The Role of Surface Chemistry in Carbon-Supported Metal-Catalyzed Processes of Fine Organic Synthesis

Abstract

At present, various carbon materials are available as supports for metal-containing catalytic species. Carbon-based materials find application in many industrial heterogeneous catalytic processes, such as selective hydrogenation, oxidation, cross-coupling, etc. The simplicity of preparation, low cost, high stability, and the possibility of tuning surface composition and porosity cause the widespread use of metal catalysts supported on carbon materials. The surface chemistry of carbon supports plays a crucial role in catalysis, since it allows for control over the sizes of metal particles and their electronic properties. Moreover, metal-free functionalized carbonaceous materials themselves can act as catalysts. In this review, we discuss the recent progress in the field of the application of carbon supports in catalysis by metals, with a focus on the role of carbon surface functionalities and metal-support interactions in catalytic processes used in fine organic synthesis. Among carbon materials, functionalized/doped (O, N, S, P, B) activated carbons, graphenes, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride, and carbonizates of polymers are considered supports for mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles.