Molybdenum Disulfide-Based Catalysts in Organic Synthesis: State of the Art, Open Issues, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

In the field of heterogeneous organic catalysis, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is gaining increasing attention as a catalytically active material due to its low toxicity, earth abundance, and affordability. Interestingly, the catalytic properties of this metal-based material can be improved by several strategies. In this Perspective, through the analysis of some explicative examples, the main approaches used to prepare highly efficient MoS₂-based catalysts in relevant organic reactions are summarized and critically discussed, namely: i) increment of the specific surface area, ii) generation of the metallic 1T phase, iii) introduction of vacancies, iv) preparation of nanostructured hybrids/composites, v) doping with transition metal ions, and vi) partial oxidation of MoS₂. Finally, emerging trends in MoS₂-based materials catalysis leading to a richer organic synthesis are presented.

Keywords: heterogenous catalysis; molybdenum disulfide; organic chemistry.

Figure 1

Different structural models of 1T and 2H polytypes in MoS₂ monolayer. 2H monolayer is also referred to as 1H‐MoS₂. Mo: Blue, S: Yellow.

Figure 2

MoS₂‐based QDs as heterogeneous photoredox catalysts. a) Photocatalytic cross‐dehydrogenative coupling reactions. b) Photocatalytic synthesis of α‐amino phosphonate derivatives. A: electron acceptor; D: electron donor; Nu: Nucleophile.

Figure 3

MoS₂‐based composites materials. a) Photocatalytic aerobic thiocyanation of substituted indoles. b) Ullman type coupling of phenols with iodobenzene.

Figure 4

MoS₂‐based nanocomposites materials. a) Catalytic alkylation of substituted indoles with aldehydes and ketones. b) Catalytic alkylation of substituted indoles with nitro alkenes and isatine derivatives.

Figure 5

MoS₂‐based metal‐doped materials. a) Selective hydrodeoxygenation of p‐cresol to toluene. b) Hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of heteroarenes under mild operative conditions. Inset: atomic model of doped‐MoS₂ single layer. S: yellow, Mo: blue, Co or Ni: orange.