A new nonlinear optical silicate carbonate K2Ca[Si2O5](CO3) with a hybrid structure of kalsilite and soda-like layered fragments

Single crystals of a new silicate carbonate, K₂Ca[Si₂O₅](CO₃), have been synthesized in a multi-components hydrothermal solution with a pH value close to neutral and a high concentration of a carbonate mineralizer. The new compound has an axial structure (s.g. P6₃22) with unit cell parameters a = 5.04789 (15), c = 17.8668 (6) Å. Pseudosymmetry of the structure corresponds to s.g. P6₃/mmc which is broken only by one oxygen position. The structure consists of two layered fragments: one of the type of the mineral kalsilite (KAlSiO₄) and the other of the high-temperature soda-like α-Na₂CO₃, Ca substituting for Na. The electro-neutral layer K₂[Si₂O₅] (denoted K) as well as the layer Ca(CO₃) (denoted S) may separately correspond to individual structures. In K₂Ca[Si₂O₅](CO₃) the S-K layers are connected together via Ca-O interactions between Ca atoms from the carbonate layer and apical O atoms from the silicate one, and also via K-O interlayer interactions. A hypothetical acentric structure, sp.gr. P-62c, is predicted on the basis of the order-disorder theory. It presents another symmetrical option for the arrangement of K-layers relative to S-layers. The K,Ca-silicate-carbonate powder produces a moderate SHG signal that is two times larger that of the α-quartz powder standard and close to other silicates with acentric structures and low electronic polarizability.     

Selective Growth and Structural Analysis of Regular MnO Nanooctapods Bearing Multiple High‐Index Surface Facets

Although numerous morphologies of MnO nanostructures have been reported, an exact structural analysis and mechanistic study has been lacking. In the present study, the formation of regular MnO octapods was demonstrated in a simple procedure, comprising the thermal decomposition of manganese oleate. Because of their structural uniformity, an ideal three‐dimensional model was successfully constructed. The eight arms protruded from the cubic center with tip angles of 38° and surface facets of {311} and {533} with rounded edges. The concentrations of oleate and chloride ions were the determining factors for the octapod formation. Selective coordination of the oleate ions to the {100} faces led to edge growth along the <111> direction, which was then limited by the chloride ions bound to the high‐index surface facets. These structural and mechanistic analyses should be helpful for understanding the complex nanostructures and for tuning their structure‐related properties.     

Double Pancake Versus Long Chalcogen–Chalcogen Bonds in Six‐Membered C,N,S‐Heterocycles

The double “pancake” bonding in the dimers of the six‐membered heterocycles 1,3‐dithia‐2,4,6‐triazine ( 4 ) and 1,3‐dithia‐2,4‐diazine ( 16 ) were investigated by means of high‐level quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and CCSD(T)). It was found that the S–S dimers, 20 a and 27 , are not the most stable isomers, but the dimers showing short S?N ( 21 a ) and S?C ( 25 , 28 ) bonds. An investigation of the 5‐phenyl‐1,3‐dithia‐2,4,6‐triazine ( 4 b ) yields that the syn dimer with two S?S bonds (2.57 Å) is the most stable one. In this dimer, the phenyl groups are placed on top of each other. The additional dispersion energy of the phenyl rings causes a stabilization of the syn‐S–S (C_2v‐like) isomer. As a result, two weak albeit relevant single S?S bonds (2.57 Å) are predicted. These findings contradict the recently published concept of double “pancake” bonding in the dimer 4 b ₂.     

Site‐Resolved Two‐Step Relaxation Process in an Asymmetric Dy2 Single‐Molecule Magnet

Elaborate chemical design is of utmost importance in order to slow down the relaxation dynamics in single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) and hence improve their potential applications. Much interest was devoted to the study of distinct relaxation processes related to the different crystal fields of crystallographically independent lanthanide ions. However, the assignment of the relaxation processes to specific metal sites remains a challenging task. To address this challenge, a new asymmetric Dy₂ SMM displaying a well‐separated two‐step relaxation process with the anisotropic centers in fine‐tuned local environments was elaborately designed. For the first time a one‐to‐one relationship between the metal sites and the relaxation processes was evidenced. This work sheds light on complex multiple relaxation and may direct the rational design of lanthanide SMMs with enhanced magnetic properties.     

Highly Axial Magnetic Anisotropy in a N3O5 Dysprosium(III) Coordination Environment Generated by a Merocyanine Ligand

A spiropyran‐based switchable ligand isomerizes upon reaction with lanthanide(III) precursors to generate complexes with an unusual N₃O₅ coordination sphere. The air‐stable dysprosium(III) complex shows a hysteresis loop at 2 K and a very strong axial magnetic anisotropy generated by the merocyanine phenolate donor.     

Unraveling σ and π Effects on Magnetic Anisotropy in cis‐NiA4B2 Complexes: Magnetization,HF‐HFEPR Studies,First‐Principles Calculations,and Orbital Modeling

By using complementary experimental techniques and first‐principles theoretical calculations, magnetic anisotropy in a series of five hexacoordinated nickel(II) complexes possessing a symmetry close to C_2v, has been investigated. Four complexes have the general formula [Ni(bpy)X₂]ⁿ⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; X₂=bpy ( 1 ), (NCS^?)₂ ( 2 ), C₂O₄^2? ( 3 ), NO₃^? ( 4 )). In the fifth complex, [Ni(HIM₂‐py)₂(NO₃)]⁺ ( 5 ; HIM₂‐py=2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazolyl‐1‐hydroxy), which was reported previously, the two bpy bidentate ligands were replaced by HIM₂‐py. Analysis of the high‐field, high‐frequency electronic paramagnetic resonance (HF‐HFEPR) spectra and magnetization data leads to the determination of the spin Hamiltonian parameters. The D parameter, corresponding to the axial magnetic anisotropy, was negative (Ising type) for the five compounds and ranged from ?1 to ?10 cm^?1. First‐principles SO‐CASPT2 calculations have been performed to estimate these parameters and rationalize the experimental values. From calculations, the easy axis of magnetization is in two different directions for complexes 2 and 3 , on one hand, and 4 and 5 , on the other hand. A new method is proposed to calculate the g tensor for systems with S=1. The spin Hamiltonian parameters (D (axial), E (rhombic), and g_i) are rationalized in terms of ordering of the 3 d orbitals. According to this orbital model, it can be shown that 1) the large magnetic anisotropy of 4 and 5 arises from splitting of the e_g‐like orbitals and is due to the difference in the σ‐donor strength of NO₃^? and bpy or HIM₂‐py, whereas the difference in anisotropy between the two compounds is due to splitting of the t_2g‐like orbitals; and 2) the anisotropy of complexes 1 – 3 arises from the small splitting of the t_2g‐like orbitals. The direction of the anisotropy axis can be rationalized by the proposed orbital model.     

Insights into the electrochemical degradation of sulfamethoxazole and its metabolite by Ti/SnO2-Sb/Er-PbO2 anode

Electrochemical degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and its metabolite acetyl-sulfamethoxazole (Ac-SMX) by Ti/SnO₂-Sb/Er-PbO₂ were investigated. Results indicated that the electrochemical degradation of SMX and Ac-SMX followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate constants of SMX and Ac-SMX were 0.268 and 0.072 min^-1 at optimal current density of 10 and 14 mA/cm², respectively. Transformation products of SMX and Ac-SMX were identified and the possible degradation pathways, including the cleavage of S-N bond, opening ring of isoxazole and nitration of amino group, were proposed. Total organic carbon removal of SMX was nearly 63.2% after 3 h electrochemical degradation. 22.4% nitrogen of SMX was transformed to NO₃^-, and 98.8% sulfur of SMX was released as SO₄^2-. According to quantitative structure-activity relationship model, toxicities of SMX and Ac-SMX to aquatic organisms significantly decreased after electrochemical degradation. Electric energy consumption for 90% SMX and Ac-SMX degradation was determined to be 0.58-8.97 and 6.88-44.19 Wh/L at different experimental conditions, respectively. Compared with parent compound SMX, the metabolite Ac-SMX is more refractory and toxic, which emphasizes the importance of taking its metabolites into account when investigating the disposal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater.     

1,3-丁二烯选择性加氢催化剂的设计策略以及构效关系

催化裂化是石油化工的核心单元之一.从催化裂化尾气中分离出来的碳四馏分富含许多的不饱和烯烃,如1-丁烯、顺、反式-2-丁烯以及少量的1,3-丁二烯,这些不饱和烯烃可以通过后续聚合反应,生成合成橡胶和工程塑料的重要原料,具有重要的应用价值.上述工艺过程对原料中1,3-丁二烯的含量(<100~200 ppm)有严苛的要求.采用选择性加氢技术对碳四馏分中的1,3-丁二烯进行选择性加氢,将其转化为更高附加值的单烯烃是一个理想的解决方案.然而,1,3-丁二烯加氢反应得到的单烯烃可能发生深度加氢得到副产物丁烷.因此,开发高效选择性加氢催化剂对碳四资源的利用具有重要的现实意义.另一方面,1,3-丁二烯加氢反应可以作为模型反应,用来考察选择性加氢催化剂的性能.基于此,该反应无论在工业界还是学术界均受到广泛关注.尽管如此,有关1,3-丁二烯加氢催化剂研究进展方面的综述极少.仅有关于1,3-丁二烯加氢作为模型反应的综述报道.本文对过去半个世纪以来1,3-丁二烯加氢反应中不同催化剂的发展历程进行系统综述,特别是包括Pd,Pt和Au等的单一贵金属催化剂.重点介绍以下内容:(1)固体催化剂构效关系,包括活性金属尺寸效应、晶面和形貌效应以及载体效应(晶相、孔道和酸碱性);(2)高性能催化剂的设计新策略,如单原子催化剂、核壳结构催化剂、金属-离子液复合催化体系以及载体的形貌调控;(3)催化剂的反应机理和失活机理.提出了1,3-丁二烯选择性加氢高性能催化剂开发面临的挑战,并对潜在的发展方向进行了展望.本文认为随着纳米技术和金属纳米材料合成方法的快速发展,对贵金属活性组分进行原子层面上的调控(包括形貌、尺寸以及单原子配位环境等)已成为可能.这将有助于研制出一类新型高性能选择性加氢催化材料,从而实现高转化率条件下高附加值单烯烃的定向转化.此外,载体的酸碱性和孔道结构的调控有助于进一步调节催化剂的抗积炭性能,也是未来发展的一个重要方向.     

Properties of the Reactants and Their Interactions within and with the Enzyme Binding Cavity Determine Reaction Selectivities. The Case of Fe(II)/2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Enzymes

Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenases (ODDs) share a double stranded beta helix (DSBH) fold and utilise a common reactive intermediate, ferryl species, to catalyse oxidative transformations of substrates. Despite the structural similarities, ODDs accept a variety of substrates and facilitate a wide range of reactions, that is hydroxylations, desaturations, (oxa)cyclisations and ring rearrangements. In this review we present and discuss the factors contributing to the observed (regio)selectivities of ODDs. They span from inherent properties of the reactants, that is, substrate molecule and iron cofactor, to the interactions between the substrate and the enzyme's binding cavity; the latter can counterbalance the effect of the former. Based on results of both experimental and computational studies dedicated to ODDs, we also line out the properties of the reactants which promote reaction outcomes other than the “default” hydroxylation. It turns out that the reaction selectivity depends on a delicate balance of interactions between the components of the investigated system.