Abstract Direct and regioselective functionalization of pyridine is a topic of high scientific and technological importance. In spite of extensive efforts, the regioselective functionalization of pyridine still remains a significant challenge due to their low reactivity and presence of Lewis‐basic sp2nitrogen. Here, we studied the effect of hydrogen bonding interactions on the regiochemical outcome of Pd‐mediated C−H activation of pyridine by utilizing DFT calculations. We demonstrated that hydrogen bonding can act as a second independent factor to override the inherent regioselectivity of pyridine. This novel approach complements previously reported strategies, such as: (a) coordination of pyridine to transition metal center via its N‐center, (b) installation of directing group (DG) and then coordination of pyridine to the transition metal center via this DG (i. e. chelation assistant strategy), (c) protection of its nitrogen lone pair with N‐oxide or N‐imino groups or with Lewis acids, (d) the inherent positional reactivity of C−H bonds based on the electronic or steric properties of the substituents, and (e) by the identity of the oxidant used. We have also demonstrated that the oxidation state of the Pd catalyst has impact on the regiochemical outcome of the C−H activation step in pyridine. The implications of our study for regioselective C−H functionalization catalyst design of heteroarenes are twofold: It demonstrates (1) hydrogen bonding as a viable design principle, and (2) Pd(IV) as a catalyst for C−H functionalization.
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Tunable Catalytic Performance of Palladium Nanoparticles for H2O2 Direct Synthesis via Surface-Bound Ligands
There is a critical need for sustainable routes to produce hydrogen peroxide, H2O2. A promising approach involves direct synthesis from molecular hydrogen and oxygen at (sub)ambient temperatures using unmodified supported Pd catalysts, which are limited by low selectivities. Controlling the environment of Pd active sites via surface ligands is shown to enhance selectivity. Trends among a myriad of surface ligands (i.e., phosphines, thiols, weakly bound molecules) suggest that those containing H-bonding groups lead to the highest H2O2 production, potentially by affecting reaction energetics via H-bonding with key intermediates. These insights lay the groundwork for ligand design to achieve the optimal catalyst performance for H2O2 synthesis.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1900176
- PAR ID:
- 10170780
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ACS catalysis
- Volume:
- 10
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 2155-5435
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 5202–5207
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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