A new catalyst for the efficient oxidation of reactive alkanes

A breakthrough in the field of catalysis has emerged from the laboratories of Prof. Jaehung Cho and his team in the Department of Chemistry at UNIST. Their pioneering work led to the development of copper(II)-alkylperoxo complexes that would revolutionize synthetic chemistry and industrial applications. study Published in ACS catalysis.

The key to this innovative catalyst lies in its remarkable ability to break strong carbon-hydrogen bonds (CH bonds) by using specific solvents. By precisely manipulating the solvent environment, the researchers discovered the exceptional reactivity of their copper(II)-alkylperoxo complex.

Through a series of precisely designed experiments, the research team successfully synthesized a copper(II)-alkylperoxo complex and subjected it to supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO).₂), the liquid state of carbon dioxide, which simultaneously exhibits gas and liquid properties. This innovative approach resulted in the most reactive metal-alkylperoxo peroxide compound to date.

Professor Cho said, „Our detailed analysis of oxidation reactions and advanced theoretical calculations have ushered in a new era in oxidation catalysis using copper(II)-alkylperoxo as a catalyst.”

Of particular importance is the oxidation of nonreactive alkanes such as methane and ethane, traditionally known for their stability and energy-intensive oxidation processes. By designing a copper(II)-alkylperoxo complex, the researchers achieved the selective oxidation of unreacted alkanes, a major advance in catalytic science. Furthermore, the group's study of various solvents confirmed the catalyst's unprecedented ability to break elastic C−H bonds.

Yuri Lee, first author of the study, said, „Our research represents a milestone in reactivity manipulation through solvent engineering within copper(II)-alkylperoxo species.”

Professor Cho said, „Our work not only demonstrates the exceptional oxidation capabilities of copper(II)-alkylperoxo species, but also elucidates their solvent-dependent reactivity, laying the foundation for cutting-edge metal catalysis in various scientific domains.”

The research team anticipates that this transformative research will not only push the boundaries of synthetic chemistry, but also hold great promise for environmental and industrial applications, ushering in a new era of catalytic excellence and sustainable technology.