Coadsorption of CO and O(2) on selected gold clusters: evidence for efficient room-temperature CO(2) generation

Spurred by the recent demonstrations of the size- and support-dependent reactivity of supported gold clusters, here we present results on the coadsorption of CO and O(2) on selected anionic gold clusters, Au(N)(-), in the gas phase. O(2) adsorbs in a binary (0,1) fashion as a one-electron acceptor on the Au(N)()(-) clusters, with even-N clusters showing varying reactivity toward O(2) adsorption, while odd-N clusters show no evidence of reactivity. CO shows a highly size-dependent reactivity for Au(N)(-) sizes from N = 4 to 19, but no adsorption on the gold dimer or trimer. When the gold clusters are exposed to both reactants, either simultaneously or sequentially, interesting effects have been observed. While the same rules pertaining to individual O(2) or CO adsorption continue to apply, the preadsorption of one reactant on a cluster may lead to the increased reactivity of the cluster to the other reactant. Thus, the adsorbates are not competing for bonding sites (competitive coadsorption), but, instead, aid in the adsorption of one another (cooperative coadsorption). New peaks also arise in the mass spectrum of Au(6)(-) under CO and O(2) coadsorption conditions, which can be attributed to the loss of a CO(2) molecule (or molecules). By studying the relative amount of reaction, and relating it to the reaction time, it is found that the gas-phase Au(6) anion is capable of oxidizing CO at a rate 100 times that reported for commercial or model gold catalysts.     

An ab initio investigation on (CO2)n and CO2(Ar)m clusters: geometries and IR spectra

An ab initio investigation on CO(2) homoclusters is done at MPWB1K6-31++G(2d) level of theory. Electrostatic guidelines are found to be useful for generating initial structures of (CO(2))(n) clusters. The ab initio minimum energy geometries of (CO(2))(n) with n=2-8 are T shaped, cyclic, trigonal pyramidal, tetragonal pyramidal, tetragonal bipyramidal, pentagonal bipyramidal, and pentagonal bipyramid with one CO(2) molecule attached to it. A test calculation on (CO(2))(20) cluster is also reported. The geometric parameters of the energetically most favored (CO(2))(n) clusters match quite well their experimental counterparts (wherever available) as well as those derived from molecular dynamics studies. The effect of clustering is quantified through the asymmetric C-O stretching frequency shift relative to the single CO(2) molecule. (CO(2))(n) clusters show an increasing blueshift from 1.8 to 9.6 cm(-1) on increasing number of CO(2) molecules from n=2 to 8. The energetics and geometries of CO(2)(Ar)(m) clusters have also been explored at the same level of theory. The geometries for m=1-6 show a predominant T type of the argon-CO(2) molecule interaction. Higher clusters with m=7-12 show that the argon atoms cluster around the oxygen atom after the saturation of the central carbon atom. The CO(2)(Ar)(m) clusters exhibit an increasing redshift in the C-O asymmetric stretch relative to CO(2) molecule of 0.7-5.6 cm(-1) with increasing number of argon atoms through m=1-8.     

Single photon ionization of van der Waals clusters with a soft x-ray laser: (CO2)n and (CO2)n(H2O)m

Pure neutral (CO2)n clusters and mixed (CO2)n(H2O)m clusters are investigated employing time of flight mass spectroscopy and single photon ionization at 26.5 eV. The distribution of pure (CO2)n clusters decreases roughly exponentially with increasing cluster size. During the ionization process, neutral clusters suffer little fragmentation because almost all excess cluster energy above the vertical ionization energy is taken away by the photoelectron and only a small part of the photon energy is deposited into the (CO2)n cluster. Metastable dissociation rate constants of (CO2)n+ are measured in the range of (0.2-1.5) x 10(4) s(-1) for cluster sizes of 5< or =n< or =16. Mixed CO2-H2O clusters are studied under different generation conditions (5% and 20% CO2 partial pressures and high and low expansion pressures). At high CO2 concentration, predominant signals in the mass spectrum are the (CO2)n+ cluster ions. The unprotonated cluster ion series (CO2)nH2O+ and (CO2)n(H2O)2+ are also observed under these conditions. At low CO2 concentration, protonated cluster ions (H2O)nH+ are the dominant signals, and the protonated CO2(H2O)nH+ and unprotonated (H2O)n+ and (CO2)(H2O)n+ cluster ion series are also observed. The mechanisms and dynamics of the formation of these neutral and ionic clusters are discussed.     

硅氧团簇(SiO2)nO2H4的密度泛函理论研究

提出硅氧团簇(SiO2)nO2H4的两种新构型: 基于笼状结构和环状结构的构型, 并与链状构型相比较, 用密度泛函理论的B3LYP方法在6-31G(d)基组水平上计算了三种构型n=2～22(n取偶数)的几何结构、平均结合能、能隙以及能量的二次差分. 分析计算结果发现, 笼状构型不但在n=4和8处存在幻数团簇(实验上已经观察到), 而且预测在n=14处也存在类似的幻数团簇; 此外, 与(SiO2)n团簇不同的是, (SiO2)nO2H4团簇的环状构型的稳定性从n=4开始大于链状构型, 意味着水的加成对硅氧团簇的稳定性有着重要的影响.     

Theoretical Studies on the Stabilities and Hydrogen Bond Actions of （H2O）n Clusters

1 INTRODUCTION In the latest ten years, the structure and function of water clusters have captured the interest of chemists. One of the most important study objects in water cluster is to describe the behavior of water so- lution quantitatively at molecule level, which will pave the way for the solving of some environmental and other scientific problems, such as the formation of acid rain and nucleation mechanism of little water drop. Besides, weak interaction in water clusters could be al…     

The mechanism of emerging catalytic activity of gold nano-clusters on rutile TiO2(110) in CO oxidation reaction

This paper reveals the fact that the O adatoms (O(ad)) adsorbed on the 5-fold Ti rows of rutile TiO(2)(110) react with CO to form CO(2) at room temperature and the oxidation reaction is pronouncedly enhanced by Au nano-clusters deposited on the above O-rich TiO(2)(110) surfaces. The optimum activity is obtained for 2D clusters with a lateral size of ～1.5 nm and two-atomic layer height corresponding to ～50 Au atoms∕cluster. This strong activity emerging is attributed to an electronic charge transfer from Au clusters to O-rich TiO(2)(110) supports observed clearly by work function measurement, which results in an interface dipole. The interface dipoles lower the potential barrier for dissociative O(2) adsorption on the surface and also enhance the reaction of CO with the O(ad) atoms to form CO(2) owing to the electric field of the interface dipoles, which generate an attractive force upon polar CO molecules and thus prolong the duration time on the Au nano-clusters. This electric field is screened by the valence electrons of Au clusters except near the perimeter interfaces, thereby the activity is diminished for three-dimensional clusters with a larger size.     

Infrared spectra of CO2-doped hydrogen clusters, (H2)N-CO2

Clusters of para-H(2) and/or ortho-H(2) containing a single carbon dioxide molecule are studied by high resolution infrared spectroscopy in the 2300 cm(-1) region of the CO(2) ν(3) fundamental band. The (H(2))(N)-CO(2) clusters are formed in a pulsed supersonic jet expansion from a cooled nozzle and probed using a rapid scan tunable diode laser. Simple symmetric rotor type spectra are observed with little or no resolved K-structure, and prominent Q-branch features for ortho-H(2) but not para-H(2). Observed rotational constants and vibrational shifts are reported for ortho-H(2) up to N = 7 and para-H(2) up to N = 15, with the N > 7 assignments only made possible with the help of theoretical simulations. The para-H(2) cluster with N = 12 shows clear evidence for superfluid effects, in good agreement with theory. The presence of larger clusters with N > 15 is evident in the spectra, but specific assignments are not possible. Mixed para- + ortho-H(2) cluster transitions are well predicted by linear interpolation between corresponding pure cluster line positions.     

Reactivity of the heterometallic clusters [HMCo3(CO)12] and [Et4N][MCo3(CO)12] (M = Fe, Ru) toward phosphine selenides, including selenium transfer. Crystal structures of [HRuCo3(CO)7(mu-CO)3(mu-dppy)], [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppy)], and [RuCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppm)] [dppy = Ph2(2-C5H4N)P, dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2

The reactivity of [HMCo3(CO)12] and [Et4N][MCo3(CO)12] (M = Fe, Ru) toward phosphine selenides such as Ph3PSe, Ph2P(Se)CH2PPh2, Ph2(2-C5H4N)PSe, Ph2(2-C4H3S)PSe, and Ph2[(2-C5H4N)(2-C4H2S)]PSe has been studied with the aim to obtain new selenido-carbonyl bimetallic clusters. The reactions of the hydrido clusters give two main classes of products: (i) triangular clusters with a mu3-Se capping ligand of the type [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)(9-x)L(y)] resulting from the selenium transfer (x = y = 1, 2, with L = monodentate ligand; x = 2, 4, and y = 1, 2, with L = bidentate ligand) (M = Fe, Ru) and (ii) tetranuclear clusters of the type [HMCo3(CO)12xL(y)] obtained by simple substitution of axial, Co-bound carbonyl groups by the deselenized phosphine ligand. The crystal structures of [HRuCo3(CO)7(mu-CO)3(mu-dppy)] (1), [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppy)] (M = Fe (16) or Ru (2)), and [RuCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppm)] (12) are reported [dppy = Ph2(2-C5H4N)P, dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2]. Clusters 2, 12, and 16 are the first examples of trinuclear bimetallic selenido clusters substituted by phosphines. Their core consists of metal triangles capped by a mu3-selenium atom with the bidentate ligand bridging two metals in equatorial positions. The core of cluster 1 consists of a RuCo3 tetrahedron, each Co-Co bond being bridged by a carbonyl group and one further bridged by a dppy ligand. The coordination of dppy in a pseudoaxial position causes the migration of the hydride ligand to the Ru(mu-H)Co edge. In contrast to the reactions of the hydrido clusters, those with the anionic clusters [MCo3(CO)12]- do not lead to Se transfer from phosphorus to the cluster but only to CO substitution by the deselenized phosphine.     

B(14) (2+): A magic number double-ring cluster

B(20) is a "magic number" cluster with double-ring structure. Surprisingly, we also find that B(14) (2+) is a "magic number" cluster with double-ring structure, which has the largest HOMO-LUMO gap (3.31 eV) and the highest aromaticity in double-ring clusters. This double-ring B(14) (2+) cluster is energetically lower than the quasi-planar one by even ～1.2 eV using high level ab initio calculations. B(14) (2+) also has 40 valence electrons as in Al(13) (-) cluster. The reason leading to the unusual properties of B(14) (2+) may be the electronic shell closing as in Al(13) (-) cluster based on the jellium model, besides the double aromaticity in all double-ring clusters.     

Reactions of germanium atoms and small clusters with CO: experimental and theoretical characterization of Ge(n)CO (n = 1-5) and Ge2(CO)2 in solid argon

Reactions of germanium atoms and small clusters with carbon monoxide molecules in solid argon have been studied using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. Besides the previously reported GeCO monocarbonyl, the Ge2(CO)2 and Ge(n)CO (n = 2-5) carbonyl molecules are formed spontaneously on annealing and are characterized on the basis of isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations. It is found that Ge2CO, Ge3CO, and Ge5CO are bridge-bonded carbonyl compounds, whereas Ge2(CO)2 and Ge4CO are terminal-bonded carbonyl molecules.     

Reactivity of Ph2P(Se)CH2C6H4CH2P(Se)Ph2 with [M3(CO)12] (M=Ru or Fe). Synthesis and characterization of the new carbene cluster [Ru3(mu3-Se)(mu3-H)(mu2-PPh2)(CO)6(mu2-CHC6H4CH2PPh2)

The reactions of [M3(CO)12] (M=Ru or Fe) with 1,2 bis[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]benzene diselenide (dpmbSe2) in hot toluene afford a variety of phosphine-substituted selenido carbonyl clusters. They belong to the following three families: (i) 50-electron clusters with a M3Se2 core (2, 3, 5-7), (ii) 48-electron clusters with a M3Se core (1, 8), (iii) 34-electron clusters with a M2Se2 core (4). All these species derive from the P=Se bond cleavage. Cluster 1, which contains a hydrido, a phosphido, and a carbene ligand, is produced by multiple fragmentation of the diphosphine. This fragmentation appears related to the presence of the selenido ligand on the cluster, as the reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with dpmb (not selenized) produces only carbonyl substitution by the phosphine to give [Ru3(CO)10(mu-dpmb)] (9). All the clusters synthesized have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques, and in some cases fluxional behavior has been detected in solution by NMR analysis. The structures of 1, 2, and 7-9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Density functional study of CO adsorption on Sc(n) (n=2-13) clusters

The adsorption properties of a single CO molecule on Sc(n) (n=2-13) clusters are studied by means of a density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation. Two adsorption patterns are identified. Pattern a (n=3, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 12), CO binds to hollow site while Pattern b (n=5, 7, 9, 10, and 13), CO binds to bridge site accompanied by significantly lengthening of the Sc-Sc bond. The adsorption energy exhibits clear size-dependent variation and odd-even oscillation for n<10 and reach the peak at n=5, 7, and 9, implying their high chemical reactivity. Similar variations are noted in C-O bond length, vibrational frequency, and charge transferred between CO and the clusters. This can be understood in light of the adsorption pattern, the atomic motif, and the relative stability of the bare Sc clusters. Compared with the free Sc clusters, the magnetic nature remains upon adsorption except n=2, 4, 12, and 13. Particularly, the moments of n=13 reduce significantly from 19 to 5 micro(B), implying the adsorption plays an attenuation influence on the magnetism of the cluster.     

CnBδ(δ=0, ±1; n =1～6)团簇的结构、稳定性和光谱

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP方法,在6-31G*和6-311＋G(3df)水平上对C_nB(n=1～6)团簇及其阴离子和阳离子的几何构型和电子结构进行了优化和振动频率计算.得到了C_nB(n=1～6)团簇的电离能,绝热电子亲合势以及C_nB^δ(δ=0,±1)团簇的能隙.结果表明C_nB^－(n=1～6)团簇的基态构型均为线形,这与等电子的C_n簇合物的结构是一致的; C_nB(n=1～6)团簇的基态构型中,除C₂B为不对称的三角形,C₆B为具有C_2v对称性的环状结构外,其余均为线形结构.阳离子团簇中n=2、3、6的基态结构具有C_2v对称性外,其它几个均为线形结构.从几何参数和振动频率上发现,采用密度泛函B3LYP方法在6-311＋G(3df)和6-31G*两种基组上计算得到的键长参数和振动频率非常接近,说明B3LYP方法在计算C_nB簇合物结构参数上对于基组的选择是不太敏感的.通过对C_nB(n=1～6)的光电子能谱性质的研究发现,C₄B容易获得一个电子形成阴离子团簇,但失去一个电子是很困难的,这与实验上观测到的结果非常吻合.     

Photodetachment and photofragmentation pathways in the [(CO2)2(H2O)m]- cluster anions

The mass-selected [(CO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(m)](-) cluster anions are studied using a combination of photoelectron imaging and photofragment mass spectroscopy at 355 nm. Photoelectron imaging studies are carried out on the mass-selected parent cluster anions in the m=2-6 size range; photofragmentation results are presented for m=3-11. While the photoelectron images suggest possible coexistence of the CO(2) (-)(H(2)O)(m)CO(2) and (O(2)CCO(2))(-)(H(2)O)(m) parent cluster structures, particularly for m=2 and 3, only the CO(2) (-) based clusters are both required and sufficient to explain all fragmentation pathways for m>/=3. Three types of anionic photofragments are observed: CO(2) (-)(H(2)O)(k), O(-)(H(2)O)(k), and CO(3) (-)(H(2)O)(k), k6) is attributed to hindrance from the H(2)O molecules.     

Con(n=2～10)团簇的结构和磁性

采用密度泛函理论中的局域自旋密度近似(LSDA)和广义梯度近似(GGA)对Con(n=2～10)团簇的几何构型进行优化，并对能量、频率和磁性进行了计算,两种方法确定的基态构型完全一致,并从平均键长、平均配位数和对称性对磁性的影响进行了理论探讨.研究表明, Con(n=2～10)基态团簇的磁性在n=2～4时主要受平均键长的影响,在n=5～9时主要受平均配位数的影响,在n=10时受原子间距和平均配位数的相互影响,最终导致与Co8基态团簇具有相同的磁性.基态团簇在Co5和Co9出现了磁性局域最小点.     

AlmN2－ (m=1～8)团簇的结构与稳定性

用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP方法, 在6-311G*水平上对AlmN2－ (m =1～8)团簇的几何构型、电子结构、振动频率、电荷分布与成键方式进行了理论研究. 结果表明, AlmN2－ 团簇的基态结构有两种基本构型, 一种是以N—N键为核心, 周围与Al原子配位形成的； 另一种是由两个AlnN(n＜m)分子碎片通过共用Al原子或Al—Al键相互结合形成的. 对AlnN分子碎片相互结合形成的基态结构亲和能讨论得到, m为奇数的AlmN2－团簇比m为偶数的稳定.     

Isolation and structural characterization of magic silver clusters protected by 4-(tert-butyl)benzyl mercaptan

Small silver clusters (average diameter of 1.2 nm) protected by 4-(tert-butyl)benzyl mercaptan (BBSH) were converted to stable, monodisperse clusters (2.1 nm) by a ripening process with excess amount of BBSH. Multiple characterizations of the isolated magic clusters revealed an approximate chemical composition of Ag(～280)(SBB)(～120).     

B2Cn+(n=1～9)团簇的结构及其稳定性

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP泛函, 在6-311G*水平上对B2Cn+(n=1～9)团簇的几何构型和电子结构进行了优化和振动频率计算. 结果表明, 在B2Cn+(n=1～9)团簇的基态构型中, B2C2+、B2C3+为具有D∞h对称性的线形结构, B2C7+为具有Cs对称性的立体环状结构, 其余均为平面构型; 其成键顺序为C—C成键优于B—C 成键, B—C成键优于B—B成键. 进一步得到了B2Cn+(n=1～9)团簇的总能量(ET)、零点能(EZ)、摩尔热容(Cp)、标准熵(S0)以及原子化能(ΔEn+). 其结果显示, 随着n的递增, ET、EZ、Cp、S0和ΔEn+数值均呈现增大趋势, 其中EZ数值呈现近似等梯度的增加趋势. 通过对B2Cn+(n=1～9)团簇基态结构的垂直电子亲合势的研究发现, n为奇数的B2Cn+团簇比n为偶数的稳定.     

Mixed Co-Rh nitrido-encapsulated carbonyl clusters. synthesis, solid-state structure, and electrochemical/EPR characterization of the anions [Co10Rh(N)2(CO)21]3-, [Co10Rh2(N)2(CO)24]2-, and [Co11Rh(N)2(CO)24]2-

The nitrido-encapsulated heterometallic cluster anions [Co(10)Rh(N)2(CO)21](3-) (1), [Co(10)Rh2(N)2(CO)24](2-) (2), and [Co(11)Rh(N)2(CO)24](2-) (3) have been obtained by tailored redox-condensation reactions. These three anions are rare high-nuclearity mixed-metal clusters containing two interstitial nitrogen atoms. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on their [NR4]+ salts (R = Me for 1 and 3, R = Et for 2), and their electrochemical and ESR properties have been studied in detail. It is noteworthy that 1 has an unprecedented stereochemistry that does not exhibit a close geometrical resemblance with the isoelectronic homometallic anion [Co(11)N2(CO)11(mu2-CO)10](3-), and 2, despite its even number of electrons, is a paramagnetic species.     

High resolution infrared spectroscopy of carbon dioxide clusters up to (CO2)13

Thirteen specific infrared bands in the 2350 cm(-1) region are assigned to carbon dioxide clusters, (CO(2))(N), with N = 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. The spectra are observed in direct absorption using a tuneable infrared laser to probe a pulsed supersonic jet expansion of a dilute mixture of CO(2) in He carrier gas. Assignments are aided by cluster structure calculations made using two reliable CO(2) intermolecular potential functions. For (CO(2))(6), two highly symmetric isomers are observed, one with S(6) symmetry (probably the more stable form), and the other with S(4) symmetry. (CO(2))(13) is also symmetric (S(6)), but the remaining clusters are asymmetric tops with no symmetry elements. The observed rotational constants tend to be slightly (≈2%) smaller than those from the predicted structures. The bands have increasing vibrational blueshifts with increasing cluster size, similar to those predicted by the resonant dipole-dipole interaction model but significantly larger in magnitude.