The activation of C-H bonds in C1-C3 alkanes by zirconium(III,IV) and titanium(III,IV) hydrides immobilized on the surface of SiO2: a density functional theory study

Abstract

Model reactions of the (≡Si-O-)3MIVH (1), (≡Si-O-)2MIVH2 (2), and (≡Si-O-)2MIIIH (3) hydrides, where M = Ti and Zr, immobilized on the surface of silica with methane and propane were studied by the density functional theory with the PBE functional. The reactions involved the breaking of C-H alkane bonds and the formation of the (≡Si-O-)3MR, (≡Si-O-)2M(H)R, and (≡Si-O-)2MR products (R = Me, n-Pr, and i-Pr), respectively. Reactions with the participation of 1 and 2 were found to occur as bimolecular processes without the formation of agostic-type prereaction complexes. With 3, the reaction was accompanied by the formation of stable prereaction and postreaction complexes. The conclusion was drawn that dihydrides 2 and trivalent metal hydrides 3 were much more reactive with respect to alkane C-H bonds than monohydrides 1. All the systems studied were characterized by low reaction regioselectivities.