Physical Hydrogels of Poly(vinyl alcohol) with Different Syndiotacticity Prepared in the Presence of Lactosilated Chitosan Derivatives

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) physical hydrogels were prepared by repeated freeze–thawing cycles using aqueous solutions of two PVA samples having different degrees of syndiotacticity, a‐PVA and s‐PVA with 55% and 61% of syndiotactic diads, respectively. The hydrogels were prepared in the presence of different amounts of lactosilated chitosan derivatives (LC) of different molecular weight. The PVA stereoregularity was found to have a dramatic effect on the amount of PVA incorporated into the hydrogels, leading to remarkable differences in the swelling degree and porosity of a‐PVA and s‐PVA hydrogels. A significant amount of LC was retained in the hydrogels after equilibrium swelling. The swelling of the a‐PVA hydrogels was found to increase significantly by increasing the amount of LC while it was only slightly increased in the case of s‐PVA hydrogels. The amount of LC released after equilibrium swelling was lower when chitosan derivatives with higher molecular weights were used. Increased initial concentrations of LC resulted in much higher porosity of the hydrogels. TGA and DSC studies showed that LC is stabilized by the incorporation in the PVA hydrogels. The melting temperature of the crystalline regions of PVA was not significantly influenced by LC. Conversely, the extension of the crystalline domains increased in the presence of LC. The retention of a chitosan derivative bearing β‐D ‐galactose side chain residues makes these hydrogels potentially useful as scaffolds for hepatocytes culture.

Scanning electron micrographs of PVA‐LC hydrogels: (a) a‐PVA; (b) a‐PVA/LC₁₅₀ 80:20; (c) a‐PVA/LC₁₅₀ 50:50.     

Interaction of hexafluorosilicic acid with sulfa drugs. Bis(sulfathiazolium) hexafluorosilicate: Spectral data and crystal structure

Interaction of hexafluorosilicic acid with sulfa drugs sulfathiazole (stz) and sulfalen (2-sulfanilamido-3-methoxypyrazine, sl) results in the crystalline salts of the compositions [stzH]₂[SiF₆] (I) and [4-H₂NO₂SPhNH₃]₂[SiF₆] (II). Complex I is characterized by IR, mass spectrometry data and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of I is stabilized by a network of charge-assisted hydrogen bonding. The relationship between the solubility and H-bonding system in I, II and related “onium” hexafluorosilicates is discussed. The formation of complex II, previously reported as an interaction product of hexafluorosilicic acid with 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide (sulfanilamide), is the result of cleavage of the C-N bond in sulfalen in acidic medium.     

(18-Crown-6)sodium tribromide and (18-crown-6)potassium triiodide (with an admixture of bromodiiodide): Synthesis and crystal structure

Two crystalline host-guest complexes are synthesized and studied using X-ray diffraction analysis: (18-crown-6)sodium tribromide [Na(18-crown-6)]⁺ · Br ₃ ^? (I) and (18-crown-6)potassium tribromide (with an admixture of bromodiiodide) [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ · (Br_0.25I_2.75)^? (II). The structures of compound I (space group P2₁/_{n, a} = 8.957 Å, b = 8.288 Å, c = 14.054 Å, β = 104.80°, Z = 2) and compound II (space group Cc, a = 8.417 Å, b = 15.147 Å, c = 17.445 Å, β = 99.01°, Z = 4) are solved by a direct method and refined by the full-matrix least-squares method in the anisotropic approximation to R = 0.098 (I) and 0.036 (II) for all 2311 (I) and 2678 (II) independent measured reflections on a CAD-4 automated diffractometer (λMoK _α). Similar crystalline complexes I and II exist as infinite chains of alternating complex cations and trihalide anions linked to each other through weak Na-Br or K-I coordination bonds. In [Na(18-crown-6)]⁺ and [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ complex cations, the Na⁺ or K⁺ cation (coordination number is eight) is located in the center of the cavity of the 18-crown-6 ligand and coordinated by the six O atoms and two terminal Br or I atoms of two trihalide anions lying on opposite sides of the rms plane of the crown ligand.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structures of new uranyl oxalate hydroxides: α- and β-[(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2] and [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2]·H2O

Two modifications of the new uranyl oxalate hydroxide dihydrate [UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] (1 and 2) and one form of the new uranyl oxalate hydroxide trihydrate [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (3) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structures were refined by full-matrix least-squares methods to agreement indices R(wR)=0.0372(0.0842) and 0.0267(0.0671) calculated for 1096 and 1167 unique observed reflections (I>2σ(I)), for α (1) and β (2) forms, respectively and to R(wR)=0.0301(0.0737) calculated for 2471 unique observed reflections (I>2σ(I)), for 3. The α-form of the dihydrate is triclinic, space group , Z=1, a=6.097(2), b=5.548(2), , α=89.353(5), β=94.387(5), γ=97.646(5)°, , β-form is monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z=4, a=12.180(3), b=8.223(2), , β=95.817(4), . The trihydrate is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, Z=4, a=5.5095(12), b=15.195(3), , β=93.927(3), . In the three structures, the coordination of uranium atom is a pentagonal bipyramid composed of dioxo UO₂²⁺ cation perpendicular to five equatorial oxygen atoms belonging to one bidentate oxalate ion, one water molecule and two hydroxyl ions in trans configuration in 2 and in cis configuration in 1 and 3. The UO₇ polyhedra are linked through hydroxyl oxygen atoms to form different structural building units, dimers [U₂O₁₀] obtained by edge-sharing in 1, chains [UO₆]_∞ and tetramers [U₄O₂₆] built by corner-sharing in 2 and 3, respectively. These units are further connected by oxalate entities that act as bis-bidentate to form one-dimensional chains in 1 and bi-dimensional network in 2 and 3. These chains or layers are connected in frameworks by hydrogen-bond arrays.     

A novel organically templated three-dimensional open framework vanadium tellurite: (NH3CH2CH2NH3)2V2Te6O18

A novel organically templated vanadium tellurite (NH₃CH₂CH₂NH₃)₂V₂Te₆O₁₈ (1) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, thermal stability analysis, magnetic susceptibilities and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, , , , β=94.789(4)°, , Z=2, R₁[I>2σ(I)]=0.0187, wR₂[I>2σ(I)]=0.0482. Compound 1 exhibits a novel three-dimensional (3D) vanadium tellurite anion framework composed of vanadium, tellurium, and oxygen atoms through covalent bonds, with the [NH₃CH₂CH₂NH₃]²⁺ cations residing in the channels.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of dissociation behavior of various crystalline celluloses treated with hot-compressed water

The dissociation behavior of the crystalline cellulose polymorphs I_β, II, III_I, and IV_I (Cell I_β, etc.) at 503 K and 100 bar was studied by molecular dynamics simulation, and the mechanism of the experimental liquefaction during treatment with hot-compressed water was elucidated. The results showed that the mini-crystals of Cell I_β and Cell IV_I exhibited similar resistance to dissociation, which implies the occurrence of crystal transformation from Cell IV_I to Cell I. On the other hand, the mini-crystal of Cell II gradually dissociated into the water environment with the progress of time in the simulation. The water molecules gradually penetrated the Cell II crystal, especially along the (1 \(\overline{1}\) 0) crystal plane. In contrast, the dissolution behavior differed for the surface and the core areas of the mini-crystal of Cell III_I. The cellulose chains on the surface were dissociated into the water environment, whereas the ordered structure of the chains in the core region was maintained for the entire simulation period. The detailed investigation showed that the core part of Cell III_I was transformed into Cell I at an early stage of the simulation: Cell I is resistant to dissociation of the structure even in the hot-compressed water environment. It can be confirmed that the stability of these four crystals under high temperature and pressure conditions follows the order: Cell II < III_I < IV_I ≈ I_β.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new open-framework zinc phosphites [M(C6N4H18)][Zn3(HPO3)4] (M=Ni, Co) with multi-directional intersecting 12-membered ring channels

Two new open-framework zinc phosphites, [M(C₆N₄H₁₈)][Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (M=Ni, Co), have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that [Ni(C₆N₄H₁₈)][Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (1) and [Co(C₆N₄H₁₈)][Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (2) are isostructural and both crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with , , , β=109.83(3)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0408 (I>2σ(I)), and wR₂=0.1104 (all data) for 1, and , , , β=109.328(2)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0380 (I>2σ(I)), and wR₂=0.1093 (all data) for 2. The structures of 1 and 2 are built up from strictly alternating ZnO₄ tetrahedra and HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids linked through oxygen vertices to form the three-dimensional (3-D) open-frameworks with multi-directional intersecting 12-membered ring (12-MR) channels. The M(TETA) (M=Ni, Co) complexes self-assembled under hydrothermal system connect with the inorganic host via M-O-P linkages and interact with inorganic framework through weak H-bonds. The two compounds show intense photoluminescence upon photoexcitation at 235 nm.     

New open-framework three-dimensional lanthanide oxalates containing as a template the diprotonated 1,2- or 1,3-diaminopropane

Single crystals of three new open-framework lanthanide oxalates have been synthesized hydrothermally, in the presence of 1,2-diaminopropane, (C₃N₂H₁₂)[Nd(H₂O)(C₂O₄)₂]₂·3H₂O I and (C₃N₂H₁₂)[Yb(C₂O₄)₂]₂·5H₂O II, or 1,3-diaminopropane (C₃N₂H₁₂)₂[La₂(C₂O₄)₅]·5H₂O III. Their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction data: I and III crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P-1, with , , , α=93.092(5)°, β=93.930(6)°, γ=108.359(5)° and , , , α=104.585(4)°, β=108.268(5)°, γ=111.132(5)°, respectively while II crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group F2dd, with , , . The three-dimensional (3D) framework of these compounds is built up by the linkages of lanthanide atoms and the oxygen atoms of the bischelating oxalate ligands. Instead of four chelating oxalate units surrounding a lanthanide atom (I and II), both lanthanum atoms, in III, are surrounded by five chelating oxalate groups and that is new. In all the cases within the frame, are observed 8- and 12-membered channels where are localized the guest species, 1,2- or 1,3-diaminopropane cations and free water molecules. The ratio of the guest number (especially the diaminopropane) per 12-membered ring could tune the shape and the size of 12-membered channels: thus, the 12-membered channels, observed for I and II, have elliptical cross-section (5.5 Å×11.4 Å and 5.2 Å×9.5 Å) while those, observed for III, have nearly circular cross-section (9.1 Å×9.5 Å). The lanthanide atoms are 8, 9 and 10-fold coordinated for Yb (II), Nd (I) and La (III), respectively.     

Self-Nucleation Efficiency of PDLA in PLAs: Crystallization Behavior and Morphology

Crystallization behavior and morphology of PLA blended with 0.05–1.00 wt % loadings of poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) forming stereocomplex crystallites as in-situ nucleating agents, were studied using wideangle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarizing-light optical microscopy (POM). Blending PLA with small amount of PDLA does lead to formation of PLA stereocomplex (SC), although the PLA is a random copolymer. The in-situ formed SC crystal acted as nucleation sites in blends and accelerated the crystallization of PLA by decreasing the half-time (t_1/2). The nucleation efficiency of PDLA obviously increased and the crystallization induction time decreased while the content of PDLA reached up to 0.20 wt %. While the content of PDLA is 0.2 wt %, the nucleation efficiency of PDLA is up to 43.8%, and the induction time decreased from 430 to 88 s. In addition, compared with pure PLA, t_1/2 decreases from 15.1 to 3.5 min at T_c = 127.5°C while the amount PDLA is 1.0 wt %. The equilibrium melting temperature of PLA decreased from 187.2 to 181.2°C with the increase of PDLA content.     

Mechanism of polymorph selection during crystallization of random butene-1/ethylene copolymer

Starting from an initial sample of butene-1/ethylene copolymer with stable form I’, we examined the nucleation of different crystalline polymorphs (here metastable form II and stable form I’) at different isothermal crystallization temperatures after being melted at different melt temperature (T _melt). When T _melt was just above the melting temperature (T _m) of the crystallites, self-seeding took place. There, residue crystallites served as nuclei leading to the crystallization of the same crystalline phase. When T _melt was a few degrees above the T _m, self-seeding was disabled due to complete melting of the initial crystals. Upon crystallization, the selection of the different polymorphs in this random copolymer was found to depend on an interplay between the domain size of segregated long crystallizable sequences and the size and energy barrier of the critical nucleus of the respective crystalline forms. Our results provide a clear understanding of the polymorphs selection during crystallization of a random copolymer as well as homo-polymers under confinement.     

Extended networks, porous sheets, and chiral frameworks. Thorium materials containing mixed geometry anions: Structures and properties of Th(SeO3)(SeO4), Th(IO3)2(SeO4)(H2O)3·H2O, and Th(CrO4)(IO3)2

Three novel Th(IV) compounds containing heavy oxoanions, Th(SeO₃)(SeO₄) (1), Th(IO₃)₂(SeO₄)(H₂O)₃·H₂O (2), and Th(CrO₄)(IO₃)₂ (3), have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. Each of these three distinct structures contain trigonal pyramidal and tetrahedral oxoanions. Compound 1 adopts a three-dimensional structure formed from ThO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms, trigonal pyramidal selenite, SeO₃^2-, anions containing Se(IV), and tetrahedral selenate, SeO₄^2-, anions containing Se(VI). The structure of 2 contains two-dimensional porous sheets and occluded water molecules. The Th centers are found as isolated ThO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms and are bound by four trigonal pyramidal iodate anions, two tetrahedral selenate anions, and three coordinating water molecules. In the structure of 3, the Th(IV) cations are found as ThO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms. Each Th center is bound by six IO₃^1- anions and three CrO₄^2- anions forming a chiral three-dimensional structure. Second-harmonic generation of 532 nm light from 1064 nm radiation by a polycrystalline sample of 3 was observed. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 1; monoclinic, P2₁/c; , , , β=103.128(1), Z=4, R(F)=2.47% for 91 parameters with 1462 reflections with I>2σ(I); 2, monoclinic, P2₁/n, , , , β=100.142(2), Z=4, R(F)=4.71% for 158 parameters with 2934 reflections with I>2σ(I); 3, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, , , , Z=4, R(F)=2.04% for 129 parameters with 2035 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Modeling of negative Poisson’s ratio (auxetic) crystalline cellulose I<Subscript>β</Subscript>

Energy minimizations for unstretched and stretched cellulose models using an all-atom empirical force field (molecular mechanics) have been performed to investigate the mechanism for auxetic (negative Poisson’s ratio) response in crystalline cellulose I_β from kraft cooked Norway spruce. An initial investigation to identify an appropriate force field led to a study of the structure and elastic constants from models employing the CVFF force field. Negative values of on-axis Poisson’s ratios ν ₃₁ and ν ₁₃ in the x ₁–x ₃ plane containing the chain direction (x ₃) were realized in energy minimizations employing a stress perpendicular to the hydrogen-bonded cellobiose sheets to simulate swelling in this direction due to the kraft cooking process. Energy minimizations of structural evolution due to stretching along the x ₃ chain direction of the ‘swollen’ (kraft cooked) model identified chain rotation about the chain axis combined with inextensible secondary bonds as the most likely mechanism for auxetic response.     

BODIPY-derived ratiometric fluorescent sensors: pH-regulated aggregation-induced emission and imaging application in cellular acidification triggered by crystalline silica exposure

Modification of classic fluorophore to possess the emission transitions between aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and intrinsic emission offers reliable approach to the design of ratiometric fluorescent sensors. In this study, a proton acceptor benzimidazole was integrated with BODIPY to form three compounds, BBI-1/2/3, which demonstrated the AIE (~595 nm, I_agg) in neutral aqueous medium and intrinsic BODIPY emission (~510 nm, I_int) in acidic medium. All the three showed the ratiometric pH sensing behavior in a dual excitation/dual emission mode, yet BBI-3 displayed still the dual emission ratiometric pH sensing ability. The pH-dependent emission ratio I_int/I_agg of the three were fully reversible, and no interference was observed from normal abundant chemical species in live cells. Their different pK_a (BBI-1, pK_a 4.4; BBI-2, pK_a 2.7; BBI-3, pKa 3.6) suggested that the substituents on benzimidazole moiety were essential to govern their functioning pH range. The ratiometric imaging of BBI-1 in A549 cells provided an effective intracellular pH (pHi) calibration formula corresponding to emission ratio of I_int/I_agg. Ratiometric pH_i imaging in A549 cells upon small particle exposure confirmed the particle-induced cellular acidification with this formula. Both particle size and the chemical nature of the particle contribute to the observed acidification effect. The synchronization of lysosome disruption to cellular acidification in A549 cells upon crystalline silica exposure was directly observed for the first time with BBI-1, showing the potential application of BBI-1 in the study of silicosis and other related diseases. This study demonstrated that endowing fluorophore with AIE/intrinsic emission transition could be a promising strategy for ratiometric sensor design.     

Synchrotron X-ray structures of cellulose I<Subscript>β</Subscript> and regenerated cellulose II at ambient temperature and 100 K

Synchrotron X-ray data have been collected to 1.4 Å resolution at the NE-CAT beam-line at the Advanced Photon Source from fibers of cellulose I_β and regenerated cellulose II (Fortisan) at ambient temperature and at 100 K in order to understand the effects of low temperature on cellulose more thoroughly. Crystal structures have been determined at each temperature. The unit cell of regenerated cellulose II contracted, with decreasing temperature, by 0.25%, 0.22% and 0.1% along the a, b, and c axes, respectively, whereas that of cellulose I_β contracted only in the direction of the a axis, by 0.9%. The value of 4.6×10^?5 K^?1 for the thermal expansion coefficient of cellulose I_β in the a axis direction can be explained by simple harmonic molecular oscillations and the lack of hydrogen-bonding in this direction. The molecular conformations of each allomorph are essential unchanged by cooling to 100 K. The room temperature crystal structure of regenerated cellulose II is essentially identical to the crystal structure of mercerized cellulose II.     

Three 3D hybrid networks based on octamolybdates and different Cu/Cu-bis(triazole) motifs

Three 3D compounds based on octamolybdate clusters and various Cu^I/Cu^II-bis(triazole) motifs, [Cu^I₂btb][β-Mo₈O₂₆]_0.5 (1), [Cu^I₂btpe][β-Mo₈O₂₆]_0.5 (2), and [Cu^II(btpe)₂][β-Mo₈O₂₆]_0.5 (3) [btb=1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane, btpe=1,5-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentane], were isolated via tuning flexible ligand spacer length and metal coordination preferences. In 1, the copper(I)-btb motif is a one-dimensional (1D) chain which is further linked by hexadentate β-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ clusters via coordinating to Cu^I cations giving a 3D structure. In 2, the copper(I)-btpe motif exhibits a “stairs”-like [Cu^I₂btpe]²⁺ sheet, and the tetradentate β-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ clusters interact with two neighboring [Cu^I₂btpe]²⁺ sheets constructing a 3D framework. In 3, the copper(II)-btpe motif possesses a novel (2D→3D) interdigitated structure, which is further connected by the tetradentate β-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ clusters forming a 3D framework. The thermal stability and luminescent properties of 1-3 are investigated in the solid state.     

Channels occupancy and distortion in new lithium uranyl phosphates with three-dimensional open-frameworks

Three new lithium uranyl phosphates, Li₂(UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂O (1), Li(UO₂)₄(PO₄)₃ (2) and Li₃(UO₂)₇(PO₄)₅O (3) were synthesized and studied. Powders of 1 and 2 were synthesized via solid state reaction, and single crystals of the three compounds were obtained by melting of 1 and 2 powders. The structures of the three compounds have been solved and refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. In the three compounds, the uranium atoms occupy square and pentagonal bipyramids. The uranium square bipyramids and phosphate tetrahedra are connected by vertices to form two types of layers with autunite sheet anion-topology and denoted S and D, respectively. The uranyl pentagonal bipyramids share opposite equatorial edges to form infinite chains. Mutually perpendicular chains are hung on each side of the sheets to build frameworks with non-crossing perpendicular channels that accommodate the lithium ions. Various stacking sequences of the S and D layers, S-S, D-D and S-D, generate three different frameworks in 1, 2 and 3, respectively. These compounds are similar to the recently reported vanadate analogous. However, the phosphate tetrahedra, smaller than the vanadate ones, gives distortion of the layers and a lowering of the symmetry and/or a change of periodicity. The electrical conductivity of 1 and 2 was measured using impedance spectroscopy method. The rather low conductivity of the lithium cations is explained by the crystal structure and the Li⁺ position within the tunnels. These results corroborate those on the analogous three-dimensional alkaline uranyl vanadates. Crystallographic data: 293 K, BRUKER X8-APEX2 X-ray diffractometer, 4 K CCD detector, MoKα, λ=0.71073 Å, full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F. 1, Tetragonal symmetry, space group I4₁/amd, Z=4 with a=7.1109(2) Å and c=25.0407(8) Å, R=0.034 and wR=0.047 for 38 parameters with 479 independent reflections with I?3σ(I). 2, monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁/c, Z=4 and a=9.8829(2) Å, b=9.8909(2) Å, c=17.4871(4) Å and β=106.198(1)°, R=0.021 and wR=0.031 for 249 parameters with 4201 independent reflections with I?3σ(I). 3, Tetragonal symmetry, space group with a=9.9305(2) Å and c=14.5741(3) Å, R=0.035 and wR=0.038 for 137 parameters with 4527 independent reflections with i?3σ(I).     

Hexafluorosilicates of bis(aminopyridinium). The relationship between H-bonding system and solubility of salts

Pyridinium hexafluorosilicates of the composition (LH)₂[SiF₆] (I, II, IV, L = 2-aminopyridine, 3-aminopyridine, and 2,6-diaminopyridine) and (LH)₂[SiF₆]·H₂O (III, L = 4-aminopyridine) were separated as crystalline products of interaction of fluorosilicic acid with relevant aminopyridines. The compounds were characterized by IR, mass-spectrometry, potentiometry, solubility data, and in the case of I and IV by X-ray crystallography. The relationship between the salts structure and some physical properties is discussed.     

Two novel 3-D bismuth oxalates with organic amines protruding in channels

Two novel 3-D oxalate-containing bismuth compounds of formula (C₃N₂H₅)₂ [Bi₂(C₂O₄)₄(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O 1 and [NH(C₂H₅)₃][Bi₃(C₂O₄)₅] 2 were obtained by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2/n space group with , , , β=97.280(3)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0340 and wR₂=0.0766 for unique 4734 reflections I>2σ(I). Compound 2 belongs to the orthorhombic Pbcn space group with , , , Z=4, R₁=0.0222 and wR₂=0.0568 for unique 2472 reflections I>2σ(I). The Bi^III centers have nine-fold coordination for 1 and eight-fold for 2 with the Bi atoms in distorted monocapped square antiprism and distorted dodecahedron, respectively. And oxalate ligands adopt different coordination modes: bidentate for 1, bidentate and tricoordinate for 2. Compounds 1 and 2 are both 3-D open-framework structures containing channels with guest molecules. These two compounds exhibit intense blue luminescence with the emission peaks at 419 nm for 1 and 442 nm for 2, respectively, in the solid state at room temperature. These compounds with novel structural frameworks could be useful in the field of photoactive materials.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and properties of a 3D-framework polyoxometalate assembly: [Ag(4,4′-bipy)](OH){[Ag(4,4′-bipy)]2[PAgW12O40]}·3.5H2O

A 3D framework assembly based on the Keggin tungstophosphate POM with silver (I) transition metal and N-ligand organic moiety and of formula [Ag(4,4′-bipy)](OH){[Ag(4,4′-bipy)]₂[PAgW₁₂O₄₀]}·3.5H₂O (1) (bipy=bipyridine) has been synthesized by hydrothermal method and structurally characterized. The crystal of 1 belongs to triclinic, space group P-1, Mr=3857.27, , , , α=85.7249(5)°, β=72.8795(5)°, γ=79.9543(5)°, , Z=1, . The final statistics based on F² are GOF=1.045, R₁=0.0326 and wR₂=0.0843 for I>2σ(I). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the molecular structure of 1 consists of a neutral fragment {[Ag^I(4,4′-bipy)]₂[PAg^IW^VI₁₂O₄₀]}, [Ag^I(4,4′-bipy)]⁺ cation, hydroxide anion and lattice water molecules. The {[Ag^I(4,4′-bipy)]₂[PAg^IW^VI₁₂O₄₀]} subunits are interconnected through Ag(I) with bipyridine ligands, both surface bridging and terminal oxygen atoms of polyoxoanions (POMs) to represent a novel three-dimensional (3D) polymer with 1D elliptic channels. Meanwhile, the [Ag^I(4,4′-bipy)]⁺ cations are also linked each other to form 1D chains, and embedded in 1D elliptic channels.     

A positron annihilation spectroscopy study of porous silicon

It was shown that the spectra of angular correlation of annihilation radiation in porous silicon are approximated well by a parabola (I _p) and two Gaussians (I _g1, I _g2). The narrow Gaussian component I _g1 is most likely due to the annihilation of localized parapositronium in pores. The full width at half maximum is on the order of 0.8 mrad, a value that corresponds to the kinetic energy of an annihilating positron-electron pair (0.079 ± 0.012 eV), and its intensity is about 1.5%. The total positronium yield in porous silicon reaches 6% in this case. The particle radius determined in the study is about 10–20 Å.