TiCl4(THF)2 impregnation on a flat SiOx/Si(1 0 0) and on polycrystalline Au foil: determination of surface species using XPS

TiCl₄(THF)₂ was impregnated by spin-coating on a Si(1 0 0) wafer covered with a thin SiO_x layer and on a polycrystalline Au foil. The nature of the surface species was determined at room temperature and after annealing, by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). A mixed Si:O:Ti interfacial layer was formed on the silicon substrate while in the case of Au, TiOCl_x and TiO_x were the main surface species at room temperature. Annealing at 723 K leads to the total desorption of the Cl atoms, and in both cases a significant amount of Ti atoms was reduced to the Ti³⁺ state. AFM measurements revealed a homogenous distribution of nano-sized TiO_x clusters with semi-ellipsoid shape and increased contact area with the underlying silica.     

Using n-mode potentials for reactive scattering: Application to the 6D H2 + Pt(1 1 1) problem

The accuracy of n-mode representations of potential energy surfaces (PESs) is investigated, for a reaction involving six degrees of freedom. Probabilities computed with the time-dependent wave packet (TDWP) method for reaction of (v = 0,1; j = 0) H₂ on Pt(1 1 1) employing a 5-mode (4-mode) PES show quantitative (semi-quantitative) agreement with results for the full PES. The ratio of the v = 1 and v = 0 reaction probabilities obtained with the 5-mode PES is in quantitative agreement with full PES results for most of the energy range considered. The results suggest that n-mode representations can be employed successfully to study reactions of polyatomic molecules with surfaces.     

Formation of π-coupled organic wire on the Si(0 0 1)[2 × 1] surface

The stability and electronic properties of highly packed 1-hexyl-naphthalene (HNap) molecular wire on Si(0 0 1) have been studied with first principles DFT method. HNap assembles into a 1D arrangement on the Si(0 0 1)[2 × 1] surface on which molcules adopt a commensurate structure along a dimer row with an intermolecular distance of 3.8 Å. HNap is attached to the surface through the hexyl chain, and stands normal to the surface. This highly packed structure leads to the formation of delocalized π-orbitals over the entire wire but essentially localized on the naphthalene counterpart, and well separated from the Si surface states. Cohesion energy within the wire arises from a significant attraction between hexyl chains, and to a weaker stabilizing π–π interaction between naphthalenes.     

Self-assembled parallel mesoscopic Pb-wires on Au-modified Si(5 3 3) substrates

Arrays of extremely long and perfectly parallel mesoscopic Pb-wires are formed and studied in UHV conditions. Au-modified Si(5 3 3) substrate modified by deposition of sub-monolayer amount of Au are used as templates. A uniform distribution of monoatomic steps and terraces on well-oriented Si(5 3 3) is induced by formation of Au-chains running along step edges. Real-time surface imaging with LEEM shows that the wires growing on substrates held at temperatures close to the room temperature are all aligned parallel to azimuth, along the step edges. After nucleation of elongated islands, the 1 ML thick wetting layer remains on the vicinal Si surface. RHEED and low-temperature STM experiments show that the wires have triangular cross-section, limited by (1 1 1) and (1 0 0) facets of Pb. The width of the wires is 60 nm, whereas their length is up to 8 μm. The observed growth anisotropy leading to the formation of mesoscopic wires is attributed to enhanced one-dimensional diffusion along the parallel grooves and trenches that form vicinal surfaces. An additional factor, contributing to the anisotropic growth, is probably the anisotropic strain, due to the large misfit between Pb and Si lattices.     

Adsorption dynamics of O2 on Cu(1 0 0): The role of vacancies, steps and adatims in dissociative chemisorption of O2

Adsorption dynamics experiments on Cu(1 0 0) at 300 K indicate that surface defects induced by 3.4 keV Ar⁺-ion bombardment strongly enhance the dissociative chemisorption probability of O₂. Energy selective molecular beam surface scattering experiments reveal a defect induced low-barrier dissociation pathway leading to enhanced dissociation of O₂ molecules with translational energy up to 60 meV. Density functional theory calculations attribute the decrease in O₂ dissociation barrier to the weakening of O–O bond at Cu vacancies, thus resolving the contradiction between experimental observations and theoretical predictions of the height of the barrier to O₂ dissociation on Cu(1 0 0).     

Structural characterisation of [Pt(NH3)4]2[W(CN)8][NO3]·2H2O donor–acceptor complex

The bimetallic [Pt(NH₃)₄]₂[W(CN)₈][NO₃]·2H₂O is characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [S.G.P2₁/m(11), a=8.0418(7), b=19.122(2), c=9.0812(6) Å, Z=2]. All platinum centres have the square-plane D_4h geometry with average dimensions Pt(1)–N 2.042(2) and Pt(2)–N 2.037(10) Å. The octacyanotungstate anion has the square-antiprismatic D_4d configuration with average dimensions W(1)–C 2.164(13), C–N 1.140(12), W(1)–N 3.303(5) Å. The structure exhibits two different mutual orientations of Pt versus W units resulting in Pt(2)–W(1), W(1)^* separations of 4.77(2), 4.55(2)^* and Pt(1)–W(1) of 6.331(8) Å. A centrosymmetric structure reveals groups of two distinct columns: the first is formed by intercalated NO₃⁻ between parallel [Pt(1)(NH₃)₄]²⁺ planes and the second consists of [W(CN)₈]³⁻ interlayered by, parallel to square faces of W-antiprisms, [Pt(2)(NH₃)₄]²⁺. The structure is stabilised through a three-dimensional hydrogen bond network via nitrogen atoms of cyanide ligands, hydrogen atoms of NH₃ ligands, water molecules and oxygen atoms of NO₃⁻ counteranions. The vibrational pattern and the range of ν(CN) frequencies attributable to the electronic environment of W(V) and W(IV) are consistent with the ground state Pt(II)↔W(V) charge transfer.     

Synthesis and characterisation of Hf(thd)2X2 derivatives [X = N(SiMe3)2, OSiMe3 and OSiBuMe2] as precursors for MOCVD of hafnium silicate films

Hafnium β-diketonatochlorides HfCl₂(thd)₂ (1), HfCl(thd)₃ (2) as well as β-diketonato-silylamide and/or siloxide derivatives of 1 namely Hf(thd)₂[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (3), Hf(thd)₂(OSiMe₃)₂ (4) and Hf(thd)₂(OSi^tBuMe₂)₂ (5) (thd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and TGA. 2 and 5 were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The siloxide ligands are in cis position for 5 and exert a strong trans effect. The new volatile compounds were tested as single-source precursors for the deposition of HfSi_xO_y films by pulsed liquid injection MOCVD on Si(1 0 0) and R plane sapphire. The as-deposited at 600–800 °C films were essentially amorphous, Hf-rich (Hf/Hf + Si = 0.7–0.85) and smooth.     

Preparation of epitaxial La0.6Ca0.4Mn1−xFexO3 (x = 0, 0.2) thin films: Variation of the oxygen content

Perovskite thin films with a nominal composition of La_0.6Ca_0.4Mn_1−xFe_xO₃ (x = 0, 0.2) were deposited by pulsed reactive crossed beam laser ablation. The film properties, such as electrical conductivity and magnetoresistance are studied as a function of the oxygen content and substrate type. The oxygen content of the thin films was determined by Rutherford Backscattering and controlled by varying the background gas pressure, pressure of the gas pulse and by using alternatively O₂ and N₂O as the gas pulse.

LaAlO₃ and SrTiO₃ were used as substrates at deposition temperature of 650 °C. The grown films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction in order to optimize the growth conditions, i.e. to obtain epitaxial thin films. Thin films doped with 20% Fe were grown under the same experimental conditions as the undoped LCMO films and the effect of the doping on the structural and transport properties of the thin films has been investigated.

The temperature of the metal–insulator transition was measured as a function of the oxygen content and substrate type.     

Polarized absorption spectra and polarized Raman spectra of single crystals of trans(Cl2)-[CoCl2(NH3)n(H2O)4−n]Cl complexes (n = 2, 3, 4)

The title cobalt(III) complexes have been investigated by polarized absorption and Raman spectroscopies of the single crystals. The symmetry properties of the d-electron orbitals and of the vibrational modes attributable to the Raman bands of trans(Cl₂)-[CoCl₂(NH₃)_n(H₂O)_4−n]Cl complexes (n = 2, 3, or 4) were examined to elucidated the peculiar observation that ligand substitution causes no splitting of the 15 200-cm⁻¹ absorption band and the 250-cm⁻¹ Raman band. Effects of replacing the NH₃ ligand with H₂O on the electronic structure, atom–atom force constants and vibrational modes of these complex ions are briefly described.     

Structure analysis and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of a coordination polymer [Co(TO)2Cl2]n (TO = 1,2,4-triazole-5-one)

A coordination polymer was synthesized by the reaction of CoCl₂ with 1,2,4-triazole-5-one (TO) and charaterized by means of IR and TG–DTG. Single-crystal structure analysis showed that the complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c: a = 23.105(9) Å, b = 3.5683(2) Å, c = 13.589(6) Å,  = 90°, β = 124.038(4)°, γ = 90°, V = 928.4(7) Å³, Z = 4. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the complex was determined to be (−1034.28 ± 0.95) kJ mol⁻¹.     

Si衬底上生长的铁硅化合物结构和取向分析

采用分子束外延法分别在650-920℃的Si(110)和920℃的Si(111)衬底表面生长出铁的硅化物纳米结构,并主要分析了920℃高温下纳米结构的形貌、组成相及其与Si衬底的取向关系.扫描隧道显微镜(STM)研究表明,920℃高温下,Si(110)衬底上生长的铁硅化合物完全以纳米线的形式存在,且其尺寸远大于650℃低温下外延生长的纳米线尺寸;Si(111)衬底上生长出三维岛和薄膜两种形貌的铁硅化合物,其中三维岛具有金属特性且直径约300 nm、高约155 nm,薄膜厚度约2 nm.电子背散射衍射研究表明920℃高温下Si(110)衬底上生长的纳米线仅以β-FeSi2的形式存在,且β-FeSi2相与衬底之间存在唯一的取向关系:β-FeSi2(101)//Si(11 1);β-FeSi2[010]//Si[110];Si(111)衬底上生长的三维岛由六方晶系的Fe2Si相组成,Fe2Si属于164空间群,晶胞常数为a=0.405 nm,c=0.509 nm;与衬底之间的取向关系为Fe2Si(001)∥Si(111)和Fe2Si[1 20]//Si[112].     

Olefin polymerization by (cyclopentadienyl)(ketimide)titanium(IV) complexes of the type, Cp′TiCl2(N=CBu2)-methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst systems

Effects of substituents on cyclopentadienyl group for homopolymerization of ethylene, 1-hexene, and for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization using a series of nonbridged (cyclopentadienyl)(ketimide)titanium complexes of the type, Cp′TiCl₂(N=C^tBu₂) [Cp′ = Cp (1), ^tBuC₅H₄ (2), C₅Me₅ (Cp^*, 3), and indenyl (4)] have been explored in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst. Complexes 1–3 showed the similar catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization although the activity by 4 was somewhat low, whereas the activity for 1-hexene polymerization increased in the order 1 > 4 2 > 3. These complexes showed significant activities for ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization affording high molecular weight poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene)s with unimodal molecular weight distributions, and the activity increased in the order: 4 > 1 2, 3. The r_Er_H values in the polymerization by 1–3 at 40 °C were 0.35–0.52 which clearly indicate that the 1-hexene incorporation in the copolymerization did not proceed in a random manner. The r_E values by 1–3 were 6.0–6.4 and the values were independent upon the cyclopentadienyl fragment employed; the r_E values by 4 at 40 °C were 10.2–10.9 which were close to those by ansa-metallocene complex catalysts. These values were influenced by the polymerization temperature, and the 1-hexene incorporation by 1–4 became inefficient at higher temperature, although the observed activities especially by 1, 4 were highly remarkable.     

Structural and spectroscopic investigations of europium(III) entrapped by the ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonate) ligand in K12H8[Eu4(EDTMP)4] · 45H2O crystal

The X-ray crystal structure of an anionic octacoordinate Eu³⁺ complex of the formula K₁₂H₈[Eu₄(EDTMP)₄] · 45H₂O, where EDTMP is the ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonate) anion, hereinafter referred to as I, has been determined. The crystal consists of cyclic tetrameric complex anions, in which the surrounding of each Eu³⁺ ion is composed of two nitrogen atoms and six oxygen atoms from phosphonate groups. One of the phosphonate groups in the ligand molecule is tridentate (O:O′,O″), thus giving rise to the formation of the tetramers. The compound was characterized by UV–Vis electronic spectroscopy. At room and liquid nitrogen temperatures the complex shows luminescence from both ⁵D₀ and ⁵D₁ states, the latter one, which is very rare in Eu³⁺ compounds with organic ligands, is probably brought about by the saturation of the coordination sphere with the phosphonate groups.     

Temperature dependence of adlayers on Pt(1 1 1) and Au(1 1 1) in a sulfuric acid solution studied by in situ IRAS

Temperature dependence studies of adsorption of sulfuric acid species on Pt(1 1 1) and Au(1 1 1) electrodes were carried out using in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. A temperature-dependent shift of the interconversion potential between HSO₄⁻/H₃O⁺ and H₂SO₄ on a Pt(111) electrode was observed. A temperature-dependent frequency shift of the absorption bands of HSO₄⁻ was also observed on both Pt(1 1 1) and Au(1 1 1) electrodes in the potential region where a √3×√7 structure evolved. Modelling experiments in ultrahigh vacuum revealed that ordering of the overlayer water molecules played an important role in the frequency of the absorption bands of HSO₄⁻.     

N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamides and their dinuclear pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes

The preparation, spectroscopic characterization and magnetic study of N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamidate-bridged nickel(II) dinuclear complexes of formula {[Ni(N₃-mc)]₂(μ-CONC₆H₄-X)}(PF₆)₂ (N₃-mc = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclo-dodec-1-ene (Me₃-N₃-mc) or 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (Me₄-N₃-mc), X = 2-Cl, 4-Cl, 2-OCH₃, 4-OCH₃) are reported. These paramagnetic nickel(II) complexes have been characterized by both one- and two-dimensional (COSY) ¹H NMR techniques. The COSY spectrum of 5 has allowed to achieve the assignment of the phenyl protons of the N,N′-diphenyloxamidate. The crystal structures of [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (6), [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-OMe)]₂(PF₆)₂ (8) and [Ni(Me₄-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-2-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (9) have been determined and their magnetic properties have been studied. The value of magnetic coupling between the two nickel(II) ions across the oxamidate bridge [J = − 37.6 (6), −39.9 (8) and −39.7 cm⁻¹ (9)] is sensitive to the distortion of the coordination sphere of the metal ions and the topology of the molecular bridge.     

Metal–metal bonding in metal–string complexes M3(dpa)4X2 (M = Ni, Co, dpa = di(2-pyridyl)amido, and X = Cl, NCS) from resonance Raman and infrared spectroscopy

Infrared and Raman spectra for metal–string complexes M₃(dpa)₄X₂ (M = Ni, Co, dpa = di(2-pyridyl)amido, and X = Cl, NCS) are studied. We assign the Ni₃ asymmetric stretching vibration to infrared lines at 304 and 311 cm⁻¹ for Ni₃(dpa)₂Cl₂ and Ni₃(dpa)₂(NCS)₂, respectively. A Raman shift at 242 cm⁻¹ is assigned to the Ni₃ symmetric stretching mode. For Co₃ complexes a line for the Co₃ asymmetric stretching mode appears at 313 and 331 cm⁻¹ for Co₃(dpa)₂Cl₂ and Co₃(dpa)₂(NCS)₂, respectively.     

Stability of the silicon-ruthenium bond in the presence of a strong nucleophile. Phase sensitive H NMR COSY and crystal structure of Ru(CO)2(NH2CH2C6H5)2(Si(C6H5)(CH3)2)I

The ruthenium(II) complex Ru(CO)₂(NH₂(NH₂CH₂C₆H₅)₂(Si(C₆H₅)(CH₃)₂)I has been prepared by the reaction of Ru(CO)₄(Si(C₆H₅)(CH₃)₂)I with benzylamine. Two-dimensional homonuclear ¹H NMR experiments examine the scalar coupling of the enantiotopic amino and methylene protons of the benzylamine ligand. X-ray analysis of Ru(CO)₂(NH₂CH₂C₆H₅)₂(Si(C₆H₅)(CH₃)₂)I·1/3C₅H₁₂ (triclinic; P ; a = 14.266(4), b = 15.748(5), c = 20.082(6) Å; = 94.38(3), β = 96.30(2), γ = 101.52(2)°) indicates three crystallographically unique complexes form a clathrate with a pentane guest.     

Zwitterionic titanoxanes {Cp[η-C5H4B(C6F5)3]Ti}2O and {(η-PrC5H4)[η-1,3-PrC5H3B(C6F5)3]Ti}2O as catalysts for cationic ring-opening polymerization

Zwitterionic titanoxanes {Cp[η⁵-C₅H₄B(C₆F₅)₃]Ti}₂O (I) and {(η⁵-ⁱPrC₅H₄)[η⁵-1,3-ⁱPrC₅H₃B(C₆F₅)₃]Ti}₂O (II), which contain two positively charged Ti(IV) centres in the molecule, are able to catalyse the ring-opening polymerization of -caprolactone (-CL) in toluene solution and in bulk. The process proceeds with a noticeable rate even at room temperature and accelerates strongly on raising the temperature to 60 °C. The best results have been obtained on carrying out the reaction in bulk. Under these conditions, the use of I as a catalyst (-CL:I = 1000:1) gives at 60 °C close to quantitative yield of poly--CL with the molecular mass of 197 000. An increase in the -CL:I ratio to 6000:1 increases the molecular mass of poly--CL to 530 000. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is also polymerized under the action of I albeit with a lesser rate. However, the molecular mass of the resulting poly-THF can reach rather big values under optimal conditions (up to 217 000 at 20 °C and the THF:I ratio of 770:1). A rise in the reaction temperature from 20 to 60 °C results here to a decrease in the efficiency of the process. Titanoxane II is close to I in its catalytic activity in the -CL polymerization but it is much less active in the polymerization of THF. Propylene oxide (PO), in contrast to -CL and THF, gives with I only liquid oligomers in wide temperature and PO:I molar ratio ranges (−30 to +20 °C, PO:I = 500–2000:1). γ-Butyrolactone and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone are not polymerized under the action of I at room temperature. The reactions found are the first examples of catalysis of the cationic ring-opening polymerization by zwitterionic metallocenes of the group IVB metals.     

The ternary system H2O–Fe(NO3)3–Co(NO3)2 isotherms 0 and 15 °C

The solid–liquid equilibria of the ternary system H₂O–Fe(NO₃)₃–Co(NO₃)₂ were studied by using a synthetic method based on conductivity measurements.

Two isotherms were established at 0 and 15 °C, and the stable solid phases which appear are the iron nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O), the iron nitrate hexahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·6H₂O), the cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and the cobalt nitrate trihydrate (Co(NO₃)₂·3H₂O).     

Synthesis and structural characterization of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-(indazol-1-yl)-2-thiazoline (TnInA). X-ray characterization of [CoCl2(TnInA)2] · C2H6O and [(M)(TnInA)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 (M = Co, Zn)

Several complexes of 2-(indazol-1-yl)-2-thiazoline (TnInA) with the divalent ions Co and Zn have been synthesized by the direct combination of the ligand and the metal chloride or nitrate hydrated salts in ethanol. These complexes have been characterized by a variety of physical–chemical techniques. Moreover, the structures of [CoCl₂(TnInA)₂] · C₂H₆O (1) and [(M)(TnInA)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (M = Co, 3; Zn, 4) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all the complexes, the ligand TnInA bonds to the metal ion through the indazole and thiazoline nitrogen atoms. In complex 1 the environment around the cobalt ion may be described as a distorted octahedron with two TnInA ligands and two chlorine ligands. Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural with a distorted octahedral geometry around the metal center, being linked to two water molecules and two TnInA ligands. However, in complex [ZnCl₂(TnInA)] (2) the zinc atom is four-coordinated with a probable tetrahedral environment with two chloro ligands and one TnInA ligand bonded to the metal ion.