Shinya Furukawa

An overview of the catalytic properties of intermetallic compounds has been made to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding (1) what intermetallic catalysts can do, (2) their fundamental roles in enhanced catalysis, and (3) their advantages over other inorganic materials. A number of chemical transformations using intermetallic catalysts have been surveyed and classified into three major divisions—hydrogenation/dehydrogenation, oxidation, and steam reforming and various subsections. The

Alloying has long been used as a promising methodology to improve the catalytic performance of metallic materials. In recent years, the field of alloy catalysis has made remarkable progress with the emergence of a variety of novel alloy materials and their functions. Therefore, a comprehensive disciplinary framework for catalytic chemistry of alloys that provides a cross-sectional understanding of the broad research field is in high demand. In this review, we provide a comprehensive classificati

Niobium oxide (Nb2O5) can function as a photocatalyst for selective oxidation of benzylamine rather than other semiconductor metal oxides such as TiO2, ZnO, and WO3. Various amines including primary, secondary, and cyclic amines are also photocatalytically converted to corresponding imines in excellent yields by using Nb2O5 in an atmospheric pressure of O2. Nb2O5 exhibits a catalytic activity with high selectivity even under visible light (λ > 390 nm) irradiation, although Nb2O5 does not absorb

The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane using CO₂ (CO₂-ODP) is a promising technique for high-yield propylene production and CO₂ utilization. The development of a highly efficient catalyst for CO₂-ODP is of great interest and benefit to the chemical industry as well as net zero emissions. Here, we report a unique catalyst material and design concept based on high-entropy intermetallics for this challenging chemistry. A senary (PtCoNi)(SnInGa) catalyst

A series of Cu-Pd alloy nanoparticles supported on Al₂O₃ were prepared and tested as catalysts for deNO _<i>x</i> reactions. XRD, HAADF-STEM, XAFS, and FT-IR analyses revealed that a single-atom alloy structure was formed when the Cu/Pd ratio was 5, where Pd atoms were well isolated by Cu atoms. Compared with Pd/Al₂O₃, Cu₅Pd/Al₂O₃ exhibited outstanding catalytic activity and N₂ selectivity in the re

A selectivity enhancement in alcohol photooxidation using TiO2 covered with Nb2O5 is demonstrated. A series of TiO2 covered with Nb2O5 catalysts (Nb2O5/TiO2, loading of Nb2O5; 0–5 mol %) were prepared and characterized. XPS studies suggest that the TiO2 surface was completely covered with Nb2O5 at a 3.5 mol % loading. UV–vis spectra of TiO2 and the Nb2O5/TiO2 series revealed that the band gap energy of the catalyst was not changed upon addition of Nb2O5. The amounts of photogenerated oxygen anio

A noble catalytic system based on intermetallic compounds was developed for the chemoselective hydrogenation of p-nitrostyrene (NS) to p-aminostyrene (AS). The main concept of the catalyst design was to construct polar active sites consisting of two types of metals with different electronegativities. We prepared a series of Pd- and Rh-based intermetallics and investigated their catalytic properties in detail in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and NS in the presence of 4-meth

Propane dehydrogenation has been a promising propylene production process that can compensate for the increasing global demand for propylene. However, Pt-based catalysts with high stability at ≥600 °C have barely been reported because the catalysts typically result in short catalyst life owing to side reactions and coke formation. Herein, we report a new class of heterogeneous catalysts using high-entropy intermetallics (HEIs). Pt-Pt ensembles, which cause side reactions, are entirely diluted by

Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) is a promising chemical process that can satisfy the increasing global demand for propylene. However, the Pt-based catalysts that have been reported thus far are typically deactivated at ≥600 °C by side reactions and coke formation. Thus, such catalysts possess an insufficient life. Herein, we report a novel catalyst design concept, namely, the double decoration of PtGa intermetallics by Pb and Ca, which synergize the geometric and electronic promotion effects on th

Intermetallic Pd3Pb supported on Al2O3 can act as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of various amines including primary, secondary, aromatic, aliphatic, and cyclic amines.

Intermetallic Pd3Pb acts as a highly selective alkyne semihydrogenation catalyst that is greatly superior to the conventional Lindlar catalyst. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate an ideal adsorption property of Pd3Pb, where the surface holds alkynes while releasing alkenes. A tandem catalytic system that is comprised of Pd3Pb/SiO2 for alkyne semihydrogenation and RhSb/SiO2 for alkene isomerization allows one-pot (E)-alkene synthesis from a functionalized alkyne, which is th

Unprecedented molecular recognition ability governed by a simple bimetallic surface is reported. A series of Rh-based ordered alloys supported on silica gel (Rh _<i>x</i> M _<i>y</i> /SiO₂, where M is Bi, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, or Zn) were tested in the hydrogenation of nitrostyrene to form aminostyrene. RhIn/SiO₂ showed remarkably high catalytic activity and good selectivity under 1 atm H₂ at room temperature. Moreover, various other

Catalyst design based on a pseudobinary alloy concept was applied to develop a highly efficient catalytic system for alkane dehydrogenation. A series of Pt-based alloy catalysts supported on silica (Pt3M/SiO2, where M = Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, In, Sn, Pb) were prepared and tested for the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane, which has been an emerging topic in hydrogen carrier/production applications. Nanoparticulate intermetallic Pt3Fe exhibited high catalytic activity and durability. The Pt3Fe cat

Acetylene semihydrogenation is a key technology for producing polymer-grade ethylene from crude ethylene. Ni-based catalysts are promising alternatives to noble-metals for this process. However, achieving high catalytic activity and selectivity remains a big challenge. We report a novel catalyst design based on high-entropy intermetallics (HEI), which provide thermally stable isolated Ni without excess counterpart metals and achieve exceptionally high performance. Intermetallic NiGa was multi-me

Development of heterogeneous catalysts for alcohol transformation into nitriles under oxidant-free conditions is a challenge. Considering the C–H activation on α-carbon of primary alcohols is the rate-determining step, decreasing the activation energy of C–H activation is critical in order to enhance the catalytic activity. Several NiM/Al2O3 bimetallic catalysts were synthesized and scrutinized in catalytic transformation of 1-butanol to butyronitrile. Ni–Cu was identified as a suitable combinat