Disentangling Reaction Processes of Zeolites within Single‐Oriented Channels

Establishing structure–reactivity relationships for specific channel orientations of zeolites is vital to developing new, superior materials for various applications, including oil and gas conversion processes. Herein, a well‐defined model system was developed to build structure–reactivity relationships for specific zeolite‐channel orientations during various catalytic reaction processes, for example, the methanol‐ and ethanol‐to‐hydrocarbons (MTH and ETH) process as well as oligomerization reactions. The entrapped and effluent hydrocarbons from single‐oriented zeolite ZSM‐5 channels during the MTH process were monitored by using operando UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and on‐line mass spectrometry (MS), respectively. The results reveal that the straight channels favor the formation of internal coke, promoting the aromatic cycle. Furthermore, the sinusoidal channels produce aromatics, (e.g., toluene) that further grow into larger polyaromatics (e.g., graphitic coke) leading to deactivation of the zeolites. This underscores the importance of careful engineering of materials to suppress coke formation and tune product distribution by rational control of the location of zeolite acid sites and crystallographic orientations.     

π‐Interactions between Cyclic Carbocations and Aromatics Cause Zeolite Deactivation in Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbon Conversion

The understanding of catalyst deactivation represents one of the major challenges for the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction over acidic zeolites. Here we report the critical role of intermolecular π‐interactions in catalyst deactivation in the MTH reaction on zeolites H‐SSZ‐13 and H‐ZSM‐5. π‐interaction‐induced spatial proximities between cyclopentenyl cations and aromatics in the confined channels and/or cages of zeolites are revealed by two‐dimensional solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The formation of naphtalene as a precursor to coke species is favored due to the reaction of aromatics with the nearby cyclopentenyl cations and correlates with both acid density and zeolite topology.     

Achieving Superior Electrocatalytic Performance by Surface Copper Vacancy Defects during Electrochemical Etching Process

Vacancy defects of catalysts have been extensively studied and proven to be beneficial to various electrocatalytic reactions. Herein, an ultra‐stable three‐dimensional PtCu nanowire network (NNW) with ultrafine size, self‐supporting rigid structure, and Cu vacancy defects has been developed. The vacancy defect‐rich PtCu NNW exhibits an outstanding performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), with a mass activity 14.1 times higher than for the commercial Pt/C catalyst (20 %.wt, JM), which is currently the best performance. The mass activity of the PtCu NNW for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is 17.8 times higher than for the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the introduction of Cu vacancies enhances the adsorption capacity of Pt atoms to the HO* intermediate and simultaneously weakens the adsorption for the O* intermediate. This work presents a facile strategy to assemble efficient electrocatalysts with abundant vacancy defects, at the same time, provides an insight into the ORR mechanism in acidic solution.     

Framework Effects on Activation and Functionalisation of Methane in Zinc-Exchanged Zeolites

The first selective oxidation of methane to methanol is reported herein for zinc-exchanged MOR (Zn/MOR). Under identical conditions, Zn/FER and Zn/ZSM-5 both form zinc formate and methanol. Selective methane activation to form [Zn-CH₃]⁺ species was confirmed by ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy for all three frameworks. The percentage of active zinc sites, measured through quantitative NMR spectroscopy studies, varied with the zeolite framework and was found to be ZSM-5 (5.7 %), MOR (1.2 %) and FER (0.5 %). For Zn/MOR, two signals were observed in the ¹³C MAS NMR spectrum, resulting from two distinct [Zn-CH₃]⁺ species present in the 12 MR and 8 MR side pockets, as supported by additional NMR experiments. The observed products of oxidation of the [Zn-CH₃]⁺ species are shown to depend on the zeolite framework type and the oxidative conditions used. These results lay the foundation for developing structure–function correlations for methane conversion over zinc-exchanged zeolites.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Carbocyclization–Carbonylation of Allenynes and Enallenes

A highly efficient oxidative carbocyclization–carbonylation reaction cascade of allenynes and enallenes has been developed using a Pd^II salt in low catalytic amounts under ambient temperature and pressure (1 atm of carbon monoxide). The use of DMSO as an additive was found to be important for an efficient reaction. A wide range of alcohols as trapping reagents were used to give the corresponding esters in good yields.     

An overview of analytical methodologies for the determination of antibiotics in environmental waters

The widespread occurrence of antibiotics as contaminants in the aquatic environment has increased attention in the last years. The concern over the release of antibiotics into the environment is related primarily to the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms. This article presents an overview of analytical methodologies for the determination of quinolone (Qs) and fluoroquinolone (FQs), macrolide (MLs), tetracycline (TCs), sulfonamide (SAs) antibiotics and trimethoprim (TMP) in different environmental waters. The analysis of these antibiotics has usually been carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and to a lesser extent by ultraviolet (UV) or fluorescence detection (FD). A very important step before LC analysis is sample preparation and extraction leading to elimination of interferences and prevention of matrix effect and preconcentration of target analytes.     

ZnHZSM-5上甲醇芳构化反应的研究

通过浸渍法改性制得ZnHZSM-5催化剂,并采用XRD、BET、NH₃-TPD和Py-IR方法对催化剂进行表征。在连续流动固定床反应装置上考察了Zn负载量和反应条件对甲醇芳构化反应(MTA)的影响。结果表明,0.5%Zn负载量可使芳烃收率提高5%。当Zn负载量超过2%时,不仅不能提高芳烃收率,反而促使甲醇裂解成CO和CO₂,Zn负载量为1.0%～2.0%时芳构化活性较高。最佳反应条件为液体体积空速0.36h^-1~0.6h^-1,温度350℃。并对Zn改性下的甲醇芳构化反应过程进行了探讨。     

负载型金属催化剂上合成气制甲醇反应体系的耐硫性能

研究了共沉淀法制备的系列金属负载型催化剂合成气制甲醇反应性能,重点考察了催化剂上合成甲醇反应体系的耐硫性能。结果表明,Cu/ZnO催化剂显示了较好的甲醇合成反应性能,但该反应在含硫气氛下迅速失活;Pd/CeO₂催化剂体现了良好的甲醇合成反应性能和该反应体系的高耐硫性能。结合多种物理化学表征手段分析得出, Cu/ZnO催化剂在含硫气氛下因活性组分形成金属硫化物而失活;Pd/CeO₂催化剂中的载体CeO₂可优先与硫作用而保护金属活性组分,进而保持了Pd/CeO₂反应体系的高抗硫性能。     

吡啶甲酸铑阳离子催化甲醇羰基化反应机理的理论计算

采用有效核近似从头算方法,在HF/LANL2DZ水平下用Berny优化法,对吡啶甲酸铑阳离子催化剂催化甲醇羰基化反应中各基元反应的中间体、过渡态和产物的几何结构进行了优化,过渡态结构通过振动分析进行了确认;计算了各反应的活化位垒.CH_3OH与CO在吡啶甲酸铑阳离子催化剂的作用下反应分4步进行:(1)CH3I氧化加成反应;(2)羰基重排反应:(3)羰基配位反应;(4)CH_3COI还原消除反应.对于各基元反应,CH3I氧化加成反应位垒最高(167.78kJ/mol),是整个反应过程的决速步骤;羰基重排反应和CH_3COI还原消除反应的活化位垒分别为110.67和62.94 kJ/mol,羰基配位反应的位垒为零.与[Rh(CO)_2I_2]-催化剂相比,吡啶甲酸铑阳离子催化剂具有相同的催化机理,但后者催化剂上各步反应的位垒较低.