Characterization of nonstoichiometric nickel manganite spinels NixMn3−x□3δ/4O4+δ by temperature programmed reduction

Cation deficient spinels Ni_xMn_3−x□_3δ/4O_4+δ (0≤x≤1) have been prepared by thermal decomposition of mixed oxalates Ni_x/3Mn_(3−x)/3(C₂O₄)·nH₂O in air at 623 K. They have been characterised by temperature programmed reduction (TPR) under H₂, the reaction being followed by gravimetric and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. It has been shown that TPR proceeds in several steps. The first steps correspond to the loss of nonstoichiometric oxygen leading to the formation of a stoichiometric oxide. During the following stages the manganese cations are reduced, causing the spinel structure to be destroyed, and the formation of solid solution of NiO in a cubic MnO. Subsequently, Ni²⁺ cations undergo a reduction to metallic nickel, and, finally, a mixture of nonstoichiometric MnO_1−δ and metallic nickel is formed. These oxides contain a high level of vacancies which vary with the nickel content with a maximum of δ≈1 near x=0.6. This nonstoichiometry is ascribed both to the presence of Ni³⁺ and excess of Mn⁴⁺.     

Crystallization and second harmonic generation in thermally poled niobium borophosphate glasses

Crystallization of glasses with compositions (1−x)(0.95 NaPO₃+0.05 Na₂B₄O₇)+xNb₂O₅, x=0.4, 0.43, 0.45, 0.48 was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. Crystallization of two phases was observed in the glasses with x=0.43-0.48. First phase is a sodium niobate with the structure of tetragonal tungsten bronze () and second phase is Na₄Nb₈P₄O₃₂ (). The crystallization of sodium niobate is correlated with increasing of nonlinear optical efficiency reported for thermally poled glasses with x>0.4. The results of Raman spectroscopy show the formation of three-dimensional (3D) niobium oxide framework in the glasses with increase of niobium concentration. This framework is supposed to have tetragonal tungsten bronze structure and to be responsible for nonlinear optical properties of the glass. Second harmonic generation signals of as prepared and crystallized glass after thermal poling are compared. The nucleation and crystallization do not improve the NLO properties of the glasses under study.     

Electrocatalytic Proton Reduction by a Cobalt Complex Containing a Proton-Responsive Bis(alkylimdazole)methane Ligand: Involvement of a C−H Bond in H2 Formation

Homogeneous electrocatalytic proton reduction is reported using cobalt complex [ 1 ](BF₄)₂. This complex comprises two bis(1-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methane (HBMIM ) ligands that contain an acidic methylene moiety in their backbone. Upon reduction of [ 1 ](BF₄)₂ by either electrochemical or chemical means, one of its HBMIM ligands undergoes deprotonation under the formation of dihydrogen. Addition of a mild proton source (acetic acid) to deprotonated complex [ 2 ](BF₄) regenerates protonated complex [ 1 ](BF₄)₂. In presence of acetic acid in acetonitrile solvent [ 1 ](BF₄)₂ shows electrocatalytic proton reduction with a k_obs of ≈200 s⁻¹ at an overpotential of 590 mV. Mechanistic investigations supported by DFT (BP86) suggest that dihydrogen formation takes place in an intramolecular fashion through the participation of a methylene C−H bond of the HBMIM ligand and a Co^II−H bond through formal heterolytic splitting of the latter. These findings are of interest to the development of responsive ligands for molecular (base)metal (electro)catalysis.     

Potential bile acid metabolites. 1. The epimeric 3ϵ,7α,12β-trihydroxy-5β-cholanic acids. Raney nickel as an epimerizing catalyst.

The epimeric 3α,7α,12β- and 3β,7α,12β-trihydroxy-5β-cholanic acids have been prepared. Under ambient hydrogenation conditions with Raney nickel as catalyst the axial 3β-ester ($\text{4b}$) is epimerized to the 3α-compound ($\text{2b}$).     

Systemes de strecker et apparentes—XI : Formation et stabilité de l'α-carboxyaminonitrile.Intermédiaire essentiel dans la synthèse des hydantoïnes selon bucherer-bergs

The determination of the structure of the intermediate in the Bucherer-Bergs reaction (the transformation in aqueous solution of an aldehyde into the corresponding amino-acid via the hydantoin) showed that this reaction involved the formation of α-aminonitrile carbamate. The slow formation of the carbonic anhydride from the carbonate buffer limited the formation of that main intermediate which was in equilibrium with the α-aminonitrile. The variation of the stability of the carbamate vs pH is mainly determined by the concentration of CO₂ dissolved in the mixture, but also by the equilibrated formation of products formed by the degradation of α-aminonitrile, i.e. the aminodinitrile and the cyanohydrin.     

Multielement instrumental neutron activation analysis of silver-copper coins

Neutron activation, applied to silver and copper based coinage, leads to a measure of the mean concentrations of major and 12 trace elements, even if their distribution is heterogeneous. The drawbacks of this activation method applied to such a matrix are shielding effects and high radioactivity of major elements. Both effects were avoided by accurately calculating the correction coefficients and by choosing the optimal working conditions. Analytical results obtained lead to a better knowledge of the chronology and origin of Armorican protohistorical coinage.     

Differential scanning calorimetry studies on aged iron(III)-chromium(III)-hydroxide coprecipitates

DSC measurements in air from 20 to 800° are reported on aged iron(III)-chromium(III) coprecipitated hydroxides (with Fe³⁺Cr³⁺ wt% ratios of 91, 73, 11, 37 and 19). A comparison of the DSC profiles of aged coprecipitates with the thermal behaviour of freshly precipitated and well characterized samples provided information on the modification occurring in the structure and reactivity of the coprecipitates on prolonged aging.

---

Zusammenfassung Es werden DSC-Messungen an gealterten kogefällten Eisen(III)Chrom(III)-hydroxiden (mit Fe³⁺Cr³⁺ Gewichtsanteilen von 91, 73, 11, 37 und 19) im Temperaturbereich von 20 bis 800° beschrieben. Ein Vergleich der DSC-Profile von gealterten Kofällungen mit dem thermischen Verhalten frisch gefällter und gut definierbarer Proben lieferte Informationen über die Veränderungen in Struktur und Reaktivität der Koniederschläge bei längerem Altern.

---

---

Dedicated to Professor Wahid U. Malik, Founder-President, Indian Council of Chemists, India, with profound regards and fond memories of his youthful enthusiasm and ceaseless and pioneering efforts towards the development of chemical education and research activities at the University of Roorkee, Roorkee, India, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

---

Paper presented at the World Conference on Thermal Analysis, Capri (Italy), 1989.

---

We thank Professor J. Pescia, Dr.G. Ablart and N. Favillier of Laboratoire de Magnétisme et d'Electronique Quantique for their interest in this work. A. C. Vajpei expresses his gratefulness to C.N.R.S. and C.N.O.U.S., Paris, for financial support of this work.     

Preparation,lithiation and transformation of N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl) heterocycles

Indole, carbazole, pyrrole, imidazole, benzimidazole, 2-methyl- and 2-phenylbenzimidazole, and 1, 2, 4-triazole have each been converted into their N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl) derivatives. The pyrrole, indole, and carbazole adducts undergo smooth lithiation at the inter-ring methylene group and subsequent reaction there with electrophiles. For the imidazole, benzimidazole, and triazole systems, lithiations at other molecular positions competed.