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Efficient hydrogen peroxide decomposition to oxygen and water catalysed by a ruthenium pincer complex

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Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide decomposition is a major issue in medicine, energy, and environmental sciences. For example, findings could lead to the development of efficient H2O2 removal systems to clean wastewaters. Here I tested several homogeneous catalysts for H2O2 decomposition. I found that a dihydride version of a ruthenium complex coordinated by a phosphorous–nitrogen–phosphorus pincer ligand with isopropyl substituents on the phosphorus (PNPiPr) was superior to the hydride chloride congener. This is in line with previous activity studies with PNPiPr ruthenium catalysts. Moreover, no additives are necessary, further enhancing the potential scope of this system. By the use of the homogeneous catalyst Ru(H)2(PNPiPr)CO, it is possible to obtain turnover frequencies reaching 180,000 h−1 and turnover numbers more than 14,000 in a neutral hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution at 25 °C. Overall, findings reveal an efficient and stable system for hydrogen peroxide decomposition to oxygen and water under mild conditions.

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Acknowledgments

M.N. thanks Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V., the Danish Council for Independent Research (#12-131997), and Marie Curie FP7 International Outgoing Fellowship (IOF, #327565) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Centre for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 207, Building 206, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    Martin Nielsen

  2. Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 29a, 18059, Rostock, Germany

    Martin Nielsen

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Correspondence to Martin Nielsen.

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Nielsen, M. Efficient hydrogen peroxide decomposition to oxygen and water catalysed by a ruthenium pincer complex. Environ Chem Lett 14, 359–365 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-016-0576-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-016-0576-0

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