Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of the copper (I) and silver (I)–nitrous oxide complexes

Electrochemical Reduction of N2O with a Molecular Copper Catalyst

Deoxygenation of nitrous oxide (N2O) has significant environmental implications, as it is not only a potent greenhouse gas but is also the main substance responsible for the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere. This has spurred significant interest in molecular complexes that mediate N2O deoxygenation. Natural N2O reduction occurs via a Cu cofactor, but there is a notable dearth of synthetic molecular Cu catalysts for this process. In this work, we report a selective molecular Cu catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of N2O to N2 using H2O as the proton source. Cyclic voltammograms show that increasing the H2O concentration facilitates the deoxygenation of N2O, and control experiments with a Zn(II) analogue verify an essential role for Cu. Theory and spectroscopy support metal-ligand cooperative catalysis between Cu(I) and a reduced tetraimidazolyl-substituted radical pyridine ligand (MeIm4P2Py = 2,6-(bis(bis-2-N-methylimidazolyl)phosphino)pyridine), which can be observed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Comparison with biological processes suggests a common theme of supporting electron transfer moieties in enabling Cu-mediated N2O reduction.

Infrared action spectroscopy of nitrous oxide on cationic gold and cobalt clusters

Understanding the catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide on finely divided transition metals is an important environmental issue. In this study, we present the results of a combined infrared action spectroscopy and quantum chemical investigation of molecular N2O binding to isolated Aun+ (n ≤ 7) and Con+ (n ≤ 5) clusters. Infrared multiple-photon dissociation spectra have been recorded in the regions of both the N[double bond, length as m-dash]O (1000-1400 cm-1) and N[double bond, length as m-dash]N (2100-2450 cm-1) stretching modes of nitrous oxide. In the case of Aun+ clusters only the ground electronic state plays a role, while the involvement of energetically low-lying excited states in binding to the Con+ clusters cannot be ruled out. There is a clear preference for N-binding to clusters of both metals but some O-bound isomers are observed in the case of smaller Con(N2O)+ clusters.

Structural isomers and low-lying electronic states of gas-phase M+(N2O)n (M = Co, Rh, Ir) ion–molecule complexes

The structures of gas-phase group nine cation–nitrous oxide metal–ligand complexes, M⁺(N₂O)_n (M = Co, Rh, Ir; n = 2–7) have been determined by a combination of infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and density functional theory.

THE ROLE OF SURFACE OXYGEN VACANCY IN N2O DECOMPOSITION ON Cu2O(111) SURFACE: A DFT STUDY

The role of a surface oxygen vacancy in the N 2 O dissociation over a Cu 2 O surface was studied using density functional theory — generalized gradient approximation periodic calculations. To perform this study, surface slab model — [Formula: see text] surface cell was used. The results indicated that N 2 O adsorption properties were associated with the surface oxygen vacancies. The presence of a surface oxygen vacancy, prepared by removing one O SUF atom from [Formula: see text] supercell, makes the N 2 O decomposition possible, which was believed to occur at a oxygen vacancy site. The N 2 O decomposition at the surface oxygen vacant site depends on whether the molecule is adsorbed with the O - or N -end on a vacancy. For the first case, the reaction proceeds spontaneously, which leads to an ejection of N 2 from the surface and the rest of the oxygen atoms occupying the vacancy. In the second case, even though there is an elongation of both N – N and N – O bonds, the dissociation is unfeasible due to very small adsorption energy and high activation energy. The role of the defective surface with surface oxygen vacancy is to provide electrons to the adsorbed molecule.

Binding and activation of N2O at transition-metal centers: recent mechanistic insights

No laughing matter, nitrous oxide's role in stratospheric ozone depletion and as a greenhouse gas has stimulated great interest in developing and understanding its decomposition, particularly through the use of transition-metal promoters. Recent advances in our understanding of the reaction pathways for N(2)O reduction by metal ions in the gas phase and in heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biological catalytic systems have provided provocative ideas about the structure and properties of metal N(2)O adducts and derived intermediates. These ideas are likely to inform efforts to design more effective catalysts for N(2)O remediation.

Reactions of molybdenum and tungsten atoms with nitrous oxide in excess argon: a combined matrix infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study

Reactions of laser-ablated Mo and W atoms with the N(2)O molecules in excess argon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. In the reaction of the N(2)O molecule with the Mo atom, the absorptions at 1960.3 and 934.4 cm(-1) are assigned to the N-N and Mo-O stretching vibrations of the OMoNN complex, respectively. An analogous OWNN complex has also been observed in the W + N(2)O reaction. Infrared spectroscopy also provides evidence for the formation of the OW(NN)(2) complexes. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on the products. Overall agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts supports the identification of these species from the matrix infrared spectra. Furthermore, a plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of these products has been proposed.

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of nickel, palladium, and platinum nitrous oxide complexes

Binary nickel, palladium, and platinum nitrous oxide complexes Ni(NNO)x, Pd(NNO)x (x = 1, 2), and PtNNO have been produced by the reactions of laser-evaporated metal atoms with nitrous oxide in solid argon. The complexes were identified on the basis of isotopically substituted infrared absorptions as well as theoretical frequency calculations. These complexes were characterized to have structures with the terminal N atom of N(2)O bound to the metal atoms. The MNNO complexes are photosensitive and rearrange to OMNN or MO + N(2) upon ultraviolet-visible irradiation.