Single‐Crystal‐like Nanoporous Spinel Oxides: A Strategy for Synthesis of Nanoporous Metal Oxides Utilizing Metal‐Cyanide Hybrid Coordination Polymers

Development of a new method to synthesize nanoporous metal oxides with highly crystallized frameworks is of great interest because of their wide use in practical applications. Here we demonstrate a thermal decomposition of metal‐cyanide hybrid coordination polymers (CPs) to prepare nanoporous metal oxides. During the thermal treatment, the organic units (carbon and nitrogen) are completely removed, and only metal contents are retained to prepare nanoporous metal oxides. The original nanocube shapes are well‐retained even after the thermal treatment. When both Fe and Co atoms are contained in the precursors, nanoporous Fe?Co oxide with a highly oriented crystalline framework is obtained. On the other hand, when nanoporous Co oxide and Fe oxide are obtained from Co‐ and Fe‐contacting precursors, their frameworks are amorphous and/or poorly crystallized. Single‐crystal‐like nanoporous Fe?Co oxide shows a stable magnetic property at room temperature compared to poly‐crystalline metal oxides. We further extend this concept to prepare nanoporous metal oxides with hollow interiors. Core‐shell heterostructures consisting of different metal‐cyanide hybrid CPs are prepared first. Then the cores are dissolved by chemical etching using a hydrochloric acid solution (i.e., the cores are used as sacrificial templates), leading to the formation of hollow interiors in the nanocubes. These hollow nanocubes are also successfully converted to nanoporous metal oxides with hollow interiors by thermal treatment. The present approach is entirely different from the surfactant‐templating approaches that traditionally have been utilized for the preparation of mesoporous metal oxides. We believe the present work proves a new way to synthesize nanoporous metal oxides with controlled crystalline frameworks and architectures.     

Controlled Synthesis of Nanoporous Nickel Oxide with Two‐Dimensional Shapes through Thermal Decomposition of Metal–Cyanide Hybrid Coordination Polymers

The urgent need for nanoporous metal oxides with highly crystallized frameworks is motivating scientists to try to discover new preparation methods, because of their wide use in practical applications. Recent work has demonstrated that two‐dimensional (2D) cyanide‐bridged coordination polymers (CPs) are promising materials and appropriate for this purpose (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.­ 2013 , 52, 1235). After calcination, 2D CPs can be transformed into nanoporous metal oxides with a highly accessible surface area. Here, this strategy is adopted in order to form 2D nanoporous nickel oxide (NiO) with tunable porosity and crystallinity, using trisodium citrate dihydrate as a controlling agent. The presence of trisodium citrate dihydrate plays a key role in the formation of 2D nanoflakes by controlling the nucleation rate and the crystal growth. The size of the nanoflakes gradually increases by augmenting the amount of trisodium citrate dihydrate in the reaction. After heating the as‐prepared CPs in air at different temperatures, nanoporous NiO can be obtained. During this thermal treatment, organic units (carbon and nitrogen) are completely removed and only the metal content remains to take part in the formation of nanoporous NiO. In the case of large‐sized 2D CP nanoflakes, the original 2D flake‐shapes are almost retained, even after thermal treatment at low temperature, but they are completely destroyed at high temperature because of further crystallization in the framework. Nanoporous NiO with high surface area shows significant efficiency and interesting results for supercapacitor application.     

Synthesis of Nanoporous Ni‐Co Mixed Oxides by Thermal Decomposition of Metal‐Cyanide Coordination Polymers

A straightforward strategy to prepare nanoporous metal oxides with well‐defined shapes is highly desirable. Through thermal treatment and a proper selection of metal‐cyanide coordination polymers, nanoporous nickel‐cobalt mixed oxides with different shapes (i.e., flakes and cubes) can be easily prepared. Our nanoporous materials demonstrate high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction.     

Controlled Crystallization of Cyano‐Bridged Cu–Pt Coordination Polymers with Two‐Dimensional Morphology

Two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers (CPs) have a highly accessible surface area that permits guest molecules to effectively access the micropores in the CPs. Here we report a bottom‐up synthesis of 2D cyano‐bridged Cu–Pt CP nanoflakes using trisodium citrate as a chelating agent, which controls the nucleation rate and the crystal growth. The lateral sizes of the CP nanoflakes are controlled by changing the amount of trisodium citrate used. We strongly believe that our method will be useful for the preparation of other types of 2D CP nanoflakes. The 2D CPs have many active sites for catalytic and electrochemical reactions, and furthermore the assembled CPs can be used as membrane filters.     

Preparation of Magnesium,Cobalt and Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles from Metal Oxides using Deep Eutectic Solvents

Natural deep eutectic solvents (DESs) dissolve simple metal oxides and are used as a reaction medium to synthesize spinel‐type ferrite nanoparticles MFe₂O₄ (M=Mg, Zn, Co, Ni). The best results for phase‐pure spinel ferrites are obtained with the DES consisting of choline chloride (ChCl) and maleic acid. By employing DESs, the reactions proceed at much lower temperatures than usual for the respective solid‐phase reactions of the metal oxides and at the same temperatures as synthesis with comparable calcination processes using metal salts. The method therefore reduces the overall required energy for the nanoparticle synthesis. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermolysis process of the eutectic melts in air occurs in one major step. The phase‐pure spinel‐type ferrite particles are thoroughly characterized by X‐ray diffraction, diffuse‐reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The properties of the obtained nanoparticles are shown to be comparable to those obtained by other methods, illustrating the potential of natural DESs for processing metal oxides.     

A New Dimension for Coordination Polymers and Metal–Organic Frameworks: Towards Functional Glasses and Liquids

There are two categories of coordination polymers (CPs): inorganic CPs (i‐CPs) and organic ligand bridged CPs (o‐CPs). Based on the successful crystal engineering of CPs, we here propose noncrystalline states and functionalities as a new research direction for CPs. Control over the liquid or glassy states in materials is essential to obtain specific properties and functions. Several studies suggest the feasibility of obtaining liquid/glassy states in o‐CPs by design principles. The combination of metal ions and organic bridging ligands, together with the liquid/glass phase transformation, offer the possibility to transform o‐CPs into ionic liquids and other ionic soft materials. Synchrotron measurements and computational approaches contribute to elucidating the structures and dynamics of the liquid/glassy states of o‐CPs. This offers the opportunity to tune the porosity, conductivity, transparency, and other material properties. The unique energy landscape of liquid/glass o‐CPs offers opportunities for properties and functions that are complementary to those of the crystalline state.     

Structure and morphology of spinel MFe2O4 (M=Fe, Co, Ni) nanoparticles chemically synthesized from heterometallic complexes

We synthesized magnetic spinel ferrites from trimetallic single-source precursors. Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) ferrite nanoparticles in the range of 9-25 nm were synthesized by solvothermal decomposition of trimetallic acetate complex precursors in benzyl ether in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine, using 1,2-dodecanediol as the reducing agent. For comparison, spinel ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by stoichiometric mixtures of metal acetate or acetylacetonate salts. The nanoparticles (NP) were characterized by TEM, DLS, powder XRD, and Raman spectroscopy; and their magnetic properties were characterized by ZFC-FC and M(H) measurements. The ferrite-NP were more homogeneous and had a narrower size distribution when trimetallic complexes were used as precursors. As a consequence, the magnetic properties of these ferrite-NP are closer to the aimed room temperature superparamagnetic behavior, than are those of other ferrites obtained by a mixture of salts.     

Pseudo‐Membrane Jackets: Two‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers Achieving Visible Phase Separation in Cell Membrane

Cell membranes contain lateral systems that consist of various lipid compositions and actin cytoskeleton, providing two‐dimensional (2D) platforms for chemical reactions. However, such complex 2D environments have not yet been used as a synthetic platform for artificial 2D nanomaterials. Herein, we demonstrate the direct synthesis of 2D coordination polymers (CPs) at the liquid‐cell interface of the plasma membrane of living cells. The coordination‐driven self‐assembly of networking metal complex lipids produces cyanide‐bridged CP layers with metal ions, enabling “pseudo‐membrane jackets” that produce long‐lived micro‐domains with a size of 1–5 μm. The resultant artificial and visible phase separation systems remain stable even in the absence of actin skeletons in cells. Moreover, we show the cell application of the jackets by demonstrating the enhancement of cellular calcium response to ATP.     

Tetraaqua‐1κ4O‐bis(ɛ‐caprolactam‐1κO)‐μ‐cyano‐1:2κ2N:C‐pentacyano‐2κ5C‐iron(III)yttrium(III), a novel cyano‐bridged dinuclear complex

Using caprolactam as a ligand, the novel title cyano‐bridged yttrium(III)–ferricyanide complex, [Y(caprolactam)₂(H₂O)₄Fe(CN)₆] or [FeY(CN)₆(C₆H₁₁NO)₂(H₂O)₄], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The Y atom is seven‐coordinate and has approximately pentagonal–bipyramidal stereochemistry, with water mol­ecules occupying apical positions. Of the five ligands in equatorial positions, one is the N‐bound bridging cyano group, and flanking this are two O‐­bound caprolactam moieties, which are markedly inclined towards the bridged ferricyanide moiety such that they partially envelop it. Water mol­ecules occupy the remaining two equatorial positions. The Y—N—C—Fe—C—N sequence of atoms lies on a crystallographic twofold axis and is therefore perfectly linear, which has not been observed previously in cyano‐bridged bimetallic complexes.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of carbon monoxide oxidation over W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides: the effect of W addition

It is a significant method to prepare highly dispersed polymetallic oxides using in-situ doping metal organic frameworks as precursors. Herein, a series of straw-like W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides were prepared by using phosphotungstic ionic liquid@Ce-based metal organic framework adsorbing with copper acetylacetonate as precursors. The effect of W content on catalytic activity of W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation was well-investigated. Comprehensive characterization methods and density functional theory calculations were adopted to reveal the property changes of Cu/CeO₂ catalyst by the addition of W. The results demonstrated that W, Cu, and Ce are highly dispersed in the prepared W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides, and adding proper amount of W can improve the activity of the catalyst. H₂ temperature-program reduction profiles, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations clearly revealed that after the addition of W, the strength of Ce-O bond is weakened, the oxygen vacancy is increased, and the adsorption of CO is enhanced, respectively, which are vital reasons for its high catalytic activity. In addition, the CO oxidation reaction pathway over prepared W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides based on the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism was studied, and the results exhibited that CO can wrest the lattice oxygen of W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides to form CO₂, which is also proved to be the rate-determining step in reaction process.     

Shifting Oxygen Charge Towards Octahedral Metal: A Way to Promote Water Oxidation on Cobalt Spinel Oxides

Cobalt spinel oxides are a class of promising transition metal (TM) oxides for catalyzing oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Their catalytic activity depends on the electronic structure. In a spinel oxide lattice, each oxygen anion is shared amongst its four nearest transition metal cations, of which one is located within the tetrahedral interstices and the remaining three cations are in the octahedral interstices. This work uncovered the influence of oxygen anion charge distribution on the electronic structure of the redox‐active building block Co?O. The charge of oxygen anion tends to shift toward the octahedral‐occupied Co instead of tetrahedral‐occupied Co, which hence produces strong orbital interaction between octahedral Co and O. Thus, the OER activity can be promoted by pushing more Co into the octahedral site or shifting the oxygen charge towards the redox‐active metal center in CoO₆ octahedra.     

Solvothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structure of One‐Dimensional Chains of Anhydrous Zinc and Magnesium Formate

Reaction of the zinc or magnesium formate dihydrates in formic acid under solvothermal conditions results in the formation of single crystals of the anhydrous metal(II) formates β‐Zn(OOCH)₂ and β‐Mg(OOCH)₂. Both structures form one‐dimensional chains of μ‐oxygen‐bridged metal atoms. Single crystal diffraction studies reveal that β‐zinc formate represents the first structure in which chains of oxygen‐bridged metal atoms are connected by alternating single, double and triple oxygen atom bridges resulting in the first observation of corner, edge and face sharing coordination octahedra within a single chain. Polycrystalline material can be obtained by dehydration reaction of zinc formate dihydrate. β‐magnesium formate is the crystalline product that is obtained by annealing the amorphous intermediate phase after dehydration of magnesium formate dihydrate.     

Synthesis of nanoporous metal oxides through the self-assembly of phloroglucinol-formaldehyde resol and tri-block copolymer

A versatile route to synthesize nanoporous crystalline metal oxides has been developed through the self-assembly of phloroglucinol-formaldehyde resol and tri-block copolymer templates. Materials were characterized by a complementary combination of X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, and transmission electron microscopy. Metal oxides synthesized using this route have remarkably high surface area when compared with the commercial samples. The surface area of metal oxides decreased upon calcination at higher temperatures. However, the surface area was still much higher when compared with the commercial samples. TEM investigation reveals that upon calcination at higher temperature, the size of the crystal increased but the short range order was merely disturbed. The analyses show that the present method is suitable as a direct route to synthesize crystalline nanoporous metal oxides. Hydrogen bonding plays a key role in the preferential arrangement of porous metal-carbon structure in the domain of tri-block copolymer. The nanoporous metal oxides with ordered mesoporous structure, high surface area, and crystalline framework are expected to show significant improvement in catalysis and nano-technology.     

Mixed Transition‐Metal Oxides: Design,Synthesis, and Energy‐Related Applications

A promising family of mixed transition‐metal oxides (MTMOs) (designated as A_xB_3‐xO₄; A, B=Co, Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, etc.) with stoichiometric or even non‐stoichiometric compositions, typically in a spinel structure, has recently attracted increasing research interest worldwide. Benefiting from their remarkable electrochemical properties, these MTMOs will play significant roles for low‐cost and environmentally friendly energy storage/conversion technologies. In this Review, we summarize recent research advances in the rational design and efficient synthesis of MTMOs with controlled shapes, sizes, compositions, and micro‐/nanostructures, along with their applications as electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors, and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in metal–air batteries and fuel cells. Some future trends and prospects to further develop advanced MTMOs for next‐generation electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems are also presented.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structure of the First Tri-nuclear MFe2（M = Cu and Ni） Complexes Based on Nitroprusside

IntroductionSince 184 8,whenPlayfairpublishedthefirstpaperrelatedtonitroprussides ,1thetransitionmetalpenta cyanonitrosylmetallatehydrateshavebeenwidelystudiedbecauseoftheirimportantrolesinmolecularsieves ,cationexchangers,electronscavengersandradionuclidesor bents .2 4 Thenitroprussides ,regardlessofthecationicmetal,arecurrentlyemployedasreversibleinhibitorsofagroupofenzymesknownassuperoxidedismutases .5Recently ,using [Fe(CN ) 5(NO) ]2 - asabuildingblock ,somenitroprusside bridgedpolymeri…     

Nanosized Heterostructures of Au@Prussian Blue Analogues: Towards Multifunctionality at the Nanoscale

Access to multifunctionality at the nanoscale requires the development of hybrid nanostructures that combine materials of different natures. In this line of thought, current research on coordination polymers is not only focusing on their synthesis at the nanoscale, but also on combining these polymers with other materials. According to a novel and rational approach, single‐layer Au@Prussian blue analogue (PBA) and double‐layer Au@PBA@PBA′ core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) may be obtained through the growth of a cyano‐bridged coordination network on the gold surface. The nanosized heterostructures combine the plasmonic optical properties of the gold core and the magnetic properties of the PBA shell. Whereas the single‐layer nanoparticles are paramagnetic, the double‐layer nanostructures display ferromagnetism; therefore, the overall structural motif may be considered as multifunctional. The developed synthetic concept also includes an easy access to hollow PBA NPs.     

Defluorinative C(sp3)−P Bond Construction for the Synthesis of Phosphorylation gem‐Difluoroalkenes under Catalyst‐ and Oxidant‐Free Conditions

Defluorinative C(sp³)?P bond formation of α‐trifluoromethyl alkenes with phosphine oxides or phosphonates have been achieved under catalyst‐ and oxidant‐free conditions, giving phosphorylation gem‐difluoroalkenes as products. α‐Trifluoromethyl alkenes bearing various of aryl substituents such as halogen, cyano, ester and heterocyclic groups are available in this transformation. The results of control experiments demonstrated that the mechanism of dehydrogenative/defluorinative cross‐coupling reactions was not a radical route, but might be an S_N2′ process involving phosphine oxide anion.     

Synthesis of Aromatic Nitriles Using Nonmetallic Cyano‐Group Sources

Aromatic nitriles are prepared efficiently through transition‐metal‐mediated cyanation of aryl (pseudo)halides with metallic cyano‐group sources, such as CuCN, KCN, NaCN, Zn(CN)₂, TMSCN, or K₄[Fe(CN)₆]. However, this approach often suffers from drawbacks, such as the formation of stoichiometric amounts of metal waste, the poisoning of the metal catalysts, or the generation of toxic HCN gas. As a result, a range of “nonmetallic” organic cyano‐group sources have been explored for the cyanation of aryl halides and arene C? H bonds. This Minireview summarizes types of nonmetallic cyano‐group sources and their applications in the preparation of aryl nitriles.     

A cyanide‐bridged bimetallic complex, [CrPr(CN)6(C3H7NO)4(H2O)3]·H2O

The crystal structure of the bimetallic cyanide‐bridged title complex, tri­aqua‐1κ³O‐μ‐cyano‐1:2κ²N:C‐penta­cyano‐2κ⁵C‐tetrakis(N,N‐di­methyl­form­amide)‐1κ⁴O‐chromium(III)­prase­odymium(III) monohydrate, was obtained by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The central praseodymium(III) ion is eight‐coordinate, arranged in a square antiprism, while the chromium(III) ion is six‐coordinate, oriented octahedrally. Molecules in the crystal lattice are held together by a network of hydrogen bonds.     

催化燃烧去除VOCs污染物的最新进展

催化燃烧是目前最有效的处理挥发性有机物(VOCs)技术之一. 本文从催化剂活性组分、催化剂载体、有效组分颗粒大小、水蒸汽的影响及催化燃烧反应中的积碳等几个方面, 对近年来催化燃烧处理VOCs的研究进行了总结. 分析表明: 贵金属催化剂的研究主要着重于选择有效的载体和双组分贵金属催化剂; 非贵金属催化剂的研究主要集中在高活性的过渡金属复合氧化物、钙钛矿和尖晶石型等催化剂的研制, 还有这些活性组分粒径大小及载体对催化燃烧VOCs反应活性的影响;此外, 在实际应用中,水蒸汽和催化剂积碳失活等问题对催化燃烧VOCs的反应也有很大影响. 本文的评述将为选择合适的催化燃烧技术处理VOCs污染物提供一定参考.