CsB4O6F: A Congruent‐Melting Deep‐Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Material by Combining Superior Functional Units

The discovery of new nonlinear optical (NLO) materials for coherent light generation in the deep‐ultraviolet (DUV, wavelength below 200 nm) region is essential for the development of laser technologies. Herein, we report a new material CsB₄O₆F (CBF), which combines the superior structural properties of two well‐known NLO materials, β‐BaB₂O₄ (BBO) and KBe₂BO₃F₂ (KBBF). CBF exhibits excellent DUV optical properties including a short cutoff edge (155 nm), a large SHG response (≈1.9×KDP), and a suitable birefringence that enables frequency doubling down to 171.6 nm. Remarkably, CBF melts congruently and shows an improved growth habit. In addition, our rational design strategy will contribute to the discovery of DUV NLO materials.     

Fluorooxoborates: Beryllium‐Free Deep‐Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials without Layered Growth

Deep‐ultraviolet nonlinear optical (DUV NLO) crystals are the key materials to extend the output range of solid‐state lasers to below 200 nm. The only practical material KBe₂BO₃F₂ suffers high toxicity through beryllium and strong layered growth. Herein, we propose a beryllium‐free material design and synthesis strategy for DUV NLO materials. Introducing the (BO₃F)⁴⁻, (BO₂F₂)³⁻, and (BOF₃)²⁻ groups in borates could break through the fixed 3D B–O network that would produce a larger birefringence without layering and simultaneously keep a short cutoff edge down to DUV. The theoretical and experimental studies on a series of fluorooxoborates confirm this strategy. Li₂B₆O₉F₂ is identified as a DUV NLO material with a large second harmonic generation efficiency (0.9×KDP) and a large predicted birefringence (0.07) without layering. This study provides a feasible way to break down the DUV wall for NLO materials.     

NH4Be2BO3F2 and γ‐Be2BO3F: Overcoming the Layering Habit in KBe2BO3F2 for the Next‐Generation Deep‐Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials

KBe₂BO₃F₂ (KBBF) is still the only practically usable crystal that can generate deep‐ultraviolet (DUV) coherent light by direct second harmonic generation (SHG). However, applications are hindered by layering, leading to difficulty in the growth of thick crystals and compromised mechanical integrity. Despite efforts, it is still a great challenge to discover new nonlinear optical (NLO) materials that overcome the layering while keeping the DUV SHG available. Now, two new DUV NLO beryllium borates have been successfully designed and synthesized, NH₄Be₂BO₃F₂ (ABBF) and γ‐Be₂BO₃F (γ‐BBF), which not only overcome the layering but also can be used as next‐generation DUV NLO materials with the shortest type I phase‐matching second‐harmonic wavelength down to 173.9 nm and 146 nm, respectively. Significantly, γ‐BBF is superior to KBBF in all metrics and would be the most outstanding DUV NLO crystal.     

High‐pressure synthesis of the new rare‐earth oxoborate β‐Gd2B4O9

β‐Digadolinium tetraborate (β‐Gd₂B₄O₉) was synthesized under high‐pressure/high‐temperature conditions in a Walker‐type multi‐anvil apparatus at 3 GPa and 1223 K from the pure binary oxides. Its crystal structure has been determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data collected at room temperature. The compound is isotypic with the known compound β‐Dy₂B₄O₉, which was synthesized under extreme conditions by use of a flux.     

Rational Design of the Metal‐Free KBe2BO3F2⋅(KBBF) Family Member C(NH2)3SO3F with Ultraviolet Optical Nonlinearity

The first fluorosulfonic ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) material, C(NH₂)₃SO₃F, is rationally designed by taking KBe₂BO₃F₂ (KBBF) as the parent compound. C(NH₂)₃SO₃F features similar topological layers as KBBF by replacing inorganic (BO₃)^3? with organic C(NH₂)₃⁺ trigonal units and BeO₃F with SO₃F^? tetrahedra. Therefore, C(NH₂)₃SO₃F is a metal‐free UV NLO crystal. Benefiting from the coplanar configuration of the C(NH₂)₃⁺ cationic groups, it possesses a large SHG response of 5×KDP and moderate birefringence of 0.133@1064 nm. Besides, it has a short UV cutoff edge of 200 nm. The calculated results reveal the shortest SHG phase‐matching wavelengths can reach 200 nm. These findings highlight the exploration of metal‐free compounds as nontoxic and low‐cost UV NLO materials as a new research area.     

CsZn2BO3X2 (X2=F2, Cl2, and FCl): A Series of Beryllium-Free Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear-Optical Crystals with Excellent Properties

Designing deep-ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystals is one of the major current research interests, but it faces a great challenge. In order to overcome the problem of crystal growth and the toxicity of BeO raw materials in KBe₂BO₃F₂ (KBBF), the only applicable DUV NLO crystal so far, we substitute Be²⁺ cations with Zn²⁺ in the KBBF structure and modify the halogen anions, by which three new Zn-containing KBBF-like compounds, CsZn₂BO₃X₂ (X₂=F₂, Cl₂, and FCl), have been successfully synthesized. They all exhibit excellent NLO properties, including improved SHG responses (2.8–3.5×KDP) and short UV cut-off edges (<190 nm). In comparison with KBBF, CsZn₂BO₃X₂ (X₂=F₂, Cl₂, and FCl) are all chemically benign and have better growth habits, so they are all promising as DUV NLO crystals. Further study on structure–property relationships indicates that the mixing of halogen anions is a feasible strategy to enhance the SHG responses of the KBBF family.     

Poly(difluorophosphazene) as the First Deep‐Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Polymer: A First‐Principles Prediction

A novel concept to obtain the deep‐ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials is proposed based on the assembling of one‐dimensional (1D) polar motifs into quasi‐1D polymer patterns. Based on the first‐principles calculations, we have successfully discovered an excellent DUV NLO polymer, i.e., poly(difluorophosphazene), with the chemical formula of (PNF₂)_n. Calculations reveal that PNF₂ has a larger band gap, a stronger second harmonic generation effect, a larger birefringence, and a shorter phase‐matching cutoff than KBe₂BO₃F₂. These findings not only demonstrate that the PNF₂ is the first reported DUV NLO polymer, but also could open a new direction to discover novel DUV NLO materials in polymer systems.     

Designing Silicates as Deep‐UV Nonlinear Optical (NLO) Materials using Edge‐Sharing Tetrahedra

Discovering new deep‐ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials is currently a great challenge. The reported DUV NLO materials are almost exclusively borates or phosphates. Silicates—the largest constituent of the earth's crust—are excluded owing to their weak second harmonic generation (SHG) response. We report a silicate, Li₂BaSiO₄, with edge‐sharing LiO₄–SiO₄ tetrahedra that achieves the balance between a short UV absorption edge, below 190 nm, and a large SHG response, 2.8×KDP. The SHG intensity is the largest for silicates without second‐order Jahn–Teller cations, and exceeds that of non‐isomorphic Li₂SrSiO₄ by more than an order of magnitude. As such Li₂BaSiO₄ may be seen as a promising DUV‐UV NLO material. This research indicates that edge‐sharing tetrahedra is a new design parameter for discovering new DUV NLO materials.     

Pb2BO3I: A Borate Iodide with the Largest Second‐Harmonic Generation (SHG) Response in the KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF) Family of Nonlinear Optical (NLO) Materials

Borate halides are an ideal materials class from which to design high‐performance nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Currently, borate fluorides, chlorides, and bromides are extensively investigated while borate iodide materials discovery remains rare because of the perceived synthetic challenges. We report a new borate iodide, Pb₂BO₃I, synthesized by a straightforward hydrothermal method. The Pb₂BO₃I chemical formula conceals that the compound exhibits a structure similar to the well‐established KBe₂BO₃F₂ (KBBF), which we show supports the highest second‐harmonic generation (SHG) at 1064 nm in the KBBF family, 10 × KH₂PO₄ (KDP), arising from the inclusion of Pb²⁺ and I^? and the crystal chemistry. Our work shows that KBBF‐related compounds can be synthesized incorporating iodide and exhibit superior NLO responses.     

Rb3VO(O2)2CO3: A Four‐in‐One Carbonatoperoxovanadate Exhibiting an Extremely Strong Second‐Harmonic Generation Response

A nonlinear optical (NLO) carbonatoperoxovanadate, Rb₃VO(O₂)₂CO₃, was synthesized through a simple solution‐evaporation method in phase‐pure form. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed that the structure of Rb₃VO(O₂)₂CO₃ consists of important noncentrosymmetric (NCS) chromophores, that is, π‐delocalized (CO₃)^2? groups, a second‐order Jahn–Teller (SOJT) distortive V⁵⁺ cation, and π‐localized distorted O₂^2? groups, as well as charge‐balancing polarizable Rb⁺ ions. The powder second‐harmonic generation (SHG) measurements indicated that Rb₃VO(O₂)₂CO₃ is phase‐matchable (Type I) and exhibits a remarkably strong SHG response circa 21.0 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), which is the largest efficiency observed among carbonate NLO materials. First‐principles calculation analysis suggests that the extremely large SHG response of Rb₃VO(O₂)₂CO₃ is attributed to the synergistic effect of the cooperation of all the constituting NCS chromophores.     

Enhanced third‐order nonlinear optical properties determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique: bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine)cobalt(II)]

π‐Conjugated organic materials exhibit high and tunable nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and fast response times. 4′‐Phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (PTP) is an important N‐heterocyclic ligand involving π‐conjugated systems, however, studies concerning the third‐order NLO properties of terpyridine transition metal complexes are limited. The title binuclear terpyridine Co^II complex, bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)‐κ³O,O′:O′′;κ³O′′:O,O′‐bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ³N,N′,N′′)cobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(C₂₁H₁₅N₃)₂], (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In the crystal structure, each Co^II cation is surrounded by three N atoms of a PTP ligand and three O atoms, two from a bidentate and one from a symmetry‐related monodentate 4,4′‐oxydibenzoate (ODA²⁻) ligand, completing a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Neighbouring [Co(PTP)]²⁺ units are bridged by ODA²⁻ ligands to form a ring‐like structure. The third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of (1) and PTP were determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique. The title compound shows a strong third‐order NLO saturable absorption (SA), while PTP exhibits a third‐order NLO reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The absorptive coefficient β of (1) is −37.3 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹, which is larger than that (8.96 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹) of PTP. The third‐order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ values are calculated as 6.01 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for (1) and 1.44 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for PTP.     

Prediction of Fluorooxoborates with Colossal Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Coefficients and Extremely Wide Band Gaps: Towards Modulating Properties by Tuning the BO3/BO3F Ratio in Layers

Fluorooxoborates have inspired investigations of deep‐ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials that can meet the multiple criteria. Herein, five stable structures with the composition of BaB₂O₃F₂ (I–V) are discovered using the ab initio evolutionary algorithm. Among them, BaB₂O₃F₂‐I has been synthesized experimentally and confirms the reliability of the method. All of the predicted structures possess extremely wide band gaps (8.1–9.0 eV). Moreover, four new structures exhibit giant second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients (>3×KDP, d₃₆=0.39 pm V^?1). A novel type of the [BOF] layer with BO₃:BO₃F ratio of [1:1] is found in BaB₂O₃F₂‐II and BaB₂O₃F₂‐III. While BaB₂O₃F₂‐IV and BaB₂O₃F₂‐V are solely composed of the BO₃F group and have colossal SHG coefficients (ca. 4×KDP). It gives the direct evidence that the BO₃F group could generate strong SHG effect. Most importantly, the influences of BO₃:BO₃F ratio and their number density on band gap, birefringence and SHG effects are investigated.     

The Contrasting Recognition Behavior of β‐Cyclodextrin and Its Sulfobutylether Derivative towards 4′,6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole

The noncovalent interactions between 4′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) and sulfobutylether β‐cyclodextrin (SBE₇β‐CD) are evaluated by using photochemical measurements and compared with that of native β‐CD. Contrasting recognition behavior and intriguing modulations in the photochemical behavior of DAPI were observed. In particular, a large enhancement in the fluorescence emission and excited‐state lifetime were seen upon binding to SBE₇β‐CD, with the SBE₇β‐CD inclusion complex being approximately 1000 times stronger than that of β‐CD. The ensuing fluorescence “turn on” was demonstrated to be responsive to chemical stimuli, such as metal ions and adamantylanmine (AD). Upon addition of Ca²⁺/AD, nearly quantitative dissociation of the complex was established to regenerate the free dye and result in fluorescence “turn off”. The SO₃^? groups are believed to be critical for the strong and selective binding of the chromophore and the stimuli‐responsive tuning. This is as an important design criterion for the optimization of host–guest properties through supramolecular association, which is relevant for drug‐delivery applications.     

β‐AgVO3 Nanorods as Peroxidase Mimetic for Colorimetric Determination of Glucose

β‐AgVO₃ nanorods have been demonstrated to exhibit intrinsic peroxidase‐like activity. The oxidation of glucose can be catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx ) to generate H₂O₂ in the presence of O₂ . The β‐AgVO₃ nanorods can catalytically oxidize peroxidase substrates including o‐phenylenediamine (OPD ), 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB ), and diammonium 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) (ABTS ) by H₂O₂ to produce typical color reactions: OPD from colorless to orange, TMB from colorless to blue, and ABTS from colorless to green. The catalyzed reaction by the β‐AgVO₃ nanorods was found to follow the characteristic Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Compared with horseradish peroxidase and AgVO₃ nanobelts, β‐AgVO₃ nanorods showed a higher affinity for TMB with a lower Michaelis–Menten constant (K _m) value (0.04118 mM ) at the optimal condition. Taking advantage of their high catalytic activity, the as‐synthesized β‐AgVO₃ nanorods were utilized to develop a colorimetric sensor for the determination of glucose. The linear range for glucose was 1.25–60 μM with the lower detection limit of 0.5 μM . The simple and sensitive GOx ‐β–AgVO₃ nanorods–TMB sensing system shows great promise for applications in the pharmaceutical, clinical, and biosensor detection of glucose.     

Cinnamolid‐3β‐ol hemihydrate and 3β‐hydroxycinnamolide acetate,two drimanolide‐class sesquiterpene lactones from Warburgia ugandensis

3β‐Hydr­oxy‐7‐drimen‐12,11‐olide hemihydrate, C₁₅H₂₂O₃·0.5H₂O, (I), has two sesquiterpene mol­ecules and one water mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. The OH groups of both mol­ecules and both H atoms of the water mol­ecule are involved in near‐linear inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, having O⋯O distances in the range 2.632 (3)–2.791 (2) Å. 3β‐Acet­oxy‐7‐drimen‐12,11‐olide, C₁₇H₂₄O₄, (II), has its ring system in very nearly the same conformation as the two mol­ecules of (I).     

Triterpenoide. XX. 3β‐Acetoxy‐12‐oxo‐18β‐olean‐ und 3β‐Acetoxy‐12,19‐dioxo‐9(11),13(18)‐oleandien‐28‐säure‐methyl­ester

The structures of methyl 3β‐acetoxy‐12‐oxo‐18β‐olean‐28‐oate [C₃₃H₅₂O₅, (I)] and methyl 3β‐acetoxy‐12,19‐dioxoolean‐9(11),13(18)‐dien‐28‐oate [C₃₃H₄₆O₆, (II)] are described. In (I), all rings are in the chair conformation, rings D and E are cis and the other rings trans‐fused. In compound (II), only rings A and E are in the chair conformation, ring B has a distorted chair conformation, ring C a distorted half‐boat and ring D an insignificantly distorted half‐chair conformation.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and thermodynamic properties of 2CaO·3B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O which has non-linear optical (NLO) property was synthesized under hydrothermal condition and identified by XRD, FTIR and TG as well as by chemical analysis. The molar enthalpy of solution of 2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O in HCl·54.572H₂O was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HCl·54.501H₂O and of CaO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of CaO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5733.7±5.2) kJ mol⁻¹ of 2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound were also calculated by a group contribution method.     

Continuous Dehydrogenation of n‐Pentanol over a Cr Modified Cu/γ‐Al2O3‐La2O3 Catalyst

The oxidant‐free dehydrogenation of n‐pentanol over copper based catalysts was investigated in this paper. The effect of metal modification on the activity and stability of the copper catalyst supported on γ‐Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃ (Cu/γ‐Al₂O₃‐La₂O₃) was clarified and a Cr modified Cu/Al₂O₃‐La₂O₃ (Cu‐Cr/γ‐Al₂O₃‐La₂O₃) showed the best catalytic performance. The conversion of n‐pentanol was 70.0% and the selectivity for n‐pentanal increased to 97.1% over Cu‐Cr/γ‐Al₂O₃‐La₂O₃. X‐ray diffraction and temperature programmed reduction of H₂ indicated that the addition of Cr favors the formation and reduction of the copper oxide, and the dispersion of the active Cu⁰ species, accounting for the good activity and stability of this catalyst. Furthermore, the lower amount of acidic sites in Cu‐Cr/γ‐Al₂O₃‐La₂O₃ is suggested to suppress the dehydration in oxidant‐free dehydrogenation of n‐pentanol, accounting for the higher selectivity for n‐pentanal.     

Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Co(OH)2, CuO and ZnO Nanostructures by Solvothermal Method without Any Additive

β‐Co(OH)₂, CuO and ZnO nanostructures with plate‐like, particle‐like and flower‐like morphologies were prepared through the use of simple solvothermal method using of melt salt and 1,10‐phenanthroline as complexing agent and sodium hydroxide. β‐Co(OH)₂ consisted of a plate‐like structure, and the nanoplates size was about 29 nm. The structure was comprised of regular sheets which were assembled together. Furthermore, the as‐obtained β‐Co(OH)₂ nanoplates can be easily converted into Co₃O₄ nanoplates by calcining in air at 500 °C for 2 h. The results indicate that ZnO powder is of hexagonal wurtzite structure and well crystallized with high purity. CuO powder is pure monoclinic‐structured crystalline. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra. Possible formation mechanism of the nanostructures is proposed.     

Methyl 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside dihydrate and methyl 2‐formamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside

Methyl 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (β‐GlcNAcOCH₃), (I), crystallizes from water as a dihydrate, C₉H₁₇NO₆·H₂O, containing two independent molecules [denoted (IA) and (IB)] in the asymmetric unit, whereas the crystal structure of methyl 2‐formamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (β‐GlcNFmOCH₃), (II), C₈H₁₅NO₆, also obtained from water, is devoid of solvent water molecules. The two molecules of (I) assume distorted ⁴C₁ chair conformations. Values of ϕ for (IA) and (IB) indicate ring distortions towards B_C2,C5 and ^C3,O5B, respectively. By comparison, (II) shows considerably more ring distortion than molecules (IA) and (IB), despite the less bulky N‐acyl side chain. Distortion towards B_C2,C5 was observed for (II), similar to the findings for (IA). The amide bond conformation in each of (IA), (IB) and (II) is trans, and the conformation about the C—N bond is anti (C—H is approximately anti to N—H), although the conformation about the latter bond within this group varies by ∼16°. The conformation of the exocyclic hydroxymethyl group was found to be gt in each of (IA), (IB) and (II). Comparison of the X‐ray structures of (I) and (II) with those of other GlcNAc mono‐ and disaccharides shows that GlcNAc aldohexopyranosyl rings can be distorted over a wide range of geometries in the solid state.