Diverse Mechanistic Pathways in Single-Site Heterogeneous Catalysis: Alcohol Conversions Mediated by a High-Valent Carbon-Supported Molybdenum-Dioxo Catalyst

Abstract

With the increase in the importance of renewable resources, chemical research is shifting focus toward substituting petrochemicals with biomass-derived analogues and platform-molecule transformations such as alcohol processing. To these ends, in-depth mechanistic understanding is key to the rational design of catalytic systems with enhanced activity and selectivity. Here we discuss in detail the structure and reactivity of a single-site active carbon-supported molybdenum-dioxo catalyst (AC/MoO2) and the mechanism(s) by which it mediates alcohol dehydration. A range of tertiary, secondary, and primary alcohols as well as selected bio-based terpineols are investigated as substrates under mild reaction conditions. A combined experimental substituent effect/kinetic/kinetic isotope effect/EXAFS/DFT computational analysis indicates that (1) water assistance is a key element in the transition state; (2) the experimental kinetic isotopic effect and activation enthalpy are 2.5 and 24.4 kcal/mol, respectively, in good agreement with the DFT results; and (3) several computationally identified intermediates including Mo-oxo-hydroxy-alkoxide and cage-structured long-range water-coordinated Mo-dioxo species are supported by EXAFS. This structurally and mechanistically well-characterized single-site system not only effects efficient transformations but also provides insight into rational catalyst design for future biomass processes.