EXAFS Spectroscopy of the Alkoxide Precursor Zr(OnBu)4 and its Modification in Solution

The molecular structure of the transition metal alkoxide Zr(OⁿBu)₄ in toluene and its modification by addition of i-propanol, tetrahydrofurane, and the coordinating ligand pentane-1,3-dione (Hacac) were investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Zr(OⁿBu)₄ dissolved in toluene forms dimers. It was proved that cluster size is a function of the number of added equivalents ligand. In contrast, the addition of i-propanol or tetrahydrofurane caused no structural changes observable by EXAFS spectroscopy. A detailed discussion of the structural models is given in terms of possible alternatives and errors within the EXAFS analysis.     

The molecular composition of non-modified and acac-modified propoxide and butoxide precursors of zirconium and hafnium dioxides

Long-term storage at 0 °C of a paraffin-sealed flask with commercial 70 wt% solution of zirconium n-propoxide in n-propanol resulted in crystallization of an individual oxoalkoxide complex Zr₄O(OⁿPr)₁₄(ⁿPrOH)₂ in over 20% yield. The structure of this molecule can be described as a triangular Zr₃(μ₃-O)(OR)₁₀(ROH) core of 3 edge-sharing octahedrons with an additional Zr(OR)₄(ROH) unit attached through a pair of (μ-OR) bridges. Mass spectrometric and ¹H NMR investigation of the commercial samples of the most broadly applied zirconium and hafnium n-propoxides and n-butoxides indicate the presence of analogous species in the commercial alkoxide precursors. The content of oxo-alkoxide species in the commercial precursors has been estimated to be ~20% for n-propoxide and ~35% for zirconium n-butoxide. A new route has been presented for synthesis of the individual crystalline mixed ligand precursor [Zr(OⁿPr)(OⁱPr)₃(ⁱPrOH)]₂, from zirconium n-propoxide. A high yield has been observed (~90%), indicative of an almost complete precursor transformation. Mass spectrometry has shown that the synthesized mixed ligand precursor is dimeric, which makes it an attractive alternative to zirconium n-propoxide. Addition of 1 eq of Acetylacetone to zirconium or hafnium alkoxide precursors results in formation of dimeric [M(OR)₃(acac)]₂ in high yields. These species have limited stability (much higher for Hf than for Zr) and transform in solution into hydrolysis-insensitive M(acac)₄ through very unstable M(acac)₃(OR) intermediates containing 7-coordinated metal centers. This transformation can be followed kinetically in hydrocarbon solvents by ¹H NMR and is noticeably accelerated by addition of parent alcohols. The obtained results clearly reveal limited applicability of EXAFS and XANES techniques for the study of such systems, especially in the context of structure prediction. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Single Source Molecular Precursors to Niobia–Silica and Niobium Phosphate Materials

Summary. The molecular precursors Nb(OⁱPr)₂[OSi(O^tBu)₃]₃ and {Nb(OⁱPr)₄[O₂P(O^tBu)₂]}₂ have been prepared. The first compound undergoes facile thermal conversion to high surface area, acidic niobia silica, whereas the second one thermally decomposes to a low surface area niobium phosphate.     

Mono-, Di-, and Trimetallic Methacrylate-substituted Metal Oxide Clusters Derived from Hafnium Butoxide

Summary. The methacrylate-substituted clusters Hf₄O₂(OMc)₁₂, Hf₆O₄(OH)₄(OMc)₁₂(BuOH), Ti₄Hf₄O₆(OBu)₄(OMc)₁₆, and Ti₂Zr₅HfO₆(OMc)₂₀ (OMc=methacrylate) were prepared by reacting Hf(OBu)₄, or Hf(OBu)₄/Ti(OBu)₄ and Hf(OBu)₄/Zr(OBu)₄/Ti(OBu)₄ mixtures, respectively, with methacrylic acid. All clusters were characterized by X-ray structure analyses and are basically isostructural, although not in each case isomorphous, with the corresponding oxozirconium clusters. Low-temperature NMR studies revealed that the methacrylate ligands of Hf₄O₂(OMc)₁₂ are highly dynamic even at –80°C.Received February 17, 2003; accepted February 21, 2003 Published online June 2, 2003     

Interaction of the Negishi reagent Cp2ZrBun 2 with 1,4-bis(tert-butyl)butadiyne

The interaction of the Negishi reagent Cp₂ZrBuⁿ ₂ with 1,4-bis(tert-butyl)butadiyne Bu^tC≡C-C≡CBu^t leads to four products: a five-membered zirconacyclocumulene complex Cp₂Zr(η⁴-Bu^tC₄Bu^t) (2) synthesized earlier by another method, the previously unknown seven-membered zirconacyclocumulene Cp₂Zr[η⁴-Bu^tC₄(Bu^t)-C(C₂Bu^t)=CBu^t] (3) as well as small amounts of the zirconocene binuclear butatrienyl complex Cp₂(Buⁿ)Zr(Bu^tC₄Bu^t)Zr(Buⁿ)Cp₂ (4), and the dimeric acetylide [Cp₂ZrC≡CBu^t]₂ (5). The structure of complexes 2–5 was established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Uranyl(VI) and lanthanum(III) thio-diglycolamides complexes: Synthesis and structural studies involving nitrate complexation

New tri-functional ligands of the type R₂NCOCH₂SCH₂CONR₂ (where R = iso-propyl, n-butyl or iso-butyl) were prepared and characterized. The coordination chemistry of these ligands with uranyl and lanthanum(III) nitrates was studied by using the IR, ¹HNMR and elemental analysis methods. Structures for the compounds [UO₂(NO₃)₂(ⁱPr₂NCOCH₂SCH₂CONⁱPr₂)] [UO₂(NO₃)₂(ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SCH₂CONⁱBu₂)], [La(NO₃)₃(ⁱPr₂NCOCH₂SCH₂CONⁱPr₂)₂] and [La(NO₃)₃(ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SCH₂CONⁱBu₂)₂] were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These structures show that the ligand acts as a bidentate chelating ligand and bonds through both the carbamoyl groups to the uranyl and lanthanum(III) nitrate groups. Solvent extraction studies show that the ligand can extract the uranyl ion from the nitric acid medium but does not show any ability to extract the americium (III) ion.     

Synthesis and structural studies of a bis(carbamoyl methyl) sulfoxide complex of uranyl nitrate

A new tri-functional ligand ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SOCH₂CONⁱBu₂ was prepared and characterized. The coordination chemistry of this ligand with uranyl nitrate was studied with IR, ¹H NMR, electrospray mass–spectrometry, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. The structure of [UO₂(NO₃)₂(ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SOCH₂CONⁱBu₂)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The uranium(VI) ion is surrounded by eight oxygens in a hexagonal bipyramidal geometry. Four oxygens from two nitrates and two oxygens from the ligand form a planar hexagon. The ligand is a bidentate chelate, bonding through sulfoxo and one of the carbamoyl groups to uranyl nitrate.     

Synthesis, Structure and Properties of a Novel Chloro-Oxo Alkoxide: Sr2Er2OCl(OPr i )7(HOPr i )4

A new chloro-oxo-alkoxide, Sr₂Er₂OCl(OPr ⁱ )₇(HOPr ⁱ )₄ has been prepared by reacting 4ErCl₃ with 5Sr dissolved in toluene:HOPr ⁱ . The structure, determined by single-crystal X-ray techniques, is built from two polymer strands, each formed by repeating two molecular Sr₂Er₂O(OPr ⁱ )₇(HOPr ⁱ )₄ complexes, inter-tied by a chloro atom. The four independent, but very similar complexes contain two Er and two Sr ions, all binding to a central oxo ion. The great similarity of the FT-IR and UV-vis-NIR spectra of the solid and the hexane/toluene/2-propanol solutions shows that the molecular complexes have similar complex structures in the solid state and in solution.     

Formation of nanocrystalline structures in the Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MO<Subscript>2</Subscript> systems (Ln = Gd,Dy; M = Zr,Hf)

The formation of (Ln³⁺)₂(M⁴⁺)₂O₇ (Ln = Gd, Dy; M = Zr, Hf) nanocrystallites obtained by annealing mixed hydroxides LnM(OH)₇ · nH₂O (precursors) synthesized by coprecipitation has been studied by synchronous thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (normal and anomalous diffraction of synchrotron radiation), and EXAFS. In the systems under consideration, heat treatment of the X-ray amorphous precursors leads to their dehydration, and at 600–700°C, nanocrystallites with an fcc structure of disordered fluorite start forming. A further increase in temperature is accompanied by crystallite growth (CDD) and considerable change in the local structure of the heat-treated compounds. The crystallization enthalpies and activation energies have been determined.     

EXAFS Investigations on Nanocomposites Composed of Surface-Modified Zirconium and Zirconium/Titanium Mixed Metal Oxo Clusters and Organic Polymers

Summary.  The surface-modified oxometallate clusters Zr₆(OH)₄O₄(OMc)₁₂, Ti₄Zr₄O₆(OBu)₄ (OMc)₁₆, and Ti₂Zr₄O₄(OBu)₂(OMc)₁₄ (OMc = methacrylate) as well as their nanocomposites with polystyrene, poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate) were investigated by EXAFS. Studies on the nanocomposites revealed that the structure of the cluster core is retained in the hybrid materials. Received October 23, 2001. Accepted November 12, 2001     

Divalent Lanthanide Tetraisobutylaluminates: Reactivity and Living Isoprene Polymerization

Lanthanide (Ln) tetraisobutylaluminates constitute key components in commercial 1,3-diene polymerization catalysts, and likewise are the homogeneous rare-earth-metal catalysts of prime industrial importance. Discrete divalent rare-earth-metal complexes [Ln(AliBu₄)₂] (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) reported here display the first structurally characterized homoleptic metal tetraisobutylaluminates. Treatment of [Ln(AliBu₄)₂] with C₂Cl₆ gives access to Sm^II/Sm^III mixed-valence cluster [Sm₆Cl₈(AliBu₄)₆] and the Yb^II cluster [Yb₄Cl₄(AliBu₄)₄], respectively. Reaction with B(C₆F₅)₃ leads to hydride abstraction and formation of arene-coordinated hydroborates such as [Sm{HB(C₆F₅)₃}₂(toluene)₂]. Complexes [Ln(AliBu₄)₂] engage in single-component isoprene polymerization, affording high cis-1,4 polyisoprenes with narrow molecular weight distributions. Binary [Yb(AliBu₄)₂]/[HNPhMe₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] fabricates polyisoprene in a perfectly living manner. The catalytically active species are scrutinized by NMR spectroscopy.     

Single Source Molecular Precursors to Niobia–Silica and Niobium Phosphate Materials

The molecular precursors Nb(OⁱPr)₂[OSi(O^tBu)₃]₃ and {Nb(OⁱPr)₄[O₂P(O^tBu)₂]}₂ have been prepared. The first compound undergoes facile thermal conversion to high surface area, acidic niobia silica, whereas the second one thermally decomposes to a low surface area niobium phosphate.     

Mono-, Di-, and Trimetallic Methacrylate-substituted Metal Oxide Clusters Derived from Hafnium Butoxide

The methacrylate-substituted clusters Hf₄O₂(OMc)₁₂, Hf₆O₄(OH)₄(OMc)₁₂(BuOH), Ti₄Hf₄O₆(OBu)₄(OMc)₁₆, and Ti₂Zr₅HfO₆(OMc)₂₀ (OMc=methacrylate) were prepared by reacting Hf(OBu)₄, or Hf(OBu)₄/Ti(OBu)₄ and Hf(OBu)₄/Zr(OBu)₄/Ti(OBu)₄ mixtures, respectively, with methacrylic acid. All clusters were characterized by X-ray structure analyses and are basically isostructural, although not in each case isomorphous, with the corresponding oxozirconium clusters. Low-temperature NMR studies revealed that the methacrylate ligands of Hf₄O₂(OMc)₁₂ are highly dynamic even at –80°C.     

Nucleophilic addition of alcohols to the C-N multiple bonds of the nitrilium substituent in the anion [2-B10H9(N≡CMe)]−

The reactions of salts of the anion [2-B₁₀H₉(N≡CMe)]⁻ with aliphatic alcohols ROH (R = C _n H_2n+1 (n = 1–6) CH₂CH₂(OEt), Prⁱ, Buⁱ, Bu^t, i-C₅H₁₁) are studied. These reactions result in hydrolytically stable imidates [2-B₁₀H₉{NH=C(OR)Me}]⁻. Their structures were confirmed by the data from mass spectrometry, IR, ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The molecular geometry of [2(Z)-B₁₀H₉{NH=C(OBu)Me}]⁻, which formed in nucleophilic addition reaction of n-butyl alcohol to [2-B₁₀H₉(N≡CMe)]⁻, was established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

The alkoxides of zirconium and hafnium: direct electrochemical synthesis and mass-spectral study. Do “M(OR)4”, where M=Zr,Hf, Sn,really exist?

The direct electrochemical synthesis of zirconium (1a) and hafnium (1b) alkoxides, M(OPrⁱ)₄·PrⁱOH, Zr(OBuⁱ)₄·BuⁱOH (4a) and M(OR)₄, where R=Et (2a,b), Buⁿ (3a), Bu^s (5a), C₂H₄OMe (6a,b) has been carried out by anodic oxidation of metals in anhydrous alcohols in the presence of LiCl as a conductive additive to give quantitative yields. The solubility polytherms and dissociation pressure of1a,b have been investigated. It has been proved by means of chemical analysis, X-ray powder, and IR spectral studies that the desolvation of 1a,b and Sn(OPrⁱ)₄·PrⁱOH (1c) is accompanied by the formation of amorphous oxocompounds M₃O(OPr_i)₁₀. On the basis of¹H NMR data it has been proved that the structure of the latter is analogous to that of known triangular cluster molecules M₃(₃-O)(₃-OR)(-OR)₃(OR)₆, where M=Mo, W, U. Mass-spectral data and the determined physicochemical characteristics of1–5 permit to conclude that the samples of composition M(OR)₄, where M=Zr, Hf, and2,3,5 contain tri- and tetranuclear oxocomplexes M₃O(OR)₁₀ and M₄O(OR)₁₄ respectively, along with Zr(OR)₄ oligomers of different molecular complexity.Deceased.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 752–760, April, 1995.     

Hexanuclear Niobium Cluster Complex Anions with Acetato Ligands on Intramolecular Bridging Sites: [Nb6Cli4(OAc)i8Cla6]2– and [Nb6(OAc)i12Cla6]2–

From the reaction of [Nb₆Cl₁₄(H₂O)₄] · 4H₂O with acetic anhydride in the presence of an excess of (nBu₄N)F the novel cluster compounds (nBu₄N)₂[Nb₆Clⁱ₄(OAc)ⁱ₈Cl^a₆] ( 1 ) and (nBu₄N)₂[Nb₆(OAc)ⁱ₁₂Cl^a₆] ( 2 ) (OAc = acetato ligand) are obtained. They are the first examples of hexanuclear niobium cluster compounds with acetato ligands on the inner sites of the metal atom octahedron. The crucial role of the presence of fluoride ions in the synthesis is discussed. Each acetato ligand bridges in a μ₂-η¹-fashion with one O atom an edge of the metal atom octahedron. The monoclinic crystals of 1 consist of discrete (nBu₄N)⁺ cations and [Nb₆Clⁱ₄(OAc)ⁱ₈Cl^a₆]^2– cluster anions. They are oxidized by two electrons with respect to the cluster starting material. Besides the syntheses of 1 and 2 , the structure of 1 and spectral properties of both compounds are reported.     

X-ray absorption fine structure study of amorphous metal oxide thin films prepared by photochemical metalorganic deposition

The oxidation state and local geometry of the metal centers in amorphous thin films of Fe₂O₃ (Fe³⁺ oxidation state), CoFe₂O₄ (Co²⁺/Fe³⁺ oxidation states), and Cr₂O₃ (Cr³⁺ oxidation state) are determined using K edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The metal oxide thin films were prepared by the solid-state photochemical decomposition of the relevant metal 2-ethylhexanoates, spin cast as thin films. No peaks are observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns, indicating the metal oxides are X-ray amorphous. The oxidation state of the metals is determined from the edge position of the K absorption edges, and in the case of iron-containing samples, an analysis of the pre-edge peaks. In all cases, the EXAFS analysis indicates the first coordination shell consists of oxygen atoms in an octahedral geometry, with a second shell consisting of metals. No higher shells are observed beyond 3.5 Å for all samples, indicating the metal oxides are truly amorphous, consistent with X-ray diffraction results.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and thermal properties of zirconium(IV) <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-ketodiester complexes

Mono- and bi-nuclear Zr(IV) β-ketodiester complexes of general formulas [Zr(dtbacdc)₄] (1), [Zr(dmacdc)₃(OⁱPr)]₂ (2), and [Zr(dtbacdc)₃(OⁱPr)]₂ (3), (dtbacdc = di-tert-butyl-1,3-acetonedicarboxylato and dmacdc = dimethyl-1,3-acetonedicarboxylato ligands) were successfully isolated, when zirconium(IV) isopropoxide reacted with the four- ((1)) or twofold ((2), (3)) excess of di-alkyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylates (CO(CH₂COOR′)₂, R′ = Me, ^tBu). Analysis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data showed that (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic system (C 2/c (no. 15)). The structure of this compound consists of monomers, which are composed of Zr(IV) ions surrounded by eight oxygen atoms derived from four chelating β-ketodiester ligands. The stoichiometry and the bi-nuclear structure of (2) and (3) using spectroscopic methods (IR and NMR), and mass spectrometry have been determined. Thermal analysis and variable temperature IR (VT-IR) spectroscopy have been used to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition pathway of synthesized Zr(IV) compounds.     

Thermal decomposition of butylindium thiolates and preparation of indium sulfide powders

Thermal properties of organoindium thiolates were investigated by means of thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DT) analysis. Dibutyl-indium propylthiolates (Buⁿ₂InSPrⁿ, Buⁿ₂InSPrⁱ, Buⁱ₂InSPrⁿ and Buⁱ₂InSPrⁱ) decomposed up to 280°C along with an exothermic DT peak and gave indium(I) sulfide (InS) powders. Although the arylthiolate Buⁿ₂InSPh also afforded InS powders, it decomposed at a slightly higher temperature. In contrast, the dithiolate and the dithiocarbamate complexes [BuⁿIn(SPrⁱ)₂ and In (S₂CNBu₂)₃] gave indium(III) sulfide (In₂S₃) powders.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Phosph(V)azane-Tin(IV) Complex

Abstract

The reaction of bis(anilino)phosphine oxide (C₆H₅NH)₂P(O)H, 1 with Bu₂ ⁿSnCl₂ in the presence of an excess of triethylamine (TEA) in dry tetrahydrofurane (THF) yields the novel N,O-bonded tin complex Bu₂ ⁿSn[NPh(O)P(H)NPh(HNEt₃)]₂, 2. TEA is used as a base to deprotonate the phosphazane ligand and is separated as Et₃NH⁺Cl^?, whereas HTEA⁺ exists in the final product 2 and act as a charge balancing and H-bond structure–directing agent. This new compound has been fully characterized by means of IR, MS, and multinuclear (¹H, ³¹P, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR) spectroscopy.