Heterobimetallic bismuth-transition metal salicylate complexes as molecular precursors for ferroelectric materials. Synthesis and structure of Bi(2)M(2)(sal)(4)(Hsal)(4)(OR) (4) (M = Nb,Ta; R = CH(2)CH(3), CH(CH(3))(2)), Bi(2)Ti(3)(sal)(8)(Hsal)(2), and Bi(2)Ti(4)(O(i)Pr)(sal)(10)(Hsal) (sal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-O; Hsal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-OH)

The reactions between triphenylbismuth, salicylic acid, and the metal alkoxides M(OCH(2)CH(3))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) or Ti[OCH(CH(3))(2)](4) have been investigated under different reaction conditions and in different stoichiometries. Six novel heterobimetallic bismuth alkoxy-carboxylate complexes have been synthesized in good yield as crystalline solids. These include Bi(2)M(2)(sal)(4)(Hsal)(4)(OR)(4) (M = Nb, Ta; R = CH(2)CH(3), CH(CH(3))(2)), Bi(2)Ti(3)(sal)(8)(Hsal)(2), and Bi(2)Ti(4)(O(i)Pr)(sal)(10)(Hsal) (sal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-O; Hsal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-OH). The complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds of the group V transition metals contain metal ratios appropriate for precursors of ferroelectric materials. The molecules exhibit excellent solubility in common organic solvents and good stability against unwanted hydrolysis. The nature of the thermal decomposition of the complexes has been explored by thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. We have shown that the complexes are converted to the corresponding oxide by heating in an oxygen atmosphere at 500 degrees C. The mass loss of the complexes, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis, and the resulting unit cell parameters of the oxides are consistent with the formation of the desired heterobimetallic oxide. The complexes decomposed to form the bismuth-rich phases Bi(4)Ti(3)O(12) and Bi(5)Nb(3)O(15) as well as the expected oxides BiMO(4) (M = Nb, Ta) and Bi(2)Ti(4)O(11).     

Novel 3D, 2D, and 0D first-row coordination compounds with 4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide incorporating sulfur-containing anions

The reaction of M(S2O6) (M = Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II)) with 4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide (bpdo) results in the formation of novel 3D, 2D, and mononuclear complexes. Complex 1, {[Cu(H2O)(bpdo)2](S2O6)(H2O)}n, is a 2-D wavelike polymer with the Cu(II) ion located on a 2-fold axis and having a distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere. With Co(II) and Ni(II), 3-D complexes, {[M(bpdo)3](S2O6)(C2H5OH)7}n [M = Co(II) (2), Ni(II) (3)], were obtained. The metal atoms are situated on centers of symmetry and have octahedral environments coordinated to six bpdo molecules. The same reaction in aqueous solution with a metal/ligand ratio of 1:1 results in the formation of mononuclear complexes, {[M(bpdo)(H2O)5](SO4)(H2O)2} [M = Co(II) (4), Ni(II) (5)], accompanied by the decomposition of the dithionate anions S2O6(2-) to sulfate anions SO4(2-).     

Oxidation of carbon monoxide on group 11 metal atoms: matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory study

Laser-ablated Cu, Ag, and Au atoms react with CO and O2 mixture in solid argon to produce carbonyl metal oxides, (O2)Cu(CO)(n) (n = 1, 2), (eta(1)-OO)MCO (M = Ag, Au), OCAuO2CO, and OAuCO, as well as group 11 metal carbonyls and oxides. These carbonyl metal oxides are characterized using infrared spectroscopy on the basis of the results of the isotopic substitution and the CO concentration change. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on these molecules. The identifications of these carbonyl metal oxides are confirmed by the good agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts. Carbon dioxide is eliminated from these carbonyl metal oxides upon UV irradiation, providing the evidence for the oxidation of carbon monoxide on group 11 metal atoms. The present experiments also reveal that the reactivity of copper toward CO is prior to O2, and the reactivity of silver toward O2 is prior to CO, whereas the reactivity of gold toward CO is comparable to O2.     

On the origin of alternating bond distortions and the emergence of chirality in polyoxometalate anions

Alternating short and long bond length (ABL) distortions observed within the ring structures of molecular metal oxide anions or polyoxometalates (POMs) are reminiscent of the cooperative linear ABL distortions in perovskite d(0) metal oxides. We show herein that these distortions have a common origin: a pseudo Jahn-Teller (PJT) vibronic instability. Four POM structural types with different M(n)O(n) ring sizes are investigated herein using density functional theoretical methods: Lindqvist [M6O19](q-) (n = 4), Keggin alpha-[XM12O40](q-) (n = 6), Wells-Dawson alpha-[X2M18O62](q-) (n = 8), and Preyssler [(Na)P5W30O110](14-) (n = 10), where M = Mo(VI) and W(VI) and X = Si(IV), Ge(IV), P(V), As(V), S(VI), and Se(VI). Chirality is induced within the latter three structural types by the ABL ring distortions. The calculations confirm the PJT vibronic origin of the ABL distortions with good agreement between calculated geometries and published single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Both theory and experiment show that the vibronic interaction and distortion magnitude increase for (1) molybdates relative to that of tungstates, (2) larger M(n)O(n) ring sizes, (3) increases in negative charge of the internalized fragments (O(2-) or XO4(q-)), and (4) d(0) versus d(n) metal oxidation states. The PJT vibronic coupling model explains these observations in terms of the energy gap between Kohn-Sham frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) concomitant with the propensity for metal-oxygen pi-bonding within the M(n)O(n) rings. The frontier MOs for the undistorted nuclear configurations are largely nonbonding pi-O(p) (occupied) and pi-M(d) (unoccupied) in character, where smaller HOMO-LUMO (H-L) gap energies lead to greater metal-oxygen pi-orbital mixing under the influence of the nuclear distortion. A reduction in pi-bond order decreases the distortion in mixed-valence POMs. Of the tungstates examined, only the Preyssler anion shows pronounced ABL ring distortions, which derive from its large ring size and concomitant small H-L gap.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of propylene with molecular oxygen over highly dispersed titanium, vanadium, and chromium oxides on silica

Photocatalytic oxidation of propylene with molecular oxygen at room temperature was investigated over various silica-supported metal oxides with low loading. The photocatalytic active site is assumed to be the isolated tetrahedrally coordinated metal oxides in the ligand-to-metal charge-transferred state, such as (Mdelta- -OLdelta+). Photocatalytic epoxidation of propylene into propylene oxide was promoted over silica-supported V and Ti oxides at steady state. Over silica-supported Cr oxide, the propylene oxide formation rate was remarkably decreased with the time course in the reaction. The oxidation state and the coordination environment of the supported Ti, V, and Cr oxide species were determined by diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy (DRS) and electron spin resonance (ESR). During the photocatalytic oxidation, the oxidation state of the Ti4+ species was not varied. On the other hand, the V5+ species was partially reduced to V4+ and the Cr6+ species was successively reduced to Cr5+ and Cr3+. An isotopic tracer study of the C3H6-18O2 reaction suggests the difference of the active oxygen species between TiO2/SiO2 and V2O5/SiO2. The active oxygen species on TiO2/SiO2 is derived from molecular oxygen. On the other hand, the photogenerated products on V2O5/SiO2 incorporate the lattice oxygen of the surface metal oxide species. It is suggested that the kinds of terminal ligand (hydroxyl or oxo) of the tetrahedrally coordinated metal oxides on silica decide the active oxygen species in the photocatalytic oxidation. A photoinduced hole center on the monohydroxyl (SiO)3Ti-OH species activates molecular oxygen that reacts with propylene. In the case of the monooxo (SiO)3V=O and dioxo (SiO)2Cr=O2 species, the photoactivated lattice oxygen (OL-) directly reacts with propylene.     

Formation and distribution of neutral vanadium, niobium, and tantalum oxide clusters: single photon ionization at 26.5 eV

Neutral vanadium, niobium, and tantalum oxide clusters are studied by single photon ionization employing a 26.5 eV/photon soft x-ray laser. During the ionization process the metal oxide clusters are almost free of fragmentation. The most stable neutral clusters of vanadium, niobium, and tantalum oxides are of the general form (MO2)0,1(M2O5)y. M2O5 is identified as a basic building unit for these three neutral metal oxide species. Each cluster family (Mm, m=1,...,9) displays at least one oxygen deficient and/or oxygen rich cluster stoichiometry in addition to the above most stable species. For tantalum and niobium families with even m, oxygen deficient clusters have the general formula (MO2)2(M2O5)y. For vanadium oxide clusters, oxygen deficient clusters are detected for all cluster families Vm (m=1,[ellipsis (horizontal)],9), with stable structures (VO2)x(V2O5)y. Oxygen rich metal oxide clusters with high ionization energies (IE>10.5 eV, 118 nm photon) are detected with general formulas expressed as (MO2)2 (M2O5)y O1,2,3. Oxygen rich clusters, in general, have up to three attached hydrogen atoms, such as VO3H1,2, V2O5H1,2, Nb2O5H1,2, etc.     

Stoichiometric and oxygen-rich M2O(n)- and M2O(n) (M = Nb, Ta; n = 5-7) clusters: molecular models for oxygen radicals, diradicals, and superoxides

We investigated the structures and bonding of two series of early transition-metal oxide clusters, M(2)O(n)(-) and M(2)O(n) (M = Nb, Ta; n = 5-7) using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and density-functional theory (DFT). The stoichiometric M(2)O(5) clusters are found to be closed shell with large HOMO-LUMO gaps, and their electron affinities (EAs) are measured to be 3.33 and 3.71 eV for M = Nb and Ta, respectively; whereas EAs for the oxygen-rich clusters are found to be much higher: 5.35, 5.25, 5.28, and 5.15 eV for Nb(2)O(6), Nb(2)O(7), Ta(2)O(6), and Ta(2)O(7), respectively. Structural searches at the B3LYP level yield triplet and doublet ground states for the oxygen-rich neutral and anionic clusters, respectively. Spin density analyses reveal oxygen radical, diradical, and superoxide characters in the oxygen-rich clusters. The M(2)O(7)(-) and M(2)O(7) clusters, which can be viewed to be formed by M(2)O(5)(-/0) + O(2), are utilized as molecular models to understand dioxygen activation on M(2)O(5)(-) and M(2)O(5) clusters. The O(2) adsorption energies on the stoichiometric M(2)O(5) neutrals are shown to be surprisingly high (1.3-1.9 eV), suggesting strong capabilities to activate O(2) by structural defects in Nb and Ta oxides. The PES data also provides valuable benchmarks for various density functionals (B3LYP, BP86, and PW91) for the Nb and Ta oxides.     

铈基与钴基Co3O4-CeO2氧载体上甲烷化学链转化特性: 产物选择性控制

采用水热法制备了Co₃O₄/CeO₂(x)[x为钴铈原子摩尔比n(Co):n(Ce)=6:49:1]和Ce_1-yCo_yO_2-δ(y=0.10.4)2个系列复合氧化物, 并表征了材料的物理化学性质, 考察了这些氧化物作为氧载体参与甲烷化学链转化(化学链燃烧和化学链部分氧化)的反应性能. 结果表明, 2类复合氧化物的甲烷反应活性均明显优于单一氧化物CeO₂或Co₃O₄, 但2类氧载体上的甲烷反应产物的选择性具有明显差异. Ce_1-yCo_yO_2-δ氧载体形成了Ce-Co-O固溶体, 储氧能力明显增强, 体相晶格氧迁移速率与甲烷活化速率匹配较好, 甲烷反应产物以CO和H₂的合成气为主, 有利于甲烷的化学链部分氧化. Co₃O₄/CeO₂(x)氧载体中CeO₂与Co₃O₄之间的相互作用改善了材料的储氧能力和氧化活性, 其与甲烷反应时主要生成CO₂, 有利于甲烷化学链燃烧. 连续性化学链循环实验表明, 2类氧载体均具有较好的再生性能和循环稳定性.     

Photodissociation of vanadium, niobium, and tantalum oxide cluster cations

Transition-metal oxide clusters of the form M(n)O(m) (+)(M=V,Nb,Ta) are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed nozzle cluster source and detected with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Consistent with earlier work, cluster oxides for each value of n produce only a limited number of stoichiometries, where m>n. The cluster cations are mass selected and photodissociated using the second (532 nm) or third (355 nm) harmonic of a Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser. All of these clusters require multiphoton conditions for dissociation, consistent with their expected strong bonding. Dissociation occurs by either elimination of oxygen or by fission, repeatedly producing clusters having the same specific stoichiometries. In oxygen elimination, vanadium species tend to lose units of O(2), whereas niobium and tantalum lose O atoms. For each metal increment n, oxygen elimination proceeds until a terminal stoichiometry is reached. Clusters having this stoichiometry do not eliminate more oxygen, but rather undergo fission, producing smaller M(n)O(m) (+) species. The smaller clusters produced as fission products represent the corresponding terminal stoichiometries for those smaller n values. The terminal stoichiometries identified are the same for V, Nb, and Ta oxide cluster cations. This behavior suggests that these clusters have stable bonding networks at their core, but additional excess oxygen at their periphery. These combined results determine that M(2)O(4) (+), M(3)O(7) (+), M(4)O(9) (+), M(5)O(12) (+), M(6)O(14) (+), and M(7)O(17) (+) have the greatest stability for V, Nb, and Ta oxide clusters.     

Probing the electronic structure of early transition-metal oxide clusters: polyhedral cages of (V2O5)n(-) (n = 2-4) and (M2O5(2)(-) (M = Nb, Ta)

Vanadium oxide clusters, (V2O5)n, have been predicted to possess interesting polyhedral cage structures, which may serve as ideal molecular models for oxide surfaces and catalysts. Here we examine the electronic properties of these oxide clusters via anion photoelectron spectroscopy for (V2O5)n(-) (n = 2-4), as well as for the 4d/5d species, Nb4O10(-) and Ta4O10(-). Well-resolved photoelectron spectra have been obtained at 193 and 157 nm and used to compare with density functional calculations. Very high electron affinities and large HOMO-LUMO gaps are observed for all the (V2O5)n clusters. The HOMO-LUMO gaps of (V2O5)n, all exceeding that of the band gap of the bulk oxide, are found to increase with cluster size from n = 2-4. For the M4O10 clusters, we find that the Nb/Ta species yield similar spectra, both possessing lower electron affinities and larger HOMO-LUMO gaps relative to V4O10. The structures of the anionic and neutral clusters are optimized; the calculated electron binding energies and excitation spectra for the global minimum cage structures are in good agreement with the experiment. Evidence is also observed for the predicted trend of electron delocalization versus localization in the (V2O5)n(-) clusters. Further insights are provided pertaining to the potential chemical reactivities of the oxide clusters and properties of the bulk oxides.     

Photodissociation of yttrium and lanthanum oxide cluster cations

Transition metal oxide cations of the form M n O m (+) (M = Y, La) are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed nozzle source and detected with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Cluster oxides for each value of n form only a limited number of stoichiometries; MO(M2O3)x(+) species are particularly intense. Cluster cations are mass selected and photodissociated using the third harmonic (355 nm) of a Nd:YAG laser. Multiphoton excitation is required to dissociate these clusters because of their strong bonding. Yttrium and lanthanum oxides exhibit different dissociation channels, but some common trends can be identified. Larger clusters for both metals undergo fission to make certain stable cation clusters, especially MO(M2O3) x (+) species. Specific cations are identified to be especially stable because of their repeated production in the decomposition of larger clusters. These include M3O4(+), M5O7(+), M7O10(+), and M9O13(+), along with Y6O8(+). Density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the relative stabilities and structures of these systems.     

Au <--> N synergy and N-doping of metal oxide-based photocatalysts

N-doping of titania makes photocatalytic activity possible for the splitting of water, and other reactions, under visible light. Here, we show from both theory and experiment that Au preadsorption on TiO2 surfaces significantly increases the reachable amount of N implanted in the oxide. The stabilization of the embedded N is due to an electron transfer from the Au 6s levels toward the N 2p levels, which also increases the Au-surface adhesion energy. Theoretical calculations predict that Au can also stabilize embedded N in other metal oxides with photocatalytic activity, such as SrTiO3 and ZnO, producing new states above the valence band or below the conduction band of the oxide. In experiments, the Au/TiN(x)O(2-y) system was found to be more active for the dissociation of water than TiO2, Au/TiO2, or TiO(2-y). Furthermore, the Au/TiN(x)O(2-y) surfaces were able to catalyze the production of hydrogen through the water-gas shift reaction (WGS) at elevated temperatures (575-625 K), displaying a catalytic activity superior to that of pure copper (the most active metal catalysts for the WGS) or Cu nanoparticles supported on ZnO.     

OH functionality of germanium(II) compounds for the formation of heterobimetallic oxides

Two novel germanium(II) mu-oxo heterobimetallic oxides with different oxidation states at the metal centers have been reported. The reaction of LGeOH [L = N(Ar)C(Me)CHC(Me)N(Ar) (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3))] with Cp(2)MMe(2) (M = Zr, Hf) in Et(2)O afforded LGeOM(Me)Cp(2) [M = Zr (2), Hf (3)] in moderate yield. Compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, EI-MS, and single X-ray structural analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 crystallized in the space group P, and the geometry at the metal centers is tetrahedral. The Ge-O bond lengths of 2 and 3 are very similar (1.797(2) and 1.799(3) Angstroms, respectively), and a bent M-O-M' angle in 2 (143.8(1) degrees) and 3 (141.9(2) degrees) features both oxide systems. Different orientations of the Cp and Me groups of the metal centers were observed, and deviations of the Cp groups were exhibited.     

Hot-injection synthesis of iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles for T2 contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging

Here we report a new, bench-top synthesis for iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles via the thermal decomposition of Fe(η(5)-C(6)H(3)Me(4))(2). The iron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles are superparamagnetic at room temperature and show improved negative contrast in T(2)-weighted MR imaging compared to pure iron oxides nanoparticles, and have a transverse relaxivity (r(2)) of 332 mM(-1) s(-1).     

Non-interpenetrating transition metal diorganophosphate 2-dimensional rectangular grids from their 1-dimensional wires: structural transformations under mild conditions

The manganese, cobalt, and cadmium complexes [M(dtbp)2]n (M = Mn (1) and Co 2) and [Cd(dtbp)2(H2O)]n (3) (dtbp = di-tert-butyl phosphate), which exist as one-dimensional molecular wires, transform to non-interpenetrating rectangular grids [M(dtbp)2(bpy)2.2H2O]n (M = Mn (4), Co (5), and Cd (6)) by the addition of 4,4-bipyridine (bpy) at room temperature. Products 4-6 have also been prepared by a room-temperature reaction or by solvothermal synthesis in methanol through a direct reaction between the metal acetate, di-tert-butyl phosphate, and 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) in a 1:2:2 molar ratio. Single-crystal X-ray structure determination of 4-6 shows that these compounds are composed of octahedral transition metal ions woven into a two-dimensional grid structure with the help of bpy spacer ligands. The axial coordination sites at the metal are occupied by bulky unidentate dtbp ligands, which prevent any interpenetration of the individual grids. The change of reaction conditions from solvothermal to hydrothermal, for the attempted synthesis of a magnesium grid structure, however leads to the isolation of an organic phosphate [(H2bpy)(H2PO4)2] (7) and an inorganic phosphate [Mg(HPO4)(OH2)3] (8). Compound 7 can also be prepared quantitatively from a direct reaction between bpy and H3PO4. The new organic phosphate 7 is a unique example of a phosphate material with alternating layers of [H2bpy]2+ cations and [H2PO4]- anions that are held together by hydrogen bonds. Solid-state thermal decomposition of 4-6 produced the respective metaphosphate materials [M(PO3)2] (M = Mn (9), Co (10), and Cd (11)). All new metal-organic phosphates have been characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis (TGA, DTA, DSC), and IR and NMR spectroscopy. The metaphosphate ceramic materials were characterized by IR spectral and powder X-ray diffraction studies.     

过渡金属二取代三元杂多酸盐的制备和表征

在水中由Na2 WO4 ·2H2 O ,Na2 MoO4 ·2H2 O和KH2 PO4 ·2H2 O反应生成具有半Dawson结构的钨钼混配杂多阴离子Na9PW6Mo3O34 ·1 0H2 O。以阴离子和过渡金属硝酸盐为原料在水溶液中合成了一系列过渡金属二取代的具有Keggin结构的杂多酸四丁基铵盐 [TBA]4 Hn[PW7Mo3M2 O38(H2 O) 2 ]·C3H6O(n =1 ,M =Fe3+;n =3,M =Mn2 +,Co2 +,Ni2 +,Cu2 +) ,用元素分析和波谱进行了表征。     

Direct thermal decomposition of metal nitrates in octadecylamine to metal oxide nanocrystals

We have developed a method for the synthesis of metal oxide nanocrystals with controllable shape and size, which is based on the direct thermal decomposition of metal nitrates in octadecylamine. Mn3O4 nanoparticles and nanorods with different lengths were synthesized by using manganese nitrate as the decomposition material. Other metal oxide nanocrystals such as NiO, ZnO, CeO2, CoO, and Co3O4 were also prepared by this method. These nanocrystals were then assembled into 3D colloidal spheres by a surfactant-assisted self-assembly process. Subsequently, calcination was carried out to remove the surfactants to obtain mesoporous metal oxides, which show large pores, good crystallization, thermally stable pore mesostructures, and potential applications in various fields, especially in catalysis and lithium-ion batteries.     

Fe3O4 and gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles for the adsorption of Co2+ from aqueous solution

The adsorption of Co2+ ions from nitrate solutions using iron oxide nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) has been studied. The adsorption of Co2+ ions on the surface of the particles was investigated under different conditions of oxide content, contact time, solution pH, and initial Co2+ ion concentration. It has been found that the equilibrium can be attained in less than 5 min. The maximum loading capacity of Fe3O4 and gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles is 5.8 x 10(-5) and 3.7 x 10(-5) mol m(-2), respectively, which are much higher than the previously studied, iron oxides and conventional ion exchange resins. Co2+ ions were also recovered by dilute nitric acid from the loaded gamma-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 with an efficiency of 86 and 30%, respectively. That has been explained by the different mechanisms by including both the surface and structural loadings of Co2+ ions. The surface adsorption of Co2+ on Fe3O4 and gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles has been found to have the same mechanism of ion exchange reaction between Co2+ in the solution and proton bonded on the particle surface. The conditional equilibrium constants of surface adsorption of Co2+ on Fe3O4 and gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have been determined to be log K=-3.3+/-0.3 and -3.1+/-0.2, respectively. The structural loading of Co2+ ions into Fe3O4 lattice has been found to be the ion exchange reaction between Co2+ and Fe2+ while that into gamma-Fe2O3 lattice to fill its vacancy. The effect of temperature on the adsorption of Co2+ was also investigated, and the value of enthalpy change was determined to be 19 kJ mol(-1).     

Synthesis and characterization of metal-organic frameworks based on 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid ligands

The self-assembly of 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H(3)CAM) and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2PDA) with Zn(II) salts under hydrothermal conditions gave two novel coordination polymers {[Zn(HCAM)].H2O}n (1) and {[Zn(PDA)(H2O)(1.5)]}n (1a). 1 and 1a comprise of a 2D (4,4) net and a 1D zigzag chain, respectively, in which a new coordination mode of PDA is found. The reactions of H(3)CAM and H2PDA with Nd2O3 in the M/L ratio 2:3 gave {[Nd2(HCAM)3(H2O)4].2H2O}n (2) and {[Nd(2)(PDA)3(H2O)(3)].0.5H2O}n (2a). In 2, a square motif as a building block constructed by four Nd(III) ions was further assembled into a highly ordered 2D (4,4) grid. 2a is a 3D microporous coordination polymer. It is interesting to note that, when Ln(III) salts rather than oxides were employed, the reaction produced {[Ln(CAM)(H2O)3].H2O}n (Ln = Gd, 3; Dy, 4; Er, 5) for H(3)CAM and {[Gd2(PDA)3(H2O)3].H2O}n (3a) for H2PDA. 3-5 are 2D coordination polymers with a 3(3)4(2) uniform net, where hydroxyl groups of H3CAM coordinate with metal ions. The reaction of H3CAM and Er2O3 instead of Er(ClO4)3 produced {[Er2(HCAM)3(H2O)4].2H2O}n (6). The compounds 2a and 3a, 2 and 6 are isomorphous. The stereochemical and supramolecular effects of hydroxyl groups result in the dramatic structural changes from 1D (1a) to 2D (1) and from 2D (2) to 3D (2a). When Ln(III) salts instead of Ln2O3 were employed in the hydrothermal reactions with H(3)CAM, different self-assembly processes gave the products of different metal/ligand ratio with reactants (3-5).     

Experimental and theoretical studies of reactions of neutral vanadium and tantalum oxide clusters with NO and NH3

Reactions of neutral vanadium and tantalum oxide clusters with NO, NH(3), and an NO/NH(3) mixture in a fast flow reactor are investigated by time of flight mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Single photon ionization through a 46.9 nm (26.5 eV) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) laser is employed to detect both neutral cluster distributions and reaction products. Association products VO(3)NO and V(2)O(5)NO are detected for V(m)O(n) clusters reacting with pure NO, and reaction products, TaO(3,4)(NO)(1,2), Ta(2)O(5)NO, Ta(2)O(6)(NO)(1-3), and Ta(3)O(8)(NO)(1,2) are generated for Ta(m)O(n) clusters reacting with NO. In both instances, oxygen-rich clusters are the active metal oxide species for the reaction M(m)O(n)+NO→M(m)O(n)(NO)(x). Both V(m)O(n) and Ta(m)O(n) cluster systems are very active with NH(3). The main products of the reactions with NH(3) result from the adsorption of one or two NH(3) molecules on the respective clusters. A gas mixture of NO:NH(3) (9:1) is also added into the fast flow reactor: the V(m)O(n) cluster system forms stable, observable clusters with only NH(3) and no V(m)O(n)(NO)(x)(NH(3))(y) species are detected; the Ta(m)O(n) cluster system forms stable, observable mixed clusters, Ta(m)O(n)(NO)(x)(NH(3))(y), as well as Ta(m)O(n)(NO)(x) and Ta(m)O(n)(NH(3))(y) individual clusters, under similar conditions. The mechanisms for the reactions of neutral V(m)O(n) and Ta(m)O(n) clusters with NO/NH(3) are explored via DFT calculations. Ta(m)O(n) clusters form stable complexes based on the coadsorption of NO and NH(3). V(m)O(n) clusters form weakly bound complexes following the reaction pathway toward end products N(2)+H(2)O without barrier. The calculations give an interpretation of the experimental data that is consistent with the condensed phase reactivity of V(m)O(n) catalyst and suggest the formation of intermediates in the catalytic chemistry.