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At least 757 records · Page 42

Chlorine Gas as a Lewis Acid–Base Probe for Molten Salts of Divalent Metal Ions

In the context of energy applications for salts and, more specifically, in the case of molten salt reactors, the solvation of corrosion species, the nature and behavior of radiation-produced excess electrons, transient radicals, and molecular gas species all depend on the Lewis acid–base behavior of the constituent salt melt. Speciation of dissolved species and their transport properties are also influenced by the ability of the melt to form networks. This article focuses on the structural properties of melts composed of alkaline earth metal ions coupled with the Cl – anion, and the quantum mechanical behavior of Cl 2 , a typical product of the reaction of radiation-produced chlorine radicals in Cl – -based molten salts. We explore the effect of M 2+ Lewis acidity on chlorobasicity, seen in this work as the availability of Cl – ions to chemically react with Cl 2 to produce Cl 3 – .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Clar’s Goblet on Graphene: Field-Modulated Charge Transfer in a Hydrocarbon Heterostructure

In certain configurations, the aromatic properties of benzene ring structured molecules allow for unpaired, reactive valence electrons (known as radicals). Clar’s goblets are such molecules. With an even number of unpaired radicals, these nanographenes are topologically frustrated hydrocarbons in which π-bonding network and topology of edges give rise to the magnetism. Clar’s goblets are therefore valued as prospective qubits provided they can be modulated between magnetic states. Here, using first-principles DFT, we demonstrate the effects of adsorption on both molecule and substrate in a graphene–Clar’s goblet heterostructure. We look at the energy difference bewteen FM and AFM states of the system and discuss underlying physical and chemical mechanisms in reference to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and second HOMO (HOMO–1). We find that the HOMO of the molecule in the FM state is right at the Fermi surface, which leads to the hybridization between molecular state and the graphene state near the Dirac point. Furthermore, we investigate qualitative changes in charge realignment and magnetic state under a variable electric field. Transitions from FM to AFM and back to FM states are observed.

Bruce, Adam V.↗

Direct Evidence of Visible Light-Induced Homolysis in Chlorobis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II)

Developments in the field of photoredox catalysis that leveraged the long-lived excited states of Ir(III) and Ru(II) photosensitizers to enable radical coupling processes paved the way for explorations of synthetic transformations that would otherwise remain unrealized. While first row transition metal photocatalysts have not been as extensively investigated, valuable synthetic transformations covering broad scopes of olefin functionalization have been recently reported featuring photoactivated chlorobis(phenanthroline) Cu(II) complexes. In this study, the photochemical processes underpinning the catalytic activity of [Cu(dmp) 2 Cl]Cl (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) were studied. The combined results from static spectroscopic measurements and conventional photochemistry, ultrafast transient absorption, and electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping experiments strongly support blue light (λ ex = 427 or 470 nm)-induced Cu–Cl homolytic bond cleavage in [Cu(dmp) 2 Cl] + occurring in <100 fs. On the basis of electronic structure calculations, this bond-breaking photochemistry corresponds to the Cl → Cu(II) ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition, unmasking a Cu(I) species [Cu(dmp) 2 ] + and a Cl atom, thereby serving as a departure point for both Cu(I)- or Cu(II)-based photoredox transformations. No net photochemistry was observed through direct excitation of the ligand-field transitions in the red (λ ex = 785 or 800 nm), and all combined experiments indicated no evidence of Cu–Cl bond cleavage under these conditions. As a result, the underlying visible light-induced homolysis of a metal–ligand bond yielding a one-electron-reduced photosensitizer and a radical species may form the basis for novel transformations initiated by photoinduced homolysis featuring in situ-formed metal–substrate adducts utilizing first row transition metal complexes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

New Insights into Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation at the Air–Liquid Interface

Air-liquid interfacial processing of volatile organic compound oxidation has been suggested as an important source of secondary organic aerosols. However, owing to the lack of techniques for in situ air-liquid interface analysis, the detailed interfacial mechanism remains speculative. To obviate this, the analysis of air-liquid interfacial reactions and the dynamics of glyoxal oxidation as a model volatile organic compound using in situ liquid synchrotron-based vacuum ultraviolet single photon ionization mass spectrometry enabled by the system for analysis at the liquid vacuum interface microreactor is reported. This approach allows for determination of reaction intermediates and oxidation products including polymers and oligomers at the air-liquid interface by mass spectral analysis and appearance energy measurements. Furthermore, an expanded reaction mechanism of photooxidation free radical induced reactions as a source of aqueous secondary organic aerosol formation is proposed based on these new results, suggesting that single photon ionization could be applied to provide unique insights into interfacial chemistry changing the earth atmospheric composition.

aqueous secondary organic aerosol, glyoxal, photoo↗

Sulfur ( 3 P) Reaction with Conjugated Dienes Gives Cyclization to Thiophenes under Single Collision Conditions

Here, we combine crossed-beam velocity map imaging with high-level ab initio/transition state theory modeling of the reaction of S( 3 P) with 1,3-butadiene and isoprene under single collision conditions. For the butadiene reaction, we detect both H and H 2 loss from the initial adduct, and from reaction with isoprene, we see both H loss and methyl loss. Theoretical calculations confirm these arise following intersystem crossing to the singlet surface forming long-lived intermediates. For the butadiene reaction, these lose H 2 to form thiophene as the dominant channel, H to form the detected 2H-thiophenyl radical, or ethene, giving thioketene. For isoprene, additional reaction products are suggested by theory, including the observed H and methyl loss radicals, but also methyl thiophene, thioformaldehyde, and thioketene. The results for S( 3 P) + 1,3-butadiene, showing direct cyclization to the aromatic product and yielding few bimolecular product channels, are in striking contrast to those for the analogous O( 3 P) reaction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Thermally Initiated Formation of Criegee Intermediate CH 2 OO in the Oxidation of Ethane

Criegee intermediates (CIs) play an important role in atmospheric chemistry as a transient source of the OH radical through their formation by the ozonolysis of unsaturated organic compounds. Here, we report thermally initiated formation of the smallest CI (CH 2 OO) in the oxidation of ethane (CH 3 CH 3 ) that may be relevant to combustion and flames. The SiO 2 /SiC oxidation microreactor is heated to 1800 K and has a short residence time of ∼100 μs. The CH 2 OO we observe is likely formed in a lower-temperature region near the microreactor’s exit. Plausible mechanisms for CH 2 OO formation and retention under these conditions mediated by methylperoxy (CH 3 OO) radicals are discussed. Pure rotational spectra of CH 2 OO and other intermediates (HO 2 , CH 3 CHO, CH 2 CHOH, c-CH 2 OCH 2 , CH 3 CH 2 CHO, CH 3 OOH, and HCOOH) are detected with a chirped-pulse Fourier transform millimeter-wave spectrometer operating in the frequency range of 60–90 GHz. In conclusion, detection occurs in a molecular beam, where the species are supersonically cooled to 5 K.

Hydrocarbons↗

Unraveling In-Situ Formation of Surface Nickel Nitride Structures in Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis

We report the in situ formation of Ni nitride for plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis. Both the surface nitrogen concentration and the ammonia formation rate exhibit dependence on the N 2 :H 2 feed ratio. The maximum surface nitrogen concentration occurs at a N 2 :H 2 ratio of 4:1, and the maximum catalytic activity occurs at 2:1. In contrast, the formation of gas phase radicals is less sensitive to feed composition, indicating that Ni nitride is more kinetically relevant to ammonia production than gas-phase radicals. The plasma-induced formation of Ni nitride is therefore proposed to be a critical contributor to the synergistic effects in plasma-assisted catalytic ammonia synthesis. Additionally, Ni nitride alters the surface reaction mechanism of plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis, with the rate-determining-step (RDS) shifting to surface-bound NH 3 formation rather than N 2 activation at temperatures below 373 K. These findings provide mechanistic insight that opens opportunities for optimizing the performance of plasma-assisted catalytic ammonia synthesis

Ammonia↗

Synergistically Chemical and Thermal Coupling between Graphene Oxide and Graphene Fluoride for Enhancing Aluminum Combustion

Metal combustion reaction is highly exothermic and is used in energetic applications, such as propulsion, pyrotechnics, powering micro- and nano-devices, and nanomaterials synthesis. Aluminum (Al) is attracting great interest in those applications because of its high energy density, earth abundance, and low toxicity. Nevertheless, Al combustion is hard to initiate and progresses slowly and incompletely. On the other hand, ultrathin carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and graphene fluoride (GF), can also undergo exothermic reactions. Herein, we demonstrate that the mixture of GO and GF significantly improves the performance of Al combustion as interactions between GO and GF provide heat and radicals to accelerate Al oxidation. Overall, our experiments and reactive molecular dynamics simulation reveal that GO and GF have strong chemical and thermal couplings through radical reactions and heat released from their oxidation reactions. GO facilitates the dissociation of GF, and GF accelerates the disproportionation and oxidation of GO. When the mixture of GO and GF is added to micron-sized Al particles, their synergistic couplings generate reactive oxidative species, such as CF x and CF x O y , and heat, which greatly accelerates Al combustion. This work demonstrates a new area of using synergistic couplings between ultrathin carbon nanomaterials to accelerate metal combustion and potentially oxidation reactions of other materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Morphology and Transport of Multivalent Cation-Exchanged Ionomer Membranes Using Perfluorosulfonic Acid–Ce Z+ as a Model System

Perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) are commonly used as solid polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) in electrochemical energy devices, where they are vulnerable to attack by radical species during operation. A popular strategy to combat this problem is to introduce radical scavengers like cerium (Ce) ions that neutralize these species before they attack the PFSA. Such cation doping creates a multi-ion system, in which understanding the mechanisms of cation solvation and transport becomes important for the effective design and utilization of PFSA–cation systems. Ce ions also provide a representative model system for multication-exchanged ionomers in electrochemical systems. In this study, hydration and conductivity measurements, along with X-ray fluorescence and scattering, are employed to elucidate how Ce ion exchange alters PFSA’s ionic solvation, as well as nano- and mesoscale morphologies, which ultimately control its ion transport properties. A molecular transport model is used to deconvolute the impact of Ce ions on the local solvation structure of water in the membrane from mesoscale changes of the transport pathways. The combined experimental and theoretical analysis reveals a nonlinear decrease in conductivity driven by cation solvation at the molecular level and morphological changes at longer length scales. Migration–diffusion coupling, its nonlinear dependence on ion exchange and hydration, and its overall implications for ionomer performance are also discussed. Finally, these findings have the potential to be translated into other mixed cation–ionomer systems for a wide range of energy and environmental devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Initial Stage of Nanoscale Imaging in Positive Tone Extreme UV Photoresists: The Influence of the Polymer Sequence

Photolithographic patterning using extreme ultraviolet (EUV, 92.5 eV) light is a radiolytic process that initially forms electrons, radical cations, anions, and neutral radicals in the polymeric photoresist matrix. These species may participate in the chemical reactions that define the ultimate resolution of the printed image, and their concentrations and nanometer-scale stochastic variations in their formation influence printed image quality. Proposals have been made that polymer chain uniformity may be advantageous in reducing stochastics due to spatial inhomogeneities, and this aspect of radiolysis is examined in this work. We have simulated the initial subpicosecond stages of the imaging process for a series of photoresist films that are identical in composition but vary in their polymer chain structures. We use detailed, physically accurate stochastic reaction-diffusion calculations to evaluate the influence of defined sequence and random copolymer structures on radiolytic spur formation, i.e., a cluster of species formed by electron-polymer interactions that defines the initial spatial characteristic of the imaging process. Predictions of electron thermalization in the present work are shown to be consistent with the literature, indicating that our overall computational approach for ultrafast nanoscale processes is sound. The computational results show that the polymer sequence has no significant effect on the spur composition. This suggests that any potential imaging improvements to be gained by sequence control must originate from postimaging lithographic process steps.

Absorption↗

Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions Enabled by Ligand-Based Storage of Dihydrogen

The use of supporting ligands that can store either protons or electrons has emerged as a powerful strategy in catalysis. While these strategies are potent individually, natural systems mediate remarkable transformations by combining the storage of both protons and electrons in the secondary coordination sphere. As such, there has been recent interest in using this strategy to enable fundamentally different transformations. Furthermore, outsourcing H-atom or hydrogen storage to ancillary ligands can also enable alternative mechanistic pathways and thereby selectivity. Here, we describe the application of this strategy to facilitate radical reactivity in Co-based hydrogenation catalysis. Metalation of previously reported dihydrazonopyrrole ligands with Co results in paramagnetic complexes, which are best described as having Co(II) oxidation states. These complexes catalytically hydrogenate olefins with low catalyst loadings under mild conditions (1 atm H 2 , 23 °C). Mechanistic, spectroscopic, and computational investigations indicate that this system goes through a radical hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) type pathway that is distinct from classic organometallic mechanisms and is supported by the ability of the ligand to store H 2 . These results show how ancillary ligands can facilitate efficient catalysis, and furthermore how classic organometallic mechanisms for catalysis can be altered by the secondary coordination sphere.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamically Formed Active Sites on Liquid Boron Oxide for Selective Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane

Boron-based catalysts have been shown to be both active and selective for driving the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) without the use of precious metals. This reaction occurs at temperatures that melt the oxide catalyst which challenges our ability to identify the liquid structures of the boron oxide phase under reaction conditions, hindering the understanding of its active sites and reaction mechanism. By combining ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, in-situ Raman characterization, and microkinetic modeling, we propose that the di-coordinated boron sites (BO2) in liquid boron oxide are the active species for O2 activation under reaction conditions. The formed peroxy-like species (>B-O-O-B<) can be viewed as a moderate oxidant for ODHP. The dynamical >B-O* dangling bond originated from >B-O-O-B< site as well as the liquid B2O3 structure itself, plays a critical role in the abstraction of H atoms from propane (C3H7 radical formation). Microkinetic modeling reveals C3H7 radical formation to be the main rate controlling step (~75% degree of rate control) with the dehydration of boron hydroxyls (B-OHs) to recover the di-coordinated boron active sites controlling the remainder of the rate (~25% degree of rate control). Moreover, the activation barriers are found to strongly depend upon the surface B-OH concentration. These findings provide significant insights into the active site and reaction mechanisms on boron-based catalysts for ODHP and underlie the importance of understanding the liquid nature of the catalyst to account for the catalytic activity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Multi-Scale Modeling for Plasma-Enhanced Ammonia Decomposition over Carbides and Nitrides

Ammonia is a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, but its decomposition typically requires high temperatures over costly Ru-based catalysts due to the large barrier for N≡N bond formation. We develop a multiscale framework combining density functional theory, zero-dimensional plasma kinetics, and microkinetic modeling to elucidate how non-thermal plasma (NTP) enables low-temperature NH 3 decomposition over Co-based carbides and nitrides, benchmarked against Ru and Co. Under thermal conditions, all catalysts are limited by N≡N bond formation, with Co 3 C(001) most active owing to its negatively charged surface, strong N* binding, and low activation barriers of N≡N bond formation. Plasma-induced vibrational excitation of NH 3 and its reactive radicals promotes a radical-driven •NH 2 –N* coupling pathway that dominates on Co 3 C(001) and Co 3 N(001), shifting the rate-limiting step to NH 3 (v1) dissociation, increasing turnover frequencies by up to 6 orders of magnitude, and reducing the temperature needed to reach a turnover frequency of 5 s –1 from >680 °C (Ru and Co under thermal condition) to 267 °C (Co 3 C) and 415 °C (Co 3 N). These results identify Co-based carbides and nitrides as promising plasma-active catalysts for energy-efficient hydrogen production from ammonia.

ammonia decomposition↗

Mechanistic Studies of an Iron-Catalyzed Intermolecular C–H Amination Reaction under Catalytic Conditions and Having a Large KIE

The conversion of C–H bonds into amines by nitrene insertion is an attractive transformation since it is both atom- and step-economical, and provides a direct route to functionalizing hydrocarbons. Using an iron catalyst [{( tBu pyrr) 2 pyr}Fe(OEt 2 )] (1-OEt 2 ) (( tBu pyrr) 2 pyr 2– = 3,5- t Bu 2 -bis(pyrrolyl)pyridine), we recently demonstrated the catalytic conversion of weak C–H bonds into secondary amines using aryl azides as the nitrene source [Zars, E.; Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202311749]. Here, we describe detailed mechanistic studies of this intermolecular C–H amination reaction under catalytic conditions. We find by Variable Time Normalization Analysis (VTNA) that the conversion of xanthene (2-H 2 ) and 2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl azide ( Me 3) catalyzed by 1-OEt 2 is an overall 3/2 order process, being 1 st order in 2-H 2 and half order in Me 3. A kinetic isotope effect study (KIE) using 2-d 2 results in a significant decrease in the rate (KIE = 61(15)), which clearly implicates the C–H insertion step as rate-determining. Furthermore, treatment of 1-OEt 2 with one equivalent of N 3 -2,6- i Pr 2 –C 6 H 3 yields the mixed-valence C–N coupled product [( tBu pyrr) 2 pyrFe-N═C(2,6 i Pr 2 –Ph)═N-(2,6 i Pr 2 –Ph))Fe tBu pyrrpyr(2-H-pyrr)] (5 iPr ). Quantum chemical calculations confirm the electronic structure of the mixed-valence dimer in 5 iPr and rationalize the Hammett correlation by a delicate balance in the dinuclearization of the catalytically active monomers. Calculations further indicate significant tunneling for the pivotal H atom abstraction by the iron-imidyl complex. Combining all these results allows us to propose a mechanism consisting of imido formation in equilibrium with a radical-coupled diiron system, followed by stepwise C–H insertion via a linear H atom abstraction transition state and subsequent radical rebound.

azides↗

Can Isoprene Oxidation Explain High Concentrations of Atmospheric Formic and Acetic Acid over Forests?

Formic and acetic acid concentrations are particularly high over forested areas of the world. However, the gas-phase mechanisms for producing these acids are poorly understood even for isoprene, the globally dominant biogenic hydrocarbon. We quantified formic and acetic acid production from reactions of hydroxyl radical (OH) (between high and low ranges of nitric oxide (NO) levels) with isoprene, methacrolein (MACR), isoprene epoxydiol (IEPOX), isoprene hydroxy hydroperoxide (ISOPOOH), and α-pinene from the focused isoprene experiments at California Institute of Technology (FIXCIT) laboratory chamber study. We find that (i) OH oxidation of MACR, IEPOX, and ISOPOOH are sources of formic acid, (ii) isoprene peroxy radical isomerization and associated photolysis oxidation products are potentially important sources of organic acids, and (iii) high levels of NO generally suppress organic acid formation from OH oxidation of isoprene. We modified existing chemical mechanisms for isoprene oxidation to account for organic acid production pathways observed in the FIXCIT study. We simulated organic acid production during the Southeastern Oxidant and Aerosol Study using the updated chemical mechanisms and represented acetic acid within a factor of 2 but still underpredicted formic acid by a factor of 6. While we cannot explain ambient formic acid with explicit chemical mechanisms, the FIXCIT results suggest that the oxidation of isoprene could account for as much as 70% of the global annual production of formic acid from gas-phase reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantifying the Contributions of Aerosol- and Snow-Produced ClNO 2 through Observations and 1D Modeling

Nitryl chloride (ClNO 2 ) is a radical reservoir that forms and accumulates in the nocturnal atmospheric boundary layer influenced by combustion emissions and chloride (e.g., sea salt and road salt). Upon sunrise, ClNO 2 rapidly photolyzes to generate highly reactive chlorine radicals (Cl • ) that affect the air quality by generating secondary air pollutants. Recent studies have shown road salt aerosols and saline snowpack to be sources of ClNO 2 in the wintertime urban environment; however, the quantitative contributions of each chloride source are not known. In this study, we examine the vertically resolved contributions of aerosol particles and saline snowpack as sources of ClNO 2 by using an observationally constrained snow–atmosphere coupled one-dimensional model applied to wintertime Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S. Model simulations show that ClNO 2 emitted from urban snowpack can be vertically transported throughout the entire atmospheric boundary layer and can be a significant source of ClNO 2 , contributing up to ~60% of the ClNO 2 budget near the surface. Here, modeled snowpack ClNO 2 emission rates were 6 (±7) times higher than the observationally derived emission rates, suggesting that not all snow chloride is available for reaction. ClNO 2 production from both aerosol particles and snow emissions are required to best simulate the observed surface-level ClNO 2 . Using the traditional bulk parameterization for ClNO 2 produced from particles significantly overestimated ClNO 2 due to the assumption of having equivalent dinitrogen pentoxide (N 2 O 5 ) uptake and chloride availability for the entire particle population. In comparison, the chemically resolved surface area-based parameterization slightly underestimated the observations and had uncertainties deriving from ClNO 2 production from residential wood burning particles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Kinetic Control over Disproportionation Stabilizes Wurster’s Blue Catholyte for Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Redoxmers are organic molecules that serve as charge carriers in redox flow batteries. While these materials are affordable and easy to source, insufficient stability of their charged states (radical ions) remains a challenge. A common reaction of these species is their disproportionation. Furthermore, this reversible reaction yields unstable multiply charged states, shifting the overall charge transfer equilibrium toward the decomposition products. Here we show how kinetic controls can be engineered into a redoxmer molecule to suppress these unwanted charge transfer reactions. This approach is used to transform Wurster's blue, which is historically the first example of a stable radical ion in organic chemistry, into an exceptionally durable redoxmer molecule that persists over thousands of electrochemical cycles.

Cations↗

Viscosity-Controlled Thiol–Ene Reaction and Its Impact on Mechanical Response of Dynamic Networks

The impact of curing conditions on the final properties of thioester-thiol-based dynamic polymer networks was systematically investigated. Despite identical monomer and cross-linker compositions, networks synthesized in the absence of solvent exhibited significantly higher shear moduli and longer relaxation times compared to those cured in solvent. These differences arise from viscosity-controlled photoinitiated thiol–ene reactions, where reduced chain mobility under solvent-free conditions suppresses termination between two polymer radicals, leading to higher reaction conversion. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy confirmed a greater degree of “click” reaction completion in higher viscosity environments. Control experiments revealed that prolonged radical lifetimes and suppressed termination reactions under solvent-free curing conditions contribute to these variations. Here, this study highlights the crucial role of processing conditions in determining cross-link density and, consequently, the dynamic mechanical behavior of polymer networks. It demonstrates that, beyond polymer chemistry, dynamic cross-linker design, and phase separation, curing conditions serve as a key design parameter for tailoring material performance to specific applications.

polymers↗