The molecular designs and properties of asymmetric heterocycles (HBrBN<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1-4)

The structures and properties of asymmetric heterocycles (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 1-4) are systematically studied at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The molecules (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 2-4) have the core structures of a 2n-membered ring with alternating boron and α-nitrogen atoms. The relationships between geometrical parameters and oligomerization degree n are discussed. The calculated IR spectra have four main characteristic regions. Trends in thermodynamic properties with temperature and oligomerization degree n are discussed. Thermodynamic analysis of the gas-phase oligomerizations shows that formation of the most stable heterocycles (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 2-4) is enthalpy driven in the range of 200-800 K.     

[Ca(BH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> </Subscript> clusters as hydrogen storage material: A DFT study

Calcium borohydride is widely studied as a hydrogen storage material. However, investigations on calcium borohydride from a cluster perspective are seldom found. The geometric structures and binding energies of [Ca(BH₄)₂]_n (n = 1–4) clusters are determined using density function theory (DFT). For the most stable structures, vibration frequency, natural bond orbital (NBO) are calculated and discussed. The charge transfer from (BH₄) to Ca was observed. Meanwhile, we also study the LUMO–HOMO gap (E_g) and the B–H bond dissociation energies (BDEs). [Ca(BH₄)₂]₃ owns higher E_g, revealing that trimer is more stable than the other forms. Structures don’t change during optimization after hydrogen radical removal, showing that calcium borohydride could possibly be used as a reversible hydrogen storage material. [Ca(BH₄)₂]₄ has the smallest dissociation energy suggesting it releases hydrogen more easily than others.     

Quantum-chemical investigation of structure and stability of [<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]-prismanes and [<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]-asteranes

The study by DFT [B3LYP/6-311G(2df,p)] method of structural and energy characteristics peculiar to [n]-prismanes and [n]-asteranes demonstrated that prismanes of n = 3–10 and asteranes of n = 3–7 possessed a stable structure of D_nh-symmetry; the D_nh-geometry was distorted in the subsequent terms of the series.     

Structures and magnetic properties of Ni<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 36-40) clusters from first-principles calculations

A genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with a tight-binding (TB) interatomic potential is used to search for the low-energy structures of medium-sized Ni _n (n = 36-40) clusters. Structural candidates obtained from our GA search are further optimized with first-principles calculations. The medium-sized nickel clusters ranging from 36 to 40 atoms are found to favor the double-icosahedron-based structures with a Ni₇ core (a pentagonal bipyramidal structure) except Ni₃₈ cluster. The lowest-energy structure of Ni₃₈ can be considered to be a magic cluster, which is a typical face-centered cubic structure with large stability and magnetic moment.     

Structure of A Coordination Polymer [Cu(En)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The crystal structure of [Cu(En)₂CrO₄]_n (En is ethylenediamine) is determined: a = 14.7359(4) Å, b = 9.8083(3) Å, c = 14.2664(4) Å, V = 2061.98(10) ų, space group Cmce, Z = 8, d_x = 1.931 g/cm³. It is demonstrated that the studied phase is isostructural with [Сu(Еn)₂SO₄]_n. A pseudotetragonal copper atom coordination (Cu–N 2.0204 Å and 2.0244 Å, ∠N–Cu–N 84.73°) is completed to distorted octahedral by two oxygen atoms of chromate anions (Cu–O 2.433 Å and 2.380 Å).     

Electronic Structure and Relative Stabilities of 10- and 12-Vertex. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Closo</Emphasis>and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nido</Emphasis>-Heteroborane Clusters of Ga,Ge, and As Elements

A DFT method with the B3LYP functional and the 6-311++G(d,p) diffuse basis set is used to predict geometries, relative stabilities, electronic structures, and the bonding of closo- and nido-Ga_mB_n–mH _n ^2? , Ge_mB_n–mH _n ^m?2 , and As_mB_n–mH _n ^{2 m?2} (n = 10, 12 and m = 1, 2) Clusters are obtained by replacing BH with isolobal GaH, GeH⁺, and AsH²⁺ fragments, keeping the same skeleton electron pairs (SEP). Based on the polyhedral skeletal electron pairs theory (PSEPT), closo and nido structures are predicted and can be of significant interest for experimentalists working in the field of heteroboranes. Different cluster stabilities are studied according to Gimarc′s and Williams′ rules, where our calculations show that the monosubstituted clusters deviate from these rules, giving rise to open structures. As₂B₈H _n ²⁺ as 10-vertex structures lead to nido-type clusters, however, Ge_mB_n–mH _n ^m?2 (n = 10, 12 and m = 1, 2) give rise to closo isomers with close energies. All optimized structures exhibit large HOMO–LUMO gaps suggesting a good kinetic stability, thus predicting their isolation and characterization.     

Crystal and molecular structures and luminescence properties of [Eu(Cin)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> complex

The crystal structure of europium cinnamate of the composition [Eu(Cin)₃] _n (Cin is cinnamic acid anion C₉H₇O ₂ ^? ) was determined by X-ray crystallography (a = 22.626(1) Å, c = 7.7330(7) Å, space group R3/c, Z = 3, ρ_calc = 1.448 g/cm³). The coordination polyhedron of Eu atoms is a distorted trigonal prism with three centered square faces. The structure is built of infinite polymeric chains [Eu(Cin)₃] _n running along the c axis and linked by van der Waals and π stacking interactions. Luminescent characteristics of the compound were determined.     

The coordination polyhedra ZnS<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> in crystal structures

Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra (VDP) and the intersecting sphere method were used to analyze the coordination of zinc atoms in the structures of all known compounds containing ZnS _n polyhedra. The Zn(II) atoms were found to coordinate 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 sulfur atoms to form coordination octahedra or trigonal prisms (n = 6), trigonal bipyramids (n = 5), tetrahedra (n = 4), triangles ZnS₃, or dumbbells ZnS₂. The effect of the coordination number of zinc atoms on the key parameters of zinc VDP is considered. A common linear dependence of the solid angles of the VDP faces corresponding to both valence and non-valence Zn-S contacts on the interatomic distances was established to exist. Although the Zn-S bond lengths vary over a broad range (2.39 to 3.29 Å), the Zn VDP volume almost does not depend on its C.N. with respect to sulfur. Some characteristic features of Zn stereochemistry are considered from the 18-electron rule standpoint.     

Solution Thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Superscript>/</Superscript>-Ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) Chloride in Aqueous Dimethylsulphoxide

The densities, viscosities and refractive indices of N,N ^/-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) chloride, [Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂]Cl, in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with different mass fractions (w ₂ = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00) of DMSO were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. From measured densities, viscosities and refractive indices the apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), standard partial molar volume (V _φ ⁰ ), the slope (S _V ^* ), standard isobaric partial molar expansibility (φ _E ⁰ ) and its temperature dependence (?φ _E ⁰ /?T) _p , the viscosity B-coefficient, its temperature dependence (?B/?T), solvation number (S _n ) and apparent molar refractivity (R _D ^φ ), etc., were calculated and discussed on the basis of ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions. These results revealed that the solutions are characterized by ion–solvent interactions rather than by ion–ion interactions and the complex behaves as a long range structure maker. Thermodynamics of viscous flow was discussed in terms of transition state theory.     

Preparation of stereochemically pure <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-alkenoic acids and their methyl esters from bicyclo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>.1.0]alkan-1-ols. Application in the synthesis of insect pheromones

Oxidative cleavage of exo- and endo-alkyl- and hydroxyalkyl-substituted bicyclo[n.1.0]alkan-1-ols with (diacetoxy-λ³-iodanyl)benzene gave the corresponding methyl alkenoates exclusively with E or Z configuration of the double bond. This reaction was used as the key stage in the syntheses of stereoisomerically pure components of pest insect pheromones: (E)-dodec-9-en-1-yl acetate (European pine shoot moth Rhyacionia buoliana), (Z)-tetradec-11-en-1-yl acetate (European oak leafroller Tortrix viridana), and (3E,8Z,11Z)-tetradeca-3,8,11-trien-1-yl acetate (tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta).     

Synthesis and structure of Pt(II) acetamidate complexes containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethyl-substituted ethylenediamine and trimethylenediamine

Reactions of acetamide with platinum(II) diamines [Pt(N,N-DimeEn)Cl₂], [Pt(Tm)Cl₂], and [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Cl₂] (N,N-DimeEn = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂, Tm = NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂, N,N-DimeTm = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂) with preliminary precipitation of chlorine ions by silver salts gave binuclear Pt(II) acetamidates [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (I), [Pt₂(NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂)(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (II), and [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](HSO₄)₂ (III), whose crystal structures were determined. Crystals of I are monoclinic: a = 14.459(2) Å, b = 17.197(3) Å, c = 9.822(2) Å, β = 105.923(10)°, V = 3348.6(8) ų, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.0419 for 6663 reflections. Complex I is a binuclear acetamidate with bridging (NHCOCH₃)^? ligands, one of which is bound to two Pt atoms through the N and O atoms, and the other ligand is bound only through the N atom. The Pt-Pt distance is 2.987(1) Å. Crystals of II are monoclinic: a = 10.213(7) Å, b = 13.373(9) Å, c = 16.533(11) Å, β = 97.971(9)°, V = 2236(3) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.557 for 6462 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.057(1) Å. Crystals of III are monoclinic: a = 10.557(12) Å, b = 18.531(2) Å, c = 14.4744(17) Å, β = 108.705(2)°, V = 2682(5) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.569 for 8506 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.202(1) Å. Complexes II and III are binuclear acetamidates, in which two chelating Pt(Tm) or Pt(N,N-DimeTm) moieties are coordinated through the N and O atoms of (NHCOCH₃)^? cis-bridges.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-allyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propargyl trifluoromethanesulfonimides. Theoretical analysis

Tautomers of N-allyl- and N-propargyl-substituted trifluoromethanesulfonimides (CF₃SO₂)₂NR (R = CH₂CH=CH₂, Z/E-CH=CHMe, CH₂C≡CH, CH=CH=CH₂, C≡CCH₂) were calculated by the DFT (B3LYP, wB97XD, PBE1PBE), MP2, and CBS-QB3 methods. The results were compared with the theoretical data for the corresponding amines and amides NHRR¹ (R¹ = H, CF₃SO₂). It was shown that there is no conjugation between the nitrogen atom and C=C bond and that conjugation exists with the C≡C bond with electron density displacement toward the nitrogen atom. The calculations of anions derived from N-allyl- and N-propargyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimides revealed the possibility of their rearrangement with elimination of trifluoromethanesulfinate anion and formation of its H-complex with N-(prop-2-en-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide or N-(prop-2-yn-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide.     

Structure of palladium(I) carbonylcarboxylate clusters [Pd<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(RCOO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> in solution: NMR and IR study

The structures of palladium carbonylcarboxylate clusters [Pd₂(CO)₂(RCOO)₂] _n (n = 2, R = CH₃, CH₂Cl, CF₃, n = 3, R = CMe₃, CHMe₂, n-C₅H₁₁) are studied in benzene and tetrahydrofuran solutions by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The clusters in the solid state have a planar cyclic metal framework with pairs of the carbonyl and carboxylate ligands alternately coordinated on its sides. In solutions, compounds under consideration contain one-type carbonyl ligands and one-type carboxylate ligands; their structures are similar to thaso in the solid state.     

Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of trigonal symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>: Nanotubes

A method has been developed for the determination of the structure and number of atoms in the shells of nanoparticles as a function of the arrangement of atoms at the symmetry elements of a symmetry group. The formulas for calculation of the number of particles of symmetry D _3d have been reported. It has been shown that the number of atoms in trigonal shells is determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the quantum number of the group order n. All possible nanostructures of symmetry D _3d have been classified: C_{θ + 6z} , z = 0, 1, 2, ..., where the basic shells are C_θ = C₆, C₈, and C₁₄. A sum rule has been obtained for the coordination numbers of the shell sites located on symmetry axes. Trigonal nanoparticles are parent ones for obtaining (3,0), (6,0), and (9,0) nanotubes of trigonal type. The general formulas of these nanotubes with icosahedral, dodecahedral, and cubic caps are N_{8 + 12p} , N_{20 + 24p} , and N_{60 + 36p} (p = 1, 2, ...), respectively. The graphical constructions of all classes of trigonal nanoparticles and nanotubes are reported.     

Crystal Structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">DL</Emphasis>-Valinium Tetrafluoroantimonate(III) Monohydrate

The crystal structure of an antimony(III) fluoride complex of the composition (C₅H₁₂NO₂)SbF₄·H₂O (I) involving a cation of α-amino isovaleric acid (DL-valine, Val) is determined. Crystals are monoclinic: a = 12.2024(2) Å, b = 6.1636(1) Å, c = 15.5167(3) Å, Z = 4, space group P2₁/c. The structure is formed of DL-valinium (C₅H₁₂NO₂)⁺ cations, complex [SbF₄]_n^n? anions having a polymeric chain structure, and crystallization water molecules. The [SbF₄]_n^n? complex anions consist of trigonal SbF4E bipyramids joined together by asymmetric bridging Sb–F(3)···Sb bonds. The structural units are organized into a threedimensional framework via N–H···F, N–H···O, and O–H···F hydrogen bonds.     

Molecular mechanism of propane oxidative dehydrogenation on surface oxygen radical sites of VO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

Minimum energy pathways of propane oxidative dehydrogenation to propene and propanol on supported vanadium oxide catalyst VO _x /TiO₂ were studied by periodic discrete Fourier transform (DFT) using a surface oxygen radical as the active site. The propene formation pathway was shown to consist of two consecutive hydrogen abstraction steps. The first step includes C_β–H bond activation of propane followed by the formation of a surface hydroxyl group V–O _t H and a propyl radical n-C₃H₇. This step with the activation energy E* = 0.56 eV (54.1 kJ/mol) appears to be rate-determining. The second step involves the reaction of the bridging O _b oxygen atom with the methylene C–H bond of propyl radical n-C₃H₇ followed by the formation of a hydroxylated surface site HO _t –V⁴⁺–O _b H and propene. The initial steps of the C–H bond activation during propane conversion to propanol and propene by ODH on V⁵⁺–(O _t O _b )^? active sites are identical. The obtained results demonstrate that participation of surface oxygen radicals as the active sites of propane ODH makes it possible to explain relatively low activation energies observed for this reaction on the most active catalysts. The presence of very active radical species in low concentration seems to be the key factor for obtaining high selectivity.     

Comparison of Gasoline-Ranged <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Alkanes Conversions Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge: A Kinetic Study

Here, we compared the conversion of gasoline-ranged n-alkanes (C₆–C₉) using dielectric barrier discharge. For an energy density of ~68 J/L and an initial n-alkane concentration of ~230 ppm, when carbon number increased from 6 to 9, the energy efficiency of n-alkane conversion increased from 117 to 240 mmol/kWh, CO _x selectivity decreased from 46 to 20%, and ozone concentration increased from 216 to 240 ppm. The effect of energy density and initial n-alkane concentration were also investigated. The understanding of initial step of conversion was greatly aided by a proposed kinetic model. The pathways of consecutive reactions from the initiation to products were also discussed.     

Synthesis and structure of bis(1,2-diaminoethane) copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoate) monohydrate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-diaquabis(1,2-diaminoethane)copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzoate)

X-ray structural analysis has been performed for two complex compounds: Cu(en)₂(o-HB)₂H₂O (I) (a = 16.873(4) Å, b = 8.713(2) Å, c = 14.803(3) Å, β = 91.15(2)°, V = 2175.8(8) ų, C2/c, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.0263, 1516 reflections with I > 3σ (I)) and [Cu(en)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺(o-AB^?)₂ (II) (a = 7.488(5) Å, b = 22.122(8) Å, c = 7.856(5) Å, β = 118.77(2)°, V = 1140.7(11) ų, P2₁/n, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.0432, 1684 reflections with I > 3σ(I)) synthesized under identical conditions (en is ethylenediamine, o-HB is o-hydroxybenzoate, and o-AB is o-aminobenzoate). Although the compounds were assumed to have similar structures and the Cu-Lig bond lengths and the cis and trans angles are acceptable for an octahedral structure, the geometric parameters of o-HB suggest that the copper atom has a plane square environment.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a 1D coordination polymer [Cd(NITpPy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(N(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>)]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

A novel one-dimensional chain complex [Cd(NITpPy)₂(N(CN)₂)₂)] _n (NITpPy = 2-(4′-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) has been synthesized and characterized structurally. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P \(\bar 1\) with a = 7.1742(13), b = 9.4913(17), c = 13.208(2) Å, α = 71.020(2)°, β=87.308(2)°, γ = 70.503(2)°, V = 799.8(3) ų, C₂₈H₃₂CdN₁₂O₄, Mr = 713.06, Z = 1, ρ _c = 1.48 g/cm³, μ(MoK _α) = 0.736 mm^?1, F(000) = 364, R = 0.0275 and wR = 0.0605 for 2702 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). The crystal structure consists of infinite chains of [Cd(NITpPy)₂(N(CN)₂)₂)] units linked by dicyanamide anions [N(CN)₂]^?. Each Cd²⁺ ion is six-coordinated with the geometry of a distorted octahedron.     

Structural features of bismuth borates in the system <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The crystal structures of general composition nBi₂O₃-mB₂O₃ were analyzed and systematized with the use of the structures of borate groups. Based on the CNs calculated by the bond valence method, the shapes of bismuth coordination polyhedra derived from an octahedron were suggested. A correlation was found between the number of BO₃ triangles and BO₄ tetrahedra in borate groups, the average CN of Bi atoms, and the degree of distortion of Bi polyhedra as a function of the m: n ratio, as well as between the polarity of BO₄ tetrahedra and noncentrosymmetry of the structures. The role of Bi³⁺ with the active E pair in the manifestation of specific features of the forms of bismuth polyhedra and the types of connection of boron polyhedra was elucidated.