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Title: High pressure–derived nonsymmetrical [Cu2O]2+ core for room-temperature methane hydroxylation

Journal Article · · Science Advances
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [4]; ORCiD logo [5];  [6]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. University of North Texas, Denton, TX (United States)
  2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
  3. Iowa State University, Ames, IA (United States)
  4. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (United States)
  5. University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (United States)
  6. Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA (United States)

Nonsymmetrical oxygen-bridged binuclear copper centers have been proposed and modeled as intermediates and transition states in several C–H oxidation pathways, leading to the postulation that structural dissymmetry enhances the reactivity of the bridging oxygen. However, experimentally characterizing the structure and reactivity of these transient species is remarkably challenging. Here, we report the high-pressure synthesis of a metastable nonsymmetrical dicopper-μ-oxo compound with exceptional reactivity toward the mono-oxygenation of aliphatic C–H bonds. The nonequivalent coordination environment of copper stabilizes localized mixed valency and greatly enhances the hydrogen atom abstraction activity of the bridging oxygen, enabling room-temperature hydroxylation of methane under pressure. These findings highlight the role of dissymmetry in the reactivity of binuclear copper centers and demonstrate precise control of molecular structures by mechanical means.

Research Organization:
University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Programs (DP); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003975; SC0012704
OSTI ID:
2478821
Journal Information:
Science Advances, Journal Name: Science Advances Journal Issue: 40 Vol. 10; ISSN 2375-2548
Publisher:
AAASCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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