Mechanistic Investigation of Enhanced Catalytic Selectivity toward Alcohol Oxidation with Ce Oxysulfate Clusters

Ceria-based materials have been highly desired in photocatalytic reactions due to their redox properties and strong oxygen storage and transfer ability. Herein, we report the structures of one CeCe₇₀ oxysulfate cluster and four MCe₇₀ clusters (M = Cu, Ni, Co, and Fe) with the same Ce₇₀ core. As noted, single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed the structures of CeCe₇₀ and the MCe₇₀ series, while Raman spectroscopy indicated an increase in oxygen defects upon the introduction of Cu and Fe ions. The clusters catalyzed the oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol under ultraviolet light. CuCe₇₀ and FeCe₇₀ exhibited enhanced reactivity compared to CeCe₇₀ and improved aldehyde selectivity compared to control experiments. In comparison with their homogeneous congeners, the CeCe₇₀/MCe₇₀ clusters altered the location of radical generation from the bulk solution to the clusters' surfaces. Mechanistic studies highlight the role of oxygen defects and specific transition metal introduction for efficient photocatalysis. The mechanistic pathway in this study provides insight into how to select or design a highly selective catalyst for photocatalysis.

Heterometallic CeIV/ VV Oxo Clusters with Adjustable Catalytic Reactivities

Heterometallic Ce^IV/M oxo clusters are underexplored yet and can benefit from synergistic properties from combining cerium and other metal cations to produce efficient redox catalysts. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of new Ce₁₂V₆ oxo clusters with different capping ligands: Ce₁₂V₆-SO₄, Ce₁₂V₆-OTs (OTs: toluenesulfonic acid), and Ce₁₂V₆-NBSA (NBSA: nitrobenzenesulfonic acid). Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) for all three structures reveals a Ce₁₂V₆ cubane core formulated [Ce₁₂(VO)₆O₂₄]¹⁸⁺ with cerium on the edges of the cube, vanadyl capping the faces, and sulfate on the corners. While infrared spectroscopy (IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) proved the successful coordination of the organic ligands to the Ce₁₂V₆ core, liquid phase ⁵¹V NMR and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) confirmed the integrity of the clusters in the organic solutions. Furthermore, functionalization of the Ce₁₂V₆ core with organic ligands both provides increased solubility in term of homogeneous application and introduces porosity to the assemblies of Ce₁₂V₆-OTs and Ce₁₂V₆-NBSA in term of heterogeneous application, thus allowing more catalytic sites to be accessible and improving reactivity as compared to the nonporous and less soluble Ce₁₂V₆-SO₄. Meanwhile, the coordinated ligands also influenced the electronic environment of the catalytic sites, in turn affecting the reactivity of the cluster, which we probed by the selective oxidation of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES). This work provides a strategy to make full use of the catalytic sites within a class of inorganic sulfate capped clusters via organic ligand introduction.

Heterotrimetallic {LnOVPt} complexes with antiferromagnetic Ln-V coupling and magnetic memory

The new PtVO(SOCR)4 lantern complexes, 1 (R = CH3) and 2 (R = Ph) behave as neutral O-donor ligands to Ln(OR)3 with Ln = Ce, Nd. Four heterotrimetallic complexes with linear {LnOVPt} units were prepared: [Ln(ODtbp)3{PtVO(SOCR)4}] (Ln = Ce, 3Ce (R = CH3), 4Ce (R = Ph); Nd, 3Nd (R = CH3), 4Nd (R = Ph); ODtbp = 2,6-ditertbutylphenolate). Magnetic characterization confirms slow magnetic relaxation behaviour and suggests antiferromagnetic coupling across {Ln-O[double bond, length as m-dash]V} in all four complexes, with variations tunable as a function of Ln and R.

Isolation of heterometallic cerium(iii) complexes with a multidentate nitrogen–phosphorus ligand

Heterobimetallic clusters containing a rare-earth metal and transition metals were constructed by a multidentate nitrogen–phosphorus ligand.

Two tetranuclear 3d–4f heterometal complexes Mn2Ln2 (Ln = Dy, Gd): synthesis, structure, magnetism, and electrocatalytic reactivity for water oxidation

The two Mn₂Ln₂ complexes can catalyze water oxidation, which may arise from the cooperative catalytic effect of the Mn/Ln ions.

Synthesis and derivatisation of ceric tris(tert-butoxy)siloxides

Heteroleptic ceric Ce[OSi(OtBu)₃]₃Cl(thf) is straightforwardly obtained from cerous Ce[OSi(OtBu)₃]₃(thf)₂ and trityl chloride and gives access to the terminal siloxy/methoxy derivative Ce[OSi(OtBu)₃]₃(OCH₃)(thf)₂.

Tetravalent cerium pseudohalide complexes supported by the Kläui tripodal ligand [Co(η5-C5H5){P(O)(OEt)2}3]−

Cerium(iv) pseudohalide complexes supported by the Kläui tripodal ligand [Co(η⁵-C₅H₅){P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]⁻ (L_OEt⁻) have been synthesized and structurally characterized.