By Dr. Chianelli, The University of Texas at El Paso, Materials Research & Technology Institute
Researchers at Cardiff University in Wales reported that gold/palladium nano-particles are effective catalysts for selectively activating C–H bonds, allowing insertion of oxygen to create useful chemicals.1 The particular reaction reported was the reaction of oxygen with toluene to form benzyl benzoate.2 The Cardiff group, led by Graham Hutchings, has surprisingly demonstrated the important catalytic activity exhibited by normally inert noble metals such as gold.3 For example, they showed that gold/palladium nanoparticles would combine oxygen and hydrogen to form H2O2. This reaction has many potential useful applications in energy for fuels.4 One such hoped for reaction is the activation of the terminal C–H bonds of straight chain hydrocarbons, allowing the production of more useful products.
- C&EN, “A New Feat for Gold Catalysts” 1/10/2011, page 9.
- Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1198458.
- C&EN, 5/10/2010, page 42.
- C&EN, 2/23/2009, page 8.