archives@tulane.edu / 1 / Aibolat Koishybay

The price fluctuation and depletion of crude oil have led to the fervent interest in finding alternatives that can satisfy our increasing need for energy. In the past decades, two primary approaches are seen as promising ways to remedy our dependence on crude oil: first, the use of natural gas, primarily methane, to produce high-value hydrocarbons, and second, the use of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier. In this dissertation, we used density functional theory (DFT) calculation and kinetic modeling to investigate methane activation and C-C coupling on WC as well as the ammonia decomposition over the CoNi alloy surface. From our methane conversion project, we investigated the reactivity of W-terminated WC(0001) and WC(112 ̅0) surface toward methane activation and conversion to produce C2 moieties using DFT. We first calculate the intermediates binding energies and activation and reaction energies of methane dissociation. We found that WC(112 ̅0) is better at dissociating the first C–H bond than WC(0001). Our results also indicate that the surface is likely populated by (CH)ads species. The mobility of (CH)ads species on both surfaces allows the possibility of C-C coupling, resulting in a precursor for higher hydrocarbon formation. Our results also demonstrate that the WC(0001) surface favors the production of the (C2H2)ads species, whereas the WC(112 ̅0) surface dissociates CHx completely, resulting in coke formation. Thus, methane dissociates readily on the WC surfaces whereas the formation of the C2 species is sensitive to the surface structure. The DFT study on ammonia decomposition has been performed in close collaboration with the experimental study. A highly active catalyst consisting of CoNi alloy nanoparticles well-dispersed on a MgO–CeO2–SrO mixed oxide support with potassium promotion exhibited a performance matching that of the Ru-based catalysts. Extensive characterization in combination with the DFT results revealed that the CoNi alloy surface and metal/oxide interfaces are the active sites for catalytic decomposition of ammonia. Moreover, the much improved catalytic activity stems mainly from the presence of interface where the recombinative desorption of nitrogen has been greatly enhanced. These have been demonstrated by examining the detailed elementary steps of ammonia decomposition on the Co, Ni, Co2Ni, CoNi2 (111) surfaces and at the CeO2/Co2Ni interface. We calculated the binding energies of intermediates and the activation energies of each elementary step in ammonia decomposition. We found that on the Co, Ni, Co2Ni, CoNi2 surfaces, N–N bond formation is the rate-determining step, with the CoNi alloy surfaces having a lower activation energy than the pure metal surfaces. Over the CeO2/Co2Ni interface, however, N–H bond dissociation becomes rate-determining. The high catalytic activity at the CeO2/Co2Ni interface originates from the localized charge polarization due to alloying and the presence of the oxide which drastically facilitates N2* formation. We then integrated the DFT-calculated adsorption and activation energies in the microkinetic modeling of ammonia decomposition on the Co, Co2Ni, CoNi2, and Ni surfaces, focusing on the alloying effect. Two cases were investigated: ammonia decomposition in the 1) absence and 2) presence of product re-adsorption. In both cases, we determined the turnover frequencies, the apparent activation energies, the steady-state coverages, the degree of rate control, and the reaction orders. Our results show that in both cases, the alloys have higher catalytic performance than the pure metals. We also found that as the temperature increases, ammonia decomposition switches from being limited by N–N (and N–NH) bond formation to N–H bond dissociation. This change of mechanism is predicted to occur at lower temperatures on the alloy surfaces. In the case of hydrogen re-absorption, the surface H* adatom retards the last N–H bond-breaking step, resulting in the high coverage of NH* species on the surfaces, making N–NH coupling an alternative pathway for N2 formation. Furthermore, our microkinetic results show that alloying Ni with Co reduces the effect of hydrogen inhibition at high hydrogen partial pressures. In summary, this dissertation provides information for the design of efficient catalysts toward methane conversion and ammonia decomposition.

No description available.

Methane activation with bromine followed by the condensation of the methyl bromide into higher hydrocarbons or oxygenates is a novel route. However, the selective production of monobrominated methane (CH3Br) at high conversions is a crucial prerequisite. A reaction model was developed according to the kinetic data available in the literature and thoroughly studied to investigate the optimum reactor conditions for selective methane bromination in gas phase. It was concluded that at high methane (&gt / 90%) conversions dibromomethane synthesis was favored at high selectivity (~90%) under the following conditions: T=330 &deg / C, Br:CH4 = 3. Sulfated zirconia included SBA-15 catalysts were prepared and characterized for the catalytic methane activation via bromination. The SBA-15 sol-gel preparation technique was followed and the zirconium was added during the preparation in the form of ZrOCl2&middot / 8H2O with 5-30 mol % ZrO2 with respect to the SiO2 content simultaneously with the silicon source (TEOS). The catalysts were sulfated in 0.25 M H2SO4 solution. The zirconium contents of the catalysts were determined by elemental analysis and 15 wt. % Zr was determined as the highest amount. XRD analysis showed the crystalline zirconia peaks only for high zirconia loadings (&gt / 25 mol % ZrO2) indicating the good distribution of Zr in silica framework at lower loadings. BET surface areas of the sulfated catalysts are in the range of 313-246 m2/g. The porous structures of the catalysts were determined by TEM pictures, which revealed that the increase in Zr content decreased the long range order of pore structure of SBA-15 in agreement with XRD results. The acidities of the catalysts were determined by 1H MAS NMR experiments. Br&oslash / nsted acidity was identified by a sharp 1H MAS NMR line at 10.6 ppm. The highest acidity was observed at 5.2 wt. % Zr loading according to 1H MAS NMR experiments. 29Si MAS NMR analysis showed the formation of Si-O-X linkages (X=H, Zr). Further characterization of Br&oslash / nsted acidity was performed by FT-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO at 82 K. The analysis revealed that the Br&oslash / nsted acidity of sulfated catalysts were similar to the acid strength of the conventional sulfated zirconia. In TPD experiments, the basic molecule isopropylamine (IPAm) was adsorbed and decomposition temperature of IPAm was monitored. The temperature decreased from 340 &deg / C to 310 &deg / C in sulfated catalysts, indicating the acidic character of these samples. Catalytic methane bromination reaction tests were performed in a quartz tubular reactor. The results showed that 69% methane conversion was attainable over SZr(25)SBA-15 catalyst at 340 &deg / C. The liquid 1H NMR measurements of the products revealed that &gt / 99% methyl bromide selectivity was achieved.

The first study project is based on modeling Earth abundant 3d transition-metal methoxide complexes with potentially redox-noninnocent ligands for methane C–H bond activation to form methanol (LnM-OMe + CH4 → LnM–Me + CH3OH). Three types of complex consisting of tridentate pincer terpyridine-like ligands, and different first-row transition metals (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) were modeled to elucidate the reaction mechanism as well as the effect of the metal identity on the thermodynamics and kinetics of a methane activation reaction. The calculations showed that the d electron count of the metal is a more significant factor than the metal's formal charge in controlling the thermodynamics and kinetics of C–H activation. These researches suggest that late 3d-metal methoxide complexes that favor σ-bond metathesis pathways for methane activation will yield lower barriers for C–H activation, and are more profitable catalyst for future studies. Second, subsequently, on the basis of the first project, density functional theory is used to analyze methane C−H activation by neutral and cationic nickel-methoxide complexes. This study identifies strategies to further lower the barriers for methane C−H activation through evaluation of supporting ligand modifications, solvent polarity, overall charge of complex, metal identity and counterion effects. Overall, neutral low coordinate complexes (e.g. bipyridine) are calculated to have lower activation barriers than the cationic complexes. For both neutral and cationic complexes, the methane C−H activation proceed via a σ-bond metathesis rather than an oxidative addition/reductive elimination pathway. Neutralizing the cationic catalyst models by a counterion, BF4-, has a considerable impact on reducing the methane activation barrier free energy. Third, theoretical studies were performed to explore the effects of appended s-block metal ion crown ethers upon the redox properties of nitridomanganese(V) salen complexes, [(salen)MnV(N)(Mn+-crown ether)]n+, where, M = Na+, K+, Ba2+, Sr2+ for 1Na, 1K, 1Ba, 1Sr complexes respectively; A = complex without Mn+-crown ether and B = without Mn+). The results of the calculations reveal that ΔGrxn(e ̶ ) and thus reduction potentials are quite sensitive to the point charge (q) of the s-block metal ions. Methane activation by A, 1K and 1Ba complexes proceeds via a hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) pathway with reasonable barriers for all complexes with ~ 4 kcal/mol difference in energy, more favorable free energy barrier for the complexes with higher point charge of metal ion. Changes in predicted properties as a function of continuum solvent dielectric constant suggest that the primary effect of the appended s-block ion is via "through space" interactions. Finally, a comprehensive DFT study of the electrocatalytic oxidation of ammonia to dinitrogen by a ruthenium polypyridyl complex, [(tpy)(bpy)RuII(NH3)]2+ (complex a), and its NMe2-substituted derivative (b), is presented. The thermodynamics and kinetics of electron (ET) and proton transfer (PT) steps and transition states are calculated. NMe2 substitution on bpy reduces the ET steps on average 8 kcal/mol for complex b as compared to a. The calculations indicate that N–N formation occurs by ammonia nucleophilic attack/H-transfer via a nitrene intermediate, rather than a nitride intermediate. Comparison of the free energy profiles of Ru-b with its first-row Fe congener reveals that the thermodynamics are less favorable for the Fe-b model, especially for ET steps. The N-H bond dissociation free energies (BDFEs) for NH3 to form N2 show the following trend: Ru-b <Ru-a <Fe-b, indicating the lowest and most favorable BDFEs for Ru-b complex.

Current fossil fuels (Coal and Petroleum) based economy is not sustainable in the long run because of its dwindling resources, and increasing concerns of climate change due to excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. To mitigate CO2 emission and climate change, scientists across the world have been looking for clean and sustainable energy sources. Among them hydrogen gas (H2) could be more promising because it is the most clean fuel and can be produced from cheap source (water) which is renewable and abundant. Nevertheless, the bottleneck for hydrogen economy is lying in the cost of hydrogen production from water. Still there are no any efficient systems developed which can deliver hydrogen from water in economically viable way. Meanwhile, recent research on old molecule ammonia-borane (H3N•BH3, AB) as hydrogen source has increased the hope towards the hydrogen economy, however, catalytic recycling (or efficient regeneration) of AB from the dehydrogenated product polyborazylene (PB or BNHx) is the biggest hurdle which prevents use of AB as practical hydrogen storage material. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the dehydrogenation pathways of ammonia-borane (or related amine-boranes) which lead to polymeric or oligomeric product(s). On the other hand, methane (CH4) is abundant (mostly untamed) but cleaner fuel than its higher hydrocarbon analogs. To develop highly efficient catalytic systems to transform CH4 into methanol (gas to liquid) is of paramount importance in the field of catalysis and it could revolutionize the petrochemical industry. Therefore, to activate CH4, it is crucial to understand its binding interaction with metal center of a molecular catalyst under homogenous condition. However, these interactions are too weak and hence σ–methane complexes are very elusive. In this context, σ-H2 and σ-borane complexes bear some similarities in σ-bond coordination (and four coordinated boranes are isoelectronic with methane) could be considered as good models to study σ-methane complexes. Studying the H−H and B−H bond activation in H2 and amine-boranes, respectively, would provide fundamental insights into methane activation and its subsequent functionalization. Moreover, the proposed methanol economy by Nobel laureate George Olah seems more promising because methanol can be produced from CH4 (CO2 as well). This in turn will gradually reduce the amount of two powerful greenhouse gases from the earth’s atmosphere. Thus, efficient and economic production of methanol from CH4 and CO2 is one of most challenging problems of today in the field of catalysis and regarded as the holy grails. Furthermore, very recently formic acid (HCOOH) is envisaged as a promising reversible hydrogen storage material because it releases H2 and CO2 in the presence of a suitable and efficient catalyst or vice versa under ambient conditions. Objective of the research work: Taking the account of the above facts, the research work in this thesis is mostly confined to utilize electrophilic Ru(II)-complexes for activation of small molecules such as ammonia-borane (H3N•BH3) [and related amine-borane (Me2HN•BH3)], hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), formic acid (HCOOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and investigation of their mechanistic pathways using NMR spectroscopy under homogeneous conditions. Though these molecules are small, they have huge impacts on chemical industries (energy sector and chemical synthesis: drugs/natural products) and environment [CO2 and CH4 are potent green house gases] as well. However, they are relatively inert molecules, especially CH4 and CO2, and impose very tough challenges to activate and functionalize them into useful products under ambient conditions. The partial oxidation of the strong C−H bond in CH4 for its transformation into methanol under relatively mild condition using an organometallic catalyst is considered as a holy grail in the field of catalysis which is mentioned earlier. More importantly, to develop better and highly efficient homogeneous catalytic systems for the activation of these molecules, it is imperative to understand the mechanistic pathways using well defined homogeneous metal complexes. Thus, an understanding of the interaction of these inert molecules with metal center is obligatory. In this context, discovery of a σ-complex of H2 gave remarkable insights into H−H bond activation pathways and its implications in catalytic hydrogenation reactions. Subsequently, σ-borane complexes of amine-boranes were discovered and found to be relatively more stable because of stronger M−H−B interaction and hence act as good models to study the M−H−C interaction of elusive σ-methane complex. On the other hand, HCOOH, a promising hydrogen storage material and its efficient catalytic dehydrogenation/decarboxylation and CO2 hydrogenation back to HCOOH using well defined homogeneous catalysts could lead to a sustainable energy cycle. Therefore, it is quite significant to understand the mechanistic pathways of formic acid dehydrogenation/decarboxylation and carbon dioxide reduction to formic acid for the development of next generation efficient catalysts. Chapter highlights: Keeping all these in view, we carried out thorough studies on the activation of these small molecules by electrophilic Ru(II)-complexes. This thesis provides useful insights and perspective on the detailed investigation of mechanistic pathways for the activation of small molecules such as H3N•BH3 [and Me2HN•BH3], H2, CH4, HCOOH and CO2 using electrophilic Ru(II)-complexes under homogeneous conditions using NMR spectroscopy. In Chapter 1 we provide brief overview of small molecule activation using organometallic complexes. This chapter presents pertinent and latest results from literature on the significance of small molecule activation. Although there are several small molecules which need our attention, however, we have focused mainly on H3N•BH3 [and Me2HN•BH3], H2, CH4, HCOOH and CO2. In Chapter 2, we present detailed investigation of mechanistic pathways of B−H bond activation of H3N•BH3 and Me2HN•BH3 using electrophilic [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] complex using NMR spectroscopy as a model for methane activation. In these reactions, using variable temperature (VT) 1H, 31P{1H} and 11B NMR spectroscopy we detected several intermediates en route to the final products at room temperature including a σ-borane complex. On the basis of elaborative studies using NMR spectroscopy, we have established the complete mechanistic pathways for dehydrogenation of H3N•BH3/Me2HN•BH3 and formation of B−H bond activated/cleaved products along with several Ru-hydride and Ru-(dihydrogen) complexes. Keeping the B−H bond activation of amine-boranes in view as a model for methane activation, we attempted to activate methane using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] complex. In addition, [Ru(OTf)(dppe)2][OTf] complex having better electrophilicity than [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf], was synthesized and characterized. The [Ru(OTf)(dppe)2][OTf] complex has highly labile triflate bound to Ru-metal and therefore its reactivity studies toward H2 and CH4 were carried out where H2 activation was successfully achieved, however, no any spectroscopic evidence was found for C−H bond activation of CH4. The Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterization of several Ru-Me complexes such as trans-[Ru(Me)Cl(dppe)2], [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf], trans-[Ru(Me)(L)(dppe)2][OTf] (L = CH3CN, tBuNC, tBuCN, H2) with an aim to trap corresponding σ-methane intermediate at low temperature. However, interestingly, we observed spontaneous but gradual methane elimination and orthometalation of [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] complex at room temperature. We thoroughly investigated mechanistic details of methane elimination and orthometalation of [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] using VT NMR spectroscopy, NOESY and DFT calculations. Furthermore, H2 activation was confirmed unambiguously by [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] and Ru-orthometalated complexes using NMR spectroscopy under ambient conditions. An effort was also made to activate methane using Ruorthometalated complex in pressurized condition of methane in a pressure stable NMR tube. Moreover, preliminary studies on protonation reaction of [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] using VT NMR spectroscopy to trap σ-methane at low temperature was carried out which provided us some useful information on dynamics between proton and Ru-Me species. The Chapter 4 provides useful insights into the mechanistic pathways of dehydrogenation/decarboxylation of formic acid using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf]. Catalytic dehydrogenation of HCOOH using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] was observed in presence of Hunig base (proton sponge). In addition, a complex [Ru(CF3COO)(dppe)2][OTf] was synthesized and characterized using NMR spectroscopy, and found to readily dehydrogenate HCOOH. Moreover, preliminary results on transfer hydrogenation of CO2 into formamide using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] as a precatalyst and tert-butyl amine-borane (tBuH2N•BH3) as secondary hydrogen source was confirmed using 13C NMR spectroscopy. The mechanisms were proposed for HCOOH dehydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of CO2 based on our NMR spectroscopic studies. Furthermore, a few test reactions of transfer hydrogenation of selected alkenes such as cyclooctene, acrylonitrile, 1-hexene using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] as pre-catalyst and tert-butyl amine-borane (tBuH2N•BH3) as secondary hydrogen source showed quantitative conversion to hydrogenated products.

<p>      </p> <p>Full exploitation of shale resources requires new catalytic techniques to efficiently convert the methane, ethane, and propane found in shale gas to value-added fuels and chemicals. A promising process of converting ethane and propane involves catalytic light alkane dehydrogenation and the subsequent oligomerization of light alkenes. The first part of this work focuses on the examination of the mechanistic details of propane dehydrogenation on Pt-based alloy catalysts, where first principles-based free energy, microkinetic, and degrees of rate control analyses are performed to understand and rationalize the selective propane dehydrogenation using a Pt3Mn alloy. We show that only the under-coordinated, Mn-decorated Pt sites, represented by a Pt3Mn(211) surface, are selective to propylene formation, which can be attributed to several key mechanistic details: (1) facile propylene desorption and (2) hindered pathways that are inherently non-selective to propylene and lead to the formation of isomers. These kinetic details can, in turn, be interpreted using the free energy landscapes of propane dehydrogenation on the Pt3Mn(211) surface, which features a reasonably stronger binding of propylene than those of its isomers. From this study, we extract two selectivity descriptors for propane dehydrogenation: The energetics of propylene desorption versus deep-dehydrogenation, as well as the energetics of the formation of propylene versus its isomers. The properties can be used for designing further improved light alkane dehydrogenation catalysts.</p>

L’objectif de ce travail de thèse était la préparation et la caractérisation des hétéropolyanions anhydres sur supports oxydes par la stratégie de chimie organométallique de surface. Les acides anhydres H3PMo12O40 et H3PW12O40 ont été préparés sur silice partiellement déshydroxylée. Cette réaction conduit à une interaction ionique par protonation des silanols de surface. La réactivité de ces hétéropolyacides anhydres en présence d’alkylsilanes a été étudiée en milieu homogène et a conduit à la formation d’espèces silylées cationiques [Et2MeSi+]3[HPA3-] et au dégagement d’hydrogène. Cette réactivité a ensuite été appliquée en milieu hétérogène en fonctionnalisant la surface de la silice par des groupements [(≡SiO)SiMe2H] et a conduit à la formation d’une espèce de surface polyoxometalate liée de manière covalente au support. L’introduction de fonction chloroalkylsilane à la surface de la silice [(≡SiO)SiMeCl2] et [(≡SiO)2SiMeCl] a également permis de former des liaisons covalentes Si Support-O-M HPA. Par ailleurs, Par ailleurs, l’activation du méthane a été observée sur tous les solides HPA/SiO2 à travers le dégagement de CO2, H2O, H2. L’activation C-H a lieu sur ces systèmes même à basse température et les données obtenues suggèrent la formation d’une espèce méthoxy de surface par réaction des protons acides avec le méthane / The aim of this work was the preparation and characterization of anhydrous heteropolyanions on oxide supports using surface organometallic chemistry approach. Anhydrous H3PMo12O40 and H3PW12O40 were prepared on partially dehydroxylated silica. This reaction led to an ionic interaction by protonation of surface silanols. The reactivity of these heteropoly compounds with alkylsilanes was studied in homogeneous conditions and led to the formation of cationic silicon species [Et2MeSi+]3[HPA3-] and release of hydrogen. This reactivity was then applied in heterogeneous conditions by introduction of silane groups [(≡SiO)SiMe2H] at the silica surface and led to the formation of a surface polyoxometalate species covalently bonded to the support. The introduction of chloroalkylsilane groups [(≡SiO)SiMeCl2] and [(≡SiO)2SiMeCl] has also enabled the formation of covalent bonds Si Support-O-M HPA. In addition, methane activation was observed on all HPA/SiO2 solids through the releases of CO2, H2O, H2. The C-H activation takes place on these systems even at low temperature and obtained data suggest the formation of a methoxy surface species by reaction of stronf acidic protons with methane