1H and 13C NRM and infrared spectral studies on mixed ligand complexes of the type cis-[Co(en)2(Im)Cl]Cl2

A number of mixed ligand complexes of the type [Co(en)₂(Im)Cl]Cl₂ (Im = imidazole or a substituted imidazole) have been synthesized by reaction of trans-[Co(en₂Cl₂]Cl with the imidazole ligands. Electrical conductivity measurements support the ionic (1:2) formulation of the compounds, the electronic spectra is in agreement with an octahedral stereochemistry, and the IR and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectra strongly favour the cis configuration for the isolated complexes, [Co(en)₂(Im)Cl]Cl₂.Trans-[Co(en)₂Cl₂]Cl reacts with KNCS to form cis-[Co(en)₂(NCS)₂Cl, the crystal structure of which is briefly reported. This lends additional support in favour of the probable cis configuration of the above complexes.     

Preferential energy transfer from N2(A) to specific energy levels of Cu atoms

Emission spectra resulting from reaction of “clean” N₂(A³ Σ_u⁺) with copper atoms were studied using a flowing afterglow apparatus. The population distribution of the Cu states was calculated from the spectrum; it indicates that Cu atoms are excited by nearly resonant energy transfer processes. N₂(A,v') + Cu(²S_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}) → N₂(X, v) + Cu^* , and that the transfer is most efficient for N₂(A,v') → N₂(X,v) transitions with large Franck-Condon factors. The preferential energy transfer results in population inversion between some of the Cu states.     

5T2-1A1 Spin transition and residual paramagnetism in bis(2,4-bis(2-pyridyl)thiazole)iron(II) complexes: mössbauer effect and magnetism

The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect in [Fe(pythiaz)₂] (BF₄)₂ (I) and [Fe(pythiaz)₂] (C&O₄)₂ (II) has been studied between 298 and 4.2°K (pythiaz = 2,4-bis(2-pyridyl)thiazole). At 298°K compound I shows a doublet with ΔE_Q(⁵T₂) = 1.29 mm sec^?1 and δ^1S(⁵T₂) = +0.93 mm sec^?1 characteristic of a ⁵T₂ ground state. At 236°K, a second doublet, typical for a ¹A₁ ground state appears. The transition ⁵T₂ å ¹A₁ progresses as the temperature is lowered but levels off below ≈ 120°K. At 4.2°K, 59% of the intensity is due to the ¹A₁ state, and ΔE_Q(¹A₁) = 1.59 mm sec^?1 and δ^1S(¹A₁) = +0.26 mm sec^?1. In an applied magnetic field, V_zz(¹A₁) < 0 has been determined Similar results have been obtained with compound II.Debye-Waller factors f5_T2 and f1_A1. were determined from the Mössbauer spectra under the assumption of Curie-Weiss dependence of the magnetism for the ⁵T₂ and constant μ_eff for the ¹A₁ ground state. The resulting temperature dependence of f1_A1 is highly unusual thus suggesting complicated magnetic behaviour of both ground states in the transition region. Two mechanisms for the nature of the transition are discussed, a “spin-flip” mechanism being the physically more reasonable one. The assumption of a simple Boltzmann distribution (“spin equilibrium”) may be ruled out for the solid but could be encountered in solutions.     

The anisotropic van der waals potential for He-N2

We have calculated the spherical v₀ and anisotropic radial components v₂ and v₄ in the usual Legendre expansion for the rigid rotor He-N₂ potential using the method of Tang and Toennies Potential curves covering the range of internuclear distances from 2.5 to 8.0 Å, which includes the minimum region, arc presented and compared with a recent experimental potential derived from differential total cross sections.     

Deuterium isotope effect in the T1 → S0 radiationless transition of propynal in the gas phase

The phosphorescence lifetimes of propynal-h₁ and propynal-d₁ have been measured at room temperature in the 40 mTorr-1 Torr pressure range The reciprocal of the zero-pressure lifetime (k₀) is (3.10 ± 0.05) × 10³ and (1.70 ± 0.04) × 10³ s^?1 for propynal-h₁ and propynal-d¹ For both compounds the rate constant for self-quenching between triplet and ground-state molecules is k_SQ = (1 2±007) × 10³ Torr^?1 s^?1 The deuterium isotope effect is attributed to the T₁ → S₀ radiationlcss decay, for which k^H_ISC/k^D_ISC = 2 4     

N-lines and chromium-pairs in the luminescence spectra of the spinels ZnAl2O4:Cr3+ and MgAl2O4:Cr3+

It is shown that the N-lines in the luminescence spectra of the two spinels ZnAl₂O₄:Cr³⁺ and MgAl₂O₄:Cr³⁺ exhibit quite similar dependencies on chromium concentration, excitation frequency, and thermal treatment of the samples. While most of these lines are structure dependent, the line N₄ at $\text{ν}{}_{\mathrm{R}}\text{?}\text{ν}\text{≈ 400}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ and two very weak lines are in both cases due to chromium-pairs. The exchange Hamiltonian H_ex = JS₁ · S₂ + j(S₁ · S₂)² used for the ground-state splitting is fitted by the parameters J = 40.9 cm^?1, j = 1.5 cm^?1 and J = 45.6 cm^?1, j = 2.0 cm^?1 for ZnAl-spinel and MgAl-spinel, respectively. The differences between the spectra of low-doped and high-doped samples are in both cases caused by the existence of a phonon sideband of the N₄-line, which is in many respects similar to the well-known phonon side band of the R-line.     

Crystal structures and phase transition of Rb2TeBr6 (300-12.5 K)

Using 298 and 160(3) K diffractometer intensity data the structure of Rb₂TeBr₆ has been determined by single crystal X-ray technique and refined to a final R_w of 0.041 and 0.037, respectively (K₂PtCl₆ type structure, space group Fm3m, Z = 4 with a₂₉₈ = 10.773(4) Å and a₁₆₀ = 10.713(6) Å). The powder diffraction pattern from 300 to 12.5 K was recorded by a low-temperature Guinier diffractometer and camera. Below 45(5) K a second-order phase transition leads to a tetragonally distorted structure corresponding to a softening of the T_1g(Γ) rotary phonon. The powder pattern measured with the diffractometer at 12.5 K was used for structural refinement (R = 0.092). This low-temperature phase shows a ferrorotative displacement of the TeBr₆-octahedra with a tilt angle of 4.7(1) deg. (space group $\text{I4}\text{m}\text{, Z = 2, a = 7.4726(3)}$ Å and c = 10.7008(5) Å). The structural results indicate that there is no stereochemical activity of the lone pair electrons at Te(IV) even at very low temperatures. Phase transitions of Rb₂TeBr₆ and Rb₂TeI₆ (A_2g(X)-condensation) are compared. The results of a lattice dynamic calculation shows that only the T_1g(Γ) condensation can be explained with a rigid ion model.     

Chemical, spectroscopic characterization, DFT studies and initial pharmacological assays of a silver(I) complex with N-acetyl-l-cysteine

A new silver(I) complex with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) of composition AgC₅H₈NO₃S·H₂O was synthesized and characterized by a set of chemical and spectroscopic measurements. Solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and infrared (IR) analyses indicate the coordination of the ligand to Ag(I) through the sulfur atom. The Ag-NAC complex is slightly soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide. It is insoluble in water, methanol, ethanol, acetone and hexane. Antibacterial activity of the silver complex with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (Ag-NAC) was evaluated by antibiogram assays using the disc diffusion method. The compound showed an effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) bacterial cells. Biological analysis for evaluation of a potential cytotoxic effect of Ag-NAC was performed using HeLa cells derived from human cervical adenocarcinoma. The complex presented a significant cytotoxic activity, inducing 80% of cell death at a concentration of 200 μmol L⁻¹.     

Application of thermodynamics in a specific force field to the adsorption of Al ions on the chelating resins Ostsorb Oxin, Ostsorb Salicyl, Spheron Oxin, and Spheron Salicyl: Mathematical analysis of sorption isotherms using nonlinear mean square software

The sorption mechanism of Al³⁺ on chelating resins by means of mathematical analysis of sorption isotherms using nonlinear mean square software was studied. This method should yield more detailed information than classical thermodynamics and should be more flexible than the statistical-mechanical method, so that it would make it possible to obtain fairly easily relations directly applicable in practice. This model defined the specific potential Φ_Al^R for the ion in a resin (which depends on properties of resin and ion). On the basis of this model, N and PO isotherms were derived. To study the sorption mechanism, the Freundlich, Langmuir, N and PO equations (models) of isotherms were used. It was estimated that the functional groups (8-hydroxyquinoline and salicylate) in the studied chelating resins influence Φ_Al^R and thus their mechanism and sorption capacity.     

Gas phase electron diffraction study of tetravinyltin Sn(CHCH2)4

The tetravinyltin molecule has been studied by gas phase electron diffraction. The r_a structure analysis is based on the assumptions that a single conformer occurs in Sn(CHCH₂)₄ and that tin has a tetrahedral bond configuration. The preferred model (S₄ symmetry) predicts all four vinyl groups to be intermediate between staggered and eclipsed conformations. The structure refinement gives the following parameters (bond lengths, r_a, in nm, valence angles in degrees):

, SnCC = 121.9(0.6), CC = 0.1349(8), SnCH = 116.8(4.5),<C—H?_av. = 0.1098(14). The uncertainties given in parentheses represent three times the standard deviation values.The observed shortening of the

bond in Sn(CHCH₂)₄ from

in SnMe₄ (by 0.0027 nm) is equal to the shortening that occurs on going from

in ethane to

in propylene. With the corresponding Si and Ge derivatives, this effect is less pronounced.     

Fluorescence lifetimes in BO2 (A2Πu)

Fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence quenching rates are reported for several vibronic levels in the A²Π_u electronic manifold of BO₂. The relationship of these results to earlier Hanle-effect measurements is discussed.     

Laser-induced photodissociation of He+2

The momentum distributions of He⁺ fragments from photodissociation of He⁺₂ ions have been recorded in a crossed-beams experiment. The discrete values of the kinetic energy releases can be predicted from the vibrational spacings in the ground state of the primary ions.     

The electrochemical determination of oxygen ion diffusion coefficients in La0.50Sr0.50CoO3−y: Experimental results and related properties

Results of an electrochemical method for the determination of oxygen ion diffusion coefficients D_O^2? in porous pellets of La_0.50Sr_0.50CoO_3?y are presented. Log D_O^2? can be expressed as log D_O^2?=?(2.3±0.2) 10³/T?(6.6±0.6) cm² s^?1. The activation energy E_a for the diffusion process equals 44 kJ mol^?1. Further the related electrochemical measurement and the adjustment of the oxygen deficiency y are described. At 75°C the following empirical Nernst relation between the electrode potential E (vs. a Pt/H₂ (1 atm) electrode in the same solution) and Δy is found: E=627–108 ln (Δy + 0.0054) mV. (Δy=y?y₀; y₀=mole fraction of vacancies at the reversible O₂ potential of 1190 mV). The use of La_0.50Sr_0.50CoO_3?y as a solid solution electrode in practical storage cells seems to be excluded for thermodynamic and kinetic reasons.     

ESI-MS/MS Analysis of Phenolic Compounds from Aeonium arboreum Leaf Extracts and Evaluation of their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

Aeonium is a genus of succulents belonging to the Crassulaceae family. Their importance in traditional medicine has stimulated both pharmacological and chemical research. In this study, we optimized extraction, separation, and analytical conditions using a high performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry by the negative mode (HPLC-ESI-MS) in order to, for the first time, determine thirty-four compounds from Aeonium arboreum leaves. Twenty-one of them are assigned among which are sixteen flavonoids and five phenolic acids. FRAP, TAC, DPPH, and ABTS^•+ radical scavenging were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. The obtained IC₅₀ values ranged from 0.031 to 0.043 mg.mL⁻¹ for DPPH and between 0.048 and 0.09 mg·mL⁻¹ for ABTS^•+. Antimicrobial activity was also assessed. The obtained minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these extracts ranged from 12.5 to 50 µg·mL⁻¹ against Micrococcus luteus, Listeria ivanovii, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum, and from 25 to 50 µg·mL⁻¹ against Candida albicans. Therefore, these extracts can be considered as a potential source of biological active compounds.     

Significantly Improved Colossal Dielectric Properties and Maxwell—Wagner Relaxation of TiO2—Rich Na1/2Y1/2Cu3Ti4+xO12 Ceramics

In this work, the colossal dielectric properties and Maxwell—Wagner relaxation of TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics prepared by a solid-state reaction method are investigated. A single phase of Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ is achieved without the detection of any impurity phase. The highly dense microstructure is obtained, and the mean grain size is significantly reduced by a factor of 10 by increasing Ti molar ratio, resulting in an increased grain boundary density and hence grain boundary resistance (R_gb). The colossal permittivities of ε′ ~ 0.7–1.4 × 10⁴ with slightly dependent on frequency in the frequency range of 10²–10⁶ Hz are obtained in the TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics, while the dielectric loss tangent is reduced to tanδ ~ 0.016–0.020 at 1 kHz due to the increased R_gb. The semiconducting grain resistance (R_g) of the Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics increases with increasing x, corresponding to the decrease in Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ ratio. The nonlinear electrical properties of the TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics can also be improved. The colossal dielectric and nonlinear electrical properties of the TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics are explained by the Maxwell–Wagner relaxation model based on the formation of the Schottky barrier at the grain boundary.     

The influence of activation conditions on the performance of platinum/ruthenium methanol electro-oxidation catalysts surface enrichment phenomena

Starting from the electrocapillary equation for the ideally reversible electrode a relation has been derived between the parameters q^*-q^M+nFΛ₀ (q^M=electrode charge density, Λ₀=surface excess of oxidant) and the derivatives of the free energies of adsorption of the Ox and Red component with respect to potential. In this way a model is obtained for the explicit interpretation of the low frequency capacity C_LF and the high frequency capacity C_HF, occurring as parameters in the expression for the electrode admittance in the case of reactant and/or product adsorption. The experimental results obtained by Timmer et al. for the Pb(II) reduction in 1 M KCl appear to fit to this model if a linear isotherm with a potential-dependent adsorption coefficient is assumed. It is concluded that most probably the neutral PbCl₂ species is adsorbed.     

A DFT study of lithium battery materials: application to the β-VOXO4 systems (X=P, As, S)

VOXO₄ systems have been considered as potential lithium battery electrodes. They mainly present two distinct structural types: the tetragonal “α” type with a two-dimensional framework, and the three-dimensional orthorhombic “β”. DFT calculations were performed on this latter system for several β-Li_xVOXO₄ compounds (x=0, 1; X=P, As, S). They allowed to propose structural models for VOAsO₄ and LiVOSO₄, not fully crystallographically well described yet. Based on an experimental model of two-phase processes, these calculations led also to a good simulation of electrochemical potential values. A density of states analysis put in evidence the “inductive effect” and the role played by (XO₄)ⁿ⁻ groups inside the host frameworks on these potentials.     

Electronic nonadiabatic transitions in the reactive (Ar+ + H2, Ar + H+2, ArH+ + H) system. Numerical results for the collinear configuration

In this communication are presented exact quantum mechanical nonadiabatic electronic transition probabilities for the collinear reaction Ar⁺ + H₂(v_i = 0) → ArH⁺(v_f) + H. The calculations were performed using a potential surface calculated by the DIM method. It is established that large probabilities (≈ 1.0) can be obtained only if there is enough translational energy to overcome a potential barrier formed due to the crossing between v_i = 0 of the Ar⁺ + H₂ system and v_i = 2 of the Ar + H⁺₂ system. The threshold for the reaction is found to be 0.06 eV.     

Synthesis, vacuum ultraviolet and near ultraviolet-excited luminescent properties of GdCaAl3O7: RE (RE=Eu, Tb)

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescent (PL) properties of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ion-doped aluminate phosphors, GdCaAl₃O₇:Eu³⁺ and GdCaAl₃O₇:Tb³⁺ have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the phosphor GdCaAl₃O₇ forms without impurity phase at 900 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the particle size of the phosphor is less than 3 μm. Upon excitation with VUV irradiation, the phosphors show a strong emission at around 619 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 545 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺. The results reveal that both GdCaAl₃O₇:RE³⁺ (RE=Eu, Tb) are potential candidates as red and green phosphors, respectively, for use in plasma display panel (PDP).     

Spectral studies on mixed ligand complexes of sodium dinitro-bis(acetylacetonato) cobaltate(iii) with imida-zole ligands

A number of mixed ligand complexes, nitro(imidazole) bis(acetylacetonato) cobaltate(III), [Co(acac)₂ (NO₂ )₂ (L)] (L = imidazole or substituted imidazole) have been synthesised and characterised on the basis of chemical analyses, IR, electronic, mass and nuclear (¹H and ¹³C) magnetic resonance spectra as well as TGA and DTA data. All complexes are non-electrolytic and possess a trans octahedral structure. The NO₂^? group is coordinated through the N atom. Though the ¹H NMR data of fresh CDCl₃ solutions of complexes confirm the trans structure, slow isomerisation to the cis configuration is observed at room temperature.