Catalytic Applications of Vanadium: A Mechanistic Perspective

Comparison of Catalytic Properties of Vanadium Centers Introduced into BEA Zeolite and Present on (010) V2O5 Surface–DFT Studies

Vanadium-based catalysts, in which vanadium is present either as bulk V2O5 or as isolated species, are active in numerous oxidation reactions. In the present study, vanadium speciation and the possibility of its introduction in various forms (V=O, V–OH, V(=O)(–OH)) into the structurally different crystallographic positions in BEA zeolite was considered by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT). Out of nine nonequivalent positions, T2 and T3 positions are the most preferred. The former may accommodate V=O or V–OH, the latter V–OH or V(=O)(–OH). The structural and electronic properties of all possible centers present in the BEA zeolite are then compared with the characteristics of the same species on the most abundant (010) V2O5 surface. It is demonstrated that they exhibit higher nucleophilic character when introduced into the zeolite, and thus, may be more relevant for catalysis.

Biomimetic Vanadate and Molybdate Systems for Oxidative Upgrading of Iono- and Organosolv Hard- and Softwood Lignins

Recently reported acetosolv soft- and hardwood lignins as well as ionosolv soft- and hardwood lignins were transformed into monomeric aromatic compounds using either a vanadate or a molybdate-based catalyst system. Monomers were generated with remarkable, catalyst-dependent selectivity and high depolymerisation yields via oxidative exo- and endo-depolymerisation processes. Using the vanadate–hydrogen peroxide system on acetosolv pine lignin, vanillin and isovanillin were produced as main products with depolymerisation yields of 31%. Using the molybdate system on acetosolv and ionosolv lignin, vanillic acid was the practically exclusive product, with depolymerisation yields of up to 72%. Similar selectivities, albeit with lower depolymerisation yields of around 50% under standardised conditions, were obtained for eucalyptus acetosolv lignin, producing vanillin and syringaldehyde or vanillic acid as products, by using the vanadate- or the molybdate-based systems respectively.

Catalytic and enantioselective oxa-Piancatelli reaction using a chiral vanadium complex

An enantioselective oxa-Piancatelli reaction was established for the first time using a chiral vanadium(v) catalyst. The dual Brønsted and Lewis acid properties of the vanadium catalyst afforded 4-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone derivatives in up to 90% yields and with 93 : 7 enantiomeric ratios, as well as >20 : 1 diastereomeric ratios.

Vanadium(V) Complex-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Phenanthridines via a Pictet-Spengler-Dehydrogenative Aromatization Sequence

Phenanthridine and its derivatives are important structural motifs that exist in natural products, biologically active compounds, and functional materials. Here, we report a mild, one-pot synthesis of 6-arylphenanthridine derivatives by a sequential cascade Pictet-Spengler-dehydrogenative aromatization reaction mediated by oxovanadium(V) complexes under aerobic conditions. The reaction of 2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)aniline with a range of commercially available aryl aldehydes provided the desired phenanthridine derivatives in up to 96% yield. The ability of vanadium(V) complexes to function as efficient redox and Lewis acid catalysts enables the sequential reaction to occur under mild conditions.

Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane over Vanadium-Containing Faujasite Zeolite

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of light alkanes to olefins—in particular, using vanadium-based catalysts—is a promising alternative to the dehydrogenation process. Here, we investigate how the activity of the vanadium phase in ODH is related to its dispersion in porous matrices. An attempt was made to synthesize catalysts in which vanadium was deposited on a microporous faujasite zeolite (FAU) with the hierarchical (desilicated) FAU as supports. These yielded different catalysts with varying amounts and types of vanadium phase and the porosity of the support. The phase composition of the catalysts was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD); low temperature nitrogen sorption experiments resulted in their surface area and pore volumes, and reducibility was measured with a temperature-programmed reduction with a hydrogen (H₂-TPR) method. The character of vanadium was studied by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The obtained samples were subjected to catalytic tests in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane in a fixed-bed gas flow reactor with a gas chromatograph to detect subtract and reaction products at a temperature range from 400–500 °C, with varying contact times. The sample containing 6 wt% of vanadium deposited on the desilicated FAU appeared the most active. The activity was ascribed to the presence of the dispersed vanadium ions in the tetragonal coordination environment and support mesoporosity.

Review of plant-vanadium physiological interactions, bioaccumulation, and bioremediation of vanadium-contaminated sites

Vanadium is a multivalent redox-sensitive metal that is widely distributed in the environment. Low levels of vanadium elevate plant height, root length, and biomass production due to enhanced chlorophyll biosynthesis, seed germination, essential element uptake, and nitrogen assimilation and utilization. However, high vanadium concentrations disrupt energy metabolism and matter cycling; inhibit key enzymes mediating energy production, protein synthesis, ion transportation, and other important physiological processes; and lead to growth retardation, root and shoot abnormalities, and even death of plants. The threshold level of toxicity is highly plant species-specific, and in most cases, the half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of vanadium for plants grown under hydroponic conditions and in soil varies from 1 to 50 mg/L, and from 18 to 510 mg/kg, respectively. Plants such as Chinese green mustard, chickpea, and bunny cactus could accumulate high concentrations of vanadium in their tissues, and thus are suitable for decontaminating and reclaiming of vanadium-polluted soils on a large scale. Soil pH, organic matter, and the contents of iron and aluminum (hydr)oxides, phosphorus, calcium, and other coexisting elements affect the bioavailability, toxicity, and plant uptake of vanadium. Mediation of these conditions or properties in vanadium-contaminated soils could improve plant tolerance, accumulation, or exclusion, thereby enhancing phytoremediation efficiency. Phytoremediation with the assistance of soil amendments and microorganisms is a promising method for decontamination of vanadium polluted soils.

Recent progress in the development of advanced biofuel 5-ethoxymethylfurfural

Biomass-derived 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) with excellent energy density and satisfactory combustion performance holds great promise to meet the growing demands for transportation fuels and fuel additives to a certain extent. In this review, we summarized the relative merits of the EMF preparation from different feedstocks, such as platform chemicals, biomass sugars and lignocellulosic biomass. Advances for EMF synthesis over homogeneous (i.e. inorganic acids and soluble metal salts), heterogeneous catalysts (i.e. zeolites, heteropolyacid-based hybrids, sulfonic acid-functionalized catalysts, and others) or mixed-acid catalysts were performed as well. Additionally, the emerging development for the EMF production was also evaluated in terms of the different solvents system (i.e. single-phase solvents, biphasic solvents, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents). It is concluded with current challenges and prospects for advanced biofuel EMF preparation in the future.

Rational design of marigold-shaped composite Ni3V2O8 flowers: a promising catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction

Ni₃V₂O₈ flowers designed by the thermal decay of molecular precursors show excellent OER activity with an overpotential of 328 mV.

Catalytic mechanisms of oxygen-containing groups over vanadium active sites in an Al-MCM-41 framework for production of 2,5-diformylfuran from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

In the V-doped Al-MCM-41 framework, the [V-1] active site with a hydroxyl group displays better catalytic activity than the [V-0] active site without a hydroxyl group toward the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran.

Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane on silica-supported vanadyl sites promoted with sodium metavanadate

[VO₄]/SiO₂ promoted with NaVO₃ polymorphs (α or β) shows higher initial activity in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (increase by 30 and 125%, respectively) compared to that of unpromoted [VO₄]/SiO₂ at similar vanadium loadings.

Advances in catalytic production processes of biomass-derived vinyl monomers

This review provides a summary and perspective for three bio-derived vinyl monomers – acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and styrene.

Ionic liquid-stabilized vanadium oxo-clusters catalyzing alkane oxidation by regulating oligovanadates

The specific ionic liquid [TBA][Pic]-stabilized vanadium oxo-clusters exist in the form of a trimer and a dimer and are highly active for catalyzing C–H bond oxidation with H₂O₂ as an oxidant.

Non-oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane over supported vanadium oxide: nature of the active sites and coke formation

We combine Raman spectroscopy, EPR, XPS, temperature programmed reduction, XRD, ⁵¹V MAS ssNMR, TEM and N₂-physisorption to unravel structure–activity relationships during the non-oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane over a V based catalyst.

Trinuclear vanadium(iv) and vanadium(v) complexes derived from 2,4,6-triacetylphloroglucinol and study of their peroxidase mimicking activity

Solid state and solution studies of trinuclear V^IVO- and V^VO₂-complexes and their peroxidase mimicking activity, through oxidation of dopamine to aminochrome, are reported.

Titanium and Vanadium Catalysts with 2-Hydroxyphenyloxazoline and Oxazine Ligands for Ethylene-Norbornene (co)Polymerization

A series of titanium and vanadium complexes with oxazoline 2-(4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)phenol (L1), 2-(4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)phenol (L2), and oxazine 2-(5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazin-2-yl)phenol (L3) ligands were synthesized, and their structures were determined by NMR and MS methods as (L)2MtCl2. The vanadium complexes were found to be highly active in ethylene (7300 kgPE/(molV·h)) and ethylene/norbornene (5300 kgCop/(molV·h)) (co)polymerization. The polyethylene characteristics were melting temperature (123–142 °C), crystallinity degree (49–75%), molecular weight (5.7–8.5 × 105 g/mol), molecular weight distribution (1.5–2.4). The ethylene-norbornene (E-NB) copolymer characteristics were molecular weight (2.6–0.9 × 105 g/mol), molecular weight distribution (1.6–2.2), glass transition temperature (4–62 °C), norbornene incorporation (12.3–30.1 mol%) at initial concentration (0.5–1.5 mol/L). The microstructure of E-NB copolymers depends on the catalyst applied with the highest diads content for the (L3)2VCl2 and triads for the (L2)2VCl2 complexes.

Regioselective Oxidation of C-H Bonds in Unactivated Alkanes by a Vanadium Superoxo Catalyst Bound to a Supramolecular Host

A vanadyl ion bound to a cucurbituril (CB) host was reported to oxidize pentane to 2-pentanol in the presence of an oxidizer. DFT calculations suggest that the catalyst selectively reacts with stronger C-H bonds in pentane over weaker C-H bonds in cyclohexane due to size exclusion by the CB host. The active catalyst is an unprecedented vanadium superoxo species bound to the host, and the selectivity toward secondary over the primary C-H bond is the result of a higher degree of charge transfer from the secondary compared to the primary position.

Reactivity patterns of vanadium(iv/v)-oxo complexes with olefins in the presence of peroxides: a computational study

Vanadium porphyrin complexes are naturally occurring substances found in crude oil and have been shown to have medicinal properties as well. Little is known on their activities with substrates; therefore, we decided to perform a detailed density functional theory study on the properties and reactivities of vanadium(iv)- and vanadium(v)-oxo complexes with a TPPCl8 or 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octachloro-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato ligand system. In particular, we investigated the reactivity of [VV(O)(TPPCl8)]+ and [VIV(O)(TPPCl8)] with cyclohexene in the presence of H2O2 or HCO4-. The work shows that vanadium(iv)-oxo and vanadium(v)-oxo are sluggish oxidants by themselves and react with olefins slowly. However, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, these metal-oxo species can be transformed into a side-on vanadium-peroxo complex, which reacts with substrates more efficiently. Particularly with anionic axial ligands, the side-on vanadium-peroxo and vanadium-oxo complexes produced epoxides from cyclohexene via small barrier heights. In addition to olefin epoxidation, we investigated aliphatic hydroxylation mechanisms by the same oxidants and some oxidants show efficient and viable cyclohexene hydroxylation mechanisms. The work implies that vanadium-oxo and vanadium-peroxo complexes can react with double bonds through epoxidation, and under certain conditions also undergo hydroxylation, but the overall reactivity is highly dependent on the equatorial ligand, the local environment and the presence or absence of anionic axial ligands.

Implications of including a magnetic ion (Cr3+ and Fe3+) at the vanadium site in a geometrically frustrated spinel MgV2O4: magnetic and catalytic properties

The vanadium sublattice in a geometrically frustrated MgV2O4 is substituted partially with Cr3+ and Fe3+. With a successful Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of MgVCrO4 and MgVFeO4, Cr and Fe occupy the octahedral sites of a spinel structure. Extensive field-dependent and temperature magnetic measurements on these samples reveal exciting results. MgV2O4 remains paramagnetic till 3 K, with a small divergence at around 20 K between ZFC and FC data. MgVCrO4 exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior with a Néel temperature of 13.6 K. MgVFeO4 shows spin-glass behavior resulting from the frustration with a glass transition temperature of 194 K. This sample shows a typical ferromagnetic behavior, with a coercivity of 194.5 Oe within an applied field of ±2 kOe. All three systems have been found to have a frustration index in the range of 1-25, and the effective magnetic moment decreases in the order MgVFeO4 > MgVCrO4 > MgV2O4. While the inclusion of chromium does not alter the bandgap of MgV2O4, iron substitution increases the bandgap. The partial replacement of V3+ with Cr3+ and Fe3+ increases the catalytic ability of the system in terms of the oxidative degradation of methylene blue dye. The catalytic efficiency follows the order MgVFeO4 > MgVCrO4 > MgV2O4, matching well with the trend noticed in the porosity, surface area, and redox ability of Fe3+, Cr3+ and V3+ in these samples. The degradation pathway has been followed by analyzing the intermediates from these experiments by mass spectrometry, and a plausible mechanism is proposed.

New VIVO-complexes for oxidative desulfurization of refractory sulfur compounds in fuel: synthesis, structure, reactivity trend and mechanistic studies

A series of 5-coordinate oxidovanadium(iv) complexes based on 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)imidazole (HPIMH), with substituent groups of different electronegativities on the phenolic para position (HPIMX; X = -H, -Br, -OMe and -NO2), were synthesized and characterized. Three of these complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, [VIVO(PIMH)2], [VIVO(PIMBr)2] and [VIVO(PIMNO2)2], as well as a dioxidovanadium(v) compound ([VVO2(PIMH)(PIMH2)]). The complexes were tested for their catalytic activities in the oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT), the major refractory organosulfur compound found in fuel. The nitro substituted compound [VIVO(PIMNO2)2] had the highest catalytic oxidation activity followed by: [VIVO(PIMH)2] > [VIVO(PIMBr)2] > [VIVO(PIMMeO)2]. The decrease in activity is attributed to the different electronegativities of the substituent groups, which influence the electron density on the metal center, the V[double bond, length as m-dash]O bond distances and infrared stretching bands. Geometry index (τ) values calculated from single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) data and DFT studies provided further insights on the trend in activity observed. SC-XRD, EPR, 51V NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopies, and DFT studies were instrumental in studying the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction and proposal of intermediate species. Both radical and non-radical pathways are plausible for the catalytic oxidation and participation of reactive oxygen species in both pathways is also postulated.

The Comparison between Single Atom Catalysis and Surface Organometallic Catalysis

Single atom catalysis (SAC) is a recent discipline of heterogeneous catalysis for which a single atom on a surface is able to carry out various catalytic reactions. A kind of revolution in heterogeneous catalysis by metals for which it was assumed that specific sites or defects of a nanoparticle were necessary to activate substrates in catalytic reactions. In another extreme of the spectrum, surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC), and, by extension, surface organometallic catalysis (SOMCat), have demonstrated that single atoms on a surface, but this time with specific ligands, could lead to a more predictive approach in heterogeneous catalysis. The predictive character of SOMCat was just the result of intuitive mechanisms derived from the elementary steps of molecular chemistry. This review article will compare the aspects of single atom catalysis and surface organometallic catalysis by considering several specific catalytic reactions, some of which exist for both fields, whereas others might see mutual overlap in the future. After a definition of both domains, a detailed approach of the methods, mostly modeling and spectroscopy, will be followed by a detailed analysis of catalytic reactions: hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, oxidative dehydrogenation, alkane and cycloalkane metathesis, methane activation, metathetic oxidation, CO₂ activation to cyclic carbonates, imine metathesis, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactions. A prospective resulting from present knowledge is showing the emergence of a new discipline from the overlap between the two areas.

Asymmetric sulfoxidation by C1-symmetric V(IV)O(ONO) (S)-NOBIN Schiff-base vanadyl complexes

C1-symmetric vanadyl Schiff-base complexes were synthesized by reacting vanadium(IV) acetylacetonate with (S)-3-[(1-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)naphthalen-2-ylimino]methyl]-phenanthrene-4-ol and (S)-2-{[1-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)naphthalen-2-ylimino]methyl}tetraphene-1-ol. The complexes were characterized by MALDI-TOF-MS, UV–vis, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The catalysts showed moderate activity for the oxidation of thioanisole to methyphenylsulfoxide with hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and cumene hydroperoxide as the oxidants.