Enhancing CO2 Electroreduction to Methane with a Cobalt Phthalocyanine and Zinc–Nitrogen–Carbon Tandem Catalyst

Developing copper-free catalysts for CO₂ conversion into hydrocarbons and oxygenates is highly desirable for electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Herein, we report a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and zinc–nitrogen–carbon (Zn-N-C) tandem catalyst for CO₂RR to CH₄. This tandem catalyst shows a more than 100 times enhancement of the CH₄/CO production rate ratio compared with CoPc or Zn-N-C alone. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrochemical CO reduction reaction results suggest that CO₂ is first reduced into CO over CoPc and then CO diffuses onto Zn-N-C for further conversion into CH₄ over Zn-N₄ site, decoupling complicated CO₂RR pathway on single active site into a two-step tandem reaction. Moreover, mechanistic analysis indicates that CoPc not only generates CO but also enhances the availability of *H over adjacent N sites in Zn-N₄, which is the key to achieve the high CH₄ production rate and understand the intriguing electrocatalytic behavior which is distinctive to copper-based tandem catalysts.     

Preparation and characterization of anion-cation surfactants modified montmorillonite

The low-temperature molar heat capacities of CoPc and CoTMPP were measured by temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) over the temperature range from 223 to 413 K for the first time. No phase transition or thermal anomaly was observed in the experimental temperature range for CoPc. However, a structural change was found to be nonreversible for CoTMPP in the temperature range of 368–403 K, which was further validated by the results of IR and XRD. The molar enthalpy ΔH _m and entropy ΔS _m of phase transition of the CoTMPP were determined to be 3.301 kJ mol⁻¹ and 8.596 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters of CoPc and CoTMPP such as entropy and enthalpy relative to reference temperature 298.15 K were derived based on the above molar heat capacity data. Moreover, the thermal stability of these two compounds was further investigated through TG measurements. Three steps of mass loss were observed in the TG curve for CoPc and five steps for CoTMPP.     

配合物[Co(qina)2(DMSO)2]的结构及其对乙酸-1-萘酯水解的催化研究

合成了配合物[Co(qina)₂(DMSO)₂]单晶, 其中, qina^－为喹哪啶酸根, DMSO为二甲基亚砜. 配合物为单斜晶系, P2(1)/C空间群, 2个qina^－配体以氮原子和氧原子与Co(II)离子螯合配位, 2个DMSO以氧原子与Co(II)离子轴向配位, 形成规则的八面体构型配合物, 分子之间存在π-π堆积弱相互作用. 该配合物可显著提高乙酸-1-萘酯的水解速率, 在配合物浓度和萘酯浓度各为1.0×10^－4和3.0×10^－5 mol•L^－1条件下, 酯的水解速率提高460倍.     

Glycolic acid-supported cobalt ferrite-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline and indenopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives

Herein, one-pot synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline and indenopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives was developed by the three-component reaction of aldehydes, 6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracil, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of glycolic acid-supported cobalt ferrite CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂@Si (CH₂)₃NHCOOCH₂COOH as a novel magnetic catalyst in ethanol at reflux conditions. Glycolic acid-supported cobalt ferrite was characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Moreover, the catalyst was easily recovered with magnetic separation and recycled at least for five times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. The products were formed in excellent yields over appropriate reaction times under environmentally friendly conditions. The high efficiency and easy isolation of catalyst from products with an external permanent magnet are some of the remarkable advantages of this method.     

Kobalt-Komplexe mit O2-Brücken: Die Struktur der Kationen μ-Hydroxo-μ-peroxo-bis[bis(äthylendiamin) kobalt(III)]3+ und μ-Hydroxo-μ-superoxo-bis[bis (äthylendiamin)kobalt(III)]4+

Cobalt Complexes with O₂ Bridges: The Structure of the Cations μ-Hydroxo-μ-peroxo-bis[bis(ethylenediamine) cobalt (III)]³⁺and μ-Hydroxo-μ-superoxo-bis [bis (ethylenediamine) cobalt (III)]⁴⁺ X-ray structure determinations of one salt of each of the two chemically and structurally closely related dinuclear cobalt cations [(en)₂Co · μ(OH, O₂) · Co(en)₂]³⁺ 1a and [(en)₂Co · μ(OH, O₂) · Co(en)₂]⁴⁺ 1b have been performed. In both cases the cations exist as racemic mixtures of ΔΔ and ΔΔ isomers. The O–O distance in the μ-peroxo cation 1a is 1.465 Å and the Co–O–O–Co torsion angle is 60.7°. The corresponding values for the μ-superoxo cation 1b are 1.339 Å and 22.0°.     

Ring‐opening Polymerization of L‐Lactide by an Anionic Cobalt(II) Aryloxide

The reaction of anhydrous CoCl₂ with NaOAr (ArO=2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenoxo) in THF at room temperature in 1:3 molar ratio afforded anionic cobalt aryloxide [Na(THF)₆][Co(OAr)₃] ( 1 ). The definite structure of this complex was characterized by X‐ray single crystal diffraction. It was found that this anionic aryloxo cobalt(II) complex could effectively initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide both in solution and in bulk, leading to high molecular weight poly(L‐lactide).     

A one‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer based on 2,4′‐oxydibenzoic acid: poly[[[diaquabis[2‐(4‐carboxyphenoxy)benzoato‐κO1]cobalt(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′] dihydrate]

The reaction of CoSO₄ with 2,4‐oxydibenzoic acid (H₂oba) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy) under hydrothermal condition yielded a new one‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer, {[Co(C₁₄H₉O₅)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic properties and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The Co^II ions are connected by bipy ligands into infinite one‐dimensional chains. The Hoba⁻ ligands extend out from the two sides of the one‐dimensional chain. O—H...O hydrogen bonding extends these chains into a two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Acridine-based ligands from cobalt(II) mediated rearrangement of diphenylamine-based starting materials

The synthesis and characterisation of two cobalt(II) complexes, [Co^IIL^Br-acrCl₂] (1a) and [Co^IIL^H-acrCl₂] (1b), with acridine head-units resulting from an unexpected ligand rearrangement from a diphenylamine head-unit, and the intended cobalt(II) complex, Co^IIL^Br-dpa(Cl)(H₂O) (2), are reported. Single crystals of the two dark green acridine-based cobalt(II) complexes, 1a and 1b, form in a one-pot reaction of cobalt(II) chloride, the chosen diphenylamine-2,2′-dicarboxaldehyde (Ia 4,4-′dibromo- or Ib unsubstituted), triethylamine and two equivalents of 2,4-dimethylaniline in acetonitrile, in 23% yield. In contrast, the intended diphenylamine-based complex was isolated in two steps: first isolation of the Schiff base ligand, then complexation with cobalt(II) chloride and deprotonation with potassium tert-butoxide, in methanol/dichloromethane, giving 2 as a bright yellow solid in 67% yield. All three complexes feature cobalt(II) centres, with N₂Cl₂ approximately tetrahedral coordination for 1a and 1b confirmed by single crystal structure determinations. It is proposed that after one imine ‘arm’ forms, cobalt(II) coordination facilitates the other aldehyde undergoing an intramolecular cyclisation to form the new heterocyclic acridine head-unit. The structures of both of the resulting acridine-based complexes, 1a and 1b, and that of the originally intended Schiff base ligand, HL^Br-dpa, were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These are the first examples of complexes of an acridine ligand of this type.     

PROTONATION CONSTANTS OF 2,6-BIS(2-PYRIDYL)PYRIDINE AND 2,4,6-TRIS(2-PYRIDYL)-1,3,5-TRIAZINE AND FORMATION CONSTANTS OF THEIR BINARY AND TERNARY IRON(II) COMPLEXES

Abstract

Equilibrium constants involving the ternary mixed ligand iron(II) complex [Fe(TPTZ)(terpy)]²⁺, determined spectrophotometrically at 23° and μ=0.5 M, are reported. Acidity constants of the protonated ligands and formation constants of the binary iron(II) complexes [Fe(TPTZ)₂]²⁺ and [Fe(terpy)₂]²⁺, measured as an adjunct to determining the ternary complex constants, are also reported. The results are of interest in elucidating mixed-ligand complexation effects as well as in confirming or correcting previously reported equilibrium constants of the binary complexes.     

乳酸钴配合物与牛血清蛋白相互作用的研究

合成和表征了系列乳酸钴配合物,测定二水二乳酸钴配合物的结构,配合物中乳酸的羟基和羧基配位键平均键长分别为0.206 0(2)nm和0.206 8(2)nm。当[Co(Hlact)2(H2O)2](2)或[Co(Hlact)2(phen)].2H2O(4)配合物与牛血清白蛋白(BSA=Bovine SerumAlbumin)相互作用后,红外光谱显示乳酸或邻菲咯啉的特征吸收消失,钴离子与BSA出现新的配位,初步推定乳酸或邻菲咯啉配体被BSA中的强配体所取代。     

Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry,and methylation reaction of the dithiolate-based cobalt(II) complex derived from tert-butyl N-(2-mercaptoethyl)carbamate

A dithiolate-containing a carbamate mononuclear cobalt(II) complex namely, [Co(Boc-S)₂] (1), was obtained by the reaction of a methanolic solution of cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate with two equimolar amounts of the deprotonated form of tert-butyl N-(2-mercaptoethyl)carbamate (Boc-SH). The cobalt(II) complex (1) was characterized in the solid state and in solution by using FT–IR, Raman, UV–visible, and EI–mass spectroscopies, as well as thermal and X-ray diffraction studies. Spectral data showed that the carbamate (Boc-SH) acts as a mono-anionic bidentate ligand coordinating the cobalt(II) ion through two imine nitrogen and two deprotonated thiolate sulfur donor atoms in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The thermoanalytical data evidence that the complex is stable up to 165 °C and undergoes complete decomposition, resulting in CoO. TEM imaging of the oxide residue shows its nano size clusters, suggesting that the complex (1) may be used as a precursor for nano-oxides. X-ray powder diffraction patterns evidence an isomorphism among the complex. The redox behavior of the cobalt(II) complex was also investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The reaction of the dithiolate cobalt(II) complex (1) with methyl iodide appears to occur intramolecularly with the cobalt-bound dithiolate, forming the cobalt(II)-bound dithioether complex [Co(Boc–SCH₃)₂]I₂ (2), as a dication complex with a clean second-order reaction of 13.24 × 10⁻² M⁻¹·s⁻¹.     

Effects of metal centers of complexes supported by S,S′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-thioethane on catalytic activities for electrochemical- and photochemical-driven hydrogen production

S,S′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-thioethane (bpte) reacts with MCl₂ (M = Co, Ni, and Fe) to give three complexes, namely, [Co^II(bpte)Cl₂] ( 1 ), [Ni^II(bpte)Cl₂] ( 2 ), and [Fe^II(bpte)Cl₂] ( 3 ), respectively. They all act as catalysts for proton or water reduction to dihydrogen via electrolysis or photolysis. Under an overpotential of 837.6 mV, the electrolysis of a neutral buffer with complex 1 , 2 , or 3 can provide 418 (±3), 555 (±3), and 243 (±3) moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour (mol H₂/mol catalyst/h), respectively. Under blue light, together with a photosensitizer and ascorbic acid (H₂A) as a sacrificial electron donor, the photolysis of an aqueous solution (pH 4.5) containing complex 1 , 2 , or 3 can afford 9060 (±5), 24,900 (±5), and 10,630 (±5) moles H₂ per mole of catalyst (mol of H₂ [mol of cat]⁻¹) during 83-h irradiation with an average apparent quantum yield of 7.1%, 24%, and 10%, respectively. The results show that the nickel complex [Ni^II(bpte)Cl₂] exhibits a more efficient activity for hydrogen generation than the iron or cobalt species. These findings may offer a new chemical paradigm for the design of efficient catalysts.     

Cobalt(II) Oxide Solubility and Phase Stability in Alkaline Media at Elevated Temperatures

A platinum-lined, flowing autoclave facility was used to investigate the solubility behavior of cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) in deoxygenated ammonium and sodium hydroxide solutions between 22 and 288°C. Co(II) ion activity in aqueous solution was controlled by a hydrous Co(II) oxide when nitrogen was used for deoxygenation and by metallic cobalt when hydrogen was used. Measured cobalt solubilities are interpreted using a Co(II) ion hydroxo- and amminocomplexing model and thermodynamic functions for these equilibria were obtained from a least-squares analysis of the data. A common set of thermodynamic properties for the species Co(OH)⁺, Co(OH)₂(aq) and Co(OH)(NH₃)⁺ is provided to permit accurate cobalt oxide solubility calculations over broad ranges of temperature and alkalinity.     

CoPc(COOH)8-SA/mCS双极膜的制备及表征

分别用Fe3+离子和戊二醛作为交联剂对海藻酸钠(SA)阳膜层和壳聚糖(CS)阴膜层进行改性, 制备了八羧基钴酞菁-海藻酸钠/改性壳聚糖(CoPc(COOH)8-SA/mCS)双极膜(BPM). 在海藻酸钠阳膜层中添加八羧基钴酞菁以提高阳膜的离子交换容量, 促进中间层水的解离. 用傅立叶红外(FT-IR)光谱、扫描电镜(SEM)等方法对制备的双极膜进行了表征. 实验结果表明, 经八羧基钴酞菁改性后, 阳离子交换膜层的离子交换容量、H+离子透过率均获得提高. 与Fe3+离子改性或二茂铁离子改性的mSA/mCS双极膜相比, CoPc(COOH)8-SA/mCS双极膜的交流阻抗、电阻压降(IR降)和溶胀度降低. 当电流密度高达105 mA·cm-2时, CoPc(COOH)8-SA/mCS双极膜的IR降仅为0.7 V.     

Thermal Analysis of Cobalt(II) Salts with some Carboxylic Acids

The thermal analysis of CoC₂O₄·2H₂O, Co(HCOO)₂·2H₂O and Co(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O was carried out with simultaneous TG-DTG-DTA measurements under non-isothermal conditions in air and argon atmospheres. The intermediates and the end products of decomposition were characterised by X-ray diffraction and IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The decomposition of the studied compounds occur in several stages. The first stage of dissociation of each compound is dehydration both in air and argon. The next stages differ in air and argon. The final product of the decomposition of each compound in air is Co₃O₄. In argon it is a mixture of Co and CoO for cobalt(II) oxalate and cobalt(II) formate but CoO for cobalt(II) acetate. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In Situ Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Cobalt‐Phthalocyanine‐Catalyzed CO2 Reduction Reaction

We report a molecular investigation of a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)‐catalyzed CO₂ reduction reaction by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM). An ordered adlayer of CoPc was prepared on Au(111). Approximately 14 % of the adsorbed species appeared with high contrast in a CO₂‐purged electrolyte environment. The ECSTM experiments indicate the proportion of high‐contrast species correlated with the reduction of Co^IIPc (?0.2 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). The high‐contrast species is ascribed to the CoPc‐CO₂ complex, which is further confirmed by theoretical simulation. The sharp contrast change from CoPc‐CO₂ to CoPc is revealed by in situ ECSTM characterization of the reaction. Potential step experiments provide dynamic information for the initial stage of the reaction, which include the reduction of CoPc and the binding of CO₂, and the latter is the rate‐limiting step. The rate constant of the formation and dissociation of CoPc‐CO₂ is estimated on the basis of the in situ ECSTM experiment.     

Oxidation of azo dye Orange II with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(diethylmethylammonio)phenyl]porphyrinato-cobalt(II)tetraiodide in aqueous solution

The catalytic oxidation of the azo dye Orange II by hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution has been investigated using 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-[4-(diethylmethylammonio)phenyl]porphyrinato-cobalt(II) tetra iodide 1as catalyst. The oxidation reaction was followed by recording the UV–vis spectra of the reaction mixture with time at λ_max = 485 nm. The factors that may influence the oxidation of Orange II, such as the effect of reaction temperature, concentration of catalyst, hydrogen peroxide and orange II have been studied. The results of total organic carbon analysis showed 52% of dye mineralization under mild reaction conditions. Residual organic compounds in the reaction mixture were identified by using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The decolorization rate and mineralization of the dye has been found to increase with increase of catalyst concentration and reaction temperature. The rate of dye oxidation decreased with increasing the concentration of dye, H₂O₂ and at higher pH than 9. Radical scavenging measurement indicated that decolorization of Orange II by H₂O₂/cobalt (II) porphyrin complex 1 involved the formation of hydroxyl radicals as the active species.     

Reactions of divalent transition metal halides with 3,5-dimethyl-1-(hydroxymethyl)-pyrazole

Factors determining the complex formation reaction of copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) chloride and copper(II) bromide with 3,5-dimethyl-1-(hydroxymethyl)-pyrazole (HL) has been studied. Depending on experimental conditions, complexes with different composition were obtained: [CuCl₂(dmp)]₂ (I), [CuCl₂(dmp)₂]₂ (II), [CoCl₂(dmp)₂] (III) (dmp=3,5-dimethylpyrazole), [CuBr(L)]₂ (IV), [CoCl(L)(EtOH)]₄ (V) and [NiCl(L)(EtOH)]₄ (VI). The compounds were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, solution conductivity and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure of [CoCl(L)(EtOH)]₄ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermal decomposition of the compounds was studied and found to be continuous for all of the compounds. The desolvation mechanism of [MCl(L)(EtOH)]₄ (M=Co(II), Ni(II)) is explained on the basis of the route of complex formation of CoCl₂ with HL.     

Electrocatalytic Functionalized Specialty Paper as Low-Cost Porous Transport Layer Material in CO2-Electrolysis

The development of low-cost and efficient electrolyzer components is crucial for practical electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (ECR). In this study, facile non-woven cellulose-based porous transport layers (PTLs) were developed for high current density CO₂-to-CO conversion. By depositing a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) catalyst-layer over the PTLs, we fabricated ECR-functioning gas-diffusion-electrodes (GDEs) for both flow-cell and zero-gap electrolyzers. Under optimal conditions, the Faradaic efficiency of CO (FE_CO) reached 92 % at a high current density of 200 mA cm⁻². Furthering the architecture of the GDEs, CoPc was incorporated into the initial PTL slurry, forming ECR-active PTLs without the need for an additional catalyst-layer. The new GDE-architecture favored the CoPc-distribution by enhancing the contact and interactions with the carbon substrate and demonstrated a stable electrolysis process for over 50 h in a zero-gap cell at 200 mA cm⁻² with a FE_CO of 80 %.     

Synthesis and characterization of two cobalt(II) complexes based on 4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-ol

Two cobalt(II) complexes based on 4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-ol (HOBPT), [Co₃(OBPT)(μ³?OH)(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O (1) and [Co(OBPT)₂]·2H₂O (2) were obtained. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that 1 is a two-dimensional (2D) structure and the ligand adopts mono/bis-bidentate coordination; this coordination mode of this ligand was never found before. Magnetic properties of 1 have been studied, showing that 1 is a spin canted belt. Much different from 1, 2 is a discrete structure with tridentate ligand with its hydroxyl group deprotonated but uncoordinated. Lattice water molecules in 2 link to four-membered water clusters, which linked the [Co(OBPT)₂] to 1-D chains along the b axis.