Few layer 2D pnictogens catalyze the alkylation of soft nucleophiles with esters.
Creators
- 1. Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and Joint Institute of Advanced Materials and Processes (ZMP) Friedrich–Alexander–Universität Erlangen–Nürnberg (FAU) Henkestrasse 42, 91054 Erlangen and Dr.–Mack Strasse 81, 90762 Fürth, Germany. Phone: +49 91165078–65031; Fax: +49 91165078–65015.
- 2. Instituto de Tecnología Química. Universidad Politècnica de València–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Avda. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain. Phone: +34963877800; Fax: +349638 77809.
- 3. Chair of Physical Chemistry II, Friedrich–Alexander–Universität Erlangen–Nürnberg (FAU) Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
- 4. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto Pluridisciplinar, Instituto de Magnetismo Aplicado & Departamento de Física de Materiales, Madrid 28040, Spain.
Description
Group 15 elements in zero oxidation state (P, As, Sb and Bi), also called pnictogens, are rarely used in catalysis due to the difficulties associated in preparing well–structured and stable materials. Here, we report on the synthesis of highly exfoliated, few layer 2D phosphorene and antimonene in zero oxidation state, suspended in an ionic liquid, with the native atoms ready to interact with external reagents while avoiding aerobic or aqueous decomposition pathways, and on their use as efficient catalysts for the alkylation of nucleophiles with esters. The few layer pnictogen material circumvents the extremely harsh reaction conditions associated to previous superacid–catalyzed alkylations, by enabling an alternative mechanism on surface, protected from the water and air by the ionic liquid. These 2D catalysts allow the alkylation of a variety of acid–sensitive organic molecules and giving synthetic relevancy to the use of simple esters as alkylating agents.