Hydrogenation reactions of ethylene on neutral vanadium sulfide clusters: experimental and theoretical studies

The reactions of C(2)H(4) with H(2) on neutral vanadium sulfide clusters in a fast flow reactor are investigated by time-of-flight mass spectrometry employing 118 nm (10.5 eV) single photon ionization. The experimental products of these reactions are V(m)S(n)C(2)H(x) (m=1, n=1-3; m=2, n=1-5, and x=4-6). Observation of these products indicates that these V(m)S(n) clusters have high catalytic activity for hydrogenation reactions of C(2)H(4). Density functional theory calculations at the BPW91/TZVP level are carried out to explore the geometric and electronic structures of the V(m)S(n) clusters and to determine reaction intermediates and transition states, as well as reaction mechanisms. All reactions are estimated as overall barrierless or with only a small barrier (0.1 eV), and are thermodynamically favorable processes at room temperature. The ethylene molecule is predicted to connect with active V atoms through its π-orbital or form a σ-bond with active V atoms of catalytic V(m)S(n) clusters. The S atoms bonding with active V atoms play an important role in the dissociation of the H(2) molecule; H atoms transfer to the C(2)H(4) (one after another) following breaking of the H-H bond. A catalytic cycle for C(2)H(4) hydrogenation reactions on a vanadium sulfide catalyst surface is suggested based on our experimental and theoretical investigations.