Water soluble laurate-stabilized rhodium(0) nanoclusters catalyst with unprecedented catalytic lifetime in the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane

Herein we report, for the first time, the preparation and characterization of water soluble rhodium(0) nanoclusters stabilized by laurate (dodecanoate) anion and their catalytic activity in the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane. The water soluble laurate-stabilized rhodium(0) nanoclusters were prepared from the reduction of rhodium(III) chloride by dimethylamine-borane in solution containing sodium laurate at room temperature. The water soluble laurate-stabilized rhodium(0) nanoclusters in average size of 5.2 ± 2.7 nm could be isolated from the reaction solution and characterized by using UV–vis, TEM, XPS, XRD and FTIR spectroscopic methods. Catalytic activity of rhodium(0) nanoclusters was tested in the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane. They show exceptional catalytic activity and unprecedented catalytic lifetime in this reaction. They provide a TOF value of 200 mol H2/mol Rh min and 80,000 turnovers in the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane in air at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C.

Graphical abstractWater soluble laurate-stabilized rhodium(0) nanoclusters can easily be prepared from the reduction of rhodium(III) chloride by dimethylamine-borane in solution containing laurate ions and exhibit superb catalytic activity and lifetime as heterogeneous catalyst in the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane (TOF = 200 mol H2/mol Rh min and TTO = 80,000 mol H2/mol Rh).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide