Beyond conventional DFT catalysis: Mechanochemistry and solid reductants

Identifier:  TDX:3267

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3267

Authors:  Sánchez Pladevall, Bruna

Abstract:
Computational chemistry has been established as a crucial tool for the understanding of chemical reactivity and is driving catalysis towards a more rational design approach. The constant development and the increasing sophistication of experiments has raised numerous challenges for the computational chemists, who seek methods to deal with such complex transformations. In this context, systems located on the frontier of homogeneous and heterogeneous worlds are gaining importance, as they permit the combination of the best features of each area. From a theoretical perspective, homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions are modelled through substantially different approaches. There is thus an increasing need to investigate the most suitable manner to model these types of systems. The goal of this thesis is to explore to what extend methods commonly employed for the study of homogeneous reactions can be applied to systems located in the “limbo” between homogeneous and heterogeneous fields. Specifically, our attention has been directed towards mechanochemical reactions and homogeneous reactions with participation of solid reductants. To this end, each chapter has been devoted to the study of one or several transformation(s) within these categories. Our results demonstrate that methods emerging from computational homogeneous catalysis can be indeed applied to rationalize transformations induced through ball-milling techniques and reactions involving solid reductants. Moreover, we have demonstrated the importance of microkinetic modelling to provide a full understanding of these transformations.