Unraveling a Biomass-Derived Multiphase Catalyst for the Dehydrogenative Coupling of Silanes with Alcohols under Aerobic Conditions

Herein, a novel silver and chromium nanostructured N-doped carbonaceous material has been synthesized by biomass-annealing approach using readily available chitosan as raw material. The resulting catalyst AgCr@CN-800 applied for the dehydrogenative coupling reaction of various silanes with different alcohols to obtain corresponding silyl ethers under aerobic mild conditions. Besides excellent activity selectivity, as-prepared exhibits good stability reusability. Characterization X-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in combination careful examination structure Cs-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning TEM revealed that comprises Ag- CrN-aggregated particles, well highly dispersed Ag–Nx Cr–Nx sites embedded graphitic structures. A comparative catalytic study structure-related catalysts acid-leaching treatments shown most active species are Ag particles their is boosted presence Cr-derived species. By situ Raman spectroscopy experiments, it found takes place through an oxygen-assisted mechanism.