Unraveling Metal/Pincer Ligand Effects in the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Formate

The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formate is an intriguing reaction from both an environmental and an energy perspective, primarily due to the prospective uses of the product as a platform chemical in numerous applications such as an organic hydrogen carrier. Although several transition-metal-based catalysts have been shown to facilitate this chemical transformation, few guidelines exist on how best to tune the catalysts in order to achieve maximum activity. Here, we use linear scaling relationships and molecular volcano plots to gauge the potential of different metal-pincer catalysts for the aforementioned reaction. Analysis of combinations of five metals (Ru, Os, Co, Rh, and Ir) and seven tridentate pincer-type ligands reveals several complexes lying near the volcano top, suggesting that these species have nearly ideal energetic profiles for facilitating the hydrogenation reaction. In particular, catalysts bearing group 9 metal centers (Ir, Rh, Co) with pi-acidic ligands provide a clear route to improving catalytic activity. Overall, these findings highlight how linear scaling relationships and molecular volcano plots provide unique insight into the underlying stereoelectronic factors that make specific metal-ligand combinations highly efficient catalysts.

Hydrogen storage in the carbon dioxide/formic acid system, using homogeneous iron(II)-phosphine catalysts in aqueous solution

Mickael Montandon-Clerc

The valorization of carbon dioxide and its transformation into useful chemicals is essential as mankind consumes more and more fossil fuels, thus producing equivalent wastes. The storage of hydrogen, a promising energy carrier, is also of great interest in developing a sustainable future. Here, we present our results on aqueous phase formic acid (FA) dehydrogenation reaction using non-noble metal, iron based pre-catalysts. We have synthesized the m-trisulfonated-tris[2-(diphe nylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine sodium salt (PP3TS), a water soluble polydentate ligand. The catalysts, with iron (II), were formed in situ and were active in homogeneous catalytic, selective formic acid dehydrogenation resulting in H2 and CO2 from aqueous formic acid solutions. This required no organic co-solvents, bases or any additives. Manometry, multinuclear NMR and FT-IR techniques were used to follow the dehydrogenation reactions, calculate kinetic parameters, and analyze the gas mixtures for purity. The iron (II) catalyst is entirely selective and the H2 and CO2 gas mixture is free from CO contamination. To the best of our knowledge, these represent the first examples of first row transition metal based catalysts that dehydrogenate quantitatively formic acid in aqueous solution. The reverse reaction, the direct CO2 hydrogenation using an iron (II) phosphine catalyst is also presented here. In water, using the same iron (II) catalyst precursor with PP3TS as the ligand, up to 0.5 M of formic acid can be produced without any additives, i.e. in acidic aqueous solutions. These results were obtained at room temperature and under hydrogen and carbon dioxide pressures. The system is not sensitive to oxygen or air exposure. Therefore, his carbon dioxide reduction and formic acid dehydrogenation cycle can be repeated several times without the loss of the catalyst activity. Hydrogen is regarded as one of the future energy carriers. Using this Fe(II)-PP3TS catalyst, a reversible hydrogen storage system can be realized by a battery-like charge/discharge mechanism. This allows for a clean storage of energy in the form of formic acid as well as the safe delivery of hydrogen gas to proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

EPFL2018

Direct Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Formic Acid in Acidic Media

Séverine Joëlle Moret

A major challenge in the face of increasing global energy demand is the development of alternative environmentally friendly and renewable energy resources. Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier, but has drawbacks in storage density and is dangerous to handle. An alternative approach involves controlled release of hydrogen from suitable materials, and an excellent candidate for this is formic acid. Because hydrogen production from formic acid is more convenient in acidic aqueous solutions, development of direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation has to be carried out under the same acidic conditions that provides a direct reversible hydrogen storage system. As current sources of formic acid are derived from fossil fuels, emphasis must be placed on conversion of renewable carbon sources to this materials. This thesis examines the direct hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid using homogeneous catalysts. Importantly, this reaction was achieved in base and additive-free conditions. Direct formic acid synthesis, without any additives has several advantages, including simpler isolation of the product. In addition, formic acid can also be used as a feedstock chemical and thus contributing to decrease the released CO2 to the atmosphere and consequently to the possible reduction of the greenhouse effect. A homogeneous catalytic system based on a [RuCl2(PTA)4] pre-catalyst active for carbon dioxide hydrogenation without the need for additives was developed. While unprecedented conversions were achieved in aqueous mixtures, a remarkable solvent effect was discovered for dimethyl sulfoxide. Furthermore, both catalytic systems are air stable and highly robust allowing for multiple recycling runs. Studies on the activity of the ruthenium pre-catalyst in the reverse reaction of hydrogen delivery in dimethyl sulfoxide have been undertaken and revealed promising results to achieve a CO2 neutral catalytic cycles. Mechanistic studies were carried out using NMR spectroscopy and provide valuable insights into the reasons for the high activities for the catalyst. After a general introduction on current hydrogen storage technologies, the research undertaken in this thesis will be presented in three main parts: (1) Optimization of the high pressure sapphire NMR techniques used for the study of systems under pressure; (2) Development of homogeneous ruthenium catalytic systems for the direct hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid; (3) Mechanistic studies on the direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation using the [RuCl2(PTA)4] pre-catalyst

EPFL2014

Carbon dioxide for hydrogen storage via formic acid derivatives and methanol

Katerina Stefania Sordakis

Securing our energy future while minimizing the associated environmental impacts is a challenging endeavor and the fundamental aspect of sustainable development. The choice of energy resource and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), are key parameters in this process. Hydrogen gas (H2) is an energy carrier with the potential of "green" production and utilization, in addition to having attractive inherent fuel properties. However, complications during its storage arise from its intrinsically light nature. Chemical H2 fixation within liquid formic acid (FA) and its derivatives is therefore a promising approach. In the present dissertation, reversible H2 storage cycles based on homogeneous FA/formate dehydrogenation and CO2/bicarbonate hydrogenation, as well as the related CO2 transformation to methanol are investigated. The first chapter provides an overview of challenges underlying energy sustainability, prospects for integration of H2 with our energy infrastructure, the employment of FA as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier and state of the art homogeneous catalysts for selective FA dehydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation. The combination of these reactions to form a closed CO2 loop is the basic concept behind a reversible H2 storage system as it is envisaged by our group. In the second chapter, FA dehydrogenation/formation in the presence of triethylamine is discussed. The results are summarized as equilibrium positions within this couple, which can be controlled by adjustment of the operating pressure and temperature. The basic additive promotes H2 fixation but also allows for on-demand H2 release from a triethylammonium formate substrate. The third chapter addresses H2 storage in basic media, i.e. aqueous bicarbonate hydrogenation, with a Ru(III) catalyst precursor and a number of water-soluble phosphine ligands. The latter are introduced to tailor the exhibited activity by affecting the steric and electronic parameters of the catalyst. All phosphines provide high bicarbonate conversions, albeit with low reaction rates. Chapter four summarizes the optimization and mechanistic studies of the reversible formate dehydrogenation reaction, in the presence of a Ru(II)-mTPPTS catalyst. Cesium is chosen as the cation for the formate/bicarbonate salts because it leads to their high solubility in the aqueous solvent and therefore an increase in the hydrogen storage capacity. The involved equilibria are determined and a reaction mechanism for the formate dehydrogenation step is proposed, based on NMR studies. Advantages of the presented approach include the utilization of water as the solvent, the absence of CO2 throughout the reactions and the successful in situ recycling of the environmentally benign hydrogen carrier. In Chapter five the feasibility of producing both FA and methanol directly from CO2, at room temperature, in a "one-pot" reaction using aqueous solvent is demonstrated. Formic acid formation occurs in water without additives or organic solvents with a homogeneous iridium catalyst. Formic acid also undergoes disproportionation into methanol, with the same complex. Under optimized conditions, FA conversions of 98% and methanol selectivities of 96% are achieved in the disproportionation reaction. These reactions are relevant to the field of sustainable H2 storage, but might also provide an alternative approach to the commercial fossil-fuel-dependent production of formic acid and methanol.

EPFL2016