Spin-crossover behavior in cyanide-bridged iron(II)-gold(I) bimetallic 2D Hofmann-like metal-organic frameworks

The synthesis and characterization of new two-dimensional (2D) cyanide-bridged iron(II)-gold(I) bimetallic coordination polymers formulated, {Fe(3-Xpy)2[Au(CN)2]2} (py = pyridine; X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), and I (4)) and the clathrate derivative {Fe(3-Ipy)2[Au(CN)2]2}.1/2(3-Ipy) (5), are reported. The iron(II) ion lies in pseudoctahedral [FeN6] sites defined by four [Au(CN)2](-) bridging ligands and two 3-Xpy ligands occupying the equatorial and axial positions, respectively. Although only compounds 2 and 4 can be considered strictly isostructurals, all of the components of this family are made up of parallel stacks of corrugated {Fe[Au(CN)2]2}n grids. The grids are formed by edge sharing of {Fe4[Au(CN)2]4} pseudosquare moieties. The stacks are constituted of double layers sustained by short aurophilic contacts ranging from 3.016(2) to 3.1580(8) A. The Au...Au distances between consecutive double layers are in the range of 5.9562(9)-8.790(2) A. Compound 5, considered a clathrate derivative of 4, includes one-half of a 3-Ipy molecule per iron(II) atom between the double layers. Compound 1 undergoes a half-spin transition with critical temperatures Tc downward arrow = 140 K and Tc upward arrow = 145 K. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters derived from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are Delta H = 9.8 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1) and Delta S = 68.2 +/- 3 J K mol(-1). This spin transition is accompanied by a crystallographic phase transition from the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group to the triclinic P1 space group. At high temperatures, where 1 is 100% high-spin, there is only one crystallographically independent iron(II) site. In contrast, the low temperature structural analysis shows the occurrence of two crystallographically independent iron(II) sites with equal population, one high-spin and the other low-spin. Furthermore, 1 undergoes a complete two-step spin transition at pressures as high as 0.26 GPa. Compounds 2- 4 are high-spin iron(II) complexes according to their magnetic and [FeN6] structural characteristics. Compound 5, characterized for having two different iron(II) sites, displays a two-step spin transition with critical temperatures of Tc(1) = 155 K, Tc(2) downward arrow = 97 K, and Tc(2) upward arrow = 110 K. This change of spin state takes place in both sites simultaneously. All of these results are compared and discussed in the context of other {Fe(L) x [M(I)(CN)2]} coordination polymers, particularly those belonging to the homologous compounds {Fe(3-Xpy)2[Ag(CN)2]2} and their corresponding clathrate derivatives.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Thermal Decomposition,and Kinetic Studies of Binuclear Sulfur‐Coordinated Tungsten(V) Complexes with Piperidine‐1‐carbodithioate

We describe the synthesis, characterization by IR and electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, analytical data, kinetic study by differential‐scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis of the thermal decomposition under N₂ of the adducts 2 – 7 with pyridine or substituted pyridines of bis(piperidine‐1‐carbodithioato‐κS,κS′)di‐μ‐thioxodithioxoditungsten(V) ( 1 ), to which the general formula [W₂B₂(pipCS₂)₂S₂(μ‐S)₂] is assigned (pipCS₂=piperidine‐1‐carbodithioato and B=pyridine (py), 3‐methylpyridine (3‐Mepy), 4‐methylpyridine (4‐Mepy), 3,5‐dimethylpyridine (3,5‐Me₂py), pyridin‐3‐amine (3‐pyNH₂), and pyridin‐4‐amine (4‐pyNH₂)). For the endothermic process of loss of the coordinated base B, we calculated activation energies with a method reported previously by us; the mechanism and pre‐exponential Arrhenius factor of this reaction were also determined. A relationship between the pyridines' basicity, IR and electronic spectral data, and activation energies was established.     

Insertion of a spin crossover Fe(III) complex into an oxalate-based layered material: coexistence of spin canting and spin crossover in a hybrid magnet

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of the compounds of formula [Fe (III)(sal 2trien)] 2[Mn (II) 2(ox) 3].4H 2O.C 3H 7NO ( 1) and [In (III)(sal 2trien)] 2[Mn (II) 2(ox) 3].3H 2O.CH 3OH (2) are reported. The structure presents a homometallic 2D honeycomb anionic layer formed by Mn (II) ions linked through oxalate ligands and a cationic double layer of [Fe(sal 2trien)] (+) or [In(sal 2trien)] (+) complexes intercalated between the 2D oxalate network. The magnetic properties and M?ssbauer spectroscopy of 1 indicate the coexistence of a magnetic ordering of the Mn(II) oxalate network that behaves as a weak ferromagnet and a gradual spin crossover of the intercalated [Fe(sal 2trien)] (+) complexes.     

Role of the electron transfer and magnetic exchange interactions in the magnetic properties of mixed-valence polyoxovanadate complexes

Modeling the properties of high-nuclearity, high-electron-population, mixed-valence (MV) magnetic systems remains one of the open challenges in molecular magnetism. In this work, we analyze the magnetic properties of a series of polyoxovananadate clusters of formula [V 18O 42] (12-) and [V 18O 42] (4-). The first compound is a fully localized spin cluster that contains 18 unpaired electrons located at the metal sites, while the second one is a MV cluster with 10 unpaired electrons largely delocalized over the 18 metal sites. A theoretical model that takes into account the interplay between electron transfer and magnetic exchange interactions is developed to explain the unexpected enhancement of the antiferromagnetic coupling when the number of unpaired electrons is reduced from 18 to 10 in these clusters. In the MV area, these systems represent the most complex magnetic clusters studied theoretically so far. Because of the high complexity of the systems, the number of relevant parameters is too large for a conventional model Hamiltonian approach. We therefore perform a theoretical study that combines ab initio calculations with the model Hamiltonian. In this way, we use ab initio calculations performed on small fragments of the cluster to lower the degrees of freedom of the parameter set of the model Hamiltonian that operates in the whole MV cluster. This approach shows the usefulness of combining ab initio calculations with model Hamiltonians in order to explore the magnetic properties of large and complex molecular systems, emphasizing the key role played by the electron transfer in these model magnetic materials.     

Development of a new analytical method for the determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in food products based on high performance liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection with post-column derivatization

A sensitive and selective analytical method was developed for the quantitative determination of fumonisins B(1) and B(2) in maize-based foods for direct human consumption. The method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection, presents a rapid and automated on-line post-column derivatization, performed with o-phtalaldehyde and N,N-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethylamine. Several factors affecting the separation and detection of fumonisins were investigated, including mobile phase composition, column features, derivatization agent flow-rate and both the excitation and the emission wavelengths. Optimal fluorescence detection was obtained by using a lambda(exc) of 343 nm and a lambda(em) of 445 nm. Under the optimized experimental conditions, a complete separation of fumonisins was obtained in less than 13 min by using a C(18) column and a gradient elution at 0.8 mL/min with methanol and 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 3.15. The limits of detection for FB(1) and FB(2) were 4 and 5 microg/L corresponding to 5 and 6 microg/kg in matrix. Each fumonisin was determined in the range 40-320 microg/L that correspond to 50-400 microg/kg in matrix. The necessary requirements for accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity were fulfilled and recovery values ranged from 87 to 94% for FB(1) and from 70 to 75% for FB(2) in cornflake samples at three fortification levels in the range 100-300 microg/kg. The potential of this method, combined with a simple clean-up procedure, was assessed by the measurements of FB(1) and FB(2) in maize-based products, such as maize flour, "polenta", tortillas and cookies.     

A comparative study of the volumetric properties of dilute aqueous solutions of 1-propanol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 1,2,3-propanetriol at various temperatures

Excess molar volumes and partial molar volumes were determined for dilute aqueous solutions of 1-propanol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 1,2,3-propanetriol, at temperatures of (283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K from density measurements. The infinite dilution partial molar volumes of alcohols in aqueous solution were obtained by extrapolation at each temperature. The volumetric behavior of aqueous alcohol and polyol solutions is discussed in terms of the relationship between polar and non-polar groups and its effect on water structure.     

Influence of the phase behavior on the properties of ionic nanoemulsions prepared by the phase inversion composition method

The low-energy emulsification method phase inversion composition (PIC) was used to prepare O/W nanoemulsions in the W/oleylammonium chloride-oleylamine-C12E10/hexadecane ionic system, where the oleylammonium acted as a cationic surfactant. The results obtained, in terms of phase diagrams and emulsion characteristics, were compared with those obtained in the system W/potassium oleate-oleic acid-C12E10/hexadecane [I. Solè, A. Maestro, C. González, C. Solans, J.M. Gutiérrez, Langmuir 22 (2006) 8326], in which the oleate acted as an anionic surfactant. This study was done in order to extend the application range of the ionic nanoemulsions, not only in anionic systems but also in cationic ones, and in order to deep further into the nanoemulsion formation mechanism. The results show again that to obtain small droplet-sized nanoemulsions it is necessary to cross a direct cubic liquid crystal phase along the emulsification path, and it is also crucial to remain in this phase enough time and to use a proper mixing rate to incorporate all the oil into the liquid crystal. Then, when nanoemulsion forms, the oil is already intimately mixed with all the components, and the nanoemulsification is easier. Structural studies made with both cationic and anionic systems confirmed that the size of the "micelles" that form the cubic phase is the same or slightly smaller than the size of the nanoemulsion droplets obtained, depending on the emulsification path, which seems to point out that the nanoemulsions are formed in both cases by a dilution process of this cubic phase. When further watery solution is added to the cubic liquid crystal, these micelles separate, disrupting the cubic structure, and a small fraction of the surfactant migrates to the water. Moreover, due to the change in pH, the spontaneous curvature increases. Then, the phases in equilibrium are an oil-in-water microemulsion (W(m)) and the oil in excess. However, through this emulsification method, the surfactants can be "trapped" in a lower curvature than the spontaneous one, retaining all the oil nanoemulsified.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated 2H-azirines and 2-halo-2H-azirines from 3-azido-2,3-dideoxyhexopyranoses by alkoxyl radical fragmentation

The reaction of 3-azido-2,3-dideoxypyranose and 3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-2-halohexopyranose compounds with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene and iodine generated 2-azido-1,2-dideoxy-1-iodoalditols and 2-azido-1,2-dideoxy-1-halo-1-iodoalditols, respectively. These beta-iodo azides could be transformed by chemoselective dehydroiodination into 2-azido-1,2-dideoxy-4- O-formyl-pent-1-enitols and (Z, E)-2-azido-1,2-dideoxy-1-halo-4- O-formyl-pent-1-enitols in good yields. Thermolysis and photochemical studies of these vinyl azides and 1-halovinyl azides for the synthesis of polyhydroxylated 3-alkyl-2 H-azirines and the hitherto unknown 2-halo-3-alkyl-2 H-azirines have also been accomplished.     

Some approximation properties of a Durrmeyer variant of q‐Bernstein–Schurer operators

In this paper, we will propose a Durrmeyer variant of q‐Bernstein–Schurer operators. A Bohman–Korovkin‐type approximation theorem of these operators is considered. The rate of convergence by using the first modulus of smoothness is computed. The statistical approximation of these operators is also studied. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical tools for the analysis of fire debris. A review: 2008–2015

The analysis of fire debris evidence might offer crucial information to a forensic investigation, when for instance, there is suspicion of the intentional use of ignitable liquids to initiate a fire. Although the evidence analysis in the laboratory is mainly conducted by a handful of well-established methodologies, during the last eight years several authors proposed noteworthy improvements on these methodologies, suggesting new interesting approaches. This review critically outlines the most up-to-date and suitable tools for the analysis and interpretation of fire debris evidence. The survey about analytical tools covers works published in the 2008–2015 period. It includes sources of consensus-classified reference samples, current standard procedures, new proposals for sample extraction and analysis, and the most novel statistical tools. In addition, this review provides relevant knowledge on the distortion effects of the ignitable liquid chemical fingerprints, which have to be considered during interpretation of results.