Experimental study of the dehydration reactions gypsum-bassanite and bassanite-anhydrite at high pressure: indication of anomalous behavior of H(2)O at high pressure in the temperature range of 50-300 degrees C

The system CaSO(4)-H(2)O, characterized by the three dehydration reactions gypsum-anhydrite, gypsum-bassanite, and bassanite-anhydrite, was reexamined by in situ differential pressure analysis in the temperature range of 60-350 degrees C up to 3.5 GPa pressure. The investigation revealed a fine structure in the dehydration boundaries of gypsum-bassanite and bassanite-anhydrite, each characterized by three inflections at 0.9-1.0, 1.9-2.0, and 2.6-28 GPa. In addition, the phase transition of anhydrite high pressure anhydrite (monazite structure) was established for the first time at high P-T conditions intersecting the bassanite-anhydrite dehydration boundary at 2.15 GPa250 degrees C. Furthermore, the triple point gypsum-bassanite-anhydrite was redetermined with 235 MPa80.5 degrees C. The evaluation of the gypsum-bassanite dehydration boundary with respect to the volume and entropy change of the reaction, DeltaV(react) and DeltaS(react), by means of the Clausius-Clapeyron relation yields for the entropy parameter an unusually large increase over the range of the noted inflections. This is interpreted as anomalous entropy behavior of H(2)O related presumably to a dramatic increase in fluctuations of the hydrogen network of the liquid leading possibly into a new structural state. The effect is strongly related to the three noted pressure levels of 0.9-1.0, 1.9-2.0, and 2.6-28 GPa. In a synopsis of data including also a previous high pressure study in the temperature range between 0 and 80 degrees C, a tentative P-T diagram of H(2)O is proposed.     

High pressure-temperature Brillouin study of liquid water: evidence of the structural transition from low-density water to high-density water

The structural transformations occurring to water from low-density (LDW) to high-density (HDW) regimes have been studied by Brillouin scattering for the first time at temperatures up to 453 K and at pressures up to the solidification point. At ambient temperature (293 K) a discontinuity in pressure response of the sound velocity is observed. Furthermore, there are evident breaks in the linear behavior of log10 C11 versus log10(rho/rho0) when pressure increases up to 0.29, 0.21, and 0.19 GPa at the temperature of 293, 316, and 353 K, respectively. It is supposed to indicate the structural transition from LDW to HDW, and the possible transition boundary between LDW and HDW is in good agreement with the molecular-dynamics simulation.     

Effects of thermal annealing on the Li(+) intercalation properties of V(2)O(5) x nH(2)O xerogel films

V(2)O(5) x nH(2)O xerogel films with n = 1.6, 0.6, and 0.3 have been prepared from the sol-gel route by reacting V(2)O(5) with H(2)O(2) followed by drying under ambient conditions and thermal annealing at 110 and 250 degrees C, respectively. After dehydration, V(2)O(5) crystallizes at 300-330 degrees C, as revealed by thermal gravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated that V(2)O(5) x 0.3H(2)O film exhibits the best Li(+) intercalation performance, with an initial capacity of 275 mAh/g and a stabilized capacity of 185 mAh/g under a high current density of 100 microA/cm(2) after 50 cycles. Under a low current density of 10 microA/cm(2), the capacity of this film can reach 390 mAh/g. Such an enhanced electrochemical property by thermal treatment is ascribed to the reduced water content, the retained interlayer spacing, and the dominant amorphous phase in the film.     

Fast thermal desorption spectroscopy study of H/D isotopic exchange reaction in polycrystalline ice near its melting point

Using fast thermal desorption spectroscopy, a novel technique developed in our laboratory, we investigated the kinetics of HD isotopic exchange in 3 microm thick polycrystalline H2O ice films containing D2O layers at thicknesses ranging from 10 to 300 nm at a temperature of -2.0+/-1.5 degrees C. According to our results over the duration of a typical fast thermal desorption experiment (3-4 ms), the isotopic exchange is confined to a 50+/-10 nm wide reaction zone located at the boundary between polycrystalline H2O and D2O ice. Combining these data with a theoretical analysis of the diffusion in polycrystalline medium, we establish the range of possible values for water self-diffusion coefficients and the grain boundary widths characteristic of our ice samples. Our analysis shows that for the grain boundary width on the order of a few nanometers, the diffusivity of D2O along the grain boundaries must be at least two orders of magnitude lower than that in bulk water at the same temperature. Based on these results, we argue that, in the limit of low concentrations of impurities, polycrystalline ice does not undergo grain boundary premelting at temperatures up to -2 degrees C.     

NaZn(H2O)2[BP2O8].H2O: a novel open-framework borophosphate and its reversible dehydration to microporous sodium zincoborophosphate N

Crystals of NaZn(H2O)2[BP2O8].H2O were grown under mild hydrothermal conditions at 170 degrees C. The crystal structure (solved by X-ray single-crystal methods: hexagonal, P6(1)22 (no. 178), a = 946.2(2), c= 1583.5(1) pm, V= 1227.8(4).10(6) pm3, Z = 6) exhibits a chiral octahedral-tetrahedral framework related to the CZP topology and contains helical ribbons of corner-linked borate and phosphate tetrahedra. Investigation of the thermal behavior up to 180 degrees C shows a (reversible) dehydration process; this leads to the microporous compound Na[ZnBP2O8].H2O, which has the CZP topology. The crystal structure of Na[ZnBP2O8].H2O was determined by X-ray powder diffraction by using a combination of simulated annealing, lattice-energy minimization, and Rietveld refinement procedures (hexagonal, P6(1)22 (no. 178), a = 954.04(2), c = 1477.80(3) pm, V= 164.88(5).10(6) pm3, Z = 6). The essential structural difference caused by the dehydration concerns the coordination of Zn2- changing from octahedral to tetrahedral arrangement.     

Evolution of the structural chemistry of vanadium organodiphosphonate networks and frameworks: structural consequences of fluoride incorporation in the development of stable phases with void channels

Hydrothermal reactions of solutions containing a vanadate source, an organodiphosphonate, an organonitrogen component, and HF (V/P/O/F) yield a series of oxyfluorovanadium-diphosphonates with charge-compensation provided by organoammonium cations or hydronium cations. While V/P/O/F networks provide the recurrent structural motif, the linkage between the layers and the details of the polyhedral connectivities within the layers are quite distinct for the five structures of this study. [H2pip][V4F4O2(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)3PO3}2] (1) (pip = piperazine) is a conventional three-dimensional (3D) "pillared" layer structure, whose V/P/O/F networks are buttressed by the propylene chains of the diphosphonate ligands. In contrast, [H2en][V2O2F2(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)4PO3}] (2) and [H2en]2[V6F12(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)5PO3}2 {HO3P(CH2)5PO3H}] (3) are two-dimensional (2D) slablike structures constructed of pairs of V/P/O/F networks sandwiching the pillaring organic tethers of the diphosphonate ligands. Despite the common overall topology, the layer substructures are quite different: isolated {VO5F} octahedra in 2 and chains of corner-sharing {VO(3)F(3)} octahedra in 3. The 3D structure of [H2en]2[V7O6F4(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)2PO3}4].7H2O (4.7H2O) exhibits a layer substructure that contains the ethylene bridges of the diphosphonate ligands and are linked through corner-sharing octahedral {VO6} sites. The connectivity requirements provide large channels that enclose readily removed water of crystallization. The structure of [H3O][V3F2(H2O)2{O3P(CH2)2PO3}2].3.5H2O (5.3.5H2O) is also 3D. Because of the similiarity with 4.7H2O, it exhibits V/P/O/F layers that include the organic tethers of the diphosphonates and are linked through corner-sharing {VO6} octahedra. In contrast to the network substructure of 4.7H2O, which contains binuclear and trinuclear vanadium clusters, the layers of 5.3.5 H2O are constructed from chains of corner-sharing {VO4F2} octahedra. Thermal studies of the open framework materials 4 and 5 reveal that incorporation of fluoride into the inorganic substructures provides robust scaffoldings that retain their crystallinity to 450 degrees C and above. In the case of 4, dehydration does not change the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the material, which remains substantially unchanged to 450 degrees C. In the case of 5, there are two dehydration steps, that is, the higher temperature process associated with loss of coordinated water. This second dehydration results in structural changes as monitored by powder X-ray diffraction, but this new phase is retained to ca. 450 degrees C. The materials of this study exhibit a range of reduced oxidation states: 1 is mixed valence V(IV)/V(III) while 2 and 4.7H(2)O are exclusively V(IV) and 3 and 5.3.5H2O are exclusively V(III). These oxidation states are reflected in the magnetic properties of the materials. The paramagnetism of 1 arises from the presence of V(III) and V(IV) sites and conforms to the Curie-Weiss law with C = 2.38 em K/(Oe mol) and = -66 K with mu(eff) (300 K) = 4.33 mu(B). Compounds 3-5 exhibit Curie-Weiss law dependence of magnetism on temperature with mu(eff) (300 K) = 5.45 mu(B) for 3 (six V(III) sites), mu(eff) = 4.60 mu(B) for 4 (seven V(IV) sites) and mu(eff) = 4.13 mu(B) for 5 (two V(III) sites). Compound 2 exhibits antiferromagnetic interactions, and the magnetism may be described in terms of the Heisenberg linear antiferromagnetic chain model for V(IV). The effective magnetic moment at 300 K is 2.77 mu(B) (two V(IV) sites).     

Synthesis and electrochemical reaction with lithium of mesoporous iron oxalate nanoribbons

Mesoporous FeC 2O 4 was prepared by dehydration of bulk monoclinic- and micellar orthorhombic FeC 2O 4.2H 2O precursors at 200 degrees C. The micellar material shows nanoribbon shaped particles, which are preserved after dehydration. These solids are used as high-capacity lithium storage materials with improved rate performance. The mesoporous nanoribbons exhibit higher capacities close to 700 mA h/g after 50 cycles at 2C (C = 1 Li h (-1) mol (-1)) rate between 0 and 2 V.     

Mechanism and kinetics of dehydration of epsomite crystals formed in the presence of organic additives

The thermal dehydration of epsomite (MgSO4*7H2O) crystals grown in the presence and absence of organic additives (phosphonates, carboxylic acids, and polyacrylic acid derivatives) was studied by means of thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray thermodiffraction (XRTD), and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). In situ XRTD analyses (in air, 30% relative humidity) show an -->epsomite hexahydrite (MgSO4*6H2O) transition at 25-38 degrees C, followed by formation of amorphous phase(s) at T > 43-48 degrees C, and MgSO4 crystallization at approximately 300 degrees C. Kinetic parameters (E(alpha) and A) were determined for the main dehydration step (25-160 degrees C), which corresponds to a MgSO4*7H2O-->MgSO4*H2O transition, by applying two isoconversional methods to nonisothermal TG data obtained at different heating rates (beta= 1, 3, and 5 K*min-1). In situ, hot-stage ESEM observations of the thermal dehydration of epsomite crystals are consistent with the nonisothermal kinetic study and, along with XRTD results, allow us to propose a dehydration mechanism which includes an early nucleation and growth event, followed by the advancement of the reaction interface (3D phase boundary reaction). Both E(alpha) and A values increase in the presence of the most effective crystallization inhibitors tested. H-bonding between additives and epsomite crystal surfaces is consistent with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and may account for this effect. The increase of E(alpha) values can be related to the excess energy required to break additive-water bonds in the reactant. These results are likely to further our understanding of the interaction mechanisms between salt hydrates and organic additives which act as growth inhibitors/modifiers.     

Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O: a layered cadmium phosphonate with reversible dehydration/hydration properties

In a recent systematic study on the influence of the reaction temperature on the structure formation in the system CdCl2/H(HO3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH (H5L) /NaOH, [Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O was obtained as a microcrystalline compound. We have now been able to elucidate the structure from single-crystal data: triclinic, P; a=5.4503(9), b=12.880(2), and c=16.417(3) A; alpha=67.841(6) degrees, beta=80.633(6) degrees, gamma=87.688(8) degrees, V=1052.9(3) A3; Z=1; R1=0.1143, R2=0.2108 (all data); 0.0705, 0.1823 ((I>2sigmaI)). The structure of [Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O is built up of cadmium phosphonate layers connected by water-mediated hydrogen bonds between aryl-carboxylic acid groups and water molecules coordinated to Cd2+ ions of adjacent layers (C-OH...H2O...H2O-Cd2+). The title compound was characterized by IR spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray, elemental, and thermogravimetric analyses. Furthermore, temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction data are presented. [Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O can be reversibly dehydrated, and mechanical stress and grinding in the presence of water leads to the intercalation of additional water molecules.     

Unusual properties of water at hydrophilic/hydrophobic interfaces

The behaviour of water at mosaic hydrophilic/hydrophobic surfaces of different silicas and in biosystems (biomacromolecules, yeast cells, wheat seeds, bone and muscular tissues) was studied in different dispersion media over wide temperature range using 1H NMR spectroscopy with layer-by-layer freezing-out of bulk water (close to 273 K) and interfacial water (180 < T < 273 K), thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) (90 < T < 270 K), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and quantum chemical methods. Bulk water and water bound to hydrophilic/hydrophobic interfaces can be assigned to different structural types. There are (i) weakly associated interfacial water (1H NMR chemical shift delta(H) = 1.1-1.7 ppm) that can be assigned to high-density water (HDW) with collapsed structure (CS), representing individual molecules in hydrophobic pockets, small clusters and interstitial water with strongly distorted hydrogen bonds or without them, and (ii) strongly associated interfacial water (delta(H) = 4-5 ppm) with larger clusters, nano- and microdomains, and continuous interfacial layer with both HDW and low-density water (LDW). The molecular mobility of weakly associated bound water is higher (because hydrogen bonds are distorted and weakened and their number is smaller than that for strongly associated water) than that of strongly associated bound water (with strong hydrogen bonds but nevertheless weaker than that in ice Ih) that results in the difference in the temperature dependences of the 1H NMR spectra at T < 273 K. These different waters are also appear in changes in the IR and TSDC spectra.     

Synthesis of [NH(4)]MnCl(2)(OAc) and [NH(4)](2)MnCl(4)(H(2)O)(2) by solvothermal dehydration and structure/property correlations in a one-dimensional antiferromagnet

The utility of the solvothermal dehydration strategy whereby superheated acetonitrile reacts with water of hydration to form ammonium acetate is demonstrated in the synthesis of [NH(4)]MnCl(2)(OAc), I, and [NH(4)](2)MnCl(4)(H(2)O)(2), II, from MnCl(2).4H(2)O. The structure of I is shown to crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a = 15.191(6) A, b = 7.044(2) A, c = 13.603(6) A, beta = 107.31 degrees, V = 1389.7(9) cm(-)(1), and Z = 8. The structure of II crystallizes in the space group I4/mmm (No. 139) with a = 7.5250(5) A, b = 8.276(2) A, V = 468.6(1) cm(-)(1), and Z = 2. Both structures exhibit extensive hydrogen bonding that controls both local Mn-Cl bonding and the interchain organization. I is shown to be a one-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet with an intrachain exchange constant J/k = -2.39 K. This structure exhibits exchange coupling intermediate between the well-studied triply and doubly chloride-bridged one-dimensional manganese Heisenberg antiferromagnets. The structure/property correlation demonstrates a linear dependence of the exchange constant on the Mn-Cl-Mn bond angle, alpha, for alpha < 94 degrees.     

Influence of hydrogen bonding on the assembly of six-membered vanadium borophosphate cluster anions: synthesis and structures of (NH4)2(C2H10N2)6[Sr(H2O)5]2[V2P2BO12](6)10H2O, (NH4)2(C3H12N2)6[Sr(H2O)4]2[V2P2BO12](6)17H2O, and (NH4)3(C4H14N2)4 5[Sr(H2O)5]2[Sr(H2O)4][V2P2BO12]6 10H2O

Three new strontium vanadium borophosphate compounds, (NH4)2(C2H10N2)6[Sr(H2O)5]2[V2P2BO12]6 10H2O (Sr-VBPO1) (1), (NH4)2(C3H12N2)6[Sr(H2O)4]2[V2P2BO12]6 17H2O (Sr-VBPO2) (2), and (NH4)3(C4H14N2)4.5[Sr(H2O)5]2[Sr(H2O)4][V2P2BO12]6 10H2O (Sr-VBPO3) (3) have been synthesized by interdiffusion methods in the presence of diprotonated ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, and 1,4-diaminobutane. Compound 1 has a chain structure, whereas 2 and 3 have layered structures with different arrangements of [(NH4) [symbol: see text] [V2P2BO12]6] cluster anions within the layers. Crystal data: (NH4)2(C2H10N2)6[Sr(H2O)5]2[V2P2BO12]6 10H2O, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 21.552(1) A, b = 27.694(2) A, c = 20.552(1) A, beta = 113.650(1) degrees, Z = 4; (NH4)2(C3H12N2)6[Sr(H2O)4]2[V2P2BO12]6 17H2O, monoclinic, space group I2/m (no. 12), a = 15.7618(9) A, b = 16.4821(9) A, c = 21.112(1) A, beta = 107.473(1) degrees, Z = 2; (NH4)3(C4H14N2)4.5[Sr(H2O)5]2[Sr(H2O)4] [V2P2BO12]6 10H2O, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 39.364(2) A, b = 14.0924(7) A, c = 25.342(1) A, beta = 121.259(1) degrees, Z = 4. The differences in the three structures arise from the different steric requirements of the amines that lead to different amine-cluster hydrogen bonds.     

Mechanisms of water oxidation catalyzed by the cis,cis-[(bpy)2Ru(OH2)]2O4+ ion

The cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(III)(OH(2))](2)O(4+) micro-oxo dimeric coordination complex is an efficient catalyst for water oxidation by strong oxidants that proceeds via intermediary formation of cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(V)(O)](2)O(4+) (hereafter, [5,5]). Repetitive mass spectrometric measurement of the isotopic distribution of O(2) formed in reactions catalyzed by (18)O-labeled catalyst established the existence of two reaction pathways characterized by products containing either one atom each from a ruthenyl O and solvent H(2)O or both O atoms from solvent molecules. The apparent activation parameters for micro-oxo ion-catalyzed water oxidation by Ce(4+) and for [5,5] decay were nearly identical, with DeltaH(++) = 7.6 (+/-1.2) kcal/mol, DeltaS() = -43 (+/-4) cal/deg mol (23 degrees C) and DeltaH(++) = 7.9 (+/-1.1) kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = -44 (+/-4) cal/deg mol, respectively, in 0.5 M CF(3)SO(3)H. An apparent solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of 1.7 was measured for O(2) evolution at 23 degrees C; the corresponding KIE for [5,5] decay was 1.6. The (32)O(2)/(34)O(2) isotope distribution was also insensitive to solvent deuteration. On the basis of these results and previously established chemical properties of this class of compounds, mechanisms are proposed that feature as critical reaction steps H(2)O addition to the complex to form covalent hydrates. For the first pathway, the elements of H(2)O are added as OH and H to the adjacent terminal ruthenyl O atoms, and for the second pathway, OH is added to a bipyridine ring and H is added to one of the ruthenyl O atoms.     

Structure and properties of the thorium vanadyl tellurate, Th(VO2)2(TeO6)(H2O)2

The hydrothermal reaction of Th(NO3)4.xH2O with V2O5 and H6TeO6 at 200 degrees C under autogenously generated pressure results in the formation of Th(VO2)2(TeO6)(H2O)2 as a pure phase. The single-crystal X-ray data indicate that Th(VO2)2(TeO6)(H2O)2 possesses a three-dimensional structure constructed from ThO9 tricapped trigonal prisms, VO5 distorted square pyramids, VO4 distorted tetrahedra, and TeO6 distorted octahedra. Both of the vanadium polyhedra contain VO2+ vanadyl units with two short V=O bond distances. The tellurate octahedron is tetragonally distorted and utilizes all of its oxygen atoms to bond to adjacent metal centers, sharing edges with ThO9 and VO5 units, and corners with two ThO9, one VO5, and two VO4 polyhedra. Crystallographic data: Th(VO2)2(TeO6)(H2O)2, orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 12.6921(7), b = 11.5593(7), c = 13.0950(8) A, Z = 8 (T = 193 K). The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum of Th(VO2)2(TeO6)(H2O)2 shows vanadyl-based charge-transfer absorption features. Th(VO2)2(TeO6)(H2O)2 decomposes primarily to Th(VO3)4 when heated at 600 degrees C in air.     

Polynuclear vanadium complexes from thermal decomposition of [V3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3]Cl

Solid-state decomposition of [V3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3]Cl at 300 degrees C followed by alcoholysis of the product gives the new vanadium complexes [V6O6(PhCO2)6(CH3O)6(CH3OH)3] (1), [V6O6(PhCO2)6(C2H5O)6(C2H5OH)3] (2), [V6O6(PhCO2)6(C3H7O)6(C3H7OH)3] (3), [V6O6(PhCO2)6(C4H9O)6(C4H9OH)3] (4) and [V4O4(OCH3)6(O2CPh)2(HOCH3)2] (5). Complexes 2, 3 and 5 have been crystallographically characterised. DC magnetic susceptibility studies on complex shows antiferromagnetic coupling leading to a S = 0 spin ground state.     

Structural influences of organonitrogen ligands on vanadium oxide solids. Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of the terpyridine vanadates [V2O4(terpy)2]3[V10O28], [VO2(terpy)][V4O10], and [V9O22(terpy)3

Hydrothermal reactions of the V2O5/2,2':6':2"-terpyridine/ZnO/H2O system under a variety of conditions yielded the organic-inorganic hybrid materials [V2O4(terpy)2]3[V10O28].2H2O (VOXI-10), [VO2(terpy)][V4O10] (VOXI-11), and [V9O22(terpy)3] (VOXI-12). The structure of VOXI-10 consists of discrete binuclear cations [V2O4(terpy)2]2+ and one-dimensional chains [V10O28]6-, constructed of cyclic [V4O12]4- clusters linked through (VO4) tetrahedra. In contrast, the structure of VOXI-11 exhibits discrete mononuclear cations [VO2(terpy)]1+ and a two-dimensional vanadium oxide network, [V4O10]1-. The structure of the oxide layer is constructed from ribbons of edge-sharing square pyramids; adjacent ribbons are connected through corner-sharing interactions into the two-dimensional architecture. VOXI-12 is also a network structure; however, in this case the terpy ligand is incorporated into the two-dimensional oxide network whose unique structure is constructed from cyclic [V6O18]6- clusters and linear (V3O5(terpy)3) moieties of corner-sharing vanadium octahedra. The rings form chains through corner-sharing linkages; adjacent chains are connected through the trinuclear units. Crystal data: VOXI-10, C90H70N18O42V16, triclinic P1, a = 12.2071(7) A, b = 13.8855(8) A, 16.9832(10) A, alpha = 69.584(1) degrees, beta = 71.204(1) degrees, gamma = 84.640(1) degrees, Z = 1; VOXI-11, C15H11N3O12V5, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 7.7771(1) A, b = 10.3595(2) A, c = 25.715(4) A, beta = 92.286(1) degrees, Z = 4; VOXI-12, C45H33N9O22V9, monoclinic C2/c, a = 23.774(2) A, b = 9.4309(6) A, c = 25.380(2) A, beta = 112.047(1) degrees, Z = 4.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of Zn(tda)H2O [tda = S(CH(2)COO)2(2-)

A novel two-dimensional coordination polymer Zn(tda)H2O [tda = S(CH(2)COO)2(2-)] was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The compound crystallized in monoclinic space group P2(1) with a = 16.4154(17) A, b = 5.2133(6) A, c = 16.4210(17) A, beta = 114.165(2) degrees , V = 1282.1(2) A3, and Z = 8. The structure features two-dimensional, noncentrosymmetric networks with a pseudohexagonal network of Zn2+ coordinated by tda and water molecules. Zn(tda)H2O decomposed at T > 300 degrees C to form a ZnO sponge with a surface area approximately 40 m2/g, which makes it an attractive precursor for nanoporous ZnO.     

Different properties of H2O- and D2O-containing phospholipid-based reverse micelles near a critical temperature

Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/water/pyridine reverse micelles have been found to transform from a clear liquid into a glass when the DPPC-to-water volume fraction is in the 0.78-0.89 range at 28 or 26 degrees C depending on whether water is H2O or D2O. Their study by SANS, FT-IR, and 1H NMR for this composition has shown remarkable effects of the isotopic nature of water on their structural and dynamic properties. By SANS, between 38 and 43.5 degrees C, micelles appear as either flexible polymer-like cylinders or short rods depending on whether water is H2O or D2O. On the basis of this dual aspect, micelles have been visualized as branched cylinders whose quasi-spherical branching points would be prone to assemble into short rods. In addition, when water contains more than 40% of D2O, a Bragg reflection emerges at 0.12 A(-1) on SANS spectra, evidencing an organization of micelles. In addition, FT-IR spectra show that DPPC phosphate groups are D bonded only when water is D2O. Consequently, we assumed that forces prone to organize the D2O-containing micelles are D-bonded water bridges between neighboring micelles at the level of their branching points. In fact, ab initio calculations have shown that water dimers are more stable when the bridging atom is D rather than H. These water bridges could be formed due to the fact that branching points, able to slide along micelles, keep close for a longer time when water is D2O than when it is H2O. Indeed, it has been shown experimentally that the lateral diffusion of phospholipid molecules in any layer is slower in the first case. Formation of such bridges triggers a deuteron migration between micelles evidenced by the 1/T1 relaxation rate of deuterons of water in D2O-containing micelles measured at 43 degrees C by 1H NMR.     

New strontium polysulfides, SrS3, and Sr2(OH)2S4.10H2O, obtained by the high-pressure treatment of a Sr-S mixture

A new polymorph of SrS(3) was obtained by a reaction of SrS and S with an atomic ratio of Sr:S = 1:5 under a pressure of 5 GPa at 1200 degrees C. It crystallized in a tetragonal unit cell with a = 6.708(1) A, c = 3.942(1) A, and V = 177.36(6) A(3). It was isotypic with BaS(3), and contained S3(2-) polysulfide ions. The product obtained from the high-pressure synthesis contained an amorphous component. It was highly deliquescent and formed a yellowish solution. A new layered polysulfide, Sr(2)(OH)(2)S(4).10H(2)O, crystallized in the solution. The sulfide belonged to a triclinic space group of P (No. 2) with lattice constants of a = 5.9107(5) A, b = 7.8682(6) A, c = 9.4134(6) A, alpha = 75.639(6) degrees, beta = 73.824(3) degrees, gamma = 71.639(3) degrees, V = 392.83(5) A(3), and Z = 1. Each Sr ion was coordinated with one OH ligand and eight H(2)O ligands. Six H(2)O ligands out of the eight were bridging ligands to form two-dimensional [Sr(2)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(10)(2+)]( infinity ) cationic layers, between which S4(2-) tetrapolysulfide ions were situated. The S4(2-) anion had a coplanar configuration with a dihedral angle of 180.0 degrees. The stability of S4(2-) anions having different conformations was discussed from a viewpoint of ab initio MO calculations on changing the dihedral angles of S4(2-).     

Polar symmetry and intercalation of new multilayered hybrid molybdates: [M2(pzc)2(H2O)x][Mo5O16] (M = Co, Ni)

The layered molybdate [M2(pzc)2(H2O)x][Mo5O16] (I: M = Ni, x = 5.0; II: M = Co, x = 4.0; pzc = pyrazinecarboxylate) hybrid solids were synthesized via hydrothermal reactions at 160-165 degrees C. The structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for I (Cc, Z = 4; a = 33.217(4) A, b = 5.6416(8) A, c = 13.982(2) A, beta = 99.407(8) degrees , and V = 2585.0(6) A3) and powder X-ray diffraction data for II (C2/c, Z = 4; a = 35.42(6) A, b = 5.697(9) A, c = 14.28(2) A, beta = 114.95(4) degrees , and V = 2614(12) A3). The polar structure of I contains new [Ni2(pzc)2(H2O)5]2+ double layers that form an asymmetric pattern of hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds to stair-stepped [Mo5O16]2- sheets, inducing a net dipole moment in the latter. In II, however, the [Co2(pzc)2(H2O)4]2+ double layers have one less coordinated water and subsequently exhibit a symmetric pattern of covalent and hydrogen bonding to the [Mo5O16]2- sheets, leading to a centrosymmetric structure. Thermogravimetric analyses and powder X-ray diffraction data reveal that I can be dehydrated and rehydrated with from 0 to 6.5 water molecules per formula unit, which is coupled with a corresponding contraction/expansion of the interlayer distances. Also, the dehydrated form of I can be intercalated by approximately 4.3 H2S molecules per formula unit, but the intercalation by pyridine or methanol is limited to less than one molecule per formula unit.