Sandwich-like compounds based on the all-metal aromatic unit Al(4)2- and the main-group metals M (M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca)

Inspired by the pioneering experimental characterisation of the all-metal aromatic unit Al(4)2- in the bimetallic molecules MAl4- (M=Li, Na, Cu) and by the very recent theoretical design of sandwich-type transition-metal complexes [Al4MAl4]q- (q=0-2; M=Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W), we used density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP/6-311+G(d) to design a series of novel non-transition-metal sandwich complexes based on the all-metal aromatic unit Al4(2-) and the main-group metals M (M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca). The traditional homo-decked sandwich compounds [Al4MAl4]q- (without counterions) and (nM)q+[Al4MAl4]q- (with counterions M) (q=2-3, M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca), although some of them are truly energy minima, have a much higher energy than many fused isomers. We thus concluded that it seems unlikely for Al4(2-) to sandwich the main-group metal atoms in the homo-decked sandwich form. Alternatively, we proposed a new type of sandwich complex, namely hetero-decked sandwich compounds [CpMAl4]q-, that are the ground-state structures for each M both with and without counterions. It was shown that with the rigid Cp- partner, the all-metal aromatic unit Al(4)2- might indeed act as a "superatom". These new types of all-metal aromatic unit-based sandwich complexes await future experimental verification.     

Theoretical study on the assembly and stabilization of a magic cluster Al4N-

We report the first attempt to assemble the magic cluster Al4N- on the basis of the density functional theory calculations on a series of pi-stacked dimers (Al4N-)2, sandwich-like compounds [D(Al4N)M]q- (where D = Al4N-, Cp-(C5H5-); M = Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca) and extended compounds (Cp-)m(Li+)n(Al4N-)o (where m, n, and o are integers). For the six metals, the magic Al4N- can only be assembled and grow up in our newly proposed "hetero-decked sandwich" scheme (e.g., [CpM(Al4N)]q-) so as to avoid cluster fusion. The ground-state hetero-decked sandwich species (Cp-)(M)q+(Al4N)- (M = Li, Na, K, q = 1; M = Be, Mg, Ca, q = 2) and the extended sandwich species (Cp-)m(Li+)n(Al4N-)o are mainly ionically bonded, cluster-assembled "polyatomic molecules", grown from the combination of Cp-, M-atoms, and Al4N-. As a prototype for ionic bonding involving intact Al4N- subunits, [CpM(Al4N)]q- may be a stepping stone toward forming ionic, cluster-assembled AlN compounds.     

Stable transition metal complexes of an all-metal antiaromatic molecule (Al4Li4): role of complexations

We propose for the first time a few examples of stable transition metal complexes of an all-metal antiaromatic molecule Al4Li4. We demonstrate that these all-metal species can be stabilized by complexation with 3d transition metals very similar to their organic counterpart, C4H4. Complexation to transition metal ions reduces the frontier orbital energies and introduces aromatic charactersitics. We consider a series of such complexes: [eta4-(Al4Li4)-Fe(CO)3, eta2,sigma2-(Al4Li4)-Ni, and (Al4Li4)2Ni] and compare and contrast their energetics with their organometallic counterparts. Fragmentation energy, orbital correlation energy analysis, and the nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) values support the complexation-induced stabilities in these systems.     

Magnetically induced current densities in Al4 (2-) and Al4 (4-) species studied at the coupled-cluster level

Magnetically induced current densities in the four-membered rings of Al4(2-) and Al4(4-) species have been calculated at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) level by applying the recently developed gauge-including magnetically induced current (GIMIC) method. The strength of the ring-current susceptibilities were obtained by numerical integration of the current densities passing through a cross section perpendicular to the Al4 ring. The GIMIC calculations support the earlier notion that Al4 (2-) with formally two pi electrons sustains a net diatropic ring current. The diatropic contribution to the ring-current susceptibility is carried by the electrons in both the sigma (16.7 nAT) and the pi (11.3 nAT) orbitals. The induced ring current in the Al4 (4-) compounds, with four pi electrons, consists of about equally strong diatropic sigma and paratropic pi currents of about 14 and -17 nAT, respectively. The net current susceptibilities obtained for Al4Li-, Al4Li2, Al4Li3(-), and Al4Li4 at the CCSD level using a triple-zeta basis set augmented with polarization functions are 28.1, 28.1, -5.9, and -3.1 nAT, respectively. The corresponding diatropic (paratropic) contributions to the ring-current susceptibilities are 32.4 (0.0), 36.7 (0.0), 18.9 (-19.9), and 18.6 (-16.8) nAT, respectively. For the Al4(2-) and Al4(4-) species, the net currents circling each Li+ cation is estimated to 4.3 and 2.4 nAT, respectively.     

New insights into the intercalation chemistry of Al(OH)3

This paper reports a number of recent developments in the intercalation chemistry of Al(OH)(3). From Rietveld refinement and solid-state NMR, it has been possible to develop a structural model for the recently reported [M(II)Al(4)(OH)(12)](NO(3))(2)·yH(2)O family of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The M(2+) cations occupy half of the octahedral holes in the Al(OH)(3) layers, and it is thought that there is complete ordering of the metal ions while the interlayer nitrate anions are highly disordered. Filling the remainder of the octahedral holes in the layers proved impossible. While the intercalation of Li salts into Al(OH)(3) is facile, it was found that the intercalation of M(II) salts is much more capricious. Only with Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn nitrates and Zn sulfate were phase-pure LDHs produced. In other cases, there is either no reaction or a phase believed to be an LDH forms concomitantly with impurity phases. Reacting Al(OH)(3) with mixtures of M(II) salts can lead to the production of three-metal M(II)-M(II)'-Al LDHs, but it is necessary to control precisely the starting ratios of the two M(II) salts in the reaction gel because Al(OH)(3) displays selective intercalation of M nitrate (Li > Ni > Co ≈ Zn). The three-metal M(II)-M(II)'-Al LDHs exhibit facile ion exchange intercalation, which has been investigated in the first energy dispersive X-ray diffraction study of a chemical reaction system performed on Beamline I12 of the Diamond Light Source.     

Design of sandwichlike complexes based on the planar tetracoordinate carbon unit CAl4(2-)

Ever being a large curiosity, a series of simple "planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC)" molecules have been recently characterized by experiments. Incorporation of such exotic ptC units into the assembled molecular materials, which will bridge the isolated clusters in molecular beams and the potential solid materials, is very challenging. In this paper, we described the first attempt on how to assemble the fewest-number ptC unit CAl42- into molecular materials in sandwich forms on the basis of the density functional theory calculations on a series of model compounds [D(CAl4)M]q- as well as the saturated compounds [D(CAl4)Mn] ((D = CAl42-, Cp-(C5H5-); M = Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca). For M = Li, Be, Mg, and Ca, the ptC unit CAl42- can only be assembled in our newly proposed "heterodecked sandwich" scheme (e.g., [Cp(CAl4)M]q- (M = Li, Na, K, q = 2; M = Be, Mg, Ca, q = 1)) so as to avoid cluster fusion. For M = Na and K, the ptC unit CAl42- can be assembled in both the traditional "homodecked sandwich" [(CAl4)2M]q- (M = Li, Na, K, q = 3; M = Be, Mg, Ca, q = 2) and the novel heterodecked sandwich schemes. Moreover, the counterions were found to have an important role in determining the type of the ground structures for the homodecked sandwich. Various assembled species in extended frameworks were designed. Notably, among all the designed sandwich species, the ptC unit CAl42- generally prefers to interact with the partner deck at the side (Al-Al bond) or corner (Al atom) site. This has not been reported in the sandwich complexes on the basis of the known decks such as Cp-, P5-, N42-, and Al42-, for which only the traditional face-face interaction type was considered. Our results for the first time showed that the ptC unit CAl42- can act as a new type of "superatom". The present results are expected to enrich the flat carbon chemistry, superatom chemistry, metallocenes, and combinational chemistry.     

Spectroscopic properties of novel aromatic metal clusters: NaM4 (M=Al,Ga,In) and their cations and anions

The ground- and several excited states of metal aromatic clusters, namely NaM(4) and NaM(4) (+/-) (M=Al,Ga,In) clusters have been investigated by employing complete active-space self-consistent-field followed by multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction computations that included up to 10 million configurations and other methods. The ground states NaM(4) (-) of aromatic anions are found to be symmetric C(4nu) ((1)A(1)) electronic states with ideal square pyramid geometries. While the ground state of NaIn(4) is also predicted to be a symmetric C(4nu) ((2)A(1)) square pyramid, the ground state of the NaAl(4) cluster is found to have a C(2nu) ((2)A(1)) pyramid with a rhombus base, and the ground state of NaGa(4) possesses a C(2nu) ((2)A(1)) pyramid with a rectangle base. In general, these structures exhibit two competing geometries, viz., an ideal C(4nu) structure and a distorted rhomboidal or rectangular pyramid structure (C(2nu)). All of the ground states of the NaM(4) (+) (M=Al,Ga,In) cations are computed to be C(2nu) ((3)A(2)) pyramids with rhombus bases. The equilibrium geometries, vibrational frequencies, dissociation energies, adiabatic ionization potentials, adiabatic electron affinities for the electronic states of NaM(4) (M=Al,Ga,In), and their ions are computed and compared with experimental results and other theoretical calculations. On the basis of our computed excited states energy separations, we have tentatively suggested assignments to the observed X and A states in the anion photoelectron spectra of Al(4)Na(-) reported by Li et al. [X. Li, A. E. Kuznetov, H. F. Zheng, A. I. Boldyrev, and L. S. Wang, Science 291, 859 (2001)]. The X state can be assigned to a C(2nu) ((2)A(1)) rhomboidal pyramid. The A state observed in the anion spectrum is assigned to the first excited state ((2)B(1)) of the neutral NaAl(4) with the C(4nu) symmetry. The assignments of the excited states are consistent with the experimental excitation energies and the previous Green's function-based methods for the vertical transition energy separations between the X and A bands.     

Cluster-assembled compounds comprising an all-metal subunit Li3Al4-

The recent, experimentally-discovered, all-metal antiaromatic Li3Al4- has attracted great interest and extensive investigations due to its unique chemical bonds and exotic properties. Although a very recent theoretical study demonstrated that the all-metal species Li3Al4- can be effectively stabilized by complexation with 3d transition metals, unfortunately such stabilization is at the expense of losing antiaromaticity (rectangular Al4) to become aromatic (square Al4). Here, we predict theoretically a series of cluster-assembled compounds [DM(Li3Al4)]q- (D=Li3Al4-, Cp-; M=Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca). The assembled species are ground states containing the all-metal antiaromatic Li3Al4- subunits. Many fusion isomers are energetically lower than the homo-decked cluster-assembled compounds, thus, the homo-decked assembly species [M(Li3Al4)2]q- are less likely due to their thermodynamic instability. In addition, the well-retained all-metal antiaromaticity is mainly ascribed to the ionic electrostatic interactions and the protections of rigid organic aromatic Cp-deck avoiding the fusion of Li3Al4-. Our results represent the first example that the all-metal antiaromaticity is well retained in assembled compounds as that in the free Li3Al4- cluster. Sufficiently large interaction energies make the realization of all-metal antiaromatic Li3Al4--incorporated compounds very promising.     

The reaction of Li[Al(OR)4] R = OC(CF3)2Ph, OC(CF3)3 with NO/NO2 giving NO[Al(OR)4], Li[NO3] and N2O. The synthesis of NO[Al(OR)4] from Li[Al(OR)4] and NO[SbF6] in sulfur dioxide solution

NO[Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)] 1 and NO[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] 2 were obtained by the metathesis reaction of NO[SbF(6)] and the corresponding Li[Al(OR)(4)] salts in liquid sulfur dioxide solution in ca 40% (1) and 85% (2) isolated yield. 1 and 2, as well as Li[NO(3)] and N(2)O, were also given by the reaction of an excess of mixture of (90 mol%) NO, (10 mol%) NO(2) with Li[Al(OR)(4)] followed by extraction with SO(2). The unfavourable disproportionation reaction of 2NO(2)(g) to [NO](+)(g) and [NO(3)](-)(g)[DeltaH degrees = +616.2 kJ mol(-1)] is more than compensated by the disproportionation energy of 3NO(g) to N(2)O(g) and NO(2)(g)[DeltaH degrees =-155.4 kJ mol(-1)] and the lattice energy of Li[NO(3)](s)[U(POT)= 862 kJ mol(-1)]. Evidence is presented that the reaction proceeds via a complex of [Li](+) with NO, NO(2)(or their dimers) and N(2)O. NO(2) and Li[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] gave [NO(3)(NO)(3)][Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)](2), NO[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] and (NO(2))[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] products. The aluminium complex [Li[AlF(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)]](2) 3 was prepared by the thermal decomposition of Li[Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)]. Compounds 1 and 3 were characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analyses, 1-3 by elemental analyses, NMR, IR, Raman and mass spectra. Solid 1 contains [Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)](-) and [NO](+) weakly linked via donor acceptor interactions, while in the SO(2) solution there is an equilibrium between the associated [NO](+)[Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)](-) and separated solvated ions. Solid 2 contains essentially ionic [NO](+) and [Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)](-). Complex 3 consists of two [Li[AlF(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)]] units linked via fluorine lithium contacts. Compound 1 is unstable in the SO(2) solution and decomposes to yield [AlF(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)](-), [(PhC(CF(3))(2)O)(3)Al(mu-F)Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)](-) anions as well as (NO)C(6)H(4)C(CF(3))(2)OH, while compound 2 is stable in liquid SO(2). The [small nu](NO(+)) in 1 and [NO](+)(toluene)[SbCl(6)] are similar, implying similar basicities of [Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)](-) and toluene.     

Stern-Gerlach experiments of one-dimensional metal-benzene sandwich clusters: Mn(C6H6)m (M = Al, Sc, Ti, and V)

A molecular beam of multilayer metal-benzene organometallic clusters Mn(C6H6)m (M = Al, Sc, Ti, and V) was produced by a laser vaporization synthesis method, and their magnetic deflections were measured. Multidecker sandwich clusters of transition-metal atoms and benzene Scn(C6H6)n+1 (n = 1, 2) and Vn(C6H6)n+1 (n = 1-4) possess magnetic moments that increase monotonously with n. The magnetic moments of Al(C6H6), Scn(C6H6)n+1, and Vn(C6H6)n+1 are smaller than that of their spin-only values as a result of intracluster spin relaxation, an effect that depends on the orbital angular momenta and bonding characters of the orbitals containing electron spin. While Ti(C6H6)2 was found to be nonmagnetic, Tin(C6H6)n+1 (n = 2, 3) possess nonzero magnetic moments. The mechanism of ferromagnetic spin ordering in M2(C6H6)3 (M = Sc, Ti, V) is discussed qualitatively in terms of molecular orbital analysis. These sandwich species represent a new class of one-dimensional molecular magnets in which the transition-metal atoms are formally zerovalent.     

Al(6)(2-) - fusion of two aromatic Al(3)(-) units. A combined photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio study of M(+)[Al(6)(2-)] (M = Li,Na, K,Cu, and Au)

Photoelectron spectroscopy is combined with ab initio calculations to elucidate the structure and chemical bonding of a series of MAl(6)(-) (M = Li, Na, K, Cu, and Au) bimetallic clusters. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra were obtained for MAl(6)(-) (M = Li, Na, Cu, and Au) at several photon energies. The ab initio calculations showed that all of the MAl(6)(-) clusters can be viewed as an M(+) cation interacting with an Al(6)(2-) dianion. Al(6)(2-) was found to possess an O(h) ground-state structure, and all of the MAl(6)(-) clusters possess a C(3v) ground-state structure derived from the O(h) Al(6)(2-). Careful comparison between the photoelectron spectral features and the ab initio one-electron detachment energies allows us to establish firmly the C(3v)ground-state structures for the MAl(6)(-) clusters. A detailed molecular orbital (MO) analysis is conducted for Al(6)(2-) and compared with Al(3)(-). It was shown that Al(6)(2-) can be considered as the fusion of two Al(3)(-) units. We further found that the preferred occupation of those MOs derived from the sums of the empty 2e' MOs of Al(3)(-), rather than those derived from the differences between the occupied 2a(1)' and 2a(2)' ' MOs of Al(3)(-), provides the key bonding interactions for the fusion of the two Al(3)(-) into Al(6)(2-). Because there are only four bonding MOs (one pi and three sigma MOs), an analysis of resonance structures was performed for the O(h)Al(6)(2-). It is shown that every face of the Al(6)(2-) octahedron still possesses both pi- and sigma-aromaticity, analogous to Al(3)(-), and that in fact Al(6)(2-) can be viewed to possess three-dimensional pi- and sigma-aromaticity with a large resonance stabilization.     

Modular chemistry with aluminum phosphanides: cluster formation of (AlP)n (n=3,6,7), Al4P3, and Al4Li4P6 frameworks

The Al3P3 heterocycle 1 is formed in 94% yield by the reaction of the primary silylphosphane 6a with Me3Al in toluene at 70 degrees C. While 1 crystallizes in an isomerically pure form, in which the six-membered Al3P3 ring prefers the chair conformation and the P-H hydrogen atoms adopt exo positions, it isomerizes in solution to give different diastereomers as shown by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Intermolecular cyclocondensation of 1 at 110 degrees C in toluene leads, under liberation of methane, to the distorted hexameric-prismatic (AlP)6 cluster 2 in 98% yield. The capability of 1 to function as a building block was further used for the synthesis of the solvent-separated ion pair [Li(thf)2]+ [(Me2Al)4(PR)3]- (3) which was prepared by a one-pot reaction of 1 with nBuLi and Me2AlCl in 15% yield. The structure of 3 was established by an X-ray diffraction analysis. Double deprotonation at phosphorus in 1 with RPLi2 (R = iPr3Si) (molar ratio 1:2), and subsequent transformation of the reaction mixture with Me3Al afforded the novel donor-solvent-free cluster 4 in 62% yield. The latter consists of a rhombododecahedral Al4Li4P6 framework, in which the Li centers are three-coordinate. The reaction of the silylphosphane 6b with the trimethylamine adduct of alane furnishes not only the hexamer (RPAIH)6 (R = (iPrMe2C)-Me2Si) but also the corresponding heptamer 5, which has a nonregular polyhedral (AIP)7 framework and represents the first cluster of this type.     

Structural phase transition of magnetic [Ni(dmit)2]- salts induced by supramolecular cation structures of (M+)([12]crown-4)2

Sandwich-type supramolecular cation structures of (M(+))([12]crown-4)(2) complexes (M(+) = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), and Rb(+)) were introduced as countercations to the [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anion, which bears an S = (1)/(2) spin, to form novel magnetic crystals (dmit(2-) = 2-thione-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate). The zigzag arrangement of Li(+)([12]crown-4)(2) cations in Li(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) salt induced weak intermolecular interactions of [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) dimers, whose magnetic spins were isolated from each other. The molecular arrangements of cations and anions in M(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) salts (M(+) = Na(+), K(+), and Rb(+)) were isostructural to each other. In the case of Na(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-), the space group C2/m changed to C2/c with a lowering in temperature from 298 to 100 K. This structural change occurred at 222.5 K as a first-order phase transition. The space group C2/m (T = 298 K) in the salt K(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) also changed to C2/c (T = 100 K), which transition occurred at 270 K. Crystal structural analyses at 298 and 100 K revealed changes in both supramolecular cation conformation and [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anion arrangements. The transition from C2/m to C2/c crystals generated a dipole moment in the Na(+)([12]crown-4)(2) and K(+)([12]crown-4)(2) structures, which were reconstructed to cancel the net dipole moment of the C2/c crystals. These cation transformations led to changes in intermolecular interactions between the [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anions via structural rearrangements. The crystal structure of C2/c was stabilized in Rb(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) at 298 K. The [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) configuration in these salts with the C2/c space group was a one-dimensional uniform chain, which showed the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility of a one-dimensional linear Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain.     

铝和硅元素掺杂对LaNi5电子结构影响的研究

采用第一原理离散变分法（DVM）研究了常用元素Al和Si掺杂对稀土系贮氢合金LaNi5电子结构的影响，在计算结果的基础上进一步探讨了微观结构对合金宏观性能的影响。分析结果表明：进入八面体间隙的H原子主要与LaNi5合金中非氢化物形成元素M和Ni发生较强的相互作用．而H原子与合金中的氢化物形成元素La的相互作用很弱。同时Al和Si两种掺杂元素对LaNi5合金性能的影响基本相似。     

Synthesis and structures of selected benzamidinates of Li, Na, Al, Zr and Sn(II) using the C1-symmetric ligands [N(SiMe3)C(C6H4Me-4 or Ph)NPh]-

Several compounds based on the C(1)-symmetric ligands [N(R)C(Ar)NPh]- [abbreviated as B1 (Ar = C(6)H(4)Me-4) or B2 (Ar = Ph), R = SiMe(3)] are reported. They are the crystalline metal benzamidinates [Li(mu:kappa2-B1)(OEt2)](2) (1), [Al(kappa2-B1)2Me] (2), [Al(kappa2-B1)2X] [X = Cl/Me, 1 : 1 (3)], [Sn(kappa2-B1)2] (4), Zr(kappa2-B1)2Cl2 (5), [Zr(kappa2-B1)3Cl] (6), [Na(mu:kappa2-B1)(tmeda)]2 (7), K[B1] (8), Li(B2)(OEt2) (9) and Zr(kappa2-B1)3Cl (10) and the known benzamidine Z-H2NC(C6H4Me-4) = NPh (11). They were prepared by (i) insertion of the nitrile 4-MeC6H4CN (1, 7, 8, 11) or PhCN (9) into the appropriate M-N(R')Ph [R' = R and M = Li (1, 9), Na (7), K (8)] bond and subsequent hydrolysis for 11 [R' = H and M = Li], or (ii) a ligand transfer reaction using the lithium amidinate 1 and Al(Me)2Cl (2, 3), SnCl2 (4) or ZrCl4 (5, 6), or Li(B2) and ZrCl4 (10). The X-ray structures of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6b (i.e..3PhMe) 7, and 11 are presented. Exploratory polymerisation experiments are described, using 2, 5 or 6 as a procatalyst with methylaluminoxane (MAO) (Al : Zr ca. 500 : 1) as promoter. Thus toluene solutions were exposed to C2H4 under ambient conditions; while 2 was unresponsive, 5 and 6 showed modest activity in the formation of polyethylene.     

Structural chemistry of (PPh4)2M(WS4)2 materials

In this paper we discuss the structural chemistry of (PPh(4))(2)M(WS(4))(2) (M = Co, Ni, Zn) materials. For M = Ni we and others have been unable to grow single crystals and we report the structure determination from powder diffraction. The material is triclinic (P1, a = 9.3730(2), b = 12.4951(3), c = 12.5189(3) A, alpha = 65.814(1), beta = 83.751(1), gamma = 69.571(1) degrees at T = 293 K). It contains square-planar coordination around Ni. For M = Zn we have isolated two polymorphs. We describe new analysis of the complex superstructure and diffuse scattering observed in the tetragonal polymorph (I4, a = 18.723(4), c = 13.563(4) A at T = 120 K) and the bulk preparation of a monoclinic (P2(1)/c, a = 18.6397(4), b = 15.3693(5), c = 18.9822(5) A, beta = 109.239(2) degrees at T = 293 K) polymorph isostructural with the M = Co material.     

M4 @Si28 (M=Al,Ga): metal-encapsulated tetrahedral silicon fullerene

It is known that silicon fullerenes cannot maintain perfect cage structures like carbon fullerenes. Previous density-functional theory calculations have shown that even with encapsulated species, nearly all endohedral silicon fullerenes exhibit highly puckered cage structures in comparison with their carbon counterparts. In this work, we present theoretical evidences that the tetrahedral fullerene cage Si(28) can be fully stabilized by encapsulating a tetrahedral metallic cluster (Al(4) or Ga(4)). To our knowledge, this is the first predicted endohedral silicon fullerene that can retain perfectly the same cage structure (without puckering) as the carbon fullerene counterpart (T(d)-C(28) fullerene). Density-functional theory calculations also suggest that the two endohedral metallosilicon fullerenes T(d)-M(4)@Si(28) (M=Al and Ga) can be chemically stable because both clusters have a large highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap ( approximately 0.9 eV), strong spherical aromaticity (nucleus-independent chemical shift value of -36 and -44), and large binding and embedding energies.     

Relationship between the electrochemical behavior and Li arrangement in Li(x)M(y)Mn(2-y)O4 (M = Co, Cr) with spinel structure

The relationship between the electrochemical behavior and the arrangement of lithium/vacancies has been investigated with electrochemical Li removal in Li(x)M(y)Mn(2-y)O4 (x < or = 1.0, 0.0 < or = y < or = 0.3, M = Co, Cr). It was shown that the electrochemical removal proceeds via two voltage regions: (1) approximately 3.9 V at x > or = approximately 0.5 and (2) approximately 4.2 V at x < or = approximately 0.5. To understand the stepwise behavior, entropy measurement of reaction, DeltaS(obs), was performed by using the electrochemical methods. The changes of the sign in deltaS(obs) from negative to positive at the composition x approximately 0.50 in Li(x)M(y)Mn(2-y)O4 indicated that the ordered arrangement of Li/vacancies was formed with electrochemical Li removal. Moreover, such an ordering was suppressed by the substitution of Co3+ and Cr3+ for Mn3+. To clarify the nature and origin of Li/vacancy ordering, the Monte Carlo simulation was performed in view of Coulombic interaction. The simulation reproduced the formation of a new phase arising from Li/vacancy ordering at x = 0.50 in Li(x)Mn2O4. In addition, the ordered arrangement of Li/vacancy at x = 0.5 was perturbed by the trivalent M3+ replacement in spinel structure due to the local clustering of Li+ around M3+. Consequently, the electrochemical behavior in spinel LiMn2O4 was deeply related to the Coulombic interactions, proved by the fact that experimentally observed changes in entropy agreed well with Monte Carlo simulation based on the Coulombic interaction.     

Structural and thermochemical chemisorption of CO2 on Li(4+x)(Si(1-x)Al(x))O4 and Li(4-x)(Si(1-x)V(x))O4 solid solutions

Different Li(4)SiO(4) solid solutions containing aluminum (Li(4+x)(Si(1-x)Al(x))O(4)) or vanadium (Li(4-x)(Si(1-x)V(x))O(4)) were prepared by solid state reactions. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance. Then, samples were tested as CO(2) captors. Characterization results show that both, aluminum and vanadium ions, occupy silicon sites into the Li(4)SiO(4) lattice. Thus, the dissolution of aluminum is compensated by Li(1+) interstitials, while the dissolution of vanadium leads to lithium vacancies formation. Finally, the CO(2) capture evaluation shows that the aluminum presence into the Li(4)SiO(4) structure highly improves the CO(2) chemisorption, and on the contrary, vanadium addition inhibits it. The differences observed between the CO(2) chemisorption processes are mainly correlated to the different lithium secondary phases produced in each case and their corresponding diffusion properties.     

Bimetallic isopropoxides M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3) (M = Pr, Nd)--catalyzed reduction of 2-octanone and benzophenone

Bimetallic alkoxides of praseodymium and neodymium with aluminum, viz., M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3), where M = Pr(III)/Nd(III), have been used as catalysts in Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of 2-octanone and benzophenone in isopropanol to give their corresponding secondary alcohols. The reduction of ketones is investigated by following the absorption spectra involving 4f-4f transitions. During the MPV reduction the oscillator strengths (P) and the Judd-Ofelt intensity (T(lambda), lambda = 2,4,6) parameters corresponding to each 4f-4f band (H43-->D21, H43-->P03, H43-->P13, and H43-->P23 in praseodymium, and I9/24-->F3/24, I9/24-->F5/24, I9/24-->F7/24, I9/24-->G5/24, and I9/24-->G7/24 in neodymium alkoxides) at different time intervals have also been calculated and used in the determination of rates. Rates were calculated in terms of complexation of ketone and isopropanol with M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3) during the MPV reaction, from the changes in both absorbance and oscillator strength with time, and were found to be comparable, verifying the Judd-Ofelt theory. The stronger oxyphilicity of Pr(III) and Nd(III) in M[Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(4)](3) than of their analogue Al(III) in Al(OC(3)H(i)(7))(3) made the bimetallic alkoxides better catalyst in MPV reduction of ketones.