Electronic properties of polyoxometalates: electron and proton affinity of mixed-addenda Keggin and Wells-Dawson anions

A series of systematic DFT calculations were conducted on Keggin [SiW(9)M(3)O(40)](n-), M = Mo, V, and Nb; and Wells-Dawson anions [P(2)M(18)O(62)],(6-) M = W and Mo; [P(2)M(15)M(3)'O(62)](m-), M = W and Mo, M' = W, Mo, and V to analyze the redox properties and the basicity of the external oxygen sites in polyoxometalates with nonequivalent addenda metals. The energy and composition of the lowest unoccupied orbitals, formally delocalized over the addenda atoms, determine the redox properties of a polyoxometalate. When a Mo(6+) substitutes one W(6+) in the 1:12 tungstate, the energy of the LUMO decreases and the cluster is more easily reduced. The tungstoniobates behave differently because the niobium orbitals insert into the tungsten band and the reduction of [SiW(9)Nb(3)O(40)](7-) yields the blue species SiW(9)Nb(3) 1e and not the cluster SiW(9)Nb(2)Nb(IV). In Wells-Dawson structures, the polar and equatorial sites have different electron affinities and the reduction preferentially occurs in the equatorial sites. Inserting ions with larger electron affinities into the polar sites can modify this traditional conduct. Hence, the trisubstituted [P(2)W(15)V(3)O(62)](9-) anion is reduced in the vanadium polar sites. By means of molecular electrostatic potential maps and the relative energy of the various protonated forms of [SiW(9)V(3)O(40)](7-) and [SiW(9)Mo(3)O(40)](4-), we established the basicity scale: OV(2) > OMo(2) > OW(2) > OV > OW > OMo. Finally, a continuum model for the solvent enabled us to compare anions with different total charges.     

A three-dimensional extended Sb network in the metallic antimonides (M',Ti)5Sb8 (M' = Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo)

(M',Ti)5Sb8 was prepared from the melt by arc-melting suitable mixtures of Ti, TiSb2, and M'Sb2, respectively. This phase exists at least with M' = Zr, Hf, Nb, and Mo. A significant phase range for Zr delta Ti5 - delta Sb8 was found to be within 1.10(8) < or = delta < or = 3.9(3). All (M',Ti)5Sb8 representatives investigated occur in the same, yet hitherto unknown structure type, as determined by single-crystal analyses. E.g., the lattice dimensions of Zr delta Ti5 - delta Sb8 range from a = 654.49(3) pm, c = 2662.4(2) pm for delta = 1.10(8) to a = 671.06(6), c = 2679.7(4) pm for delta = 3.9(3) (space group I4(1)22, No. 98, Z = 4). The three chemically inequivalent metal sites are statistically occupied by different mixtures of the M atoms M' and Ti, included in a three-dimensional network of Sb atoms on 6- to 8-fold Sb coordinated positions. Sb-Sb bonds of intermediate lengths occur in addition to the predominating heteronuclear M-Sb bonds. Physical property measurements of (Zr,Ti)5Sb8 reveal these phases being metallic exhibiting specific resistances of several m omega.cm and a small Seebeck coefficient at room temperature, in agreement with the results of the electronic structure calculations on the LMTO and extended Hückel levels. The calculations indicate a possible change to semiconducting properties by heavy doping.     

2,3,7-Trihydroxyfluorones immobilized on cellulose matrices in test methods for determining rare elements

It was shown that 2,3,7-trihydroxyfluorones immobilized by adsorption on cellulose matrices can be used as reagents for the test determination of Mo(VI), Ti(IV), Ge(IV), Hf(IV), Nb(V), Ta(V), W(VI), Bi(III), V(IV), and Zr(IV). The change of the protolytic and complexing properties of trihydroxyfluorones immobilized on cellulose matrices was considered in comparison to corresponding properties in a solution. It was found that the reactions of trihydroxyfluorones with rare elements on cellulose matrices and in a solution exhibit similar effects upon the addition of cetylpyridinium. These effects are the bathochromic shift of the absorption maxima of the reagents and their complexes with analytes and the extension of the range of optimum acidity for complex formation. The complexation of salicylfluorones with the titanium(IV) in solution and on cellulose paper was studied by IR spectrometry. Phenylfluorone immobilized on a mixed-fiber cloth as used in test determinations of (mg/L) 0.05–5 Ti(IV), V(IV), Hf(IV), Nb(V), and Mo(VI); 0.01–5 Ge(IV) and Zr(IV); 0.05–1 Bi(III) and W(VI); and 0.1–5 Ta(V) by the color intensity of the indicator matrix after passing through 20 mL of a test solution. It was shown that phenylfluorone immobilized on cellulose paper can be used to determine (mg/L) 0.05–50 Ti(IV), 0.5–1000 Ge(IV), 0.5–500 Zr(IV), 5–200 Bi(III), 0.1–50 Mo(VI), 0.1–1000 V(IV), 0.1–100 Nb(V), 0.1–800 Hf(IV), 1–100 Ta(V), and 1–800 W(VI) by the length of the colored zone of a test strip after it was brought into contact with a test solution.     

Comparative study of Ti and Ni clusters from first principles

Icosahedral clusters in Ti and Ni are studied with first-principles density functional calculations. We find significant distortion on the Ti icosahedron caused by the strong interaction between surface atoms on the icosahedron but not between the center atom and surface atoms, whereas no such distortion is observed on Ni clusters. In addition, distortion becomes more severe when atoms are added to the Ti(13) cluster resulting in short bonds. Such distorted icosahedra having short bonds are essential in explaining the structure factor of Ti liquid obtained in experiment.     

Electronic Structure of TiAl-2M(M=V,Nb,Ta,Cr,Mo,W,Mn) Alloy

1INTRODUCTIONTitaniumaluminidesbasedonY-TiAlarereceivingconsiderableattentionaspo-tentialcandidatesformaterialsinhightemperatureaerospaceapplication.Theirlowdensity,hightemperaturescreepresistance,highoxidationresistanceandstrengthmakesthemexcellentpotentialenginematerials.Howevertheirlowductilityandlowfracturetoughnessatroom'temperaturesaremajorhindrancestotheirpracticaluti-lization.TheTiAlalloymayhaveanelongationabout2%t'},furtherimprovementisnecessarybeforethesematerialscouldbeusedin…     

Structure and bonding in [M(6)O(19)](n-) isopolyanions

The structure and bonding in [M(6)O(19)](n-) isopolyanions of Nb, Ta, Mo, and W have been investigated using density-functional methods. The computational-experimental agreement is good for the geometrical parameters of Mo and W species but less satisfactory for Nb and Ta clusters. The electronic structure of the anions has been probed with molecular-orbital, Mulliken-Mayer, and bonding-energy approaches. The results have indicated that M-O interactions are largely M d-O p in character and that sigma and pi bonds link the metal centers to terminal and bridging (O(b)) oxygen atoms. Some M-O(b) bonds exhibit a [M(4)O(4)] closed-loop structure, but this orbital-interaction mode has not been found to make a particularly outstanding contribution to the bonding stability of the molecules. Mayer indexes correspond to (fractional) multiple, approximately single, and low-order character for terminal, bridging, and internal bonds, respectively, and the valency analysis has yielded similar bonding capacities for the different oxygen atoms. A distribution of the negative charge over all types of oxygen sites and metal charges considerably smaller than the formal oxidation states have been obtained from the Mulliken analysis. Minimal structural changes have been detected on reduction of molybdates and tungstates, in accord with the general properties of the orbitals occupied by the added electrons.     

Negative ions of transition metal-halogen clusters

A systematic density functional theory based study of the structure and spectroscopic properties of neutral and negatively charged MX(n) clusters formed by a transition metal atom M (M=Sc,Ti,V) and up to seven halogen atoms X (X=F,Cl,Br) has revealed a number of interesting features: (1) Halogen atoms are bound chemically to Sc, Ti, and V for n≤n(max), where the maximal valence n(max) equals to 3, 4, and 5 for Sc, Ti, and V, respectively. For n>n(max), two halogen atoms became dimerized in the neutral species, while dimerization begins at n=5, 6, and 7 for negatively charged clusters containing Sc, Ti, and V. (2) Magnetic moments of the transition metal atoms depend strongly on the number of halogen atoms in a cluster and the cluster charge. (3) The number of halogen atoms that can be attached to a metal atom exceeds the maximal formal valence of the metal atom. (4) The electron affinities of the neutral clusters abruptly rise at n=n(max), reaching values as high as 7 eV. The corresponding anions could be used in the synthesis of new salts, once appropriate counterions are identified.     

Construction of Heterometallic Cubanes

Incorporation of M(CO)(3) fragments by trinuclear Ti complexes [{Ti(3)Cp(μ(3)-CR)}(μ-O)(3)] and [{Ti(3)Cp(μ(3)-N)}(μ-NH)(3)] (Cp*=eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) leads to the formation of an unprecedented class of heterometallic clusters with cubane structure [e.g., Eq. (a)]. Density functional calculations on these complexes indicate the existence of electron delocalization in the Ti(3)M cores (M=Cr, Mo, W).     

A cyclopentadienyl ring exchange method for the attachment of early transition metal metallocene dichlorides to a polymer support

PMR and mass spectral analysis have been used to study the interchange of π-bonded cyclopentadienyl rings with σ-bonded cyclopentadienyl rings in the compounds (C₅H₅)₄M (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo and W) and (C₅H₅)₃V or a-bonded benzylcyclopentadienyl rings in the compounds (C₆H₅CH₂C₅H₄) (C₅H₅)₂MC1 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo and W). As soon as the Cp₄M species are generated (indicated by a color change), the interchange occurs and the equilibrium is established. As reported, no such interchange was observed in (C₅H₅) ₄Mo in the PMR time scale; however, it does occur after a longer time. By using this interchange behavior of the cyclopentadienyl ring, metallocene dichlorides of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo and W have been attached to polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads.     

Protonation of phosphovanadomolybdates H(3+x)PV(x)Mo(12-x)O40: computational insight into reactivity

Protonated phosphovanadomolybdates of the Keggin structure, H(3+x)PV(x)Mo(12-x)O(40) where x = 0, 1, 2, and derivatives with surface defects formed by loss of constitutional water were studied using high-level DFT calculations toward determination of the most stable species and possible active forms in oxidation catalysis in both the gas phase and in polar solutions. The calculations demonstrate that protonation at bridging positions is energetically much more favorable than protonation of terminal oxygen atoms. The preferential protonation site is determined by the stability of the metal-oxygen bond rather than the negative charge on the oxygen atom. In H(3)PMo(12)O(40), maximum distances between protons at bridging oxygen atoms are energetically favored. In contrast, for H(4)PVMo(11)O(40) and H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40) protons prefer nucleophilic sites adjacent to vanadium atoms. Up to three protons are bound to the nucleophilic sites around the same vanadium atom in the stable isomeric forms of H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40) that result in strong destabilization of oxo-vanadium(V) bonding to the Keggin unit. Such behavior arises from the different nature of the Mo-O and V-O bonds that can be traced to the different sizes of the valence d orbitals of the metals. Coordination of two protons at the same site yields water and an oxygen defect as a result of its dissociation. The energetic cost for the formation of surface defects decreases in the order: O(t) ? O(c) ? O(e) and is lower for the sites adjacent to vanadium atoms. Vanadium atoms near defects also have a significant contribution to the LUMO. Thus, vanadium-substituted polyoxometalates with defects near and, especially, between vanadium atoms present a plausible active form of polyoxometalates in oxidation reactions.     

On the structure and chemical bonding of tri-tungsten oxide clusters W3On- and W3On (n=7-10): W3O8 as a potential molecular model for O-deficient defect sites in tungsten oxides

Electronic and structural properties of a series of tri-tungsten oxide clusters, W3On- and W3On (n=7-10), are investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both W 5d and O 2p detachment features are observed for n=7-9, whereas only detachment features from O 2p-type orbitals are observed for W3O10- at high electron binding energies (>7 eV). A large energy gap (approximately 3.4 eV) is observed for the stoichiometric W3O9 cluster, which already reaches the bulk value, suggesting that W3O9 can be viewed as the smallest molecular model for bulk WO3. DFT calculations are carried out to locate the most stable structures for both the anion and neutral clusters; time-dependent DFT method is used to predict the vertical detachment energies and to compare with the experimental data. It is shown that W3O9 possesses a D3h structure, in which each W atom is tetrahedrally coordinated with two bridging O atoms and two terminal O atoms. W3O8 and W3O7 can be viewed as removing one and two terminal O atoms from W3O9, respectively, whereas W3O1) can be viewed as replacing a terminal O in W3O9 by a peroxo O2 unit. We show that W3O8 contains a localized W4+ site, which can readily react with O2 to form the W3O10 clusters with a calculated O2 adsorption energy of -78 kcal/mol. It is suggested that the W3O8 cluster can be viewed as a molecular model for O-deficient site in tungsten oxides.     

Molecular and electronic structures, Brönsted basicities, and Lewis acidities of group VIB transition metal oxide clusters

The structures and properties of transition metal oxide (TMO) clusters of the group VIB metals, (MO(3))(n) (M = Cr, Mo, W; n = 1-6), have been studied with density functional theory (DFT) methods. Geometry optimizations and frequency calculations were carried out at the local and nonlocal DFT levels with polarized valence double-zeta quality basis sets, and final energies were calculated at nonlocal DFT levels with polarized valence triple-zeta quality basis sets at the local and nonlocal DFT geometries. Effective core potentials were used to treat the transition metal atoms. Two types of clusters were investigated, the ring and the chain, with the ring being lower in energy. Large ring structures (n > 3) were shown to be fluxional in their out of plane deformations. Long chain structures (n > 3) of (CrO(3))(n) were predicted to be weakly bound complexes of the smaller clusters at the nonlocal DFT levels. For M(6)O(18), two additional isomers were also studied, the cage and the inverted cage. The relative stability of the different conformations of M(6)O(18) depends on the transition metal as well as the level of theory. Normalized and differential clustering energies of the ring structures were calculated and were shown to vary with respect to the cluster size. Br?nsted basicities and Lewis acidities based on a fluoride affinity scale were also calculated. The Br?nsted basicities as well as the Lewis acidities depend on the size of the cluster and the site to which the proton or the fluoride anion binds. These clusters are fairly weak Br?nsted bases with gas phase basicities comparable to those of H(2)O and NH(3). The clusters are, however, very strong Lewis acids and many of them are stronger than strong Lewis acids such as SbF(5). Br?nsted acidities of M(6)O(19)H(2) and M(6)O(18)FH were calculated for M = Mo and W and these compounds were shown to be very strong acids in the gas phase. The acid/base properties of these TMO clusters are expected to play important roles in their catalytic activities.     

Zr(11)Sb(18): a new binary antimonide exhibiting an unusual Sb atom network with nonclassical Sb-Sb bonding

The herewith-introduced antimonides Zr(11)Sb(18) and Zr(10.4)V(0.6)Sb(18) were prepared by high-temperature techniques; both arc-melting and solid-state reactions at 1200 degrees C starting from alpha-ZrSb(2) and the metals Zr and V in powder form are possible methods. These isostructural compounds represent an unprecedented metal:antimony ratio of 11:18 and form a new structure type. Zr(11)Sb(18) crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I(-)42d, with the lattice dimensions a = 676.94(4) pm and c = 6007.3(5) pm, while the V-containing phase forms a slightly smaller unit cell with a = 676.48(8) pm and c = 6005.6(9) pm (Z = 4). Their structures are comprised of an Sb atom substructure with several intermediate Sb-Sb bonds starting at 311 pm, which is reminiscent of that found in the series (Ti,M)(5)Sb(8) (M = Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo) published last year. Interwoven with this network is the Zr atom network, which forms a diamond-like metal atom substructure with long Zr-Zr contacts of ca. 360 pm. Band structure calculations based on the linear muffin tin orbital approach reveal these antimonides to be mainly stabilized by strong M-Sb and intermediate Sb-Sb bonds, and additionally--to the smallest extent--by M-M bonds (M = Zr, V). In agreement with the electronic structure calculations, Zr(11)Sb(18) is metallic with a small positive Seebeck coefficient.     

Theoretical study of the geometric and electronic structure of neutral and anionic doped silver clusters, Ag5X with X = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni

Density functional theory (DFT) has been applied to investigate the low-lying electronic states of neutral and anionic transition metal doped silver clusters Ag₅X^0,− with X = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni using the B3LYP functional with the Stuttgart SDD basis sets. The structural features, frontier orbital energy gaps (HOMO and LUMO), vertical detachment energies, and vertical and adiabatic electronic affinities are evaluated. For all doped silver clusters, both in neutral and anionic states, two-dimensional and three-dimensional low-energy isomers are found to coexist. For neutral clusters, dopant Sc, Ti, V, and Mn atoms largely decrease the frontier orbital energy gaps, while they are markedly increased by Sc and Fe atoms in the anionic clusters. A completely quenched dopant magnetic moment is found in Ag₅Sc, while high spin magnetic moments are located on the other dopant atoms in Ag₅X^0,−.     

Electronic structures and properties of eight-coordinate metal-polyarsenic complexes MAs8n- (M = V,Nb, Ta,Cr, Mo,W, Mn,Tc, Re)

The eight-coordinate early transition metal polyarsenic complexes, MAs(8)3- (M = V, Nb, Ta), MAs(8)2- (M = Cr, Mo, W), and MAs8- (M = Mn, Tc, Re), have been studied using density functional theory (DFT). The geometry optimizations of these complexes indicate that in the most stable structures the transition metal atoms are trapped in a crownlike cavity consisting of a zigzag eight-membered ring of As8 cluster. The scalar-relativistic effects and spin-orbit coupling effects on the electronic structures and energy levels were taken into account. The stabilities of gas-phase MAs8n- ions and bonding between the As8 ring and early transition metals are discussed on the basis of population analysis, atomization energies, and decomposition reaction energies. All these complex ions are found to be diamagnetic with notable HOMO-LUMO energy gaps. The vibrational frequencies and infrared absorption intensities of the MAs8n- series are predicted theoretically. Brief theoretical calculations of the similar MoA(8)2- pnictide ions indicate that the analogous P, Sb, and even Bi complexes are likely to be stable, whereas the crownlike MoN(8)2- is not a stable complex.     

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between neutral transition metal hydrides (eta(5)-C5H5)M(CO)3H (M = Mo, W) and bases

The interaction of CpM(CO)3H (M = Mo, W) hydrides as proton donors with different bases (B = pyridine, (n-Oc)3PO, ((CH3)2N)3PO, H3BNEt3) was studied by variable temperature IR spectroscopy and theoretically by DFT/B3LYP calculations. The data obtained show for the first time the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the neutral transition metal hydrides and bases in solutions of low polarity. These M-H...B hydrogen bonds are shown to precede the hydrides' deprotonation.     

The nonmetallicity of molybdenum clusters

Molybdenum clusters consisting of 2-55 atoms were investigated using density functional theory calculations with a plane-wave basis set. The results show that the linear and planar molybdenum clusters have a strong tendency to form dimers. This tendency results in the formation of alternate short and long bonds within a linear cluster, in which the strength of these short bonds is covalent. Therefore, the linear and planar Mo clusters exhibit significant nonmetallic characteristics. Furthermore, the linear and planar Mo clusters show a strong even-odd effect in binding energy with the even-numbered clusters being more stable than their neighboring odd-numbered clusters. On the other hand, the even-odd effect in the energy gap between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, i.e., the HOMO-LUMO energy gap, for the linear and the planar clusters is different. The odd-numbered linear clusters and even-numbered planar clusters have larger HOMO-LUMO energy gaps than their corresponding neighboring clusters.     

Group 6 Hexacarbonyls as Ligands for the Silver Cation: Syntheses,Characterization, and Analysis of the Bonding Compared with the Isoelectronic Group 5 Hexacarbonylates

The syntheses of the two novel complexes [Ag{Mo/W(CO)₆}₂]⁺[F-{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻ (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) are reported along with their structural and spectroscopic characterization. The X-ray structure shows that three carbonyl ligands from each M(CO)₆ fragment bend towards the silver atom within binding Ag−C distance range. DFT calculations of the free cations [Ag{M(CO)₆}₂]⁺ (M=Cr, Mo, W) in the electronic singlet state give equilibrium structures with C₂ symmetry with two bridging carbonyl groups from each hexacarbonyl ligand. Similar structures with C₂ symmetry (M=Nb) and D₂ symmetry (M=V, Ta) are calculated for the isoelectronic group 5 anions [Ag{M(CO)₆}₂]⁻ (M=V, Nb, Ta). The electronic structure of the cations is analyzed with the QTAIM and EDA-NOCV methods, which provide detailed information about the nature of the chemical bonds between Ag⁺ and the {M(CO)₆}₂^q (q = −2, M = V, Nb, Ta; q = 0, M = Cr, Mo, W) ligands.     

Competition between C-C and C-H insertion in prototype transition metal-hydrocarbon reactions

The competition between C-C and C-H insertion in model transition-metal reactions with cyclopropane and propene (C3H6) was studied as a function of total energy. Insertion of neutral transition metal atoms M (= Y, Zr, Nb, and Mo*) into the C-C bonds of cyclopropane led to formation of MCH2 + C2H4, whereas C-H insertion produced MC3H4 + H2. The measured product branching ratios verify the relative potential energy barrier heights for C-C and C-H insertion predicted by ab initio calculations.     

Sulfide catalysts for hydropurification of oil fractions

Analysis of the literature on catalysis by transition metal sulfides is carried out. Problems which now can be considered solved, and unsolved problems are marked. Catalysts such as Co(Ni)Mo(W) on thermostable oxides are considered. Arguments in support of the hypothesis about formation in the oxide precursors of all this type catalysts of heteropoly compounds (HPC) of Mo(W) are considered. The formation of HPC occurs at the hydrothermal stage of the synthesis of the catalysts under contact of Mo(W) atoms and complexing agents in an acid medium. The role of the complexing agent can be played by atoms of the support (Si, Al, Ti, etc.) or atoms of the modifying additive.