Hydration effects on the molecular structure of silica-supported vanadium oxide catalysts: A combined IR,Raman, UV–vis and EXAFS study

The effect of hydration on the molecular structure of silica-supported vanadium oxide catalysts with loadings of 1–16 wt.% V has been systematically investigated by infrared, Raman, UV–vis and EXAFS spectroscopy. IR and Raman spectra recorded during hydration revealed the formation of V–OH groups, characterized by a band at 3660 cm⁻¹. Hydroxylation was found to start instantaneously upon exposure to traces of water, reflecting a very high sensitivity of the supported vanadium oxide catalysts for H₂O. Further hydration resulted in the appearance of a V–O–V vibration band located around 700 cm⁻¹ pointing to the formation of di- or polymeric species. EXAFS analysis at 77 K indicated structural changes as the oxygen coordination changed from four to five. Moreover, a V⋯V contribution was detected for the hydrated species. The IR, Raman and UV–vis data suggested a pyramidal anchoring of the dehydrated VO_x species, whereas, the EXAFS data pointed to the presence of single V–O–Si bonded VO_x species. This difference is attributed to water condensation effects at 77 K during EXAFS acquisition, resulting in a partial re-hydroxylation of the dehydrated samples, as confirmed by complementary IR and Raman analysis. Combining the results of this study with data from our previous studies [D.E. Keller, F.M.F. de Groot, D.C. Koningsberger, B.M. Weckhuysen, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 (2005) 10223; D.E. Keller, D.C. Koningsberger, B.M. Weckhuysen, J. Phys. Chem. B 110 (2006) 14313] as well as literature led to a reaction scheme in which a monomeric VO_x species anchored by three Si–O–V bonds to the silica support (pyramidal-type structure) is transformed into a monomeric VO_x species anchored by one Si–O–V bond (umbrella-type structure) by partial hydration of the catalyst material. This results in the formation of both V–O–H and Si–O–H bonds. At higher water pressures, larger vanadium oxide clusters are formed due to full hydration of the catalyst surface and a de-attachment of the vanadium oxide from the support surface. The results of this study provide evidence, that an umbrella-type structure (i.e., Si–O–VO(OH)₂) could be present under catalytic conditions where H₂O is a reaction product (e.g., partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes). In other words, both the pyramidal ((Si–O)₃–VO) and the umbrella (Si–O–VO(OH)₂) model can exist at a support surface, their relative ratio depending on the hydration degree of the catalyst material. This study also illustrates that a corroborative characterization requires the use of multiple spectroscopic techniques applied at the same samples under almost identical measuring conditions.     

New Insights into the Jahn–Teller Effect through ab initio Quantum-Mechanical/Molecular-Mechanical Molecular Dynamics Simulations of CuII in Water

The Cu^II hydration shell structure has been studied by means of classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations including three-body corrections and hybrid quantum-mechanical/molecular-mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at the Hartree–Fock level. The copper(II ) ion is found to be six-fold coordinated and [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ exhibits a distorted octahedral structure. The QM/MM MD approach reproduces correctly the experimentally observed Jahn–Teller effect but exhibits faster inversions (<200 fs) and a more complex behaviour than expected from experimental data. The dynamic Jahn–Teller effect causes the high lability of [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ with a ligand-exchange rate constant some orders of magnitude higher than its neighbouring ions Ni^II and Zn^II. Nevertheless, no first-shell water exchange occurred during a 30-ps simulation. The structure of the hydrated ion is discussed in terms of radial distribution functions, coordination numbers, and various angular distributions and the dynamical properties as librational and vibrational motions and reorientational times were evaluated, which lead to detailed information about the first hydration shell. Second-shell water-exchange processes could be observed within the simulation time scale and yielded a mean ligand residence time of ≈20 ps.     

Bulk properties and hydration numbers of components of water–salt,water–urea,and water–urea–salt systems

With an increase in the concentration of additives, the hydration numbers of compounds decrease. Thus, in a saturated 54.6% solution, urea loses approximately 3/4 of the initial amount of water, forming an aquacomplex of the composition (NH₂)₂CO?H₂O. In a supersaturated 44% solution, the sodium chloride aquacomplex is dehydrated by 2/3, and in a supersaturated 67% solution, sodium sulfate is dehydrated by 5/6. The density of these solutions is 1.354÷1.360 g/cm³ (44% NaCl) and 1.800÷1.849 g/cm³ (67% Na₂SO₄). In a saturated urea solution, NaNO₃, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄ complexes lose 53÷55% of hydration water. It is shown that the interactions in the binary water–urea system somewhat increase the hydration number of the salts (structural hydration). The hydration water density, a structurally important characteristic, increases in the series of solutions of urea, NaNO₃, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄. In the same series of additives, the excess volume of binary water–urea and water–salt systems becomes more negative.     

Origin of Spectrum Shifts of Benzophenone–Water Clusters: DFT Study

Structures and electronic excitation energies of the benzophenone–water (Bp–H₂O) and benzophenone–methanol (Bp–CH₃OH) complexes have been investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. The CAM-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and higher level calculations were carried out for the system. The calculations indicate that free Bp has a nonplanar structure with twist angle of 54.2° for two phenyl rings (referred to as ?). In the case of the Bp–H₂O system, the twist angle of the phenyl rings and structure of the Bp skeleton were hardly changed by hydration (? = 55.1° for Bp–H₂O). However, the excitation energies of Bp were drastically changed by this solvation. The time-dependent density functional calculations show that the n–π* transition (S₁ state) is blue-shifted by the solvation, whereas two π–π* transitions (S₂ and S₃) were red-shifted. The origin of the specific spectral shifts is discussed on the basis of the theoretical results.     

Sulphate-H2O interactions in a concentrated aqueous H2SO4 solution

X-ray diffraction data from a H₂SO₄ solution were examined. Peaks in the range 3–5 A in the correlation function reveal the presence of sulphate-H₂O interactions. Each sulphate ion interacts with eight water molecules. A model of hydration similar to that present in the crystal structure of H₂SO₄ - 4H₂O is shown to be consistent with these results.     

Monte Carlo bicanonical ensemble simulation for sodium cation hydration free energy in liquid water

A series of bicanonical ensemble Monte Carlo (BC MC) simulations has been performed to calculate Na⁺ hydration Gibbs energy in aqueous solution. The hydration Gibbs energy of Na⁺ ion in aqueous solution is the difference between formation free energies of Na⁺ (H₂O)_n and (H₂O)_n clusters at n → α. The convergence of the hydration free energy to bulk water value is fast, and the results at n = 60 turned out to be in good agreement with experimental ones and those calculated using free energy perturbation method [1]. The ion–water interaction has been described by Aqvist's pair potential [1] and SPC model [2] has been used for water–water interactions. The behaviour of the absolute Gibbs energy, the entropy, the internal energy of the clusters and the development of hydration shells’ structure with the increase of the number of water molecules are discussed.     

A Study of the Solubility of Hydrated Orthophosphates of Yttrium,Lanthanum, Cerium,and Neodymium in Sulfuric-Phosphoric Acid Solutions at 20°C

The solubility of YPO₄ · 2H₂O, LaPO₄ · 1.5H₂O, CePO₄ · 1.5H₂O, and NdPO₄ · H₂O 10–60 wt % in sulfuric-phosphoric acid solutions containing 10–60 wt % H₂SO₄ and 13.8–41.4 H₃PO₄ was studied.     

Comparative studies between hydrated hydrogen bonded and stacked DNA base pair

Influence of hydration on the Watson–Crick guanine–cytosine hydrogen bonded (h-bonded) base pair (GC) and stacked pair (G/C) was investigated in their first hydration shell. An electrostatic based approach has been used to identify the potential binding sites for water molecules around GC and G/C pairs. Several geometries of the complexes, GC…(H₂O)_n and G/C…(H₂O)_n (n=1–6) were investigated using HF/6-31G** and HF/6-31G++** methods. Further minimization calculations were performed at both B3P86/6-31G** and MP2/6-31G** levels to assess the role of electron correlation contribution in the hydration process. It can be concluded from the present findings that the stacked base-pair hydrate better than the corresponding h-bonded base pair, and DNA base pairs can accommodate up to 4–5 water molecules whereas stacked pair do accommodate 5–6 water molecules.     

The NaCl–AlCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>–HCl–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system at 25°С

Solubility was studied in the system NaCl–AlCl₃–HCl–H₂O at 25°C in the section 28 wt % HCl. The system is of the eutonic type and has an extensive sodium chloride crystallization region. The composition of the eutonic solution is the following, wt %: NaCl, 0.47; AlCl₃ ? 6H₂O, 8.88; HCl, 25.38; and H₂O, 65.27. The lines of saturated solutions were approximated by polynomial equations.     

Dielectric properties of alcohol electrolyte solutions

Dielectric properties of ethanol and 1-hexanol solutions containing LiCl, CaCl₂·2H₂O and Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, respectively, have been determined. It is found that LiCl reduces the static permittivity in ethanol, but CaCl₂·2H₂O and Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O both give an initial increase in _s. All the electrolytes studied increase the mean relaxation time of the ethanol solutions. In 1-hexanol the static permittivity is rather invariant for all studied electrolytes at low concentrations, while the same lengthening of the mean relaxation time is observed. When water is added in addition to the hydration water of the electrotyte, the static permittivity in hexanol is almost unaltered while the relaxation time is drastically shortened. The experimental result is discussed in terms of a formation of ion pairs, solvation sheaths, and kinetic depolarization, a partial release of hydration water and a structuring influence on the alcohol structure by the hydrated cation.     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long-term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT-66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT-66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long‐term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT‐66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT‐66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.     

Super-Molecular Interaction between Cl and H2O within the Restricted Space of Layered Double Hydroxides

A periodical interaction model of LDHs-Cl-yH₂O has been proposed. The geometry optimization and energy of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were calculated using CASTEP/LDA method at the CA-PZ level. The distribution of H₂O in the interlayer and the super-molecular interaction between host layer and guest anion have been investigated by analyzing the geometric parameters, charge population, energy, and density of state (DOS). The results showed that there was a strong super-molecular interaction between the host layer and the guest anion Cl⁻. In the system of LDHs-Cl-yH₂O, the interlayer distance increased gradually then tended to invariableness. And in the process of hydration of LDHs-Cl, hydrogen bonding was superior to electrostatic interaction, and layer-water type hydrogen bonding was a little stronger than anion-water type hydrogen bonding between H₂O and the rest of the structure. When y was 1 or 2, Cl⁻ and the plane of water were parallel to the layer; while y was 3 or 4, distribution of Cl⁻ and water was random. Moreover, the LDHs-Cl-yH₂O would change from ionic crystal to molecular crystal with the increase of number of water molecule. The hydration of LDHs-Cl would achieve a definite saturation state.     

Reconsideration on Hydration of Sodium Ion: From Micro-Hydration to Bulk Hydration

Micro hydration structures of the sodium ion, [Na(H₂O) _n ]+, n = 1–12, were probed by density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level in both gaseous and aqueous phase. The predicted equilibrium sodium–oxygen distance of 0.240 nm at the present level of theory. The four-, five- and six-coordinated cluster can transform from each other at the ambient condition. The analysis of the successive water binding energy and natural charge population (NBO) on Na⁺ clearly shows that the influence of Na⁺ on the surrounding water molecules goes beyond the first hydration shell with the hydration number of 6. The Car-Parrinello molecular dynamic simulation shows that only the first hydration sphere can be found, and the hydration number of Na⁺ is 5.2 and the hydration distance (r_Na–O) is 0.235 nm. All our simulations mentioned in the present paper show an excellent agreement with the diffraction result from X-ray scattering study.     

Highly Selective Water Adsorption in a Lanthanum Metal–Organic Framework

We present a new metal–organic framework (MOF) built from lanthanum and pyrazine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate (pyzdc) ions. This MOF, [La(pyzdc)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 2 H₂O, is microporous, with 1D channels that easily accommodate water molecules. Its framework is highly robust to dehydration/hydration cycles. Unusually for a MOF, it also features a high hydrothermal stability. This makes it an ideal candidate for air drying as well as for separating water/alcohol mixtures. The ability of the activated MOF to adsorb water selectively was evaluated by means of thermogravimetric analysis, powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and adsorption studies, indicating a maximum uptake of 1.2 mmol g^?1 MOF. These results are in agreement with the microporous structure, which permits only water molecules to enter the channels (alcohols, including methanol, are simply too large). Transient breakthrough simulations using water/methanol mixtures confirm that such mixtures can be separated cleanly using this new MOF.     

ChemInform Abstract: Anosovite‐Type V3O5: A New Binary Oxide of Vanadium.

The new anosovite‐type polymorph of the title compound is synthesized by reaction of either V₂F₆·4H₂O or a mixture of 60 wt.% VF₂·4H₂O and 40 wt.% VF₃·3H₂O with a flowing water‐saturated gaseous mixture of 15—20 vol% H₂ in argon (588 K, 14—18 h).     

Structures and isomerization of neutral and zwitterion serine–water clusters: Computational study

Calculations are presented for the structure and the isomerization reaction of various conformers of the bare serine, neutral serine–(H₂O)_n and serine zwitterion–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters. The effects of binding water molecules on the relative stability and the isomerization processes are examined. Hydrogen bonding between serine and the water molecule(s) may significantly affect the relative stability of conformers of the neutral serine–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters. The sidechain (OH group) in serine is found to have a profound effect on the structure and isomerization of serine–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters. Conformers with the hydrogen bonding between water and the hydroxyl group of serine are predicted. A detailed analysis is presented of the isomerization (proton transfer) pathways between the neutral serine–(H₂O)₂ and serine zwitterion–(H₂O)₂ clusters by carrying out the intrinsic reaction coordinate analysis. At least two water molecules need to bind to produce the stable serine zwitterion–water cluster in the gas phase. The isomerization for the serine–(H₂O)₂ cluster proceeds by the concerted double and triple proton transfer mechanism occurring via the binding water molecules, or via the hydroxyl group. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Geometry Optimization of Ba2+(H2O)n Clusters Using a Fast Hybrid Global Optimization Algorithm

A global optimization called fast hybrid global optimization algorithm was proposed based on genetic algorithm, fast simulated algorithm and conjugated gradient algorithm. We employ it to search the global minimum energy structures of Ba²⁺(H₂O)_n clusters for n = 1–30 within the TIP4P model. The results show that Ba²⁺(H₂O)_n clusters have the n+0 structure while n = 1–8. When n is in the range 9 ≤ n ≤ 18, the number of water molecules in the first shell around the barium ion is 8 and the other water molecules arrange in the outer shell. In the global minimum structure of Ba²⁺(H₂O)₁₉, the number of the first shell water molecules adds up to 9, and the value is kept until n = 30. According to the computational results, a conclusion that hydration numbers for Ba²⁺ is 9 can be drawn, which is in agreement with the result by a Monte Carlo simulation.     

Solubility in the LaCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-LnCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-HCl-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (Ln = Pr,Nd) Systems at 25°C

The solubility in the quaternary water-salt systems LaCl₃-NdCl₃-HCl-H₂O (1) and LaCl₃-PrCl₃-HCl-H₂O (2) at 25°C was studied in the section of 40 wt % hydrochloric acid, a system with a eutonic discontinuity. The composition at the point of discontinuity for the eutonic solution is the following. In system 1: 4.67 wt % LaCl₃ · 7H₂O, 0.37 wt % PrCl₃ · 7H₂O, 37.98 wt % HCl, and 56.98 wt % H₂O; in system 2: 4.37 wt % LaCl₃ · 7H₂O, 0.93 wt % NdCl₃ · 6H₂O, 37.88 wt % HCl, and 56.82 wt % H₂O.