Discovering the Active Sites for C3 Separation in MIL-100(Fe) by Using Operando IR Spectroscopy

A reducible MIL-100(Fe) metal-organic framework (MOF) was investigated for the separation of a propane/propene mixture. An operando methodology was applied (for the first time in the case of a MOF) in order to shed light on the separation mechanism. Breakthrough curves were obtained as in traditional separation column experiments, but monitoring the material surface online, thus providing evidences on the adsorption sites. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of Fe(II) and, to some extent, Fe(III) sites were possible, upon different activation protocols. Moreover, it was possible to identify the nature and the role of the active sites in the separation process by selective poisoning of one family of sites: it was clearly evidenced that the unsaturated Fe(II) sites are mainly responsible for the separation effect of the propane/propene mixture, thanks to their affinity for the unsaturated bonds, such as the C?C entities in propene. The activity of the highly concentrated Fe(III) sites was also highlighted.     

Adsorptive Separation of Acetylene from Light Hydrocarbons by Mesoporous Iron Trimesate MIL‐100(Fe)

A reducible metal–organic framework (MOF), iron(III) trimesate, denoted as MIL‐100(Fe), was investigated for the separation and purification of methane/ethane/ethylene/acetylene and an acetylene/CO₂ mixtures by using sorption isotherms, breakthrough experiments, ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) calculations, and IR spectroscopic analysis. The MIL‐100(Fe) showed high adsorption selectivity not only for acetylene and ethylene over methane and ethane, but also for acetylene over CO₂. The separation and purification of acetylene over ethylene was also possible for MIL‐100(Fe) activated at 423 K. According to the data obtained from operando IR spectroscopy, the unsaturated Fe^III sites and surface OH groups are mainly responsible for the successful separation of the acetylene/ethylene mixture, whereas the unsaturated Fe^II sites have a detrimental effect on both separation and purification. The potential of MIL‐100(Fe) for the separation of a mixture of C₂H₂/CO₂ was also examined by using the IAST calculations and transient breakthrough simulations. Comparing the IAST selectivity calculations of C₂H₂/CO₂ for four MOFs selected from the literature, the selectivity with MIL‐100(Fe) was higher than those of CuBTC, ZJU‐60a, and PCP‐33, but lower than that of HOF‐3.     

Intercalation of Coordinatively Unsaturated FeIII Ion within Interpenetrated Metal–Organic Framework MOF‐5

Coordinatively unsaturated Fe^III metal sites were successfully incorporated into the iconic MOF‐5 framework. This new structure, Fe^III‐iMOF‐5, is the first example of an interpenetrated MOF linked through intercalated metal ions. Structural characterization was performed with single‐crystal and powder XRD, followed by extensive analysis by spectroscopic methods and solid‐state NMR, which reveals the paramagnetic ion through its interaction with the framework. EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed that the intercalated ions were indeed Fe^III, whereas DFT calculations were employed to ascertain the unique pentacoordinate architecture around the Fe^III ion. Interestingly, this is also the first crystallographic evidence of pentacoordinate Zn^II within the MOF‐5 SBU. This new MOF structure displays the potential for metal‐site addition as a framework connector, thus creating further opportunity for the innovative development of new MOF materials.     

Air‐Free Synthesis of a Ferrous Metal‐Organic Framework Featuring HKUST‐1 Structure and its Mössbauer Spectrum

Single crystals of the Fe^II metal‐organic framework (MOF) with 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate (BTC) as a linker were solvothermally obtained under air‐free conditions. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the crystals demonstrated a structure for Fe^II‐MOF analogous to that of [Cu₃(BTC)₂] (HKUST‐1). Unlike HKUST‐1, however, the Fe^II‐MOF did not retain permanent porosity after exchange of guest molecules. The Mössbauer spectrum of the Fe^II‐MOF was recorded at 80 K in zero field yielding an apparent quadrupole splitting of ΔE_Q = 2.43 mm · s^–1, and an isomer shift of δ = 1.20 mm · s^–1, consistent with high‐spin central iron(II) atoms. Air exposure of the Fe^II‐MOF was found to result in oxidation of the metal atoms to afford Fe^III. These results demonstrate that Fe^II‐based MOFs can be prepared in similar fashion to the [Cu₃(BTC)₂], but that they lack permanent porosity when degassed.     

Heat-induced changes in microstructure and magnetic properties of Co0.75Ni0.75[Fe(CN)6] · XH2O

Polycrystalline Co_0.75Ni_0.75[Fe(CN)₆]?·?XH₂O was prepared by coprecipitation. The coprecipitated powder was annealed in vacuum at 80°C, 100°C, and 130°C. Variation of microstructural and magnetic properties with different annealed temperatures was studied by Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and magnetization measurements. The differences in magnetic phase transition temperature, coercivity, remanence, and effective magnetization were studied in detail. The magnetic contribution mainly results from Fe^III–CN–Co^II/Ni^II and Fe^III–NC–Co^II/Ni^II because Fe^II–CN–Co^III/Ni^II carries no net spin. After annealing at 130°C, the microstructures Fe^III–CN–Co^II/Ni^II and Fe^III–NC–Co^II/Ni^II convert to Fe^II–CN–Co^III/Ni^II. Differences in magnetic properties may be attributed to heat-induced microstructural changes.     

Fast and Long‐Lasting Iron(III) Reduction by Boron Toward Green and Accelerated Fenton Chemistry

Generation of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton system (Fe^II/H₂O₂) is seriously limited by the sluggish kinetics of Fe^III reduction and fast Fe^III precipitation. Here, boron crystals (C‐Boron) remarkably accelerate the Fe^III/Fe^II circulation in Fenton‐like systems (C‐Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂) to produce a myriad of hydroxyl radicals with excellent efficiencies in oxidative degradation of various pollutants. The surface B?B bonds and interfacial suboxide boron in the surface B₁₂ icosahedra are the active sites to donate electrons to promote fast Fe^III reduction to Fe^II and further enhance hydroxyl radical production via Fenton chemistry. The C‐Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂ system outperforms the benchmark Fenton (Fe^II/H₂O₂) and Fe^III‐based sulfate radical systems. The reactivity and stability of crystalline boron is much higher than the popular molecular reducing agents, nanocarbons, and other metal/metal‐free nanomaterials.     

Zero-Field Splittings and Redox Potentials in an Isostructural Series of Dinuclear FeIITiIV,FeIIITiIV, and MnIITiIV Complexes with a Face-Sharing Bridging Motive

The ligand H₆ioan has been used to synthesize the three dinuclear complexes [(ioan)Mn^IITi^IV], [(ioan)Fe^IITi^IV], and [(ioan)Fe^IIITi^IV]⁺. The face-sharing bridging mode of the three phenolates provides short M-Ti^IV distances of ≈3.0 Å. Mössbauer spectra of [(ioan)Fe^IIITi^IV]⁺ show a magnetically split six-line spectrum at 3 K in zero magnetic field demonstrating a slow magnetic relaxation. Magnetic measurements provide a zero-field splitting of |D|=5 cm⁻¹ in [(ioan)Fe^IITi^IV]. EPR spectroscopy demonstrates sizable zero-field splittings of the S=5/2 spin systems of [(ioan)Mn^IITi^IV] (D=0.246 cm⁻¹) and [(ioan)Fe^IIITi^IV]⁺ (D<−1 cm⁻¹) that can be related to enforced covalency of the M-O^ph bonds. [(ioan)Fe^IIITi^IV]⁺ exhibits a reversible reduction at −0.26 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc demonstrating the facile accessibility of Fe^III and Fe^II. In contrast to an irreversible oxidation in [(ioan)Ni^IITi^IV] at 0.78 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc, the reversible oxidation at 0.25 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc in [(ioan)Mn^IITi^IV] indicates even the access of Mn^III. These results indicate that pentanuclear complexes [(ioan)FeM¹M²M¹Fe(ioan)]ⁿ⁺ are meaningful targets to access electron delocalization in mixed-valence systems over five ions due to the facile accessibility of both Fe^II and Fe^III in the terminal positions. This study provides important local spin-Hamiltonian and Mössbauer parameters that will be essential for the understanding of the potentially complicated electronic structure in the anticipated pentanuclear complexes.     

Synthesis and reactivity of metal-containing monomers

Acid and neutral Co^II, Cu^II, Ni^II, Zn^II, Fe^II, and Fe^III maleates, fumarates, and itaconates were obtained and characterized. The methods for their synthesis were optimized, and the valence state and coordination of metals were studied. Co^II and Fe^II hydrogen maleates, Co^II maleate, and Co^II fumarate were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The ligands based on unsaturated dicarboxylic acids can be mono-, bi-, and tetradentate, which results in the formation of acid salts, chain and three-dimensional coordination polymers, whose double bond is not involved in the coordination. The strong antiferromagnetic exchange (μ_elf=1.41 and 0.34 μ_B at 290 and 80 K, respectively) was detected in Cu^II itaconate. Based on the data of Mössbauer spectroscopy, the partial reduction of Fe^III to Fe^II during the synthesis of Fe^III maleate was shown to occur: δFe=0.43 and 1.27 mm s^?1, ΔE _Q=0.57 and 3.13 mm s^?1 and Γ=0.37 and 0.28 mm s^?1 atT=298 K for Fe^III and Fe^II, respectively.     

A Heterometallic FeII–DyIII Single‐Molecule Magnet with a Record Anisotropy Barrier

A record anisotropy barrier (319 cm^?1) for all d‐f complexes was observed for a unique Fe^II‐Dy^III‐Fe^II single‐molecule magnet (SMM), which possesses two asymmetric and distorted Fe^II ions and one quasi‐D_5h Dy^III ion. The frozen magnetization of the Dy^III ion leads to the decreased Fe^II relaxation rates evident in the Mössbauer spectrum. Ab initio calculations suggest that tunneling is interrupted effectively thanks to the exchange doublets.     

Identification and Spectroscopic Characterization of Nonheme Iron(III) Hypochlorite Intermediates

Fe^III–hypohalite complexes have been implicated in a wide range of important enzyme‐catalyzed halogenation reactions including the biosynthesis of natural products and antibiotics and post‐translational modification of proteins. The absence of spectroscopic data on such species precludes their identification. Herein, we report the generation and spectroscopic characterization of nonheme Fe^III–hypohalite intermediates of possible relevance to iron halogenases. We show that Fe^III‐OCl polypyridylamine complexes can be sufficiently stable at room temperature to be characterized by UV/Vis absorption, resonance Raman and EPR spectroscopies, and cryo‐ESIMS. DFT methods rationalize the pathways to the formation of the Fe^III‐OCl, and ultimately Fe^IV?O, species and provide indirect evidence for a short‐lived Fe^II‐OCl intermediate. The species observed and the pathways involved offer insight into and, importantly, a spectroscopic database for the investigation of iron halogenases.     

Fast and Long-Lasting Iron(III) Reduction by Boron Toward Green and Accelerated Fenton Chemistry

Generation of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton system (Fe^II/H₂O₂) is seriously limited by the sluggish kinetics of Fe^III reduction and fast Fe^III precipitation. Here, boron crystals (C-Boron) remarkably accelerate the Fe^III/Fe^II circulation in Fenton-like systems (C-Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂) to produce a myriad of hydroxyl radicals with excellent efficiencies in oxidative degradation of various pollutants. The surface B−B bonds and interfacial suboxide boron in the surface B₁₂ icosahedra are the active sites to donate electrons to promote fast Fe^III reduction to Fe^II and further enhance hydroxyl radical production via Fenton chemistry. The C-Boron/Fe^III/H₂O₂ system outperforms the benchmark Fenton (Fe^II/H₂O₂) and Fe^III-based sulfate radical systems. The reactivity and stability of crystalline boron is much higher than the popular molecular reducing agents, nanocarbons, and other metal/metal-free nanomaterials.     

Catalytic Nitrene Transfer by an FeIV-Imido Complex Generated by a Comproportionation Process

Nitrene transfer reactions have emerged as one of the most powerful and versatile ways to insert an amine function to various kinds of hydrocarbon substrates. However, the mechanisms of nitrene generation have not been studied in depth albeit their formation is taken for granted in most cases without definitive evidence of their occurrence. In the present work, we compare the generation of tosylimido iron species and NTs transfer from Fe^II and Fe^III precursors where the metal is embedded in a tetracarbene macrocycle. Catalytic nitrene transfer to reference substrates (thioanisole, styrene, ethylbenzene and cyclohexane) revealed that the same active species was at play, irrespective of the ferrous versus ferric nature of the precursor. Through combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, an Fe^IV tosylimido species was identified as the catalytically active species and was characterized spectroscopically and computationally. Whereas its formation from the Fe^II precursor was expected by a two-electron oxidative addition, its formation from an Fe^III precursor was unprecedented. Thanks to a combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, EPR, Hyscore and Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, we found that, when starting from the Fe^III precursor, an Fe^III tosyliodinane adduct was formed and decomposed into an Fe^V tosylimido species which generated the catalytically active Fe^IV tosylimide through a comproportionation process with the Fe^III precursor.     

Phosphoester Hydrolysis: The Incoming Substrate Turns the Bridging Hydroxido Nucleophile into a Terminal One

Identifying the active nucleophile in hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by binuclear hydrolases is a recurrent problem and a matter of intense debate. We report on the phosphate ester hydrolysis by a Fe^IIIFe^II complex of a binucleating ligand. This complex presents activities in the range of those observed for similar biomimetic compounds in the literature. The specific electronic properties of the Fe^IIIFe^II complex allowed us to use ¹H NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopies to investigate the nature of the various species present in the solution in the pH range of 5–10. Both techniques showed that the hydrolysis activity is associated to a μ‐hydroxido Fe^IIIFe^II species. Further ¹H NMR experiments show that binding of anions or the substrate changes this bonding mode suggesting that a terminal hydroxide is the likely nucleophile in these hydrolysis reactions. This view is further supported by the structure determination of the hydrolysis product.     

Electrostatic bending and outer-sphere intervalence transfer in a flexible ligand-bridged ruthenium(III)-iron(II) complex

Abstract

In the mixed-valence complex [Ru^III(NH₃)₅(μ-dpypn)Fe^II(CN)₅] with the flexible bridging ligand 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane (dpypn), electrostatic interactions between the {Ru(NH₃)₅}³⁺ and {Fe(CN)₅}^3? moieties drive a strong bending of dpypn and approximation of the Ru^III and Fe^II centers, from which the enhanced electronic coupling between metal ions produces an intense intervalence-transfer absorption in the near-infrared region. Density functional theory calculations corroborate both the electrostatic bending in this heterobinuclear complex and a linear geometry in the homobinuclear counterparts [Ru(NH₃)₅(μ-dpypn)Ru(NH₃)₅]⁵⁺ and [Fe(CN)₅(μ-dpypn)Fe(CN)₅]^5?, for which no evidence of electronic coupling was found because of the separation between metal centers. Furthermore, the heterobinuclear species formed an inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin where the imposed linear geometry prevents significant electronic coupling and intervalence charge transfer between the Ru^III and Fe^II centers.     

Photochemische Eigenschaften der Systeme von Chloroeisen(III)-Komplexen in einigen nicht-wäßrigen Lösungsmitteln

Photochemical properties of Fe^III Chloro Complex Systems in Some Non-aqueous Solvents The results on the relationship between the composition of Fe^III chloro complexes in acetone, methanol, their mixtures resp., and their photochemical properties are presented. It has been found that the presence of Fe^II ions in irradiated systems is observed till a certain time. This time as well as the values of Phi; Fe^II depend on the ratio of [Fe^III]:[Cl^?] and the composition of the solvent mixture. Photochemical properties of some Fe^III chloro complexes are discussed.     

Bemerkungen zur chemischen Bestimmung von zweiwertigem Eisen und dreiwertigem Mangan in manganhaltigen Ferriten

Zusammenfassung Die Methode von Bonsels u. Linnemann [1] zur Bestimmung von Fe^II und Mn^III lieferte bei der Überprüfung falsche Ergebnisse. Die Ursache liegt darin, daß sich der Blindwert des Azides in Gegenwart von Mn^2ü-Ionen erheblich erhöht und in der Siedehitze eine Reaktion zwischen Mn^III und Cr^III abläuft. Da eine Auflösung selbst fein pulverisierter Ferrite in dem mitgeteilten Lösungsgemisch nur in der Siedehitze erfolgt, ist eine Bestimmung von Fe^II und Mn^III in Ferriten nach dieser Methode nicht möglich.

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Summary The method for the determination of Fe^II and Mn^III in manganese ferrites by Bonsels and Linnemann [1] was examined. It was found that the consumption of NaN₃, used for the reduction of Mn^III and effecting in a second (not wanted) reaction the reduction of Cr₂O₇ ^2–, is essentially increased by the presence of Mn^II and causes an error in the determination of Fe^II. The second error is the reaction between Mn^III and Cr^III at boiling temperature. On account of the necessity to dissolve the ferrites with the acid mixture at boiling temperature the determination of Mn^III and Fe^II is not possible.

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Herrn Dr. P. Kleinert vom Institut für Magnetische Werkstoffe danken wir an dieser Stelle für wertvolle Diskussionsbeiträge und das bei der Durchführung der Arbeit gezeigte Interesse.     

Simultaneous Modulation of Magnetic and Dielectric Transition via Spin‐Crossover‐Tuned Spin Arrangement and Charge Distribution

Magnetic and dielectric properties have been tuned simultaneously by external stimuli with rapid and sensitive response, which is crucial to monitor the magnetic state via capacitive measurement. Herein, positive charged Fe^II ions were linked via negative charged [(Tp)Fe^III(CN)₃]^? (Tp=hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate) units to form a neutral chain. The spin‐crossover (SCO) on Fe^II sites could be sensitively triggered via thermal treatment, light irradiation, and pressure. SCO switched the spin state of the Fe^II ions and antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe^III and Fe^II ions, resulting in significant change in magnetization. Moreover, SCO induced rotation of negative charged [(Tp)Fe^III(CN)₃]^? units, generating dielectric anomaly due to geometric change of charges distribution. This work provides a rational way to manipulate simultaneous variations in magnetic and dielectric properties utilizing SCO as an actuator to tune spin arrangement, magnetic coupling, and charge distribution.     

Well‐Defined Metal–Organic Framework Hollow Nanocages

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have demonstrated great potentials in a variety of important applications. To enhance the inherent properties and endow materials with multifunctionality, the rational design and synthesis of MOFs with nanoscale porosity and hollow feature is highly desired and remains a great challenge. In this work, the formation of a series of well‐defined MOF (MOF‐5, Fe^II‐MOF‐5, Fe^III‐MOF‐5) hollow nanocages by a facile solvothermal method, without any additional supporting template is reported. A surface‐energy‐driven mechanism may be responsible for the formation of hollow nanocages. The addition of pre‐synthesized poly(vinylpyrrolidone)‐ (PVP) capped noble‐metal nanoparticles into the synthetic system of MOF hollow nanocages yields the yolk–shell noble metal@MOF nanostructures. The present strategy to fabricate hollow and yolk–shell nanostructures is expected to open up exciting opportunities for developing a novel class of inorganic–organic hybrid functional nanomaterials.     

Chelatbildung mit N-unsubstituierten 1.2-Diiminliganden

Fe^II, Co^III, Ni^II, Pd^II, and Rh^III chelates with the N-unsubstituted 1-2-diimine ligands benzildiimine and 9.10-phenanthrenequinonediimine have been prepared. The compounds are characterised chemically, spectroscopically (uv, vis, ir) and polarographically. The results indicate remarkable π-back bonding in the chelates. The unusual magnetic moments of the Fe^II, Co^III and Rh^III chelates are caused by temperature-independent paramagnetism. Fe^II, Co^III, Ni^II and Cu^II chelates of the partially deprotonated phenanthrenequinone diimine are obtained.     

A Non‐Heme Iron Photocatalyst for Light‐Driven Aerobic Oxidation of Methanol

Non‐heme (L)Fe^III and (L)Fe^III‐O‐Fe^III(L) complexes (L=1,1‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐N,N‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethan‐1‐amine) underwent reduction under irradiation to the Fe^II state with concomitant oxidation of methanol to methanal, without the need for a secondary photosensitizer. Spectroscopic and DFT studies support a mechanism in which irradiation results in charge‐transfer excitation of a Fe^III?μ‐O?Fe^III complex to generate [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ (observed transiently during irradiation in acetonitrile), and an equivalent of (L)Fe^II. Under aerobic conditions, irradiation accelerates reoxidation from the Fe^II to the Fe^III state with O₂, thus closing the cycle of methanol oxidation to methanal.