Enhancing Metal-Support Interactions by Molybdenum Carbide: An Efficient Strategy toward the Chemoselective Hydrogenation of [alpha],[beta]-Unsaturated Aldehydes

Metal-support interactions are desired to optimize the catalytic turnover on metals. Herein, the enhanced interactions by using a Mo2C nanowires support were utilized to modify the charge density of an Ir surface, accomplishing the selective hydrogenation of [alpha],[beta]-unsaturated aldehydes on negatively charged Ir[delta]- species. The combined experimental and theoretical investigations showed that the Ir[delta]- species derive from the higher work function of Ir (vs. Mo2C) and the consequently electron transfer. In crotonaldehyde hydrogenation, Ir/Mo2C delivered a crotyl alcohol selectivity as high as 80%, outperforming those of counterparts (