Reactions of Neutral and Charged Molybdenum Oxide Clusters with Low-Molecular-Weight Alcohols in a Gas Phase Studied by Ion Cyclotron Resonance

A set of oxygen-containing molybdenum oxide clusters Mo _x O _y (x = 1–3; y = 1–9) was obtained with the use of a combination of a Knudsen cell and an ion trap cell. The reactions of positively charged clusters with C₁–C₄ alcohols were studied using ion cyclotron resonance. The formation of a number of organometallic ions, the products of initial insertion of molybdenum oxide ions into the C–O and C–H bonds of alcohols, and polycondensation products of methanol and ethanol were found. The reactions of neutral molybdenum oxide clusters Mo _x O _y (x = 1–3; y = 1–9) with protonated C₁–C₄ alcohols and an ammonium ion were studied. The following limits of proton affinity (PA) were found for neutral oxygen-containing molybdenum clusters: (MoO) < 180, (Mo₂O₄, Mo₂O₅, and Mo₃O₈) = 188 ± 8, PA(MoO₂) = 202 ± 5, PA(MoO₃, Mo₂O₆, and Mo₃O₉) > 207 kcal/mol.     

A new inorganic–organic hybrid: tetra­imid­azolium octa­molyb­date(VI) containing the β‐form of the [Mo8O26]4− anion

The title compound, (C₃H₅N₂)₄[β‐Mo₈O₂₆], has been prepared from imidazole octamolybdate, (C₃H₅N₂)₄[(C₃H₄N₂)₂(γ‐Mo₈O₂₆)], which was described previously. The γ→β conversion is produced in the presence of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and is reported for the first time in this work. The X‐ray structure analysis confirmed the presence of the [Mo₈O₂₆]^4? anion. The structure consists of β‐Mo₈O₂₆ polyanions and imidazolium cations. These cations are linked to the terminal and bridging O atoms of the anion by hydrogen bonds.     

Influence of Adding Molybdenum on Structure and Performance of FexOy/SBA-15 Catalysts in Selective Oxidation of Propene

Mixed iron and molybdenum oxide catalysts supported on nanostructured silica, SBA-15, were synthesized with various Mo/Fe atomic ratios ranging from 0.07/1.0 to 0.57/1.0. Structural characterization of as-prepared Mo_xO_y_Fe_xO_y/SBA-15 samples was performed by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, and DR-UV-Vis spectroscopy. Adding molybdenum resulted in a pronounced dispersion effect on supported iron oxidic species. Increasing atomic ratio up to 0.21Mo/1.0Fe was accompanied by decreasing species sizes. Strong interactions between iron and molybdenum during the synthesis resulted in the formation of Fe−O−Mo structure units, possibly Fe₂(MoO₄)₃-like species. Reducibility of Mo_xO_y_Fe_xO_y/SBA-15 catalysts was investigated by temperature-programmed reduction experiments with hydrogen as reducing agent. The lower reducibility obtained when adding molybdenum was ascribed to both dispersion and electronic effect of molybdenum. Catalytic performance of Mo_xO_y_Fe_xO_y/SBA-15 samples was studied in selective gas-phase oxidation of propene with O₂ as oxidant. Adding molybdenum resulted in an increased acrolein selectivity and a decreased selectivity towards total oxidation products.     

Formation of mixed Fe-Mo oxo clusters in the gas phase

Reactions of oxygen-containing molybdenum clusters Mo_xO_y (x = 1–3, y = 1–9) with iron carbonyl ions Fe(CO) _n ⁺ (n = 1–3) were studied by the ion cyclotron resonance technique. The reactions were found to yield mixed Fe-Mo oxo clusters Mo_xO_yFe⁺ (x = 2, 3; y = 5, 6, 8, 9).     

Bis[diaquabis(2,2‐bipyridine N,N′‐dioxide‐κ2O,O′)cobalt(II)] ξ‐octamolybdate dihydrate

The title organic–inorganic hybrid compound, [Co(C₁₀H₈N₂O₂)₂(H₂O)₂]₂[Mo₈O₂₆]·2H₂O, consists of [Co(bpdo)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (bpdo is 2,2‐bipyridine N,N′‐dioxide) and ξ‐[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ groups in a 2:1 ratio, plus two water solvent molecules. The independent Co atom in the cation is coordinated by four O atoms from two bpdo ligands and two water molecules, in a distorted octahedral geometry. The counter‐anions, built up around a symmetry center, are linked by solvent water molecules through O—H...O hydrogen bonds to generate two‐dimensional layers, which are in turn linked by coordinated water molecules from the cationic units through further O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure.     

Time-Resolved Spectroscopy and High-Efficiency Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution of a {Mo3S4}-Containing Polyoxometalate-Based System

Polyoxothiometalate ions (ThioPOM) are active hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) catalysts based on modular assembly built from electrophilic clusters {MoS_x} and vacant polyoxotungstates. Herein, the dumbbell-like anion [{(PW₁₁O₃₉)Mo₃S₄(H₂O)₃(OH)}₂]⁸⁻ exhibits very high light-driven HER activity, while the active cores {Mo₃S₄} do not contain any exposed disulfido ligands, which were suspected to be the origin of the HER activity. Moreover, in the catalyst architecture, the two central {Mo₃S₄} cores are sandwiched by two {PW₁₁O₃₉}⁷⁻ subunits that act as oxidant-resistant protecting groups and behave as electron-collecting units. A detailed photophysical study was carried out confirming the reductive quenching mechanism of the photosensitizer [Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)]⁺ by the sacrificial donor triethanolamine (TEOA) and highlighting the very high rate constant of the electron transfer from the reduced photosensitizer to the ThioPOM catalyst. Such results provide new insights into the field of molecular catalytic systems able to promote high HER activity.     

Cluster calculations of the H2O/Pt(111) system

The electronic interaction between water and a Pt(111) surface as evaluated for different Pt_x(H₂O)_y clusters is discussed. Hartree–Fock–Slater (HFS ) one-electron ground state energies, ionization potentials, partial densities of states, and Mulliken occupation numbers are related to bonding shifts, as well as initial and final state screening for different orientations of the molecule. The formation of Pt? H₂O bonds are sensitive to the orientation since surface oriented H atoms bridge the spatial separation between O 2p and Pt 5d orbitals and thus increase the intermixing of metal and adsorbate orbitals. The dipole moment and the net charge of the H₂O molecule is also discussed. Finally, approximations of the metal–H₂O potential for use in statistical models of the liquid–metal interface are suggested.     

Structure and Reactivity of Gas‐Phase Molybdenum Oxide Cluster Ions

Combining the ion cyclotron resonance method and a Knudsen effusion source, we obtained a series of Mo_xO_y ⁺ (x = 1 – 5, y = 1 – 15) molybdenum oxide cluster ions. We studied the dependence of the concentrations of these ions on the trapping time and their reactions with carbon monoxide. It is shown that Mo_xO_y ⁺ ions with x > 3 contain a cyclic Mo₃O₉ fragment in their structure. The oxygen bond energies in Mo_xO_y ⁺ ionic clusters are estimated.     

The H and H2 interaction with Pd3Cu,Pd4, and Cu4 fcc (111) clusters: A DFT comparative study

A comparative study of adsorption of H atoms and H₂ molecules on Pd₃Cu, Cu₄, and Pd₄ clusters has been performed through density functional calculations, using the hybrid B3LYP exchange‐correlation functional as implemented in the Gaussian98 program. For Pd atoms the relativistic small‐core effective core potential LANL and LANL2DZ basis set was used and for hydrogen a 6‐31G** basis set was used. The main emphasis is set in the reaction behavior of the different clusters with hydrogen atoms and molecules. We find that full geometry optimization does not appreciably change the metal cluster geometry either for certain reaction modes or the H and H₂ capture parameters, but increases the number of reactive sites of the metal clusters. Also, we found that there is charge transfer competition between H and Cu atoms, which drastically diminishes H₂ adsorption energy, related to the Pd cluster observed value. Edges and threefold sites are the principal hydrogen adsorption sites. Hydrogen has a great mobility over the metal clusters for different minima, especially when Cu is present; many initial pathways end in the same adsorption site. The observed hydrogen adsorption and binding energies are well reproduced by the calculations. Also, the adsorption mechanisms were determined. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Isomers [HxAs2Mo6O26](6–x)– Clusters

The arsenomolybdates [H₂As₂Mo₆O₂₆(H₂O)] · (H₂biyb)₂ · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [H₃As₂Mo₆O₂₆] · (H₃pt)₂ ( 2 ) [biyb = 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene, pt = 4′‐(3′′‐pyridyl)‐2,3′:6′3′′‐terpyridine] were synthesized via hydrothermal method. The structures of the compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and TG analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit two isomeric forms of [H_xAs₂Mo₆O₂₆]^(6–x)–. The structure of 1 is constructed from the B‐type [H₂As₂Mo₆O₂₆(H₂O)]^4– polyanions and free biyb ligands via weak interactions to form 3D supramolecular framework with a {3 · 4 · 5³ · 6}{3 · 4³ · 5²}{3 · 5 · 6}²{3 · 5²}² topology structure. In compound 2 , the A‐type [H₃As₂Mo₆O₂₆]^3– clusters are surrounded by pt ligands through hydrogen bond interactions forming 3D supramolecular framework with a {4³ · 6³}²{4⁶ · 6⁶ · 8³} topology structure. The electrochemical behaviors, electrocatalytic and photocatalytic activities of 1 and 2 are detected.     

Bis­(tetra­methyl­ammonium) nona­decaoxohexamolybdenum(VI) mono­hydrate

The six Mo atoms in the title compound, (C₄H₁₂N)₂[Mo₆O₁₉].H₂O, form a standard octahedral cage through bridging O atoms. The [Mo₆O₁₉]^2? anion as a whole has O_h symmetry with three crystallographic fourfold axes aligned along Mo—O—Mo. There exist weak O?O hydrogen bonds (O100?O3 2.951 Å) between the terminal O3 atoms of the anions and O100 atoms of the solvate hydrates in the unit cell.     

Hydrothermal Assembly and Structural Characterization of an Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Octamolybdate Supported Transition Metal Complex [Cu(imi)2]4[(imi)2Mo8O26]·4H2O

The hydrothermal reaction of H₂MoO₄, copper acetate and imidazole in water gave rise to the title compound [Cu(imi)₂]₄[(imi)₂Mo₈O₂₆]·4H₂O (1) as brown crystals. Single X-ray crystal analysis reveals that 1is built up from imidazole coordinated copper fragments and imidazole coordinated octamolybdate units. These dodec-nuclear clusters are assembled into one-dimensional chain through weak copper(I)–copper(I) interactions, and further attached into three-dimensional network in the packing via complex hydrogen bonding.     

Relative stability of isomers of polynuclear complexes of molybdenum oxides

Molybdenum(VI) oxide MoO₃ has been studied and the composition of polynuclear molybdenum oxides in the gas phase Mo _x O_{3x ? y} (x = 1–6, y = 0–2) has been determined by laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Quantum-chemical calculations of bond energies, interatomic distances, charge distributions, and molybdenum-molybdenum bond orders for the isomers of neutral polynuclear molecular compounds Mo _x O3 _{x ? y} have been performed with the use of the PBE functional with a relativistically corrected potential implemented as the PRIRODA program package. On the basis of the bond energies, the relative stability of the isomers has been estimated. For the Mo _x O _y isomers (x ≥ 3), cyclic structures have been predicted to be more favorable. For the predicted most stable isomers of each Mo _x O _y composition, the bond energies of their positive and negative ions have been calculated. The positive ionization of Mo _x O _y leads to a considerable decrease in the bond energy of the isomer and the negative ionization, to its increase by about 0.1 au.     

Control over the self-assembly of polymers and layered molybdenum oxide: from the micrometer scale to the molecular scale

We report adjustment on the self-assembly between polymer of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and inorganic molybdenum oxide layers from the micrometer scale to the nanometer scale. Our method is to break the strong interactions between the organic polymers by introducing suitable bridging agents and adjust the reaction speeds of the two competitive reactions in the reaction system. We use I₂ to complex with PVA and break the strong hydrogen interactions between the PVA chains, resulting in a PVA-I₂/(Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ complex, in which the organic and inorganic species self-assemble homogenously on the molecular scale. We also adjust the thickness of the inorganic (Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ layers in the hybrid of PVP/(Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ by controlling the reaction speeds of the two competitive reactions: hydrolysis of Mo₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻ into (Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ and packing into thick inorganic layers on the one hand, and hybridization of (Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ and PVP into layered hybrid on the other hand. Experimental results proved that when the hydrolysis is overwhelming, the inorganic molybdenum oxide chains pack into heavy layers and self-assemble with PVP polymers on the micrometer scale, and when the hybrid reaction dominates, the organic polymer and molybdenum oxide hybridize on the molecular scale. These findings open new routes to disperse organic polymer and inorganic species homogenously and fabricate novel organic/inorganic hybrid nanomaterials in situ.     

Thermal decomposition study of selected isopolymolybdates

The thermal decomposition of ammonium trimolybdate (NH₄)₂Mo₃O₁₀·H₂O, anilinium trimolybdate (C₆NH₈)₂Mo₃O₁₀·4H₂O and anilinium pentamolybdate (C₆NH₈)₂Mo₅O₁₆ in air and nitrogen has been investigated. The decomposition of molybdates was studied in situ by powder X-ray diffraction. Moreover, results of TG, as well as scanning microscopy studies, are presented. It was found that during thermal treatment in air phases of MoO_x type are obtained, while thermal treatment in nitrogen leads to obtaining a mixture of Mo_yC_z and Mo_pN_q. It is worth noting that even though chemical decomposition and formation of new compounds took place, in some cases needle-like or plate-like shapes of crystallites were preserved during thermal treatment.     

Chemistry of O‐ and H‐Containing Species on the (001) Surface of Anatase TiO2: A DFT Study

The chemistry of oxygen, hydrogen, water, and other species containing both oxygen and hydrogen atoms on the anatase TiO₂ (001) surface is investigated by DFT. The adsorption energy of atoms and radicals depends appreciably on the position and mode of adsorption, and on the coverage. Molecular hydrogen and oxygen interact weakly with the clean surface. However, H₂O dissociates spontaneously to give two nonidentical hydroxyl groups, and this provides a model for hydroxylation of TiO₂ surfaces by water. The mobility of the hydroxyl groups created by water splitting is initially impeded by a diffusion barrier close to 1 eV. The O₂ adsorption energy increases significantly in the presence of H atoms. Hydroperoxy (OOH) formation is feasible if at least two H atoms are present in the direct vicinity of O₂. In the adsorbed OOH, the O? O bond is considerably lengthened and thus weakened.     

Mechanism of the Formation of Molybdenum Metallocarbene Complexes in the Gas Phase

The reactions of Mo⁺ ions and Mo _x O _y ⁺ oxygen-containing molybdenum cluster ions (x = 1-3; y = 1-9) with methane, ethylene oxide, and cyclopropane were studied using ion cyclotron resonance. The formation of a number of organometallic ions, including the metallocarbene MoCH₂ ⁺ , as well as molybdenum oxometallocarbenes Mo _x O _y CH₂ ⁺ (x = 1-3; y = 2, 4, 5, or 8) and Mo _x O _y (CH₄)⁺ ions (x = 1-3; y = 2, 5, or 8), was detected. The upper and lower limits of bond energies in oxometallocarbene complexes were evaluated: 111 > D ⁰ (Mo _x O _y ⁺-CH₂) > 82 kcal/mol (x = 1-3; y = 2, 5, 8).     

Non-Dissociative Activation of Chemisorbed Dinitrogen on One or Two Vanadium Atoms Supported by a Mo6S8 Cluster

Adsorption of N₂ on Mo₆S₈^q_V_x clusters (x=0, 1, 2; q=0, ±1) were systematically studied by density functional theory calculations with dispersion corrections. It was found that the N₂ can be chemisorbed and undergo non-dissociative activation on single or double metal atoms. The adsorption and activation are influenced by metal types (V or Mo), N₂ coordination modes and charge states of the clusters. Particularly, anionic Mo₆S₈⁻_V₂ clusters have remarkable ability to fix and activate N₂. In Mo₆S₈⁻_V₂, two V atoms prefer to adsorb on two adjacent S−Mo−S hollow sites, leading to the formation of a supported V…V unit. The N₂ is bridged side-on coordinated with these two V atoms with high adsorption energy and significant charge transfer. The bond order, bond length and vibration frequency of the adsorbed N₂ are close to those of a N−N single bond.     

Application of Solid-State Molybdenum Sulfide Clusters with an Octahedral Metal Framework to Catalysis: Ring-Opening of Tetrahydrofuran to Butyraldehyde

Solid-state molybdenum sulfide clusters with an octahedral metal framework, the superconducting Chevrel phases, are applied to catalysis. The cluster of copper salt, Cu _x Mo₆S₈ (x = 2.94), stored in air is treated in a hydrogen stream above 300 °C. The activated cluster exhibits catalytic activity for the ring-opening of tetrahydrofuran, yielding butyraldehyde. Cyclic ethers such as trimethylene oxide and tetrahydropyran are also converted to the corresponding aldehydes. The cluster contains nonstoichiometric defects of sulfur atoms. Oxygen atoms are incorporated at the sulfur-deficient sites upon storage in air, but they are removed from the sites by the activation in a hydrogen stream. The resulting coordinatively unsaturated molybdenum atoms are catalytically active for the ring-opening reaction. The molybdenum atom in an intermediate oxidation state around 2+ is moderately coordinated by the oxygen of tetrahydrofuran and favorably releases the produced aldehyde. The neutral cluster Mo₆S₈, which has such sulfur-deficient sites, also catalyzes the reaction.     

Boron-Induced Electronic-Structure Reformation of CoP Nanoparticles Drives Enhanced pH-Universal Hydrogen Evolution

Even though transition-metal phosphides (TMPs) have been developed as promising alternatives to Pt catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), further improvement of their performance requires fine regulation of the TMP sites related to their specific electronic structure. Herein, for the first time, boron (B)-modulated electrocatalytic characteristics in CoP anchored on the carbon nanotubes (B-CoP/CNT) with impressive HER activities over a wide pH range are reported. The HER performance surpasses commercial Pt/C in both neutral and alkaline media at large current density (>100 mA cm⁻²). A combined experimental and theoretical study identified that the B dopant could reform the local electronic configuration and atomic arrangement of bonded Co and adjacent P atoms, enhance the electrons’ delocalization capacity of Co atoms for high electrical conductivity, and optimize the free energy of H adsorption and H₂ desorption on the active sites for better HER kinetics.