Catalytic acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation is an atom-economical approach for alcohol oxidation, without need for an oxidant.
Reversible dehydrogenation/hydrogenation catalysis from this reaction provides a route to the use of organic molecules derived from biomass as liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). Alcohols such as ethylene glycol, glycerol and the C4-C6 analogues erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol are considered to be potentially useful biomass-derived feedstocks; derived from agricultural or lumber resources, including waste streams and gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities, meeting targets set by the EU and the US Department of Energy.
Isabelle’s project will investigate a range of low coordinate and pincer complexes of the first-row transition metals in order to achieve the acceptorless dehydrogenation reactions and, with appropriate candidates, investigate the possibility of undertaking the reverse reaction with addition of H2.