Issue 19, 2024

Size-dependent reactivity of VnO+ (n = 1–9) clusters with ethane

Abstract

Cost-effective and readily accessible 3d transition metals (TMs) have been considered as promising candidates for alkane activation while 3d TMs especially the early TMs are usually not very reactive with light alkanes. In this study, the reactivity of Vn+ and VnO+ (n = 1–9) cluster cations towards ethane under thermal collision conditions has been investigated using mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations. Among Vn+ (n = 1–9) clusters, only V3–5+ can react with C2H6 to generate dehydrogenation products and the reaction rate constants are below 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. In contrast, the reaction rate constants for all VnO+ (n = 1–9) with C2H6 significantly increase by about 2–4 orders of magnitude. Theoretical analysis evidences that the addition of ligand O affects the charge distribution of the metal centers, resulting in a significant increase in the cluster reactivity. The analysis of frontier orbitals indicates that the agostic interaction determines the size-dependent reactivity of VnO+ cluster cations. This study provides a novel approach for improving the reactivity of early 3d TMs.

Graphical abstract: Size-dependent reactivity of VnO+ (n = 1–9) clusters with ethane

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 feb 2024
Accepted
19 apr 2024
First published
22 apr 2024

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 14186-14193

Size-dependent reactivity of VnO+ (n = 1–9) clusters with ethane

H. Zhou, M. Ruan, Q. Liu, Y. Zhao, R. Wang, Y. Yang and S. He, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 14186 DOI: 10.1039/D4CP00857J

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