Water adsorption on the surface of Ni‐ and Co‐based layer‐structured cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries

Ni‐based layer‐structured cathode materials are more vulnerable to moisture than conventional LiCoO₂ cathodes, adsorbing more water and easily forming LiOH on the surface. This study investigated the moisture adsorption mechanism on the surface of layer‐structured cathodes. The behavior of water molecules on LiCoO₂ and LiNiO₂ surfaces were simulated and the structural and chemical changes during the adsorption process were analyzed by first‐principles methods. It was found that the adsorption occurs via two types of mechanism: one involving ionic interactions between Li on the crystal surface and O in the adsorbate, and the other involving covalent bonding between the transition metal (TM) on the surface and O in the adsorbate, which restores the coordination of the TM by recovering its broken bonds. The difference between the water adsorption behaviors of Ni‐based and Co‐based layer‐structured cathodes was found to be mainly due to the ionic‐interaction‐driven adsorption on the (003) surface.     

Untersuchungen an Natriumtrifluormethylsulfonat – Kristallstruktur und Phasenumwandlung des Monohydrats und Natriumionenleitfähigkeit des wasserfreien Salzes

Studies on Sodium Trifluormethanesulfonate – Crystal Structure and Phase Transition of Sodium Trifluormethanesulfonate Monohydrate and Sodium Ion Conductivity of Anhydrous Sodium Trifluormethanesulfonate According to the results of temperature dependent powder diffractometry (Guinier-Simon-technique) sodium trifluormethanesulfonate monohydrate is dimorphous. The phase transition occurs at ?35°C. The room-temperature modification crystallizes monoclinic in space group P2₁/c with the lattice parameters a = 941.6(5) pm, b = 654.3(2) pm, c = 1062.4(5) pm and β = 107.73(2)°. The crystal structure consists of double layers of trifluormethanesulfonate anions, the lipophilic CF₃-groups pointing at each other. Sodium is coordinated by four oxygen atoms from four different anions and by two molecules of crystal water. The resulting polyhedron may be addressed as a distorted octahedron. The low-temperature modification crystallizes orthorhombic in space group Pnma with the lattice parameters a = 645.31(9) pm, b = 538.03(9) pm, c = 1745.3(3) pm. The loss of crystal water occurs at 136°C. Anhydrous sodium trifluormethanesulfonate shows a phase transition at 252°C. The high-temperature modification is a good sodium ionic conductor (σ = 4.1 · 10^?1 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at 250°C).     

Hydrothermal stability of pelletized zeolite 13X for energy storage applications

Three samples of pelletized zeolite Na-13X from different industrial suppliers were hydrothermally treated in an open system for up to 3500 adsorption/desorption cycles. Before and after this aging procedure, the samples have been characterized by water uptake measurements, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Hg-porosimetry, N₂- and CO₂-adsorption and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Large differences in the degree of degradation were found between the different materials: The adsorbent with the best performance maintains 79% of its original water uptake capacity after 3500 cycles, whereas this value is reduced to 65% after only 1600 cycles in case of the most unstable sample. For all materials, the residual water adsorption capacity was found to be higher than it was to expect from XRD data. In addition to structural changes of the zeolite cages, Hg-porosimetry and SAXS reveal a modification of the sample morphology in the meso- and macropore range. CO₂ adsorption experiments evidence that as a result of the aging process mass transfer kinetics are slowed down significantly. These findings indicate that the influence of hydrothermal treatment on the water adsorption performance not only depends on the crystal structure of the actual adsorbent, but is indeed a result of a complex interplay with the system of larger pores. The crucial role of the binder material is underlined by the fact that the most stable sample was produced by a so-called binder-free method.     

Porous framework of T2[Fe(CN)6]·xH2O with T=Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and H2 storage

The materials under study were prepared from aqueous solutions of ferrocyanic acid and salts of the involved transition metals and their crystal structure solved and refined from X-ray powder diffraction data. Complementary information from thermogravimetric, infrared and Mössbauer data was also used for the structural study. Three different crystal structures were found: hexagonal (P-3) for Zn with the zinc atom coordinated to three N ends of CN groups plus a water molecule, cubic (Pm-3m) for Ni and Cu, and monoclinic (P2₁/m) for Co. For Ni and Cu the obtained solids have an open channel framework related to 50% of vacancies for the building unit, [Fe(CN)₆]. In the as-synthesized material the framework free volume is occupied by coordinated and hydrogen-bonded water molecules. These of hexacyanoferrates (II) have received certain attention as prototype of materials for the hydrogen storage. In the anhydrous phase of Ni and Cu, 50% of the metal (T) coordination sites, located at the cavities surface, will be available to interact with the hydrogen molecule. However, when the crystal waters are removed the porous frameworks collapse as it is suggested by H₂ and CO₂ adsorption data. For Co, a structure of stacked layers was found where the cobalt atoms have both tetrahedral and octahedral coordination. The layers remain together through a network of hydrogen-bonding interactions between coordinated and weakly bonded water molecules. No H₂ adsorption was observed in the anhydrous phase of Co. For Zn, the porous framework remains stable on the water removal but with a system of narrow channels and a small available volume, also inaccessible to H₂.     

Water de/adsorption associated with single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal structural transformation of a series of two‐dimensional metal–organic frameworks, [M(bipy)(C4O4)(H2O)2]·3H2O (M = Mn (1), Fe (2), and Zn (3), and bipy=4,4′‐bipyridine)

An assembly of three metal coordination polymers (CPs), [M(bipy)(C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂]·3H₂O (M = Mn ( 1 ), Fe ( 2 ), Zn ( 3 ), and bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine, C₄O₄^2? (squarate) = dianion of H₂C₄O₄ (squaric acid)), was synthesized and structurally characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural determination reveals that compounds 1 – 3 are iso‐structural, in which the M(II) ions are six‐coordinate in a distorted octahedral geometry. C₄O₄^2? and bipy both act as bridging ligands with bis‐monodentate coordination mode connecting the M(II) ions to form a two‐dimensional (2D) layered metal–organic framework (MOF). Adjacent 2D layers are then arranged in parallel and interpenetrated manners to construct their three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture. Compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 undergo two‐step dehydration processes with the first and second weight losses of 14.1 and 8.6% for 1 , of 12.1 and 7.5% for 2, and of 11.2 and 8.1% for 3 , respectively, corresponding to the weight losses of the three guest water molecules and the two coordinated water molecules, and all exhibit reversible sponge‐like water de/adsorption properties during de/rehydration processes for guest water molecules as per cyclic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) structural transformation during the reversible de/rehydration processes of three guest water molecules was identified and monitored using exhaustive single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction measurements.     

Gas adsorption by a crystalline silicic acid

Crystalline silicic acids are prepared from alkali layer silicates by exchanging protons for the alkali ions. The acid H₂Si₂₀O₄₁ · xH₂O (parent material K₂Si₂₀O₄₁ · xH₂O) exhibits some outstanding gas adsorption properties which are related to the layer structure and the interlamellar microporosity. The external surface, about 20 m² g^–1, is estimated from nitrogen adsorption data after blocking the micropores. Slit-shaped ultramicropores (with diameters similiar to that of the nitrogen molecule) between the layers are widened to supermicropores near the crystal edges. During an adsorption run the nitrogen molecules penetrate more deeply into the ultramicropores. Nitrogen molecules strongly adsorbed in the ultramicropores are not desorbed at 77 K. Additional amounts of nitrogen are adsorbed by widening of the slit-shaped micropores at the crystal edges when pressure increases. This process proceeds slowly and is reversible.     

Vapor‐Surface Sol‐Gel Deposition of Titania Alternated with Protein Adsorption for Assembly of Electroactive,Enzyme‐Active Films

Combining vapor‐surface sol‐gel deposition of titania with alternate adsorption of oppositely charged iron heme proteins provided ultrathin {TiO₂/protein}_n films with reversible voltammetry extended to 15 TiO₂/protein bilayers, more than twice that of more conventional polyion‐protein or nanoparticle‐protein films made by alternate layer‐by‐layer adsorption. Catalytic activity toward O₂, H₂O₂, and NO was also improved significantly compared to the conventionally fabricated films. The method involves vaporization of titanium butoxide into thin films of water, forming porous TiO₂ sol‐gel layers. Myoglobin (Mb), hemoglobin (Hb), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were assembled by adsorption alternated with the vapor‐deposited TiO₂ layers. Improved electrochemical and catalytic performance may be related to better film permeability leading to better mass transport within the films, as suggested by studies with soluble voltammetric probes, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical and electrocatalytic activity of the films can be controlled by tailoring the amount of water with which the metal alkoxide precursor vapor reacts and the number of bilayers deposited in the assembly.     

Application of differential scanning calorimetry to study porous structure of hydrothermally modified silicas

The paper presents the studies on determination of physicochemical and structural properties of hydrothermally treated (HTT) silica gel Si-60, using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and N₂ adsorption methods. Modification was performed in overheated water vapours or under the liquid water layer using various sources of thermal energy (in the classical autoclave or in the high-pressure microwave reactor). The characteristics of porous structure were determined on the basis of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and using the calorimetric data (DSC) of thermal effects of phase transition of water introduced inside pores of the studied materials. Great compatibility of the characteristics obtained by means of the above-mentioned methods was proved. As follows from the SEM analysis, during HTT silica is rebuilt resulting in great changes of surface morphology and porous structure of the materials. The range of these changes depends on both the applied system (water vapour/liquid water) and the kind of used energy (classical/microwave).     

Pressure‐induced Oxidation State Change of Ytterbium in YbGa2

The crystal structure and the electronic properties of YbGa₂ realising a CaIn₂ type atomic arrangement were characterised at ambient conditions using single crystal X‐ray diffraction data and magnetic susceptibility measurements at ambient pressure. Pressure‐induced changes of structural and electronic properties of YbGa₂ were measured by means of angle‐dispersive X‐ray powder diffraction and XANES at the Yb L_III threshold. At pressures above 22(2) GPa, YbGa₂ undergoes a structural phase transition into a high pressure modification with a UHg₂ type crystal structure. Parallel to the pressure‐induced structural alterations, ytterbium in YbGa₂ undergoes an increase of the oxidation state from +2 at ambient conditions to +3 in the high‐pressure phase. Quantum chemical calculations of the Electron‐Localisation‐Function confirm that the phase transition is associated with a conversion of the three‐dimensional gallium network of the low‐pressure crystal structure into two‐dimensional gallium layers in the high‐pressure modification.     

Structural Investigations and Thermal Behavior of (NH4)[Cr(C2O4)2]·2H2O

Single crystals of ammonium chromium(III) dioxalate dihydrate (or ammonium diaquo bis(μ‐oxalato)chromate(III)) have been obtained from aqueous solution of oxalic acid and ammonium dichromate. A pale violet crystal of good optical quality was used for the structure determination at ?100(2) and 25(2) °C, respectively. The basic crystallographic data for the low temperature data set are as follows: monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 6.597(2) Å, b = 7.301(2) Å, c = 9.983(3) Å, β = 92.32(2)°, V = 480.5(2) ų. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined (using anisotropic displacement parameters for all non‐hydrogen atoms) to a final residual of R1 = 0.032 for 503 independent observed reflections (I>2σ(I)). The compound is isotypic with the corresponding rubidium salt. The structure is built up from alternating layers parallel to (001) containing (NH₄)⁺ ions or Cr(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂ octahedra, respectively. The corners of the octahedra consist of four O atoms from two oxalate groups and two additional water molecules. The ammonium cations (occupying Wyckoff‐site 2a) are disordered among two possible orientations. They provide linkage between different octahedral layers by hydrogen bridging. The water molecules in turn form hydrogen bridges with adjacent octahedra within the same layer. Further structural characterization included infrared spectroscopy. According to DTA/TG experiments the present compound shows several thermal processes in the range between room temperature and 900 °C.     

Role of structural and macrocrystalline factors in the desolvation behaviour of cortisone acetate solvates

A combined analysis of structural data and experimental results (DSC, temperature-resolved XRPD and hot stage optical microscopy) revealed that the dehydration mechanism of cortisone acetate monohydrate (CTA·H₂O) involves a collective and anisotropic departure of water molecules followed by a cooperative structural reorganization toward the anhydrous polymorph CTA (form 2). In spite of the lack of crystal structure data, it can be postulated from experimental data that thermal decomposition of the dihydrated form (CTA·2H₂O) and of the tetrahydrofuran solvate (CTA·THF) toward another polymorph (CTA (form 3)) also proceeds according to a cooperative mechanism, thus giving rise to probable structural filiations between these crystalline forms of CTA. The crystal structure determination of two original solvates (CTA·DMF and CTA·DMSO) indicates that these phases are isomorphous to the previously reported acetone solvate. However, their desolvation behaviour does not involve a cooperative mechanism, as could be expected from structural data only. Instead, the decomposition mechanism of CTA·DMF and CTA·DMSO starts with the formation of a solvent-proof superficial layer, followed by the partial dissolution of the enclosed inner part of crystals. Hot stage optical microscopy observations and DSC measurements showed that dissolved materials (resulting from a peritectic decomposition) is suddenly evacuated through macroscopic cracks about 30°C above the ebullition point of each solvent. From this unusual behaviour, the necessity to investigate rigorously the various aspects (thermodynamics, kinetics, crystal structures and physical factors) of solvate decompositions is highlighted, including factors related to the particular preparation route of each sample.     

The structure and dynamic properties of mixed adsorption and penetration layers of α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/β-lactoglobulin at water/fluid interfaces

The interfacial tensions of mixed α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/β-lactoglobulin layers at the chloroform/water interface have been measured by the pendent drop and drop volume techniques. In certain intervals, the adsorption kinetics of these mixed layers was strongly influenced by the concentrations of both protein and DPPC. However, at low protein concentration, C_{β-lactoglobulin}=0.1 mg l⁻¹, the adsorption rate of mixed interfacial layers was mainly controlled by the variation of the DPPC concentration. As C_{β-lactoglobulin} was increased to 0.8 mg l⁻¹, the interfacial activity was abruptly increased, and within the concentration range of C_DPPC=10⁻⁴–10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹, the DPPC has very little effect on the whole adsorption process. In this case, the adsorption rate of mixed layers was mainly dominated by the protein adsorption. This phenomenon also happened as the protein concentration was further increased to 3.6 mg l⁻¹. When C_DPPC>3 · 10^–5 mol l⁻¹, the adsorption behaviour was very similar to that of the pure DPPC although the protein concentration was changed. The equilibrium interfacial tensions of the mixed layers are dramatically effected by the lipid as compared to the pure protein adsorption at the same concentration. It reveals the estimation of which composition of lipid and protein decreases the interfacial tension. The combination of Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) with a conventional LB trough was applied to investigate the morphology of the mixed DPPC/β-lactoglobulin layers at the air/water interface. The mixed insoluble monolayers were produced by spreading the lipid at the water surface and the protein adsorbed from the aqueous buffer subphase. The BAM images allow to visualise the protein penetration and distribution into the DPPC monolayer on compression of the complex film. It is shown that a homogeneous distribution of β-lactoglobulin in lipid layers preferentially happens in the liquid fluid state of the monolayer while the protein can be squeezed out at higher surface pressures.     

Influence of the microstructure and its stability on the electrochemical properties of EMD produced from a range of precursors

The influence of the microstructure and the stable crystal structure on the electrochemical properties of the electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) produced from manganese cake (EMD_MC), low-grade manganese ore (EMD_LMO), and synthetic manganese sulfate solutions (EMD_SMS) is reported. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and chemical analyses were used to determine the structural and chemical characteristics of the EMD samples. The charge–discharge profile was studied in 9 M KOH using a galvanostatic charge–discharge unit. All the samples were found to contain predominantly γ-phase MnO₂, which is electrochemically active for energy storage applications. FESEM images show that preparation method significantly influences surface morphology, shape, and size of the EMD particles. In almost all cases, nanoparticles were obtained, with spindle-shaped nanoparticles for EMD_MC, platy nanoparticles in the case of EMD_LMO, and anisotropic growth of tetra-branched star-like nanoparticles of EMD_SMS. These nanoparticles arrange themselves in a near net-like fashion, resulting in porosity of the flakes of EMD during electrochemical deposition. Thermal studies showed loss of structural water and formation of lower manganese oxides. The EMD_MC showed superior discharge capacity of ~280 mAh g^?1 as compared to EMD_LMO (275 mAh g^?1) and EMD_SMS (245 mAh g^?1).     

Flexible V7O16 Layers as the Common Structural Element of Vanadium Oxide Nanotubes and a New Crystalline Vanadate

The walls of vanadium oxide nanotubes (VO_x‐NTs) are built up by vanadate layers between which the structure‐directing template, either a primary amine or a diamine with long alkyl chain, is located. The feasibility of various exchange reactions under preservation of the tubular morphology indicates a high structural flexibility of the VO_x‐NTs. The structure of the vanadate layers appears to be the same in all tubular vanadates, as revealed by the similarity of the diffraction patterns. Plate‐like crystals of a new crystalline phase, structurally closely related to the nanotubes, have now been prepared with ethylene diamine, applying a route that is analogous to the VO_x‐NT synthesis. The single crystal X‐ray structure determination showed that this new phase has the composition (en)V₇O₁₆ and crystallizes with triclinic symmetry. The structure is composed of V₇O₁₆ layers between which ethylene diamine mo le cules are embedded. The V₇O₁₆ layers comprise two sheets of square VO₅ pyramids and VO₄ tetrahedra that connect these sheets. The available experimental data establish that this V₇O₁₆ layer also is the basic element of the VO_x‐NT wall structure. The simulated X‐ray powder diffraction pattern calculated with a corresponding structural mode for VO_x‐NTs agrees well with the observed one.     

Small molecule‐mediated control of hydroxyapatite growth: Free energy calculations benchmarked to density functional theory

The unique, plate‐like morphology of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanocrystals in bone lends to the hierarchical structure and functions of bone. Proteins enriched in phosphoserine (Ser‐OPO₃) and glutamic acid (Glu) residues have been proposed to regulate crystal morphology; however, the atomic‐level mechanisms remain unclear. Previous molecular dynamics studies addressing biomineralization have used force fields with limited benchmarking, especially at the water/mineral interface, and often limited sampling for the binding free energy profile. Here, we use the umbrella sampling/weighted histogram analysis method to obtain the adsorption free energy of Ser‐OPO₃ and Glu on HAP (100) and (001) surfaces to understand organic‐mediated crystal growth. The calculated organic‐water–mineral interfacial energies are carefully benchmarked to density functional theory calculations, with explicit inclusion of solvating water molecules around the adsorbate plus the Poisson–Boltzmann continuum model for long‐range solvation effects. Both amino acids adsorb more strongly on the HAP (100) face than the (001) face. Growth rate along the [100] direction should then be slower than in the [001] direction, resulting in plate‐like crystal morphology with greater surface area for the (100) than the (001) face, consistent with bone HAP crystal morphology. Thus, even small molecules are capable of regulating bone crystal growth by preferential adsorption in specific directions. Furthermore, Ser‐OPO₃ is a more effective growth modifier by adsorbing more strongly than Glu on the (100) face, providing one possible explanation for the energetically expensive process of phosphorylation of some proteins involved in bone biomineralization. The current results have broader implications for designing routes for biomimetic crystal synthesis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Study of thermal recrystallisation in Si implanted by 0.4-MeV heavy ions

A Si crystal layer on SiO₂/Si was implanted using 0.4-MeV Kr⁺, Ag⁺, and Au⁺ at ion fluences of 0.5 × 10¹⁵ to 5.0 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻². Subsequent annealing was performed at temperatures of 450° and 800° for 1 hour. The structural modification in a Si crystal influences ion beam channelling phenomena; therefore, implanted and annealed samples were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry under channelling (RBS-C) conditions using an incident beam of 2-MeV He⁺ from a 3-MV Tandetron in random or in aligned directions. The depth profiles of the implanted atoms and the dislocated Si atom depth profiles in the Si layer were extracted directly from the RBS measurement. The damage accumulation and changes in the crystallographic structure before and after annealing were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Lattice parameters in modified silicon layers determined by XRD were discussed in connection to RBS-C findings showing the crystalline structure modification depending on ion implantation and annealing parameters.     

Monoclinic AlPO4 tridymite at 473 and 463 K from X‐ray powder data

Upon cooling from its hexagonal high‐temperature modification, AlPO₄ (aluminium phosphate) tridymite successively transforms to several displacively distorted forms, including a normal structure–incommensurate–lock‐in phase transition sequence. The space‐group symmetries in this series are P112₁, P112₁(αβ0) and P2₁2₁2₁, respectively. The distortion pattern of the intermediate P112₁ phase can be described as alternate shifts of adjacent layers of tetrahedra coupled with tilting of the tetrahedra. The symmetry and direction of the shifts are different from the analogous SiO₂ tridymite modification. The atomic displacement parameters of the O atoms are strongly anisotropic due to thermal motions of the rigid tetrahedra. Condensation of a lattice vibration mode results in the formation of an incommensurate structural modulation below 473 K. The 3+1 superspace‐group symmetry of the modulated phase is P112₁(αβ0).     

Synthesis and structure of layered fluorine-containing crystal hydrates based on aquacomplexes of noble metals

Crystal hydrates were synthesized based on aquaions of noble metals [M(H₂O)₆]F₃·nH₂O, where n = 3–8 and M = Ir, Rh. The structure of the resulting crystal hydrates with three aqueous molecules is characterized by the space group P3, Z = 1 and has a layered form. The positively charged layers [M(H₂O)₆F ₂ ⁺ which alter with negatively charged layers of the composition ∼_-·3H₂O, are located perpendicular to the c axis. According to X-ray structural and nuclear magnetic resonance data, the water molecules and the F_- ions in the negatively charged layers are disordered. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol.40, No. 2, pp. 259–264, March–April, 1999.     

Preparation of Au Nanoparticles on Surface of Two Supports by Adsorption Phase Synthesis

By utilizing adsorption phase synthesis (APS), Au nanoparticles were prepared on the surface of SiO₂ with or without modification by Ni(OH)₂. TEM, XRD, and UV‐vis were employed to characterize the morphology of Au particles on the surface of two kinds of supports. The results showed that the average size of Au particles on the SiO₂ surface modified by Ni(OH)₂ was less than 5 nm. Due to high surface isoelectric point, Au particles formed in the adsorption layer were prone to distribute on the surface of SiO₂ modified by Ni(OH)₂. With content of Ni(OH)₂ in samples increasing, more Au particles with small size appeared on the support surface.     

PbADC and PbADC·H2O: Two Coordination Polymers with Acetylenedicarboxylate (ADC2–) as Bridging Ligand

Single crystals of PbADC ( 1 ) and PbADC · H₂O ( 2 ) formed at the phase boundary of an aqueous silica gel containing acetylenedicarboxylic acid (HOOC–C≡C–COOH, H₂ADC) and an aqueous solution containing Pb(NO₃)₂. By choosing different concentrations of Pb(NO₃)₂, compounds 1 and 2 were obtained as phase pure products. Additionally, 1 was obtained by grinding Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · 3H₂O with H₂ADC resulting in a polycrystalline sample. The crystal structures of 1 (I4₁/amd, Z = 4; SrADC type structure) and 2 (P2₁/c, Z = 4, new structure type) were solved and refined from X‐ray single crystal data. Compound 1 exhibits a three‐dimensional framework structure: lead cations with a diamond‐like arrangement are interconnected by bridging ADC^2– ligands. In 2 double‐layers are formed by lead cations, bridging ADC^2– anions, and water molecules. These layers are held together by hydrogen bonds through water molecules and oxygen atoms of the ADC^2– ligands. Suspending 1 for 24 h in water at ambient conditions leads to the formation of 2 , which can be converted to 1 again by careful dehydration at approx. 400 K in vacuo. This reversible reaction can be structurally interpreted as a topochemical reaction, which transforms a 3D coordination network into a 2D network structure and vice versa, as both crystal structures show noticeable structural similarities.