Cation‐Controlled Assembly of Polyoxotungstate‐Based Coordination Networks

The Preyssler polyoxoanion, [NaP₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]^14? ({P₅W₃₀}), is used as a platform for evaluating the role of nonbridging cations in the formation of transition‐metal‐bridged polyoxometalate (POM) coordination frameworks. Specifically, the assembly architecture of Co²⁺‐bridged frameworks is shown to be dependent on the identity and amount of alkali or alkaline‐earth cations present during crystallization. The inclusion of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺ in the framework synthesis is used to selectively synthesize five different Co²⁺‐bridged {P₅W₃₀} structures. The influence of the competition between K⁺ and Co²⁺ for binding to {P₅W₃₀} in dictating framework assembly is evaluated. The role of ion pairing on framework assembly structure and available void volume is discussed. Overall, these results provide insight into factors governing the ability to achieve controlled assembly of POM‐based coordination networks.     

Three Cobalt(II)‐Linked {P8W48} Network Assemblies: Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetic and Photocatalysis Properties

Three cobalt(II)‐containing tungstophosphate compounds, Na₈Li₈Co₅[Co_5.5(H₂O)₁₉P₈W_48.5O₁₈₄] ? 60 H₂O ( 1 ), K₂Na₄Li₁₁Co₅[Co₇(H₂O)₂₈P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄]Cl ? 59 H₂O ( 2 ), and K₂Na₄LiCo₁₁[Co₈(H₂O)₃₂P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄](CH₃COO)₄Cl ? 47 H₂O ( 3 ), have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analyses, and magnetic measurements. The pH value impacts the formation of distinct cobalt‐linked frameworks. The cyclic cavity of the polyanion accommodates 5.5, 7, and 8 cobalt ions in 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively. In compounds 1 and 2 , each {Co_5.5P₈W₄₈} and {Co₇P₈W₄₈} fragment links to four others through multiple {Co‐O‐W} coordination bonds to generate a two‐dimensional network. Compound 3 can be considered as a 3D network based on the {Co‐O‐W} coordination bonds and the {Co₃(CH₃COO)₂(H₂O)₁₀} linkers between the {P₈W₄₈} fragments. Interestingly, acetate ligands have been employed to form the {Co₃(CH₃COO)₂(H₂O)₁₀} unit, thereby inducing the construction of a 12‐connected framework. To the best of our knowledge, compound 3 contains the largest‐ever number of cobalt ions in a {P₈W₄₈}‐based polyoxometalate when counterions are taken into account and the {P₈W₄₈} unit shows the highest number of connections thanks to the carboxyl bridges. The UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectra of these powder samples indicate that the corresponding well‐defined optical absorption associated with E_g can be assessed at 2.58, 2.48, and 2.73 eV and reveal the presence of an optical band gap. The photocatalytic H₂ evolution activities of these {P₈W₄₈}‐based compounds are evaluated.     

Cation Effect on Formation of Preyssler‐type 30‐Tungsto‐5‐phosphate: Enhanced Yield of Na‐encapsulated Derivative and Direct Synthesis of Ca‐ and Bi‐Encapsulated Derivatives

The effect of cations in a reaction mixture for the preparation of the Preyssler‐Jeannin‐Pope type 30‐tungsto‐5‐phosphate [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na]^14– is investigated. Reaction of phosphate and tungstate with a P/W ratio of ca. 3.9 in an acidic aqueous solution without cations selectively leads to the Dawson‐type 18‐tungsto‐2‐phosphate, [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]^6–. Amongst all the alkali cations, only Na⁺ allows formation of the Preyssler‐type polyanion [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na]^14–, with an encapsulated Na⁺ ion, and the product yield can be improved by increasing Na⁺ amount. The presence of Li⁺ ions instead results in the Dawson‐type polyanion [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]^6–, whereas K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ selectively result in the Keggin‐type polyanion [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3–. An improved synthetic procedure for the Na⁺‐encapsulated Preyssler‐ion leading to a higher isolated yield is presented. Furthermore, addition of Ca²⁺ and Bi³⁺ compounds allows formation of the Ca²⁺‐ and Bi³⁺‐encapsulated Preyssler‐type polyanions, [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Ca]^13– and [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Bi]^12–, respectively. Furthermore, single‐crystal XRD structure of the Bi³⁺‐encapsulated Preyssler‐type polyanions, [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Bi]^12–, is presented for the first time.     

Controlling the Reactivity of the [P8W48O184]40− Inorganic Ring and Its Assembly into POMZite Inorganic Frameworks with Silver Ions

The construction of pure‐inorganic framework materials with well‐defined design rules and building blocks is challenging. In this work, we show how a polyoxometalate cluster with an integrated pore, based on [P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄]^40? (abbreviated as {P₈W₄₈}), can be self‐assembled into inorganic frameworks using silver ions, which both enable reactions on the cluster as well as link them together. The {P₈W₄₈} was found to be highly reactive with silver ions resulting in the in situ generation of fragments, forming {P₉W₆₃O₂₃₅} and {P₁₀W₆₆O₂₅₁} in compound ( 1 ) where these two clusters co‐crystallize and are connected into a POMZite framework with 11 Ag⁺ ions as linkers located inside clusters and 10 Ag⁺ linking ions situated between clusters. Decreasing both the concentration of Ag⁺ ions, and the reaction temperature compared to the synthesis of compound ( 1 ), leads to {P₈W₅₁O₁₉₆} in compound 2 where the {P₈W₄₈} clusters are linked to form a new POMZite framework with 9 Ag⁺ ions per formula unit. Further tuning of the reaction conditions yields a cubic porous network compound ( 3 ) where {P₈W₄₈} clusters as cubic sides are joined by 4 Ag⁺ ions to give a cubic array and no Ag⁺ ions were found inside the clusters.     

Effects of Ions on the OH Stretching Band of Water as Revealed by ATR-IR Spectroscopy

The effects of various cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺) and anions (Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, \( {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } \) , \( {\text{ClO}}_{4}^{ - } \) , \( {\text{HCO}}_{3}^{ - } \) , and \( {\text{CO}}_{3}^{2 - } \) ) on the molar absorptivity of water in the OH stretching band region (2,600–3,800 cm^?1) were ascertained from attenuated total reflection infrared spectra of aqueous electrolyte solutions (22 in all). The OH stretching band mainly changes linearly with ion concentrations up to 2 mol·L^?1, but several specific combinations of cations and anions (Cs₂SO₄, Li₂SO₄, and MgSO₄) present different trends. That deviation is attributed to ion pair formation and cooperativity in ion hydration, which indicates that the extent of the ion–water interaction reflected by the OH stretching band of water is beyond the first solvation shell of water molecules directly surrounding the ion. The obtained dataset was then correlated with several quantitative parameters representing structural and dynamic properties of water molecules around ions: ΔG _HB, the structural entropy (S _str), the viscosity B-coefficient (B _η ), and the ionic B-coefficient of NMR relaxation (B _NMR). Results show that modification of the OH stretching band of water caused by ions has quasi-linear relations with all of these parameters. Vibrational spectroscopy can be a useful means for evaluating ion–water interaction in aqueous solutions.     

Two Organic–Inorganic Hybrid 3D {P5W30}‐Based Heteropolyoxotungstates with Transition‐Metal/Ln–Carboxylate–Ln Connectors

Two unique organic–inorganic hybrid polyoxometalates constructed from Preyssler‐type [Na(H₂O)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]^14? ({P₅W₃₀}) subunits and TM/Ln–carboxylate–Ln connectors (TM=transition metal, Ln=lanthanide), KNa₇[{Sm₆Mn(μ‐H₂O)₂(OCH₂COO)₇(H₂O)₁₈}{Na(H₂O)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀}] ? 22 H₂O ( 1 ) and K₄[{Sm₄Cu₂(gly)₂(ox)(H₂O)₂₄}{NaP₅W₃₀O₁₁₀}]Cl₂ ? 25 H₂O ( 2 ; gly=glycine, ox=oxalate) have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, UV/Vis‐NIR spectra, thermogravimetric analyses, power X‐ray diffraction, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 displays one interesting 3D framework built by three types of subunits, {P₅W₃₀}, [Sm₂Mn(μ‐H₂O)₂(OCH₂COO)₂(H₂O)₅]⁴⁺, and [Sm₄(OCH₂COO)₅ (H₂O)₁₃]²⁺, whereas 2 also manifests the other intriguing 3D architecture created by three types of subunits, {P₅W₃₀}, [SmCu(gly)(H₂O)₈]⁴⁺, and [Sm₂(ox)(H₂O)₈]⁴⁺. To our knowledge, 1 and 2 are the first 3D frameworks that contain {P₅W₃₀} units and TM/Ln–carboxylate–Ln connectors. The fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated.     

Nickel and Cobalt Complexes of Non-protein L-Norvaline and Antioxidant Ferulic Acid: Potentiometric and Spectrophotometric Studies

Binary and mixed-ligand complexes of Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ involving L-norvaline (Nva) and ferulic acid (FA) have been investigated in aqueous solutions by pH potentiometry and UV?Cvisible spectrophotometric techniques, at 298.15 K and fixed ionic strength (0.15?mol?dm^?3, NaNO₃). The overall stability constants of the Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes with the ligands studied were obtained by the HYPERQUAD2008 program from the pH-potentiometric data. As a result of the numerical treatment, a model composed of seven species NiNva⁺, NiNva₂, NiNvaH_?1, $\mathrm{NiNva}_{ - 2}^{ -}$ , NiFA, $\mathrm{NiFAH}_{ - 1}^{ -}$ and NiNvaFA^? was obtained for the Ni²⁺+Nva+FA system, whereas for the Co²⁺+Nva+FA system the complexes CoNva⁺, CoNva₂, CoNvaH_?1, $\mathrm{CoNvaH}_{ - 2}^{ -}$ , CoFA, $\mathrm{CoFAH}_{ - 1}^{ -}$ , and CoNvaFA^? were obtained. The complex species distributions in certain pH ranges were calculated by the HySS2009 simulation program. Spectroscopic UV?Cvisible measurements were carried out to give qualitative information about the complexes formed in these solutions.     

A New 2D Fluorescent Polyoxometalate Built up of Circular {P5W30} Clusters and Tb3+ Cations

A new all inorganic polyoxometalate (POM), which is composed of the [Na(H₂O)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]^14– ({P₅W₃₀}) clusters and Tb³⁺ cations, Na₂[Tb₄(H₂O)₂₈{Na(H₂O)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀}] · 16H₂O ( 1 ), was obtained by using hydrothermal method. Its structure was further characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG, and PXRD. Compound 1 displays a 2D layered structure formed by {P₅W₃₀} clusters and [Tb(H₂O)₇]³⁺ linkers. It noteworthy that, eight coordinated sites provided by {P₅W₃₀} was very rare. Furthermore, the luminescent property of compound 1 was reported.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of nano-sized cryptomelane particles for the formation of potentiometric potassium ion sensors

The potentiometric response of 100-nm spherical K_1.3Mn₈O₁₆ particles versus K⁺ ions has been studied in aqueous media using a polymeric technology. The stoichiometry of this material evolves in potassium nitrate solution towards K_1.08Mn₈O₁₆. A stable and reversible response has been obtained with a sensitivity of 47 mV dec^?1 in the range from 8?×?10^?5 to 1 mol·L^?1, and a rather good selectivity towards Li⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ $\left( {{\text{log K}}_{{{{\text{K}}^{\text{ + }} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{K}}^{\text{ + }} } {{\text{X}}^{n + } }}} \right. \kern-0em} {{\text{X}}^{n + } }}} \approx - {\text{3}}} \right)$ . We assume that this potentiometric response is the result of the ability of K_1.08Mn₈O₁₆ to specifically adsorb K⁺ ions.     

Solid-State Ion Migration in the Preyssler-Type Phosphotungstate for the Preparation of the Dipotassium Cation-Encapsulated Derivative

The heat-driven solid-state transformations of K salts of the Na-encapsulated Preyssler-type phosphotungstates, K₁₄[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(side)(H₂O)] and K₁₄[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(center)], are reported herein. K₁₄[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(side)(H₂O)] contains one Na⁺ in one of the side cavities and a coordinating H₂O molecule while K₁₄[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(center)] contains one Na⁺ in the central cavity. The heating of K₁₄[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(side)(H₂O)] produces [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(center)]^14–, [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(center)]^14–, and [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(side)₂]^13–. [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(center)]^14– and [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(side)₂]^13– contain mono-K⁺ in the central cavity and di-K⁺ in both side cavities, respectively. The heating of potassium salt of [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(center)]^14– produces [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(center)]^14– and [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(side)₂]^13–. These results indicate that heating, at 200–500 °C, causes the migrations of Na⁺ and K⁺, without the collapse of the molecule. K₁₄[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na(side)(H₂O)] was successfully converted to K₁₂Na[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀K(side)₂] by repeated solid-state heating, which was periodically interrupted by dissolution, in H₂O, and drying.     

Solvent extraction of calcium and strontium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of polypropylene glycol PPG 425

From extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the exchange extraction constants corresponding to the general equilibrium M⁺(aq) + Cs⁺(org) ⟺ M⁺(org) + Cs⁺(aq) taking place in the two-phase water–phenyltrifluoromethyl sulfone (abbrev. FS 13) system (M⁺ = Li⁺, H₃O⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ \hbox{NH}_{4}{}^{+} , Ag⁺, Tl⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺; aq = aqueous phase, org = FS 13 phase) were evaluated. Furthermore, the individual extraction constants of the M⁺ cations in the mentioned two-phase system were calculated; they were found to increase in the series of Li⁺ < H₃O⁺ < Na⁺< NH₄ ⁺ \hbox{NH}_{4}{}^{ + } < Ag⁺ < Tl⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ < Cs⁺.     

Thermodynamic behavior of complexation process between benzo-15-crown-5 with Li+, Na+, K+, and NH4 + cations in acetonitrile–methanol binary media

The stability constants of 1:1 (M:L) complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ cations, the Gibbs standard free energies ( $ \Updelta {\text{G}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } $ ), the standard enthalpy changes ( $ \Updelta {\text{H}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } $ ) and standard entropy changes ( $ \Updelta {\text{S}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } $ ) for formation of these complexes in acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH) binary mixtures have been determined conductometrically. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of the complexes formed between the macrocyclic ligand and the studied cations is 1:1 (M:L). In most cases, addition of B15C5 to solutions of these cations, causes a continuous increase in the molar conductivities which indicates that the mobility of complexed cations is more than the uncomplexed ones. The stability constants of the complexes were obtained from fitting of molar conductivity curves using a computer program, GENPLOT. The results show that the selectivity order of B15C5 for the metal cations changes with the nature and composition of the binary mixed solvent. The values of standard enthalpy changes ( $ \Updelta {\text{H}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } $ ) for complexation reactions were obtained from the slope of the van’t Hoff plots and the changes in standard entropy ( $ \Updelta {\text{S}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } $ ) were calculated from the relationship $ \Updelta {\text{G}}_{{{\text{c}},298.15}}^{ \circ } = \Updelta {\text{H}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } - 298.15\Updelta {\text{S}}_{\text{c}}^{ \circ } $ . A non-linear behavior was observed between the stability constants (log K_f) of the complexes and the composition of the acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH) binary solution. The results obtained in this study, show that in most cases, the complexes formed between B15C5 and Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ cations are both enthalpy and entropy stabilized and the values of these thermodynamic quantities change with the composition of the binary solution.     

The structures of europium(III)- and uranium(IV) derivatives of [P5w3oo110]15-: Evidence for “cryptohydration”

The crystal structures of (Nh₄)_11.5K_0.5[ Eu(OH₂)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀] ·24 H₂O, K₅H₅ [Eu(OH₂)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀] ·31 H₂O, and (NH₄)₁₁[U(OH₂)P₅Wn₃₀O₁₁₀ ·12 H₂O have been determined. In each case, the anion has the overall virtual C_5v symmetry previously observed for the sodium derivative, [NaP₅W_{30 110}]14- The encrypted Eu³⁺ and U⁴⁺cations lie on the C₅ axis, but are displaced further than the Na⁺ from the equatorial plane defined by the five phosphorus atoms. Only minor differences are observed between the structures of the two salts of the europium derivative, although solutions of these display³¹P NMR spectra with chemical shifts differing by 10 ppm, provisionally attributed to the effects of protonation of the anion, The most significant feature of the three new structures is the presence of a water molecule within the central cavity and coor-dinated to the Eu³⁺ or U⁴⁺ cation.The coordination spheres of the central cations can therefore be described as monocapped pentagonal antiprisms.     

A combined experimental and density functional theory study on the complexation ability of 15-crown-5 with Li+, Na+, K+, and NH4 + cations

The complexation processes among Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and NH₄ ⁺ cations with the macrocyclic ligand, 15-crown-5 (15C5) have been studied in acetonitrile–methanol binary mixtures at different temperatures using conductometric method. The stability constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were calculated from the computer fitting of the molar conductance–mole ratio data at various temperatures. The values of thermodynamic parameters ( $ \Updelta H_{\text{c}}^{^\circ } $ and $ \Updelta S_{\text{c}}^{^\circ } $ ) for the formation of the complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constants of complexes using van’t Hoff plots. In addition, a theoretical study has been carried out using density functional theory to obtain the stability of the complexes and the geometrical structure of the 15C5 and its complexes with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ cations in the gas phase. We compared the experimental data with those obtained by quantum chemistry calculations to investigate the effect of the solvent on complexation process.     

Magnetic Coupling between Metal Spins through the 7,7,8,8‐Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) Dianion

A family of magnetic metal–organic frameworks, (Ph₃PMe)₂[M₂(TCNQ)₃] {M=Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺} have been prepared and structurally characterized. The honeycomb‐like “layers” consist of M^II ions doubly bridged with dinitrilomethane moieties of two 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) dianions which are further connected through phenyl rings to form a 3D dianionic framework [M₂TCNQ₃]^2? with Ph₃PMe⁺ cations filling cavities that run along the c axis. Studies of the magnetic coupling through the TCNQ dianion in these structures revealed that it can promote long‐range magnetic ordering despite the long coupling pathway.     

Serial separation of cations and anions by ion chromatography using the peak parking technique and sulfosalicylic acid as the eluent

An improvement of the peak parking technique is described for the serial determination of cations (Na⁺, , K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, , and ) using a single pump, a single eluent and a single detector. The present system used commercially-available unmodified cation exchange and anion exchange columns, which were attached to each switching valve. When 1.75 mM 5-sulfosalicylic acid was used as the eluent, serial separation of the above cations and anions was achieved in less than 20 min. The proposed ion chromatographic method was successfully applied to the serial determination of cations and anions in tap water and river water samples. The limits of detection at S/N=3 for an injection of 20 μl were 16–68 ppb (μg/l) for cations and 15–28 ppb for anions.     

Solvent Extraction of Calcium and Strontium into Nitrobenzene by Using Hydrogen Dicarbollylcobaltate in the Presence of Dibutyl Diethylcarbamoylmethylene Phosphonate

Extraction of micro amounts of calcium and strontium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B⁻) in the presence of dibutyl diethylcarbamoylmethylene phosphonate (DBDECMP, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, HL₂⁺\mathrm{HL}_{2}^{+}, ML₂²⁺\mathrm{ML}_{2}^{2+} and ML₃²⁺\mathrm{ML}_{3}^{2+} (M²⁺=Ca²⁺,Sr²⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability of the complex cations CaL₃²⁺\mathrm{CaL}_{3}^{2+}, SrL₃²⁺\mathrm{SrL}_{3}^{2+}, EuL₃³⁺\mathrm{EuL}_{3}^{3+} and AmL₃³⁺\mathrm{AmL}_{3}^{3+}, where L is DBDECMP, increases in the order Sr²⁺<Ca²⁺≪Eu³⁺≈Am³⁺.     

Effect of the Charge and the Nature of Both Cations and Anions on the Solubility of Zwitterionic Amino Acids,Measurements and Modeling

The effect of the charge and the nature of both the cations and the anions of some electrolytic salts: sodium fluoride (NaF), potassium fluoride (KF), sodium bromide (NaBr), potassium bromide (KBr), sodium iodide (NaI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and barium chloride (BaCl₂), on the solubility of zwitterionic amino acids (glycine, DL-alanine, DL-valine, and DL-serine) in aqueous solutions at 298.15 K are studied and discussed. A salting-in effect is observed for all amino acids under investigation with all electrolytes used in the present study, except for DL-alanine and DL-valine in aqueous solutions containing sodium fluoride where a salting-out effect was observed. The orders of the effect of the nature and the charge of both the anions and the cations are: F^- < Cl^- < Br^- < I^- < NO₃^- < SO₄^2-\mathrm{F}^{-}<{}\mathrm{Cl}^{-}<{}\mathrm{Br}^{-}<{}\mathrm{I}^{-}<\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}<{}\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-} with both sodium and potassium cations; Na⁺<K⁺<Ca²⁺<Ba²⁺ with chloride anion.     

Pentavalent Neptunyl ([O≡Np≡O]<Superscript>+</Superscript>) Cation–Cation Interactions in Aqueous/Polar Organic Mixed-Solvent Media

Bonding interactions between polyvalent cations and oxo-anions are well known and characterized by predictably favorable Gibbs energies in solution-phase coordination chemistry. In contrast, interactions between ions of like charge are generally expected to be repulsive and strongly influenced by cation solvation. An exception to this instinctive rule is found in the existence of complexes resulting from interactions of pentavalent actinyl cations ([O≡An≡O]⁺) with selected polyvalent cations. Such cation–cation complexes have been known to exist since the 1960s, when they were first reported by Sullivan and co-workers. The weak actinyl cation–cation complex, resulting from a bonding interaction between a pentavalent linear dioxo actinyl cation donor and hexavalent actinyl or trivalent/tetravalent metal cation acceptor, has been most commonly seen in media in which water activities are reduced, principally highly-salted aqueous media. Such interactions of pentavalent actinides are of relevance in ongoing research that focuses on advanced nuclear fuel processing systems based on the upper oxidation states of americium. This investigation focuses on exploring the thermodynamic stability of complexes between selected highly-charged metal cations (Al³⁺, Sc³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, In³⁺ and \( {\text{UO}}_{2}^{2 + } \)) and the pentavalent neptunyl cation (\( {\text{NpO}}_{2}^{ + } \), whose coordination chemistry is similar to that of \( {\text{AmO}}_{2}^{ + } \) while exhibiting significantly greater oxidation state stability) in aqueous–polar organic mixed-solvents. The Gibbs energies for the cation–cation complexation reactions are correlated with general features of electrostatic bonding models; the \( {\text{NpO}}_{2}^{ + } \cdot {\text{Cr}}^{3 + } \) complex exhibits unexpectedly strong interactions that may indicate significant covalency in the cation–cation bonding interaction.     

The modifications of copper work function by layer-by-layer deposition of [W(CN)8] – Co bimetallic nanolayers

In the reaction of K₄[W(CN)₈] · 2H₂O and Co²⁺(aq) cations on the polycrystalline or monocrystalline [3 1 1] copper using layer-by-layer deposition, a thin film of the coordination polymer {[{Co(H₂O)₂(μ-CN)₄}₂W] · 4H₂O}_n was formed. The work function of copper and deposited on it bi-layers depended on a number of layers and the concentrations of the deposited precursors. At high complex concentrations work function reached the plateau after several deposition processes, while at low concentrations oscillations in the work function were observed when K⁺ or Co²⁺ cations were present in the outside layer. The changes of the work function were also dependent on Co²⁺ salt used (CoCl₂ · 6H₂O or Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O). This was interpreted in terms of a layer structure resulting from various coordination of external anions to cobalt cations.