Center for Molecular Modeling - K. Leus

Development of porous organic polymers as metal free photocatalysts for the aromatization of N-heterocycles

leen — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:12:22 +0000

M. Debruyne, N. Raeymackers, H. Vrielinck, S. Radhakrishnan, E. Breynaert, M. Delaey, A. Laemont, K. Leus, J. Everaert, H. Rijckaert, D. Poelman, R. Morent, N. De Geyter, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck, C. Stevens, T.S.A Heugebaert

ChemCatChem

2024

Abstract

Porous organic polymers (POPs), and especially covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), are being developed as the next generation of metal-free heterogeneous photocatalysts. However, many of the current synthetic routes to obtain these photoactive POPs require expensive monomers and rely on precious metal catalysts, thus hindering their widespread implementation. In this work, a range of POPs was synthesized from simple unfunctionalized aromatic building blocks, through Lewis acidcatalyzed polymerization. The obtained materials were applied, for the first time, as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the aromatization of N-heterocycles. With the use of the most active material, denoted as CTF-Pyr, which consists of photoactive pyrene and triazine moieties, a wide range of pyridines, dihydroquinoline-5-ones, tetrahydroacridine-1,8-diones and pyrazoles were obtained in excellent yields (70-99%). Moreover, these reactions were carried out under very mild conditions using air and at room temperature, highlighting the potential of these materials as catalysts for green transformations.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202301205

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Development of porous organic polymers as metal free photocatalysts for the aromatization.pdf

Engineering of Phenylpyridine- and Bipyridine-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Tandem Aerobic Oxidation/Povarov Cyclization

siebe — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:17:04 +0000

M. Debruyne, S. Borgmans, S. Radhakrishnan, E. Breynaert, H. Vrielinck, K. Leus, A. Laemont, J. De Vos, K. S. Rawat, S. Vanlommel, H. Rijckaert, H. Salemi, J. Everaert, F. Vanden Bussche, D. Poelman, R. Morent, N. De Geyter, P. Van der Voort, V. Van Speybroeck, C.V. Stevens

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

15, 29, 35092–35106

2023

Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are emerging as a new class of photoactive organic semiconductors, which possess crystalline ordered structures and high surface areas. COFs can be tailor-made toward specific (photocatalytic) applications, and the size and position of their band gaps can be tuned by the choice of building blocks and linkages. However, many types of building blocks are still unexplored as photocatalytic moieties and the scope of reactions photocatalyzed by COFs remains quite limited. In this work, we report the synthesis and application of two bipyridine- or phenylpyridine-based COFs: TpBpyCOF and TpPpyCOF. Due to their good photocatalytic properties, both materials were applied as metal-free photocatalysts for the tandem aerobic oxidation/Povarov cyclization and α-oxidation of N-aryl glycine derivatives, with the bipyridine-based TpBpyCOF exhibiting the highest activity. By expanding the range of reactions that can be photocatalyzed by COFs, this work paves the way toward the more widespread application of COFs as metal-free heterogeneous photocatalysts as a convenient alternative for commonly used homogeneous (metal-based) photocatalysts.

Open Access version available at UGent repository

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/

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am3c07036_si_001 (2).pdf

Phosphorous Covalent Triazine Framework based Nanomaterials for the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

leen — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:13:43 +0000

H. S. Jena, C. Krishnaraj, B. K. Satpathy, K. S. Rawat, K. Leus, S. Veerapandian, R. Morent, N. De Geyter, V. Van Speybroeck, D. Pradhan, P. Van der Voort

ACS Applied Nano Materials

6, 24, 22684-22692

2023

Abstract

The production of hydrogen via electrocatalytic reduction of water using metal-free nanomaterials as the catalyst is a promising and ultimate green approach. Graphitic carbon nitride, covalent organic frameworks, and covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are some of the nanostructured materials that are investigated for this purpose. Currently, these materials still lack the efficiency to compete with other techniques (electrolysis). This is because the reaction mechanism and active sites are, in many cases, still poorly understood. In this work, we report a set of metal-free nanostructure-based electrocatalysts, phosphorus covalent triazine frameworks (PCTFs), for electrocatalytic hydrogen production. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of PCTF-based nanomaterials is ascribed to the synergistic effect of isolated single nitrogen and phosphorus sites on the large surface area. By combining both experimental and theoretical studies, we found that especially the pyridinic-nitrogen species are the most active sites for the HER. The presence of phosphorus next to the pyridinic-N enhances the HERs. The present results provide a better understanding of the importance of different heteroatoms in nanomaterials as active sites in HERs. Theoretical studies confirmed that phosphorus, being electron rich, creates high electron densities on the nearby N atoms of the CTF materials and intensifies the HER process.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.3c03248

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jena-et-al-2023-phosphorus-covalent-triazine-framework-based-nanomaterials-for-electrocatalytic-hydrogen-evolution.pdf

Pyrene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production

leen — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 11:39:30 +0000

J. Sun, H. S. Jena, C. Krishnaraj, K. S. Rawat, S. Abednatanzi, J. Chakraborty, A. Laemont, W. Liu, H. Chen, Y.-Y. Liu, K. Leus, H. Vrielinck, V. Van Speybroeck, P. Van der Voort

Angewandte Chemie int. Ed.

Volume: 62; Issue: 19

2023

Abstract

Four highly porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs) containing pyrene units were prepared and explored for photocatalytic H2O2 production. The experimental studies are complemented by density functional theory calculations, proving that the pyrene unit is more active for H2O2 production than the bipyridine and (diarylamino)benzene units reported previously. H2O2 decomposition experiments verified that the distribution of pyrene units over a large surface area of COFs plays an important role in catalytic performance. The Py-Py-COF, though contains more pyrene units than other COFs, induces a high H2O2 decomposition due to a dense concentration of pyrene in small proximity over a limited surface area. Therefore, a two-phase reaction system (water-benzyl alcohol) was employed to inhibit H2O2 decomposition. This is the first report on applying pyrene-based COFs in a two-phase system for photocatalytic H2O2 generation.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.202216719

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Linker Engineering of 2D Imine Covalent Organic Frameworks for Heterogeneous Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki Coupling Reaction

leen — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 06:21:20 +0000

C. Krishnaraj, H. S. Jena, K. S. Rawat, J. Schmidt, K. Leus, V. Van Speybroeck, P. Van der Voort

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

14, 45, 50923-50931

2022

Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of porous organic polymers that have been utilized as scaffolds for anchoring metal active species to act as heterogeneous catalysts. Though several examples of such COFs exist, a thorough experimental and computational analysis on such catalysts is limited. In this work, a series of two-dimensional (2D) imine COFs (TTA–DFB COF (N), TTA–TBD COF (N∧O), and TTA–DFP COF(N∧N)) were synthesized by using suitable building units to obtain three different coordination sites (N, N∧O, and N∧N). These were post-modified with Pd(II) to catalyze the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction. Pd@TTA–DFB COF, where Pd(II) was coordinated to N sites, showed the fastest reactivity and lower stability. Pd@TTA–DFP COF showed highest stability but slowest reactivity. Pd@TTA–TBD COF was the best among the three with both high stability and fast reactivity. By combining both experimental and computational results, we conclude that the Pd(II) to Pd(0) reduction is a key step in the difference between the catalytic reactivities of the three COFs. This study demonstrates the importance of the building block approach to design COFs for efficient heterogeneous catalysis and to understand the fate of the reaction profile.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c14882

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Identification of vanadium dopant sites in the metal–organic framework DUT-5(Al)

alexander — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:48:28 +0000

K. Maes, L.I.D.J. Martin, S. Khelifi, A.E.J. Hoffman, K. Leus, P. Van der Voort, E. Goovaerts, P.F. Smet, V. Van Speybroeck, F. Callens, H. Vrielinck

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP)

23, 7088-7100

2021

Abstract

Studying the structural environment of the V^IV ions doped in the metal–organic framework (MOF) DUT-5(Al) ((Al^IIIOH)BPDC) with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) reveals four different vanadium-related spectral components. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters are derived by analysis of X-, Q- and W-band powder EPR spectra. Complementary Q-band Electron Nuclear DOuble Resonance (ENDOR) experiments, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) measurements are performed to investigate the origin of these spectral components. Two spectral components with well resolved ⁵¹V hyperfine structure are visible, one corresponding to V^IV=O substitution in a large (or open) pore and one to a narrow (or closed) pore variant of this MOF. Furthermore, a broad structureless Lorentzian line assigned to interacting vanadyl centers in each other's close neighborhood grows with increasing V-concentration. The last spectral component is best visible at low V-concentrations. We tentatively attribute it to (V^IV=O)²⁺ linked with DMF or dimethylamine in the pores of the MOF. Simulations using these four spectral components convincingly reproduce the experimental spectra and allow to estimate the contribution of each vanadyl species as a function of V-concentration.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1CP00695A

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Strongly Reducing (Diarylamino)benzene Based Covalent Organic Framework for Metal-Free Visible Light Photocatalytic H2O2 Generation

sven — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 11:24:11 +0000

C. Krishnaraj, H. S. Jena, L. Bourda, A. Laemont, P. Pachfule, J. Roeser, C. V. Chandran, S. Borgmans, S.M.J. Rogge, K. Leus, C.V. Stevens, J.A. Martens, V. Van Speybroeck, E. Breynaert, A. Thomas, P. Van der Voort

JACS (Journal of the American Chemical Society)

142 (47), 20107-20116

2020

Abstract

Photocatalytic reduction of molecular oxygen is a promising route toward sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This challenging process requires photoactive semiconductors enabling solar energy driven generation and separation of electrons and holes with high charge transfer kinetics. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of photoactive semiconductors, tunable at a molecular level for high charge carrier generation and transfer. Herein, we report two newly designed two-dimensional COFs based on a (diarylamino)benzene linker that forms a Kagome (kgm) lattice and shows strong visible light absorption. Their high crystallinity and large surface areas (up to 1165 m2·g−1) allow efficient charge transfer and diffusion. The diarylamine (donor) unit promotes strong reduction properties, enabling these COFs to efficiently reduce oxygen to form H2O2. Overall, the use of a metal-free, recyclable photocatalytic system allows efficient photocatalytic solar transformations.

Gold Open Access

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.0c09684

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Elucidating the promotional effect of a covalent triazine framework in aerobic oxidation

samuel — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 08:30:23 +0000

S. Abednatanzi, P. Gohari Derakhshandeh, P. Tack, F. Muniz-Miranda, Y-Y Liu, J. Everaert, M. Meledina, F. Vanden Bussche, L. Vincze, C. Stevens, V. Van Speybroeck, H. Vrielinck, F. Callens, K. Leus, P. Van der Voort

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

269, 118769

2020

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.118769

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Engineering a highly defective stable UiO-66 with tunable Lewis-Brønsted acidity - The role of the hemilabile linker

alexander — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 15:56:11 +0000

X. Feng, J. Hajek, H. S. Jena, G. Wang, S. K. P. Veerapandian, R. Morent, N. De Geyter, K. Leyssens, A.E.J. Hoffman, V. Meynen, C. Marquez, D. De Vos, V. Van Speybroeck, K. Leus, P. Van der Voort

JACS (Journal of the American Chemical Society)

142 (6), 3174-3183

2020

Abstract

The stability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) typically decreases with an increasing number of defects, limiting the number of defects that can be created and limiting catalytic and other applications. Herein, we use a hemilabile (Hl) linker to create up to maximum 6 defects per cluster in UiO-66. We have synthesized hemilabile UiO-66 (Hl-UiO-66) using benzene dicarboxylate (BDC) as linker and 4-sulfonatobenzoate (PSBA) as the hemilabile linker. The PSBA acts not only as a modulator to create defects, but also as a co-ligand that enhances the stability of the resulting defective framework. Furthermore, upon a post-synthetic treatment in H2SO4, the average number of defects increases to the optimum of six missing BDC linkers per cluster (3 per formula unit), leaving the Zr-nodes on average 6-fold coordinated. Remarkably, the thermal stability of the materials further increases upon this treatment. Periodic density functional theory calculations confirm that the hemilabile ligands strengthen this highly defective structure by several stabilizing interactions. Finally, the catalytic activity of the obtained materials is evaluated in the acid-catalyzed isomerization of α-pinene oxide. This reaction is particularly sensitive to the Brønsted or Lewis acid sites in the catalyst. In comparison to the pristine UiO-66, which mainly possesses Brønsted acid sites, the Hl-UiO-66 and the post-synthetically treated Hl-UiO-66 structures exhibited a higher Lewis acidity and an enhanced activity and selectivity. This is further explored by CD3CN spectroscopic sorption experiments. We have shown that by tuning the number of defects in UiO-66 using PSBA as the hemilabile linker, one can achieve highly defective and stable MOFs and easily control the Brønsted to Lewis acid ratio in the materials, and thus their catalytic activity and selectivity.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.9b13070

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Immobilization of Ir(I) complex on Covalent Triazine Frameworks for C-H Borylation Reactions: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

wim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 11:17:40 +0000

N. Tahir, F. Muniz-Miranda, J. Everaert, P. Tack, T.S.A Heugebaert, K. Leus, L. Vincze, C. Stevens, V. Van Speybroeck, P. Van der Voort

Journal of Catalysis

371, 135-143

2019

Abstract

Metal-modified covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) have attracted considerable attention in heterogeneous catalysis due to their strong nitrogen-metal interactions exhibiting superior activity, stability and hence recyclability. Herein, we report on a post-metalation of a bipyridine-based CTFs with an Ir(I) complex for CH borylation of aromatic compounds. Physical characterization of the Ir(I)-based bipyCTF catalyst in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations exhibit a high stabilization energy of the Ir-bipy moiety in the frameworks in the presence of B2Pin2. By using B2Pin2 as a boron source, Ir(I)@bipyCTF efficiently catalyzed the CH borylation of various aromatic compounds with excellent activity and good recyclability. In addition, XAS analysis of the Ir(I)@bipyCTF gave clear evidence for the coordination environment of the Ir.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2019.01.030