[{Cp2(tBuSe)Nb}2E] (E = O and Se) with bridging oxide or selenide ligands

The title compounds, μ‐oxido‐bis[(tert‐butylselenolato)bis(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)niobium(IV)] toluene solvate, [Nb₂(C₅H₅)₄(C₄H₉Se)₂O]·C₇H₈, and μ‐selenido‐bis[(tert‐butylselenolato)bis(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)niobium(IV)], [Nb₂(C₅H₅)₄(C₄H₉Se)₂Se], consist of niobium(IV) centres each bonded to two η⁵‐coordinated cyclopentadienyl groups and one tert‐butylselenolate ligand and are the first organometallic niobium selenolates to be structurally characterized. A bridging oxide or selenide completes the niobium coordination spheres of the discrete dinuclear molecules. In the oxide, the O atom lies on an inversion centre, resulting in a linear Nb—O—Nb linkage, whereas the selenide has a bent bridging group [Nb—Se—Nb = 139.76 (2)°]. The difference is attributable to strong π bonding in the oxide case, although the effects on the Nb—C and Nb—Se^tBu bond lengths are small.     

Separation of 97Ru from niobium target using PEG based aqueous biphasic systems

Separation of no-carrier-added (NCA) ⁹⁷Ru from bulk niobium target has been carried out for the first time using green analytical technique, aqueous biphasic system. 50 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG)-4000, against 2 M solutions of various salts such as Na-citrate, Na-tartarate, Na-malonate, Na₂CO₃, NaHSO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₂S₂O₃ K₂HPO₄, K₃PO₄, K₂CO₃ and 4 M KOH were employed at room temperature for the extraction of NCA ⁹⁷Ru from bulk niobium. Influence of molecular weight of PEG rich phase as well as pH of some salt rich phase (e.g., Na-tartarate) on the extraction behaviour of NCA ⁹⁷Ru into PEG rich phase was also observed. In the presence of sodium-tartarate salt solution, when volume of PEG-4000: Na-tartarate was 3:1, 91 % of NCA ⁹⁷Ru was extracted into the PEG rich phase without any contamination of niobium target. Dialysis of PEG rich phase containing NCA ⁹⁷Ru was carried out against deionised water to obtained pure NCA ⁹⁷Ru.     

Niobium(V) extraction by butyl lauryl phosphoric acid-dodecane from nitric acid

Extraction of niobium by tributyl phosphate (TBP) in the Purex process is inefficient; and in spite of this, niobium is found in solvent streams. Alternate mechanisms for niobium transfer into the solvent were sought. Butyl lauryl phosphoric acid (HBLP), a model compound of secondary degradation products of the solvent used in the process, was found to enhance niobium extraction above a threshold concentration of 5 × 10⁻⁴ M. A study of the niobium distribution coefficient dependences in the system HNO₃-HBLP-dodecane on the HBLP, hydrogen ion and nitrate ion concentration suggests an extraction mechanism involving neutralization of an hydroxyl group bound to the niobium and no incorporation of nitrate into the extracted species. These results are supported by chemical analysis of the extracted species which show an empirical formula corresponding to Nb(OH)₄BLP. Silica and zirconium monobutyl phosphate, under certain conditions, disperse adsorbed niobium in the solvent phase in the form of emulsions or suspensions. Centrifugation of these give no net enhancement of niobium transfer.     

The infrared spectra (3500—150 cm-1) of aniline complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) halides

The IR spectra (3500—150 cm^?1) of the complexes [M(aniline)₂,X₂ (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; X = Cl, Br), [Zn(aniline)₂I₂] are discussed. Assignments of the internal ligand vibrations are based on the band shifts which result from ¹⁵N-labelling of the amino group. The metal—ligand stretching frequencies, ν(M—N) and ν(M—X), are assigned on the basis of the band shifts which occur on ¹⁵N-labelling and metal ion and halogen substitution. Two bands within the range 350–450 cm^?1 are assigned to ν(M—N) while the ν(M—X) bands occur within the range 170–320 cm^?1. The effects of structure and coordination number on ν(M—N) and ν(M—X) are discussed. The spectra of two ethanol adducts, [M(aniline)₂-(ethanol)₂Cl₂] (M = Co, Ni) compared with those of the unsolvated species [M(aniline)₂-Cl₂], exhibit a unique band near 480 cm^?1 which is insensitive to ¹⁵N-labelling and is assigned to ν(M—O).     

Comparative study of bimetal alkoxo complexes of rhenium,niobium, and tantalum by single-crystal x-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy

Bimetal alkoxo complexes of rhenium, niobium, and tantalum with the general formula M₄O₂(OR)₁₄(ReO₄)₂, where M = Nb or Ta and R = Me or Et, were prepared in ～80% yield by reacting niobium or tantalum alkoxide M(OR)₅ (R = Me or Et) with rhenium heptoxide Re₂O₇ in toluene. Comparative analysis of the molecular structures of the complexes was carried out by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The effect of the organic ligand and crystallization temperature on the geometry of the perrhenate group was studied. The solubility of the aforementioned alkoxo complexes in organic solvents increases with increasing hydrocarbon chain length of the ligand.     

Nitridation of niobium oxide films by rapid thermal processing

The possibility of forming niobium oxynitride through the nitridation of niobium oxide films in molecular nitrogen by rapid thermal processing (RTP) was investigated. Niobium films 200 and 500 nm thick were deposited via sputtering onto Si(100) wafers covered with a thermally grown SiO₂ layer 100 nm thick. These as-deposited films exhibited distinct texture effects. They were processed in two steps using an RTP system. The as-deposited niobium films were first oxidized under an oxygen atmosphere at 450 °C for various periods of time and subsequently nitridated under a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 °C for 1 min. Investigations of the oxidized films showed that samples where the start of niobium pentoxide formation was detected at the surface and the film bulk still consisted of a substoichiometric NbO_x phase exhibited distinctly lower surface roughness and microcrack densities than samples where complete oxidation of the film to Nb₂O₅ had occurred. The niobium oxide phases formed at the Nb/substrate interface also showed distinct texture. Zones of niobium oxide phases like NbO and NbO₂, which did not exist in the initial oxidized films, were formed during the nitridation. This is attributed to a “snow-plough effect” produced by the diffusion of nitrogen into the film, which pushes the oxygen deeper into the film bulk. These oxide phases, in particular the NbO₂ zone, act as barriers to the in-diffusion of nitrogen and also inhibit the outdiffusion of oxygen from the SiO₂ substrate layer. Nitridation of the partially oxidized niobium films in molecular nitrogen leads to the formation of various niobium oxide and nitride phases, but no indication of niobium oxynitride formation was found. Figure Schematic representation of the phase distribution in 200 nm Nb film on SiO₂/Si substrate after two steps annealing using an RTP system. The plot below represents the SIMS depth profiles of the nitridated sample with the phase assignment     

Separation of trace concentrations of tantalum from niobium and some other heavy metal ions by extraction with N-oxide of trioctylamine

The distribution of tantalum(V) between 0.1M trioctylamine oxide dissolved in xylene and sulphuric acid solutions has been studied. On the basis of results on the distribution, it is concluded that at sulphuric acid concentration 0.5M, tantalum is probably extracted by a solvate mechanism as the complex Ta(OH) (SO₄)₂·3TOAO. It has also been shown that tantalum can be quantitatively separated from niobium, uranium, thorium and rare earth elements by extraction with N-oxide of trioctylamine from 0.5M sulphuric acid solution.     

Substoichiometric extraction of tantalum with diantipyrylmethane

Diantipyrylmethane is used for substoichiometric extraction of tantalum from 1—4M hydrofluoric acid into 1,2-dichlorethane. The selectivity of the method is good, niobium and antimony(V) being the main inteferences. The stoichiometric composition of the tantalum/diantipyrylmethane complex is 1:1. The method was usef for the determination of trace amounts of tantalum (0.52 ± 0.05 μ g^?1) in a lake sediment (Bodensee/Lake Constance) by neutron activation/μ-spectrometry. Tantalum was determined in niobium samples by an isotope dilution procedure after separation of the matrix on a polyurethane foam column loaded with diantipyrylmethane.     

Effects of quaternary ammonium bases on valence-saturated but coordination-unsaturated chelates: Part IV. Extraction of some divalent metal 8-hydroxyquinolinates

The effect of zephiramine on the chelate formation and extraction of some divalent metals with oxine is reported. In the presence of zephiramine, the non-extractable 1:2 zinc— and cadmium—oxine chelates as well as the extractable 1:2 nickel— and manganese—oxine chelates become highly coordinated ternary complexes, M(Q)₃ (zeph), which are easily extracted into 1,2-dichloroethane. Copper is easily extracted into 1,2-dichloroethane as Cu(Q)₂, which is not affected by zephiramine.     

Darstellung,Charakterisierung und Reaktionsverhalten von Natrium‐ und Kaliumhydridosilylamiden R2(H)Si—N(M)R′ (M = Na,K) — Kristallstruktur von [(Me3C)2(H)Si—N(K)SiMe3]2·THF

Preparation, Characterization and Reaction Behaviour of Sodium and Potassium Hydridosilylamides R₂(H)Si—N(M)R′ (M = Na, K) — Crystal Structure of [(Me₃C)₂(H)Si—N(K)SiMe₃]₂ · THF The alkali metal hydridosilylamides R₂(H)Si—N(M)R′ 1a‐Na — 1d—Na and 1a‐K — 1d‐K ( a : R = Me, R′ = CMe₃; b : R = Me, R′ = SiMe₃; c : R = Me, R′ = Si(H)Me₂; d : R = CMe₃, R′= SiMe₃) have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding hydridosilylamines 1a — 1d with alkali metal M (M = Na, K) in presence of styrene or with alkali metal hydrides MH (M = Na, K). With NaNH₂ in toluene Me₂(H)Si—NHCMe₃ ( 1a ) reacted not under metalation but under nucleophilic substitution of the H(Si) atom to give Me₂(NaNH)Si—NHCMe₃ ( 5 ). In the reaction of Me₂(H)Si—NHSiMe₃ ( 1b ) with NaNH₂ intoluene a mixture of Me₂(NaNH)Si—NHSiMe₃ and Me₂(H)Si—N(Na)SiMe₃ ( 1b‐Na ) was obtained. The hydridosilylamides have been characterized spectroscopically. The spectroscopic data of these amides and of the corresponding lithium derivatives are discussed. The ²⁹Si‐NMR‐chemical shifts and the ²⁹Si—¹H coupling constants of homologous alkali metal hydridosilylamides R₂(H)Si—N(M)R′ (M = Li, Na, K) are depending on the alkali metal. With increasing of the ionic character of the M—N bond M = K > Na > Li the ²⁹Si‐NMR‐signals are shifted upfield and the ²⁹Si—¹H coupling constants except for compounds (Me₃C)(H)Si—N(M)SiMe₃ are decreased. The reaction behaviour of the amides 1a‐Na — 1c‐Na and 1a‐K — 1c‐K was investigated toward chlorotrimethylsilane in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and in n‐pentane. In THF the amides produced just like the analogous lithium amides the corresponding N‐silylation products Me₂(H)Si—N(SiMe₃)R′ ( 2a — 2c ) in high yields. The reaction of the sodium amides with chlorotrimethylsilane in nonpolar solvent n‐pentane produced from 1a‐Na the cyclodisilazane [Me₂Si—NCMe₃]₂ ( 8a ), from 1b‐Na and 1‐Na mixtures of cyclodisilazane [Me₂Si—NR′]₂ ( 8b , 8c ) and N‐silylation product 2b , 2c . In contrast to 1b‐Na and 1c‐Na and to the analogous lithium amides the reaction of 1b‐K and 1c‐K with chlorotrimethylsilane afforded the N‐silylation products Me₂(H)Si—N(SiMe₃)R′ ( 2b , 2c ) in high yields. The amide [(Me₃C)₂(H)Si—N(K)SiMe₃]₂·THF ( 9 ) crystallizes in the space group C2/c with Z = 4. The central part of the molecule is a planar four‐membered K₂N₂ ring. One potassium atom is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms and the other one by two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Furthermore K···H(Si) and K···CH₃ contacts exist in 9 . The K—N distances in the K₂N₂ ring differ marginally.     

Side‐chain conformations in the isomorphous polyfluorinated {4,4′‐bis[(2,2‐difluoroethoxy)methyl]‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐κ2N,N′}dichloridopalladium and ‐platinum complexes

The polyfluorinated title compounds, [M Cl₂(C₁₆H₁₆F₄N₂O₂)] or [4,4′‐(HCF₂CH₂OCH₂)₂‐2,2′‐bpy]M Cl₂ [M = Pd, ( 1 ), and M = Pt, ( 2 )], have –C(H_α)₂OC(H_β)₂CF₂H side chains with H‐atom donors at the α and β sites. The structures of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are isomorphous, with the nearly planar (bpy)M Cl₂ molecules stacked in columns. Within one column, π‐dimer pairs alternate between a π‐dimer pair reinforced with C—H…Cl hydrogen bonds (α,α) and a π‐dimer pair reinforced with C—H_β…F(—C) interactions (abbreviated as C—H_β…F—C,C—H_β…F—C). The compounds [4,4′‐(CF₃CH₂OCH₂)₂‐2,2′‐bpy]M Cl₂ [M = Pd, ( 3 ), and M = Pt, ( 4 )] have been reported to be isomorphous [Lu et al. (2012). J. Fluorine Chem. 137 , 54–56], yet with disorder in the fluorous regions. The molecules of ( 3 ) [or ( 4 )] also form similar stacks, but with alternating π‐dimer pairs between the (α,β; α,β) and (β,β) forms. Through (C—)H…Cl hydrogen‐bond interactions, one molecule of ( 1 ) [or ( 2 )] is expanded into an aggregate of two inversion‐related π‐dimer pairs, one pair in the (α,α) form and the other pair in the (C—H_β…F—C,C—H_β…F—C) form, with the plane normals making an interplanar angle of 58.24 (3)°. Due to the demands of maintaining a high coordination number around the metal‐bound Cl atoms in molecule ( 1 ) [or ( 2 )], the ponytails of molecule ( 1 ) [or ( 2 )] bend outward; in contrast, the ponytails of molecule ( 3 ) [or ( 4 )] bend inward.     

Separation of niobium and tantalum with phenylarsonic acid

Phenylarsonic acid permits satisfactory separation of niobium and tantalum and estimation of tantalum from an oxalate solution containing sulphuric acid up to pH 5.8. For complete precipitation of niobium the pH should exceed 4.8. In mixtures, tantalum is precipitated below pH 3.0 and niobium is then precipitated above pH 5.0. When the oxalate concentration is high, recovery of niobium with cupferron is recommended. When the ratio of Nb₂O₅, to Ta₂O₅ exceeds 2:1, reprecipitation of tantalum is necessary. The effect of interfering ions is studied.     

Allyl complexes of dicyclopentadienyl-niobium(III) and -tantalum(III)

The synthesis and the properties of the complexes Cp₂TaCl₂, Cp₂M(allyl), Cp₂M(1-methylallyl) and Cp₂M(2-methylallyl) with M  Nb, Ta are described. The complex Cp₂TaCl₂ has one unpaired electron per tantalum atom, while the allyl complexes are diamagnetic. The IR and PMR spectra indicate that the allyl group is π-bonded to the metal. The mass spectra of the complexes are discussed; the thermal stability of the Cp₂Nb- and Cp₂Ta-(allyl) complexes was investigated by differential thermal analysis. The properties of the niobium and tantalum complexes are compared with those of the corresponding titanium complexes.     

Concomitant polymorphism and conformational isomerism in 4‐acetylresorcinol

Two polymorphs of the title compound [systematic name: 1‐(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethanone], C₈H₈O₃, were investigated. The known structure [designated (I‐M); P2₁/c, Z = 4; previously investigated at room temperature by Robert, Moore, Eichhorn & Rillema (2007). Acta Cryst. E 63 , o4252] was redetermined at low temperature, and a new form [(I‐O); P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 12] was discovered in the same sample. In both forms, the molecules are planar (apart from the methyl H atoms) and they contain intramolecular O—H...O=C hydrogen bonds. In polymorph (I‐M), molecules are linked into chains by a single intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond, and the chains are linked into sheets by two C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Three O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules of polymorph (I‐O) into chains and neighbouring chains are connected by one C—H...O interaction to form an offset layer structure. Two weak methyl C—H...O interactions link the layers.     

Open metallocene: VIII. Electronic structure of PD2ML compounds

EHMO method has been used to calculate the electronic structure of PD₂ML compounds (PD—pentadienyl or methyl-substituted one, M—transition metal atom, L—Lewis base). Compared with CP₂M (CP—cyclopentadienyl), fragment orbitals of PD₂M serve as starting point for general account of the effects of forming M—L bonds on configuration, conformation and stability of PD₂-ML compounds.     

Synthesis and characterization of dinuclear niobium(IV), niobium(III) and tantalum(III) chloride complexes with strongly basic phosphanes: PCy3 and P(Bu-t)3

Summary The reactions between niobium and tantalum pentachlorides and tri-t-butylphosphane and tricyclohexylphosphane under various reducing conditions (magnesium turnings, amalgamated magnesium or sodium naphthalenide) were investigated. The products are highly dependent on the experimental conditions. Niobium(IV) adducts: Nb₂Cl₈[P(Bu-t)₃]₂ and Nb₂Cl₈(PCy₃)₄ were obtained with magnesium turnings, while reduction to Ta₂Cl₆(PCy₃)₃ occurred under similar conditions with tantalum. Ligand exchanges from NbCl₄(THF)₂ also yielded niobium(IV) adducts Nb₂Cl₈(PR₃)₃. The formation of the first soluble diamagnetic niobium(IV) adducts appears to be favored by the strong basicity of PCy₃ and P(Bu-t)₃. However, these crowded niobium(IV) complexes are unstable both in the solid and in solution with respect to niobium(III). Derivatives in oxidation state 3: M₂Cl₆(PCy₃)₃ (M=Nb or Ta), Ta₂Cl₆[P(Bu-t)₃]₃ and Nb₂Cl₆[P(Bu-t)₃]₂ were formed more efficiently with amalgamated magnesium or with sodium naphthalenide. Activation of dinitrogen under mild conditions (normal pressure, room temperature) was observed during the reduction process with magnesium, for both tantalum and niobium; an unstable adduct, Nb₂Cl₆[P(Bu-t)₃]₃N₂, could be isolated. All products were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements and i.r. spectroscopy; their molecular structure is discussed in terms of the¹H and³¹P n.m.r. data.     

Cs6Nb4Se22 and K12Nb6Se35.3: two new compounds containing the M4Q22 building block

The title compounds, namely hexacaesium tetraniobium docosaselenide and dodecapotassium hexaniobium pentatriacontaselenide, were formed from their respective alkali chalcogenide reactive flux and niobium metal. Both compounds fall into the larger family of solid‐state compounds that contain the M₂Q₁₁ building block (M = Nb, Ta; Q = Se, S), where the metal chalcogenide forms dimers of face‐shared pentagonal bipyramids. Cs₆Nb₄Se₂₂ contains two Nb₂Se₁₁ building blocks linked by an Se—Se bond to form isolated Nb₄Se₂₂ tetrameric building blocks surrounded by caesium ions. K₁₂Nb₆Se_35.3 contains similar Nb₄Se₂₂ tetramers that are linked by an Se—Se—Se unit to an Nb₂Se₁₁ dimer to form one‐dimensional anionic chains surrounded by potassium ions. Further crystallographic studies of K₁₂Nb₆Se_35.3 demonstrate a new M₂Se₁₂ building block because of disorder between an Se²⁻ site (85%) and an (Se—Se)²⁻ unit (15%). The subtle differences between the structures are discussed.     

Intercalation of an oxalatooxoniobate complex into layered double hydroxide and layered zinc hydroxide nitrate

A Zn/Al layered double hydroxide with molar ratio of 3 was prepared by coprecipitation in alkaline pH and used as a matrix to intercalate the ionic complex diaquadioxalatooxoniobate(V) (DDON), derived from NH₄[NbO(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]2H₂O. In a similar way, the layered zinc hydroxide nitrate, Zn₅(OH)₈(NO₃)₂2H₂O, was synthesized, preexpanded with azelate ions (⁻OOC(CH₂)₇COO⁻), and then intercalated with the niobium complex. For both layered matrices, the results from X-ray powder diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (TG/s-DTA) indicate the presence of the oxalate ion. In addition, results from X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy indicate the presence of the niobium center bonded to oxygen atoms. Finally, diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy suggests that the niobium centers are coordinated to oxalate ions. This is the first report of the intercalation of niobium into a layered matrix.     

TD-DFT analysis of the excitation of H-dimers of cationic dyes in an aqueous solution using functionals without additional dispersion correction

This work is a development and extension of the previous one (DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00882g ). Here, H-dimers of acridine (acridine orange—AO and proflavine—PF), thiazine (methylene blue—MB and thionine—TH), and oxazine (brilliant cresyl blue—BCB and Nile blue—NB) dyes were modeled using hybrid functionals with a large proportion of exact Hartree–Fock exchange and long-range correction. It turned out that nine functionals (LC-ωHPBE, M06HF, M052X, M062X, M08HX, M11, MN15, SOGGA11X, and ωB97XD) reliably stabilize these molecular aggregates in both the ground and excited states. In addition, these functionals ensure that the conditions for transition moments (M(dimer) ≈ $\sqrt{2}$M(monomer) from strong coupling theory for H-aggregates) and absorption maxima (λ_max(dimer) < λ_max(monomer) from Kasha exciton theory) are met. The S₂ excited state stabilizes the H-dimers more strongly than the ground state, while the S₁ state stabilizes even more than S₂. This is due to the large overlap between the corresponding molecular orbitals (LUMO > HOMO−1 > HOMO). When calculating the vibronic absorption spectra, the best agreement with the experiment for AO₂, PF₂, and NB₂ showed the M08HX functional, and M11—for MB₂ and BCB₂. For dye monomers, these functionals gave the worst agreement, and MN15 demonstrated the closest similarity to the experiment. Vibronic absorption spectra for AO₂, MB₂, BCB₂, and NB₂ were calculated for the first time. The exciton splitting is calculated, which for MB₂ is in good agreement with the experimental value.     

Dicyclopentadienyl-niobium(iii) and -niobium(iv) complexes

The reduction of (η-C₅H₅)₂NbCl₂ (I) under various conditions gives the dimer (η-C₅H₅)₄Nb₂Cl₃ (II) containing niobium(III) and niobium(IV). Reaction of II with AgClO₄ gives [(η-C₅H₅)₄Nb₂Cl₂]⁺ ClO₄^- (III). FeCl₃ and (C₆F₅)₂ TlBr displace I from II to give (η-C₅H₅)₂Nb(μ-Cl)(μ-X)MY₂, where MFe, XYCl(IV) and MTl, XBr, YC₆F₅ (V). Reactions of I with metal halides MXY₂ give (η-C₅H₅)₂ClNb(μ-Cl)MXY₂ where XYCl, MAl (VI), Fe (VII), Tl (VIII) and XBr, YC₆F₅, MTl (IX). The chemical behaviour of all these compounds is described.