Regeneration of the Oxidation Catalysts Based on the Aqueous Solutions of Non‐Keggin Mo‐V‐P Heteropoly Acids by Molecular Oxygen

Kinetic peculiarities of regeneration of the aqueous solutions of non‐Keggin‐type Mo‐V‐P heteropoly acids H_aP_zMo_yV_x′O_b (HPA‐x′) and their acidic salts by O₂ are studied. The HPA‐x′ solutions have heightened thermal stability that permits to consider them as highly efficient catalysts for different oxidation processes. In the HPA‐x′ and their salts solutions, these peculiarities prove to be similar. The studied reaction is of the first order with respect to O₂ and V(IV), if [V(IV)] is higher than 0.8 M. As [V(IV)] decreases during the reaction, its order with respect to V(IV) increases to the third. The apparent activation energy of the reaction at temperatures 150–170°С is 37.5 kJ mol^?1. The obtained kinetic equation was used to calculate a new effective air reactor for the regeneration of the homogeneous HPA‐x′ catalyst in a pilot process of methylethylketone synthesis.     

Prospects of application of Mo–V-phosphoric heteropolyacid solutions as bifunctional catalysts for syntheses of anthraquinones and their substituted derivatives

The acid-catalyzed condensation of 1,3-butadienes with p-quinones and oxidation of the obtained adducts can be carried out as one-pot process in the presence of aqueous solutions of Mo–V–P-heteropolyacids (HPA) of the general composition H_aP_zMo_yV_xO_b. These solutions act as bifunctional catalysts, since they simultaneously behave as strong Brönsted acids and fairly strong reversible oxidants. The condensation of 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ) with 1,3-butadiene in solutions of high-vanadium HPA of the empirical compositions H₁₅P₄Mo₁₈V₇O₈₉ and H₁₇P₃Mo₁₆V₁₀O₈₉ in the presence of water-miscible organic solvents (acetone, 1,4-dioxane) affords 9,10-anthraquinone in a yield of ~70% and purity up to 97% at a complete conversion of NQ. Under similar conditions, the reactions of NQ and substituted 1,3-butadienes afford substituted anthraquinones in the yields up to 90% and purity up to 99%. The catalysts are regenerated with oxygen in an individual step and can be reused.     

C−−H activation on aluminum-vanadium bimetallic oxide cluster anions

Aluminum–vanadium bimetallic oxide cluster anions (BMOCAs) have been prepared by laser ablation and reacted with ethane and n‐butane in a fast‐flow reactor. A time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer was used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. The observation of hydrogen‐containing products AlVO₅H^? and Al_xV_4?xO_11?xH^? (x=1–3) strongly suggests that AlVO₅^? and Al_xV_4?xO_11?x^? (x=1–3) can react with ethane and n‐butane by means of an oxidative dehydrogenation process at room temperature. Density functional theory studies have been carried out to investigate the structural, bonding, electronic, and reactive properties of these BMOCAs. Terminal‐oxygen‐centered radicals (O_t^.) were found in all of the reactive clusters, and the O_t^. atoms, which prefer to be bonded with Al rather than V atoms, are the active sites of these clusters. All the hydrogen‐abstraction reactions are favorable both thermodynamically and kinetically. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of hydrogen‐atom abstraction by BMOCAs and may shed light on understanding the mechanisms of C? H activation on the surface of alumina‐supported vanadia catalysts.     

常温常压下硅氨基化介孔SBA-15负载Keggin型钼钒杂多酸催化氧化乙醛的反应研究

Keggin-type molybdovanadophosphoric acids(HPA),H_4PMo_(11)VO_(40)(1),H_5PMo_(10)V_2O_(40)(2)and H_6PMo_9V_3O_(40)(3)were anchored onto γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTS)aminosilylated silica mesoporous SBA-15 throughacid-base neutralization and the resulting HPA/APTS/SBA-15 were characterized by BET,TEM,XRD,ICP,FTIRand ~(31)P MAS NMR.The characterization results indicate that the Keggin-structure of these HPAs is preservedwithin the mesoporous silica host.The samples were tested for catalytic aerobic oxidation of acetaldehyde hetero-geneously in liquid phase under ambient condition.The electrostatic force between heteropoly acid and aminogroups grafted on the silica channel surface leads to strong immobilization of HPA inside SBA-15 which is againstthe leaching during the reaction.The good catalytic performance and easy recycle of these catalysts make them aspotential environmental friendly catalysts for elimination of indoor air pollutants.     

Gas‐Phase Reactions of Cationic Vanadium‐Phosphorus Oxide Clusters with C2Hx (x=4, 6): A DFT‐Based Analysis of Reactivity Patterns

The reactivities of the adamantane‐like heteronuclear vanadium‐phosphorus oxygen cluster ions [V_xP_4?xO₁₀]^.+ (x=0, 2–4) towards hydrocarbons strongly depend on the V/P ratio of the clusters. Possible mechanisms for the gas‐phase reactions of these heteronuclear cations with ethene and ethane have been elucidated by means of DFT‐based calculations; homolytic C? H bond activation constitutes the initial step, and for all systems the P? O^. unit of the clusters serves as the reactive site. More complex oxidation processes, such as oxygen‐atom transfer to, or oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbons require the presence of a vanadium atom to provide the electronic prerequisites which are necessary to bring about the 2e^? reduction of the cationic clusters.     

Reactivity Control of C?H Bond Activation over Vanadium–Silver Bimetallic Oxide Cluster Cations

Vanadium–silver bimetallic oxide cluster ions (V_xAg_yO_z⁺; x=1–4, y=1–4, z=3–11) are produced by laser ablation and reacted with ethane in a fast‐flow reactor. A reflectron time of flight (Re‐TOF) mass spectrometer is used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. Hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) reactions are identified over VAgO₃⁺, V₂Ag₂O₆⁺, V₂Ag₄O₇⁺, V₃AgO₈⁺, V₃Ag₃O₉⁺, and V₄Ag₂O₁₁⁺ ions, in which the oxygen‐centered radicals terminally bonded on V atoms are active sites for the facile HAA reactions. DFT calculations are performed to study the structures, bonding, and reactivity. The reaction mechanisms of V₂Ag₂O₆⁺+C₂H₆ are also given. The doped Ag atoms with a valence state of +1 are highly dispersed at the periphery of the V_xAg_yO_z⁺ cluster ions. The reactivity can be well‐tuned gradually by controlling the number of Ag atoms. The steric protection due to the peripherally bonded Ag atoms greatly enhances the selectivity of the V–Ag bimetallic oxide clusters with respect to the corresponding pure vanadium oxide systems.     

Reduction potential and oxidation catalysis of vanadium-containing H6+x P2Mo18−x V x O62 Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts

Vanadium-containing H_6+x P₂Mo_18?x V _x O₆₂ (x=0?3) Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts were prepared. The successful formation of the Wells-Dawson HPAs was confirmed by FT-IR and ICP-AES analyses. The reduction potential of the H_6+x P₂Mo_18?x V _x O₆₂ (x=0?3) catalysts was determined by temperature-programmed reduction measurements. The Wells-Dawson HPA catalysts were applied to the vapor-phase oxidation of methacrolein and benzyl alcohol. The reduction potential, conversion of methacrolein, and conversion of benzyl alcohol showed volcano-shaped curves with respect to vanadium substitution, and decreased in the order of H₈P₂Mo₁₆V₂O₆₂>H₇P₂Mo₁₇V₁O₆₂>H₉P₂Mo₁₅V₃O₆₂>H₆P₂Mo₁₈O₆₂. A correlation between reduction potential and catalytic activity clearly showed that the conversion was monotonically increased with increasing reduction potential of the HPA catalyst in both oxidation reactions.     

High‐Field Pulsed EPR Spectroscopy for the Speciation of the Reduced [PV2Mo10O40]6− Polyoxometalate Catalyst Used in Electron‐Transfer Oxidations

An in‐depth spectroscopic EPR investigation of a key intermediate, formally notated as [PV^IVV^VMo₁₀O₄₀]^6? and formed in known electron‐transfer and electron‐transfer/oxygen‐transfer reactions catalyzed by H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀, has been carried out. Pulsed EPR spectroscopy have been utilized: specifically, W‐band electron–electron double resonance (ELDOR)‐detected NMR and two‐dimensional (2D) hyperfine sub‐level correlation (HYSCORE) measurements, which resolved ⁹⁵Mo and ¹⁷O hyperfine interactions, and electron–nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), which gave the weak ⁵¹V and ³¹P interactions. In this way, two paramagnetic species related to [PV^IVV^VMo₁₀O₄₀]^6? were identified. The first species (30–35 %) has a vanadyl (VO²⁺)‐like EPR spectrum and is not situated within the polyoxometalate cluster. Here the VO²⁺ was suggested to be supported on the Keggin cluster and can be represented as an ion pair, [PV^VMo₁₀O₃₉]^8?[V^IVO²⁺]. This species originates from the parent H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ in which the vanadium atoms are nearest neighbors and it is suggested that this isomer is more likely to be reactive in electron‐transfer/oxygen‐transfer reaction oxidation reactions. In the second (70–65 %) species, the V^IV remains embedded within the polyoxometalate framework and originates from reduction of distal H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ isomers to yield an intact cluster, [PV^IVV^VMo₁₀O₄₀]^6?.     

Vanadium(V)-substituted Keggin-type heteropolyoxotungstophosphates as electron transfer and antimicrobial agents: oxidation of glutathione and sensitization of MRSA towards β-lactam antibiotics

Glutathione (GSH) undergoes facile electron transfer with vanadium(V)-substituted Keggin-type heteropolyoxometalates, [ \textPV^\textV \textW _{1 1} \textO _{4 0} ] ^{4 -} [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 1} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} ]^{{ 4 { - }}} (HPA1) and [ \textPV^\textV \textV^\textV \textW _{1 0} \textO _{4 0} ] ^{5 -} [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 0} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} ]^{{ 5 { - }}} (HPA2). The kinetics of these reactions have been investigated in phthalate buffers spectrophotometrically at 25 °C in aqueous medium. One mole of HPA1 consumes one mole of GSH and the product is the one-electron reduced heteropoly blue, [ \textPV^\textIV \textW _{1 1} \textO ₄₀ ] ^5- [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{IV}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 1} {\text{O}}_{ 40} ]^{ 5- } . But in the GSH-HPA2 reaction, one mole of HPA2 consumes two moles of GSH and gives the two-electron reduced heteropoly blue [ \textPV^\textIV \textV^\textIV \textW ₁₀ \textO ₄₀ ] ^7- [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{IV}} {\text{V}}^{\text{IV}} {\text{W}}_{ 10} {\text{O}}_{ 40} ]^{ 7- } . Both reactions show overall third-order kinetics. At constant pH, the order with respect to both [HPA] species is one and order with respect to [GSH] is two. At constant [GSH], the rate shows inverse dependence on [H⁺], suggesting participation of the deprotonated thiol group of GSH in the reaction. A suitable mechanism has been proposed and a rate law for the title reaction is derived. The antimicrobial activities of HPA1, HPA2 and [ \textPV^\textV \textV^\textV \textV^\textV \textW ₉ \textO _{4 0} ] ^{6 -} [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 9} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} ]^{{ 6 { - }}} (HPA3) against MRSA were tested in vitro in combination with vancomycin and penicillin G. The HPAs sensitize MRSA towards penicillin G.     

Controlling the Self‐Assembly of a Mixed‐Metal Mo/V–Selenite Family of Polyoxometalates

Five mixed‐metal mixed‐valence Mo/V polyoxoanions, templated by the pyramidal SeO₃^2? heteroanion have been isolated: K₁₀[Mo^VI₁₂V^V₁₀O₅₈(SeO₃)₈]?18 H₂O ( 1 ), K₇[Mo^VI₁₁V^V₅V^IV₂O₅₂(SeO₃)]?31 H₂O ( 2 ), (NH₄)₇K₃[Mo^VI₁₁V^V₅V^IV₂O₅₂(SeO₃)(Mo^V₆V^V‐ O₂₂)]?40 H₂O ( 3 ), (NH₄)₁₉K₃[Mo^VI₂₀V^V₁₂V^IV₄O₉₉(SeO₃)₁₀]?36 H₂O ( 4 ) and [Na₃(H₂O)₅{Mo_18?xV_xO₅₂(SeO₃)} {Mo_9?yV_yO₂₄(SeO₃)₄}] ( 5 ). All five compounds were characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis, TGA, UV/Vis and FT‐IR spectroscopy, redox titrations, and elemental and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) analysis. X‐ray studies revealed two novel coordination modes for the selenite anion in compounds 1 and 4 showing η,μ and μ,μ coordination motifs. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterised in solution by using high‐resolution ESI‐MS. The ESI‐MS spectra of these compounds revealed characteristic patterns showing distribution envelopes corresponding to 2? and 3? anionic charge states. Also, the isolation of these compounds shows that it may be possible to direct the self‐assembly process of the mixed‐metal systems by controlling the interplay between the cation “shrink‐wrapping” effect, the non‐conventional geometry of the selenite anion and fine adjustment of the experimental variables. Also a detailed IR spectroscopic analysis unveiled a simple way to identify the type of coordination mode of the selenite anions present in POM‐based architectures.     

Synthesis of Highly Active and Stable Spinel‐Type Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts by a Rapid Inorganic Self‐Templating Method

Composition‐adjustable spinel‐type metal oxides, Mn_xCo_3?xO_4?δ (x=0.8–1.4), were synthesized in ethanol solutions by a rapid inorganic self‐templating mechanism using KCl nanocrystals as the structure‐directing agent. The Mn_xCo_3?xO_4?δ materials showed ultrahigh oxygen evolution activity and strong durability in alkaline solutions, and are capable of delivering a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at 1.58 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M KOH solution, which is superior in comparison to IrO₂ catalysts under identical experimental conditions, and comparable to the most active noble‐metal and transition‐metal oxygen evolution electrocatalysts reported so far. The high performance for catalytic oxygen evolution originates from both compositional and structural features of the synthesized materials. The moderate content of Mn doping into the spinel framework led to their improved electronic conductivity and strong oxidizing ability, and the well‐developed porosity, accompanied with the high affinity between OH^? reactants and catalyst surface, contributed to the smooth mass transport, thus endowing them with superior oxygen evolution activity.     

Activation-controlled outer-sphere electron transfer reactions: reduction of heteropoly 11-tungstovanadophosphate and heteropoly 10-tungstodivanado phosphate by thiourea in aqueous acid medium

The kinetics of reduction of heteropoly 11-tungstovanadophosphate, [PV^VW₁₁O₄₀]⁴⁻, (HPA1) and heteropoly 10-tungstodivanadophosphate, [PV^VV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁵⁻, (HPA2) by thiourea has been investigated in HClO₄/phthalate/acetate buffer solutions spectrophotometrically at 25 °C in aqueous medium. The stoichiometry of the reaction is 1:1 in both cases. The HPAs are converted into the corresponding one-electron reduced heteropoly blues, namely, [PV^IVW₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻ and [PV^IVV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁶⁻, and thiourea is oxidised to formamidine disulphide. The reaction shows first-order dependence in both [HPA] and [thiourea] at constant pH. The rate–pH profile shows the participation of both the neutral and deprotonated forms of thiourea in the reaction. The reaction proceeds through an outer sphere electron transfer mechanism in which activation-controlled electron transfer is the rate-determining step. Self-exchange rate constants for the couples [PV^VW₁₁O₄₀]⁴⁻/[PV^IVW₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻, [PV^VV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁵⁻/[PV^IVV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁶⁻ and H₂NCSNH₂/H₂NCS^·+NH₂ have been evaluated by Marcus theory.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of two new modified polyoxometalates based on {PMo8V6O42} clusters

Two new polyoxometalate-based compounds, [{P^VMo ₅ ^VI Mo ₃ ^V V ₄ ^V V ₂ ^IV O₄₂}{Co^II(H₂O)(2,2′-bpy)₂}₂][Co^II(2,2′-bpy)₃]₂{P^VMo ₇ ^VI Mo^VV ₆ ^V O₄₂} · 6H₂O (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (1) and [{P^VMo ₆ ^VI Mo ₂ ^V V ₃ ^V V ₃ ^IV O₄₂}{Cu^II(2,2′-bpy)}{Cu^II(2,2′-bpy)₂}₂] · 3.5H₂O (2), were hydrothermally prepared and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural determination result shows that compound (1) contains two types of polyoxoanions coexisting with transition metal complex counter-cations in a single phase. In the structure of compound (2), a chain-like structure forms by means of the interconnection of the disordered transition metal-complex fragments decorated on the trisupporting polyoxoanions. Electronic supplementary material Electronic supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

Correlation between reduction potential of vanadium-containing heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts and their oxidation activity for cyclohexanol dehydrogenation

Vanadium-containing H_6+xP₂Mo_18−xV_xO₆₂ (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3) Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid (HPA) and H_3+xPMo_12−xV_xO₄₀ (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3) Keggin HPA catalysts were applied to the vapor-phase dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol. The catalytic oxidation activity showed a volcano-shaped curve with respect to vanadium substitution for both families of HPA catalysts. The Wells-Dawson HPA showed a better catalytic oxidation performance than the Keggin HPA at the same level of vanadium substitution.     

Solid Solution Formation between Vanadium(V) and ­Tungs­ten(V) Oxide Phosphate

The solid solutions (V_1–xW_x)OPO₄ with β‐VOPO₄ structure type (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.01) and α_II‐VOPO₄ structure type (0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.26) were obtained from mixtures of V^VOPO₄ and W^VOPO₄ by conventional solid state reactions and by solution combustion synthesis. Single crystals of up to 3 mm edge length were obtained by chemical vapor transport (CVT) (800 → 700 °C, Cl₂ as a transporting agent). Single crystal structure refinements of crystals at x = 0.10 [a = 6.0503(2) Å, c = 4.3618(4) Å, R₁ = 0.021, wR₂ = 0.058, 21 parameters, 344 independent reflections] and x = 0.26 [a = 6.0979(2) Å, c = 4.2995(1) Å, R₁ = 0.030, wR₂ = 0.081, 21 parameters, 346 independent reflections] confirm the α_II‐VOPO₄ structure type (P4/n, Z = 2) with mixed occupancy V/W for the metal site. Due to the specific redox behavior of W⁵⁺ and V⁵⁺, solid solutions (V_1–xW_x)OPO₄ should be formulated as (V^IV_xV^V_1–2xW^VI_x)OPO₄. The valence states of vanadium and tungsten are confirmed by XPS measurements. V⁴⁺ with d¹ configuration was identified by EPR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Electronic spectra of the solid solutions show the IVCT(V⁴⁺ → V⁵⁺) and the LMCT(O^2– → V⁵⁺). (V_0.74W_0.26)OPO₄ powders exhibit semi‐conducting behavior (E_g = 0.7 eV).     

Syntheses,Structures and Characterizations of Two Vanadium(V) Complexes:[2-MePyH][V^vO2(C14H9N2O3Br)] and [2-EtPyH][V^VO2(C14H9N2O3Br)]

Two new oxovanadium(V) complexes, [2‐MePyH][V^vO₂(L)] (3) and[2‐EtPyH][V^vO₂,(L)] (4) (salicylaldehyde 5‐bromo salicyloylhydrazone is abbreviated as H₂L; 2‐MePyH is protonated 2‐Mepyridine; 2‐EtPyH presents protonated 2‐Et‐pyridine) were obtained from a reaction of VOSO₄ and H₂L in acetonitrile‐methanol with small quantity of 2‐Me‐pyridine or 2‐Et‐pyridine, and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. Crystal data: [2‐MePyH][VO₂(L)] (3), C₂₀H₁₇N₃O₅BrV, M_r = 510.2, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 0.7363(1) nm, 6 = 0.9514(1) nm, c = 2.8594(2) nm, β = 95.305(2)°, Z = 4 and V=1.9946(3) nm³, μ(Mo Kα) = 2.539 mm^?1; [2‐EtPyH][VO₂(L)] (4), C₂₁H₁₉N₃ O₃BrV, M_r = 524.2, triclinic, P1 , a = 0.8051(1) nm, b = 0.9413(1) nm, c = 1.4648(2) nm, α=99.1900(10)°, α = 99.4530(10)°, γ = 104.6670(10)°, Z = 2 and V= 1.0355(2) nm³, μ(Mo Kα) = 2.448 mm^?1, X‐Ray analyses revealed that the crystal structures of 3 and 4 have similar packing modes.     

Mechanistic insight into the reactivity of oxotransferases by novel asymmetric dioxomolybdenum(VI) model complexes

The asymmetric molybdenum(VI) dioxo complexes of the bis(phenolate) ligands 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepane, 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methylbenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepane, 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethylbenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepane, 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepane, 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐4‐flurobenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepane, and 1,4‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐4‐chlorobenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepane (H₂(L1)–H₂(L6), respectively) have been isolated and studied as functional models for molybdenum oxotransferase enzymes. These complexes have been characterized as asymmetric complexes of type [MoO₂(L)] 1–6 by using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and electrochemical methods. The molecular structures of [MoO₂(L)] 1–4 have been successfully determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses, which show them to exhibit a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around molybdenum(VI) in an asymmetrical cis‐β configuration. The Mo? O_oxo bond lengths differ only by ≈0.01 Å. Complexes 1 , 2 , 5 , and 6 exhibit two successive Mo^VI/Mo^V (E_1/2, ?1.141 to ?1.848 V) and Mo^V/Mo^IV (E_1/2, ?1.531 to ?2.114 V) redox processes. However, only the Mo^VI/Mo^V redox couple was observed for 3 and 4 , suggesting that the subsequent reduction of the molybdenum(V) species is difficult. Complexes 1 , 2 , 5 , and 6 elicit efficient catalytic oxygen‐atom transfer (OAT) from dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to PMe₃ at 65 °C at a significantly faster rate than the symmetric molybdenum(VI) complexes of the analogous linear bis(phenolate) ligands known so far to exhibit OAT reactions at a higher temperature (130 °C). However, complexes 3 and 4 fail to perform the OAT reaction from DMSO to PMe₃ at 65 °C. DFT/B3LYP calculations on the OAT mechanism reveal a strong trans effect.     

Oxonium Ions Substituting Cesium Ions in the Structure of the New High‐Pressure Borate HP‐Cs1−x(H3O)xB3O5 (x=0.5–0.7)

The new high‐pressure borate HP‐Cs_1?x(H₃O)_xB₃O₅ (x=0.5–0.7) was synthesized under high‐pressure/high‐temperature conditions of 6 GPa/900 °C in a Walker‐type multianvil apparatus. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (Z=8) with the parameters a=1000.6(2), b=887.8(2), c=926.3(2) pm, β=103.1(1)°, V=0.8016(3) nm³, R1=0.0452, and wR2=0.0721 (all data). The boron–oxygen network is analogous to those of the compounds HP‐MB₃O₅, (M=K, Rb) and exhibits all three structural motifs of borates—BO₃ groups, corner‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra, and edge‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra—at the same time. Channels inside the boron–oxygen framework contain the cesium and oxonium ions, which are disordered on a specific site. Estimating the amount of hydrogen by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction led to the composition HP‐Cs_1?x(H₃O)_xB₃O₅ (x=0.5–0.7), which implies a nonzero phase width.     

Gas‐Phase Reaction of CeV2O7+ with C2H4: Activation of CC and CH Bonds

The reactivity of metal oxide clusters toward hydrocarbon molecules can be changed, tuned, or controlled by doping. Cerium‐doped vanadium cluster cations CeV₂O₇⁺ are generated by laser ablation, mass‐selected by a quadrupole mass filter, and then reacted with C₂H₄ in a linear ion trap reactor. The reaction is characterized by a reflectron time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. Three types of reaction channels are observed: 1) single oxygen‐atom transfer , 2) double oxygen‐atom transfer , and 3) C?C bond cleavage. This study provides the first bimetallic oxide cluster ion, CeV₂O₇⁺, which gives rise to C?C bond cleavage of ethene. Neither Ce_xO_y^± nor V_xO_y^± alone possess the necessary topological and electronic properties to bring about such a reaction.     

Structural and Electrochemical Study of Vanadium‐Doped TiO2 Ramsdellite with Superior Lithium Storage Properties for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Titanium‐oxide‐based materials are considered attractive and safe alternatives to carbonaceous anodes in Li‐ion batteries. In particular, the ramsdellite form TiO₂(R) is known for its superior lithium‐storage ability as the bulk material when compared with other titanates. In this work, we prepared V‐doped lithium titanate ramsdellites with the formula Li_0.5Ti_1?xV_xO₂ (0≤x≤0.5) by a conventional solid‐state reaction. The lithium‐free Ti_1?xV_xO₂ compounds, in which the ramsdellite framework remains virtually unaltered, are easily obtained by a simple aqueous oxidation/ion‐extraction process. Neutron powder diffraction is used to locate the Li channel site in Li_0.5Ti_1?xV_xO₂ compounds and to follow the lithium extraction by difference‐Fourier maps. Previously delithiated Ti_1?xV_xO₂ ramsdellites are able to insert up to 0.8 Li⁺ per transition‐metal atom. The initial gravimetric capacities of 270 mAh g^?1 with good cycle stability under constant current discharge conditions are among the highest reported for bulk TiO₂‐related intercalation compounds for the threshold of one e^? per formula unit.