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Li Q, Liu QY, Zhao YX, He SG. Conversion of Methane at Room Temperature Mediated by the Ta-Ta σ-Bond. JACS AU 2024; 4:1824-1832. [PMID: 38818048 PMCID: PMC11134373 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Metal-metal bonds constitute an important type of reactive centers for chemical transformation; however, the availability of active metal-metal bonds being capable of converting methane under mild conditions, the holy grail in catalysis, remains a serious challenge. Herein, benefiting from the systematic investigation of 36 metal clusters of tantalum by using mass spectrometric experiments complemented with quantum chemical calculations, the dehydrogenation of methane at room temperature was successfully achieved by 18 cluster species featuring σ-bonding electrons localized in single naked Ta-Ta centers. In sharp contrast, the other 18 remaining clusters, either without naked Ta-Ta σ-bond or with σ-bonding electrons delocalized over multiple Ta-Ta centers only exhibit molecular CH4-adsorption reactivity or inertness. Mechanistic studies revealed that changing cluster geometric configurations and tuning the number of simple inorganic ligands (e.g., oxygen) could flexibly manipulate the presence or absence of such a reactive Ta-Ta σ-bond. The discovery of Ta-Ta σ-type bond being able to exhibit outstanding activity toward methane conversion not only overturns the traditional recognition that only the metal-metal π- or δ-bonds of early transition metals could participate in bond activation but also opens up a new access to design of promising metal catalysts with dual-atom as reactive sites for chemical transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education
Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Qing-Yu Liu
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education
Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Yan-Xia Zhao
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education
Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Sheng-Gui He
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education
Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
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2
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Arakawa M, Kono S, Sekine Y, Terasaki A. Reaction of size-selected iron-oxide cluster cations with methane: a model study of rapid methane loss in Mars' atmosphere. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:14684-14690. [PMID: 38716515 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp01337a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
We report gas-phase reactions of free iron-oxide clusters, FenOm+, and their Ar adducts with methane in the context of chemical processes in Mars' atmosphere. Methane activation was observed to produce FenOmCH2+/FenOmCD2+ and FenOmC+, where the reactivity exhibited size and composition dependence. For example, the rate coefficients of methane activation for Fe3O+ and Fe4O+ were estimated to be 1 × 10-13 and 3 × 10-13 cm3 s-1, respectively. Based on these reaction rate coefficients, the presence of iron-oxide clusters/particles with a density as low as 107 cm-3 in Mars' atmosphere would explain the rapid loss of methane observed recently by the Curiosity rover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Arakawa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Kono
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Yasuhito Sekine
- Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Akira Terasaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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3
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Zhao XG, Yang Q, Xu Y, Liu QY, Li ZY, Liu XX, Zhao YX, He SG. Machine Learning for Experimental Reactivity of a Set of Metal Clusters toward C-H Activation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12485-12495. [PMID: 38651836 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of C-H activation of alkanes is a very important research topic. The reactions of metal clusters with alkanes have been extensively studied to reveal the electronic features governing C-H activation, while the experimental cluster reactivity was qualitatively interpreted case by case in the literature. Herein, we prepared and mass-selected over 100 rhodium-based clusters (RhxVyOz- and RhxCoyOz-) to react with light alkanes, enabling the determination of reaction rate constants spanning six orders of magnitude. A satisfactory model being able to quantitatively describe the rate data in terms of multiple cluster electronic features (average electron occupancy of valence s orbitals, the minimum natural charge on the metal atom, cluster polarizability, and energy gap involved in the agostic interaction) has been constructed through a machine learning approach. This study demonstrates that the general mechanisms governing the very important process of C-H activation by diverse metal centers can be discovered by interpreting experimental data with artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Guan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Xia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Gui He
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
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4
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Kozubal J, Heck T, Metz RB. Probing adsorption of methane onto vanadium cluster cations via vibrational spectroscopy. J Chem Phys 2023; 159:174305. [PMID: 37916597 DOI: 10.1063/5.0169118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Photofragment spectroscopy is used to measure the vibrational spectra of V2+(CH4)n (n = 1-4), V3+(CH4)n (n = 1-3), and Vx+(CH4) (x = 4-8) in the C-H stretching region (2550-3100 cm-1). Spectra are measured by monitoring loss of CH4. The experimental spectra are compared to simulations at the B3LYP+D3/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory to identify the geometry of the ions. Multi-reference configuration interaction with Davidson correction (MRCI+Q) calculations are also carried out on V2+ and V3+. The methane binding orientation in V2+(CH4)n (n = 1-4) evolves from η3 to η2 as more methane molecules are added. The IR spectra of metal-methane clusters can give information on the structure of metal clusters that may otherwise be hard to obtain from isolated clusters. For example, the V3+(CH4)n (n = 1-3) experimental spectra show an additional peak as the second and third methane molecules are added to V3+, which indicates that the metal atoms are not equivalent. The Vx+(CH4) show a larger red shift in the symmetric C-H stretch for larger clusters with x = 5-8 than for the small clusters with x = 2, 3, indicating increased covalency in the interaction of larger vanadium clusters with methane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Kozubal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Tristan Heck
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Ricardo B Metz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
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Zhao XG, Zhao ZP, Zhao YX, He SG. Activation of Methane by Rhodium Clusters on a Model Support C 20H 10. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:9192-9199. [PMID: 37801470 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Supported metals represent an important family of catalysts for the transformation of the most stable alkane, methane, under mild conditions. Here, using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry coupled with a newly designed double ion trap reactor that can run at high temperatures, we successfully immobilize a series of Rhn- (n = 4-8) cluster anions on a model support C20H10. Reactivity measurements at room temperature identify a significantly enhanced performance of large-sized Rh7,8C20H10- toward methane activation compared to that of free Rh7,8-. The "support" acting as an "electron sponge" is emphasized as the key factor to improve the reactivity of large-sized clusters, for which the high electron-withdrawing capability of C20H10 dramatically shifts the active Rh atom from the apex position in free Rh7- to the edge position in "supported" Rh7- to enhance CH4 adsorption, while the flexibility of C20H10 to release electrons further promotes subsequent C-H activation. The Rh atoms in direct contact with the support serve as electron-relay stations for electron transfer between C20H10 and the active Rh atom. This work not only establishes a novel approach to prepare and measure the reactivity of "supported" metal clusters in isolated gas phase but provides useful atomic-scale insights for understanding the chemical behavior of carbon (e.g., graphene)-supported metals in heterogeneous catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Guan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Pu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Xia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Gui He
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Centre of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
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Le TNM, Le TBN, Nguyen PT, Nguyen TT, Tran QN, Nguyen TT, Kawazoe Y, Phan TB, Nguyen DM. Insight into the direct conversion of methane to methanol on modified ZIF-204 from the perspective of DFT-based calculations. RSC Adv 2023; 13:15926-15933. [PMID: 37250213 PMCID: PMC10214002 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra02650g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct oxidation of methane over oxo-doped ZIF-204, a bio-mimetic metal-organic framework, is investigated under first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. In the pristine ZIF-204, the tetrahedral methane molecule anchors to an open monocopper site via the so-called η2 configuration with a physisorption energy of 0.24 eV. This weak binding arises from an electrostatic interaction between the negative charge of carbon in the methane molecule and the positive Cu2+ cation in the framework. In the modified ZIF-204, the doped oxo species is stabilized at the axial position of a CuN4-base square pyramid at a distance of 2.06 Å. The dative covalent bond between Cu and oxo is responsible for the formation energy of 1.06 eV. With the presence of the oxo group, the presenting of electrons in the O_pz orbital accounts for the adsorption of methane via hydrogen bonding with an adsorption energy of 0.30 eV. The methane oxidation can occur via either a concerted direct oxo insertion mechanism or a hydrogen-atom abstraction radical rebound mechanism. Calculations on transition-state barriers show that reactions via the concerted direct oxo insertion mechanism can happen without energy barriers. Concerning the hydrogen-atom abstraction radical rebound mechanism, the C-H bond dissociation of the CH4 molecule is barrierless, but the C-O bond recombination to form the CH3OH molecule occurs through a low barrier of 0.16 eV. These predictions suggest the modified ZIF-204 is a promising catalyst for methane oxidization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thong Nguyen-Minh Le
- Center for Innovative Materials and Architectures Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
- Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Viet Nam
| | - Thu Bao Nguyen Le
- Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Viet Nam
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Information Technology Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Viet Nam
| | - Phat Tan Nguyen
- Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Viet Nam
- Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Science Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
| | - Trang Thuy Nguyen
- Key Laboratory for Multiscale Simulation of Complex Systems, University of Science, Vietnam National University - Hanoi Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
| | - Quang Ngoc Tran
- Center for Innovative Materials and Architectures Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
- Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Viet Nam
| | - Toan The Nguyen
- Key Laboratory for Multiscale Simulation of Complex Systems, University of Science, Vietnam National University - Hanoi Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
| | - Yoshiyuki Kawazoe
- New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University Sendai 980-8579 Japan
- Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology Kattankulathur 603203 Tamil Nadu India
- School of Physics, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology 111 University Avenue Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 Thailand
| | - Thang Bach Phan
- Center for Innovative Materials and Architectures Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
- Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Viet Nam
| | - Duc Manh Nguyen
- CCFE, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Abingdon OX14 3DB UK
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7
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Fielicke A. Probing the binding and activation of small molecules by gas-phase transition metal clusters via IR spectroscopy. Chem Soc Rev 2023. [PMID: 37162518 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00104g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Isolated transition metal clusters have been established as useful models for extended metal surfaces or deposited metal particles, to improve the understanding of their surface chemistry and of catalytic reactions. For this objective, an important milestone has been the development of experimental methods for the size-specific structural characterization of clusters and cluster complexes in the gas phase. This review focusses on the characterization of molecular ligands, their binding and activation by small transition metal clusters, using cluster-size specific infrared action spectroscopy. A comprehensive overview and a critical discussion of the experimental data available to date is provided, reaching from the initial results obtained using line-tuneable CO2 lasers to present-day studies applying infrared free electron lasers as well as other intense and broadly tuneable IR laser sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Fielicke
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
- Institut für Optik und Atomare Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
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