Comparative study of water reactivity with Mo{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} and W{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} clusters: A combined experimental and theoretical investigation

Journal Article · Sun Sep 14 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4894760· OSTI ID:22308372

Ray, Manisha; Waller, Sarah E.; Saha, Arjun; Raghavachari, Krishnan

A computational investigation of the Mo{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} + H{sub 2}O (y = 4, 5) reactions as well as a photoelectron spectroscopic probe of the deuterated Mo{sub 2}O{sub 6}D{sub 2}{sup −} product have been carried out to understand a puzzling question from a previous study: Why is the rate constant determined for the Mo{sub 2}O{sub 5}{sup −} + H{sub 2}O/D{sub 2}O reaction, the terminal reaction in the sequential oxidation of Mo{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} by water, higher than the W{sub 2}O{sub 5}{sup −} + H{sub 2}O/D{sub 2}O reaction? This disparity was intriguing because W{sub 3}O{sub y}{sup −} clusters were found to be more reactive toward water than their Mo{sub 3}O{sub y}{sup −} analogs. A comparison of molecular structures reveals that the lowest energy structure of Mo{sub 2}O{sub 5}{sup −} provides a less hindered water addition site than the W{sub 2}O{sub 5}{sup −} ground state structure. Several modes of water addition to the most stable molecular and electronic structures of Mo{sub 2}O{sub 4}{sup −} and Mo{sub 2}O{sub 5}{sup −} were explored computationally. The various modes are discussed and compared with previous computational studies on W{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} + H{sub 2}O reactions. Calculated free energy reaction profiles show lower barriers for the initial Mo{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} + H{sub 2}O addition, consistent with the higher observed rate constant. The terminal Mo{sub 2}O{sub y}{sup −} sequential oxidation product predicted computationally was verified by the anion photoelectron spectrum of Mo{sub 2}O{sub 6}D{sub 2}{sup −}. Based on the computational results, this anion is a trapped dihydroxide intermediate in the Mo{sub 2}O{sub 5}{sup −} + H{sub 2}O/D{sub 2}O → Mo{sub 2}O{sub 6}{sup −} + H{sub 2}/D{sub 2} reaction.

• OSTI ID: 22308372
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 141; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ANIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
FREE ENERGY
GROUND STATES
HEAVY WATER
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
OXIDATION
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
REACTION KINETICS
REACTIVITY