Oxidation of natural rubber using a sodium tungstate/acetic acid/hydrogen peroxide catalytic system

A catalytic system based on Na₂WO₄/CH₃COOH/H₂O₂ effectively oxidizes natural rubber (NR) to prepare telechelic epoxidised liquid natural rubber (TELNR). The Na₂WO₄/CH₃COOH/H₂O₂ catalytic system possesses a much higher epoxidation efficiency than the traditional CH₃COOH/H₂O₂ system: the epoxidation degree (X_epoxy) of products increases from merely 5.6% (CH₃COOH/H₂O₂) to values as high as 52.1% (Na₂WO₄/CH₃COOH/H₂O₂) by reacting for 24 h at 60 °C. Moreover, this catalytic system also induces hydrolytic degradation so that the weight average molecular weight of NR decreases, e.g., from 14.10 × 10⁵ Da (NR) to 0.57 × 10⁵ Da (TELNR) after reacting for 30 h.The catalytic process probably proceeds via a mononuclear tungsten peroxo-species with coordinated peracetyl/acetyl group, as suggested by ESI-MS measurements. During oxidation, the tungstic anion [W(CH₃COOO)(O)(O₂)₂]⁻ not only catalyzes NR epoxidation, but also induces a further oxidation of epoxy groups to form ketones and aldehydes.     

Porous nanographene formation on γ-alumina nanoparticles via transition-metal-free methane activation

γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles promote pyrolytic carbon deposition of CH₄ at temperatures higher than 800 °C to give single-walled nanoporous graphene (NPG) materials without the need for transition metals as reaction centers. To accelerate the development of efficient reactions for NPG synthesis, we have investigated early-stage CH₄ activation for NPG formation on γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles via reaction kinetics and surface analysis. The formation of NPG was promoted at oxygen vacancies on (100) surfaces of γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles following surface activation by CH₄. The kinetic analysis was well corroborated by a computational study using density functional theory. Surface defects generated as a result of surface activation by CH₄ make it kinetically feasible to obtain single-layered NPG, demonstrating the importance of precise control of oxygen vacancies for carbon growth.

Oxygen vacancies on the (100) surface of γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles catalyse CH₄-CVD for single-layered nanoporous graphenes with no transition metal reaction centre. The rate-limiting step is the proton transfer (PT) in the activation of CH₄ on them.     

New approach to the preparation of catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane

A new approach to the preparation of systems that exhibit catalytic activity in the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is considered. With the use of ferrospheres separated from power-generation ashes from different sources as an example, it was demonstrated that OCM catalysts can be prepared by the crystallization/solidification of oxide melts with the formation of microspherical particles. The dependence of activity and selectivity for the oxidative reforming of methane on the ferrospheres containing from 36.2 to 92.5 wt % Fe₂O₃ into the products of deep oxidation and OCM was studied. It was found that deep oxidation reactions on ferrospheres with Fe₂O₃ contents higher than 85% were suppressed, and the main reaction path of CH₄ conversion was its oxidative coupling with the formation of C₂ products (with selectivity to 60% at 750°C); moreover, the selectivity for C₂ formation in this region was proportional to the concentration of Fe₂O₃. Phases responsible for the catalytic conversion of methane into CO _x and OCM products were considered, and it was shown that the catalytic activity and selectivity of the oxidative transformation of CH₄ on ferrospheres is determined by the position of the point that corresponds to their composition on a phase diagram of CaO-Fe₂O₃-SiO₂.     

Characterization and chemical reactivity of room-temperature-stable MnIII–alkylperoxo complexes

While alkylperoxomanganese(iii) (Mn^III–OOR) intermediates are proposed in the catalytic cycles of several manganese-dependent enzymes, their characterization has proven to be a challenge due to their inherent thermal instability. Fundamental understanding of the structural and electronic properties of these important intermediates is limited to a series of complexes with thiolate-containing N₄S⁻ ligands. These well-characterized complexes are metastable yet unreactive in the direct oxidation of organic substrates. Because the stability and reactivity of Mn^III–OOR complexes are likely to be highly dependent on their local coordination environment, we have generated two new Mn^III–OOR complexes using a new amide-containing N₅⁻ ligand. Using the 2-(bis((6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl)amino)-N-(quinolin-8-yl)acetamide (H^6Medpaq) ligand, we generated the [Mn^III(OO^tBu)(^6Medpaq)]OTf and [Mn^III(OOCm)(^6Medpaq)]OTf complexes through reaction of their Mn^II or Mn^III precursors with ^tBuOOH and CmOOH, respectively. Both of the new Mn^III–OOR complexes are stable at room-temperature (t_1/2 = 5 and 8 days, respectively, at 298 K in CH₃CN) and capable of reacting directly with phosphine substrates. The stability of these Mn^III–OOR adducts render them amenable for detailed characterization, including by X-ray crystallography for [Mn^III(OOCm)(^6Medpaq)]OTf. Thermal decomposition studies support a decay pathway of the Mn^III–OOR complexes by O–O bond homolysis. In contrast, direct reaction of [Mn^III(OOCm)(^6Medpaq)]⁺ with PPh₃ provided evidence of heterolytic cleavage of the O–O bond. These studies reveal that both the stability and chemical reactivity of Mn^III–OOR complexes can be tuned by the local coordination sphere.

A pair of room-temperature-stable Mn^III–alkylperoxo complexes were characterized and shown to oxidize PPh₃. Thermal decomposition studies provide evidence of both homolysis and heterolysis of the Mn^III–alkylperoxo O–O bond.     

NiO-CaO materials as promising catalysts for hydrogen production through carbon dioxide capture and subsequent dry methane reforming

In this work, CaO-NiO mixed oxide powders were evaluated as consecutive CO_2 chemisorbents and catalytic materials for hydrogen production thought the CH_4 reforming process. Between the NiO impregnated CaO and CaO-NiO mechanical composite, the first one presented better chemical behaviors during the CO_2 capture and CH_4 reforming processes, obtaining syngas(H_2+ CO) as final product. Results showed that syngas was produced at two different temperature ranges, between 400 and 600 °C and at T 800 °C, where the first temperature range corresponds to the CH_4 reforming process but the second temperature range was attributed to a different catalytic reaction process: CH_4 partial oxidation. These results were confirmed through different isothermal and cyclic experiments as well as by XRD analysis of the final catalytic products, where the nickel reduction was evidenced. Moreover, when a CO-O_2 flow was used during the carbonation process a triple process was achieved:(i) CO oxidation,(ii) CO_2 chemisorption and(iii) CH_4 reforming. Using this gas flow the hydrogen production was always higher than that obtained with CO_2.     

Variation of the composition and properties of lithium manganese oxide spinel in lithiation-delithiation cycles

The behavior of the variable-composition spinel Li_{1 + x} Mn_{2 ? x} O₄ is examined in repeated cycles consisting of lithiation in 0.2 M LiOH and delithiation in 0.3 M HNO₃. For 0 < x < 0.33, delithiation is accompanied by the redox reaction 2Mn³⁺ → Mn⁴⁺ + Mn²⁺ and Li⁺ ? H⁺ ion exchange. The spinel undergoes partial conversion into λ-□MnO₂. Vacancies (□) build up at the 8a sites of the spinel structure. Mn²⁺ ions pass into the solution, and, accordingly, the spinel dissolves. Lithiation is accompanied by the redox reaction 4Mn⁴⁺ → 3Mn³⁺ + Mn⁷⁺ and ion exchange, and the proportion of vacancies □ at the 8a sites of the spinel structure decreases. The spinel undergoes partial dissolution because of Mn²⁺ and MnO _? ⁴ ions passing into the solution. The Li⁺ selectivity of the spinel is the property of the crystallite core. The crystallite surface is capable of sorbing Na⁺ ions.     

Highly efficient mesoporous WO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/KIT-6 catalysts for oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene with hydrogen peroxide

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of organic compounds containing sulfur element from a model oil was performed using tungsten oxide catalysts supported on mesoporous silica with cubic Ia3d mesostructure, well-defined mesopores (7.2 nm), high surface area (719 m²/g), and three-dimensional pore network (WO _x /KIT-6). The prepared WO _x /KIT-6 catalysts (5–20 wt% WO _x ) were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, N₂ sorption measurements, electron microscopy, H₂-temperature programmed reduction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Among the mesoporous catalysts, 10 wt% WO _x /KIT-6 exhibited the best catalytic performance. Sulfur-containing organic compounds, such as dibenzothiophene, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzothiophene, were completely (100 %) removed from the model oil over 10 wt% WO _x /KIT-6 catalyst in 2 h. In addition, the catalyst could be reused several times with only slight decrease in catalytic activity.     

Selective photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of methane into carbon monoxide over Ag/AgCl@SiO2

Design of active catalysts for chemical utilization of methane under mild conditions is of great importance, but remains a challenging task. Here, we prepared a Ag/AgCl with SiO₂ coating (Ag/AgCl@SiO₂) photocatalyst for methane oxidation to carbon monoxide. High carbon monoxide production (2.3 μmol h⁻¹) and high selectivity (73%) were achieved. SiO₂ plays a key role in the superior performance by increasing the lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers. Based on a set of semi in situ infrared spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electronic property characterization studies, it is revealed that CH₄ is effectively and selectively oxidized to CO by the in situ formation of singlet ¹O₂via the key intermediate of COOH*. Further study showed that the Ag/AgCl@SiO₂ catalyst could also drive valuable conversion using real sunlight under ambient conditions. As far we know, this is the first work on the application of SiO₂ modified Ag/AgCl in the methane oxidation reaction.

The Ag/AgCl@SiO₂ catalyst exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity in selective aerobic oxidation of methane to carbon monoxide with high selectivity, and extended real light simulation feasibility shows potential in practical application.     

Epoxidation of Monomaleate with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by [π-C5H5N(CH2)15CH3]3PO4(WO3)4

In the study, epoxidation of dodecanol monomaleate, hexadecanol monomaleate, and octadecanol monomaleate were carried out using [π-C₅H₅N(CH₂)₁₅CH₃]₃PO₄(WO₃)₄ as phase-transfer catalyst with 30% hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The experimental results showed that [π-C₅H₅N(CH₂)₁₅CH₃]₃PO₄(WO₃)₄ had excellent catalytic effect on translating C=C double-bond into an epoxy group and had a good yield rate. The synthesized epoxides of decanol monomaleate, hexadecanol monomaleate, and octadecanol monomaleate have enormous potential application in organic synthesis, and they could be readily transformed into various synthetically useful intermediates or final products in many fields of chemistry.      

Crystal structure studies of tetragonal sodium tungsten bronzes,NaxWO3. I. Na0.33WO3 and Na0.48WO3

The crystal structures of two sodium tungsten bronzes, Na_0.33WO₃ and Na_0.48WO₃, have been determined by three-dimensional single-crystal X-ray analysis. They were found to crystallize in the tetragonal space groups $P\overline{4}{2}_{1}m(a=12.097,c=3.754\AA ,Z=10)$ and P4/mbm (a = 12.150,c = 3.769Å, Z = 10), respectively. The structures were solved by standard Patterson and Fourier techniques and refined by full-matrix least-squares to final conventional discrepancy indices of 8.9% for Na_0.33WO₃ and 8.4% for Na_0.48WO₃. In general, the oxygen atoms were found to be either twofold or fourfold disordered, suggesting that the WO₆ octahedra do not have axes exactly aligned parallel to the crystallographicc-axis. The structure found can be viewed as a composite of two kinds of domain structures. These domain structures would require a doubling of thec-axis along with selection of newa- andb-axes along the [1 1 0] and [$[\overline{1}10]$] directions. There exist pentagonal and tetragonal sites in both these sodium tungsten bronzes for sodium atoms occupancy. In Na _xWO₃, x = 0.48, all the pentagonal sites are filled and 40% of the smaller tetragonal sites are also occupied. As x decreases to 0.33 though, only the pentagonal sites are occupied. A relation between the x value and the Na _xWO₃ crystal structures is postulated, extrapolating from the results found in these structure determinations.     

Identifying key mononuclear Fe species for low-temperature methane oxidation

The direct functionalization of methane into platform chemicals is arguably one of the holy grails in chemistry. The actual active sites for methane activation are intensively debated. By correlating a wide variety of characterization results with catalytic performance data we have been able to identify mononuclear Fe species as the active site in the Fe/ZSM-5 zeolites for the mild oxidation of methane with H₂O₂ at 50 °C. The 0.1% Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst with dominant mononuclear Fe species possess an excellent turnover rate (TOR) of 66 mol_MeOH mol_Fe⁻¹ h⁻¹, approximately 4 times higher compared to the state-of-the-art dimer-containing Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts. Based on a series of advanced in situ spectroscopic studies and ¹H- and ¹³C- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we found that methane activation initially proceeds on the Fe site of mononuclear Fe species. With the aid of adjacent Brønsted acid sites (BAS), methane can be first oxidized to CH₃OOH and CH₃OH, and then subsequently converted into HOCH₂OOH and consecutively into HCOOH. These findings will facilitate the search towards new metal-zeolite combinations for the activation of C–H bonds in various hydrocarbons, for light alkanes and beyond.

The monomeric Fe species in Fe/ZSM-5 have been identified as the intrinsic active sites for the low-temperature methane oxidation.     

Ethylene production by the oxidative condensation of methane in the presence of MnMW/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts (M = Na,K, and Rb)

The samples of MnMW/SiO₂ (M = Na, K, and Rb) were synthesized using various synthesis methods under varied heat treatment conditions and their physicochemical properties and activity in the reaction of the oxidative condensation of methane (OCM) were studied for the development of an effective catalyst for the resource-saving process of natural gas conversion into ethylene. It was found that the preparation method exerts an effect on the textural characteristics of the samples and the reducing properties of the cations of manganese and tungsten. It was determined that the composition of a W-containing phase depends on the alkali metal, and a ratio between the polymorphous modifications of SiO₂ is controlled by the method of synthesis and the conditions of catalyst heat treatment. It was established that the yield of C₂ hydrocarbons in the OCM reaction increased with the use of incipient wetness impregnation instead of the method of mixing with a suspension for catalyst preparation and with an increase in the catalyst heat treatment temperature from 700 to 1000°C. The optimum composition of the catalyst and the condition of its synthesis were found: 2Mn_0.8Na₃W/SiO₂ obtained by the impregnation method and calcined at 1000°C ensured the yield of target products of ~20% with a CH₄ conversion of ~35% at a reaction temperature of 850°C.     

Uncovering an oxide ion substitution for the OH− + CH3F reaction

Theoretical investigations on chemical reactions allow us to understand the dynamics of the possible pathways and identify new unexpected routes. Here, we develop a global analytical potential energy surface (PES) for the OH⁻ + CH₃F reaction in order to perform high-level dynamics simulations. Besides bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) and proton abstraction, our quasi-classical trajectory computations reveal a novel oxide ion substitution leading to the HF + CH₃O⁻ products. This exothermic reaction pathway occurs via the CH₃OH⋯F⁻ deep potential well of the S_N2 product channel as a result of a proton abstraction from the hydroxyl group by the fluoride ion. The present detailed dynamics study of the OH⁻ + CH₃F reaction focusing on the surprising oxide ion substitution demonstrates how incomplete our knowledge is of fundamental chemical reactions.

Reaction dynamics simulations on a high-level ab initio analytical potential energy surface reveal a novel oxide ion substitution channel for the OH⁻ + CH₃F reaction.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur eines Natrium-tetraoxonitridowolframats(VI), Na5WO4N

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Sodium Tetraoxo Nitrido Tungstate(VI), Na₅WO₄N Colourless crystals of Na₅WO₄N are obtained besides Na₄WO₂N₂ [1] by the reaction of WO₃ with NaNH₂ (15:1) at 350°C ≥ T ≥ 750°C in autoclaves to prevent early decomposition of sodium amide. X-ray single crystal investigations are characterized by the following data:

• Na₅WO₄N: Cmc2₁ (No. 36), Z = 4
• a = 9.873(2) Å, b = 5.769(1) Å, c = 10.648(2) Å
• Z(F)≥ 3σ(F) = 2182, Z(Var.) = 55, R/R_w = 0.029/0.039

The structure contains the tetragonal pyramidal ion WO₄N^5? with nitrogen at the apex connected via Na⁺ ions irregularly coordinated by one nitrogen and four oxygen atoms of different anions.     

Spectral study of catalysts for the oxidative condensation of methane

Methods for preparing catalysts for the oxidative condensation of methane based on a metal support (FeCrAl foil) containing Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ and active ingredients (Na₂WO₄, Mn₂O₃, and PbO) are developed. The prepared catalysts are studied by XRD, XPS, and EM.     

The influence of hydrogen-containing molybdenum and tungsten bronzes on the catalytic activity of palladium composite catalysts for the oxidation of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO,and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The influence of hydrogen-containing molybdenum and tungsten bronzes on the catalytic activity of palladium composite catalysts for the oxidation of H₂, CO, and CH₄ was studied. It was found that the composite catalysts containing H _x MO₃ phases (M = W or Mo), which were formed by the reduction of MoO₃ and WO₃ oxides with hydrogen in the presence of deposited Pd, showed higher catalytic activity in the oxidation of small molecules (H₂, CO, and CH₄) with excess oxygen than the traditional Pd/Al₂O₃ deposited catalyst with the same content of the deposited metal. It was shown that the thermal stability of the H _x MO₃ phases was the limiting factor influencing the activity of these composite catalysts.     

One-dimensional chains in uranyl tungstates: Syntheses and structures of A8[(UO2)4(WO4)4(WO5)2] (A=Rb, Cs) and Rb6[(UO2)2O(WO4)4]

Three new uranyl tungstates, A₈[(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂] (A=Rb (1), Cs (2)), and Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄] (3), were prepared by high-temperature solid-state reactions and their structures were solved by direct methods on twinned crystals, refined to R₁=0.050, 0.042, and 0.052 for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, monoclinic P2₁/n, (1): a=11.100(7), b=13.161(9), , β=90.033(13)°, , Z=8 and (2): , , , β=89.988(2)°, , Z=8. There are four symmetrically independent U⁶⁺ sites that form linear uranyl [O=U=O]²⁺ cations with rather distorted coordination in their equatorial planes. There are six W positions: W(1) and W(2) have square-pyramidal coordination (WO₅), whereas W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) are tetrahedrally coordinated. The structures are based upon a novel type of one-dimensional (1D) [(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂]⁴⁻ chains, consisting of WU₄O₂₅ pentamers linked by WO₄ tetrahedra and WO₅ square pyramids. The chains run parallel to the a-axis and are arranged in modulated pseudo-2D-layers parallel to (0 1 0). The A⁺ cations are in the interlayer space between adjacent pseudo-layers and provide a 3D integrity of the structures. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first uranyl tungstates with 2/3 of W atoms in tetrahedral coordination. Such a high concentration of low-coordinated W⁶⁺ cations is probably responsible for the 1D character of the uranyl tungstate units. The compound 3 is triclinic, P1¯ a=10.188(2), b=13.110(2), , α=97.853(3), β=96.573(3), γ=103.894(3)°, , Z=4. There are four U positions in the structure with a typical coordination of a pentagonal bipyramid that contain uranyl ions, UO₂²⁺, as apical axes. Among eight W sites, the W(1), W(2), W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas the W(7) and W(8) cations have distorted fivefold coordination. The structure contains chains of composition [(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄]⁶⁻ composed of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and W polyhedra. The chains involve dimers of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that share common O atoms. The dimers are linked into chains by sharing corners with WO₄ tetrahedra. The chains are parallel to [−101] and are arranged in layers that are parallel to (1 1 1). The Rb⁺ cations provide linkage of the chains into a 3D structure. The compound 1 has many structural and chemical similarities to its molybdate analog, Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(MoO₄)₄]. However, the compounds are not isostructural. Due to the tendency of the W⁶⁺ cations to have higher-than-fourfold coordination, part of the W sites adopt distorted fivefold coordination, whereas all Mo atoms in the Mo compound are tetrahedrally coordinated. Distribution of the WO₅ configurations along the chain extension does not conform to its ‘typical’ periodicity. As a result, both the chain identity period and the unit-cell volume are doubled in comparison to the Mo analog, which leads to a new structure type.     

Cooperative catalytically active sites for methanol activation by single metal ion-doped H-ZSM-5

Catalytic conversion of methanol to aromatics and hydrocarbons is regarded as a key alternative technology to oil processing. Although the inclusion of foreign metal species in H-ZSM-5 containing Brønsted acid site (BAS) is commonly found to enhance product yields, the nature of catalytically active sites and the rationalization for catalytic performance still remain obscure. Herein, by acquiring comparable structural parameters by both X-ray and neutron powder diffractions over a number of metal-modified ZSM-5 zeolites, it is demonstrated for the first time that active pairs of metal site-BAS within molecular distance is created when single and isolated transition metal cation is ion-exchanged with the zeolites. According to our DFT model, this could lead to the initial heterolytic cleavage of small molecules such as water and methanol by the pair with subsequent reactions to form products at high selectivity as that observed experimentally. It may account for their active and selective catalytic routes of small molecule activations.

Diffraction studies and DFT calculations show the formation of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) over M-ZSM-5 for heterolytic cleavage of CH₃OH.     

Conductivity properties of Na2SO4/CaCO3 catalysts and their effect on catalytic activities for oxidative coupling of methane

A series of Na₂SO₄ doped CaCO₃ catalysts were prepared. It was observed that the C₂ yields and selectivities of Na₂SO₄/CaCO₃ catalysts for OCM are intimately related to their conductivities. The effect of conductivity on the catalytic activity is discussed together with the conductivities and catalytic activities of the catalysts. The higher the conductivities, the higher the C₂ yields and selectivities are.