Discovery of Multicomponent Heterogeneous Catalysts via Admixture Screening: PdBiTe Catalysts for Aerobic Oxidative Esterification of Primary Alcohols

In the present study, we demonstrate the utility of “admixture screening” for the discovery of new multicomponent heterogeneous Pd catalyst compositions that are highly effective for aerobic oxidative methyl esterification of primary alcohols. The identification of possible catalysts for this reaction was initiated by the screening of simple binary and ternary admixtures of Pd/charcoal in combination with one or two metal and/or metalloid components as the catalyst. This approach permitted rapid evaluation of over 400 admixture combinations for the oxidative methyl esterification of 1-octanol at 60 °C in methanol. Product yields from these reactions varied widely, ranging from 2% to 88%. The highest yields were observed with Bi-, Te-, and Pb-based additives, and particularly from those containing both Bi and Te. Validation of the results was achieved by preparing specific PdBiTe catalyst formulations via a wet-impregnation method, followed by application of response surface methodology to identify the optimal Pd-Bi-Te catalyst stoichiometry. This approach revealed two very effective catalyst compositions: PdBi0.47Te0.09/C (PBT-1) and PdBi0.35Te0.23/C (PBT-2). The former catalyst was used in batch aerobic oxidation reactions with different primary alcohols and shown to be compatible with substrates bearing heterocycle and halide substituents. The methyl ester products were obtained in >90% yield in nearly all cases. Implementation of the PBT-2 catalyst in a continuous-flow packed-bed reactor achieved nearly 60 000 turnovers with no apparent loss of catalytic activity.