K6In2Q6 (Q = S,Se, Te): Missing Links in the Series of Alkali Chalcogenido Ditrielates(III)

The chalcogenido indates K₆In₂Q₆ (Q = S, Se, Te) were synthesized from melts of the pure elements at a maximum temperature of 700 °C. All three potassium salts contain dinuclear units [In₂Q₆]^6– of two edge-sharing [InQ₄] tetrahedra. The sulfido and the selenido indate are isotypic and crystallize in the K₆Mn₂O₆-type structure [monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 784.32(9)/809.32(3), b = 1274.58(14)/1322.37(4), c = 836.48(9)/870.53(3) pm, β = 97.900(2)/97.5877(8)°, Z = 2, R₁ = 0.0123/0.0109; for Q = S/Se]. The tellurido indate K₆In₂Te₆ crystallizes in a new orthorhombic structure type [space group Pnma, a = 1793.70(12), b = 1491.55(11), c = 837.40(6) pm, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0157]. In this structure, the telluride anions form a hexagonal close packing, in which K⁺ cations occupy all octahedral voids; the In³⁺ ions take 1/6 (but always adjacent) tetrahedral voids. This structure-chemical relation to the h.c.p. packing, which is similarly found for most of the sodium dimetallates (e.g. Na₆Fe₂S₆), is substantiated by a full crystallographic group-subgroup tree. The crystal chemistry of the new indates is discussed and compared with that of alkali chalcogenido metallates(III) of Fe, Al and Ga containing [M₂Q₆]^6– dimers, which overall form as many as ten different structure types. DFT band structure calculations of the three title compounds exhibit bandgaps, which continuously decrease from the S to the Te compound and which are also in accordance with the pale yellow (S), bright yellow (Se) and red-brown (Te) color of the compounds. The chemical bonding in the salts and within the metallate anion is discussed on the basis of the partial DOS and a Bader analysis of the calculated electron density.     

Tuning of Photonic band gap via combined effect of electric and optical fields in a blue phase liquid crystal composite

ABSTRACT

Blue phase liquid crystals are soft 3D photonic crystals in which the liquid crystal molecules self-assemble to form a cubic structure with lattice spacing of a few hundred nanometers resulting in selective reflection of colours in the visible spectrum. The corresponding wavelength or the ‘photonic band gap’ can be tuned using various external stimuli such as thermal, electric, magnetic and optical fields. Here, we report efficient tuning of photonic band gap by utilising the combination of electric and optical fields in a blue phase liquid crystalline system. The studies indicate that the chirality of the medium has a direct bearing on the direction of the wavelength shift and the extent of the photonic band gap tunability. More importantly, the synergistic effect of the two fields helps in reversible tuning of the band gap.     

Hydrogen production and photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/Co-MOF (ZIF-67) nanocomposite under visible light irradiation

Herein, cobalt (Co)-based metal–organic zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-67) coupled with g-C₃N₄ nanosheets synthesized via a simple microwave irradiation method. SEM, TEM and HR-TEM results showed that ZIF-67 were uniformly dispersed on g-C₃N₄ surfaces and had a rhombic dodecahedron shape. The photocatalytic properties of g-C₃N₄/ZIF-67 nanocomposite were evaluated by photocatalytic dye degradation of crystal violet (CV), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production. In presence of visible light illumination, the photocatalytic dye results showed that 95% CV degradation and 53% 4-CP degradation within 80 min. The H₂ production of the g-C₃N₄/ZIF-67 composite was 2084 μmol g⁻¹, which is 3.84 folds greater than that of bare g-C₃N₄ (541 μmol g⁻¹).     

Efficient removal of As(V) from simulated arsenic-contaminated wastewater via a novel metal–organic framework material: Synthesis,structure, and response surface methodology

A novel metal–organic framework material {[N(C₂H₅)₃][Zn₂(ptmda)₂(μ₂-H₂O)]·(H₂O)_0.5}_n { GUT-3 ; H₂ptmda is 4,4′-([p-tolylazanediyl]bis [methylene])dibenzoic acid} was successfully synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. GUT-3 has a two-dimensional network based on dinuclear [Zn₂(ptmda)₂(μ₂-H₂O)]⁻ building units which formed an eightfold interpenetration network in GUT-3 molecules. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that H–H, C–H, and O–H bonds accounted for the majority of intermolecular interactions. Moreover, the interactions between GUT-3 and As(V) – the form of As(V) is AsO₄³⁻ – were analyzed in aqueous solutions in a batch system to study the effect of pH, concentration, adsorbent dose, adsorption time, adsorption temperature, and shaking speed. The kinetic and isotherm data of arsenic adsorption on GUT-3 were accurately modeled by pseudo-second-order, Langmuir (q_m = 33.91 mg/g), and Freundlich models. The Box–Behnken response surface method was used to optimize the adsorption conditions of As(V) from the simulated arsenic-contaminated wastewater. The effect of various experimental parameters and optimal experimental conditions was ascertained using the quadratic model.     

Synthesis,Hirshfeld surface analysis,luminescence and thermal properties of three first-row transition metal complexes containing 4′-hydroxy-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine: Application for preparation of nano metal oxides

A series of new mono- and bis-terpyridine complexes [Mn(tpyOH)Cl₂] ( 1 ), [Ni(tpyOH)₂](PF₆)₂ ( 2 ) and [Zn(tpyO)(η¹-OCOCH₃)(H₂O)]⋅3H₂O ( 4 ) containing 4′-hydroxy-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (tpyOH) were synthesized and structurally characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The reaction of MnCl₂ with tpyOH in a mixture of methanol and CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the formation of 1 . The X-ray crystal structure of 1 reveals that Mn(II) is penta-coordinated by three nitrogen atoms from tpyOH and two Cl⁻ in a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Complex 2 was also prepared by the reaction of nickel(II) chloride with tpyOH in a methanolic medium in the presence of NH₄PF₆. Notably, the complex [Ni(tpyOH)(tpyO)]PF₆ ( 3 ), obtained during the crystallization of 2 from dichloromethane, was characterized using X-ray crystallography which shows that six nitrogen atoms from terpyridine ligands occupy the coordination sites around the Ni(II) centre in a distorted octahedral geometry with four longer bonds and two shorter Ni N bonds. The reaction of zinc(II) acetate with tpyOH in a mixture of methanol and CH₂Cl₂ led to the formation of 4 . The crystal structure of 4 reveals the formation of penta-coordinated Zn(II) complex containing three nitrogen atoms from tpyO, a monodentate acetate ligand and one coordinated water molecule. Hirshfeld surface analyses and two-dimensional fingerprint plots show that the main interactions are O…H/H…O contacts in 1 , 3 and 4 . The thermal decomposition reactions of 1 , 2 and 4 were studied using thermogravimetric analysis in detail due to their different structures. The solution luminescence features of 1 , 2 and 4 include high-energy intense π → π* intraligand and low-energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions at room temperature. The calcination of the coordination complexes led to the formation of corresponding nano metal oxides. The products were structurally characterized using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The average particle size using Scherrer's equation was calculated to be below 50 nm.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological screening of metal complexes of novel sulfonamide derivatives: Experimental and theoretical analysis of sulfonamide crystal

This study reports the synthesis of sulfonamide-derived Schiff bases as ligands L ¹ and L ² as well as their transition metal complexes [VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)]. The Schiff bases (4-{E-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}benzene-1-sulfonamide ( L ¹ ) and 4-{[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-N-(5-methyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)benzene-1-sulfonamide ( L ² ) were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 4-aminobenzene-1-sulfonamide and 4-amino-N-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-5-yl)benzene-1-sulfonamide with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde in an equimolar ratio. Sulfonamide core ligands behaved as bidentate ligands and coordinated with transition metals via nitrogen of azomethine and the oxygen of the hydroxyl group. Ligand L ¹ was recovered in its crystalline form and was analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique which held monoclinic crystal system with space group (P2₁/c). The structures of the ligands L ¹ and L ² and their transition metal complexes were established by their physical (melting point, color, yields, solubility, magnetic susceptibility, and conductance measurements), spectral (UV–visible [UV–Vis], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass analysis), and analytical (CHN analysis) techniques. Furthermore, computational analysis (vibrational bands, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), and natural bonding orbitals [NBOs]) were performed for ligands through density functional theory utilizing B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level and UV–Vis analysis was carried out by time-dependent density functional theory. Theoretical spectroscopic data were in line with the experimental spectroscopic data. NBO analysis confirmed the extraordinary stability of the ligands in their conjugative interactions. Global reactivity parameters computed from the FMO energies indicated the ligands were bioactive by nature. These procedures ensured the charge transfer phenomenon for the ligands and reasonable relevance was established with experimental results. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activities against bacterial (Streptococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Eshcheria coli, and Klebsiella pneomoniae) species and fungal (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavous) strains. A further assay was designed for screening of their antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total iron reducing power) and enzyme inhibition properties (amylase, protease, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase). The substantial results of these activities proved the ligands and their transition metal complexes to be bioactive in their nature.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new copper (II) complex,designed to produce efficient successor of Cu2O,toward synergy of adsorption and photodegradation of MB

A new copper (II) coordination complex formulated as [Cu (dipic)(phen)(2-MePy)]. 2H₂O ( 1 ) where phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline, dipic²⁻ = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato and 2-MePy = 2-methyl pyrrole was synthesized through a simple and environment-friendly reaction under ultrasound irradiation. Also, complex 1 was synthesized by hydrothermal process at 120 °C for 3 days. The corresponding structure of complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), conductivity measurement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and fluorescence. The crystal structure of the hydrothermally synthesized complex was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD(, which revealed a triclinic structure. In the remainder of this study, the Cu₂O nanoparticles have been prepared via thermal decomposition of hydrothermal and ultrasound complexes and characterized by ICP, FT-IR, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM and N₂ adsorption/desorption. Adsorption and visible-light-driven photocatalytic capabilities of two synthetic Cu₂O were investigated in the removal of MB from water. The result showed that the synthesized catalysts have good catalytic activity and the photocatalytic degradation is more effective in dye removal of MB compared with the adsorption.     

Construction and visible-light photocatalytic performance of carboxyethyltin/transition metal–functionalized wheel-like tungstophosphates

The wheel-like tungstophosphate ([P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄]⁴⁰⁻, abbreviated as P₈W₄₈) reacted with estertin trichloride (Cl₃SnRCH₃, R = CH₂CH₂COO) in aqueous solution, resulting in a new wheel-like polyoxometalate (POM) containing six SnR fragments, formulated as K₆Na₂₄[{(SnR(H₂O))₂(μ-OH)(μ-SnR(H₂O))}₂(P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄)]·59H₂O (abbreviated as Sn ₆ - P ₈ W ₄₈ ). Based on this, the transition metal (TM) was further introduced into the Sn ₆ - P ₈ W ₄₈ system, self-assembling three other wheel-like POMs with the general formula K_xNa_yH_{26 − x − y}[{TM(H₂O)₃(SnR(H₂O))₂(μ-OH)(μ-SnR(H₂O))}₂(P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄)]·nH₂O (abbreviated as TM ₂ - Sn ₆ - P ₈ W ₄₈ , TM = Mn, Co, Ni; x = 0, 1, 2; y = 19, 22, 15; n = 72, 85, 75, respectively). The structures of these new organometal and TM co-modified compounds were characterized using infrared, UV–Vis. spectroscopy, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and powder- and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The estertin precursor hydrolyzed into carboxyethyltin (SnR) fragment in these crystalline POM materials, which can improve their adhesion to titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The photocatalytic performance of Sn ₆ - P ₈ W ₄₈ , TM ₂ - Sn ₆ - P ₈ W ₄₈ , and their TiO₂ composites was examined by studying the degradation of a model dye pollutant Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation without adding hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the photocatalytic mechanism was also discussed. The experimental results show that the title compounds exhibit a quicker and better photocatalytic degradation effect on RhB compared with their parent compound, indicating that the introduced organotin groups play a significant role. Moreover, it was found that H₂O₂ was produced after illumination pretreatment for POM solution, promoting the photocatalytic reaction.     

Building Blocks for High-Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics: Interplay of Molecular,Crystal, and Electronic Properties in Post-Fullerene ITIC Ensembles

Accurate single-crystal X-ray diffraction data offer a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the atomistic details of bulk heterojunction photovoltaic small-molecule acceptor structure and packing, as well as provide an essential starting point for computational electronic structure and charge transport analysis. Herein, we report diffraction-derived crystal structures and computational analyses on the n-type semiconductors which enable some of the highest efficiency organic solar cells produced to date, 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( ITIC ) and seven derivatives (including three new crystal structures: 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-propylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( ITIC-C3 ), 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(3-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( m -ITIC-C6 ), and 3,9-bis(2-methylene-((3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-6,7-difluoro)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-butylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( ITIC-C4-4F ). IDTT acceptors typically pack in a face-to-face fashion with π–π distances ranging from 3.28–3.95 Å. Additionally, edge-to-face packing is observed with S⋯π interactions as short as 3.21–3.24 Å. Moreover, ITIC end group identities and side chain substituents influence the nature and strength of noncovalent interactions (e. g. H-bonding, π–π) and thus correlate with the observed packing motif, electronic structure, and charge transport properties of the crystals. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal relatively large nearest-neighbor intermolecular π-π electronic couplings (5.85–56.8 meV) and correlate the nature of the band structure with the dispersion interactions in the single crystals and core–end group polarization effects. Overall, this combined experimental and theoretical work reveals key insights into crystal engineering strategies for indacenodithienothiophene (IDTT) acceptors, as well as general design rules for high-efficiency post-fullerene small molecule acceptors.     

Novel tantalum phosphate Na13Sr2Ta2(PO4)9: synthesis,crystal structure,DFT calculations and Dy3+‐activated fluorescence performance

A new tantalum phosphate, tridecasodium distrontium ditantalum nonaphosphate, Na₁₃Sr₂Ta₂(PO₄)₉, was prepared using the high‐temperature flux method. The structure can be described as a three‐dimensional open framework containing isolated [Ta^V₂(PO₄)₉]¹⁷⁻ units that are interlocked by Na and Sr ions. Band structure studies by the first‐principles method revealed that Na₁₃Sr₂Ta₂(PO₄)₉ is an insulator with an indirect band gap of 4.78 eV, which makes it suitable as a luminescent host matrix. A series of solid solutions, i.e. Na₁₃Sr_2–xTa₂(PO₄)₉:xDy³⁺ (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1, 0.12 and 0.14), were prepared and their photoluminescence properties studied. Under 350 nm light excitation, these emit two typical emissions of the Dy³⁺ ion, i.e. the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 transition centred at 476 nm and the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transition centred at 570 nm.