Interaction between phosphomolybdic anion and imidazolium cation in polyoxometalates-based ionic liquids: a quantum mechanics study

Theoretical study on the microscopic mechanism of lignin solubilization in Keggin-type polyoxometalate ionic liquids

Keggin-type polyoxometalate derived ionic liquids (POM-ILs) have recently been presented as effective solvent systems for biomass delignification. To investigate the mechanism of lignin dissolution in POM-ILs, the system involving POM-IL ([C4C1Im]₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]) and guaiacyl glycerol-β-guaiacyl ether (GGE), which contains a β-O-4 bond (the most dominant bond moiety in lignin), was studied using quantum mechanical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. These studies show that more stable POM-IL structures are formed when [C4C1Im]⁺ is anchored in the connecting four terminal oxygen region of the [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3- surface. The cations in POM-ILs appear to stabilize the geometry by offering strong and positively charged sites, and the POM anion is a good H-bond acceptor. Calculations of POM-IL interacting with GGE show the POM anion interacts strongly with GGE through many H-bonds and π-π interactions which are the main interactions between the POM-IL anion and GGE and are strong enough to force GGE into highly bent conformations. These simulations provide fundamental models of the dissolution mechanism of lignin by POM-IL, which is promoted by strong interactions of the POM-IL anion with lignin.

Structures, electronic properties, reactivity and dynamic studies of three new polyoxometalate compounds

We report a complex study on the crystal structures, electronic properties, reactivity and dynamics of three polyoxometalate compounds (C6NH8)4[H2P2Mo5O23]·5H2O (1), (C2H8N)5[HP2Mo5O23]·(C3H9NO2)0.5·(H2O)1.5 (2) and (C2H8N)3[PMo12O40]·(H2O)0.34 (3). These compounds were synthesized using a solution method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallography confirmed three distinct symmetries P1[combining macron], P21/c and R3[combining macron]c for 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and unit cell constants a = 12.5609(2) Å, b = 13.2470(2) Å, c = 14.0353(2) Å, α = 107.1568(14)°, β = 101.2854(13)°, γ = 92.1445(14)° for 1, a = 15.8583(6) Å, b = 17.3578(5) Å, c = 14.8499 (4) Å, β = 114.933(3)° for 2, and a = 16.3798(3) Å, c = 50.2781(5) Å for 3. Semi-empirical calculations applied on the compounds provided information about their reactivity and electronic structures. In this context, several discussions concerning the frontier molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, thermodynamic properties and local ionization potential were mentioned. We also conducted molecular dynamics analysis in order to elucidate the dynamics of cations and anions and their energy variation.

Polyoxometalate-based phase transfer catalysis for liquid–solid organic reactions: a review

Recent progress in POM-based phase transfer catalysis for liquid–solid organic reactions is summarized in this review.

Non-covalent interactions in ionic liquid ion pairs and ion pair dimers: a quantum chemical calculation analysis

Weak non-covalent interactions were studied by means of QTAIM and NCI approaches in ion pairs and ion pair dimers of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations coupled with perfluorinated anions.