The influence of phase and morphology of molybdenum nitrides on ammonia synthesis activity and reduction characteristics

The reactivities of a series of ternary and binary molybdenum nitrides have been compared. Data have been obtained for the catalytic synthesis of ammonia at 400 °C and ambient pressure using a 3:1 H₂:N₂ mixture. Amongst the ternary nitrides, the mass normalised activity is in the order Co₃Mo₃N>Fe₃Mo₃N?Ni₂Mo₃N. For the binary molybdenum nitrides, the ammonia synthesis activity is significantly lower than that of Co₃Mo₃N and Fe₃Mo₃N and varies in the order γ-Mo₂N∼β-Mo₂N_0.78?δ-MoN. Nanorod forms of β-Mo₂N_0.78 and γ-Mo₂N exhibit generally similar activities to conventional polycrystalline samples, demonstrating that the influence of catalyst morphology is limited for these two materials. In order to characterise the reactivity of the lattice nitrogen species of the nitrides, temperature programmed reactions with a 3:1 H₂:Ar mixture at temperatures up to 700 °C have been performed. For all materials studied, the predominant form of nitrogen lost was N₂, with smaller amounts of NH₃ being formed. Post-reaction powder diffraction analyses demonstrated lattice shifts in the case of Co₃Mo₃N and Ni₂Mo₃N upon temperature programmed reaction with H₂/Ar. Incomplete decomposition yielding mixtures of Mo metal and the original phase were observed for Fe₃Mo₃N and γ-Mo₂N, whilst β-Mo₂N_0.78 transforms completely to Mo metal and δ-MoN is converted to γ-Mo₂N.     

La6Mo8O33: a new ordered defect scheelite superstructure

The structure of La₆Mo₈O₃₃ has been determined from a triple pattern powder diffraction analysis. Two high-resolution neutron diffraction patterns collected at 1.594 and 2.398 Å and one X-rays were used. This molybdate crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P2₁(N°4), Z=2,a=10.7411(3) Å, b=11.9678(3) Å, c=11.7722(3) Å, β=116.062 (1)°. La₆Mo₈O₃₃ is an unusual ordered defect Scheelite. Hence, it should be described with cation vacancies and an extra oxygen atom following the formula: La₆□₂Mo₈O₃₂₊₁. This extra oxygen atom leads to a pyramidal environment, whereas the other molybdenum atoms present tetrahedral environment. A molybdenum tetrahedral is connecting to the pyramid, forming an [Mo₂O₉] unit.     

Pt2Mo3N and PdPtMo3N: new interstitial nitrides prepared from freeze-dried precursors

The molybdenum bimetallic and trimetallic nitrides Pt₂Mo₃N and PdPtMo₃N have been synthesized by ammonolysis of the stoichiometric amorphous precursor, obtained by freeze drying of aqueous solutions of the appropriate metal salts. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetry analysis under an oxygen atmosphere. Pt₂Mo₃N and PdPtMo₃N crystallize in the cubic space group P4₁32 (213), with lattice parameters of a=6.83586(4) and 6.82542(3) Å, respectively, and form with the unusual filled β-manganese structure. These compounds are stable under air up to 580 K, the oxidation being complete at 910 K.     

Dinuclear Molybdenum(II) Complexes with Thioether Functionalized Silylamide Ligands

Treatment of molybdenum(II) acetate with thioether functionalized silylamides R₂Si(NLi-C₆H₄–2-SR')₂ leads to the formation of dinuclear Mo^II complexes [Mo₂{R₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SR')₂}₂]. According to X-ray crystal structure analyses the complexes [Mo₂{Me₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SMe)₂}₂] and [Mo₂{Ph₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SPh)₂}₂] comprise a Mo₂-unit which is coordinated by two μ-κ-N,N' silylamide ligands. The coordination sphere around the molybdenum atoms consists of two amide nitrogen atoms and two thioether sulfur atoms in a distorted square-planar arrangement. The Mo-Mo distances are 211.0(1) and 211.7(1) pm, resp. In the complex [Mo₂{Ph₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SMe)₂}₂] the silyl amide units act as tetradentate κ-N,N',S,S'chelating ligands and the Mo-Mo distance is 218.6(1) pm.     

Mechanisms of molybdenum substitution in vanadium antimonate

The formation of a solid solution containing the three elements V, Sb and Mo, which are key-elements in the design of light alkane oxidation catalysts, has been studied by incorporating molybdenum into the pure VSbO₄ compound as obtained in air at 700°C (V³⁺_0.28V⁴⁺_0.64□_0.16Sb⁵⁺_0.92O₄). Monophasic compounds with a rutile-type structure have been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Infrared Fourier transform, X-ray absorption and electron spin resonance spectroscopies. At low molybdenum content, Mo⁶⁺ substitute V⁴⁺ in the cationic-deficient structure. The charge balance is maintained by an increase of the cationic vacancy number. This leads to the formation of a solid solution corresponding to the formula V³⁺_0.28V⁴⁺_0.64−3xMo⁶⁺_2x□_0.16+xSb⁵⁺_0.92O₄ with 0<x<0.09. At higher molybdenum content, Mo⁵⁺ are stabilized and substitute Sb⁵⁺ in the rutile structure: V³⁺_0.28V⁴⁺_0.37Mo⁶⁺_0.18□_0.25Mo⁵⁺_ySb⁵⁺_0.9−yO₄ with 0<y<0.06. At higher molybdenum content the rutile phase is no longer stable and two new phases are formed: Sb₂O₄ and a new mixed vanadium molybdenum antimonate.     

Structure and crystal chemistry of fluorite-related Bi38Mo7O78 from single crystal X-ray diffraction and ab initio calculations

The floating-zone furnace method was used to synthesize single crystals of the fluorite-related δ-Bi₂O₃-type phase Bi₃₈Mo₇O₇₈ for the first time. Single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction data, in conjunction with ab initio (density functional theory) calculations, were used to solve, optimize, and refine the 5×3×3 commensurate superstructure of fluorite-type δ-Bi₂O₃ in Pbcn (a=28.7058(11) Å, b=16.8493(7) Å and c=16.9376(6) Å, Z=4, R_F=11.26%, wR_I=21.67%). The structure contains stepped channels of Mo⁶⁺ in tetrahedral environments along the b axis and chains of Mo⁶⁺ in octahedral environments along the ac plane. The role of the stepped channels in oxide ion conduction is discussed. The simultaneous presence of both tetrahedral and octahedral coordination environments for Mo⁶⁺, something not previously observed in Mo⁶⁺-doped δ-Bi₂O₃-type phases, is supported by charge balance considerations in addition to the results of crystallographic and ab initio analysis.     

Structural refinement of T2Mo3O8 (T=Mg, Co, Zn and Mn) and anomalous valence of trinuclear molybdenum clusters in Mn2Mo3O8

Crystal structure of a series of mixed-metal oxides, T₂Mo₃O₈ (T=Mg, Co, Zn and Mn; P6₃mc; a=5.7628(1) Å, c=9.8770(3) Å for Mg₂Mo₃O₈; a=5.7693(3) Å, c=9.9070(7) Å for Co₂Mo₃O₈; a=5.7835(2) Å, c=9.8996(5) Å for Zn₂Mo₃O₈; a=5.8003(2) Å, c=10.2425(5) Å for Mn₂Mo₃O₈) was investigated by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Structural analysis, magnetization measurements, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry showed that the Mn ions at the tetrahedral and octahedral sites in Mn₂Mo₃O₈ adopt different valences of +2 and 2+δ (δ>0), respectively. The formal valence of the Mo₃ in Mn₂Mo₃O₈ is 12−δ to retain electric neutrality of the compound. In contrast, the T ions and Mo₃ in T₂Mo₃O₈ (T=Mg, Co and Zn) adopt the valences of +2 and +12, respectively.     

Synthese und Eigenschaften von Sr3Mo1.5Zn0.5O7‐δ, einer Phase mit perowskitverwandter Schichtstruktur

Synthesis and Properties of the Layered Perovskite Phase Sr₃Mo_1.5Zn_0.5O_7‐δ The new layered perovskite phase Sr₃Mo_1.5Zn_0.5O_7‐δ was synthesized by solid state reaction using a Zn/ZnO oxygen buffer. The crystal structure was refined from X‐ray powder pattern by the Rietveld method. The compound crystallizes tetragonal in the space group I4/mmm (no. 139) with the lattice parameters a = 3.9631(3) Å, c = 20.583(1) Å. An oxygen deficiency corresponding to δ ≈ 0.25 was determinated, indicating the presence of molybdenum in mixed valence (Mo⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺).     

HRTEM study of cation-deficient perovskite-related AnBn−δO3n (n?4δ) microphases in the Ba5Nb4O15-BaTiO3 system

The occurrence of coherent intergrowths of cation-deficient perovskites in the Ba₅Nb₄O₁₅-BaTiO₃ system has been examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. Because of their structural similarity, the simple members Ba₅Nb₄O₁₅ (n=5) and Ba₆TiNb₄O₁₈ (n=6) form coherent intergrowths—noted 5^P6¹—by the juxtaposition along the c-axis of P perovskite-like blocks n=5 and one perovskite-like block n=6, with P=1, 2 and 3. More generally, the ability to form intergrowths in the hexagonal perovskite systems is discussed considering the structural characteristics of the simple members. Examples taken from various systems show that the formation of such intergrowths is highly dependent on the size of the A cation present in simple members.     

Nanoparticles of superconducting γ-Mo2N and δ-MoN

We have been able to prepare nanoparticles (∼4 nm diameter) of cubic γ-Mo₂N by a simple procedure involving the reaction of MoCl₅ with urea at 873 K. The nanoparticles show a superconducting transition around 6.5 K. The γ-Mo₂N nanoparticles are readily transformed to nanoparticles of δ-MoN with a slightly larger diameter on heating in a NH₃ atmosphere at 573 K. Phase-pure δ-MoN obtained by this means shows a superconducting transition around 5 K.     

Molybdenum Incorporated Strontium-Iron and Strontium-Cobalt (SrBMoO3−δ; B=Fe & Co) Perovskites: Preparation and Their Application on Oxidation of Iso-Eugenol into Vanillin

SrBO_3−δ (B=Fe & Co) type perovskite oxides and their 25 % molybdenum doped counterparts, SrFe_0.75Mo_0.25O_3−δ (SFMO) and SrCo_0.75Mo_0.25O_3−δ (SFCO) are synthesized by the conventional solid-state method and systematically characterized using Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, nitrogen sorption, and temperature-programmed reduction. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns and FTIR spectral analysis evident the formation of the pure cubic phase and the doping of molybdenum into the perovskite crystal lattice. The variable oxidation states of iron and cobalt and the formation of oxygen vacancies are apparent from the TPR-H₂ and TGA curves, respectively. All of the samples have a lower surface area than porous materials, which is typical of the bulk oxide character. The iron-based perovskite demonstrated superior activity to the cobalt-based one for the oxidation of iso-eugenol to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin) when employing aqueous H₂O₂ as the oxidant. The maximum conversion of 73 % with 63 % selectivity for vanillin was obtained within 1.5 h at 60 °C over the SFMO catalyst. The catalytic conversion was almost similar upon re-use of the catalyst.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Mo6−x Nb x I11 (x = 1–1.5)

A solid solution Mo_{6 ? x} Nb _x I₁₁ (x = 1.1–1.5) containing cluster cores {Mo₅NbI₈} is obtained by the high-temperature reaction of molybdenum, niobium, and iodine (550°C, 70 h, quartz ampule). According to the X-ray diffraction data, heating at 800°C in a molybdenum container results in the decomposition of the solution to Mo₆I₁₂ and Nb₆I₁₁. According to the X-ray structure analysis data, the compounds are isostructural to the high-spin modification Nb₆I₁₁ (space group Pccn). The presence of Nb atoms in the structure changes the structural type from the layered (Mo₆I₁₂) to framework structure, noticeably increases the metalmetal distances (2.661–2.716 Å, 2.695 Å) Mo₆ octahedron with the retention of the distance from the metal (M) to the μ₃-“capped” I atoms, and strongly elongates the M₆-I-M₆ bridges almost to the value observed in Nb₆I₁₁.     

SrP3N5O: a highly condensed layer phosphate structure solved from a nanocrystal by automated electron diffraction tomography

The oxonitridophosphate SrP₃N₅O has been synthesized by heating a multicomponent reactant mixture that consisted of phosphoryl triamide OP(NH₂)₃, thiophosphoryl triamide SP(NH₂)₃, SrS, and NH₄Cl enclosed in evacuated and sealed silica‐glass ampoules up to 750 °C. The compound was obtained as nanocrystalline powder with needle‐shaped crystallites. The crystal structure was solved ab initio on the basis of electron diffraction data by means of automated electron diffraction tomography (ADT) and verified by Rietveld refinement with X‐ray powder diffraction data. SrP₃N₅O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (no. 62) with unit‐cell data of a=18.331(2), b=8.086(1), c=13.851(1) Å and Z=16. The compound is a highly condensed layer phosphate with a degree of condensation κ=1/2. The corrugated layers ${{{\hfill 2\atop \hfill \infty }}}The oxonitridophosphate SrP(3)N(5)O has been synthesized by heating a multicomponent reactant mixture that consisted of phosphoryl triamide OP(NH(2))(3), thiophosphoryl triamide SP(NH(2))(3), SrS, and NH(4)Cl enclosed in evacuated and sealed silica-glass ampoules up to 750 °C. The compound was obtained as nanocrystalline powder with needle-shaped crystallites. The crystal structure was solved ab initio on the basis of electron diffraction data by means of automated electron diffraction tomography (ADT) and verified by Rietveld refinement with X-ray powder diffraction data. SrP(3)N(5)O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (no. 62) with unit-cell data of a=18.331(2), b=8.086(1), c=13.851(1) ? and Z=16. The compound is a highly condensed layer phosphate with a degree of condensation κ=?. The corrugated layers (∞)(2){(P(3)N(5)O)(2-)} consist of linked, triangular columns built up from P(O,N)(4) tetrahedra with 3-rings and triply binding nitrogen atoms. The Sr(2+) ions are located between the layers and exhibit six-, eight-, and ninefold coordination. FTIR and solid-state NMR spectra of SrP(3)N(5)O are discussed as well.     

Structure determination of low-dimensional conductor sodium molybdenum purple bronze Na0.9Mo6O17

Structure determination of the molybdenum purple bronze Na_0.9Mo₆O₁₇ is carried out by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal is monoclinic with space group A2 and the lattice constants are a = 12.983(2), b = 5.518(1), c = 9.591(2) Å, β = 89.94(1)°, Z = 2. Full-matrix least-squares refinement gives the final values of R(F) = 0.028 and R_w(F) = 0.040 for 1484 independent reflections, in which the occupancy factor of the sodium atom becomes 0.899(12). The present structure is built up of the linkage of the MoO₄ and MoO₆ polyhedra. There are slabs which consist of four layers of distorted MoO₆ octahedra sharing corners. Both the structure and the molybdenum valence distribution estimated from the MoO bond lengths are considered to lead to the two-dimensional electronic transport. This structure is compared with those of other members of molybdenum purple bronzes, K_0.9Mo₆O₁₇ and Li_0.9Mo₆O₁₇. The difference of the electronic properties among these compounds can be well understood on the basis of their structural characteristics.     

Dinitrogen‐Molybdenum Complex Induces Dinitrogen Cleavage by One‐Electron Oxidation

Reported here is the N₂ cleavage of a one‐electron oxidation reaction using trans‐[Mo(depe)₂(N₂)₂] ( 1 ) (depe=Et₂PCH₂CH₂PEt₂), which is a classical molybdenum(0)‐dinitrogen complex supported by two bidentate phosphine ligands. The molybdenum(IV) terminal nitride complex [Mo(depe)₂N][BArf₄] ( 2 ) (BArf₄=B(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄) is synthesized by the one‐electron oxidation of 1 upon addition of a mild oxidant, [Cp₂Fe][BArf₄] (Cp=C₅H₅), and proceeds by N₂ cleavage from a Mo^II‐N=N‐Mo^II structure. In addition, the electrochemical oxidation reaction for 1 also cleaved the N₂ ligand to give 2 . The dimeric Mo complex with a bridging N₂ is detected by in situ resonance Raman and in situ UV‐vis spectroscopies during the electrochemical oxidation reaction for 1 . Density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the unstable monomeric oxidized Mo^I species is converted into 2 via the dimeric structure involving a zigzag transition state.     

Bi2n+4MonO6(n+1) with n=3, 4, 5, 6: A new series of low-temperature stable phases in the mBi2O3 - MoO3 system (1.0<m<1.7): Structural relationships and conductor properties

Four low-temperature phases with compositions Bi₁₀Mo₃O₂₄, Bi₆Mo₂O₁₅, Bi₁₄Mo₅O₃₆ and Bi₈Mo₃O₂₁ have been prepared by the n-butylamine wet synthesis method. They have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, mainly by selected area electron diffraction. The four phases present a close structural relationship and a common basic fluorite-type structure and are members of a homologous series of phases with general formula Bi_2n+4Mo_nO_6(n+1), being n=3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The matrices relating their superstructures and the basic fluorite type unit cell are given, as well as a general one for the whole series. The conductor behavior of these phases is characterized by impedance spectroscopy being all these materials very good ionic conductors.     

Characterization and Physical Properties of PbO-As2O3 Glasses Containing Molybdenum Ions

PbO-As₂O₃ glasses containing different concentrations of MoO₃ ranging from 0 to 1 mol% (in steps of 0.2) were prepared. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. A number of studies, viz., optical absorption, magnetic susceptibilities, ESR spectra, IR spectra, elastic properties (Young's modulus E, shear modulus G and microhardness H) and dielectric properties (constant ε, loss tan δ, a.c. conductivity σ_ac over a range of frequency and temperature and breakdown strength), have been carried out on these glasses. Optical absorption, ESR and magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that when MoO₃ concentration is greater than 0.4 mol% in the glass matrix, molybdenum ions exist in Mo⁵⁺ state with Mo(V)O⁻₃ complexes that act as modifiers in addition to Mo⁶⁺ state with MoO₄ and MoO₆ structural groups. The studies on elastic and dielectric properties indicate that the mechanical and insulating strengths of the glass are considerably high when the content of MoO₃ is about 0.4 mol% in the glass matrix.     

Crystal structure of La0.4Sr0.6CoO2.71 investigated by TEM and XRD

The structure of the oxygen-deficient perovskite La_0.4Sr_0.6CoO_3−δ (δ=0.29) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Domains between 50 and 250 nm in size were observed in the electron microscope. Weak superstructure reflections were found with both X-ray and electron diffraction. Investigations of these superstructure reflections by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) showed that the domains in a crystal are orientated in a 90° relationship. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images from the domain boundary also revealed a 90° orientation dependency. Using the symmetry of CBED patterns, the point group 4/mmm was determined. By comparing reflections from the SAED pattern with possible reflections, the space group I4/mmm (No. 139) could be isolated and finally the crystal structure was refined by Rietveld refinement.     

Revealing Phosphorus Nitrides up to the Megabar Regime: Synthesis of α′-P3N5, δ-P3N5 and PN2

Non-metal nitrides are an exciting field of chemistry, featuring a significant number of compounds that can possess outstanding material properties. These properties mainly rely on maximizing the number of strong covalent bonds, with crosslinked XN₆ octahedra frameworks being particularly attractive. In this study, the phosphorus–nitrogen system was studied up to 137 GPa in laser-heated diamond anvil cells, and three previously unobserved phases were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations. δ-P₃N₅ and PN₂ were found to form at 72 and 134 GPa, respectively, and both feature dense 3D networks of the so far elusive PN₆ units. The two compounds are ultra-incompressible, having a bulk modulus of K₀=322 GPa for δ-P₃N₅ and 339 GPa for PN₂. Upon decompression below 7 GPa, δ-P₃N₅ undergoes a transformation into a novel α′-P₃N₅ solid, stable at ambient conditions, that has a unique structure type based on PN₄ tetrahedra. The formation of α′-P₃N₅ underlines that a phase space otherwise inaccessible can be explored through materials formed under high pressure.