Bi2−xLnxWO6: a novel layered structure type related to the Aurivillius phases

The crystal structure of Bi_0.7Yb_1.3WO₆ (a representative of the isomorphous series Bi_2−xLn_xWO₆; 0.3<x<1.3, for most lanthanides) has been determined. Contrary to previous suggestions, this structure type (space group A2; a=8.1070(3) Å, b=3.7048(2) Å, c=15.8379(8) Å, β=103.548(4)°) contains layers of stoichiometry WO₄, containing WO₆ octahedra sharing both edges and corners. These layers alternate with fluorite-like (Bi/Yb)₂O₂ sheets; this is a novel and unexpected arrangement and contrasts dramatically with the purely corner-sharing octahedral WO₄-layer in the parent Aurivillius phase Bi₂WO₆.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cobalt(III) anionic complexes with chiral pyruvylaminoacid oximes and metal–ligand interactions in aqueous solution

A series of cobalt(III) anionic complexes with hydroxyimino analogs of dipeptides – oximes of pyruvylglycine, pyruvyl-l-alanine, pyruvyl-l-methionine and pyruvyl-l-phenylalanine (H₂pamaco, amac = amino acid) of composition Cat₃[Co(H₋₁pamaco)₂] · nH₂O (Cat – a monovalent metal cation) has been synthesized and investigated by UV–Vis, CD and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It was established that for the two latter ligands, non-racemic mixtures of two diastereomeric complexes were formed as a result of synthesis. In comparison with the complex containing pyruvyl-l-alanine, in which the relative content of R (C₂) and S (C₂) isomers is approximately equal, the presence of bulky substituents in the molecules of Met- and Phe-containing ligands results in a significant discrimination in formation of the S (C₂) isomer. This conclusion was drawn upon analysis of the CD and NMR spectral data as well as from molecular modeling. The relative content of the diastereomers was evaluated on the basis of NMR data. The protonation constants of the ligands have been determined in aqueous solution by glass electrode potentiometry, whereas their interactions with Co(II) were studied both under argon and oxygen atmosphere.     

A new molecular precursor route for the synthesis of Bi-Y, Y-Nb and Bi-doped Y-Nb oxides at moderate temperatures

Yttrium-based multimetallic oxides containing bismuth and/or niobium were prepared by a method starting from pre-isolated stable water-soluble precursors which are complexes with the ethylenediaminetetraacetate ligand (edta). The cubic Bi_1−xY_xO_1.5 (x=0.22, 0.25 and 0.3) and Y₃NbO₇ oxides were obtained in a pure form in a range of moderate temperatures (600-650 °C). This preparation method also allowed to stabilize at room temperature, without quenching, the tetragonal YNbO₄ oxide in a distorted form (T′-phase) by calcining the precursor at 800 °C. When heated up to 1000 °C, this metastable T′-phase transforms into the metastable “high-temperature” T oxide, which converts on cooling down to room temperature into the thermodynamically stable monoclinic M oxide. Doping the YNbO₄ oxide with Bi³⁺ cations (0.5% and 1% Bi with respect to total Bi+Y amount) led at 800 °C to a mixture of the T′-phase and the thermodynamically stable monoclinic one. At 900 °C, the almost pure monoclinic structure was obtained.     

A one-pot synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines

A one-pot synthesis of the 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline core from substituted 2-iodoanilines and 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrole was achieved using 10 mol % Pd(PPh₃)₄, and K₂CO₃ in 1,4-dioxane at 170 °C for 1 h in a microwave oven. This reaction can be carried out on a gram scale. The proposed mechanism involves a Heck-coupling reaction followed by intra-molecular Schiff base formation and double bond migration.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characteristics of 3-D hydrated bismuth oxalate coordination polymers with open-channel structure

Two new 3-D porous bismuth coordination polymers, (C₅NH₆)₂[Bi₂(H₂O)₂(C₂O₄)₄]·2H₂O 1 and (NH₄)[Bi(C₂O₄)₂]·3H₂O 2, have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry, P2₁/c space group with a=10.378(2) Å, b=17.285(3) Å, c=16.563(5) Å, α=90°, β=119.66(2)°, γ=90°, V=2581.8(10) Å³, Z=4, R₁=0.0355 and wR₂=0.0658 for unique 4713 reflections I >2σ(I). Compound 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal symmetry, I4₁/amd space group with a=11.7026(17) Å, b=11.7026(17) Å, c=9.2233(18) Å, α=90°, β=90°, γ=90°, V=1263.1(4) Å³, Z=32, R₁=0.0208 and wR₂=0.0518 for unique 359 reflections I> 2σ(I). Compounds 1 and 2 are 3-D open-framework structures with a 6⁶ uniform net, which consist of honeycomb-like layers connected to each other by oxalate units. While different guest molecules fill in their cavities of honeycomb-like layers, study of ultrasonic treatment on 2 indicates the replacement of NH₄⁺ by K⁺ on potassium ion exchange. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the open-channel frameworks are thermally stable up to 200 °C, and other characterizations are also described by elemental analysis, IR and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectionintegral spectrum (UV-Vis DRIS).     

l-Proline catalyzed efficient and convenient synthesis of substituted 2H-chromenes by three-component reaction

A convenient and efficient method is described for the synthesis of alkoxy substituted 2H-chromens by l-proline catalyzed reaction of salicylaldehydes with diketone in alcohol. The method is applicable for various substituted salicylaldehydes and aliphatic as well as benzylic alcohols.     

Complex formation of crown ethers with cations in the (water + organic solvent) mixtures: Part IX. Thermodynamics of interactions of Na ion with benzo-15-crown-5 ether in {(1 − x)DMA + xH2O} at T = 298.15 K

The thermodynamic functions of complex formation of benzo-15-crown-5 ether with sodium cation in {(1 − x)DMA + xH₂O} at T = 298.15 K have been calculated. The equilibrium constants of complex formation of benzo-15-crown-5 ether with sodium cation have been determined by conductivity measurements. The enthalpic effect of complex formation has been measured by calorimetric method at T = 298.15 K. The complexes are enthalpy stabilized and entropy destabilized. A simple model has been proposed to describe the relationship between the thermodynamic functions of complex formation of crown ethers with sodium cation and the structural and energetic properties of the mixed water-organic solvent. The linear enthalpy-entropy relationship for complex formation is also presented. The solvation enthalpy of the complex in {(1 − x)DMA + xH₂O} is discussed.     

An ecofriendly approach to the synthesis of 2-imino- and 2-oxo-3-phenylsulfonyl-2H-chromenes

An efficient synthesis for 2-imino-3-phenylsulfonyl-2H-chromenes was developed from the Knoevenagel condensation of (phenylsulfonyl)acetonitrile and salicylaldehydes in aqueous sodium carbonate solution, at room temperature. Hydrolysis in aqueous HCl, at 80 °C, led to the formation of the corresponding 2-oxo-3-phenylsulfonyl-2H-chromenes, also isolated in excellent yields.     

H2S sensing properties of nanocrystalline Sr2FeO.6NiO.4MoO6 thick film prepared by sol-gel citrate method

Nanocrystalline Sr₂FeMoO₆ (SFMO) belonging to the group of double perovskite oxides, was prepared by the sol-gel citrate method. The structural and microstructural characterization has been carried out with the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. XRD of Sr₂Fe_1−xNi_xMoO₆ (SFNMO) shows the formation of solid solution with average grain size of about 40 nm. A comparative study of gas sensing behaviour of Sr₂FeMoO₆ and Sr₂Fe_1−xNi_xMoO₆ with reducing gases like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), hydrogen (H₂), ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and carbon monoxide (CO) were also discussed. The sensitivity is calculated by measuring the change the resistance of the sensor material in the presence of gas. Among the different composition of x (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5), Sr₂Fe_0.6Ni_0.4MoO₆ (x = 0.4) shows better response to H₂S gas at 260 °C. Incorporation of palladium (Pd) improves the gas response, selectivity, response time and reduced the operating temperature from 260 to 220 °C for H₂S gas.     

A new approach to the synthesis of oligomers. Application to the synthesis of p-phenylene thioether wires

Oligothioethers 4-RC₆H₄(SC₆H₄-4)_nX (n = 1-3; X = Br, I; R = NO₂; X = Br; R = MeO. n = 1 and 2; X = I; R = MeO. n = 4; X = Br; R = NO₂) have been prepared through a process involving (i) palladium-catalyzed C-S coupling between 4-RC₆H₄(SC₆H₄-4)_n−1I and 4-BrC₆H₄SH to give 4-RC₆H₄(SC₆H₄-4)_nBr and (ii) copper-catalyzed replacement of Br by I.     

BF3·OEt2-catalyzed synthesis of 1-(tetrahydropyran-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran and trans-fused hexahydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene derivatives

A novel intramolecular Prins cyclization of (E)-5-(2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)pent-4-en-1-ol with aldehydes has been achieved using 10 mol % BF₃·Et₂O to produce 1-(tetrahydropyran-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran derivatives in good to excellent yields with high selectivity. Similar type of coupling with salicylaldehydes provides the trans-fused hexahydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene derivatives in excellent yields.     

Designed synthesis of metal-organic frameworks containing gold(I) cations supported in phosphazene-phosphine polymeric matrices

The reaction of the polyphosphazenes {[NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]_1−x[NP(OC₆H₄PPh₂)₂]_x}_n, x = 0.15 (1a), 0.25 (1b), 0.35 (1c), with [Au(THT)Cl] (THT = tetrahydrothiophene) in dichloromethane gave the polymers {[NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]_1−x[NP(OC₆H₄PPh₂AuCl)₂]_x}_n, x = 0.15, (2a), 0.25 (2b), 0.35 (2c), respectively. The reaction of (1a) with [Au(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ in refluxing THF led to the replacement of the PPh₃ ligands giving a metal-organic framework of idealized formula {[NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]_1−x[NP(OC₆H₄PPh₂)₂(AuPF₆)_0.5]_x}_n, x = 0.15, (3a), 0.25 (3b) containing cationic [-Ph₂P-Au⁺-PPh₂-] cross-linking sites. The insoluble polymeric matrix (3a), having pendant PPh₂ groups, was reacted with [Au(THT)Cl] to give the new polymeric framework of composition {[NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]_0.85[NP(OC₆H₄PPh₂)₂(AuPF₆)_0.5(AuCl)_0.5]_0.15}_n (4).     

Aromaticity in azlactone anions and its significance for the Erlenmeyer synthesis

Azlactone anions—the key intermediates in the classical Erlenmeyer synthesis of amino acids—apparently possess aromatic stabilization, as indicated by the relative rate of base catalyzed deuterium exchange in the following analogs: 1-methyl-2-phenyl-5(4H)-imidazolone > 2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolone (azlactone) > 3,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4(3H)-pyrrolone. This is paralleled by the relative rate of condensation of these compounds with hexadeuteroacetone. Reported pK_a data also suggest that the azlactone products of the Erlenmeyer synthesis are analogs of the fulvenes.     

Excess molar enthalpies of the ternary mixtures (1-hexene + tetrahydrofuran or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran + methyl tert-butyl ether) at the temperature 298.15 K

Microcalorimetric measurements of excess enthalpies at the temperature T = 298.15 K are reported for the binary mixture, (x₁C₆H₁₂ + x₂C₄H₈O) and the two ternary mixtures {x₁C₆H₁₂ + x₂(C₄H₈O or C₅H₁₀O) + x₃(C₅H₁₂O)}. Smooth representations of the results are presented and used to construct constant excess molar enthalpy contours on Roozeboom diagrams. It is shown that good estimates of the ternary enthalpies can be obtained from the Liebermann and Fried model, using only the physical properties of the components and their binary mixtures.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal substituted AlxCr1−x(acetylacetonate)3 single-source precursors for their application to MOCVD of thin films

A detailed study, involving the synthesis of a single-source precursor containing two metal ions sharing the same crystallographic site, has been undertaken to elucidate the use of such a single-source precursor in a CVD process for growing thin films of oxides comprising these two metals, ensuring a uniform composition and distribution of metal ions. The substituted complexes Cr_1−xAl_x(acac)₃, where acac = acetylacetonate, have been prepared by a co-synthesis method, and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TGA/DTA measurements, and single crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature. All the studied compositions crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 in the unit cell. It was observed that the ratio (Al:Cr) of the site occupancy for the metal ions, obtained from single crystal refinement, is in agreement with the results obtained from complexometric titrations. All the solid state structures have the metal in an octahedral environment forming six-membered chelate rings. M–O acac bond lengths and disorder in the terminal carbon have been studied in detail for these substituted metal–organic complexes. One composition among these was chosen to evaluate their suitability as a single-source precursor in a LPMOCVD process (low-pressure metal–organic chemical vapour deposition) for the deposition of a substituted binary metal oxide thin film. The resulting thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy.     

Enthalpy of mixing in 0.8[xB2O3-(1 − x)P2O5]-0.2Na2O glasses at 298 K

0.8[xB₂O₃-(1 − x)P₂O₅]-0.2Na₂O (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) glasses have been characterized by solution calorimetry at 298 K in acid solvent. The experimental data showed a strong negative departure of the enthalpy of mixing from the ideality described by the equation (in kJ/mol): ΔH = x(1 − x)(−660.2 + 570x). The results were interpreted on the basis of the structural data. Enthalpies of mixing were consistent with sub-regular solution behaviour.     

New protonic solid electrolyte with tetragonal tungsten bronze structure obtained through ionic exchange

Proton exchange reactions have been performed on tetragonal tungsten bronze-like NaNbWO₆ by using nitric acid as an exchanging agent. The characterization of the exchange reaction products has been made by means of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The exchange reaction takes place topotactically and the following formula is proposed for the obtained phase of variable composition: Na_1−xH_xNbWO₆·yH₂O (0<x?0.46 and 0?y?0.12). Impedance spectroscopy on the present proton exchanged samples indicated that these samples behaved as solid electrolytes under high humidity. As an example, the compound with the composition Na_0.68H_0.32NbWO₆·0.1 H₂O exhibits ionic conductivity of 8×10⁻³ and 1×10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 70°C and 90°C, respectively.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structures of two novel chain-like heteropolymolybdate formed by Keggin cluster units

Two novel heteropolymolybdate, [H₂bpy]₂ [Hbpy] [PCuMo₁₁O₃₉]·H₂O 1 and [H₂bpy]₂ [Hbpy] [PZnMo₁₁O₃₉]·2.75H₂O 2, have been prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n (No. 14) with a=13.440(3) Å, b=26.660(5) Å, c=15.240(3) Å, β=99.55(3)°, and Z=4 for the compound 1, and a=13.610(3) Å, b=26.781(5) Å, c=15.205(3) Å, β=100.40(3)°, and Z=4 for the compound 2. Compound 1 and 2 exhibit a zigzag chain structure in which Keggin anions are connected through a common oxygen atom. They are the first characterized compounds containing 1D chains of transition-metal substituted Keggin heteropolymolybdate. Other characterizations by elemental analysis, IR, EPR, TG, and XRPD are also described.     

Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of LiNO3-Al2O3 composite solid electrolyte

Composite solid electrolytes in the system (1 − x)LiNO₃-xAl₂O₃, with x = 0.0-0.5 were synthesized by sol-gel method. The synthesis carried out at low temperature resulted in voluminous and fluffy products. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and AC impedance spectroscopy. Structural analysis of the samples showed base centred cell type of point lattice of LiNO₃ for the composite samples with x = 0.1-0.2 and body centred cell for the sample with x = 0.3. A trace amount of α-LiAlO₂ crystal phase was also present in these composite samples. The thermal analysis showed that the samples were in a stable phase between 48 °C and 230-260 °C. Morphological analysis indicated the presence of amorphous phase and particles with sizes ranging from micro to nanometre scale for the composite sample with x = 0.1. The conductivities of the composites were in the order of 10⁻³ and 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at room temperature and 150 °C, respectively.     

Series of compositions Bi2(M′xM1−x)4O9 (M′, M=Al, Ga, Fe; 0≤x≤1) with mullite-type crystal structure: Synthesis, characterization and O/O exchange experiment

Series of compositions Bi₂(M′_xM_1−x)₄O₉ with x=0.0, 0.1,…, 1.0 and M′/M=Ga/Al, Fe/Al and Fe/Ga were synthesized by dissolving appropriate amounts of corresponding metal nitrate hydrates in glycerine, followed by gelation, calcination and final heating at 800 °C for 24 h. The new compositions with M′/M=Ga/Al form solid-solution series, which are isotypes to the two other series M′/M=Fe/Al and Fe/Ga. The XRD data analysis yielded in all cases a linear dependence of the lattice parameters related on x. Rietveld structure refinements of the XRD patterns of the new compounds, Bi₂(Ga_xAl_1−x)₄O₉ reveal a preferential occupation of Ga in tetrahedral site (4 h). The IR absorption spectra measured between 50 and 4000 cm⁻¹ of all systems show systematic shifts in peak positions related to the degree of substitution. Samples treated in ¹⁸O₂ atmosphere (16 h at 800 °C, 200 mbar, 95% ¹⁸O₂) for ¹⁸O/¹⁶O isotope exchange experiments show a well-separated IR absorption peak related to the M-¹⁸O_c-M vibration, where O_c denotes the common oxygen of two tetrahedral type MO₄ units. The intensity ratio of M-¹⁸O_c/M-¹⁶O_c IR absorption peaks and the average crystal sizes were used to estimate the tracer diffusion coefficients of polycrystalline Bi₂Al₄O₉ (D=2×10⁻²² m²s⁻¹), Bi₂Fe₄O₉ (D=5×10⁻²¹ m²s⁻¹), Bi₂(Ga/Al)₄O₉ (D=2×10⁻²¹ m²s⁻¹) and Bi₂Ga₄O₉ (D=2×10⁻²⁰ m²s⁻¹).