Solvent Effects on Ion-Pair Distribution and Dimerization of Tetraalkylammonium Salts

 The distribution of tetraalkylammonium ions (C _n H _2n+1 )₄N⁺ (R ⁺, TAAn ⁺, n = 4–7) with picrate ion (pic ⁻) and inorganic anions X ⁻, (Cl⁻, Br⁻, ClO⁻ ₄), into various inert organic solvents was studied at 25.0°C. The distribution data were analyzed by taking into consideration the distribution of ion pairs, R ⁺ · X ⁻, and the dimerization of the ion pairs, (R ⁺ · X ⁻)₂, in the organic phase. The ion-pair, distribution constant, K _dist, increases with increasing chain length of the tetraalkylammonium ion and with increasing ionic radius of the anion. The values of K _dist show a good correlation with the E _T value of solvent, i.e. the solvation ability with respect to the anion, and smoothly increase with increasing E _T. The effect of the solvent on the dimerization constants, K _dim, is markedly different between the ion pairs of picrate ion and inorganic anions. In the case of picrate, K _dim significantly decreases with decreasing length of the alkyl chain of the tetraalkylammonium ion, but hardly changes by changing the solvent. On the other hand, in the case of ion pairs of inorganic anions the value of K _dim decreases with decreasing E _T and is almost constant for all anions. These results were reasonably explained by the difference of the solvation of the anion moieties of the monomeric and dimeric ion pairs.     

Equilibrium Study on Ion-Pair Formation in Water and Distribution Between Water and m-Xylene of Tetraalkylammonium Picrates

The 1:1 ion-pair formation constants (K _IP) of tetraalkylammonium (Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, Pr₄N⁺, Bu₄N⁺, and Bu₃MeN⁺) picrates in water were determined by capillary electrophoresis at 25°C. The ion-pair extraction constants (K _ex,ip) of the picrates from water to m-xylene were determined by a batch-extraction method at 25°C, and the distribution constants (K _D) of the neutral ion-pairs were calculated from the relationship K _D = K_ex,ip/K _IP. The tetraalkylammonium ion having more methylene groups generally forms a slightly more stable ion-pair with the picrate ion in water, which is attributed to the lower hydration of the cation. For Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, Pr₄N⁺, and Bu₄N⁺, the distribution of the ion pair into m-xylene increases in that order, and a linear relationship was found between log K _D and the number of methylene groups in the cation. This is consistently explained by the regular solution theory. It was also revealed that the ion pairs have a strong specific interaction with water. The ion pair of Bu₃MeN⁺ has a higher distribution constant than that expected from the relationship between log K _D and the number of methylene groups for the symmetrical tetraalkylammonium ions. The cation dependence of the ion pair extractability is mostly governed by that of the distribution of the ion pair.     

A Simple Fluorometric Method Using Chlorophyll a for Determination of Hg2+ Ion

A simple and green analytical procedure based on chlorophyll a is presented for the determination of Hg²⁺ ion. Chlorophyll a was extracted and purified from the leaves of pea and is employed as a reagent for analysis of Hg²⁺ ion. It displays remarkable fluorescence emission at 674 nm when excited at 412 nm. The emission intensity decreased significantly on exposure to various concentrations of Hg²⁺ ion. This forms the basis for the determination of Hg²⁺ ion. The proposed method was evaluated for sensitivity and selectivity. The linear concentration range was found to be 2.0–10 μM with r² = 0.997 and the limit of detection for Hg²⁺ ion was 1.3 μM. Ions including Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ru³⁺, Er³⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻ and SO₄²⁻ did not interfere with the measurement of Hg²⁺ ion even at 500-fold excess. Since chlorophyll a is widely available in the leaves of most plants, and the extraction and purification process is simple, this technique can provide an alternative, sensitive and economical way to determine Hg²⁺ ion.     

Tetraalkylammonium Picrates in the Dichloromethane–Water System: Ion-Pair Formation and Liquid–Liquid Distribution of Free Ions and Ion Pairs

Equilibria concerning picrates of tetraalkylammonium ions (Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, Pr₄N⁺, Bu₄N⁺, Bu₃MeN⁺) in a dichloromethane−water system have been investigated at 25 ^∘C. The 1:1 ion-pair formation constants (K _IP,o ^o) in dichloromethane at infinite dilution were conductometrically determined. The distribution constants (K _D ^o) of the ion pairs and the free cations between the solvents were determined by a batch-extraction method. The K _IP,o ^o value varies in the cation sequence, Bu₄N⁺ ≈ Pr₄N⁺ ≈ Et₄N⁺ < Bu₃MeN⁺ < < Me₄N⁺; this trend is explained by the electrostatic cation−anion interaction taking into account the structures of the ion pairs determined by density functional theory calculations. For the ion pairs of the symmetric R₄N⁺ cations, there is a linear positive relationship between log₁₀ K _D ^o and the number of methylene groups in the cation (N _{CH 2}). The ion pair of asymmetric Bu₃MeN⁺ has a higher distribution constant than that expected from the above log₁₀ K _D ^o versus N _{CH 2} relationship. These cation dependencies of log₁₀ K _D ^o for the ion pairs are explained theoretically by using the Hildebrand-Scatchard equation. For all the cations, the log₁₀ K _D ^o value of the free cation increases linearly with N _{CH 2}; the variation of log₁₀ K _D ^o is discussed by decomposing the distribution constant into the Born-type electrostatic contribution and the non-Born one, and attributed to the latter that is governed by the differences in the molar volumes of the cations. The cation dependencies of the ion-pair extractability and ion pairing in water are also discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

The Effect of Temperature on the Equivalent Conductivities and Ion-Association Constants of Some Tris-(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) Complexes in N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide

The equivalent conductivities of tris-(ethylenediamine)chromium complexes, [Cr(en)₃]X₃ (where X⁻= Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; en = ethylenediamine) were measured as functions of temperature (278.15 to 328.15 K) and concentration [(1.948 ×10⁻⁴ to 10.728 ×10⁻⁴ mol⋅dm⁻³) and (2.282 ×10⁻⁴ to 11.246 ×10⁻⁴ mol⋅dm⁻³)] in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC), respectively. Equivalent conductivity values for [Cr(en)₃]X₃ in DMF were found to be higher than those in DMAC. The conductivity data were analyzed with the Robinson-Stokes equations. For [Cr(en)₃]X₃, the limiting equivalent ionic conductivities of [Cr(en)₃]³⁺ and the ion-association constants (K _A) of the ion-pair between [Cr(en)₃]³⁺ and the monovalent halide anions were determined in DMF and DMAC. The values of K _A for three complex salts in DMF were higher than those in DMAC. This can be ascribed to an increase of the ion-association constants with a decrease of the relative permittivity of the solvents. The values of K _A at 298.15 K decreased in the order Cl⁻> Br⁻> I⁻ in DMF and Cl⁻> I⁻> Br⁻ in DMAC. The K _A values for [Cr(en)₃]Cl₃ increased with increasing temperature in both DMF and DMAC. For [Cr(en)₃]X₃(X⁻= Br⁻, I⁻) in both solvents, this indicates increasing disorder occurs with increasing temperature. Thermodynamic parameters (standard Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy changes) were determined from the temperature dependence of K _A in DMF and DMAC. These parameters were inter-compared in their dependences on temperature and solvent.     

Ruthenium Tris-pyrazolylborate Complexes XVII [1]. Structure and Bonding in a Series of Ruthenium Hydrido-tris-(pyrazolyl)-borate Cyclooctadiene Complexes

Summary.  The complexes RuTp(cod)X (X = Br⁻ (2), I⁻ (3), CN⁻ (4)) have been obtained by the reaction of RuTp(cod)Cl (1) with KX in boiling MeOH in high yields. The cationic complexes [RuTp(cod)(py)]⁺ (5), [RuTp(cod)(dmso)]⁺ (6), and [RuTp(cod)(CH₃CN)]⁺ (7) were prepared as the CF₃SO₃ ⁻ salts by reacting 1 with 1 equivalent of AgCF₃SO₃ in the presence of the respective co-ligand in CH₂Cl₂. The crystal structures of 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are reported. Structural features are discussed in conjunction with ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopic data revealing a linear correlation of ¹⁵N chemical shifts and Ru-N (trans to X(L)) bond distances. Received August 31, 2000. Accepted (revised) October 23, 2000     

Quantitative WDXS Microanalysis of Bismuth-Based BaBi4Ti4O15 Perovskites Doped with Nb and Fe

 Quantitative electron-probe microanalysis was used to determine the chemical composition of an Fe- and Nb-doped bismuth-based BaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ perovskite compound. Elemental concentrations of Fe, Nb, Bi, Ba and Ti were accurately measured using wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy that was optimised for the analysis of a complex oxide matrix containing minor concentrations of dopants. Measurements were performed with a JEOL JXA 840A electron probe microanalyser at 20 and 26 kV, 50 nA beam current, 100 s maximum counting time and 0.3% preset counting deviation (σ_c) using both PET and LiF crystals. K-ratios were quantified by the ZAF and the φ(ρz) PAP matrix-correction procedures. The results showed that dopants incorporate into the BaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ at Ti^4 + sites according to the Ba_1−4XBi_4 + 4XTi_4−4XFe_4XO₁₅ and Ba_1 + 4XBi_4−4XTi_4−4XNb_4XO₁₅ solid-solution formulae. The majority of the excess charge introduced by the substitution of Ti^4 + with Fe^3 + or Nb^5 + is compensated for the change in the Ba^2 +/Bi^3 + ratio.     

Anion adsorption in the course of dichromate reduction on a smooth gold electrode in aqueous acid solutions

The specific adsorption of anions (HSO₄ ⁻, Cl⁻) present in low concentration (c < 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³) was studied by radiotracer techniques in the course of the reduction of dichromate (chromate) species in 1 mol dm⁻³ HClO₄ supporting electrolyte. In accordance with the results of preliminary studies reported earlier, enhancement of the anion adsorption was found, induced by some adsorbed intermediates of the reduction process. Potential dependence of the induced adsorption and its correlation with the reduction rate was investigated. The role of adsorption competition between various anions is discussed. It is concluded that study of the induced anion adsorption could be a tool for the investigation of the sorption of intermediates formed in the course of the reduction. Received: 3 May 1999 / Accepted: 10 June 1999     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Raman Spectrum of Hydrazinium(+2) Fluoroarsenate(III) Fluoride,N<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>6</Subscript>AsF<Subscript>4</Subscript>F

Summary.  Hydrazinium(+2) fluoroarsenate(III) fluoride was prepared by the reaction of hydrazinium(+2) fluoride and liquid arsenic trifluoride. N₂H₆AsF₄F is stable at 273 K, but decomposes slowly at room temperature. N₂H₆AsF₄F crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnn2 with a = 774.0(2) pm, b = 1629.2(4) pm and c = 436.6(1) pm; V = 0.5506(3) nm³, Z = 4 and d _c  = 2.461 g cm⁻³. The structure consists of N₂H₆ ²⁺ cations, AsF₄ ⁻ anions, and F⁻ anions and is interconnected by a hydrogen bonding network. Distorted trigonal-bipyramidal AsF₄ ⁻ units are very weakly interconnected and form chains along the b axis. Bands in the Raman spectrum are assigned to the vibrations of N₂H₆ ⁺² cations and AsF₄ ⁻ anions. Corresponding author. E-mail: adolf.jesih@ijs.si Received April 18, 2002; accepted July 15, 2002     

Boronic acid-facilitated α-hydroxy-carboxylate anion transfer at liquid/liquid electrode systems: the EICrev mechanism

The transfer of the α-hydroxy-carboxylates of glycolic, lactic, mandelic and gluconic acid from the aqueous electrolyte phase into an organic 4-(3-phenylpropyl)-pyridine (PPP) phase is studied at a triple-phase boundary electrode system. The tetraphenylporphyrinato complex MnTPP dissolved in PPP is employed to drive the anion transfer reaction and naphthalene-2-boronic acid (NBA) is employed as a facilitator. In the absence of a facilitator, the ability of α-hydroxy-carboxylates to transfer into the organic phase improves, consistent with hydrophobicity considerations giving relative transfer potentials (for aqueous 0.1 M solution) of gluconate>glycolate>lactate>mandelate. In the presence of NBA, a shift of the reversible transfer potential to more negative values is indicating fast reversible binding (the mechanism for the electrode process is EIC_rev) and the binding constants are determined as K _glycolate = 2 M⁻¹, K _mandelate = 60 M⁻¹, K _lactate = 130 M⁻¹ and K _gluconate = 2,000 M⁻¹. The surprisingly strong interaction for gluconate is rationalised based on secondary interactions between the gluconate anion and NBA.     

Thermodynamic investigation of room temperature ionic liquid

The molar heat capacities of the room temperature ionic liquid 1-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BPBF₄) were measured by an adiabatic calorimeter in temperature range from 80 to 390 K. The dependence of the molar heat capacity on temperature is given as a function of the reduced temperature X by polynomial equations, C _p,m [J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹]=181.43+51.297X −4.7816X ²−1.9734X ³+8.1048X ⁴+11.108X ⁵ [X=(T−135)/55] for the solid phase (80–190 K), C _p,m [J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹]= 349.96+25.106X+9.1320X ²+19.368X ³+2.23X ⁴−8.8201X ⁵ [X=(T−225)/27] for the glass state (198–252 K), and C _p,m[J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹]= 402.40+21.982X−3.0304X ²+3.6514X ³+3.4585X ⁴ [X=(T−338)/52] for the liquid phase (286–390 K), respectively. According to the polynomial equations and thermodynamic relationship, the values of thermodynamic function of the BPBF₄ relative to 298.15 K were calculated in temperature range from 80 to 390 K with an interval of 5 K. The glass transition of BPBF₄ was observed at 194.09 K, the enthalpy and entropy of the glass transition were determined to be ΔH _g=2.157 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS _g=11.12 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The result showed that the melting point of the BPBF₄ is 279.79 K, the enthalpy and entropy of phase transition were calculated to be ΔH _m = 8.453 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS _m=30.21 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Using oxygen-bomb combustion calorimeter, the molar enthalpy of combustion of BPBF₄ was determined to be Δ_c H _m⁰ = −5451±3 kJ mol⁻¹. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of BPBF₄ was evaluated to be Δ_f H _m⁰ = −1356.3±0.8 kJ mol⁻¹ at T=298.150±0.001 K.     

Extraction of pertechnetate with tetraphenylphosphonium in the presence of various acids, salts and hydroxides

Solvent extraction of pertechnetate anions from aqueous solutions of some mineral acids (HCl, HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄), (NaCl, NaNO₃, NaClO₄, K₂CrO₄, NaCO₃), NaOH and NH₄OH by tetraphenylphosphonium chloride in chloroform and nitrobenzene was studied. The results are presented in the form of the dependencies of extraction characteristics of TcO ₄ ⁻ (distribution ratio, percentage of extraction) on the (C₆H₅)₄PCl, H⁺ and competitive anion concentrations. The solvent extraction of sub-and super-stoichiometric ratio of TcO ₄ ⁻ : (C₆H₅)₄P⁺ was performed. The extraction constant values of ion pairs TcO ₄ ⁻ −Cl⁻, TcO ₄ ⁻ −NO ₃ ⁻ , TcO ₄ ⁻ −ClO ₄ ⁻ and of individual anions TcO ₄ ⁻ , Cl⁻, NO ₃ ⁻ , ClO ₄ ⁻ were calculated.     

Structure and stability of oligomeric anions [M n X3 n + 1]? (M = Al, Ga, In; X = F, Cl, Br, I; n = 2–4): A quantum-chemical study

The structural and thermodynamic properties of oligomeric anions [M _n X_{3n+ 1}]⁻ (M = Al, Ga, In; X = F, Cl, Br, I; n = 2, 3, 4) have been obtained by the density functional theory B3LYP method with the LAN2DZ(d) and LAN2DZ(d)+ basis sets. A wide diversity of structural isomers was found for trimeric fluoride anions M₃F₁₀⁻. Among the trimers, except In₃F₁₀⁻, the most stable is a linear isomer composed of two MX₃ molecules coordinated to the MX₄⁻ anion. The formation of tetrameric anions M₄X₁₃⁻ was demonstrated to be thermodynamically allowed at low temperatures at MX₃: X⁻ > 4: 1. The existence of higher oligomers is less probable. The affinity of oligomer halides (MX₃) _n for halide ions increases with an increase in n. The propensity to form oligomeric anions decreases in the series F > Cl ≥ Br > I. The fluoride systems show a tendency to form structures with CN = 5 and 6, these structures for In being the most stable. Original Russian Text ? A.Yu. Timoshkin, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 87–100.     

Solubility and Ionic Processes in the Cu X 2? MX ?H2O ( X ?=Cl?, Br?; M +=Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+, Cs+) Systems

Summary.  Solubility isotherms in the CuBr₂−MBr−H₂O (M ⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺) systems at 298.15 K were measured. The results together with other available literature data for copper chloride and bromide systems were treated by hydration analysis, and comparative discussion of ionic processes taking place in the respective saturated solutions was performed. Corresponding author. E-mail: jitka@prfdec.natur.cuni.cz Received August 6, 2002; accepted (revised) November 29, 2002 Published online April 3, 2003     

Spectrophotometric Investigation of the Complexing Reaction between Rutin and Titanyloxalate Anion in 50% Ethanol

Summary.  In the present work, rutin (3,3′ ,4′ ,5,7-pentahydrohyflavone-3-rhamnoglucoside) was determinated via a complexing reaction with a titanyloxalate anion. K₂[TiO(C₂O₄)₂] and rutin react in 50% ethanol forming a 1:2 complex in a pH range from 4.00 to 11.50, in which the TiO(C₂O₄)₂ ²⁻ ion is linked to rutin through the 4-carbonyl and 5-hydroxyl group. The thermodynamic stability constant log β₂ ⁰ of the complex is determined to 10.80 at pH = 6.50. The change of the standard Gibbs free energy Δ G⁰ amounts to −61 kJċ mol⁻¹, indicating that the process of complex formation is spontaneous. The optimal conditions for the spectrophotometric determination of microconcentrations of rutin are at pH=6.40 and λ= 430 nm, where the complex shows an absorption maximum with a molar absorption coefficient a ₄₃₀=(60±2)ċ10³ dm³ċ mol⁻¹ċ cm⁻¹. The method is applied rutin determination from tablets. Received January 4, 2000. Accepted (revised) February 17, 2000     

Anion-π interactions—interactions between benzo-crown ether metal cation complexes and counter ions

The loss of X^· radical from [M + Cu + X]⁺ ions (copper reduction) has been studied by the so called in-source fragmentation at higher cone voltage (M = crown ether molecule, X⁻ = counter ion, ClO₄⁻, NO₃⁻, Cl⁻). The loss of X^· has been found to be affected by the presence/lack of aromatic ring poor/rich in electrons. Namely, the loss of X^· occurs with lower efficiency for the [NO₂-B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ ions than for the [B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ ions, where NO₂-B15C5 = 3-nitro-benzo-15-crown-5, B15C5 = benzo-15-crown-5. A reasonable explanation is that Anion-π interactions prevent the loss of X^· from the [NO₂-B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ ions. The presence of the electron-withdrawing NO₂ group causes the aromatic ring to be poor in electrons and thus its enhances its interactions with anions. For the ion containing the aromatic ring enriched in electrons, namely [NH₂-B15C5 + Cu + ClO₄]⁺ where NH₂-B15C5 = 3-amino-benzo-15-crown-5, the opposite situation has been observed. Because of Anion-π repulsion the loss of X^· radical proceeds more readily for [NH₂-B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ than for [B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺. Iron reduction has also been found to be affected by Anion-π interactions. Namely, the loss of CH₃O^· radical from the ion [B15C5 + Fe + NO₃ + CH₃O]⁺ proceeds more readily than from [NO₂⁻B15C5 + Fe + NO₃ + CH₃O]⁺.     

Thermodynamic investigation of room temperature ionic liquid

The molar heat capacities of the room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoroborate (BMIPF₆) were measured by an adiabatic calorimeter in temperature range from 80 to 390 K. The dependence of the molar heat capacity on temperature is given as a function of the reduced temperature (X) by polynomial equations, C _P,m (J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = 204.75 + 81.421X − 23.828 X ² + 12.044X ³ + 2.5442X ⁴ [X = (T − 132.5)/52.5] for the solid phase (80–185 K), C _P,m (J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = 368.99 + 2.4199X + 1.0027X ² + 0.43395X ³ [X = (T − 230)/35] for the glass state (195 − 265 K), and C _P,m (J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = 415.01 + 21.992X − 0.24656X ² + 0.57770X ³ [X = (T − 337.5)/52.5] for the liquid phase (285–390 K), respectively. According to the polynomial equations and thermodynamic relationship, the values of thermodynamic function of the BMIPF₆ relative to 298.15 K were calculated in temperature range from 80 to 390 K with an interval of 5 K. The glass transition of BMIPF₆ was measured to be 190.41 K, the enthalpy and entropy of the glass transition were determined to be ΔH _g = 2.853 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS _g = 14.98 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The results showed that the milting point of the BMIPF₆ is 281.83 K, the enthalpy and entropy of phase transition were calculated to be ΔH _m = 20.67 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS _m = 73.34 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹.     

Structural and thermodynamic characteristics of ionic associates in vapors over sodium bromide and iodide

Nonempirical methods are used to calculate the geometric parameters, the frequencies of normal vibrations, and thermochemical characteristics of ions existing in saturated vapors over sodium bromide and iodide: Na₂X⁺, NaX₂⁻, Na₃X₂⁺, and Na₂X₃⁻ (X = Br, I). According to the calculations, Na₂X⁺ and NaX₂⁻ triatomic ions have a linear equilibrium configuration of D _∞h symmetry. Pentaatomic ions can exist in the form of three isomers: linear with D _∞h symmetry, planar cyclic with C _2v symmetry, and bipyramidal with D _3h symmetry. At a temperature of ∼1000 K, Na₃X₂⁺ and NaX₃⁻ pentaatomic ions are shown to be present in vapor mainly in the form of linear isomers. The energies and enthalpies of ion molecular reactions with the participation of the above ions are calculated, and the formation enthalpies of the ions are determined, Δ _f H ^o(0 K): 293±2 kJ/mol (Na₂Br⁺), 354±2 kJ/mol (Na₂I⁺), −536±2 kJ/mol (NaBr₂⁻, −458±2 kJ/mol (NaI₂⁻, 24±5 kJ/mol (Na₃Br₂⁺, 143±5 kJ/mol (Na₃I₂⁺, −810±5 kJ/mol (Na₂Br₃⁻, and −675±5 kJ/mol (Na₂I₃⁻.     

Theoretical study on decomposition of γ-halo allylalkoxide and β-halo acrylate ions

β, γ-Substituted γ-halo allylalkoxide ions decompose to form a halogen ion, formaldehyde, and an alkyne under mild conditions, for example at room temperature. The E isomer does not differ from the Z isomer in terms of activation energy. We attempted to shed light on the mechanism of the reaction by using ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The observed propensity was confirmed by the present calculation on model molecules, γ-chloro allylalkoxide ions. We conducted further calculations and compared the alkoxide results with a similar reaction of β-haloacrylate ions that release carbon dioxide instead of formaldehyde. This similar reaction needs heating as high as 150°C. The activation energy of the acrylate ions (36–39 kcal mol⁻¹) was calculated to be about 10 kcal mol⁻¹ higher than that of the alkoxide ions. The activation energy of the E acrylate ion is smaller by 0.8 kcal mol⁻¹ than that of the Z isomer at the MP2/6-31+G**//RHF/6-31+G* level of theory. This is consistent with experimental results. While the ready deprotonation from the carboxylic group does not activate the acrylate ion very much, the alkoxide ion is destabilized to a great degree in the process of anion formation. The difficulty in deprotonation that proceeds from the neutral molecule is seen in the difference in the activation energies for the decomposition of the corresponding anions. Therefore, the pK _a of a hydroxy or a carboxylic group plays the leading role in determining the magnitude of activation energies of allyl halides with a negatively charged fragment. Received: 2 July 1998 / Accepted: 9 September 1998 / Published online: 8 February 1999     

Bis-(bis-(1,3-diaminopropane)-copper(II) Tetracyanonickellate(II)) Tetrahydrate: Preparation, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of a Novel Molecular Tetracyanonickellate

Summary.  [Cu(tn)₂Ni(CN)₄]₂ċ4H₂O and Cu(tn)₂Ni(CN)₄ (tn = 1,3-diaminopropane) were prepared and characterized. The hydrate is unstable on air and readily dehydrates to Cu(tn)₂Ni(CN)₄. Crystal structure analysis of the hydrate at 150 K revealed a novel tetranuclear molecular structure of the tetracyanonickellate. The building elements are two [Cu(tn)₂]²⁺ cations (coordination numbers of Cu: 5 and 6, respectively), two [Ni(CN)₄)²⁻ anions, and crystal water. The two cations are linked by one tetracyanonickellate anion via bridging cyano groups placed in cis positions. The second anion is bound weakly (Cu-N = 2.82 ?) via one μ₂-bridging cyano ligand. The tetranuclear molecules and pairs of solvate water molecules are linked by strong hydrogen bonds, thus forming infinite planes which are linked in the third dimension by considerably weaker hydrogen bonds. Received May 9, 2000. Accepted (revised) August 21, 2000