Hydrothermal synthesis, structure, Raman spectroscopy, and self-irradiation studies of Cm(IO3)3

The study of curium iodate, Cm(IO₃)₃, was undertaken as part of a systematic investigation of the 4f- and 5f-elements’ iodates. The reaction of ²⁴⁸CmCl₃ with aqueous H₅IO₆ under mild hydrothermal conditions results in the reduction of IO₆⁵⁻ to IO₃⁻ anions, and the subsequent formation of Cm(IO₃)₃ single crystals. Crystallographic data are: (193 K, MoKα, ): monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, , , , β=100.142(2)°, V=811.76(14), Z=4, R(F)=2.11%, for 119 parameters with 1917 reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure consists of Cm³⁺ cations bound by iodate anions to form [Cm(IO₃)₈] units, where the local coordination environment around the curium centers can be described as a distorted dodecahedron. There are three crystallographically unique iodate anions within the structure; two iodates bridge between three Cm centers, and one iodate bridges between two Cm centers and has a terminal oxygen atom. The bridging of the curium centers by the iodate anions creates a three-dimensional structure. Three strong Raman bands with comparable intensities were observed at 846, 804, and 760 cm⁻¹ and correspond to the I-O symmetric stretching of the three crystallographically distinct iodate ions. The Raman profile suggests a lack of inter-ionic vibrational coupling of the I-O stretching, while intra-ionic coupling provides symmetric and asymmetric components that correspond to each iodate site. Repeated collection of X-ray diffraction data for a crystal of Cm(IO₃)₃ over a period of time revealed a gradual expansion of the unit cell from self-irradiation. After 71 days, the new parameters were: , , , β=100.021(2)°, V=818.3(2).     

Mixed-metal uranium(VI) iodates: hydrothermal syntheses,structures, and reactivity of Rb[UO(2)(CrO(4))(IO(3))(H(2)O)], A(2)[UO(2)(CrO(4))(IO(3))(2)] (A = K,Rb, Cs), and K(2)[UO(2)(MoO(4))(IO(3))(2)

The reactions of the molecular transition metal iodates A[CrO(3)(IO(3))] (A = K, Rb, Cs) with UO(3) under mild hydrothermal conditions provide access to four new, one-dimensional, uranyl chromatoiodates, Rb[UO(2)(CrO(4))(IO(3))(H(2)O)] (1) and A(2)[UO(2)(CrO(4))(IO(3))(2)] (A = K (2), Rb (3), Cs (4)). Under basic conditions, MoO(3), UO(3), and KIO(4) can be reacted to form K(2)[UO(2)(MoO(4))(IO(3))(2)] (5), which is isostructural with 2 and 3. The structure of 1 consists of one-dimensional[UO(2)(CrO(4))(IO(3))(H(2)O)](-) ribbons that contain uranyl moieties bound by bridging chromate and iodate anions as well as a terminal water molecule to create [UO(7)] pentagonal bipyramidal environments around the U(VI) centers. These ribbons are separated from one another by Rb(+) cations. When the iodate content is increased in the hydrothermal reactions, the terminal water molecule is replaced by a monodentate iodate anion to yield 2-4. These ribbons can be further modified by replacing tetrahedral chromate anions with MoO(4)(2)(-) anions to yield isostructural, one-dimensional [UO(2)(MoO(4))(IO(3))(2)](2)(-) ribbons. Crystallographic data: 1, triclinic, space group P(-)1, a = 7.3133(5) A, b = 8.0561(6) A, c = 8.4870(6) A, alpha = 88.740(1) degrees, beta = 87.075(1) degrees, gamma = 71.672(1) degrees, Z = 2; 2, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.1337(5) A, b = 7.2884(4) A, c = 15.5661(7) A, beta = 107.977(1) degrees, Z = 4; 3, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.3463(6) A, b = 7.3263(4) A, c = 15.9332(8) A, beta = 108.173(1) degrees, Z = 4; 4, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 7.3929(5) A, b = 8.1346(6) A, c = 22.126(2) A, beta = 90.647(1) degrees, Z = 4; 5, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.3717(6) A, b = 7.2903(4) A, c = 15.7122(8) A, beta = 108.167(1) degrees, Z = 4.     

New one-dimensional uranyl and neptunyl iodates: crystal structures of K3[(UO2)2(IO3)6](IO3)·H2O and K[NpO2(IO3)3]·1.5H2O

The uranyl and neptunyl(VI) iodates, K₃[(UO₂)₂(IO₃)₆](IO₃)·H₂O (1) and K[NpO₂(IO₃)₃]·1.5H₂O (2), have been prepared and crystallized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The structures of 1 and 2 both contain one-dimensional _∞¹[AnO₂(IO₃)₃]¹⁻(An=U,Np) ribbons that consist of approximately linear actinyl(VI) cations bound by iodate anions to yield AnO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. The AnO₇ units are linked by bridging iodate anions to yield chains that are in turn coupled by additional iodate anions to yield ribbons. The edges of the ribbons are terminated by monodentate iodate anions. For 1 and 2, K⁺ cations and water molecules separate the ribbons from one another. In addition, isolated iodate anions are also found between _∞¹[UO₂(IO₃)₃]¹⁻ ribbons in 1. In order to aid in the assignment of oxidation states in neptunyl containing compounds, a bond-valence sum parameter of 2.018 Å for Np(VI) bound exclusively to oxygen has been developed with b=0.37 Å. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 1, triclinic, , a=7.0609(4) Å, b=14.5686(8)  Å, c=14.7047(8)  Å, α=119.547(1)°, β=95.256(1)°, γ=93.206(1)°, Z=2, R(F)=2.49% for 353 parameters with 6414 reflections with I>2σ(I); (203 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 2, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=7.796(4)  Å, b=7.151(3)  Å, c=21.79(1)  Å, β=97.399(7)°, Z=4, R(F)=6.33% for 183 parameters with 2451 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of Cs6[(UO2)4(W5O21)(OH)2(H2O)2]: a new polar uranyl tungstate

The hydrothermal reaction of UO₃, WO₃, and CsIO₄ leads to the formation of Cs₆[(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] and UO₂(IO₃)₂(H₂O). Cs₆[(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] is the first example of a hydrothermally synthesized uranyl tungstate. It's structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data: tetragonal, space group I4 cm, , , Z=4, MoKα, , R(F)=2.84% for 135 parameters with 2300 reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure is comprised of two-dimensional anionic layers that are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The coordination polyhedra found in the novel layers consist of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids, WO₆ distorted octahedra, and WO₅ square pyramids. The UO₇ polyhedra are formed from the binding of five equatorial oxygen atoms around a central uranyl, UO₂²⁺, unit. Both bridging and terminal oxo ligands are employed in forming the WO₅ square pyramidal units, while oxo, hydroxo, and aqua ligands are found in the WO₆ distorted octahedra. In the layers, four (UO₂)O₅ polyhedra corner share with equatorial oxygen atoms to form a U₄O₂₄ tetramer entity with a square site in the center; a tungsten atom populates the center of each of these sites to form a U₄WO₂₅ pentamer unit. The pentamer units that result are connected in two dimensions by edge-shared dimers of WO₆ octahedra to form the two-dimensional [(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂]^6- layers. The lack of inversion symmetry in Cs₆[(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] can be directly contributed to the WO₅ square pyramids found in the pentamer units. In the structure, all of these polar polyhedra align their terminal oxygens in the same orientation, along the c axis, thus resulting in a polar compound.     

Synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic properties of Am(IO3)3 and the photoluminescence behavior of Cm(IO3)3

We have prepared Am(IO(3))(3) as a part of our continuing investigations into the chemistry of the 4f- and 5f-elements' iodates. Single crystals were obtained from the reaction of Am(3+) and H(5)IO(6) under mild hydrothermal conditions. Crystallographic data on an eight-day-old crystal are (21 degrees C, Mo Kalpha, lambda = 0.71073 Angstroms): monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 7.2300(5) Angstroms, b = 8.5511(6) Angstroms, c = 13.5361(10) Angstroms, beta = 100.035(1) degrees, V = 824.06(18), Z = 4. The structure consists of Am(3+) cations bound by iodate anions to form [Am(IO(3))(8)] units, where the local coordination environment around the americium centers is a distorted dodecahedron. There are three crystallographically unique iodate anions within the structure that bridge in both bidentate and tridentate fashions to form the overall three-dimensional structure. Repeated collection of X-ray diffraction data with time for a crystal of (243)Am(IO(3))(3) revealed an anisotropic expansion of the unit cell, presumably from self-irradiation damage, to generate values of a = 7.2159(7) Angstroms, b = 8.5847(8) Angstroms, c = 13.5715(13) Angstroms, beta = 99.492(4) degrees, V = 829.18(23) after approximately five months. The Am(IO(3))(3) crystals have also been characterized by Raman spectroscopy and the spectral results compared to those for Cm(IO(3))(3). Three strong Raman bands were observed for both compounds and correspond to the I-O symmetric stretching of the three crystallographically distinct iodate anions. The Raman profile suggests a lack of interionic vibrational coupling of the I-O stretching, while intraionic coupling provides symmetric and asymmetric components that correspond to each iodate site. Photoluminescence data for both Am(IO(3))(3) and Cm(IO(3))(3) are reported here for the first time. Assignments for the electronic levels of the actinide cations were based on these photoluminescence measurements and indicate the presence of vibronic coupling between electronic transitions and IO(3)(-) vibrational modes in both compounds.     

Solvothermal synthesis and structure of a new selenium-rich selenophosphate K(3)PSe(4).2Se(6)

The compound K(3)PSe(4).2Se(6) was synthesized at 110 degrees C via solventothermal techniques from binary starting materials and Se in acetonitrile. The compound crystallizes in the space group Fd macro 3 of the cubic system with eight formula units in a cell with a dimension of a = 16.415(2) A at T = 193 K. The structure contains an unusual intermixing of ionic and uncharged species. The selenophosphate tetrahedral trianions PSe(4)(3-) are surrounded by potassium cations; other potassium cations in the structure are coordinated to 12 selenium atoms from four Se(6) rings in a tetrahedral arrangement. There are no short contacts between adjacent selenium rings. Heating the same reaction mixture to 160 degrees C results in the formation of only needles of trigonal selenium.     

PERFIDI: parametrically enabled relaxation filters with double and multiple inversion

We present a novel approach to the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis of complex samples with nontrivial distribution of longitudinal relaxation rate R(1). Parametrically enabled relaxation filters with double and multiple inversion (PERFIDI) aim to separate signals arising from components with different R(1) values prior to actual data acquisition. Given any standard NMR/MRI pulse sequence, which, by itself, is insensitive to differences in R(1) values, it can be combined with a PERFIDI preamble, which functions as a preliminary R(1) filter and confers on the original technique sensitivity to the dimension R(1). This article states the principles of the approach, including the way to account for instrumental imperfections, and shows how PERFIDI with specific filter profile functions can be built. Using terms borrowed from electronics, these filters are classified as low-pass, high-pass and band-pass types. Also included are an experimental verification example and a discussion of potential applications of PERFIDI in various NMR areas.     

On the Formation of a Protic Ionic Liquid in Nature

The practical utility of ionic liquids (ILs) makes the absence (heretofore) of reported examples from nature quite puzzling, given the facility with which nature produces many other types of exotic but utilitarian substances. In that vein, we report here the identification and characterization of a naturally occurring protic IL. It can be formed during confrontations between the ants S. invicta and N. fulva. After being sprayed with alkaloid‐based S. invicta venom, N. fulva detoxifies by grooming with its own venom, formic acid. The mixture is a viscous liquid manifestly different from either of the constituents. Further, we find that the change results as a consequence of formic acid protonation of the N centers of the S. invicta venom alkaloids. The resulting mixed‐cation ammonium formate milieu has properties consistent with its classification as a protic IL.     

Three-dimensional blow-up solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations

In this paper we extend the plane blow-up results of Grundy& McLaughlin (1997) to the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations.Using a solution structure originally due to Lin we first providenumerical evidence for the existence of blow-up solutions on- < x, z < , 0 y 1 with boundary conditions on y = 0and y = 1 involving derivatives of the velocity components.The formulation enables us to consider plane and radial flowas special cases. Various features of the computations are isolatedand are used to construct a formal asymptotic solution closeto blow-up. We show that the numerical and asymptotic analysesprovide a mutually consistent global picture which supportsthe conclusion that, for the family of problems we considerhere, blow-up in fact can take place in three dimensions butat an inverse linear rate rather than the faster inverse squareof the plane case.