Architecture of Platonic and Archimedean polyhedral links

A new methodology for understanding the construction of polyhedral links has been developed on the basis of the Platonic and Archimedean solids by using our method of the ‘three-cross-curve and dou- ble-twist-line covering’. There are five classes of polyhedral links that can be explored: the tetrahedral and truncated tetrahedral links; the hexahedral and truncated hexahedral links; the dodecahedral and truncated dodecahedral links; the truncated octahedral and icosahedral links. Our results show that the tetrahedral and truncated tetrahedral links have T symmetry; the hexahedral and truncated hexahedral links, as well as the truncated octahedral links, O symmetry; the dodecahedral and truncated dodeca- hedral links, as well as the truncated icosahedral links, I symmetry, respectively. This study provides further insight into the molecular design, as well as theoretical characterization, of the DNA and protein catenanes.     

The architecture of Platonic polyhedral links

A new methodology for understanding the construction of polyhedral links has been developed on the basis of the Platonic solids by using our method of the ‘n-branched curves and m-twisted double-lines covering’. There are five classes of platonic polyhedral links we can construct: the tetrahedral links; the hexahedral links; the octahedral links; the dodecahedral links; the icosahedral links. The tetrahedral links, hexahedral links, and dodecahedral links are, respectively, assembled by using the method of the ‘3-branched curves and m-twisted double-lines covering’, whereas the octahedral links and dodecahedral links are, respectively, made by using the method of the ‘4-branched curves’ and ‘5-branched curves’, as well as ‘m-twisted double-lines covering’. Moreover, the analysis relating topological properties and link invariants is of considerable importance. Link invariants are powerful tools to classify and measure the complexity of polyhedral catenanes. This study provides further insight into the molecular design, as well as theoretical characterization, of the DNA polyhedral catenanes.     

Garnets with dodecahedral rare earths and scandium, octahedral scandium, and tetrahedral iron. II. Magnetic studies

Garnets with magnetic trivalent rare earth ions (Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) filling all or nearly all dodecahedral sites while nonmagnetic Sc³⁺ ions fill all octahedral sites and magnetic Fe³⁺ ions fill all or nearly all tetrahedral sites have recently been reported by this laboratory. They afford an opportunity to seek magnetic interaction between dodecahedral rare earth ions and tetrahedral ferric ions in the absence of the additional interaction with octahedral iron which occurs in more conventional rare earth iron garnets such as {Gd₃}[Fe₂](Fe₃)O₁₂. For each composition, dependence of magnetization on temperature was measured between room temperature and that of liquid helium. Measurements were also made at liquid helium temperature of the dependence of magnetization on applied field with values up to 60.7 kOe. Low temperature results are in most cases ascribed to ferrimagnetic ordering but with canting of ion moments to explain why magnetic saturation has not been attained even with the maximum field applied. As is usually the case, the magnetic behavior of the Sm compound is quite different from that of the others and the possibilities of antiferromagnetism, paramagnetism, and metastable ferrimagnetism are discussed.     

Particle Size Limit for Concomitant Tuning of Size and Shape of Platinum Nanoparticles

Based on a polyol process, one-step synthetic procedures were investigated for concomitant control of the shape and size of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs). Cubic and octahedral/tetrahedral particles of different sizes (5–10 nm) were synthesized using these procedures. Further attempts to control the shape of the NPs below 3–4 nm failed. It was found that 3–4 nm is the particle size limit for Pt NPs above which the particle size and shape can be concomitantly controlled.     

Pb2.63Cd2V3O12, a cation‐deficient garnet‐type vanadate

In the crystal structure of the cation‐deficient garnet Pb_2.63Cd₂V₃O₁₂ (lead cadmium vanadium oxide), the Cd and V atoms fully occupy octahedral and tetrahedral sites, respectively, whereas the Pb atoms partially occupy a dodecahedral site. The total Pb and Cd content indicates that vanadium is slightly reduced from the +5 oxidation state.     

Essential oil ofPeucedanum oreoselinum fruits collected near Vilnius

Fruits ofPeucedanum oreoselinum (L.) Moench, were collected at three sites in 1995–1998 and contained 1.5–5.0% essential oil. Analyses were performed using GLC and GC-MS. The main component of the essential oil is limonene (44.1–82.4%). The majority of examined samples contained more limonene than has been reported in the literature. Only in sunny locations do plants synthesize significant quantities of γ-terpinene (12.2–17.5%) and β-pinene (8.5–14.5%). Small quantities of α-pinene are present in all studied samples of essential oil (4.0–8.3%). Monoterpenes comprise 97.1–98.6% of the essential oil. The remainder consists of sesquiterpenes. Institute of Chemistry, ul. Goshtauto, 9, Vilnius, Lithuania. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 743–745, November–December, 1999.     

Synthesis and structure of gold and copper complexes: [Ph3PhCH2P]+[AuCl4]?, [NH(C2H4OH)3]+[AuCl4]? · H2O, and [Ph3EtP] 2+ [Cu2Cl6]2?

Triphenylbenzylphosphonium tetrachloroaurate (I) and triethanolammonium tetrachloroaurate hydrate (II) were prepared by reacting tetrachloroauric acid in acetone with triphenylbenzylphosphonium and triethanolammonium, respectively. Triphenylethylphosphonium hexachlorodicuprate (III) was synthesized from triphenylethylphosphonium chloride and copper chloride in acetone. The crystal structures of complexes I to III were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The phosphorus atoms in complex I have a nearly undistorted tetrahedral coordination (CPC, 108.3°–110.6°; P-C, 1.788–1.793 ?). The coordination of nitrogen atoms in the cations of complex II is a distorted tetrahedron (CNC, 111.7°–112.4°). The square coordination of aurum in I and II is only slightly distorted: the ClAuCl angles are 89.6°–90.3° (I) and 89.5°–90.6° (II) and the Au-Cl distances are 2.256–2.278 ? I) and 2.280–2.285 ? (II). The phosphorus atoms in complex III are tetracoordinated (CPC, 106.34°–111.73°; P-C, 1.790–1.795 ?). The copper atoms in III have a distorted tetrahedral coordination (ClCuCl, 98.48°–144.85°; Cu-Cl, 2.1999–2.3263 ?). The central fragment Cu₂Cl₂ in the anion of complex III is bent relative to the Cu₂ axis (the chlorine atom deviates from the Cu₂Cl plane by 0.27 ?).     

Isomorphous inclusions of silicon, aluminum, and titanium in the germanate zeolite IPC-3

The zeolite IPC-3, isomorphous with germanate zeolite ASU-16, and its silicon, aluminum, and titanium analogs, were obtained in the presence of 1,6-diaminohexane as a template. It is possible to incorporate selectively the elements in different crystallographic positions, determined by the nature of the element, particularly its valency and its coordination number with respect to oxygen. Silicon takes tetrahedral positions in the IPC-3 lattice, Al either tetrahedral or octahedral positions, and Ti octahedral positions. Small amounts of the lithium cations facilitate tetrahedral coordination and increase the Al content in IPC-3. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 246–251, July–August, 2006.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-heptane conversion over Pt/In–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> sol–gel prepared catalysts

Platinum catalysts supported on indium-doped alumina were prepared by the sol–gel method. The method allows the incorporation of In³⁺ in the alumina network. The indium-doped alumina supports showed narrow pore size distribution (5.4–4.0 nm) and high specific surface areas (258–280 m²/g). The ²⁷Al NMR-MAS spectroscopy identified aluminum in tetrahedral, pentahedral, and octahedral coordination; however, the intensity of the signal assigned to aluminum in pentahedral coordination diminishes with the increase of the content of indium. Total acidity determined by ammonia thermodesorption diminishes strongly in Pt/In–Al₂O₃ catalysts, suggesting a selective deposit of platinum over the acid sites of the support. The effect of the support in the platinum catalytic activity was evaluated in the n-heptane dehydrocyclization reaction. The selectivity patterns for such reaction were modified substantially in the doped Pt/In–Al₂O₃ catalysts, in comparison with the Pt-In/Al₂O₃–I coimpregnated reference catalyst. As an important result, the formation of benzene was suppressed totally over the indium-doped alumina sol–gel supports with a high content (3 wt%) of indium.     

Structural transition to electrolyte-water solvent and changes in the molecular dynamics of water and properties of solutions

A model of concentration transition “ions and complexes in a water structure → ionic and ionicaqueous clusters → polymer structures of salt and crystal hydrate melts” is suggested. The appearance of cluster nanostructures outside the first zone of a waterlike structure is regarded as a general characteristic of solutions. The characteristics of solutions, phase equilibria, and salts of complex composition are interpreted based on this model. Investigation of the complex dielectric constant of electrolytic solutions in the SHF and EHF bands (7–119 GHz) at high concentrations showed that there are two dispersion regions in which the relaxation times differ by a factor of 5–10. Relaxation processes are separated, the numbers of molecules in hydration shells are calculated, and relaxation times are determined for bulky tetrahedral water with hydration shells of ions, for clusters, and for ionicaqueous polymer chains. It is shown that the two structure subsystems of water molecules in concentrated solutions may be described using the limited rotator/generalized diffusion molecular model. Translated fromZhumal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 851–863, September–October, 1998.     

Formation of functional phosphosilicate gels from phytic acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate

Phosphosilicate gels with high phosphorus content (P mol% > Si mol%) have been prepared using phytic acid as the phosphorus precursor, with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). It is shown that the structure of phytic acid is maintained in both the sols and those gels dried at a low temperature (i.e. ≤120 °C). Solid state ²⁹Si and ³¹P NMR suggest that the gel network is primarily based on tetrahedral silicon and that phosphorus is not chemically incorporated into the silicate network at this point. X-ray diffraction shows the gel to be amorphous at low temperatures. After heat treatment at higher temperatures (i.e. up to 450 °C), P–O–Si linkages are formed and the silicon coordination changes from tetrahedral to octahedral. At the same time, the gel crystallizes. Even after this partial calcination, ³¹P NMR shows that a large fraction of phytic acid remains in the network. The function of phytic acid as chelating agent is also maintained in the gels dried at 120 °C such that its ability to absorb Ca²⁺ from aqueous solution is preserved.     

Li-cycling properties of nano-crystalline (Ni1 ? xZnx)Fe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Sol–gel auto-combustion method is adopted to prepare solid solutions of nano-crystalline spinel oxides, (Ni_1 − x Zn _x )Fe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1).The phases are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The cubic lattice parameters, calculated by Rietveld refinement of XRD data by taking in to account the cationic distribution and affinity of Zn ions to tetrahedral sites, show almost Vegard’s law behavior. Galvanostatic cycling of the heat-treated electrodes of various compositions are carried in the voltage range 0.005–3 V vs. Li at 50 mAg⁻¹ up to 50 cycles. Phases with high Zn content x ≥ 0.6 showed initial two-phase Li-intercalation in to the structure. Second-cycle discharge capacities above 1,000 mAh g⁻¹ are observed for all x. However, drastic capacity fading occurs in all cases up to 10–15 cycles. The capacity fading between 10 and 50 cycles is found to be greater than 52% for x ≤ 0.4 and for x = 0.8. For x = 0.6 and x = 1, the respective values are 40% and 18% and a capacity of 570 and 835 mAh g⁻¹ is retained after 50 cycles. Cyclic voltammetry and ex situ transmission electron microscopy data elucidate the Li-cycling mechanism involving conversion reaction and Li–Zn alloying–dealloying reactions.     

Tunnel-exchange states of square-planar bielectron transfer clusters

The tunnel states of square-planar bielectron transfer dⁿ-dⁿ-dⁿ⁺¹-dⁿ⁺¹ (n=0–4) clusters are considered. The nature of the ground spin state is revealed in the limiting case of a strong double exchange. It is shown that the magnetic properties of these systems radically differ from those of clusters with one migrating electron (hole) and tetrameric tetrahedral bielectron transfer clusters. Moldova State University. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 826–833, September–October, 1996. Translated by I. Izvekova     

Effect of the form of tetrahedral radicals on silicate structures

In published structures of amphiboles and pyroxenes, the edge lengths of octahedral faces, approximately parallel to (100), are compared. The degree of distortion of octahedra is inversely proportional to the value of the SiOSi angle. Extrapolation of the degree of distortion to zero gives an equilibrium value of 145° for the angle. This value was obtained for amphiboles of varying composition and for six pyroxenes at different temperatures. This result confirms the previous conclusion that the structures tend to form SiOSi and AlOSi angles of 144–148° and 136–139°; other structural features, especially the limited availability of ternary tetrahedral rings in silicate radicals, are also evidence of this tendency. Irkutsk State Pedagogical Institute. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol 35, No. 5, pp. 105–108, September–October, 1994. Translated by L. Smolina     

Electrochemical reactivity of Li–Mn–O and Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels

Electrochemical reductive dissolution of Li–Mn–O and Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels and Li⁺ extraction/insertion in these oxides were performed using voltammetry of microparticles. Both electrochemical reactions are sensitive to the Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio, specific surface area, Li content in tetrahedral positions, and Mn valence, and can be used for electrochemical analysis of the homogeneity of the elemental and phase composition of synthetic samples. The peak potential (E _P) of the reductive dissolution of the Li–Mn–O spinel is directly proportional to the logarithm of the specific surface area. E _P of Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels is mainly controlled by the Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio. Li⁺ insertion/extraction can be performed with Mn-rich Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels in aqueous solution under an ambient atmosphere and it is sensitive to the regularity of the spinel structure, in particularly to the amount of Li in tetrahedral positions and the Mn valence. Electronic Publication     

Lithium insertion into manganese dioxide polymorphs in aqueous electrolytes

The electrochemical behaviour of the spinel-like LiMn₂O₄ was studied in non-aqueous and aqueous saturated alkali nitrate electrolytes in comparison with the layered manganese dioxide δ-MnO₂. The results obtained by galvanostatic and cyclic voltammetry techniques showed that the insertion of Li⁺/e^– or H⁺/e^– depends on both the host lattice and the type of electrolyte. The spinel-like LiMn₂O₄ preferably allowed the insertion of Li⁺/e^– in non-aqueous and aqueous saturated LiNO₃ electrolytes, as observed from the similarity of the electrochemical behaviour in these electrolytes and the stability of the structure. This was explained by the presence of a three-dimensional network of vacant tetrahedral and half-filled octahedral sites in LiMn₂O₄, which guarantee high mobility of Li⁺ ions. The layered manganese dioxide could be inserted by Li⁺/e^– only in non-aqueous electrolytes. The work described herein was carried out at the Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Technische Universit?t Berlin, Germany     

Electric field gradients in EuScFe garnets

The electric quadrupole interactions at the octahedral, tetrahedral, and dodecahedral sites in the Eu_3?ySc_2+yFe₃O₁₂ (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.5) garnet system were studied with ⁵⁷Fe and ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy. The electric field gradient tensor at the three sites was calculated using a monopole-point-dipole model. It is shown that the dipole contribution to the electric field gradient tensor is not negligible even for very small values of the oxygen dipole polarizability. The importance of the overlap and second-order 4f contributions is discussed.     

One-step direct synthesis of mesoporous aluminosilicates Al-SBA-15 with cage-like macropores by using micrometer-sized aluminum balls

Ordered mesoporous aluminosilicate Al-SBA-15 materials with cage-like macropores have been synthesized by using micrometer-sized aluminum balls as an Al source, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silica source, and triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 as a template. The resulting materials were fully characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM, TEM, ICP-AES, and ²⁷Al MAS-NMR. The products (Al-SBA-15) have ordered two-dimensional (2-D) hexagonal mesostructures (space group p6mm). The calcined Al-SBA-15 materials exhibit disordered macropores with diameters of about 70–80 nm and ordered mesopores with a diameter of ∼5 nm, a BET surface area of about 500 m²/g, Si/Al ratio of 40–80, and a ratio of tetrahedral Al to octahedral Al sites of about 2:1. This combination of properties gives these materials potential applications in areas such as adsorption, catalysis and separation. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20890123 & 20721063), Shanghai Science & Technology Committee (08DZ2270500), and Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (No.B108)     

A New Model for Multiply Charged Adduct Formation Between Peptides and Anions in Electrospray Mass Spectrometry

A new model has been developed to account for adduct formation on multiply charged peptides observed in negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry. To obtain a stable adduct, the model necessitates an approximate matching of apparent gas-phase basicity (GB_app) of a given proton bearing site on the peptide with the gas-phase basicity (GB) of the anion attaching at that site. Evidence supporting the model is derived from the fact that for [Glu] Fibrinopeptide B, higher GB anions dominated in adducts observed at higher negative charge states, whereas lower GB anions appeared predominately in lower charge state adducts. Singly charged adducts were only observed for lower GB anions: HSO₄^–, I^–, CF₃COO^–. Ions that have medium GBs (NO₃^–, Br^–, H₂PO₄^–) only form adducts having −2 charge states, whereas Cl^– (higher GB) can form adducts having −3 charge states. The model portends that (1) carboxylate groups are much more basic than available amino groups; (2) apparent GBs of the various carboxylate groups on peptides do not vary substantially from one another; and (3) apparent GBs of the individual carboxylate and amino sites do not behave independently. This model was developed for negative ion attachment but an analogous mechanism is also proposed for the positive ion mode wherein (1) binding of a neutral at an amino site polarizes this amino group, but hardly affects apparent GBs of other sites; (2) proton addition (charge state augmentation) at one site can decrease the instrinsic GBs of other potential protonation sites and lower their apparent GBs.     

Temperature dependency of the intrinsic carrier density of hydrogenated amorphous silicon in MOS structures

The admittance versus frequency of a hydrogenated amorphous silicon metal oxide semiconductor capacitor is measured at a fixed bias in inversion and for temperatures in the range of 20–50 °C. The data are fitted to theoretical capacitance and conductance curves where the time constant of inversion is the result of the fit. In turn, the time constant can be converted to the (minority) carrier lifetime so that a lifetime value for each measurement temperature is available. The conversion from the time constant to the minority carrier lifetime requires the knowledge of the temperature-dependent intrinsic carrier density or rather its activation energy. The criterion for the correct choice is a temperature-independent carrier lifetime. Three published room temperature values of the intrinsic carrier density have been tested. The carrier lifetime activation energy is E _a = 0.70 ± 0.03 eV. Received: 17 June 1998 / Accepted: 23 October 1998