Solid state 1 H and 31 P NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize wellcrystallized hydroxyapatite samples of different stoichiometry prepared by a precipitation route. The aim of the paper was to investigate the bulk structural features of samples with different stoichiometry and to discriminate signals related to the surface from those related to the bulk. Thanks to the implementation of (i) in situ thermal pretreatment at 623 K, (ii) filling of the NMR rotor in a controlled atmosphere, (iii) relative proton enrichment of the surface performed under controlled isotopic H-D exchanges, and (iv) specific NMR sequences including inversion recovery measurements, two-dimensional HETCOR and DQSQ spectra, new resolved NMR signals originating from the surface and from the bulk were identified alongside already reported signals associated with adsorbed water, structural phosphates, and OH groups. In particular, considering the influence of the stoichiometry, it was possible to identify a specific signature associated with defective hydrogenophosphate groups present in the bulk. Despite the well-ordered surface terminations of the nanoparticles, specific surface signals associated with nonprotonated and protonated surface terminating phosphate groups could be identified. In addition, from the three resolved 1 H signals associated with columnar OH channels, two from the bulk and one from the surface, a structural model describing the relative organization of hydroxyl groups running along the c axis inside the columnar OH channel in the well-crystallized particles is proposed: the two types of bulk hydroxyls are associated with the presence of both up and down orientations of their related protons in a same tunnel. Corresponding 1 H signatures of the surface-terminating hydroxyls or structured water molecules emerging from the OH channels were also identified. Moreover, in addition to the broad 5.1 ppm line associated with water adsorbed on calcium cations and hydrogenophosphate groups, the 1.1 ppm line is ascribed to structured external water molecules stacking in continuity to the OH channels.

The metal-driven self-assembly processes of a covalent polyoxometalate (POM)-based hybrid bearing remote terpyridine binding sites have been investigated. In a strongly dissociating solvent, a discrete metallomacrocycle, described as a molecular triangle, is formed and characterized by 2D diffusion NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and molecular modeling. In a less dissociating solvent, the primary supramolecular structure, combining negatively charged POMs and cationic metal linkers, further self-assemble through intermolecular electrostatic interactions in a reversible process. The resulting hierarchical assemblies are dense monodisperse nanoparticles composed of ca. 50 POMs that were characterized by SAXS and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This multiscale organized system directed by metal coordination and electrostatic interactions constitutes a promising step for the future design of POM self-assemblies with controllable structure-directing factors.

Even though vanadium-modified hydroxyapatite (V-HAp) samples are very promising systems for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane, the incorporation of vanadium into the hydroxyapatite framework was reported to be limited and to lead to over-stoichiometric compounds. Here, the synthesis of a Ca(PO)(VO)(OH) stoichiometric solid solution using a co-precipitation method is monitored in the whole composition range (0 ≤ x ≤ 6) by controlling the pH of the precipitation medium, with continuous (the first series of samples) or periodic (the second series of samples) addition of NHOH during the precipitation step or during the maturation step, respectively. It is demonstrated that the changes in pH conditions result in materials of a substantial difference in terms of the final composition. From XRD patterns and Rietveld refinements, a solid solution V-HAp phase was found to be exclusively obtained for the first series of samples for x varying from 0 to 6. This also occurred in the second series of samples but only for x lower than 4. For 4 ≤ x ≤ 5.22, the materials were composed of a mixture of V-HAp and CaVO, whereas for a x value of 6 only CaVO was formed. The predominance of polymeric V species in solution at a high vanadium concentration deduced from the diagram of speciation of vanadium accounts for the preferential formation of CaVO under these particular conditions. However, provided that a higher pH value was maintained, isolated VO(OH) species are predominant, which accounts for the incorporation of isolated vanadates into the hydroxyapatite framework and for the well-controlled stoichiometry with Ca/(P + V) ratios found to be close to 1.67. Such a very good accommodation of vanadium in the hydroxyapatite framework is illustrated by the characterization of the local surrounding of phosphorus and vanadium species using P andV NMR, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopies.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Highlights-Controlled amounts of cobalt were homogeneously introduced in BEA structure.-Various forms of Co species were identified in Co-containing BEA structure.-After saturation of framework sites Co formed oxide clusters and crystallites.-The presence of Lewis acid sites resulted in enhanced selectivity to CO and benzene.-The highest activity showed Co-containing SiBEA with dominant contribution of Co3O4. AbstractCo-containing HAlBEA zeolite was obtained by conventional wet impregnation of HAlBEA zeolite with an aqueous Co(NO3)2 . 6 H2O solution, whereas Co-containing SiBEA zeolites were prepared by a two-step post-synthesis method. This approach consists of, in the first step, dealumination of parent BEA zeolite to obtain an aluminum-free SiBEA support and then, in the subsequent step, contact of the obtained material with an aqueous solution of cobalt nitrate. As shown by X-ray diffraction and low-temperature N2 adsorption, the dealumination of BEA zeolite and introduction of cobalt ions did not involve destruction of zeolite structure, and only insignificant blocking of pore system was observed after introduction of high amounts of cobalt. Nevertheless, clear changes in acidity were found by FTIR of pre-adsorbed pyridine after dealumination of parent BEA zeolite and introduction of cobalt ions. The presence of Lewis acid sites resulted in enhanced selectivity to CO and benzene formed as by-products in the toluene combustion. Therefore, SiBEA zeolite was chosen as a support for an introduction of various amounts of Co into the zeolite structure (the intended Co contents of 3.0 -9.0 wt %). Depended on the amount of the introduced Co, cobalt was incorporated into the framework of BEA zeolite as isolated mononuclear Co(II) species, small Co(II) oxide clusters and/or Co3O4 crystallites distributed in the whole zeolite structure.The chemical environment and dispersion of cobalt species were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR of pre-adsorbed NO, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H2-TPR) was also performed to determine reducibility of the Cocontaining SiBEA zeolites. It was confirmed that siliceous SiBEA zeolite was the excellent support of Co3O4, which was in turn recognized as the main active phase in the total oxidation of toluene. The best catalytic performance was achieved over the catalysts containing at least 0.05 mmol of Co in the form of Co3O4 per 1 g of SiBEA zeolite.

Polyoxometalate (POM) hybrids have been covalently immobilized through the formation of amide bonds on several types of mesoporous silica. This work allows the comparison of three POM-based mesoporous systems, obtained with three different silica supports in which either the organic functions of the support (amine vs carboxylic acid) and/or the structure of the support itself (SBA-15 vs mesocellular foams (MCF)) were varied. The resulting POM-based mesoporous systems have been studied in particular by high resolution transmission electronic microscopy (HR-TEM) in order to characterize the nanostructuration of the POMs inside the pores/cells of the different materials. We thus have shown that the best distribution and loading in POMs have been reached with SBA-15 functionalized with aminopropyl groups. In this case, the formation of amide bonds in the materials has led to the nonaggregation of the POMs inside the channels of the SBA-15. The catalytic activity of the anchored systems has been evaluated through the epoxidation of cyclooctene and cyclohexene with H2O2 in acetonitrile. The reactivity of the different grafted POMs hybrids has been compared to that in solution (homogeneous conditions). Parallels can be drawn between the distribution of the POMs and the activity of the supported systems. Furthermore, recycling tests together with catalyst filtration experiments during the reaction allowed us to preclude the hypothesis of a significant leaching of the supported catalyst.

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SignificanceHierarchical self-assembly is a powerful route allowing the elaboration of complex supramolecular architectures with emergent structuration or properties. Starting from well-defined molecular building units, this synthetic strategy relies on the construction of a preassembled structural motif that can further self-assemble through additional noncovalent interactions. In this context, we developed a system based on a covalent organic–inorganic polyoxometalate hybrid building block combining metal-driven self-assembly and electrostatic interactions. We herein show that in this system, the supramolecular organization can be controlled by a redox stimulus and/or the solvent composition giving rise to various types of nanoarchitectures from discrete metallomacrocycles to 1D worm-like nanoobjects.

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