Cobalt Single-Atom-Intercalated Molybdenum Disulfide for Sulfide Oxidation with Exceptional Chemoselectivity.

Chen, Zhongxin; Liu, Cuibo; Liu, Jia; Li, Jing; Xi, Shibo; Chi, Xiao; Xu, Haisen; Park, In-Hyeok et al. · Adv Mater · 2020

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The identification of chemoselective oxidation process en route to fine chemicals and specialty chemicals is a long-standing pursuit in chemical synthesis. A vertically structured, cobalt single atom-intercalated molybdenum disulfide catalyst (Co<sub>1</sub> -in-MoS<sub>2</sub> ) is developed for the chemoselective transformation of sulfides to sulfone derivatives. The single-atom encapsulation alters the electron structure of catalyst owing to confinement effect and strong metal-substrate interaction, thus enhancing adsorption of sulfides and chemoselective oxidation at the edge sites of MoS<sub>2</sub> to achieve excellent yields of up to 99% for 34 examples. The synthetic scopes can be extended to sulfide-bearing alkenes, alkynes, aldehydes, ketones, boronic esters, and amines derivatives as a toolbox for the synthesis of high-value, multifunctional sulfones and late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals, e.g., Tamiflu. The synthetic utility of cobalt single atom-intercalated MoS<sub>2</sub> , together with its reusability, scalability, and simplified purification process, renders it promising for industrial productions.