Facially Dispersed Polyhydride Cu9 and Cu16 Clusters Comprising Apex‐Truncated Supertetrahedral and Square‐Face‐Capped Cuboctahedral Copper Frameworks

By using a linear tetraphosphine, meso‐bis[(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphino]methane (dpmppm), nona‐ and hexadecanuclear copper hydride clusters, [Cu₉H₇(μ‐dpmppm)₃]X₂ (X=Cl ( 1 a ), Br ( 1 b ), I ( 1 c ), PF₆ ( 1 d )) and [Cu₁₆H₁₄(μ‐dpmppm)₄]X₂ (X₂=I₂ ( 2 c ), (4/3) PF₆?(2/3) OH ( 2 d )) were synthesized and characterized. They form copper‐hydride cages of apex‐truncated supertetrahedral {Cu₉H₇}²⁺ and square‐face‐capped cuboctahedral {Cu₁₆H₁₄}²⁺ structures. The hydride positions were estimated by DFT calculations to be facially dispersed around the copper frameworks. A kinetically controlled synthesis gave an unsymmetrical Cu₈H₆ cluster, [Cu₈H₆(μ‐dpmppm)₃]²⁺ ( 3 ), which readily reacted with CO₂ to afford linear Cu₄ complexes with formate bridges, leading to an unprecedented hydrogenation of CO₂ into formate catalyzed by {Cu₄(μ‐dpmppm)₂} platform. The results demonstrate that new motifs of copper hydride clusters could be established by the tetraphosphine ligands, and the structures influence their reactivity.     

Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Syngas with Controllable CO/H2 Ratios over Co and Ni Single-Atom Catalysts

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to yield synthesis gas (syngas, CO and H₂) has been considered as a promising method to realize the net reduction in CO₂ emission. However, it is challenging to balance the CO₂RR activity and the CO/H₂ ratio. To address this issue, nitrogen-doped carbon supported single-atom catalysts are designed as electrocatalysts to produce syngas from CO₂RR. While Co and Ni single-atom catalysts are selective in producing H₂ and CO, respectively, electrocatalysts containing both Co and Ni show a high syngas evolution (total current >74 mA cm⁻²) with CO/H₂ ratios (0.23–2.26) that are suitable for typical downstream thermochemical reactions. Density functional theory calculations provide insights into the key intermediates on Co and Ni single-atom configurations for the H₂ and CO evolution. The results present a useful case on how non-precious transition metal species can maintain high CO₂RR activity with tunable CO/H₂ ratios.     

CO2‐to‐Methanol Hydrogenation on Zirconia‐Supported Copper Nanoparticles: Reaction Intermediates and the Role of the Metal–Support Interface

Methanol synthesis by CO₂ hydrogenation is a key process in a methanol‐based economy. This reaction is catalyzed by supported copper nanoparticles and displays strong support or promoter effects. Zirconia is known to enhance both the methanol production rate and the selectivity. Nevertheless, the origin of this observation and the reaction mechanisms associated with the conversion of CO₂ to methanol still remain unknown. A mechanistic study of the hydrogenation of CO₂ on Cu/ZrO₂ is presented. Using kinetics, in situ IR and NMR spectroscopies, and isotopic labeling strategies, surface intermediates evolved during CO₂ hydrogenation were observed at different pressures. Combined with DFT calculations, it is shown that a formate species is the reaction intermediate and that the zirconia/copper interface is crucial for the conversion of this intermediate to methanol.     

担载Fe2（CO）9络合物及其分散型Fe催化剂的CO吸脱附和催化作用

担载于Ａｌ２Ｏ３和ＺｒＯ２上的Ｆｅ（ＣＯ）９络合物的羰基在真空中极易脱附，在Ａｒ或Ｈ２中２５０℃左右也可完全脱羰而成分散型催化剂。以ＺｒＯ２为载体者在Ａｒ中低温下易发生表面岐化反应而生成ＣＯ２，高温下生成少量ＣＨ４。吸附于分散型催化剂上的ＣＯ在Ａｒ或Ｈ２中均易发生岐化反应，以ＺｒＯ２为载体者在Ｈ２中发生加氢反应而生成ＣＨ４，在ＣＯ加氢中其反应物除了大量ＣＯ２外还有少量ＣＨ物。原位ＦＴ－ＩＲ谱表明以     

Hydrogen Generation from Water Splitting by Catalysts of Platinum-Based Clusters Pt3X (X=Al,Si, Cu) and CO Oxidation by Their By-Products

Reducing sizes of precious metals and utilization of the mixed small clusters of them as catalysts in reactions are important methods due to more active sites for higher catalytic efficiency. Based on first-principles calculations in this work, we found that the platinum-based clusters of Pt\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}X (X = Al, Si, Cu) which have the magic number 4 can effectively catalyze the water decomposition and hydrogen production in just one-step reaction process. The adsorbates of the H\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}O@Pt\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}X clusters have strong absorption in the ultraviolet and visible regions with wavelength from 300 nm to 760 nm, indicating the sunlight can be used to drive catalytic hydrolysis for producing clean hydrogen. In addition, the O atom remains on the clusters after hydrolysis and can react with CO to form CO\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document} in activation barrier of 0.34\begin{document}$ - $\end{document}0.58 eV, showing the recycling ability of the products after hydrolysis for eliminating the "poisoning'' CO by oxidation. Moreover, the formed CO\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document} molecule can be detached from the Pt\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}X clusters at 323 K. Our results provide interesting guidance for practical designing the useful photocatalysts.