Comparative characteristics of texture and properties of hybrid organic–inorganic adsorbents functionalized by amine and thiol groups

The structure and texture characteristics of the hybrid organic–inorganic adsorbents, which were obtained by using of two-component systems of “structure-forming agent/trifunctional silane”, are compared as follows: the first component is Si(OC₂H₅)₄ or (C₂H₅O)₃Si–A–Si(OC₂H₅)₃, where A = –(CH₂)₂– or –C₆H₄–; the second one is alkoxysilane with amine (–NH₂, NH, –NH(CH₂)₂NH₂) and thiol (–SH) groups. The adsorbents, derived from TEOS, have more accessible functional groups (2.6–4.2 mmol/g) than xerogels, which are based on bis(triethoxysilanes) (1.0–2.6 mmol/g). On another hand xerogels derived from bis(triethoxysilanes) have a more extended porous structure (S_sp =516–968 m²/g, V_s = 0.418–1.490 cm³/g, d = 2.5–15.0 nm) than those that are based on TEOS (S_sp = 4–631 m²/g, V_s = 0.005–1.382 cm³/g, d = 2.3–17.7 nm). The geometric dimensions of functional groups have a more essential effect on the parameters of porous structure in the case of TEOS-derived xerogels. Using solid-state NMR spectroscopy, it has been shown that in synthesis of xerogels with the use of TEOS, the molecular frame of globules is formed by structural units Qⁿ (n = 2,3,4), and the functional groups exist as structural units of Tⁿ (n = 2,3). The xerogels obtained with using bis(triethoxysilanes) consist only of structural units of Tⁿ-type (n = 1,2,3).     

An ab initio and matrix isolation infrared study of the 1:1 C2H2–CHCl3 adduct

The details of weak C–Hπ interactions that control several inter and intramolecular structures have been studied experimentally and theoretically for the 1:1 C₂H₂–CHCl₃ adduct. The adduct was generated by depositing acetylene and chloroform in an argon matrix and a 1:1 complex of these species was identified using infrared spectroscopy. Formation of the adduct was evidenced by shifts in the vibrational frequencies compared to C₂H₂ and CHCl₃ species. The molecular structure, vibrational frequencies and stabilization energies of the complex were predicted at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels. Both the computational and experimental data indicate that the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex has a weak hydrogen bond involving a C–Hπ interaction, where the C₂H₂ acts as a proton acceptor and the CHCl₃ as the proton donor. In addition, there also appears to be a secondary interaction between one of the chlorine atoms of CHCl₃ and a hydrogen in C₂H₂. The combination of the C–Hπ interaction and the secondary ClH interaction determines the structure and the energetics of the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex. In addition to the vibrational assignments for the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex we have also observed and assigned features owing to the proton accepting C₂H₂ submolecule in the acetylene dimer.     

Alkyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl- and phospholyl-zirconium/MAO catalysts for propene and 1-hexene oligomerization

The directed oligomerization of propene and 1-hexene was carried out with a series of Cp′(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ and Cp₂′ZrCl₂ pre-catalysts (Cp′=C₅HMe₄, C₄Me₄P, C₅Me₅, C₅H₄^tBu, C₅H₃-1,3-^tBu₂, C₅H₂-1,2,4-^tBu₃) together with (C₅H₅)₂ZrCl₂. Oligomers in the molar mass range 300–1500 g/mol for propene and 200–3000 g/mol for 1-hexene were synthesized at 50 °C. The majority of oligomer molecules contain a double-bond end group. Oligomer characterization was carried out by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Vinylidene double bonds (from β-hydrogen elimination) are solely found for the tert-butyl-substituted zirconocenes and for most of the unsymmetrical methyl-substituted Cp′(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ systems (except Cp′=phospholyl). With (C₄Me₄P)(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ and with the symmetrical methyl-containing Cp₂′ZrCl₂ pre-catalysts, also vinyl end groups (from β-methyl elimination) are observed in the case of oligopropenes. The vinylidene/vinyl ratio depends on the ligand and the vinyl content increases from C₅HMe₄ (65/35) over C₄Me₄P (61/39) to C₅Me₅ (9/91). The phospholyl zirconocenes and (C₅HMe₄)₂ZrCl₂ also exhibit chain-transfer to aluminum thereby giving saturated oligomers.     

The synthesis, structural features and thermal behaviour of thiophene-containing dithiocarboxylate complexes of zinc(II)

The complexes [Zn₂(S₂CTR)₄] (T = 2,5-disubstituted thiophene, R = C₄H₉ (1), C₆H₁₃ (2), C₈H₁₇ (3), C₁₂H₂₅ (4) and C₁₆H₃₃ (5)) have been synthesized and their structural features investigated. Compared to the analogous dithiobenzoate complexes, the crystal structure determination of 2 revealed that the thiophene induces a “step-rod” chain pattern instead of the linear, rodlike structure found for the corresponding dithiobenzoates. Complexes 1–5 did not display mesophases under thermal conditions, but an irregular melting pattern was observed for 3 and 4.     

Synthesis of titanium(IV) complexes that contain the Bis(silylamide) ligand of the type [1,8-C10H6(NR)2], and alkene polymerization catalyzed by [1,8-C10H6(NR)2]TiCl2-cocatalyst system

[1,8-C₁₀H₆(NR)₂]TiCl₂ (3; R=SiMe₃, SiⁱBuMe₂, SiⁱPr₃) complexes have been prepared from dilithio salts [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NR)₂]Li₂ (2) and TiCl₄ in diethyl ether in moderate yields (60–63%). These complexes showed significant catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization and for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), methyl isobutyl aluminoxane (MMAO), AlⁱBu₃– or AlEt₃–Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ as a cocatalyst. The catalytic activities performed in heptane (cocatalyst MMAO) were higher than those carried out in toluene (cocatalyst MAO): 709 kg-PE/mol-Ti·h could be attained for ethylene polymerization by using [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NSiⁱBuMe₂)₂]TiCl₂–MMAO catalyst system.     

Spatial structure of β-substituted alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones

Spatial structure of six β-substituted enones, with common structure R₁O–CR₂CH–COCF₃, were R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = H (ETBO); R₁ = R₂ = CH₃ (TMPO); R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = C₆H₅ (ETPO); R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = 4- O₂NC₆H₄ (ETNO); R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = C(CH₃)₃ (ETDO) were investigated by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR, infrared spectroscopy and AM1 calculations. NMR spectra revealed that enones (MBO), (ETBO) and (TMPO) are exclusively (3E) isomers, whereas in (ETPO), (ETNO) and especially in (ETDO) the percentage of (3Z) isomers is significant and depends on the nature of solvents. Conformational behaviour of studied enones are determined by the rotation around of CC double bond, C–C and C–O single bonds (correspondingly trifluoroacetyl and alkoxy groups), and (EZZ) conformer being the most stable in all cases. IR spectra revealed that with the exception of (ETDO) (EZZ) conformer is most populated in all cases. Bulky substituents like phenyl or tert-butyl group at β-position of enone result in the equilibrium mainly between (EZZ) and (ZZZ) forms, whereas β-hydrogen and β-methyl substituents determine the equilibrium between (EZZ) and (EEZ) or (EZE) conformers.     

Synthesis of methyltrioxorhenium(VII) arylamine complexes and mono- and bis(ortho)-chelated arylaminorhenium(VII) trioxides

From the reaction of MeReO₃ with the neutral arylamine C₆H₅CH₂NMe₂ and the aryldiamine C₆H₄(CH₂NMe₂)₂−1,3, have been isolated in good yields the 1/1 adduct complex [MeReO₃ · C₆H₅CH₂NMe₂], 1, and the 2/1 adduct complex [(MeReO₃)₂ · C₆H₄(CH₂NMe₂)₂− 1,3], 2, respectively. The X-ray molecular structure of 2 shows that both rhenium centres have a trigonal bipyramidal geometry and in the axial positions of each rhenium centre are one of the NMe₂ units of the aryldiamine ligand and a methyl group. The mono(ortho)-chelated arylaminorhenium trioxide complex [ReO₃(C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂−2], 3, can be synthesized by a transmetallation reaction of ClReO₃ with [ZnC₆H₄CH₂NMe₂−2₂] in a 2:1 molar ratio. In a similar way the bis(ortho)-chelated arylaminorhenium trioxide complex [ReO₃C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)₂−2,6], 4, can be synthesized by addition of a mixture of [Li₂C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)₂−2,6₂] and ZnCl₂ to ClReO₃. Complexes 3 and 4 have been isolated as white solids in 66% and 81% yields respectively. The rhenium centre in complex 4 has a bicapped tetrahedral geometry in which the monoanionic C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)₂−2,6⁻ ligand is pseudo-facially bonded with a characteristic N1-Re-N2 angle of 107.7(3)°, a Re-C_ipso bond length of 2.112(11) Å and Re-N1 and Re-N2 bond lengths of 2.518(9) Å and 2.480(8) Å respectively.     

Pyrolysis mechanism of carbon matrix precursor cyclohexane(III)—pyrolysis process of intermediate 1-hexene

The pyrolysis mechanism of important intermediate 1-hexene of carbon matrix precursor cyclohexane was studied theoretically. Possible reaction paths were designed based on the potential surface scan and electron structure of the initial C–C bond breaking reactions. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the possible reaction paths were computed by UB3LYP/6-31+G* at different temperature ranges. The results show that 1-hexene pyrolyzes at 873 K. When below 1273 K, the major reaction paths are those that produce C₃H₄, and above 1273 K, the major reaction paths are those that produce C₃H₃ from the viewpoint of thermodynamics. From the viewpoint of kinetics, the major product is C₃H₃, it results from the pyrolysis reaction of 1-hexene cracking bond C₃–C₄ and generating C₃H₅ and C₃H₇ with the activation energy ΔE₀^≠θ=296.32 kJ/mol. Kinetic results also show that product C₃H₄ accompany simultaneously, which is the side reaction starting from the pyrolysis of 1-hexene forming C₄H₇ and C₂H₅ with the activation energy of 356.73 kJ/mol. When reaching 1473 K, the rate constant of the rate-determining steps of these two reaction paths do not show much difference, which means both the reaction paths exist in the pyrolysis process at the high temperature. The above results are basically in accordance with mass spectrum analysis and far more specific.     

Reaction of heterocumulenes R---N=C=N---R and R---P=C=P---R with a di-iron aminocarbene complex

Reaction of R---N=C=N---R (R=p-Me-C₆H₄) and R---P==C=P---R (R=2,4,6-^tBu₃C₆H₂) with the di-iron aminocarbene complex [Fe₂(CO)₇{1μ-C(Ph)C(NEt₂)}] (1c) gave corresponding complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆{C(Ph)C(NEt₂)C(NC₆H₄Me)N (C₆H₄Me)}] (2) and [Fe₂(CO)₆{C(Ph)C(NEt₂)C(PC₆H₂^tBu₃)P(C₆H₂^tBu₃)}] (4), resulting from a coupling reaction with carbon-carbon bond formation. [Fe₂(CO)₅(CNC₆H₄Me){C(Ph)C(NEt₂)N(C₆H₄Me)}], complex 3, obtained in the reaction with R---N=C=N---R, resulted from C=N bond rupture insertion of a nitrene fragment into the Fe=C bond. Complexes 2–4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The different geornetries of complexes 2 and 4 are discussed. The formation of these complexes may be explained by cycloaddition on the Fe =C metal-carbene bond.     

New organogold(I) complexes: Synthesis, structure, and dynamic behavior of the polynuclear organogold diphenylmethane and diphenylethane derivatives

Two organogold derivatives of diphenylmethane and diphenylethane, Ph₃PAu(o-C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄-o)AuPPh₃ (1) and Ph₃PAu(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)AuPPh₃ (2), have been synthesized by the reaction of ClAuPPh₃ with Li(o-C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄-o)Li and Li(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)Li respectively. The interaction of 1 with dppe results in the replacement of the two PPh₃ groups to give a macrocyclic compound (3) that includes an Au Au bond. Compounds 1 and 2 react with one or two equivalents of [Ph₃PAu]BF₄ to form new types of cationic complex [CH₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₃]BF₄ (4), [CH₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₄](BF₄)₂ (5), and [(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₄](BF₄)₂ (6). Complexes 1–6 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, FAB MS, and IR as well as by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. A complicated system of Au H-C agostic interactions, involving the bridging alkyl groups (—CH₂— and CH₂-CH₂—) of diphenylmethane and diphenylethane ligands, has been found to occur in complexes 1–3 and 6.     

Promotion of hydrocarbon selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation by Ru component

We investigated catalytic behavior of iron in CO₂ hydrogenation with and without a ruthenium component. Calcined iron-based catalysts were reduced by H₂ and characterized by XRD, BET surface area and CO₂, CO and C₂H₄ temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and tested for CO₂ hydrogenation. When Fe-K/γ-Al₂O₃ was used as a catalyst, CO₂ conversion was 36%, but when Fe-Ru-K/γ-Al₂O₃ was used, CO₂ conversion was 41%. The product selectivities for catalysts with and without the ruthenium component were also compared. Fe-K/γ-Al₂O₃ exhibited higher methane (16 mol%) and C₂–C₄ selectivity (39.6 mol%) than Fe-Ru-K/γ-Al₂O₃. The main products obtained with Fe-Ru-K/γ-Al₂O₃ were higher hydrocarbons such as C₅⁺ hydrocarbons. For Fe-Ru-K/γ-Al₂O_3, the product distribution followed the Anderson–Schultz–Flory (ASF) distribution. However, in the case of Fe-Ru-K/γ-Al₂O₃, the hydrocarbon distribution deviates from the ideal ASF distribution. It is concluded that the readsorption rates of the primary hydrocarbon product increase exponentially with chain length in the ruthenium promoted catalytic system. The behavior of catalysts with and without the ruthenium will be explained by the CO₂-, CO- and C₂H₄– profiles. In this study, it was confirmed that ruthenium component promoted the readsorption ability of -olefin, and then the chain length of hydrocarbon is higher. In addition, the microcrystalline wax produced in CO₂ hydrogenation was a high-crystalline and olefin-rich hydrocarbon.     

DFT study on the electron affinities of the chlorinated benzenes

The molecular structures and electron affinities of the C₆HCl₅ and C₆Cl₆ molecules have been determined using seven pure Density Functional Theory (DFT) or hybrid Hartree–Fock/DFT methods. The EAs of ten kinds of monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene and tetrachlorobenzene are also predicted. The basis set used in this work is of double-ζ plus polarization quality with additional diffuse s- and p-type functions, denoted DZP++. These methods have been carefully calibrated (Chem. Rev. 2002, 102, 231). The geometries are fully optimized with each DFT method independently. The equilibrium configuration of hexachlorobenzene is found to be planar with D_6h symmetry. The pentachlorobenzene is planar with C_2υ symmetry. Three different types of the neutral-anion energy separations reported in this work are the adiabatic Electron Affinity (EA_ad), the vertical Electron Affinity (EA_vert), and the Vertical Detachment Energy (VDE). The most reliable adiabatic electron affinities of the chlorinated benzenes obtained at the BHLYP level of theory are −0.18 eV (C₆H₅Cl), 0.07 eV (1,2-C₆H₄Cl₂), 0.07 eV (1,3-C₆H₄Cl₂), 0.04 eV (1,4-C₆H₄Cl₂), 0.29 eV (1,2,3-C₆H₃Cl₃), 0.31 eV (1,2, 4-C₆H₃Cl₃), 0.31 eV (1,3,5-C₆H₃Cl₃), 0.51 eV (1,2,3,4-C₆H₂Cl₄), 0.48 eV (1,2,4,5-C₆H₂Cl₄), 0.50 eV (1,2,3,5-C₆H₂Cl₄), 0.74 eV (C₆HCl₅) and 0.79 eV (C₆Cl₆), respectively.     

A new homobimetallic arenediyl diplatinum(II) unit as building block for macromolecular synthesis. X-ray crystal structure of [C6H2{CH2NMe2}2-1,5-{PtCl(PPh3)}2-2,4]

Treatment of the diaminobenzene [C₆H₄{CH₂NMe₂}₂-1,3] (NCN-H, 1) with one or two equivalents of cis-PtCl₂(DMSO)₂ leads to exclusive formation of the doubly cycloplatinated species [C₆H₄{CH₂NMe₂}₂-1,5-{PtCl(DMSO)}₂-2,4] (3), which upon addition of triphenylphosphine yields the bisphosphine adduct [C₆H₄{CH₂NMe₂}₂-1,5-{PtCl(PPh₃)}₂-2,4] (4). The X-ray molecular structure of 4 revealed the presence of highly distorted square planar Pt(II) centers which is caused by close proximity of the two phosphine donor ligands. Complexes of type 3 can be regarded as suitable starting materials for the directional build-up of larger macromolecular structures.     

Polymerization of MMA by oscillating zirconocene catalysts, diastereomeric zirconocene mixtures, and diastereospecific metallocene pairs

Characteristics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization using oscillating zirconocene catalysts, (2-Ph-Ind)₂ZrX₂ (X = Cl, 1; X = Me, 2), mixtures of rac- and meso-zirconocene diastereomers, (SBI)ZrMe₂ [3, SBI = Me₂Si(Ind)₂] and (EBI)ZrMe₂ [4, EBI = C₂H₄(Ind)₂], as well as diastereospecific metallocene pairs, rac-4/Cp₂ZrMe₂ (5) and rac-4/CGCTiMe₂ [6, CGC = Me₂Si(Me₄C₅)(t-BuN)], are reported. MMA polymerization using the chloride catalyst precursor 1 activated with a large excess of the modified methyl aluminoxane is sluggish, uncontrolled, and produces atactic PMMA. On the other hand, the polymerization by a 2/1 ratio of 2/B(C₆F₅)₃ or 2/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ is controlled and produces syndiotactic PMMA. Mixtures of diastereomeric ansa-zirconocenes 3 or 4 containing various rac/meso ratios, when activated with B(C₆F₅)₃, yield bimodal PMMA; this behavior is attributed to the meso-diastereomer that, in its pure form, affords bimodal, syndio-rich atactic PMMA. For MMA polymerization using diastereospecific metallocene pairs, rac-4/5 and rac-4/6, the isospecific catalyst site dominates the polymerization events under the conditions employed in this study, and the aspecific and syndiospecific sites are largely nonproductive, thereby forming only highly isotactic PMMA.     

Exchange reactions of distibines

Distibines of the type R₂SbSbR′₂ with R = CH₃, R′ = C₂H₅ (1), R = CH₃, R′= n-C₃H₇ (2), R = CH₃, R′= C₆H₅ (3), R = C₂H₅, R′= C₆H₅ (4), R = n-C₃H₇, R′ = C₆H₅ (5), and R = CH₃, R′ = 2,4,6-(CH₃)₂C₆H₂ (6) are formed in equilibria by exchange reactions of the respective distibines of the type R₄Sb₂ and R′₄Sb₂.     

Three new polynuclear tetracarboxylato-bridged copper(II) complexes: Syntheses, X-ray structure and magnetic properties

The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic measurements of three new polynuclear tetracarboxylato-bridged copper(II) complexes, i.e. {[Cu₄(phen)₂(μ-O₂CC₂H₅)₈] · (H₂O)}_n (1), [Cu₂(μ-O₂CC₆H₄OH)₄(C₇H₇NO)₂] · 6H₂O (2) and [Cu₂(μ-O₂CCH₃)₄(C₇H₇NO)₂] (3) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, O₂CC₆H₄OH = 3-hydroxy benzoate, C₇H₇NO = 4-acetylpyridine) are reported. All compounds consist of dinuclear units, in which two Cu(II) ions are bridged by four syn,syn-η¹:η¹:μ carboxylates, showing a paddle-wheel cage type with a square-pyramidal geometry, arranged in different ways. The structure of compound 1 consists of an one-dimensional structure generated by an alternating classical dinuclear paddle-wheel unit and an unusual dinuclear Cu₂(μ-OCOC₂H₅)₂(μ-O₂CC₂H₅)₂(phen)₂unit, which are connected to each other via a syn,anti-triatomic propionato bridge in an axial-equatorial configuration. The adjacent chains are connected to generate a 2D structure through the face-to-face π–π interaction between phen rings. Structures of compounds 2 and 3 both consist of a symmetric dinuclear Cu(II) carboxylate paddle-wheel core and pyridyl nitrogen atoms of 4-acetylpyridine ligand at the apical position, and just differ in the substituents of the equatorial ligands.

The magnetic properties have been measured and correlated with the molecular structures. It is found that in the two classical paddle-wheel compounds the Cu(II) ions are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with J = −278.5 and −287.0 cm⁻¹ for complexes 2 and 3, respectively. In compound 1 the magnetic susceptibility could be fitted with two different, independent Cu(II) units, one strongly coupled and one weakly coupled; the paddle-wheel dinuclear unit has the strongest antiferromagetic coupling with a value for J of −299.5 cm⁻¹, whereas the Cu(II) ions in the propionato-bridged dinuclear unit of 1 display a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling with a value for J = −0.75 cm⁻¹, due to the orthogonality of the magnetic orbitals. Also the exchange within the chain is therefore very weak. The magneto-structural correlations for complexes 1, 2, and 3 are discussed on the basis of the structural parameters and magnetic data for the complexes.     

Thermal decomposition study on mixed ligand thymine complexes of divalent nickel(II) with dianions of some dicarboxylic acids

Thermal decomposition of mixed ligand thymine (2,4-dihydroxy-5-methylpyrimidine) complexes of divalent Ni(II) with aspartate, glutamate and ADA (N-2-acetamido)iminodiacetate dianions was monitored by TG, DTG and DTA analysis in static atmosphere of air. The decomposition course and steps of complexes [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₄H₅NO₄)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·H₂O, [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₅H₇NO₄)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·H₂O and [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₆H₈N₂O₅)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·1.5H₂O were analyzed. The final decomposition products are found to be the corresponding metal oxides. The kinetic parameters namely, activation energy (E*), enthalpy (ΔH*), entropy (ΔS*) and free energy change of decomposition (ΔG*) are calculated from the TG curves using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations. The stability order found for these complexes follows the trend aspartate > ADA > glutamate.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene over NiO loaded on high surface area MgO

The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over NiO-loaded MgO with high surface area was carried out using a fixed-bed flow reactor at 600 °C under atmospheric pressure.

At 600 °C, the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (C₂H₆/O₂ = 1) without dilution with an inert gas resulted in C₂H₆ conversion of 68.8% and a high C₂H₄ selectivity of 52.8%, which corresponds to a C₂H₄ yield of 36.3%. In addition, the catalytic activity did not decrease for at least 10 h. X-ray photoelectron spectra of the catalysts after the reaction exhibited that the initial valence state of Ni²⁺ (NiO) was maintained during the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. However, when NiO-loaded MgO was reduced with H₂ prior to the reaction, C₂H₄ selectivity decreased to nearly zero and high CO and H₂ selectivities were observed with the C₂H₆ conversion of 50 %, indicating that partial oxidation of C₂H₆ proceeded. Therefore, it seems important to keep Ni species as an oxide phase on the support, and for this purpose, use of the high surface area of MgO is essential.     

Geometry and nature of the binding of the pre-reactive complex C2H4…ClF from its rotational spectrum

The encounter complex C₂H₄…ClF was isolated by using a fast-mixing nozzle before chemical reaction could occur between the components and was characterised by Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. Rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, Cl nuclear quadrupole constants and Cl spin-rotation constants were determined for the isotopomers C₂H₄…³⁵ClF and C₂H₄…³⁷ClF. The complex has C_2v symmetry with the ClF subunit perpendicular to the plane of C₂H₄ and oriented so that Cl is closer to C₂H₄. Both the centrifugal distortion constant Δ_J and the Cl nuclear quadrupole coupling constants indicate that the complex is relatively weakly bound and it is concluded that the interaction between the subunits is largely electrostatic in origin.     

Ab initio and DFT computer studies of complexes of trimethylphosphine and products of substituted phosphonium cations with hydroxide, chloride and fluoride anions: Phosphorus analogues of choline and acetylcholine

Theoretical calculations (DFT, MP2) are reported for up to four sets of reaction products of trimethylphosphine, (CH₃)₃P, each with H₂O, HCl and HF together with DFT calculations on up to three sets of reaction products of substituted phosphonium cations, (CH₃)₃P–R⁺. These products comprise (a) P(III) normal complexes (CH₃)₃PHY, (b) P(IV) ‘reverse’ complexes Y(H–CH₂)₃P–R, (c) P(IV) ylidic complexes YHCH₂(CH₃)₂P–R and (d) P(V) covalent compounds Y–P(CH₃)₃–R for Y=HO, Cl and F and R=H, CH₃, C₂H₅, C₂H₄OH and C₂H₄OC:OCH₃. Calculations are carried out at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level in all cases and also at the MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level for systems in which R=H. Minimum energy structures are determined for predicted complexes or structures and geometrical properties, harmonic vibrations and BSSE corrected binding energies are reported and compared with the limited experimental information available. Potential energy scans predict equilibria between covalent trigonal bipyramidal P(V) forms and reverse complexes comprising hydrogen bonded or ion pair, tetrahedral P(IV) forms separated by low potential energy barriers. Similar scans are also reported for equilibria between reverse complexes and ylidic complexes for Y=OH and R=CH₃, C₂H₅, C₂H₄OH and C₂H₄OC:OCH₃. Corrected binding energies, structures and values of harmonic modes are discussed in relation to bonding The names ‘pholine’ and ‘acetylpholine’ are suggested for phosphorus analogues to choline and acetylcholine.