Hydrogenation of hydrophobic substrates catalyzed by gold nanoparticles embedded in Tetronic/cyclodextrin-based hydrogels

• Published in: New journal of chemistry Vol. 43; no. 25; pp. 9865 - 9872
• Main Authors: Chevry, M, Menuel, S, Léger, B, Noël, S, Monflier, E, Hapiot, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 24.06.2019; Royal Society of Chemistry [1987-....]
• Subjects: Aldehydes; Alkenes; Alkynes; Catalysis; Catalytic activity; Chemical Sciences; Cyclodextrins; Gold; Heating; Hydrogels; Hydrogenation; Nanoparticles; Sol-gel processes; Substrates; Transition temperature
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nj06081a

Hydrogenation of alkenes, alkynes and aldehydes was investigated under biphasic conditions using Au nanoparticles (AuNP) embedded into combinations of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and a poloxamine (Tetronic®90R4). Thermo-responsive AuNP-containing α-CD/Tetronic®90R4 hydrogels are formed under well-defined conditions of concentration. The AuNP displayed an average size of ca. 7 nm and a narrow distribution, as determined by TEM. The AuNP/α-CD/Tetronic®90R4 system proved to be stable over time. Upon heating above the gel-to-sol transition temperature, the studied catalytic system allowed hydrogenation of a wide range of substrates such as alkenes, alkynes and aldehydes under biphasic conditions. Upon repeated heating/cooling cycles, the Au NP/α-CD/Tetronic®90R4 catalytic system could be recycled several times without a significant decline in catalytic activity. Hydrogenation of alkenes, alkynes and aldehydes was investigated under biphasic conditions using Au nanoparticles (AuNP) embedded into combinations of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and a poloxamine (Tetronic®90R4).