Characterization of the redox-reactivity of transition metal oxides by temperature-programmed limited thermal decomposition (TPLTD)

The concept of labile lattice oxygen (LLO) as a consequence of the Mars-Van Krevellen model was reminded, and contrasted with the surface oxygen species. Methods of characterizing of the Me-O bond strength were reviewed emphasizing the temperature-programmed limited thermal decomposition (TPLTD). A series of Ag_xV₂Mo_yO_z was characterized by TPLTD. Two forms of LLO were distinguished. The weaker form is independent on Ag-doping, in contrast to the stronger one. Activation energy of TPLTD of the stronger bound LLO was a linear function of the anion vacancy concentration.

---

Zusammenfassung Aus dem Konzept des labilen Gittersauerstoffs (LLO) als Konsequenz des Mars-Van Krevellen-Modells wird die Rolle der Oberflächen-Sauerstoff-Spezies hervorgehoben. Ein Überblick über die Methoden zur Charakterisierung der Me-O-Bindung wird unter besonderer Betonung der temperaturprogrammierten begrenzten thermischen Zersetzung (TPLTD) gegeben.Eine Reihe Ag _x V₂Mo _y O₂ wurde mittels TPLTD charakterisiert, dabei konnten zwei Arten von LLO unterschieden werden. Die schwächere Form ist im Gegensatz zu der stärkeren unabhängig vom Silbergehalt. Die Aktivierungsenergie der TPLTD der stärker gebundenen LLO hängt linear von der Konzentration der Anionenfehlstellen ab.

---

, - , . Me- . Ag_xV₂Mo_yO_z, . , , . n.

     

A pyrophosphate-responsive gadolinium(III) MRI contrast agent

This study shows that the relaxivity and optical properties of functionalised lanthanide‐DTPA‐bis‐amide complexes (lanthanide=Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺, DTPA=diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) can be successfully modulated by addition of specific anions, without direct Ln³⁺/anion coordination. Zinc(II)‐dipicolylamine moieties, which are known to bind strongly to phosphates, were introduced in the amide “arms” of these ligands, and the interaction of the resulting Gd–Zn₂ complexes with a range of anions was screened by using indicator displacement assays (IDAs). Considerable selectivity for polyphosphorylated species (such as pyrophosphate and adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP)) over a range of other anions (including monophosphorylated anions) was apparent. In addition, we show that pyrophosphate modulates the relaxivity of the gadolinium(III) complex, this modulation being sufficiently large to be observed in imaging experiments. To establish the binding mode of the pyrophosphate and gain insight into the origin of the relaxometric modulation, a series of studies including UV/Vis and emission spectroscopy, luminescence lifetime measurements in H₂O and D₂O, ¹⁷O and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion (NMRD) studies were carried out.     

Self-organization of 1-methylnaphthalene on the surface of artificial snow grains: a combined experimental-computational approach

A combined experimental-computational approach was used to study the self-organization and microenvironment of 1-methylnaphthalene (1MN) deposited on the surface of artificial snow grains from vapors at 238 K. The specific surface area of this snow (1.1 × 10(4) cm(2) g(-1)), produced by spraying very fine droplets of pure water from a nebulizer into liquid nitrogen, was determined using valerophenone photochemistry to estimate the surface coverage by 1MN. Fluorescence spectroscopy at 77 K, in combination with molecular dynamics simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) and second-order coupled cluster (CC2) calculations, provided evidence for the occurrence of ground- and excited-state complexes (excimers) and other associates of 1MN on the snow grains' surface. Only weak excimer fluorescence was observed for a loading of 5 × 10(-6) mol kg(-1), which is ～2-3 orders of magnitude below monolayer coverage. However, the results indicate that the formation of excimers is favored at higher surface loadings (>5 × 10(-5) mol kg(-1)), albeit still being below monolayer coverage. The calculations of excited states of monomer and associated moieties suggested that a parallel-displaced arrangement is responsible for the excimer emission observed experimentally, although some other associations, such as T-shape dimer structures, which do not provide excimer emission, can still be relatively abundant at this surface concentration. The hydrophobic 1MN molecules, deposited on the ice surface, which is covered by a relatively flexible quasi-liquid layer at 238 K, are then assumed to be capable of dynamic motion resulting in the formation of energetically preferred associations to some extent. The environmental implications of organic compounds' deposition on snow grains and ice are discussed.     

Spatial intensity distributions from electron impact scattering modes: W{100}(1 × 1)H

The detailed mechanism of electron energy loss vibrational spectroscopy has been examined in the present study by recording a large data base of spectra with the detector moved both in and out of the incidence plane, for saturation coverage of atomic H adsorbed on W{1OO} at 300 K. In agreement with earlier work we find only a single electron loss (130 meV) in the specular direction, while away from the specular direction additional losses at 80 meV and 160 meV appear. These losses correspond to the symmetric stretching, the wagging and the asymmetric stretching modes respectively of H atoms occupying a C_2V bridge site. Large intensity variations of all these modes are found in backscattering directions and out of the incidence plane, in general agreement with recent theoretical predictions. The usefulness of these spatial intensity variations in adsorbate structure determination will be discussed. The signal enhancement with electron collection in the plane orthogonal to the incidence plane may allow the observation of otherwise weak impact modes.     

Miller–Urey Spark-Discharge Experiments in the Deuterium World

We designed and conducted a series of primordial-soup Miller-Urey style experiments with deuterated gases and reagents to compare the spark-discharge products of a “deuterated world” with the standard reaction in the “hydrogenated world”. While the deuteration of the system has little effect on the distribution of amino acid products, significant differences are seen in other regions of the product-space. Not only do we observe about 120 new species, we also see significant differences in their distribution if the two hydrogen isotope worlds are compared. Several isotopologue matches can be identified in both, but a large proportion of products have no equivalent in the corresponding isotope world with ca. 43 new species in the D world and ca. 39 new species in the H world. This shows that isotopic exchange (the addition of only one neutron) may lead to significant additional complexity in chemical space under otherwise identical reaction conditions.     

Spectroscopy of ultrathin epitaxial rutile TiO(2)(110) films grown on W(100)

Epitaxial ultrathin titanium dioxide films of 0.3 to approximately 7 nm thickness on a metal single crystal substrate have been investigated by high resolution vibrational and electron spectroscopies. The data complement previous morphological data provided by scanned probe microscopy and low energy electron diffraction to provide very complete characterization of this system. The thicker films display electronic structure consistent with a stoichiometric TiO(2) phase. The thinner films appear nonstoichiometric due to band bending and charge transfer from the metal substrate, while work function measurements also show a marked thickness dependence. The vibrational spectroscopy shows three clear phonon bands at 368, 438, and 829 cm(-1) (at 273 K), which confirms a rutile structure. The phonon band intensity scales linearly with film thickness and shift slightly to lower frequencies with increasing temperature, in accord with results for single crystals.