LC-MS study of ruthenium catalysts of water oxidation in artificial photosynthesis

Catalysts of water oxidation for artificial photosynthesis, formed from the binuclear oxysulfate ruthenium(IV) complex K₄[Ru₂(SO₄)₂(μ-SO₄)₂(μ-O)₂] · 2H₂O, are studied via chromatography-mass spectrometry. It is shown that these new catalysts do not contain organic ligands and are more stable and active than the familiar blue dimer [(bpy)₂Ru(OH)₂]₂O⁴⁺ and its analogues. It is found that adamantane-like tetra-nuclear and octanuclear ruthenium clusters are active catalysts that oxidize water to oxygen and oxozone O₄, respectively.     

Metalla-supramolecular rectangles as electron reservoirs for multielectron reduction and oxidation

The electron-transfer capacity of molecular rectangle ions [Pt(II)(4)(PEt(3))(8)(mu-anth(2-))(2)(mu-L)(2)](4+) with anth = anthracene-1,8-diyl and L = 4,4'-bipyridine (bp) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene (bpe) was investigated in acetonitrile and dichloromethane using cyclic voltammetry, EPR, and UV-vis-near-IR spectroelectrochemistry. The compounds can be reversibly reduced, first in a two-electron process and then via two closely separated one-electron steps. Oxidation was also possible at rather low potentials in a reversible two-electron step, followed by an electrochemically irreversible process. The spectroscopic results indicate reduction at the neutral acceptor ligands L and oxidation at the formally dianionic anthracene "clips". In contrast, the prototypical molecular square ([Pt(triphos)(mu-bp)](4))(8+) undergoes only irreversible reduction.     

Oxidation of water in photosynthesis

A model for the oxidation of water in chloroplasts is suggested. This model is based on certain physico-chemical principles and it accomodates the experimental results associated with the O₂-evolving system. The model consists of two pools of heterogeneously bound manganese ions are bound to an enzyme system containing a water-splitting site and four manganese ions are bound to another protein system which connects the reaction centre of photosystem II to the water-splitting enzyme. The latter pool of manganese acts as an electron carrier and an electron trap. It is proposed that water is oxidised in the enzyme system to form H₂O₂ and O∓₂ as transient species, and finally liberates O₂. This pathway is energetically feasible. The model explains the flash yield kinetics of O₂-evolution and the action of various artificial electron donors and inhibitors of photosytem II. It gives a molecular picture and the quantum requirements of the redox reactions associated with the process of O₂-evolution.     

Many-electron oxidation of water as treated within the framework of a functional chemical model of the manganese cofactor of oxidase in photosystem II of natural photosynthesis

The kinetics and products of the oxidation of water by Mn^IV clusters in a 12 M sulfuric acid solution, a functional chemical model of the manganese cofactor of the oxidase in photosystem II of natural photosynthesis, were studied. It was demonstrated that, depending of the conditions, water can be oxidized to either oxygen or ozone. In the reaction mixture, ozone is rapidly and almost completely converted into oxygen. The results obtained were compared to the data on the photosynthetic oxidation of water in red seaweeds.     

Activating P2-NaxCoO2 for efficient water oxidation catalysis via controlled chemical oxidation

Electrocatalytic water oxidation is critically important for a wide range of emerging energy conversion devices. Co-based metal oxides are very promising candidates as high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. Here, it is shown that chemical oxidation of layered P2-Na_xCoO₂ could lead to compositionally tunable P2-Na_xCoO₂ with high OER activity. The optimal electrocatalytic activity emerges in a narrow range of sodium concentrations with Na_0·28CoO₂ exhibiting the lowest overpotential of 350 mV at 10 mA/cm² and a Tafel slope of 29 mV/dec in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte, outperforming the benchmark RuO₂ catalyst and previous LiCoO₂-based electrocatalysts. Electrochemical measurements and X-ray spectroscopic investigations reveal that chemically oxidized P2-Na_xCoO₂ catalysts are intrinsically active toward OER, arising from the abundant oxygen vacancies, increased Co-O covalency, and enhanced conductivity after deintercalation of the Na⁺. Our findings provide new insights into the design and synthesis of cost-effective catalysts toward efficient and durable OER.     

A Co4O4 "cubane" water oxidation catalyst inspired by photosynthesis

Herein we describe the molecular Co(4)O(4) cubane complex Co(4)O(4)(OAc)(4)(py)(4) (1), which catalyzes efficient water oxidizing activity when powered by a standard photochemical oxidation source or electrochemical oxidation. The pH dependence of catalysis, the turnover frequency, and in situ monitoring of catalytic species have revealed the intrinsic capabilities of this core type. The catalytic activity of complex 1 and analogous Mn(4)O(4) cubane complexes is attributed to the cubical core topology, which is analogous to that of nature's water oxidation catalyst, a cubical CaMn(4)O(5) cluster.     

The first high oxidation state manganese-calcium cluster: relevance to the water oxidizing complex of photosynthesis

Synthetic entry has been achieved into high oxidation state Mn-Ca cluster chemistry with the preparation of [Mn(13)Ca(2)O(10)(OH)(2)(OMe)(2)(O(2)CPh)(18)(H(2)O)(4)]; the structure contains [Mn(4)CaO(4)] sub-units similar to that found in the photosynthetic water oxidizing complex.     

Determination of organic carbon in water with a silver-catalyzed peroxydisulfate wet chemical oxidation method

The application of Ag(I) catalysis of S₂O₈^2? to the oxidation of organic carbon to CO₂ for determination of dissolved organic carbon in aqueous samples is described. The resulting method combines to a significant degree the speed of high-temperature combustion methods and the sensitivity of wet chemical oxidation. For some samples, a higher oxidation efficiency has been observed than with an uncatalyzed wet chemical oxidation method.     

镍修饰WO3膜光电化学氧化水的研究

在强碱性溶液中低电压低电流条件下在W基底上经阳极氧化得到致密WO3层,而后在酸性条件下在WO3表面经光辅助电化学还原沉积镍,所获得的复合电极具有优异的光电化学氧化水的活性和稳定性.SEM,EDX,XPS和TEM等表征表明复合电极中具有体心立方结构的W基底经阳极氧化形成了具有单斜结构的WO3层,表面修饰的镍物种以Ni(OH)2形式存在.光电化学实验表明WO3层对可见光具有良好的光响应,表面修饰镍后,光电氧化水的起始电位显著降低,电极的稳定性也得以提高.     

Self-oscillations and chemical waves in CO oxidation on Pt and Pd: Kinetic Monte Carlo models

Theoretical studies of the spatiotemporal dynamics of CO oxidation on Pt(100) and Pd(110) single crystal surfaces have been carried out by the kinetic Monte Carlo method. For both surfaces, Monte Carlo simulation has revealed oscillations of the CO₂ formation rate and of the concentrations of adsorbed species. The oscillations are accompanied by wave processes on the model surface. Simulations have demonstrated that there is a narrow reaction zone when an oxygen wave propagates over the surface. The existence of this zone has been confirmed by experimental studies. Taking into account the anisotropy of the Pd(110) crystal has no effect on the oscillation period and amplitude, but leads to the formation of elliptic oxygen patterns on the surface. It is possible to obtain a wide variety of chemical waves (cellular and turbulent structures, spirals, rings, and strips) by varying the parameters of the computational experiment.     

Excitation spectrum of a multielectron atom

The spectrum is derived by the transition-matrix method, which is suitable for one-particle and collective excitations. The configuration structure of the transition matrix is discussed, together with the relation to the Hartree-Fock approximation.     

Theoretical models for the oxygen radical mechanism of water oxidation and of the water oxidizing complex of photosystem II

Hybrid density functional theory is used to study reasonably realistic models of the oxygen-evolving manganese complex in photosystem II. Since there is not yet any X-ray structure of the complex, other types of experimental and theoretical information are used to construct the model complexes. In these complexes, three manganese centers are predicted to be closely coupled by mu-oxo bonds in a triangular orientation. Using these models, the previously suggested oxygen radical mechanism for O2 formation is reinvestigated. It is found that the oxygen radical in the S3 state now appears in a bridging position between two manganese atoms. It is still suggested that only one manganese atom is redox-active. Instead, a number of surprisingly large trans-effects are found, which motivate the existence and define the function of the other manganese atoms in the Mn4 cluster. Calcium has a strong chelating effect which helps in the creation of the necessary oxygen radical. In the present model the chemistry preceding the actual O-O bond formation occurs in an incomplete cube with a missing corner and with two manganese and one calcium in three of the corners. The external water providing the second oxygen of O2 enters in the missing corner of the cube. The present findings are in most cases in good agreement with experimental results as given in particular by EXAFS.     

Naphthalene oxidation in supercritical water

Characteristic features of naphthalene oxidation and the kinetics of naphthalene pyrolysis in supercritical water (SCW) were studied using a batch reactor under isobaric conditions at a pressure of 30 MPa, in the temperature range from 660 °C to 750 °C, and for different levels of oxygen supply, varying from 0 to 2.5 moles of O₂ per mole of naphthalene. The pyrolysis produces benzene, toluene, methane, hydrogen, soot, and carbon oxides. The rate constant for naphthalene pyrolysis in SCW was found to be k = 10^12.3±0.2exp(–E/T) s^–1 where E = 35400±500 K. For T > 660 °C, water participates in the chemical reactions of naphthalene conversion, particularly, in the formation of carbon oxides. The conversion of naphthalene in pure SCW is accompanied by heat evolution. Molecular oxygen oxidizes a part of naphthalene completely, i.e., to CO₂ and H₂O, this reaction being so prompt that in some cases, self-heating of the mixture and thermal explosion in the reactor were observed.     

Improved chemical water oxidation with Zn in the tetrahedral site of spinel-type ZnCo2O4 nanostructure

Spinel oxides with the composition of A^IIB^III₂O₄ (A and B are metal ions) represent an important class of anode material for water splitting to replace the currently used noble-metal catalysts. Although spinel electrocatalysts have widely been investigated for electrochemical water oxidation, the role of octahedral and tetrahedral sites influencing catalytic performance has been a topic of discussion for a long time and still under debate. Lately, this issue has been addressed by substituting redox-inert cation to the tetrahedral sites of cobalt spinels and comparing the electrochemical activity between them. However, rapid surface structural transformation of the catalysts under operating electrochemical conditions makes it difficult to infer the exact contribution of tetrahedral and octahedral sites for water oxidation. Herein, for the first time, we utilize the oxidant-driven water oxidation approach to reveal the responsible active sites using two spinel-type nanostructures, Zn^IICo₂^IIIO₄ and Co^IICo₂^IIIO₄ (Co₃O₄), synthesized by using a single-source precursor approach. Strikingly, a superior O₂ production rate (0.98 mmol_O2 mol_Co^?1 s^?1) following first-order reaction kinetics was achieved for ZnCo₂O₄ in the presence of Ce^IV as sacrificial electron acceptor compared to Co₃O₄ spinel (0.29 mmol_O2 mol_Co^?1 s^?1). The structural and morphological stability of the ZnCo₂O₄ and Co₃O₄ post water oxidation catalysis confirms that the catalytic activity is strictly controlled by the geometry and electronic structure of the active site of the spinel structure. The higher performance of ZnCo₂O₄ over Co₃O₄ further indicates that the presence of Co^II is not essential for catalytic water oxidation. The presence of redox inert Zn^II at the tetrahedral site of ZnCo₂O₄ can facilitate the stabilization of a high-valent Co^IV intermediate via oxidation of Co^III (situated at the octahedral site), and this intermediate can be regarded as the active species for water oxidation catalyst along with structural defects caused by surface Zn leaching.     

Energy transfer in photosynthesis: experimental insights and quantitative models

We overview experimental and theoretical studies of energy transfer in the photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes LH1, LH2, and LHCII performed during the past decade since the discovery of high-resolution structure of these complexes. Experimental findings obtained with various spectroscopic techniques makes possible a modelling of the excitation dynamics at a quantitative level. The modified Redfield theory allows a precise assignment of the energy transfer pathways together with a direct visualization of the whole excitation dynamics where various regimes from a coherent motion of delocalized exciton to a hopping of localized excitations are superimposed. In a single complex it is possible to observe the switching between these regimes driven by slow conformational motion (as we demonstrate for LH2). Excitation dynamics under quenched conditions in higher-plant complexes is discussed.     

Quantum chemical study of oxidation processes in Cu-phthalocyanine

Quantum chemical calculations reproduced quite well the experimental infrared spectra of CuPc and CuNO₃Pc · HNO₃. The agreement in the changes of line intensities during the oxidation supports the idea of ligand oxidation. This result is in agreement with the Mulliken population analysis.     

Uranium and thorium hydride complexes as multielectron reductants: a combined neutron diffraction and quantum chemical study

The unusual uranium reaction system in which uranium(4+) and uranium(3+) hydrides interconvert by formal bimetallic reductive elimination and oxidative addition reactions, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)UH(2)](2) (1) ? [(C(5)Me(5))(2)UH](2) (2) + H(2), was studied by employing multiconfigurational quantum chemical and density functional theory methods. 1 can act as a formal four-electron reductant, releasing H(2) gas as the byproduct of four H(2)/H(-) redox couples. The calculated structures for both reactants and products are in good agreement with the X-ray diffraction data on 2 and 1 and the neutron diffraction data on 1 obtained under H(2) pressure as part of this study. The interconversion of the uranium(4+) and uranium(3+) hydride species was calculated to be near thermoneutral (~-2 kcal/mol). Comparison with the unknown thorium analogue, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)ThH](2), shows that the thorium(4+) to thorium(3+) hydride interconversion reaction is endothermic by 26 kcal/mol.