Syntheses and characterization of a new class of vanadia precursors of oxime-modified oxovanadium(V) isopropoxide,crystal and molecular structure of [VO{ONC10H16}3]

Modification of [VO(OPrⁱ)₃] with oximes in different molar ratios, yielded new class of vanadia precursors, [VO{OPrⁱ}_3?n{L}_n] {where, n = 1–3 and LH = C₉H₁₆C=NOH (1–3) and (CH₃)₂C=NOH (4–6)}.All the products are yellow in colour. (1) and (2) are liquid/viscous liquid, while others are solids. Molecular weight measurements of all these derivatives and the ESI-mass spectral studies of (1), (2), (3) and (5) indicate their monomeric nature. ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra suggest that the oximato moieties are monodentate in solution which was further confirmed by the ⁵¹V NMR signals, appeared in the region expected for tetra-coordinated oxo-vanadium atoms. On ageing, a disproportionation reaction occurs in (1) and some crystals appeared. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of the crystals obtained from (1) as well as from (3) were found to be the same and indicate the presence of side-on {dihapto η ²-(N, O)} binding modes of the oximato ligands, leading to the formation of seven coordination environment around the vanadium atom. Thermogravimetric curve of (1) exhibits multi-step decomposition with the formation of V₂O₅ as the final product at ~850 °C. Sol–gel transformation of (3) yielded (a) VO₂ sintered at 300 °C and (b) V₂O₅ at 600 °C. Similarly, sol–gel transformations of (1) and (2) yielded V₂O₅ (c) and (d) at 600 °C, respectively. Formation of monoclinic phase in (a) and orthorhombic phase in (b), (c) and (d) were confirmed by powder XRD patterns.     

Structures and Stability of Complexes of E(C6F5)3 (E = B,Al, Ga,In) with Acetonitrile

Complexes formed by interaction of E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = B, Al, Ga, In) with excess of acetonitrile (AN) were structurally characterized. Quantum chemical computations indicate that for Al(C₆F₅)₃ and In(C₆F₅)₃ the formation of a complex of 1:2 composition is more advantageous than for B(C₆F₅)₃ and Ga(C₆F₅)₃, in line with experimental observations. Formation of the solvate [Al(C₆F₅)₃ · 2AN] · AN is in agreement with predicted thermodynamic instability of [Al(C₆F₅)₃ · 3AN]. Tensimetry study of B(C₆F₅)₃ · CH₃CN reveals its stability in the solid state up to 197 °C. With the temperature increase, the complex undergoes irreversible thermal decomposition with pentafluorobenzene formation.     

Kinetics of D,L–Lactide Polymerization Initiated with Zirconium Acetylacetonate

The kinetic of D,L-lactide polymerization in presence of biocompatible zirconium acetylacetonate initiator was studied by differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal mode at various temperatures and initiator concentrations. The enthalpy of D,L-lactide polymerization measured directly in DSC cell was found to be ΔH=−17.8±1.4 kJ mol⁻¹. Kinetic curves of D,L-lactide polymerization and propagation rate constants were determined for polymerization with zirconium acetylacetonate at concentrations of 250–1000 ppm and temperature of 160–220 °C. Using model or reversible polymerization the following kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated: activation energy E_a=44.51±5.35 kJ mol⁻¹, preexponential constant lnA=15.47±1.38, entropy of polymerization ΔS=−25.14 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The effect of reaction conditions on the molecular weight of poly(D,L-lactide) was shown.     

Nitro-, Cyano-, and Methylfuroxans,and Their Bis-Derivatives: From Green Primary to Melt-Cast Explosives

In the present work, we studied in detail the thermochemistry, thermal stability, mechanical sensitivity, and detonation performance for 20 nitro-, cyano-, and methyl derivatives of 1,2,5-oxadiazole-2-oxide (furoxan), along with their bis-derivatives. For all species studied, we also determined the reliable values of the gas-phase formation enthalpies using highly accurate multilevel procedures W2-F12 and/or W1-F12 in conjunction with the atomization energy approach and isodesmic reactions with the domain-based local pair natural orbital (DLPNO) modifications of the coupled-cluster techniques. Apart from this, we proposed reliable benchmark values of the formation enthalpies of furoxan and a number of its (azo)bis-derivatives. Additionally, we reported the previously unknown crystal structure of 3-cyano-4-nitrofuroxan. Among the monocyclic compounds, 3-nitro-4-cyclopropyl and dicyano derivatives of furoxan outperformed trinitrotoluene, a benchmark melt-cast explosive, exhibited decent thermal stability (decomposition temperature >200 °C) and insensitivity to mechanical stimuli while having notable volatility and low melting points. In turn, 4,4′-azobis-dicarbamoyl furoxan is proposed as a substitute of pentaerythritol tetranitrate, a benchmark brisant high explosive. Finally, the application prospects of 3,3′-azobis-dinitro furoxan, one of the most powerful energetic materials synthesized up to date, are limited due to the tremendously high mechanical sensitivity of this compound. Overall, the investigated derivatives of furoxan comprise multipurpose green energetic materials, including primary, secondary, melt-cast, low-sensitive explosives, and an energetic liquid.     

Synthesis of Supported Heterogeneous Catalysts by Laser Ablation of Metallic Palladium in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Medium

To obtain a supported heterogeneous catalyst, laser ablation of metallic palladium in supercritical carbon dioxide was performed in the presence of a carrier, microparticles of γ-alumina. The influence of the ablation process conditions—including supercritical fluid density, ablation, mixing time of the mixture, and laser wavelength—on the completeness and efficiency of the deposition of palladium particles on the surface of the carrier was studied. The obtained composites were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy using energy dispersive spectroscopy. We found that palladium particles were nanosized and had a narrow size distribution (2–8 nm). The synthesized composites revealed high activity as catalysts in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene.     

From 1D to 2D Cd(II) and Zn(II) Coordination Networks by Replacing Monocarboxylate with Dicarboxylates in Partnership with Azine Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,Inclusion, and Emission Properties

Eight mixed-ligand coordination networks, [Cd(2-aba)(NO₃)(4-bphz)_3/2]_n·n(dmf) (1), [Cd(2-aba)₂(4-bphz)]_n·0.75n(dmf) (2), [Cd(seb)(4-bphz)]_n·n(H₂O) (3), [Cd(seb)(4-bpmhz)]_n·n(H₂O) (4), [Cd(hpa)(3-bphz)]_n (5), [Zn(1,3-bdc)(3-bpmhz)]_n·n(MeOH) (6), [Cd(1,3-bdc)(3-bpmhz)]_n ·0.5n(H₂O)·0.5n(EtOH) (7), and [Cd(NO₃)₂(3-bphz)(bpe)]_n·n(3-bphz) (8) were obtained by interplay of cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate or zinc nitrate hexahydrate with 2-aminobenzenecarboxylic acid (H(2-aba)), three dicarboxylic acids, sebacic (decanedioic acid, H₂seb), homophthalic (2-(carboxymethyl)benzoic acid, H₂hpa), isophthalic (1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂(1,3-bdc)) acids, bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) and with four azine ligands, 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine (4-bphz), 1,2-bis(1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethylidene) hydrazine (4-bpmhz), 1,2-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethylene)hydrazine (3-bphz), and 1,2-bis(1-(pyridin-3-yl) ethylidene)hydrazine (3-bpmhz). Compounds 1 and 2 are 1D coordination polymers, while compounds 3–8 are 2D coordination polymers. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods of analysis. The solvent uptakes and stabilities to the guest evacuation were studied and compared for 1D and 2D coordination networks. The de-solvated forms revealed a significant increase of emission in comparison with the as-synthesized crystals.     

Photochromic Free MOF‐Based Near‐Infrared Optical Switch

We demonstrate herein an all‐optical switch based on stimuli‐responsive and photochromic‐free metal–organic framework (HKUST‐1). Ultrafast near‐infrared laser pulses stimulate a reversible 0.4 eV blue shift of the absorption band with up to 200 s^?1 rate due to dehydration and concomitant shrinking of the structure‐forming [Cu₂C₄O₈] cages of HKUST‐1. Such light‐induced switching enables the remote modulation of intensities of photoluminescence of single crystals of HKUST‐1 as well visible radiation passing through the crystal by 2 order of magnitude. This opens up the possibility of utilyzing stimuli‐responsive MOFs for all‐optical data processing devices.     

Analysis of the Kinetic Parameters of the Enzymatiс Catalysis of Esterifications in Hexane

Kinetics and Catalysis - Some of the kinetic parameters of esterifications of aliphatic acids and alcohols involving biocatalysts in nonaqueous media were analyzed using mathematical modeling. The...