Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Molybdenum compounds'

The reactions of (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)(CO)₂ (R = H, Me; M = Mo, W) with PCl₅ result in the formation of the corresponding (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)(Cl)₂ products in high isolated yields (85-95%). These products have been fully characterized by conventional analytical and spectroscopic techniques including an X-ray crystallographic study of [ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)Mo(NO)(Cl)₂]₂. Alkylation of the (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)W(NO)(Cl)₂ compounds with Grignard reagents results in the formation of the corresponding complexes, (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)W(NO)(R')₂ (R = H, Me; R' = CH₂CM₃, CH₂CM₂Ph: R = Me; R' = p-C₆H₄Me, Ph). An electrochemical study of (ɳ⁵-C₅H₅)W(NO)(CH₂CMe₃)₂, (ɳ⁵-C₅H₅)W(NO)(CH₂CMe₂Ph)₂, and (ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)W(NO)(p-C₆H₄Me)₂ shows 2 successive, chemically reversible, one electron reductions in THF for each complex. The complexes (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)W(NO)(R')₂ (R = H; R' = CH₂CMe₃, CH₂CMe₂Ph: R = Me; R' = CH₂CMe₂Ph,p-C₆H₄Me) react with 1 atm of CO resulting in the formation of the singly inserted products (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)W(NO){C(O)R'}(R') in good yields, presumably via initial CO coordination. These acyl complexes have been completely characterized by conventional techniques. The IR and NMR spectroscopic properties of these complexes are indicative of an ɳ²-acyl coordination mode for all of the acylalkyl and acylaryl products. Under 6 atm of CO the (ɳ⁵-C₅H₅)W(NO)(R')₂ (R' = CH₂CMe₃, CH₂CM₂Ph) complexes are doubly carbonylated to form the corresponding (ɳ⁵-C₅H₅)W(NO){C(O)R'}₂ products. Furthermore, (ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)W(NO){C(O)p-C₆H₄Me}(p-C₆H₄Me) reacts to form (ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)W(NO)(CO){C(O)p-C₆H₄Me}(p-C₆H₄Me) under 6 atm of CO, but there is no evidence for the formation of a bis(acyl) product. A preliminary X-ray crystallographic investigation of (ɳ⁵-C₅H₅)W(NO){C(O)CH₂CMe₂Ph}₂ reveals the presence of one ɳ²-acyl ligand and one ɳ¹acyl ligand. The ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra of the (ɳ⁵-C₅H₅)W(NO){C(O)R'}₂ compounds exhibit signals for only one type of acyl ligand, indicating that the complexes are stereochemically non-rigid in solution through a process which averages the signals for the ɳ¹and ɳ³- acyl ligands. The bis(benzyl) complexes, (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)(CH₂Ar)₂ (R = H, Me; M = Mo, W; Ar = Ph, p-Tol), react with HCl to form (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)( ɳ²-CH₂Ar)(Cl) complexes. These complexes have been reacted with Grignard reagents, R'MgCl, to form the corresponding (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)( ɳ²-CH₂Ar)(R') (R' = CH₂SiMe₃, CH₂CMe₃, p-Tol) products. The benzyl ligand in all of these complexes is coordinated in an ɳ²-fashion, similar to that seen in the solid-state molecular structures of the bis(benzyl) precursors. The coordination mode of the benzyl ligands has been confirmed by solid-state molecular structure determinations of the representative examples (ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)Mo(NO)(CH₂Ph)(Cl) and (ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)Mo(NO)(CH₂Ph)(CH₂SiMe₃). The ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopic data for all of the complexes are discussed, with focus on the diagnostic characteristics for the ɳ²-benzyl ligand. A possible qualitative interpretation for the symmetric ɳ²-bonding mode in these complexes is presented. The (ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)M(NO)( ɳ²-CH₂Ph)(Cl) (M = Mo, W) complexes react with AgBF₄ in CH₃CN to form electrophilic complexes of the type [(ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅)M(NO)( ɳ²-CH₂Ph)(NCCH₃)]BF₄. The solid-state molecular structures of these complexes are discussed and contrasted with those found for the neutral ɳ²-benzyl complexes. The reaction of racemic AgO₂CCH(Et)(Ph) with the (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)( ɳ²-CH₂Ph)(Cl) (R = H, Me; M = Mo, W: R = H; M = Mo) compounds forms the corresponding diastereomeric (ɳ⁵-C₅R₅)M(NO)( ɳ¹-CH₂Ph)(O₂CCH(Et)(Ph)) products. The ɳ¹ coordination of the benzyl ligand and bidentate coordination of the carboxylate ligand are established by the IR, ¹H, and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopic data for these products. A mixture of two diasteromeric products is demonstrated by the ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopic data and initial attempts to separate these diastereomers by crystallization are described.
Science, Faculty of
Chemistry, Department of
Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004.
Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxi, 215 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-215).

The current upgrading catalysts are mainly based on the use of expensive noble metals, which are subject to deactivation due to sintering and coking. An alternative would be to introduce a non-noble metal-based catalyst. In this work, supported molybdenum carbide based systems have been assessed for this purpose. These catalysts were formed by impregnation of zirconia (and zirconium hydroxide) and sulfated zirconia (and zirconium hydroxide) with different loadings of MoO3, with an aim of finding a balance between acid sites and metal-like sites (a site capable of performing dehydrogenation and hydrogenation function without necessarily being a metal). The synthesised catalysts were carburised between 823 and 1123 K using a mixture of methane and hydrogen (4:1) in an attempt to obtain β-Mo2C/ZrO2 or β-Mo2C/S ZrO2. Carburisation at 923 K and above resulted in molybdenum carbide with minimal or no oxygen contents. The conversion and specific rate increased with temperature. Conversion was inversely proportional to space velocity. Analysis of the products distribution as a function of conversion implies that the reaction did not simply follow a consecutive reaction pathway, but that other parallel routes were involved. Conversion increased the research octane number (RON) to ca. 66 due to the increased fraction of pentane isomers. Catalyst carburised at 823 K was approximately four times more active compared to those carburised at 923 K and above, but were of similar activity with Pt/sulfated zirconia. The non-noble metal based catalysts were stable at the reaction temperature while the Pt/sulfated zirconia catalyst deactivates.

La síntesis y el estudio de complejos polinucleares de metales de transición constituyen un área de gran interés en la Química Inorgánica. La presencia de varios centros metálicos en una misma molécula puede modificar la reactividad que cabría esperar en compuestos metálicos. Por otra parte, estos sistemas polinucleares sirven como modelos a escala molecular para el estudio de ciertos procesos catalíticos como los que tienen lugar sobre superficies metálicas u óxidos metálicos.

El estudio teórico de dos familias de compuestos metálicos bien diferenciadas constituye el núcleo de esta tesis. En ambos casos el objetivo principal es ayudar a racionalizar las características químicas de las especies analizadas. El tratamiento se basará en cálculos teóricos mediante la teoría del funcional de la densidad, que han demostrado ser apropiados a la hora de estudiar agregados metálicos.

Una primera parte, consta del estudio de la nueva familia de compuestos cubánicos de titanio que han sido recientemente sintetizados por el grupo del profesor Mena de la universidad de Alcalá de Henares. Un estudio teórico de dichos compuestos en colaboración conjunta con el trabajo en el laboratorio se ha venido realizando. Fruto de esta colaboración, nuevas pautas de investigación se han tratado de proponer por ambas partes. Como ejemplo, el análisis teórico para la obtención de espectros de resonancia magnética nuclear por métodos ab initio, que se expone en el segundo capitulo de la tesis, es fruto de un esfuerzo por parte de nuestro grupo por entender y racionalizar los datos de RMN obtenidos en el laboratorio para la caracterización de los compuestos. Además, fruto de los excelentes resultados obtenidos en este estudio, los conocimientos han sido aplicados a otros campos de interés dentro del grupo. Un estudio de la viabilidad para el análisis teórico del espectro de los núcleos de 183W en compuestos de Keggin forma un apartado importante en esta memoria.

Fruto de una estancia de seis meses en el grupo del doctor McGrady de la universidad de York surge un segundo apartado basado en el estudio de las importantes capacidades catalizadoras de los compuestos binucleares de molibdeno con azufres puente. La gran importancia industrial de procesos de hidrogenación catalizados por este tipo de compuestos ha despertado un gran interés, no obstante algunos aspectos del mecanismo de estas reacciones permanecen sin aclarar. El estudio teórico de esta reacciones puede proporcionar un poco de luz a estos aspectos.

Dentro del estudio de los compuestos cubánicos de titanio, los resultados principales se refieren a los asuntos siguientes:

- Descripción de las características estructurales y electrónicas de las especies implicadas. La disposición de los ligandos tridentados, (precubanos) de fórmula general [{TiCp*(-O)}3(3-CR)] y [{TiCp*}(-NH)}3(3-N)], para actuar como ligandos macrocíclicos donores de seis-electrones proporciona una ruta eficaz para la obtención de estructuras cúbicas con esqueleto [MTi3(3-Y)(-X)3].



Reacción del ligando con el fragmento metálico


Es de esperar que fragmentos de casi todos los grupos metálicos sean capaces de interactuar con estos ligandos. Así se ha estudiado la formación de estructuras cubánicas a partir de fragmentos metálicos de los grupos 1,2, 4-6, 9, 13 y 14. Cambios en la naturaleza de la interacción, en el comportamiento del ligando, estructura molecular han sido analizados. Los resultados muestran las versatilidad de estos ligandos para actuar no sólo como donores de electrones si no también como posibles aceptores a través de los orbitales vacíos de los metales. Una mención especial en este apartado es necesaria para los isomeros acetilénicos y vilidénicos encontrados a partir de la deprotonación del compuesto [{TiCp*(-O)}3(3-CMe)] por la interacción con fragmentos metálicos del grupo 2. En este caso, el núcleo formado por los átomos de titanio sirve como base para la estabilización de estas especies.

- Estudio de la estabilidad de los compuestos y de los procesos energéticos en que están implicados (energías de la reacción, procesos de la isomerización). Un estudio de las condiciones experimentales que conducen a la obtención de estructuras cúbicas será analizado. El desplazamiento de ligandos lábiles en fragmentos metálicos por parte de los ligandos tridentados para formar los correspondientes cubanos ha sido probado, o también la activación de los enlaces nitrógeno-protón del ligando por interacción con el fragmento metálico. Estos procesos vienen caracterizados por unas condiciones energéticas favorables, estas condiciones son analizadas y estudiadas por su utilidad a la hora de proponer nuevas vías de síntesis en el laboratorio. Además, algunos compuestos presentarán evidencias del tener más que un isómero, o de experimentar un comportamiento dinámico en solución. Estas situaciones también se han descrito. Como resultado ha sido descrito el comportamiento de estas estructuras como ligandos mono- di- y tridentados, y adicionalmente como ligandos neutros o aniónicos. A su vez, respecto de la interacción con el fragmento metálico, un comportamiento como ligandos simples, que solo estabilizan el metal, o dobles, estabilizando metal y su respectivo contraión, han sido descritos.

- La influencia del solvente también se ha evaluado debido a la importancia que tiene su presencia en la obtención o no de ciertos compuestos. La termoquímica relacionada con la presencia del disolvente ha sido analizada desde el punto de vista teórico, debido a la imposibilidad de explicar ciertos procesos a partir de estudios en fase gas. Un modelo basado en un medio continuo de constante dieléctrica conocida se utiliza para demostrar los efectos del solvente. Para una misma familia de compuestos, solamente en algunos casos la interacción con los ligandos precubánicos conducen a la formación de los correspondientes cubanos, o en condiciones muy específicas. Por ejemplo, ha sido estudiado que los efectos del solvente son un factor decisivo en la obtención de los cubanos a partir de las sales de metales alcalinos y alcalino térreos. Este efecto permite explicar como la energía de red de las sales es fuertemente debilitada por la presencia del solvente, como factor principal en la obtención de las especies, por encima de la energía de interacción con el ligando.

- Descripción de algunas características químicas importantes. La contribución de los espectros de resonancia magnética nuclear resulta decisiva para la caracterización de los compuestos. Una descripción en detalle de las particularidades en el cálculo de los desplazamientos químicos para espectros de RMN es revisado en un apartado puramente teórico, especialmente para los métodos DFT. La activación del enlace C-H del carbono apical en el ligando [{TiCp*(-O)}3(3-CH)] durante la formación de estructuras diméricas fue seguida mediante espectroscopia RMN de 13C. Los grandes cambios experimentados en los desplazamientos químicos entre las especies protonadas y no protonadas han sido descritos y racionalizados perfectamente mediante cálculos teóricos. Los resultados obtenidos corroboran las suposiciones experimentales y proporcionan una visión muy clara de los procesos electrónicos que conducen a estos resultados. El carácter predictivo de estos estudios para con otras especies es claro, no obstante cuantitativamente hablando se encuentran dificultades a la hora de atribuir todos los desplazamientos.

Fruto de los excelentes resultados obtenidos en la descripción de los valores de RMN para los compuestos cubánicos, estos estudios se han ampliado a otros campos de interés para nuestro grupo de trabajo. Una sección, en parte diferente a la estructura global de la tesis, se ha dedicado ha mostrar estos primeros pasos a la hora de examinar las capacidades de los métodos DFT para computar los desplazamientos en núcleos de 183W en compuestos de Keggin. Nos encontramos ante unas mayores dificultades a la hora de reproducir los espectros experimentales, y gran parte de nuestros esfuerzos se han centrado en tratar de buscar la forma de trabajo más adecuada en términos de precisión y de coste computacional. La investigación y el interés continúan abiertos en un campo que necesita nuevas revisiones, sobre todo a la hora de racionalizar las posibles fuentes de error.

Las importantes características catalíticas de los sulfuros de molibdeno son objeto de estudio en la segunda parte de la tesis. El estudio teórico intentará aclarar ciertos aspectos confusos en la mecanistica asociada con las reacciones de estos compuestos. Estos complejos dinucleares de molibdeno con ligandos puente de azufre son una de las familias que posee una gran flexibilidad estructural y electrónica. Parte de los posibles isómeros del compuesto tipo [(CpMo)-S2]2 han sido estudiados, prestando gran interés al intercambio electrónico metal ligando con el cambio de estructura.



















Ejemplos de estructuras cerradas (a-b) y abiertas (c-d) para el complejo


La capacidad de los complejos del sulfuro de activar el hidrógeno molecular y de catalizar la reducción del substrato por el hidrógeno es particularmente relevante en la química. En especial los procesos relacionados con la activación de hidrógeno y posterior reducción de un sustrato ligado a los azufre puente son analizados; y en particular aquellos relacionados con la estructura electrónica del catalizador y del substrato. En estos estudios se pone de manifiesto la importancia catalizadora del metal, sirviendo como puente para protones en la reducción. A su vez se muestra como la naturaleza del sustrato resulta decisiva a la hora de observar una eliminación de hidrógeno molecular o una obtención del substrato reducido.


Tarragona, 2004 J. Gracia
The overall framework of this report aims to summarize the work we have done over the past four years. Conceptually, this thesis is divided into three parts. The nucleus is based on a joint project with prof. Mena, of the University of Alcalá, whose group is involved in the synthesis and characterization of new aza- and oxo- titanium cubanes. These families of compounds are basically obtained from preorganized titanium tridentate ligands which can incorporate almost all the metals of the periodic table and yield the corresponding heterometallic cubanes. In this respect, the theoretical study is based on and adapted from the progress in the laboratory work. Practically every section in this part starts by describing the experimental data available for the specific system studied when we began the analysis. Then we go on to describe the theoretical study and attempt to involve the reader in the problems discussed. As a consequence of the advance in the experimental work, NMR spectra are used to characterize the new compounds. This leads us to initiate studies in the computational simulation of NMR chemical shifts. The most theoretical part of this report is an assimilation of these studies. The excellent results obtained for the cubane compounds enabled us to extend the knowledge acquired to other interesting fields and our group has started a study of the NMR shielding tensors in polyoxometalate compounds. The third part of the thesis focuses on some molybdenum-sulphide clusters and their activity as catalysts.

Chapters 3 and 4 focuse on the electronic structure of the new titanium cubane compounds recently synthesized by Mena et al. We work parallel to an experimental group to compare and contrast the theoretical and experimental data, and so establish the base chemistry of these new compounds. In this sense, the various reaction energies were studied, and the compounds and their possible isomers were characterised by means of DFT methods. Particular emphasis is paid to the properties of incomplete Ti3 core cubane tridentate ligands (precubanes) as bases for obtaining cubanes. The electronic structure, bonding energies, electron transfer processes and reactivity in the titanium Ti3 core of the metal clusters are studied.

The reaction of the azatitanium compound with some titanium derivatives leads to nitrocubane formation (see Scheme 1.3). This reaction forms a cubane compound by adding the fourth vertex to a structure that becomes a precubane.


Scheme 1.3. Reaction of with


Chapter 5 summarizes the work carried out during a six-month stay in Dr. John E. McGrady's group, which uses density functional theory to explore problems of structure, bonding and reactivity in inorganic compounds. The main focus of the research is metal-metal bonding in cluster compounds. Transition metals have a prominent position in catalysis, both in industrial and biological contexts, and the ultimate goal is to understand the part played by the metal and its ligand environment in facilitating a particular chemical transformation. Chapter 5 studies the electronic structure of the core catalysts and the mechanism of their, unresolved, catalytic activity. The various possible isomers with the generic formula were studied, and the energy of the electron transfer between the metallic centres and the sulphide ligands, so important in the catalytic process, was investigated in depth. Subsequently, the mechanism of the hydrogen activation reaction promoted by these bi-molybdenum compounds (Equation 1.1) was studied, and the nature of the different reaction pathways was elucidated.


[(CpMo(-S))2(S2CH2)] promotes the hydrogenation of alkynes to cis alkenes, allenes to alkenes, and ketenes to aldehydes and the hydrogenolysis of carbon disulphide to hydrogen sulphide and thioformaldehide. The mechanisms of hydrogen interaction with these complexes have not been established. It is apparent that the sulphide ligands play a role in hydrogen coordination, and this ligand reactivity was a dominant characteristic throughout the study of these dinuclear molybdenum systems.



Equation 1.1

This thesis describes the synthetic, structural and reactivity studies of η- cycloheptatrienyl-molybdenum and -tungsten chemistry. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the chemistry of η-cycloheptatrienyl derivatives of transition metals, in particular group 6 metals. The functional group properties of the η-cycloheptatrienyl ligand are also discussed. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η⁵-C₇H₉)] from Mocl₅ or [MoCl₄(thf)₂], which provides a convenient route to η-cycloheptatrienyl-molybdenum compounds, such as [Mo(η-C₇H₇)LX₂] and [Mo(η-C₇H₇)L₂X], where L = tertiary phosphines or acetonitrile and X = halogen, [NBu₄] [Mo(η-C₇H₇)I₃], [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η- C₅H₄R)] (R = H or Me) and [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η⁵-C₉H₇)]. The X-ray crystal structures of [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(MeCN)I₂], [NBu₄][Mo(η-C₇H₇))I₃] and [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η-C₅H₄Me)] are presented. The compound [Mo(η-C₇H₇))(MeCN)I₂], mixed with Me₃SiCH₂MgCl, is a catalyst for ring-opening polymerisation of norbornene giving trans polymer exclusively. The electron-transfer complexes [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η-C₅H₄Me)][tcne] and {[Mo(η-C₇H₇))(η- C₅H₅}₂[tcnq]} and the intercalation compound {ZrS₂[Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η-C₅H₄Me)]o.22} are also described. An extension of these synthetic pathways to tungsten is described in chapter 3. Reduction of WCl₆ with sodium amalgam in the presence of cycloheptatriene gives [W(η- C₇H₇)(η⁵-C₇H₉)], which is a precursor to the compounds [W(η-C₇H₇)(MeCN)I₂], [W(η- C₇H₇)(PMe₃)X₂] (X = Br or I), [W(η-C₇H₇)(dmpe)I], [W(η-C₇H₇)(η-C₅H₄R)] (R = H or Me) and [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(η⁵-C₉H₇)]. The [W(η-C₇H₇)(MeCN)I₂] / Me₃SiCH₂MgCI system is an active catalyst for ring opening polymerisation of norbomene. The electronic structures of [W(η-C₇H₇)(η-C₅H₄R)] (R= H or Me) are discussed on the basis of their He I and He II photoelectron spectra. The intercalation of [W(η-C₇H₇)(η-C₅H₄Me)] into ZrS2 is also described. The magnetic properties of the 17-electron compounds [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(MeCN)I₂], [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(PMe₃)I₂], [W(η-C₇H₇)(MeCN)I₂], [W(η-C₇H₇)(PMe₃)I₂] and [W(η-C₇H₇) (PMe₃)I₂] are discussed in chapter 4. They behave as one-dimensional antiferromagnets which was suggested by magnetic model fittings and the crystal structure of [Mo(η-C₇H₇)(MeCN)I₂]. Chapter 5 comprises of two parts. The first part describes a new series of binuclear thiolato-bridged molybdenum complexes [(η-C₇H₃R¹₄)Mo(μ-SR²)₃ Mo- (η-C₇H₃R¹₄)][BF₄] (R¹ = H or Me; R² = Et, Pr, Bu, Ph or CH₂Ph). Dynamic NMR studies reveal that all of these complexes (except for R² = Ph) are fluxional due to inversion at the pyramidal sulfur centre. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that they undergo two reversible one-electron reductions. Second part of this chapter describes the new bridging-imido compound [(η-C₇H₇)Mo(μ-NAr)₂Mo(η-C₇H₇)] (Ar = 2,6- diisopropylphenyl). Chapter 6 discusses the η-l,2,4,6-tetramethylcycloheptatrienyl-molybdenum system. The new η-tetramethylcycloheptatriene molybdenum compounds [M'(η-C₇H₄Me₄- 1,3,5,7)],[M'(η-C₇H₄Me₄-l,2,4,6)] and [M'(η-C₇H₄Me₄-l,3,4,6)], M' = Mo(CO)₃, and new η-tetramethylcycloheptatrienyl-molybdenum compounds [M"(CO)₃]+, [M"(CO)₂C1], [M"(dmpe)Cl], [M"(η-C₆H₅Me)]+ and [M"(acac)(PPh₃)], M" = Mo(η- CC₇H₃Me₄-1,2,4,6), and [Mo(η³-C₇H₃Me₄-l,2,4,6)(dmpe)(CO)₂Cl] are described. Chapter 7 gives the experimental details for the work described in preceeding chapters. Appendix A presents characterising data for all the new compounds and previously unreported data for known compounds. Crystallographic details for the X-ray structure determinations and X-ray powder diffraction data are listed in Appendix B and C respectively.

The electrochemical behaviour of some mononuclear alkyl compounds of the types CpFe(CO)₂(CH₂)nCH₃ (n = 0 to 11, Cp = η-C₅H₅), CpMo(CO)₃(CH₂)nCH₃ (n = 3,4,17) have been investigated in aprotic solvents. The cyclic voltammograms obtained for all the iron alkyl compounds suggest similar behaviour after the initial oxidation. The oxidation potentials showed no linear correlation with the corresponding lengths of the alkyl chain, but could, however, be interpreted with the available Tolman's χ-values. The subsequent CO insertion reaction to give an acyl species was found to be dependent on the nucleophilicity of the solvent. The relative rates of decarbonylation of the acyl species could be assessed through cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical behaviour of heterobimetallic complexes of the type CpFe(CO)₂(CH₂)nMo(CO)₃Cp (n = 3 to 6) was found to be solvent dependent. The anodic waves obtained for these complexes in acetonitrile showed up as two closely spaced waves. Our results suggest that the two metals in CpFe(CO)₂(CH)nMo(CO)₃Cp behave independently, with the iron end of the molecule being oxidized first, followed by CO insertion/alkyl migration at this end.

Per al desenvolupament d'una indústria química més sostenible la revaloració de compostos derivats de la biomassa és un objectiu important. En aquesta tesi, la conversió d'hidrocarburs oxigenats derivats de la biomassa catalitzada per òxids de molibdè és estudiada a través de la teoria del funcional de la densitat (DFT). El primer objectiu es l'estudi de l'oxidació selectiva de metanol a formaldehid. Aquesta és una important reacció en la indústria química sobre la qual es discuteixen diverses qüestions. El camí de reacció és calculat en la superfície d'òxids de molibdè i l'activitat i selectivitat de cada superfície són estudiades. A més, el paper que té el ferro en el catalitzador industrial és desxifrat estudiant la reactivitat de la superfície de MoO3 dopada. En el següent objectiu, el mètode DFT + U és optimitzat per a descriure correctament les propietats redox del MoO3. Amb el mètode optimitzat els defectes per vacant en la superfície MoO3 (010) són caracteritzats doncs tenen un paper essencial en l'activitat catalítica de l'òxid. Un altre objectiu és l'estudi de la reducció selectiva de glicerol a propilè catalitzada pel MoO3 reduït. A través d'un procés de hidrodeoxigenació (HDO) el trencament selectiu dels enllaços C-O sobre els C-C porta a la formació del producte desitjat. Un estudi de la xarxa de reaccions va ser realitzat per il•lustrar el trencament d'enllaç selectiva i obrir la porta a un millor enteniment dels processos HDO. Finalment, la epimerització selectiva de glucosa a manosa és estudiada. El mecanisme per a la inversió de configuració del C2 a través d'una transposició de carboni 1,2 es calculat en polioxometalats de molibdè i la superfície contínua α-MoO3. Va ser trobat que els centres de molibdè actuen com un amortidor electrònic en aquestes reaccions i, per tant, la redutcibilitat dels centres de molibdè pot ser usada com a descriptor de l'activitat del catalitzador.
Per al desenvolupament d'una indústria química més sostenible la revaloració de compostos derivats de la biomassa és un objectiu important. En aquesta tesi, la conversió d'hidrocarburs oxigenats derivats de la biomassa catalitzada per òxids de molibdè és estudiada a través de la teoria del funcional de la densitat (DFT). El primer objectiu es l'estudi de l'oxidació selectiva de metanol a formaldehid. Aquesta és una important reacció en la indústria química sobre la qual es discuteixen diverses qüestions. El camí de reacció és calculat en la superfície d'òxids de molibdè i l'activitat i selectivitat de cada superfície són estudiades. A més, el paper que té el ferro en el catalitzador industrial és desxifrat estudiant la reactivitat de la superfície de MoO3 dopada. En el següent objectiu, el mètode DFT + U és optimitzat per a descriure correctament les propietats redox del MoO3. Amb el mètode optimitzat els defectes per vacant en la superfície MoO3 (010) són caracteritzats doncs tenen un paper essencial en l'activitat catalítica de l'òxid. Un altre objectiu és l'estudi de la reducció selectiva de glicerol a propilè catalitzada pel MoO3 reduït. A través d'un procés de hidrodeoxigenació (HDO) el trencament selectiu dels enllaços C-O sobre els C-C porta a la formació del producte desitjat. Un estudi de la xarxa de reaccions va ser realitzat per il•lustrar el trencament d'enllaç selectiva i obrir la porta a un millor enteniment dels processos HDO. Finalment, la epimerització selectiva de glucosa a manosa és estudiada. El mecanisme per a la inversió de configuració del C2 a través d'una transposició de carboni 1,2 es calculat en polioxometalats de molibdè i la superfície contínua α-MoO3. Va ser trobat que els centres de molibdè actuen com un amortidor electrònic en aquestes reaccions i, per tant, la redutcibilitat dels centres de molibdè pot ser usada com a descriptor de l'activitat del catalitzador.
For the development of a more sustainable chemical industry the upgrading of biomass derived compounds to valuable chemicals in selective and non-contaminant processes is an important target. In this thesis, the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons derived from biomass catalyzed by Mo-oxides is studied by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT). The first objective is the study of the selective methanol oxidation to formaldehyde. This is an important reaction in chemical industry that has several issues under discussion. The reaction path is calculated on Mo-oxides surfaces and the activity and selectivity of each surface are studied. Moreover, the role of the iron in the industrial catalyst is unraveled by the study of the reactivity of the doped MoO3 surface. In the following objective, the DFT+U method is optimized to correctly describe the redox properties of MoO3. With the optimized method, the MoO3 (010) surface vacancy defects are characterized since they play an essential role in the catalytic activity of the oxide. Other objective is the study of the selective reduction of glycerol to propylene catalyzed by reduced MoO3. Through a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) process the selective C-O bond cleavage over C-C bonds leads to the formation of the desired product. A study of the reaction network has been performed to illustrate this selective bond cleavage and pave the way to a better understanding of HDO processes. Finally, the selective epimerization of glucose to mannose is studied. The mechanism for the inversion of C2 configuration through a 1,2 C-shift is calculated on Mo-based polyoxometalates and continuous α-MoO3 surface. It was found that the Mo-centers act as electron buffer in these reactions and, therefore, the reducibility of the Mo-centers can be traced back as the descriptor for catalyst activity.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 76 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 54-57).

Reduction of [C’Mo(NO)I₂]₂ (Cp’ = η ⁵-C₅H₅ (Cp) or η ⁵-C₅Me₅ (Cp*)) by sodium amalgam in THF at -20°C in the presence of acyclic, conjugated dienes affords novel Cp'Mo(NO)( η⁴-s-trans-diene) complexes in isolated yields of -10 - 60%. When the diene is 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, CpMo(NO)( η⁴-cw-2,3-dimethylbutadiene) product complexes are also isolable in addition to the trans-diene isomers. However, these cis-diene compounds are the kinetic products and convert in solutions irreversibly to the isomeric trans-diene complexes. A preliminary kinetic study of this isomerization indicates that the isomerization is first order. Reactivity studies of the η⁴-trans-diene complexes show that they react reluctantly with Lewis bases such as carbon monoxide and phosphines to form the η²-diene complexes, CpMo(NO)(L)( η²-diene) (L = CO, PMePh₂, PMe₃). The η⁴-trans-diene complexes react with alkynes and acetone in ligand coupling reactions to form products in which the diene ligands have coupled with the unsaturated organic molecules. Three of these complexes have been structurally characterized using X-ray crystallography, those being CpMo(NO)[ σ,η³-endo-C(Me)₂-CH-CH-C(Me)₂C(Me)C(Ph)], CpMo(NO)[ σ,η³-exo-C(Me)₂-CH-CH-C(Me)₂C(Me)₂O], and Cp*Mo(NO)[σ,η³-endo-CH₂-CH-CH-CH₂C(Me)₂O]. These complexes and some of their analogues have also been characterized extensively using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The product of the reaction between CpMo(NO)( η⁴-trans-2,5-dimethyI-2,4-hexadiene) and acetone, CpMo(NO)[σ,η³-exo-C(Me)₂-CH-CH-C(Me)₂C(Me)₂O], reacts further with acetone to form the trimer, [CpMo(NO)]₃ (μ₂: η²-: η¹-OMe₂)₃ which has also been characterized by X-ray crystallography. In a preliminary study of the reactivity of the η⁴-trans-diene complexes with electrophiles, it has been found that they react with protonic acids (HX: X = I, O₃SC₆H₄CH₃,O₂CCF₃) to form CpMo(NO)(η³-allyl)X complexes in which the proton has added to the diene ligand and the anion of the acid has coordinated to the metal center. The diiodo dimers [CpM(NO)I₂]₂ (M = Mo, W) react with 10 equivalents of PMe₃ to produce the new electron-rich nitrosyl complexes M(NO)I(PMe₃)₄, the other product being [(C₅H₅)PMe₃]I. It has been shown that the formation of the tetrakis(phosphine) complexes proceeds sequentially via the isolable intermediate species (η ⁵-C₅H₅)M(NO)I₂ (PMe₃) and [(η ⁵-C₅H₅)M(NO)I(PMe₃)₂]I. Treatment ofthe diiodo dimers with 4 equivalents of PMe₃ in the presence of sodium amalgam affords excellent yields of the related complexes (η ⁵-C₅H₅)M(NO)(PMe₃)₂.
Science, Faculty of
Chemistry, Department of
Graduate

Molybdenum hexacarbonyl supported on 𝛾-alumina is a precursor to an active olefin metathesis catalyst. Surface sites on the alumina act as coordinating ligands to stabilize various molybdenum subcarbonyl species. The formation of these species can be controlled by appropriate activation conditions. In particular, Mo(CO)₃(ads) can be quantitatively formed upon activation of Mo(CO)₆ on 𝛾-alumina at 100°C in flowing helium. In the reaction, three carbon monoxide ligands are replaced by either surface OH⁻ or O²⁻ depending on the degree of surface hydroxylation. This species has been shown to be active for olefin metathesis. The intent of this dissertation is twofold. The first part is an investigation of alternate, low temperature synthetic routes to Mo(CO)₃(ads) via ligand displacement reactions using the molybdenum tricarbonyl complexes, Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃ and Mo(CO)₃(η⁶-C₆H₆). Molybdenum hexacarbonyl can be impregnated onto 𝛾-alumina using an inert hydrocarbon solvent such as pentane or benzene and these solvents are also used to adsorb Mo(CO);(11°·C6H„). However, a polar solvent such as acetone is necessary in the case of Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃. The resulting surface species using these complexes are characterized by FTIR, reaction stoichiometry and propylene metathesis activity and are compared with results obtained for 𝛾-alumina supported Mo(CO)₆. In order to interpret the results for Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃, the interaction of acetone with 𝛾-alumina was investigated since acetone is highly reactive with the surface. The results of this in situ FTIR-MS study of acetone on 𝛾-alumina are also reported. The second part of this dissertation involves using cross polarization-magic angle spinning ¹³C NMR to probe the dynamic natures of Mo(CO)₃(ads) and Mo(CO)₅(ads). Crystalline samples of metal tricarbonyl complexes, which serve as model compounds for Mo(CO)₃(ads), are characterized by variable temperature CP-MAS ¹³C NMR in order to determine the presence of motional processes involving the carbonyl ligands. These findings yield additional information about the nature of molybdenum subcarbonyls on 𝛾-alumina.
Ph. D.
incomplete_metadata

The present study involves the use of main group organometallics: organostannanes and organolithiums as precursors to chromium Fischer carbene complexes. Fischer carbenes are well stabilized by the π‐donor substituents such as alkoxy and amino groups and low oxidation state metals such as Group 6 (Chromium, Molybdenum or Tungsten). Carbenes are an important intermediate in the synthesis of a range of compounds through cyclopropanations, insertions, coupling and photochemical reactions. Synthesis and successful characterisation of three α‐alkoxystannanes was achieved via nucleophilic addition of tributylstannyllithium to the respective aldehydes, followed by an immediate MOM protection of the resulting alcohol. Six α‐aminostanannes were synthesised, consisting of N‐BOC, N‐acetyl and N‐ethyl derivatives of pyrrolidine and piperidine, via α‐lithiation and subsequent tinlithium transmetallation in the presence of TMEDA. The ¹³C NMR analysis highlighted an interesting phenomenon of tin‐carbon coupling that revealed unique structural information of both types of stannanes. DFT analysis was completed on the series of stannanes; a predicted frequency analysis was obtained which complemented the experimental Infra‐red data in elucidation of the compounds. The α‐alkoxy and α‐aminostannanes provided stable precursors to the organolithiums required for the synthesis of the novel Fischer chromium carbenes. The organolithiums were obtained via tinlithium exchange at low temperatures, followed by the addition of chromium hexacarbonyl to form the acylpentacarbonyl‐chromate salt. Alkylation of this intermediate using a Meerwein salt, Me₃OBF₄, gave rise to the novel Fischer chromium carbene complexes. Fischer chromium carbenes derived from the two isomeric butyl and isobutyl stannanes and the two N‐ethyl α‐aminostannanes were successfully synthesised. The difficulty encountered in the purification of the Fischer carbene complexes hindered the full characterisation, due to the presence of a by‐product, tetrabutyltin.

Nanoparticles of MoS2 and WS2 were synthesized by decomposing the appropriate metal hexacarbonyl in the presence of sulfur dissolved in decalin at 140°C. A significant fraction of the nanoparticles was ≤ 15 nm in diameter as verified by Transmission Electron Microscopy. The process was repeated in the presence of silica and then titania to produce supported metal sulfides. The unsupported nanoparticles were found to exhibit a size-dependent shift in their threshold UV-visible absorption due to quantum confinement. Photocatalytic properties of each sulfide from synthesis in decalin were explored by using each as a catalyst in the photodegradation of methylene blue by visible light. These sulfides were also used to catalyze the photodegradation of acetone. Unsupported MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles catalyzed the photodegradation of acetone under visible light of ≥ 400 nm wavelength. This is the first study reporting the photocatalytic properties of the unsupported WS2 nanoparticles. Photodegradation of methylene blue under ≥ 435 nm irradiation was detected using unsupported WS2 but not unsupported MoS2, likely because activity was masked by the likely photobleaching of the dye. When deposited on silica or titania, the nanosized MoS2 and WS2 could be uniformly distributed in aqueous solutions to maximize the photocatalytic efficiency. Correcting the absorbance measurements for light scattering by solids proved to be beneficial for extracting kinetic information. Both silica deposited sulfides were found to significantly increase the rate of methylene blue photodegradation, and deposited WS2 increased this rate significantly more than deposited MoS2. Similarly, both titania deposited sulfides significantly increased the rate of methylene blue photodegradation, and the deposited WS2 increased this rate significantly more than the deposited MoS2
Synthesis of the sulfide photocatalysts -- Characterization of synthesized nanoparticles -- Photocatalytic degradation tests : setup and protocols -- Photocatalytic degradation tests : results.
Department of Chemistry

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2001.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-175).
A series of alkenyl (-C[Ad]Ar) and thioalkenyl (-SC[Ad]Ar, Ad=2-adamantylidene, Ar=3,5-Me2C6H3, 4-tBuC6H4, 3,5-(C6H5)2C6H3, 3,5-(4-tBu-C6H4)2 C6H3) ligands have been prepared. The alkenyl ligands are synthesized by bromination and dehydrohalogenation of an adamantyl olefin to yield an alkenyl bromide. The Grignard reagent, derived from the bromide, is used either as a transmetallation reagent, or reacted with elemental sulfur to form a magnesium thiolate, (THF)2Mg(SC[Ad]Ar)2. The magnesium thiolate can be protonated to give a free thiol, oxidized to afford a disulfide or reacted with ClTi(O'Pr)3 to give the titanium reagent, Ti(SC[Ad]Ar)(O'Pr)3. Treatment of CrC13 with an alkenyl Grignard reagent forms the Cr(III) complex, (THF)Cr(C[Ad]ArMe)3. While this compound reacts with pyridine to give (py)-Cr(C[Ad]ArMe)3, it fails to react with THT or PEt3. (THF)Cr(C[Ad]ArMe)3 can be oxidized with I2 or PhSSPh, however, the oxidation products are thermally unstable and disproportionate back to (THF)Cr(C[Ad]ArMe)3. Reactivity with nitric oxide is also discussed. Molybdenum nitrides of the form N-Mo(SC[Ad]Ar)3 have been prepared by re-action of Ti(SC[Ad]Ar)(O'Pr)3 with N-Mo(OtBu)3. The nitride reacts with Mo(N-[R]ArMe)3 to give (IL-N)[Mo(SC[Ad]Ar)3]2. Reaction of (THF)2Mg(SC[Ad]Ar)3 with MoCl3(THF)3 in diethyl ether leads to the formation of a molybdenum-molybdenum triply bonded compound, Mo2(SC[Ad]Ar)6, while performing the same reaction in THF followed by addition of pyridine leads to the isolation of (py)Mo(SC[Ad]Ar)3.
(cont.) A series of tungsten nitrides with amide ligands, NW(NMe2)3, N-W(N[iPr]-ArMe)2(NMe2), and NW(N['Pr]ArMe)3 have been synthesized by the reaction of a titanium or zirconium amide reagent with N-W(OtBu)3. Nitride N-W(N['Pr]-ArMe)3 has been compared to the molybdenum analogue N-Mo(N['Pr]ArMe)3 on the basis of crystal structure data and Density Functional Theory calculations. Treatment of N-W(NMe2)3 with Mo(H)(172-Me2C=NArMe)(N[iPr]ArMe)2 leads to formation of (Me2N)3W(/u-N)Mo(N[iPr]ArMe)3. Reaction of (Me2N)3W(tL-N)Mo(N[iPr]-ArMe)3 with other small molecules leads to the transfer of the nitride atom from tungsten to molybdenum. However, in the case of the larger nitride, NW(N['Pr]-ArMe)3, the bridging nitride formed with Mo(H)(r72-Me2C=NArMe)(N['Pr]ArMe)2 is present in solution in equilibrium with the starting materials. The rate of proton transfer self exchange of [C-Mo(N[R]ArMe)3]- with HCMo-(N[R]ArMe)3 has been measured by line shape kinetics in the 13C NMR and found to be 7 x 106 M-1 s-1. This very fast proton transfer rate has been used, in conjunction with solution and solid state NMR studies and DFT calculations, to develop a bonding picture for the carbide anion in which the lone pair on the carbon is localized in a nonbonding s orbital.
by Jane Brock Greco.
Ph.D.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Tese (Doutoramento)
IPEN/T
Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP
FAPESP:01/12269-7

This research has been directed at the study of the possible role of ligand substituents on the molybdenum center of a series of mononuclear monooxomolybdenum(V) complexes. The chemical and/or physical properties of 49 compounds containing dithiolato, 2-mercaptoethanolato, diolato, alkanethiolato, alkoxo, or para-substituted phenolato ligands are studied.

Thesis (M. S.)--Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.
Committee Chair: Cochran, Joe; Committee Member: Berczik, Doug; Committee Member: Sanders, Tom; Committee Member: Sandhage, Ken; Committee Member: Thadhani, Naresh.

Flash photolysis techniques were applied to studies of solvent displacement by Lewis bases (L) from solvated metal carbonyl complexes of Cr, Mo, and W. On the basis of extensive studies of the reaction rate laws, activation parameters , and linear-free-energy-relationships, it was concluded that the mechanisms of solvent displacement reactions depend on the electronic and steric properties of the solvents and L, as well as the identities of the metal atoms. The strengths of solvent-metal bonding interactions, varying from ca. 7 to 16 kcal/mol, and the bonding "modes" of solvents to metals are sensitive to the structures of the solvent molecules and the identities of the metal centers. The results indicate dissociative desolvation pathways for many arene solvents in (solvent)Cr(CO)_5 (solvent = benzene, fluorobenzene, toluene, etc.) complexes, and are consistent with competitive interchange and dissociative pathways for (n-heptane)M(CO)_5. Different types of (arene)-Cr(CO)_5 interactions were suggested for chlorobenzene (CB) vs. fluorobenzene and other non-halogenated arenes, i.e. via σ-halogen-Cr bond formation in the CB solvate vs. π-arene-Cr bond formation through "isolated" double bonds in solvates of the other arenes. The data also indicate the increasing importance of interchange pathways for solvent displacement from the solvates of Mo and W vs. that of Cr.

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Dissertacao (Mestrado)
IPEN/D
Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

This dissertation comprises the investigation of two subjects in the field of dimetal paddlewheel-type compounds containing metal-metal bonds: unsolvated transition metal carboxylates and triply bonded divanadium compounds. The first subject is very mature; dichromium tetraacetate was first synthesized in 1844, and hundreds of dimetal tetracarboxylates have been structurally characterized to date. A general question concerning the complexes of the type M2L4-Xn (where n = 0 to 2) is the extent to which the M-M distances are influenced by the presence of axial ligands, X. However, virtually none of the carboxylato complexes crystallize without axial ligands. In the solid state, in the absence of a coordinating solvent, the dimetal units often act as axial ligands to one another. In order to exclude axial coordination, both from donor solvent molecules, and from the aggregation of M24+ units, we have successfully used the bulky 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoate ligand to bridge the dimetal core. We have investigated the triisopropylbenzoato complexes of some metals which are known for their ability to form a vast array of tetracarboxylato complexes, namely chromium, copper, molybdenum, and rhodium, and have found that these novel compounds display some interesting structural and chemical properties. The second subject of this dissertation is much more contemporary. Although compounds containing multiple bonds between metal atoms have been known since 1964, the first triply-bonded divanadium compound was not synthesized until 1992, and only two additional compounds of this type have been made in the intervening ten years. In order to extend this chemistry, several additional compounds containing a triply bonded V24+ core have recently been characterized. In our study of these compounds, we have discovered the first example of a stable paddlewheel-type compound with a M23+ core.

The MoOS₃ active site of sulfite oxidase has drawn attention to a relatively unexplored area of molybdenum coordination chemistry. Cis,trans-(L-N₂S₂)MoᵛO(SR)[L-N₂S₂H₂ = N,N '-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(mercaptophenyl)ethylenediamine: R = CH₂Ph. CH₂CH₃, and p-C₆H₄-Y (Y = CF₃, Cl, Br, F, H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, and OCH₃)] are the first structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically characterized mononuclear Mo compounds with three thiolate donors in the equatorial, as occurs in sulfite oxidase. These compounds provide a well-defined platform for the systematic investigation of the electronic structures of the MoᵛOS₃ centers and their implications for molybdoenzymes. Single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study cis,trans-(L-N₂S₂)MoᵛOCl and determine the relationship between the molecular and magnetic structure. These studies furnish a better understanding of the CW-EPR parameters exhibited by the various Mo(V) forms of the mononuclear molybdenum enzymes.

Our society has a problem with the use of fossil fuels, due to the vast and exceeding emissions derived from human activities. Two ways could be consider to mitigate these harmful effects. On the one hand, the capture, activation, and conversion of these hazardous gases towards valuable compounds, and on the other hand, the substitution of fossil fuels for renewable energies. This thesis encompasses the study of two different green chemistry reactions to convert the most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere and the production of a new environmental friendly fuel, the hydrogen. In the current search for new catalysts, Transition Metal Carbides (TMCs) have arisen as an appealing alternative, because their exhibit broad and amazing physical and chemical properties and their low cost. In particular, titanium carbide (001) was proposed from experimental and theoretical points of view as active catalyst and support of small metal particles for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol and water gas shift reaction. However, given that titanium carbide is a cumbersome support to be used in applications due to the difficulty of obtaining nanoparticles on working conditions, we have carried out these reactions on cubic δ-MoC (001) and orthorhombic β-Mo2C (001) surfaces. The adsorption and activation of a CO2 molecule on cubic δ-MoC (001) and orthorhombic β-Mo2C (001) surfaces have been investigated by means of periodic density functional theory based calculations using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof exchange-correlation functional showing that both surface are promising catalyst for CO2 conversion because they are able to activate and bend the CO2 molecule. The β- Mo2C (001) surface is able to dissociate the CO2 molecule easily, with a low energy barrier, whereas δ-MoC (001) surface activates CO2 but it does not promote its direct dissociation. Experiments accomplished by the group of Dr. Jose Rodriguez revealed that CO and methane are the main products of the CO2 hydrogenation using β-Mo2C (001) as catalyst, and the amount of methanol is lower. On the other hand, only CO and methanol are produced using δ-MoC (001). Experiments revealed that the deposition of small copper particles on the carbide surfaces increase drastically the catalysts' activity and selectivity, which was demonstrated by theoretical calculations. On β-Mo2C, the amount of CO and methanol increase whilst the amount of methane decrease, since copper blocks reactive sites on surface. This is a positive fact since copper avoid the excessive oxygen deposition, which deactivated the catalysts. On the other hand, the deposition of copper on δ-MoC (001) increases a lot the amount of CO and methanol. In summary, our combining DFT- experimental study proposed the Cu/δ-MoC as promising catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation due to its activity (the amount of products is superior than other TMCS, metals, and the model of commercial catalysts), selectivity (only CO and methanol are produced), and stability ( this catalysts is not deactivated by the oxygen deposition). The results obtained in the first part of the thesis were used to study the water gas shift reaction. Given that the excellent features, experiments proposed Au supported on δ-MoC (001) as catalysts. Our theoretical calculations demonstrated that clean δ-MoC (001) is not a good catalysts for WGS, due to the fact that the reverse reactions are favorable respect the direct ones, which implies that the amount of products is lower. Nevertheless, the deposition of Au clusters change the reaction mechanism, favoring the direct barriers instead of reverse ones, and increasing the amount of produced H2. In summary, this thesis has displayed the prominent role of molybdenum carbides as support of small metal particles to catalyze green chemistry reactions.
En aquesta tesi es mostra un treball computacional sobre l'ús de catalitzadors econòmics per a la conversió de CO2, un perillós gas d'efecte hivernacle i també per a la producció d'hidrogen, el combustible del futur. En la recerca actual de nous catalitzadors, els carburs de metalls de transició (TMC) han sorgit com una alternativa atractiva pel el seu baix cost i per exhibir excel·lents propietats físiques i químiques. En aquest treball utilitzarem com a catalitzadors les superfícies cúbica δ-MoC (001) i ortoròmbica β-Mo2C (001). L'adsorció de la molècula de CO2 mostra que ambdues superfícies són capaces d'activar i doblegar la molècula. La superfície β-Mo2C (001) és capaç de dissociar fàcilment la molècula de CO2, mentre que la superfície δ-MoC (001) activa CO2 però no la dissocia. Els experiments realitzats pel grup del Dr. Jose Rodriguez van revelar que el CO i el metà són els principals productes de la hidrogenació de CO2 utilitzant β-Mo2C (001) com a catalitzador, i la quantitat de metanol és menor. D'altra banda, només es produeixen CO i metanol utilitzant δ-MoC (001). La deposició de partícules de coure a les superfícies del carbur augmenta dràsticament l'activitat dels catalitzadors, cosa que es va demostrar mitjançant càlculs teòrics. A la superfície β-Mo2C, la quantitat de CO i metanol augmenten mentre que la quantitat de metà disminueix. D'altra banda, la deposició de coure a δ-MoC (001) augmenta molt la quantitat de CO i metanol. En resum, el nostre estudi proposa el Cu/δ-MoC com a prometedor catalitzador de la hidrogenació de CO2 a causa de la seva activitat (la quantitat de productes és superior a la resta de TMCS, metalls i el model de catalitzadors comercials), selectivitat (només el CO i el metanol es produeixen) i l'estabilitat (aquests catalitzadors no es desactiven per la deposició d'oxigen). Tenint en compte els resultats previs, es va proposar la deposició d'or en la superfície δ-MoC per a la producció d'hidrogen. Els càlculs teòrics demostren que la superfície δ-MoC (001) no és un bon catalitzador per WGS, però la deposició dels clústers d'or canvia el mecanisme de reacció i augmenta la quantitat d'H2 produïda.

In this study a bidentate ligand containing two ferrocenyl moieties, N,N'
-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine, was prepared by condensation reaction of ferrocenecarboxyaldehyde and ethylenediamine on refluxing in benzene. The molecule was identified by IR, Raman, UV-Vis, 1H-, 13C-NMR spectroscopies. Then, this bidentate molecule was reacted with tetracarbonyl(bicyclo[2.1.1] hepta-2,5-diene)molybdenum(0). The ligand substitution reaction in toluene yielded the new complex, tetracarbonyl[N,N´
-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine] molybdenum(0). This new complex could be isolated from the reaction solution in the form of orange crystals and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopies. As a bidentate ligand, N,N´
-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine binds the metal atom in the two cis positions in the pseudooctahedral geometry of the molybdenum-complex. Electrochemistry of the tetracarbonyl[N,N´
-bis(ferrocenylmethylene) ethylenediamine]molybdenum(0) was studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and controlled potential electrolysis combined with the UV-Vis or infrared spectroscopy. One irreversible oxidation and three reversible oxidations were observed in the cyclic voltammogram. Irreversible and a reversible oxidations are attributed to molybdenum and the other two reversible oxidation to iron centers. It is found that the two ferrocene groups started communication with each other after formation of molybdenum-complex.

Thermal and flash photolysis studies of ligand-substitution reactions of cis-(pip)(L)M(CO)_4 by L' (pip = piperidine; L, L' = CO, phosphines, phosphites; M = Cr, Mo) implicate square-pyramidal [(L)M(CO)_4], in which L occupies a coordination site in the equatorial plane, as the reactive species. In chlorobenzene (= CB) solvent, the predominant species formed after flash photolysis and a steady-state intermediate for the thermal reaction is cis—[(CB)(L)M(CO)_4], for which rates of CB-dissociation increase with increasing steric demands of coordinated L. Rates of CB-dissociation from trans-[(CB)(L)M(CO)_4] intermediates, formed after photolysis but not thermally, exhibit no observable dependence on the steric properties of the coordinated L.