METAL-CONTAINING ORGANOSILICA CATALYST; PROCESS OF PREPARATION AND USE THEREOF

Abstract
The invention relates to a metal-containing organosilica catalyst, and use thereof in metal-catalyzed reactions. The invention relates to a process of preparation of the metal-containing organosilica catalyst comprising i) mixing a silicon source with an hydrolytic solvent; ii) adding one or more metal catalyst or a precursor thereof; iii) treating the mixture of step ii) with a condensation catalyst and iv) optionally treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with one or more reducing or oxydating agent such as to provide the required oxidation level to the metal catalyst.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention generally relates to a metal-containing organosilica catalyst, its process of preparation and use thereof in metal-catalyzed reactions.


BACKGROUND

Metal-containing catalytic reactions are important research and industrial tools. Unlike other reagents that participate in chemical reactions, metal catalysts are generally not consumed. Therefore, a catalyst has the ability to participate in many catalytic cycles.


Metal-containing catalysis is preferred in “green chemistry” compared to stoichiometric chemistry and can also leave access to reactions which are difficult or impossible to carry otherwise. For example, palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are one of the most powerful methods for constructing carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and carbon-silicon bonds. Palladium and other transition metals are commonly used to catalyze redox processes. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are used for example in hydrogenation reactions.


Metal-containing catalytic reactions, in particular homogeneous reactions such as palladium cross-coupling reactions, may have several shortcomings such as limited reusability which impacts cost, and metal contamination of the product. Removing residual metals in the reaction product may represent a challenging task.


SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, there is provided a metal-containing organosilica catalyst.


In one aspect, there is provided a metal-containing organosilica catalyst obtainable by a process as described herein.


In a further aspect, there is also provided a process for preparing a metal-containing organosilica catalyst comprising i) mixing a silicon source with an hydrolytic solvent; ii) adding one or more metal catalyst or a precursor thereof; iii) treating the mixture of step ii) with a condensation catalyst and iv) optionally treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with one or more reducing or oxydizing agent such as to provide the required oxidation level to the metal catalyst.


In one aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a metal-containing organosilica catalyst as defined herein for conducting a metal-catalyzed reaction.


In one aspect, the present invention relates to a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal-containing organosilica catalyst as described herein.


In one aspect, there is provided a method for conducting a catalytic reaction comprising providing a metal-containing organosilica catalyst as described herein, providing at least one reactant capable of entering into said catalytic reaction, allowing said at least one reactant to diffuse and adsorb onto the metal of said metal-containing organosilica catalyst and allowing a product resulting from said catalytic reaction to desorbs from the metal and diffuse away from the solid surface to regenerate a catalytic site onto the metal of said metal-containing organosilica catalyst.







DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The expression “silicon source” as used herein, refers to a compound of formula R4-xSi(L)x wherein R is an alkyl, an aryl or an alkyl-aryl such as a benzyl, L is independently Cl, Br, I or OR′ wherein R′ is an alkyl or benzyl and x is an integer of 1 to 4 or alternatively x is an integer of 1 to 3. The “silicon source” is selected so as to be able to form a network of Si—O—Si bonds. The “silicon source” is understood to include one or more of said compound of formula R4-xSi(L)x.


In one embodiment, the silicon source is a silicon alkoxide such as monoalkyl-trialkoxy silane, or a dialkyl-dialkoxy silane. In a further embodiment, the silicon alkoxide is a mixture of monoalkyl-trialkoxy silane, and dialkyl-dialkoxy silane. In a further embodiment, the mixture of monoalkyl-trialkoxy silane and dialkyl-dialkoxy silane is further comprising trialkyl-alkoxy silane and/or tetraalkoxy silane.


In one embodiment, the silicon source is a silicon alkoxide that is tetraalkoxy silane. In one embodiment, the silicon source is a mixture of silicon alkoxide comprising two or more of monoalkyl-trialkoxy silane, dialkyl-dialkoxy silane, trialkyl-alkoxy silane and tetraalkoxy silane.


In further embodiments, the alkyl and alkoxy residue of the silicon alkoxide are independently linear or branched and comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alternatively 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alternatively 1 to 3 carbon atoms and alternatively 1 carbon atom.


In one embodiment, the silicon alkoxide is methyltriethoxy silane (MTES).


In one embodiment, the silicon alkoxide is tetramethoxy-ortho-silicate (TMOS).


In one embodiment, the silicon source is a mixture of methyltriethoxy silane and tetramethoxy-ortho-silicate.


In one embodiment, the silicon source is a silicon halide of formula RSiL3 such as MeSiI3, MeSiCl3, MeSiBr3, EtSiBr3, EtSiCl3, EtSiI3.


The hydrolytic solvent for use in the present disclosure is a solvent or a mixture of solvents favoring formation of —Si—OH species from hydrolysis of the silicon source. Examples of such a solvent include aqueous solvents, such as a mixture of water and an inorganic acid such as HCl, H3PO4, H2SO4, HNO3. When an acid such as HCl or HNO3 is used, from about 10−4 to about 10−2 mole equivalents of H+ can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.003 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the hydrolytic solvent is HCl(aq). In one embodiment, the hydrolytic solvent is HNO3(aq).


The “metal”, in said metal-containing organosilica catalyst, can be any metal at any suitable oxidation level which can be incorporated in a silica network and is useful, in catalyzing a chemical reaction.


The “metal precursor” means any metal complex, a metal salt or their corresponding anhydrous or solvated forms that can provide the required catalytic activity either by itself or by reduction or oxidation to the appropriate oxidation level, or decomplexation of the ligands. Solvated metal precursor includes hydrated forms.


Examples of the metal in the metal-containing organosilica catalyst of this invention includes transition metals (i.e. those of the periodic table in columns IVB to IIB) such as Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Tc, Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd and Hg and metals of columns IIIa to VIa of the periodic table such as Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi. In one embodiment, the metal includes without limitation Ni, Ru, Rh, Pt, Sn, Zr, In, Co, Cu, Cr, Mo, Os, Fe, Ag, Au, Ir and Pd, at any suitable oxidation level.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a palladium compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation Pd(OAc)2, K2PdCl4, (CF3CO2)2Pd, M2PdX4 [M=Li, Na, K; X=Cl, Br], PdX2Y2 [X=Cl, Br, I; Y=O, CH3CN, THF, PhCN], M2PdCl6 [M=Na, K]. Preferably the palladium compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the palladium compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.004 to about 0.018 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a platinum compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation PtCl2 and Pt(acac)2 [acac=acetylacetonate], M2PtX4 [M=Li, Na, K; X=Cl, Br] such as K2PtCl4, (NH4)2PtCl4, H2PtCl6, Na2PtCl6, K2PtCl6, Li2PtCl6, PtCl4, such as Pt(C2H4)3, Pt(COD)2, Pt(PPh3)4. Preferably the platinum compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the platinum compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.004 to about 0.018 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a rhodium compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation RhX3 [X=Cl, Br] such as RhCl3xH2O, Rh2O3xH2O, Rh(OAc)3, rhodium(II) acetate dimer, Rh(NO3)3, Rh(acac)3, RhCl(olefin)2]2; [RhCl(diolefin)2]. Preferably the rhodium compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the rhodium compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.004 to about 0.018 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a nickel compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation NiX2 [X=Cl, Br] such as NiCl2, Ni(OAc)2, Ni(NO3)2, Ni(acac)2, Ni(OH)2, NiSO4, (Et4N)2NiCl4. Preferably the nickel compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the nickel compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.01 to about 0.04 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a ruthenium compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation RuX3 [X=Cl, Br, I] including RuCl3, K2RuCl5, Ru(OAc)3, Ru(acac)3 or any Ru complex such as [RuCl2(CO)3]2, RuCl2(PPh3)3, CpRu(PPh3)2Cl. Preferably, the ruthenium compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the ruthenium compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.004 to about 0.009 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a copper compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation CuX [X=Cl, Br, I], Cu(OAc), CuX2 [X=Cl, Br, I], Cu(OAc)2, Cu(CF3CO2)2, Cu(NO3)2, CuSO4, Cu(acac)2, CuCO3 or any Cu complex such as CuNO3(PPh3)2, CuBr(PPh3)3. Preferably, the copper compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the copper compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.004 to about 0.028 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is an iron compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation FeX2 [X=Cl, Br, I], FeSO4, Fe(OAc)2, Fe(acac)2, FeX3 [X=Cl, Br, I] such as FeCl3, Fe2(SO4)3, Fe(acac)3, Fe(NO3)3, FePO4 or any Fe complex such as (FeCp(CO)2)2. Preferably, the iron compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the iron compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.005 to about 0.01 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is an iridium compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation IrX3 [X=Cl, Br] such as IrCl3, Ir(acac)3. Preferably the iridium compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the iridium compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.005 to about 0.01 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a silver compound. In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof includes without limitation AgX [X=Cl, Br], AgNO3, AgNO2, Ag2SO4. Preferably the silver compound is added as a solution. Typically about 0.001 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the silver compound can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.01 to about 0.02 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a mixture of more than one of said metal catalyst or a precursor thereof. In one embodiment, the mixture is comprising two or more metal catalysts or a precursor thereof, comprising Ni, Ru, Rh, Pt, Sn, Zr, In, Co, Cu, Cr, Mo, Fe, Ag, Au, Ir, Os, or Pd.


In further embodiments, the mixture of said metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is a combination comprising: Pt/Pd, Pt/Rh, Pt/Ir, Pt/Ni, Pt/Co, Pt/Cu, Pt/Ru, Pt/Ag, Pt/Au, Pd/Ag, Pd/Au, Rh/Ir, Rh/Ru, Ru/Ir, Ru/Fe, Ni/Co or Rh/Pd. Preferably the mixture of said metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is comprising Rh/Pd, Pt/Ni, Pt/Pd or Rh/Pt.


As used herein, “Condensation catalysts” means any reagent known in the art favoring the polycondensation to form the —Si—O—Si— bonds.


Condensation catalysts can be for example NaOH, HCl, KOH, LiOH, NH4OH, Ca(OH)2, NaF, KF, TBAF, TBAOH, TMAOH. Typically about 0.01 to about 0.1 mole equivalents of the condensation catalyst, such as NaOH, can be used (based on the molar amount of the silicon alkoxide). Preferably, about 0.023 to about 0.099 mole equivalents are used.


In one embodiment, the condensation catalyst is NaOH.


In accordance with the disclosure, reducing agent includes hydride-based reducing agents. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is (CH3CO2)3BHM [M: Na, K, N(CH3)4], MBH4 [M: Na, K, Li], M-triethylborohydride (M=Li, K, Na) solution, MBH3CN (M: Na, Li, K, N(CH3)4, N(Bu)4), LiAlH4, R4N(BH4) (R: Me, Et, Bu), DIBAL, X-Selectride (X=N, K, KPh3BH, M(C2H3)3BH (M: Li, Na, K), (CH3)2NBH3Li, NaB(OCH3)3H or a combination thereof. Typically 1:2 to about 1:20 equivalents (metal:reducing agent) or about 1:2 to about 1:8 mole equivalents of the reducing agent can be used based on the molar amount of the metal to be reduced (e.g. based on the molar amount of the compound).


In one embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium triacetoxyborohydride and/or sodium borohydride.


When reference is made to “incorporation of a metal catalyst or a precursor thereof into a network of Si—O—Si bonds” it is understood that such incorporation means that said metal catalyst or a precursor is prevented from being removable of said metal-containing organosilica catalyst in the reaction medium or by washing off the catalyst with any conventional organic or aqueous solvent. Without being bound to theory, it is believed that the metal catalyst or a precursor is incorporated and retained in the organosilica matrix by encapsulation.


In one embodiment, there is provided a metal-containing organosilica catalyst.


In one embodiment, there is also provided a process for preparing a metal-containing organosilica catalyst comprising i) mixing a silicon source selected from monoalkyl-trialkoxy silane, tetraalkoxy silane and mixtures thereof with an hydrolytic solvent; ii) adding one or more metal catalyst or a precursor thereof, wherein said metal or precursor thereof is comprising Ni, Ru, Rh, Pt, Sn, Zr, In, Co, Cu, Cr, Mo, Fe, Ag, Au, Ir, Os or Pd; iii) treating the mixture of step ii) with a condensation catalyst and iv) optionally treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with one or more reducing or oxidizing agent such as to provide the required oxidation level to the metal catalyst.


In one embodiment, said step ii) is comprising adding one metal catalyst or a precursor thereof.


In one embodiment, said step ii) is comprising adding two metal catalysts or a precursor thereof.


In one embodiment, there is provided a process for preparing a metal-containing organosilica catalyst comprising i) mixing a silicon source with an hydrolytic solvent; ii) adding a metal compound; iii) treating the mixture of step ii) with a condensation catalyst and iv) optionally treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with a one or more agent such as to provide the required oxidation level to the metal.


In one embodiment, step i) in any of the embodiments in accordance with the invention further optionally comprises applying vacuum, or heat, or both to remove volatile products resulting from said step i).


In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a metal-containing organosilica catalyst as defined herein for conducting a metal-catalyzed reaction including hydrogenation of aromatic rings, carbocycles and heterocycles; hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds; hydrogenation of nitro and nitroso compounds; hydrogenation of halonitroaromatics; reductive alkylation; hydrogenation of nitriles; hydrosilylation; selective oxidation of primary alcohols to the aldehyde; selective oxidation of primary alcohols and aldehydes to the carboxylic acid, hydrogenation of carbon-carbon multiple bond; hydrogenation of oximes; hydroformylation; carbonylation; formation of carbon-carbon, carbon-oxygen and/or carbon-nitrogen bond; hydrogenolysis; dehydrogenation; hydrogenation of glucose; synthesis of oxygen-containing compounds bond.


In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a metal-containing organosilica catalyst to conduct a catalytic reaction such as to create a carbon-carbon bond, carbon-nitrogen bond, carbon-oxygen bond, and conduct reduction (hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis) or oxidation. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a metal-containing organosilica catalyst to create a carbon-carbon bond.


Examples of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using a metal-containing organosilica catalyst of the disclosure include reactions known as Heck, Suzuki, Sonogashira, Stille, Negishi, Kumada, Hiyama, and Fukuyama. Examples of carbon-nitrogen bond forming reactions using metal-containing organosilica catalyst of the disclosure include reactions known as Buchwald-Hartwig amination, hydroamination.


The metal-containing organosilica catalyst has characteristics that allow for performing reactions that can normally be performed in a homogeneous phase. The catalyst typically has a metal loading of between about 0.01 to about 1.00 mmoles per gram of catalyst and alternatively about 0.025 to about 0.52 mmoles per gram of catalyst. The specific surface can vary from about 50 to about 1500 m2/g of catalyst and alternatively from about 200 to 1000 m2/g of catalyst.


The metal-containing organosilica catalyst defined herein can be used on its own or be part of a catalytic device or other supporting material.


The characteristics (described as typical, preferred and/or alternate) mentioned in the disclosure with regard to the process, method, catalyst or use can be combined or interverted freely. For example, a typical palladium salt (such as any salt of Pd mentioned above) can be used in a preferred amount (such as about 0.004 to about 0.018 mole equivalents) with a typical amount of the condensation catalyst (such as about 0.002 to about 0.12 mole equivalents) together with a preferred amount of reducing agent. Although all such combinations are not specifically nor literally recited, they are considered to be directly and unambiguously disclosed herein.


Example 1
Preparation of Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of K2PdCl4 (from 0.004 to 0.018 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water for better solubility and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.023 to 0.053 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature with a solution of sodium triacetoxyborohydride in THF (Pd:Na(AcO)3BH=1:6 molar ratio; 80 mL), washed with THF and H2O and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 1 as entries Si—Pd-1 to Si—Pd-4.














TABLE 1








Pore
Pore
MTES:K2PdCl4:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)




















Si-0-A
0.00
591
46
0.68
1:0.000:0.003:







4.89:0.023


Si—Pd-1
0.025
754
40
0.81
1:0.004:0.003:







6.72:0.023


Si—Pd-2
0.112
774
45
0.83
1:0.009:0.003:







7.62:0.033


Si—Pd-3
0.148
724
49
0.82
1:0.013:0.003:







8.51:0.043


Si—Pd-4
0.163
721
53
0.86
1:0.018:0.003:







10.14:0.053









Sample Characterization

Nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms at 77 K are measured using a Micrometrics TriStar™ 3000 system. The data are analysed using the Tristar™ 3000 model 4.01. Both adsorption and desorption branches are used to calculate the pore size distribution.


The metal content in the products is measured using the CAMECA SX100 instrument equipped with EPMA analyse technique, a fully qualitative and quantitative method of non-destructive elemental analysis of micron-sized volumes at the surface of materials, with sensitivity at the level of ppm.


The absorption IR spectrum of entry Si—Pd-4 described in table 1 is obtained at room temperature using an ABB Bomem MB series FTIR spectrometer at a resolution of cm−1 and taking 30 scans per spectrum in the range of 4000-500 cm−1. The dominant peaks characteristic of the bond Si—O are assigned, according to the literature (see Galeener, E G., Phys. Rev. B 1979, 19, 4292 and Park, E. S.; Ro, H. W.; Nguyen, C. V.; Jaffe, R. L.; Yoon, D. Y. Chem. Mater 2008, 20(4), 1548) as follows: the main higher frequency band at about 1023 cm−1 is ascribed to the symmetric stretching of the oxygen atoms accompanied by the band at about 1116 cm−1 ascribed to the asymmetric stretching of the oxygen atoms; the band at frequency near 771 cm−1 is due to the symmetric stretching motion of oxygen atoms; the lower frequency peak at 550 cm−1 can be attributed to rocking motions of the oxygen atoms perpendicular to the Si—O—Si. Methyl groups attached to Si atoms have a characteristic and very sharp band at 1270 cm−1 due to the symmetric deformation vibration of the CH3 group, and at 2978 cm−1 due to stretching vibration of C—H bonds (see Galeener, E G. Phys. Rev. B 1979, 19, 4292 and Brown, J. F., Jr.; Vogt, L. H., Jr.; Prescott, P. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1964, 86, 1120).


Example 2
Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Suzuki Coupling

A mixture of the desired haloarene, the phenylboronic acid and the potassium carbonate K2CO3 in methanol, 1-butanol or ethanol is refluxed for 15 minutes or more until it became homogeneous. The catalysts described in example 1 are added with respect to the substrate. After completion of the reaction (monitored by TLC and GC/MS) the catalyst is filtered, the solvent is evaporated and the residue is treated with ethyl acetate. The solution is filtered and the evaporation of the solvent gave the coupling product, purified by flash chromatography (eluent used is 5:1 hexanes-acetone). The results are summarized in Table 2.









TABLE 2







Suzuki coupling reaction
















mol %
PhB(OH)2
K2CO3



bConv./



Entry
Ph—X

aCatalyst

(equiv)
(equiv)
Solvent
Time
Yield (%)


















2-1 


embedded image


 0.1 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.79
3.72
MeOH (0.07 M)
15
min
100





2-2 


embedded image


 0.1 mol % Si—Pd-2
1.79
3.72
MeOH (0.07 M)
15
min
100





2-3 


embedded image


 0.1 mol % Si—Pd-3
1.79
3.72
MeOH (0.07 M)
15
min
100





2-4 


embedded image


 0.1 mol % Si—Pd-4
1.79
3.72
MeOH (0.07 M)
15
min
100





2-5 


embedded image


0.01 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.79
3.72
MeOH (0.04 M)
2
h
100/98.5





2-6 


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.1
2
MeOH (0.08 M)
5
min
100





2-7 


embedded image


 0.5 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.1
2
MeOH (0.08 M)
5
min
100





2-8 


embedded image


 0.1 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.1
2
MeOH (0.08 M)
30
min
100





2-9 


embedded image


 0.2 mol % Si—Pd-2
1.13
2
MeOH (0.1 M)
2
h
100





2-10


embedded image


0.02 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.13
2
MeOH (0.13 M)
30
min
100/98.7





2-11


embedded image


0.01 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.13
2
MeOH (0.14 M)
30
min
100/98





2-12


embedded image


 0.5 mol % Si—Pd-2
1.1
2
EtOH (0.08 M)
4
h
100





2-13


embedded image


 0.5 mol % Si—Pd-2
1.1
2
EtOH (0.1 M)
2
h
100





2-14


embedded image


 0.1 mol % Si—Pd-2
1.13
2
EtOH (0.125 M)
3
h
100





2-15


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.79
3.72
1-Butanol (0.04 M
20
h
 95/75c






a: Catalysts identified in Table 1.




b: The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis. The yields are determined by isolation of the product via flash chromatography.




c: The formation of the biphenyl Ph—Ph product is observed.







Example 3
Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Sonogashira Coupling

A mixture of the 4-iodo-nitrobenzene (237 mg, 0.952 mmol, 1 equiv), the phenylacetylene (102 mg, 0.997 mmol, 1.05 equiv) and the potassium carbonate (420 mg, 3.04 mmol, 3.2 equiv) in 40 mL EtOH/H2O is refluxed for 15 minutes or more until it became homogeneous. The catalysts described in example 1 are added with respect to the substrate. After completion of the reaction (monitored by TLC and GC/MS) the catalyst is filtered, the solvent is evaporated and the residue is treated with ethyl acetate. The solution is filtered and the evaporation of the solvent gave the coupling product. The results are summarized in Table 3.









TABLE 3







Sonogashira coupling reaction
















mol %
Ph—C≡C
K2CO3

Time

bConv.



Entry
Ph—X

aCatalyst

(equiv)
(equiv)
Solvent
(h)
(%)

















3-1


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Pd-1
1.05
3.2
EtOH/H2O
0.25
100





3-2


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Pd-2
1.05
3.2
EtOH/H2O
24
100





3-3


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Pd-3
1.05
3.2
EtOH/H2O
24
100





3-4


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Pd-4
1.05
3.2
EtOH/H2O
24
100






a: Catalysts identified in Table 1.




b: The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis.







Example 4
Preparation of Methyltriethoxysilane-Based Xerogel

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing) and 60 mL acetonitrile is added. To favor the gelation process 3.5 mL (0.023 equiv) NaOH(aq) 1M is added. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is washed with H2O, MeOH and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting methyltriethoxysilane-based xerogel is reported as entry Si—O-A. (reference material).


Example 5
Preparation of Platinum-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of K2PtCl4 (from 0.004 to 0.018 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.023 to 0.053 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF:H2O=1:1 (Pt:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio; 180 mL), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 4 as entries Si—Pt-1 to Si—Pt-3.


Example 6
Platinum-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Aryl Nitro Groups in the Presence of Halides

The nitro substrate (2 mmol, 1 equiv) and Si—Pt catalyst prepared in example 5 (from 5 to 0.1 mol %) are combined in methanol (10 mL) and stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature until GC/MS analysis indicated maximum conversion. Table 5 is summarizing the results obtained.


Example 7
Platinum-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Arenes

The substrate (2 mmol, 1 equiv) and Si—Pt catalyst prepared in example 5 (from 1 to 2.5 mol %) are combined in methanol (10 mL) and stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature. The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis. Table 6 is summarizing the results obtained.














TABLE 4








Pore
Pore
MTES:K2PtCl4:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)







Si-0-A
0.00
591
46
0.68
1:0.000:0.003:







4.89:0.023


Si—Pt-1
0.05
688
42
0.72
1:0.004:0.003:







8.56:0.023


Si—Pt-2
0.11
597
56
0.84
1:0.009:0.003:







9.45:0.033


Si—Pt-3
0.19
502
60
0.88
1:0.018:0.003:







11.97:0.053





















TABLE 5










aMol %

Time

% Conversionb














Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Product
Product
Aniline
Other

















5-1 


embedded image


  5 mol % Si—Pt-1
0.5


embedded image


91
5
4





5-2 


embedded image


  5 mol % Si—Pt-2
0.5


embedded image


93
4
3





5-3 


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Pt-1
0.5


embedded image


90
10
0





5-4 


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Pt-2
0.5


embedded image


92
8
0





5-5 


embedded image


0.5 mol % Si—Pt-1
1


embedded image


95
5
0





5-6 


embedded image


0.5 mol % Si—Pt-2
0.5


embedded image


87
13
0





5-7 


embedded image


0.2 mol % Si—Pt-1
1


embedded image


86
14
0





5-8 


embedded image


0.2 mol % Si—Pt-2
0.5


embedded image


84
16
0





5-9 


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Pt-1
2


embedded image


83
17
0





5-10


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Pt-2
2


embedded image


90
10
0





5-11


embedded image


0.5 mol % Si—Pt-2
1


embedded image


85
15
0





5-12


embedded image


0.5 mol % Si—Pt-1
1.5


embedded image


94
6
0





5-13


embedded image


0.5 mol % Si—Pt-2
1


embedded image


97
3
0






aMol % catalyst identified in Table 4 and used in reaction.




bThe conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis.



















TABLE 6










%


En-


aMol %

Time

Conversionb


try
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Product
Product







6-1


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Pt-1
24


embedded image


 25





6-2


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Pt-2
24


embedded image


 95





6-3


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Pt-2
16


embedded image


100





6-4


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Pt-2
 8


embedded image


 80





6-5


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Pt-3
16


embedded image


100





6-6


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Pt-2
16


embedded image


100






aMol % catalyst identified in Table 4 and used in reaction.




bThe conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis.







Example 8
Preparation of Rhodium-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of RhCl3xH2O (from 0.004 to 0.018 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.026 to 0.099 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature under argon conditions with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF, 0.07 M (Rh:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 7 as entries Si—Rh-1 to Si—Rh-3.


Example 9
Rhodium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Arenes

The substrate (2 mmol, 1 equiv) and Si—Rh catalyst prepared in example 8 (from 1 to 2.5 mol %) are combined in solvent and stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature. The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis. The results are summarized in Table 8.














TABLE 7








Pore
Pore
MTES:RhCl3xH2O:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)




















Si-0-A
0.00
591
46
0.68
1:0.000:0.003:







4.89:0.023


Si—Rh-1
0.042
508
50
0.78
1:0.004:0.003:







11.48:0.026


Si—Rh-2
0.099
513
55
0.84
1:0.008:0.003:







13.80:0.053


Si—Rh-3
0.224
516
75
1.039
1:0.0180:0.003:







18.10:0.099






















TABLE 8








a Mol %

Time


% Conversion b


Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Solvent
Product
Product





















8-1


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Rh-1
24
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


62





8-2


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Rh-2
24
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


86





8-3


embedded image


2.5 mol % Si—Rh-3
16
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


100





8-4


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Rh-2
5
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


97





8-5


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Rh-3
1
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


98





8-6


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Rh-3
5
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


99






a Mol % catalyst identified in Table 7 and used in reaction.




b The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 10
Preparation of Bimetallic Rhodium-Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of RhCl3xH2O and K2PdCl4 (from 0.002 to 0.054 equiv; Rh:Pd=1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 molar ratio) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.053 to 0.079 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature under argon conditions, first time with a solution of sodium triacetoxyborohydride in anhydrous THF (Pd:Na(AcO)3BH=1:6 molar ratio, 0.03 M) and second time with a solution of sodium borohydride in anhydrous THF(Rh:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio, 0.02 M), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 9 as entries Si—Rh—Pd-1 to Si—Rh—Pd-3 The Table 10 is providing the characterization of the bimetallic catalysts under BET analysis.













TABLE 9










Metal




Total metal
loading
MTES:RhCl3xH2O:



loading
(mmol/g)
K2PdCl4:H+:H2Ototal:











Entry
(mmol/g)
Rh
Pd
NaOH (equiv)














Si-0-A
0
0
0
1:0.000:0.000:00.003:






4.89:0.023


Si—Rh—Pd-1
0.08
0.02
0.06
1:0.0018:0.0054:0.003:


(25/75)



13.8:0.053


Si—Rh—Pd-2
0.10
0.05
0.05
1:0.0036:0.0036:0.003:


(50/50)



14.51:0.066


Si—Rh—Pd-3
0.10
0.07
0.03
1:0.0054:0.0018:0.003:


(75/25)



18.87:0.079





















TABLE 10








Surface
Pore Size
Pore Volume



Entry
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)









Si-0-A
591
46
0.68



Si—Rh—Pd-1
425
81
0.92



(25/75)



Si—Rh—Pd-2
463
60
0.95



(50/50)



Si—Rh—Pd-3
406
75
1.03



(75/25)










Example 11
Rhodium-Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Arenes

The substrate and Si—Rh—Pd bimetallic catalysts prepared in example 10 (from 1 to 0.5 mol % with respect to the substrate) are combined in solvent and stirred under hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature. The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis. The results are summarized in Table 11.


Example 12
Preparation of Tetramethoxy-Ortho-Silicate-Based Xerogel

A mixture of tetramethoxy-ortho-silicate, TMOS, (39.27 g, 38.5 mL, 0.258 mol) and 21.5 mL of 0.045 M HCl(aq) (1.0 mmol H+ and 1.191 mol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete methanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing) and 75 mL acetonitrile is added. To favor the gelation process 10 ml (0.004 equiv) NaOH(aq) 0.1 M is added. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is washed with H2O, MeOH and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting tetramethoxy-ortho-silicate-based xerogel is reported as entry Si—O—B.















TABLE 11








a Mol %

Time



b Conv.



Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Solvent
Product
(%)





















11-1


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-1
16
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


87





11-2


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-2
16
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


57





11-3


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-3
16
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


75





11-4


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-3
16
Hexanes (0.25M) 


embedded image


87





11-5


embedded image


0.5 mol %   Si—Rh—Pd-1
16
Hexanes (0.25M) 


embedded image


100





11-6


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-1
5
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


100





11-7


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-2
16
Hexanes (0.25M) 


embedded image


100





11-8


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-1
1
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


100





11-9


embedded image


1 mol % Si—Rh—Pd-1
3
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


100






a Mol % catalyst identified in Table 9 and used in reaction.




b The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 13
Preparation of Nickel-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of TMOS (78.54 g, 77 mL, 0.516 mol) and 43 mL of 0.045 M HCl(aq) (1.9 mmol H+ and 2.382 mol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete methanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of NiCl2 (from 0.014 to 0.041 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 0.1 M (from 0.003 to 0.005 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 12 as entries Si—Ni-1 to Si—Ni-3.


Example 14A
Nickel-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Aryl Nitro Groups in the Presence of Halides

For the in situ generation of nickel(0) catalyst the Si—NiII xerogel obtained from example 13 (1 g, 0.5 mmol Ni, 0.5 mmol/g loading NiII) is reduced with a solution of sodium borohydride in anhydrous THF (Ni:NaBH4=1:2 molar ratio, 0.02 M) at room temperature under argon conditions. After 1 h the xerogel, which is initially light green, changed to black indicating that nickel(0) is formed. The black solid is washed under argon conditions (3×50 mL anhydrous THF and 2×50 ml anhydrous MeOH). The black solid is dried under vacuum and kept under argon. The substrate, 4-chloronitrobenzene (0.788 g, 5 mmol, 1 equiv) dissolved in anhydrous methanol is added to the black catalyst and the mixture is purged two times vacuum/hydrogen and magnetically stirred at room temperature under hydrogen conditions (1 atm). After completion of the reaction (24 h) the catalyst is removed by filtration and the filtrate is analyzed by GC/MS (Table 13, entry 13-1).


Example 14B
Nickel-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Aryl Nitro Groups in the Presence of Halides

For the in situ generation of nickel(0) catalyst the Si—NiII xerogel obtained from example 13 (1 g, 0.5 mmol Ni, 0.5 mmol/g loading NiII) is reduced with a solution of sodium borohydride in anhydrous DMF (Ni:NaBH4=1:5 molar ratio, 0.05 M) in the presence of the 4-bromonitrobenzene (0.505 g, 2.5 mmol) at room temperature under hydrogen conditions (1 atm). The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis (Table 13, entries 13-2, 13-3).














TABLE 12








Pore
Pore
TMOS:NiCl2:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)




















Si-0-B
0
621
30
0.32
1:0.000:0.004:6.22:







0.003


Si—Ni-1
0.15
684
37
0.64
1:0.014:0.004:8.48:







0.003


Si—Ni-2
0.29
510
30
0.35
1:0.027:0.004:11.03:







0.004


Si—Ni-3
0.52
492
50
0.75
1:0.041:0.004:13.75:







0.005






















TABLE 13










a Mol %

Time


% Conversion b














Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Solvent
Product
Product
Aniline

















13-1


embedded image


10 mol % Si—Ni-3
24
MeOH


embedded image


98
0





13-2


embedded image


20 mol % Si—Ni-3
1
DMF


embedded image


50
0





13-3


embedded image


20 mol % Si—Ni-3
5
DMF


embedded image


85
0






a Mol % catalyst identified in Table 12 and used in reaction.




b The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 15
Preparation of Ruthenium-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES, (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of RuCl3 (from 0.004 to 0.009 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL of acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.033 to 0.066 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced under argon at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF/H2O (4:1, 80 mL; Ru:NaBH4=1:6 molar ratio), washed with THF and H2O and dried under argon under reduced pressure at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 14 as entries Si—Ru-1 and Si—Ru-2.














TABLE 14








Pore
Pore
MTES:RuCl3:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)







Si—Ru-1
0.06
657
63
1.03
1:0.004:0.003:7.25:







0.033


Si—Ru-2
0.12
410
65
0.72
1:0.009:0.003:9.01:







0.066









Example 16
Ruthenium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Reduction of a Double Bond

Experimental conditions: The substrate n-octene (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and the Si—Ru catalyst prepared in example 15 (0.02 to 0.055 equiv) in ethanol (5 mL) are stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (1 to 3 atm.). After completion of the reaction, the catalyst is filtered off and washed with ethanol. Conversion to the desired product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 15.















TABLE 15







% mol






Entry
Substrate
catalyst
H2 pressure
Time
Product
Conversion







15-1


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Ru-2
1 atm
17 h


embedded image


 4%





15-2


embedded image


5 mol % Si—Ru-2
1 atm
95 h


embedded image


 12%





15-3


embedded image


5.5 mol %   Si—Ru-2
3 atm
17 h


embedded image


100%





15-4


embedded image


3 mol % Si—Ru-2
2 atm
17 h


embedded image


100%









Example 17
Preparation of Copper-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

Procedure A: A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of Cu(NO3)2 (or Cu(OAc)2) (from 0.004 to 0.028 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL of acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.023 to 0.073 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced under argon at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF/H2O (4:1, 80 mL; Cu:NaBH4=1:6 molar ratio), washed with THF and H2O and dried under argon under reduced pressure at room temperature. The results are summarized in Table 16.


Procedure B: A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is doped by addition of a solution of Cu(NO3)2 (from 0.004 to 0.028 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 30 mL of acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.023 to 0.073 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced under argon at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF/H2O (4:1, 80 mL; Cu:NaBH4=1:6 molar ratio), washed with THF and H2O and dried under argon under reduced pressure at room temperature. The results are summarized in Table 16.


Procedure C. A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is doped by addition of a solution of Cu(NO3)2 (from 0.004 to 0.028 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility). To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.023 to 0.073 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced under argon at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF/H2O (3:1, 80 mL; Cu:NaBH4=1:6 molar ratio), washed with THF and H2O and dried under argon under reduced pressure at room temperature. The results are summarized in Table 16.














TABLE 16








Pore
Pore
MTES:Cu(NO3)2:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)







Si—Cu-1a
0.037
626
66
1.08
1:0.004:0.003:6.72:







0.023


Si—Cu-2a
0.029
670
55
1.04
1:0.004:0.003:7.25:







0.033


Si—Cu-3c
0.150
455
71
0.83
1:0.008:0.003:8.31:







0.053


Si—Cu-4b
0.955
514
64
0.87
1:0.028:0.003:9.36:







0.073


Si—Cu-5a
0.073
582
78
1.13
1:0.017:0.003:7.25:







0.033


Si—Cu-6a
0.130
352
98
0.84
1:0.010:0.003:9.01:







0.066


Si—Cu-7c
0.197
606
74
1.13
1:0.028:0.003:11.19:







0.073






aprocedure A,




bprocedure B




cprocedure C







Example 18
Copper-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Reduction of a Double Bond

The substrate (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and Si—CuO catalyst prepared in example 17 (0.02 to 0.1 equiv) in ethanol (5 mL) are stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm.). The catalyst is filtered off and washed with ethanol. Conversion to the desired product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 17.














TABLE 17







% mol





Entry
Substrate
catalyst
Time
Product
Conversion







17-1


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Cu-2
17 h


embedded image


78%





17-2


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Cu-1
42 h


embedded image


36%





17-3


embedded image


4 mol % Si—Cu-3
65 h


embedded image


37%





17-4


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Cu-4
17 h


embedded image


55%





17-5


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Cu-4
65 h


embedded image


78 %





17-6


embedded image


8 mol % Si—Cu-4
17 h


embedded image


77%





17-7


embedded image


5 mol % Si—Cu-5
17 h


embedded image


20%





17-8


embedded image


10 mol %  Si—Cu-7
 5 h 40 PSI


embedded image


58%





17-9


embedded image


10 mol %  Si—Cu-6
17 h


embedded image


15%









Example 19
Preparation of Iron-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of FeCl3 (from 0.005 to 0.010 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL of acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (0.066 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF/H2O (4:1, 80 mL; Fe:NaBH4=1:20 molar ratio), washed with THF and H2O and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 18 as entries Si—Fe-1 and Si—Fe-2.














TABLE 18








Pore
Pore
MTES:FeCl3:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2O(total:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)







Si—Fe-1
0.06
626
59
1.10
1:0.005:0.003:9.01:







0.066


Si—Fe-2
0.15
443
66
0.73
1:0.010:0.003:9.01:







0.066









Example 20
Iron-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Reduction of a Double Bond

A mixture of the substrate (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and Si—Fe catalyst prepared in example 19 (0.02 to 0.04 equiv) in ethanol (5 mL) is stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm.). The catalyst is filtered off and washed with ethanol. Conversion to the desired product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 19.














TABLE 19







% mol





Entry
Substrate
catalyst
Time
Product
Conversion




















19-1


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Fe-1
17 h


embedded image


31%





19-2


embedded image


4 mol % Si—Fe-1
65 h


embedded image


39%





19-3


embedded image


5 mol % Si—Fe-2
17 h 45 PSI


embedded image


 6%









Example 21
Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Synthesis of Acetophenone Analogs



embedded image


A mixture of a 4-substituted iodobenzene of formula Ar—I (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv), acetic anhydride (0.997 mmol, 1.05 equiv) lithium chloride (3.04 mmol, 3.2 equiv), diisopropylethylamine (3.04 mmol, 3.2 equiv) and the Si—Pd catalyst prepared in example 1 (0.02 equiv) in DMF (5 mL) is stirred at 100° C. The catalyst is filtered off and washed with dichloromethane. Conversion to the coupling product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 20.














TABLE 20







% mol





Entry
Ar—I
catalyst
Time
Product
Conversion







20-1


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Pd-2
18 h


embedded image


 24%





20-2


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
18 h


embedded image


100%





20-3


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Pd-2
42 h


embedded image


 51%









Example 22
Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Buchwald-Hartwig Amination



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A mixture of a 1-halo-4-nitrobenzene (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv)) amine (1.5 mmol, 3 equiv), sodium tert-butoxide (0.7 mmol, 1.4 equiv) and the Si—Pd catalyst prepared in example 1 (0.02 to 0.06 equiv) in dioxane (5 mL) is stirred at 100° C. The catalyst is filtered off and washed with dichloromethane. Conversion to the coupling product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 21.
















TABLE 21








RNHR′
% mol





Entry
Ar—X
RNHR′
equiv
catalyst
Time
Product
Conversion







21-1


embedded image




embedded image


3
6 mol % Si—Pd-3
48 h


embedded image


42%





21-2


embedded image




embedded image


3
6 mol % Si—Pd-3
48 h


embedded image


63%





21-3


embedded image




embedded image


2
2 mol % Si—Pd-3
65 h


embedded image


69%





21-4


embedded image




embedded image


3
6 mol % Si—Pd-3
48 h


embedded image


54%









Example 22
Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Catalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis

A mixture of the substrate (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and Si—Pd catalyst prepared in example 1 (0.01 to 0.04 equiv) in ethanol (5 mL) is stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm.). The catalyst is filtered off and washed with ethanol. Conversion to the desired product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 22.














TABLE 22







% mol





Entry
Substrate
catalyst
Time
Product
Conversion




















22-1


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
19 h


embedded image


100%  2% PhEt





22-2


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
65 h


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100%  2% diol





22-3


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
20 h


embedded image


100%





22-4


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
24 h


embedded image


100% 10% diol





22-5


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
17 h


embedded image


100%





22-6


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1 mol % Si—Pd-2
20 h


embedded image


 88%





22-7


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4 mol % Si—Pd-2
42 h


embedded image


100%





22-8


embedded image


2 mol % Si—Pd-2
16 h


embedded image


 89%





22-9


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
90 h


embedded image


 80%





22-10


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
19 h


embedded image


100%





22-11


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4 mol % Si—Pd-2
48 h


embedded image


 65%





22-12


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1 mol % Si—Pd-2
65 h


embedded image


100%





22-13


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1 mol % Si—Pd-2
41 h


embedded image


100%





22-14


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
19 h


embedded image


 97%





22-15


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
19 h


embedded image


100%





22-16


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4 mol % Si—Pd-2
44 h


embedded image


 46%





22-17


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2 mol % Si—Pd-2
90 h


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 93%









Example 23
Preparation of Silver-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HNO3(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 554 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of AgNO3 (from 0.01 to 0.02 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.033 to 0.063 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF (Ag:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio; 180 mL), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 23 as entries Si—Ag-1 and Si—Ag-2.














TABLE 23








Pore
Pore
MTES:AgNO3:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)




















Si—Ag-1
0.125
431
67
0.99
1:0.01:0.003:9.08:







0.033


Si—Ag-2
0.28
445
47
0.73
1:0.02:0.003:10.85:







0.063









Example 24
Silver-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydration of Nitrile

In a Schlenck tube, benzonitrile (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and the Si—Ag catalyst prepared in example 23, in water (10 mL) are stirred at 140° C. under argon atmosphere for 4 hours. After completion of the reaction, the catalyst is filtered off and washed with dichloromethane. The aqueous phase is extracted with dichloromethane. Organic fractions are combined and conversion to the product (benzamide) is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 24.














TABLE 24







% Mol
Time


bCon-








version


Entry
Substrate

acatalyst

(h)
Product
(%)







24-1


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3 mol % Si—Ag-1
4


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100






aMol % catalyst identified in Table 23 and used in reaction.




bThe conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis.







Example 25
Silver-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Dehydrogenation of Alcohol

A mixture of 1-phenyl-1-propanol (0.1 mL, 0.729 mmol) and Si—Ag catalyst prepared in example 23 in m-xylene (10 mL) are stirred at 130° C. under argon atmosphere for 17 hours. The catalyst is filtered off and washed with dichloromethane. Conversion to the dehydrogenated product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 25.














TABLE 25







% Mol
Time


bConversion



Entry
Substrate

acatalyst

(h)
Product
(%)







25-1


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10 mol % Si—Ag-2
17


embedded image


51






aMol % catalyst identified in Table 23 and used in reaction.




bThe conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis .







Example 26
Preparation of Bimetallic Platinum-Nickel Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of TMOS (30.6 g, 30 mL, 201.03 mmol) and 15 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 831.13 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete methanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of K2PtCl4/NiCl2 (from 0.004 to 0.01 equiv K2PtCl4 and from 0.003 to 0.008 equiv NiCl2) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 0.1 M (from 0.005 to 0.012 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature under argon conditions with a solution of sodium borohydride in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (Pt+Ni:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio; 0.15 M), washed with H2O and THF and dried at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 26 as entries Si—Pt—Ni-1 to Si—Pt—Ni-4. The Table 27 is providing the characterization of the bimetallic catalysts under BET analysis.













TABLE 26










Metal




Total metal
composition
TMOS:K2PtCl4:NiCl2:



loading
(mmol/g)
H+:H2Ototal:NaOH











Entry
(mmol/g)
Pt
Ni
(equiv)














Si-0-B
0
0
0
1:0.000:0.000:0.004:






6.22:0.003


Si—Pt—Ni-1
0.15
0.07
0.08
1:0.005:0.003:0.003:


(52/48)



10.28:0.005


Si—Pt—Ni-2
0.08
0.06
0.02
1:0.004:0.004:0.003:


(71/29)



11.57:0.007


Si—Pt—Ni-3
0.09
0.03
0.06
1:0.010:0.006:0.003:


(36/64)



12.95:0.010


Si—Pt—Ni-4
0.18
0.14
0.05
1:0.008:0.008:0.003:


(75/25)



14.32:0.012





















TABLE 27








Surface
Pore Size
Pore Volume



Entry
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)









Si-0-B
621
30
0.32



Si—Pt—Ni-1
344
37
0.33



(52/48)



Si—Pt—Ni-2
307
34
0.28



(71/29)



Si—Pt—Ni-3
132
43
0.24



(36/64)



Si—Pt—Ni-4
242
38
0.27



(75/25)










Example 27
Platinum-Nickel Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Aryl Nitro Groups in the Presence of Halides

The nitro substrate (2 mmol, 1 equiv) and the Si—Pt—Ni catalyst prepared in example 26 are combined in methanol (10 mL) and stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature until GC/MS analysis indicated maximum conversion. The results are summarized in Table 28.














TABLE 28










a Mol %



% Conversion b













Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
Time
Product
Product
Aniline





28-2


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0.5 mol % Si—Pt—Ni-1
45 min


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96
6





28-4


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0.5 mol % Si—Pt—Ni-2
45 min


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99
1





28-6


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0.5 mol % Si—Pt—Ni-3
60 min


embedded image


95
3





28-8


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0.5 mol % Si—Pt—Ni-4
60 min


embedded image


97
3






a Mol % catalyst identified in Table 26 and used in reaction.




b The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 28
Preparation of Platinum-Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl (aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol. H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of K2PtCl4 and K2PdCl4 (from 0.0036 to 0.011 equiv, Pt:Pd=1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 molar ratio) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.053 to 0.079 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature under argon conditions, first time with a solution of sodium triacetoxyborohydride in anhydrous THF (Pd:Na(AcO)3BH=1:6 molar ratio, 0.06 M) and second time with a solution of sodium borohydride in anhydrous THF(Pt:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio, 0.04 M), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 29 as entries Si—Pt—Pd-1 to Si—Pt—Pd-3. The Table 30 is providing the characterization of the bimetallic catalysts under BET analysis.













TABLE 29










Metal




Total metal
composition
MTES:K2PtCl4:K2PdCl4:



loading
(mmol/g)
H+:H2Ototal:NaOH











Entry
(mmol/g)
Pt
Pd
(equiv)














Si-0-A
0
0
0
1:0.000:0.000:0.003:






4.89:0.023


Si—Pt—Pd-1
0.14
0.03
0.11
1:0.0036:0.011:0.003:


(20/80)



11.97:0.053


Si—Pt—Pd-2
0.13
0.07
0.06
1:0.073:0.0073:0.003:


(47/53)



12.67:0.066


Si—Pt—Pd-3
0.18
0.14
0.04
1:0.011:0.0036:0.003:


(75/25)



13.38:0.079





















TABLE 30








Surface
Pore Size
Pore Volume



Entry
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)









Si-0-A
591
46
0.68



Si—Pt—Pd-1
526
71
0.93



(20/80)



Si—Pt—Pd-2
540
75
0.99



(47/53)



Si—Pt—Pd-3
460
80
0.93



(75/25)










Example 29
Platinum-Palladium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Arenes Under Mild Conditions

The substrate (2 mmol, 1 equiv) and the Si—Pt—Pd catalyst prepared in example 28 are combined in methanol or hexanes (10 mL) and stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature. The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis. The results are summarized in Table 31.















TABLE 31








a Mol %

Time



b Conversion



Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Solvent
Product
(%)





















31-1


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1 mol % Si—Pt—Pd-1
24
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


37





31-2


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1 mol % Si—Pt—Pd-2
24
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


30





31-3


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1 mol % Si—Pt—Pd-3
24
MeOH (0.2M)


embedded image


65





31-4


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2.5 mol %   Si—Pt—Pd-3
24
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


97





31-5


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2.5 mol %   Si—Pt—Pd-3
24
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


99





31-6


embedded image


2.5 mol %   Si—Pt—Pd-3
24
Hexanes (0.5M)


embedded image


100






a Mol % catalyst identified in Table 29 and used in reaction.




b The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 30
Preparation of Rhodium-Platinum-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HCl(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 555 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of RhCl3xH2O and K2PtCl4 (from 0.0018 to 0.0054 equiv, Rh:Pt=1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 molar ratio) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.053 to 0.079 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature under argon conditions with a solution of sodium borohydride in anhydrous THF (Rh+Pt:NaBH4=1:12), 0.12 M), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 32 as entries Si—Rh—Pt-1 to Si—Rh—Pt-3. The Table 33 is providing the characterization of the bimetallic catalysts under BET analysis.













TABLE 32










Metal




Total metal
composition
MTES:RhCl3xH2O:



loading
(mmol/g)
K2PtCl4:H+:H2Ototal:











Entry
(mmol/g)
Rh
Pt
NaOH (equiv)














Si-0-A
0
0
0
1:0.000:0.000:0.003:






4.89:0.023


Si—Rh—Pt-1
0.09
0.03
0.06
1:0.0018:0.0054:0.003:


(32/68)



11.97:0.053


Si—Rh—Pt-2
0.07
0.04
0.03
1:0.0036:0.0036:0.003:


(60/40)



15.24:0.066


Si—Rh—Pt-3
0.11
0.09
0.02
1:0.0054:0.0018:0.003:


(80/20)



18.14:0.079





















TABLE 33








Surface
Pore Size
Pore Volume



Entry
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)









Si-0-A
591
46
0.68



Si—Rh—Pt-1
511
66
0.91



(32/68)



Si—Rh—Pt-2
526
72
0.99



(60/40)



Si—Rh—Pt-3
500
76
1.05



(80/20)










Example 31
Rhodium-Platinum-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Hydrogenation of Arenes Under Mild Conditions

The substrate (2.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and the Si—Rh—Pt catalyst prepared in example 30 are combined in hexanes (10 mL) and stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm) at room temperature. The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis. The results are summarized in Table 34.














TABLE 34








a Mol %

Time


b Conversion



Entry
Substrate
Catalyst
(h)
Product
(%)




















34-1


embedded image


0.5 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-1
1


embedded image


100





34-2


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-1
3


embedded image


100





34-3


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-2
1


embedded image


100





34-4


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-3
1


embedded image


60





34-5


embedded image


  1 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-3
3


embedded image


100





34-6


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-1
1


embedded image


100





34-7


embedded image


0.1 mol % Si—Rh—Pt-1
1


embedded image


98






a Mol % catalyst identified in Table 32 and used in reaction.




b The conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 32
Preparation of Iridium-Containing Organosilica Catalyst

A mixture of MTES (27 g, 30 mL, 151.4 mmol) and 10 mL of 0.042 M HNO3(aq) (0.42 mmol H+ and 554 mmol H2O) is stirred vigorously for 15 minutes (or until the solution is homogeneous). The resulting solution is concentrated on rotavapor at 30° C. under reduced pressure until complete ethanol removal (with completeness being ensured by weighing). The resulting hydrogel is doped by addition of a solution of IrCl3 (from 0.005 to 0.1 equiv) dissolved in distilled and deionized water (for better solubility) and 60 mL acetonitrile. To this mixture is added NaOH(aq) 1M (from 0.026 to 0.053 equiv) to favor the gelation process. The resulting homogeneous and clear gel is left open to dry at ambient temperature for about 4 days. The xerogel thereby obtained is then reduced at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in THF (Ir:NaBH4=1:12 molar ratio; 0.9 M), washed with H2O and THF and left open to dry at room temperature. The resulting catalysts are reported in Table 35 as entries Si—Ir-1 and Si—Ir-2.














TABLE 35








Pore
Pores
MTES:IrCl3:H+:



Loading
Surface
Size
Volume
H2Ototal:NaOH


Entry
(mmol/g)
(m2/g)
(Å)
(cm3/g)
(equiv)







Si—Ir-1
0.05
543
43
0.42
1:0.005:0.003:16.06:







0.026


Si—Ir-2
0.10
551
68
1.34
1:0.01:0.003:21.13:







0.053









Example 33
Iridium-Containing Organosilica Catalytic Reactions—Reduction of a Double Bond

The substrate (0.5 mmol, 1 equiv) and the Si—Ir catalyst prepared in example 32 in ethanol (5 mL) are stirred at room temperature under hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm.). After completion of the reaction, the catalyst is filtered off and washed with ethanol. Conversion to the desired product is determined by GC/MS analysis with respect to the substrate. The results are summarized in Table 36.














TABLE 36







% Mol
Time


bConversion



Entry
Substrate

acatalyst

(h)
Product
(%)







36-1


embedded image


5 mol % Si—Ir-1
17


embedded image


100





36-2


embedded image


5 mol % Si—Ir-2
17


embedded image


100






aMol % catalyst identified in Table 35 and used in reaction.




bThe conversion with respect to the substrate is determined by GC/MS analysis







Example 34

29Si Solid NMR

Solid state NMR spectra are recorded on a Bruker Avance spectrometer (Milton, ON) at a Silicon frequency of 79.5 MHz. Samples are spun at 8 kHz at magic angle at room temperature in a 4 mm ZrO rotor. A Hahn echo sequence synchronized with the spinning speed is used while applying a TPPM15 composite pulse decoupling during acquisition. 2400 acquisitions are recorded with a recycling delay of 30 seconds. The catalysts analyzed correspond to those of examples 1, 5 and 17. The results are shown in Table 37.















TABLE 37








T1
T2
T3
T1:T2:T3



Catalyst
ppm
ppm
ppm
(%)






















Literature1
−46
−56
−66




Si-0-A
0
−55.58
−66.38
0:10:90



Si—Pd-1
0
−55.64
−65.18
0:10:90



Si—Pd-2
0
−55.78
−65.32
0:10:90



Si—Pd-3
0
−55.58
−65.27
0:10:90



Si—Pd-4
0
−54.76
−65.06
0:10:90



Si—Pt-3
0
−55.42
−66.94
0:5:95



Si—Cu-6
0
−55.22
−66.28
0:5:95








1Q. Cai, Z.-S. Luo, W.-Q. Pang, Y.-W. Fan, X.-H. Chan, and F. Z. Cui, Chemistry of Materials, 2001, 13, p. 258-263







Example 35
X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD)

The crystallinity of the active phase in the catalysts is determined using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques performed on a Siemens D-5000 X-ray diffractometer. The catalysts are subjected to a monochromatic Cu Kα radiation source (λ=1.5418) and spectra are recorded in the 2θ range of 10-90° at a scan speed of 1°/min and a step scan of 0.02°. The amorphous RSiO1/2, SiO2 adsorbent is confirmed by observing the characteristic wide diffractogram displayed by this material, while the crystalline lattice of the O-M reference materials depicted a succession of sharp peaks. The mean particle size are estimated by analyzing the broadening of the (111) reflection and calculated by the Scherrer equation (Scherrer formula: d=0.9λ/β cos θ, where λ is the wavelength of X-ray radiation, and β is the full-width at half maximum line width in radians). The results are presented in Table 38.













TABLE 38











bDiffraction angle 2θ

Mean particle












Catalyst
111
200
220
311
size (nm)






a0-Pd

40.12
46.66
68.12
82.10
N.A.


Si—Pd-4
39.96
46.66
68.11
81.90
5.7 



a0-Pt

39.76
46.24
67.46
81.29
N.A.


Si—Pt-1
39.76
46.16
67.74
81.12
1.70


Si—Pt-2
39.86
46.04
67.52
80.62
2.92


Si—Pt-3
39.76
46.16
67.62
81.25
3.15



a0-Ag

38.12
44.28
64.43
77.48
N.A.


Si—Ag-1
38.09
44.16
64.46
77.33
1.01



a0-Cu

43.29
50.43
74.13
89.93
N.A.


Si—Cu-3
43.29
50.42
73.91

0.5 






aThe Powder Diffraction File of The International Centre for Diffraction Data is used to identified the diffractions peaks characteristic of crystalline M(0) with a face centered cubic (fcc) lattice identified 0-M (M: Pd, Pt, Ag, Cu).







Example 36
GC/MS Analysis

The conversion with respect to the substrate was determined by GC/MS analysis using a Perkin Elmer Clarus 600 Gas Chromatograph equipped with a Perkin Elmer Clarus 600C Mass Spectrometer.


GC Method: Column RTX-5 ms, 30M×0.25 mm×0.25 um; injection: 1 uL at Split mode (20:1); injector temperature: 280° C.; oven temperature: 50° C. hold for 4.5 minutes, ramp at 25° C./min until reach 300° C. and hold for 0.5 minute (total runtime=15.00 minutes); transfer line temperature: 280° C.; carrier: Helium at 1 mL/minute. MS Method: Ionisation Mode: EI+; scan mass: m/z between 2 and 600; scan time: between 0 and 15 minutes.


While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications and that this application is intended to cover any variation, use, or adaptation of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure that come within known, or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A metal-containing organosilica catalyst comprising one or more metal catalyst or a precursor thereof and silica, wherein said metal catalyst or a precursor thereof is incorporated into a network of Si—O—Si bonds of said silica.
  • 2. The metal-containing organosilica catalyst of claim 1, wherein the metal in said metal-containing organosilica catalyst is a transition metal or a metal of columns IIIa to VIa of the periodic table.
  • 3. A process for preparing a metal-containing organosilica catalyst, comprising, i) mixing a silicon source with an hydrolytic solvent;ii) adding one or more metal catalyst or a precursor thereof;iii) treating the mixture of step ii) with a condensation catalyst andiv) optionally treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with one or more reducing agent such as to provide the required oxidation level to the metal catalyst.
  • 4. The process of claim 3 wherein said step iv) is comprising treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with one or more reducing agent.
  • 5. The process of claim 4 wherein said reducing agent includes hydride-based reducing agents.
  • 6. The process of claim 3 wherein said step ii) is adding one or more precursor of said metal catalyst.
  • 7. The process of claim 6 wherein said metal precursor is a metal complex, a metal salt or their corresponding anhydrous or solvated forms.
  • 8. The process of claim 3 wherein said silicon source is a compound of formula R4-xSi(L)x wherein R is an alkyl, an aryl or an alkyl-aryl such as a benzyl, L is independently CI, Br, I or OR′ wherein R′ is an alkyl or benzyl and x is an integer of 1 to 4.
  • 9. A process of conducting a metal-catalyzed reaction, the process comprising using a metal-containing organosilica catalyst as defined in claim 1 for conducting the metal-catalyzed reaction.
  • 10. A method for conducting a catalytic reaction comprising providing a metal-containing organosilica catalyst as described in claim 1, providing at least one reactant capable of entering into said catalytic reaction, allowing said at least one reactant to diffuse and adsorb onto the metal of said metal-containing organosilica catalyst and allowing a product resulting from said catalytic reaction to desorb from the metal and diffuse away from the solid surface to regenerate a catalytic site onto the metal of said metal-containing organosilica catalyst.
  • 11. The process of claim 4 wherein said step ii) is adding one or more precursor of said metal catalyst.
  • 12. The process of claim 5 wherein said step ii) is adding one or more precursor of said metal catalyst.
  • 13. The process of claim 4 wherein said silicon source is a compound of formula R4-x(Si(L)x wherein R is an alkyl, an aryl or an alkyl-aryl such as a benzyl, L is independently CI, Br, I or OR′ wherein R′ is an alkyl or benzyl and x is an integer of 1 to 4.
  • 14. The process of claim 5 wherein said silicon source is a compound of formula R4-xSi(L)x wherein R is an alkyl, an aryl or an alkyl-aryl such as a benzyl, L is independently Cl, Br, I or OR′ wherein R′ is an alkyl or benzyl and x is an integer of 1 to 4.
  • 15. The process of claim 6 wherein said silicon source is a compound of formula R4-xSi(L)x wherein R is an alkyl, an aryl or an alkyl-aryl such as a benzyl, L is independently Cl, Br, I or OR′ wherein R′ is an alkyl or benzyl and x is an integer of 1 to 4.
  • 16. The process of claim 7 wherein said silicon source is a compound of formula R4-xSi(L)x (wherein R is an alkyl, an aryl or an alkyl-aryl such as a benzyl, L is independently Cl, Br, I or OR′ wherein R′ is an alkyl or benzyl and x is an integer of 1 to 4.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
61/086022 Aug 2008 US national
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application 61/086,022 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind 371c Date
PCT/CA09/01098 8/4/2009 WO 00 4/18/2011