High‐pressure high‐temperature synthesis of Rh2O3‐II‐type In2O3 polymorph

The metastability of the bixbyite‐ and corundum‐type In₂O₃ polymorphs up to 33 GPa (at room temperature) is shown. While compressed (in diamond anvil cells) and laser‐heated, both polymorphs undergo a phase transition to the Rh₂O₃‐II‐type structure (space group Pbcn, No. 60). The direct transition from bixbyite to Rh₂O₃‐II structure has not yet been observed for any other oxide.

     

Thermomagnetically Responsive γ‐Fe2O3@Wax@SiO2 Sub‐Micrometer Capsules

A three steps synthesis route is proposed to generate thermosensitive and magnetically responsive γ‐Fe₂O₃@Wax@SiO₂ sub‐micrometer capsules with a paraffinic core and a solid and brittle shell. The process integrates Pickering‐based emulsions, inorganic and sol–gel chemistries to promote monodisperse in size wax droplets, γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and mineralization of the wax/water interfaces. Hybrid capsules are obtained with an average size around 800 nm, representing the first example of sub‐micrometer capsules generated employing Pickering emulsions as templates. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) cationic surfactant added during mineralization at concentrations between 0.17 and 1.0 wt% impacts the shell density. The shell density seems to improve its mechanical strength while affording a low wax expansion volume without breaking for CTAB concentrations above 1.0 wt%. At lower CTAB concentration (0.17 wt%), the silica shell becomes less bulky and cannot resist the wax dilatation induced by the solid‐to‐liquid phase transition imposed by hyperthermia. The magnetically induced heating provided by the internal magnetic moments is sufficient to melt the wax core, expanding its volume, inducing thereby the surrounding silica shell rupture. Such γ‐Fe₂O₃@Stearic Acid@Wax@SiO₂ sub‐micrometer capsules allow a sustained wax release with time, whereby 20% of the wax is released after 50 min of alternating magnetic field treatment.     

Structural and vibrational analyses of 2‐(2‐benzofuranyl)‐2‐imidazoline

We have studied 2‐(2‐benzofuranyl)‐2‐imidazoline (BFI) and characterized it by using infrared and Raman spectroscopies. The density functional theory (DFT) method together with Pople's basis set shows that two conformers exist for the title molecule as have been theoretically determined in the gas phase and that, probably, an average of both conformations is present in the solid phase. The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers for the optimized geometry of the latter conformer were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐31G* level in the proximity of the isolated molecule. For a complete assignment of the IR and Raman spectra in the compound in the solid phase, DFT calculations were combined with Pulay's scaled quantum mechanics force field (SQMFF) methodology in order to fit the theoretical wavenumbers to the experimental ones. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural and vibrational study of 2‐(2′‐ furyl)‐4,5‐1H‐dihydroimidazole

In this study 2‐(2′‐furyl)‐4,5‐1H‐dihydroimidazole (1) was prepared and then characterized by infrared, Raman, and multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 were determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. The density functional theory (DFT) and second‐order Møller–Plesset theory (MP2) with Pople's basis set show that there are two conformers for the title molecule that have been theoretically determined in the gas phase, and that only one of them, conformer I, is present in the solid phase. NMR spectra observed for 1 were successfully compared with the calculated chemical shifts at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level theorized for this conformer. The harmonic vibrational frequencies for the optimized geometry of the latter conformer were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level in the approximation of the isolated molecule. For a complete assignment of the IR and Raman spectra in the solid phase of 1 , DFT calculations were combined with Pulay´s scaled quantum mechanics force field (SQMFF) methodology to fit the theoretical frequency values to the experimental ones. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of N and O‐atoms and N2 (A) Metastable Molecule Densities in the Afterglows of N2‐H2, Ar‐N2‐H2 and Ar‐N2‐O2 Microwave Discharges

Early afterglows of N₂‐H₂, Ar‐N₂‐H₂ and Ar‐N₂‐O₂ flowing microwave discharges are characterized by optical emission spectroscopy. The N and O atoms and the N₂ (A) metastable molecule densities are determined by optical emission spectroscopy after calibration by NO titration for N and O‐atoms and measurements of NO and N₂ band intensities. If an uncertainty of 30% is estimated on N‐atomic density, an inaccuracy of one order of magnitude is obtained on the O and N₂ (A) densities. In N₂‐(0.05‐2.5%)H₂ and Ar‐(1‐50%)N₂‐(0.05‐2.5%) H₂ gas mixtures, the O‐atoms are coming from O₂ impurities in the discharge. Concentrations of N and O‐atoms and of N₂ (A) densities are compared to the ones obtained in Ar‐(5‐50%)N₂‐(0.2‐2.5%) O₂ gas mixtures in which a controlled amount of O₂ is added. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Enols of 2‐nitro‐ and related 2‐substituted malonamides

The structures of 2‐substituted malonamides, YCH(CONR¹R²)CONR³R⁴ (Y = Br, SO₂Me, CONH₂, COMe, and NO₂) were investigated. When Y = Br, R¹R² = R³R⁴ = HEt; Y = SO₂Me, R¹–R⁴ = H and for Y = CONH₂ or CONHPh, R¹–R⁴ = Me, the structure in solution is that of the amide tautomer. X‐ray crystallography shows solid‐state amide structures for Y = SO₂Me or CONH₂, R¹–R⁴ = H. Nitromalonamide displays an enol structure in the solid state with a strong hydrogen bond (O^…O distance = 2.3730 Å at 100 K) and d(OH) ≠ d(O^…H). An apparently symmetric enol was observed in solution, even in appreciable percentages in highly polar solvents such as DMSO‐d₆, but K_enol values decrease on increasing the solvent polarity. The N,N′‐dimethyl derivative is less enolic. Acetylmalonamides display a mixture of enol on the acetyl group and amide in non‐polar solvents, and only the amide in DMSO‐d₆. DFT calculations gave the following order of pK_enol values for Y: H > CONH₂ > COMe ≥ COMe (on acetyl) ≥ MeSO₂ > CN > NO₂ in the gas phase, CHCl₃, and DMSO. The enol on the C?O group is preferred to the aci‐nitro compound, and the N? O? H^…O?C is less favored than the C?O? H^…O?C hydrogen bond. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Density functional theory calculation and vibrational spectral analysis of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutyl)‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one

The Fourier transform infrared (4000–400 cm⁻¹) and Fourier transform Raman (3500–500 cm⁻¹) spectra of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutyl)‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one (Warfarin) have been measured and calculated. The structure optimization has been made using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Complete vibrational assignments of the observed spectra have been compared with theoretical wavenumbers. The wavenumber increasing in the methyl group shows the electronic hyperconjugation effect. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis reveals the hyperconjugation interaction and the intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The first‐order hyperpolarizability has been calculated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity of C4‐indolyl substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridines toward superoxide anion (O2•) in dimethylsulfoxide

Reactivity of two new C4‐indolyl substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs) toward superoxide anion (O₂^? ) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is reported. Reactivity was followed by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to identify the final products of the reaction. C4 indolyl‐substituted‐1,4‐DHPs reacted toward O₂^? at significant rates, according to the calculated kinetic rate constants. Results are compared with 4‐phenyl‐DHP and the commercial 1,4‐DHPs, nimodipine, nisoldipine, and amlodipine. Indolyl‐substituted 1,4‐DHPs were more reactive than the commercial derivatives. The direct participation of proton of the 1‐position of the secondary amine in the quenching of O₂^? was demonstrated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of strain on gas‐phase basicity of (E)‐1‐methyl‐2‐(1‐methyl‐2‐adamantylidene)adamantane

Steric strain, caused by forced deformation of double bond geometry, has significant impact on alkene reactivity, as was shown by a study of the gas‐phase basicity of (E)‐1‐methyl‐2‐(1‐methyl‐2‐adamantylidene)adamantane. The Gibbs free energy of the strain effect in this compound was 42 kJ/mol. This analysis was made based on adamantylideneadamantane as a congeneric reference compound with a planar double bond. It was concluded that gas‐phase basicity could serve as a valuable alternative indicator for quantification of steric strain in alkenes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalysis by hydrogen chloride in the gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐buten‐3‐ol

A homogeneous, molecular, gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐ buten‐3‐ol catalyzed by hydrogen chloride in the temperature range 325–386 °C and pressure range 34–149 torr are described. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.01 ± 0.31) ? (109.5 ± 2.8) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 and for 3‐methyl‐1‐buten‐3‐ol log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.50 ± 0.18) ? (116.5 ± 1.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. Electron delocalization of the CH₂?CH and C₆H₅ appears to be an important effect in the rate enhancement of acid catalyzed tertiary alcohols in the gas phase. A concerted six‐member cyclic transition state type of mechanism appears to be, as described before, a rational interpretation for the dehydration process of these substrates. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and structural study of 2′‐ and 2′,6′‐positioned methyl‐ and nitro‐substituted 3‐(arylhydrazono)pentane‐2,4‐diones

A systematic series of ortho‐methyl‐ and nitro‐substituted arylhydrazones 2–6 formed by Japp–Klingemann reaction between pentane‐2,4‐dione and the respective aryldiazonium salts have been synthesized and studied by X‐ray crystal structure analysis, with added quantum chemical calculations. The optimized molecular geometries based on DFT calculations, enabling determination of relevant rotational barriers, and the calculated bond and ring critical points, using the method of ‘atoms in molecules’, were found to correspond with the experimental data, involving specific molecular conformations and hydrogen‐bonded ring structure dependent on the ortho‐substitution, thus making possible reliable structural prediction of this compound class. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alkane oxidation by the system ‘tert‐butyl hydroperoxide–[Mn2L2O3][PF6]2 (L = 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane)–carboxylic acid’

The kinetics of cyclohexane (CyH) oxygenation with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in acetonitrile at 50 °C catalysed by a dinuclear manganese(IV) complex 1 containing 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane and co‐catalysed by oxalic acid have been studied. It has been shown that an active form of the catalyst (mixed‐valent dimeric species ‘Mn^IIIMn^IV’) is generated only in the interaction between complex 1 and TBHP and oxalic acid in the presence of water. The formation of this active form is assumed to be due to the hydrolysis of the Mn? O? Mn bonds in starting compound 1 and reduction of one Mn^IV to Mn^III. A species which induces the CyH oxidation is radical tert‐BuO ^. generated by the decomposition of a monoperoxo derivative of the active form. The constants of the equilibrium formation and the decomposition of the intermediate adduct between TBHP and 1 have been measured: K = 7.4 mol^?1 dm³ and k = 8.4 × 10^?2 s^?1, respectively, at [H₂O] = 1.5 mol dm^?3 and [oxalic acid] = 10^?2 mol dm^?3. The constant ratio for reactions of the monomolecular decomposition of tert‐butoxy radical (tert‐BuO ^. → CH₃COCH₃ + CH) and its interaction with the CyH (tert‐BuO ^. + CyH → tert‐BuOH + Cy ^. ) was calculated: 0.26 mol dm^?3. One of the reasons why oxalic acid accelerates the oxidation is due to the formation of an adduct between oxalic acid and 1 (K ≈ 10³ mol^?1 dm³). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical investigation on the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of 2‐(2′‐benzofuryl)‐3‐hydroxychromone

Spectroscopic studies on excited‐state proton transfer of a new chromophore 2‐(2′‐benzofuryl)‐3‐hydroxychromone (BFHC) have been reported recently. In the present work, based on the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT), the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of BFHC is investigated theoretically. The calculated primary bond lengths and angles involved in hydrogen bond demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bond is strengthened. In addition, the phenomenon of hydrogen bond reinforce has also been testified based on infrared (IR) vibrational spectra as well as the calculated hydrogen bonding energies. Further, hydrogen bonding strengthening manifests the tendency of excited state proton transfer. Our calculated results reproduced absorbance and fluorescence emission spectra of experiment, which verifies that the TD‐DFT theory we used is reasonable and effective. The calculated Frontier Molecular Orbitals (MOs) further demonstrate that the excited state proton transfer is likely to occur. According to the calculated results of potential energy curves along O―H coordinate, the potential energy barrier of about 14.5 kcal/mol is discovered in the S₀ state. However, a lower potential energy barrier of 5.4 kcal/mol is found in the S₁ state, which demonstrates that the proton transfer process is more likely to happen in the S₁ state than the S₀ state. In other words, the proton transfer reaction can be facilitated based on the photo‐excitation effectively. Moreover, the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching could be explained based on the ESIPT mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photocatalytic activity of α‐PbO2‐type TiO2

The α‐PbO₂‐type TiO₂ is synthesized under high‐pressure and high‐temperature environment and it shows higher photocatalytic activity as compared to rutile and anatase under UV irradiation. The reduction in α‐PbO₂‐type TiO₂ induces visible‐light photocatalytic activity. These results indicate that α‐PbO₂‐type TiO₂ is an important candidate material for use in a photocatalytic matrix.

     

Interrelation between inhomogeneity and cyclability in O3‐NaFe1/2Co1/2O2

O3‐NaFe_1/2Co_1/2O₂ shows initial capacity of 160 mAh/g and an average operating voltage of 3.1 V (vs. Na) with good cyclability, and is a promising candidate of the cathode materials for sodium‐ion secondary batteries (SIBs). Here, we found that the cyclability of the slowly‐cooled sample is much worse than that of quenched one, even though the former sample keeps the O3‐type structure. The energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) images suggest that the slow‐cooled sample (Na_x Fe_1–yCo_y O₂) is inhomogeneous in the Fe concentration (1 – y), perhaps triggered by the Na deficiency (1 – x). We ascribed the poor cyclability in the slowly‐cooled sample to the concentration inhomogeneity (Δy). The Δy is further responsible for the fluctuation of the lattice constants (a and c), as revealed by the Williamson–Hall plot. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A theoretical investigation about sensing mechanism of fluoride anion for (E)‐2‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐6‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1H‐benzo[de]‐isoquinoline‐1,3 (2H)‐dione

In the present work, we theoretical study the sensing mechanism of a new fluoride chemosensor (E)‐2‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐6‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1H‐benzo[de]‐isoquinoline‐1,3(2H)‐dione (the abbreviation is NIM ). Based on density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, the fluoride anion response mechanism has been confirmed via constructing potential energy curve. The exothermal deprotonation process along with the intermolecular hydrogen bond O–H···F reveals the uniqueness of detecting F^?. After capturing hydrogen proton forming NIM‐A anion configuration, a new absorption peak around 655 nm appears in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. In addition, the emission of NIM can be quenched when adding F^? has been also confirmed. Due to the twisted intramolecular charge transfer character NIM‐A‐S ₁ form, we further verify the experimental phenomenon. The theoretical electronic spectra (vertical excitation energies and fluorescence peak) reproduced previous experimental results (ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2014, 6, 7996), which not only reveals the rationality of our theoretical level used in this work but also confirms the correctness of geometrical attribution. In view of the excitation process, the strong intramolecular charge transfer process of S₀ → S₁ transition explain the redshift of absorption peak for NIM with the addition of fluoride anion. This work presents a straightforward sensing mechanism (deprotonation process) of fluoride anion for the novel NIM chemosensor.     

Thermolysis and photolysis of 2‐ethyl‐4‐nitro‐1(2H)‐isoquinolinium hydroperoxide

The thermal and light‐induced O ? O bond breaking of 2‐ethyl‐4‐nitro‐1(2H)‐isoquinolinium hydroperoxide (IQOOH) were studied using ¹H NMR, steady‐state UV/vis spectroscopy, femtosecond UV/vis transient absorption (fs TA) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD DFT) calculations. Thermal O ? O bond breaking occurs at room temperature to generate water and the corresponding amide. The rate of this reaction, k = 5.4 · 10^?6 s^?1, is higher than the analogous rates of simple alkyl and aryl hydroperoxides; however, the rate significantly decreases in the presence of small amounts of methanol. The calculated structure of the transition state suggests that the thermolysis is facilitated by a 1,2 proton shift. The photochemical process yields the same products, as confirmed using NMR and UV/vis spectroscopy. However, the quantum yield for the photolysis is low (Φ = 0.7%). Fs TA studies provide additional detail of the photochemical process and suggest that the S₁ state of IQOOH undergoes fast internal conversion to the ground state, and this process competes with the excited‐state O ? O bond breaking. This result was supported by the fact that the model compound IQOH exhibits similar excited‐state decay lifetimes as IQOOH, which is assigned to the S₁ → S₀ internal conversion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.