Formation of carbon phases under hydrothermal conditions

The formation of carbon phases by reacting formaldehyde with sulfuric acid under hydrothermal conditions was studied. The final products of the reaction were found to be amorphous carbon, diamond-like carbon, α- and β-graphite phases, fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀, fullerites, carbolite, and chaoite. Hydrocarbons of various compositions were detected in reaction products, namely cyclic hydrocarbons, including aromatic ones, and naphthene hydrocarbons. A formation scheme is suggested for carbon structures.     

Reactions of small carbon cluster ions with HCN: a structural probe

The results of a detailed study of the primary and secondary reactions of carbon cluster ions, C _n ⁺ (3≤n≤20), with HCN are presented and discussed. The experiments were performed in a Fourier transform (ICR) mass spectrometer, using direct laser vaporization of graphite to form the carbon cluster ions. Evidence for two structural forms of then=7, 8 and 9 cluster ions is obtained from their differing reactivity with HCN. The C ₇ ⁺ ion is anomalous in its behavior in many respects, which is interpreted by an isomerization mechanism. The HCN reactions offer a contrast to the reactions with nonpolar neutrals studied previously. All HCN reactions produced ions of the type C_nX⁺ (primary product) or C_nXY⁺ (secondary product) where X, Y=H, CN or HCN. Fragmentation of the original carbon cluster was not observed, while radiative association is an important reaction channel. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation studies of the product ions support the mechanism of insertion into the H-CN bond and formation of covalent bonds at the carbene site for the primary reactions. In most secondary reactions however, the HCN associates weakly with the ion, rather than binding covalently.     

Formation of a C–C double bond from two aliphatic carbons. Multiple C–H activations in an iridium pincer complex

The search for novel, atom-economic methods for the formation of C–C bonds is of crucial importance in synthetic chemistry. Especially attractive are reactions where C–C bonds are formed through C–H activation, but the coupling of unactivated, alkane-type C_sp³–H bonds remains an unsolved challenge. Here, we report iridium-mediated intramolecular coupling reactions involving up to four unactivated C_sp³–H bonds to give carbon–carbon double bonds under the extrusion of dihydrogen. The reaction described herein is completely reversible and the direction can be controlled by altering the reaction conditions. With a hydrogen acceptor present a C–C double bond is formed, while reacting under dihydrogen pressure leads to the reverse process, with some of the steps representing net C_sp³–C_sp³ bond cleavage. Mechanistic investigations revealed a conceptually-novel overall reactivity pattern where insertion or deinsertion of an Ir carbene moiety, formed via double C–H activation, into an Ir–C bond is responsible for the key C–C bond formation and cleavage steps.     

Alkaloids of the flora of Siberia and Altai: XX. Synthesis of 5-aryl(hetaryl)-substituted anthranilic acid esters

Cross-coupling of methyl 2-acetylamino-5-bromobenzoate and 5′-bromolappaconitine with aryl-, furyl-, pyridyl-, and 5-acetylthiophen-2-ylboronic acids or 1-(2-fluoroquinolin-3-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane gave the corresponding 5-aryl(hetaryl)-substituted anthranilic acid derivatives. The use of the two-phase toluene-water system as reaction medium and addition of tetrabutylammonium bromide allows the cross-coupling to be accomplished under mild conditions. The catalytic system Pd(dba)₂-AsPh₃ was found to be efficient in the cross-coupling of methyl 2-acetylamino-5-bromobenzoate with furyl- and pyridylboronic acids, whereas the system Pd(OAc)₂-(o-Tol)₃P ensured good results in the reactions of 5′-bromolappaconitine with hetarylboronic acids. Facile esterification at the C⁸-OH and C⁹-OH groups of the aconitane skeleton was observed in the reactions of 5′-bromolappaconitine and 5′-phenyllappaconitine with phenylboronic acid. 5′-Bromo-8,9-O-(phenylboranediyl)lappaconitine under the Suzuki reaction conditions underwent hydrolysis of the boronic ester moiety with formation of the cross-coupling product of 5′-bromolappaconitine with phenylboronic acid.     

Direct and initiated halogenation of carbon nanomaterials at low temperatures

Cryochemical reactions of the direct and initiated (by photolysis and radiolysis) halogenation of carbon nanomaterials (C₆₀ fullerene, nanotubes, and nanofibers) at 77–240 K were investigated by the ESR, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis techniques. A high reactivity of C₆₀ in reactions with fluorine and chlorine with the formation of corresponding derivatives was shown. High concentrations of radical intermediates indicating the radical chain halogenation of C₆₀ were detected (the kinetic chain length for the chlorination process reaches 10⁴–10⁶ units). The amount of chlorine attached to fullerene is ～35% and practically does not depend on the initiation mode (UV or γ-irradiation at doses up to 350 kGy). The mechanism of the cryochemical halogenation of C₆₀ is considered within the limits of the model of multicenter synchronous transitions in a molecular complex consisting of several reactant molecules including molecular fluorine or chlorine and ensuring a net exothermic effect. The amount of chlorine added to nanotubes and nanofibers did not exceed 2.5–8%, thereby indicating a low reactivity of these materials under cryogenic conditions.     

Thermal dissociation of tripropylamine as the first step in the growth of carbon nanotubes inside AlPO4‐5 channels

Tripropylamine (TPA) is a template for the synthesis of porous AlPO₄‐5, whose calcination in the absence of air leads to the formation of 4 Å single‐walled carbon nanotubes. The thermal dissociation of TPA is the first step in this remarkable process. We examined the dissociation mechanisms of TPA by first principles calculations, under three types of conditions. In the gas phase, the unimolecular dissociation was a complex process initiated by the breaking of either the N? C^α and the C^α? C^β bonds. Within a confined space inside neutral zeolitic channels, the diffusion of H radicals enhanced a cycle of reactions to produce dipropylamine and monopropylamine, in agreement with experimental observations. In the presence of an acidic site, the dissociation of TPA was catalyzed to produce ammonia and propylene molecules, which were identified as the precursors for the eventual formation of carbon nanotubes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Role of interlayer M k atoms and H2O molecules in the structure formation of M k (VUO6) k · nH2O uranovanadates

M ^k (VUO₆) _k · nH₂O uranovanadates of alkali (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs), alkaline-earth (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba), 3d transition (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and rare-earth (Y, La, Ln) elements were prepared by precipitation from solutions under hydrothermal conditions and in solid-phase reactions. The composition and structure of these compounds and the role of M ^k atoms and H₂O molecules in the formation of their structure were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR-spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and chemical analysis.     

Structure and morphology controllable synthesis of Ag/carbon hybrid with ionic liquid as soft-template and their catalytic properties

Ag/carbon hybrids were fabricated by the redox of glucose and silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in the presence of imidazolium ionic liquid ([C₁₄mim]BF₄) under hydrothermal condition. Monodisperse carbon hollow sub-microspheres encapsulating Ag nanoparticles and Ag/carbon cables were selectively prepared by varying the concentration of ionic liquid. Other reaction parameters, such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the mole ratio of silver nitrate to glucose, play important roles in controlling the structures of the products. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM (HRTEM), SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), FTIR spectroscopy and a Raman spectrometer. The possible formation mechanism was proposed. The catalytic property of the hybrid in the oxidation of 1-butanol by H₂O₂ was also investigated.     

Studies of the Formation of Carbon Clusters

Experimental and theoretical studies focusing on the formation of carbon clusters are described. In the experiment on discharge in liquid chloroform, a series of perchlorinated fragments of C₆₀ was synthesized and a scarce amount of C₆₀ was detected. In the laser vaporization experiments, it was found that the production of C ₆₀ ⁺ and other fullerene ions could be promoted by doping chlorine-containing compounds into carbon targets. Chlorine atoms were found to play key roles of not only tying up the dangling bonds of the polycyclic carbon clusters, but also catalyzing the formation of fullerenes. The results showed that C₆₀ and other fullerenes are formed from growth of small carbon species and supported the Pentagon Road scheme of the fullerene formation mechanism. On the other hand, ab initio calculations were carried out on formation reactions of C₆₀ from its various perchlorinated fragments, C_60–2mCl₁₀. The monotonically decreasing calculated energies of reactions with growing size of the fragments confirm that the formation reaction is energetically favorable.     

Synthesis and electrochemical investigation of spinel cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles for supercapacitor application

Cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe₂O₄-MNPs) were synthesized by hydrothermal and co-precipitation methods using different precursors such as nitrates, chlorides, and acetates, at different concentrations with/without surfactant under different growth conditions. The structural and morphological analyses reveal the formation of a single-phase CoFe₂O₄ in nanoplatelet-shaped NPs with average particle size between 11 and 26 nm depending on synthesis condition. The specific surface area of these NPs obtained by hydrothermal method was ~ 34 m² g^?1. Electrochemical performances of the obtained nanoparticles in a three-electrode configuration with a 6 M KOH electrolyte revealed a specific capacitance (C _s) of 429 F/g at 0.5 A/g, with excellent capacitance retention of 98.8% after 6000 cycles at 10 A/g for the electro-active NPs synthesized by hydrothermal method at 200 °C for 18 h.     

Gas‐Phase Synthesis of the Benzyl Radical (C6H5CH2)

Dicarbon (C₂), the simplest bare carbon molecule, is ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and in combustion flames. A gas‐phase synthesis is presented of the benzyl radical (C₆H₅CH₂) by the crossed molecular beam reaction of dicarbon, C₂(X¹Σ_g⁺, a³Π_u), with 2‐methyl‐1,3‐butadiene (isoprene; C₅H₈; X¹A′) accessing the triplet and singlet C₇H₈ potential energy surfaces (PESs) under single collision conditions. The experimental data combined with ab initio and statistical calculations reveal the underlying reaction mechanism and chemical dynamics. On the singlet and triplet surfaces, the reactions involve indirect scattering dynamics and are initiated by the barrierless addition of dicarbon to the carbon–carbon double bond of the 2‐methyl‐1,3‐butadiene molecule. These initial addition complexes rearrange via multiple isomerization steps, leading eventually to the formation of C₇H₇ radical species through atomic hydrogen elimination. The benzyl radical (C₆H₅CH₂), the thermodynamically most stable C₇H₇ isomer, is determined as the major product.     

Comparison of electrochemical properties of two-component C60-Pd polymers formed under electrochemical conditions and by chemical synthesis

The electrochemical behavior of C₆₀-Pd polymer formed under electrochemical conditions and by the chemical synthesis was examined. In these polymers, fullerene moieties are covalently bonded to palladium atoms to form a polymeric network. Both materials deposited at the electrode surface show electrochemical activity at negative potentials due to the reduction of fullerene cage. Electrochemically formed thin polymeric films exhibit much more reversible voltammetric response in comparison to chemically synthesized polymers. The morphology and electrochemical behavior of chemically synthesized C₆₀-Pd polymer depend on the composition of grown solution. Chemical polymerization results in formation of large, ca. 50 μm, crystallic superficial structures that are composed of regular spherical particles with a diameter of 150 nm. The capacitance properties of C₆₀-Pd films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Specific capacitance of chemically formed films depends on the conditions of film formation. The best capacitance properties was obtained for films containing 1:3 fullerene to Pd molar ratio. For these films, specific capacitance of 35 Fg^?1 was obtained in acetonitrile containing (n-C₄H₉)₄NClO₄. This value is much lower in comparison to the specific capacitance of electrochemically formed C₆₀-Pd film.     

Formation of microstructures on silicon surface in a fluorinated plasma via the cyclic etching-passivation process

The conditions and causes of formation of microneedles and columnar structures on the surface of silicon during deep anisotropic etching in an SF₆/C₄F₈ plasma in the two-stage cyclic mode were determined. The appearance of microstructures is accelerated with an increase in the thickness of the fluorocarbon film formed on the silicon surface at the step of passivation in a C₄F₈ plasma and with an increase is the rate of etching the film in an SF₆ plasma. By means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it was shown that the formation of carbon residues of fluorocarbon film etching on the Si surface is enhanced under these conditions. Building-up on the surface in the cyclic process, the residues as a micromasking coating lead to the formation of microneedles and columnar structures.     

Dynamic covalent chemistry of a boronylammonium ion and a crown ether: formation of a C3-symmetric [4]rotaxane

This Letter describes an efficient method for constructing a C₃-symmetric [4]rotaxane through hydrogen bond-guided self-assembly and boroxine formation. The reactions proceed under mild conditions in solution, with entropically driven forces promoting the formation of the [4]rotaxane.     

Rearrangements and fragmentations of phenyl styryl sulfides: 2—labelling studies

Metastable molecular ions of phenyl styryl sulfides may decompose by loss of CH₃^˙, SH^˙, CHS^˙, C₆H₅^˙, C₆H₆ or C₇H₇^˙. Labelling with carbon-13 and deuterium gave information about the mechanisms of these reactions. It appears that extensive rearrangements occur prior to most of these fragmentations. In the case of phenyl β-styryl sulfide both phenyl groups and both vinyl carbon atoms are found in the C₇H₇ fragment in comparable amounts. For phenyl α-styryl sulfide this fragmentation leads more specifically to the loss of the S-phenyl group and the β-vinyl carbon atom. It was concluded that rearrangements occur, partly via symmetric diphenyl ethene sulfide structures, to benzyl phenyl thione ions, from which the fragmentation occurs. For the loss of CHS^˙ an earlier proposed mechanism was confirmed. From both compounds the S-phenyl ring can be lost as C₆H₅^˙ or C₆H₆ as well as the C-phenyl ring. Fragmentation occurs from one of the initial structures as well as from benzyl phenyl thione. Loss of CH₃^˙ is thought to occur after ring closure with formation of dihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes followed by ring opening by rupture of a C? S bond. While phenyl β-styryl sulfide shows a strong tendency towards isomerization to a symmetric structure like 1,2-diphenylethene sulfide, phenyl α-styryl sulfide easily rearranges in an electrocyclic reaction with formation of benzyl phenyl thione.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence of single crystals europium ion-doped BaF2 cubic nanorods

In this work, we used the hydrothermal method to synthesize Eu³⁺ ion-doped cubic BaF₂ nanorods, which is a luminescent material. The clubbed structures were well crystallized and exhibited face-centred cubic structures, as indicated by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The luminescent properties were studied, and local symmetry surrounding Eu³⁺ ions and electronic transition processes included. The results indicated that Eu³⁺ occupied only one C_4ν site in nanorods.     

Facial selectivity in addition reactions to the highly strained enone in tricyclo[5.2.1.0]deca-2(6),8-dienone and tricyclo[5.2.1.0]dec-2(6)-enone

Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]deca-2(6),8-dien-3-one contains a highly strained central double bond due to geometrical constraints imposed by the tricyclic skeleton which does not allow optimal sp² hybridization at the C₂ and C₆ bridgehead positions. Michael addition of various nucleophiles (alkoxides, cyanide, and malonate) under protic conditions resulted in an exclusive exo-facial selectivity. This preference can be explained by steric and electronic factors. Michael additions using lithium dialkylcuprates resulted in predominant formation of endo-products, but also some exo-products were obtained. These exo-products arising from endo-approach may be the result of coordination of the cuprate with both the enone moiety and the olefinic C₈-C₉ bond. Michael additions to tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec-2(6)-en-3-one, which lacks this C₈-C₉ double bond showed exclusive exo-facial selectivity to give exo-products. Besides these additions were all considerably slower than those to tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]deca-2(6),8-dien-3-one proving significant electronic participation of the C₈-C₉ double bond in reactions with this substrate.     

Open-Framework Rubidium Halides Incorporated in Cadmium Oxalate Host Lattices

The metathetic reaction between CdBr₂ and rubidium oxalate under hydrothermal conditions yields [RbBr] [Cd₆(C₂O₄)₆]·2H₂O, I, containing Cd₆O₂₄ clusters with the Br⁻ ions in the center. The RbBr moiety forms a three-dimensional Fm3m structure, but with a unit cell double that of the normal stable phase. The hydrothermal reaction between rubidium oxalate and CdCl₂ in the presence of NO⁻₃ ions gives [Rb₂Cd(NO₃)(Cl)(C₂O₄)(H₂O)], II, containing cadmium chloro-oxalate layers. The Rb⁺ ions present between the layers interact with the Cl atoms to form a one-dimensional RbCl chain decorated by NO⁻₃ groups.     

Gas phase reactions of the ion C5H5Fe+: A kinetic study

The kinetics of gas phase reactions of the ion C₅H₅Fe⁺ with oxygen (Me₂CO, Me₂O, MeOH, iso-propanol, H₂O) and nitrogen (NH₃, NH₂Me, NHMe₂, NMe₃) donor ligands have been studied by ion trap mass spectrometry. While in the literature reactions of the ion Fe⁺, with the same ligands, the principal reaction path involves fragmentation in almost all the reactions of the ion C₅H₅Fe⁺, formation of adduct ions is the major reaction path. The reactivity of these two ions is briefly compared in the ion trap conditions. Kinetic data for the ion C₅H₅Fe⁺ indicate that the reactions show a large range of efficiency and a linear correlation is found between the log of the reaction rate constants and the ionization energy of ligands with the same donor atom.     

Formation of M+ ions and electronic excitation under fast-atom bombardment conditions by using a liquid matrix

Japan The mechanism for the formation of molecular ions M^+· under fast-atom bombardment (FAB) conditions with a liquid matrix is discussed on the basis of the mass spectra of pyrene, coronene, and fullerene C₆₀ obtained by using electron impact, gas-phase fast-atom bombardment, and gas-phase fast-molecule bombardment techniques. The obtained results suggest that formation of the M^+· ions under FAB conditions is not due to direct collisions between analytes M and fast atoms A, but is due to collision interactions between M and recoiling matrix molecules B or matrix ions. It has been confirmed, furthermore, that the FAB conditions with a liquid matrix are sufficient in energy for formation of singly charged ions M^+· and insufficient for the formation of multiply charged ions M ^z+ (z=2, 3) of pyrene, coronene, and C₆₀.