Nanoscale colloidal metals and alloys stabilized by solvents and surfactants Preparation and use as catalyst precursors

Solvent-stabilized organosols of the early transition metal series, e.g. Ti, Zr, Nb, and Mn, may be prepared by the reduction of the THF adducts or thioether solutions of the corresponding metal halides with K[BEt3H]. Mono- and bimetallic organosols of Group 6–11 metals stabilized by tetraalkylammonium halides may be formed either by the reduction of the metal salts using NR4 hydrotriorganoborates or conventional agents, e.g. H2 or HCO2H, after the pretreatment of the metal salts with NR4X. The chemical reduction of transition metal salts in the presence of hydrophilic surfactants provides straightforward access to nanostructured mono- and bimetallic hydrosols. This synthesis can be performed even in water. Mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles stabilized by lipophilic or hydrophilic surfactants of the cationic, anionic or nonionic type serve as precursors for heterogeneous metal colloid catalysts effective for the hydrogenation and oxidation of organic substrates. Bimetallic precursors, e.g. PtRh, have a synergic effect on the catalytic activity. A comparison of catalytic results and CO chemisorption experiments has revealed that the protecting surfactants still cover the nanoparticle surface after adsorption on supports, which markedly improves the lifetime of the catalysts. Chiral protecting agents may induce enantioselectivity in metal colloid catalysts.