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The structure and reactivity of methoxide adsorbed on Mo(110) was investigated using temperature programmed reaction, x-ray photoelectron, high resolution electron energy loss and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopies. Methanol decomposes through a methoxy surface intermediate on Mo(110), with dehydrogenation and carbon–oxygen bond scission occurring at ∼400 K. The structure of the methoxy moiety is dependent on coverage, by reference to data obtained using surface infrared spectroscopy in combination with selective isotopic labeling. We demonstrate that methoxy exhibits C3v symmetry, i.e., the C–O bond is normal to the surface, at coverages below 0.17 ML. However, the C–O axis begins to tilt towards the surface at higher coverages, so that at saturation coverage (0.25 ML), two distinct methoxy species with Cs symmetry are observed with an average tilt angle of 25°±15° from the surface normal. In addition, we conclusively show that the intense features at ∼2910 cm−1 in the infrared spectrum of adsorbed methoxide are due to overtones of the methyl deformation modes, gaining intensity by Fermi resonance with the symmetric carbon–hydrogen stretching mode, in contrast to previous assignments to the in-plane asymmetric C–H stretch which, we demonstrate, occurs at above 2935 cm−1.

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The reactions of 2-propanol on Mo(110) were investigated using temperature programmed reaction, high resolution electron energy loss, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. 2-Propanol forms 2-propoxide upon adsorption at 120 K on Mo(110). The 2-propoxide intermediate deoxygenates via selective γ C–H bond scission to eliminate propene as well as C–O bond hydrogenolysis to form trace amounts of propane. The C–O bond of 2-propoxide is estimated to be nearly perpendicular to the surface. Selective isotopic labeling was used to establish the coupling between the C–O stretch and modes associated with the hydrocarbon framework. The degree of coupling was strongly affected by bonding to the surface, primarily due to weakening of the C–O bond when 2-propoxide is bound to Mo(110). Selective isotopic labeling was, therefore, essential in making vibrational assignments and in identifying key reaction steps. Only a small kinetic isotope effect was observed during reaction of (CD3)(CH3)CHOH, consistent with a substantial component of C–O bond breaking in the transition state for propene elimination. Coupling of the C–O stretch to motion of the methyl group is also suggested to be important in the transition state for propene elimination.