Catalyseurs pour l'activation et la réduction de N2 et du proton par electrocatalyse – CaDeSMARE
Design de catalyseurs pour l’activation de petites molecules et leur réduction par électrocatalyse
Nos objectifs concernent les problèmes fondamentaux, et importants du point de vue societal, de la production efficace (énergétique et coût) de NH3 à partir de N2 par catalyse homogène, ainsi que la transformation catalytique réversible H+/H2 pour des applications de pile à combustible. Des catalyseurs associant des ligands polydentates N/métal sont envisagés pour l’activation de N2 et de H2, ainsi que pour la réduction of N2 en NH3.
étude de la production/oxydation de H2 utilisant des complexes portant des ligands [N4] par electrocatalyse; étude de la synthèse chimique/électrochimique de NH3 par des complexes similaires
The cost-effective and energetically efficient production of NH3 from N2 or the catalytic reversible transformation of the couple H+/H2 for fuel cell applications are major societal issues that strongly rely on fundamental research. In this project, we want to address these fundamental issues (TRL1) by the design of new catalysts based on a fine tuning of the ligand/metal combination. With these new catalysts, we want to develop a mechanistic approach to investigate:<br />(i) the coordination and the activation of N2 and H2,<br />(ii) the reversible electro-catalyzed H+/H2 transformation and the electro-catalyzed reduction of N2 into ammonia, <br />(iii) the role of a new class of ligands in such reactions.<br />Our approach is inspired by Nature, which uses sources of protons and electrons in place of dihydrogen in the hydrogenase and nitrogenase enzymes featuring polymetallic complexes. <br />Functional models of hydrogenase enzymes have been prepared in order to provide insights into their functions. The state of the art highlights that ligands “incorporating pendant amines into the ligands can produce large increases in rates for oxidation of H2”, as well as promote the heterolytic cleavage of H2. Moreover, the hydride acceptor ability of the metal can be tuned by changing the metal itself and/or changing the substituents on the ligands.<br />Concerning nitrogenase enzymes, little is known about the pathway the inorganic clusters bind N2 and allow its reduction to NH3. In this case also, functional models have been sought resulting in the discovery of a handful of catalytic processes. It is not unexpected since it involves a multi steps process with multiple electron and proton transfers. <br />It was our goal to provide a breakthrough strategy in this domain, eventually using H2 as the H+ source and source of electrons, and electrode as the electron carrier for the functionalization of N2. <br />In summary, to address these problems simultaneously, catalysts need to be developed for H2 oxidation and others for coordination/functionalization of N2. A family of ligands with tunable electronic properties was targeted, which also favor polydentate coordination and possess pendant amine arm.
The project involved several aspects:
- Synthetic work: (i) Preparation of a family of polydentate N ligands and complexes of different transition metals from group 6 (Mo) to group 8 (Fe, Ru); (ii) Reactivity studies toward the reduced complexes (H2 and N2 complexes) (iii) Subsequent reactivity toward protons and electrons; Observation/Isolation and characterization of relevant reaction intermediates.
- Analytical characterizations of the complexes with different techniques: (i) Multinuclear NMR; (ii) X-ray diffraction studies when single-crystals can be obtained; (iii) electrochemistry.
A first task involved ligand synthesis and their coordination to various metal centers, in their “high oxidation state”. Three different ligands, N3-iPr, N3-Allyl and N4-Pyridine, based on the same “N3” core were identified. The syntheses are based on the chemistry developed by the LCBPT team. N3 and N4 ligands were synthesized and delivered them to the Toulouse partners for complex synthesis.
8.0 grams of the ligand N3-iPr were produced. 3.0 grams of N3-allyl and 3.0 g of N4-Pyridine ligands were produced.
In a second part, the coordination of these ligands was evaluated by the two partners in Toulouse (LCC and LHFA).
The three ligands were tested in the synthesis of group 8 metal centers in a first stage. The synthesis focused on ruthenium hydride complexes of the type (N3-iPr)RuH3(PR3)+. The variation in R groups was done to probe the possible interactions among Hydride ligands. Notably, the different phosphines tested lead to the formation of complexes bearing the H(H2) form for PPh3 while the trihydrides were observed with the trialkyl phosphines. DFT studies were performed and rationalized that the energy differences between the two forms are small, which induces a fast dynamic exchange of the H atoms in the complexes. This process was evidenced by NMR studies.
The coordination of N3-iPr to a classical Ru(II) precursor allowed the isolation of the desired (N3-iPr)RuCl2(PPh3).
These complexes being diamagnetic, they could be characterized by classical NMR techniques, but also crystallized, definitely proving their 3D structures.
In parallel, Fe(II) complexes were synthesized with N3-iPr. Two paramagnetic complexes, (N3-iPr)Fe(OTf)2 and [(N3-iPr)FeCl2]2 could be characterized by 1H NMR as well as by X-ray diffraction.
Finally, we studied several entries into Mo complexes. The classical approach, using Mo(III) precursors only lead to insoluble complexes, with the three ligands. Nevertheless, appropriate elemental analyses were obtained which supported the formation of the [(N3)MoCl3] and [(N4-pyridine)MoCl3] complexes.
Having obtained several complexes featuring the N3 and N4-pyridine ligands, their potential in N2 fixation was evaluated. A first step involved the reduction of the precursors under N2 to favor N2 coordination at the metal center, a prerequisite to any functionalization.
Most unfortunately, none of the numerous attempts were successful. In particular, the use of IR did not evidence formation of Ru-N2 or Mo-N2 reduced complexes.
The most positive result was obtained with the Fe complex [(N3-iPr)FeCl2]2. Its reduction by stoichiometric amounts of KC8 resulted in the formation of paramagnetic species. Hydrolysis of the mixture with HCl and characterization of the products by 1H NMR demonstrated the formation of minor amounts of NH4+, a direct evidence of the formation of a “Fe-N2” intermediate. Efforts were then paid to isolate and characterize this complex, but were unsuccessful.
The polydentate N based ligands central to the proposal have been successfully synthesized in large scale, which allowed the subsequent studies of their coordination to various metal complexes. Several complexes of Mn, Mo, Fe and Ru could be obtained, although the paramagnetism of some complexes hampered their full characterization. Subsequent reduction was attempted to favor N2 coordination, a prerequisite for subsequent studies of functionalization. Unfortunately, we were not able to isolate any M-N2 complexes with the chosen ligand systems. Similarly, proton reduction studies to form H2 were unsuccessful.
Because of these dead ends, the LHFA and LPEM groups studied the mechanism of N2 splitting at a (triphosphine)Mo complex developed by the LHFA group. This study was the basis of the ANR project “REDNEC”.
1) Espada, M. F.; Bennaamane, S. ; Liao, Q. ; Saffon-Merceron, N.; Massou, S. ; Clot, E. ; Nebra, N.; Fustier-Boutignon M.; Mézailles, N. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2018, 57, 12865-12868.
2) Bennaamane, S. ; Espada, M. F.; Yagoub, I. ; Saffon-Merceron, N.; Fustier-Boutignon M.; Nebra, N.; Clot, E. ; Mézailles, N. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2020, 1499. doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201901295. Special issue : Nitrogen Fixation.
3) Bennaamane, S. ; Espada, M. F.; Mulas, A. ; Personeni, T. ; Saffon-Merceron, N.; Fustier-Boutignon M.; Bucher, C. ; Mézailles, N. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2021, 60, 20210 –20214.
4) L. Merakeb, M. Robert, Curr. Opin. Electrochem. 2021, 29:100834.
5) L. Merakeb, S. Bennaamane, J. De Freitas, E. Clot, N. Mézailles, M. Robert, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2022, 61, doi.org/10.1002/anie.202209899.
Le but du projet que nous allons développer concerne la synthèse de l'ammoniac (NH3) à partir de diazote (N2) par une voie de catalyse homogène efficace et ayant un impact énergétique faible d'une part et l’inter-conversion catalytique du couple H+/H2, processus important pour les piles à combustible, d'autre part. Notre approche de ces problèmes est globale. En effet, la réduction de N2 en ammoniac se fait soit par catalyse hétérogène, utilisant H2 (procédé Haber-Bosch), soit par catalyse homogène utilisant des sources de H+ et d’électrons (enzymes nitrogénase). Notre objectif ultime concerne donc le développement du premier procédé homogène capable de transformer N2 en ammoniac en utilisant H2. Pour ce faire, nous utiliserons les catalyseurs permettant de réaliser l’interconversion entre H2 et H+/électrons de façon réversible.
Notre approche est basée sur l'adéquation entre le ligand et le métal choisis pour que le processus catalytique souhaité soit efficace. Le développement de nouveaux ligands de type tétra-amines dont la coordination sur un centre métallique laissera une amine pendante libre, qui sera la base de notre étude. L'amine servira de relais pour le transfert de protons entre le centre métallique et le milieu réactionnel. Notre étude emploiera spécifiquement Mo, Fe, Ru, Co comme métal.
Les nouveaux complexes synthétisés seront utilisés pour: (i) étudier la coordination et l'activation du diazote (N2) et du dihydrogène (H2) (ii) effectuer la réduction de N2 en ammoniac (NH3) soit en utilisant des électrons et des protons, soit en utilisant H2 ; produire et oxyder du H2 par voie électro-catalysée. (iii) étudier le rôle de cette nouvelle classe de ligands sur les mécanismes réactionnels. Le succès de ce projet se base sur un consortium construit sur la complémentarité des équipes impliquées : synthèse de ligands polydentes N, chimie de coordination, électrochimie et mécanismes réactionnels.
Coordination du projet
Nicolas Mézailles (Centre National de la Recherche/Laboratoire d'Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée)
L'auteur de ce résumé est le coordinateur du projet, qui est responsable du contenu de ce résumé. L'ANR décline par conséquent toute responsabilité quant à son contenu.
Partenaire
CNRS/LCC Centre National de la Recherche/Laboratoire Chimie de Coordination
UPD-UMR 8601 laboratoire de chimie et biochimie pharmacologiques et toxicologiques
CNRS/LHFA Centre National de la Recherche/Laboratoire d'Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée
LEM Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire
Aide de l'ANR 580 340 euros
Début et durée du projet scientifique :
- 48 Mois
