Metal oxide and carbide thermochemistry of Y+, Zr+, Nb+, and Mo+

Intersystem Crossing Control of the Nb+ + CO2 → NbO+ + CO Reaction

The transfer of an oxygen atom from carbon dioxide (CO2) to a transition metal cation in the gas phase offers atomic level insights into single-atom catalysis for CO2 activation. Given that these reactions often involve open-shell transition metals, they may proceed through intersystem crossing between different spin manifolds. However, a definitive understanding of such spin-forbidden reaction requires dynamical calculations on multiple global potential energy surfaces (PESs) coupled by spin-orbit couplings. In this work, we report global PESs and spin-orbit couplings for three low-lying spin (quintet, triplet, and singlet) states for the reaction between the niobium cation (Nb+) and CO2, which are used to investigate the nonadiabatic reaction dynamics and kinetics. Comparison with experimental data of kinetics and collision dynamics shows satisfactory agreement. This reaction is found to be very similar to that between Ta+ + CO2. Specifically, our theoretical findings suggest that the rate-limiting step in this reaction is intersystem crossing, rather than potential barriers.

Microstructural characterization and inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching resistance of Y2O3-Y4Al2O9 composite under CF4/Ar/O2 mixed gas conditions

In the semiconductor manufacturing process, when conducting inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching in challenging environments, both wafers and the ceramic components comprising the chamber's interior can be influenced by plasma attack. When ceramic components are exposed to long-term plasma environments, the eroded components must be replaced. Furthermore, non-volatile reactants can form and settle on semiconductor chips, acting as contaminants and reducing semiconductor production yield. Therefore, for semiconductor processing equipment parts to be utilized, it is necessary that they exhibit minimized generation of contaminant particles and not deviate significantly from the composition of conventionally used Al2O3 and Y2O3; part must also last long in various physicochemical etching environment. Herein, we investigate the plasma etching behavior of Y2O3-Y4Al2O9 (YAM) composites with a variety of mixing ratios under different gas fraction conditions. The investigation revealed that the etching rates and changes in surface roughness for these materials were significantly less than those of Y2O3 materials subjected to both chemical and physical etching. Microstructure analysis was conducted to demonstrate the minimization of crater formation. Mechanical properties of the composite were also analyzed. The results show that the composite can be commercialized as next-generation ceramic component in semiconductor processing equipment applications.

Synergistically Tuning Surface States of Hierarchical MoC by Pt-N Dual-Doping Engineering for Optimizing Hydrogen Evolution Activity

Catalytic performance can be greatly enhanced by rational modulation of the surface state. In this study, reasonable adjustment of the surface states around the Fermi level (EF ) of molybdenum carbide (MoC) (α phase) via a Pt-N dual-doping process to fabricate an electrocatalyst named as Pt-N-MoC is performed to promote hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance over the MoC surface. Systematically experimental and theoretical analyses demonstrate that the synergistic tuning of Pt and N can cause the delocalization of surface states, with an increase in the density of surface states near the EF . This is beneficial for accumulating and transferring electrons between the catalyst surface and adsorbent, resulting in a positively linear correlation between the density of surface states near the EF and the HER activity. Moreover, the catalytic performance is further enhanced by artificially fabricating a Pt-N-MoC catalyst that has a unique hierarchical structure composed of MoC nanoparticles (0D), nanosheets (2D), and microrods (3D). As expected, the obtained Pt-N-MoC electrocatalyst exhibits superb HER activity with an extremely low overpotential of 39 mV@10 mA cm-2 as well as superb stability (over 24 d) in an alkaline solution. This work highlights a novel strategy to develop efficient electrocatalysts via adjusting their surface states.

Guided Ion Beam Studies of the Dy + O → DyO+ + e- Chemi-ionization Reaction Thermochemistry and Dysprosium Oxide, Carbide, Sulfide, Dioxide, and Sulfoxide Cation Bond Energies

Guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry (GIBMS) was used to measure the kinetic energy dependent product ion cross sections for reactions of the lanthanide metal dysprosium cation (Dy⁺) with O₂, SO₂, and CO and reactions of DyO⁺ with CO, O₂, and Xe. DyO⁺ is formed through an exothermic process when Dy⁺ reacts with O₂, whereas all other processes observed are found to be endothermic. The kinetic energy dependences of these cross sections were analyzed to yield 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for DyO⁺, DyC⁺, DyS⁺, DyO₂⁺, and DySO⁺. The 0 K BDE for DyO⁺ is determined to be 5.60 ± 0.02 eV from the weighted average of six independent thresholds, which are dominated by the slightly endothermic reaction of Dy⁺ with SO₂. Combined with the well-established Dy ionization energy (IE), this value indicates that the chemi-ionization reaction, Dy + O → DyO⁺ + e^-, is endothermic by 0.33 ± 0.02 eV. Theoretical BDEs for Dy⁺-O, Dy⁺-C, Dy⁺-S, ODy⁺-O, and Dy⁺-SO were calculated at several levels of theory and basis sets for comparison with experiment with reasonable agreement achieved.

New Insight into the Gas Phase Reaction Dynamics in Pulsed Laser Deposition of Multi-Elemental Oxides

The gas-phase reaction dynamics and kinetics in a laser induced plasma are very much dependent on the interactions of the evaporated target material and the background gas. For metal (M) and metal–oxygen (MO) species ablated in an Ar and O₂ background, the expansion dynamics in O₂ are similar to the expansion dynamics in Ar for M⁺ ions with an MO⁺ dissociation energy smaller than O₂. This is different for metal ions with an MO⁺ dissociation energy larger than for O₂. This study shows that the plume expansion in O₂ differentiates itself from the expansion in Ar due to the formation of MO⁺ species. It also shows that at a high oxygen background pressure, the preferred kinetic energy range to form MO species as a result of chemical reactions in an expanding plasma, is up to 5 eV.

Activation of CO2 by Actinide Cations (Th+, U+, Pu+, and Am+) as Studied by Guided Ion Beam and Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Reactions of CO₂ with Th⁺ have been studied using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry (GIBMS) and with An⁺ (An⁺ = Th⁺, U⁺, Pu⁺, and Am⁺) using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (QQQ-ICP-MS). Additionally, the reactions ThO⁺ + CO and ThO⁺ + CO₂ were examined using GIBMS. Modeling the kinetic energy-dependent GIBMS data allowed the determination of bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for D₀(Th⁺-O) and D₀(OTh⁺-O) that are in reasonable agreement with previous GIBMS measurements. The QQQ-ICP-MS reactions were studied at higher pressures where multiple collisions between An⁺ and the neutral CO₂ occur. As a consequence, both AnO⁺ and AnO₂⁺ products were observed for all An⁺ except Am⁺, where only AmO⁺ was observed. The relative abundances of the observed monoxides compared to the dioxides are consistent with previous reports of the AnO_n⁺ (n = 1, 2) BDEs. A comparison of the periodic trends of the group 4 transition metal, lanthanide (Ln), and actinide atomic cations in reactions with CO₂ (a formally spin-forbidden reaction for most M⁺ ground states) and O₂ (a spin-unrestricted reaction) indicates that spin conservation plays a minor role, if any, for the heavier Ln⁺ and An⁺ metals. Further correlation of Ln⁺ and An⁺ + CO₂ reaction efficiencies with the promotion energy (E_p) to the first electronic state with two valence d-electrons (E_p(5d²) for Ln⁺ and E_p(6d²) for An⁺) indicates that the primary limitation in the activation of CO₂ is the energetic cost to promote from the electronic ground state of the atomic metal ion to a reactive state.

Evaluation of the Pr + O → PrO+ + e- chemi-ionization reaction enthalpy and praseodymium oxide, carbide, dioxide, and carbonyl cation bond energies

Guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry (GIBMS) was used to measure the kinetic energy dependent product ion cross sections for reactions of the lanthanide metal praseodymium cation (Pr+) with O2, CO2, and CO and reactions of PrO+ with CO, O2, and Xe. PrO+ is formed through barrierless exothermic processes when the atomic metal cation reacts with O2 and CO2, whereas all other reactions are observed to be endothermic. Analyses of the kinetic energy dependences of these cross sections yield 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for PrO+, PrC+, PrCO+, and PrO2+. The 0 K BDE for PrO+ is determined to be 7.62 ± 0.09 eV from the weighted average of five independent thresholds. This value is combined with the well-established ionization energy (IE) of Pr to indicate an exothermicity of the chemi-ionization reaction, Pr + O → PrO+ + e-, of 2.15 ± 0.09 eV. Additionally, BDEs of Pr+-C, OPr+-O, and Pr+-CO are determined to be 2.97 ± 0.10. 2.47 ± 0.11, and 0.31 ± 0.07 eV. Theoretical Pr+-O, Pr+-C, OPr+-O, and Pr+-CO BDEs are calculated for comparison with experimental values. The Pr+-O BDE is underestimated at the B3LYP and PBE0 level of theory but better agreement is obtained using the coupled-cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations, CCSD(T), level. Density functional theory approaches yield better agreement for the BDEs of Pr+-C, OPr+-O, and Pr+-CO.

Bond dissociation energies of transition metal oxides: CrO, MoO, RuO, and RhO

Through the use of resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy, sharp predissociation thresholds have been identified in the spectra of CrO, MoO, RuO, and RhO. Similar thresholds have previously been used to measure the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of many molecules that have a high density of vibronic states at the ground separated atom limit. A high density of states allows precise measurement of the BDE by facilitating prompt dissociation to ground state atoms when the BDE is exceeded. However, the number of states required for prompt predissociation at the thermochemical threshold is not well defined and undoubtedly varies from molecule to molecule. The ground separated atom limit generates 315 states for RuO, 252 states for RhO, and 63 states for CrO and MoO. Although comparatively few states derive from this limit for CrO and MoO, the observation of sharp predissociation thresholds for all four molecules nevertheless allows BDEs to be assigned as 4.863(3) eV (RuO), 4.121(3) eV (RhO), 4.649(5) eV (CrO), and 5.414(19) eV (MoO). Thermochemical cycles are used to derive the enthalpies of formation of the gaseous metal oxides and to obtain IE(RuO) = 8.41(5) eV, IE(RhO) = 8.56(6) eV, D₀(Ru-O^-) = 4.24(2) eV, D₀(Cr-O^-) = 4.409(8) eV, and D₀(Mo-O^-) = 5.243(20) eV. The mechanisms leading to prompt predissociation at threshold in the cases of CrO and MoO are discussed. Also presented is a discussion of the bonding trends for the transition metal oxides, which are compared to the previously measured transition metal sulfides.

Weak-field ligands enable inert early transition metal oxides to convert methane to methanol: the case of ZrO

Zirconium monoxide, ZrO, was studied by multi-reference configuration interaction (MRCI) and coupled cluster methods using large basis sets in conjunction with effective core potentials. Complete potential energy curves were constructed and bonding patterns are proposed for several electronic states. Numerical results include accurate equilibrium bond lengths, harmonic vibrational frequencies, anharmonicities, excitation energies, dipole moments, and binding energies for both ground and excited states. The application of a ZrO unit as the catalytic center for methane activation is explored through the reaction ZrO + CH₄→ Zr + CH₃OH. Optimal density functional structures combined with single-point MRCI energy calculations are obtained for the complete reaction pathway. It is found that the lower energy singlet and triplet multiplicities (oxo states) favor the [2+2] mechanism and the higher energy quintets (oxyl states) favor the radical mechanism, which is overall more efficient in producing methanol. We finally suggest proper ligands that stabilize the oxyl states. These include halogens or other weak-field ligands, which finally convert the inert early transition metal oxide units to efficient methane-to-methanol catalysts.

Guided Ion Beam and Quantum Chemical Investigation of the Thermochemistry of Thorium Dioxide Cations: Thermodynamic Evidence for Participation of f Orbitals in Bonding

Kinetic energy dependent reactions of ThO⁺ with O₂ are studied using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The formation of ThO₂⁺ in the reaction of ThO⁺ with O₂ is observed to be slightly endothermic and also exhibits two obvious features in the cross section. These kinetic energy dependent cross sections were modeled to determine a 0 K bond dissociation energy of D₀(OTh⁺-O) = 4.94 ± 0.06 eV. This value is slightly larger but within experimental uncertainty of less precise previously reported experimental values. The higher energy feature in the ThO₂⁺ cross section was also analyzed and suggests formation of an excited state of the product ion lying 3.1 ± 0.2 eV above the ground state. Additionally, the thermochemistry of ThO₂⁺ was explored by quantum chemical calculations, including a full Feller-Peterson-Dixon (FPD) composite approach with correlation contributions up to CCSDT(Q) and four-component spin-orbit corrections, as well as more approximate CCSD(T) calculations including semiempirical estimates of spin-orbit energy contributions. The FPD approach predicts D₀(OTh⁺-O) = 4.87 ± 0.04 eV, in good agreement with the experimental value. Analogous FPD results for ThO⁺, ThO, and ThO₂ are also presented, including ionization energies for both ThO and ThO₂. The ThO₂⁺ bond energy is larger than those of its transition metal congeners, TiO₂⁺ and ZrO₂⁺, which can be attributed partially to an actinide contraction, but also to contributions from the participation of f orbitals on thorium that are unavailable to the transition metal systems.

Structural Properties of Gas-Phase Molybdenum Oxide Clusters [Mo4O13]2-, [HMo4O13]-, and [CH3Mo4O13]- Studied by Collision-Induced Dissociation

Molybdenum oxide-based catalysts are widely used for the ammoxidation of toluene, methanation of CO, or hydrodeoxygenation. As a first step towards a gas-phase model system, we investigate here structural properties of mass-selected [Mo₄O₁₃]^2-, [HMo₄O₁₃]^-, and [CH₃Mo₄O₁₃]^- by a combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments and quantum chemical calculations. According to calculations, the common structural motif is an eight-membered ring composed of four MoO₂ units and four O atoms. The 13th O atom is located above the center of the ring and connects two to four Mo centers. For [Mo₄O₁₃]^2- and [HMo₄O₁₃]^-, dissociation requires opening or rearrangement of the ring structure, which is quite facile for the doubly charged [Mo₄O₁₃]^2-, but energetically more demanding for [HMo₄O₁₃]^-. In the latter case, the hydrogen atom is found to stay preferentially with the negatively charged fragments [HMo₂O₇]^- or [HMoO₄]^-. The doubly charged species [Mo₄O₁₃]^2- loses one MoO₃ unit at low energies while Coulomb explosion into the complementary fragments [Mo₂O₆]^- and [Mo₂O₇]^- dominates at elevated collision energies. [CH₃Mo₄O₁₃]^- affords rearrangements of the methyl group with low barriers, preferentially eliminating formaldehyde, while the ring structure remains intact. [CH₃Mo₄O₁₃]^- also reacts efficiently with water, leading to methanol or formaldehyde elimination.

Bond dissociation energies of ScSi, YSi, LaSi, ScC, YC, LaC, CoC, and YCH

Predissociation thresholds of the ScSi, YSi, LaSi, ScC, YC, LaC, CoC, and YCH molecules have been measured using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. It is argued that the dense manifold of electronic states present in these molecules causes prompt dissociation when the bond dissociation energy (BDE) is exceeded, allowing their respective predissociation thresholds to provide precise values of their bond energies. The BDEs were measured as 2.015(3) eV (ScSi), 2.450(2) eV (YSi), 2.891(5) eV (LaSi), 3.042(10) eV (ScC), 3.420(3) eV (YC), 4.718(4) eV (LaC), 3.899(13) eV (CoC), and 4.102(3) eV (Y-CH). Using thermochemical cycles, the enthalpies of formation, Δ_fH_0K°(g), were calculated as 627.4(9.0) kJ mol^-1 (ScSi), 633.1(9.0) kJ mol^-1 (YSi), 598.1(9.0) kJ mol^-1 (LaSi), 793.8(4.3) kJ mol^-1 (ScC), 805.0(4.2) kJ mol^-1 (YC), 687.3(4.2) kJ mol^-1 (LaC), 760.1(2.5) kJ mol^-1 (CoC), and 620.8(4.2) kJ mol^-1 (YCH). Using data for the BDEs of the corresponding cations allows ionization energies to be obtained through thermochemical cycles as 6.07(11) eV (ScSi), 6.15(13) eV (YSi), 5.60(10) eV (LaSi), 6.26(6) eV (ScC), 6.73(12) or 5.72(11) eV [YC, depending on the value of D₀(Y⁺-C) employed], and 5.88(35) eV (LaC). Additionally, a new value of D₀(Co⁺-C) = 4.045(13) eV was obtained based on the present work and the previously determined ionization energy of CoC. An ionization onset threshold allowed the measurement of the LaSi ionization energy as 5.607(10) eV, in excellent agreement with a prediction based on a thermochemical cycle. Chemical bonding trends are also discussed.

Evaluation of the exothermicity of the chemi-ionization reaction Nd + O → NdO+ + e- and neodymium oxide, carbide, dioxide, and carbonyl cation bond energies

The exothermicity of the chemi-ionization reaction, Nd + O → NdO⁺ + e^-, has been indirectly determined by measuring the thermochemistry for reactions of the lanthanide metal neodymium cation (Nd⁺) with O₂, CO₂, and CO and reactions of NdO⁺ with CO, O₂, and Xe. Guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the kinetic energy dependent product ion cross sections for these reactions. NdO⁺ is formed through a barrierless exothermic process when the atomic metal cation reacts with O₂ and CO₂. All other reactions are observed to be endothermic. Analyses of the kinetic energy dependences of these cross sections yield 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for several species. The 0 K BDE for Nd⁺-O is determined to be 7.28 ± 0.10 eV from the average of four independent thresholds. This value is combined with the well-established Nd ionization energy to indicate an exothermicity of the title reaction of 1.76 ± 0.10 eV, which is lower and more precise than literature values. In addition, the Nd⁺-C, ONd⁺-O, and Nd⁺-CO BDEs are determined to be 2.61 ± 0.30, 2.12 ± 0.30, and 0.30 ± 0.21 eV. Additionally, theoretical BDEs of Nd⁺-O, Nd⁺-C, ONd⁺-O, and Nd⁺-CO are calculated at several levels for comparison with the experimental values. B3LYP calculations seriously underestimate the Nd⁺-O BDE, whereas MP2 and coupled-cluster with single, double-and perturbative triple excitations values are in reasonable agreement. Good agreement is generally obtained for Nd⁺-C, ONd⁺-O, and Nd⁺-CO BDEs as well.

Ab initio investigation of the ground and excited states of MoO+,2+,− and their catalytic strength on water activation

Ground and excited states of the titled molybdenum oxides and their reaction with water were studied with high level quantum chemical methodologies.

Gadolinium cation (Gd+) reaction with O2: Potential energy surface mapped experimentally and with theory

Guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry is used to measure the kinetic energy dependent cross sections for reactions of the lanthanide metal gadolinium cation (Gd⁺) and GdO⁺ with O₂ and for collision-induced dissociation (CID) of GdO₂⁺ with Xe. Gd⁺ reacts with O₂ in an exothermic and barrierless reaction to form GdO⁺ and O. GdO₂⁺ is also formed in this reaction, but this product ion is formed in a sequential reaction, as verified by pressure dependent measurements and comparison with the results for the reaction of GdO⁺ with O₂. The CID experiments of GdO₂⁺ indicate the presence of two GdO₂⁺ precursor ion populations, assigned to a weakly bound oxygen molecule adduct (Gd⁺-O₂) and an inserted cyclic Gd⁺ dioxide species (O-Gd⁺-O). Analysis of the resulting product ion cross sections yields bond dissociation energies (BDEs, D₀) for Gd⁺-O₂ and OGd⁺-O, where the latter BDE is also independently measured in an exchange reaction between GdO⁺ and O₂. The CID experiments also provide the energy of the barrier for the rearrangement of the Gd⁺-O₂ adduct to the inserted O-Gd⁺-O structure (as identified by loss of a single oxygen atom). The thermochemistry measured here yields D₀(OGd⁺-O) = 2.86 ± 0.08 eV, D₀(Gd⁺-O₂) = 0.75 ± 0.11 eV, and a barrier height relative to Gd⁺-O₂ of 0.31 ± 0.07 eV. These data are sufficient to characterize in some detail the potential energy surface of the Gd⁺ reaction with O₂ entirely from experiment. Theoretical calculations are performed for comparison with the experimental energetics and for further insight into the reaction mechanisms.

Gadolinium (Gd) Oxide, Carbide, and Carbonyl Cation Bond Energies and Evaluation of the Gd + O → GdO+ + e- Chemi-Ionization Reaction Enthalpy

Guided ion beam mass spectrometry (GIBMS) is used to measure the kinetic energy dependent product ion cross sections for reactions of the lanthanide metal gadolinium cation (Gd⁺) with O₂, CO₂, and CO and for reactions of GdO⁺ with CO, O₂, and Xe. GdO⁺ is formed through barrierless and exothermic processes in the reactions of Gd⁺ with O₂ and CO₂. All other reactions observed are endothermic, and analyses of their kinetic energy dependent cross sections yield 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for GdO⁺, GdC⁺, and GdCO⁺. The 0 K BDE for GdO⁺ is determined from five different reactions to be 7.69 ± 0.10 eV, and this value is combined with literature data to derive the ionization energy (IE) of GdO as 5.82 ± 0.16 eV. Additionally, GdC⁺ and GdCO⁺ BDEs of 3.18 ± 0.18 eV and 0.65 ± 0.06 eV are obtained from analysis of the Gd⁺ reactions with CO and CO₂, respectively. Theoretical GdO⁺, GdC⁺, and GdCO⁺ BDEs are calculated for comparison with experiment using various Gd basis sets with an effective core potential and several levels of theory. For calculations that correctly predict a ¹⁰D ground state for Gd⁺, good agreement between theoretical and measured GdC⁺ and GdCO⁺ BDEs is obtained, whereas the GdO⁺ BDE is underestimated in these calculations by about 0.8 eV. Additional BDEs for GdO⁺ and GdC⁺ are calculated using triple- and quadruple-ζ correlation consistent all-electron basis sets for Gd. Calculations with these basis sets provide better agreement with experiment for GdO⁺ but not for GdC⁺. The measured Gd⁺ oxide, carbide, and carbonyl BDEs are similar to those for the group 3 metal ions, Sc⁺ and Y⁺. This is attributed to similarities in the ground state electronic configurations of these metal ions leading to similar interaction strengths. The experimental GdO⁺ BDE measured here combined with the known IE of Gd is used to determine an exothermicity of 1.54 ± 0.10 eV for the Gd chemi-ionization reaction with atomic oxygen. This value is consistent with but more precise than previous literature values.

Formation, Fragmentation, and Structures of YxOy(+) (x = 1, 2, y = 1 - 13) Clusters: Collision-Induced Dissociation Experiments and Density Functional Theory Calculations

Yttrium oxide cluster cations have been experimentally and theoretically studied. We produced small, oxygen-rich yttrium oxide clusters, YxOy+ (x = 1, 2, y = 1–13), by mixing the laser-produced yttrium plasma with a molecular oxygen jet. Mass spectrometry measurements showed that the most stable clusters are those consisting of one yttrium and an odd number of oxygen atoms of the form YO(+)(2k+1) (k = 0–6). Additionally, we performed collision induced dissociation experiments, which indicated that the loss of pairs of oxygen atoms down to a YO+ core is the preferred fragmentation channel for all clusters investigated. Furthermore, we conduct DFT calculations and we obtained two types of low-energy structures: one containing an yttrium cation core and the other composed of YO+ core and O2 ligands, being in agreement with the observed fragmentation pattern. Finally, from the fragmentation studies, total collision cross sections are obtained and these are compared with geometrical cross sections of the calculated structures.

Unravelling Mechanistic Aspects of the Gas-Phase Ethanol Conversion: An Experimental and Computational Study on the Thermal Reactions of MO2 (+) (M=Mo, W) with Ethanol

The ion/molecule reactions of molybdenum and tungsten dioxide cations with ethanol have been studied by Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Dehydration of ethanol has been found as the dominant reaction channel, while generation of the ethyl cation corresponds to a minor product. Cleary, the reactions are mainly governed by the Lewis acidity of the metal center. Computational results, together with isotopic labeling experiments, show that the dehydration of ethanol can proceed either through a conventional concerted [1,2]-elimination mechanism or a step-wise process; the latter occurs via a hydroxyethoxy intermediate. Formation of C2 H5 (+) takes place by transfer of OH(-) from ethanol to the metal center of MO2 (+) . The molybdenum and tungsten dioxide cations exhibit comparable reactivities toward ethanol, and this is reflected in similar reaction rate constants and branching ratios.

High reactivity of nanosized niobium oxide cluster cations in methane activation: A comparison with vanadium oxides

The reactions between methane and niobium oxide cluster cations were studied and compared to those employing vanadium oxides. Hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) reactions were identified over stoichiometric (Nb2O5)N(+) clusters for N as large as 14 with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The reactivity of (Nb2O5)N(+) clusters decreases as the N increases, and it is higher than that of (V 2O5)N(+) for N ≥ 4. Theoretical studies were conducted on (Nb2O5)N(+) (N = 2-6) by density functional calculations. HAA reactions on these clusters are all favorable thermodynamically and kinetically. The difference of the reactivity with respect to the cluster size and metal type (Nb vs V) was attributed to thermodynamics, kinetics, the electron capture ability, and the distribution of the unpaired spin density. Nanosized Nb oxide clusters show higher HAA reactivity than V oxides, indicating that niobia may serve as promising catalysts for practical methane conversion.

Rotationally resolved state-to-state photoionization and the photoelectron study of vanadium monocarbide and its cations (VC/VC+)

Two-color VIS-UV laser pulsed filed ionization-photoelectron (PFI-PE) study and theoretical predictions for vanadium monocarbide (VC) neutral and its cation (VC⁺).