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DOE OSTI2022

Experimentally Verified Alkane Adsorption Isotherms in Nanoporous Materials from Literature Meta-Analysis

Identification of independent experimental replicate measurements of well-defined physical properties provides a useful way to assess the reproducibility of literature reports of these properties. Prior meta-analysis of this kind for single-component adsorption of CO 2 and alcohols in nanoporous materials showed that ~20% of reported isotherms for these molecules were inconsistent with available replicate measurements. Here, we extend this analysis to the single-component adsorption of alkanes in nanoporous materials using a collection of 2998 experimental isotherms. Among these isotherms, 846 replicates were identified and analyzed. Many more replicates are available for CH 4 adsorption than for any other alkane. Our analysis finds that 15% of the replicate alkane isotherms are inconsistent with other replicate measurements. Furthermore, after discarding these outlier isotherms we report graphical and numerical consensus isotherms for 93 independent combinations of adsorbate, adsorbent, and temperature as well as an assessment of another 124 independent systems for which two replicate isotherms are available.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

Alkane Dehydrogenation and H/D Exchange by a Cationic Pincer-Ir(III) Hydride: Cooperative C–H Addition and β -H Elimination Modes Induce Anomalous Selectivity

We report that the cationic iridium complex ( iPr PCP)IrH + catalyzes the transfer-dehydrogenation of alkanes to give alkenes and hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) of alkanes and arenes. Contrary to established selectivity trends found for C–H activation by transition metal complexes, strained cycloalkanes, including cyclopentane, cycloheptane, and cyclooctane, undergo C–H addition much more readily than n-alkanes, which in turn are much more reactive than cyclohexane. Aromatic C–H bonds also undergo H/D exchange much less rapidly than those of the strained cycloalkanes, but much more favorably than cyclohexane. The order of reactivity toward dehydrogenation correlates qualitatively with the reaction thermodynamics, but the magnitude is much greater than can be explained by thermodynamics. Accordingly, the cycloalkenes corresponding to the strained cycloalkanes undergo hydrogenation much more readily than cyclohexene, despite the less favorable thermodynamics of such hydrogenations. Here, computational (DFT) studies allow rationalization of the origin of reactivity and the unusual selectivity. Specifically, the initial C–H addition is strongly assisted by β-agostic interactions, which are particularly favorable for the strained cycloalkanes. Subsequent to α-C–H addition, the H atom of the β-agostic C–H bond is transferred directly to the hydride ligand of ( iPr PCP)IrH + to give a dihydrogen ligand.

02 PETROLEUM↗

DOE OSTI2026

Mechanism of O 2 /NO-Promoted Oxidative C–C Bond Cleavage in Linear Alkanes

Selective oxidation of alkanes to oxygenated products remains a fundamental challenge, particularly if the goal is to promote C−C bond cleavage while minimizing formation of CO 2 . Oxidation conditions that use O 2 and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) have been shown to be very effective in promoting radical-mediated functionalization and oxidative carbon−carbon cleavage in saturated hydrocarbon polymers, such as polyethylene. Here, we investigate the mechanism of O 2 /NO-mediated oxidation of ndecane as a prototypical linear alkane substrate. These reactions enable identification and quantification of reactive intermediates, including nitrites, nitrates, alcohols, and ketones. Under the reaction conditions, these species convert into common ketone intermediates that evolve into α-diketones and other α-functionalized ketones, which undergo further conversion into carboxylic acids. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy indicates that HDPE oxidation proceeds through similar key intermediates. Together, these findings establish a mechanistic framework for NO x -mediated alkane oxidation and provide a foundation for the development of broadly applicable oxidative transformations.

Anions↗

DOE OSTI2020

Oxidation of alkanes to alcohols

The invention provides processes and materials for the efficient and cost-effective functionalization of alkanes, such as methane from natural gas, to provide esters, alcohols, and other compounds. The method can be used to produce liquid fuels such as methanol from a natural gas methane-containing feedstock. The soft oxidizing electrophile, a compound of a main group, post-transitional element such as Tl, Pb, Bi, and I, that reacts to activate the alkane C—H bond can be regenerated using inexpensive regenerants such as hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, halogens, nitric acid, etc. Main group compounds useful for carrying out this reaction includes haloacetate salts of metals having a pair of available oxidation states, such as Tl, Pb, Bi, and I. The inventors herein believe that a unifying feature of many of the MXn electrophiles useful in carrying out this reaction, such as Tl, Pb, and Bi species, is their isoelectronic configuration in the alkane-reactive oxidation state; the electrons having the configuration [Xe]4f145d10, with an empty 6s orbital. However, the iodine reagents have a different electronic configuration.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Pressure Driven Alkane Dehydrogenation by Palladium Metal

Abstract Dehydrogenation of alkanes is of increasing importance in fulfilling global demand for olefins and offers a potential source of carbon‐neutral hydrogen as a co‐product. Currently commercial dehydrogenation processes occur at high‐temperatures (500–900 °C) which is energy intensive and results in side reactions and rapid coking of the catalysts. In addition, the hydrogen produced is often burned to maintain temperature and to inhibit the back reaction. Here, pressure is utilized as a parameter to enable novel chemical catalytic processes, and ambient‐temperature dehydrogenation of alkanes by palladium is observed at 50–100 MPa, with both hydrogen gas and olefins recovered on decompression. This reaction follows a fundamentally different path to current commercial high‐temperature low‐pressure dehydrogenation processes with the palladium catalyst reversibly forming a hydride intermediate.

08 HYDROGEN↗

DOE OSTI2023

Metal–Organic Frameworks for C6 Alkane Separation

The separation of alkane isomers is an important yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry. Being a crucial step to produce premium gasoline components as well as optimum ethylene feed, the current industrial separation by distillation is extremely energy intensive. Adsorptive separation based on zeolite is limited by insufficient adsorption capacity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold enormous promise as alternative adsorbents due to their diverse structural tunability and exceptional porosity. Precise control of their pore geometry/dimensions has led to superior performance. In this minireview, we highlight the recent progresses in developing MOFs for the separation of C6 alkane isomers. Representative MOFs are reviewed based on their separation mechanisms. Emphasis is put on the material design rationale for achieving optimal separation capability. Lastly, we briefly discuss the existing challenges, possible solutions, and future directions of this important field.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2020

Topological effects on separation of alkane isomers in metal–organic frameworks

Polymorphism in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) means that the same chemical building blocks (nodes and linkers) can be used to construct isomeric MOFs with different topological networks. The choice of topology can substantially impact the pore network of the MOF, changing the sizes and shapes of the pores, which has implications for adsorption and separation applications. Here, we look at the influence of topology in 38 polymorphic MOFs on the separation of linear and branched C4–C6 alkane isomers, a separation of great importance to the petrochemical industry. We find that the MOF Cu 2 (1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) in nbo topology (nbo-Cu 2 BDC) has particularly high affinity for linear alkanes due to its small pore size, which excludes the branched isomers. Upon studying this MOF in further detail, we find that it can take either of two conformations: a cubic conformation, which is typical of nbo MOFs, and a unique star conformation that contains 1D triangular and hexagonal channels. The determination of which conformation the MOF will adopt depends on steric effects between the nodes and linkers.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2022

Can CO 2 -assisted alkane dehydrogenation lead to negative CO 2 emissions?

The utilization of light alkanes to generate value-added chemicals has gained significant attention due to the U.S. shale gas boom in recent decades. For example, after methane, ethane (3-16 vol.%) and propane (up to 5 vol.%) are the most abundant hydrocarbon species in shale gas deposits. Further, these inexpensive, widely available, but often underutilized, light alkanes can be used as a feedstock to produce olefins, which are among the most important petrochemical building blocks in chemical industry. Ethylene and propylene are used in the production of polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene) and epoxides (e.g., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide), as well as intermediates in the manufacture of numerous other chemicals (e.g., ethylene glycol, ethylbenzene, acetone, isopropanol, acrylonitrile).

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Poison or Promoter? Investigating the Dual-Role of Carbon Monoxide in Pincer-Iridium-Based Alkane Dehydrogenation Systems via Operando Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

Pincer-ligated iridium complexes of the form [( R 4 PCP)IrL] ( R 4 PCP = κ 3 -C 6 H 3 -2,6-(XPR 2 ) 2 ; X = CH 2 , O; R = tBu, iPr) have previously been shown competent for acceptorless alkane dehydrogenation when supported on silica. It was observed by postcatalysis solid-state NMR that silica-tethered [(≡SiO- tBu 4 POCOP)Ir(C 2 H 4 )] (3-C 2 H 4 ) was converted fully to [(≡SiO- tBu 4 POCOP)Ir(CO)] (3-CO) at 300 °C. In this work, the characterization of species under dehydrogenation reaction conditions far from equilibrium between butane and butenes (approach to equilibrium Q/K eq = 0.3 at 300 °C) is performed with operando Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier–Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to show the kinetics of species conversion from 3-C 2 H 4 to 3-CO. It is further found that [(≡SiO- tBu 4 POCOP)IrHCl] (3-HCl), a species considered to be a precatalyst for alkane dehydrogenation, is also fully converted to 3-CO. Here, a mechanism of decomposition is proposed that implicates surface silanol groups, while carbon monoxide acts as a “stabilizer” for the catalyst by promoting their reductive elimination and maintaining the complex in the I oxidation state.

02 PETROLEUM↗

DOE OSTI2021

Catalytic Light Alkanes Conversion through Anaerobic Ammodehydrogenation

Catalytic transformation of light alkanes could have considerable practical value, yet remains one of the most challenging areas in catalysis research due to the inertness of the C–H bond. Here, we proposed an efficient ammodehydrogenation (ADeH) catalytic system for the direct C–N linkage between light alkanes and ammonia for CH 3 CN and H 2 (CO x free) production. This breakthrough is achieved over bifunctional metal-modified HZSM-5 catalysts, through the tandem dehydrogenation–amination–dehydrogenation mechanism. We show that ethane ADeH over the Pt/HZSM-5 catalyst can be realized under atmospheric pressure at temperatures as low as 350 °C. The specific rate of CH 3 CN is ~60 μmol/(g min), and the selectivity is up to 99% under such mild conditions. The yield of CH 3 CN increases with increasing temperature; however, the selectivity decreases due to the formation of HCN, C 2 H 4 , and CH 4 . Additionally, the Pt/HZSM-5 catalyst is coke-resistant during the ADeH owing to the strong interaction between NH 3 and the acid sites of the catalyst. So, we anticipate that the proposed ADeH could be extended for the transformation of various n/iso-alkanes with tunable selectivity to alkene and nitriles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

Polyethylene Upcycling to Liquid Alkanes in Molten Salts under Neat and External Hydrogen Source-Free Conditions

Development of facile approaches to convert plastic waste into liquid fuels under neat conditions is highly desired but challenging, particularly without noble metal catalysts and an external hydrogen source. Herein, highly efficient and selective polyethylene-to-gasoline oil (branched C 6 –C 12 alkanes) conversion was achieved under mild conditions (<170 °C) using commercially available AlCl 3 -containing molten salts as reaction media and to provide catalytic sites (no extra solvents, additives, or hydrogen feeding). The high catalytic efficiency and selectivity was ensured by the abundant active Al sites with strong Lewis acidity (comparable to the Al type in acidic zeolite) and highly ionic nature of the molten salts to stabilize the carbenium intermediates. Dynamic genesis of the Al sites was elucidated via time-resolved Al K-edge soft X-ray and 27 Al NMR, confirming the tricoordinated Al 3+ as active sites and its coordination with the as-generated alkene/aromatic intermediates. Further, the carbenium formation and polyethylene chain variation was illustrated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and an isotope-labeling experiment. Theoretical simulations further demonstrated the successive hydride abstraction, β-scission, isomerization, and internal hydrogen transfer reaction pathway with AlCl 3 as active sites. This facile catalytic system can further achieve the conversion of robust, densely assembled, and high molecular weight plastic model compounds to liquid alkane products in the diesel range.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2021

Simultaneously upgrading CO 2 and light alkanes into value-added products

We will discuss recent results from our group in reacting CO 2 and light alkanes to produce syngas, olefins, aromatics, and oxygenates. We will mainly use the simultaneous upgrading of CO 2 and ethane (SU-CO 2 Et) as examples to demonstrate the feasibility and reaction pathways of these processes. We will briefly discuss synthesis methods and essential structural characterization techniques that can be applied to SU-CO 2 Et catalysts. We will then illustrate how to identify and apply distinct active sites for different upgrading processes, using a combination of kinetic studies, in situ characterization, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We will conclude the Perspective by pointing out challenges and potential directions in catalyst design and synthesis, as well as structural characterization and mechanistic investigations, to further advance the simultaneous upgrading of CO 2 and light alkanes.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Metal‐Organic Frameworks for C6 Alkane Separation

Abstract The separation of alkane isomers is an important yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry. Being a crucial step to produce premium gasoline components as well as optimum ethylene feed, the current industrial separation by distillation is extremely energy intensive. Adsorptive separation based on zeolite is limited by insufficient adsorption capacity. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) hold enormous promise as alternative adsorbents due to their diverse structural tunability and exceptional porosity. Precise control of their pore geometry/dimensions has led to superior performance. In this minireview, we highlight the recent progresses in developing MOFs for the separation of C6 alkane isomers. Representative MOFs are reviewed based on their separation mechanisms. Emphasis is put on the material design rationale for achieving optimal separation capability. Finally, we briefly discuss the existing challenges, possible solutions, and future directions of this important field.

Xie, Feng↗

DOE OSTI2025

Abstraction of Hydride from Alkanes and Dihydrogen by the Perfluorotrityl Cation

Abstract Lewis acids play a central role in a large variety of chemical transformations. The reactivity of the strongest Lewis acids is typically studied in the context of affinity towards hard bases, such as fluoride or oxygenous species. Carbocations can be viewed as soft Lewis acids, possessing significant affinity for softer bases, such as hydride. This work presents the ambient‐temperature isolation of salts of the perfluorotrityl cation ((C 6 F 5 ) 3 C + or F 15 Tr + ) in combination with halogenated carborane anions. The F 15 Tr + cation exhibits remarkable hydride affinity, illustrated by the observation of hydride abstraction from dihydrogen, and of the rapid abstraction of hydride from −CH 2 −groups in alkanes. Theoretical studies support the favorability of hydride abstraction from dihydrogen, and indicate that the hydride abstraction from alkanes proceeds via a concerted hydride transfer process that is sensitive to steric effects.

Leong, Derek W. [Department of Chemistry Texas A&a↗

DOE OSTI2025

Abstraction of Hydride from Alkanes and Dihydrogen by the Perfluorotrityl Cation

Leong, Derek W. [Department of Chemistry Texas A&a↗

DOE OSTI2022

Polyethylene upcycling to fuels: Narrowing the carbon number distribution in n-alkanes by tandem hydropyrolysis/hydrocracking

The extensive use of plastics in modern life has resulted in a global waste crisis to the environment. Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most popular and hardest plastics to recycle because of its strong C(sp 3 )-C(sp 3 ) bonds. In this study, a tandem conversion process, i.e., hydropyrolysis and subsequent vapor-phase hydrocracking of primary intermediates (C n>5 alkenes and long-chain alkanes), was conducted via a two-step pressurized flow-through fixed-bed reactor over a CoAl 2 O 4 spinel-derived catalyst. The product distribution could be flexibly tuned by regulating operating parameters in the cascade fixed-bed reactor and Co/Al molar ratio in CoAl 2 O 4 spinel catalysts. Under optimal reaction conditions (0.2 MPa H 2 , 550 °C for hydropyrolysis in the 1st reactor, 300–325 °C for hydrocracking in the 2nd reactor, 20 s -1 of gas hourly space velocity), the maximum single-pass yields of gasoline (C 5 -C 12 ) and jet-fuel (C 8 -C 16 ) range n-alkanes reached 86.0 wt% and 68.1 wt%, respectively. The CoAl 2 O 4 spinel catalysts also gained high activity in degrading realistic post-consumer plastics such as linear low-, low-, and high-density PE, and a ~ 73.1 wt% gasoline yield and a ~ 54.7 wt% C 8 -C 16 yield were retained even after 3 cycles in-situ regeneration of deactivated CoAl 2 O 4 catalysts. This work provides an efficient and tunable approach to upcycle PE wastes into liquid fuels with an ideal carbon length.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Group additivity values for the heat of formation of C 2 –C 8 alkanes, alkyl hydroperoxides, and their radicals

A set of 58 group additivity values (GAV) for the calculation of the heat of formation is derived from an extensive and accurate database of 192 ab initio heats of formation. The ab initio values are from companion calculations at the CCSD(T)–F12/cc-pVTZ-F12//B2PLYPD3/cc-pVTZ level of theory employing second order connectivity based hierarchy reference reactions with ANL energies for the reference species. This database of 192 species consists of alkanes (RH), alkyl radicals ($\dot{\text {R}}$), alkyl hydroperoxides (RO 2 H), alkyl-peroxy (R$\dot{\text {O}}$ 2 ) radicals, and hydroperoxy-alkyl ($\dot{\text {Q}}$OOH) radicals of all of the isomers of C 2 –C 5 alkane fuels and a select set of C 6 –C 8 isomers. The GAV and ab initio based enthalpies for this dataset show excellent agreement, with an estimated 2σ uncertainty of 0.9 kcal mol –1 . Among the 58 GAV terms, 40 are refinements of previously reported terms, while 18 are newly developed. These new GAV terms are mainly non-next-nearest neighbor interactions (NNI) and β-corrections. The inclusion of these new groups significantly improves the accuracy of the GAV estimates of the heats of formation. Finally, the updated GAVs can be used with increased confidence to estimate the heats of formation of combustion relevant hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons and their corresponding radicals, which are important in predicting low-temperature chemistry and are critical in the development of accurate chemical kinetic models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Upcycling disposable face masks into fuel range iso-alkanes through hydropyrolysis coupled with vapor-phase hydrocracking

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an alarming accumulation of plastic waste. Herein, an integrated hydropyrolysis and hydrocracking process was performed to upcycle disposable masks into fuel-range iso-alkanes over carbon supported ruthenium (Ru/C). Experimental results indicated that catalyst type significantly affected product distribution during the hydropyrolysis and vapor-phase hydrocracking of disposable masks. Compared with zeolites-induced catalytic cascade process where up to ~25.9 wt% yield of aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes were generated, a ~82.7 wt% yield of desirable iso-alkanes with a high C 5 –C 12 gasoline selectivity of 95.5% was obtained over Ru/C under 550 °C hydropyrolysis temperature and 300 °C hydrocracking temperature at 0.2 MPa H 2 . Further, the cascade hydropyrolysis and hydrocracking process also exhibited high adaptability and flexibility in upcycling single-use syringes, food packaging, and plastic bags, generating 79.1, 81.6, and 80.3 wt% yields of fuel range iso/n-alkanes, respectively. This catalytic cascade hydrotreating process provides an efficient and effective approach to convert pandemic-derived plastic waste into gasoline-range fuel products.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗