Final-state effects in the 3d and 4d X-Ray photoelectron spectra of CeO2

The complex 3d and 4d X-ray photoelectron spectra of CeO₂ arc re-interpreted with the aid of multiple scattering Xα and intermediate coupling calculations. Features in the 3d spectrum are identified with Ce 3d⁹4f⁰, 3d⁹4f¹VB^?1, and 3d⁹5p⁵np final-state configurations. Multiplet coupling in the 3d⁹4f¹ system is found to be significant.     

Structural Characterization of YMexMn1−xO3 (Me=Cu, Ni, Co) Perovskites

The structural properties of the YMe_xMn_1−xO₃ (Me=Cu, Ni, Co) pseudobinary oxides have been studied by X-ray diffraction and electrical measurements. The powders were prepared by solid state reaction between the corresponding oxides. The incorporation in solid solution of small divalent cations, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺, substituting for Mn in the hexagonal YMnO₃ compound, leads to a phase transition in which a perovskite-type structure is formed. The amount of substituting cation necessary for such a transition depends on the cation nature and, to a small extent, on the ionic radius. The phase transition depends strongly on the progressive substitution of the Jahn-Teller Mn³⁺ cation and therefore of the cooperative Jahn-Teller interaction weakness. The steric influence plays a secondary role, as is shown by the very small variation of the tolerance factor, t, as a function of the cation content. The solid solutions with perovskite-type structure show semiconducting behavior. The conductivity mechanism is of a thermally activated small polaron hopping.     

Neutron diffraction experiments on CsCrI3 at 300, 77, and 1.2 K

CsCrI₃ has been investigated by neutron powder diffraction at room temperature and 77 and 1.2 K. It undergoes a phase transition at 150 K due to the cooperative Jahn-Teller effect. The high-temperature form, α-CsCrI₃ (hexagonal, space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}\text{, a = 8.127(1)}$Å, c = 6.944(1)Å, Z = 2), adopts the BaNiO₃ structure with a local Jahn-Teller distortion. The low-temperature form, β-CsCrI₃ (orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, a = 8.102(1)Å, b = 13.792(1)Å, c = 6.900(1)Å, Z = 4), has a structure not yet been reported for a Jahn-Teller distorted BaNiO₃ structure. It is shown that the low-temperature form can be derived from the BaNiO₃ structure by means of a canting of triangles, formed by the three common I^? ions of two adjacent CrI₆^4? octahedra. The magnetic structure of β-CsCrI₃ at 1.2 K is found to consist of an antiparallel sequence of ferromagnetic (0 0 1) planes with a magnetic moment in the ∥1 0 0∥ direction of 3.16 μ_B.     

Reduction of Eu to Eu in MAl2Si2O8 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) in air condition

In general, the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in solids needs an annealing process in a reducing atmosphere. In this paper, it is of great interest and importance to find that the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ can be realized in a series of alkaline-earth metal aluminum silicates MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) just in air condition. The Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) powder samples were prepared in air atmosphere by Pechini-type sol-gel process. It was found that the strong band emissions of 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ from Eu²⁺ were observed at 417, 404 and 373 nm in air-annealed CaAl₂Si₂O₈, SrAl₂Si₂O₈ and BaAl₂Si₂O₈, respectively, under ultraviolet excitation although the Eu³⁺ precursors were employed. In addition, under low-voltage electron beam excitation, Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ also shows strong blue or ultraviolet emission corresponding to 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ transition. The reduction mechanism from Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in these compounds has been discussed in detail.     

Theoretical analysis of vibronic coupling in the lowest T1[3A'2(ππ*)] state of triphenylene-h12 and-d12

The recently observed T₁ ← S_O excitation spectra of triphenylene-h₁₂ and -d₁₂ are analysed in terms of interstate pseudo-Jahn-Teller and intrastate Jahn-Teller coupling of the two lowest triplet states, T₁ [³A'₂(ππ¹)] and T₂[³E'(ππ^*)], via an e' mode.     

A study of electronic structures of some C9H9- carboanions

The electronic structures of five C₉H₉^-, carboanions have been studied by ab initio STO-3G calculations, and some general conclusions on related C₉H₉^- and C₉H₉⁺ structures are presented. Large antibonding interactions in one occupied MO make barbaral-9-yl anion (2) unstable as its cationic counterpart (8). The proposed D_9h-symmetrical cation and D_3h-symmetrical anion (3) do not exist due to Jahn-Teller distortions. A study of the MO correlations confirms that the two tetracyclic anions with C_2v symmetry (5 and 6) are the results of the Jahn-Teller distortions of 3. Anion 5 is identified as the proper intermediate of the Cope rearrangement of anion 2.     

Nonadditivity and the stability of Ag3. A multireference configuration interaction study

Variational (?30 000 determinants) and perturbational (?3.5 million determinants) Localized Multireference Configuration Interaction (LMRCI) calculations includingf polarization functions are made to study the role played by the three-body terms in the stabilization energy of three selected geometries of the silver trimer: linear, equilateral and a Jahn-Teller obtuse triangle conformation. A comparative analysis of the relative stability of these geometries is done through a many-body decomposition of the interaction energy. Like in Cu₃, the most symmetrical arrangement (i.e. an equilateral triangle) is found to be less stable than the obtuse triangle because it has the highest three-body repulsion energy. The absolute minimum is the obtuse triangle having a Jahn-Teller stabilization energy of 328 cm^?1. Unlike Cu₃, the linear geometry is found to be less stable than the equilateral by 1282cm^?1. Results show again the importance of three-body terms in the total interaction energy of these trimers.     

Photoluminescence of Ce, Pr and Tb activated Sr3Ln(PO4)3 under VUV-UV excitation

The spectroscopic properties in VUV-Vis range for the eulytite structural phosphors Sr₃Gd(PO₄)₃:Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺=Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Tb³⁺), Sr₃Ce(PO₄)₃, Sr₃Gd(PO₄)₃ and Sr₃Tb(PO₄)₃ were investigated. The bands near 170 nm in VUV excitation spectra are assumed to connect with the host lattices related absorption. The f-d transitions of Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the host lattices are assigned and corroborated. A convenient experiment formulation on the relationship between the lowest f-d transition energies and n value for trivalent 4fⁿ-series rare earth ions in these host lattices is applied.     

Novel powellite-based red-emitting phosphors: CaLa1−xNbMoO8:xEu for white light emitting diodes

We report the photoluminescence properties of a novel powellite-based red-emitting phosphor material: CaLa_1−xNbMoO₈:xEu³⁺ (0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1) for the first time. The photoluminescence investigations indicated that CaLa_1−xNbMoO₈:xEu³⁺ emits strong red light at 615 nm originating from ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ (electric dipole transition) under excitation either into the ⁵L₀ state with 394 nm or the ⁵D₂ state with 464 nm, that correspond to the two popular emission lines from near-UV and blue LED chips, respectively. When compared with emission intensity from a CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺, the emission from CaLaNbMoO₈:Eu³⁺ showed greater intensity values under the same excitation wavelength (394 nm). The enhanced red emission is attributed to the enhanced f-f absorption of Eu³⁺. These materials could be promising red phosphors for use in generating white light in phosphor-converted white light emitting diodes (WLEDs).     

Samarium diiodide-mediated reductive couplings of chiral nitrones with aldehydes/ketones and acyl chlorides

The SmI₂-mediated and H₂O-promoted reductive cross-coupling reactions of the l-tartaric acid derived nitrone (3S,4S)-8 with aldehydes/ketones, and the l-malic acid derived nitrone (S)-6 with aliphatic acyl chlorides have been investigated, respectively. (2R,3S,4S)-1,3,4-Trihydroxyprolinol derivatives 9a-f were obtained with high C-2/C-3 trans-selectivities, and 72:28-85:15 diastereoselectivities at the carbinol center from aromatic ketones/aldehydes, while low diastereoselectivities for aliphatic aldehydes. Conditions have been established for the syntheses of (2R,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyprolinol derivatives such as 18, by N-O bond cleavage of the corresponding N-hydroxyprolinol derivatives 9b-f, or more conveniently by a one-pot reductive coupling of nitrone 8 and in situ N-O bond cleavage of the resultant coupling product. The 2-acyl-3-benzyloxy-1-hydroxypyrrolidines 10a-f were formed in 48-82% yields, and in 74:26-78:22 diastereoselectivities. It was revealed that the amount of water required for the reaction is substrate-depending.     

Theoretical insight into the magnetic circular dichroism of uranium N6,7-edge X-ray absorption

We use ligand-field density functional theory to determine the electronic structure and to model magnetic circular dichroism in the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of uranium compounds. This study extends earlier work on tetravalent uranium ion, in which a model Hamiltonian was set up in order to study electronic structure with three nonequivalent 4f, 5f, and 6d electrons. In the earlier work, the model Hamiltonian took into consideration the interelectron repulsion, spin-orbit coupling interaction, and ligand-field splitting. Uranium N_6,7-edge XAS spectra were calculated on the basis of the 5f² → 4f¹³5f²6d¹ electron transition, showing spectral profiles that were mainly dominated by 4f electron spin-orbit coupling, as well as 6d ligand-field splitting. Fine structures were also observed due to the interelectronic repulsion between 4f-5f, 4f-6d, and 5f-6d electrons. Here, the theoretical study is extended to take into consideration the presence of an external magnetic field, incorporating into the model Hamiltonian for three-open-shell electron configuration a term for Zeeman interaction. Therefore, we are able to model spectra with a left-circularly and right-circularly polarized X-ray, demonstrating evidence of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) for a tetravalent U⁴⁺ ion in the molecular (U(η⁸-C₈H₈)₂) complex. The XMCD originates from a ground-state electronic structure with open-shell 5f electrons. Furthermore, the present calculation of uranium N_6,7-edge XAS and XMCD spectra also enables the ligand-field bonding analysis of the coordination compound.     

The enthalpies of formation of XeF6(c), XeF4(c), XeF2(c), and PF3(g)

The energies of reaction of XeF₆(c), XeF₄(c), and XeF₂(c) with PF₃(g) were measured in a bomb calorimeter. These results were combined with the enthalpy of fluorination of PF₃(g), which was redetermined to be −(151.98 ± 0.07) kcal_th mol⁻¹, to derive (at 298.15 K) ΔH_f^o(XeF₆, c, I) = −(80.82 ± 0.53) kcal_th mol⁻¹, ΔH_f^o(XeF₄, c) = −(63.84 ± 0.21) kcal_th mol⁻¹, and ΔH_f^o(XeF₂, c) = −(38.90 ± 0.21) kcal_th mol⁻¹. The enthalpies of formation of the solid xenon fluorides were combined with reported enthalpies of sublimation to derive (at 298.15 K) ΔH_f^o(XeF₆, g) = −(66.69 ± 0.61) kcal_th mol⁻¹, ΔH_f^o(XeF₄, g) = −(49.28 ± 0.22) kcal_th mol⁻¹, and ΔH_f^o(XeF₂, g) = −(25.58 ± 0.21) kcal_th mol⁻¹. The average bond dissociation enthalpies,〈D^o〉(XeF, 298.15 K), are (29.94 ± 0.16), (31.15 ± 0.13), and (31.62 ± 0.16) kcal_th mol⁻¹ in XeF₆(g), XeF₄(g), and XeF₂(g), respectively. The enthalpy of formation of PF₃(g) was determined to be −(228.8 ± 0.3) kcal_th mol⁻¹.     

Photoluminescence properties of rare earths (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+ and Tm3+) activated NaInW2O8 wolframite host lattice

The photoluminescence (PL) studies on NaIn_1?xRE_xW₂O₈, with RE=Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Tm³⁺ phases have shown that the relative contribution of the host lattice and of the intra-f–f emission of the activators to the PL varies with the nature of the rare earth cation. In the case of Dy³⁺ and Tm³⁺ activators, with yellow and blue emission, respectively, the energy transfer from host to the activator plays a major role. In contrast for Eu³⁺, with intense red emission, the host absorption is less pronounced and the intra-f–f transitions of the Eu³⁺ ions play a major role, whereas for Tb³⁺ intra-f–f transitions are only observed, giving rise to green emission.     

A re-investigation of the crystal structure and luminescence of BaCa2MgSi2O8:Eu

Barium calcium magnesium silicate (BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈), a compound whose space group was obtained via X-ray diffraction data, was re-investigated using neutron diffraction techniques. A combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method revealed that BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈ crystallizes in the trigonal space group P3? (Z=1, a=5.42708(5) Å, c=6.79455(7) Å, V=173.310(4) Å³; R_p/R_wp=5.52%/7.63%), instead of the previously believed space group P3?m1. The difference in the two structures arises from the displacement of the O2 atom. Blue emission from Ba_0.98Eu_0.02Ca₂MgSi₂O₈ under 325-nm excitation is ascribed to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transitions of Eu²⁺ ions at Ba sites and Ca sites. Site assignment of Eu²⁺ ions in the titled compound was performed by analysis of emission spectra at temperatures in the range of 4.2-300 K.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Synthesis of homologously pure bacteriochlorophyll-e and f analogues from BChls-c/d via transformation of the 7-methyl to formyl group and self-aggregation of synthetic zinc methyl bacteriopheophorbides-c/d/e/f in non-polar organic solvent

Homologously pure methyl bacteriopheophorbides-e and f (BPhes-e/f_M) were prepared from modification of naturally occurring bacteriochlorophylls-c and d (BChls-c/d), respectively, by transformation of the methyl to formyl group at the 7-position. The absolute configuration of the 1-hydroxyethyl group at the 3-position of (Zn-)BPhes-e/f_M was determined from comparison with structurally known BChl-c/d epimers. Visible spectra of synthetic (Zn-)BPhe-c/d/e/f_M showed that the 7¹-oxidation and the 8²/12¹/20-methylation affected Soret, Q_x and Q_y bands of both the monomeric (in a polar organic solvent) and oligomeric species (in a non-polar solvent).     

Tight binding prediction of the α-Gd2S3 magnetic structure

Spin-dependent extended Hückel tight binding (EHTB) calculations were carried out for the magnetic solid Gd₂S₃ by considering 20 different variations in the ordering of the 4f⁷ moments. The tight-binding calculations are used to interpolate the band structure of a nonmagnetic congener (Y₂S₃) and the 4f/5d,6s exchange interactions are introduced as perturbations via the introduction of spin-dependent H_dd and H_ss parameters. The calculations predict that Gd₂S₃ adopts an antiferromagnetic ordering of the 4f⁷ moments that is consistent with published neutron diffraction results. Our attempt to account for the calculated energies of the spin patterns using an Ising model was unsuccessful.     

Preparation and structural study from neutron diffraction data of Pr5Mo3O16

The title compound has been prepared as polycrystalline powder by thermal treatments of mixtures of Pr₆O₁₁ and MoO₂ in air. In the literature, an oxide with a composition Pr₂MoO₆ has been formerly described to present interesting catalytic properties, but its true stoichiometry and crystal structure are reported here for the first time. It is cubic, isostructural with CdTm₄Mo₃O₁₆ (space group Pn-3n, Z=8), with a=11.0897(1) Å. The structure contains MoO₄ tetrahedral units, with Mo-O distances of 1.788(2) Å, fully long-range ordered with PrO₈ polyhedra; in fact it can be considered as a superstructure of fluorite (M₈O₁₆), containing 32 MO₂ fluorite formulae per unit cell, with a lattice parameter related to that of cubic fluorite (a_f=5.5 Å) as a≈2a_f. A bond valence study indicates that Mo exhibits a mixed oxidation state between 5+ and 6+ (perhaps accounting for the excellent catalytic properties). One kind of Pr atoms is trivalent whereas the second presents a mixed Pr³⁺-Pr⁴⁺ oxidation state. The similarity of the XRD pattern with that published for Ce₂MoO₆ suggests that this compound also belongs to the same structural type, with an actual stoichiometry Ce₅Mo₃O₁₆.     

Collision rotational transfers in NaH A1Σ+ by He,Ar or H2 (and in KH A1Σ+ by H2)

The total and relative rotational transfer cross sections σ_total and σ_Ji-Jf, by collisions of NaH A¹Σ with He, Ar or H₂, are measured from υ′ = 4 and υ′ = 11, J₁′ = 6. The σ_total increase as υ′ increases. They are similar for He and H₂ but much greater for Ar especially at large υ′. In NaH A¹Σ⁺ the bond goes from covalent to ionic as υ′ increases: σ_total is very sensitive to an attractive potential due to the interaction of the permanent electric dipole moment of the molecule with the polarizability of the atom (α_Ar = 11 au, α_He = 1.37 au). The σ_Ji-Jf decrease monotonously as |J_f-J_i| increases and may be fitted by a scaling law. The variation with ΔJ depends on the colliding gas but does not change appreciably with υ′: most of the transfers could take place on the repulsive part of the interaction potential, the shape of which would not depend on υ′.