention will be paid to comparing reactions on heterogeneous catalysts with homogeneous organometallic catalysts (ACS Catalysis, 2018). Experimental studies will be presented, which demonstrate the effects of alkali metals on the ability of heterogeneous supported Pt catalysts to carry out C–H activation (ACS Catalysis, 2020). Furthermore, we will demonstrate the broad impact this work has had by showing how applications such as alkane dehydrogenation (J. Catal, 2021) and hydrogen transfer reactions (US Patent 11,136,279), all which were enabled by fundamental research on H/D exchange.

C–H activation and hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange in alkanes: Mechanistic insight on heterogeneous catalysts

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.