Thermal activation of methane by vanadium boride cluster cations VBn+ (n = 3–6)

Investigation on the reactivity of atomic clusters represents an important approach to discover new species to activate and transform methane, the most stable alkane molecule. While a few types of transition metal species have been found to be capable of cleaving the C–H bond of methane, methane activation by the transition metal boride species has not been explored yet. This study reports that vanadium boride cluster cations VBn+ (n = 3–6) can dehydrogenate methane under thermal collision conditions. The mechanistic details of the efficient reactions have been elucidated by quantum chemistry calculations on the VB3+ reaction system. Compared to the non-polar bare B3 cluster, the B3 moiety in VB3+ can be polarized by the V+ cation and thus its reactivity toward methane can be much enhanced. This study provides new insights into the rational design of boron-based catalysts for methane activation.