Frustrated Lewis pairs with applications in hydrogen storage

Session: C1 Catalysis:  

Due to the abundance and large gravimetric energy density, hydrogen has been considered a potential source of energy. However, some of the major challenges associated with utilizing hydrogen for energy include efficient and safe storage and transportation of it. Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have recently proven their importance in hydrogen storage applications. In contrast to classic Lewis acid-base pairs, functionalizing the acid and base to contain bulky ligands prevents them from binding to their counterpart causing them to be in a “frustrated” state. The acid and base are held together by weak intermolecular forces without neutralization, which allows small molecules such as hydrogen to weakly bond to the Lewis acid and base in a heterolytic mechanism. In addition to potential liquid carriers, we are investigating solid state materials that can be hydrogenated upon cleavage of the hydrogen components. Utilizing FLPs as catalysts has become attractive due to their unique characteristics including compatibility with a wide range of donors and acceptors (metal and non-metal). As this field continues to develop there will be many challenges that will need to be addressed, however, systems that utilize FLPs may assist with lowering the sorption temperature and pressure, reducing the activation energy barrier and potentially allowing for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation to occur. This work focuses on the novel synthesis and characterization of an FLP system.