Zentren der Methanaktivierung auf Oberflächen von Lithium-dotiertem MgO

Gas-Phase Mechanism of O.- /Ni2+ -Mediated Methane Conversion to Formaldehyde

The gas-phase reaction of NiAl2 O4 + with CH4 is studied by mass spectrometry in combination with vibrational action spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). Two product ions, NiAl2 O4 H+ and NiAl2 O3 H2 + , are identified in the mass spectra. The DFT calculations predict that the global minimum-energy isomer of NiAl2 O4 + contains Ni in the +II oxidation state and features a terminal Al-O.- oxygen radical site. They show that methane can react along two competing pathways leading to formation of either a methyl radical (CH3 ⋅) or formaldehyde (CH2 O). Both reactions are initiated by hydrogen atom transfer from methane to the terminal O.- site, followed by either CH3 ⋅ loss or CH3 ⋅ migration to an O2- site next to the Ni2+ center. The CH3 ⋅ attaches as CH3 + to O2- and its unpaired electron is transferred to the Ni-center reducing it to Ni+ . The proposed mechanism is experimentally confirmed by vibrational spectroscopy of the reactant and two different product ions.

Unravelling the Enigma of Nonoxidative Conversion of Methane on Iron Single-Atom Catalysts

The direct, nonoxidative conversion of methane on a silica-confined single-atom iron catalyst is a landmark discovery in catalysis, but the proposed gas-phase reaction mechanism is still open to discussion. Here, we report a surface reaction mechanism by computational modeling and simulations. The activation of methane occurs at the single iron site, whereas the dissociated methyl disfavors desorption into gas phase under the reactive conditions. In contrast, the dissociated methyl prefers transferring to adjacent carbon sites of the active center (Fe₁ ©SiC₂ ), followed by C-C coupling and hydrogen transfer to produce the main product (ethylene) via a key -CH-CH₂ intermediate. We find a quasi Mars-van Krevelen (quasi-MvK) surface reaction mechanism involving extracting and refilling the surface carbon atoms for the nonoxidative conversion of methane on Fe₁ ©SiO₂ and this surface process is identified to be more plausible than the alternative gas-phase reaction mechanism.

Reassessment of the Mechanisms of Thermal C-H Bond Activation of Methane by Cationic Magnesium Oxides: A Critical Evaluation of the Suitability of Different Density Functionals

The mechanisms of the thermal reactions of the two iconic magnesium oxide cations MgO^.+ and Mg₂ O₂ ^.+ with methane have been re-evaluated at the CCSD(T)/CBS//CCSD/def2-TZVP level of theory. For the reaction of MgO^.+ with CH₄ , only the classical hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) was found; in contrast, for the Mg₂ O₂ ^.+ /CH₄ couple, both HAT and proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET) exist as mechanistic variants. In order to evaluate the suitability of density functional theory (DFT) methods, the reactions were computed by using 27 density functionals. The results obtained demonstrate that the various DFT methods often deliver rather different results for both geometric and energetic features. As to the prediction of the apparent barriers, pure functionals give the largest mean absolute errors. BMK, ωB97XD, and the double-hybrid functional mPW2PLYP were confirmed to come closest to the results provided by CCSD(T)/CBS. Thus, mechanistic conclusions based on a single DFT method should be viewed with great caution. In summary, this study may assist in the selection of a suitable quantum chemical method to unravel the mechanistic details of C-H bond activation by charged metal oxides.

Metal Oxides in Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysis: State of the Art and Challenges for a More Sustainable World

This Review presents current knowledge, recent results, and challenges for the future in heterogeneous oxidation catalysis in liquid and gaseous phases on solid metal oxide catalysts. Metal oxides that are used as catalysts and their main structures and properties are summarized, as well as their catalytic properties in selective and total oxidation reactions, which were studied intensively, experimentally and theoretically, by Professor Jerzy Haber during his scientific life. Some emphasis is placed on the classical and unusual catalyst activation procedures for improving catalytic properties for better efficiency. For a more sustainable world, several examples are given of the oxidation of biomass derivatives to synthesize valuable chemicals and of other applications of metal oxides, such as depollution, photocatalysis, hydrogen production and fuel-cell components. The importance of metal oxide catalysis in environmental and green chemistry and sustainability is discussed, and challenges for the future are considered.

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Materials as Heterogeneous Catalysts for C-H Bond Activation

Converting light hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, propane, and cyclohexane into value-added chemicals and fuel products by means of direct C-H functionalization is an attractive method in the petrochemical industry. As they emerge as a relatively new class of porous solid materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are appealing as single-site heterogeneous catalysts or catalytic supports for C-H bond activation. In contrast to the traditional microporous and mesoporous materials, MOFs feature high porosity, functional tunability, and molecular-level characterization for the study of structure-property relationships. These virtues make MOFs ideal platforms to develop catalysts for C-H activation with high catalytic activity, selectivity, and recyclability under relatively mild reaction conditions. This review highlights the research aimed at the implementation of MOFs as single-site heterogeneous catalysts for C-H bond activation. It provides insight into the rational design and synthesis of three types of stable MOF catalysts for C-H bond activation, that is, i) metal nodes as catalytic sites, ii) the incorporation of catalytic sites into organic struts, and iii) the incorporation of catalytically active guest species into pores of MOFs. Here, the rational design and synthesis of MOF catalysts that lead to the distinct catalytic property for C-H bond activation are discussed along with the post-synthesis of MOFs, intriguing functions with MOF catalysts, and microenvironments that lead to the distinct catalytic properties of MOF catalysts.

Cooperativity between Al Sites Promotes Hydrogen Transfer and Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation upon Dimethyl Ether Activation on Alumina

The methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process allows the conversion of methanol/dimethyl ether into olefins on acidic zeolites via the so-called hydrocarbon pool mechanism. However, the site and mechanism of formation of the first carbon-carbon bond are still a matter of debate. Here, we show that the Lewis acidic Al sites on the 110 facet of γ-Al2O3 can readily activate dimethyl ether to yield CH4, alkenes, and surface formate species according to spectroscopic studies combined with a computational approach. The carbon-carbon forming step as well as the formation of methane and surface formate involves a transient oxonium ion intermediate, generated by a hydrogen transfer between surface methoxy species and coordinated methanol on adjacent Al sites. These results indicate that extra framework Al centers in acidic zeolites, which are associated with alumina, can play a key role in the formation of the first carbon-carbon bond, the initiation step of the industrial MTO process.

Heterogeneous catalysis

A heterogeneous catalyst is a functional material that continually creates active sites with its reactants under reaction conditions. These sites change the rates of chemical reactions of the reactants localized on them without changing the thermodynamic equilibrium between the materials.