Guerbet coupling of methanol catalysed by titanium clusters

Alcohol coupling, also known as the Guerbet reaction, is a potentially important process to increase the value of short chain hydrocarbons. We present here an insight of C-C bond formation in the coupling of methanol to higher alcohols by Ti clusters. We have synthesized Ti13 clusters by laser ablation in methanol, and studied the catalysis for methanol coupling reactions using high resolution mass spectroscopy and also density-functional theory calculations. The experimental findings concurs with the calculated kinetic-and thermodynamic allowed reaction pathways, helping to understand the catalytic mechanism of alcohols conversion chemistry on the transition metal catalysts.

Automated summary

This study presents the catalytic role of titanium clusters in methanol coupling reactions, revealing the reaction mechanism through experimental and computational approaches.