Identifying the Types and Characterization of the Active Sites on M−X−C Single-Atom Catalysts

Single atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted much attention in recent years. As an essential group in SACs, M−X−C (X=nonmetallic element) materials have been demonstrated to be efficient in many reactions. However, identifying the active sites on M−X−C, especially under working conditions, is still challenging, which is crucial for chemists to further understand the mechanism underlying the reaction and better design proper SACs for specific reactions. Herein, the types and characterization of M−X−C are comprehensively summarized and discussed in this review. In addition to the basic information above, the challenges and opportunities remaining in this field will be also proposed to present a perspective to the research on the next step.     

On the Stability of Interactions between Pairs of Anions – Complexes of MCl3− (M=Be,Mg, Ca,Sr, Ba) with Pyridine and CN−

The ability of the central M atom of the MCl₃⁻ anion, with M=Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, to engage in a noncovalent bond with an approaching nucleophile is gauged by ab initio methods. The N atom of pyridine forms a M⋅⋅⋅N bond with an interaction energy between 12 and 21 kcal mol⁻¹, even though the π-hole above the M atom is not necessarily positive in sign. Despite a strong Coulombic repulsion between two anions, CN⁻ is also able to approach the M atom so as to engage in a metastable complex that is higher in energy than the individual anions. The energy barrier separating this complex from its constituent anion pair is roughly 20 kcal mol⁻¹. Despite the endothermic formation reaction energy of the CN⁻⋅⋅⋅MCl₃⁻ complex, the electron topology signals a strong interaction, more so than in pyridine⋅⋅⋅MCl₃⁻ with its exothermic binding energy. The dianionic complex is held together largely on the strength of interorbital interactions, thereby overcoming a repulsive electrostatic component. The latter is partially alleviated by the pyramidalization of the MCl₃ unit which makes its π-hole more positive. The complex sinks below the separate monomers in energy when the system is immersed in an aqueous medium, with a binding energy that varies from as much as 20 kcal mol⁻¹ for Be down to 1.2 kcal mol⁻¹ for Ba.     

Ab initio simulation of the photoelectron spectra of HCO− and DCO−

Large scale, vibrational CI calculations using a global ab initio potential energy surface are used to calculate multidimensional Franck-Condon overlaps from the ground vibrational state of HCO⁻ and DCO⁻ to all final bound and several quasibound vibrational states of HCO and DCO. The resulting Franck-Condon spectra are compared with recent experimental photoelectron spectra of HCO⁻ and DCO⁻.     

Structure,nonstoichiometry and magnetic properties of the perovskites Sr1−xCaxMnO3−δ

The structural, thermal and magnetic properties of the perovskite-type alkaline-earth manganites of the series Sr_1−xCa_xMnO_3−δ (0⩽x⩽1) were investigated. SrMnO_3−δ forms a hexagonal perovskite lattice and shows a first-order transformation to a highly defective cubic high-temperature modification. By substituting Ca for Sr (x>0.25) the hexagonal perovskite is suppressed and a cubic (or orthorhombic) lattice becomes stabilized for all temperatures. For x=0.5 and 0.75 cubic perovskites with a large nonstoichiometry (e.g., δ=0.25 for x=0.5) are obtained at 1400 °C. The defective perovskites are prepared by either quenching from high temperature or by cooling in an inert atmosphere. The oxygen vacancies are easily filled by subsequent reoxidation at low temperature (400–600 °C) and stoichiometric samples are obtained. Orthorhombic perovskites are formed at T⩽1200 °C with the nonstoichiometry δ increasing with increasing temperature (e.g., δ=0.06 at 1000 °C and δ=0.14 at 1200 °C for x=0.5). Slow cooling in air results in almost complete reoxidation (δ=0). CaMnO_3−δ is an orthorhombic perovskite with a large range of nonstoichiometry (0⩽δ⩽0.30). The cubic to hexagonal phase transformation of the Sr-rich samples is accompanied by a large expansion of the lattice that is reduced by Ca substitution. The Ca/Sr-manganites are antiferromagnets with T_N of 170 K for x=0.5 and δ=0.02 and 120 K for x=1 and δ=0.05.     

Anion⋅⋅⋅Anion Attraction in Complexes of MCl3− (M=Zn,Cd, Hg) with CN−

High-level ab initio calculations show that the MCl₃⁻ anions comprising Group 2B M atoms Zn, Cd, and Hg form a stable complex with the CN⁻ anion, despite the like charge of the two ions. The complexation occurs despite a negative π-hole region above the M atom of MCl₃⁻. The dimerization distorts the planar geometry of MCl₃⁻ into a pyramidal shape which reduces the negative potential above the M atom, facilitating a close approach of the two anions, with R(M⋅⋅⋅C)∼2 Å, and an overall attractive electrostatic attraction within the dimer. In the gas phase, this dimer is less stable than the pair of separated ions by some 30 kcal/mol. However, the dissociation must surmount an energy barrier of roughly 25 kcal/mol which occurs at an intermolecular distance of 4 Å. In aqueous solution, the dimerization process is exothermic and barrier-free, with a binding energy in the 11–18 kcal/mol range.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis of Bi1−xSrxFeO3−δ perovskites

Bi_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ perovskites synthesised by solid-state reaction in ambient atmosphere or in a closed vessel were analysed by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The evolution of the valence state of iron with both Bi/Sr ratio and oxygen content has been more particularly discussed. The samples are single phase and homogeneous for x ≤ 0.5 (Bi-rich) and x > 0.8 (Sr-rich). For intermediate Sr contents, the samples are less homogeneous and tend to contain both Bi-rich and Sr-rich phases. The appearance of Sr-rich phases for x > 0.5 corresponds to the appearance of Fe⁴⁺, to compensate for the lack of positive charges due to the replacement of Bi³⁺ by Sr²⁺.     

Theoretical studies of the reactions of M+ (M = Ta,W, Re) with CS2

Gas-phase CS₂ activation by M⁺ (M = Ta, W, Re) was studied by the B3LYP density functional method.The geometries for reactants, transition states, and products were completely optimized. CS₂ activation mediated by M⁺ (M = Ta, W, Re) were found to be a spin-forbidden process as a result of the crossing among the multistate energetic profiles. On the basis of the Hammond postulate, this was a typical two-state reactivity reaction. Among the different potential energy surfaces, the crossing points had been explored. The spin–orbit coupling (SOC) was also calculated between the electronic states of different multiplicities at the crossing point to estimate the intersystem crossing probability. For CP1, CP2, and CP4, the computed SOC constants were 80.28, 128.65, and 526.77 cm^?1, which obtained by using one-electron spin–orbit Hamiltonian in Gaussian 09.     

Nonempirical calculations of the potential-energy fields of the nucleophilic addition of H− and F− to acetylene and methylacetylene molecules

By using the basis 3–21 + G, the minimum-energy routes for the nucleophilic addition to the F^– ion to methylacetylene have been calculated within the framework of the Hartree-Fock-Roothaan method according to and against the Markovnikov rule with the formation of the 1-fluoropropenyl and 2-fluoropropenyl anions. The results have been compared with data from previous calculations of the nucleophilic addition of H^– and F^– to acetylene with the formation of vinyl and fluorovinyl anions, as well as of the nucleophilic addition of H^– to methylacetylene according to and against the Markovnikov rule with the formation of the 1-propenyl and 2-propenyl anions. It has been established that the reaction with H^– is exothermic, while the reaction with F^– is endothermic. The activation energies of the reactions with F^– are lower than the activation energies of the corresponding reactions with H^–. It is shown that the reactions with H^– have a relatively early transition state, while the reactions with F^– are characterized by a later transition state.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éxperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 5–11, January–February, 1992.     

121,123Sb NQR study of solid phases formed in systems (MF)1−x −(M′F) x −SbF3−H2O (M, M′=Na, K, Rb, Cs, and NH4)

Crystalline substances formed in the (MF)_1−x −(M′F) _x −SbF₃−H₂O systems (M, M′=Na, K, Rb, Cs, and NH₄;x=0 to 1) were investigated by^121,123Sb NQR spectroscopy at 77 K. The formation of individual Sb^III complexes NaCs₃Sb₄F₁₆·H₂O and NaKSbF₅·1.5H₂O, and statistically disordered mixed crystals M_1−x −M′ _x −SbF₄ (M, M′=K, Rb, Cs, and NH₄) was established. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 109–112, January, 1999.     

Dependence of the Structure and Properties of (M,Cu)Sr2(Ln,Ca)Cu2O8−δ (1212) and (M,Cu)Sr2(Ln,Ce4+)2Cu2O10−δ (1222) Phases on the Cation M

The composition and structure of (M,Cu)(Sr,Ln)₂(Ln,Ca,Sr)Cu₂O_8– phases, where M = B, Al, Cr, Pb, Bi, Ru, or Mo (1212 type), and (M,Cu)(Sr,Ln(₂(Ln,Ce⁴⁺)₂Cu₂O_10– phases, where M = V, Cr, Mn, Ru, or Mo (1222 type), have been determined. The role of the M cation in the formation of the crystal structures and the superconductivity phenomenon was analyzed. The relationship between the type of M cation and structural parameters was discovered.     

A Mössbauer spectroscopy investigation of SrFe1−xScxO3−δ perovskites

Polycrystalline samples of oxygen deficient perovskites SrFe_1?xSc_xO_3?δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) have been synthesized by direct solid state reactions. Each compound has been stabilized with two different oxygen stoichiometries. The structural study shows, firstly, the good cationic homogeneity of the samples and, secondly, that the Sc and Fe atoms are randomly distributed over the same crystallographic site, whatever the scandium content. This implies that no anionic order is possible. A detailed Mossbauer spectroscopy study clearly shows that the substitution of scandium for iron involves an oxygen content decrease which decreases the tetravalent iron content until its total disappearance for x = 0.5. The evolutions of the isomer shift, the quadrupolar splitting and the relative intensity versus the Sc³⁺ content are depicted in the present paper.     

Nature of the broadening,the form of the spectral bands,and thev AH − RA...B correlation in liquids with hydrogen bonds

Conclusion The experimentally established correlation for crystals between the frequency of the OH (or OD) stretching vibrations and the interatomic separation R_O·O can also be used for each hydrogen bond in the liquid phase taken in isolation, if the equilibrium length R_e is used for R_O·O. The empirical correlation between the low-frequency shift of the band and its broadening results from the exponentialv _OH(R_e) relationship, while the distribution function of the frequencies in the vibrational spectrum P() corresponds to the distribution of the energies of the hydrogen bonds P(E). When the deflection of the equilibrium configurations of the H bonds can be neglected, P() is expressed unambiguously through the distribution of the lengths of the hydrogen bonds P(R_e) and makes it possible to determine their variance. Otherwise (the continuous network of strongly deflected H bonds in liquid water) the complex form of the spectral band and its temperature dependence can be described quantitatively by a simple equation of the Boltzmann type, in which the exponential part is the energy of the hydrogen bond (the depth of the potential well) making a contribution to the spectrum at the investigated frequency. The agreement between calculation and experiment reveals an important fact, i.e., the equality of the energies for the various configurations of the hydrogen bond producing one and the same frequencyv _OH.Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 72–80, November–December, 1991.     

Study of series of the M1,M2‖F,Cl,Br quaternary reciprocal systems (M1 and M2 are group 1 s-block elements)

Quaternary reciprocal systems of alkali metal fluorides, chlorides, and bromides were partitioned into simplexes by a geometric method and a graph method. Phase transformations and chemical reactions in the bordering ternary reciprocal systems were described. Conversion lines were experimentally studied, and information on crystallizing phases within the composition prisms of the M₁,M₂‖F,Cl,Br systems (M₁ and M₂ are group 1 s-block elements) was obtained.     

Recent Advance in the Development of Singlet−Fission−Capable Polymeric Materials

Singlet fission (SF) is a spin–allowed process in which a higher–energy singlet exciton is converted into two lower-energy triplet excitons via a triplet pair intermediate state. Implementing SF in photovoltaic devices holds the potential to exceed the Shockley–Queisser limit of conventional single-junction solar cells. Although great progress has been made in exploiting the underlying mechanism of SF over the past decades, the scope of materials capable of SF, particularly polymeric materials, remains poor. SF–capable polymer is one of the most potential candidates in the implementation of SF into devices due to their distinct superiorities in flexibility, solution processability and self-assembly behavior. Notably, recent advancements have demonstrated high-performance SF in isolated donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymer chains. This review provides an overview of recent progress in the development of SF-capable polymeric materials, with a significant focus on elucidating the mechanisms of SF in polymers and optimizing the design strategies for SF-capable polymers. Additionally, the paper discusses the challenges encountered in this field and presents future perspectives. It is expected that this comprehensive review will offer valuable insights into the design of novel SF-capable polymeric materials, further advancing the potential for SF implementation in photovoltaic devices.     

Formation of [M − nH + mNa](m−n)+ and [M − nH + mK](m−n)+ ions in electrospray mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins

The [M - nH + mNa](m-n)+ and [M - nH + mK](m-n)+ ions are common in the electrospray mass spectra of proteins and peptides. The feasibility of forming these ions in the gas phase via collision activation and/or ion-molecule reaction is investigated. Sodium and potassium affinities of the N-methylacetamide anion, the acetate anion, and the 1-propanamide anion have been calculated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311+ +G(d,p) level of theory. These anions were chosen as models for the functional groups on a protein or peptide. These affinity values are then used to calculate reaction enthalpies of alkali hydroxides, chlorides, and hydrates with N-methylacetamide, acetic acid, the acetate anion, and 1-propanamine, model reactions that may lead to formation of the [M - nH + mNa](m-n) and [M - nH + mK](m-n)+ ions. It is found that a number of these reactions are exothermic or slightly endothermic (deltaH(o) < + 20 kcal/mol) and are accessible after collision activation in the lens region. The potential energy hypersurfaces of model reactions between NaOH and formamide as well as NaCl and formamide show relatively flat surfaces devoid of significant barriers.     

The origin of obsidian in the valley of Maltrata, Veracruz México

Five archaeological sites have been selected for a study of the precedence of obsidian from the Valley of Maltrata, Veracruz, Mexico: Teteles de la Ermita and Barriales de las Besanas (pre-Classic, 1,500 B.P. 100 A.P.), Rincón de Aquila (pre-Classic and Classic, 1,500 B.P.–650 A.P.), Tepeyacatitla (Classic, 100–650 A.P. and Rincón Brujo (post-Classic 900/1,000–1,521 A.P.). For this investigation, 51 artifacts were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. The statistic analysis of the chemical compositions allowed us to identify the places of origin of the obsidian sources: Sierra de Pachuca, Pico de Orizaba, Zaragoza-Oyameles, Otumba and Paredón. Based on these results it can be affirmed that the settlements of the valley of Maltrata actively participated in the interregional trade routes of obsidian from the pre-Classic period to the post-Classic period, and maintained relations with the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Cantona and Mexica cultures, among others.