Cooperative binding of phosphate anion and a neutral nitrogen donor to alkaline-Earth metal ions. Investigation of group 2 metal-organophosphate interaction in the absence and presence of 1,10-phenanthroline

Alkaline-earth metal phosphates containing nitrogen-donor ligands have been prepared by the reaction of alkaline-earth metal acetates M(OAc) 2. xH 2O (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) with 2,6-diisopropylphenyl phosphate (dippH 2) in the absence and presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Interaction of strontium or barium acetate with dippH 2 in methanol at room temperature leads to the isolation of ionic phosphates [{M 2(mu-H 2O) 4(H 2O) 10}{dipp} 2].4L [M = Sr, L = CH 3OH ( 1); M = Ba, L = H 2O ( 2)]. The addition of a bidentate nitrogen-donor phen to these reactions leads to the isolation of dinuclear metal phosphates [Mg(dipp)(phen)(CH 3OH) 2] 2 ( 3) and [M(dippH) 2(phen) 2(H 2O)] 2 [M = Ca ( 4), Sr ( 5), Ba ( 6)]. While ionic phosphates 1 and 2 are soluble in water, the predominately covalent dimeric compounds 3- 6 are insoluble in all common solvents including water. The new compounds have been characterized in the solid state by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, and emission spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The cationic part in 1 and 2 is a {M 2(mu-H 2O) 4(H 2O) 10} unit, where each metal ion is surrounded by four bridging and five terminal water molecules as ligands. The dipp anion does not directly bind to the metal ions but is extensively hydrogen-bonded to the cationic unit through the phosphate oxygen and water hydrogen atoms to result in an infinitely layered structure where the hydrophobic aryl group protrudes out of the hydrophilic layer formed by the cationic part and -PO 3 (2-) units. In contrast, compounds 3- 6 are discrete dimeric molecules built around a central M 2O 4P 2 eight-membered ring. While the dippH 2 ligand exists in a doubly deprotonated form in 3, two monodeprotonated dippH 2 ligands are present per metal ion in compounds 4- 6. While 3 prefers only one phen ligand in the metal coordination sphere, two phen ligands chelate each metal ion in 4- 6. The conformations of the eight-membered rings in 3- 6 vary significantly from each other depending on the size of the cation and the coordination number around the metal. Further, intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving the phenanthroline C-H linkages result, in a gridlike structure in 1, one-dimensional chains in isostructural 2 and 3, and a two-dimensional layer arrangement in 4. Compounds 3- 6 are the only examples of alkaline-earth metal phosphate complexes with neutral M-N donor bonds. The thermal behavior of compounds 1- 6 has been examined with the help of thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry and also by bulk thermolysis followed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. While compounds 1 and 2 yield M 2P 2O 7, decomposition of 4- 6 results in the formation of M(PO 3) 2, consistent with the M-P ratio in the precursor complexes.     

Interfacial synthesis of dendritic platinum nanoshells templated on benzene nanodroplets stabilized in water by a photocatalytic lipoporphyrin

Nanoscale metal shells have many potential uses and in some applications offer significant advantages over nanoparticles. The synthesis of platinum nanoshells using stabilized nanodroplets of benzene in water as growth templates is described; the nanodroplets are stabilized by a surfactant-like tin(IV)-porphyrin complex localized at the benzene-water interface. The porphyrin also acts as a photocatalyst that reduces the platinum complex and deposits metal onto the nanodroplets to form dendritic metal nanoshells. Below the solubility limit of benzene in water, the lipoporphyrin-stabilized nanodroplets have a reproducible number, size distribution, and surface area, which allows the thickness of the platinum shell walls to be controlled by changing the amount of platinum complex. Nanoscale platinum shells with magnetic interiors can be made by dispersing Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the benzene nanodroplets.     

Sorption and preconcentration of metal ions in ethanol solution with a silica gel surface chemically modified with benzimidazole

The adsorption isotherms of MCl(2) (M Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd) and FeCl(3) by silica gel chemically modified with benzimidazole molecules ( Si(CH(2))(3)NC(7)H(5)N) were studied in ethanol solution at 298 K. A column made of modified silica was used to adsorb and preconcentrate the above metal ions from ethanol solution. Elution was done with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid in an ethanol/water mixture having a mole fraction of water of 0.8. The material was applied in the preconcentration of metal ions from commercial ethanol normally used as engine fuel.     

Properties of a high capacity iminodiacetate-agarose adsorbent and its application in a flow system with on-line buffering of acidified samples for accumulation of metal ions in natural waters

Adsorption properties of a fast iminodiacetate-agarose adsorbent, IDA-Novarose, with a capacity of 120-140 mumol/ml were studied for preconcentration of eight transition elements. A FIA-ICP-AES system was used in the study. It was shown that 0.3 ml of the adsorbent, packed in a column, can quantitatively accumulate Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) from standard solutions in the pH range between 4 and 8 at high loading flow rates (10-80 ml/min). The rate of adsorption was studied in batch experiments and found to be fast and equal for the divalent metal ions but relatively slow for accumulation of Cr(3+) and Fe(3+). On-line buffering of acidified samples improved the accumulation of metal ions from synthetic samples spiked with humic acid. Quantitative uptakes were observed for most of the studied metals. The accumulation of Cr(3+) was found to be quite sensitive to the ionic strength and some loss of inert complexes of Fe(3+) was also observed. The method was applied to the analysis of certified riverine water (SLRS-3), a tap water and a lake water. With few exceptions the results obtained by ICP-AES after preconcentration agreed well with the certified concentrations and results found by ICP-MS.     

Deep deoxygenation of water with a metal-ion exchanger nanocomposite in closed system

Kinetics and dynamics of the reduction of oxygen dissolved in water by metal-ion exchanger nanocomposites differing in the nature (Ag, Cu, Bi, Ni), quantitative content of the introduced metal, and ionic form of the matrix were studied. It is shown that the process of oxygen absorption occurs to the fullest extent with the copper-containing nanocomposite. As the content of the metal increases, the amount of oxygen reduced by a single grain and granular bed grows and reaches the limiting values. It was found on this basis that the material with a copper capacity of 5.0 ± 0.5 mequiv cm^?3 in the H⁺ form is the most efficient for deep removal of molecular oxygen from water. The advisability of using the nanocomposite with the suggested parameters for deep deoxygenation of water in a closed system was confirmed by experiments and calculations.     

A simple method to prepare ZnO and Al(OH)3 nanorods by the reaction of the metals with liquid water

Reaction of liquid water with Zn and Al powders and foils have been investigated in the 25-75 °C range. The reaction of Zn metal powder with water in this temperature range yields ZnO nanorods. The diameter of the nanorods decreases slightly with the increase in the reaction temperature, accompanied by an increase in the relative intensity of UV emission band. Zn metal foils also yield ZnO nanorods on reaction with water in the 25-75 °C range. Reaction of Al metal powder or foil with water in the 25-75 °C range yields Al(OH)₃ nanorods. The formation of ZnO and Al(OH)₃ nanorods by the reaction of the metals with water is suggested to occur because of the decomposition of water by the metal giving hydrogen.     

Mercury ions complexation with a series of heterocyclic derivatives of 3-hydroxychromone: spectral effects and prospects for ultrasensitive Hg2+ probing

Complexation of three 3-hydroxychromone derivatives bearing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moiety in the position 2 of the chromone bicycle - benzimidazole, quinoline, and 2,5-diphenyloxazole, with mercury(II) ions is reported. Formation of chelate complexes with the metal cations coordinated with the cavity formed by 3-OH and 4-C═O groups was shown, as well as the possibility of side moiety heteroatom participation in binding of metal ions. High sensitivity to mercury of 2,5-diphenyloxazole-substituted 3-hydroxychromone was elucidated, allowing to detect Hg(2+) below the maximum permissible concentration for drinking water. This makes the above-mentioned compound a prospective basis for development of sensors for ultralow mercury concentration detection in water. Unusual fluorescence ignition of 2-(quinolin-2-yl)-3-hydroxychromone at low Hg(2+) concentrations, rarely observed for heavy metals ions complexation with organic fluorescent ligands, was discussed.     

(H2O)10 and (H2O)12 on a virtual metal surface: the growth of ice

(H2O)10 and (H2O)12 are used to investigate the growth of ice on metal surfaces with hexagonal symmetry. The model of the virtual metal surface was used to separate the electronic structure of the metal from that of the water cluster while maintaining the geometric constraints imposed by the metal surface on the water cluster. To complement the ab initio calculations on the water cluster, an additional multicenter analysis was done to analyze the hydrogen bonds within the clusters. These calculations suggested that the water bilayer structure adjacent to the virtual metal surface effectively shields the growing ice crystal from the metal surface.     

Observations on 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-trifluoroacetylpyrazolone-5, a promising extracting agent

A simple procedure for obtaining 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-trifluoroacetyl-pyrazolone-5 (HPMTFP), a promising metal extractant, is described. Recrystallization studies reveal that only one tautomer can be isolated, sometimes with one molecule of water of crystallization, contrary to reports that a yellow enol and a white keto tautomer can be obtained from n-hexane and aqueous ethanol respectively. The melting points and colours of some of the metal chelates of HPMTFP are tabulated and in the case of Hg(II) and Cu(II) chelates, differ from those reported by others. Solubility data for some of the metal chelates of HPMTFP are also given.     

Unimolecular reactions of dihydrated alkaline earth metal dications M2+(H2O)2, M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba: salt-bridge mechanism in the proton-transfer reaction M2+(H2O)2 --> MOH+ + H3O

The unimolecular reactivity of M(2+)(H(2)O)(2), M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, is investigated by density functional theory. Dissociation of the complex occurs either by proton transfer to form singly charged metal hydroxide, MOH(+), and protonated water, H(3)O(+), or by loss of water to form M(2+)(H(2)O) and H(2)O. Charge transfer from water to the metal forming H(2)O(+) and M(+)(H(2)O) is not favorable for any of the metal complexes. The relative energetics of these processes are dominated by the metal dication size. Formation of MOH(+) proceeds first by one water ligand moving to the second solvation shell followed by proton transfer to this second-shell water molecule and subsequent Coulomb explosion. These hydroxide formation reactions are exothermic with activation energies that are comparable to the water binding energy for the larger metals. This results in a competition between proton transfer and loss of a water molecule. The arrangement with one water ligand in the second solvation shell is a local minimum on the potential energy surface for all metals except Be. The two transition states separating this intermediate from the reactant and the products are identified. The second transition state determines the height of the activation barrier and corresponds to a M(2+)-OH(-)-H(3)O(+) "salt-bridge" structure. The computed B3LYP energy of this structure can be quantitatively reproduced by a simple ionic model in which Lewis charges are localized on individual atoms. This salt-bridge arrangement lowers the activation energy of the proton-transfer reaction by providing a loophole on the potential energy surface for the escape of H(3)O(+). Similar salt-bridge mechanisms may be involved in a number of proton-transfer reactions in small solvated metal ion complexes, as well as in other ionic reactions.     

Crystal Structures of DOTMA Chelates from Ce3+ to Yb3+: Evidence for a Continuum of Metal Ion Hydration States

The crystal structures of chelates formed between each stable paramagnetic lanthanide ion and the octadentate polyamino carboxylate ligand DOTMA are described. A total of 23 individual chelates structures were obtained; in each chelate the coordination geometry around the metal ion is best described as a twisted square antiprism (torsion angle −25.0°–−31.4°). Despite the uniformity of the general coordination geometry provided by the DOTMA ligand, there is a considerable variation in the hydration state of each chelate. The early Ln³⁺ chelates are associated with a single inner sphere water molecule; the Ln-OH₂ interaction is remarkable for being very long. After a clear break at gadolinium, the number of chelates in the unit cell that have a water molecule interacting with the Ln³⁺ decreases linearly until at Tm³⁺ no water is found to interact with the metal ion. The Ln-OH₂ distance observed in the chelates of the later Ln³⁺ ions are also extremely long and increase as the ions contract (2.550–2.732 Å). No clear break between hydrated and dehydrated chelates is observed; rather this series of chelates appear to represent a continuum of hydration states in which the ligand gradually closes around the metal ion as its ionic radius decreases (with decreased hydration) and the metal drops down into the coordination cage.     

两种半乳糖醇氯化钆配合物的制备与表征

与羟基配位是金属离子的一种重要的存在形式. 我们得到了两种半乳糖醇氯化钆配合物, 其中一种为金属离子与配体为2:1的配合物,钆离子与半乳糖醇的三个羟基及六个水分子配位, 其它水分子以结晶水的形式存在, 氯离子不参加配位;另一种配合物根据红外, 元素分析, 差热热重, 远红外以及太赫兹光谱推测可能是钆离子与两个半乳糖醇分子的六个羟基以及三个水分子配位, 形成1:1配合物. 实验结果说明半乳糖醇与稀土离子之间可以形成多种配合物, 金属离子与糖的羟基存在着复杂的相互作用.     

Potential-dependent vibrational spectroscopy of solvent molecules at the Pt(111) electrode in a water/acetonitrile mixture studied by sum frequency generation

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectra of D(2)O and/or acetonitrile (CH(3)CN) on a Pt(111) single-crystal electrode were obtained as a function of applied potential in a 5 mol % water/acetonitrile mixed solvent with different 0.1 molar MSO(3)CF(3) salts (M = H(+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+), and Cs(+)). The results provide a very specific model for the composition of the inner Helmholtz layer as a function of potential and surface charge. Acetonitrile dominates the inner layer with the CN group directed toward the metal at potentials where the metal has a positive charge. As the surface becomes negatively charged, the acetonitrile orientation flips 180 degrees, with the CH(3) group pointing toward the surface. At even more negative surface charge, D(2)O displaces acetonitrile from the inner layer and is the predominant molecule on the surface. Here water is present as an oriented molecule with the oxygen end pointing toward the metal. The potential (and surface charge) where water is the dominant molecule in the inner Helmholtz layer is determined by the solvation energy of the cation.     

Water‐in‐Supercritical CO2 Microemulsion Stabilized by a Metal Complex

Herein we propose for the first time the utilization of a metal complex for forming water‐in‐supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) microemulsions. The water solubility in the metal‐complex‐stabilized microemulsion is significantly improved compared with the conventional water‐in‐scCO₂ microemulsions stabilized by hydrocarbons. Such a microemulsion provides a promising route for the in situ CO₂ reduction catalyzed by a metal complex at the water/scCO₂ interface.     

Complexation‐Induced Supramolecular Assembly Drives Metal‐Ion Extraction

Combining experiment with theory reveals the role of self‐assembly and complexation in metal‐ion transfer through the water–oil interface. The coordinating metal salt Eu(NO₃)₃ was extracted from water into oil by a lipophilic neutral amphiphile. Molecular dynamics simulations were coupled to experimental spectroscopic and X‐ray scattering techniques to investigate how local coordination interactions between the metal ion and ligands in the organic phase combine with long‐range interactions to produce spontaneous changes in the solvent microstructure. Extraction of the Eu³⁺–3(NO₃^?) ion pairs involves incorporation of the “hard” metal complex into the core of “soft” aggregates. This seeds the formation of reverse micelles that draw the water and “free” amphiphile into nanoscale hydrophilic domains. The reverse micelles interact through attractive van der Waals interactions and coalesce into rod‐shaped polynuclear Eu^III‐containing aggregates with metal centers bridged by nitrate. These preorganized hydrophilic domains, containing high densities of O‐donor ligands and anions, provide improved Eu^III solvation environments that help drive interfacial transfer, as is reflected by the increasing Eu^III partitioning ratios (oil/aqueous) despite the organic phase approaching saturation. For the first time, this multiscale approach links metal‐ion coordination with nanoscale structure to reveal the free‐energy balance that drives the phase transfer of neutral metal salts.     

Water stability of a cheap sol-gel-based adhesive

The humidity and water tolerance of a sol-gel derived binder prepared using a cheap, multicomponent precursor has been studied. The sol was prepared by dissolving the precursor in water under acidic conditions using either formic acid or a mixture of formic acid and citric acid for pH adjustments. It is shown that a post-treatment temperature of 400 °C or higher is needed in order to achieve full binder stability under excess water conditions, as thermal decomposition of metal carboxylates leads to a pronounced decrease in water solubility of the gels. The mesoporous gel can be made hydrophobic by post-treatments with either a silane or an organophosphonate, showing that both silica and metal oxides are exposed on the surface of the binder. Surface functionalization is especially effective for gels heat-treated at higher temperatures where the metal carboxylates have decomposed to the corresponding oxides or carbonates. The results are expected to be of great importance for the use of this cheap binder in large scale industrial applications. Electronic Supplementary Material  The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Photochemical synthesis of a water oxidation catalyst based on cobalt nanostructures

New cobalt-based nanocomposites have been prepared by photoreduction of Co(2+) salts to generate cobalt nanoparticles deposited on carbon-based materials such as nanocyrstalline diamond and carbon felt. Spontaneous air oxidation converts the metal to Co(2)O(3) which has been tested as a water oxidation catalyst. This work demonstrates that the cobalt oxide nanostructures can be deposited on various carbon surfaces and can catalyze the four-electron oxidation of water to oxygen under anodic bias.     

Hydrogen production from hydrolytic oxidation of organosilanes using a cationic oxorhenium catalyst

We describe herein the novel application of a transition metal oxo complex, a cationic oxorhenium(V) oxazoline, in the production of molecular hydrogen (H2) from the catalytic hydrolytic oxidation of organosilanes. The main highlights of the reaction are quantitative hydrogen yields, low catalyst loading, ambient conditions, high selectivity for silanols, water as the only co-reagent, and no solvent requirement. The amount of hydrogen produced is proportional to the water stoichiometry. Thus, reaction mixtures of polysilyl organics such as HC(SiH3)3 and water contain potentially >6 wt % hydrogen. Kinetic and isotope labeling experiments have revealed a new mechanistic paradigm for the activation of Si-H bonds by oxometalates.     

Modulation of a supramolecular bowl and pot by changing solvent systems and/or metal/ligand ratios

A resorcin[4]arene-based ligand 2 a with four pyrimidine substituents at the upper rim was synthesized, and the generation of different metal-mediated superstructures from the same ligand and metal ions utilizing the unfavorable incorporation of the third and fourth Pd(II) ions to ligand 2 a was investigated. The supramolecular bowl 3 a, which comes from a 1:2 combination of ligand 2 a and [Pd(en)(NO(3))(2)], was obtained in water even though excess of Pd(II) complexes were employed. By adding methanol, the supramolecular pot 4 gradually formed, which was the major product when the ratio of mixed solvent reached methanol/water=5:1 (v/v). Host-guest complexation phenomena of 3 a toward several aromatic carboxylates were demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and by (1)H NMR spectroscopy; both the enthalpy gain from electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, and the entropy gain from desolvation cooperatively contribute to the binding of anionically charged guests. The crystal structure of supramolecular pot 4 shows direct evidence for the hydrogen bonding between water and the aromatic pi electrons in the solid state. The modulation between supramolecular bowl 3 a and pot 4 was also made possible by changing the metal/ligand ratios in aqueous methanol solution as well as by varying the water content of the mixed solvent.     

Application of a Cation-Exchange Membrane to Determine Cations of Trace Metals in River Water

Donnan-membrane-equilibrium graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrophotometry (DME-GFAAS) has been developed to determine cations of trace metals in river water. The method employs a cation-exchange membrane to separate metal cations from their complexes; both total and cationic forms of metals were determined by means of GFAAS. The sensitivity of the method for the measurement of trace metal cations is determined by the detection limits of GFAAS for the metals of interest. Comparable concentrations of metal cations in water from NBS and from the Erhjen river were obtained between the DME-GFAAS and calculated (WATEQ4F) methods, indicating that the developed method is promising for natural fresh waters. The effect of pH on the distribution of metal cation in the NBS river water is significant for Cu and Pb; concentrations of these cations increase with decreasing pH. However, the concentrations of Cd and Zn cations do not vary with pH except that the concentration of the Zn cation decreases significantly as the pH value increases beyond 9. The method was applied to measure the capacity of complexing Cu in Chung-Lu river water, which was estimated to be 2.3 μM.