ReO_<i>x</i>/TiO₂: A Recyclable Solid Catalyst for Deoxydehydration

Abstract

Deoxydehydration (DODH) enables the transformation of two adjacent hydroxyl functions into a C–C double bond: e.g., facilitating synthesis of 1,3,5-hexatriene from sorbitol. Here we report the first stable heterogeneous catalyst for DODH based on ReO x supported on TiO 2 . ReO x /TiO 2 exhibits not only catalytic activity and selectivity comparable to those of previously described molecular rhenium catalysts but also excellent stability without deactivation over at least six consecutive runs. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS) measurements indicate a mixture of Re(VII), Re(IV), and Re(0) species at a ratio of 0.47:0.27:0.25, remaining comparatively stable during catalysis.