Interaction between Pd and Ag on the surface of silica

Palladium, silver and palladium–silver catalysts supported on silica were prepared by coimpregnation of support with solution of AgNO₃ and Pd(NO₃)₂. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), time of flight ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), chemisorption of carbon monoxide and were tested in the reaction of selective oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid.

XRD and TPR studies have shown that an interaction between Pd and Ag on the surface of silica after oxidation at 500 °C and reduction at 260 °C leads to the formation of solid solutions.

ToF-SIMS images of the surface of 5% Ag/SiO₂ catalyst after oxidation at 500 °C and reduction at 260 °C show that Ag atoms supported on silica are not distributed homogenously but tend to form regions of enhanced Ag concentration. Positive ions images of the surface of 5% Pd/SiO₂ catalyst also display regions of enhanced concentration of Pd atoms, but they are more homogenously distributed on silica.

ToF-SIMS peak intensity ratio ¹⁰⁸Pd⁺/¹⁰⁷Ag⁺ for bimetallic 5% Pd–5% Ag/SiO₂ catalysts has a lower value than that obtained for physical mixture 5% Pd/SiO₂–5% Ag/SiO₂ which indicates that the surface of bimetallic catalyst is enriched with silver atoms.     

1-Ethylthio-2-[2-thienyltelluro]ethane (L) a new (Te, S) ligand: Synthesis and complexation with Ag(I), Cu(I), Pd(II) and Pt(II) – Single crystal structures of [PdCl2(L)] and bis(thienyl) tellurium(IV) chloride

Lithium 2-thienyltellurolate, generated from 2-thienyl lithium, reacts at −78 °C in THF with chloroethyl ethyl sulfide to give a (Te, S) ligand 1-ethylthio-2-[2-thienyltelluro]ethane (L) as a red oil. The complexes [PdCl₂(L)] (1), [PtCl₂(L)] (2), [Ag(L)₂][ClO₄] (3) and [CuBr(L)]₂ (4) were synthesized. The complex [HgCl₂(L)] on crystallization decomposed giving Th₂TeCl₂ (5) [where Th = 2-thienyl], which was characterized by X-ray diffraction on its single crystals. The ligand L and complexes 1–4 exhibit proton and carbon-13 NMR spectra, which are characteristic. The coordination through Te in 1–4 is indicated by downfield coordination shifts in the position of the TeCH₂ signal of L. Complex 1 was characterized by X-ray diffraction on its single crystals. The geometry around Pd is square planar. The Pd–Te, Pd–S and Pd–Cl bond lengths are 2.5040(4), 2.273(1) and 2.322(1)/2.380(1) Å, respectively. There are intermolecular interactions between Te (coordinated to Pd) and Cl, and sulfur and Cl. The Te–Cl and S–Cl distances, 3.401 and 3.488 Å, respectively, are shorter than the sum of the van der Waal’s radii (3.81 and 3.55 Å, respectively). The Pd–Pd distance between the two molecules is 3.4156(6) Å, greater than the sum of van der Waal’s radii (3.26 Å). The structure of 5 is typical of that of a tellurium(IV) compound (saw-horse type). The two Te–Cl bond lengths are identical, 2.480(1) Å. The geometry around Te in 5 can be best described as pseudo tetrahedral (trigonal bipyramidal with a lone pair on one corner of the triangle).     

Evidence for Pdx(CO)y compound formation on an alumina substrate

Although stable binary Pd carbonyls are unknown in the gas phase, we found strong evidence for a stable carbonyl-like Pd compound on an oxide surface: by in situ vapour deposition of Pd at a rate of 2 × 10¹³ atoms s⁻¹ cm⁻² onto an alumina substrate (90 K) at a pressure of 2 × 10⁻⁶ mbar CO, a binary compound of Pd and CO is formed which is stable up to 190 K. As substrate serves a well-ordered aluminium oxide film grown on a NiAl(110) single crystal surface. The system was characterized under UHV (ultrahigh vacuum) conditions by means of TDS, LEED, UPS and XPS in a coverage range between 1.4 × 10¹⁴ Pd atoms cm⁻² and 1.4 × 10¹⁶ Pd atoms cm⁻². The decomposition at 190 K results in the formation of metallic Pd particles and is accompanied by a sharp and dominant feature in the thermal desorption spectra.     

X-ray structure and multinuclear NMR studies of platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

Pt(II) and Pd(II) dichloride complexes with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dbtp) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared and ¹H, ¹³C NMR, ¹³C CPMAS spectroscopy. The structures of the cis-PtCl₂(dbtp)₂ · EtOH (1) and cis-PdCl₂(dbtp)(dmso) (2) has been determined by signal-crystal X-ray diffraction. In both complexes the X-ray crystal structures shows that heterocycle ligand (dbtp) binds the central atom monodentate via nitrogen atom N(3). In addition, compound (2) is interesting for its structural features, because it is the first report of mixed dichloride Pd(II) complexes with N-donor (triazolopyrimidine) and S-donor (dimethylsulfoxide) ligands. In this structure the Pd–Cl distances are: 2.302(1) and 2.281(1) Å, Pd–N 2.041(3) Å and Pd–S 2.245(1) Å. The ¹H, ¹³C NMR studies show clearly that these structures are retained in solution.     

Organosilicon backbone containing pyridyl/quinolyl ligands: Synthesis, complexation reactions and single crystal structures of metallamacrocyclic Pd(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Organosilicon backbone containing ligands 1,2-bis(dimethyl(2-pyridyl)silyl)ethane (L¹) and 1,2-bis(dimethyl(3-quinolyl)silyl) ethane (L²) have been synthesized by treating 2-bromopyridine and 3-bromoquinoline with n-butyllithium and reacting the resulting lithiated products with 1,2-bis(chlorodimethylsilyl)ethane. The ligation of L¹ and L² with Pd(II), Ag(I) and Cu(II) has been investigated. The single crystal structures of L², [Pd(L¹)Cl₂] (1), [Cu(L¹)Br₂] (3) and [PdCl₂(L²)]₂ (4) have been solved. All the three complexes are metallamacrocyclic in nature. The last one is 22-membered and the first example which has ligands containing organosilicon backbone. The geometry of Pd as well as Cu is very close to square planar. The Pd–N, Pd–Cl, Cu–N and Cu–Br bond distances (2.010(1)–2.027(3), 2.3063(10)–2.3114(4), 2.004(4)–2.018(5) and 2.4137(10)–2.4172(10) Å) are very close to sum of covalent radii, indicating strong ligation of L¹ and L² with the metal ions.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of metal clusters supported on TiO2 (110): Morphology and electronic structure

A brief review of our laboratory's recent scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies on nanoclusters supported on TiO₂(110) is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the system Au/TiO₂(110). The nucleation and growth of the clusters, which were vapor-deposited on TiO₂(110) under ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions, were investigated using STM. It was found that Au, Pd, and Ag clusters all grow in a three-dimensional (3D) (Volmer-Weber) fashion on TiO₂(110), but that at low coverages, quasi-two dimensional (quasi-2D) Au and Pd clusters were observed. These quasi-2D clusters are characterized by heights of 1–2 atomic layers. Annealing studies show that Au and Pd clusters form large microcrystals with well-defined hexagonal shapes. Al clusters, which have a strong interaction with the substrate, are oxidized upon deposition, “wetting” the surface and forming small clusters. In addition to the topographic studies, the local electronic properties of these clusters have been studied using scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) to measure the cluster band gaps. The electronic structure was found to be cluster size-dependent, as seen by the appearance of a band gap as the cluster size decreased. More specifically, the onset of cluster metallic properties correlates with the transition from quasi-2D to 3D cluster growth.     

Thin metal films on quasicrystalline surfaces

Thin metal films with a thickness of one or over one monolayer formed on quasicrystalline surfaces were studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. The substrates were the 10f surface of d-Al–Ni–Co and the 5f surface of i-Al–Pd–Mn. The metals deposited were Au, Pt, Ag and In. None of these metals forms any ordered layer by deposition onto clean quasicrystalline surfaces. However, if a submonolayer of In is present atop the 10f surface, an epitaxial layer of multiply-twinned AuAl₂ crystals is formed by Au deposition and subsequent annealing. This is also the case for Pt deposition, but not for Ag deposition. Although the surfactant effect of In is also observed in the case of Au deposition on the 5f surface of i-Al–Pd–Mn, the ordered layer formed is a film of Au–Al alloy with icosahedral symmetry. No ordered films are formed by Pt or Ag deposition onto the 5f surface, regardless of the presence of an In-precovered layer. A Sn film monolayer induced by surface diffusion was also studied.     

通过FeOx修饰Pd/Al2O3催化剂提高催化1,3-丁二烯加氢活性和选择性

石油脑裂解制备的烯烃流中通常含有 ～1％ 二烯烃或者炔烃,其含量必须降低到10 ppm以下以避免其对下游聚合催化剂的毒化作用.对这些副产物选择性加氢生成单烯烃是降低其含量最有前景的方法.Pd基催化剂具有高的加氢活性和选择性,是目前最为常用的加氢催化剂,但是它也存在高转化率下选择性较低和容易因积碳而失活的问题.合成Pd基双金属催化剂和对Pd催化剂进行氧化物包裹是目前最为常用的方法,但是这两种方法往往在提高选择性的同时,降低了Pd催化剂的加氢活性.本文利用原子层沉积(ALD)FeOx修饰Pd/Al2O3催化剂,在提高Pd催化剂选择性的同时,1,3-丁二烯选择性加氢活性也得到提高.表征结果发现,该样品中Pd负载量为1％,Fe负载量则随着原子层沉积FeOx周期增加而逐渐增加;催化剂中Pd颗粒大小约为7 nm,其表面并未观察到FeOx覆盖层;Pd,Fe元素分布表明FeOx在Pd颗粒表面生长.CO红外漫反射光谱也发现,随着ALD FeOx周期的增加,CO在Pd颗粒表面的吸附特征峰强度逐渐降低,表明FeOx逐渐覆盖Pd颗粒表面;与此同时,随着FeOx包裹周期的增加,CO吸附在Pd(111)面的特征吸收峰相对于其吸附在边角位的特征峰,降低得更为明显.这表明FeOx优先覆盖Pd(111)面,而选择性地将Pd低配位点暴露,与ALD Al2O3包裹Pd颗粒的结果恰恰相反.X射线光电子能谱分析表明,在所有催化剂中Fe均以+3价形式存在;同时,因为Pd-FeOx间存在强相互作用,所以随着FeOx包裹周期的增加,金属态Pd逐渐向高结合能方向移动,使表面Pd处于缺电子状态.随后,我们对不同FeOx周期包裹Pd催化剂进行了1,3-丁二烯加氢活性测试.在25 oC时Pd/Al2O3催化1,3-丁二烯转化率为6.7％;随着温度升高,转化率逐渐上升,至43 oC时达100％.相反,在26 oC时,30Fe/Pd/Al2O3对1,3-丁二烯的转化率为45％,远高于Pd/Al2O3催化剂;这可能是因为缺电子的Pd或Pd-FeOx界面存在所致.Pd/Al2O3催化剂在较低的转化率(<75％)下,1-丁烯、反式-2-丁烯和顺式-2-丁烯选择性分别为74％,20％和6％;随着转化率的增加(75％～90％),1-丁烯选择性急剧下降,丁烷选择性快速上升,反/顺-2-丁烯选择性也略有增加,表明此时次级反应1-丁烯加氢占主导,同时伴随着1-丁烯异构化反应;当转化率继续增加(>90％),1-丁烯,反/顺-2-丁烯加氢生成丁烷为主要反应,此时丁烷选择性急剧上升,至转化率为99％时,丁烯选择性仅为52％.而当Pd催化剂表面存在FeOx时,丁烯选择性随着FeOx周期增加而逐渐增加,尤其是在较高转化率下(>75％);对于30Fe/Pd/Al2O3催化剂,转化率为99％时,丁烯选择性高达95％.这主要是因为在高转化率下,FeOx将Pd颗粒表面分割成较小的Pd团簇,降低了Pd颗粒表面吸附氢气浓度,抑制了丁烯加氢反应,而次级反应1-丁烯异构化占主导,使得丁烯选择性不变.     

Interaction of SO2 with single crystal metal surfaces

Studying the interaction of SO₂ with metal surfaces under UHV conditions, a question of central interest is whether the molecule dissociates (leaving back the catalyst poison sulphur on the surface) or not. A spontaneous or a thermally activated dissociation of SO₂ occurs on Fe, Rh, W, Ni, Pd and Pt. On Cu and Ag a strong chemisorption, but only a partial dissociation induced by defects or coadsorbed alkalis, and on Au no chemisorption at all were observed.

In this paper a comparison of our results obtained for the chemisorption and multilayer adsorption of SO₂ on Cu(111), Ag(111), Ag(100) and Ag(110) in the temperature range between 80 K and 900 K is given. By combining highly resolved TPD-measurements, isothermal and temperature-programmed ΔΦ-experiments after different stages of exposure and molecular beam backscattering measurements (MBBS) —assisted by LEED, AES and isotope mixing experiments — a destinction between ordinary desorption and desorption after a reorientation process during the heating procedure could be made. Whereas on clean Ag surfaces adsorption and desorption of SO₂ are observed only below 300 K, on Cs-precovered Ag desorption of SO₂ takes place even above 600 K.

Finally, results concerning the different stages of SO₂ multilayer adsorption (bi-, tri-, multilayers) are presented showing a characteristic dependence of the layer growth on the adsorption temperature, the impinging SO₂ flux density and on the surface structure.     

Structures of small Pd–Pt bimetallic clusters by Monte Carlo simulation

Segregation phenomena of Pd–Pt bimetallic clusters with icosahedral and decahedral structures are investigated by using Monte Carlo method based on the second-moment approximation of the tight-binding (TB-SMA) potentials. The simulation results indicate that the Pd atoms generally lie on the surface of the smaller clusters. The three-shell onion-like structures are observed in 55-atom Pd–Pt bimetallic clusters, in which a single Pd atom is located in the center, and the Pt atoms are in the middle shell, while the Pd atoms are enriched on the surface. With the increase of Pd mole fraction in 55-atom Pd–Pt bimetallic clusters, the Pd atoms occupy the vertices of clusters first, then edge and center sites, and finally the interior shell. It is noticed that some decahedral structures can be transformed into the icosahedron-like structure at 300 and 500 K. Comparisons are made with previous experiments and theoretical studies of Pd–Pt bimetallic clusters.     

TPD study of NH3 adsorption/desorption on the surface of V/Ti, V/Al based catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of Nox by ammonia 2. TPD test of commercial V/W/Ti, V/Al, Pd/V/Al catalysts

The effect of temperature on the adsorption/desorption of ammonia from the air mixture on the surface of commercial binary V/Al and ternary Pd/V/Al, V(0.65 wt.%) /W(6.73 wt.%) /Ti and V(1.8 wt.%) /W(7.3 wt.%) /Ti de-NO_x catalysts has been investigated by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method. The ability of the commercial catalysts to adsorb ammonia in the most stable surface species was shown to correlate well with their suppression of the NH₃ oxidation.     

Electron microscope observation of thermal pre-treatment and vaporization processes of Ag–Sb and Pd–Sb systems in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

As the reproducibility of Sb in river water analysis based on graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is not good, and the reliability is poor when Pd is used as a matrix modifier, Ag was used instead of Pd. The reason Ag has the function of a matrix modifier and Pd does not, was studied by observation of the atomic columns or lattice structures at the atomic level in binary alloys, by using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Since the Ag–Sb system has the characteristic of forming an intermetallic compound and a lower value of the activity coefficient of Sb in its intermetallic compound, Ag is able to function as a matrix modifier as a result. In the case of the Pd–Sb system, the phenomenon of radical vaporization that is observed in the Ag–Sb system does not occur through changes of the phases of Pd–Sb intermetallic compounds. This fact means Pd does not have the function of a matrix modifier.     

Effects of the addition of titania on the thermal characterization of alumina-supported palladium

The detailed thermal characterization of Pd/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts under oxygen and hydrogen atmosphere was conducted by means of thermal gravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). A simultaneous TG/DSC measurement revealed that the heat evolved during oxygen adsorption at 25 °C varied slightly with the supports and had a higher value for the smaller palladium crystallite. Hydrogen chemisorption and BET measurements revealed that the coating of Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts with titania modified the support character to achieve a high dispersion of palladium. TPR and TPD characterizations of oxidized samples further demonstrated that the coating of Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts with titania promoted the reduction and decomposition of PdO into palladium.     

镁助剂改性Pd/Al_2O_3甲烷催化燃烧催化剂:Mg/Al物质的量比对催化剂载体及活性物种形成的影响

本文研究了系列不同含量镁助剂改性的Pd/Al_2O_3催化剂的甲烷催化燃烧反应。研究表明,随着镁添加量的增加,载体由Al_2O_3转变为尖晶石型MgAl_2O_4,进一步增加Mg/Al物质的量比至3∶1时,形成了Mg(Al)O_x固溶体;催化剂中活性相Pd物种以金属Pd,PdO_x或Pd-载体复合氧化物形式存在,各物种的相对含量以及Pd?PdO间的转化能力存在一定的差异。PdO_x物种表现为具有较高的低温活性,而金属Pd和Pd-载体复合氧化物的高温活性较好。当Mg/Al物质的量比为1∶3时,催化剂的Pd?PdO转化能力最强,表现出了最高的甲烷催化燃烧反应活性。     

锐钛矿型TiO2担载的Pd催化剂用于乙炔选择加氢的催化性能及其表征

Anatase TiO₂ nanospindles containing 89% exposed {101} facets (TiO₂-101) and nanosheets with 77% exposed {001} facets (TiO₂-001) were hydrothermally synthesized and used as supports for Pd catalysts. The effects of the TiO₂ materials on the catalytic performance of Pd/TiO₂-101 and Pd/TiO₂-001 catalysts were investigated in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to polymer-grade ethylene. The Pd/TiO₂-101 catalyst exhibited enhanced performance in terms of acetylene conversion and ethylene yield. To understand these effects, the catalysts were characterized by H₂ temperature-programmed desorption (H₂-TPD), H₂ temperatureprogrammed reduction (H₂-TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), pulse CO chemisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TEM and CO chemisorption results confirmed that Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on the TiO₂-101 support had a smaller average particle size (1.53 nm) and a higher dispersion (15.95%) than those on the TiO₂-001 support (average particle size of 4.36 nm and dispersion of 9.06%). The smaller particle size and higher dispersion of Pd on the Pd/TiO₂-101 catalyst provided more reaction active sites, which contributed to the improved catalytic activity of this supported catalyst.     

Structure and bonding of large aromatic molecules on noble metal surfaces: The example of PTCDA

Recent efforts to understand the interaction of large aromatic molecules with metal surfaces are discussed. We focus exclusively on work involving the model molecule 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) and the noble metal surfaces of Cu, Ag, and Au. Using this material system as an example, salient features of the (chemical) bond between an extended π-conjugated electron system and a metallic substrate are illustrated. Interface structures are a valuable indicator of the metal–molecule interaction strength. Consistent with the trend observed for small molecule adsorption, they indicate that the interaction strength of PTCDA with the metal substrate decreases in the order Cu–Ag–Au. The interfaces of PTCDA with the Au(1 1 1) and Ag(1 1 1) surfaces have been studied in particular detail. The interaction of Au(1 1 1) with PTCDA is weak, leading to point-on-line coincidence between the lattices of the substrate and the molecular overlayer. Experimental results on this surface are generally consistent with a predominantly physisorptive bonding of PTCDA. The situation is different on Ag surfaces, and in particular on Ag(1 1 1), where clear signs of PTCDA chemisorption are observed in many ensemble averaging and single molecule spectroscopies. Issues of electronic and geometric structure as well as electron–vibron interaction, and their relation to the chemical molecule–substrate interaction, are discussed in detail.     

Effect of substrate atomic structure on intersolubility and alloying in Pd/Nb adsorption system

In order to investigate to what extent the crystallographic structure of the substrate affects the process of interdiffusion and surface alloy formation in the case of the same components, adsorption systems of Pd on Nb(0 1 1), Nb(0 0 1) and Nb(1 1 1) have been studied by means of low-energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and contact potential measurement. For all the systems, Pd dissolves in the substrate, when its population on the surface exceeds 1 ML. Kinetics of the mutual solution depends on the amount of deposited Pd, and increases with increasing amount of the adsorbate. Independent of the substrate structure, there was no evidence for a mixing of Pd and Nb in the top-most layer. For the Pd/Nb(0 1 1) system, the lateral interactions inside the Pd adlayer surpass the adsorbate–substrate interaction. The adsorbate–substrate interaction is dominant for the Pd/Nb(0 0 1) and Pd/Nb(1 1 1) systems, and results in the formation of a sandwich-like laminar surface alloy with a Pd layer on top.     

Enhanced catalytic performance of Pd‐Ga bimetallic catalysts for 2‐ethylanthraquinone hydrogenation

A series of Pd and Pd‐Ga bimetallic catalysts were prepared by a co‐impregnation method for 2‐ethylanthraquinone (EAQ) hydrogenation to produce hydrogen peroxide. Compared with 0.6Pd catalyst, the hydrogenation efficiency of 0.6Pd1.2Ga catalyst (11.9 g L^?1) increases by 32.2%, and the stability of 0.6Pd1.2Ga catalyst is also higher than that of 0.6Pd catalyst. The structures of the samples were determined by N₂ adsorption–desorption, ICP, XRD, CO chemisorption, TEM, H₂‐TPR, in situ CO‐DRIFTS and XPS. The results suggest that incorporation of Ga species improves Pd dispersion and generates a strong interaction between Ga₂O₃ and Pd interface or between Pd and support. DFT calculation results indicate that the strong adsorption of carbonyl group on Ga₂O₃/Pd interface facilitates the activation of EAQ and promotes the hydrogenation efficiency.     

The role of bismuth as promoter in Pd–Bi catalysts for the selective oxidation of glucose to gluconate

Bismuth is a well-established promoter of noble metal-based catalysts for the selective liquid phase oxidation of alcohols, aldehydes and carbohydrates with molecular oxygen. Experiments were carried out to improve the understanding of the promoting role of bismuth in bimetallic Pd–Bi catalysts used for the selective oxidation of glucose to gluconate. In relationship with the fact that these catalysts undergo substantial bismuth leaching under the reaction conditions, particular attention was paid to the possible role played by the soluble fraction of bismuth in the oxidative process. Carbon-supported Pd–Bi/C catalysts characterized by various Bi–Pd compositions (0.33≤Bi/Pd≤3.0,10 wt.%Pd+Bi) were prepared from acetate-type precursors, tested under various experimental conditions and analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Whatever the initial catalyst composition, the surface intensity ratio measured by XPS in used catalysts lies in the range 0.4–0.6, suggesting that the dynamic state of the catalyst involves the association of one Bi and two to three Pd atoms. The leaching process and the promoting effect itself are discussed in line with the formation of Bi–glucose and Bi–gluconate complexes present in solution but also as adsorbed species at the catalyst surface. The performances of a monometallic Pd/C catalyst are significantly improved in the presence of adequate amounts of soluble Bi. The involvement of the soluble fraction of bismuth in the overall mechanistic scheme of glucose oxidative dehydrogenation is suggested. The detrimental effect of large amounts of soluble bismuth is attributed to a too extensive adsorption of Bi–glucose complexes on the surface Pd atoms.     

About the TATB assumption: effect of charge reversal on transfer of large spherical ions from aqueous to non-aqueous solvents and on their interfacial behaviour

We present a molecular dynamics study of the solvation properties of large spherical ions S⁺ and S⁻ of same size, in water, chloroform and acetonitrile solutions, and at a water–chloroform interface. According to the “extrathermodynamic” TATB hypothesis, such ions have identical free energies of transfer from water to any solvent. We find that this is not the case, because S⁻ interacts better than S⁺ with water (by about 20 kcal mol⁻¹), while S⁺ is better solvated by acetonitrile (by about 2 kcal mol⁻¹) and chloroform (about 8 kcal mol⁻¹) solvents. The importance of “long-range” electrostatic interactions on the charge discrimination by solvent is demonstrated by the comparison of standard vs corrected methods to calculate: (i) the electrostatic potential at the centre of the solute; (ii) the interaction energies between the ions and the solvents; and (iii) the free energies of charging the neutral sphere S⁰ to S⁺ and S⁻, respectively. These conclusions are obtained with several solvent models and simulation conditions. The question of ion pairing for the S⁺S⁻, S⁺Cl⁻ and S⁻Na⁺ pairs is also examined in the three solvents. Finally, simulations at a liquid–liquid water–chloroform interface represented explicitly, show that S⁺ and S⁻ are highly surface active, although they do not possess, like classical surfactants, an amphiphilic topology. Adsorption at the interface is found with different methodologies and at different ion concentrations. These results are important in the context of the “TATB hypothesis”, and for our understanding of solvation of large hydrophobic ions in pure liquids or in heterogeneous liquid environments.