Quantitative investigation of boron incorporation in polycrystalline CVD diamond films by SIMS

Polycrystalline diamond films have been produced on pre-treated silicon substrate by CVD hot filament method, with B(C₂H₅)₃ added to the gas phase. However, under identical surface conditions, boron incorporation is not homogeneous. In {111} growth sectors, the boron concentration is found to be about 5 times higher than in {100} growth sectors. Moreover, a marked increase in contaminating elements such as aluminium and sodium in regions with higher boron concentrations is detected. Under SIMS fine focus conditions it can be shown that the interface between these two different facet regions is smaller than 0.5?μm. With 3D-depth profile images it can also be shown that the carbon distribution in the diamond layer is not totally homogeneous.     

Synthetic Semiconductor Diamond Electrodes: Electrochemical Characteristics of Individual Faces of High-Temperature-High-Pressure Single Crystals

Effects of crystal structure on the electrochemistry of boron-doped high-temperature-high-pressure diamond single crystals grown from an Ni–Fe–C–B melt are studied. On the {111}, {100}, and {311} faces, the linear and nonlinear electrochemical impedance spectra and the electrochemical kinetics in the Fe(CN)₆ ^3_/4_ redox system are measured. The acceptor concentration in the diamond interior adjacent to these faces was determined from the Mott–Schottky plots and the amplitude-demodulation measurements. It varies in the 10¹⁸ to 10²¹ cm^–3 range. The difference in the electrochemical behavior of individual crystal faces is primarily attributed to different boron acceptor concentrations in the growth sectors associated with the faces.     

Nucleation-controlled growth in polyethylene single crystals: Growth and shape of {100} sectors

The nucleation rate and propagation rate of steps on the {100} faces of polyethylene crystals have been determined. For single crystals, under conditions where the width of the {100} sectors remains constant during growth, it is confirmed that the growth is in regime I or the crossover region between regime I and II. In {110} twinned crystals, the {100} sectors are well developed and the width increases linearly with time; therefore, the growth in the twins must be in regime II. It is shown that the differing growth regimes of {100} faces in single crystals and twins allow the independent determination of the nucleation rate and the propagation rate of steps. The nucleation rate and propagation rate of steps on the {100} faces were determined from measurements of the constant width of the {100} faces in single crystals and the growth rate of the {100} faces in single crystals and twins. The observed rates show abnormal dependence on supercooling and concentration. The results are attributed to a weaker dependence of the constant width of {100} sectors on supercooling and concentration than predicted.     

Inner-sphere oxidation of a ternary dipicolinatochromium(III) complex involving a malonic acid co-ligand

The oxidation of a ternary complex of chromium(III), [Cr^III(DPA)(Mal)(H₂O)₂]^?, involving dipicolinic acid (DPA) as primary ligand and malonic acid (Mal) as co-ligand, was investigated in aqueous acidic medium. The periodate oxidation kinetics of [Cr^III(DPA)(Mal)(H₂O)₂]^? to give Cr(VI) under pseudo-first-order conditions were studied at various pH, ionic strength and temperature values. The kinetic equation was found to be as follows: \( {\text{Rate}} = {{\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]\left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} } \right]_{\text{T}} \left( {{{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]\left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} } \right]_{\text{T}} \left( {{{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right)} {\left\{ {\left( {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{4} } \right) + \left( {K_{5} \left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{6} K_{4} } \right)\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]} \right\}}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left\{ {\left( {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{4} } \right) + \left( {K_{5} \left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{6} K_{4} } \right)\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]} \right\}}} \) where k ₆ (3.65 × 10^?3 s^?1) represents the electron transfer reaction rate constant and K ₄ (4.60 × 10^?4 mol dm^?3) represents the dissociation constant for the reaction \( \left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} \left( {\text{DPA}} \right)\left( {\text{Mal}} \right)\left( {{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}} \right)_{2} } \right]^{ - } \rightleftharpoons \left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} \left( {\text{DPA}} \right)\left( {\text{Mal}} \right)\left( {{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}} \right)\left( {\text{OH}} \right)} \right]^{2 - } + {\text{H}}^{ + } \) and K ₅ (1.87 mol^?1 dm³) and K ₆ (22.83 mol^?1 dm³) represent the pre-equilibrium formation constants at 30 °C and I = 0.2 mol dm^?3. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was found to enhance the reaction rate, whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) had no effect. The thermodynamic activation parameters were estimated, and the oxidation is proposed to proceed via an inner-sphere mechanism involving the coordination of IO₄ ^? to Cr(III).     

A Potentiometric Study of the Association of Copper(II) and Sulfate Ions in Aqueous Solution at 25 °C

A study of the association between copper(II) and sulfate ions in aqueous solution has been made using copper ion-selective electrode potentiometry at constant ionic strengths (I) of 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mol·L^?1 in NaClO₄ media at 25 °C. Only one complex was detected, corresponding to the equilibrium: \( {\text{Cu}}^{ 2+ } ({\text{aq}}) + {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } ({\text{aq}}) \rightleftarrows {\text{CuSO}}_{4}^{0} ({\text{aq}}). \) No higher order complexes were detected even at sulfate/copper(II) concentration ratios of up to 1,000. The present potentiometric values of log₁₀ K ₁(I) are shown to be consistently higher than those obtained by UV–Vis spectrophotometry because of the failure of the latter technique to detect all of the solvent-separated ion pairs present. Extrapolation of log₁₀ K ₁(I) to infinite dilution using an extended Guggenheim equation yielded a standard state value of log₁₀ \( K_{1} \{ {\text{CuSO}}_{4}^{0} ({\text{aq}})\} = 2.32 \pm 0.09 \) , which is in excellent agreement with a recent IUPAC-recommended value.     

Aluminum,calcium and zinc complexes supported by potentially tridentate iminophenolate ligands: synthesis and use in the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide

The coordination chemistry of the potentially tridentate phenoxyethyl‐ and benzylaminoethyl‐iminophenol pro‐ligands {ONO}H and {ONN}H on to calcium, zinc and aluminum centers has been studied. {ONO}Ca(N(SiMe₃)₂)(THF) (1) was prepared by a one‐pot salt metathesis procedure but the analogous reaction with {ONN}H led to intractable mixtures. Reaction of {ONO}H and {ONN}H with ZnEt₂ (0.5 or 1 equiv.) systematically led to isolation of the corresponding homoleptic complexes {ONO}₂Zn (2) and {ONN}₂Zn (3). The dimethylaluminum complexes {ONO}AlMe₂ (4) and {ONN}AlMe₂ (5) were readily prepared by treatment of AlMe₃ with 1 equiv. of the corresponding pro‐ligands. Compounds 2 and 4 both feature monomeric structures in the solid state, with chelating iminophenolate ligands and free‐hanging phenoxyethyl arms. The amido complex 1 was shown to be a moderately active initiator for the controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic lactide at room temperature, yielding polylactides with high initiation efficiencies, relatively narrow polydispersities and a slight heterotactic bias. Immortal polymerizations were achieved by combining excess isopropanol to 1, offering up to 50 macromolecules per metal center, with well‐controlled molecular features. The dimethylaluminum compounds 4 and 5 initiated the controlled ROP of lactide in the presence of 1 equiv. of benzyl alcohol as a co‐initiator but required higher temperatures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

VLPR study of the reaction Br + CH3CHO

The reaction \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm Br} + {\rm CH}_3 {\rm CHO}\buildrel1\over\rightarrow{\rm HBr} + {\rm CH}_3 {\rm CO}$\end{document} has been studied by VLPR at 300 K. We find k₁ = 2.1 × 10¹² cm³/mol s in excellent agreement with independent measurements from photolysis studies. Combining this value with known thermodynamic data gives k_-1 = 1 × 10¹⁰ cm³/mol s. Observations of mass 42 expected from ketene suggest a rapid secondary reaction: in which step 2 is shown to be rate limiting under VLPR conditions and k₂ is estimated at 10^12.6 cm³/mol s from recent theoretical models for radical recombination. It is also shown that 0 ? E₁ ? 1.4 kcal/mol using theoretical models for calculation of A₁ and is probably closer to the lower limit. Reaction ?1 is negligible under conditions used.     

On Gold(I) Complexes and Anodic Gold Dissolution in Sulfite–Thiourea Solutions

Processes involving gold(I) complexes were studied in sulfite–thiourea (TU) solutions. It is shown that at pH >5 the complex [\( {\text{AuTU}}_{2}^{ + } \)] undergoes irreversible decomposition followed by deprotonation and formation of a solid phase. From the data of pH in mixed solutions, the equilibrium constants were evaluated: \( {\text{Au}}({\text{SO}}_{3} )_{2}^{3 - } + i{\text{TU}} \rightleftharpoons {\text{Au}}({\text{SO}}_{3} )_{2 - i} {\text{TU}}_{i}^{2i - 3} + i{\text{SO}}_{3}^{2 - } \), log₁₀ β ₁ = ?1.2, log₁₀ β ₂ = ?3.6. Some aspects of the anodic dissolution of gold in mixed sulfite–thiourea solutions are considered. With the help of the carbonate buffer system the change of the anodic current density j _a was studied at high pH; j _a (pH) has a maximum at pH 11.6–11.9 for E _a = 0.3–0.6 V (vs. NHE). At pH > 12.0, the j _a values decrease sharply. Possible mechanisms of anodic gold dissolution, as well as the role of sulfite, are discussed.     

Base hydrolysis of tris(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenyl sulphonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine)iron(II) in aqueous,SDS and CTAB media: kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics and mechanism of base hydrolysis of tris(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenyl sulphonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine)iron(II), \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\) have been studied in aqueous, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) media at 25, 35 and 45 °C under pseudo-first-order conditions, i.e. \(\left[ {\text{OH}^{ - } } \right]\) ? \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\). The reaction is first order each in \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\) and hydroxide ion. The rate increases with increasing ionic strength in aqueous and SDS media, whereas this parameter has little effect in CTAB. In SDS medium, the rate-determining step involves the reaction between \(\left[ {\text{OH}^{ - } } \right]\) and \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\), whereas in CTAB medium, it involves reaction between a neutral ion pair, {\({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\)·4CTA⁺} and \(\left[ {\text{OH}^{ - } } \right]\) ions. The specific rate constants and thermodynamic parameters (E _a, ΔH ^#, ΔS ^# and ΔG _35°C ^# ) have been evaluated in all three media. The near equal values of ΔG _35°C ^# obtained in aqueous and SDS media suggest that these reactions occur essentially by the same mechanism. Slightly lower ΔG _35°C ^# values in CTAB medium can be attributed to a higher concentration of reactants in the Stern layer. The reaction is inhibited in SDS medium but catalysed in CTAB. The former can be attributed to the anionic surfactant creating more repellent space between the reactants. Catalysis in CTAB medium is ascribed to electrophilic and hydrophilic interactions between hydroxide ion/substrate with the cationic Stern layer, resulting in increased local concentrations of both reactants.     

Polymerization of (o-methylphenyl)acetylene and polymer characterization

(o-Methylphenyl)acetylene polymerized with high yields in the presence of W and Mo catalysts. W catalysts were more active than the corresponding Mo catalysts. The weight-average molecular weight of the polymer formed with W(CO)₆–CCl₄–hv reached 8 × 10⁵, being higher than the maximum value (ca. 2 × 10⁵) for poly(phenylacetylene). The polymer had the structure $\rlap{--} [{\rm CH} \hbox{=\hskip-1pt=} {\rm C}(o - {\rm CH}_3 {\rm C}_6 {\rm H}_4 )\rlap{--} ]_n $. The stereochemical structure of the main chain could be determined by ¹³C-NMR; the cis content varied in a range of 41–61% depending on the polymerization conditions. The present polymer was thermally more stable than poly(phenylacetylene) according to thermogravimetric analysis. Interestingly, this polymer possessed deeper color than poly(phenylacetylene), and showed a fairly strong absorption in the visible region.     

Thermodynamic studies on Pr2TeO6

The standard Gibbs energy of formation of Pr₂TeO₆ $ (\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,\;{\text{s}}} \right)) $ was derived from its vapour pressure in the temperature range of 1,400–1,480 K. The vapour pressure of TeO₂ (g) was measured by employing a thermogravimetry-based transpiration method. The temperature dependence of the vapour pressure of TeO₂ over the mixture Pr₂TeO₆ (s) + Pr₂O₃ (s) generated by the incongruent vapourization reaction, Pr₂TeO₆ (s) = Pr₂O₃ (s) + TeO₂ (g) + ½ O₂ (g) could be represented as: $ { \log }\left\{ {{{p\left( {{\text{TeO}}_{ 2} ,\;{\text{g}}} \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{p\left( {{\text{TeO}}_{ 2} ,\;{\text{g}}} \right)} {{\text{Pa}} \pm 0.0 4}}} \right. \kern-0em} {{\text{Pa}} \pm 0.0 4}}} \right\} = 19. 12- 27132\; \left({\rm{{{\text{K}}}}/T} \right) $ . The $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \;\left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} } \right) $ could be represented by the relation $ \left\{ {{{\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,\;{\text{s}}} \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,\;{\text{s}}} \right)} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}} \pm 5.0} \right\} = - 2 4 1 5. 1+ 0. 5 7 9 3\;\left(T/{\text{K}}\right) .$ Enthalpy increments of Pr₂TeO₆ were measured by drop calorimetry in the temperature range of 573–1,273 K and heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy functions were derived. The $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{{298\;{\text{K}}}}^{^\circ } \;\left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} } \right) $ was found to be $ {{ - 2, 40 7. 8 \pm 2.0} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{ - 2, 40 7. 8 \pm 2.0} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}} $ .     

The gas-phase pyrolysis of alkyl nitrites. II. s-butyl nitrite

The rate of decomposition of s-butyl nitrite (SBN) has been studied in the absence (130–160°C) and presence (160–200°C) of NO. Under the former conditions, for low concentrations of SBN (6 × 10^?5 ? 10^?4M) and small extents of reaction (～1.5%), the first-order homogeneous rates of acetaldehyde (AcH) formation are a direct measure of reaction (1) since k_3c » k₂(NO): . Unlike t-butyl nitrite (TBN), d(AcH)/dt is independent of added CF₄ (～0.9 atm). Thus k_3c is always » k₂ (NO) over this pressure range. Large amounts of NO (～0.9 atm) (130–160°C) completely suppress AcH formation. k₁ = 10^16.2–40.9/θ sec^?1. Since (E₁ + RT) and ΔH°₁ are identical, within experimental error, both may be equated with D(s-BuO-NO) = 41.5 ± 0.8 kcal/mol and E₂ = 0 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. The thermochemistry leads to the result ΔH°_f (s-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm Bu}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .}$\end{document}) = ? 16.6 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. From ΔS°₁ and A₁, k₂ is calculated to be 10^10.4 M^?1 · sec^?1, identical to that for TBN. From an independent observation that k₆/k₂ = 0.26 ± 0.01 independent of temperature, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm s - Bu}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .} + {\rm NO}\mathop \to \limits^{\rm 6} {\rm MEK} + {\rm HNO}$\end{document}, we find E₆ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mol and k₆ = 10^9.8M^?1 · sec^?1. Under the conditions first cited, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is also a product of the reaction, the rate of which becomes measurable at extents of conversion >2%. However, this rate is ～0.1 that of AcH formation. Although MEK formation is affected by the ratio S/V for different reaction vessels, in a spherical reaction vessel, this MEK arises as the result of an essentially homogeneous first-order 4-centre elimination of HNO. \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm SBN}\mathop \to \limits^{\rm 5} {\rm MEK} + {\rm HNO}$\end{document}; k₅ = 10^12.8–35.8/θ sec^?1. Sec-butyl alcohol (SBA), formed at a rate comparable to MEK, is thought to arise via the hydrolysis of SBN, the water being formed from HNO. The rate of disappearance of SBN, that is, d(MEK + SBA + AcH)/dt, is given by k_global = 10^15.7–39.6/θ sec^?1. In NO (～1 atm) the rate of formation of MEK was about twice that in the absence of NO, whereas the SBA was greatly reduced. This reaction was also affected by the ratio S/V of different reaction vessels. It was again concluded that in a spherical reaction vessel, the rate of MEK formation was essentially homogeneous and first order. This rate is given by k_obs = 10^12.9–35.4/θ sec^?1, very similar to k₅. However, although it is clear that the rate of formation of MEK is doubled in the presence of NO, the value for k_obs makes it difficult to associate this extra MEK with the disproportionation of s-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm Bu}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .}$\end{document} and NO: s-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$s{\rm - Bu}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .} + {\rm NO}\mathop \to \limits^{\rm 6} {\rm MEK} + {\rm HNO}$\end{document}. NO at temperatures of 130–160°C completely suppresses AcH formation. AcH reappears at higher temperatures (165–200°C), enabling k_3c to be determined. Ignoring reaction (6), d(AcH)/dt = k₁k₃ (SBN )/[k_3c + k₂(NO)]; k_3c = 10^14.8–15.3/θ sec^?1. Inclusion of reaction (6) into the mechanism makes very little difference to the result. Reaction (3c) is expected to be a pressure-dependent process.     

The gas-phase pyrolysis of alkyl nitrites. IV. Ethyl nitrite

The rate of decomposition of methyl nitrite (MN) has been studied in the presence of isobutane-t-BuH-(167-200°C) and NO (170-200°C). In the presence of t-BuH (～0.9 atm), for low concentrations of MN (～10^?4M) and small extents of reaction (4-10%), the first-order homogeneous rates of methanol (MeOH) formation are a direct measure of reaction (1) since k₄(t-BuH) »k₂(NO): . The results indicate that the termination process involves only \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ t - {\rm Bu\, and\, NO:\,\,}t - {\rm Bu} + {\rm NO\stackrel{e}{\longrightarrow}} $\end{document} products, such that k_e ～ 10¹⁰ M^?1 ～ sec^?1.Under these conditions small amounts of CH₂O are formed (3-8% of the MeOH). This is attributed to a molecular elimination of HNO from MN. The rate of MeOH formation shows a marked pressure dependence at low pressures of t-BuH. Addition of large amounts of NO completely suppresses MeOH formation. The rate constant for reaction (1) is given by k₁ = 10^{15.8°0.6-41.2°1}/· sec^?1. Since (E₁ + RT) and ΔH^Δ₁ are identical, within experimental error, both may be equated with D(MeO - NO) = 41.8 + 1 kcal/mole and E₂ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mol. From ΔS¹₁ and A₁, k₂ is calculated to be 10^10.1°0.6M^?1 · sec^?1, in good agreement with our values for other alkyl nitrites. These results reestablish NO as a good radical trap for the study of the reactions of alkoxyl radicals in particular. From an independent observation that k₆/k₂ = 0.17 independent of temperature, we conclude that \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ E_6 = 0 \pm 1{\rm kcal}/{\rm mol\, and\,}\,k_6 = 10^{9.3} M^{- 1} \cdot {\rm sec}^{- 1} :{\rm MeO} + {\rm NO}\stackrel{6}{\longrightarrow}{\rm CH}_2 {\rm O} + {\rm HNO} $\end{document}. From the independent observations that k₂:k_2→: k_6→ was 1:0.37:0.04, we find that k_2→ = 10^9.7M^?1 ? sec^?1 and k_6→ = 10^8.7M^?1 ? sec^?1. In addition, the thermodynamics lead to the result In the presence of NO (～0.9 atm) the products are CH₂O and N₂O (and presumably H₂O) such that the ratio N₂O/CH₂O ～ 0.5. The rate of CH₂O formation was affected by the surface-to-volume ratio s/v for different reaction vessels, but it is concluded that, in a spherical reaction vessel, the CH₂O arises as the result of an essentially homogeneous first-order, fourcenter elimination of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm HNO}:{\rm MN\stackrel{5}{\longrightarrow}CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm O} + {\rm HNO} $\end{document}. The rate of CH₂O formation is given by k₅ = 10^{13.6°0.6-38.5-1}/? sec^?1.     

Thermochemical properties of the coordination complex of 8-hydroxyquinolinato-bis-(salicylato) praseodymium (III)

The product, [Pr(C₇H₅O₃)₂(C₉H₆NO)], which was formed by praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate, salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃), and 8-hydroxyquinoline (C₉H₇NO), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV spectra, IR spectra, molar conductance, and thermogravimetric analysis. In an optimalizing calorimetric solvent, the dissolution enthalpies of [Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O(s)], [2 C₇H₆O₃(s) + C₉H₇NO(s)], [Pr(C₇H₅O₃)₂(C₉H₆NO)(s)], and [solution D (aq)] were measured to be, by means of a solution-reaction isoperibol microcalorimeter, $ \begin{gathered}\Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta}\left[ {{ \Pr }\left( {{\text{NO}}_{ 3} } \right)_{ 3} \cdot 6{\text{H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}\left( {\text{s}} \right), 2 9 8. 1 5{\text{ K}}} \right] \, = - ( 20. 6 6 { } \pm \, 0. 29)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} , \\\Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } \left[ { 2 {\text{C}}_{7} {\text{H}}_{ 6} {\text{O}}_{ 3} \left( {\text{s}} \right) +{\text{ C}}_{ 9} {\text{H}}_{ 7} {\text{NO}}\left( {\text{s}}\right),{ 298}. 1 5 {\text{ K}}} \right] \, = \, ( 4 2. 2 7 { }\pm \, 0. 3 1)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} , \\\Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } \left[ {{\text{solutionD }}\left( {\text{aq}} \right), 2 9 8. 1 5 {\text{ K}}} \right] \,= - \left( { 8 9. 1 5 { } \pm \, 0. 4 3}\right)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} , \\\end{gathered} $ Δ s H m θ [ Pr ( NO 3 ) 3 · 6 H 2 O ( s ) , 2 9 8.1 5 K ] = ? ( 20.6 6 ± 0.2 9 ) kJ mol ? 1 , Δ s H m θ [ 2 C 7 H 6 O 3 ( s ) + C 9 H 7 NO ( s ) , 298.1 5 K ] = ( 4 2.2 7 ± 0.3 1 ) kJ mol ? 1 , Δ s H m θ [ solution D ( aq ) , 2 9 8.1 5 K ] = ? ( 8 9.1 5 ± 0.4 3 ) kJ mol ? 1 , and $ \Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } \left\{ {\left[ {{\Pr }\left( {{\text{C}}_{ 7} {\text{H}}_{ 5} {\text{O}}_{ 3} }\right)_{ 2} \left( {{\text{C}}_{ 9} {\text{H}}_{ 6} {\text{NO}}}\right)} \right]\left( {\text{s}} \right),{ 298}. 1 5 {\text{ K}}}\right\} \, = - \left( { 4 1.0 4 { } \pm \, 0. 3 3}\right)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} $ Δ s H m θ { [ Pr ( C 7 H 5 O 3 ) 2 ( C 9 H 6 NO ) ] ( s ) , 298.1 5 K } = ? ( 4 1.0 4 ± 0.3 3 ) kJ mol ? 1 , respectively. Through an improved thermochemical cycle, the enthalpy change of the designed coordination reaction was calculated to be $\Updelta_{\text{r}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta} = \, ( 2 1 3. 1 8\pm0. 6 9)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} $ Δ r H m θ = ( 2 1 3.1 8 ± 0.6 9 ) kJ mol ? 1 , the standard molar enthalpy of the formation was determined as $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta} \left\{ {\left[ {{\Pr }\left( {{\text{C}}_{ 7} {\text{H}}_{ 5} {\text{O}}_{ 3} }\right)_{ 2} \left( {{\text{C}}_{ 9} {\text{H}}_{ 6} {\text{NO}}}\right)} \right]\left( {\text{s}} \right), 2 9 8. 1 5 {\text{K}}}\right\} \, = \, - \, ( 1 8 7 5. 4\pm 3.1)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} $ Δ f H m θ { [ Pr ( C 7 H 5 O 3 ) 2 ( C 9 H 6 NO ) ] ( s ) , 2 9 8.1 5 K } = ? ( 1 8 7 5.4 ± 3.1 ) kJ mol ? 1 .     

Direct Observation of Transient Species Generated from Protonation and Deprotonation of the Lowest Triplet of p-Nitrophenylphenol

Photo-induced proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) is essential in the biological, photosynthesis, catalysis and solar energy conversion processes. Recently, \begin{document}$ p $\end{document}-nitrophenylphenol (HO-Bp-NO₂) has been used as a model compound to study the photo-induced PCET mechanism by using ultrafast spectroscopy. In transient absorption spectra both singlet and triplet states were observed to exhibit PCET behavior upon laser excitation of HO-Bp-NO₂. When we focused on the PCET in the triplet state, a new sharp band attracted us. This band was recorded upon excitation of HO-Bp-NO₂ in aprotic polar solvents, and has not been observed for \begin{document}$ p $\end{document}-nitrobiphenyl which is without hydroxyl substitution. In order to find out what the new band represents, acidic solutions were used as an additional proton donor considering the acidity of HO-Bp-NO₂. With the help of results in strong (\begin{document}$ \sim $\end{document}10\begin{document}$ ^{-1} $\end{document} mol/L) and weak (\begin{document}$ \sim $\end{document}10\begin{document}$ ^{-4} $\end{document} mol/L) acidic solutions, the new band is identified as open shell singlet O-Bp-NO₂H, which is generated through protonation of nitro O in \begin{document}$ ^3 $\end{document}HO-Bp-NO₂ followed by deprotonation of hydroxyl. Kinetics analysis indicates that the formation of radical \begin{document}$ \cdot $\end{document}O-Bp-NO₂ competes with O-Bp-NO₂H in the way of concerted electron-proton transfer and/or proton followed electron transfers and is responsible for the low yield of O-Bp-NO₂H. The results in the present work will make it clear how the \begin{document}$ ^3 $\end{document}HO-Bp-NO₂ deactivates in aprotic polar solvents and provide a solid benchmark for the deeply studying the PCET mechanism in triplets of analogous aromatic nitro compounds.     

High-resolution electron microscope analysis of {100} twinning in β-rhombohedral boron

{100} twinning in β-rhombohedral boron formed during rapid cooling of a multiphase mixture was reexamined by high-resolution electron microscopy. Comparison of observed and calculated images shows that the twin boundaries (which pass through the center of the B₈₄ units in the structure) occur in pairs, separated by one to five unit cells of the twinned orientation. Twinned regions are typically separated by 100 to 500 Å. The twin boundary pairs may also be described as stacking faults in the pseudocubic close-packed arrangement formed by the B₈₄ units, which are pseudospherical in symmetry.     

Crystal growth of polyethylene from dilute solution: Growth kinetics of {110} twins and diffusion-limited growth of single crystals

We have studied the growth kinetics of {110} twins and single crystals of polyethylene in dilute solution of tetrachlorethylene. In terms of {110} twins, we succeeded in obtaining twins without {100} sectors, using a relatively high molecular weight fraction M_w > 10⁴. It is confirmed that the growth is enhanced at the reentrant corner of the twins, and the enhanced growth face inclines to the {110} face because of consecutive generation of steps at the corner. These facts are strong evidence for nucleation-controlled growth of single crystals. The growth rates and obliquity are measured at various supercoolings and concentrations. From consideration of kinetics of steps on the growth face, the following rates and velocity are independently determined from the experimental data: nucleation rate on a flat face, velocity of step propagation, and generation rate of steps at the reentrant corner. The supercooling dependence strongly supports regime II growth. The results on concentration dependence show that the velocity of steps is proportional to concentration over the whole range examined, and the nucleation rate is independent of it in the usual range and becomes proportional to it in the lower range. This concentration dependence of nucleation rate is attributed to the density of adsorbed polymer on the growth face. From this evidence, it is suggested that the rate of travel of steps is limited by volume diffusion of solute polymer, whereas the growth face is saturated with adsorbed polymer at ordinary concentrations. This contradictory situation could be explained by the hypotheses that the saturation density is rather low and that surface diffusion of adsorbed polymer is much slower than volume diffusion of solute polymer. The lower limit of the rate of folding is also determined for the first time from the velocity of step propagation. As regards the single crystals, it is found that the habit maintains a lozenge shape with sharpened points, even at very high supercooling (δT < 50°C) if the concentration is very dilute. Diffusion-limited growth is verified for the first time at the higher supercoolings, where the growth rate is almost independent of supercooling. The growth rate becomes almost equivalent to the velocity of steps determined in the experiments with twins, and this fact will support the accuracy of the evaluation of the step velocity. The order of magnitude of the growth rate obtained agrees with the value which is calculated from the balance between the flux of solute polymer to the growth face and the rate of growth of single crystals.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic parameters of γ-aminobutyric acid

Thermodynamic properties of γ-aminobutyric acid were studied in the temperature interval from 5.7 to 300 K using a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter. The curve C _p (T) in the mentioned temperature interval is S-shaped without any anomalies. Based on the smoothed values of heat capacity, the calorimetric entropy $ S_{m}^{0} (T) - S_{m}^{0} (0) $ and the difference in the enthalpies $ H_{m}^{0} (T) - H_{m}^{0} (0) $ were calculated and tabulated. At the standard temperature 298.15 K, these values are equal to 158.1 ± 0.3 J K^?1 mol^?1 and 23020 ± 50 J mol^?1, respectively. At temperatures from 5 to 10 K, the function C _p (T) was found to obey the Debye law C = AT ³. Contrary to what has been supposed previously, the empirical Parks–Huffman rule for estimating entropy in the homologous series was shown to be not valid for the series glycine–β-alanine–γ-aminobutyric acid.     

Thermodynamic characterization of chromium tellurate

The standard Gibbs energy of formation of chromium tellurate, Cr₂TeO₆ was determined from the vapour pressure measurement of TeO₂(g) over the phase mixture Cr₂TeO₆(s) + Cr₂O₃(s) in the temperature range 1,183–1,293 K. A thermogravimetry (TG)-based transpiration technique was used for the vapour pressure measurement. This technique was validated by measuring the vapour pressure of CdCl₂(g) over CdCl₂(s). The temperature dependence of the vapour pressure of CdCl₂(g) could be represented as logp (Pa) (±0.02) = 12.06 ? 8616.3/T (K) (734 ? 823 K). A ‘third-law’ analysis of the vapour pressure data yielded a mean value of 185.1 ± 0.4 kJ mol^?1 for the enthalpy of sublimation of CdCl₂(s). The temperature dependence of vapour pressure of TeO₂(g) generated by the incongruent vapourisation reaction, $ {\text{Cr}}_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} (\rm s) \to {\text{Cr}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}_{ 3} (\rm s) + {\text{TeO}}_{ 2} (\rm g) + 1/2\,{\text{O}}_{ 2} (\rm g) $ could be represented as logp (Pa) (±0.04) = 18.57 – 21,199/T (K) (1,183 – 1,293 K). The temperature dependence of the Gibbs energy of formation of Cr₂TeO₆ could be expressed as $ \{ \Updelta G_{\text{f}}^{ \circ } ({\text{Cr}}_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,{\text{ s}}){\text{ (kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} )\pm 4. 0 {\text{\} = }} - 1 6 2 5. 6 { \,+\, 0} . 5 3 3 6\,T({\text{K}}) \, (1{,}183 - 1{,}293\,{\text{K}}). $ A drop calorimeter was used for measuring the enthalpy increments of Cr₂TeO₆ in the temperature range 373–973 K. Thermodynamic functions viz., heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy functions of Cr₂TeO₆ were derived from the experimentally measured enthalpy increment values. $ \Updelta H_{{{\text{f}},298\,{\text{K}}}}^{ \circ } ({\text{Cr}}_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ) $ was found to be ?1636.9 ± 0.8 kJ mol^?1.     

A generalized formula for the energies of alternant molecular orbitals. I. Homonuclear molecules

Using the method of alternant molecular orbitals (AMO ) it is shown that the energies of AMO 's (E_k), for any alternant homonuclear molecule having a singlet ground state, are connected with the energies of the MO 's (e_k) obtained by the conventional Hartree–Fock (HF ) method by the formula \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ E_{k\alpha (\beta )} = \pm \sqrt {\Delta ^2 + e_k ^2 } $\end{document}, where Δ is the correlation correction. The formula is applicable in the semiempirical LCAO form used in the Pariser–Parr–Pople theory, by Hubbard's approximation of γ integrals.