Computational studies on the reactivity of alkyl halides over (Al2O3)n nanoclusters: an approach towards room temperature dehydrohalogenation

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Frustrated Lewis Pairs for the Activation and Transformation of CO2

Due to the serious ecological problems caused by the high CO2 content in the atmosphere, reducing atmospheric CO2 has attracted widespread attention from academia and governments. Among the many ways to mitigate CO2 concentration, the capture and comprehensive utilization of CO2 through chemical methods have obvious advantages, whose key is to develop suitable adsorbents and catalysts. Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are known to bind CO2 through the interaction between unquenched Lewis acid sites/Lewis base sites with the O/C of CO2, simultaneously achieving CO2 capture and activation, which render FLP better potential for CO2 utilization. However, how to construct efficient FLP targeted for CO2 utilization and the mechanism of CO2 activation have not been systematically reported. This review firstly provides a comprehensive summary of the recent advances in the field of CO2 capture, activation, and transformation with the help of FLP, including the construction of homogeneous and heterogeneous FLPs, their interaction with CO2, reaction activity, and mechanism study. We also illustrated the challenges and opportunities faced in this field to shed light on the prospective research.

Frustrated Lewis Pairs in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Theoretical Insights

Frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) catalysts have attracted much recent interest because of their exceptional ability to activate small molecules in homogeneous catalysis. In the past ten years, this unique catalysis concept has been extended to heterogeneous catalysis, with much success. Herein, we review the recent theoretical advances in understanding FLP-based heterogeneous catalysis in several applications, including metal oxides, functionalized surfaces, and two-dimensional materials. A better understanding of the details of the catalytic mechanism can help in the experimental design of novel heterogeneous FLP catalysts.

Removal of Bromine from the non-metallic fraction in printed circuit board via its Co-pyrolysis with alumina

The effectiveness of a recycling approach of the printed circuit board (PCBs), and, thus, the quality of polymeric constituents, primarily rests on the capacity to eliminate the bromine content (mainly as HBr). HBr is emitted in appreciable quantities during thermal decomposition of PCB-contained brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The highly corrosive, yet relatively reactive HBr, renders recovery of bromine-free hydrocarbons streams from brominated polymers in PCBs very challenging. Via combined experimental and theoretical frameworks, this study explores the potential of deploying alumina (Al₂O₃) as a debromination agent of Br-containing hydrocarbon fractions in PCBs. A consensus from a wide array of characterization techniques utilized herein (ICP-OES, IC, XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and TGA) clearly demonstrates the transformation of alumina upon its co-pyrolysis with the non-metallic fractions of PCBs, into aluminum bromides and oxy-bromides. ICP-OES measurements disclose the presence of high concentration of Cu in the non-metallic fraction of PCB, along with minor levels of selected valuable metals. Likewise, elemental ionic analysis by IC demonstrates an elevated concentration of bromine in washed alumina-PCBs pyrolysates, especially at 500 °C. The Coats-Redfern model facilitates the derivation of thermo-kinetic parameters underpinning the thermal degradation of alumina-PCB mixtures. Density functional theory calculations (DFT) establish an accessible reaction pathway for the HBr uptake by the alumina surface, thus elucidating chemical reactions governing the observed alumina debromination activity. Findings from this study illustrate the capacity of alumina as a HBr fixation agent during the thermal treatment of e-waste.

Adsorption of free radical TEMPO onto Al2O3 nanoparticles and evaluation of radical scavenging activity

This study describes the adsorption of free radical TEMPO onto Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in the solvents with different polarities including DMF, methanol, acetone, THF, petroleum ether and n-hexane at ambient temperature to evaluate the radical scavenging activity. The adsorption percentage of radical is calculated by measuring the maximum adsorption intensity of the ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum of TEMPO in the presence and the absence of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. The morphology of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles before and after adsorption of TEMPO is studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The adsorption energy and other thermochemical data for the adsorption of TEMPO over different active sites of Al₂O₃ are estimated via dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT + Disp). The donor-acceptor interactions between Al₂O₃ and TEMPO are calculated using natural bond orbital (NBO) theory. It is found that Al₂O₃ nanoparticles have efficient radical scavenging activity (RSA) in the range of 50-72%. Approximately, a linear relationship between dielectric constant of solvent and the absorption percentage of TEMPO over Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is achieved. So that with decreasing the polarity of solvent, the adsorption of TEMPO onto Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is increased. The adsorption of TEMPO over Lewis acidic sites of Al₂O₃ is more favored than Brønsted acidic and basic sites. The comparison between experimental and calculated IR spectra of TEMPO/Al₂O₃ complexes provides the good evidence for adsorption of TEMPO onto the surface of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles.

Towards H2O catalyzed N2-fixation over TiO2 doped Run clusters (n = 5, 6): a mechanistic and kinetic approach

H2O driven N2 fixation is known as the best alternative pathway to synthesise NH3 under ambient conditions. The thermodynamic non-spontaneous reaction can be accomplished by a photocatalytic water splitting reaction over a TiO2 supported surface with oxygen vacancies. Previous experiments have also shown N2 activation over a neutral Ru cluster whose catalytic activity was remarkably enhanced by TiO2 doping. In this article, we have investigated the detailed mechanism and kinetics of the H2O catalyzed nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) over bare and TiO2 doped Ru5 clusters in conjunction with DFT and TST calculations. The lack of photochemical activity of the small model cluster provoked us to explore an alternative route of NH3 formation via H2O catalysis. For this, we have considered H2 as co-reactant. The partial reduction of N2 into NH3 or N2H4 could be achieved by a H2O oxidation reaction, however, catalytic regeneration requires additional H2 which effectively makes the overall reaction catalyzed by H2O. Above all, the present investigation suggests that NH3 is most favorably produced through the distal mechanism. Analysis of the rate constants demonstrates that the doping with TiO2 accelerates the kinetics of NRR by a few orders of magnitude. Furthermore, an increase of the size of the metal cluster would not significantly enhance the overall performance of NRR.

Reductive Defluorination and Mechanochemical Decomposition of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): From Present Knowledge to Future Remediation Concepts

Over the past two decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have emerged as worldwide environmental contaminants, calling out for sophisticated treatment, decomposition and remediation strategies. In order to mineralize PFAS pollutants, the incineration of contaminated material is a state-of-the-art process, but more cost-effective and sustainable technologies are inevitable for the future. Within this review, various methods for the reductive defluorination of PFASs were inspected. In addition to this, the role of mechanochemistry is highlighted with regard to its major potential in reductive defluorination reactions and degradation of pollutants. In order to get a comprehensive understanding of the involved reactions, their mechanistic pathways are pointed out. Comparisons between existing PFAS decomposition reactions and reductive approaches are discussed in detail, regarding their applicability in possible remediation processes. This article provides a solid overview of the most recent research methods and offers guidelines for future research directions.

Mechanistic insights into the non-bifunctional hydrogenation of esters by Co(ii) pincer complexes: a DFT study

A recent experiment has revealed that additive free ester hydrogenation by Co-pincer complexes might follow an unusual non-bifunctional mechanism, however, the detailed mechanistic pathway is missing. It has been predicted that several intermediates and transition states are involved, having their essential role in the catalytic performances. Detailed theoretical studies are therefore essential in this regard for achieving more efficient ester hydrogenation catalysts. On the basis of first principles calculations, performed over Co(PNP)/(PNN) complexes, we present here the energetics and mechanistic details, showing the distinct orientations of different possible intermediates and transition states, and find the minimum energy pathway for the conversion of esters to alcohols. In the way, we find that some intermediates must undergo structural distortion for achieving the lowest potential energy barrier which must have a severe impact on the catalytic turnover frequency.

Combined QTAIM and ETS-NOCV investigation of the interactions in ClnM[PhB(NtBu)2] complexes with M = Si & Ge (n = 0), As & Sb (n = 1), Te & Po (n = 2)

In this work, the nature of the chemical interactions between the metalloid atom (M = Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te, Po) and the nitrogen atoms in the bora-amidinate (bam) complexes (Cl_nM[PhB(N^tBu)₂]) are investigated, mainly via density-based indices. The descriptors used are derived using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural orbitals for chemical valence approaches. It is shown that the strongest interaction is achieved with silicon. Indeed, it is generally the lightest metalloid in a particular group of the periodic table (i.e., Si, As, and Te for groups 14-16, respectively) that exhibits the strongest bond in the bam complex. This suggests that the atomic radius of the metalloid is a useful parameter for predicting the bonding strength. Extended transition state (ETS) decomposition results indicate that the interactions are more electrostatic than due to orbital interactions.

Formation of environmentally-persistent free radicals (EPFR) on α-Al2O3 clusters

This study explores the role of alumina clusters assume an important role in catalyzing formation of notorious environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs).

Decomposition of selected chlorinated volatile organic compounds by ceria (CeO2)

Guided by recent experimental measurements, this study theoretically investigates the initial steps operating in the interactions of ceria surface CeO₂(111) with three CVOC model compounds, namely chloroethene (CE), chloroethane (CA) and chlorobenzene (CB).