How Ligand Geometry Affects the Reactivity of Co(II) Cyclam Complexes

Cobalt complexes are extensively studied as bioinspired models for non-heme oxygenases as they facilitate both the stabilization and characterization of metal-oxygen intermediates. As an analog to the well-known Co(cyclam) complex Co{N₄} (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), the Co^II complex Co{i-N₄} with the isomeric isocyclam ligand (isocyclam=1,4,7,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) was synthesized and characterized. Despite the identical N₄ donor set of both complexes, Co{i-N₄} enables the 2e⁻/2H⁺ reduction of O₂ with a lower overpotential (η_eff of 385 mV vs. 540 mV for Co{N₄} ), albeit with a diminished turnover frequency. Characterization of the intermediates formed upon O₂ activation of Co{i-N₄} reveals a structurally identified stable μ-peroxo Co^III dimer as the main product. A superoxo Co^III species is also formed as a minor product, as indicated by EPR spectroscopy. In further reactivity studies, the electrophilicity of these in situ generated Co−O₂ species was demonstrated by the oxidation of the O−H bond of TEMPO−H (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-ol) via a H atom abstraction process. Unlike the known Co(cyclam), Co{i-N₄} can be employed in oxygen atom transfer reactions oxidizing triphenylphosphine to the corresponding phosphine oxide highlighting the impact of geometrical modifications of the ligand while preserving the ring size and donor atom set on the reactivity of biomimetic oxygen activating complexes.     

Alcohol-Assisted Synthesis of Sheet-Like ZSM-5 Zeolites with Controllable Aspect Ratios

Sheet-like ZSM-5 has been regarded as a promising material for catalytic applications due to its diffusion superiority. However, it still remains a challenge to obtain a desirable sheet-like morphology because of the complex synthesis process of zeolites. Here, a facile strategy for synthesizing sheet-like ZSM-5 is developed by only adding ethanol as zeolite growth modifier in the synthesis gel. It is thought that ethanol might be preferentially absorbed on the {010} surface of zeolite crystals, interact with the exposed silicon hydroxyl groups on the crystal {010} facet, and suppress the growth of b axis, resulting in the sheet-like shape. Through finely tunning synthesis parameters, sheet-like ZSM-5 crystals with thin b-axis thickness of 90 nm and different aspect ratios could be obtained. Owing to its shorter diffusion path and optimized acidity, sheet-like ZSM-5 exhibits better catalytic performance than conventional ZSM-5 in the alkylation of benzene with ethanol.     

The Remarkably Robust,Photoactive Tungsten Iodide Cluster [W6I12(NCC6H5)2]

The new heteroleptic tungsten iodide cluster compound [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] is presented. The synthesis is carried-out from Cs₂W₆I₁₄ and ZnI₂ under solvothermal conditions in benzonitrile solution, yielding red cube-shaped crystals. [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] represents a heteroleptic [W₆I₈]-type cluster bearing four apical iodides and two benzonitrile ligands. Molecular [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] clusters form a robust hydrogen bridged crystal structure with high thermal stability and high resistibility against hydrolysis. The electronic structure is analyzed by quantum chemical methods of the calculated electron localization function (ELF) and the band structure. Photoluminescence measurements are performed to verify and describe the photophysical properties of [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂]. Finally, the photocatalytic properties of [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] are evaluated as a proof-of-concept.     

How Doping Affects the Activity of the Aluminum Oxide Support

The performance of heteronuclear clusters [AlXO₃]⁺ (X=Al, AlO₄, AlMg₂O₂, AlZnO, AlAu₂, Mg, Y, VO, NbO, TaO) in activating methane has been explored by a combination of high–level quantum calculations with reported and supplementary gas-phase experiments. With different dopants in [AlXO₃]⁺, the mechanism, reactivity and selectivity towards methane activation varies accordingly. The classic HAT competes with PCET, depending on the composition of intramolecular interactions. Although the existence of terminal oxygen radical is beneficial for classic HAT, the Al_t−C interaction in the [AlXO₃]⁺ clusters as enhanced by the strongly electronegative doping groups (X=Al, AlZnO, Mg, Zn, VO, NbO, TaO) favors the PCET process, facilitating C−H bond breaking. In addition, with different dopants, the destiny of the split methyl group varies accordingly. While strong interaction between Al_t and CH₃ results in the formation of the Al_t−C bond, dopants with variable valance may promote the formation of deep-oxidation products like formaldehyde. It has been discussed in detail how to regulate the activity and selectivity of the active center of the catalyst via rational doping.     

Heterometallic zinc uranium oxyfluorides incorporating imidazole ligands

Two heterometallic uranium oxyfluorides with hybrid networks were hydrothermally synthesized by incorporating two imidazoles, 1-(biphenyl-4-yl)-1H-imidazole(bpi) and 1,4-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene(dib), formulated as Zn(bpi)2(UO2)2(H2O)F6(1) and Zn(dib)(UO2)F4 0.5H2O(2). Compound 1consists of chains of edge-sharing UO2F5 and UO2F4(H2O) pentagonal bipyramids, which are linked by Zn(bpi)2moieties to form the sheet structure with decorated bpi. While in compound 2, sheets of edgesharing dimers of UO2F5 pentagonal bipyramids and Zn F3N2 polyhedra are linked by dib, creating a pillared three-dimensional framework. The two compounds represent the few examples of heterometallic uranium oxyfluorides incorporating organic ligands. The syntheses, structure as well as the IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and luminescent properties of the bimetallic uranium oxyfluorides are studied.     

Complete dispersion analysis of single crystal neodymium gallate

A single crystal of neodymium gallate was investigated by FTIR-spectroscopy in the reststrahlen region between 100–1000 cm⁻¹. The three spectra of the crystal in principal orientations were analyzed by dispersion analysis and the dispersion parameters and the dielectric tensor function were obtained. This allows to properly characterize and quantitatively analyze films of this important substrate material by IR-optical methods.     

Magnetic Relaxation in Single‐Electron Single‐Ion Cerium(III) Magnets: Insights from Ab Initio Calculations

Detailed ab initio calculations were performed on two structurally different cerium(III) single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) to probe the origin of magnetic anisotropy and to understand the mechanism of magnetic relaxations. The complexes [Ce^III{Zn^II(L)}₂(MeOH)]BPh₄ ( 1 ) and [Li(dme)₃][Ce^III(cot′′)₂] ( 1 ; L=N,N,O,O‐tetradentate Schiff base ligand; 2 ; DME=dimethoxyethane, COT′′=1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyldianion), which are reported to be zero‐field and field‐induced SMMs with effective barrier heights of 21.2 and 30 K respectively, were chosen as examples. CASSCF+RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO calculations unequivocally suggest that m_J|±5/2〉 and |±1/2〉 are the ground states for complexes 1 and 2 , respectively. The origin of these differences is rooted back to the nature of the ligand field and the symmetry around the cerium(III) ions. Ab initio magnetisation blockade barriers constructed for complexes 1 and 2 expose a contrasting energy‐level pattern with significant quantum tunnelling of magnetisation between the ground state Kramers doublet in complex 2 . Calculations performed on several model complexes stress the need for a suitable ligand environment and high symmetry around the cerium(III) ions to obtain a large effective barrier.     

纳米SiO_2表面基团在MMA原位本体聚合中的阻缓聚作用

分别以3-(甲基丙烯酰氧)丙基三甲氧基硅烷(MPS)和辛基三甲氧基硅烷(OTMS)为活性和惰性硅烷的代表,对SiO2进行不同锚固密度的表面修饰,并以改性SiO2的甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)单体分散液为原料,通过原位本体聚合制得一系列SiO2含量不同的高分散性SiO2/PMMA复合材料.考察SiO2表面基团活性程度和SiO2含量对聚合反应动力学、基体聚合物分子量以及复合材料硬度的影响,探究修饰状态不同SiO2在本体自由基聚合中的作用机制.发现SiO2表面硅羟基及其锚固MPS的活性双键会对聚合反应起阻缓聚作用,进而会显著降低基体聚合物的分子量及复合材料的硬度.而惰性硅烷OTMS对SiO2表面的锚固则会消耗SiO2表面硅羟基、并屏蔽其影响,因而随着OTMS锚固密度的提高,基体分子量和复合材料硬度均会随之提高,特别是当表面修饰达到饱和状态时,SiO2的阻缓聚作用已可忽略.     

二种求算晶体平面间距d_(hkl)的数学方法

用数学方法推导出结构化学晶体学中晶面间距的一般通式,并在此基础上推导出其他晶系的晶面间距(d(hkl))的计算表达式。     

Partitioning Solvophobic and Dispersion Forces in Alkyl and Perfluoroalkyl Cohesion

Fluorocarbons often have distinct miscibility properties compared to their nonfluorinated analogues. These differences may be attributed to van der Waals dispersion forces or solvophobic effects, but their contributions are notoriously difficult to separate in molecular recognition processes. Here, molecular torsion balances were used to compare cohesive alkyl and perfluoroalkyl interactions in a range of solvents. A simple linear regression enabled the energetic partitioning of solvophobic and van der Waals forces in the self‐association of apolar chains. The contributions of dispersion interactions in apolar cohesion were found to be strongly attenuated in solution compared to the gas phase, but still play a major role in fluorous and organic solvents. In contrast, solvophobic effects were found to be dominant in driving the association of apolar chains in aqueous solution. The results are expected to assist the computational modelling of van der Waals forces in solution.