Rhodium-platinum cluster synthesis

Chemistry similar to that described above for iridium clusters has also been observed for rhodium clusters. Several authors [16-18] have prepared [Rh6(CO)i6] in NaY zeolite [R1i4(CO)i2] has also been formed [18], and each of these has been decarbonylated with minimal changes in the metal frame, as shown by EXAFS spectroscopy [18]. Thus there appears to be some generality to the method of forming small clusters in zeolite cages by synthesis of stable metal carbonyl precursors followed by decarbonylation. However, the method is limited. Attempts to use it to prepare zeolite-supported platinum clusters that are structurally simple and uniform have apparently not been successfiil. The literature of platinum carbonyl clusters in zeolites is not considered here because it is still contradictory. 

The synthesis and characterisation of the platininn-containii species (PPh3)HPt(/i-PPh2XM"CO)M(CO)4 (M = Cr, Mo, W) has been reported by Shao et al The range of rhenium-platinum clusters has been extended by the preparationof the complex [Re3Pt(/L(-H)3(CO)i4]. Osmium-rhodium complexes are also mentioned ... 

Platinum-iron on alumina catalysts were characterized by Mbssbauer spectroscopy (Section 4) and their activity tested. Iron in clusters with high Pt Fe ratios, about 5, and fully combined with platinum, was catalytically inert for the CO-H2 synthesis reaction, attributed to a decrease in the electron density of the iron as indicated by the Mbssbauer isomer shift. The direction of electron transfer was opposite to that proposed for alkali-metal promoted iron catalysts. At low Pt Fe ratio, 0.1, ferromagnetic iron as well as Fe " ions and PtFe clusters were produced and dominated the activity/selectivity pattern. Rhodium on silica catalysts produced C2-compounds containing oxygen, specifically acetic acid, acetaldehyde and ethanol, with methane as the other major product. The addition of iron moved the C2-product formation sharply in favour of ethanol and now methanol was also formed. ... 

Supported metal clusters play an important role in nanoscience and nanotechnology for a variety of reasons [1-6]. Yet, the most immediate applications are related to catalysis. The heterogeneous catalyst, installed in automobiles to reduce the amount of harmful car exhaust, is quite typical it consists of a monolithic backbone covered internally with a porous ceramic material like alumina. Small particles of noble metals such as palladium, platinum, and rhodium are deposited on the surface of the ceramic. Other pertinent examples are transition metal clusters and atomic species in zeolites which may react even with such inert compounds as saturated hydrocarbons activating their catalytic transformations [7-9]. Dehydrogenation of alkanes to the alkenes is an important initial step in the transformation of ethane or propane to aromatics [8-11]. This conversion via nonoxidative routes augments the type of feedstocks available for the synthesis of these valuable products. 

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