Diazaborolyl-boryl push-pull systems with ethynylene-arylene bridges as 'turn-on' fluoride sensors

Two linear π-conjugated systems with 1,3-diethyl-1,3,2-benzodiazaborolyl [C(6)H(4)(NEt)(2)B-] as a donor group and dimesitylboryl (-BMes(2)) as acceptor were synthesised with -ethynylene-phenylene- (-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-1,4-C(6)H(4)-, 3) and -ethynylene-thiophene- (-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-2,5-C(4)H(2)S-12) bridges between the boron atoms. An assembly (20) consisting of two diazaborolyl-ethynylene-phenylene-boryl units, [C(6)H(4)(NCy)(N')B-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-1,4-C(6)H(4)-BMes(2)] joined via a 1,4-phenylene unit at the nitrogen atoms (N') of the diazaborolyl units was also synthesised. The three push-pull systems, 3, 12 and 20, form salts on fluoride addition with the BMes(2) groups converted into (BMes(2)F)(-) anions. The molecular structures of 3, 12 and (NBu(4))(12·F) were elucidated by X-ray diffraction analyses. The borylated systems 3, 12 and 20 show intense blue luminescence in cyclohexane with quantum yields (Φ(fl)) of 0.99, 0.44 and 0.94, respectively, but weak blue-green luminescence in tetrahydrofuran (Φ(fl) = 0.02-0.05). The charge transfer nature of these transitions is supported by TD-DFT computations with the CAM-B3LYP functional. Addition of tetrabutylammonium fluoride to tetrahydrofuran solutions of 3 and 20 resulted in strong violet-blue luminescence with emission intensities up to 46 times more than the emission intensities observed prior to fluoride addition. Compounds 3 and 20 are demonstrated here as remarkable 'turn-on' fluoride sensors in tetrahydrofuran solutions.     

Determining the orientations of BrF3 and FeBr3 molecules in graphite fluoride matrices using the XANES and EXAFS polarization dependences

Synchrotron radiation was used to measure the EXAFS and XANES polarization dependences for intercalation compounds of graphite fluoride. An approach is developed which allows one to analyze the orientation of molecules of arbitrary shapes using XANES and EXAFS data. Analyzing the orientation dependences of BrK XANES spectra for the T-shaped BrF₃ molecules, we determined possible combinations and admissible ranges of angles between the normal to the graphite fluoride matrix planes and the Br−F bond directions (α=52–90°, β=27–82°) and between the normal to the matrix planes and the molecular planes (γ=27–53°). The average orientation angles obtained by the combined analysis of the EXAFS and XANES data are as follows: α=62±1.5°, β=58±1.5°, γ=45±1.5°. The interatomic distances Br−F, Br−Br, and Fe−Br are determined. It is established that thermal treatment, which recovers the X-ray diffraction pattern from the unfilled matrix, does not affect the predominant orientation of the BrF₃ molecules. This suggests that the thermally treated graphite fluoride matrix contains thin layers of ordered molecules. The absence of the polarization dependence of the spectra of FeBr₃ in graphite fluoride allows the assumption that the molecular planes are oriented with respect to the normal to the matrix planes at a “magic” angle of 35°. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 36, No. 6, pp. 1020–1029, November–December, 1995. Translated by I. Izvekova     

Reaction of graphite fluoride with NaOH-KOH eutectic

Graphite fluoride has been generally considered chemically inert against strong alkalis under ambient conditions. In the present study we demonstrate that treatment of graphite fluoride with eutectic NaOH-KOH mixture at 250 °C induces dramatic structural and textural changes in the solid as evidenced by XRD, FT-IR, Raman, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence and microscopy techniques (TEM, AFM). The reaction proceeds in the molten state leading to water-soluble, graphitized carbon particles which unlike graphite fluoride, adopt a variety of morphologies, like platy, tetragonal, triangular, discoid and spherical. The resulting carbon particles are dispersible in water and fluoresce under UV excitation.     

Evaluating physical properties of molten salt reactor fluoride mixtures

In the last years, interest in the use of high-temperature molten fluoride salts as fluid fuels and coolants in nuclear power systems has been increasing. The comprehensive information on the properties of molten fuel and coolant salts is necessary for development of new designs. Experimental data on physical properties of some prospective molten salt mixtures of Li, Na, Be, Zr fluorides containing fertile and fissile materials as well as soluble fission products are unknown. At the first stage of the conceptual development estimation of the required properties from the known experimental data can be useful for selection of suitable molten salt compositions. In this paper the approaches for estimation of the physicochemical properties such as density (ρ), dynamic viscosity (η), isobaric heat capacity (c_p), and thermal conductivity (λ) for molten salt fluoride mixtures are proposed. The calculation algorithm was based on the additivity principle for the properties (P_x) of multi-component molten salt mixtures, which can be found from the relationship P_x = ΣN_iP_i. Here N_i and P_i denote mole fraction and corresponding property of individual molten salts or their binary mixtures as constituents of the more complex systems. The empirical expressions connecting the property with molar volume and molecular mass of selected fluoride compositions are also derived and tested. Estimated values are compared with each other and available experimental data.     

X-ray photoelectron study of fluorinated graphite intercalation compounds

Intercalated compounds of fluorinated graphite C₂F·yR, where R is benzene, hexafluorobenzene, acetone, or germanium tetrachloride, are studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The binding energies of the C1s and F1s inner levels indicate that the C-F chemical bond in fluorinated graphite differs dramatically from the covalent bond in graphite monofluoride. The binding energies of the inner levels in atoms of the graphite fluoride matrix and GeCl₄ are analyzed and it is concluded that there is no chemical binding between the host matrix and the guest molecule. Translated fromZhurnal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 1127–1133, November–December, 1998.     

Fused five-membered rings determine the stability of C60F60

The structure and stability of a set of (CF)60 isomers have been computed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) density functional theory level. The most stable isomer (6, F4@C60F56) has tube-like structure with four endo C-F bonds and fused five-membered rings at the end of the tube, while the reported most stable cage structure (2, F8@C60F52) with eight endo C-F bonds is higher in energy by 22.6 kcal/mol. This is in contrast to the isolated pentagon rule for the stability of fullerenes. The mean bond dissociation energy of 6 is larger than those of the experimental known C60F36, C60F48, and graphite fluoride. The relative energy per CF unit of 6 to graphite fluoride (CF)n is 3.7 kcal/mol, which is smaller than that of C60 fullerene per carbon to graphite (about 9-10 kcal/mol).     

Electrochemical behaviour of lanthanum fluoride in molten fluorides

The electrochemical behaviour of lanthanum fluoride dissolved in molten lithium fluoride and in eutectic mixture LiF-CaF₂ was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and laboratory electrolysis. The cyclic voltammetry experiments were carried out at 900°C and 800°C, respectively, in a graphite crucible (counter electrode). Several types of working electrodes (Mo, W, Ni and Cu) were used. Ni/Ni(II) was used as a reference electrode. Laboratory electrolysis was carried out in the system LiF-CaF₂-LaF₃ at 800°C in galvanostatic (j _c = −0.21 A cm⁻²) and potentiostatic (E = 0.87 V) regimes. In both cases, nickel served as the cathode and graphite as the anode. It was found that no new separate reduction peak occurred on the molybdenum or tungsten electrodes in the investigated systems. When copper or nickel electrodes were used, new peaks corresponding to the reduction of lanthanum(III) to lanthanum metal appeared. This can be explained by the formation of alloys or intermetallic compounds of lanthanum with copper or nickel. X-ray microanalysis showed that lanthanum was electrodeposited together with calcium under formation of intermetallic compounds with the electrode materials in the galvanostatic regime. In the potentiostatic regime, mainly lanthanum was deposited, which enabled its separation.     

Theoretical proton affinity and fluoride affinity of nerve agent VX

Proton affinity and fluoride affinity of nerve agent VX at all of its possible sites were calculated at the RI-MP2/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-31G* and RI-MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-31+G* levels, respectively. The protonation leads to various unique structures, with H(+) attached to oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur atoms; among which the nitrogen site possesses the highest proton affinity of -ΔE ～ 251 kcal/mol, suggesting that this is likely to be the major product. In addition some H(2), CH(4) dissociation as well as destruction channels have been found, among which the CH(4) + [Et-O-P(═O)(Me)-S-(CH(2))(2)-N(+)(iPr)═CHMe] product and the destruction product forming Et-O-P(═O)(Me)-SMe + CH(2)═N(+)(iPr)(2) are only 9 kcal/mol less stable than the most stable N-protonated product. For fluoridization, the S-P destruction channel to give Et-O-P(═O)(Me)(F) + [S-(CH(2))(2)-N-(iPr)(2)](-) is energetically the most favorable, with a fluoride affinity of -ΔE ～ 44 kcal. Various F(-) ion-molecule complexes are also found, with the one having F(-) interacting with two hydrogen atoms in different alkyl groups to be only 9 kcal/mol higher than the above destruction product. These results suggest VX behaves quite differently from surrogate systems.     

X-ray spectroscopic study of graphite fluoride (C2F) n intercalated with benzene

Samples of intercalated graphite fluoride of the C₂F·zR type (R is C₆H₆) before and after heating to 150 °C in a spectrometer vacuum chamber were studied by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The C-Kα differential spectra of the samples mainly characterizes the electron state of carbon atoms in the benzene molecule inside the C₂F matrix. The differential spectrum is distinct from the spectrum of solid benzene by additional maxima, which indicate the interaction between the benzene molecules and the graphite fluoride matrix. Comparative analysis of the spectrum of the heated sample and those of graphite and graphite fluoride (CF) _n suggests that the layers of the C₂F matrix contain considerable regions of both completely fluorinated and graphite-like regions. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 705–708, April, 2000.     

Energetics of halogen bonding of group 10 metal fluoride complexes

A study is presented of the thermodynamics of the halogen-bonding interaction of C(6)F(5)I with a series of structurally similar group 10 metal fluoride complexes trans-[Ni(F)(2-C(5)NF(4))(PCy(3))(2)] (2), trans-[Pd(F)(4-C(5)NF(4))(PCy(3))(2)] (3), trans-[Pt(F){2-C(5)NF(2)H(CF(3))}(PR(3))(2)] (4a, R = Cy; 4bR = iPr) and trans-[Ni(F){2-C(5)NF(2)H(CF(3))}(PCy(3))(2)] (5a) in toluene solution. (19)F NMR titration experiments are used to determine binding constants, enthalpies and entropies of these interactions (2.4 ≤ K(300) ≤ 5.2; -25 ≤ ΔH(o) ≤ -16 kJ mol(-1); -73 ≤ ΔS(o) ≤ -49 J K(-1) mol(-1)). The data for -ΔH(o) for the halogen bonding follow a trend Ni < Pd < Pt. The fluoropyridyl ligand is shown to have a negligible influence on the thermodynamic data, but the influence of the phosphine ligand is significant. We also show that the value of the spin-spin coupling constant J(PtF) increases substantially with adduct formation. X-ray crystallographic data for Ni complexes 5a and 5c are compared to previously published data for a platinum analogue. We show by experiment and computation that the difference between Pt-X and Ni-X (X = F, C, P) bond lengths is greatest for X = F, consistent with F(2pπ)-Pt(5dπ) repulsive interactions. DFT calculations on the metal fluoride complexes show the very negative electrostatic potential around the fluoride. Calculations of the enthalpy of adduct formation show energies of -18.8 and -22.8 kJ mol(-1) for Ni and Pt complexes of types 5 and 4, respectively, in excellent agreement with experiment.     

Why h atom prefers the on-top site and alkali metals favor the middle hollow site on the Basal plane of graphite

In this work, the different adsorption properties of H and alkali metal atoms on the basal plane of graphite are studied and compared using a density functional method on the same model chemistry level. The results show that H prefers the "on-top site" while alkali metals favor the "middle hollow site" of graphite basal plane due to the unique electronic structures of H, alkali metals, and graphite. H has a higher electronegativity than carbon, preferring to form a covalent bond with C atoms, whereas alkaline metals have lower electronegativity, tending to adsorb on the highest electrostatic potential sites. During adsorption, there are more charges transferred from alkali metal to graphite than from H to graphite.     

Microstructural characterization of next generation nuclear graphites

This article reports the microstructural characteristics of various petroleum and pitch based nuclear graphites (IG-110, NBG-18, and PCEA) that are of interest to the next generation nuclear plant program. Bright-field transmission electron microscopy imaging was used to identify and understand the different features constituting the microstructure of nuclear graphite such as the filler particles, microcracks, binder phase, rosette-shaped quinoline insoluble (QI) particles, chaotic structures, and turbostratic graphite phase. The dimensions of microcracks were found to vary from a few nanometers to tens of microns. Furthermore, the microcracks were found to be filled with amorphous carbon of unknown origin. The pitch coke based graphite (NBG-18) was found to contain higher concentration of binder phase constituting QI particles as well as chaotic structures. The turbostratic graphite, present in all of the grades, was identified through their elliptical diffraction patterns. The difference in the microstructure has been analyzed in view of their processing conditions.     

Effects of fluorine on the structures and energetics of the propynyl and propargyl radicals and their anions

[reaction: see text] The adiabatic electron affinity (EA(ad)) of the CH(3)-C[triple bond]C(*) radical [experiment = 2.718 +/- 0.008 eV] and the gas-phase basicity of the CH(3)-C[triple bond]C:(-) anion [experiment = 373.4 +/- 2 kcal/mol] have been compared with those of their fluorine derivatives. The latter are studied using theoretical methods. It is found that there are large effects on the electron affinities and gas-phase basicities as the H atoms of the alpha-CH(3) group in the propynyl system are substituted by F atoms. The predicted electron affinities are 3.31 eV (FCH(2)-C[triple bond]C(*)), 3.86 eV (F(2)CH-C[triple bond]C(*)), and 4.24 eV (F(3)C-C[triple bond]C(*)), and the predicted gas-phase basicities of the fluorocarbanion derivatives are 366.4 kcal/mol (FCH(2)-C[triple bond]C:(-)), 356.6 kcal/mol (F(2)CH-C[triple bond]C:(-)), and 349.8 kcal/mol (F(3)C-C[triple bond]C:(-)). It is concluded that the electron affinities of fluoropropynyl radicals increase and the gas-phase basicities decrease as F atoms sequentially replace H atoms of the alpha-CH(3) in the propynyl system. The propargyl radicals, lower in energy than the isomeric propynyl radicals, are also examined and their electron affinities are predicted to be 0.98 eV ((*)CH(2)-C[triple bond]CH), 1.18 eV ((*)CFH-C[triple bond]CH), 1.32 eV ((*)CF(2)-C[triple bond] CH), 1.71 eV ((*)CH(2)-C[triple bond]CF), 2.05 eV ((*)CFH-C[triple bond]CF), and 2.23 eV ((*)CF(2)-C[triple bond]CF).     

In situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure study during selective alcohol oxidation over Pd/Al2O3 in supercritical carbon dioxide

High-pressure in situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data are reported during the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in supercritical carbon dioxide over a Pd/Al(2)O(3) catalyst (shell impregnated). For this purpose, a continuous-flow system with a spectroscopic cell suitable for in situ X-ray absorption studies on heterogeneous catalysts up to 200 degrees C and 200 bar has been developed. Due to the high contribution of the dense fluid to the overall X-ray absorption, high stability of the process pressure is mandatory, particularly when recording EXAFS spectra. According to EXAFS and XANES results, the palladium particles were fully reduced after exposure to benzyl alcohol in scCO(2). In contrast to Pd-catalyzed liquid-phase oxidation, a higher oxygen tolerance of the catalyst was observed. Palladium was partially oxidized on the surface under typical reaction conditions (0.9 mol % benzyl alcohol/0.5 mol % O(2) in carbon dioxide), which gradually increased when the concentration of oxygen in the feed was raised. Both XANES and EXAFS data uncovered that palladium is mainly oxidized on the surface or within the outermost layers. These results are in accordance with simulations of the XANES data using the FEFF8.20 code (program for ab initio calculations on multiple scattering XAS) and EXAFS data fitting/simulation.     

Materials corrosion in molten LiF-NaF-KF salt

Corrosion tests of high temperature alloys, Hastelloy-N, Hastelloy-X, Haynes-230, Inconel-617, and Incoloy-800H were performed in molten fluoride salt, FLiNaK (LiF-NaF-KF:46.5-11.5-42 mol%) with the goal of understanding the corrosion mechanisms and ranking these alloys for their suitability for molten fluoride salt heat exchanger and thermal storage applications. The tests were performed at 850 °C for 500 h in sealed graphite crucibles under an argon cover gas. Corrosion was noted to occur predominantly by dealloying of Cr from the alloys, an effect that was particularly pronounced at the grain boundaries of these alloys. Weight-loss due to corrosion generally correlated with the initial Cr-content of the alloys, and was consistent with the Cr-content measured in the salts after corrosion tests. Two Cr-free alloys, Ni-201 and Nb-1Zr, were also tested. Ni-201, a nearly pure Ni alloy with minor alloying additions, exhibited good resistance to corrosion, whereas Nb-1Zr alloy exhibited extensive corrosion attack. The graphite crucible may have accelerated the corrosion process by promoting the formation of carbide phases on the walls of the test crucibles, but did not alter the basic corrosion mechanism.     

Structure and torsional properties of oxalyl chloride fluoride in the gas phase: an electron-diffraction investigation

The structure and torsional properties of oxalyl chloride fluoride in the gas phase have been measured by electron diffraction at temperatures of 22, 81, 158, and 310 °C. The molecule may be regarded as a hybrid of oxalyl chloride and oxalyl fluoride. Since the former exists as a more stable periplanar anti form (? = 180°) in equilibrium with a less stable gauche form (? ? 60°) and the latter as an equilibrium between two periplanar forms, anti and syn, the second form of oxalyl chloride fluoride is an interesting question. It was found to be gauche. The system was modeled as two rotational conformers related by a potential of the form 2V = V(1)(1 + cos??) - V(2)(1 - cos?2?) + V(3)(1 + cos?3?). The anti/gauche bond distances and bond angles (r(g)/Angstroms, ∠(α)/degrees) with estimated 2σ uncertainties at 22 °C are = 1.183(2)/1.182(2), Δr(C═O) = 0.003(6)/0.002(6) (assumed from theory), r(C-F) = 1.329(3)/1.335(3), r(C-Cl) = 1.738(2)/1.753(2), ∠(C-C-Cl) = 112.0(3)/111.9(3), ∠(C-C═O3) = 123.0(4)/123.2(4), ∠(O═C-Cl) = 125.0(2)/1.249(2), ∠(O═C-F) = 123.0(3)/125.1(3), and ∠(Cl-C-C-F) = 180.0/59.8. The variation of composition with temperature afforded a determination of the standard enthalpy and entropy of the reaction anti → gauche. The results are ΔH° = 2.5(12) kcal/mol and ΔS° = -6.5(33) cal/(mol·K). The structures and equilibria are discussed.     

Graphite fluoride intercalation compounds for manufacturing composites with metal nanoparticles

The feasibility of using graphite fluoride intercalation compounds (GFICs) containing metal compounds for manufacturing metal nanoparticles in a graphite or graphite fluoride matrix is shown using the hydrogen reduction of a dicarbon fluoride matrix intercalated with a chloroform solution of palladium acetylacetonate Pd(AA)₂. The composite manufactured with a GFIC containing about 10.5 wt % Pd(AA)₂ at 80°C is Pd-fluorographite; at 450°C, Pd-graphite is manufactured. The palladium particle size in the composites is about 20–30 nm; the palladium concentration is about 5 and 9 wt %, respectively.     

Thermodynamic evaluation of the intermolecular interactions of potassium fluoride crystal dihydrate in gas chromatography

Summary Potassium fluoride crystal dihydrate is used as the stationary phase for the rapid analysis of polar compounds in aqueous solutions. KF·2H₂O is compared with some conventional stationary phases, organic salts and molten crystal hydrates of inorganic salts.     

Rotational spectroscopy and molecular structure of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene and the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene-hydrogen fluoride complex

Fourier transform microwave rotational spectra in the 6-22 GHz region are obtained for the complex formed between 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene and hydrogen fluoride, including the normal isotopomer, the two singly substituted 13C species, and the complex obtained with DF. A unique planar structure for the complex is determined from a combined analysis of the rotational constants derived from the spectra and atomic positions obtained using Kraitchman [Am. J. Phys. 21, 17 (1953)] substitution coordinates. Consistent with this structure, no hyperfine splitting of rotational lines due to the nuclear quadrupole coupling interaction is observed for the D-containing species. Although the primary interaction in the complex is a hydrogen-fluorine hydrogen bond, as is the case for all previously studied Lewis acid-fluoroethylene complexes, the CF2CHF-HF complex adopts a distinctly different geometry in which both the primary and secondary interactions occur between the HF molecule and a F atom and a H atom, respectively, bonded to the same carbon of CF2CHF. The 2.020(41) A hydrogen bond has hydrogen fluoride as the donor and 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene as the acceptor and forms a 109.0(13) degrees C-F...H angle. The secondary interaction between the hydrogen fluoride F atom and the H atom geminal to the acceptor F atom causes the hydrogen bond to deviate 41.6(51) degrees from linearity. Structural comparisons with analogous complexes formed with mono- and difluorinated ethylenes suggest that the primary hydrogen bond strength and the fluoroethylene fluorine atom basicity both decrease with increasing fluorine substitution. In the course of this work, it was necessary to obtain additional rotational spectra for the 1,1,2-trifluroethylene monomer and to improve the precision of the values of the structural parameters for this molecule.     

Synthesis, structure, and dynamic properties of hybrid organic-inorganic rotaxanes

The synthesis and characterization of a series of hybrid organic-inorganic [2]rotaxanes is described. The ring components are heterometallic octa- ([Cr(7)MF(8)(O(2)C(t)Bu)(16)]; M = Co, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cd) nuclear cages in which the metal centers are bridged by fluoride and pivalate ((t)BuCO(2)(-)) anions; the thread components feature dialkylammonium units that template the formation of the heterometallic rings about the axle to form the interlocked structures in up to 92% yield in conventional macrocyclization or one-pot 'stoppering-plus-macrocyclization' strategies. The presence in the reaction mixture of additives (secondary or tertiary amines or quaternary ammonium salts), and the nature of the stoppering groups (3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3)CO(2)- or (t)BuCONH-), can have a significant effect on the rotaxane yield. The X-ray crystal structures of 11 different [2]rotaxanes, a pseudorotaxane, and a two-station molecular shuttle show two distinct types of intercomponent hydrogen bond motifs between the ammonium groups of the organic thread and the fluoride groups of the inorganic ring. The different hydrogen bonding motifs account for the very different rates of dynamics observed for the heterometallic ring on the thread (shuttling slow; rotation fast).