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Title: A rhodium catalyst for single-step styrene production from benzene and ethylene

Journal Article · · Science
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We report that rising global demand for fossil resources has prompted a renewed interest in catalyst technologies that increase the efficiency of conversion of hydrocarbons from petroleum and natural gas to higher value materials. Styrene is currently produced from benzene and ethylene through the intermediacy of ethylbenzene, which must be dehydrogenated in a separate step. The direct oxidative conversion of benzene and ethylene to styrene could provide a more efficient route, but achieving high selectivity and yield for this reaction has been challenging. Here we report that the Rh catalyst (FlDAB)Rh(TFA)(η2–C2H4) [FlDAB = N,N’-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene; TFA = trifluoroacetate] converts benzene, ethylene and Cu(II) acetate to styrene, Cu(I) acetate, and acetic acid with 100% selectivity and yields ≥ 95%. Turnover numbers > 800 have been demonstrated with catalyst stability up to 96 hours.

Research Organization:
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalization (CCHF); Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0000776; FG02-03ER15387; SC0001298
OSTI ID:
1353297
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1607458
Journal Information:
Science, Journal Name: Science Vol. 348 Journal Issue: 6233; ISSN 0036-8075
Publisher:
AAASCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 80 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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