Direct Detection of Supramolecular Reaction Centers in the Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion over Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 by 13C–27Al Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Hydrocarbon‐pool chemistry is important in methanol to olefins (MTO) conversion on acidic zeolite catalysts. The hydrocarbon‐pool (HP) species, such as methylbenzenes and cyclic carbocations, confined in zeolite channels during the reaction are essential in determining the reaction pathway. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate the formation of supramolecular reaction centers composed of organic hydrocarbon species and the inorganic zeolite framework in H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite by advanced ¹³C–²⁷Al double‐resonance solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Methylbenzenes and cyclic carbocations located near Brønsted acid/base sites form the supramolecular reaction centers in the zeolite channel. The internuclear spatial interaction/proximity between the ¹³C nuclei (associated with HP species) and the ²⁷Al nuclei (associated with Brønsted acid/base sites) determines the reactivity of the HP species. The closer the HP species are to the zeolite framework Al, the higher their reactivity in the MTO reaction.     

Extra‐Framework Aluminum‐Assisted Initial C−C Bond Formation in Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion on Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5

Surface methoxy species bound to an extra‐framework Al (SMS‐EFAL) was unambiguously identified by advanced ¹³C‐{²⁷Al} double‐resonance solid‐state NMR technique in the methanol‐to‐olefins reaction on H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite. The high reactivity of the SMS‐EFAL leads to the formation of surface ethoxy species and ethanol as the key intermediates for ethene generation in the early reaction stage. A direct route for the initial C?C bond formation in ethene was proposed and corroborated by density functional theory calculations.     

New Insight into the Hydrocarbon‐Pool Chemistry of the Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion over Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 from GC‐MS,Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy,and DFT Calculations

Over zeolite H‐ZSM‐5, the aromatics‐based hydrocarbon‐pool mechanism of methanol‐to‐olefins (MTO) reaction was studied by GC‐MS, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Isotopic‐labeling experimental results demonstrated that polymethylbenzenes (MBs) are intimately correlated with the formation of olefin products in the initial stage. More importantly, three types of cyclopentenyl cations (1,3‐dimethylcyclopentenyl, 1,2,3‐trimethylcyclopentenyl, and 1,3,4‐trimethylcyclopentenyl cations) and a pentamethylbenzenium ion were for the first time identified by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations under both co‐feeding ([¹³C₆]benzene and methanol) conditions and typical MTO working (feeding [¹³C]methanol alone) conditions. The comparable reactivity of the MBs (from xylene to tetramethylbenzene) and the carbocations (trimethylcyclopentenyl and pentamethylbenzium ions) in the MTO reaction was revealed by ¹³C‐labeling experiments, evidencing that they work together through a paring mechanism to produce propene. The paring route in a full aromatics‐based catalytic cycle was also supported by theoretical DFT calculations.     

Theoretical Insights on Methylbenzene Side‐Chain Growth in ZSM‐5 Zeolites for Methanol‐to‐Olefin Conversion

The key step in the conversion of methane to polyolefins is the catalytic conversion of methanol to light olefins. The most recent formulations of a reaction mechanism for this process are based on the idea of a complex hydrocarbon‐pool network, in which certain organic species in the zeolite pores are methylated and from which light olefins are eliminated. Two major mechanisms have been proposed to date—the paring mechanism and the side‐chain mechanism—recently joined by a third, the alkene mechanism. Recently we succeeded in simulating a full catalytic cycle for the first of these in ZSM‐5, with inclusion of the zeolite framework and contents. In this paper, we will investigate crucial reaction steps of the second proposal (the side‐chain route) using both small and large zeolite cluster models of ZSM‐5. The deprotonation step, which forms an exocyclic double bond, depends crucially on the number and positioning of the other methyl groups but also on steric effects that are typical for the zeolite lattice. Because of steric considerations, we find exocyclic bond formation in the ortho position to the geminal methyl group to be more favourable than exocyclic bond formation in the para position. The side‐chain growth proceeds relatively easily but the major bottleneck is identified as subsequent de‐alkylation to produce ethene. These results suggest that the current formulation of the side‐chain route in ZSM‐5 may actually be a deactivating route to coke precursors rather than an active ethene‐producing hydrocarbon‐pool route. Other routes may be operating in alternative zeotype materials like the silico‐aluminophosphate SAPO‐34.     

Understanding Zeolites Catalyzed Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion from Theoretical Calculations

Zeolites catalyzed methanol‐to‐olefins (MTO) conversion provides an alternative process to produce light olefins such as ethene and propene from nonpetroleum resources. Despite of successful industrialization of the MTO process, its detailed reaction mechanism is not yet well understood. Here we summarize our work on the hydrocarbon pool reaction mechanism based on theoretical calculations. We proposed that the olefins themselves are likely to be the dominating hydrocarbon pool species, and the distribution of cracking precursors and diffusion constraints affect the selectivity. The similarities between aromatic‐based and olefin‐based cycles are highlighted.     

Direct Mechanism of the First Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation in the Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbons Process

In the past two decades, the reaction mechanism of C−C bond formation from either methanol or dimethyl ether (DME) in the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbons (MTH) process has been a highly controversial issue. Described here is the first observation of a surface methyleneoxy analogue, originating from the surface‐activated DME, by in situ solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, a species crucial to the first C−C bond formation in the MTH process. New insights into the first C−C bond formation were provided, thus suggesting DME/methanol activation and direct C−C bond formation by an interesting synergetic mechanism, involving C−H bond breakage and C−C bond coupling during the initial methanol reaction within the chemical environment of the zeolite catalyst.     

Substituted 2,2′‐Bis(2‐oxidobenzylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl Complexes of Zinc

The condensation reaction of 2,2′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐6,6'‐dibromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl with 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde as well as 5‐methoxy‐, 4‐methoxy‐, and 3‐methoxy‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde yields 2,2′‐bis(salicylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐6,6′‐dibromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl ( 1a ) as well as the 5‐, 4‐, and 3‐methoxy‐substituted derivatives 1b , 1c , and 1d , respectively. Deprotonation of substituted 2,2′‐bis(salicylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyls with diethylzinc yields the corresponding substituted zinc 2,2′‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyls ( 2 ) or zinc 2,2′‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐6,6′‐dibromo‐1,1′‐biphenyls ( 3 ). Recrystallization from a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and methanol can lead to the formation of methanol adducts. The methanol ligands can either bind as Lewis base to the central zinc atom or as Lewis acid via a weak O–H ··· O hydrogen bridge to a phenoxide moiety. Methanol‐free complexes precipitate as dimers with central Zn₂O₂ rings.     

Direct and Highly Selective Conversion of Synthesis Gas into Lower Olefins: Design of a Bifunctional Catalyst Combining Methanol Synthesis and Carbon–Carbon Coupling

The direct synthesis of lower (C₂ to C₄) olefins, key building‐block chemicals, from syngas (H₂ /CO), which can be derived from various nonpetroleum carbon resources, is highly attractive, but the selectivity for lower olefins is low because of the limitation of the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution. We report that the coupling of methanol‐synthesis and methanol‐to‐olefins reactions with a bifunctional catalyst can realize the direct conversion of syngas to lower olefins with exceptionally high selectivity. We demonstrate that the choice of two active components and the integration manner of the components are crucial to lower olefin selectivity. The combination of a Zr–Zn binary oxide, which alone shows higher selectivity for methanol and dimethyl ether even at 673 K, and SAPO‐34 with decreased acidity offers around 70 % selectivity for C₂–C₄ olefins at about 10 % CO conversion. The micro‐ to nanoscale proximity of the components favors the lower olefin selectivity.     

Alkane Activation Initiated by Hydride Transfer: Co‐conversion of Propane and Methanol over H‐ZSM‐5 Zeolite

Co‐conversion of alkane with another reactant over zeolite catalysts has emerged as a new approach to the long‐standing challenge of alkane transformation. With the aid of solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and GC‐MS analysis, it was found that the co‐conversion of propane and methanol can be readily initiated by hydride transfer at temperatures of ≥449 K over the acidic zeolite H‐ZSM‐5. The formation of ¹³C‐labeled methane and singly ¹³C‐labeled n‐butanes in selective labeling experiments provided the first evidence for the initial hydride transfer from propane to surface methoxy intermediates. The results not only provide new insight into carbocation chemistry of solid acids, but also shed light on the low‐temperature transformation of alkanes for industrial applications.     

Mechanistic proposal for the zeolite catalyzed methylation of aromatic compounds

Alkylation and methylation reactions are important reactions in petrochemical production and form part of the reaction mechanism of many hydrocarbon transformation processes. Here, a new reaction mechanism is explored for the zeolite catalyzed methylation of arenes using quantum chemical calculations. It is proposed that the most substituted methylbenzenes, which will reside predominantly on the protonated form when adsorbed in a zeolite, can react directly with a neutral methanol molecule in the vicinity, thereby initiating the methylation reaction without having to return a proton to the zeolite surface. The calculated barriers are quite low, indicating that the suggested mechanism is plausible. This route might explain how the most substituted methylbenzenes can function as efficient reaction intermediates in the methanol to hydrocarbons reaction without themselves acting as catalyst poisons as a consequence of their high proton affinities.     

Formation and Fate of Formaldehyde in Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbon Reaction: In Situ Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry Study

HCHO has been confirmed as an active intermediate in the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction, and is critical for interpreting the mechanisms of coke formation. Here, HCHO was detected and quantified during the MTH process over HSAPO‐34 and HZSM‐5 by in situ synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry. Compared with conventional methods, excellent time‐resolved profiles were obtained to study the formation and fate of HCHO, and other products during the induction, steady‐state reaction, and deactivation periods. Similar formation trends of HCHO and methane, and their close correlation in yields suggest that they are derived from disproportionation of methanol at acidic sites. In the presence of Y₂O₃, the amount of HCHO changes, affecting the hydrogen‐transfer processes of olefins into aromatics and aromatics into cokes. The yield of HCHO affects the aromatic‐based cycle and the formation of ethylene, indicating that ethylene is mainly formed from the aromatic‐based cycle.     

HSAPO-34 分子筛上氧鎓叶立德机理的第一性原理研究

 采用基于周期性边界条件的密度泛函理论研究了 HSAPO-34 分子筛上甲醇通过氧鎓叶立德机理直接耦合生成乙烯的可能性. 结果表明, 二甲醚和三甲基氧鎓离子在 HSAPO-34 分子筛上的生成能垒分别为 1.68 和 0.93 eV, 中间体氧鎓叶立德不能稳定存在, 同时表明 C–C 键通过协同反应形成的能垒均超过 3.0 eV. 因此, 甲醇制烯烃催化过程不可能遵循氧鎓叶立德机理.     

Coupling of Methanol and Carbon Monoxide over H‐ZSM‐5 to Form Aromatics

The conversion of methanol into aromatics over unmodified H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite is generally not high because the hydrogen transfer reaction results in alkane formation. Now circa 80 % aromatics selectivity for the coupling reaction of methanol and carbon monoxide over H‐ZSM‐5 is reported. Carbonyl compounds and methyl‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐ones (MCPOs), which were detected in the products and catalysts, respectively, are considered as intermediates. The latter species can be synthesized from the former species and olefins. ¹³C isotope tracing and ¹³C liquid‐state NMR results confirmed that the carbon atoms of CO molecules were incorporated into MCPOs and aromatic rings. A new aromatization mechanism that involves the formation of the above intermediates and co‐occurs with a dramatically decreased hydrogen transfer reaction is proposed. A portion of the carbons in CO molecules are incorporated into aromatic, which is of great significance for industrial applications.     

High Ethene/Ethane Selectivity in 2,2′‐Bipyridine‐Based Silver(I) Complexes by Removal of Coordinated Solvent

Following removal of coordinated CH₃CN, the resulting complexes [Ag^I(2,2′‐bipyridine)][BF₄] ( 1 ) and [Ag^I(6,6′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)][OTf] ( 2 ) show ethene/ethane sorption selectivities of 390 and 340, respectively, and corresponding ethene sorption capacities of 2.38 and 2.18 mmol g^?1 when tested at an applied gas pressure of 90 kPa and a temperature of (20±1) °C. These ethene/ethane selectivities are 13 times higher than those reported for known solid sorbents for ethene/ethane separation. For 2 , ethene sorption reached 90 % of equilibrium capacity within 15 minutes, and this equilibrium capacity was maintained over the three sorption/desorption cycles tested. The rates of ethene sorption were also measured. To our knowledge, these are the first complexes, designed for olefin/paraffin separations, which have open silver(I) sites. The high selectivities arise from these open silver(I) sites and the relatively low molecular surface areas of the complexes.     

π‐Interactions between Cyclic Carbocations and Aromatics Cause Zeolite Deactivation in Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbon Conversion

The understanding of catalyst deactivation represents one of the major challenges for the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction over acidic zeolites. Here we report the critical role of intermolecular π‐interactions in catalyst deactivation in the MTH reaction on zeolites H‐SSZ‐13 and H‐ZSM‐5. π‐interaction‐induced spatial proximities between cyclopentenyl cations and aromatics in the confined channels and/or cages of zeolites are revealed by two‐dimensional solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The formation of naphtalene as a precursor to coke species is favored due to the reaction of aromatics with the nearby cyclopentenyl cations and correlates with both acid density and zeolite topology.     

晶粒大小对ZSM-5分子筛甲醇制低碳烯烃催化性能的影响

对三种HZSM-5分子筛进行Ca改性,获得两组酸性接近的催化剂,考察了晶粒大小对甲醇制低碳烯烃(MTO)反应的影响。通过进一步与Na改性的比较,探讨了Ca在催化反应中的作用。采用扫描电镜(SEM)测定晶粒大小及形貌,氨气程序升温脱附(NH3-TPD)及吡啶红外吸附(Py-IR)表征催化剂的酸性。MTO催化性能测定结果表明,HZSM-5的低碳烯烃选择性较低且下降较快,催化活性降低也快;Ca改性降低酸性,提高了低碳烯烃选择性和催化稳定性;晶粒大小主要影响催化稳定性,小晶粒分子筛催化剂稳定性更好。高Ca含量改性效果更好;钠改性也提高了低碳烯烃选择性,但其稳定性较差。对于HZSM-5和Ca/HZSM-5,小晶粒的催化剂具有较好的催化稳定性。提出Ca参与了催化反应,MTO是一个酸碱协同作用的催化过程。     

C3‐Symmetric Trisimidazoline‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Bromolactonization of Internal Alkenoic Acids

A method for conducting enantioselective bromolactonization reactions of trisubstituted alkenoic acids, using the C₃‐symmetric trisimidazoline 1 and 1,3‐dibromo‐5,5‐dimethyl hydantoin as a bromine source, has been developed. The process generates chiral δ‐lactones that contain a quaternary carbon. The results of studies probing geometrically different olefins show that (Z)‐olefins rather than (E)‐olefins are favorable substrates for the process. The method is not only applicable to acyclic olefin reactants but can also be employed to transform cyclic trisubstituted olefins into chiral spirocyclic lactones. Finally, the synthetic utility of the newly developed process is demonstrated by its application to a concise synthesis of tanikolide, an antifungal marine natural product.     

Hydrocarbon Formation in the Catalytic Conversion of Methanol Over Zeolite ZSM-5

The reaction mechanism of methanol conversion to hydrocarbons on HZSM-5 zeolite was studied. From the selectivity plots of products in an integral fixed-bed flow reactor, paraffins were classified as primary and secondary stable products, light olefins as primary unstable products, aromatics as primary and secondary unstable or stable products. The results of the ¹⁴C-labelled methanol reaction indicated that the C₁–C₅ surface intermediates generated by dimethyl ether / methanol equilibrium gave paraffins and olefins at 300°C. The concentration of intermediates and adsorbed methanol on ZSM-5 decreased with increasing temperature. The distribution of radioactivity showed that propylene played an important role in the autocatalysis of the reaction.     

Effects of Coke Deposits on the Catalytic Performance of Large Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 Crystals during Alcohol‐to‐Hydrocarbon Reactions as Investigated by a Combination of Optical Spectroscopy and Microscopy

The catalytic activity of large zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 crystals in methanol (MTO) and ethanol‐to‐olefins (ETO) conversions was investigated and, using operando UV/Vis measurements, the catalytic activity and deactivation was correlated with the formation of coke. These findings were related to in situ single crystal UV/Vis and confocal fluorescence micro‐spectroscopy, allowing the observation of the spatiotemporal formation of intermediates and coke species during the MTO and ETO conversions. It was observed that rapid deactivation at elevated temperatures was due to the fast formation of aromatics at the periphery of the H‐ZSM‐5 crystals, which are transformed into more poly‐aromatic coke species at the external surface, preventing the diffusion of reactants and products into and out of the H‐ZSM‐5 crystal. Furthermore, we were able to correlate the operando UV/Vis spectroscopy results observed during catalytic testing with the single crystal in situ results.