Formation, Reactivity, and Catalytic Behavior of a Keggin Polyoxometalate/Bipyridine Hybrid in the Epoxidation of Cyclooctene with H2O2.

The present study further explores the behavior of polyoxometalate-based hybrid compounds as catalysts for liquid-phase cyclooctene epoxidation with H2O2. Precisely, it unveils the nature of the relevant active species derived from the hybrid based on Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) and bipyridines (bpy) of formula (2,2'-Hbpy)3[PW12O40] (1). Whereas (i) it is generally accepted that the catalytic oxidation of organic substrates by H2O2 involving Keggin HPAs proceeds via an oxygen transfer route from a peroxo intermediate and (ii) the catalytically active peroxo species is commonly postulated to be the polyperoxotungstate {PO4[W(O)(O2)2]4}3- complex (PW4), we show that the studied epoxidation reaction seems to be more sophisticated than commonly reported. During the catalytic epoxidation, 1 underwent a partial transformation into two oxidized species, 2 and 3. Compound 3 corresponding to 2,2'-bipyridinium oxodiperoxotungstate of formula [WO(O2)2(2,2'-bpy)] was shown to be the main species responsible for the selective epoxidation of cyclooctene since 2 (in which the POM is associated with a protonated mono-N-oxide derivative of 2,2'-bpy of formula (2,2'-HbpyO)3[PW12O40]) exhibited no activity. The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and were independently synthesized. The speciation of 1 was monitored under catalytic conditions by 1H and 1H DOSY NMR spectroscopies, where the formation in situ of 2 and 3 was revealed. A reaction mechanism is proposed that highlights the pivotal, yet often underestimated, role of H2O2 in the reached catalytic performances. The active species responsible for the oxygen transfer to cyclooctene is a hydroperoxide intermediate species that is formed by the interaction between the anionic structure of the catalyst and H2O2. The latter operates as a "conservative agent" whose presence in the catalytic system is required to prevent the catalysts from deactivating irreversibly.

Hybrid Materials Based on Keggin Phosphotungstate and Bipyridine with Valuable Hydrophobic and Redox Properties.

A thorough investigation of two novel hybrid materials, namely, (2,2'-Hbpy)3[PW12O40] and (4,4'-H2bpy)1.5[PW12O40]·1.5H2O built from Keggin phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and bipyridine, describes the impact of bipyridine isomers in their formation and physicochemical properties. The hybrids' formation was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, while infrared spectroscopy (IR) proved the polyoxometalate (POM) structural preservation. The stoichiometric composition and thermal stability of the hybrids were solved by thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometry, which also revealed newly acquired hydrophobic properties. Raman and IR spectroscopies demonstrated that the POM skeleton units in both hybrids were distorted compared to the POM in PTA, which induced a decrease of their reduction potentials as observed by diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (DR-UV-vis). The hybrids' acidity was assessed by ammonia temperature-programmed desorption, which showed no remaining acid sites compared to the strong acidic character of the pristine PTA. The properties of the hybrids were tested in the epoxidation of cyclooctene in the presence of H2O2. The reaction was boosted when the hybrids were pre-activated with H2O2.

Solid Aluminum Borohydrides for Prospective Hydrogen Storage.

Metal borohydrides are intensively researched as high-capacity hydrogen storage materials. Aluminum is a cheap, light, and abundant element and Al3+ can serve as a template for reversible dehydrogenation. However, Al(BH4 )3 , containing 16.9 wt % of hydrogen, has a low boiling point, is explosive on air and has poor storage stability. A new family of mixed-cation borohydrides M[Al(BH4 )4 ], which are all solid under ambient conditions, show diverse thermal decomposition behaviors: Al(BH4 )3 is released for M=Li+ or Na+ , whereas heavier derivatives evolve hydrogen and diborane. NH4 [Al(BH4 )4 ], containing both protic and hydridic hydrogen, has the lowest decomposition temperature of 35 °C and yields Al(BH4 )3 ⋅NHBH and hydrogen. The decomposition temperatures, correlated with the cations' ionic potential, show that M[Al(BH4 )4 ] species are in the most practical stability window. This family of solids, with convenient and versatile properties, puts aluminum borohydride chemistry in the mainstream of hydrogen storage research, for example, for the development of reactive hydride composites with increased hydrogen content.

Crystal structure of a Pd4 carbonyl tri-phenyl-phosphane cluster [Pd4(CO)5(PPh3)4]·2C4H8O, comparing solvates.

Attempts to synthesize Au-Pd heterometallic compounds from homonuclear palladium or gold complexes, [Pd(PtBu2)2] and [Au(PPh3)Cl] in a tetra-hydro-furan (THF) solution under a CO atmosphere resulted in a homonuclear Pd cluster, namely penta-kis-(µ-carbonyl-κ(2) C:C)tetra-kis-(tri-phenyl-phosphane-κP)tetrapalladium(5 Pd-Pd) tetra-hydro-furan disolvate, [Pd4(CO)5(C18H15P)4]·2C4H8O. The complex mol-ecule lies on a twofold rotation axis. The crystal structure is described in relation to the CH2Cl2 solvate previously determined by our group [Willocq et al. (2011 ▸). Inorg. Chim. Acta, 373, 233-242], and in particular to the desolvated structure [Feltham et al. (1985 ▸). Inorg. Chem. 24, 1503-1510]. It is assumed that the title compound transforms into the latter structure, upon gradual loss of solvent mol-ecules. In the title compound, the symmetry-unique THF solvent mol-ecule is linked to the complex mol-ecule by a weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bond. Contributions of disordered solvent molecules to the diffraction intensities, most likely associated with methanol, were removed with the SQUEEZE [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18] algorithm.

A composite of complex and chemical hydrides yields the first Al-based amidoborane with improved hydrogen storage properties.

The first Al-based amidoborane Na[Al(NH2 BH3 )4 ] was obtained through a mechanochemical treatment of the NaAlH4 -4 AB (AB=NH3 BH3 ) composite releasing 4.5 wt % of pure hydrogen. The same amidoborane was also produced upon heating the composite at 70 °C. The crystal structure of Na[Al(NH2 BH3 )4 ], elucidated from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and confirmed by DFT calculations, contains the previously unknown tetrahedral ion [Al(NH2 BH3 )4 ](-) , with every NH2 BH3 (-) ligand coordinated to aluminum through nitrogen atoms. Combination of complex and chemical hydrides in the same compound was possible due to both the lower stability of the AlH bonds compared to the BH ones in borohydride, and due to the strong Lewis acidity of Al(3+) . According to the thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry (TGA-DSC-MS) studies, Na[Al(NH2 BH3 )4 ] releases in two steps 9 wt % of pure hydrogen. As a result of this decomposition, which was also supported by volumetric studies, the formation of NaBH4 and amorphous product(s) of the surmised composition AlN4 B3 H(0-3.6) were observed. Furthermore, volumetric experiments have also shown that the final residue can reversibly absorb about 27 % of the released hydrogen at 250 °C and p(H2 )=150 bar. Hydrogen re-absorption does not regenerate neither Na[Al(NH2 BH3 )4 ] nor starting materials, NaAlH4 and AB, but rather occurs within amorphous product(s). Detailed studies of the latter one(s) can open an avenue for a new family of reversible hydrogen storage materials. Finally, the NaAlH4 -4 AB composite might become a starting point towards a new series of aluminum-based tetraamidoboranes with improved hydrogen storage properties such as hydrogen storage density, hydrogen purity, and reversibility.

Heterometal nanoparticles from Ru-based molecular clusters covalently anchored onto functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.

Heterometal clusters containing Ru and Au, Co and/or Pt are anchored onto carbon nanotubes and nanofibers functionalized with chelating phosphine groups. The cluster anchoring yield is related to the amount of phosphine groups available on the nanocarbon surface. The ligands of the anchored molecular species are then removed by gentle thermal treatment in order to form nanoparticles. In the case of Au-containing clusters, removal of gold atoms from the clusters and agglomeration leads to a bimodal distribution of nanoparticles at the nanocarbon surface. In the case of Ru-Pt species, anchoring occurs without reorganization through a ligand exchange mechanism. After thermal treatment, ultrasmall (1-3 nm) bimetal Ru-Pt nanoparticles are formed on the surface of the nanocarbons. Characterization by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) confirms their bimetal nature on the nanoscale. The obtained bimetal nanoparticles supported on nanocarbon were tested as catalysts in ammonia synthesis and are shown to be active at low temperature and atmospheric pressure with very low Ru loading.

Photochromism emergence in N-salicylidene p-aminobenzenesulfonate diallylammonium salts.

N-Salicylidene p-aminobenzenesulfonate salts were prepared by in situ condensation of p-aminobenzenesulfonate diallylammonium salt and salicylaldehyde. Modulation of thermo- and photochromism was achieved by varying the alkyl chain length of the diallylammonium counter-cation. A structural-optical properties investigation reveals that both crystal packing and dihedral angle between aromatic rings of the N-salicylidene aniline switch are not sufficient to predict the occurrence of photochromism in the solid state. The available free space around the N-salicylidene p-aminobenzenesulfonate, in addition to the flexibility of the nearby environment, is shown to be of major importance for the cis→trans isomerisation to occur as well as for the stabilisation of the trans-keto form. Emergence of photochromic properties was determined from the diallylhexylammonium cation within the series of investigated counter-cations. High stability is observed for the trans-keto form of one polymorph of N-salicylidene p-aminobenzenesulfonate diallylhexylammonium salt (k = 2.4×10(-7)  s(-1)).

In situ quartz crystal microbalance monitoring of the adsorption of polyoxometalate on a polyampholyte polymer matrix.

Hybridization of polyoxometalates (POMs) via an organic-inorganic association constitutes a new route to develop heterogeneous POM catalysts with tunable supramolecular architecture. As the structural stability of POMs is strongly influenced by the pH conditions, a quantitative understanding of the POMs-polymer association is important in practical applications. Herein, we use Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) to systematically investigate the interactions of Keggin phosphotungstic acid POM with a polyampholyte polymer-coated QCM sensor as a function of pH. The mass of adsorbed POMs increases when pH decreases from 5.6 to 2, indicating that electrostatic forces play a major role in the formation of POM-polymer hybrids. This finding is complemented by AFM images that show an increase in the size of the hybrid entities from 5 to 12 nm as the pH decreases from 5.6 to 2. The POM adsorbed amount at a particular pH value reaches an equilibrium level with time. The hybrids further gain in adsorbed mass only when lowering the pH value of the POM solution. The hybrid structure formed above pH 2 shows resistance to leaching as indicated by the steady level of the adsorbed mass during a rinsing step with water. However, at pH 2, the rinsing step causes desorption of some weakly adsorbed POMs. It is shown that leached POMs can be re-adsorbed back into the polymer matrix during a second contact with a POM solution at pH 2. This adsorption-desorption cycles of POMs were successfully repeated. Our experiments shed light into the coexistence of tightly as well as loosely bound POMs in hybrid catalyst formed at pH 2. The loosely bound POMs can potentially act as homogeneous catalysts when desorbed. However, these leached POMs can be re-adsorbed back into the matrix, preserving the heterogeneous state of the catalyst. Our results show that QCM is a powerful technique to study in situ the dynamics of the adsorption of POMs on a polymer matrix under different pH conditions.

Controlling the dispersion of supported polyoxometalate heterogeneous catalysts: impact of hybridization and the role of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity balance and supramolecularity.

The hybridization of polyoxometalates (POMs) through an organic-inorganic association offers several processing advantages in the design of heterogeneous catalysts. A clear understanding of the organization of these hybrid materials on solid surfaces is necessary to optimise their properties. Herein, we report for the first time the organization of Keggin phosphotungstic [PW12O40](3-) and Wells-Dawson (WD) phosphomolybdic [P2Mo18O62](6-) anions deposited on mica (hydrophilic), and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) (hydrophobic) surfaces. Next, the supramolecular organization of the organic-inorganic hybrid materials formed from the association of POM anions and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODA) is investigated as a function of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surfaces. The height of the Keggin-POM anions, measured with tapping mode (TM-AFM) is always in good agreement with the molecular dimension of symmetric Keggin-POM anions (ca. 1 nm). However, the asymmetric WD-POM anions form monolayer assemblies on the surfaces with the orientation of their long molecular axis (ca. 1.6 nm) depending on the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the substrate. Namely, the long axis is parallel on mica, and perpendicular on HOPG. When hybridized with DODA, the organization of the hybrid material is dictated by the interaction of the alkyl side chains of DODA with the substrate surface. On HOPG, the DODA-POM hybrid forms small domains of epitaxially arranged straight nanorod structures with their orientation parallel to each other. Conversely, randomly distributed nanospheres are formed when the hybrid material is deposited on freshly cleaved mica. Finally, a UV-ozone treatment of the hybrid material allows one to obtain highly dispersed isolated POM entities on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. The hybridization strategy to prevent the clustering of POMs on various supports would enable to develop highly dispersed POM-based heterogeneous catalysts with enhanced functionalities.

Reversible photochromism of an N-salicylidene aniline anion.

The first N-salicylidene aniline anion showing reversible solid state thermochromic and photochromic properties is described. The photo-isomerization involves a trans-keto form which is stabilized thanks to the local anion surrounding. This photochromic anion can be used as a guest for the preparation of hybrid materials by insertion into a cationic host matrix.

A covalently anchored homogeneous gold complex on carbon nanotubes: a reusable catalyst.

The gold complex [Tf2NAuPPh3CH2NH2] was synthesized and covalently anchored on modified carbon nanotubes in order to obtain a supported gold homogeneous catalyst. Simple 1,6 enynes were chosen as benchmark substrates to assess its behaviour in cyclization catalysis as well as study its recycling.

Catalysis with Gold Complexes Immobilised on Carbon Nanotubes by π-π Stacking Interactions: Heterogeneous Catalysis versus the Boomerang Effect.

A new pyrene-tagged gold(I) complex has been synthesised and tested as a homogeneous catalyst. First, a simple 1,6-enyne was chosen as a model substrate for cyclisation by using different solvents to optimise the reaction conditions. The non-covalent immobilisation of our pyrene-tagged gold complex onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes through π-π stacking interactions was then explored to obtain a supported homogeneous catalyst. The heterogenised catalyst and its homogeneous counterpart exhibited similar activity in a range of enyne cyclisation reactions. Bearing in mind that π-π interactions are affected by temperature and solvent polarity, the reuse and robustness of the supported homogeneous catalyst was tested to explore the scope and limitations of the recyclability of this catalyst. Under the optimised conditions, recyclability was observed by using the concept of the boomerang effect.

Supramolecular organization in organic-inorganic heterogeneous hybrid catalysts formed from polyoxometalate and poly(ampholyte) polymer.

Hybridization of polyoxometalates (POMs) via the formation of an organic-inorganic association constitutes a new route to develop a heterogeneous POM catalyst with tunable functionality imparted through supramolecular assembly. Herein, we report on strategies to obtain tunable well-defined supramolecular architectures of an organic-inorganic heterogeneous hybrid catalyst formed by the association of a hydrophobically substituted polyampholyte copolymer (poly N, N-diallyl-N-hexylamine-alt-maleic acid) and phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40) POMs. The self-assembling property of the initial polyampholyte copolymer matrix is modulated by controlling the pH of the hybridization solution. When deposited on a mica surface, isolated, long and extended polymer chains are formed under basic conditions (pH 7.9), while globular or coiled structures are formed under acidic conditions (pH 2). The supramolecular assembly of the POM-polymer hybrid is found to be directed by the type and quantities of charges present on the polyampholyte copolymer, which themselves depend on the pH conditions. The hypothesis is that the Keggin type [PW12O40](3-) anions, which have a size of ~1 nm, electrostatically bind to the positive charge sites of the polymer backbone. The hybrid material stabilized at pH 5.3 consists of POM-decorated polymer chains. Statistical analysis of distances between pairs of POM entities show narrow density distributions, suggesting that POM entities are attached to the polymer chains with a high level of order. Conversely, under acidic conditions (pH 2), the hybrid shows the formation of a core-shell type of structure. The strategies reported here, to tune the supramolecular assembly of organic-inorganic hybrid materials, are highly valuable for the design and a more rational utilization of POM heterogeneous catalysts in several chemical transformations.

A pyrene- and phosphonate-containing fluorescent probe as guest molecule in a host polymer matrix.

New host-guest materials have been prepared by incorporation of a home-made organic probe displaying a pyrene motif and a phosphonate function into a regular amphiphilic copolymer. Using powder X-Ray diffraction, photoluminescence and FT-IR spectroscopy, we have been able to study the non-covalent interactions between the host matrix and the guest molecule in the solid state. Interestingly, we have shown that the matrix directs the guest spatial localization and alters its properties. Thanks to the comparison of pyrene vs. N-pyrenylmaleimide derivatives, the influence of the chemical nature of the guest molecules on the non-covalent interactions with the host have been studied. In addition, using polyethylene glycol as a reference host, we have been able to evidence a true matrix effect within our new insertion materials. The phosphonated guest molecule appears to be a novel probe targeting the hydrophilic domain of the host copolymer.

Radical addition of xanthates on carbon nanotubes as an efficient covalent functionalization method.

Radical-initiated support: Xanthates were used as chemical reagents for the sidewall covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes (see figure). The best grafting yields were obtained with stoichiometric ratios of xanthate and the radical initiator lauroyl peroxide. One grafted function was used as a tether for bimetallic cluster compounds, which were converted into very small (1-2 nm) supported nanoparticles upon heating.

Bismuth-palladium heterometallic carboxylate as a single-source precursor for the carbon-supported Pd-Bi/C catalysts.

The heterometallic complex [Bi(2)Pd(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(10)(HO(2)CCF(3))(2)] (1) was obtained by the solid state reaction of Bi(III) trifluoroacetate/trifluoroacetic acid adduct with unsolvated trinuclear Pd(II) trifluoroacetate. The crystal structure of 1 consists of discrete tetranuclear molecules, in which two paddlewheel [BiPd(O(2)CCF(3))(4)] units are connected by two chelating-bridging trifluoroacetate ligands through bismuth ends. There are no metal-metal bonds in the tetrameric structure of 1, since both Bi...Pd (3.0843(4) A) and Bi...Bi (4.5074(4) A) distances are too long to be considered as bonding interactions. A study of the solution behavior revealed that not only the coordinated trifluoroacetic acid in 1 can be effectively replaced by other donor solvent molecules but also the tetranuclear complex can be cleaved in solution into discrete dinuclear Bi-Pd species. Complex 1 was used as precursor for the preparation of a bimetallic Pd-Bi carbon-supported catalyst. The preparation procedure included the modification of the carbon support to increase the number of oxygenated functions at its surface followed by grafting complex 1 via ligand exchange for surface carboxylates and activating thermally. The resulting catalyst, consisting of small supported metallic particles, was found to be more active than the reference materials prepared from multisource homometallic Pd and Bi precursors.

Molecular precursor route to bulk and silica-supported Nb2Mo3O14 using water-soluble oxo-oxalato complexes.

The catalytically relevant Nb2Mo3O14 phase has been prepared in bulk and silica-supported forms via the so-called "multiple molecular precursors method" from water-soluble oxo-oxalato complexes of Nb and Mo, (NH4)3[NbO(ox)3].H2O, and (NH4)2[MoO3(ox)].H2O. Thermal treatment of the mixed Nb-Mo precursor has been optimized for the formation of the pure Nb2Mo3O14 phase, either as bulk oxide or a silica-supported phase with high specific surface area. A characterization of the bulk phase obtained via the conventional ceramic route has also been carried out and a comparison has been made with the precursors route. According to this route, the Nb2Mo3O14 phase is shown to be formed in a pure form at 700 degrees C (i.e., 100 degrees C below the lowest temperature reported so far for the formation of the phase by the ceramic method). The supported samples have appreciable specific surface areas of 60-70 m(2) g(-1), much larger than those reached in the previous attempts under vacuum in sealed vials. The SEM and EDX analyses reveal a high dispersion of the desired phase on the silica support.

Homo- and heterobimetallic niobium(v) and tantalum(v) peroxo-tartrate complexes and their use as molecular precursors for Nb-Ta mixed oxides.

New water-soluble bimetallic peroxo-tartrato complexes of niobium(V) and/or tantalum(V) have been prepared, characterized from the structural and spectroscopic point of view, and used as molecular precursors for Nb-Ta mixed oxides. Two new homometallic complexes, (gu)5[Nb2(O2)4(tart)(Htart)] x 4H2O (1a) and (gu)6[Ta2(O2)4(tart)2] x 4H2O (2a), and the corresponding heterometallic complex, (gu)5[NbTa(O2)4(tart)(Htart)] x 4H2O (3), have been obtained. The crystal structures of the homometallic compounds, (gu)5[Nb2(O2)4(tart)(Htart)] x 6H2O x 1H2O2 (1b) and (gu)6[Ta2(O2)4(tart)2] x 6H2O (2b), have been determined, showing, for both cases, two 8-fold-coordinated metal atoms, each surrounded by oxygen atoms belonging to two bidentate peroxides, two monodentate carboxylato, and two alkoxo groups from both bridging tartrato ligands. The coordination polyhedron around each metal atom is a dodecahedron. The thermal treatment of complexes 1a, 2a, and 3 in air at 700 or 800 degrees C, depending of the Ta content, provided Nb2O5, Ta2O5, and the solid solution TaNbO5, respectively. The thermal treatment of a 1:1 Nb/Ta molar ratio mixture of 1a and 2a has also been studied. BET and SEM measurements have been carried out and reveal these oxides possess relatively high specific surface areas and display a porous character. Comparison between the use of homo- and heterometallic precursors is discussed.

Multitechnique investigation of the physisorption and thermal treatment of mixed-metal clusters on carbon.

The three clusters [Ru6PtC(CO)16(COD)] (1), [Ru5PtC(CO)14(COD)] (2) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), and (NEt4)2[Pd6Ru6(CO)24] (3) were physisorbed onto an active carbon support and used as molecular precursors for supported particles. The samples before and after thermal treatment at 300 degrees C were characterized by a combination of SIMS, XPS, SEM and XRD. It was found that the clusters are molecularly intact, but present in the form of agglomerates on the support at the end of the physisorption step. After thermal treatment, the ligands were lost in all cases, leaving on the surface bimetallic particles containing both starting metals (Ru-Pt in the case of 1 and 2, and Ru-Pd in the case of 3). The presence of the counterion was evidenced for 3, before, but not after, heating. Molecular clusters are thus interesting precursors for the preparation of supported bimetallic phases, and SIMS is the ideal technique to characterize them at each step of their preparation.

Spectroscopic and structural characterizations of novel water-soluble tetraperoxo and diperoxo[polyaminocarboxylato bis(N-oxido)]tantalate(V) complexes.

New water-soluble homoleptic peroxo complexes and heteroleptic peroxo-polyaminocarboxylato (PAC) complexes of tantalum(V) have been prepared. In the case of the peroxo-PAC complexes, the synthesis in the presence of excess H2O2 leads to the oxidation of the nitrogen atoms of the ligand into N-oxides. The compounds correspond to the general formula (gu)3[Ta(O2)2(LO2)] x xH2O (gu = guanidinium, L = edta or pdta) in which H4LO2 refers to the bis(N-oxide) derivative of the PAC ligand. The TaV complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental and thermal analysis and by IR and 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy. These last two spectroscopic methods have been used to suggest the coordination mode of the PAC ligand in the complexes. ESI mass spectrometry measurements have also been carried out for the peroxo-PAC compounds. The crystal structures of the homoleptic tetraperoxotantalate, (gu)3[Ta(O2)4] (1), and the heteroleptic complex, (gu)3[Ta(O2)2(edtaO2)] x 2.32H2O x 0.68H2O2 (2b), have been determined, showing, for both cases, an 8-fold-coordinated Ta atom surrounded either by four bidentate peroxides or by two peroxides and one tetradentate edtaO2 ligand.