Frustrated Lewis Pairs with Applications in Hydrogen Storage

Due to the abundance and large gravimetric energy density, hydrogen has been considered a potential source of energy.¹ Major challenges 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.² In contrast to commonly known Lewis acid-base pairs, functionalizing the acid and base with bulky groups prevents them from binding to their counterpart causing them to be “frustrated”.³ 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. FLPs as catalysts have unique characteristics including a wide range of compatible donors and acceptors.² These attributes 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.
References: [1] C. Milanese et. al., Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 2019, 44, 7860-7874. [2] A. Jupp, D. Stephan, Trends in Chem. 2019, 1, 35-48. [3] D. Camaioni et. al., J. Phys. Chem. A. 2012, 116, 7228-7237.