Modification of Zeolite Morphology via NH4F Etching for Catalytic Bioalcohol Conversion

Various commercial zeolites, including FER, MOR, ZSM-5, BEA, and FAU frameworks, were treated with NH₄F aqueous solutions to study the effects of fluoride etching on different zeolite frameworks. NH₄F-treated small-medium pore FER, MOR, and ZSM-5 samples showed much higher mesoporosities than the untreated ones without alteration of the structural compositions and acidic properties. On the other hand, the 12-membered ring zeolites BEA and FAU showed severe dissolution of the framework aluminosilicate structure after NH₄F etching due to the high accessibility of fluoride species into the framework structures. The effect of NH₄F concentration on the fluoride treatment of H-ZSM-5 zeolite was specifically studied. From the results, we observed that structural etching with 20 wt % NH₄F was optimal for fabricating open-pore H-ZSM-5 zeolite and resulted in a high mesoporosity with comparable relative crystallinity and acidity with respect to the untreated H-ZSM-5. The catalytic activities of the open-pore H-ZSM-5 were evaluated with acid-catalyzed methanol and bioethanol conversions. Remarkably, the hierarchical open-pore H-ZSM-5 zeolite fabricated via fluoride etching exhibited an enhanced catalytic performance in bioethanol conversion with >85 % conversion over 34 h TOS and a higher catalytic stability in methanol conversion than the parent H-ZSM-5 (~50 % of bioethanol conversion at 34 h TOS).     

催化剂量甘油对THF-FER沸石结晶过程的加速作用

The hydrothermal crystallization of THF-FER zeolite was investigated in the reactant system of Na2O-SiO2-Al2O3-H2O with tetrahydrofuran （THF） as the template in the presence of various catalytic amount of glycerol [CH2（OH）CH（OH）CH2（OH）, Glyc] in the temperature range of 413--473 K. Powder X-ray diffraction （XRD） was used to observe the crystallization process, and scanning electron microscope （SEM）, ^13C cross polarization （CP） and ^27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance （MAS NMR）, X-ray fluorescence scattering spectroscopy （XRF）, thermal analysis and nitrogen sorption were used to characterize the zeolite synthesized in the reactant system with Glyc. The catalytic amount of Glyc could promote the crystallization of FER zeolite, to result in lowering the reaction temperature, shortening the period of the zeolite crystallization and effectively restraining cocrystallization of MOR zeolite as an impure phase especially at low reaction temperature, and possess a significant effect on the morphology and the crystal size of TI-IF-FER zeolite.     

Reactivity of C1 surface species formed in methane activation on Zn-modified H-ZSM-5 zeolite

Solid-state (13)C magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy investigations identified zinc methyl species, formate species, and methoxy species as C(1) surface species formed in methane activation on the zeolite Zn/H-ZSM-5 catalyst at T≤573 K. These C(1) surface species, which are possible intermediates in further transformations of methane, were prepared separately by adsorption of (13)C-enriched methane, carbon monoxide, and methanol onto zinc-containing catalysts, respectively. Successful isolation of each surface species allowed convenient investigations into their chemical nature on the working catalyst by solid-state (13)C MAS NMR spectroscopy. The reactivity of zinc methyl species with diverse probe molecules (i.e., water, methanol, hydrochloride, oxygen, or carbon dioxide) is correlated with that of organozinc compounds in organometallic chemistry. Moreover, surface formate and surface methoxy species possess distinct reactivity towards water, hydrochloride, ammonia, or hydrogen as probe molecules. To explain these and other observations, we propose that the C(1) surface species interconvert on zeolite Zn/H-ZSM-5. As implied by the reactivity information, potential applications of methane co-conversion on zinc-containing zeolites might, therefore, be possible by further transformation of these C(1) surface species with rationally designed co-reactants (i.e., probe molecules) under optimized reaction conditions.     

Study on antimony oxide self-assembled inside HZSM-5

Sb/ZSM-5 was obtained by solid-state reaction with the mixture of Sb₂O₃ and zeolite HZSM-5 under a dry nitrogen flow at 773 K. Characterization of the treated zeolite was undertaken with XRD, ²⁷Al MAS NMR, BET, TGA and FT-IR. The results revealed that part of the antimony oxides migrated into the channels of zeolite, and decreased the Brönsted acid sites in Sb/ZSM-5 remarkably. The other part of antimony oxides together with the amorphous alumino-silicate in the products distributed on the external surface of zeolite ZSM-5 and modified it, while the framework of ZSM-5 in crystal phase was retained. The structure of occluded antimony oxide inside the channels of ZSM-5 was studied by XRD Rietveld method. The result showed that their structure can be described as a chain of non-perfect [Sb₅O₅(H₂O)₂]_n⁵ⁿ⁺, which is parallel to the straight channel of ZSM-5. There is about 0.6 [Sb₅O₅(H₂O)₂]⁵⁺ unit in every cell of the ZSM-5 on an average.     

Raman and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy of framework materials containing three-membered rings

Raman and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopies are evaluated for the identification of three-membered rings (3MR) in framework oxide materials. Raman and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra from the 3MR-containing materials euclase, phenakite, clinohedrite, willemite, lovdarite, VPI-7, ZSM-18 and dipotassium zinc tetrasilicate are presented. The Raman spectra from these materials do not exhibit common bands representing vibrational modes assignable to individual 3MR. The dense beryllosilicate and zincosilicate minerals exhibit ²⁹Si MAS NMR resonances indicative of silicon positioned in 3MR while the molecular sieves lovdarite and VPI-7 give ²⁹Si MAS NMR resonances that can be assigned to silicons located at the center of “spiro-5” units that are constructed from two 3MR. Silicon atoms located in isolated 3MR in the molecular sieves ZSM-18 and dipotassium zinc tetrasilicate do not exhibit ²⁹Si MAS NMR resonances that can be distinguished from those assigned to silicons residing in 4MR and larger.The ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra from the new materials VPI-8, VPI-9 and VPI-10 do not exhibit ²⁹Si MAS NMR resonances indicative of “spiro-5” units. The presence of isolated 3MR in these materials cannot be ruled out from the ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopic results.     

Importance of Methane Chemical Potential for Its Conversion to Methanol on Cu-Exchanged Mordenite

Copper-oxo clusters exchanged in zeolite mordenite are active in the stoichiometric conversion of methane to methanol at low temperatures. Here, we show an unprecedented methanol yield per Cu of 0.6, with a 90–95 % selectivity, on a MOR solely containing [Cu₃(μ-O)₃]²⁺ active sites. DFT calculations, spectroscopic characterization and kinetic analysis show that increasing the chemical potential of methane enables the utilization of two μ-oxo bridge oxygen out of the three available in the tricopper-oxo cluster structure. Methanol and methoxy groups are stabilized in parallel, leading to methanol desorption in the presence of water.     

Raman and FTIR Spectroscopic Studies of 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Trifluoromethylsulfonate,its Mixtures with Water and the Solvation of Zinc Ions

In this paper we report on the interactions of the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([EMIm]TfO) with water and the solvation of zinc ions in neat [EMIm]TfO and [EMIm]TfO–water mixtures investigated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The structures and physicochemical properties of the [EMIm]TfO–water mixtures are strongly dependent on the interaction between cations, anions, and water. The structure was changed from ionic‐liquid‐like to water‐like solutions upon addition of water. In addition, zinc salts can precipitate in 0.2 M Zn(TfO)₂/[EMIm]TfO upon addition of 10 % (v/v) water, presumably as a result of polarity change of the solution. The average coordination number of TfO^? per zinc ion calculated from Raman spectra is 3.8 in neat [EMIm]TfO, indicating that [Zn(TfO)₄]^2?, and [Zn(TfO)₃]^? complexes are present in the solution. However, in the presence of water, water interacts preferentially with the zinc ions, leading to aqueous zinc species. The solvation of zinc ions in 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([Py_1,4]TfO) was also investigated. In [Py_1,4]TfO, there are, on average, 4.5 TfO^? anions coordinating each zinc ion, corresponding to the weak interaction between [Py_1,4]⁺ cations and TfO^? anions. The species present in [Py_1,4]TfO are likely a mixture of [Zn(TfO)₄]^2? and [Zn(TfO)₅]^3?.     

Structural Organization of Nickel(II), Zinc(II), and Copper(II) Complexes with Diisobutyldithiocarbamate: EPR, <Superscript>13</Superscript>C and <Superscript>15</Superscript>N CP/MAS NMR,and X-Ray Diffraction Studies

The structures and spectroscopic properties of nickel(II), zinc(II), and copper(II) complexes with dibutyl- and diisobutyldithiocarbamate were studied by EPR and ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. According to the EPR data, copper(II) forms mononuclear [^63/65Cu{S₂CNR₂}₂] and heterobinuclear complexes [^63/65CuZn{S₂CNR₂}₄] under magnetic dilution conditions. The isomeric forms of nickel(II) and zinc(II) diisobutyldithiocarbamates were detected by ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy. The crystalline zinc(II) diisobutyldithiocarbamate was found to have a unique structural organization with alternating mononuclear [Zn{S₂CN(i-C₄H₉)₂}₂] and binuclear molecular forms [Zn₂{ S₂CN(i-C₄H₉)₂}₄] in the 1 : 1 ratio.     

Selective Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane and Propane over Copper-Containing Mordenite: Insights into Reaction Mechanism and Product Protection

Copper(II)-containing mordenite (CuMOR) is capable of activation of C−H bonds in C₁-C₃ alkanes, albeit there are remarkable differences between the functionalization of ethane and propane compared to methane. The reaction of ethane and propane with CuMOR results in the formation of ethylene and propylene, while the reaction of methane predominantly yields methanol and dimethyl ether. By combining in situ FTIR and MAS NMR spectroscopies as well as time-resolved Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the reaction mechanism was derived, which differs significantly for each alkane. The formation of ethylene and propylene proceeds via oxidative dehydrogenation of the corresponding alkanes with selectivity above 95 % for ethane and above 85 % for propane. The formation of stable π-complexes of olefins with Cu^I sites, formed upon reduction of Cu^II-oxo species, protects olefins from further oxidation and/or oligomerization. This is different from methane, the activation of which proceeds via oxidative hydroxylation leading to the formation of surface methoxy species bonded to the zeolite framework. Our findings constitute one of the major steps in the direct conversion of alkanes to important commodities and open a novel research direction aiming at the selective synthesis of olefins.     

Active Ensembles in Methane Dehydroaromatization over Molybdenum/ZSM-5 Zeolite Identified by 2D 1H−95Mo Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Correlation Spectroscopy

Methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) over Mo-modified zeolite is a potential catalytic route for converting natural gas into valuable aromatics. However, the active species in this reaction are highly complex, involving diverse Mo species, acidic sites of zeolite, and organic molecules. Herein, we apply 1D ⁹⁵Mo NMR and 2D ¹H-⁹⁵Mo heteronuclear correlation solid-state NMR spectroscopy to directly observe the active ensembles in the confined channels of Mo/ZSM-5 zeolite during the MDA reaction. We monitor the evolution of the spatial correlations of Mo species with the Brønsted acid sites and organic products (olefins and aromatics) in the zeolite channels. We identified two kinds of MoO_xC_y species, with the more carbidic one (MoO_xC_y-II) exhibiting higher activity for methane activation and benzene formation. The strong spatial interactions between the active Mo species and the organic species in the Mo/ZSM-5 pores are related to the MDA activity.     

Methane Over-Oxidation by Extra-Framework Copper-Oxo Active Sites of Copper-Exchanged Zeolites: Crucial Role of Traps for the Separated Methyl Group

Copper-exchanged zeolites are useful for stepwise conversion of methane to methanol at moderate temperatures. This process also generates some over-oxidation products like CO and CO₂. However, mechanistic pathways for methane over-oxidation by copper-oxo active sites in these zeolites have not been previously described. Adequate understanding of methane over-oxidation is useful for developing systems with higher methanol yields and selectivities. Here, we use density functional theory (DFT) to examine methane over-oxidation by [Cu₃O₃]²⁺ active sites in zeolite mordenite MOR. The methyl group formed after activation of a methane C−H bond can be stabilized at a μ-oxo atom of the active site. This μ-(O−CH₃) intermediate can undergo sequential hydrogen atom abstractions till eventual formation of a copper-monocarbonyl species. Adsorbed formaldehyde, water and formates are also formed during this process. The overall mechanistic path is exothermic, and all intermediate steps are facile at 200 °C. Release of CO from the copper-monocarbonyl costs only 3.4 kcal/mol. Thus, for high methanol selectivities, the methyl group from the first hydrogen atom abstraction step must be stabilized away from copper-oxo active sites. Indeed, it must be quickly trapped at an unreactive site (short diffusion lengths) while avoiding copper-oxo species (large paths between active sites). This stabilization of the methyl group away from the active sites is central to the high methanol selectivities obtained with stepwise methane-to-methanol conversion.     

A study of zinc complexes of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] of the type [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4ZnL]+ (L = bidentate chelating ligand)

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with zinc acetate and an ancillary chelating ligand L (HL = 8-hydroxyquinoline, 8-tosylaminoquinoline or maltol) with added trimethylamine in methanol give new cationic platinum–zinc sulfide aggregates [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ZnL]⁺, isolated as their BF₄^? salts. The complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, microelemental analysis, and an X-ray structure determination of the tosylamidoquinoline derivative [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Zn(TAQ)]BF₄, which showed a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry at zinc. Additional examples, containing picolinate, dithiocarbamate, or dithiophosphinate ligands were also synthesized and partly characterized in order to demonstrate a wider range of available derivatives.     

Aromatization over nanosized Ga-containing ZSM-5 zeolites prepared by different methods: Effect of acidity of active Ga species on the catalytic performance

Nanosized Ga-containing ZSM-5 zeolites were prepared via isomorphous substitution and impregnation followed by characterized using various techniques. The catalytic performance of the zeolites for the aromatization of 1-hexene was investigated. The results indicate that isomorphous substitution promotes the incorporation of Ga heteroatoms into the framework along with the formation of extra-framework GaO⁺ species ([GaO⁺]^a) that have stronger interactions with the negative potential of the framework. In addition, based on the Py-IR results and catalytic performance, the [GaO⁺]^a species with stronger Lewis acid sites produced a better synergism with moderate Brønsted acid sites and thus improved the selectivity to aromatic compounds. However, the impregnation results in the formation of Ga₂O₃ phase and small amounts of GaO⁺ species that are mainly located on the external surface ([GaO⁺]^b), which contribute to weaker Lewis acid sites due to weaker interactions with the zeolite framework. During 1-hexene aromatization, the nanosized Ga isomorphously substituted ZSM-5 zeolite samples (Gax-NZ5) exhibited better catalytic performance compared to the impregnated samples, and the highest aromatic yield (i.e., 65.4 wt%) was achieved over the Ga4.2-NZ5 sample, which contained with the highest Ga content.     

Synthesis, Ion-exchange, Structural Characterization and Adsorption of K, Na-FER Type Zeolite

Synthesis of K, Na -FER type zeolite wasstudied in the reactant system ofK ₂O-–Na ₂O-–Al ₂O ₃-–SiO ₂-–CO ₃-–HCO ₃-ndash;H ₂O.Sodium silicate, silica sol andfumed silica were tested as the silica source, andsolid aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide andmeta-kaolinite as the alumina source. The startingmaterials, the composition of the reactant, and thesynthesis temperature greatly influence the phasescrystallized. A pure phase of K, Na-FER zeolite washydrothermally prepared at 208 °C with sodiumsilicate and solid aluminum sulfate as startingmaterials. The optimum composition of the reactantfor synthesis of the pure FER zeolite was determined. Chemical analysis, XRD, FT-IR, ²⁹Si and ²⁷AlMAS NMR, TG/DTA, and adsorption of nitrogen, methanoland n-hexane were used to characterize the zeolite andcompared with the reference sample of perfect singlecrystals of siliceous FER zeolite. The content ofK⁺and Na⁺in the zeolite decreases graduallywith the times of the treatment ofion-exchange/calcination, leading to an increase in theadsorption capacities of nitrogen and methanol, anda decrease of the loading of n-hexane. The location ofthe K⁺, the stacking faults, and dealumination of thezeolite framework are discussed based on the ion exchange and adsorption behavior.     

Adducts of zinc and copper(II) dimethyland diethyldithiocarbamates with piperidine: Synthesis, EPR, solid-state natural abundance 13C and 15N CP/MAS NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies

Crystalline adducts of zinc and copper(II) dimethyl-and diethyldithiocarbamates with piperidine (Pip) of the general formula [M{NH(CH₂)₅}(S₂CNR₂)₂] (M = Zn and ⁶³Cu; R = CH₃ and C₂H₅) were obtained. Their structures and spectroscopic characteristics were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and solid-state natural abundance ¹³C and ¹⁵N MAS NMR spectroscopy. The most substantial differences between the adducts of the formula [Zn{NH(CH₂)₅}(S₂CNR₂)₂] (R = CH₃ and C₂H₅) were found in the spatial orientations of the coordinated heterocycles and the geometries of the zinc polyhedra. The individual character of the EPR spectra of magnetically diluted isotope-substituted copper(II) adducts was determined by computerassisted modeling. The adducts of copper(II) and zinc dimethyldithiocarbamates proved to exist as two isomers. The coordination polyhedra of copper(II) and zinc are intermediate between a tetragonal pyramid (TP) and a trigonal bipyramid (TBP). The contributions from the TBP/TP components to the coordination polyhedra were quantitatively estimated from X-ray diffraction data. The ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR signals were assigned to the positions of the atoms of the =NC(S)S^? groups in the resolved (according to X-ray diffraction data) molecular structures of the adducts.     

C−C Bond Formation in Syngas Conversion over Zinc Sites Grafted on ZSM-5 Zeolite

Despite significant progress achieved in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology, control of product selectivity remains a challenge in syngas conversion. Herein, we demonstrate that Zn²⁺-ion exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite steers syngas conversion selectively to ethane with its selectivity reaching as high as 86 % among hydrocarbons (excluding CO₂) at 20 % CO conversion. NMR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence indicate that this is likely attributed to the highly dispersed Zn sites grafted on ZSM-5. Quasi-in-situ solid-state NMR, obtained by quenching the reaction in liquid N₂, detects C₂ species such as acetyl (-COCH₃) bonding with an oxygen, ethyl (-CH₂CH₃) bonding with a Zn site, and epoxyethane molecules adsorbing on a Zn site and a Brønsted acid site of the catalyst, respectively. These species could provide insight into C−C bond formation during ethane formation. Interestingly, this selective reaction pathway toward ethane appears to be general because a series of other Zn²⁺-ion exchanged aluminosilicate zeolites with different topologies (for example, SSZ-13, MCM-22, and ZSM-12) all give ethane predominantly. By contrast, a physical mixture of ZnO-ZSM-5 favors formation of hydrocarbons beyond C₃₊. These results provide an important guide for tuning the product selectivity in syngas conversion.     

水溶液pH对甲烷低温氧化制备甲醇的影响

采用固态离子交换法制备了Fe/ZSM-5催化剂, 并通过X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、 电感耦合等离子光谱(ICP)、 漫反射紫外-可见光谱(DR UV-Vis)、 拉曼光谱(Raman)和固体核磁共振波谱(Solid-state NMR)表征方法对催化剂的结构和相关物理性质进行了表征. 采用H₂SO₄和NaOH调控反应体系的pH, 并通过气相色谱和液体核磁共振波谱分别对气相和液相产物进行定量分析, 研究了不同水溶液pH对反应活性的影响. 并对不同pH下Fe/ZSM-5催化剂的金属析出量以及剩余H₂O₂浓度的影响进行了研究. 上述结果为进一步优化甲烷低温氧化制备甲醇的反应提供了指导思想.     

Charged Si9 Clusters in Neat Solids and the Detection of [H2Si9]2− in Solution: A Combined NMR,Raman, Mass Spectrometric,and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Polyanionic silicon clusters are provided by the Zintl phases K₄Si₄, comprising [Si₄]⁴⁻ units, and K₁₂Si₁₇, consisting of [Si₄]⁴⁻ and [Si₉]⁴⁻ clusters. A combination of solid‐state MAS‐NMR, solution NMR, and Raman spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and quantum‐chemical investigations was used to investigate four‐ and nine‐atomic silicon Zintl clusters in neat solids and solution. The results were compared to ²⁹Si isotope‐enriched samples. ²⁹Si‐MAS NMR and Raman shifts of the phase‐pure solids K₄Si₄ and K₁₂Si₁₇ were interpreted by quantum‐chemical calculations. Extraction of [Si₉]⁴⁻ clusters from K₁₂Si₁₇ with liquid ammonia/222crypt and their transfer to pyridine yields in a red solid containing Si₉ clusters. This compound was characterized by elemental and EDX analyses and ²⁹Si‐MAS NMR and Raman spectroscopy. Charged Si₉ clusters were detected by ²⁹Si NMR in solution. ²⁹Si and ¹H NMR spectra reveal the presence of the [H₂Si₉]²⁻ cluster anion in solution.