Silica‐Grafted Tris(neopentyl)aluminum: A Monomeric Aluminum Solid Co‐catalyst for Efficient Nickel‐Catalyzed Ethene Dimerization

A silica‐supported monomeric alkylaluminum co‐catalyst was prepared via surface organometallic chemistry by contacting tris(neopentyl)aluminum and partially dehydroxylated silica. This system, fully characterized by solid‐state ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy augmented by computational studies, efficiently activates (ⁿBu₃P)₂NiCl₂ towards dimerization of ethene, demonstrating comparable activity to previously reported dimeric diethylaluminum chloride supported on silica. Three types of aluminum surface species have been identified: monografted tetracoordinated Al species as well as two types of bisgrafted Al species—tetra‐ and pentacoordinated. Of them, only the monografted Al species is proposed to be able to activate the (ⁿBu₃P)₂NiCl₂ complex and generate the active cationic species.     

Selective Transformation of Syngas into Gasoline‐Range Hydrocarbons over Mesoporous H‐ZSM‐5‐Supported Cobalt Nanoparticles

Bifunctional Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts that couple uniform‐sized Co nanoparticles for CO hydrogenation and mesoporous zeolites for hydrocracking/isomerization reactions were found to be promising for the direct production of gasoline‐range (C_5–11) hydrocarbons from syngas. The Brønsted acidity results in hydrocracking/isomerization of the heavier hydrocarbons formed on Co nanoparticles, while the mesoporosity contributes to suppressing the formation of lighter (C_1–4) hydrocarbons. The selectivity for C_5–11 hydrocarbons could reach about 70 % with a ratio of isoparaffins to n‐paraffins of approximately 2.3 over this catalyst, and the former is markedly higher than the maximum value (ca. 45 %) expected from the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution. By using n‐hexadecane as a model compound, it was clarified that both the acidity and mesoporosity play key roles in controlling the hydrocracking reactions and thus contribute to the improved product selectivity in FT synthesis.     

Hydrogen‐Abstraction/Acetylene‐Addition Exposed

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are omnipresent in the interstellar medium (ISM) and also in carbonaceous meteorites (CM) such as Murchison. However, the basic reaction routes leading to the formation of even the simplest PAH—naphthalene (C₁₀H₈)—via the hydrogen‐abstraction/acetylene‐addition (HACA) mechanism still remain ambiguous. Here, by revealing the uncharted fundamental chemistry of the styrenyl (C₈H₇) and the ortho‐vinylphenyl radicals (C₈H₇)—key transient species of the HACA mechanism—with acetylene (C₂H₂), we provide the first solid experimental evidence on the facile formation of naphthalene in a simulated combustion environment validating the previously postulated HACA mechanism for these two radicals. This study highlights, at the molecular level spanning combustion and astrochemistry, the importance of the HACA mechanism to the formation of the prototype PAH naphthalene.     

Catalytic Oxidation of Methane to C2‐C4 Hydrocarbons over CeO2 Promoted W‐Mn/SiO2 Catalysts at Higher Pressure

CeO₂‐promoted Na‐Mn‐W/SiO₂ catalyst has been studied for catalytic oxidation of methane in a micro‐stainless‐steel reactor at elevated pressure. The effect of operating conditions, such as GHSV, pressure and CH₄/O₂ ratio, has been investigated. 22.0% CH₄ conversion with 73.8% C₂‐C₄ selectivity (C₂/C₃/C₄ = 3.8/1.0/3.6) was obtained at 1003 K, 1.5 × 10⁵ h^?;1 GHSV and 1.0 MPa. The results show: Elevated pressure disadvantages the catalytic oxidation of methane to C₂‐C₄ hydrocarbons. Large amounts of C₃ and C₄ hydrocarbons are observed. The unfavorable effects of elevated pressure can be overcome by increasing GHSV; the reaction is strongly dependent on the operating conditions at elevated pressure, particularly dependent on GHSV and ratio of CH₄/O₂. Analyses by means of XRD, XPS and CO₂‐TPD show that CO₂ produced from the reaction makes a weakly poisoning capacity of the catalyst; information of changeful valence on Ce and Mn was detected over the near‐surface of the Ce‐Na‐W‐Mn/SiO₂ catalyst; the existence of Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ and Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ ion couple supported that the reaction over the catalyst followed the Redeal‐Redox mechanism. Oxidative re‐coupling of C₂H₆ and CH₄ in gas phase or over surface of catalyst produces C₃ or C₄ hydrocarbons.     

μ‐1,2‐Bis(4‐pyridyl)ethene‐κ2N:N′‐bis(tetraaqua­{4‐[2‐(4‐pyridinio)­ethenyl]pyridine‐κN}cobalt(II)) hexaaqua­cobalt(II) tetrakis(sulfate) octahydrate

The title compound, [Co₂(C₁₂H₁₁N₂)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)₈][Co(H₂O)₆](SO₄)₄·8H₂O, consists of bis(4‐pyridyl)ethenedicobalt(II) cations, hexaaqua­cobalt cations, sulfate anions and water solvent molecules that are linked by hydrogen bonds into a network structure. In the hexaaquacobalt cation, the six water molecules are coordinated in an octahedral geometry to the Co atom, which lies on an inversion centre. The other cation is a 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethene‐bridged centrosymmetric dimer, consisting of protonated 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)­ethene cations, a bridging 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethene ligand and tetraaqua­cobalt cations. Each Co atom is six‐coordinated by four water molecules and two N atoms from a protonated 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethene cation and the bridging 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)­ethene ligand, and the geometry around each Co atom is octahedral.     

C−C Bond Formation in Syngas Conversion over Zinc Sites Grafted on ZSM‐5 Zeolite

Despite significant progress achieved in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology, control of product selectivity remains a challenge in syngas conversion. Herein, we demonstrate that Zn²⁺‐ion exchanged ZSM‐5 zeolite steers syngas conversion selectively to ethane with its selectivity reaching as high as 86 % among hydrocarbons (excluding CO₂) at 20 % CO conversion. NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and X‐ray fluorescence indicate that this is likely attributed to the highly dispersed Zn sites grafted on ZSM‐5. Quasi‐in‐situ solid‐state NMR, obtained by quenching the reaction in liquid N₂, detects C₂ species such as acetyl (‐COCH₃) bonding with an oxygen, ethyl (‐CH₂CH₃) bonding with a Zn site, and epoxyethane molecules adsorbing on a Zn site and a Brønsted acid site of the catalyst, respectively. These species could provide insight into C?C bond formation during ethane formation. Interestingly, this selective reaction pathway toward ethane appears to be general because a series of other Zn²⁺‐ion exchanged aluminosilicate zeolites with different topologies (for example, SSZ‐13, MCM‐22, and ZSM‐12) all give ethane predominantly. By contrast, a physical mixture of ZnO‐ZSM‐5 favors formation of hydrocarbons beyond C₃₊. These results provide an important guide for tuning the product selectivity in syngas conversion.     

Highly Tunable Selectivity for Syngas‐Derived Alkenes over Zinc and Sodium‐Modulated Fe5C2 Catalyst

Zn‐ and Na‐modulated Fe catalysts were fabricated by a simple coprecipitation/washing method. Zn greatly changed the size of iron species, serving as the structural promoter, while the existence of Na on the surface of the Fe catalyst alters the electronic structure, making the catalyst very active for CO activation. Most importantly, the electronic structure of the catalyst surface suppresses the hydrogenation of double bonds and promotes desorption of products, which renders the catalyst unexpectedly reactive toward alkenes—especially C₅₊ alkenes (with more than 50% selectivity in hydrocarbons)—while lowering the selectivity for undesired products. This study enriches C₁ chemistry and the design of highly selective new catalysts for high‐value chemicals.     

Morphology‐Directed Selective Production of Ethylene or Ethane from CO2 on a Cu Mesopore Electrode

The electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ to value‐added hydrocarbons is receiving significant attention as a promising way to close the broken carbon‐cycle. While most metal catalysts produce C₁ species, such as carbon monoxide and formate, the production of various hydrocarbons and alcohols comprising more than two carbons has been achieved using copper (Cu)‐based catalysts only. Methods for producing specific C₂ reduction outcomes with high selectivity, however, are not available thus far. Herein, the morphological effect of a Cu mesopore electrode on the selective production of C₂ products, ethylene or ethane, is presented. Cu mesopore electrodes with precisely controlled pore widths and depths were prepared by using a thermal deposition process on anodized aluminum oxide. With this simple synthesis method, we demonstrated that C₂ chemical selectivity can be tuned by systematically altering the morphology. Supported by computational simulations, we proved that nanomorphology can change the local pH and, additionally, retention time of key intermediates by confining the chemicals inside the pores.     

(1E)‐2‐(Di­acetyl­amino)‐1‐methyl­prop‐­1‐enyl acetate

The analysis of the title compound, C₁₀H₁₅NO₄, firmly establishes the configuration of the double bond as E, a stereochemistry that had been assigned tentatively by other methods. The di­acetyl­amine and acetate substituents are approximately coplanar to one another, but approximately perpendicular to the planar ethene core. H atoms of the ethene methyl substituents are found within the ethene plane, indicating that hyperconjugation does not play an important role in stabilizing the double bond.     

Poly[di‐μ‐aqua‐μ‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κ2N:N′‐tetrakis(4‐iodobenzoato‐κ2O,O′)dicadmium]

Colourless crystals of the title compound, [Cd₂(C₇H₄IO₂)₄(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n, were obtained by the self‐assembly of Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, 1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (bpe) and 4‐iodobenzoic acid (4‐IBA). Each Cd^II atom is seven‐coordinated in a pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination environment by four carboxylate O atoms from two different 4‐IBA ligands, two O atoms from two water molecules and one N atom from a bpe ligand. The Cd^II centres are bridged by the aqua molecules and bpe ligands, which lie across centres of inversion, to give a two‐dimensional net. Topologically, taking the Cd^II atoms as nodes and the μ‐aqua and μ‐bpe ligands as linkers, the two‐dimensional structure can be simplified as a (6,3) network.     

Construction and photocatalytic properties of two metal‐mediated coordination polymers based on benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid and trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene

With the rapid development of modern industry, water pollution has become an intractable environmental issue facing humans worldwide. In particular, the organic dyes discharged into natural water from dyestuffs, dyeing and the textile industry are the main sources of pollution in wastewater. To eliminate these types of pollutants, degradation of organic contaminants through a photocatalytic technique is an effective methodology. To exploit more crystalline photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes, two coordination polymers, namely catena‐poly[[(3,5‐dicarboxybenzene‐1‐carboxylato‐κO ¹)silver(I)]‐μ‐trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κ²N :N ′], [Ag(C₉H₅O₆)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)]_n or [Ag(H₂BTC)(3,4′‐bpe)]_n , (I), and poly[[(μ₃‐5‐carboxybenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O ¹,O ^1′:O ³:O ³)[μ‐trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κ²N :N′ ]cadmium(II)] monohydrate], {[Cd(C₉H₄O₆)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)]·H₂O}_n or {[Cd(HBTC)(3,4′‐bpe)]·H₂O}_n , (II), have been prepared by the hydrothermal reactions of benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃BTC) and trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (3,4′‐bpe) in the presence of AgNO₃ or Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, respectively. These two title compounds have been structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction. In (I), the Ag^I ions and organic ligands form a one‐dimensional coordination chain, and adjacent coordination chains are connected by Ag…O interactions to give rise to a two‐dimensional supramolecular network. Each two‐dimensional network is entangled with other equivalent networks to generate an infrequent interlocked 2D→3D (2D and 3D are two‐ and three‐dimensional, respectively) supramolecular framework. In (II), the Cd^II ions are bridged by the HBTC²⁻ and 3,4′‐bpe ligands, which lie across centres of inversion, to give a two‐dimensional coordination network. The thermal stabilities and photocatalytic properties of the title compounds have also been studied.     

An experimental and modeling study of ethanol oxidation kinetics in an atmospheric pressure flow reactor

Experimental profiles of stable species concentrations and temperature are reported for the flow reactor oxidation of ethanol at atmospheric pressure, initial temperatures near 1100 K and equivalence ratios of 0.61–1.24. Acetaldehyde, ethene, and methane appear in roughly equal concentrations as major intermediate species under these conditions. A detailed chemical mechanism is validated by comparison with the experimental species profiles. The importance of including all three isomeric forms of the C₂H₅O radical in such a mechanism is demonstrated. The primary source of ethene in ethanol oxidation is verified to be the decomposition of the C₂H₄OH radical. The agreement between the model and experiment at 1100 K is optimized when the branching ratio of the reactions of C₂H₅OH with OH and H is defined by (30% C₂H₄OH + 50% CH₃CHOH + 20% CH₃CH₂O) + XH. As in methanol oxidation, HO₂ chemistry is very important, while the H + O₂ chain branching reaction plays only a minor role until late in fuel decay, even at temperatures above 1100 K.     

α‐keto‐β‐diimine nickel‐catalyzed olefin polymerization: Effect of ortho‐aryl substituents and preparation of stereoblock copolymers

A series of α‐keto‐β‐diimine nickel complexes (Ar‐N = C(CH₃)‐C(O)‐C(CH₃)=N‐Ar)NiBr₂; Ar = 2,6‐R‐C₆H₃‐, R = Me, Et, iPr, and Ar = 2,4,6‐Me₃‐C₆H₃‐) was prepared. All corresponding ligands are unstable even under an inert atmosphere and in a freezer. Stable copper complex intermediates of ligand synthesis and ethyl substituted nickel complex were isolated and characterized by X‐ray. All nickel complexes were used for the polymerization of ethene, propylene, and hex‐1‐ene to investigate their livingness and the extent of chain‐walking. Low‐temperature propene polymerization with less bulky ortho‐substituents was less isospecific than the one with isopropyl derivative. Propene stereoblock copolymers were prepared by iPr derivative combining the polymerization at low temperature to prepare isotactic polypropylene (PP) block and at a higher temperature, supporting chain‐walking, to obtain amorphous regioirregular PP block. Alternatively, a copolymerization of propene with ethene was used for the preparation of amorphous block. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2440–2449     

Effect of tungsten oxide loading on metathesis activity of ethene and 2-butene over WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

The metathesis of ethene and 2-butene to propene was studied over WO₃/SiO₂ catalysts with various WO₃ loadings (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 wt%). The 2-butene conversion and propene selectivity increased greatly with WO₃ loading increasing from 2 to 8 wt%, reached maximum at 8–12 wt% WO₃ loading, and then decreased when the WO₃ loading was higher than 12 wt%. From the above results and taking the economics into account, the optimal amount of WO₃ loading was ~8 wt%. The catalysts were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic techniques to elucidate the effect of different tungsten oxide loadings on the metathesis reactivity of ethene and 2-butene. The characterization data indicated that three types of tungsten species (i.e., surface tetrahedral tungsten species, surface octahedral polytungstate species, and WO₃ crystallites) were present in the catalysts. It was found that WO₃ was not the active centers, and surface tetrahedral tungsten species might be more active than octahedral polytungstate species in metathesis reaction. The reduced form of tungsten species [W⁺⁴, W⁺⁵, and W^+(6−y) (0 < y < 1)] may be the suitable state of W species acting as metathesis active centers.     

微量Li助剂对Co/AC催化剂合成高碳醇性能的影响

采用等体积浸渍法制备了含微量Li 的15Co_xLi/AC 催化剂,考察了微量Li 助剂对15Co/AC催化剂上CO加氢合成高碳醇性能的影响. 采用X射线衍射、程序升温还原和程序升温表面反应技术对15Co_xLi/AC 催化剂进行了表征,结果表明,微量Li 的添加可以提高催化剂上CO加氢活性、生成C₅₊烃的选择性、合成醇的选择性以及高碳醇的分布. 这主要是由于微量Li 助剂与Co物种形成了弱相互作用,促进了催化剂Co物种的分散,形成较小Co晶粒,促进了Co₂C的形成.     

Self‐assembly of a cobalt(II)‐based metal–organic framework as an effective water‐splitting heterogeneous catalyst for light‐driven hydrogen production

The solar photocatalysis of water splitting represents a significant branch of enzymatic simulation by efficient chemical conversion and the generation of hydrogen as green energy provides a feasible way for the replacement of fossil fuels to solve energy and environmental issues. We report herein the self‐assembly of a Co^II‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) constructed from 4,4′,4′′,4′′′‐(ethene‐1,1,2,2‐tetrayl)tetrabenzoic acid [or tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)ethylene, H₄TCPE] and 4,4′‐bipyridyl (bpy) as four‐point‐ and two‐point‐connected nodes, respectively. This material, namely, poly[(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridyl)[μ₈‐4,4′,4′′,4′′′‐(ethene‐1,1,2,2‐tetrayl)tetrabenzoato]cobalt(II)], [Co(C₃₀H₁₆O₈)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, crystallized as dark‐red block‐shaped crystals with high crystallinity and was fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, PXRD, IR, solid‐state UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. The redox‐active Co^II atoms in the structure could be used as the catalytic sites for hydrogen production via water splitting. The application of this new MOF as a heterogeneous catalyst for light‐driven H₂ production has been explored in a three‐component system with fluorescein as photosensitizer and trimethylamine as the sacrificial electron donor, and the initial volume of H₂ production is about 360 µmol after 12 h irradiation.     

Linear hydrogen‐bonded molecular tapes in the cocrystals of squaric acid with 4,4′‐dipyridylacetylene and 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene

The title compounds, 4,4′‐(ethyne‐1,2‐diyl)­dipyridinium bis(squarate), C₁₂H₁₀N₂²⁺·2C₄HO₄^?, and 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)­dipyridinium bis­(squarate), C₁₂H₁₂N₂²⁺·2C₄HO₄^?, are isomorphous and crystallize in space group P. The cocrystals contain linear hydrogen‐bonded molecular tape structures along the [120] direction. The squarate monoanions form a ten‐membered dimer linked by two intermolecular O—H?O hydrogen bonds. Each component mol­ecule forms a segregated stack along the c axis. The bond lengths of the squarate monoanion indicate delocalization of the enolate anion.     

Insight into Oxide‐Bridged Heterobimetallic Al/Zr Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Reaction of (TBBP)AlMe ? THF with [Cp*₂Zr(Me)OH] gave [(TBBP)Al(THF)?O?Zr(Me)Cp*₂] (TBBP=3,3’,5,5’‐tetra‐tBu‐2,2'‐biphenolato). Reaction of [DIPPnacnacAl(Me)?O?Zr(Me)Cp₂] with [PhMe₂NH]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? gave a cationic Al/Zr complex that could be structurally characterized as its THF adduct [(DIPPnacnac)Al(Me)?O?Zr(THF)Cp₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (DIPPnacnac=HC[(Me)C=N(2,6‐iPr₂?C₆H₃)]₂). The first complex polymerizes ethene in the presence of an alkylaluminum scavenger but in the absence of methylalumoxane (MAO). The adduct cation is inactive under these conditions. Theoretical calculations show very high energy barriers (ΔG=40–47 kcal mol^?1) for ethene insertion with a bridged AlOZr catalyst. This is due to an unfavorable six‐membered‐ring transition state, in which the methyl group bridges the metal and ethene with an obtuse metal‐Me‐C angle that prevents synchronized bond‐breaking and making. A more‐likely pathway is dissociation of the Al‐O‐Zr complex into an aluminate and the active polymerization catalyst [Cp*₂ZrMe]⁺.     

Cost‐Efficient Graphitic Carbon Nitride as an Effective Photocatalyst for Antibiotic Degradation: An Insight into the Effects of Different Precursors and Coexisting Ions,and Photocatalytic Mechanism

In this study, the photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) synthesized via different precursors (urea, thiourea, and dicyandiamide) is investigated in the degradation process of tetracycline. Owing to the efficient charge separation and transfer, prolonged radiative lifetime of charge, large surface area, and nanosheet morphology, the urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄ exhibits superior photocatalytic activity for tetracycline degradation under visible‐light irradiation. This performance can compare with that of most reported g‐C₃N₄‐based composite photocatalysts. Through the time‐circle degradation experiment, the urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄ is found to have an excellent photocatalytic stability. The presence of NO₃^?, CH₃COO^?, Cl^? and SO₄^2? ions with the concentration of 10 mm inhibits the photocatalytic activity of urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄, where this inhibitory effect is more obvious for Cl^? and SO₄^2? ions. For the coexisting Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions, the Cu²⁺ ion exhibits a significantly higher inhibitory effect than Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions for tetracycline degradation. However, both the inhibitory and facilitating effects are observed in the presence of Fe³⁺ ion with different concentration. The h⁺, ^.OH and ^.O₂^? radicals are confirmed as major oxidation species and a possible photocatalytic mechanism is proposed in a urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄ reaction system. This study is of important significance to promote the large‐scale application of g‐C₃N₄ photocatalysts in antibiotic wastewater purification.     

Evidence of Structure Sensitivity in the Fischer–Tropsch Reaction on Model Cobalt Nanoparticles by Time‐Resolved Chemical Transient Kinetics

The Fischer–Tropsch process, or the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide (CO), produces long chain hydrocarbons and offers an alternative to the use of crude oil for chemical feedstocks. The observed size dependence of cobalt (Co) catalysts for the Fischer–Tropsch reaction was studied with colloidally prepared Co nanoparticles and a chemical transient kinetics reactor capable of measurements under non‐steady‐state conditions. Co nanoparticles of 4.3 nm and 9.5 nm diameters were synthesized and tested under atmospheric pressure conditions and H₂/CO=2. Large differences in carbon coverage (Θ_C) were observed for the two catalysts: the 4.3 nm Co catalyst has a Θ_C less than one while the 9.5 nm Co catalyst supports a Θ_C greater than two. The monomer units present on the surface during reaction are identified as single carbon species for both sizes of Co nanoparticles, and the major CO dissociation site is identified as the B₅‐B geometry. The difference in activity of Co nanoparticles was found to be a result of the structure sensitivity caused by the loss of these specific types of sites at smaller nanoparticle sizes.