M.S.

No / Propargylic sulfones can be cis-hydrogenated using commercial zinc powder and ammonium chloride in THF¿water at room temperature, the major products being the corresponding (Z)-allylic sulfones. Other reducible groups (alkene, benzyloxy) are not affected. Allenylsulfones are implicated in one of the possible reaction pathways.

Cette étude de la fonctionnalisation de graphène se base principalement sur la monocouche de graphène épitaxiée sur SiC. Les propriétés électroniques, structurales et les compositions chimiques du graphène fonctionnalisé sont étudiées. L'incorporation d'azote dans le graphène réalisée par les procédures à base de plasma montre un décalage de niveaux inoccupés du graphène vers EF , obtenue par les analyses spectroscopie de photoémission inverse en résolution angulaire. Ce dopage-n est attribué à la présence de graphitique-N. De plus, la configuration des espèces de N substitués dans le graphène peut être contrôlée efficacement par l'énergie, les espèces d'azote incidentes, et l'épaisseur du graphène de départ. L'hydrogénation de la couche tampon de graphène (BLG) à température variante sature les liaisons pendantes de Si de l'interface différemment, soit par la formation de nouvelles liaisons C-Si à température ambiente, soit par les hydrogènes intercalés. Le BLG devient fortement-isolant dans le premier cas, et devient une monocouche de graphène quasi-autoportante (QFSG) dans le second, permettant un nouveau concept de fabrication des dispositifs à base de graphène sur SiC. La réaction/couplage entre des molécules pi-conjugué et les graphène vierge ou fonctionnalisé est aussi étudiée. Les états inoccupés des molécules à base de perylene sont légèrement modiffiées sur le graphène dopé N à cause d'un renforcement de transfert de charge. Des réactions chimiques entre les molécules perylenes et le graphène sont observées aprés l'exposition aux électrons de basse énergie. En résumé, cette étude permettra une meilleure maîtrise des propriétés des matériaux 2D comme le graphène. / In order to promote 2D materials like graphene to their numerous applications, new methodsaltering their electronic and chemical properties have to be mastered. In this thesis, theprocesses of chemical doping and hydrogenation of monolayer graphene grown on SiC are investigated. Nitrogen atoms are successfully substituted in the graphene lattice using plasma-basedmethods. The bonding configurations of the incorporated N can be controlled via the nature and energy of exposing species and the thickness of the pristine graphene. An n-type doping, revealed by angle-resolved inverse photoemission spectroscopy (ARIPES), is found in most N-doped graphene and is assigned to the presence of graphitic-N. Hydrogenations of the buffer layer of graphene (BLG) on SiC at ambient or high temperatures saturate the remaining Si dangling bonds at BLG/SiC interface in two different ways, either by inducing additional C-Si bonds or by H intercalation. This results in 2D materials with distinct characters, an insulating, graphane-like H-BLG or a quasi-free-standing graphene, which may be used as a new concept for the engineering of graphene-based devices. The interactions between pi-conjugated molecules and the functionalized graphene are also investigated. The unoccupied states of molecules are altered by the presence of incorporated N, but the degradation of molecules due to low-energy electron exposure seems not enhanced by the doping nitrogen under the studied conditions. Nevertheless, the functionalization of graphene is demonstrated and its electronic and chemical properties are carefully studied, which should help to faster further applications employing functionalized graphene.

Under the conditions of transfer hydrogenation employing ortho-cyclometallated iridium C,O-benzoate catalysts, two protocols of iterative chain elongation of 1,3-diols to furnish 1,3-polyols were developed. First, one-directional chain elongation employing mono-protected 1,3-diols as starting materials was achieved. In all cases, high levels of catalyst-directed enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity were observed. Then, double asymmetric allylation of 1,n-glycols to deliver C₂-symmetric adducts with exceptional level of enantioselectivity was devised. Iterative two-directional elongation of 1,3-diols to furnish 1,3-polyols with high level of catalyst-directed diastereoselectivity was then achieved. Implementation of this methodology and other hydrogenative C-C bond formations proved to be effective means for the preparation of a known bryostatin A-ring fragment and the total synthesis of bryostatin 7. / text

Dans cette thèse, la synthèse, la caractérisation et les applications en catalyse de nanoparticules mono- et bimétalliques à base de rhodium sont décrites. Le rhodium a été choisi comme métal central de cette étude en raison de son intérêt reconnu en catalyse, principalement pour les réactions d'hydrogénation et d'hydroformylation. La synthèse de nanoparticules de rhodium monométalliques constitue le coeur de ce travail. Elle a été réalisée par décomposition du complexe organométallique [Rh(C3H5)3] en solution, sous pression de dihydrogène et en présence de différents stabilisants tels que des ligands et des polymères pour contrôler la croissance des particules. Certaines nanoparticules ont été déposées sur la surface d'une silice magnétique fonctionnalisée par des groupements amines utilisée comme support, dans un objectif de récupération plus aisée pour le recyclage des catalyseurs. Diverses nanoparticules bimétalliques ont également été préparées par co-décomposition du complexe [Rh(C3H5)3] avec d'autres précurseurs organométalliques, incluant [Ni(cod)2], [Ru(cod)(cot)], [Pt(nor)3] et [Pd(dba)2]2. En modulant les ratios de métaux entre [Rh] et le second métal [M], ainsi que la nature et la quantité de stabilisant utilisé pour la synthèse, des nanoparticules de tailles et de compositions chimiques différentes ont pu être obtenues. La caractérisation des nanoparticules ainsi préparées a été menée en utilisant une combinaison de techniques de l'état de l'art (TEM, HRTEM, STEM-EDX, ICP, WAXS, EXAFS, XANES, XPS, RMN ...). Pour certaines nanoparticules de rhodium, des études de surface ont été réalisées, par adsorption du CO sur la surface des particules et un suivi par des techniques spectroscopiques (FT-IR, RMN) pour sonder leur état de surface. Un autre aspect de ce travail a concerné l'évaluation des nanoparticules synthétisées dans des réactions catalytiques, en particulier réactions d'hydrogénation avec des particules monométalliques de Rh et réaction d'hydrogénolyse avec des nanoparticules bimétalliques RhNiOx. Dans le cas de la catalyse d'hydrogénation, des études en conditions colloïdales et supportées ont été réalisées. L'originalité de ce travail réside dans le développement d'outils de synthèse simples inspirés de la chimie organométallique pour obtenir des nanoparticules à base de rhodium bien contrôlées en termes de taille, distribution en taille, composition et état de surface, tous ces paramètres étant importants quelle que soit l'application visée. L'intérêt des nanoparticules obtenues en catalyse a également été mis en évidence dans différentes réactions. Ce travail de thèse offre de nouvelles opportunités de recherche, tant en nanochimie qu'en catalyse. / In this thesis, synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications of mono- and bi-metallic rhodium-based nanoparticles are reported. Rhodium has been chosen as a primary metal given its high interest in catalysis, mainly in hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions. The synthesis of mono-metallic rhodium nanoparticles (NPs) is the core of this work. It was performed by decomposition of the organometallic complex [Rh(C3H5)3] in solution under dihydrogen pressure and in the presence of different stabilizers including ligands and polymers to control the growth of the particles. Selected nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of amino-functionalized magnetic silica as a support for recovery and recycling concerns in catalysis. Diverse bi-metallic nanoparticles have been also prepared in one-pot conditions by co-decomposition of the [Rh(C3H5)3] with other organometallic precursors including [Ni(cod)2], [Ru(cod)(cot)], [Pt(nor)3] and [Pd(dba)2]2. Tuning of the metal ratios between [Rh] and the second metal [M], or of the nature and the amount of the stabilizer used for the synthesis allowed to obtain nanoparticles of different sizes and chemical compositions. The characterization of the obtained nanoparticles was performed by using a combination of state-of-art techniques (TEM, HRTEM, STEM-EDX, ICP, WAXS, EXAFS, Xanes, XPS, NMR...). Surface studies were carried out in some cases, by adsorbing CO on the surface of the particles which was followed by spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, NMR) to probe their surface state. Some of these nanoparticles were investigated in catalytic reactions, mainly hydrogenation with Rh NPs and hydrogenolysis for RhNiOx NPs. Both colloidal and supported catalytic studies were carried out in the case of hydrogenation catalysis. The originality of this work lies in the development of simple synthesis tools inspired from organometallic chemistry to get well-controlled rhodium-based nanoparticles in terms of size, size distribution, composition and surface state, all these parameters being important whatever the target application. The interest of the obtained nanoparticles in catalysis has been also evidenced in different reactions. This PhD work may open new opportunities of research both in nanochemistry and catalysis.

No description available.

This thesis describes the development of the [RuCl₂(P N N)L] catalytic system for asymmetric hydrogenation. It has been demonstrated that the current system is efficient in preparing a range of bulky chiral alcohols in good enantioselectivity, many of which are likely to be inaccessible using the more classic [RuCl₂(P P)N N)] system developed by Noyori and coworkers. It has been shown that the current system is tolerant of a range of substrate electronic effects as well as the presence of heteroaromatic functionality, thus showing its applicability in synthesis. This has been extended to prepare a number of bulky derivatives of synthetically important molecules. The demonstration of this is significant as in drug design, for example, studies that aim to extend lipophilicity or steric bulk make the ability to prepare alcohols across the full range of steric properties important. We have shown that chiral alcohols with adjacent gem-dimethyl groups can be prepared in high enantioselectivity and their conversion into other valuable molecules, such as chiral lactones has been demonstrated. Detailed mechanistic studies have been undertaken for the present system in order to aid rational design of new, more active and selective catalysts. A number of achiral variants of the original system have been prepared and the key features of ligand structure for efficient catalysis have been identified. This was accomplished by rigorous kinetic analysis of each complex, using specialist gas-uptake monitoring equipment. The key features of catalyst structure and optimal reaction conditions for efficient asymmetric hydrogenation have been identified. Our greater understanding of the present system allowed us to rationally design new catalysts of for enantioselective hydrogenation. Our aim was to be able to tune the catalyst structure to carry out hydrogenation of a greater variety of ketone substrate with high activity and selectivity. We have successfully prepared second generation catalysts that show enhanced enantioselectivity for a variety of substrates, many of which were problematic with the Noyori system.

No description available.

Hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) has been carried out industrially for a number of years, producing a material with exceptional resilience to high temperatures and oxidative conditions. Current processes involve a batch reactor which is difficult to optimize further for larger scale production. A continuous process for this particular process is required in order to provide a large volume of production with consistent qualities. The integration of heat balance could be realized in a continuous process. A novel continuous process for hydrogenation of NBR has been developed in the present work. A multistage agitated contactor (MAC) was proposed as a gas liquid reactor for this process. Comprehensive hydrodynamic data have been acquired under various process conditions. The hydrodynamic behaviour under different operating variables such as stirring speed, liquid flow rate and gas flow rate has been understood through experimental study. It is found that an increase in stirring speed intensifies liquid backmixing while an increase liquid flow rate decreases liquid backmixing. The presence of gas flow helps in reducing liquid back mixing by two coupled effects: liquid entrainment effect due to a cocurrent operation manner and a strengthening effect of liquid flow rate due to its reduction of liquid hold-up. Contradictory conclusions regarding the effect of liquid viscosity on liquid backmixing in a MAC have been resolved through experimental investigation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. It is shown that an increase in liquid velocity dampens turbulence which contributes to liquid phase backmixing within the reactor. The established hydrodynamic understanding of MACs in the present work widens its potential application for gas liquid process. Based on comprehensive understanding of the proposed reactor, a bench-scale prototype was designed and constructed in order to demonstrate hydrogenation performance. One more efficient catalyst for NBR hydrogenation, an osmium-based catalyst, was used in the present work. Hydrogenation degree of NBR in the continuous unit was investigated at operating conditions relevant to industrial applications. It is indicated from the experimental results that a desired hydrogenation degree of over 95% in 2.5% and 5% NBR solutions can be achieved at the conditions investigated. It is also shown that both system pressure and catalyst loading increase hydrogenation conversion. Mathematical modeling of the designed process was established by coupling the intrinsic catalytic hydrogenation from batch studies and flow behavior of the reactor. A cascade of stirred tanks with back flow (CTB) model was used to characterize the dynamic hydrogenation performance in a MAC. The comparison of experimental results and numerical prediction indicates that the established model could satisfactorily predict the hydrogenation in the designed process with consideration of approximately 30%-50% catalyst deactivated due to impurities and oxygen contamination in the polymer solution. A revised n CSTRs-in-series model was proposed to predict the hydrogenation degree at steady state and a good agreement was found when comparing the predicted results with the experimental data. A continuous process for hydrogenation at a pilot scale was designed based on the primary results from the bench scale process. A process with a capacity of 50 tons/year was targeted and the hydrogenation efficiency provided by the pilot scale unit has been estimated through the established reactor model.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemical Engineering / Keith L. Hohn / In this study, Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts were used to catalyze the hydrodeoxygenation of 2,3-butanediol to butenes in a single reactor in the presence of hydrogen. The carbon selectivity of butenes increased with increasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio (lowering acidity of zeolite) and H₂/2,3-butanediol ratio. Cu/ZSM-5 with a SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of 280 showed the best activity toward the production of butenes. On zeolite ZSM-5(280), the carbon selectivity of butenes increased with increasing copper loading and 19.2wt% of CuO showed the highest selectivity of butenes (maximum 71%). The optimal reaction temperature is around 250 °C. Experiments demonstrated that methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and 2-methylpropanal are the intermediates in the conversion of 2,3-butanediol to butenes. The optimal performance toward the production of butene is the result of a balance between copper and acid catalytic functions. Due to the functionalized nature of 2,3-butanediol, a variety of reactions can occur during the conversion of 2,3-butanediol, especially when multiple catalyst functionalities are present. To investigate the role of the metal (Cu) and acid sites in the process of reaction, the reaction kinetics for all major intermediate products (acetoin, MEK, 2-methylpropanal, 2-butanol and 2-methyl-1-propanol) were measured over Cu/ZSM-5(280), HZSM-5(280), and Cu/SiO₂ at 250 °C. The results showed that Cu is the active site for hydrogenation reactions, while the acidic sites on the zeolite are active for dehydration reactions. In addition, dehydration of alcohols over the zeolite is much faster than hydrogenation of ketone (MEK) and aldehyde (2-methylpropanal). A kinetic model employing Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics was constructed in order to predict 2,3-butanediol chemistry over Cu/ZSM-5(280). The goal of this model was to predict the trends for all species involved in the reactions. Reactions were assumed to occur on two sites (acid and metal sites) with competitive adsorption between all species on those sites. Two different types of mesoporous materials (Al-MCM-48, Al-SBA-15) and hierarchical zeolite (meso-ZSM-5) were loaded with ~20wt% CuO and investigated in the conversion of 2,3-butanediol to butenes. The results showed that the existence of mesopores on the catalysts (Al-MCM-48 and Al-SBA-15 types) could decrease the selectivities of products from cracking reactions, especially C₃= and C₅=−C₇= by comparison with the catalyst with ~20wt% CuO loaded on the regular HZSM-5(280); meanwhile, the selectivity of C₈= from oligomerization of butenes was found to increase with increasing pore size of the catalysts. With respect to Cu/meso-ZSM-5(280) catalyst, it can be seen that the catalyst performs in a similar way to both Cu/ZSM-5(280) catalyst and mesoporous copper catalysts (Cu/Al-MCM-48 and Cu/Al-SBA-15) since both micropores (diameter of ~0.55 nm) and mesopores (pore size of ~23 nm) exist on meso-ZSM-5(280). The results from Cu catalysts were compared with four other metal catalysts (Ni, Pd, Rh and Pt). It was found that Cu is not very active for hydrogenation of butenes, but is active for hydrogenation of carbonyl groups (C=O) to form hydroxyl groups (−OH). Pd, on the other hand, is active in further hydrogenating butenes and other unsaturated hydrocarbons. Both Ni and Rh catalysts are good for hydrogenation of olefins and cracking of heavy hydrocarbons; however, Rh is not as good as Ni for the hydrogenation of the carbonyl group (C=O) of MEK. In addition, Pt favors the formation of heavy aromatics such as 5-ethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene, while Pd is active for the production of xylene.