In recent months, there have been exciting research studies in catalysis research in Turkey. Here are the short summaries:

Arylation catalysts

Bensalah, D., Mansour, L., Sauthier, M., Gurbuz, N., Özdemir, I., Beji, L., ... & Hamdi, N. (2023). Plausible PEPPSI catalysts for direct C–H functionalization of five-membered heterocyclic bioactive motifs: synthesis, spectral, X-ray crystallographic characterizations and catalytic activity. RSC advances, 13(45), 31386-31410.

A series of benzimidazolium salts were synthesized as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors and used to prepare stable palladium complexes, and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. These complexes served as efficient catalysts for regioselective C-5 arylation of five-membered heterocyclic compounds, demonstrating high catalytic activity with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing aryl halides influencing catalytic conversion.

Touj, N., Bensalah, D., Mansour, L., Sauthier, M., Gürbüz, N., Özdemir, I., & Hamdi, N. (2024). Synthesis of palladium complexes containing benzimidazole core and their catalytic activities in direct CH functionalization of five-membered heterocyclic bioactive motifs. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1297, 136885.

Nine new Pd benzimidazole complexes were synthesized and characterized, showing NCHN peaks in the 13C NMR spectra between 159.7–161.5 ppm. These complexes exhibited moderate to high catalytic activity in the direct arylation of heteroarenes with aryl bromides and chlorides, indicating potential for the design of palladium complexes with benzimidazole core structures for efficient synthesis.

Biofuel production
Şenoymak Tarakçı, M. İ., & İlgen, O. (2023). Parametric and kinetic study of simultaneous esterification and transesterification of model waste sunflower oil by using zirconium sulfate catalyst. Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis, 136(1), 85-106.

Biodiesel synthesis using waste sunflower oil and methanol was optimized with a 9/1 molar ratio, 3 wt% catalyst dosage, at 115°C for 4 hours, yielding an 88% fatty acid methyl ester yield. The catalyst's reusability was confirmed, and the reaction kinetics suggested an Eley–Rideal mechanism with calculated constants of k = 5.84×10-3 L.gcat−1.min−1, KM = 1.28 L mol−1, and KG = 2×10−3 L. mol−1.

Hydrogenation catalysts

Anil, A., Sadak, O. F., Karakurt, B., Kocak, Y., Lyubinetsky, I., & Ozensoy, E. (2023). Interaction of CO2 with MnOx/Pd (111) Reverse Model Catalytic Interfaces. ChemPhysChem, e202200787.

CO2 activation on heterogeneous catalysts was studied focusing on bi-component catalysts featuring small MnOx clusters on Pd(111) surfaces. Through TPD and XPS techniques under UHV conditions, it was observed that CO2 activation was enhanced with smaller MnOx nanoclusters, highlighting the importance of catalyst architecture in facilitating this process.

Zhao, Y., Bozkurt, Ö. D., Kurtoğlu-Öztulum, S. F., Yordanli, M. S., Hoffman, A. S., Hong, J., ... & Uzun, A. (2024). Atomically dispersed zeolite-supported rhodium complex: Selective and stable catalyst for acetylene semi-hydrogenation. Journal of Catalysis, 429, 115196.

Noble metals offer unprecedented activities when they are present as atomically dispersed species on supports. Here, we illustrate the tuning of the electronic properties of rhodium by choice of a solid support as a ligand and the metal nuclearity. These choices afford exceptional catalytic selectivity for semi-hydrogenation of acetylene, a reaction for which rhodium has heretofore been known to be unselective. X-ray absorption and infrared spectra complemented by kinetics measurements and density functional theory calculations indicate that the ethylene selectivity is maximized when the support is a weak electron donor (HY zeolite) that stabilizes rhodium as a mononuclear complex. Catalyst performance data show that the zeolite-supported rhodium complex incorporating reactive acetylene ligands offers a stable ethylene selectivity >90% for acetylene semi-hydrogenation at 373 K and atmospheric pressure, even when ethylene is present in a large excess over acetylene. These results demonstrate unexpected catalytic properties of rhodium that indicate its potential practical value as a semi-hydrogenation catalyst.

Söylemez, R., Kilic, A., Karaca, E. Ö., & Özdemir, İ. (2024). Metal-Free a Simple and Versatile N→ B Dative Bond Stabilized Boron-Based Catalysts for Transfer Hydrogenation of Aromatic Ketones. Catalysis Letters, 154(1), 314-327.

In this study, novel boron-containing salen ligands and their tetra-coordinated boron-based polymers, featuring N→B coordination bonds, were synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. These compounds were evaluated as organocatalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones, demonstrating their potential suitability for future applications in this field.

Tuncer, D., & Kizilkaya, A. C. (2023). Atomic-Scale Insights into Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation over Bimetallic Iron–Cobalt Catalysts: A Density Functional Theory Study. Catalysts, 13(11), 1390.

The study investigates the impact of Fe doping on Co(111) surfaces for CO2 hydrogenation, revealing that while Fe doping strengthens surface species binding, it decreases overall catalytic activity due to increased CO dissociation's rate-limiting step. FeCo(111) surfaces impede hydrogenation reactions due to lower H coverages and higher activation energies, attributed to the Lewis basic character of Fe atoms inhibiting oxygen removal from cobalt surfaces, offering insights for rational bimetallic catalyst design to enhance carbon dioxide conversion.

Metal organic frameworks

Kümbetlioğlu, F., Oskay, K. O., Çıplak, Z., & Ateş, A. (2023). Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Metal Oxide-Doped Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework. ACS omega, 8(30), 27650-27662.

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs), including zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-8) are investigated for their unique properties like high surface area and stability. In this study, ZIF-8 was synthesized with copper oxide (Cu2O) and manganese oxide (MnO2), resulting in variations in surface area and pore volumes; particularly, the combination of 4.0 wt % Cu2O and 1.0 wt % MnO2 exhibited the highest surface area (2084 m2/g) and showed promise for supercapacitor applications, as well as potential uses in catalysts, membranes, and gas storage.

Civan Çavuşoğlu, F., Özçelik, G., Özbek, C., Özkara-Aydınoğlu, Ş., & Bayazit, Ş. S. (2023). Fe3O4 supported UiO-66 (Zr) metal–organic framework for removal of drug contaminants from water: fuzzy logic modeling approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(15), 44337-44352.

This study explored using a metal-organic framework (Mag-UiO-66) to remove naproxen and clofibric acid, common drug pollutants, from water. The research optimized the adsorption process and found promising results, with the Mag-UiO-66 effectively removing both pollutants. Additionally, the study developed a model to predict pollutant removal, further demonstrating the material's potential for water treatment.

Photocatalysis

Avşar, C., & Karakas, G. (2023). Vanadium promoted ZnO films: effects on optical and photocatalytic properties. Surface Engineering, 39(7-12), 852-859.

This study explored how altering temperature, vanadium doping, and the vanadium oxidation state affects the light-activated performance of zinc oxide films. They found optimal photocatalytic activity for films made at 70°C and doped with vanadium in its +4 state which is likely due to altered bandgaps and improved charge separation. This study suggests tailoring these factors could create more efficient light-activated materials for applications like pollutant degradation.

Ustunel, T., Ide, Y., Kaya, S., & Doustkhah, E. (2023). Single-atom Sn-loaded exfoliated layered titanate revealing enhanced photocatalytic activity in hydrogen generation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 11(8), 3306-3315.

This research explores a way to improve hydrogen production using layered titanates (LTs). They successfully exfoliated the material into thin sheets, increasing its surface area and potential for light absorption. Additionally, they loaded single tin atoms onto the exfoliated LTs, further enhancing its photocatalytic activity. This modified material produced significantly more hydrogen than unmodified LTs or even common photocatalysts like titanium dioxide, making it a promising candidate for green hydrogen generation.

Polymer transesterification catalysts

Zengin, E., Ucpinar Durmaz, B., Yıldız, M., & Aytac, A. (2023). Effects of different catalysts on the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of poly (lactic acid)/polycarbonate blend. Iranian Polymer Journal, 32(1), 103-114.

Researchers investigated mixing the bioplastic PLA with polycarbonate (PC) to create environmentally friendly, durable materials. To improve the blend's compatibility and properties, they added tiny amounts of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and cerium dioxide (CeO2). While both catalysts helped the materials mix better, cerium dioxide made the blend brittle, while titanium dioxide enhanced flexibility. This study suggests carefully chosen additives can improve bioplastic blends for various applications.   

Pt based alloy catalysts

Mohammadpour, A., & Kaya, S. (2024). Step-Edge Decoration and Clustering of Pt Atoms on a Cu (211) Stepped Surface. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.

The study explores enhancement of the activity of metal catalysts through atomic manipulation of low-coordination sites, despite challenges in locally probing these changes. Using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of carbon monoxide (CO), step-edge/terrace site decoration and site exchange of Pt atoms with a stepped Cu(211) surface were investigated, revealing pathways to isolate Pt as single atoms and demonstrating strong Pt coverage dependence on CO adsorption energies, influencing both terrace and step site preferences.