Publications

1. K. Ithisuphalap, M. Nolen, H. Monroe, S. Kwon (2023) Kinetic, spectroscopic, and theoretical study of toluene alkylation with ethylene on acidic Mordenite zeolite,ACS Catal., 13, 16012-16031.       
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   Abstract

   This work combines kinetic, spectroscopic, and theoretical methods to understand mechanistic details of toluene alkylation with ethylene on acidic MOR zeolite, chosen due to its industrial relevance in producing ethyltoluene. In doing so, we show that the protons in the small eight-membered-ring (8-MR) micropores are inaccessible to large toluene molecules, which were selectively titrated with Na⁺ prior to kinetic measurements. Kinetic data, taken together with in situ infrared spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, show that all protons in the 12-MR are saturated with π-bonded toluene, favoring thermodynamic stability due to extensive dispersive interactions with the porous structure. The π-bonded toluene reacts with ethylene in a concerted manner, where the protonation of ethylene and C–C coupling occurs concurrently. The C–C formation at the *ortho* position takes precedence over *meta* and *para* locations, although the free energies of C–C coupling transition states show marginal differences. Consequently, all three isomers are formed as primary products, with an *ortho*, *meta*, and *para* ratio of 3:1:1 (<0.2% conversion; 503 K). Undesired ethylene dimerization products remained undetectable on partially Na⁺-exchanged MOR samples under all conditions, consistent with larger DFT-derived barriers for C–C coupling between two ethylene molecules than between toluene and ethylene, reflecting the role of 12-MR micropores that selectively stabilize the latter transition state. These results provide mechanistic insights into aromatic alkylation and the role of micropores on rates and selectivities, which will ultimately inform design strategies for solid acid catalysts with improved catalytic performance.

   
   

2. E. Volk, M. Kreider, S. Kwon and S. Alia. (2023) Recent progress in understanding the catalyst layer in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers – durability, utilization, and integration, EES Catalysis       
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   Anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) are poised to play a key role in reducing capital cost and materials criticality concerns associated with traditional low-temperature electrolysis technologies. To accelerate the development and deployment of this technology, an in-depth understanding of cell materials integration is essential. Notably, the complex chemistries and interactions within the catalyst layer (consisting of the anode/cathode catalyst, anion exchange ionomer, and their interfaces with the transport layers and membrane) collectively influence overall cell performances, lifetimes, and costs. This review outlines recent advances in understanding the catalyst layer in AEMWEs. Specifically, electrode development strategies (including catalyst deposition techniques and configurations as well as transport layer design strategies) and our current understanding of catalyst–ionomer interactions are discussed. Effects of cell assembly and operational variables (including compression, temperature, pressure, and electrolyte conditions) on cell performance are also discussed. Lastly, we consider cutting-edge *in situ* and *ex situ* diagnostic techniques to study the complex chemistries within the catalyst layer as well as discuss degradation mechanisms that arise due to the integration of cell components. Simultaneously, comparisons are made to proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) and liquid alkaline water electrolyzers (LAWE) throughout the review to provide context to researchers transitioning into the AEMWE space. We also include recommendations for standard operating procedures, configurations, and metrics for comparing activity and stability.

   
   

3. M. Nolen, S. A. Tacey, S. Kwon, and C. A. Farberow. (2023) Theoretical assessments of CO₂ activation and hydrogenation pathways on transition-metal surfaces, Appl. Surf. Sci, 637, 157873.       
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   Carbon dioxide (CO₂) hydrogenation on transition-metal active sites offers a promising carbon utilization route toward mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. C₁ products are often formed in parallel during CO₂ hydrogenation, prompting investigations into the intrinsic properties of transition metals that drive activity and product selectivity. In this work, close-packed surfaces of a selection of transition-metal catalysts (Ni, Co, Rh, Ru, Pd, and Pt) were studied with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand their fundamental reactivities for CO₂ transformation reactions. Results indicate that CO₂ conversion proceeds through CO^* formation and hydrogenation to form C₁ products (^* denotes an adsorbed species). Ni, Co, Rh, and Ru favor CO/CH₄ formation, while Pd and Pt favor CO/CH₃OH formation. The ability of a metal to dissociate C-O bonds drives selectivity between CH₄ and CH₃OH, while competition between CO^* desorption and surface hydrogenation describes CO selectivities. The C-O bond dissociation steps often impose the highest barrier along CH₄ formation reaction profiles, suggesting their kinetic relevance for CH₄ formation rates. The provided DFT-derived data sets detail a comprehensive reaction network of elementary steps relevant to C₁ chemistries, ultimately offering a benchmark for insights into design strategies for materials that exploit transition-metal active sites in carbon capture or utilization processes.

   
   

4. M. Vyas, F. Fajardo-Rojas, D. A. Gómez-Gualdrón, and S. Kwon. (2023) Theoretical assessments of Pd-PdO phase transformation and its impacts on H₂O₂ synthesis and decomposition pathways, Catal. Sci. Technol., 13.13, 3828-3848. (Emerging Investigator Series).       
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   The direct synthesis of H₂O₂ from O₂ and H₂ provides a green pathway to produce H₂O₂, a popular industrial oxidant. Here, we theoretically investigate the effects of Pd oxidation states, coordination environments, and particle sizes on primary H₂O₂ selectivities, assessed by calculating the ratio of rate constants for the formation of H₂O₂ (*via* OOH* reduction; k_O–H) and the decomposition of OOH* (via O–O cleavage; k_O–O). For Pd metals, the k_O–H/k_O–O ratio decreased from 10−4 for Pd(111) to 10−10 for the Pd₁₃ cluster at 300 K, indicating poorer H₂O₂ selectivity as Pd particle size decreases and low primary selectivities for H₂O₂ overall. As the oxygen chemical potential increases and metals form surface and bulk oxides, the perturbation of Pd–Pd ensemble sites by lattice O atoms results in selectivities that become dramatically higher than unity. For instance, at 300 K, the k_O–H/k_O–O ratio increases significantly from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁹ to 10¹⁶ as Pd(111) oxidizes to Pd₅O₄/Pd(111) and to PdO(100), respectively. In contrast, such selectivity enhancements are not observed for surface and bulk oxides that persistently contain rows of more metallic, undercoordinated Pd–Pd ensemble sites, such as PdO(101)/Pd(100) and PdO(101). These Pd–Pd ensembles are also absent when smaller Pd nanoparticles fully oxidize, indicating that smaller PdO clusters can be more selective for H₂O₂ synthesis. These trends for primary H₂O₂ selectivities were found to inversely correlate with trends for H₂O₂ decomposition rates via O–O bond cleavage, demonstrating that catalysts with high primary H₂O₂ selectivity can also hinder H₂O₂ decomposition. Ab initio thermodynamic calculations are used to estimate the thermodynamically favored phase among Pd, PdO/Pd and PdO in O₂, H₂O₂/H₂O, and O₂/H₂ environments. These results are combined to show that smaller Pd nanoparticles are more prone to be oxidized at lower oxygen chemical potentials, upon which they become more selective than larger Pd particles for H₂O₂ synthesis.

   
   

5. E. Volk, S. Kwon and S. Alia. (2023) Catalytic activity and stability of non-platinum group metal oxides for the oxygen evolution reaction in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers, J. Electrochem. Soc., volume 170, number 6.       
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   Abstract

   The activities and stabilities of non-platinum group metals (PGMs) in the forms of monometallic (Mn₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, Co₃O₄, NiO) and bimetallic (NiFe₂O₄, CoNiO2) oxides were assessed for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media and compared with IrO₂. Both half-cell, rotating disc electrode (RDE) apparatus and single-cell, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) were used to study kinetic and device-level performance in parallel and to provide insights into the use of these materials in anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers. Normalization of RDE results by geometric and physical surface areas, double layer capacitance, and metal content probed differences in physically vs electrochemically accessible surface areas and ensured reported trends were independent of the normalization method. The results showed that: (i) Ni- and Co- containing materials met or exceeded IrO₂ performance in both RDE and MEA testing, (ii) Co₃O₄ deactivated over time-on-stream (1.8 V for 13.5 h) due to oxide and, relatedly, particle growth, (iii) NiFe₂O₄ increased in activity over time-on-stream due to dissolution of Fe and an increased Ni/Fe ratio, and (iv) reduction of catalyst layer resistance is an avenue to further increase device-level performance. These results demonstrated the clear viability for non-PGMs to be used as anode catalysts in AEM devices.

   
   

6. S. Schlussel and S. Kwon. (2022) (Invited Review Paper) A review of formic acid decomposition routes on transition metals for its potential use as a liquid H2 carrier, Korean J. Chem. Eng., 39(11), 2883-2895       
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   Abstract

   Formic acid (HCOOH) has emerged as a promising H₂ energy carrier due to its reasonable gravimetric and volumetric H₂ densities, low toxicity, low flammability, and ease of handling. Its possible productions from biogenic feedstocks also make it an attractive source to produce H₂ on demand. The utilization of HCOOH as a liquid H₂ carrier requires catalytic systems to selectively dehydrogenate HCOOH at low temperatures without forming CO products that can act as a poison in fuel cell applications. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding HCOOH decomposition via dehydrogenation (to CO₂/H₂) and dehydration (to CO/H₂O) pathways on transition metals, including Cu, Pt, Pd, and Au. The focus is on discussing the surface chemistry of HCOOH reactions on transition metals, including the types of bound intermediates and the identity and kinetic relevance of elementary steps. In doing so, we review current catalyst design strategies for HCOOH dehydrogenation to facilitate the future development of catalytic processes for H₂ storage/utilization.

   
   

7. T. C. Lin, U. De La Torrea, A. Hejazi, S. Kwon, and E. Iglesia. (2021) Unimolecular and bimolecular formic acid decomposition routes on dispersed Cu nanoparticles, J. Cat., 404, 814-831.       
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   Highlights

   • Cu surfaces are saturated with bidentate formates (*HCOO*) during catalysis.
   • *HCOO* species saturate at 0.25 monolayer (0.25 *HCOO* per Cu surface atom).
   • HCOOH adsorbs molecularly at interstices (^□) within the *HCOO* adlayer.
   • The coexisting HCOOH^□ enables *HCOO* to decompose bimolecularly.
   • Biomolecular decomposition occurs at lower barriers than the unimolecular route.

   Abstract

   The elementary steps and site requirements in formic acid (HCOOH) dehydrogenation on Cu surfaces remain of keen interest because formate species act as intermediates or spectators in methanol synthesis and water–gas shift reactions. Steady-state and transient kinetic data, isotopic effects, infrared spectra during catalytic and stoichiometric reactions, and theoretical treatments based on density functional theory (DFT) provide evidence for bimolecular reactions, in which saturated bidentate formate (*HCOO*) adlayers, present at 0.25 ML (0.25 *HCOO* per surface Cu atom), react with undissociated species (HCOOH^□) bound at interstices within formate adlayers (^□) to form H-bonded bimolecular HCOOH^□-*HCOO* adducts. The co-existence of vicinal HCOOH^□ and *HCOO* moieties is evident from antisymmetric infrared bands for *HCOO* that become stronger as a result of their H-bonding that perturbs the induced dipole moment of *HCOO* upon vibration, consistent with DFT-derived vibrational frequencies and intensities for such perturbed species. The *HCOO* moiety in this complex undergoes C-H activation via a transition state that is preferentially stabilized through H-bonding with the vicinal HCOOH^□ relative to its *HCOO* precursor. DFT-derived HCOOH dehydrogenation activation barriers and those determined from the evolution of CO₂ from pre-adsorbed *HCOO* species are about 10 kJ mol⁻¹ smaller in the presence of gaseous HCOOH reactants (because of HCOOH^□-*HCOO* interactions) than those for the unimolecular decomposition of bound *HCOO* species. Such bimolecular routes are consistent with measured effects of HCOOH, H2, and CO pressures and of H/D isotopic substitution on dehydrogenation turnover rates and represent the predominant channel for the formation of CO₂ and H2 during catalytic HCOOH dehydrogenation on Cu nanoparticles. A saturated *HCOO* adlayer that retains binding interstices and the presence of HCOOH(g) enable a sequence of elementary steps unavailable for *HCOO* species, thus circumventing unassisted unimolecular routes that exhibit higher activation barriers.

   
   

8. S. Kwon, T. C. Lin, and E. Iglesia. (2020) Formic acid dehydration rates and elementary steps on Lewis acid-base site pairs at anatase and rutile TiO₂ surfaces, J. Phys. Chem. C, 124, 37, 20161-20174.       
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   Abstract

   Formic acid (HCOOH) decomposition is often used to assess the acid–base properties of oxide surfaces. Its reverse reaction forms HCOOH and formate species that can act as intermediates in CO₂/CO/H₂/H₂O reactions that are important in C₁ conversions. This study describes the mechanism of HCOOH dehydration on acid–base pairs at anatase and rutile TiO₂ surfaces through spectroscopic, desorption-reaction, kinetic, isotopic, and theoretical methods. HCOOH dehydration turnover rates are measured at coverages that allow bound intermediates to interact directly with Ti_5c–O_2c pairs. Such rates then reflect their acid–base properties without interference from a refractory bidentate formate adlayer that acts as the catalytic surface at lower temperatures, as evident from infrared and desorption reaction data. HCOOH dehydration elementary steps involve the concurrent activation of C–O and C–H bonds in a molecularly bound HCOOH (HCOOH*) by a Ti_5c–O_2c pair at the kinetically relevant step. The transition state mediating this step involves the OH group and the H-atom of the C–H group in HCOOH* that are almost fully transferred to the Ti_5c and the vicinal O_2c center, respectively. Such concerted interactions with the acid and base centers and the late character of the transition state render the H₂O dissociation energy at Ti_5c–O_2c pairs a more suitable descriptor of HCOOH reactivity than the respective strengths of each Lewis center. These mechanistic conclusions allow quantitative inferences of the rate and kinetic parameters for HCOOH synthesis from CO–H₂O reactants on TiO₂ surfaces through the tenets of microscopic reversibility extended to the sequence of elementary steps. The results also illustrate how acid–base pairs act in concert to stabilize the relevant transition states, thus making the balance between acid and base strengths, instead of their independent properties, the rigorous arbiters of reactivity, as shown by the similar reactivities and H₂O dissociation energies on Ti_5c–O_2c pairs at anatase and rutile surfaces in spite of their very different acid and base strengths.

   
   

9. Wu, W., S. Kwon, J. A. McCarthy, P. C. Stair, and E. Weitz (2020) Mechanistic Studies of the Oxidation of Cyclohexene to 2-Cyclohexen-1-one over ALD Prepared Titania Supported Vanadia, J. Phys. Chem. C, 124, 22, 11844-11862.       
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   Abstract

   Selective oxidation of cyclohexene to 2-cyclohexen-1-one over titania supported vanadia (VO_x/TiO₂) has been studied using temperature dependent in situ FTIR spectroscopy in both the presence and absence of oxygen. The VO_x/TiO₂ samples were prepared using one atomic layer deposition (ALD) cycle and characterized by Raman spectroscopy. In situ FTIR data for the oxidation of cyclohexene and perdeuterocyclohexene allow for the formulation of a molecular level reaction mechanism, which is initiated by the transfer of an allyl hydrogen. Oxidation of perdeuterocyclohexene provides a direct probe of the formation of OD and HDO moieties that support the involvement of specific steps in the proposed mechanism. The presence of gas phase oxygen does not lead to a change in the products versus anaerobic conditions. However, gas phase oxygen is significantly incorporated in the CO₂ overoxidation product above ∼250 °C. Data were also obtained with cyclohexene epoxide as the reactant in an effort to determine whether there is a parallel reaction pathway, which is initiated by C═C activation in cyclohexene, that involves cyclohexene epoxide as an intermediate. Though a minor pathway involving a cyclohexene epoxide intermediate cannot be ruled out, these data demonstrate that, under experimental conditions, the dominant pathway from cyclohexene to cyclohexene-1-one is initiated by an allyl-H activation step and does not involve an epoxide intermediate.

   
   

10. S. Kwon, T. C. Lin, and E. Iglesia. (2020) Elementary steps and site requirements in formic acid dehydration reactions on anatase rutile TiO₂ surfaces, J. Cat., 383, 60-76.       
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    Highlights

    • Decomposition of HCOOH on TiO₂ surfaces forms CO and H₂O products
    • Inactive bidentate formates (*HCOO*) saturate all Ti_5c centers at conditions of catalysis (423–463 K)
    • HCOOH adsorbs molecularly at a proton (HCOOH-H*) in this *HCOO*-template
    • HCOOH-H* eliminates H₂O by reacting with a Ti_5c-O_2c pair, made available by the momentary reprotonation of *HCOO*
    • The reprotonation of *HCOO* is less facile on rutile than on anatase TiO₂, causing its lower reactivity at these conditions

    Abstract

    Mechanistic details of HCOOH decomposition routes provide valuable insights into reactions involving bound formates as intermediates or spectators; these routes are also widely used as a probe of the acid-base properties of oxide surfaces. The identity and kinetic relevance of bound intermediates, transition states, and elementary steps are reported here for HCOOH dehydration on anatase and rutile TiO₂ surfaces through complementary kinetic, isotopic, spectroscopic and theoretical assessments. Five-coordinate exposed Ti_5c centers are saturated with bidentate formates (*HCOO*) at catalytic conditions (423–463 K; 0.1–3 kPa HCOOH), as evident from infrared spectra collected during catalysis and the amounts of HCOOH and CO evolved upon heating the TiO₂ samples containing pre-adsorbed HCOOH-derived species. These *HCOO* species are inactive but form a stable “surface template” that contains stochiometric protons onto which HCOOH binds molecularly (HCOOH-H*) to form a coexisting adlayer. H₂O elimination from HCOOH-H* is the sole kinetically-relevant step. DFT-derived barriers show that this step involves its reaction with Ti_5c-O_2c that acts as a Lewis acid-base pair. Such route, in turn, requires the access of HCOOH-H* to a Ti_5c center, which is made available through a momentary reprotonation of a *HCOO*. This step is much less facile on rutile than on anatase due to stronger acid strength of its Ti_5c centers that binds *HCOO* species more strongly and its shorter Ti_5c-Ti_5c distances that induce greater repulsions between co-adsorbed HCOOH* formed upon reprotonation step. These differences account for low dehydration reactivity of rutile at these temperatures. This mechanistic interpretation is in full accord with DFT-derived barriers, binding energies, and kinetic isotope effects that quantitatively agree with the values from regressed kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, with in-situ infrared spectra that identify HCOOH-H* species as the sole reactive intermediates, and with the differences in turnover rates between anatase and rutile catalysts. These dehydration routes are also consistent with the surface chemistry expected for Lewis acid-base pairs on stoichiometry TiO₂ surfaces without requiring the presence or involvement of reduced centers or titanols in the catalytic cycle. The reaction routes described in this work show how strongly-bound species, evident in presence and unreactive nature from in-situ infrared spectra, provide an organic “permanent” template for reactions of weakly-bound species that are often invisible in spectroscopy.

    
    

Before Colorado School of Mines

1. S. Kwon, P. Deshlahra, and E. Iglesia. (2019) Reactivity and Selectivity Descriptors of Dioxygen Activation Routes on Metal Oxides, J. Cat., 377, 692-710.       
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   Highlights

   • Two-electron reduced centers formed on metal oxides in redox cycles activate O₂ via inner or outer sphere routes
   • Inner sphere routes form bound peroxo species at O-vacancies
   • Outer sphere routes form H₂O₂(g) at vicinal OH pairs, formed via H₂O dissociation on O-vacancies
   • The O-atoms in more reducible oxides exhibit a greater preference for the inner sphere routes
   • The large charge-balancing cations influence the O₂ activation selectivity of the vicinal O-atoms

   Abstract

   The activation of dioxygen at typically isolated two-electron reduced centers can lead to the formation of electrophilic superoxo or peroxo species, providing an essential route to form reactive O₂-derived species in biological, organometallic, and heterogeneous catalysts. Alternatively, O₂ activation can proceed via outer sphere routes, circumventing the formation of bound peroxo (OO^*) species during oxidation catalysis by forming H₂O₂(g), which can react with another reduced center to form H₂O. The electronic and binding properties of metal oxides that determine the relative rates of these activation routes are assessed here by systematic theoretical treatments using density functional theory (DFT). These methods are combined with conceptual frameworks based on thermochemical cycles and crossing potential models to assess the most appropriate descriptors for the activation barriers for each route using Keggin polyoxometalates as illustrative examples. In doing so, we show that inner sphere routes, which form OO^* species via O₂ activation on the O-vacancies (*) formed in the reduction part of redox cycles, are mediated by early transition states that only weakly sense the oxide binding properties. Outer sphere routes form H₂O₂(g) via O₂ activation on OH pairs (H/OH^*) formed by dissociation of H₂O on O-vacancies; their rates and activation barriers reflect the rates of the first H-atom transfer from H/OH^* to O₂. The activation barriers for this H-transfer step depend on the binding energy of more weakly-bound H-atom in H/OH^* pairs (HAE₂) and on the ^.OOH-surface interaction energy at its product state (E_int⁰). The E_int⁰ values are similar among oxides unless a large charge-balancing cation is present and interacts with ^.OOH; consequently, HAE₂ acts as an appropriate descriptor of the outer sphere dynamics. HAE₂ also determines the thermodynamics of H₂O dissociation on O-vacancies, which influence the inner and outer sphere rates by setting the relative coverage of * and H/OH^*. These results, in turn, show that HAE₂ is a complete descriptor of the reactivity and selectivity of oxides for O₂ activation; the O-atoms in more reducible oxides (more negative HAE₂) exhibit a greater preference for the inner sphere routes and for the formation of electrophilic OO^* intermediates that mediate epoxidation and O-insertion reactions during catalytic redox cycles. Large charge-balancing cations locally modify E_int⁰ values that determine the outer sphere rates and thus can be used to alter the preference of O-atoms to either inner or outer sphere routes.

   
   

2. S. Kwon, P. Deshlahra, and E. Iglesia. (2018) Dioxygen activation routes in Mars-van Krevelen redox cycles catalyzed by metal oxides, J. Cat., 364, 228–247.       
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   Highlights

   • O₂ activation involves inner and outer sphere routes during oxidative dehydrogenation
   • Inner sphere routes form bound peroxo species that insert O-atoms into alkanols/alkenes
   • Outer sphere routes form H₂O₂(g), O-atom shuttles that oxidize non-vicinal reduced centers
   • These routes allow re-oxidation of two non-vicinal 2e− reduced centers by a 4e⁻ oxidant (O₂)
   • Kinetic, scavenging, and theoretical methods can assess the contributions of each route

   Abstract

   Catalytic redox cycles involve dioxygen activation via peroxo (OO^∗) or H₂O₂ species, denoted as inner-sphere and outer-sphere routes respectively, for metal-oxo catalysts solvated by liquids. On solid oxides, O₂ activation is typically more facile than the reduction part of redox cycles, making kinetic inquiries difficult at steady-state. These steps are examined here for oxidative alkanol dehydrogenation (ODH) by scavenging OO^∗ species with C₃H₆ to form epoxides and by energies and barriers from density functional theory. Alkanols react with O-atoms (O∗) in oxides to form vicinal OH pairs that eliminate H₂O to form OO^∗ at O-vacancies formed or react with O₂ to give H₂O₂. OO^∗ reacts with alkanols to re-form O∗ via steps favored over OO^∗ migrations, otherwise required to oxidize non-vicinal vacancies. _C3_H6 epoxidizes by reaction with OO^∗ with rates that increase with _C3_H6 pressure, but reach constant values as all OO^∗ species react with _C3_H6 at high _C3_H6/alkanol ratios. Asymptotic epoxidation/ODH rate ratios are smaller than unity, because outer-sphere routes that shuttle O-atoms via H₂O₂(g) are favored over endoergic vacancy formation required for inner-sphere routes. The relative contributions of these two routes are influenced by H₂O, because vacancies, required to form OO^∗, react with H₂O to form OH pairs and H₂O₂. OO^∗-mediated routes and epoxidation become favored at low coverages of reduced centers, prevalent for less reactive alkanols and lower alkanol/O₂ ratios, because H₂O₂ then reacts preferentially with O∗ (forming OO^∗), instead of vacancies (forming O∗/H₂O). Such kinetic shunts between two routes compensate for lower barriers required to form H₂O₂ than OO^∗. These re-oxidation routes prefer molecular donor (H₂O₂) or acceptor (alkanol) to perform stepwise two-electron oxidations by dioxygen, instead of kinetically demanding O-atom migrations. The quantitative descriptions, derived from theory and experiment on Mo-based polyoxometalate clusters with known structures, bring together the dioxygen chemistry in liquid-phase oxidations, including electro-catalysis and monooxygenase enzymes, and oxide surfaces into a common framework, while suggesting a practical process for epoxidation by kinetically coupling with ODH reaction.

   
   

3. S. Kwon, P. Liao, P. C. Stair, and R. Q. Snurr (2016) Alkaline-earth metal-oxide overlayers on TiO₂: application toward CO₂ photoreduction, Catal Sci Technol., 6, 7885–7895.       
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   Abstract

   Converting CO₂ into valuable C1 products such as CO, methanol, and methane using photocatalysts is an attractive way to recycle atmospheric CO₂ into fine chemicals and fuels. The most commonly studied photocatalyst, TiO₂, however, suffers from poor initial adsorption of CO₂. To overcome this problem, it has been proposed that a thin overlayer of a basic oxide might promote CO₂ adsorption and thus improve the reactivity of TiO₂ for photoreduction of CO₂. In this work, we investigated CO₂ adsorption on the (100) surfaces of a series of basic, alkaline-earth metal oxides (MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO). Using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we found that CO₂ adsorption becomes significantly more favorable in the order MgO < CaO < SrO < BaO, and we attribute this order to the more suitable lattice parameter of BaO compared to MgO. To understand the effect of a thin layer of basic oxide on TiO₂ for CO₂ photoreduction, SrO on TiO₂ was investigated as a model system. A dramatic improvement in CO₂ adsorption and activation was observed on SrO/TiO₂ compared to the bare TiO₂, and dissociated water was found to be thermodynamically more favorable than intact water on the SrO/TiO₂ surface. A possible reaction route for the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CO on the bare and SrO-modified TiO₂ surfaces was further investigated. Although the reaction is slightly more favorable on the TiO₂ surface than on the 0.5 ML SrO-covered TiO₂, the SrO half layer helps activate CO₂ and favors desorption of CO, which are challenging steps for CO₂ reduction on pure TiO₂. Therefore, our results suggest that <1 ML SrO overlayer might be a promising candidate for further experimental exploration.

   
   

4. S. Kwon, N. M. Schweitzer, S. Y. Park, P. C. Stair, and R. Q. Snurr (2015) A kinetic study of vapor- phase cyclohexene epoxidation by H₂O₂ over mesoporous TS-1, J. Cat., 323, 117-115.       
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   Highlights

   • Vapor-phase cyclohexene epoxidation was performed over mesoporous TS-1 using H₂O₂
   • The gas-phase production of cyclohexene epoxide was very stable with high selectivity
   • Detailed kinetic studies were performed on gas-phase alkene epoxidation
   • A compensation effect was observed with varied partial pressure of water or H₂O₂
   • We report a kinetic model to understand the mechanism and the compensation effect

   Abstract

   A kinetic analysis of gas-phase cyclohexene epoxidation by H₂O₂ over mesoporous TS-1 was performed. The production of cyclohexene oxide was very stable with high selectivity. Based on the kinetic analysis, the gas-phase mechanism is proposed to be similar to that of the liquid-phase reaction: an Eley–Rideal type mechanism, in which the reaction between a Ti–OOH intermediate and the physisorbed alkene is the rate-determining step. When the partial pressure of water or H₂O₂ was varied, a compensation effect was observed. Based on the kinetic model, the compensation effect is attributed to variations in the surface coverage of intermediates, specifically the competitive adsorption of water and H₂O₂ at the Ti active sites. A meaningful activation energy can only be obtained at high surface coverages of H₂O₂ and was determined to be 40 ± 2 kJ/mol.

   
   

5. Tuci, G., G. Giambastiani, S. Kwon., P. C. Stair, R. Q. Snurr, and A. Rossin (2014) Chiral Co(II) metal– organic framework in the heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of alkenes under aerobic and anaerobic Conditions, ACS Catal., 4, 1032–1039.       
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   Abstract

   The chiral Co(II) MOF [Co(_L-RR)(H₂O)·H₂O]∞ [1; _L-RR = (R,R)-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate] has been exploited in the catalytic oxidation of different alkenes (cyclohexene, (Z)-cyclooctene, 1-octene) using either tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) or molecular oxygen (O₂) as oxidants. Different chemoselectivities are observed, both substrate- and oxidant-dependent. A moderate enantioselectivity is also obtained in the case of prochiral precursors, revealing the chiral induction ability of the optically pure metal environment. The interaction of O₂ with the exposed metal sites in 1 (after material preactivation and consequent removal of the coordinated aquo ligand) has been studied through TPD-MS analysis combined with DFT calculations, with the aim of probing effective oxygen uptake by the heterogeneous catalyst and unraveling the nature of the active species in the catalytic oxidation process under aerobic conditions. Theoretical results indicate the presence of an η1-superoxo species at the cobalt center, with concomitant Co(II) ↔ Co(III) oxidation. Finally, the experimental estimation of the O₂ adsorption enthalpy is found to be in good agreement with the calculated binding energy.

   
   

6. Mondloch, J. E., W. Bury, D. Fairen-jimenez, S. Kwon, E. J. Demarco, M. H. Weston, A. A. Sarjeant, S. T. Nguyen, P. C. Stair, R. Q. Snurr, O. K. Farha, and J. T. Hupp (2013) Vapor-phase metalation by atomic layer deposition in a metal−organic framework, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 135, 10294-10297 (Highlighted in Chemical & Engineering News).       
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   Abstract

   Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received attention for a myriad of potential applications including catalysis, gas storage, and gas separation. Coordinatively unsaturated metal ions often enable key functional behavior of these materials. Most commonly, MOFs have been metalated from the condensed phase (i.e., from solution). Here we introduce a new synthetic strategy capable of metallating MOFs from the gas phase: atomic layer deposition (ALD). Key to enabling metalation by ALD In MOFs (AIM) was the synthesis of NU-1000, a new, thermally stable, Zr-based MOF with spatially oriented −OH groups and large 1D mesopores and apertures.