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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Computational Studies Of Structure–Function Relationships Of Supported And Unsupported Metal Nanoclusters, Hongbo Shi Nov 2017

Computational Studies Of Structure–Function Relationships Of Supported And Unsupported Metal Nanoclusters, Hongbo Shi

Doctoral Dissertations

Fuel cells have been demonstrated to be promising power generation devices to address the current global energy and environmental challenges. One of the many barriers to commercialization is the cost of precious catalysts needed to achieve sufficient power output. Platinum-based materials play an important role as electrocatalysts in energy conversion technologies. In order to improve catalytic efficiency and facilitate rational design and development of new catalysts, structure–function relationships that underpin catalytic activity must be understood at a fundamental level. First, we present a systematic analysis of CO adsorption on Pt nanoclusters in the 0.2-1.5 nm size range with the aim …


Electronic Structure Evaluation Of Competing Pathways In The Gold(Iii)-Catalyzed Ohloff-Rautenstrauch Cyclosimerization Converting Propargylic Acetates To Carene-Like Natural Products, Jeremy M. Hines Aug 2017

Electronic Structure Evaluation Of Competing Pathways In The Gold(Iii)-Catalyzed Ohloff-Rautenstrauch Cyclosimerization Converting Propargylic Acetates To Carene-Like Natural Products, Jeremy M. Hines

MSU Graduate Theses

Propargylic acetates can lead to complex transformations upon exposure to a gold catalyst. Gold catalyzed transformations also allow for simple synthesis of a number of natural products. Gold (III)-cycloisomerization of a 5-acetoxy-1,6-enyne is reported to proceed through two pathways that differ in the order of major events: cyclization followed by ester migration (“cyclization first”) or the reverse (“migration first”). Both pathways could theoretically proceed in either order. This rearrangement is called the Ohloff-Rautenstrauch rearrangement and has high regio- and stereocontrol affording a bicylo[4.1.0]heptane carbon substructure. This rearrangement allows for the synthesis of the carene class of natural products. Computational modeling …


Homogeneous Ligand-Centered Hydrogen Evolution And Hydrogen Oxidation : Exploiting Redox Non-Innocence To Drive Catalysis., Andrew Z. Haddad May 2017

Homogeneous Ligand-Centered Hydrogen Evolution And Hydrogen Oxidation : Exploiting Redox Non-Innocence To Drive Catalysis., Andrew Z. Haddad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogen is a promising carbon-free fuel / energy carrier and is an essential building block for many industrial and agricultural processes. Rising energy demands have ignited interest in the development of carbon-free and carbon neutral energy sources. In this context, hydrogen is an attractive candidate—being energy-dense, carbon-free—and easily accessible through a two-electron reduction of water. Accordingly, many electrochemical homogeneous catalyst systems have been studied, with a focus on understanding the mechanism of hydrogen evolution proceeding through metal-hydride intermediates. However, there has been a renaissance in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst design, with many groups implicating ligand redox non-innocence as a …