Insights into bifunctional active sites of Pt-MoO₃/TiO₂ catalysts enabling selective hydrogenation of an amino acid.

ABSTRACT: Selective hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols is a valuable transformation in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and chiral building blocks. However, achieving high activity and selectivity under mild conditions remains challenging due to the need for simultaneous hydrogen activation and substrate coordination. Here, we report a series of Pt-MoO₃ bifunctional catalysts for the hydrogenation of l-alanine (Ala) to alaninol (AlaOH), with a focus on tuning metal-oxide synergy. Structural and electronic characterization studies by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveal strong Pt-MoO₃ interactions, characterized by partial electron transfer.

SUBMITTER: Jing Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12536722 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature