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.     

High‐Quality Gasoline Directly from Syngas by Dual Metal Oxide–Zeolite (OX‐ZEO) Catalysis

Despite significant efforts towards the direct conversion of syngas into liquid fuels, the selectivity remains a challenge, particularly with regard to high‐quality gasoline with a high octane number and a low content of aromatic compounds. Herein, we show that zeolites with 1D ten‐membered‐ring (10‐MR) channel structures such as SAPO‐11 and ZSM‐22 in combination with zinc‐ and manganese‐based metal oxides (Zn_aMn_bO_x) enable the selective synthesis of gasoline‐range hydrocarbons C₅–C₁₁ directly from syngas. The gasoline selectivity reached 76.7 % among hydrocarbons, with only 2.3 % CH₄ at 20.3 % CO conversion. The ratio of isoparaffins to n‐paraffins was as high as 15, and the research octane number was estimated to be 92. Furthermore, the content of aromatic compounds in the gasoline was as low as 16 %. The composition and structure of Zn_aMn_bO_x play an important role in determining the overall activity. This process constitutes a potential technology for the one‐step synthesis of environmentally friendly gasoline with a high octane number from a variety of carbon resources via syngas.     

Direct Conversion of Syngas into Methyl Acetate,Ethanol, and Ethylene by Relay Catalysis via the Intermediate Dimethyl Ether

Selective conversion of syngas (CO/H₂) into C₂₊ oxygenates is a highly attractive but challenging target. Herein, we report the direct conversion of syngas into methyl acetate (MA) by relay catalysis. MA can be formed at a lower temperature (ca. 473 K) using Cu‐Zn‐Al oxide/H‐ZSM‐5 and zeolite mordenite (H‐MOR) catalysts separated by quartz wool (denoted as Cu‐Zn‐Al/H‐ZSM‐5|H‐MOR) and also at higher temperatures (603–643 K) without significant deactivation using spinel‐structured ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR. The selectivity of MA and acetic acid (AA) reaches 87 % at a CO conversion of 11 % at 643 K. Dimethyl ether (DME) is the key intermediate and the carbonylation of DME results in MA with high selectivity. We found that the relay catalysis using ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR|ZnAl₂O₄ gives ethanol as the major product, while ethylene is formed with a layer‐by‐layer ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR|ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR combination. Close proximity between ZnAl₂O₄ and H‐MOR increases ethylene selectivity to 65 %.     

Direct Conversion of Syngas into Methyl Acetate,Ethanol, and Ethylene by Relay Catalysis via the Intermediate Dimethyl Ether

Selective conversion of syngas (CO/H₂) into C₂₊ oxygenates is a highly attractive but challenging target. Herein, we report the direct conversion of syngas into methyl acetate (MA) by relay catalysis. MA can be formed at a lower temperature (ca. 473 K) using Cu‐Zn‐Al oxide/H‐ZSM‐5 and zeolite mordenite (H‐MOR) catalysts separated by quartz wool (denoted as Cu‐Zn‐Al/H‐ZSM‐5|H‐MOR) and also at higher temperatures (603–643 K) without significant deactivation using spinel‐structured ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR. The selectivity of MA and acetic acid (AA) reaches 87 % at a CO conversion of 11 % at 643 K. Dimethyl ether (DME) is the key intermediate and the carbonylation of DME results in MA with high selectivity. We found that the relay catalysis using ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR|ZnAl₂O₄ gives ethanol as the major product, while ethylene is formed with a layer‐by‐layer ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR|ZnAl₂O₄|H‐MOR combination. Close proximity between ZnAl₂O₄ and H‐MOR increases ethylene selectivity to 65 %.     

A Novel Method for Synthesis of ZSM‐5 Coatings on Monolithic Cordierite Substrate

ZSM‐5 coatings, have been synthesized onto a monolithic cordierite substrate by an environmental friendly and high coating selectivity method—Vapor Phase Transport (VPT). With this method, an aluminosilicate gel coated onto the monolithic cordierite substrate has been transformed into a ZSM‐5 layer under vapors of n‐butylamine and water, n‐Butylamine played a key role in the forming of ZSM‐5 layer on the cordierite substrate. The ZSM‐5/cordierite monolith composites prepared by this method were ion‐exchanged with Cu²⁺ and tested for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by propane. The deNO_x activities of Cu/ZSM‐5 monolith catalysts were not only dependent on the ion‐exchange methods, but also on the ZSM‐5 loading of the monolith catalysts. The best result was obtained over the Cu (B3)/ZSM‐5 monolith catalyst, which had a ZSM‐5 loading of about 13% and was prepared by a pressure exchange procedure. At a temperature of 723 K and a space velocity of 10,000 h^?1 (based on the monolith volume), 85% of NO conversion and 93% of C₃H₃ conversion were achieved over the Cu(B3)/ZSM‐5 monolith catalyst.     

Synthesis,X‐ray Structure of Ferrocene Bearing Bis(Zn‐cyclen) Complexes and the Selective Electrochemical Sensing of TpT

The new ligand, [Fc(cyclen)₂] ( 5 ) (Fc=ferrocene, cyclen=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane), and corresponding Zn^II complex receptor, [Fc{Zn(cyclen)(CH₃OH)}₂](ClO₄)₄ ( 1 ), consisting of a ferrocene moiety bearing one Zn^II‐cyclen complex on each cyclopentadienyl ring, have been designed and prepared through a multi‐step synthesis. Significant shifts in the ¹H NMR signals of the ferrocenyl group, cf. ferrocene and a previously reported [Fc{Zn(cyclen)}]²⁺ derivative, indicated that the two Zn^II‐cyclen units in 1 significantly affect the electronic properties of the cyclopentadienyl rings. The X‐ray crystal structure shows that the two positively charged Zn^II‐cyclen complexes are arranged in a trans like configuration, with respect to the ferrocene bridging unit, presumably to minimise electrostatic repulsion. Both 5 and 1 can be oxidized in 1:4 CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN and Tris‐HCl aqueous buffer solution under conditions of cyclic voltammetry to give a well defined ferrocene‐centred (Fc^0/+) process. Importantly, 1 is a highly selective electrochemical sensor of thymidilyl(3′‐5′)thymidine (TpT) relative to other nucleobases and nucleotides in Tris‐HCl buffer solution (pH 7.4). The electrochemical selectivity, detected as a shift in reversible potential of the Fc^0/+ component, is postulated to result from a change in the configuration of bis(Zn^II‐cyclen) units from a trans to a cis state. This is caused by the strong 1:1 binding of the two deprotonated thymine groups in TpT to different Zn^II centres of receptor 1 . UV‐visible spectrophotometric titrations confirmed the 1:1 stoichiometry for the 1 :TpT adduct and allowed the determination of the apparent formation constant of 0.89±0.10×10⁶ M ^?1 at pH 7.4.     

Molybdenum Speciation and its Impact on Catalytic Activity during Methane Dehydroaromatization in Zeolite ZSM‐5 as Revealed by Operando X‐Ray Methods

Combined high‐resolution fluorescence detection X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray emission spectroscopy have been employed under operando conditions to obtain detailed new insight into the nature of the Mo species on zeolite ZSM‐5 during methane dehydroaromatization. The results show that isolated Mo–oxo species present after calcination are converted by CH₄ into metastable MoC_xO_y species, which are primarily responsible for C₂H_x/C₃H_x formation. Further carburization leads to MoC₃ clusters, whose presence coincides with benzene formation. Both sintering of MoC₃ and accumulation of large hydrocarbons on the external surface, evidenced by fluorescence‐lifetime imaging microscopy, are principally responsible for the decrease in catalytic performance. These results show the importance of controlling Mo speciation to achieve the desired product formation, which has important implications for realizing the impact of CH₄ as a source for platform chemicals.     

Ligand and Metal Effects on the Stability and Adsorption Properties of an Isoreticular Series of MOFs Based on T‐Shaped Ligands and Paddle‐Wheel Secondary Building Units

The synthesis of stable porous materials with appropriate pore size and shape for desired applications remains challenging. In this work a combined experimental/computational approach has been undertaken to tune the stability under various conditions and the adsorption behavior of a series of MOFs by subtle control of both the nature of the metal center (Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) and the pore surface by the functionalization of the organic linkers with amido and N‐oxide groups. In this context, six isoreticular MOFs based on T‐shaped ligands and paddle‐wheel units with ScD_0.33 topology have been synthesized. Their stabilities have been systematically investigated along with their ability to adsorb a wide range of gases (N₂, CO₂, CH₄, CO, H_2, light hydrocarbons (C₁–C₄)) and vapors (alcohols and water). This study has revealed that the MOF frameworks based on Cu²⁺ are more stable than their Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ analogues, and that the N‐oxide ligand endows the MOFs with a higher affinity for CO₂ leading to excellent selectivity for this gas over other species.     

Construction of Pendant‐Armed Schiff‐Base Macrocyclic Dinuclear Zinc Complexes and Their Selective Recognition of Acetate Ions

Two new flexible extended dialdehydes (H₂hpdd and H₂pdd) with different functional pendant arms (? CH₂CH₂PhOH and ? CH₂CH₂Ph) have been synthesized and reacted with 1,2‐bis(2‐aminoethoxy)ethane to prepare Schiff‐base macrocyclic complexes in the presence of a Zn^II‐ion template. As a result, two preorganized dinuclear Zn^II intermediates ( 1 and 2 ), as well as two 42‐membered folded [2+2] macrocyclic dinuclear Zn^II complexes ( 3 and 4 ), were produced. The central zinc ions in compounds 1 – 4 showed distinguishable coordination patterns with the dialdehydes and the [2+2] macrocyclic ligands, in which a subtle pH‐adjustment function of the two pendant arms (with or without the phenolic hydroxy group) was believed to play a vital role. Furthermore, cation‐ and anion‐recognition experiments for complexes 3 and 4 revealed that they could selectively recognize acetate ions by the formation of 1:1 stoichiometric complexes, as verified by changes in their UV/Vis and MS (ESI) spectra and even by the naked eye.     

Oligonuclear Molecular Models of Intermetallic Phases: A Case Study on [Pd2Zn6Ga2(Cp*)5(CH3)3]

The synthesis, characterization, and theoretical investigation by means of quantum‐chemical calculations of an oligonuclear metal‐rich compound are presented. The reaction of homoleptic dinuclear palladium compound [Pd₂(μ‐GaCp*)₃(GaCp*)₂] with ZnMe₂ resulted in the formation of unprecedented ternary Pd/Ga/Zn compound [Pd₂Zn₆Ga₂(Cp*)₅(CH₃)₃] ( 1 ), which was analyzed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, MS, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 consisted of two C_s‐symmetric molecular isomers, as revealed by NMR spectroscopy, at which distinct site‐preferences related to the Ga and Zn positions were observed by quantum‐chemical calculations. Structural characterization of compound 1 showed significantly different coordination environments for both palladium centers. Whilst one Pd atom sat in the central of a bi‐capped trigonal prism, thereby resulting in a formal 18‐valence electron fragment, {Pd(ZnMe)₂(ZnCp*)₄(GaMe)}, the other Pd atom occupied one capping unit, thereby resulting in a highly unsaturated 12‐valence electron fragment, {Pd(GaCp*)}. The bonding situation, as determined by atoms‐in‐molecules analysis (AIM), NBO partial charges, and molecular orbital (MO) analysis, pointed out that significant Pd? Pd interactions had a large stake in the stabilization of this unusual molecule. The characterization and quantum‐chemical calculations of compound 1 revealed distinct similarities to related M/Zn/Ga Hume–Rothery intermetallic solid‐state compounds, such as Ga/Zn‐exchange reactions, the site‐preferences of the Zn/Ga positions, and direct M? M bonding, which contributes to the overall stability of the metal‐rich compound.     

Promotion of Mn Doped Co/CNTs Catalysts for CO Hydrogenation to Light Olefins

With various contents, Mn was introduced into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported cobalt catalysts and the obtained Mn‐Co/CNTs catalysts were investigated for CO hydrogenation to light alkenes and characterized by N₂ adsorption, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), H₂ temperature programmed reduction (TPR), CO temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicate that the addition of a small amount of Mn (0.3 wt%) to CNTs‐supported Co catalyst significantly increased the selectivity of C₂–C₄ olefins and decreased the selectivity of CH₄. However, with further addition of Mn to the cobalt catalysts, the CH₄ selectivity decreased obviously along with the increase of the C₅₊ selectivity. Compared with the unpromoted catalysts, the Mn‐promoted cobalt catalysts increased the C₂^?–C₄^?/C₂⁰–C₄⁰ molar ratio.     

Poly[(μ2‐1,3‐di‐4‐pyridylpropane‐κ2N:N′)(μ3‐glutarato‐κ3O:O′:O′′)dizinc(II)]

The title compound, [Zn₂(C₅H₆O₄)₂(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)]_n or [Zn₂(glu)₂(bpp)]_n, is a novel zinc polymer based on mixed flexible glutarate (glu) and 1,3‐di‐4‐pyridylpropane (bpp) ligands. The Zn^II center has a distorted tetra­hedral geometry and the central atom of the bpp ligand is located at a special site with a C₂ axis passing through it. A layer is formed by Zn–glu bonding. Such layers are pillared by bpp ligands, forming a three‐dimensional framework with large channels. The inverted inter­penetration of two three‐dimensional frameworks completes the mol­ecular structure.     

Conversion of CO2 and C2H6 to Propanoic Acid over a Au‐Exchanged MCM‐22 Zeolite

Finding novel catalysts for the direct conversion of CO₂ to fuels and chemicals is a primary goal in energy and environmental research. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is used to study possible reaction mechanisms for the conversion of CO₂ and C₂H₆ to propanoic acid over a gold‐exchanged MCM‐22 zeolite catalyst. The reaction begins with the activation of ethane to produce a gold ethyl hydride intermediate. Hydrogen transfers to the framework oxygen leads then to gold ethyl adsorbed on the Brønsted‐acid site. The energy barriers for these steps of ethane activation are 9.3 and 16.3 kcal mol^?1, respectively. Two mechanisms of propanoic acid formation are investigated. In the first one, the insertion of CO₂ into the Au?H bond of the first intermediate yields gold carboxyl ethyl as subsequent intermediate. This is then converted to propanoic acid by forming the relevant C?C bond. The activation energy of the rate‐determining step of this pathway is 48.2 kcal mol^?1. In the second mechanism, CO₂ interacts with gold ethyl adsorbed on the Brønsted‐acid site. Propanoic acid is formed via protonation of CO₂ by the Brønsted acid and the simultaneous formation of a bond between CO₂ and the ethyl group. The activation energy there is 44.2 kcal mol^?1, favoring this second pathway at least at low temperatures. Gold‐exchanged MCM‐22 zeolite can therefore, at least in principle, be used as the catalyst for producing propanoic acid from CO₂ and ethane.     

Catalytic combustion of soot

The OCM reaction in the presence of HCl over NaCl−MnO/H−ZSM catalyst at 750°C has been studied. Effect of HCl partial pressure on the CH₄ conversion and selectivities to principal products, also on the time-on-stream of catalyst has been examined. Addition of HCl into initial methane-oxygen mixture can increase selectivity to C₂₊ formation and ethene selectivity, in particular. It seems that the time-on-stream of this catalyst is nearly 35–40 h in the presence of HCl.     

(Hexafluorosilicato‐κ2F,F′)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)zinc(II) methanol monosolvate

The title compound, [Zn(SiF₆)(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·CH₃OH, contains a neutral heteroleptic tris‐chelate Zn^II complex, viz. [Zn(SiF₆)(phen)₂] (phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline), exhibiting approximate molecular C₂ point‐group symmetry. The Zn^II cation adopts a severely distorted octahedral coordination. As far as can be ascertained, the title complex represents the first structurally characterized example of a Zn^II complex bearing a bidentate‐bound hexafluorosilicate ligand. A density functional theory study of the isolated [Zn(SiF₆)(phen)₂] complex was undertaken to reveal the influence of crystal packing on the molecular structure of the complex. In the crystal structure, the methanol solvent molecule forms a hydrogen bond to one F atom of the hexafluorosilicate ligand. The hydrogen‐bonded assemblies so formed are tightly packed in the crystal, as indicated by a high packing coefficient (74.1%).     

(Acetato‐κO)[tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN2)hydroborato]zinc(II)

The title complex, [Zn(C₁₅H₂₂BN₆)(C₂H₃O₂)] or (Tp^Me,Me)Zn(OAc), contains a tripodal tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate ligand, a monodentate acetate ligand and a Zn^II centre in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment capped on one triangular face by a secondary Zn...O interaction with the second O atom of the acetate ligand. The four‐coordination of Zn^II and the essentially monodentate character of the acetate ligand are due to the high steric demands of the ligand set, which prevent chelate formation and five‐coordination and lead to relatively long Zn—O and Zn—N bonds compared with related complexes of Zn^II and other metals.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetism of Trinuclear Zn2Ln Complexes with 2,6‐Dipicolinoylbis(N,N‐diethylthiourea)

The bifunctional ligand 2,6‐dipicolinoylbis(N,N‐diethylthiourea) (H₂L) readily reacts with mixtures of Zn(CH₃COO)₂ and LnCl₃ in MeOH at ambient temperature with formation of trinuclear heterobimetallic complexes [Zn₂Ln(L)₂(OAc)₃] ( 1a – 1f ) (Ln = Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er). The X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction and structural studies of the complexes revealed their isostructural nature, in which two doubly‐charged ligands {L^2–} bind two Zn²⁺ ions with the terminal acylthiourea sites and one Ln³⁺ ion with the central 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxamide site. In the complexes, the coordination numbers of Ln^III and Zn^II ions are 9 and 5, respectively. Magnetic properties of the complexes were studied by temperature‐dependent dc magnetic measurements. The observed μ_eff values at room temperature are all closed to the calculated values. Fitting χ_M and M data of [Zn₂Gd(L)₂(OAc)₃] ( 1d ) shows a g_iso value of 1.94.     

A Ring‐Flippable Sugar as a Stimuli‐Responsive Component of Liposomes

For the development of a liposome that takes in and out a drug in response to stimuli, 2,4‐diaminoxylose (Xyl), which allows stimuli‐responsive conformational switches between ⁴C₁ and ¹C₄, was incorporated into a lipid structure: Xyl derivatives with C8 and C16 methylene chains at the 1,3‐positions (C8Xyl and C16Xyl) were synthesized. ¹H NMR spectroscopy indicates that the addition of Zn²⁺ and then H⁺ induces conformational switches from the chair (⁴C₁) to the reverse chair (¹C₄) and ¹C₄‐to‐⁴C₁, respectively, at Xyl; this leads to transformation of the lipids between linear and bent structures. Osmotic pressure and electron microscopy studies demonstrate that C8Xyl in water forms spherical solid aggregates (C8Xyl?Zn), which are converted into liposomes (C8Xyl+Zn) upon the addition of Zn²⁺, and C16Xyl forms liposomes regardless of the presence of Zn²⁺. The aggregates of C8Xyl±Zn incorporated a fluorophore and only C8Xyl+Zn released the content upon the addition of HCl. This study shows that Xyl could be a stimuli‐responsive component of a liposome.     

Effect of weak base modification on ZSM‐5 catalyst for methanol to aromatics

The effect of weak base modification on the catalytic performance of ZSM‐5 catalyst for conversion of methanol to aromatics was investigated. The catalysts were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, N₂ adsorption–desorption, NH₃ temperature‐programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetry. The results showed that catalysts treated with weak base (NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃ and NH₃⋅H₂O) exhibited a pore structure with interconnected micropores and mesopores. The existence of mesopores was beneficial for improving the diffusion of reactants and products, and the coke deposition resistance capacity of treated catalysts was enhanced greatly. Meanwhile, compared to traditional ZSM‐5 zeolite, the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis (B/L) acid sites of ZSM‐5/NH₃⋅H₂O (B/L = 7.35) zeolite slightly increased but the amount of acid sites reduced, while those of ZSM‐5/NaHCO₃ (B/L = 0.127) and ZSM‐5/Na₂CO₃ (B/L = 0.107) significantly reduced. Further, the catalyst treated with NH₃⋅H₂O solution was evaluated in the methanol to aromatics reaction and led to an enhanced aromatization reaction rate. The liquid hydrocarbons product distribution exhibited higher aromatic hydrocarbons yield (56.12%) and selectivity (40.28%) of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) with isoparaffin content reducing to 26.17%, which could be explained by appropriate B/L acid sites ratio, higher pore volumes and higher surface area.     

Supported Metal Sulfate Catalysts FexZny/SiO2 for Selective Dimerization of Isobutene in Mixed C4 to Isooctenes

Isobutene dimerization is an important route to properly utilize mixed C₄ and further produce isooctane with a high-octane number to replace MTBE in gasoline. A highly selective catalyst, which is effective for isobutene dimerization but ineffective for other olefins in the C₄ mixture, is necessary for industrial implementation. In this work, a series of supported metal sulfate catalysts Fe_xZn_y/SiO₂ were prepared and characterized by XRD, SEM, N₂ physical adsorption-desorption, NH₃-TPD, Py-FTIR, and XPS. Fe_0.2Zn_1.8/SiO₂ can achieve isobutene conversion up to 89 % with 0 % conversion of n-butene, and the selectivity of isooctenes (C₈⁼) product is 57 % (10 h on stream). Furthermore, isobutene conversion can sustain above 80 % after 50 h. It is found that these supported catalysts contain Zn²⁺, Zn⁺, Fe³⁺, and Fe²⁺ species, and there is a synergetic effect between Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺. Zn²⁺ is beneficial to improve the conversion of isobutene, and Fe²⁺ facilitates the formation of C₈⁼, resulting in a high C₈⁼ yield.