Absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) studies of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxy diimides in terms of CASSCF method and FC theory

The electronic and geometrical structures of the low-energy states of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride parent diimide (1) are studied in terms of the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method employed at different level with respect to the size and the quality of the active space. In the framework of the vibronic model based on the Franck–Condon (FC) effect the absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra are studied in the excitation region corresponding to two low-energy 1¹A_g → 1¹B_2u and 1¹A_g → 1¹B_3u electronic transitions in diimides. In that (visible) excitation region the CASSCF computations with the 5π[4n]5π active space (i.e., the naphthalene-like π orbitals enriched by the four lone pair orbitals of the oxygen atoms) were found to reproduce very well the empirical absorption and the MCD spectra measured for the dicyclohexyl-N,N^′-substituted diimide (2). At the same CASSCF/5π[4n]5π level, the electronic absorption of diimides in the near UV excitation region were attributed to the 1¹A_g → 2¹B_1u, 1¹A_g → 2¹B_3u and 1¹A_g → 2¹B_2u electronic transitions; the latter two are mostly localized on the “diimide chromophore”. For these transitions the calculated magneto-optical characteristics, such as sign pattern and intensity distribution in the MCD spectrum, were found to be consistent with that experimentally observed for the diimide 2 compound.     

Theoretical calculational studies on the mechanism of thermal dissociations for RN3 (R=CH3, CH3CH2, (CH3)2CH, (CH3)3C)

Mechanisms of RN₃ (R=CH₃, CH₃CH₂, (CH₃)₂CH, (CH₃)₃C) dissociations are proposed based on CAS, MP2 and B3LYP methods. The energy gaps between the ground-state reactants RN₃ and the intersystem crossing (ISC) points are only a little lower than respective potential energy barriers of the spin-allowed reactions, ¹RN₃ → ¹RN + ¹N₂. The ISC point, therefore, is considered as a transition state of the spin-forbidden reactions, ¹RN₃ → ³RN + ¹N₂. The methods of IRC and topological analysis of electron density are used to explain and predict the thermal dissociation pathways of the reactions studied.     

Kinetic investigation of electronic energy transfer processes following the pulsed dye-laser generation of excited atomic barium, Ba[6s6p(P1)], in the presence of atomic strontium

The collisional behaviour of Ba[6s5d(³D_J)], 1.151 eV above the 6s²(¹S₀) electronic ground state, in the presence of atomic strontium, has been investigated in the ‘long-time domain' (ca. 100 μs–1 ms) following the pulsed dye-laser excitation of barium vapour at elevated temperature at λ = 553.5 nm (Ba[6s6p(¹P₁)] ← Ba[6s²(¹S₀)]. Ba(³D_J) is subsequently produced from the short-lived ¹P₁ state (τ_e = 8.37 ± 0.38 ns) by a number of radiative and collisional processes. It may then be monitored in the ‘long-time domain' by atomic spectroscopic marker methods involving either collisional activation of Ba(³D_J) by Ba(¹S₀) and He buffer gas to yield Ba[6s6p(³P_J)] with subsequent emission from the ³P₁ state (τ_e = 1.2 ± 0.1 μs): Ba[6s6p(³P₁)] → Ba[6s²(¹S₀)] + hv (λ = 791.1 nm). Alternatively, emission from Ba(¹P₁) may be monitored at long times following the generation of this short-lived state by energy pooling following self-annihilation of Ba(³D_J) + Ba(³D_J) from Ba[6s6p(¹P₁)] → Ba[6s²(¹S₀)] + hv (λ = 553.5 nm). The generation of Ba(³D_J) in the presence of atomic strontium yields emission in the long-time domain from Sr[5s5p(³P₁)] (τ_e = 19.6 μs): Sr[5s5p(³P₁)] → Sr[5s²(¹S₀)]  + hv (λ = 689.3 nm). Whilst the decay profiles at short times are complex in form, at long times all these atomic profiles show first-order kinetic removal with the decay coefficients for λ = 791.1 nm, 689.3 nm and 553.5 nm emissions in the ratio 1 : 2 : 2, consistent with overall third-order activation of the form: Ba(³D_J) + Ba(³D_J) + Sr(¹S₀) → Sr(³P_J) + 2Ba(¹S₀). The mechanism is modelled in detail, including measurement of integrated emission intensities, yielding kinetic data for fundamental collisional processes. The overall rate constant for the third-order collisional activation of Sr[5s5p(³P_J])from 2Ba[6s5d(³D_J)] + Sr[5s²(¹S₀)] takes the upper limit of 5.8 × 10⁻²⁷ cm⁶ atom⁻² s⁻¹ (T = 900 K). The rate constant for the two body collisional quenching of Ba[6s5d(³D_J)] by ground state atomic strontium, Sr[5s²(¹S₀)], is found to be (2.0 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹² cm³ atom⁻¹ s⁻¹ (T = 900 K).     

Spatial structure of β-substituted alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones

Spatial structure of six β-substituted enones, with common structure R₁O–CR₂CH–COCF₃, were R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = H (ETBO); R₁ = R₂ = CH₃ (TMPO); R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = C₆H₅ (ETPO); R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = 4- O₂NC₆H₄ (ETNO); R₁ = C₂H₅, R₂ = C(CH₃)₃ (ETDO) were investigated by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR, infrared spectroscopy and AM1 calculations. NMR spectra revealed that enones (MBO), (ETBO) and (TMPO) are exclusively (3E) isomers, whereas in (ETPO), (ETNO) and especially in (ETDO) the percentage of (3Z) isomers is significant and depends on the nature of solvents. Conformational behaviour of studied enones are determined by the rotation around of CC double bond, C–C and C–O single bonds (correspondingly trifluoroacetyl and alkoxy groups), and (EZZ) conformer being the most stable in all cases. IR spectra revealed that with the exception of (ETDO) (EZZ) conformer is most populated in all cases. Bulky substituents like phenyl or tert-butyl group at β-position of enone result in the equilibrium mainly between (EZZ) and (ZZZ) forms, whereas β-hydrogen and β-methyl substituents determine the equilibrium between (EZZ) and (EEZ) or (EZE) conformers.     

Characterization and decomposition mechanism of an unusual nickel, thiocyanate and 4-methylpyridine polymeric complex

The synthesis, characterization, and thermal decomposition of the [Ni(SCN)₂(H⁺SCN)₂(4-mepy)₂] compound with an octahedral structure in polymeric chain were reported, in which SCN groups form bridges among Ni(II) ions. The compound decomposes in water resulting in a pH<4 solution. The FT-IR spectrum presented doublet bands at 2117; 2128 cm⁻¹, 788; 773 cm⁻¹ assigned to ν(C---N) and ν(C---S) stretching modes, respectively, and δ(SCN) deformation modes at 468; 476 cm⁻¹. The Raman spectrum of the compound presented the ν(C---N) stretching as a strong doublet at 2122; 2128 cm⁻¹, ν(C---S) at 783; 770 cm⁻¹, and δ(SCN) at 468; 477 cm⁻¹. No significant changes were observed in the 4-mepy ligand bands compared with the vibrational frequencies of the pure compound or the compound in aqueous solution 0.2 mol l⁻¹. The crystal UV–vis reflectance spectrum presented two bands centered in 626 and 424 nm tentatively assigned to the d→d type transitions, ³A_2g→³T_1g and ³A_2g→³T_1g, for a symmetry close to O_h. The TG curve showed a mass loss between 120 and 200 °C assigned to the loss of the two 4-mepy molecules; from 200 to 265 °C, the loss of the two H⁺SCN groups; and from 265 to 450 °C, the loss of the two SCN groups that formed the bridges among the nickel atoms. Based on these mass loss data, a mechanism of thermal decomposition for the compound was proposed.     

Zn(II) complexes with pyridine derived N6 and N8 donor azamacrocyclic ligands

A novel N6 macrocyclic ligand, L¹ (2,8,14,20-tetramethyl-3,7,15,19,25,26-hexaaza-tricyclo[19.3.1.1^9,13]hexacosa-1(24),9,11,13(26),21(25),22-hexaene), was obtained by reduction of the 2 + 2 condensation product of 2,6-diacetylpyridine and propane-1,3-diamine. Zinc(II) complexes of L¹, of a related N8 macrocycle, L³ (3,6,9,17,20,23,29,30-octaaza-tricyclo[23.3.1.1[11,15]]triaconta-1(28),1,13,15(30),25(29),26-hexaene), similarly prepared by 2 + 2 condensation of 2,6-diformylpyridine and diethylenetriamine and of a tetra N-2-cyanoethyl derivative of a homologue of L¹ prepared from diformyl pyridine and ethane-1,2-diamine, L² (3-[6,14,17-tris-(2-cyano-ethyl)-3,6,14,17,23,24-hexaaza-tricyclo[17.3.1.1^8,12] tetracosa-1(23),8(24),9,11,19,21-hexaen-3-yl]-propionitrile), were prepared. Structures were determined for [ZnL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O, [ZnL²](NO₃)₂ and [Zn₂L³(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O. The [ZnL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O and [ZnL²](NO₃)₂ complexes present a mononuclear endomacrocyclic structure with the metal in an octahedral distorted environment coordinated by the six donor nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic backbone while the complex [Zn₂L³(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O is dinuclear with both metal atoms into the macrocyclic cavity coordinated by four donor nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic framework and one oxygen atom from one monodentate nitrate anion, in a distorted square pyramidal arrangement.     

The molecular structure and the puckering potential function of silacyclobutane as determined by gas electron diffraction and relaxation constraints from ab initio calculations

Gas electron diffraction is applied to determine the geometric parameters of the silacyclobutane molecule using a dynamic model where the ring puckering was treated as a large amplitude motion. The structural parameters and the parameters of the potential function were refined taking into account the relaxation of the molecular geometry estimated from ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311+G(d, p) level of theory. The potential function has been described as V() = V₀[(/_e)² − 1]² with the following parameters V₀ = 0.82 ± 0.60 kcal/mol and _e = 33.5 ± 2.7°, where is a puckering angle of the ring.

The geometric parameters at the minimum V() (r_a in Å, in degrees and uncertainties given as three times the standard deviations including a scale error) are: r(Si–H_ax) = 1.467(96), r(Si–H_eq) = 1.468(96), r(Si–C) = 1.885(2), r(C–C) = 1.571(3), r(C–H) = 1.100(3), CSiC = 77.2(9), HSiH = 108.3, SiCH_eq = 123.5(16), SiCH_ax = 111.9(16), CC₅H_eq = 118.4(24), CC₅H_ax = 112.3(24), HC₃H = 107.7, δ(HSiH) = 6.6, δ(HC₃H) = 7.0, where the tilts δ, HSiH, and HC₃H are estimated from ab initio constraints. The structural parameters are compared with those obtained for related compounds.     

Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterisation of three di-μ-fluoro-bis[dioxouranyl] complexes

Three novel uranyl complexes with organic phosphine oxide ligands and bridging fluorides have been synthesised and structurally characterised. In [ UO₂(μ-F)(TPPO)_{3 2}][BF₄]₂ · ⁿC₆H₁₄, 1, and [ UO₂(-μF)(TBPO)_{3 2}][BF₄]₂ 2, (where TPPO and TBPO are triphenylphosphine oxide and tri-n-butylphosphine oxide, respectively) two UO₂ ²⁺ moieties are bridged by two fluorides with three additional terminal PO donor ligands coordinated to each uranium centre. The dicationic complexes are both charge balanced by two uncoordinated tetrafluoroborate anions. In the related structure, [UO₂(μ-F)(F)(DPPMO₂)]₂ · 2MeOH (3), terminal fluoride is also coordinated to both uranyl centres (where DPPMO₂ = bis(diphenylphosphine oxide)methane). All three complexes were prepared during attempted syntheses of complexes with tetrafluoroborate directly coordinated to uranium. It is clear from these results that the fluorophilicity of UO₂ ²⁺ causes the abstraction of fluoride from [BF₄]⁻, with the weakly coordinating anion only present as a counter cation in 1 and 2, and absent completely in 3.     

Light induced excited spin state trapping in the binuclear spin crossover compound [Fe(bpym)(NCS)2]2(bpym) exhibiting a high-spin ground state

A photo-magnetic effect is evidenced using near-infrared light in the binuclear complex [Fe(bpym)(NCS)₂]₂(bpym). This compound has a ⁵T_2g–⁵T_2g ground state and exhibits no thermal spin crossover – in contrast to the analogous [Fe(bpym)(NCSe)₂]₂(bpym). The estimated photo-conversion ratio is ca. 30%. By means of magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as Raman and infrared absorption spectroscopies, the nature of the photo-induced phase was established as the ⁵T_2g–¹A_1g state, which means that only one iron center is converted to low-spin. The photo-induced state was completely converted back to the ground state either by visible light excitation or by heating.     

On the 6Πu state of Na2

The 6¹Π_u state of sodium dimer has been observed up to v = 53 in excitation spectra of the system, recorded by polarisation labelling spectroscopy technique. The Dunham coefficients are derived and the potential energy curve constructed by the inverted perturbation approach method. Equilibrium constants for the 6¹Π_u state of Na₂ are: T_e = 35446.06 ± 0.04 cm⁻¹ (with respect to the minimum of the electronic ground state), Y₁₀ = 111.388 ± 0.019 cm⁻¹, Y₀₁ = 0.112122 ± 0.000017 cm⁻¹.     

Another example of carborane based trianionic ligand: Syntheses and catalytic activities of cyclohexylamino tailed ortho-carboranyl zirconium and titanium dicarbollides

In situ reaction of Li[closo-1-Ph-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] with 7-azabicyclo [4.1.0] heptane results in the formation of the disubstituted carborane, closo-1-Ph-2-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (1), in 63% yield. Decapitation of (1) with potassium hydroxide in refluxing ethanol produces the cage-opened nido-carborane, K[nido-7-Ph-8-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ (2), in 80% yield. Deprotonation of the above monoanion with two equivalents of n-butyllithium followed by reaction with anhydrous MCl₄ · 2THF (M = Zr, Ti) provides d⁰-half-sandwich metallocarboranes, closo-1-M(Cl)-2-Ph-3-(2′-σ-(H)N-cyclohexyl)-2,3-η⁵-C₂B₉H₉ (3 M = Zr; 4 M = Ti) in 53% and 42% yields, respectively. The reaction of Li[closo-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁] with 7-azabicyclo [4.1.0] heptane in THF affords closo-1-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (5) in 59% yield. Immobilization of the carboranyl amino ligand (1) to an organic support, Merrifield’s peptide resin (1%), has been achieved by the reaction of the sodium salt of (5) with polystyryl chloride in THF to produce closo-1-(2′-aminocyclohexyl)-2-polystyryl-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6) in 87% yield. Further reaction of the dianion derived from (6) with anhydrous ZrCl₄ · 2THF led to the formation of the organic polystyryl supported d⁰-half-sandwich metallocarborane, closo-1-Zr(Cl)-2-(2′-σ-(H)N-cyclohexyl)-3-polystyryl-2,3-η⁵-C₂B₉H₉ (7), in 38% yield. These new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR, and IR spectra. Polymerizations of both ethylene and vinyl chloride with (3) and (7) have been performed in toluene using MMAO-7 (13% ISOPAR-E) as the co-catalyst. Molecular weights up to 32.8 × 10³ (M_w/M_n = 1.8) and 9.5 × 10³ (M_w/M_n = 2.1) were obtained for PE and PVC, respectively.     

The application of BTEM to UV-vis and UV-vis CD spectroscopies: the reaction of Rh4(CO)12 with chiral and achiral ligands

Two different organometallic ligand substitution reactions were investigated: (1) an achiral reactive system consisting of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ + PPh₃  Rh₄(CO)₁₁PPh₃ + CO in n-hexane under argon; and (2) a chiral reactive system consisting of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ + (S)-BINAP  Rh₄(CO)₁₀BINAP + 2CO in cyclohexane under argon. These two reactions were run at ultra high dilution. In both multi-component reactive systems the concentrations of all the solutes were less than 40 ppm and many solute concentrations were just 1–10 ppm. In situ spectroscopic measurements were carried out using UV–vis (Ultraviolet–visible) spectroscopy and UV–vis CD spectroscopy on the reactive organometallic systems (1) and (2), respectively. The BTEM algorithm was applied to these spectroscopic data sets. The reconstructed UV–vis pure component spectra of Rh₄(CO)₁₂, Rh₄(CO)₁₁PPh₃ and Rh₄(CO)₁₀BINAP as well as the reconstructed UV–vis CD pure component spectra of Rh₄(CO)₁₀BINAP were successfully obtained from BTEM analyses. All these reconstructed pure component spectra are in good agreement with the experimental reference spectra. The concentration profiles of the present species were obtained by performing a least square fit with mass balance constraints for the reactions (1) and (2). The present results indicate that UV–vis and UV–vis-CD spectroscopies can be successfully combined with an appropriate chemometric technique in order to monitor reactive organometallic systems having UV and Vis chromophores.     

New mono and binuclear mercury(II) complexes of phosphorus ylides containing DMSO as ligand: Spectral and structural characterization

Reaction of phosphorus ylides Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₄NO₂ (Y′) and (p-tolyl)₃PCHC(O)C₆H₄Cl (Y″) with HgX₂ (X = Cl, Br and I) in equimolar ratios using methanol as solvent leads to binuclear products. The bridge-splitting reaction of binuclear complex [(Y″) · HgI₂]₂ by DMSO yields the mononuclear complex [(Y″) · HgI₂ · DMSO]. This bridge-splitting reaction can be also a method for the synthesis of mononuclear products. C-coordination of ylides and O-coordination of DMSO are demonstrated by single crystal X-ray analyses of binuclear complexes of [(Y′) · HgI₂]₂ and [(Y″) · HgI₂]₂ and mononuclear complex of [(Y″) · HgI₂ · DMSO]. Characterization of the obtained compounds was also performed by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR. Theoretical studies on Hg(II) complexes of Y′ show that the cis-like isomers are about 4–12 kcal/mol less stable than the trans-like structures and the relative energy of cis- and trans-like isomers significantly depends on the size of the bridging halide. These studies on mercury complexes of Y″ show that, formation of mononuclear complexes in DMSO solution in which DMSO acts as a ligand, energetically is more favorable than that of binuclear complexes.     

Reactivity and electronic property of decaphenylmetallocenes of Mo and W atoms

The perphenylmetallocene complexes (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W (1), [(η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W]⁺I₃⁻ (1⁺I₃), (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂Mo (2) and [(η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂Mo]⁺I₃⁻ (2⁺I₃) have been prepared. Hydrogenation of 1 in THF produces (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂WH₂ (4), while (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂WHCl (3) is afforded in 1,2-dichloroethane solvent. Carbonylation of 1 produces (η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W(CO) (5). Treatment of 1 with the strong acid CF₃SO₃H leads to the dicationic species [(η⁵-C₅Ph₅)₂W]⁺²[CF₃SO₃]⁻₂ (1⁺²Tf₂) after crystallization. The structures of 2⁺I₃ and 1⁺²Tf₂ have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The magnetic susceptibility study indicates a ³E_2g ground-state for 1 and 2, and a ⁴A_2g ground-state for 1⁺ and 2⁺.     

Magnetic susceptibility of 1,1′,2,2′-tetramethylcobaltocene and 1,1′-diethylcobaltocene: Evidence for the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect

The magnetic susceptibility of 1,1′,2,2′-tetramethylcobaltocene, Co[C₅H₃(CH₃)₂]₂, and 1,1′-diethylcobaltocene, Co(C₅H₄C₂H₅)₂, has been studied between 0.99 and 296 K. The data are well reproduced by a calculation of the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect for the ²E_1g(a_1g²e_2g⁴e_1g) ground state of D_5d symmetry. A suitable set of parameter values is given by ζ = 100 cm⁻¹, δ = 150 cm⁻¹, k_JT = 0.40, κ = 0.70. The magnetism of cobaltocene, Co(C₅H₅)₂, may be described by parameter values of comparable magnitude. The results imply a significantly larger reduction of the spin-orbit coupling parameter ζ due to covalency than of the orbital reduction factor κ.     

A photoacoustic calorimetric characterization of the reaction enthalpy and volume for the preparation of a reactive intermediate from CpMn(CO)3

Photoacoustic calorimetry (PAC) allows measurement of the energetics of reactive intermediates. Here, we report the examination of the metal carbonyl η⁵-CpMn(CO)₃ (Cp, cyclopentadiene) via time-independent PAC, in a homologous series of solvents. The measured heat releases allow one to determine simultaneously the enthalpy and volume change resulting from the photodissociation of CpMn(CO)₃. While the photoacoustic signal results from both of these processes, it has often been assumed that the volume change contribution to the observed photoacoustic signal is negligible for small molecules undergoing photodissociation. The current study tests the assumption of a negligible reaction volume by using a more complete treatment. The reaction of an equimolar number of photons and CpMn(CO)₃ molecules, the subsequent photodissociation of the Mn–CO bond, and the ligation of a solvent molecule in an alkane solvent yields ΔH_obs = 32.7 ± 0.7 kcal/mol and ΔV_chem = 11.0 ± 1.3 mL/mol, both of which are independent of the quantum yield of photodissociation. A detailed analysis of the quantum yield is included (using both previously reported measurements, and new data from this work), from which we determine Φ_diss = 0.635. This quantum yield allows us to determine ΔH_rxn = 51.6 kcal/mol and ΔV_rxn = 17.3 mL/mol. These results demonstrate that if the contribution of the reaction volume change to the photoacoustic signal is ignored, the reaction enthalpy derived would underestimate the true value by 7%. We also estimate the BDE{Cp(CO)₂Mn–CO} to be 59.4 kcal/mol.     

Determination of oxygen atom concentrations by cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) has been applied to the detection of oxygen atoms, on the highly forbidden ¹D₂ ← ³P₂ line at 630.030 nm. Results are presented for CRDS detection in a discharge flow system, in which the atoms are prepared by a microwave discharge of N₂O/Ar or O₂. Comparison of concentrations determined by CRDS and chemical titration by NO₂ is made. CRDS is found to be a non-intrusive technique for the determination of oxygen atom concentrations in the range of 10¹⁴ atoms cm⁻³ and higher, with an estimated accuracy of 20%.     

Influence of electronic and steric effects on stability constants and electrochemical reversibility of divalent ion complexes with glycine and sarcosine. A glass electrode potentiometric, sampled direct current polarographic, virtual potentiometric, and molecular modelling study

Cd^II complexes with glycine (gly) and sarcosine (sar) were studied by glass electrode potentiometry, direct current polarography, virtual potentiometry, and molecular modelling. The electrochemically reversible Cd^II–glycine–OH labile system was best described by a model consisting of M(HL), ML, ML₂, ML₃, ML(OH) and ML₂(OH) (M = Cd^II, L = gly) with the overall stability constants, as log β, determined to be 10.30 ± 0.05, 4.21 ± 0.03, 7.30 ± 0.05, 9.84 ± 0.04, 8.9 ± 0.1, and 10.75 ± 0.10, respectively. In case of the electrochemically quasi-reversible Cd^II–sarcosine–OH labile system, only ML, ML₂ and ML₃ (M = Cd^II, L = sar) were found and their stability constants, as log β, were determined to be 3.80 ± 0.03, 6.91 ± 0.07, and 8.9 ± 0.4, respectively. Stability constants for the ML complexes, the prime focus of this work, were thus established with an uncertainty smaller than 0.05 log units. The observed departure from electrochemical reversibility for the Cd–sarcosine–OH system was attributed mainly to the decrease in the transfer coefficient . The MM2 force field, supplemented by additional parameters, reproduced the reported crystal structures of diaqua-bis(glycinato-O,N)nickel(II) and fac-tri(glycinato)-nickelate(II) very well. These parameters were used to predict structures of all possible isomers of (i) [Ni(H₂O)₄(gly)]⁺ and [Ni(H₂O)₄(sar)]⁺; and (ii) [Ni(H₂O)₃(IDA)] and [Ni(H₂O)₃(MIDA)] (IDA = iminodiacetic acid, MIDA = N-methyl iminodiacetic acid) by molecular mechanics/simulated annealing methods. The change in strain energy, ΔU_str, that accompanies the substitution of one ligand by another (ML + L′ → ML′ + L), was computed and a strain energy ΔU_str = +0.28 kcal mol⁻¹ for the reaction [Ni(H₂O)₄(gly)]⁺ + sar → [Ni(H₂O)₄(sar)]⁺ + gly was found. This predicts the monoglycine complex to be marginally more stable. By contrast, for the reaction [Ni(H₂O)₃IDA] + MIDA → [Ni(H₂O)₃MIDA] + IDA, ΔU_str = −0.64 kcal mol⁻¹, and the monoMIDA complex is predicted to be more stable. This correlates well with (i) stability constants for Cd–gly and Cd–sar reported here; and (ii) known stability constants of ML complex for glycine, sarcosine, IDA, and MIDA.     

Comparison of zinc and cadmium plasma parameters produced by laser-ablation

We report the measurement of the zinc and cadmium plasma parameters produced by the fundamental, second, and third harmonics of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser. The excitation temperature has been determined from the Boltzmann plot method, whereas the electron number density is estimated from the Stark broadened profile of several spectral lines. The temporal evolution of the plasma has also been investigated. Besides, we present experimental relative transition probabilities of the Zn (4s5s ³S₁ → 4s4p ³P_0,1,2) and Cd (5s6s ³S₁ → 5s5p ³P_0,1,2) triplets and compare our data with that listed in the National Institute of Standards and Technology database. The experiments have been performed in air but also in He, Ne and Ar atmosphere to study the effects of ambient gas environment on the emission intensity of the atomic and ionic lines and on the plasma parameters.     

X-ray structure and multinuclear NMR studies of platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

Pt(II) and Pd(II) dichloride complexes with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dbtp) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared and ¹H, ¹³C NMR, ¹³C CPMAS spectroscopy. The structures of the cis-PtCl₂(dbtp)₂ · EtOH (1) and cis-PdCl₂(dbtp)(dmso) (2) has been determined by signal-crystal X-ray diffraction. In both complexes the X-ray crystal structures shows that heterocycle ligand (dbtp) binds the central atom monodentate via nitrogen atom N(3). In addition, compound (2) is interesting for its structural features, because it is the first report of mixed dichloride Pd(II) complexes with N-donor (triazolopyrimidine) and S-donor (dimethylsulfoxide) ligands. In this structure the Pd–Cl distances are: 2.302(1) and 2.281(1) Å, Pd–N 2.041(3) Å and Pd–S 2.245(1) Å. The ¹H, ¹³C NMR studies show clearly that these structures are retained in solution.