Formation and Fate of Formaldehyde in Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbon Reaction: In Situ Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry Study

HCHO has been confirmed as an active intermediate in the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction, and is critical for interpreting the mechanisms of coke formation. Here, HCHO was detected and quantified during the MTH process over HSAPO‐34 and HZSM‐5 by in situ synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry. Compared with conventional methods, excellent time‐resolved profiles were obtained to study the formation and fate of HCHO, and other products during the induction, steady‐state reaction, and deactivation periods. Similar formation trends of HCHO and methane, and their close correlation in yields suggest that they are derived from disproportionation of methanol at acidic sites. In the presence of Y₂O₃, the amount of HCHO changes, affecting the hydrogen‐transfer processes of olefins into aromatics and aromatics into cokes. The yield of HCHO affects the aromatic‐based cycle and the formation of ethylene, indicating that ethylene is mainly formed from the aromatic‐based cycle.     

Formaldehyde intermediate participating in the conversion of methanol to aromatics over zinc modified H-ZSM-5

Metal-modified H-ZSM-5 has a high selectivity of aromatics in methanol to aromatics(MTA)reaction,which is often attributed to the metal promoting the aromatization of intermediate olefins.However,the effect of methanol dehydrogenation on aromatics formation over these catalysts is rarely studied.Here,we report that HCHO,which is formed by methanol dehydrogenation over Zn/H-ZSM-5 prepared by Zn impregnation,can participate in the synthesis of aromatics.Methanol conversion can produce more aromatics than olefins(propylene or ethylene)conversion over Zn/H-ZSM-5,indicating the conventional MTA pathway including methanol-to-olefins and olefins-to-aromatics is not complete.Moreover,an MTA mechanism including the conventional pathway and the methanol and HCHO coupling pathway is systematically proposed.     

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.     

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.     

Heterogeneous reaction of formaldehyde on the surface of TiO2 particles

The heterogeneous reaction of formaldehyde (HCHO) on the surface of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was investigated in situ using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) combined with ion chromatography (IC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Formate, dioxymethylene, methoxy, and polyoxymethylene were observed in the infrared spectra of TiO₂ particles during the reaction. On the surface of TiO₂, the adsorbed HCHO was first oxidized to dioxymethylene and further oxidized to formate. The effects of temperature and ultraviolet radiation (UV) on the reaction products and reactive uptake coefficients were studied, and the results indicate that the reaction rate can be accelerated at increasing temperatures as well as under UV. The heterogeneous reaction mechanisms of HCHO on the surface of TiO₂ in the dark and under UV irradiation are proposed. Kinetic measurements show that formate formation on TiO₂ is second order in HCHO concentration and the initial reactive uptake coefficients at room temperature calculated with the Brunauer-Emmett- Teller specific surface area are (0.5–5) × 10^?8 ([HCHO]: 1 × 10¹³?2 × 10¹⁴ molecules/cm³). A linear function relationship exists between the uptake coefficient and the concentration. The apparent activation energy of the reaction was also determined.     

Methane conversion by various metal, metal oxide and metal carbide catalysts

The progress in the field of methane conversion into higher hydrocarbons including aromatics and oxygenated compounds in the recent five years will be reviewed shortly, together with a new type of the methane conversion reaction with carbon monoxide at lower temperatures (600–700 K) by supported group VIII metal catalysts. Benzene was formed selectively among hydrocarbons in the CH₄–CO reaction over silica-supported Rh, Ru, Pd and Os catalysts under atmospheric pressure. Both CH₄ and CO were required for benzene formation, and only ethane and ethylene were formed besides benzene. The amount of C₃–C₅ hydrocarbons was negligible, which suggests that a completely different mechanism from the CO–H₂ reaction may be operating over these catalysts despite of the similarity in the reaction conditions with the CO–H₂ reaction. The mechanism of benzene formation was studied deeply by means of kinetical investigation as well as infrared spectroscopy and isotopic tracer method in connection with that of CO hydrogenation.     

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.     

Unraveling the Homologation Reaction Sequence of the Zeolite‐Catalyzed Ethanol‐to‐Hydrocarbons Process

Although industrialized, the mechanism for catalytic upgrading of bioethanol over solid‐acid catalysts (that is, the ethanol‐to‐hydrocarbons (ETH) reaction) has not yet been fully resolved. Moreover, mechanistic understanding of the ETH reaction relies heavily on its well‐known “sister‐reaction” the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbons (MTH) process. However, the MTH process possesses a C₁‐entity reactant and cannot, therefore, shed any light on the homologation reaction sequence. The reaction and deactivation mechanism of the zeolite H‐ZSM‐5‐catalyzed ETH process was elucidated using a combination of complementary solid‐state NMR and operando UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, coupled with on‐line mass spectrometry. This approach establishes the existence of a homologation reaction sequence through analysis of the pattern of the identified reactive and deactivated species. Furthermore, and in contrast to the MTH process, the deficiency of any olefinic‐hydrocarbon pool species (that is, the olefin cycle) during the ETH process is also noted.     

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.     

ZSM-5催化丙烯芳构化反应构效关系及反应特性

甲醇两步制芳烃反应中低碳烯烃芳构化反应稳定性优异,为分析其内在机制,制备了不同硅铝比(n_SiO2/n_Al2O3)及Zn负载量的ZSM-5催化剂,以丙烯芳构化为模型反应,分析ZSM-5表面酸性对低碳烯烃芳构化反应性能的影响规律,并探究反应微观特性。发现当硅铝比由150降至75时,增加的酸密度促进了烯烃氢转移芳构化过程,使芳烃选择性由31.0%增至34.4%,但丙烯直接参与的氢转移过程也被强化,使丙烷产物选择性由28.2%增至36.0%。引入Zn助剂可将部分Br?nsted酸转变为ZnLewis酸,强化烯烃脱氢芳构化过程,使芳烃选择性进一步显著增加到62.4%。丙烯芳构化过程中芳烃烷基化深度比甲醇芳构化过程低,提升总芳烃选择性的同时,也明显抑制了难溶性积碳的形成,使反应稳定性明显提升。由此得出,甲醇两步制芳烃过程中甲醇制低碳烯烃过程对甲醇的预先消耗,抑制了低碳烯烃芳构化反应芳烃产物的深度烷基化,是该反应表现出优异稳定性的重要原因。     

Single atom catalytic oxidation mechanism of formaldehyde on Al doped graphene at room temperature

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is one kind of common indoor toxic pollutant, the catalytic oxidation degradation of formaldehyde at room temperature is desired. In this work, a new single atomic catalyst (SAC), Al doped graphene, for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO molecules was proposed through density function theory (DFT) calculations. It is found that Al atoms can be adsorbed on graphene stably without aggression. Then HCHO can be effectively oxidized into CO₂ and H₂O in the presence of O₂ molecules on Al doped graphene with a low energy barrier of 0.82 eV and releasing energy of 2.29 eV with the pathway of HCHO → HCOOH → CO → CO₂. The oxidation reaction can happen promptly with reaction time τ = 56.9 s at the speed control step at room temperature. Therefore, this work proposed a high-performance catalyst Al-doped graphene without any noble metal for HCHO oxidation at ambient temperature, and corresponding oxidation pathway and mechanism are also deeply understood.     

Multifunctional Zn0.3Al0.4O4.5 crystals: An efficient photocatalyst for formaldehyde degradation and EBT adsorption

The Zn_0.3Al_0.4O_4.5 nanoparticles (ZnAlONPs) with size of 70–90 nm are used as an efficient photocatalyst for formaldehyde (HCHO) degradation and effective adsorbent for the removal of eriochrome black-T (EBT) dye from synthetic aqueous solution. Degradation of HCHO reactions were studied using TiO₂ (homemade), TiO₂ (P-25) and ZnAlONPs by irradiating under 18 W daylight lamp source for photocatalytic degradation. The HCHO degradation rate is about 67, 76 and 89% for TiO₂ (homemade), TiO₂ (P25) and ZnAlONPs during 2 h reaction, respectively at initial formaldehyde gas concentration of 20 ppm. Maximum adsorption capacity was optimized by changing the parameters such as pH, EBT concentration and adsorbent dosage. A  200 mg of ZnAlONPs are useable for quick removal of EBT (>95%). Langmuir isotherm model showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 90.90 mgg⁻¹. The ZnAlONPs could be successfully reused upto 5^th adsorption/desorption cycle for EBT dye removal from water samples.     

Effect of CO2/CO Addition in Dehydroaromatization of Methane on Zeolite-Supported Mo and Re Catalysts Towards Hydrogen, Benzene and Naphthalene

High activity and high formation selectivity for aromatics in the dehydrocondensation reaction of methane were realized only on selected catalysts. The requisites of a metal and a zeolite support as the selected catalyst were described. However, the catalytic activity steadily declined even on the selected catalysts with time on stream because of coke accumulation. A stable catalytic activity was obtained when CO₂ or CO was added into methane feed due to effective removal of coke from the catalyst surface by CO or CO₂. The route from methane to aromatics and the formation process of active phase of catalyst were discussed.     

Effect of CO2/CO Addition in Dehydroaromatization of Methane on Zeolite-Supported Mo and Re Catalysts Towards Hydrogen, Benzene and Naphthalene

High activity and high formation selectivity for aromatics in the dehydrocondensation reaction of methane were realized only on selected catalysts. The requisites of a metal and a zeolite support as the selected catalyst were described. However, the catalytic activity steadily declined even on the selected catalysts with time on stream because of coke accumulation. A stable catalytic activity was obtained when CO₂ or CO was added into methane feed due to effective removal of coke from the catalyst surface by CO or CO₂. The route from methane to aromatics and the formation process of active phase of catalyst were discussed.     

Single‐Particle Spectroscopy on Large SAPO‐34 Crystals at Work: Methanol‐to‐Olefin versus Ethanol‐to‐Olefin Processes

The formation of hydrocarbon pool (HCP) species during methanol‐to‐olefin (MTO) and ethanol‐to‐olefin (ETO) processes have been studied on individual micron‐sized SAPO‐34 crystals with a combination of in situ UV/Vis, confocal fluorescence, and synchrotron‐based IR microspectroscopic techniques. With in situ UV/Vis microspectroscopy, the intensity changes of the λ=400 nm absorption band, ascribed to polyalkylated benzene (PAB) carbocations, have been monitored and fitted with a first‐order kinetics at low reaction temperatures. The calculated activation energy (E_a) for MTO, approximately 98 kJ mol^?1, shows a strong correlation with the theoretical values for the methylation of aromatics. This provides evidence that methylation reactions are the rate‐determining steps for the formation of PAB. In contrast for ETO, the E_a value is approximately 60 kJ mol^?1, which is comparable to the E_a values for the condensation of light olefins into aromatics. Confocal fluorescence microscopy demonstrates that during MTO the formation of the initial HCP species are concentrated in the outer rim of the SAPO‐34 crystal when the reaction temperature is at 600 K or lower, whereas larger HCP species are gradually formed inwards the crystal at higher temperatures. In the case of ETO, the observed egg‐white distribution of HCP at 509 K suggests that the ETO process is kinetically controlled, whereas the square‐shaped HCP distribution at 650 K is indicative of a diffusion‐controlled process. Finally, synchrotron‐based IR microspectroscopy revealed a higher degree of alkylation for aromatics for MTO as compared to ETO, whereas high reaction temperatures favor dealkylation processes for both the MTO and ETO processes.     

Elucidating Zeolite Channel Geometry–Reaction Intermediate Relationships for the Methanol-to-Hydrocarbon Process

The chemical industry has exploited zeolite shape selectivity for more than 50 years, yet our fundamental understanding remains incomplete. Herein, the zeolite channel geometry–reactive intermediate relationships are studied in detail using anisotropic zeolite ZSM-5 crystals for the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) process, and advanced magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy. The utilization of anisotropic ZSM-5 crystals enabled the preferential formation of reaction intermediates in single-orientation zeolite channels, as revealed by molecular dynamics simulations and in situ UV/Vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy. The ssNMR results show that the slightly more constrained sinusoidal zeolite channels favor the olefin cycle by promoting the homologation of alkanes, whereas the more extended straight zeolite channels facilitate the aromatic cycle with a higher degree of alkylation of aromatics. Dynamic nuclear polarization experiments further indicate the preferential formation of heavy aromatics at the zeolite surface dominated by the sinusoidal channels, providing further insight into catalyst deactivation.     

Molecular level understanding of the role of aldehyde in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen cross‐linking reaction

The role of formaldehyde (HCHO) in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen cross‐linking reaction was investigated at the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d) level, where lysine (LYS) was used as model of collagen and catechin (EC) as model of condensed vegetable tannin. Atomic charge and Frontier molecular orbital analysis show that intermediates formed by HCHO reacting with LYS or EC, that is, M_LYS, M_EC‐6, and M_EC‐8, still have both nucleophilic and electrophilic sites, which are elements to form ternary cross‐linking in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen system. The analysis of energy gap between HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbit) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbit) indicate that the intermediate of HCHO–LYS residues (M_LYS) can further react with free HCHO to form product P‐N(CH₂OH)₂ (P‐N‐represents amino acid residue; N represents nitrogen atom on side chain), but the reaction of intermediate M_LYS with free EC is difficult to take place. So, the probability of forming ternary cross‐linking structure of amino acid residue–HCHO–EC is small, if HCHO is added before vegetable tannin in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen system. However, the reactions of EC–HCHO intermediates (M_EC‐6 and M_EC‐8) with free amino acids, HCHO–amino acid residue intermediate (M_LYS), as well as with other EC–HCHO intermediates (M_EC‐6 and M_EC‐8), are very easy to take place. The reaction enthalpy also shows that the cross‐linking tendency is favorable in thermodynamics. So, it can be deduced that covalent cross‐linking among amino side chain of collagen and vegetable tannin may take place when aldehyde is added after vegetable tannin. In this way, a multiple point cross‐linking reaction occurs to create a high stabilization of collagen. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Practical one-pot transformation of electron-rich aromatics into aromatic nitriles with molecular iodine and aq NH3 using Vilsmeier–Haack reaction

Various electron-rich aromatics could be efficiently transformed into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good to moderate yields by treatment with DMF and POCl₃, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine or 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIH) in aq NH₃. Some of less reactive aromatics, such as anisole, 1,2-dimethoxybenzene, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, and mesityrene, could be also transformed into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good to moderate yields using N-methylformanilide and O(POCl₂)₂, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine in aq NH₃. Moreover, propiophenone derivatives could be successfully transformed into the corresponding β-chlorocinnamonitriles by the reaction with DMF and POCl₃, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine and aq NH₃. These reactions are novel metal-free one-pot methods for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from electron-rich aromatics and β-chlorocinnamonitriles from propiophenones.     

Ethylene Epoxidation with Nitrous Oxide over Fe–BTC Metal–Organic Frameworks: A DFT Study

The epoxidation of ethylene with N₂O over the metal‐organic framework Fe–BTC (BTC=1,3,5‐benzentricarboxylate) is investigated by means of density functional calculations. Two reaction paths for the production of ethylene oxide or acetaldehyde are systematically considered in order to assess the efficiency of Fe–BTC for the selective formation of ethylene oxide. The reaction starts with the decomposition of N₂O to form an active surface oxygen atom on the Fe site of Fe–BTC, which subsequently reacts with an ethylene molecule to form an ethyleneoxy intermediate. This intermediate can then be selectively transformed either by 1,2‐hydride shift into the undesired product acetaldehyde or into the desired product ethylene oxide by way of ring closure of the intermediate. The production of ethylene oxide requires an activation energy of 5.1 kcal mol^?1, which is only about one‐third of the activation energy of acetaldehyde formation (14.3 kcal mol^?1). The predicted reaction rate constants for the formation of ethylene oxide in the relevant temperature range are approximately 2–4 orders of magnitude higher than those for acetaldehyde. Altogether, the results suggest that Fe–BTC is a good candidate catalyst for the epoxidation of ethylene by molecular N₂O.     

Improving continuous chemiluminescence determination method of formaldehyde in the atmosphere: reducing interference of acetaldehyde and others by using iodoform reaction

ABSTRACT

The continuous and selective determination method of formaldehyde (HCHO) in ambient air using chemiluminescence method has been developed. The counter current flow tube was used to collect gaseous formaldehyde. The major interferences of HCHO determination from acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ferrous ion were removed by applying iodoform reaction. Effect of acetaldehyde on chemiluminescence signal of formaldehyde at the same concentration was reduced from 19 to 0.3% by applying iodoform reaction. Subsequently, HCHO was online detected by measuring chemiluminescence produced from the reaction of HCHO, gallic acid, H₂O_2, and KOH. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 4.5 ppbv in air. The calibration graph was linear up to 6.25 ppmv. HCHO concentration measured by the present method showed good agreement with that obtained by the 2–4 DNPH-HPLC method.