Disparate product distributions observed in Mo(3-x)W xOy- (x=0-3; Y=3-9) reactions with D 2O and CO2

David W. Rothgeb, Ekram Hossain, Jennifer E. Mann, Caroline Chick Jarrold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Results of gas phase reactivity studies on group six transition metal suboxide clusters, Mo3Oy-, Mo 2WOy-, MoW2Oy -, and W3Oy- (Mo (3-x)WxOy-, x=0-3; y=ca. 3-9) with both D2O and CO2 are reported. Sequential oxidation for the more reduced species, Mo(3-x)WxOy - + D2O/ CO2 → Mo(3-x)W xOy+1- + D2/CO, and dissociative addition for certain species, Mo(3-x)WxOy - + D2O/ CO2 → Mo(3-x)W xOy+1D2-/Mo(3-x)W xOy+1CO-, is evident in the product distributions observed in mass spectrometric measurements. Reactions with D2O proceed at a rate that is on the order of 102 higher than for CO2. The pattern of reaction products reveals composition-dependent chemical properties of these group six unary and binary clusters. At the core of this variation is the difference in Mo-O and W-O bond energies, the latter of which is significantly higher. This results in a larger thermodynamic drive to higher oxidation states in clusters with more tungsten atoms. However, addition products for more oxidized W-rich clusters are not observed, while they are observed for the more Mo-rich clusters. This is attributed to the following: In the higher oxides (e.g., y=8), addition reactions require distortion of local metal-oxygen bonding, and will necessarily have higher activation barriers for W-O bonds, since the vibrational potentials will be narrower. The binary (x=1,2) clusters generally show sequential oxidation to higher values of y. This again is attributed to higher W-O bond energy, the result being that stable binary structures have W atoms in higher oxidation states, and Mo centers both in more reduced states and sterically unhindered. The reduced Mo center provides a locus of higher reactivity. An unusual result that is not readily explained is the chemically inert behavior of Mo3O6-.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number064302
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume132
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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