Packing of complex anions and effect of mutual ordering of heavy cations in structures with the paratungstate ion [H2W12O42]10−

The packing of [H ₂W₁₂O₄₂]¹⁰⁻ polyanions in seven known crystal structures is analyzed. The centers of the polyanions are arranged according to the law of the F- cell (3 cases) or I- cell (2 cases) or according to a more complex law. “Coherence” in the arrangement of heavy W atoms belonging to different polyanions is established: there are crystallographic planes with high concentrations of these atoms;this is an effect of superstructural ordering up to formation of the cation sublattice with light “filler” atoms (K, Mg, Na, N) partly addressed to the sites of the sublattice. Translated fromZhumal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 732–738, July–August, 1997.     

Reactions of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane with dicobalt octacarbonyl and iron pentacarbonyl. Thermal decomposition of the cobalt and iron carbonyl silazane complexes

The reaction of (HMe₂Si)₂NH with Co₂(CO)₈ gives the complex [Co₂(CO)₇(SiMe₂)₂NH₂]⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻. Its thermal decomposition starts with dissociation into the “acid” HCo(CO)₄ and the “base” Co₂(CO)₇(SiMe₂)₂NH. After that, the base and the initial complex decompose further under the action of HCo(CO)₄. The final products of this reaction are CO, NH₃, Co, volatile dimethylcyclosilazane, and a solid residue consisting of cobalt particles encapsulated into a polymethylsiloxane matrix and possessing properties of mixed para- and ferromagnetics with an ultimate specific magnetization of 64–74 G g⁻¹. Tetramethyldisilazane reacts with iron pentacarbonyl under UV irradiation to give relatively stable 1,3-bis(tetracarbonylthydrideiron)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane. This product contains Fe−H…N hydrogen bonds, which stabilize it against dehydrogenation and cyclization to diironcyclodisilazane. Thermal decomposition of this product was investigated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2537–2544, December, 1998.     

Simulation and interpretation of the vibrational spectra of heterofullerenes

This paper reports on a computer simulation of the vibrational spectra of C₅₉B, C₅₉N, C₅₉BN, and C₅₉HN. The modes whose frequencies are most sensitive to carbon substitution by heteroatoms are revealed. It is shown that the new bands at 818, 839, and 845 cm⁻¹ in the experimental IR spectrum of C₅₉HN arise from changes in selection rules and by removal of degeneracies due to a reduction in the symmetry of the molecule and force field perturbation. In the Raman spectrum of C₅₉HN, the shifts of the 1460 and 491 cm⁻¹ bands to the low-frequency region by 7 and 3 cm⁻¹, respectively, relative to two A_g modes of C₆₀ are explained by the perturbation induced by the N and C(H) atoms in the force field of adjacent CC bonds not containing these atoms. Institute of Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences (Troitsk, Moscow Region). Scientific and Production Association “Complex.” Scientific and Production Association “Tekhon.” Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 401–411, May–June, 1998.     

Geometrical design of ligands for spherical ions

New types of ligands for spherical ions have been designed as part of the molecular design strategy for supramolecular compounds. In particular, symmetric conformers of macrocycles, built of −(CH₂)_n−O−(n=3,4,5) fragments, which envelope the spherical ion in a complementary way, have been constructed. Alos, new types of “bracelentands” with different, “hardening” fragments are suggested. Using the molecular mechanics methods, the selectivity of complex formation of the ligands with respect to alkaline metal ions has been investigated. A. V. Bogatskii Physicochemical Institute, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 36, No. 5, pp. 879–883, September–October, 1995. Translated by L. Smolina     

Effect of ligand coordination type on the relative stability of linear mercury clusters

The problem of stabilization of linear mercury clusters with acceptor ligands coordinated along the symmetry axis of the cluster is discussed in terms of the MNDO method. It is shown that stable four-membered rings Hg₂Cl₂ may be formed. It is proposed that the structure of linear mercury clusters with side coordination of ligands be described as the result of “polymerization” of short stable linear molecules XHg_nX (n=1, 2) and HgX ₂ ¹⁻ , HgX ₃ ¹⁻ ions with accepting terminal groups. Mordovia State University. Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 26–34, January–February, 1998. This work was performed in the framework if the interindustry scientific and technical program “Fullerenes and Atomic Clusters.”     

Clathrate formation in the liquid phase of (C4H9)4NF−NH4F−H2O

At a certain concentration of NH₄F, the solid allocyric solutions of the (C₄H₉)₄NF−NH₄F−H₂O system stratify into two liquid phases in the process of melting. The mutual solubility of the liquids decreases at elevated temperatures. The boundary surface of the stratification region was determined The solubility isotherms (27 and 30°C) of the stratification region are investigated by the solubility method This relatively rare mutual sulubility of liquids (retrograde solubility) is associated with clathrate formation in the liquid phase. Near the melting points of the solid clathrate solutions, both in the liquid and solid phases the tetrabutylammonium cation evidently forms surrounding cavities bounded by water and ammonium fluoride molecules linked by hydrogen bonds. The clathrate-like components of the solution are structurally compatible with “water-like” and “organic” components, i.e., they are homogenizing components. At higher temperatures, the homogenizing clathrate-like structures break down, and the structurally incompatible solution components stratify into two phases. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol 35, No. 6, pp. 122–128, November–December, 1994. Translated by L. Smolina     

<Superscript>3</Superscript>H and <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr in urine radiobioassay intercomparison results from the intercomparison studies program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: statistical analysis of laboratory performance

The Intercomparison Studies Program (ISP) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Oak Ridge, TN USA) provides natural-matrix human urine quality-assurance/quality-control (QA/QC) samples to radiobioassay analysis laboratories. Samples are provided to these laboratories as “single-blind” or “double-blind” unknowns, spiked with radioactive-solution standards at “low” levels (e.g., 0.7–7 Bq g⁻¹ for ³H and 0.7–7 Bq kg⁻¹ for ⁹⁰Sr). Participants use the results as a tool for self-evaluation and a measure of performance. In this paper, sample preparation and the results of testing during the years 2001–2005 for ³H and ⁹⁰Sr are presented and discussed.     

Standardization of pH measurements based on the ion interaction approach

The Pitzer method was used to calculate the pH values on the conventional and “true” scales for the TRIS—TRIS·HCl−NaCl−H₂O buffer system in the 0–40 °C temperature region and 0–4 NaCl molality interval. This buffer can be used as a standard for pH measurements in a wide range of ionic strengths. The conventional scale is used in cells without a salt bridge. The “true” scale is recommended for pH measurements using cells with a salt bridge. At the same concentrations of the buffer solution, the “true” scale is essentially transformed into the scale of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) of the USA. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 676–680, April, 2000.     

Crystal chemical aspect of synthesis of laser crystals with garnet structure in Ln2O3−Sc2O3−M2O3 systems (Ln=Y,Gd; M=Ga,Al)

Regions of existence were determined for various types of poly- and monocrystalline solid solutions (Ln₃[Sc_yM_2−y]M₃O₁₂; {Ln_3−xSc_x}[Sc_yM_2−y]M₃O₁₂; Ln₃[Ln_zSc_yM_2−y−z] M₃O₁₂; Ln=Y, Gd; M=Ga, Al) by analyzing the diagrams r^VIII−r^VI (r^VI are weighted mean dodecahedral and octahedral radii, respectively). We found the position of congruently melting compositions in r^VIII−r^VI coordinates and optimal compositions for obtaining Nd³⁺- and Cr³⁺-doped crystals. The structure of the congruently melting composition was found to be formed of “equilibrium” polyhedra, which need not be stabilized. It is shown that a congruently melting composition, which is absent in the original matrix, may be achieved by isomorphous substitutions at certain positions of the structure. The most probable mechanisms of formation of poly- and monocrystalline solid solutions with garnet structure are suggested using the calculated binodal curves of decomposition. M. V. Lomonosov Moscow Academy of Fine Chemical Technology. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 23–33, September–October, 1994. Translated by O. Kharlamova     

Fluorine magnetic shielding parameters in the [TiF6]2− octahedral anion

Magnetic shielding tensors of fluorine nuclei in the [TiF₆]²⁻ octahedral anion were measured by¹⁹F NMR. Representative experimental data show them to be independent of the crystal environment of the anion. L. A. Kirenskii Institute of Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 68–75, July–August, 1994. Translated by L. Smolina     

Thermodynamic properties of some polymeric forms of fullerite C<Subscript>60</Subscript> at temperatures ranging from 0 to 320 K

The temperature dependences of the heat capacityC ⁰ _p of fullerites C₆₀ were studied at temperatures ranging from 5 to 320 K in an adiabatic vacuum calorimeter with an accuracy of 0.4–0.2%. The fullerite C₆₀ samples were prepared by treating the starting fullerite C₆₀ under 8 GPa at 920 and 1270 K and “quenched” by a sharp decrease in pressure to −10⁵ Pa and in temperature to ∼300 K. Fullerite C₆₀(8 GPa, 920 K), a crystalline polymer with layered structure formed by polymerized fullerene C₆₀ molecules, was obtained at 920 K and 8 GPa. Fullerite C₆₀(8 GPa, 1270 K), a three-dimensional polymer with a graphite-like structure formed by fragments of decomposed C₆₀ molecules and containing many C(sp³)−C(sp³) bonds, was obtained at 1270 K and 8 GPa. Both polymers are metastable polymeric phases. The anomalous character of the temperature dependence of the heat capacity was revealed in the 49–66 K range for the polymer formed at 1270 K. The thermodynamic functions of the substances under study were calculated for the 0–320 K region along with entropies of their formation from graphite. The entropies of transformation of the starting fullerite C₆₀ into metastable phases and that of intertransformation of phases were estimated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 277–281, February, 2000.     

X-ray structure of KCs[Pd(NO3)4]·0.5H2O

A new Pd nitrate complex KCs[Pd(NO₃)₄]·0.5H₂O is synthetized. Its crystal structure contains isolated complex anions [Pd(NO₃)₄]²⁻, cations K⁺, Cs⁺, and crystallization water. Square-planar coordination around Pd is achieved by oxygen atoms of monodentate nitrate ligands. The coordinated nitrate ligands are all oriented in the same way, in a “basket”-like arrangement. The coordination around Pd is completed to 4+1 by forming Pd...Pd contacts of 3.564 ?. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2009 by S. P. Khranenko, I. A. Baidina, N. V. Kuratieva, and S. A. Gromilov __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 173–176, January–February, 2009.     

Electrochemical behavior and parameters of hydrofullerene C60H36

Electrochemistry of hydrofullerene C₆₀H₃₆ was studied by cyclic voltammetry in THF and CH₂Cl₂ in the −47–14 °C temperature range. Hydrofullerene undergoes reversible one-electron reduction to form a radical anion in THF (E ⁰=−3.18 V (Fc⁰/Fc⁺), Fc=ferrocene) and irreversible one-electron oxidation in CH₂Cl₂ (E _p ^a =1.22 V (Fc⁰/Fc⁺)). The reduction potential was used to estimate electron affinity of hydrofullerene as EA=−0.33 eV. It was suggested that C₆₀H₃₆ is an isomer withT-symmetry in which 12 double bonds form four isolated benzenoid rings located in vertices of an imaginary inscribed tetrahedron on the molecular surface. For hydrofullerene, the “electrochemical gap” is an analog of the energy gap (HOMO−LUMO), equal to (E ^Ox−E ^Red)=4.4 V, and indicates that C₆₀H₃₆ is a sufficiently “hard” molecule with a low reactivity in redox reactions. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2083–2087, November, 1999.     

X-ray photoelectron study of the state of Ba atoms in YBa2Cu3O7−δ doped with Co and Zn atoms

Investigating changes in the charged state of atoms upon superconductivity-suppressing substitutions is one of the methods to examine a relationship between the electronic structure of HTSC materials and the transition temperature to the superconducting state. In this paper, we measured E_bnd of the inner levels of Ba atoms in Co- and Zn-doped YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Upon copper substitution by Co and Zn atoms, E_bnd of the inner levels diminishes for Ba atoms but remains the same for Cu and O atoms. The change of E_bnd of the inner levels of Ba atoms is attributed to the change of the Fermi level position in the “anionic” sublattice of (Cu₃O_7−δ)⁷⁻. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 91–95, July–August, 1994. Translated by L. Smolina     

Cascade ultrafiltration and competing ligand exchange for kinetic speciation of aluminium, iron, and nickel in fresh water

Kinetic speciation of nickel, aluminium, and iron in fresh water has been investigated by cascade ultrafiltration followed by competing ligand exchange of the ultrafiltered fractions. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the kinetics of metal complex dissociation. Dissolved metal species were fractionated by cascade ultrafiltration. Metal speciation in each ultrafiltered fraction was then characterized as free metal ions, “labile” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants ≥10⁻³ s⁻¹), “slowly labile” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants >10⁻⁶ s⁻¹), and “inert” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants <10⁻⁶ s⁻¹). The experimental results were compared with the predictions of a computer-based equilibrium speciation model, the Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) V. Cascade ultrafiltration coupled with kinetic speciation of the metal species in each molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) fraction provided a more comprehensive picture and insight into the physical and the chemical characteristics of the metal species than either ultrafiltration or measurement of dissociation kinetics alone.     

Heterometallic “butterfly” cluster [Fe3(CO)9(μ3-OBut)Au(PPh3)]

Alkylation of the [Fe₃(μ₃-O)(CO)₉]²⁻ dianion withtert-butyl iodide afforded the [Fe₃(μ₃OBu¹)(CO)₉]⁻ monoanion. The reaction of the latter with Au(PPh₃)Cl in the presence of TIBF₄ yielded the new heterometallic “butterfly” cluster [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-OBu^t)Au(PPh₃)]. According to the X-ray data, both clusters synthesized contain the unchanged Fe₃(μ₃-O) fragment of the initial dianion. The addition of the Au(PPh₃) fragment to the monoanion occurred in such a way as to minimize steric changes. As a result, a “turned inside out” heterometallic “butterfly”, which contains the μ₃-O ligand on the outside rather than on the inside, was obtained. The dihedral angle characterizing the “butterfly” is 151°. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1779–1783, September, 1999.     

Theoretical study of the structure and stability of cage-substituted icosahedral closo-boranes, alanes, and gallanes MiM′12 ? iH 122? (M, M′ = B, Al, and Ga; i = 0–12)

The equilibrium geometric parameters and energetic and spectroscopic characteristics of low-lying conformers for several series of model cage-substituted (mixed) borane, alane, and gallane closo-dianions M _i M′_{12 − i} H₁₂²⁻(M, M′ = B, Al, Ga), as well as of “bare” gallium-aluminum anions Ga _i Al_12−i ⁻ with i = 0–12, were calculated within the B3LYP approximation of the density functional theory using 6–31G* and 6–311+G** basis sets. Differences in structure and stability between alanoborane clusters of similar composition are revealed. In clusters where the M and M’ heteroatoms are close in size and electronegativity (in gallonoalanes and gallium-aluminum anions), successive substitutions of M′ for M are accompanied by small energy changes and occur quasi-stochastically in different positions of the cage. When the substituents are significantly different (in alanoboranes), mixed clusters are unstable against disproportionation into homonuclear “predecessors” M₁₂H₁₂²⁻ and M′₁₂H₁₂²⁻, and the most favorable M _i M′_{12 − i} H₁₂²⁻ structures among them are those in which M _i M′_{12 − i} the cages are subdivided into homonuclear “subclusters” M _i and M′t′_12−i with a maximal number of homonuclear bonds (M-M and M′-M′) and a minimal number of heteronuclear bonds (M-M′).     

Effect of the functionalizing of carbon nanotubes on the electrodeposited catalysts’ structure and catalytic properties

The structure and hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties of functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes are studied by the standard porosimetry method. It is shown that the functionalized nanotubes have highly hydrophilic surface; at that the summary surface area measured “by octane” decreased, as a result of the functionalizing, due to the blocking of the nanotubes’ inner channels by the functional groups located at the nanotubes’ ends. The nanotubes’ capacitive properties are studied; their charging-discharging curves appeared being highly reversible, unlike those of other carbonaceous materials. Catalytic properties of the functionalized nanotubes are studied, with particular tendency toward their using as a carrier of platinum catalysts for the methanol oxidation and oxygen electroreduction reactions. When minor amounts (5–10 μg cm⁻²) of platinum or platinum-ruthenium alloy are deposited onto the nanotubes’ hydrophilic surface, uniform layer of the catalyst is formed, with specific surface area up to 150–300 m² g⁻¹; high current of the methanol oxidation or oxygen electroreduction is observed at these catalysts. When the catalyst deposit mass increased, its specific surface area decreased, as well as the specific current of the reactions occurring thereon. When the current is related to the electrochemically active unit surface, the catalytic activity is nearly the same both for different catalyst mass deposited onto the nanotubes and the same catalyst mass at different carbonaceous carriers.     

Phase equilibria in binary subsystems of urea–biuret–water system

Joint results of the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) experiments were the basis for the fusion enthalpy and temperature determination of the biuret (NH₂CO)₂NH (synthesis by-product of the urea fertilizer (NH₂)₂CO). Recommended values are Δ_m H = (26.1 ± 0.5) kJ mol⁻¹, T _m = (473.8 ± 0.4) K. The DSC method allowed for the phase diagrams of “water–biuret,” “water–urea,” “urea–biuret” binary systems to be studied; as a result, liquidus and solidus curves were precisely defined. Stoichiometry and decomposition temperature of the biuret hydrate identified, composition of the compound in “urea–biuret” system was suggested.     

Sum frequency generation spectroscopic study of the condensation effect of cholesterol on a lipid monolayer

Sum frequency generation (SFG) spectra and surface pressure–molecular area (π–A) isotherms have been obtained for mixed cholesterol–DPPC monolayers with cholesterol mole fractions, x(chol.), from 0 to 1.0, at the air–water interface, under same conditions, at 22 °C. Analysis of the spectra indicated that incorporation of cholesterol into the monolayers at 3 mN m⁻¹ greatly increases the conformational and orientational order of the alkyl chains of DPPC, maximizing these properties at x(chol.)=0.4. Analysis also indicated that order in the mixed monolayers at 15 and 35 mN m⁻¹ is not affected by incorporation of cholesterol. The π–A isotherms measured at 3 mN m⁻¹ for the mixed monolayer with x(chol.)=0.4 have the largest negative deviation of the molecular area relative to those of ideal mixtures (the so-called “condensation effect” of cholesterol), indicating the most thermodynamically stable state. Comparison of results from SFG spectra and π–A isotherms explicitly proved that the condensation effect can be interpreted in terms of conformational and orientational ordering of the alkyl chains of DPPC.