XAFS study of the complex of an acetylacetonate-based ligand and copper ion

An X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) study has been conducted to reveal the local structure and chemical state of the copper in the complex of an acetylacetonate-based ligand (L1) and copper ion in acetonitrile solution. The copper ion in the complex was found to be divalent from the Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum. The FEFF (ab initio multiple scattering calculations of XAFS) were performed with the model compounds, whose structures were optimized by using MOPAC program with AM1 Hamiltonian. The comparative study of the experimental XAFS spectra and theoretical calculations from FEFF gave the perspectives for clarifying the coordination structure of the complex of L1 and copper ion.     

The mononuclear metal center of type-I dihydroorotase from aquifex aeolicus

Background

Dihydroorotase (DHO) is a zinc metalloenzyme, although the number of active site zinc ions has been controversial. E. coli DHO was initially thought to have a mononuclear metal center, but the subsequent X-ray structure clearly showed two zinc ions, α and β, at the catalytic site. Aquifex aeolicus DHO, is a dodecamer comprised of six DHO and six aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATC) subunits. The isolated DHO monomer, which lacks catalytic activity, has an intact α-site and conserved β-site ligands, but the geometry of the second metal binding site is completely disrupted. However, the putative β-site is restored when the complex with ATC is formed and DHO activity is regained. Nevertheless, the X-ray structure of the complex revealed a single zinc ion at the active site. The structure of DHO from the pathogenic organism, S. aureus showed that it also has a single active site metal ion.

Results

Zinc analysis showed that the enzyme has one zinc/DHO subunit and the addition of excess metal ion did not stimulate catalytic activity, nor alter the kinetic parameters. The metal free apoenzyme was inactive, but the full activity was restored upon the addition of one equivalent of Zn²⁺ or Co²⁺. Moreover, deletion of the β-site by replacing the His180 and His232 with alanine had no effect on catalysis in the presence or absence of excess zinc. The 2.2 Å structure of the double mutant confirmed that the β-site was eliminated but that the active site remained otherwise intact.

Conclusions

Thus, kinetically competent A. aeolicus DHO has a mononuclear metal center. In contrast, elimination of the putative second metal binding site in amidohydrolyases with a binuclear metal center, resulted in the abolition of catalytic activity. The number of active site metal ions may be a consideration in the design of inhibitors that selectively target either the mononuclear or binuclear enzymes.

     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and photoluminescence of a zinc metalloporphyrin

A zinc metalloporphyrin, ZnTCPP(acetone) (1) (TCPP = meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin), has been prepared via a solvothermal reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 features an isolated structure with a planar macrocycle and an embedded zinc ion binded to four pyrrole nitrogen atoms and one acetone oxygen atom. Photoluminescent investigation reveals that compound 1 displays an intensive emission in the red region.     

XAFS analysis of coprecipitation of zinc by sulfide ions in an acidic solution

The fluorescence XAFS (X–ray absorption fine structure) technique using synchrotron radiation was applied to characterize zinc in the Hg–Zn, Cd–Zn, and Bi–Zn coprecipitates, and to elucidate the reaction mechanism of the coprecipitation of zinc from a strong acidic solution. Hg L_II–, Cd K–, and Bi L_III–edge XAFS spectra suggested that the respective host materials of the coprecipitates listed above are metacinnabar (HgS), greenockite (CdS), and bismuthinite (Bi₂S₃) and that existence of zinc has not affected the local structure of the host metal sulfides in each system. On the other hand, the Zn K–edge XAFS spectra of each coprecipitate indicated that the chemical forms of zinc compounds are controlled by the crystal structure of the host sulfides.The shapes of the Zn K–XAFS spectra of the Hg–Zn and Cd–Zn coprecipitates showed a strong resemblance to those of crystalline standards ZnS, wurtzite and spharelite. It was suggested that the two coprecipitated phases (HgS, ZnS) and (CdS, ZnS) may form a solid solution in the Hg–Zn and Cd–Zn coprecipitates. The local structure around the zinc(II) ion in the Bi–Zn coprecipitate is the same as that around hexaaqua–zinc(II) ions, and adsorption of soluble ions or mechanical occlusion from the mother liquor is regarded as a driving force of coprecipitation in the Bi–Zn system.     

EXAFS and XANES studies of Zn2+ and Rb+ neutralized perfluorinated ionomers

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) experiments have been carried out to probe the Zn²⁺ and Rb⁺ environment in perfluorinated ionomers. The cation environment has been determined for these ionomers in their dry, hydrated and n-amyl alcohol swollen state. It was found that a well ordered, crystalline-like nearest-neighbor oxygen shell predominates in the zinc neutralized perfluorinated ionomers. Unlike the zinc ionomers, the Rb⁺ neutralized ionomers show no discernible peaks in the radial structure function indicating that the rubidium environment is highly disordered. Coordination of the hydroxyl groups of namyl alcohol to cations was suggested by EXAFS analysis. XANES analysis was useful in corroborating the EXAFS information and in providing information about the ionic character of the nearest-neighbor bonding.     

Structural features of zinc hydroxyfluoride

Zinc hydroxyfluoride (ZnOHF), obtained by coprecipitation of a zinc salt in aqueous HF, exhibits a variable stoichiometry Zn(OH)_2−xF_x, where x is tuneable from 0.63 to 0.87 by controlling the pH of the solution. The structure was determined from Rietveld refinements using X-ray powder diffraction data. Crystallizing with the orthorhombic symmetry (SG : Pna2₁), the ZnOHF-type structure exhibits two different anionic sites. A bond valence analysis shows that fluorine exclusively occupies the anionic site that has shorter contacts to zinc. This site is split into two partially occupied sites, one corresponding to the position of a fluoride ion and the other to the position of a hydroxide ion. Bond valence calculations show that the split site model gives a more accurate picture of the local coordination of the anions on this site.     

Isovalent vs. aliovalent transition metal doping of zinc oxide lithium-ion battery anodes — in-depth investigation by ex situ and operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The precise determination of de-/lithiation mechanisms in alternative lithium-ion battery electrode materials is crucial for their potential future success, but quite challenging — e.g., due to the occurrence of multiple crystalline and (frequently) amorphous phases. Herein, we report an in-depth ex situ/operando characterization of (carbon-coated) Fe- and Co-doped zinc oxide anodes via X-ray absorption spectroscopy to probe the oxidation state and local structural environment of the different metals upon de-/lithiation. The results provide fundamental insights into the mechanism of the conversion and alloying reaction taking place for these two active materials. In addition, this comparative investigation allows for an evaluation of the impact of isovalent (Co²⁺) and aliovalent (Fe³⁺) doping on the lithiation mechanism, having an impact on the initial lithiation kinetics, while both dopants generally enable a greatly increased re-oxidation of zinc compared to pure zinc oxide and, thus, a more reversible conversion reaction.     

Enhanced zinc ion transport in gel polymer electrolyte: effect of nano-sized ZnO dispersion

The effect of the dispersion of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in the zinc ion conducting gel polymer electrolyte is studied. Changes in the morphology/structure of the gel polymer electrolyte with the introduction of ZnO particles are distinctly observed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The nanocomposites offer ionic conductivity values of >10^?3 S cm^?1 with good thermal and electrochemical stabilities. The variation of ionic conductivity with temperature follows the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher behavior. AC impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and transport number measurements have confirmed Zn²⁺ ion conduction in the gel nanocomposites. An electrochemical stability window from ?2.25 to 2.25 V was obtained from voltammetric studies of nanocomposite films. The cationic (i.e., Zn²⁺ ion) transport number (t ₊) has been found to be significantly enhanced up to a maximum of 0.55 for the dispersion of 10 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles, indicating substantial enhancement in Zn²⁺ ion conductivity. The gel polymer electrolyte nanocomposite films with enhanced Zn²⁺ ion conductivity are useful as separators and electrolytes in Zn rechargeable batteries and other electrochemical applications.     

Intrinsic ferromagnetic properties in Cr-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductors

The Cr-doped zinc oxide (Zn_1−xCr_xO, 0≤x≤0.08) diluted magnetic semiconductors have been synthesized successfully by the sol-gel method. Investigations on magnetic, optical and structural properties of the produced samples have been done. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) shows the existence of Cr ion in the Cr-doped ZnO. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), the transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) indicate that the Cr ions are at least partially substitutionally incorporated into the crystal lattice of ZnO. The produced samples show good high-T_c (Curie temperature) ferromagnetism (FM) in Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles with Cr concentration of less than 5 at%. The results of photoluminescence (PL) further testify that FM is an intrinsic property of the Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles. And the occurrence of FM should mainly contribute to the Cr doping.     

What Changes in Topochemistry when Going from Small Molecule Dimerizations to Polymerizations in Single Crystals?

This publication promotes the increased necessity for strain management in topochemical reactions with an enlarged structural extension of the molecular products formed, i. e., when going from small molecule dimerizations, through linear polymerizations to the formation of 2D polymers. Further, it promotes to combine the trap model for photon absorption with concrete molecular scale consequences of this absorption on topochemical transformations and briefly discusses the expected consequences topological dimensionality of the forming (macro)molecular products has on trap location. The time appears ripe for going in this direction because local information concerning structural changes within single crystals is now accessible by the 3D-ΔPDF method. This method greatly facilitates the analysis of diffuse X-ray scattering providing access to concrete values of pair distribution functions and, thus, factual information on which and how distances change near a reaction site. Although only based on a first case where distance changes could be quantified in a lateral polymerization, the thoughts put forward may ignite more research towards a full understanding of all the action that occurs when a photochemically triggered topochemical reaction takes place. The 3D-ΔPDF method is so attractive for this purpose because it provides otherwise inaccessible local information in pair correlation functions rather than average structure information, which is used through the ubiquitous Bragg scattering.     

Synthesis,structure, and photoluminescence properties of 4-methyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-{2-([1-alkyl-2-[2-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolylsulfonylamino)phenyl]benzimidazol-5-yl]iminomethyl)phenyl}benzenesulfonamides and their zinc complexes

4-Methyl-N-{2-([1-alkyl-2-[2-(p-tolylsulfonylamino)phenyl]benzimidazol-5-yl]iminomethyl)phenyl}-benzenesulfamides (H₂L) and zinc complexes on their basis Zn₂L₂ have been synthesized. The structure of the ligands and complexes has been studied by IR, UV, ¹Н NMR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

X-ray absorption fine structure study of amorphous metal oxide thin films prepared by photochemical metalorganic deposition

The oxidation state and local geometry of the metal centers in amorphous thin films of Fe₂O₃ (Fe³⁺ oxidation state), CoFe₂O₄ (Co²⁺/Fe³⁺ oxidation states), and Cr₂O₃ (Cr³⁺ oxidation state) are determined using K edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The metal oxide thin films were prepared by the solid-state photochemical decomposition of the relevant metal 2-ethylhexanoates, spin cast as thin films. No peaks are observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns, indicating the metal oxides are X-ray amorphous. The oxidation state of the metals is determined from the edge position of the K absorption edges, and in the case of iron-containing samples, an analysis of the pre-edge peaks. In all cases, the EXAFS analysis indicates the first coordination shell consists of oxygen atoms in an octahedral geometry, with a second shell consisting of metals. No higher shells are observed beyond 3.5 Å for all samples, indicating the metal oxides are truly amorphous, consistent with X-ray diffraction results.     

Chemical and electrochemical synthesis,structure, photoluminescent properties,and biological activity of 4-methyl-N-[2-[(Z)-2-(2-pyridyl)alkyliminomethyl]phenyl]benzenesulfamide zinc(II) complexes

A series of Zn(II) complexes of the tridentate azomethine ligands, condensation products of 2-(N-tosylamino)benzaldehyde and 2-aminoalkylpyridines, were synthesized by chemical and electrochemical methods. All compounds were characterized on the basis of C, H, N elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, UV–Vis, and photoluminescence studies. The local atomic structures of complexes were determined from analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge structure of Zn K-edges. The molecular structure of chloro-{4-methyl-N-[2-[(Z)-2-pyridyl)ethyliminomethyl]phenyl]benzenesulfamide}zinc(II) was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The fluorescence spectra show that these complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide solutions at room temperature emit bright blue luminescence at 435–461 nm with fluorescence quantum yields in the range of 0.20–0.31. The assignment and the nature of the bands in experimental UV–Vis spectra of complexes were analyzed using time-dependent density functional theory calculations B3LYP/6-31G(d). The azomethines and complexes of zinc have been screened for their antibacterial, protistocidal, and fungistatic activities against Penicillium italicum, Colpoda steinii, Escherichia coli 078, and Staphylococcus aureus P-209, and the results are compared with the activity of furazolidone, chloroquine, and Fundazol.     

Dioxovanadium(V) complexes of Schiff and tetrahydro-Schiff bases encapsulated in zeolite-Y for the aerobic oxidation of styrene

A series of dioxovanadium(V) complexes of Schiff and tetrahydro-Schiff bases were encapsulated into the supercages of zeolite-Y and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, N₂ adsorption/desorption, FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, ICPAES, pair distribution function (PDF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements. The encapsulation is achieved by a flexible ligand method in which the transition metal cations were first ion-exchanged into zeolite-Y and then complexed with ligands. The dioxovanadium-exchanged zeolite, dioxovanadium complexes encapsulated in zeolite-Y plus non-encapsulated homogeneous counterparts were all screened as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of styrene under mild conditions. It was found that the encapsulated complexes showed better activity than their respective nonencapsulated counterparts in most cases. All encapsulated dioxovanadium tetrahydro-Schiff base complexes showed much higher activity in aerobic oxidation of styrene than their corresponding Schiff base complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc chloride containing poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel by gamma irradiation

In this study, the characterization of zinc chloride incorporated into a poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) hydrogel prepared by gamma-ray irradiation was investigated. Zinc chloride powder with different concentrations was dissolved in the PAAc solution, and it was crosslinked with gamma-ray irradiation. The effects of various parameters such as zinc ion concentration and irradiation doses on characteristics of the hydrogel formed were investigated in detail for obtaining an antibacterial wound dressing.In addition, the gel content, pH-sensitive (pH 4 or 7) swelling ratio, and UV–vis absorption spectra of the zinc particles in the hydrogels were characterized. Moreover, antibacterial properties of these new materials against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains were observed on solid growth media. The antibacterial tests indicated that the zinc chloride containing PAAc hydrogels have good antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis, Mo-valence state, thermal stability and thermoelectric properties of SrMoO3−xNx (x>1) oxynitride perovskites

Oxynitrides of the general composition SrMoO_3−xN_x (x>1) were synthesized by thermal ammonolysis of crystalline SrMoO₄. According to neutron and X-ray diffraction experiments, the materials crystallize in the cubic perovskite structure (space group Pm3¯m). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) shows evidence of local distortions of the Mo(O,N)₆ octahedra. The oxidation states of Mo determined by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy are slightly lower than that calculated from the oxygen/nitrogen(O/N) content. The disagreement arises from the higher covalence of the Mo-N bonding when compared to the Mo-O bonding (“chemical shift”). The electrical transport properties of the samples are strongly different from SrMoO₃. It was found that the conductivity of the samples decreases with increasing nitrogen content. The Seebeck coefficient values are up to three times higher than those of SrMoO₃.     

Structural and dynamical studies of δ-Bi2O3 oxide ion conductors: IV. An EXAFS investigation of (Bi2O3)1−x(M2O3)x for M = Y,Er, and Yb

The local structural environments of Bi³⁺ and dopant cations in the fluorite-structured solid solutions (M₂O₃)_x(Bi₂O₃)_1−x (M = Y, Er, Yb) have been studied using extended X-ray absorption fine structure techniques. The results show that the BiO shell is heavily disordered with an asymmetric radial distribution function. The Bi³⁺ ion tends to be displaced from its centrosymmetric, cube center site. The first coordination shell of the dopant is comparatively ordered. Varying the dopant cation has a small effect on the local structural environment and increasing the dopant concentration causes a small increase in the degree of local order. Data obtained over a range of temperatures show that the large anisotropy in the BiO shell is attributable to static displacements from the perfect lattice sites. The degree of correlation between the thermal vibrations of the anion sublattice and those of the Bi atoms differs from that observed between those of the anion sublattice and the dopant atoms; the significance of this for ionic conductivity is discussed.     

Anatase-TiO2 nanomaterials: analysis of key parameters controlling crystallization

Nanoparticulated TiO2 materials with anatase structure were synthesized by using a microemulsion method. The structural characteristics of the amorphous solid precursors and their evolution during thermal treatments were studied by using X-ray absorption structure (X-ray absorption near edge structure XANES and extended X-ray absorption fine structure EXAFS), XRD-PDF (X-ray diffraction-pair distribution function), and infrared spectroscopy. Concerning the precursor materials, XANES and EXAFS showed a local order closely related to that of the anatase structure but containing defective, undercoordinated Ti5c4+ species in addition to normal Ti6c4+ species. The PDF technique detects differences among samples in the local order (below 1 nm) and showed that primary particle size varies throughout the amorphous precursor series. The physical interpretation of results concerning the amorphous materials and their evolution under thermal treatment gives conclusive evidence that local, intraparticle ordering variations determine the temperature for the onset of the nucleation process and drive the solid behavior through the whole crystallization process. The significance of this result in the context of current crystallization theories of oxide-based nanocrystalline solids is discussed.     

Probing local electronic and geometric changes of hydrated calcium vanadium oxide (CaxV2O5·yH2O) upon Zn ion intercalation

Abstract

An interesting nanostructured non-stoichiometric vanadium oxide bronze (Ca_xV₂O₅?yH₂O) is incorporated as the active material in an aqueous zinc-ion intercalation device. Simple solvothermal synthesis route produces highly crystalline and strongly oriented nanobelt structures as characterized by microscopy. Upon cycling, the cathode materials are recovered for an X-ray absorption investigation of local electronic and geometric changes for both the host vanadium oxide and the intercalated zinc ion as a function of voltage. This multi-edge study presents changes in Zn–O coordination and suggests Zn-ion occupancy site through theoretical calculations. The layered vanadium host shows gradual oxidation state reduction from charge density donation during intercalation while the Zn ion maintains the +2 oxidation state. The findings add understanding to the mechanisms involved in aqueous electrochemical storage devices.     

X-ray absorption near edge structure study on Acutolysin-C,a zinc-metalloproteinase from Agkistrodon acutus venom: Insight into the acid-inactive mechanism

Acutolysin-C, a snake-venom zinc metalloproteinase, displays a distinct pH-dependent proteolytic activity, which has been tentatively assigned to a structural change of the zinc-containing catalytic center. In this work we compare X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) experimental spectra at the Zn K-edge and theoretical calculations of solutions at different pH values. The experimental data show clear differences confirmed by a best fit using the MXAN procedure. The results show that, when pH decreases from pH 8.0 to pH 3.0, the zinc-coordinating catalytic water molecule moves far from the Glu143 residue that is considered to play an essential role in the proteolytic process. Data suggests that this is the possible mechanism that deactivates the metalloproteinase.