In this work, catalytic alkane metathesis has been evaluated as a suitable approach to upcycle hydrocarbons (polyolefins) at moderate temperatures. To this end, a pincer-ligated iridium complex (dehydrogenation catalyst) has been combined with a rhenium-based (metathesis) catalyst, being the effect of immobilizing the Ir complex over different supports deeply investigated. FTIR spectroscopy has been used to confirm the complex grafting and to elucidate the anchoring site to the support. Additionally, the supports have been dehydroxylated at different conditions to evaluate its possible impact in both the complex grafting and the catalytic activity. The influence of the support nature and its participation in the catalytic reaction have been clearly evidenced.

C. Megías-Sayago acknowledges the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme for the funding received for this work under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101022598. N. Rendon ´ and A. Suarez thank the financial support (FEDER contribution) from the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigacion ´ (PID2019–104159GB-I00/TED2021-129181B-I00), Junta de Andalucía (US-1380604) and CSIC (COOPB20604).

Peer reviewed