Analysis of structural and magnetic phase transition behaviors of La1−xSrxCrO3 by measurement of heat capacity with thermal relaxation technique

The heat capacity, C_p, of the La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ system and its temperature dependence have been measured by a thermal relaxation technique. Both structural and magnetic phase transitions were detected at temperatures that can be surmised from the phase diagram proposed in previous studies. The observed variation in enthalpy after the first-order structural phase transition, ΔH, showed agreement with those measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A decrease in the variation in C_p in the second-order magnetic phase transition, ΔC_p, with an increase in Sr content was detected, which can be attributed to a decrease in electronic spin configuration entropy with an increase in Sr content. In the dependence of ΔC_p on Sr content, a bending point was also observed at x  0.12, at which the crystal system varies from an orthorhombic-distorted perovskite structure to a rhombohedral-distorted perovskite structure.     

Copper(II) coordination compounds with ferulic acid

The first two molecular structures of the ferulic acid (3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid, C₁₀H₁₀O₄) coordination compounds are presented, namely, [Cu₂(C₁₀H₉O₄)₄(CH₃CN)₂] 1 and [Cu₂(C₁₀H₉O₄)₄(C₆H₆N₂O)₂]·4CH₃CN (C₆H₆N₂O = nicotinamide) 2. Both compounds were synthesised from the starting mixture of Cu₂O and CuCl upon copper oxidation in the acetonitrile solution. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 and 2 reveals the binuclear structure of the ‘paddle–wheel’ type for both complexes. 1 and 2 are unstable outside mother liquid due to loosely bound acetonitrile molecules. The final products of decomposition are [Cu₂(C₁₀H₉O₄)₄] 1a and [Cu₂(C₁₀H₉O₄)₄(C₆H₆N₂O)₂] 2a, which were characterized by several physico-chemical methods. The triplet X-band EPR spectra of 1a and 2a, showing signals B_Z1  15 mT, B₂  460 mT and B_Z2  580 mT, are in agreement with the expected data for the binuclear tetracarboxylate units, found in the structures of the parent complexes 1 and 2. Together with the room temperature magnetic susceptibility data, μ_eff/B.M. 1.40 (1a), 1.48 (2a), the EPR spectra analysis confirm the antiferromagnetic interaction in 1a and 2a. This is suggesting preservation and stability of the paddle–wheel structures in 1a and 2a.     

Simulation of equivalent weight dependence of Nafion morphologies and predicted trends regarding water diffusion

Microphase separation within hydrated Nafion^® membranes was simulated using Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD). Morphologies were obtained at branching densities corresponding with equivalent weights ranging from 800 to 1400 (g/mole SO₃) and water percentage volume contents ([H₂O]) varying between 10% and 30%. All cases showed pronounced microphase separation involving a hydrophobic Teflon phase and a hydrophilic phase in which water is associated with SO₃ groups that are located near the phase boundaries. Pore morphologies were found to depend strongly on water content and branching density. The average pore radius (R_pore) and the distance between the pores (D_cl-cl) were found to increase with water content obeying the relations R_pore = 1.3 + α[H₂O] (nm), and D_cl-cl = 3.2 + β[H₂O] (nm). The values of the expansion coefficients α and β decrease linearly with branching density with α = 5.3 × 10⁻⁵ × (EW-450) and β = 1.3 × 10⁻⁴ × (EW-450) nm/vol%. For decreasing branching density the pores obtain a more spherical character. The consequence of this on water diffusion is estimated by employing Monte Carlo trajectory calculations in which we assume that water movement is confined within the hydrophilic phase and local water mobility to be equal to that of pure water. The estimated diffusion constants increase linearly with branching density (i.e. linear decrease with equivalent weight). Experimental water diffusion constants obtained from literature for Nafion1100 membrane are in good agreement with our calculations. A counterintuitive picture evolves in which smaller pores lead to enhanced water diffusion.     

Formal chromium–chromium triple bonds and bent rings in the binuclear cycloheptatrienylchromium carbonyls (C7H7)2Cr2(CO)n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0): A density functional theory study

Binuclear cycloheptatrienylchromium carbonyls of the type (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) have been investigated by density functional theory. Energetically competitive structures with fully bonded heptahapto η⁷-C₇H₇ rings are not found for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n structures having two or more carbonyl groups. This result stands in contrast to the related (C_nH_n)₂M₂(CO)_n (M = Mn, n = 6; M = Fe, n = 5; M = Co, n = 4) systems. Most of the predicted (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n structures have bent trihapto or pentahapto C₇H₇ rings and CrCr distances in the range 2.4–2.5 Å suggesting formal triple bonds. In some cases rearrangement of the heptagonal C₇H₇ ring to a tridentate cyclopropyldivinyl or tridentate bis(carbene)alkyl ligand is observed. In addition structures with CO insertion into the C₇H₇–Cr bond are predicted for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 4, 2). The global minima found for the (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n derivatives for n = 6, 5, and 4 are (η⁵-C₇H₇)(OC)₂CrCr(CO)₄(η¹-C₇H₇), (η³-C₇H₇)(OC)₂CrCr(CO)₃(η^2,1- C₇H₇), and (η⁵-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)₄, respectively. The global minima for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 3, 2) have rearranged C₇H₇ groups. Singlet and triplet structures with heptahapto η⁷-C₇H₇ rings are found for the dimetallocenes (η⁷-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO) and (η⁷-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂, with the singlet structures being of much lower energies in both cases.     

Synthesis, characterization and radiolytic properties of bis(oxalato)borate containing ionic liquids

Previously unreported bis(oxalato)borate (BOB) ionic liquids (ILs) containing imidazolium, pyridinium, and pyrrolidinium cations were prepared from the corresponding halide salts by reaction with sodium bis(oxalato)borate (NaBOB), and their properties are reported. Pulse radiolysis experiments revealed that the BOB anion scavenges solvated electrons with rate constants of 3×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ in the ionic liquid C₄mpyrr NTf₂ and 2.8×10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ in water. This reactivity indicates that BOB ILs may be too sensitive to be used as neat solvents for nuclear separations processes in high radiation fields but may still be useful for preventing criticality while processing relatively “cold” fissile actinides.     

High-accuracy determination of iron in seawater by isotope dilution multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-MC-ICP-MS) using nitrilotriacetic acid chelating resin for pre-concentration and matrix separation

In the present paper we describe a robust and simple method to measure dissolved iron (DFe) concentrations in seawater down to <0.1 nmol L⁻¹ level, by isotope dilution multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-MC-ICP-MS) using a ⁵⁴Fe spike and measuring the ⁵⁷Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratio. The method provides for a pre-concentration step (100:1) by micro-columns filled with the resin NTA Superflow of 50 mL seawater samples acidified to pH 1.9. NTA Superflow is demonstrated to quantitatively extract Fe from acidified seawater samples at this pH. Blanks are kept low (grand mean 0.045 ± 0.020 nmol L⁻¹, n = 21, 3× S.D. limit of detection per session 0.020–0.069 nmol L⁻¹ range), as no buffer is required to adjust the sample pH for optimal extraction, and no other reagents are needed than ultrapure nitric acid, 12 mM H₂O₂, and acidified (pH 1.9) ultra-high purity (UHP) water. We measured SAFe (sampling and analysis of Fe) reference seawater samples Surface-1 (0.097 ± 0.043 nmol L⁻¹) and Deep-2 (0.91 ± 0.17 nmol L⁻¹) and obtained results that were in excellent agreement with their DFe consensus values: 0.118 ± 0.028 nmol L⁻¹ (n = 7) for Surface-1 and 0.932 ± 0.059 nmol L⁻¹ (n = 9) for Deep-2. We also present a vertical DFe profile from the western Weddell Sea collected during the Ice Station Polarstern (ISPOL) ice drift experiment (ANT XXII-2, RV Polarstern) in November 2004–January 2005. The profile shows near-surface DFe concentrations of 0.6 nmol L⁻¹ and bottom water enrichment up to 23 nmol L⁻¹ DFe.     

Anisotropic exchange interactions in dinuclear systems (Ln = Dy, Tm, Yb): Magnetometry and Dual Mode X-band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopic study

A recently developed experimental and theoretical procedure is used in order to calculate the magnitude and anisotropy of interaction between a lanthanide and a 3d-metal ion. The general formula of the molecular compounds is [Ln(H₂O)₃(dmf)₄(μ-CN)Fe–(CN)₅] · nH₂O where 1  n  1,5 and dmf = N,N′-dimethylformamide, abbreviated as [LnFe] from now on. The main parts of this procedure are (a) the evaluation of the effective g-parameters of the lanthanide ion with the help of EPR measurements. (b) The use of dual mode EPR spectroscopy to define the anisotropic exchange interactions with the help of an anisotropic Hamiltonian model. (c) Use of the same magnetic model to fit magnetization and susceptibility data in order to verify the EPR findings.It was possible to define some trends concerning the exchange components of the [DyFe] dimer according to which the antiferromagnetic isotropic exchange constant is smaller than 4 cm⁻¹ and the anisotropic components are [D_exc, E_exc] = [6(1), 0.0] cm⁻¹. Also for the case of [TmFe] and [YbFe] dimers the antiferromagnetic isotropic exchange constant is smaller than 0.3 cm⁻¹ while the anisotropic components are [D_exc, E_exc] = [12.0, 0.0] cm⁻¹ and [D_exc, E_exc] = [0.4(1), 0.0] cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Investigations of the local structures and spin Hamiltonian parameters for the trigonal Rh and Ir centers in rhombohedral BaTiO3

The local structures and spin Hamiltonian parameters (g factors and the hyperfine structure constants) of the Rh⁴⁺(4d⁵) and Ir⁴⁺(5d⁵) centers in rhombohedral BaTiO₃ are theoretically investigated from the formulas of these parameters for a nd⁵ (n = 4 and 5) ion with low spin (S = 1/2) in a trigonally distorted octahedron. From the calculations, the impurity ions are found not to occupy exactly the host Ti⁴⁺ site in BaTiO₃ but to suffer a slight inward shift (0.13 Å) towards the center of the oxygen octahedron along the C₃ axis, yielding much smaller trigonal distortion as compared with that of the host Ti⁴⁺ site. The theoretical spin Hamiltonian parameters based on the above impurity axial shifts are in good agreement with the observed values.     

Tin(IV) complexes ofSchiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde and aminoalcohols

11 and 12 molar reactions of tin(IV) chloride with theSchiff bases, HO–C₆H₄CHNROH [where R=–(CH₂)₂–, –CH₂–, –CH(CH₃)–, –(CH₂)₃–, and –CH(C₂H₅)CH₂–] have been studied in different stoichiometric ratios and derivatives of the type SnCl₄(SBH₂) and SnCl₄(SBH₂)₂ (whereSBH₂ represents theSchiff base molecule) have been isolated. These have been characterised by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements and I.R. spectral studies.     

Solvent effect on the blue shifted weakly H-bound F3 CH…FCD3 complex

Solvent effect on the ν^c frequency of CH stretching vibration of the blue shifted F₃CH…FCD₃ complex has been studied in liquefied N₂, CO, Ar, Kr and Xe. In the case of Xe, the spectroscopic measurements have also been extended to the solid state. It was found that the ν^c position of the complex in the solutions studied lowers with respect to the value in the gas phase. In liquid Xe, characterized by the largest permittivity, this effect reaches its maximum value of −14.5 cm⁻¹. The ν^c frequency begins to grow again just below the freezing point of Xe, where a noticeable (15%) increase of the density of Xe occurs. The experimental results obtained for the liquid phase have been analyzed in the framework of the Onsager-like reaction field model and Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) implemented into a standard Gaussian 98 Program.     

Half-lanthanidocenes catalysts via the “borohydride/alkyl” route: A simple approach of ligand screening for the controlled polymerization of styrene

The “borohydride/alkyl” (B/A) route initially reported for isoprene has been applied successfully to the polymerization of styrene. This method provides via an in situ approach an interesting tool for the assessment of the influence of a ligand on the performance of half-lanthanidocene catalysts. All systems lead to well-controlled oligomerization/polymerization processes. This method is thus a convenient tool for the controlled polymerization of styrene starting from a common trisborohydride precursor and commercial ligands. The influence of the nature of several ligands on the activity could be established, with trends corresponding to those obtained starting from the isolated precursors: HCpHCp^Ph₃>HCp^*(Cp=C₅H₅,Cp^Ph₃=1,2,4-Ph₃C₅H₂,Cp^*=C₅Me₅). These results suggest an influence of the electron donating ability of the ligand rather than steric requirements.     

The electronic gas-phase spectrum of B3 radical revisited

The gas-phase electronic spectrum of cyclic-B₃ (D_3h) radical has been remeasured in a supersonic molecular beam using a mass-selective resonant 2-color 2-photon technique, leading to a revision of previously reported spectroscopic constants. The species was prepared by ablation of a boron nitride rod in the presence of helium. Ab intio calculations on the geometries and vertical electronic excitation energies, as well as mass identification, indicate that the detected band, centered at 21848.77(2) cm⁻¹, is the origin of the cyclic-¹¹B₃ system. A spectral fit yields the rotational constants as B″ = 1.2246(45) and C″ = 0.62131(72) cm⁻¹ in the ground state, and B′ = 1.1914(44) and C′ = 0.61173(69) cm⁻¹ in the excited 2 ²E′ state.     

Isolation of p-tricyanovinylphenyldicyanomethide ion via a [2+2] cycloaddition of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) molecules

In the presence of CoCl₂·6H₂O and dppm (bis(diphenylphosphino) methane), the reaction of TCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) molecules by [2+2] cycloaddition forms a p-tricyanovinylphenyldicyanomethide ion (PCQ⁻), which has been obtained as one anion unit in one new compound [Co(dppmdo)₃][PCQ⁻]₂·H₂O 1 (dppmdo = bis(diphylphospine oxide) methane). Its structure was determined by X-ray crystallography: 1 crystallizes in with a = 14.174(3) Å, b = 19.553(4) Å, c = 19.776(4) Å, α = 112.72(3)°, β = 95.43(3)°, γ = 110.79(3)°, and Z = 2. It was characterized by IR spectra, UV–Vis spectra, and cyclic voltammogram. Magnetic properties indicate that no magnetic coupling between PCQ⁻ and [Co(dppmdo)₃]²⁺ unit.     

An investigation of the chemiluminescence reaction in the sodium hypochlorite–folic acid–emicarbazide hydrochloride system

A chemiluminescence method for the determination of folic acid by the sodium hypochlorite–folic acid–semicarbazide hydrochloride system with a new flow injection technique has been established. The new method can perform simple, sensitive and rapid determinations of folic acid. The response to the concentration of folic acid, in the range of 1.0×10⁻⁷5.0×10⁻⁵ g/ml, is linear. The relative standard deviation of the method is 2.3% (C_s=4.0×10⁻⁶ g/ml, n=11). The detection limit is 2.7×10⁻⁸ g/ml. This method is suitable for automatic and continuous analysis, and has been successfully tested for the determination of folic acid in a folic acid tablet.     

Simultaneous determination of chloride, nitrate and sulphate in vegetable samples by single-column ion chromatography

A new ion chromatography method is described for the simultaneous determination of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻, using a selected eluent 1.3-mM sodium gluconate/1.3-mM borax (pH 8.5). The extraction methods of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ in vegetables are studied. The determination limits of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ are 0.17 μg/ml, 0.63 μg/ml and 0.81 μg/ml. The linear ranges are 060 μg/ml, 090 μg/ml and 090 μg/ml. The relative S.D. are <2.5%. The mean recoveries of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ in vegetables range from 97.0 to 104%.     

Synthesis and Electrochemistry of Alkylidynetrihydridotriruthenium Clusters with Apical π-Substituents

The clusters, (-H)₃Ru₃( ₃-CY)(CO)_9–n (PPh₃) _n [Y=–CH₂CHCH₂, n=0 (1); Y=–CH₂CHCH₂, n=3 (2); Y=–C₆H₄CH₃, n=0 (3); Y=–C₆H₄CH₃, n=3 (4)], have been synthesized in good yields and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. The electrochemical properties of these clusters is also reported. These data indicate that the -system of the apical substituent does not interact significantly with the cluster and should be available for further chemistry.     

The syntheses and structures of mono- and di-bromovinylidenes

Reactions of metal acetylide complexes M(CCAr)(PP)Cp′ (M = Fe, Ru; Ar = C₆H₅, C₆H₄Me-4; PP = (PPh₃)₂, dppe; Cp′ = Cp, Cp*; not all combinations), or the analogous vinylidene, with cyanogen bromide yield monobromovinylidene complexes [M{CC(Br)Ar}(PP)Cp′]⁺, isolated as PF₆⁻ salts. The trimethylsilyl-capped acetylides M(CCSiMe₃)(PP)Cp′ react with cyanogen bromide to give [M(CCBr₂)(PP)Cp′]⁺, the first examples of metal complexes containing a terminal dihalovinylidene ligand, which can be isolated as the BF₄⁻ salts. Molecular structures of representative mono- and di-bromovinylidene complexes are reported, together with those of Ru(CCSiMe₃)(PPh₃)₂Cp and Ru(CCSiMe₃)(dppe)Cp*.     

Preparation and characterization of mesoporous N-doped and sulfuric acid treated anatase TiO2 catalysts and their photocatalytic activity under UV and Vis illumination

Nitrogen-doped TiO₂ catalysts were prepared by a precipitation method. The samples were calcined at 400 °C for 4 h in air. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low temperature N₂-adsorption was used for structural characterization and UV-diffuse reflectance (UV-DR) was applied to investigate the optical properties of the as-prepared samples. It was found that microporous N-doped catalysts have solely anatase crystalline structure. Acidic treatment of the calcined samples was performed using sulfuric acid agitation. The crystalline structure remained unchanged due to surface treatment, while the porosity and the surface areas were decreased dramatically. Optical characterization of the doped catalysts showed that they could be excited by visible light photons in the 400–500 nm wavelength range (λ_g,1=390 nm, λ_g,2=510 nm). It was also established that surface treatment enhances the Vis-light absorption of the N-TiO₂ powders. Finally the catalysts were tested in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous suspensions. Two different light sources were used; one of them was a UV-rich high pressure Hg-lamp, while the other was a tubular visible light source. We found that using visible light illumination N-doped, acid treated TiO₂ samples were more catalytically active than non-doped TiO₂ catalysts.     

Vibrational satellite of Na(3d ← 3s) dipole-forbidden transition in Na/CF4 mixture

Excitation spectra of Na fluorescence in mixtures with CF₄ display a new band shifted by the energy of one-vibrational quantum of the IR active ν₃-mode of CF₄ (1281 cm⁻¹) from Na 3d states. This band is attributed to a Na(3s)CF₄(ν₃ = 0) → Na(3d)CF₄(ν₃ = 1) transition and its intensity is explained by coupling with Na(4p)CF₄(v₃ = 0) resonance state which lies  180 cm⁻¹ below in energy. An analogous satellite of the Na 6p state combined with the same vibration and lying close to the Na 7p state is reported and discussed.     

Interaction and photodynamic activity of cationic porphyrin derivatives bearing different patterns of charge distribution with GMP and DNA

The interaction of amphiphilic cationic porphyrins, containing different patterns of meso-substitution by 4-(3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumpropoxy)phenyl (A) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (B) groups, with guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP) and calf thymus DNA have been studied by optical methods in phosphate buffer solution. The properties of these synthetic porphyrins were compared with those of representative standard of anionic 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS₄⁴⁻) and cationic 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylammonium phenyl)porphyrin (TMAP⁴⁺). Stable complexes with GMP were found for cationic porphyrins, except for monocationic AB₃⁺. The binding constant (K_GMP  10⁴ M⁻¹) follows the order: A₃B³⁺  ABAB²⁺ > A₄⁴⁺  TMAP⁴⁺. Also, interaction with DNA was observed for all evaluated cationic porphyrins. For these related cationic porphyrins, the binding constant (K_DNA  10⁵ M⁻¹) increases with the number of cationic charges. On the other hand, the photodynamic activity of porphyrins was analyzed in solution of GMP and DNA. Monocationic AB₃⁺ is a less effective sensitizer to oxidize GMP in comparison with the other cationic porphyrins, in agreement with the lack of detected interaction with this nucleotide. The electrophoretic analysis of DNA indicates that photocleavage takes place when the samples are exposed to photoexcited tricationic and tetracationic porphyrins. In the presence of sodium azide the DNA decomposition was diminished. Also, reduction in the DNA photocleavage was observed under anoxic condition, indicating that oxygen is essential for DNA photocleavage sensitized by these cationic porphyrins. In addition, an increase in DNA degradation was not observed in deuteriated water. Therefore, an important contribution of type I photoreaction processes could be occurring in the DNA photodamage sensitized by these cationic porphyrins. These results provide a better understanding of the characteristics needed for sensitizers to produce efficient DNA photocleavage.