EPR Spectroscopy of Cu(I)−NO Adsorption Complexes Formed over Cu−ZSM-5 and Cu−MCM-22 Zeolites

Understanding the effect of structural changes on slow magnetic relaxation in mononuclear octahedral copper(II) complexes

Current advances in molecular magnetism are aimed at the construction of molecular nanomagnets and spin qubits for their utilization as high-density data storage materials and quantum computers. Mononuclear coordination compounds with low spin values of S = ½ are excellent candidates for this endeavour, but knowledge of their construction via rational design is limited. This particularly applies to the single copper(II) spin center, having been only recently demonstrated to exhibit slow relaxation of magnetisation in the appropriate octahedral environment. We have thus prepared a unique organic scaffold that would allow one to gain in-depth insight into how purposeful structural differences affect the slow magnetic relaxation in monometallic, transition metal complexes. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate how one can construct two, structurally very similar complexes with isolated Cu(II) ions in an octahedral ligand environment, the magnetic properties of which differ significantly. The differences in structural symmetry effects and in magnetic relaxation are corroborated with a series of experimental techniques and theoretical approaches, showing how symmetry distortions and crystal packing affect the relaxation behaviour in these isolated Cu(II) systems. Our unique organic platform can be efficiently utilized for the construction of various transition-metal ion systems in the future, effectively providing a model system for investigation of magnetic relaxation via targeted structural distortions.

On the Role and Applications of Electron Magnetic Resonance Techniques in Surface Chemistry and Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

Some relevant aspects of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) applied to the fields of surface chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis are illustrated in this perspective paper that aims to show the potential of these techniques in describing critical features of surface structures and reactivity. Selected examples are employed covering distinct aspects of catalytic science from morphological analysis of surfaces to detailed descriptions of chemical bonding and catalytic sites topology. In conclusions the pros and cons related to the acquisition of EPR instrumentations in an advanced laboratory of surface chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis are briefly considered.

Graphic Abstract

Bis(μ-oxo) versus mono(μ-oxo)dicopper cores in a zeolite for converting methane to methanol: an in situ XAS and DFT investigation

The zeolite framework stabilizes the mono(μ-oxo)dicopper core, which is the active species in methane to methanol conversion.

Facile solvothermal synthesis of porous cubic Cu microparticles as copper catalysts for Rochow reaction

Porous cubic Cu microparticles were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method using Cu(CH(3)COO)(2)·H(2)O as the Cu precursor and NaOH in a solution containing ethanol, ethylene glycol, and water. The synthesis conditions were investigated and a growth process of porous cubic Cu microparticles was proposed. The catalytic properties of the porous Cu microparticles as model copper catalysts for Rochow reaction were explored. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed reduction, and nitrogen adsorption. It was found that the morphology and structure of the porous cubic Cu microparticles are highly dependent on the reaction time and temperature as well as on the amount of reactants added. Compared to the commercial Cu microparticles with irregular morphology and dense internal structure, porous cubic Cu microparticles show much higher dimethyldichlorosilane selectivity and Si conversion via Rochow reaction, which are attributed to the enhanced formation of active Cu(x)Si phase and gas transportation in the presence of the pore system within microparticles, demonstrating the significance of the pore structure of the copper catalysts in catalytic reactions of organosilane synthesis.

Electron spin resonance studies of Cu(I)-NO complexes formed over copper-exchanged three- and unidimensional zeolites

Cu(I)-NO complexes, one of the essential intermediates in the NO decomposition reaction, were formed over copper exchanged and autoreduced Cu-ZSM-5, Cu-MCM-58, Cu-ZSM-12, and Cu-L zeolites, and studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy at X-, Q-, and W-band frequencies. The spin Hamiltonian parameters of the NO adsorption complexes formed over pretreated materials firmly confirm the formation of Cu(I)-NO moieties. Two different Cu(I)-NO species A and B that are formed on account of different numbers of framework oxygen atoms coordinating to the Cu(I) cation are observed for Cu-ZSM-5, Cu-MCM-58, and Cu-ZSM-12 zeolites, while formation of a single Cu(I)-NO species B is observed in Cu-L zeolite. On the basis of the isotropic copper hyperfine couplings and the different channel topologies of the studied zeolite frameworks, we assign species A and B to Cu(I)-NO complexes formed at M5(7)-type and I2-type Cu(I) cation sites with either three or two oxygen co-ligands, respectively, supporting the results of previous quantum chemical studies on the Cu-ZSM-5 reference system. Whereas accessible five- or six-membered rings are clearly a prerequisite for M5(7)-type Cu(I) adsorption sites, the formation of I2-type sites in the unidimensional Cu-MCM-48, Cu-ZSM-12, and Cu-L zeolites suggests that not just channel intersection but also other structural motifs with exposed AlO4 tetrahedra can constitute such I2-type sites provided that sufficiently large channels can freely accommodate the Cu(I)-NO species.

Relativistic Density Functional Calculations of EPR g Tensor for η{CuNO}11 Species in Discrete and Zeolite-Embedded States

Spin-unrestricted zeroth order regular approximation (ZORA) and the scalar relativistic method based on Pauli Hamiltonian implemented in the Amsterdam Density Functional suite were used to calculate the electronic g tensor for isolated covalent {CuNO}(11) and electrostatic {q-NO}(1) species and for various model molecular and nonmolecular {CuNO}(11)-containing systems, epitomizing copper nitrosyl cage adducts in the ZSM-5 zeolite. The predicted g tensor values using the ZORA/VWN scheme were in satisfactory agreement with experimental EPR results. Relativistic, diamagnetic, and paramagnetic contributions to the calculated g tensor were quantified. The nature of the observed Deltag shifts was discussed in terms of the molecular orbital contributions due to the magnetic field-induced couplings and their structure sensitivity. The influence of basis set and exchange-correlation functional on the results was also briefly evaluated.

Critical Assessment of Electron Spin Resonance Studies on Cu(I)−NO Complexes in Cu−ZSM-5 Zeolites Prepared by Solid- and Liquid-State Ion Exchange

Cu(I)-NO adsorption complexes were formed over Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites prepared by (i) solid-state ion exchange of NH(4)-ZSM-5 with CuCl and (ii) liquid-state ion exchange of ZSM-5 with Cu(CH(3)COO)(2). Electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed the formation of two different Cu(I)-NO species A and B in both systems, whose spin Hamiltonian parameters are comparable with those already reported for the Cu(I)-NO species formed over 66% Cu(II) liquid-state ion-exchanged Cu-ZSM-5 materials. The population of the species A and B differs for the two systems studied. Formation of species B is more favored in the solid-state ion-exchanged Cu-ZSM-5 when compared to the liquid-state exchanged zeolite. The X-, Q- and W-band electron spin resonance spectra recorded at 6 and 77 K reveal the presence of a rigid geometry of the adsorption complexes at 6 K and a dynamic complex structure at higher temperatures such as 77 K. This is indicated by the change in the spin Hamiltonian parameters of the formed Cu(I)-NO species in both the liquid- and solid-state ion-exchanged Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites from 6 to 77 K. Possible models for the motional effects found at elevated temperatures are discussed. The temperature dependence of the electron spin phase memory time measured by two-pulse electron spin-echo experiments indicates, likewise, the onset of a motional process of the adsorbed NO molecules at temperatures above 10 K. The studies support previous assignments where the NO complexes are formed at two different Cu(I) cationic sites in the ZSM-5 framework and highlight that multifrequency electron spin resonance experiments at low temperatures are essential for reliable determination of the spin Hamiltonian parameters of the formed adsorption complexes for further comparison with Cu(I)-NO complex structures predicted by quantum chemical calculations.

Pulsed ENDOR Study of Cu(I)−NO Adsorption Complexes in Cu−L Zeolite

The local environments of Cu(I)-NO adsorption complexes formed in zeolites Cu-L and Cu-ZSM-5 were studied by electron spin resonance (ESR), pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), and hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy (HYSCORE). Cu(I)-NO complexes have attracted special interest because they are important intermediates in the catalytic decomposition of nitric oxide over copper exchanged zeolites. Recently, detailed structures of the complexes in Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites, O2-Al-O2-Cu(I)-NO, have been proposed on the basis of quantum chemical calculations (Pietrzyk, et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 6105. Dedecek, et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2002, 4, 5406). 27Al pulsed ENDOR and HYSCORE experiments allowed the hyperfine coupling parameters of an aluminum nuclei found in the vicinity of the Cu(I)-NO complex formed in zeolite Cu-L to be estimated. The data indicate that the aluminum atom is located in the third coordination sphere of the adsorbed NO molecule in agreement with the suggested geometry of the adsorption sites. Broad distributions of aluminum nuclear quadrupole and hyperfine coupling parameters and short electron spin relaxation times of the Cu(I)-NO species prevented the determination of the 27Al hyperfine couplings for zeolite Cu-ZSM-5.