Minerals from Macedonia: XVII. Vibrational spectra of some common appearing amphiboles

The vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy is used in order to identify and characterize the following amphibole minerals with general formula W_0–1X₂Y₅Z₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (W = Na, K; X = Na, Ca; Y = Mg, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al; Z = Si, Al) originating from the localities in the Republic of Macedonia: glaucophane, Na₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(Fe³⁺,Al)₂Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂; tremolite–actinolite, Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂; hornblende (Na,K)_0–1Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Al)₅(Si,Al)₈ O₂₂(OH)₂ and arfvedsonite, NaNa₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₄(Fe³⁺,Al)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂. The chemical composition of these minerals is not necessarily fixed. It is due to the possibility to form solid solution series with other minerals being their end-members (for example, tremolite–ferro-actinolite series, Ca₂Mg₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂–Ca₂Fe²⁺₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂). In this context, it is shown that the intensity and especially the number of the IR bands in the ν(OH) region could serve as a tool for exact mineral identification. Namely, it is based on the presence of different Y cations in various octahedral sites (M1 and M3), which is manifested by different spectral view. On the other hand, the expressed similarities in the 1300–370 cm⁻¹ (IR) and 1200–100 cm⁻¹ regions (Raman) of the spectra are observed due to their common structural characteristics (double chains of SiO₄ tetrahedra). Thus, the bands in this region are tentatively prescribed mostly to the vibrations of the SiO₄ tetrahedra. The results of our study are compared with the corresponding literature data for the analogous mineral species originating all over the world.     

The reaction of aluminium with silicic acid in acidic solution: an important mechanism in controlling the biological availability of aluminium?

The reaction of aluminium (Al) with monomeric silicic acid (Si(OH)₄) to form an hydroxyaluminosilicate (HAS) has been well documented over the past 40 or so years. The formation of an aluminium hydroxide template, upon which Si(OH)₄ will condense in competition with Al, was demonstrated to be a prerequisite to HAS formation. This initial reaction results in the formation of a slowly aggregating HAS, with a Si:Al ratio of 0.5, in which silicon tetrahedra are bonded to Al octahedra through three SiOAl linkages. We have called this HAS_A. In solutions in which the concentration of Si(OH)₄≥Al HAS_A acts as a template for the incorporation of further silicon tetrahedra to give a rapidly precipitating HAS (that we have called HAS_B), with a Si:Al ratio of 1.0, in which up to 50% of the constituent Al has adopted tetrahedral geometry. There are, at present, no reliable constants to describe either the formation or the solubility of these HAS. They are extremely insoluble and are likely to play an important role in the control of the release of Al from the edaphic to the aquatic environment. They may also have an important role in Al homeostasis in biota though the evidence to support this is more tentative.     

[H4tren]3/2·(Al6F24)·3H2O,the most condensed fluoride in the Al(OH)3-tren-HFaq.-ethanol system

The most condensed crystalline fluoride that appears in the Al(OH)₃-tren-HF_aq.-ethanol system at 190 °C is found to be [H₄tren]_3/2·(Al₆F₂₄)·3H₂O. The structure is monoclinic, P2₁/c, with a = 21.939(1) Å, b = 6.7180(2) Å, c = 23.329(1) Å, β = 111.324(2)°. _∞(Al₆F₂₄) chains result from the connection of (Al₇F₃₀)⁹⁻ polyanions by opposite AlF₆ octahedra. Hydrogen bonds are established between the _∞(Al₆F₂₄) chains and ordered or disordered [H₄tren]⁴⁺ cations and water molecules.     

A time-dependent wave packet study of the H4 four-center reaction

A quantum model based on the time-dependent initial state selected wave packet approach was developed to study the four-center (4C) reaction, A₂ + B₂ → 2AB, and the competing collision induced dissociation (CID), A₂ + B₂ → A + B₂ + A, as applied to the H₂(v₁) + H₂(v₂) system important in combustion. A reduced three-dimensional model of the reaction with the atoms constrained to an isosceles trapezium and a realistic global potential energy surface of Aguado et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 101 (1994) 2742], following Hernández and Clary [J. Chem. Phys. 104 (1996) 8413], was used. A method to analyse the reaction flux for 4C and CID reaction probabilities is presented. The initial A₂ vibrational excitation is not only more efficient than translational energy in facilitating the 4C and CID processes, it also reduces the threshold energy. Both the 4C and CID processes exhibit similar threshold energy behavior. For low vibrational excitation in the A₂ diatom, the 4C process is dominant; as the A₂ diatom becomes highly excited the CID process becomes more important at low collision energies with B₂, but as the collision energy increases the 4C process is favored again.     

A new intersecting tunnel structure in the AIMIII[PO3(OH)]2 series for AI = Ag,MIII = In: Analysis of structural relationships

A new indium hydroxyphosphate containing silver, AgIn[PO₃(OH)]₂, has been synthesized using hydrothermal method. It crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group with the cell parameters a = 6.6400(2) Å, b = 14.6269(6) Å, c = 6.6616(4) Å, β = 95.681(5)°, V = 643.82(6) Å³, Z = 4. Its three-dimensional framework, built up of corner-sharing PO₃(OH) tetrahedra and InO₆ octahedra, presents intersecting tunnels running along <111> and [100] directions, in which the Ag⁺ cations are located. The presence of hydroxyl groups has been confirmed from IR spectroscopy studies and hydrogen atoms were located from the single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The structural relationships with the other compounds of general formula A^IM^III[PO₃(OH)]₂ are analyzed.     

The state energy and the displacements of the potential minima of the 2Ag− state in all-trans-β-carotene as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy

The fluorescence spectrum of all-trans-β-carotene was recorded at 170 K. The 1B_u⁺ → 1A_g⁻ fluorescence exhibited clear vibrational structures constituting a mirror image with those of the 1B_u⁺ ← 1A_g⁻ absorption, and the deconvolution of the entire spectrum identified the 2A_g⁻(0) → 1A_g⁻(0) transition at 14 500 cm⁻¹. The displacements of the 1B_u⁺ and 2A_g⁻ potential minima along ν₁ and ν₂ (the CC stretching and C–C stretching normal coordinates, respectively) were determined to be 1.2 and 0.9, and 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. Thus, much larger potential displacements in the 2A_g⁻ state than in the 1Bu⁺ state have been shown.     

Electrochemical properties of Li symmetric solid-state cell with NASICON-type solid electrolyte and electrodes

All-solid-state phosphate symmetric cells using Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ for both the positive and negative electrodes with the phosphate Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ as the solid electrolyte were proposed. Amorphous Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ was added into the electrode to increase the interface area between the active materials and the electrolyte. Any other phases were not formed at the electrode/electrolyte interface even after hot pressing at 600 °C. The discharge capacity was 92 mAh g^? 1 at 22 µA cm^? 2 at 80 °C, and 38 mAh g^? 1 at 25 °C, respectively. Symmetric cell configuration leads to simplify the fabrication process for all-solid-state batteries and will reduce manufacturing costs.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and thermochemistry of metalloborophosphate of Na2[CuB3P2O11(OH)]·0.67H2O

The pure hydrated metalloborophosphate sample, Na₂[CuB₃P₂O₁₁(OH)]·0.67H₂O, has been synthesized and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, DTA-TG techniques, and chemical analysis. The molar enthalpies of solution of Na₂[CuB₃P₂O₁₁(OH)]·0.67H₂O(s) in 1 mol · dm^?3 HCl (aq), of Cu(OH)₂ (s) in (HCl + H₃BO₃) (aq), and of NaH₂PO₄·2H₂O (s) in (HCl + H₃BO₃ + Cu(OH)₂) (aq) were measured, respectively. With the incorporation of the previously determined enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ (s) in 1 mol · dm^?3 HCl (aq), together with the use of the standard molar enthalpies of formation for NaH₂PO₄·2H₂O (s), Cu(OH)₂ (s), H₃BO₃ (s), and H₂O (l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of ?(4988.4 ± 2.5) kJ · mol^?1 for Na₂[CuB₃P₂O₁₁(OH)]·0.67H₂O at T = 298.15 K was obtained on the basis of the appropriate thermochemical cycle.     

Thermodynamic measurement of (Al2O3 + B2O3) system by double Knudsen cell mass spectrometry

Thermodynamic properties of B₂O₃ in the (Al₂O₃ + B₂O₃) binary system were investigated by vapor pressure measurement of B₂O₃ in equilibrium with (Al₂O₃ + B₂O₃) compounds or melts using double Knudsen cell mass spectrometry. The Gibbs free energy change of formation of Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (9Al₂O₃·2B₂O₃) was estimated from the vapor pressure in equilibrium with a mixture of Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ and Al₂O₃ at 1573 K to 1673 K. And activities of B₂O₃ in the two-phase region Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ and B₂O₃-rich liquid, and (Al₂O₃ + B₂O₃) melts were obtained at 1373 K to 1423 K by vapor pressure measurements.     

The new high-pressure borate Co7B24O42(OH)2·2 H2O—Formation of edge-sharing BO4 tetrahedra in a hydrated borate

The new borate hydrate Co₇B₂₄O₄₂(OH)₂·2 H₂O was synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions of 6 GPa and 880 °C in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (Z=2) with the lattice parameters a=819.0(2), b=2016.9(4), c=769.9(2) pm, V=1.2717(4) nm³, R₁=0.0758, wR₂=0.0836 (all data). The new structure type of Co₇B₂₄O₄₂(OH)₂·2 H₂O is built up from corner-sharing BO₄ tetrahedra forming corrugated layers, that are interconnected among each other by two edge-sharing BO₄ tetrahedra (B₂O₆ units) forming Z-shaped channels. Interestingly, the here presented structure of Co₇B₂₄O₄₂(OH)₂·2 H₂O is closely related to the structures of M₆B₂₂O₃₉·H₂O (M=Fe, Co), which exhibit BO₄ tetrahedra in an intermediate state on the way to edge-sharing BO₄ tetrahedra.     

Ab initio crystal structure of nickel(II) hydroxy-terephthalate by synchrotron powder diffraction and magnetic study

The structure of the new hybrid compound [Ni₃(OH)₂(tp)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (tp = C₈H₄O₄²⁻) has been determined ab initio from synchrotron powder diffraction data and refined with the Rietveld method: space group P-1, a = 10.2077(6) Å, b = 8.0135(5) Å, c = 6.3337(4) Å, α = 97.70 (1)°, β = 97.21(1)°, γ = 108.77(1)°, D_x = 2.124 g/cm³, Rp = 0.045, R_B = 0.095 (757 independent reflections). H atoms were placed geometrically and their position optimized by DFT calculation. The repeating structural unit is the chain [Ni(1)O₆]₂Ni(2)O₆, consisting of two edges sharing octahedrons related by the symmetry center and linked via μ3-OH to a vertex of Ni(2) octahedron. The Ni(1) coordination is ensured by two oxygen atoms from two water molecules, two OH and two oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups. The linkage of the chains by the tp anions forms infinite layers parallel to the (010) planes. Interchain hydrogen bonds between the water molecules coordinating the metal ensure the cohesion of the 2D structure. The structural and magnetic properties are compared with that of the 3D fumarate-based compound [Ni₃(OH)₂(fum)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (fum = C₄H₂O₄²⁻).     

Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the phosphate mineral series eosphorite–childrenite–(Mn,Fe)Al(PO4)(OH)2·(H2O)

The phosphate mineral series eosphorite–childrenite–(Mn,Fe)Al(PO₄)(OH)₂·(H₂O) has been studied using a combination of electron probe analysis and vibrational spectroscopy. Eosphorite is the manganese rich mineral with lower iron content in comparison with the childrenite which has higher iron and lower manganese content. The determined formulae of the two studied minerals are: (Mn_0.72,Fe_0.13,Ca_0.01)(Al)_1.04(PO₄, OHPO₃)_1.07(OH_1.89,F_0.02)·0.94(H₂O) for SAA-090 and (Fe_0.49,Mn_0.35,Mg_0.06,Ca_0.04)(Al)_1.03(PO₄, OHPO₃)_1.05(OH)_1.90·0.95(H₂O) for SAA-072. Raman spectroscopy enabled the observation of bands at 970 cm⁻¹ and 1011 cm⁻¹ assigned to monohydrogen phosphate, phosphate and dihydrogen phosphate units. Differences are observed in the area of the peaks between the two eosphorite minerals. Raman bands at 562 cm⁻¹, 595 cm⁻¹, and 608 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the ν₄ bending modes of the PO₄, HPO₄ and H₂PO₄ units; Raman bands at 405 cm⁻¹, 427 cm⁻¹ and 466 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the ν₂ modes of these units. Raman bands of the hydroxyl and water stretching modes are observed. Vibrational spectroscopy enabled details of the molecular structure of the eosphorite mineral series to be determined.     

Thermodynamic properties of two zinc borates: 3ZnO·3B2O3·3.5H2O and 6ZnO·5B2O3·3H2O

Two pure zinc borates with microporous structure 3ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O and 6ZnO·5B₂O₃·3H₂O have been synthesized and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TG techniques and chemical analysis. The molar enthalpies of solution of 3ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O(s) and 6ZnO·5B₂O₃·3H₂O(s) in 1 mol · dm⁻³ HCl(aq) were measured by microcalorimeter at T = 298.15 K, respectively. The molar enthalpies of solution of ZnO(s) in the mixture solvent of 2.00 cm³ of 1 mol · dm⁻³ HCl(aq) in which 5.30 mg of H₃BO₃ were added were also measured. With the incorporation of the previously determined enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃(s) in 1 mol · dm⁻³ HCl(aq), together with the use of the standard molar enthalpies of formation for ZnO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpies of formation of −(6115.3 ± 5.0) kJ · mol⁻¹ for 3ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O and −(9606.6 ± 8.5) kJ · mol⁻¹ for 6ZnO·5B₂O₃·3H₂O at T = 298.15 K were obtained on the basis of the appropriate thermochemical cycles.     

New metastable hybrid phase,Zn2(OH)2(C8H4O4), exhibiting unique oxo-penta-coordinated Zn(II) atoms

The metastable phase (phase 1) Zn(OH)₂(tp)₂ (tp = C₈H₄O₄^2?) was found to be an intermediate forming during the hydrothermal synthesis of Zn₃(OH)₄tp (phase 2). Its structure has been determined ab initio from synchrotron powder diffraction data and refined with the Rietveld method: space group P2₁/c, a = 3.48856(2) Å, b = 5.84645(2) Å, c = 22.1331(1) Å, β = 103.46(1)°, D_x = 2.488 g/cm³, R_p = 0.10, R_B = 0.095 (402 independent reflections). The structures of the two analogues were compared. Whereas a mixed coordination of the zinc atoms was found in phase 2, phase 1 exhibits only penta-coordinated Zn(II). Moreover, different optical properties were observed, Zn₂(OH)₂(tp) showing photoluminescence at 378 nm under λ_ex = 316 nm.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the chromic oxidation of 3-O-methyl-d-glucopyranose

The oxidation of 3-O-methyl-d-glucopyranose (Glc3Me) by Cr^VI in acid medium yields Cr^III, formic acid and 2-O-methyl-d-arabinose as final products when a 50-times or higher excess of Glc3Me over Cr^VI is used. The redox reaction takes place through the combination of Cr^VI → Cr^IV → Cr^II and Cr^VI → Cr^IV → Cr^III pathways. Intermediacy of free radicals and Cr^II in the reaction was demonstrated by the observation of induced polymerization of acrylamide and detection of CrO₂²⁺ formed by reaction of Cr^II with O₂. Intermediate oxo-Cr^V–Glc3Me species were detected by EPR spectroscopy. In 0.3–0.5 mol/L HClO₄, intermediate Cr^V rapidly decompose to the reaction products, while, at pH 5.5–7.5, where the redox processes are very slow, five-coordinate Cr^V bis-chelates of the pyranose and furanose forms of Glc3Me remain more than 15 h in solution. The C1–C2 bond cleavage of Glc3Me upon reaction with Cr^VI distinguishes this derivative from glucose, which is oxidized to gluconic acid.     

Ruthenium complexes of 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane for atom and group transfer reactions

With support by macrocyclic tertiary amine ligand 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Me₃tacn), a number of mononuclear metal–ligand multiple bonded complexes have been isolated. Starting with a brief summary of these complexes, the present review focuses on ruthenium-oxo and -imido complexes of Me₃tacn. A family of monooxoruthenium(IV) complexes [Ru^IV(Me₃tacn)O(N–N)]²⁺ (N–N = 2,2′-bipyridines) and a cis-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]⁺ have been isolated, and the structures of [Ru^IV(Me₃tacn)O(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]ClO₄ have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Oxidation of [Ru^III(Me₃tacn)(NHTs)₂(OH)] (Ts = p-toluenesulfonyl) with Ag⁺ and electrochemical oxidation of [Ru^III(Me₃tacn)(H₂L)](ClO₄)₂ (H₃L = α-(1-amino-1-methylethyl)-2-pyridinemethanol) are likely to generate ruthenium-imido complexes supported by Me₃tacn. DFT calculations on cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]⁺ and proposed ruthenium-imido complexes have been performed. Complexes [Ru^IV(Me₃tacn)O(N–N)]²⁺ are reactive toward alkene epoxidation, and cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]⁺ efficiently oxidizes various organic substrates including concerted [3+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes and alkenes to selectively afford α,β-diketones, cis-diols, or CC bond cleavage products. Related oxidation reactions catalyzed by ruthenium Me₃tacn complexes include epoxidation of alkenes, cis-dihydroxylation of alkenes, oxidation of alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and arenes, and oxidative cleavage of CC, CC, and C–C bonds, all of which exhibit high selectivity. Ruthenium Me₃tacn complexes are also active catalysts for amination of saturated C–H bonds.     

Determination of thermodynamic properties of Na2S using solid-state EMF measurements

To obtain reliable thermodynamic data for Na₂S(s), solid-state EMF measurements of the cell Pd(s)|O₂(g)|Na₂S(s), Na₂SO₄(s)|YSZ| Fe(s), FeO(s)|O₂(g)_ref| Pd(s) were carried out in the temperature range 870 < T/K < 1000 with yttria stabilized zirconia as the solid electrolyte. The measured EMF values were fitted according to the equation E_fit/V (±0.00047) = 0.63650 − 0.00584732(T/K) + 0.00073190(T/K) ln (T/K). From the experimental results and the available literature data on Na₂SO₄(s), the equilibrium constant of formation for Na₂S(s) was determined to be lg K_f(Na₂S(s)) (±0.05) = 216.28 − 4750(T/K)⁻¹ − 28.28878 ln (T/K). Gibbs energy of formation for Na₂S(s) was obtained as Δ_fG^∘(Na₂S(s))/(kJ · mol⁻¹) (±1.0) = 90.9 − 4.1407(T/K) + 0.5415849(T/K) ln (T/K). By applying third law analysis of the experimental data, the standard enthalpy of formation of Na₂S(s) was evaluated to be Δ_fH^∘(Na₂S(s), 298.15 K)/(kJ · mol⁻¹) (±1.0) = −369.0. Using the literature data for C_p and the calculated Δ_fH^∘, the standard entropy was evaluated to S^∘(Na₂S(s), 298.15 K)/(J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹) (±2.0) = 97.0.     

Solubility measurements of the uranyl oxide hydrate phases metaschoepite,compreignacite, Na–compreignacite,becquerelite, and clarkeite

The mobility of uranium under oxidizing conditions can only be modeled if the thermodynamic stabilities of the secondary uranyl minerals are known. Toward this end, we synthesized metaschoepite (UO₃(H₂O)₂), becquerelite (Ca(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₈), compreignacite (K₂(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₇), sodium compreignacite (Na₂(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₇), and clarkeite (Na(UO₂)O(OH)) and performed solubility measurements from both undersaturation and supersaturation under controlled-pH conditions. The solubility measurements rigorously constrain the values of the solubility products for these synthetic phases, and consequently the standard-state Gibbs free energies of formation of the phases. The calculated lg solubility product values (lg K_sp), with associated 1σ uncertainties, for metaschoepite, becquerelite, compreignacite, sodium compreignacite, and clarkeite are (5.6 ?0.2/+0.1), (40.5 ?1.4/+0.2), (35.8 ?0.5/+0.3), (39.4 ?1.1/+0.7), and (9.4 ?0.9/+0.6), respectively. The standard-state Gibbs free energies of formation, with their 2σ uncertainties, for these same phases are (?1632.2 ± 7.4) kJ · mol^?1, (?10305.6 ± 26.5) kJ · mol^?1, (?10107.3 ± 21.8) kJ · mol^?1, (?10045.6 ±24.5) kJ · mol^?1, and (?1635.1 ± 23.4) kJ · mol^?1, respectively. Combining our data with previously measured standard-state enthalpies of formation for metaschoepite, becquerelite, sodium compreignacite, and clarkeite yields calculated standard-state entropies of formation, with associated 2σ uncertainties, of (?532.5 ± 8.1) J · mol^?1 · K^?1, (?3634.5 ± 29.7) J · mol^?1 · K^?1, ( ?2987.6 ± 28.5) J · mol^?1 · K^?1, and (?300.5 ± 23.9) J · mol^?1 · K^?1, respectively. The measurements and associated calculated thermodynamic properties from this study not only describe the stability and solubility at T = 298 K, but also can be used in predictions of uranium mobility through extrapolation of these properties to temperatures and pressures of geologic and environmental interest.     

The solubility of an hydroxyaluminosilicate

Hydroxyaluminosilicates (HAS) are critical secondary mineral phases in the biogeochemical cycle of aluminium. They are formed from the reaction of silicic acid (Si(OH)₄) with an aluminium hydroxide template and act as a geochemical control of the biological availability of Al. There are two main forms of HAS which we have called HAS_A and HAS_B and which of these will predominate will depend upon the Si(OH)₄ to Al ratio in any one environment. In all but the most heavily weathered environments or those undergoing a progressive acidification Si(OH)₄ will be present in significant excess to Al and HAS_B will be the dominant secondary mineral phase. We have tried to determine the solubility of HAS_B(s) so that its contribution to Al solubility control might be compared with other secondary minerals such as Al(OH)_3(gibbsite). In preliminary experiments, the dissolution of HAS_B(s) was found to be non-congruent with almost no Al being released during 18 months ageing. We then demonstrated that HAS_B(s) was significantly less soluble than Al(OH)_3(s) prepared under identical experimental conditions. We have used this information to describe a solubility expression for HAS_B(s) at a predefined quasi-equibrium and to calculate a solubility constant.

K^*Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄=[Al₂O⁴⁺][SiO₂]²[OH^-]⁴