C−C Bond Formation in Syngas Conversion over Zinc Sites Grafted on ZSM‐5 Zeolite

Despite significant progress achieved in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology, control of product selectivity remains a challenge in syngas conversion. Herein, we demonstrate that Zn²⁺‐ion exchanged ZSM‐5 zeolite steers syngas conversion selectively to ethane with its selectivity reaching as high as 86 % among hydrocarbons (excluding CO₂) at 20 % CO conversion. NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and X‐ray fluorescence indicate that this is likely attributed to the highly dispersed Zn sites grafted on ZSM‐5. Quasi‐in‐situ solid‐state NMR, obtained by quenching the reaction in liquid N₂, detects C₂ species such as acetyl (‐COCH₃) bonding with an oxygen, ethyl (‐CH₂CH₃) bonding with a Zn site, and epoxyethane molecules adsorbing on a Zn site and a Brønsted acid site of the catalyst, respectively. These species could provide insight into C?C bond formation during ethane formation. Interestingly, this selective reaction pathway toward ethane appears to be general because a series of other Zn²⁺‐ion exchanged aluminosilicate zeolites with different topologies (for example, SSZ‐13, MCM‐22, and ZSM‐12) all give ethane predominantly. By contrast, a physical mixture of ZnO‐ZSM‐5 favors formation of hydrocarbons beyond C₃₊. These results provide an important guide for tuning the product selectivity in syngas conversion.     

Selective Transformation of Syngas into Gasoline‐Range Hydrocarbons over Mesoporous H‐ZSM‐5‐Supported Cobalt Nanoparticles

Bifunctional Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts that couple uniform‐sized Co nanoparticles for CO hydrogenation and mesoporous zeolites for hydrocracking/isomerization reactions were found to be promising for the direct production of gasoline‐range (C_5–11) hydrocarbons from syngas. The Brønsted acidity results in hydrocracking/isomerization of the heavier hydrocarbons formed on Co nanoparticles, while the mesoporosity contributes to suppressing the formation of lighter (C_1–4) hydrocarbons. The selectivity for C_5–11 hydrocarbons could reach about 70 % with a ratio of isoparaffins to n‐paraffins of approximately 2.3 over this catalyst, and the former is markedly higher than the maximum value (ca. 45 %) expected from the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution. By using n‐hexadecane as a model compound, it was clarified that both the acidity and mesoporosity play key roles in controlling the hydrocracking reactions and thus contribute to the improved product selectivity in FT synthesis.     

Template‐Free Synthesis of Nanorod‐Assembled Hierarchical Zn1−xMnxS Hollow Nanostructures with Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Properties

Mixed‐metal sulfide Zn_1?xMn_xS nanorod‐assembled hierarchical hollow spheres were synthesized by a template‐free solvothermal process based on Ostwald ripening. In the reaction system, glycerol plays a key role in the formation of Zn_xMn_1?xS hierarchical hollow structures by a quasi‐microemulsion‐template mechanism. When applied as capacitor electrode material, the hierarchical Zn_1?xMn_xS hollow spheres show excellent electrochemical performance. Specifically, Zn_0.25Mn_0.75S hollow spheres can deliver a high specific capacitance of 664 F g^?1 at a current rate of 1 A g^?1, which is almost five times of that of MnS under the same conditions and higher than those of previously reported single Mn‐based compounds.     

A pair of epimeric 13‐hydroxy‐2,3,6,7‐tetra­methoxy‐8b,11,12,12a,13,13a‐hexa­hydro‐9H‐9a‐aza­cyclo­penta­[b]tri­phenyl­ene‐10‐ones

The structures of two compounds which are intermediates in the synthesis of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids have been determined. (8bS,13aS,14R,14aR)‐8b,9,11,12,13,13a,14,14a‐Octa­hydro‐14‐hydroxy‐2,3,6,7‐tetra­methoxy­dibenzo­[f,h]pyrrolo[1,2‐b]­isoquinolin‐11‐one acetone solvate, C₂₄H₂₇NO₆·C₃H₆O, (II), crystallizes in a chiral space group with one solvent mol­ecule (acetone) present in the asymmetric unit. On the other hand, (8bS,13aS,14S,14aR)‐8b,9,11,12,13,13a,14,14a‐octa­hydro‐14‐hydroxy‐2,3,6,7‐tetra­methoxy­dibenzo­[f,h]pyrrolo[1,2‐b]­isoquinolin‐11‐one, C₂₄H₂₇NO₆, (III), crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group with two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit and with no solvent present. The two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit of (III) are structurally the same. Compounds (II) and (III) are epimers at the C atom carrying the OH group; otherwise they are very similar in structure.     

Synthese und Kristallstrukturen des Zink‐Rhodiumborids Zn5Rh8B4 und der Lithium‐ Magnesium‐Rhodiumboride LixMg5−xRh8B4 (x = 1.1 und 0.5) und Li8Mg4Rh19B12

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Zinc Rhodium Boride Zn₅Rh₈B₄ and the Lithium Magnesium Rhodium Borides Li_xMg_5?xRh₈B₄ (x = 1.1 and 0.5) and Li₈Mg₄Rh₁₉B₁₂ The title compounds were prepared by reaction of the elemental components in metal ampoules under argon atmosphere (1100 °C, 7 d). In the case of Zn₅Rh₈B₄ (orthorhombic, space group Cmmm, a = 8.467(2) Å, b = 16.787(3) Å, c = 2.846(1) Å, Z = 2) a BN crucible enclosed in a sealed tantalum container was used. The syntheses of Li_xMg_5?xRh₈B₄ (orthorhombic, space group Cmmm, Z = 2, isotypic with Zn₅Rh₈B₄, lattice constants for x = 1.1: a = 8.511(3) Å, b = 16.588(6) Å, c = 2.885(1) Å, and for x = 0.5: a = 8.613(1) Å, b = 16.949(3) Å, c = 2.9139(2) Å) and Li₈Mg₄Rh₁₉B₁₂ (orthorhombic, space group Pbam, a = 26.210(5) Å, b = 13.612(4) Å, c = 2.8530(5) Å, Z = 2) were carried out in tantalum crucibles enclosed in steel containers using lithium as a metal flux. The crystal structures were solved from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. In both structures Rh atoms reside at z = 0 and all non‐transition metal atoms at z = 1/2. Columns of Rh₆B trigonal prisms running along the c‐axis are laterally connected to form three‐dimensional networks with channels of various cross sections containing Li‐, Mg‐, and Zn‐atoms, respectively. A very short Li‐Li distance of 2.29(7) Å is observed in Li₈Mg₄Rh₁₉B₁₂.     

Promoting Syngas to Olefins with Isolated Internal Silanols-Enriched Al-IDM-1 Aluminosilicate Nanosheets

Selective conversion of syngas to value-added olefins has attracted considerable research interest. Regulating product distribution remains challenging, such as achieving higher olefin selectivity, propylene/ethylene (P/E) and olefin/paraffin (O/P) ratios. A new pentasil zeolite Al-IDM-1 with recently approved − ION structure, composed of 17-membered-ring (MR) extra-large lobed pores and intersected 10-MR medium pores, shows a C_2–6⁼ selectivity up to 85 % and a high O/P value of 14 in the conversion of syngas when being combined with Zn_aAl_bO_x oxide. Moreover, for the high-silica Al-IDM-1 with Si/Al ratio of 400, the selectivity of propylene and butene accounts for 88 % in C_2–4⁼, resulting in high P/E (>4) and butene/ethylene (B/E >3) ratios. The high C_3–4⁼ selectivity is contributed by two main reasons, that is, the relatively weak acidity of Al-IDM-1 zeolite enhances the olefin-based cycle revealed by the probe reactions of methanol-to-propylene (MTP) and 1-hexene cracking, and the rich isolated internal SiOH groups in Al-IDM-1 promote the desorption of C_3–4⁼, once they are formed inside zeolite pores.     

Shape‐Selective Zeolites Promote Ethylene Formation from Syngas via a Ketene Intermediate

Syngas conversion by Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is characterized by a wide distribution of hydrocarbon products ranging from one to a few carbon atoms. Reported here is that the product selectivity is effectively steered toward ethylene by employing the oxide‐zeolite (OX‐ZEO) catalyst concept with ZnCrO_x‐mordenite (MOR). The selectivity of ethylene alone reaches as high as 73 % among other hydrocarbons at a 26 % CO conversion. This selectivity is significantly higher than those obtained in any other direct syngas conversion or the multistep process methanol‐to‐olefin conversion. This highly selective pathway is realized over the catalytic sites within the 8‐membered ring (8MR) side pockets of MOR via a ketene intermediate rather than methanol in the 8MR or 12MR channels. This study provides substantive evidence for a new type of syngas chemistry with ketene as the key reaction intermediate and enables extraordinary ethylene selectivity within the OX‐ZEO catalyst framework.     

Conformations and resulting hydrogen‐bonded networks of hydrogen {phosphono[(pyridin‐1‐ium‐3‐yl)amino]methyl}phosphonate and related 2‐chloro and 6‐chloro derivatives

In the crystal structures of the conformational isomers hydrogen {phosphono[(pyridin‐1‐ium‐3‐yl)amino]methyl}phosphonate monohydrate (pro‐E), C₆H₁₀N₂O₆P₂·H₂O, (Ia), and hydrogen {phosphono[(pyridin‐1‐ium‐3‐yl)amino]methyl}phosphonate (pro‐Z), C₆H₁₀N₂O₆P₂, (Ib), the related hydrogen {[(2‐chloropyridin‐1‐ium‐3‐yl)amino](phosphono)methyl}phosphonate (pro‐E), C₆H₉ClN₂O₆P₂, (II), and the salt bis(6‐chloropyridin‐3‐aminium) [hydrogen bis({[2‐chloropyridin‐1‐ium‐3‐yl(0.5+)]amino}methylenediphosphonate)] (pro‐Z), 2C₅H₆ClN₂⁺·C₁₂H₁₆Cl₂N₄O₁₂P₄²⁻, (III), chain–chain interactions involving phosphono (–PO₃H₂) and phosphonate (–PO₃H⁻) groups are dominant in determining the crystal packing. The crystals of (Ia) and (III) comprise similar ribbons, which are held together by N—H...O interactions, by water‐ or cation‐mediated contacts, and by π–π interactions between the aromatic rings of adjacent zwitterions in (Ia), and those of the cations and anions in (III). The crystals of (Ib) and (II) have a layered architecture: the former exhibits highly corrugated monolayers perpendicular to the [100] direction, while in the latter, flat bilayers parallel to the (001) plane are formed. In both (Ib) and (II), the interlayer contacts are realised through N—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...O interactions involving aromatic C atoms.     

Chemischer Transport fester Lösungen. 10 [1] Zum Chemischen Transport von quaternären Cobalt(II)‐Zink‐ und Mangan(II)‐Zinkgermanaten

Chemical Vapor Transport of Solid Solutions 10 [1] The Chemical Vapor Transport of quarternary Cobalt(II)‐Zinc and Manganese(II)‐Zinc Germanates By means of chemical vapor transport methods using HCl or Cl₂ as transport agent the crystalline solid solutions (Zn_xCo_1—x)₂GeO₄ and (Mn_xZn_1—x)₂GeO₄ have been prepared (1050 → 900 °C, 850 → 700 °C, respectively). ZnGeO₃ — although unknown as a pure solid — can be stabilized as a mixed crystal (Mn_xZn_1—x)GeO₃ (x > 0, 5).     

Synthesis and crystal structures of some bis(3‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)(salicyl)methanes

Four 2,2′‐bisindolylmethanes (BIMs), a useful class of polyindolyl species joined to a central carbon, were synthesized using salicylaldehyde derivatives and simple acid catalysis; these are 2‐[bis(3‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐6‐methylphenol, (IIa), 2‐[bis(3‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐4,6‐dichlorophenol, (IIb), 2‐[bis(3‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐4‐nitrophenol, (IIc), and 2‐[bis(3‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol, (IId). BIMs (IIa) and (IIb) were characterized crystallographically as the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) disolvates, i.e. C₂₆H₂₄N₂O·2C₂H₆OS and C₂₅H₂₀Cl₂N₂O·2C₂H₆OS, respectively. Both form strikingly similar one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding chain motifs with the DMSO solvent molecules. BIM (IIa) packs into double layers of chains whose orientations alternate every double layer, while (IIb) forms more simply packed chains along the a axis. BIM (IIa) has a remarkably long c axis.     

Crystal structure of the thortveitite‐related M phase, (MnxZn1–x)2V2O7 (0.75 < x < 0.913): a combined synchrotron powder and single‐crystal X‐ray study

The determination of the crystal structure of the M phase, (Mn_xZn_1–x)₂V₂O₇ (0.75 < x < 0.913), in the pseudobinary Mn₂V₂O₇–Zn₂V₂O₇ system for x ≃ 0.8 shows that the previously published triclinic unit‐cell parameters for this thortveitite‐related phase do not describe a true lattice for this phase. Instead, single‐crystal X‐ray data and Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X‐ray powder data show that the M phase has a different triclinic structure in the space group P with Z = 2. As prior work has suggested, the crystal structure can be described as a distorted version of the thortveitite crystal structure of β‐Mn₂V₂O₇. A twofold superstructure in diffraction patterns of crystals of the M phase used for single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction work arises from twinning by reticular pseudomerohedry. This superstructure can be described as a commensurate modulation of a pseudo‐monoclinic basis structure closely related to the crystal structure of β‐Mn₂V₂O₇. In comparison with the distortions introduced when β‐Mn₂V₂O₇ transforms at low temperature to α‐Mn₂V₂O₇, the distortions which give rise to the M phase from the β‐Mn₂V₂O₇ prototype are noticeably less pronounced.     

C−C Bond Formation in Syngas Conversion over Zinc Sites Grafted on ZSM-5 Zeolite

Despite significant progress achieved in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology, control of product selectivity remains a challenge in syngas conversion. Herein, we demonstrate that Zn²⁺-ion exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite steers syngas conversion selectively to ethane with its selectivity reaching as high as 86 % among hydrocarbons (excluding CO₂) at 20 % CO conversion. NMR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence indicate that this is likely attributed to the highly dispersed Zn sites grafted on ZSM-5. Quasi-in-situ solid-state NMR, obtained by quenching the reaction in liquid N₂, detects C₂ species such as acetyl (-COCH₃) bonding with an oxygen, ethyl (-CH₂CH₃) bonding with a Zn site, and epoxyethane molecules adsorbing on a Zn site and a Brønsted acid site of the catalyst, respectively. These species could provide insight into C−C bond formation during ethane formation. Interestingly, this selective reaction pathway toward ethane appears to be general because a series of other Zn²⁺-ion exchanged aluminosilicate zeolites with different topologies (for example, SSZ-13, MCM-22, and ZSM-12) all give ethane predominantly. By contrast, a physical mixture of ZnO-ZSM-5 favors formation of hydrocarbons beyond C₃₊. These results provide an important guide for tuning the product selectivity in syngas conversion.     

(Zn1-xMnx)C2O4·2H2O在空气中的热分解动力学研究

用热分析（TG-DTG/DTA）、X射线衍射（XRD）技术和透射电镜（TEM）研究了固态物质Zn_1-xMn_xC₂O₄•2H₂O在空气中热分解的过程。热分析结果表明，Zn_1-xMn_xC₂O₄•2H₂O在空气中分两步分解，其失重率与理论计算失重率相吻合。 XRD和TEM结果表明，Zn_1-xMn_xC₂O₄•2H₂O分解的最终产物为Zn_1-xMn_xO,其颗粒大小约为10-13 nm。在非等温条件下对Zn_1-xMn_xC₂O₄•2H₂O的热分解动力学进行了分析。用Friedman法和Flynn-Wall-Ozawa(FWO)法求取了分解过程的活化能E，并用多元线性回归给出了可能的机理函数。Zn_1-xMn_xC₂O₄•2H₂O两步热分解的活化能分别为155.7513 kJ/mol 和215.9397 kJ/mol。     

Synthesis,structural characterization,density functional theory calculations and biological evaluation of a new organotin(IV) complex containing N‐isonicotinyl‐N',N″‐diaryl phosphorictriamide as N‐donor ligand

A new diorganotin(IV) complex with the formula SnCl₂(CH₃)₂L₂ ( C_1a ), L = 4‐NC₅H₄CONHPO(NCH₃CH₂C₆H₅)₂, was synthesized and characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and infrared spectroscopies. The molecular structure of C_1a was determined using X‐ray crystallography, revealing that C_1a contains hexa‐coordinated Sn(IV) centres with trans‐configuration of donor atoms around them. Each Sn(IV) atom is positioned in the centre of inversion of an octahedron. C_1a forms one‐dimensional chains via two equal intermolecular P?O…H? N hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen bonds produce centrosymmetric rings as a supramolecular hydrogen‐bonded pattern. In order to compare the relative stability of C_1a (with N‐ligated configuration) and its possible O‐ligated isomer, C_1b , density functional theory calculations were performed, the results showing a preference of C_1a over C_1b from an energy point of view. Also, natural bond orbital analysis was carried out to obtain detailed information on the electronic features of the optimized structures. The theoretical results show that intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure has a significant role in the stabilization of C_1a , and Sn(IV) interacts more strongly with the N_py atom than the P?O functional group. Furthermore, the free ligand and its complex were tested against three human cancer cell lines, i.e. human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), human prostate cancer (PC‐3) and human breast adenocarcinoma cancer (MCF‐7). C_1a displays moderate to good cytotoxicity towards all three cancer cell lines. Moreover, antibacterial tests were carried out using the disc‐diffusion method, in which C_1a shows high activity against selected Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two polymorphs of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐methylchromenium perchlorate

Crystallization (from ethyl acetate solution) of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐methylchromenium perchlorate, C₁₆H₁₂ClO⁺·;ClO₄⁻, (I), yields two monoclinic polymorphs with the space groups P2₁/n [polymorph (Ia)] and P2₁/c [polymorph (Ib)]; in both cases, Z = 4. Cations and anions, disordered in polymorph (Ib), form ion pairs in both polymorphs as a result of Cl—O...π interactions. Related by a centre of symmetry, neighbouring ion pairs in polymorph (Ia) are linked viaπ–π interactions between cationic fragments, and the resulting dimers are linked through a network of C—H...O(perchlorate) interactions between adjacent cations and anions. The ion pairs in polymorph (Ib), arranged in pairs of columns along the a axis, are linked through a network of C—H...O(perchlorate), C—Cl...π, π–π and C—Cl...O(perchlorate) interactions. The aromatic skeletons in polymorph (Ia) are parallel in the cationic fragments involved in dimers, but nonparallel in adjacent ion pairs not constituting dimers. In polymorph (Ib), these skeletons are parallel in pairs of columns, but nonparallel in adjacent pairs of columns; this is visible as a herring‐bone pattern. Differences in the crystal structures of the polymorphs are most probably the cause of their different colours.     

Bis(2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylphenyl)methane and bis(2,5‐dimethoxy‐3,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)methane

Bis(2,5‐di­methoxy‐4‐methyl­phenyl)­methane, C₁₉H₂₄O₄, (IIa), was obtained and characterized as a minor product from the reaction of tolu­hydro­quinone di­methyl ether (1,4‐dimethoxy‐2‐methylbenzene) with N‐(hydroxy­methyl)­tri­fluoro­acet­amide. Similarly, bis(2,5‐di­methoxy‐3,4,6‐tri­methyl­phenyl)­methane, C₂₃H₃₂O₄, (IIb), was prepared from the corresponding reaction of tri­methyl­hydro­quinone di­methyl ether (2,5‐dimethoxy‐1,3,4‐trimethylbenzene). The mol­ecules of (IIa) and (IIb) each lie on a twofold axis passing through the methyl­ene group. The dihedral angle between the planar phenyl rings is 73.4 (1)° in (IIa) and 77.9 (1)° in (IIb). The external bond angles around the bridging methyl­ene group are 116.6 (2) and 117.3 (2)° for (IIa) and (IIb), respectively. In (IIa), the methoxy substituents lie in the plane of the ring and are conjugated with the aromatic system, whereas in (IIb), they are almost perpendicular to the phenyl ring and are positioned on opposite sides.     

A novel three‐dimensional coordination polymer: poly[di‐μ3‐acetato‐di‐μ2‐acetato‐di‐μ3‐hydroxido‐octa‐μ3‐triazolato‐heptamanganese(II)]

The title compound, [Mn₇(C₂H₂N₃)₈(C₂H₃O₂)₄(OH)₂]_n, is composed of centrosymmetric heptanuclear building units with the central Mn atom on an inversion center. In the building block, three Mn^II ions are held together by one μ₃‐hydroxide group, two μ₂‐triazolate (trz) ligands and two μ₂‐acetate groups, forming an Mn₃ cluster. Two Mn₃ clusters are bridged by an Mn atom via two μ₂‐trz ligands and two μ₂‐O atoms from two acetate ions to construct a heptanuclear building block. The heptanuclear building units, lying parallel to each other along the b direction, form one‐dimensional ladder‐like chains and are further interlinked, resulting in a three‐dimensional framework through Mn—N_trz bonds.     

Absolute structures and conformations of the spongian diterpenes spongia‐13(16),14‐dien‐3‐one,epispongiadiol and spongiadiol

The absolute configurations of spongia‐13(16),14‐dien‐3‐one [systematic name: (3bR,5aR,9aR,9bR)‐3b,6,6,9a‐tetramethyl‐4,5,5a,6,8,9,9a,9b,10,11‐decahydrophenanthro[1,2‐c]furan‐7(3bH)‐one], C₂₀H₂₈O₂, (I), epispongiadiol [systematic name: (3bR,5aR,6S,7R,9aR,9bR)‐7‐hydroxy‐6‐hydroxymethyl‐3b,6,9a‐trimethyl‐3b,5,5a,6,7,9,9a,9b,10,11‐decahydrophenanthro[1,2‐c]furan‐8(4H)‐one], C₂₀H₂₈O₄, (II), and spongiadiol [systematic name: (3bR,5aR,6S,7S,9aR,9bR)‐7‐hydroxy‐6‐hydroxymethyl‐3b,6,9a‐trimethyl‐3b,5,5a,6,7,9,9a,9b,10,11‐decahydrophenanthro[1,2‐c]furan‐8(4H)‐one], C₂₀H₂₈O₄, (III), were assigned by analysis of anomalous dispersion data collected at 130 K with Cu Kα radiation. Compounds (II) and (III) are epimers. The equatorial 3‐hydroxyl group on the cyclohexanone ring (A) of (II) is syn with respect to the 4‐hydroxymethyl group, leading to a chair conformation. In contrast, isomer (III), where the 3‐hydroxyl group is anti to the 4‐hydroxymethyl group, is conformationally disordered between a major chair conformer where the OH group is axial and a minor boat conformer where it is equatorial. In compound (I), a carbonyl group is present at position 3 and ring A adopts a distorted‐boat conformation.     

1‐Chloro‐3,6‐di­methoxy‐2,5‐di­methyl­benzene and 1‐chloro‐3,6‐di­methoxy‐2,4‐di­methyl­benzene

The title compounds, 1‐chloro‐3,6‐di­methoxy‐2,5‐di­methyl­benzene, (IIIa), and 1‐­chloro‐3,6‐di­methoxy‐2,4‐di­methyl­benzene, (IIIb), both C₁₀H₁₃ClO₂, were obtained from 2,5‐ and 2,6‐di­methyl‐1,4‐benzo­quinone, respectively, and are intermediates in the synthesis of ammonium quinone derivatives. The isomers have different substituents around the methoxy groups and crystallize in different space groups. In both mol­ecules, the methoxy groups each have different orientations with respect to the benzene ring. In both cases, one methoxy group lies in the plane of the ring and can participate in conjugation with the aromatic system, while the second is almost perpendicular to the plane of the aromatic ring. The C—O—C bond angles around these substituents are also different: 117.5 (4) and 118.2 (3)° in (IIIa) and (IIIb), respectively, when the methoxy groups lie in the plane of the ring, and 114.7 (3) and 113.6 (3)° in (IIIa) and (IIIb), respectively, when they are out of the plane of the ring.     

Template‐Free Preparation of Volvox‐like CdxZn1−xS Nanospheres with Cubic Phase for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Volvox‐like Cd_xZn_1?xS solid solutions with a cubic zinc blend structure were synthesized through a template‐free ethylene glycol process. Cd(Ac)₂ ? 2 H₂O, Zn(Ac)₂ ? 2 H₂O, and thiourea are used as the starting materials and dissolved in ethylene glycol. These reaction precursors and solvent not only contributed to control over the formation of the volvox‐like spherical geometry, but also exerted vigorous domination for existence of cubic‐phase Cd_xZn_1?xS nanostructures. As‐prepared volvox‐like Cd_xZn_1?xS nanospheres have a diameter of around 100 nm with extensional shells. These samples show excellent photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity from water splitting under visible‐light irradiation without any cocatalyst or scaffolding, owing to their tunable band gap, cubic zinc blend structure, and unique hierarchical porous structure with a high surface area (as high as 95.2 m² g^?1).