Multi-k multipole order analyzed by resonant X-ray scattering in the electric quadrupole transition

We introduce a convenient expression of the resonant X-ray scattering (RXS) amplitude, which is appropriate for the investigation of the multipole ordering phase in localized f electron system. The expression is applied to the calculation of the RXS spectra in the electric quadrupole transition around the Np M_2,3 edges from the longitudinal triple-k antiferrooctupolar ordering phase in NpO₂. The results demonstrate a possibility that analyzing the energy profile of the RXS spectrum is effective to identify the type of the order parameter.     

Synthesis and characterization of luminescent zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with N,S-chelating Schiff base ligands

The reactions of zinc(II) acetate with a variety of 2-substituted benzothiazolines afforded tetrahedral mononuclear complexes with a N 2S 2 donor set, [Zn(RPhC(H) NC 6H 4 S) 2]. The obtained zinc(II) complexes can be divided into three groups based on the characteristics of the absorption spectra; Group 1 (R = 2,4,6-triMe ( 1), 2,6-diCl ( 2)) showing an intense band at 250-300 nm and a weak band at 400-450 nm, Group 2 (R = 4-Cl ( 3), H ( 4), 4-Et ( 5), 4-OMe ( 6)) showing two intense bands at 250-300 nm and a weak band at 400-450 nm, and Group 3 (R = 4-NMe 2 ( 7), 4-NEt 2 ( 8)) showing an intense band at 250-300 nm and two very intense bands at 350-450 nm. The Group 2 and Group 3 complexes exhibited a strong emission on irradiating with ultraviolet light while the Group 1 complexes were not emissive at room temperature. However, all the zinc(II) complexes were luminescent in CH 2Cl 2/toluene glass at 77 K, and their emission peak energies were found to correlate with the Hammett constant of the substituent at para position of a pendent phenyl ring in each complex. Similar reactions of cadmium(II) acetate with 2-substituted benzothiazolines were also carried out to synthesize corresponding cadmium(II) complexes. While [Cd(RPhC(H) NC 6H 4 S) 2] (R = 2,4,6-triMe ( 9)) with bulky substituents at ortho positions of a pendent phenyl ring had a tetrahedral mononuclear structure, other cadmium(II) complexes [Cd 2(RPhC(H) NC 6H 4 S) 4] (R = 4-Et ( 10), 4-OMe ( 11), 4-NMe 2 ( 12)) possessed S-bridged dinuclear structures. These cadmium(II) complexes, which are assumed to have a mononuclear structure in solution, showed photophysical properties similar to those of the corresponding zinc(II) complexes.     

Synthesis, stability, and complexation behavior of isolable salen-type N2S2 and N2SO ligands based on thiol and oxime functionalities

The new salen-type N(2)S(2) tetradentate ligands, H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2), which have a donor set comprising oxime and thiol groups, were synthesized. These ligands are obtained as isolable colorless crystals, whereas the imine analogues are too unstable to be isolated. The unsymmetrical N(2)SO ligands, H(2)L(3) and H(2)L(4), were also obtained as stable compounds. When ligands H(2)L(1)-H(2)L(4) are heated above the melting points, they mainly decompose via cleavage of the N-O bonds of a thiosalicylaldoxime moiety to give 1,2-benzisothiazole derivatives. The complexation of the N(2)S(2) ligands (H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2)) with nickel(II) acetate afforded square-planar mononuclear complexes [Ni(L(1))] and [Ni(L(2))], respectively. In contrast, the complexation of the N(2)SO ligand H(2)L(3) with nickel(II) acetate resulted in cleavage of the N-O bond, giving a tetranuclear complex having a cubane-type Ni(4)O(4) core. The N-O bonds of H(2)L(1)-H(2)L(4) are more readily cleaved when the ligands are allowed to react with copper(II) acetate. In these cases, the alkoxo-bridged dinuclear complexes having a Cu-O-Cu-O four-membered ring are obtained. On the other hand, mononuclear complexes can be obtained by complexation of the ligands (H(2)L(1) or H(2)L(3)) with palladium(II) acetate without N-O bond cleavage.     

Macrocyclic compounds from benzenedithiols and triazine: Modification of tetrathiacalix[4]arene

Synthesis of macrocyclic compounds having benzenedithionate and triazine moieties was achieved by an efficient fragment coupling approach. In the solid state, they adopted 1,3‐alternate conformations. Combination of two pairs of electron rich and electron poor units, and ortho‐ortho and/or ortho‐meta connections of sulfur atoms with aromatic carbons were novel features of the macrocycles.     

Ubiquitous 8 and 29 kDa gold:alkanethiolate cluster compounds: mass-spectrometric determination of molecular formulas and structural implications

The molecular formulas and charge state distributions of thus-far known ubiquitous alkanethiolate-protected gold clusters with core-masses of 8 and 29 kDa were assessed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The 8 and 29 kDa clusters were determined to be composed of single species, [Au38(SCn)24]z and [Au144(SCn)59]z, respectively, with charge states of z >/= 0. Possible geometric structures for Au38(SCn)24 and Au144(SCn)59 are discussed, based on the structures of relevant systems that have been recently determined experimentally and theoretically: [Au25(SR)18]- and Au102(SR)44, in which the Au cores are protected by monomers [-SR-Au-SR-] and/or dimers [-SR-Au-SR-Au-SR-]. Their preferential formation and chemical robustness are proposed as being associated with high stability due to geometric factors, while the Au-thiolate interface takes on common motifs regardless of the underlying Au core.     

A catalytic asymmetric anti-selective nitroaldol reaction with a neodymium-sodium heterobimetallic complex

A catalytic asymmetric anti-selective nitroaldol reaction with a neodymium-sodium heterobimetallic catalyst is described. A readily accessible amide ligand works efficiently as a chiral platform for the Nd/Na heterobimetallic catalyst in the reaction of various aldehydes and nitroethane, affording anti-1,2-nitro alkanols in good diastereo- and enantioselectivity.     

Topological classification and supramolecular chirality of 21-helical ladder-type hydrogen-bond networks composed of primary ammonium carboxylates: bundle control in 21-helical assemblies

The supramolecular chirality of 1D ladder-type hydrogen-bond networks composed of primary ammonium carboxylates was determined based on topological considerations. Chirality in such networks is based on the absolute configuration of the primary ammonium cation, which arises from discrimination between the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate anion. The configurations of the cations and anions generate topological diversity in the networks, which are classified into six subgroups. In the Cambridge Structural Database, salts based on ladder type 1 constitute over 70 % of salts with a 1D-ladder-type network. Ladder type 1, based on a 2(1)-axis, is not superimposable on its mirror image, which leads to the first definition of right- or left-handedness of 2(1)-helicity on the basis of supramolecular tilt chirality. Helical assemblies of 2(1)-type with triaxial chirality can be assembled in various ways to yield chiral bundles and crystals. On the basis of these considerations, we constructed clay mimic structures with several bundle patterns by connecting the hydrogen-bond networks by using bifunctional molecules. These results open up the possibility of in-depth crystal engineering based on hydrogen-bond topology.     

Behavior of extracellular polymers and bio-fouling during hydrogen fermentation with a membrane bioreactor

The characteristics of membrane fouling were investigated by examining the behaviors of extracellular polymer substances (EPSs) produced by hydrogen-producing bacteria during hydrogen fermentation from a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR). The MBR consisted of a 1.4-L submerged membrane filtration tank and 3-L hydrogen fermenter. An intermittent suction operation was selected to maintain stable filtration performance. The operation of the suction pump was alternately shifted to ON for 7 min followed by OFF for 3 min, with bio-gas sparging at a flow rate of 5.0 L/m²/h (LMH), and manually regulated. Most of the EPS during the continuous hydrogen fermentation using an MBR had accumulated in the reactor because they were retained by the membrane by adsorption onto the polymeric membrane surface. The amount of proteins in the EPS extracted was increased to 179 mg/L and that of carbohydrates was increased to 58 mg/L. Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ in the EPS were increased in the range of 1.6–3.3 mg/L. The high concentration of EPS that is produced has a higher chelation potential in the formation of ligand complexes with metals or cations than that in a conventional continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The EPS directly affected the decrease in the permeate flux, which resulted in the clogging of the membrane.     

Microfluidic synthesis and catalytic application of PVP-stabilized, approximately 1 nm gold clusters

Small PVP-stabilized gold clusters were successfully prepared by the homogeneous mixing of continuous flows of aqueous AuCl 4 (-) and BH 4 (-) in a micromixer. Spectroscopic characterization revealed that microfluidic synthesis could yield monodisperse Au:PVP clusters with an average diameter of approximately 1 nm, which is smaller than clusters produced by conventional batch methods. These approximately 1 nm Au:PVP clusters exhibited higher catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidation of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol than did Au:PVP clusters prepared by batch methods.