A Two-Step Catalytic Cycle for the Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Ethane by Group 10 Metal Complexes: Role of the Metal in Reactivity and Selectivity

Abstract

Acceptorless dehydrogenation of ethane was achieved in the gas phase via a two-step catalytic cycle involving ternary cationic metal hydrides, [(phen)M(H)]+, 1, and metal ethides, [(phen)M(CH2CH3)]+, 2, (where M = Ni, Pd, or Pt, and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Species 1 and 2 were generated and their reactivity studied in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. It was found that 1 readily reacted with ethane releasing H2 and forming 2, with the relative reactivity being Pt > Ni ≫ Pd. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for this metathesis reaction agree with the experimental reactivity order. Species 2 can in turn be converted into 1 and release ethylene when sufficient energy is ..