Specific Localization of Aluminum Sites Favors Ethene-to-Propene Conversion on (Al)MCM-41-Supported Ni(II) Single Sites

Single-site Ni(II) catalytic centers supported on MCM-41-type materials were prepared via surface organometallic chemistry using tailored thermolytic molecular precursors. These materials catalytically convert ethene to propene, and their activity and stability strongly depend on the specific location of aluminum sites that are introduced in the catalyst either from the tailored Ni molecular precursor or doped in the support. The highest activity and stability are achieved when a Ni siloxide precursor is grafted on an Al-doped MCM-41 because this approach generates Ni(II) isolated sites and strong Brønsted acid sites that are both required for high catalytic performances.