Theoretical study of isomerism in nitrogen- and phosphorus-substituted aluminum clusters M<Subscript>6</Subscript>Al<Subscript>38</Subscript> and M<Subscript>12</Subscript>Al<Subscript>32</Subscript> (M = N,P)

More than 20 М₆Al₃₈ isomers and several М₁₂Al₃₂ isomers for nitrogen- and phosphorus-substituted clusters with six and twelve dopant atoms M = N and P substituted for Al atoms in different positions at the surface of the aluminum cage and inside it have been studied by the density functional theory method. In the preferred N₆Al₃₈ isomer, all N atoms are substituted for Al atoms initially located in one outer layer of the cluster. In the course of geometry optimization, the nitrogen atoms are incorporated into positions in the neighboring intermediate layer, thus converting it into a 12-atom face consisting of three vertex-sharing adjacent six-membered rings with short N–Al bonds. For Р₆Al₃₈, a distribution of the dopant either in both surface layers or in the intermediate space between the surface layers and the inner core of the cluster is preferred. Optimization of alternative structures of the N₁₂Al₃₂ cluster with N atoms substituted for Al atoms in both outer layers is evidence in favor of the isomer in which the dopants are dispersed as separated monatomic anions N–. Together with their bridging Al atoms, these anions form the inner [N₁₂Al₁₄] cage with an unusual dumbbell-like structure in which the upper and lower halves are linked through N–Al bonds with the equatorial aluminum atoms. In the next low-lying isomer being ~23 kcal/mol higher on the energy scale, there is observed the “microclustering” of the dopant to form three covalently bonded diatomic dianions N₂^2-; the latter, together with the bridging Al atoms are combined into a [N₆Al₆] “subcluster” inside the severely distorted outer cage. In P₁₂Al₃₂, the aluminum cage is subjected only to moderate distortions: the phosphorus atoms remain in the outer layers and form two three-membered rings [Р₃]. The estimated energies of the model substitution reactions Al₄₄ + M₆ → M₆Al₃₈ + Al₆ (1) and Al₄₄ + 2M₆ → M₁₂Al₃₈ + 2A_l6 (2) demonstrate that all these reactions are exothermic; however, for the nitrogen-containing clusters, the decrease in energy with increasing number of substitutions increases from 66 (1) to 113 (2) kcal/mol, while in the case of phosphorus, it decreases from 45 (1) to 4 (2) kcal/mol. The results obtained for N₆Al₃₈, N₁₂Al₃₂, Р₆Al₃₈, and Р₁₂Al₃₂ are compared with the previous calculations for the C₆Al₃₈, C₁₂Al₃₂, Si₆Al₃₈, and Si₁₂Al₃₂ clusters.     

Theoretical Study of Isomers of Doped Clusters M<Subscript>2</Subscript>Al<Subscript>42</Subscript> with Light Element Dopants M inside and on the Surface of the Aluminum Cage

Structures, energies, and spectroscopic characteristics of the isomers of the family of doubly doped М₂Al₄₂ clusters with dopants M from the first two periods and H, Cu, and Zn atoms located in different positions at the surface and in the inner cavity of the aluminum cage have been calculated by the density functional theory method. The effect of the dopant nature on the relative energies of isomers and on the energies of their dissociation along the channels М₂Al₄₂ → 2М + Al₄₂ and М₂Al₄₂ + 2Al → 2М+ Al₄₄. The results are compared with the results of previous DFT calculations of endohedral (M@Al₁₂) and exohedral (Al@)MAl₁₁) isomers of the simpler doped clusters MAl₁₂ with the same dopants M. The influence of the aluminum cage size on the relative energy stability of the surface and and internal sopant positions is considered.     

Isomerization of silicenium and germenium ions in the systems C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>11</Subscript>M<Superscript>+</Superscript> (M = Si,Ge)

Equilibrium structures of the isomers and transition states of their interconversion in the system C₄H₁₁M⁺ (M = Si, Ge) have been obtained at theB3LYP level of theory using the cc-pVTZ basis set. The structures of these stationary points are close for Si and Ge; the most stable isomer in both systems is the tertiary cation (C₂H₅)(CH₃)₂M⁺, the second in energy is complex with ethylene [(CH₃)₂HM·C₂H₄]⁺. The secondary cation (C₂H₅)₂HM⁺ is third in energy isomer, the height of the barrier of interconversion for these three cations being practically independent on M. However, for M = Ge a substantial decrease in the energy of isomeric forms corresponding to complexes with alkanes is observed. As a result, in the system C₄H₁₁Ge⁺ the fourth in energy is isomer [(C₂H₅)Ge·C₂H₆]⁺ rather than [(C₂H₅)H₂Ge·C₂H₄]⁺ as for M = Si. Nevertheless, the height of the barriers for transition into these structures, although decreasing from M = Si to Ge, remain rather high, and the most favorable route of decomposition in both systems is the elimination of ethylene.     

Complex amidoboranes M<Superscript>2</Superscript>[M<Superscript>1</Superscript>(NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>BH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] (M<Superscript>1</Superscript> = Al,Ga; M<Superscript>2</Superscript> = Li,Na, K,Rb, Cs)

Structural, spectral, and thermodynamic characteristics of complex amidoboranes M²[M¹(NH₂BH₃)₄] (M¹ = Al, Ga; M² = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) were calculated by the B3LYP/def2-SVPD quantum-chemical method. The procedure for the synthesis of these compounds by reactions of alkali metal amidoboranes with aluminum and gallium chlorides was suggested and experimentally tested. Reaction products were characterized by the NMR and IR spectroscopy and X-ray phase analysis.     

Models of molecular structures of aluminum–iron clusters AlFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>, Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>4</Subscript> according to quantum-chemical DFT calculations

The geometrical parameters of molecular structures of three types of aluminum–iron clusters containing in total four, five, and six Al and Fe atoms in structural units have been calculated by the OPBE/TZVP density functional theory (DFT) method with the Gaussian09 program package. It has been found that the AlFe₃, Al₂Fe₃, and Al₂Fe₄ clusters can have four, eight, and nine structural modifications, which significantly differ in stability and geometric parameters. Bond lengths and bond and torsion (dihedral) angles are reported for each of these modifications.     

The Reactions of Two New Alkoxy-silyl Functionalized Alkynes with M<Subscript>3</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>12</Subscript> {M = Fe,Ru} and Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>8</Subscript>. Spectroscopic Identification of the Products

The new alkoxysilyl-functionalized alkynes [HC≡CCH₂N(H)C(=O)N(H)(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] and [HC≡C(C₆H₄)–N(H)C(=O)N(H)(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] have been synthesized using literature methods. These have been reacted with Fe₃(CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and Co₂(CO)₈. With the iron carbonyl only decomposition was observed: with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ splitting of the alkynes into their parent components and formation of the complexes (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₉[HC=N(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃], (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₉[C–C(C₆H₄)NH₂] and (μ-H)₂Ru₃(CO)₉[HC–CCH₃] occurred. Finally, with Co₂(CO)₈ formation of complexes Co₂(CO)₆(HC₂R) R=(C₆H₄)NH₂, CH₂NH(CO)NH(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃, (C₆H₄)NH(CO)NH(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃ containing the intact alkynes could be obtained.     

Spatial structure and stability of Mo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Si<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript> nanoparticles

By means of the ab initio DMol³ method Mo _n Si _m nanoparticles and fragments of Mo₃Si and MoSi₂ crystal lattices are theoretically modeled. For both crystals a few neutral Mo₄Si₆ and Mo₆Si₆ fragments of different shapes and symmetry are considered. In each case, after cluster separation its geometry is optimized, as a result of which the geometric structure noticeably changes and its stability increases. In order to theoretically search for the spatial configurations of Mo₄Si₆ and Mo₆Si₆ nanoparticle, two approaches are used: 1) in the most stable Fe₄C₆ and Fe₆C₆ isomers found previously, iron and carbon atoms are replaced by molybdenum and silicon respectively and then the geometry is optimized to obtain new equilibrium distances and angles; 2) the search for main Mo₄Si₆ and Mo₆Si₆ configurations is performed using the binominal scheme, starting from Mo₂, MoSi, and Si₂ dimers. The nanoparticle structures are found to contain metal atom chains and isolated pairs and triples of silicon atoms. In most cases, the nanoparticle stability proves to be higher than that of the crystal clusters.     

LaRhAl,La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Rh<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and Ce<Subscript>5</Subscript>Rh<Subscript>5</Subscript>Al<Subscript>6</Subscript> as a new family of ternary aluminides

The structures of three aluminides of similar composition are determined via X-ray diffraction. The structures consist of coordination polyhedra built of rhodium atoms that form alternating layers extending perpendicular to the short cell parameter. Compound Ce₅Rh₅Al₆ is built of fragments of the structures of LaRhAl and La₃Rh₃Al₄ in a ratio of 1: 1.     

<Superscript>27</Superscript>Al NMR Study of the Metal Cluster Compound Al<Subscript>50</Subscript>C<Subscript>120</Subscript>H<Subscript>180</Subscript>

We present an ²⁷Al NMR study of the metal cluster compound Al₅₀Cp*₁₂ which is composed of (identical) Al₅₀ clusters, each surrounded by a Cp* ligand shell, and arranged in a crystalline 3D array (here Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl = C₅(CH₃)₅). The compound is found to be non-conducting, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in the temperature range 100–300 K being predominantly due to reorientational motions of the Cp* rings. These lead to a pronounced maximum in the relaxation rate at T ∼ 170 K, corresponding to an activation energy of about 850 K. Data for the related compound Al₄Cp*₄, containing very much smaller Al₄ clusters are also presented. A comparison is drawn with the quadrupolar relaxation recently observed for the non-conducting fraction of Ga₈₄ molecules in the metal cluster compound Ga₈₄[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂₀-Li₆Br₂(thf)₂₀·2toluene. It is our pleasure to dedicate this paper to our colleague professor Günter Schmid at the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

On the stability of Al<Subscript>13</Subscript> Keggin cation in aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions

We report the first attempt to study the behavior of the [AlO₄Al1₂(OH)₂₅(H₂O)₁₁]⁶⁺ (Al₁₃) Keggin cation (KC) in water–peroxide solutions. Addition of hydrogen peroxide into an aqueous solution containing the Al₁₃ KC reduces pH due to the acidity of hydrogen peroxide. According to the ²⁷Al NMR studies of water–peroxide solutions prepared just before the NMR experiment, with their pH adjusted to the initial value of 5.5 with aqueous NaOH, the Al₁₃ KC concentration decreases immediately once hydrogen peroxide is added to the initial system. Addition of 18.2 wt % hydrogen peroxide to the initial 0.88 mM Al₁₃ solution gives rise to a fourfold decline in Al₁₃ polyoxo cation concentration to 0.22 mM. Then, the KC concentration in the test system remains unchanged for 1 week. Large hydrogen peroxide amounts (27.9 wt % or higher) added to the initial system almost completely degrade the KC. Sodium sulfate added to the initial water–peroxide solution of Al₁₃ chloride where the hydrogen peroxide concentration is 5.5 wt % precipitates the earlier described Al₁₃ sulfate [AlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₅(H₂O)₁₁](SO₄)₃ · 16H₂O, where the aluminum polyoxo cation does not contain coordinated hydrogen peroxide molecules, peroxo or hydroperoxo groups as shown by X-ray diffraction.     

Comparative Study of the Oxygen Storage Capacity of Pt/M<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>y</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Systems

The oxygen storage capacity of 1% Pt/15% M_xO_y/Al₂O₃ systems containing a rare-earth or an alkaline-earth metal oxide or TiO₂ as the oxygen-storing component was studied. Oxygen storage capacity was evaluated as the amount of C₃H₈ reacting at 400°C with oxygen that was taken up by the catalyst during oxidative treatment. The systems containing a rare-earth metal oxide or TiO₂ possess the highest oxygen storage capacity among the catalysts examined (80 and 75 µmol C₃H₈/g Cat, respectively). Of the BaO and SrO systems, the latter is of interest, although its oxygen storage capacity (∼27 µmol C₃H₈/g Cat) is somewhat lower than the oxygen storage capacity of any rare-earth metal oxide or the TiO₂ system.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2005, pp. 585–589.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sinel’nikov, Tolkachev, Stakheev.     

A comparative study of the radial distribution of hydrogen on C<Subscript>20</Subscript>, C<Subscript>19</Subscript>Si,and C<Subscript>19</Subscript>B cage fullerenes: a Monte Carlo simulation

The radial distribution of hydrogen on C_20(cage) and C₁₉Si_(cage), and C₁₉B_(cage) fullerene structures is investigated at different temperatures (273 K, 293 K, 320 K, and 400 K) for the pressure range between 1 MPa and 30 MPa using the (N,V,T) Monte Carlo simulation. The gravimetric storage capacity and radial distribution function parameters show that, under the identical temperature and pressure conditions, the magnitude of the hydrogen radial distribution on the C₁₉B surface is larger than that on C₁₉Si and C₂₀. The calculated maximum of the gravimetric storage capacity for C₁₉B at 273 K and 30 MPa is 7.6%.     

Theoretical modeling of dissociative addition of an H<Subscript>2</Subscript> molecule to doped aluminum clusters FeAl<Subscript>12</Subscript> and CoAl<Subscript>12</Subscript>

The potential energy surfaces (PES) of the reactions FeAl₁₂ + Н₂ → FeН₂Al₁₂ (1) and CoAl₁₂ + Н₂ → CoН₂Al₁₂ (2) of dissociative addition of an H₂ molecule to Fe- and Co-doped aluminum clusters have been calculated by the density functional theory method. Local minima on the PES in the vicinity of low-lying isomers, intermediates, and transition states have been found, and their structural and spectroscopic characteristics and energies have been calculated. The energies of the successive stages of the catalytic cycle have been evaluated, and the channels corresponding to the minimum energy path of the reactions have been studied. Differences between the structural characteristics and energies of key structures in reactions (1) and (2) have been considered. The results are compared with previous calculations of the PES of hydrogenation reactions performed for related clusters doped with nickel and titanium atoms.     

Structures and electronic properties of C<Subscript>12</Subscript>Si<Subscript>8</Subscript>X<Subscript>8</Subscript> (X = H,F, and Cl)

The structural stabilities and electronic properties of C₁₂Si₈X₈ where X = H, F, and Cl are probed on the basis of density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-31+G* level. Vibrational frequency calculations show that all the systems are true minima. The infrared spectra of the most stable C₁₂Si₈X₈ molecules are simulated to assist further experimental characterization. The functionalized structures and energy gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbital, HOMO, and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, LUMO, have been systematically investigated. It seems that C₁₂Si₈H₈ has more stability against electronic excitations via increasing the HOMO–LUMO gap comparing with C₁₂Si₈Cl₈ and C₁₂Si₈F₈. High charge transfer on the surfaces of our stable compounds, provokes further investigations on their possible application for hydrogen storage. The addition reaction energies of C₁₂Si₈X₈ are high exothermic, and C₁₂Si₈F₈ is more thermodynamically accessible.     

Study on the cluster of floating dross before nucleating during hot-dipping process

At present, hot-dipping anticorrosion metalliccoating on the surface of steel base is the main methodto prevent atmospheric corrosion of steel. With thechange of atmospheric environment, the traditionalidea of hot-dipping pure Zn cladding already does not…     

Laser assisted selective chemical metalization of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> films

Thick aluminum oxide films are prepared on Al plates by anodizing. On the ceramic surface thus obtained a very thin Ag film is deposited via vacuum thermal evaporation. The Ag/Al₂O₃/Al samples prepared are irradiated by Nd:YAG laser through a suitable metal mask in order to remove the top metal film in the exposed areas. Thus, a negative silver image of the copied mask is obtained. Further, the samples are processed in Ni electroless chemical bath activated by the rest of silver. All processing steps are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EDS X-ray mapping is applied to study the final distribution of Al and Ni in the processed areas. In addition, the DC conductivity of the fabricated Ni wires obtained is measured. The proposed new method for selective chemical deposition of electroconductive Ni onto laser microstructured Ag/Al₂O₃/Al samples is simple, versatile and not restricted to the metal/ceramic system studied as well as to the electroless deposited metal.     

Monolithic FeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for ammonia oxidation and nitrous oxide decomposition

(1.2–8.3)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ monolith catalysts have been prepared by impregnating alumina with aqueous solutions of iron(III) nitrate and oxalate and have been tested in NH₃ oxidation and in the selective decomposition of N₂O in mixtures resulting from ammonia oxidation over a Pt–Rh gauze pack under conditions of nitric acid synthesis (800–900°C). In the case of the support calcined at 1200°C, the catalyst is dominated by bulk Fe₂O₃ particles localized on the Al₂O₃ surface. The activity of these samples in both reactions decreases with a decreasing active component content, thus limiting the potential of Fe₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 5H₂O, an environmentally friendlier but poorly soluble compound, as a substitute for Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O. Decreasing the support calcination temperature to 1000°C or below leads to the formation of a highly defective Fe–Al–O solid solution in the (1.2–2.7)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The surface layers of the solid solution are enriched with iron ions or stabilize ultrafine FeO_х particles. The catalytic activity of these samples in both reactions is close to the activities measured for ~8%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ samples prepared using iron nitrate.     

Calculations of thermodynamic stability of CpCoC<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>9</Subscript>H<Subscript>11</Subscript> cobaltacarborane isomers

Quantum-chemical calculations of the geometry and energies of nine possible isomers of 12-vertex cobaltacarborane CpCoC₂B₉H₁₁ (1) were carried out by the DFT method (PBEPBE/DGDZVP/DGA1). Thermodynamic stability of the isomers increases with increasing distance between the carbon atoms in the cage and is virtually independent of the position of the CpCo vertex. The relative stabilities of the 1,2,3-(17.57 kcal mol⁻¹), 1,2,4-(3.72 kcal mol⁻¹), and 1,2,9-isomers of 1 (0 kcal mol⁻¹) are similar to the corresponding values for the ortho (17.61 kcal mol⁻¹), meta (3.21 kcal mol⁻¹), and para isomers (0 kcal mol⁻¹) of carborane C₂B₁₀H₁₂. The results of the present study confirm a close similarity of the CpCo and BH fragments in metallacarborane chemistry. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1557–1559, July, 2005.     

Chlorine-passivated superatom Al<Subscript>37</Subscript> clusters for nonlinear optics

Utilizing a facile top-down synthetic procedure, here we report the finding of a chlorine-passivated Al₃₇ superatom cluster. It is demonstrated that the presence of electrophilic groups, severing as protecting ligands, alters the valence electron count of the metallic core and stabilize the as-prepared aluminum clusters especially when even-numbered chlorine atoms are located at equilibrium positions. Following the discussion regarding their reasonable stabilities, we illustrate the feasible reaction pathways in forming such chlorine-passivated Al₃₇ superatom clusters which bear delocalized superatomic orbitals with five valence 3P⁵ electrons shifting to the chlorine ligands indicative of a closed electron shell 2F¹⁴ of the metal core. The successful synthesis of such chlorine-protected aluminum clusters evidences the compatibility of general theory of cluster chemistry in both gas phase and wet chemistry. Such simple-ligand-protected aluminum clusters exhibit reverse-saturated-absorption (RSA) nonlinear optical property pertaining to electronic transitions within the discrete energy states of cluster materials.     

Theoretical study of isomerism of acetylene compounds with aluminum clusters doped with 3d transition metals

Structural characteristics, vibrational frequencies, and energies of ten isomers of acetylene compounds with the centered aluminum cluster Al₁₃ and its analogues Al₁₂M doped with 3d transition metal atoms (M = Ti-Ni) in the states of different multiplicity have been calculated by the density functional theory method. In addition to “coordinated” intermediates in which the C₂H₂ molecule is coordinated through its C-C bond to the M vertex, an M-Al edge, or a trigonal face of the [MAl₂] cluster, “fragment” isomers have been considered in which the acetylene molecule is broken into fragments (C₂H + H, CH + CH, H + CH + C, and 2P + 2H) differently inserted into the aluminum cage and enlarging it to Al₁₂MC₂. For most compounds, low-lying isomers have structures 1–4 (the C₂H₂ molecule is coordinated to an Al₂M face), 1–5 (two CH fragments are added to adjacent Al₂M faces), and 1–8 (with a five-coordinate C* atom). Structure 1–1, in which the C₂H₂ molecule is coordinated through the C-C bond to the M dopant is unstable against transformation into 1–4 with a low barrier. An isomer with unusual structure 1–9 has been localized in which two five-coordinate C* atoms built into the aluminum cage are located in adjacent quasi-planar tetragonal [MAl₃] faces and are bonded to the central aluminum atom (Al_c) through the fifth bonds. The substitution of electronegative substituents X= F and Cl for H atoms in isomers 1–8 and 1–9 makes the latter more basic and clearly more favorable. The five-coordinate C* atoms in them are able to add acceptor ligands of the BH₃ and AlH₃ type and to increase the coordination number of the carbon atom to six with a considerable decrease in energy. The trends in the change in structural characteristics and relative energies of isomers with a change in M dopants along the 3d series, electronegativity of X substituents, and electronic state multiplicity have been analyzed.