{W48} ring opening: Fe16-containing, Ln4-stabilized 49-tungsto-8-phosphateopen wheel [Fe16O2(OH)23(H2O)9(P8W49O189)Ln4(H2O)20]11-

Wheely: For the first time and very unexpectedly, a rupture of the very stable {P(8)W(48)} wheel was observed in aqueous solution at pH?4 and 80?°C in the presence of Fe(III), Eu(III)/Gd(III), and H(2)O(2). This inorganic ring opening is unprecedented in polyoxometalate chemistry.     

Effect of molybdenum catalysis on the perborate-bromide reaction. Kinetics and mechanism and some theoretical considerations

In the presence of molybdenum, both the uncatalyzed and the catalyzed reactions proceed simultaneously. An equation for k_cat was derived and the effect of temperature was described through a temperature function F(T) by the use of the Arrhenius-Eyring equation. A plausible mechanism is postulated and the theoretical background given for the analytical application of molybdenum.

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. k_cat, -. .

     

Dendritic morphology in homeotropically aligned discotic films.

A hexa-alkylether-substituted hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene, as a discotic liquid crystal, spontaneously homeotropically self-orients when cooled from the isotropic phase. During this process, a dendritic morphology is formed in which a significant optical difference is observed between the dendritic shapes and their periphery. However, local structural analysis using microfocus synchrotron radiation experiments demonstrate that there is an identical supramolecular order in both areas. Three-dimensional confocal surface measurements reveal that these dendritic structures result from a dewetting process, which occurs during solidification. Thereby, the contact area between the organic material and the surface is reduced. These results are important for the design of organic electronics, since the reduction of the contact area in an electronic device might inhibit the charge transport between the discotic semiconductor and the electrode.     

Modeling and numerical investigation of slow crack growth and crack arrest in ceramic polycrystals

Intergranular slow crack growth in zirconia polycrystal is described with a cohesive zone model that simulate mechanically the reaction-rupture mechanism underlying stress and environmentally assisted failure. A 2D polycrystal is considered with cohesive surfaces inserted along the grain boundaries. The anisotropic elastic modulus and grain-to-grain misorientation are accounted for together with an initial stress state related to the processing. A minimum load threshold is shown to originate from the onset of the reaction-rupture mechanism to proceed where a minimum traction is reached locally and from the magnitude of the initial compression stresses. This work aims at providing reliable predictions in long lasting applications of ceramics.     

Synthesis and structure of asymmetric zirconium-substituted silicotungstates, [Zr6O2(OH)4(H2O)3(beta-SiW10O37)3]14- and [Zr4O2(OH)2(H2O)4(beta-SiW10O37)2]10-

The reaction of ZrCl4 with [gamma-SiW10O36]8- in a potassium acetate buffer results in two different products depending on the reactant ratios. The trimeric species [Zr6O2(OH)4(H2O)3(beta-SiW10O37)3]14- (1) consists of three beta23-SiW10O37 units linked by an unprecedented Zr6O2(OH)4(H2O)3 cluster with C1 point group symmetry. The dimeric species [Zr4O2(OH)2(H2O)4(beta-SiW10O37)2]10- (2) consists of beta22- and beta12-SiW10O37 units sandwiching a Zr4O2(OH)2(H2O)4 cluster, which also has C1 symmetry. Polyanion 1 contains more zirconium centers than any other polyoxometalate known to date.     

Structural characterization of mono-ruthenium substituted Keggin-type silicotungstates

We have synthesized the mono-ruthenium substituted Keggin-type silicotungstate [SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(H(2)O)](5-) (1a) by reaction of the mono-lacunary silicotungstate precursor [SiW(11)O(39)](8-) with Ru(acac)(3) under hydrothermal conditions and isolated as the caesium salt Cs(5)[SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(H(2)O)] (1). The DMSO-coordinated complex [SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(DMSO)](5-) (2a) was prepared by reaction of 1a with DMSO in aqueous solution at 353 K and isolated as the caesium-potassium mixed salt Cs(4.9)K(0.1)[SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(DMSO)] (2). Both compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, powder X-ray structure analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, IR-spectroscopy and elemental analysis. 1 crystallized in the tetragonal space group P4(2)/ncm with a = 20.9299(4), c = 10.3603(4) Angstrom, Z = 4. The ruthenium atom in the Keggin unit could not be distinguished from the tungsten due to disorder. The structural analysis of 2 (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.5850(4), b = 20.2764(7), c = 18.1326(4) Angstrom, beta = 90.8730(10) degrees , Z = 4) successfully revealed that the incorporated ruthenium atom is coordinated by DMSO through a Ru-S bond. Polyanion 2a represents the first mono-substituted Keggin ion in which the ruthenium center is not crystallographically disordered. UV-Vis spectroscopy combined with controlled potential electrolysis confirmed that the incorporated rutheniums in 1 and 2 have a valence state of +3. The IR spectra of both 1 and 2 were very similar. All these data indicate that 1 synthesized by reaction of the mono-lacunary silicotungstate K(8)[SiW(11)O(39)] with Ru(acac)(3) under hydrothermal conditions is truly the mono-ruthenium substituted Keggin-type silicotungstate.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron(III)-substituted, dimeric polyoxotungstates, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](n-) (n = 6, X = As(III), Sb(III); n = 4, X = Se(IV), Te(IV))

Interaction of the lacunary [alpha-XW(9)O(33)](9-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) with Fe(3+) ions in acidic, aqueous medium leads to the formation of dimeric polyoxoanions, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) in high yield. X-ray single-crystal analyses were carried out on Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-AsW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, with a = 20.2493(18) A, b = 15.2678(13) A, c = 16.0689(14) A, beta = 95.766(2) degrees, and Z = 2; Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SbW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O is isomorphous with a = 20.1542(18) A, b = 15.2204(13) A, c = 16.1469(14) A, and beta = 95.795(2) degrees. The selenium and tellurium analogues are also reported, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](4-) (X = Se(IV), Te(IV)). They are synthesized from sodium tungstate and a source of the heteroatom as precursors. X-ray single-crystal analysis was carried out on Cs(4)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)] x 21H(2)O, which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P macro 1, with a = 12.6648(10) A, b = 12.8247(10) A, c = 16.1588(13) A, alpha = 75.6540(10) degrees, beta = 87.9550(10) degrees, gamma = 64.3610(10) gamma, and Z = 1. All title polyanions consist of two (beta-XW(9)O(33)) units joined by a central pair and a peripheral pair of Fe(3+) ions leading to a structure with idealized C(2h) symmetry. It was also possible to synthesize the Cr(III) derivatives [Cr(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)), the tungstoselenates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16)(-)(4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), and the tungstotellurates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-TeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16-4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), as determined by FTIR. The electrochemical properties of the iron-containing species were also studied. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry aided in distinguishing between Fe(3+) and W(6+) waves. By variation of pH and scan rate, it was possible to observe the stepwise reduction of the Fe(3+) centers.     

Cobalt-containing silicotungstate sandwich dimer [{Co3(B-beta-SiW9O33(OH))(B-beta-SiW8O29(OH)2)}2]22-

The 6-cobalt-substituted [{Co3(B-beta-SiW9O33(OH))(B-beta-SiW8O29(OH)2)}2]22- has been characterized by IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, magnetic studies, electrochemistry, and gel filtration chromatography. A single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on K10Na12[{Co3(B-beta-SiW9O33(OH))(B-beta-SiW8O29(OH)2)}2].49H2O (KNa-1), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a=19.9466(8) A, b=24.6607(10) A, c=34.0978(13) A, beta=102.175(1) degrees, and Z=2. Polyanion 1 represents a novel class of asymmetric sandwich-type polyanions. It contains three cobalt ions, which are encapsulated between an unprecedented (B-beta-SiW9O34) fragment and a (B-beta-SiW8O31) unit. Polyanion 1 is composed of two sandwich species via two Co-O-W bridges in the solid state and almost certainly in solution as well based on gel filtration chromatography. UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry also confirmed its stability. Two well-separated groups of waves appeared in the voltammetric pattern: the wave observed in the negative potential range versus a saturated calomel electrode features the redox processes of WVI centers; the two reversible redox couples observed in the positive potential domain are attributed to the redox processes of Co2+ centers and indicated that the two types of Co2+ centers in the structure are oxidized in separate waves. Such reversibility of Co2+ centers within multi-Co-substituted polyoxometalates is uncommon. The magnetic properties of KNa-1 are also discussed. The ferromagnetic ground state has been studied by magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements and fitted according to an anisotropic exchange model.     

NHC→SiCl4: An Ambivalent Carbene‐Transfer Reagent

The addition of BCl₃ to the carbene‐transfer reagent NHC→SiCl₄ (NHC=1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene) gave the tetra‐ and pentacoordinate trichlorosilicon(IV) cations [(NHC)SiCl₃]⁺ and [(NHC)₂SiCl₃]⁺ with tetrachloroborate as counterion. This is in contrast to previous reactions, in which NHC→SiCl₄ served as a transfer reagent for the NHC ligand. The addition of BF₃ ? OEt₂, on the other hand, gave NHC→BF₃ as the product of NHC transfer. In addition, the highly Lewis acidic bis(pentafluoroethyl)silane (C₂F₅)₂SiCl₂ was treated with NHC→SiCl₄. In acetonitrile, the cationic silicon(IV) complexes [(NHC)SiCl₃]⁺ and [(NHC)₂SiCl₃]⁺ were detected with [(C₂F₅)SiCl₃]^? as counterion. A similar result was already reported for the reaction of NHC→SiCl₄ with (C₂F₅)₂SiH₂, which gave [(NHC)₂SiCl₂H][(C₂F₅)SiCl₃]. If the reaction medium was changed to dichloromethane, the products of carbene transfer, NHC→Si(C₂F₅)₂Cl₂ and NHC→Si(C₂F₅)₂ClH, respectively, were obtained instead. The formation of the latter species is a result of chloride/hydride metathesis. These compounds may serve as valuable precursors for electron‐poor silylenes. Furthermore, the reactivity of NHC→SiCl₄ towards phosphines is discussed. The carbene complex NHC→PCl₃ shows similar reactivity to NHC→SiCl₄, and may even serve as a carbene‐transfer reagent as well.