Initial Carbon−Carbon Bond Formation during the Early Stages of Methane Dehydroaromatization

Methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) is among the most challenging processes in catalysis science owing to the inherent harsh reaction conditions and fast catalyst deactivation. To improve this process, understanding the mechanism of the initial C?C bond formation is essential. However, consensus about the actual reaction mechanism is still to be achieved. In this work, using advanced magic‐angle spinning (MAS) solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, we study in detail the early stages of the reaction over a well‐dispersed Mo/H‐ZSM‐5 catalyst. Simultaneous detection of acetylene (i.e., presumably the direct C?C bond‐forming product from methane), methylidene, allenes, acetal, and surface‐formate species, along with the typical olefinic/aromatic species, allow us to conclude the existence of at least two independent C?H activation pathways. Moreover, this study emphasizes the significance of mobility‐dependent host–guest chemistry between an inorganic zeolite and its trapped organic species during heterogeneous catalysis.     

Bridging the Gap between the Direct and Hydrocarbon Pool Mechanisms of the Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbons Process

After a prolonged effort over many years, the route for the formation of a direct carbon?carbon (C?C) bond during the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon (MTH) process has very recently been unveiled. However, the relevance of the “direct mechanism”‐derived molecules (that is, methyl acetate) during MTH, and subsequent transformation routes to the conventional hydrocarbon pool (HCP) species, are yet to be established. This important piece of the MTH chemistry puzzle is not only essential from a fundamental perspective, but is also important to maximize catalytic performance. The MTH process was probed over a commercially relevant H‐SAPO‐34 catalyst, using a combination of advanced solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and operando UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy coupled to an on‐line mass spectrometer. Spectroscopic evidence is provided for the formation of (olefinic and aromatic) HCP species, which are indeed derived exclusively from the direct C?C bond‐containing acetyl group of methyl acetate. New mechanistic insights have been obtained from the MTH process, including the identification of hydrocarbon‐based co‐catalytic organic reaction centers.     

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.     

Direct Mechanism of the First Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation in the Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbons Process

In the past two decades, the reaction mechanism of C−C bond formation from either methanol or dimethyl ether (DME) in the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbons (MTH) process has been a highly controversial issue. Described here is the first observation of a surface methyleneoxy analogue, originating from the surface‐activated DME, by in situ solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, a species crucial to the first C−C bond formation in the MTH process. New insights into the first C−C bond formation were provided, thus suggesting DME/methanol activation and direct C−C bond formation by an interesting synergetic mechanism, involving C−H bond breakage and C−C bond coupling during the initial methanol reaction within the chemical environment of the zeolite catalyst.     

Extra‐Framework Aluminum‐Assisted Initial C−C Bond Formation in Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion on Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5

Surface methoxy species bound to an extra‐framework Al (SMS‐EFAL) was unambiguously identified by advanced ¹³C‐{²⁷Al} double‐resonance solid‐state NMR technique in the methanol‐to‐olefins reaction on H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite. The high reactivity of the SMS‐EFAL leads to the formation of surface ethoxy species and ethanol as the key intermediates for ethene generation in the early reaction stage. A direct route for the initial C?C bond formation in ethene was proposed and corroborated by density functional theory calculations.     

New Insight into the Hydrocarbon‐Pool Chemistry of the Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion over Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 from GC‐MS,Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy,and DFT Calculations

Over zeolite H‐ZSM‐5, the aromatics‐based hydrocarbon‐pool mechanism of methanol‐to‐olefins (MTO) reaction was studied by GC‐MS, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Isotopic‐labeling experimental results demonstrated that polymethylbenzenes (MBs) are intimately correlated with the formation of olefin products in the initial stage. More importantly, three types of cyclopentenyl cations (1,3‐dimethylcyclopentenyl, 1,2,3‐trimethylcyclopentenyl, and 1,3,4‐trimethylcyclopentenyl cations) and a pentamethylbenzenium ion were for the first time identified by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations under both co‐feeding ([¹³C₆]benzene and methanol) conditions and typical MTO working (feeding [¹³C]methanol alone) conditions. The comparable reactivity of the MBs (from xylene to tetramethylbenzene) and the carbocations (trimethylcyclopentenyl and pentamethylbenzium ions) in the MTO reaction was revealed by ¹³C‐labeling experiments, evidencing that they work together through a paring mechanism to produce propene. The paring route in a full aromatics‐based catalytic cycle was also supported by theoretical DFT calculations.     

Following Solid‐Acid‐Catalyzed Reactions by MAS NMR Spectroscopy in Liquid Phase—Zeolite‐Catalyzed Conversion of Cyclohexanol in Water

A microautoclave magic angle spinning NMR rotor is developed enabling in situ monitoring of solid–liquid–gas reactions at high temperatures and pressures. It is used in a kinetic and mechanistic study of the reactions of cyclohexanol on zeolite HBEA in 130 °C water. The ¹³C spectra show that dehydration of 1‐¹³C‐cyclohexanol occurs with significant migration of the hydroxy group in cyclohexanol and the double bond in cyclohexene with respect to the ¹³C label. A simplified kinetic model shows the E1‐type elimination fully accounts for the initial rates of 1‐¹³C‐cyclohexanol disappearance and the appearance of the differently labeled products, thus suggesting that the cyclohexyl cation undergoes a 1,2‐hydride shift competitive with rehydration and deprotonation. Concurrent with the dehydration, trace amounts of dicyclohexyl ether are observed, and in approaching equilibrium, a secondary product, cyclohexyl‐1‐cyclohexene is formed. Compared to phosphoric acid, HBEA is shown to be a more active catalyst exhibiting a dehydration rate that is 100‐fold faster per proton.     

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.     

Formation Mechanism of the First Carbon–Carbon Bond and the First Olefin in the Methanol Conversion into Hydrocarbons

The elementary reactions leading to the formation of the first carbon–carbon bond during early stages of the zeolite‐catalyzed methanol conversion into hydrocarbons were identified by combining kinetics, spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The first intermediates containing a C?C bond are acetic acid and methyl acetate, which are formed through carbonylation of methanol or dimethyl ether even in presence of water. A series of acid‐catalyzed reactions including acetylation, decarboxylation, aldol condensation, and cracking convert those intermediates into a mixture of surface bounded hydrocarbons, the hydrocarbon pool, as well as into the first olefin leaving the catalyst. This carbonylation based mechanism has an energy barrier of 80 kJ mol^?1 for the formation of the first C?C bond, in line with a broad range of experiments, and significantly lower than the barriers associated with earlier proposed mechanisms.     

Alkane Activation Initiated by Hydride Transfer: Co‐conversion of Propane and Methanol over H‐ZSM‐5 Zeolite

Co‐conversion of alkane with another reactant over zeolite catalysts has emerged as a new approach to the long‐standing challenge of alkane transformation. With the aid of solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and GC‐MS analysis, it was found that the co‐conversion of propane and methanol can be readily initiated by hydride transfer at temperatures of ≥449 K over the acidic zeolite H‐ZSM‐5. The formation of ¹³C‐labeled methane and singly ¹³C‐labeled n‐butanes in selective labeling experiments provided the first evidence for the initial hydride transfer from propane to surface methoxy intermediates. The results not only provide new insight into carbocation chemistry of solid acids, but also shed light on the low‐temperature transformation of alkanes for industrial applications.     

Experimental Evidence on the Formation of Ethene through Carbocations in Methanol Conversion over H‐ZSM‐5 Zeolite

The methanol to olefins conversion over zeolite catalysts is a commercialized process to produce light olefins like ethene and propene but its mechanism is not well understood. We herein investigated the formation of ethene in the methanol to olefins reaction over the H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite. Three types of ethylcyclopentenyl carbocations, that is, the 1‐methyl‐3‐ethylcyclopentenyl, the 1,4‐dimethyl‐3‐ethylcyclopentenyl, and the 1,5‐dimethyl‐3‐ethylcyclopentenyl cation were unambiguously identified under working conditions by both solid‐state and liquid‐state NMR spectroscopy as well as GC‐MS analysis. These carbocations were found to be well correlated to ethene and lower methylbenzenes (xylene and trimethylbenzene). An aromatics‐based paring route provides rationale for the transformation of lower methylbenzenes to ethene through ethylcyclopentenyl cations as the key hydrocarbon‐pool intermediates.     

Direct Detection of Supramolecular Reaction Centers in the Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion over Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 by 13C–27Al Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Hydrocarbon‐pool chemistry is important in methanol to olefins (MTO) conversion on acidic zeolite catalysts. The hydrocarbon‐pool (HP) species, such as methylbenzenes and cyclic carbocations, confined in zeolite channels during the reaction are essential in determining the reaction pathway. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate the formation of supramolecular reaction centers composed of organic hydrocarbon species and the inorganic zeolite framework in H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite by advanced ¹³C–²⁷Al double‐resonance solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Methylbenzenes and cyclic carbocations located near Brønsted acid/base sites form the supramolecular reaction centers in the zeolite channel. The internuclear spatial interaction/proximity between the ¹³C nuclei (associated with HP species) and the ²⁷Al nuclei (associated with Brønsted acid/base sites) determines the reactivity of the HP species. The closer the HP species are to the zeolite framework Al, the higher their reactivity in the MTO reaction.     

Mechanism Studies of the Conversion of 13C‐Labeled n‐Butane on Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 by Using 13C Magic Angle Spinning NMR Spectroscopy and GC–MS Analysis

By using ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy (MAS=magic angle spinning), the conversion of selectively ¹³C‐labeled n‐butane on zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 at 430–470 K has been demonstrated to proceed through two pathways: 1) scrambling of the selective ¹³C‐label in the n‐butane molecule, and 2) oligomerization–cracking and conjunct polymerization. The latter processes (2) produce isobutane and propane simultaneously with alkyl‐substituted cyclopentenyl cations and condensed aromatic compounds. In situ ¹³C MAS NMR and complementary ex situ GC–MS data provided evidence for a monomolecular mechanism of the ¹³C‐label scrambling, whereas both isobutane and propane are formed through intermolecular pathways. According to ¹³C MAS NMR kinetic measurements, both pathways proceed with nearly the same activation energies (E_a=75 kJ mol^?1 for the scrambling and 71 kJ mol^?1 for isobutane and propane formation). This can be rationalized by considering the intermolecular hydride transfer between a primarily initiated carbenium ion and n‐butane as being the rate‐determining stage of the n‐butane conversion on zeolite H‐ZSM‐5.     

Lanthanide‐Catalyzed Reversible Alkynyl Exchange by Carbon–Carbon Single‐Bond Cleavage Assisted by a Secondary Amino Group

Lanthanide‐catalyzed alkynyl exchange through C?C single‐bond cleavage assisted by a secondary amino group is reported. A lanthanide amido complex is proposed as a key intermediate, which undergoes unprecedented reversible β‐alkynyl elimination followed by alkynyl exchange and imine reinsertion. The in situ homo‐ and cross‐dimerization of the liberated alkyne can serve as an additional driving force to shift the metathesis equilibrium to completion. This reaction is formally complementary to conventional alkyne metathesis and allows the selective transformation of internal propargylamines into those bearing different substituents on the alkyne terminus in moderate to excellent yields under operationally simple reaction conditions.