Shape-selective para-chlorination of phenol using sulfuryl chloride with the aid of microporous catalysts

Aluminum-pillared montmorillonite clay, and partially cation-exchanged L type zeolites, efficiently catalyze the selective para-chlorination of phenol using SO₂Cl₂ in 2,2,4-trimethylpentane at 25 °C. A conversion of ∼96%, a para-selectivity of ∼89%, and a para/ortho ratio of 8.0, were achieved with H⁺, Al³⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺-L zeolite. This heterogeneous zeolite-catalyzed process is the first example, which shows a pronounced shape-selectivity in the chlorination of phenol.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Co2TeO3Cl2 and Co2TeO3Br2

The crystal structures of the two new synthetic compounds Co₂TeO₃Cl₂ and Co₂TeO₃Br₂ are described together with their magnetic properties. Co₂TeO₃Cl₂ crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m with unit cell parameters a=5.0472(6) Å, b=6.6325(9) Å, c=8.3452(10) Å, β=105.43(1)°, Z=2. Co₂TeO₃Br₂ crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pccn with unit cell parameters a=10.5180(7) Å, b=15.8629(9) Å, c=7.7732(5) Å, Z=8. The crystal structures were solved from single crystal data, R=0.0328 and 0.0412, respectively. Both compounds are layered with only weak interactions in between the layers. The compound Co₂TeO₃Cl₂ has [CoO₄Cl₂] and [CoO₃Cl₃] octahedra while Co₂TeO₃Br₂ has [CoO₂Br₂] tetrahedra and [CoO₄Br₂] octahedra. The Te(IV) atoms are tetrahedrally [TeO₃E] coordinated in both compounds taking the 5s² lone electron pair E into account. The magnetic properties of the compounds are characterized predominantly by long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 30 K.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of two new cobalt selenite halides: Co5(SeO3)4X2 (X=Cl, Br)

Two new isostructural cobalt selenite halides Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂ have been synthesized. They crystallize in the triclinic system space group P−1 with the following lattice parameters for Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂: a=6.4935(8) Å, b=7.7288(8) Å, c=7.7443(10) Å, α=66.051(11)°, β=73.610(11)°, γ=81.268(9)°, and Z=1. The crystal structures were solved from single-crystal X-ray data, R1=3.73 and 4.03 for Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂, respectively. The new compounds are isostructural to Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂.Magnetic susceptibility measurements on oriented single-crystalline samples show anisotropic response in a broad temperature range. The anisotropic susceptibility is quantitatively interpreted within the zero-field splitting schemes for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. Sharp low-temperature susceptibility features, at T_N=18 and 20 K for Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂, respectively, are ascribed to antiferromagnetic ordering in a minority magnetic subsystem. In isostructural Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂ magnetically ordered subsystem represents a majority fraction (T_N=46 K). Nevertheless, anisotropic susceptibility of Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂ is dominated at low temperatures by a minority fraction, subject to single-ion anisotropy effects and increasing population of S_z=0 (singlet) ground state of octahedrally coordinated Ni²⁺.     

The Solid Solution Series of the Sulfate Apatite System Na6.45Ca3.55(SO4)6(FxCl1−x)1.55

The crystal structures of 11 synthetic Na-Ca-sulfate-apatites, Na_6.45Ca_3.55(SO₄)₆(F_xCl_1−x)_1.55 with x=1 to 0, were refined using X-ray diffraction data yielding residuals between R1=0.0409 and 0.0629 in space group P6₃/m (Z=1). Lattice constants vary between 9.436(2) and 9.5423(1) Å (for a) and 6.919(2) to 6.8429(1) Å (for c). The sulfate tetrahedra and the two symmetrically independent cation polyhedra about M1 and M2 (occupied by Na and Ca, respectively) are generally very similar to the analogous polyhedra in phosphate apatites. A common structural feature of all members of the solid solution series is a deficiency in the total Cl- and F-content compared with the phosphate apatites. The mean value of (Cl+F) for the solid solution equals 1.55(6) atoms per unit cell compared with the ideal value of 2 atoms per unit cell observed in phosphate apatites. The solid solution series Na_6.45Ca_3.55(SO₄)₆Cl_1.55-Na_6.45 Ca_3.55(SO₄)₆F_1.55 shows a gap toward the side of fluoride rich compounds. Under ambient pressure the gap exists between 0<n_Cl/n_Cl+n_F<0.33, where n_Cl and n_F represent the numbers of Cl- and F-atoms per unit cell.     

Investigation on the mechanism and applications of the reaction Cl2+2HBr=2HCl+Br2

The mechanism of reaction Cl₂+2HBr=2HCl+Br₂ has been carefully investigated with density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-311G^** level. A series of three-centred and four-centred transition states have been obtained. The activation energy (138.96 and 147.24 kJ/mol, respectively) of two bimolecular elementary reactions Cl₂+HBr→HCl+BrCl and BrCl+HBr→HCl+Br₂ is smaller than the dissociation energy of Cl₂, HBr and BrCl, indicating that it is favorable for the title reaction occurring in the bimolecular form. The reaction has been applied to the chemical engineering process of recycling Br₂ from HBr. Gaseous Cl₂ directly reacts with HBr gas, which produces gaseous mixtures containing Br₂, and liquid Br₂ and HCl are obtained by cooling the mixtures and further separated by absorption with CCl₄. The recovery percentage of Br₂ is more than 96%, and the Cl₂ remaining in liquid Br₂ is less than 3.0%. The paper provides a good example of solving the difficult problem in chemical engineering with basic theory.     

Coordination environment of [UO2Br4] in ionic liquids and crystal structure of [Bmim]2[UO2Br4]

The complex formed by the reaction of the uranyl ion, UO₂²⁺, with bromide ions in the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][Tf₂N]) and methyl-tributylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([MeBu₃N][Tf₂N]) has been investigated by UV–Vis and U L_III-edge EXAFS spectroscopy and compared to the crystal structure of [Bmim]₂[UO₂Br₄]. The solid state reveals a classical tetragonal bipyramid geometry for [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ with hydrogen bonds between the Bmim⁺ and the coordinated bromides. The UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals the quantitative formation of [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ when a stoichiometric amount of bromide ions is added to UO₂(CF₃SO₃)₂ in both Tf₂N-based ionic liquids. The absorption spectrum also suggests a D_4h symmetry for [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ in ionic liquids, as previously observed for the [UO₂Cl₄]²⁻ congener. EXAFS analysis supports this conclusion and demonstrates that the [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ coordination polyhedron is maintained in the ionic liquids without any coordinating solvent or water molecules. The mean U–O and U–Br distances in the solutions, determined by EXAFS, are, respectively, 1.766(2) and 2.821(2) Å in [Bmim][Tf₂N], and, respectively, 1.768(2) and 2.827(2) Å, in [MeBu₃N][Tf₂N]. Similar results are obtained in both ionic liquids indicating no significant influence of the ionic liquid cation either on the complexation reaction or on the structure of the uranyl species.     

Environmentally benign electrophilic and radical bromination ‘on water’: H2O2-HBr system versus N-bromosuccinimide

A H₂O₂-HBr system and N-bromosuccinimide in an aqueous medium were used as a ‘green’ approach to electrophilic and radical bromination. Several activated and less activated aromatic molecules, phenylsubstituted ketones and styrene were efficiently brominated ‘on water’ using both systems at ambient temperature and without an added metal or acid catalyst, whereas various non-activated toluenes were functionalized at the benzyl position in the presence of visible light as a radical activator. A comparison of reactivity and selectivity of both brominating systems reveals the H₂O₂-HBr system to be more reactive than NBS for benzyl bromination and for the bromination of ketones, while for electrophilic aromatic substitution of methoxy-substituted tetralone it was higher for NBS. Also, higher yields of brominated aromatics were observed when using H₂O₂-HBr ‘on water’. Bromination of styrene reveals that not just the structure of the brominating reagent but the reaction conditions: amount of water, organic solvent, stirring rate and interface structure, play a key role in defining the outcome of bromination (dibromination vs bromohydroxylation). In addition, mild reaction conditions, a straightforward isolation procedure, inexpensive reagents and a lower environment impact make aqueous brominating methods a possible alternative to other reported brominating protocols.     

Structure and magnetism of rare-earth-substituted Ca3Co2O6

Yttrium- and rare-earth-substituted derivatives of Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ (RY, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and Lu) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. All phases adopt the K₄CdCl₆-type structure with space group R3¯c), in which the trivalent R³⁺ substituents randomly occupy the Ca²⁺ site. The homogeneity range of Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ extends to v≈0.90 for the substituents concerned. A significant increase in the Co2-O distances within the trigonal-prismatic Co2O₆ co-ordination polyhedra upon introduction of R³⁺ confirms that extra electrons from the R³⁺-for-Ca²⁺ substitution exclusively enter the Co2 site of the quasi-one-dimensional Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ structure, thereby formally reducing its oxidation state. This is furthermore supported by magnetic susceptibility and low-temperature neutron diffraction measurements. The long-range ferrimagnetic ordering temperature is reduced upon R substitution and appears to vanish for v>∼0.30.     

The luminescence of Cs3Bi2Cl9 and Cs3Sb2Cl9

The luminescence properties of Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉, α-Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉, and β-Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉ are reported and compared with those of Cs₃Bi₂Br₉. The first two compounds have comparable luminescence properties which can be described in terms of a band model. Deep center emission is observed for both compounds, whereas edge emission is observed only for Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉. The optical transitions of β-Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉ are localized on the Sb³⁺ ion. The orientation of the lone-pair orbitals of the ns² ions seems to play an important role in the formation of the cationic valence band. The α-β transformation must therefore have a considerable influence on the spectral properties of Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉.     

A re-interpretation of the crystal structure of ‘(NH4)2(NH3)[Ni(NH3)2Cl4]’ in terms of (NH4)2−2z[Ni(NH3)2]z[Ni(NH3)2Cl4]

A re-interpretation and re-evaluation of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of a previously reported ‘(NH₄)₂(NH₃)[Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄]’ (J. Solid State Chem. 162 (2001) 254) give a new formula (NH₄)_2−2z[Ni(NH₃)₂]_z[Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄] with z=0.152. This new formula results from defects in an idealized ‘(NH₄)₂[Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄]’ basic structure, where two adjacent NH₄⁺ cations are replaced by one Ni(NH₃)₂²⁺ unit. Cl⁻ anions from the basic structure complete the coordination sphere of the new Ni²⁺ to [Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄]²⁻.     

Influence of coordination on N-H X hydrogen bonds. Part II. Zn(NH3)2Br2 and Ni(NH3)2X2 (X is Cl and Br)

Microcrystalline samples of Zn(NH₃)₂Br₂ and Ni(NH₃)₂X₂ (X is Cl⁻ and Br⁻) have been investigated from 100 to 293 K using X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy measurements (range 400–4000 cm⁻) performed with isotopically dilute (5% deuterated) samples. Values of Δν(ND)/ΔT for all compounds hint at the existence of hydrogen bonds. Zn(NH₃)₂Br₂ shows The dynamics of ammonia molecules even at 100 K, and no indications are apparent that dynamic disorder of ammonia molecules takes place in Ni(NH₃)₂X₂ (X is Cl⁻ and Br⁻). A comparison between octahedrally coordinated ammoniates [Ni(NH₃)₆]Br₂, Ni(NH₃)₂Br₂ and [Zn(NH₃)₆]Br₂ with tetrahedrally coordinated ones [Zn(NH₃)₂Br₂] leads to the conclusion that the lower coordination number increases the strength of the hydrogen bonds. Because this effect is small, it is not possible to separate the influence of the type of coordinating ions for one coordination number from the influence of the coordination number itself.     

Comparisons of energy disposal by the reactions of H atoms with Cl2, SCl2, S2Cl2 and SO2Cl2 from observation of HC1 infrared chemiluminescence

Arrested relaxation infrared chemiluminescence studies of the H + Cl₂, SCl₂, S₂Cl₂, SOCl₂ and SO₂-Cl₂ reactions have been made. The mean fraction of vibrational (stational) energy released to HCl is 0.40 (0.10); 0.40 (0.13); 0.38 (? 0.02); 0.33 (?0.02) and 0.36 (?0.02) for the series. Only the H + SCl₂ reaction shows a two component initial rotational distribution. The larger (f_V) and (f_R) from H + SCl₂, relative to the other polyatomic reagents, is consistent with the observation that this is the only reaction that shows forward scattering. The room temperature rate constants also were measured, relative to H + Cl₂, and were found to decline in the series from 0.68 for SCl₂ to 0.02 for SO₂Cl₂. All of these data support the suggestion (first made by Heydtmann and Polanyi) that the unusual rotational energy disposal pattern from H + SCl₂ is a consequence of migration of H from the initially encountered C1 to the second C1, which then forms the HCI product; this pathway augments the direct reactive pathway, which gives HCI in lower J states.     

Crystal structure of Ca12Al14O32Cl2 and luminescence properties of Ca12Al14O32Cl2:Eu

The crystal structure of Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂Cl₂ was determined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data (CuKα₁) using the Rietveld method, with the anisotropic displacement parameters being assigned for all atoms. The crystal structure is cubic (space group , Z=2) with lattice dimensions a=1.200950(5) nm and V=1.73211(1) nm³. The reliability indices calculated from the Rietveld method were R_wp=8.48% (S=1.21), R_p=6.05%, R_B=1.27% and R_F=1.01%. The validity of the structural model was verified by the three-dimensional electron density distribution, the structural bias of which was reduced as much as possible using the maximum-entropy methods-based pattern fitting (MPF). The reliability indices calculated from the MPF were R_B=0.75% and R_F=0.56%. In the structural model there are one Ca site, two Al sites, two O sites and one Cl site. This compound is isomorphous with Ca₁₂Al_10.6Si_3.4O₃₂Cl_5.4. Europium-doped sample Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂Cl₂:Eu²⁺ was prepared and the photoluminescence properties were presented. The excitation spectrum consisted of two wide bands, which were located at about 268 and 324 nm. The emission spectrum, when excited at 324 nm, resulted in indigo light with a peak at about 442 nm.     

Supramolecular Systems Based on Ca2+, [Mo3O2S2Cl6(H2O)3]2s-, [Mo3S4Cl6.75Br0.25(H2O)2]3s- and Cucurbit[6]uril

Adducts of cucurbit[6]uril with Ca²⁺ and trinuclear cluster chloroaquacomplexes (H₉O₄)₂(H₇O₃)₂[(Ca(H₂O)₅)2(C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)]Cl₈·0.67H₂O (1) and [(Ca(H₂O)₅)₂(C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)]× [Mo₃O₂S₂Cl₆(H₂O)₃]₂·13H₂O (2) are obtained and structurally characterized. The structures of both compounds contain polymeric [Ca(H₂O) _n ]₂² CB[6]∞ cations that form infinite columns; the space between them is filled with Cl^s- (1) and [Mo₃O₂S₂Cl₆(H₂O)₃]^2s- (2). A new (H₇O₃)₂(H₅O₂)× [Mo₃S₄Cl_6.25Br_0.25(H₂O)₂](C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)·CH₂Cl₂·6H₂O complex (3) is also obtained and structurally characterized.     

Preparation,crystal structure,and properties of the mixed-valence compound Nb3Se5Cl7

The new compound Nb₃Se₅Cl₇ was prepared by heating 2NbSe₂Cl₂ + 1NbCl₄ at 530°C for 2–3 weeks. The compound is monoclinic with a = 7.599, b = 12.675, c = 8.051Å; β = 106.27°; space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{m}$. The corresponding bromide, Nb₃Se₅Br₇ (obtained by decomposition of NbSe₂Br₂ under NbSeBr₃), is isotypic with a = 7.621, b = 12.833, c = 8.069Å; β = 106.21°. from the crystal structure and XPS spectra it follows that Nb₃Se₅Cl₇ can be formulated as: [Nb⁴⁺₂Nb⁵⁺₁(Se₂)^2?₂Se^2?₁Cl^?₇]. The structure consists of chains of composition [Nb⁴⁺₂(Se₂)^2?₂Cl^?₅], to which side chains [Nb⁵⁺Se^2?Cl^?₂] are attached. The Nb⁴⁺ atoms form pairs (NbNb = 2.94 Å) which explains that Nb₃Se₅Cl₇ is a diamagnetic semiconductor with a band gap (1.59 eV at 5°K, 1.49 eV at 300°K) very similar to that of NbSe₂Cl₂.     

Characterization of the new Bi∼6.2Cu∼6.2O8(PO4)5 oxyphosphate; a disordered compound containing 2- and 3-O(Bi, Cu)4 tetrahedra—wide polycationic ribbons

The present work is dedicated to the XRD, ED and HREM characterization of a new bismuth copper oxyphosphate Bi_∼6.2Cu_∼6.2O₈(PO₄)₅ (a=11.599(2)Å, , c=37.541(5)Å, R₁=0.0755, Rw₂₌0.174, G.S Pn2₁a). The relatively long size of its c parameter is due to the arrangement along this direction of two kinds of ribbon-like polycations formed by edge sharing O(Bi, Cu)₄ tetrahedra. The existence of such cations is characterized by the b∼5.2 Å value intrinsic to the ribbons structure and commonly found in bismuth oxyphosphate materials. In the title compound, 2-tetrahedra wide [Bi_∼2.4Cu_∼3.6O₄]^6.4+ and 3-tetrahedra wide [Bi_∼5Cu_∼3O₆]⁹⁺ ribbons are isolated by phosphate groups and alternate along c. The interstitial site created between two different sizes ribbons is occupied by Cu²⁺ cations disordered over several close crystallographic sites. The mixed Bi³⁺/Cu²⁺ nature of certain edge-of-ribbons positions induces a disorder over several configurations of the phosphate groups. The concerned oxygen atoms form the environment of the disordered interstitial Cu²⁺ cations which occupy tunnels formed by the phosphate anions. The high-resolution electron microscope study enables a precise correlation between the observed images and the refined crystal structure, evidencing the polycations visualization. Furthermore, this material being the second example of partially disordered compound similar chemical system, some topological rules can be deduced. The b-axis doubling was observed by ED and HREM and is assigned to the ordering of interstitial Cu²⁺ within tunnels cations. A partial intra-tunnel ordering was also observed.     

Phase relationships of the lithium halide spinels Li2MCl4-Li2MBr4 with M = Mn,Fe, Cd

The sections Li₂MCl_4?4xBr_4x of the quaternary systems LiCl-LiBr-MCl₂-MBr₂ with M = Mn, Cd, and Fe were studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction patterns and DTA and DSC measurements. In the quasibinary lithium manganese halide system complete series of solid solutions exist between the inverse spinels Li₂MnCl₄ and Li₂MnBr₄. Li₂MnBr₄ and solid solutions with x > 0.54 undergo phase transitions to tetragonal spinels at lower temperatures. In the nonquasibinary system with M = Cd, only at temperatures near 400°C a complete series of mixed crystals is formed. At lower temperatures the system is mainly two-phase with rock salt-type Li_1?yCd_0.5yCl_1?xBr_x and cadmium chloride-type Cd_1?yLi_2yCl_2?2xBr_2x solid solutions in equilibrium. The lithium iron halide system is similar to that of cadmium, but spinel-type Li₂FeBr₄ does not exist at any temperature. The manganese and cadmium halide spinels and spinel solid solutions undergo phase transitions to NaCl defect structures at elevated temperatures.     

Double (n=2) and triple (n=3) [M4Bi2n−2O2n] polycationic ribbons in the new Bi∼3Cd∼3.72M∼1.28O5(PO4)3 oxyphosphate (M=Co, Cu, Zn)

The crystal structure of the new Bi_∼3Cd_∼3.72Co_∼1.28O₅(PO₄)₃ has been refined from single crystal XRD data, R₁=5.37%, space group Abmm, a=11.5322(28) Å, b=5.4760(13) Å, c=23.2446(56) Å, Z=4. Compared to Bi_∼1.2M_∼1.2O_1.5(PO₄) and Bi_∼6.2Cu_∼6.2O₈(PO₄)₅, this compound is an additional example of disordered Bi³⁺/M²⁺ oxyphosphate and is well described from the arrangement of double [Bi₄Cd₄O₆]⁸⁺ (=D) and triple [Bi₂Cd_3.44Co_0.56O₄]⁶⁺ (=T) polycationic ribbons formed of edge-sharing O(Bi,M)₄ tetrahedra surrounded by PO₄ groups. According to the nomenclature defined in this work, the sequence is TT/DtDt, where t stands for the tunnels created by PO₄ between two subsequent double ribbons and occupied by Co²⁺. The HREM study allows a clear visualization of the announced sequence by comparison with the refined crystal structure. The Bi³⁺/M²⁺ statistic disorder at the edges of T and D entities is responsible for the PO₄ multi-configuration disorder around a central P atom. Infrared spectroscopy and neutron diffraction of similar compounds (without the highly absorbing Cadmium) even suggests the long range ordering loss for phosphates. Therefore, electron diffraction shows the existence of a modulation vector q^*=1/2a^*+(1/3+ε)b^* which pictures cationic ordering in the (001) plane, at the crystallite scale. This ordering is largely lost at the single crystal scale. The existence of mixed Bi³⁺/M²⁺ positions also enables a partial filling of the tunnels by Co²⁺ and yields a composition range checked by solid state reaction. The title compound can be prepared as a single phase and also the M=Zn²⁺ term can be obtained in a biphasic mixture. For M=Cu²⁺, a monoclinic distortion has been evidenced from XRD and HREM patterns but surprisingly, the orthorhombic ideal form can also be obtained in similar conditions.