Solvent‐Mediated Control of the Electrochemical Discharge Products of Non‐Aqueous Sodium–Oxygen Electrochemistry

The reduction of dioxygen in the presence of sodium cations can be tuned to give either sodium superoxide or sodium peroxide discharge products at the electrode surface. Control of the mechanistic direction of these processes may enhance the ability to tailor the energy density of sodium–oxygen batteries (NaO₂: 1071 Wh kg^?1 and Na₂O₂: 1505 Wh kg^?1). Through spectroelectrochemical analysis of a range of non‐aqueous solvents, we describe the dependence of these processes on the electrolyte solvent and subsequent interactions formed between Na⁺ and O₂^?. The solvents ability to form and remove [Na⁺‐O₂^?]_ads based on Gutmann donor number influences the final discharge product and mechanism of the cell. Utilizing surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques, we demonstrate an analysis of the response of Na‐O₂ cell chemistry with sulfoxide, amide, ether, and nitrile electrolyte solvents.     

Poly[tetrasodium(I)‐tetra‐μ2‐bis(butane‐1,4‐diyldioxy)borato‐μ2‐1,4‐butane­diol]

In the title compound, [Na₄(C₈H₁₆BO₄)₄(C₄H₁₀O₂)]_n, there are two coordination types for the four independent Na⁺ cations: two Na⁺ cations bond to six diolate O atoms [Na—O = 2.305 (2)–2.609 (2) Å], while the other two are five‐coordinate via one 1,4‐butane­diol [2.289 (2) and 2.349 (3) Å] and four diolate O atoms [2.295 (2)–2.408 (2) Å]. Corresponding to this, there are three‐ and four‐coordinate diolate O atoms, the latter bridging Na atoms. The 1,4‐butane­diol mol­ecules lie on inversion centres. The boron stereochemistry shows minor local perturbations from its usual tetrahedral state [B—O = 1.457 (4)–1.503 (4) Å]. The resulting polymer packs as sheets parallel to the (10) plane crosslinked by the butane­diol mol­ecules. The structure was solved using data from a multiple crystal.     

Disodium tetrakis(hexanoato‐O)zinc(II)

The structure of the title compound, Na₂[Zn(C₆H₁₁O₂)₄], consists of two‐dimensional polymeric sheets. The Zn²⁺ ions are approximately tetrahedrally coordinated by O atoms from different hexanoate anions. Both Na⁺ ions are six‐coordinated by carboxyl­ate O atoms. One of the hexanoate O atoms is attached to one Zn²⁺ ion and one Na⁺ ion, and the remaining O atom is attached to two Na⁺ ions.     

Pressure effects on cation migration in 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone radical anion

Pressure effects on the two‐site jumping of sodium and potassium cations in a 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone ion pair have been studied using a high‐pressure EPR technique. The rate constants of the intramolecular and intermolecular migrations for Na⁺ and K⁺ were determined from an EPR spectral simulation. The migration rates were found to be accelerated by increasing the external pressure. Using the pressure dependence of the migration rates, we estimated the activation volumes of the intramolecular (ΔV₁^?) and intermolecular (ΔV₂^?) processes for the Na⁺ and K⁺ migrations: ΔV₁^? = ?5.3 cm³ mol^?1 and ΔV₂^? = ?29 cm³ mol^?1 for Na⁺, and ΔV₁^? = ?8.3 cm³ mol^?1 and ΔV₂^? = ?0.85 cm³ mol^?1 for K⁺. Based on the results, the mechanisms for the two‐site jumping of Na⁺ and K⁺ are discussed in terms of volume. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 397–401, 2001     

Realizing Complete Solid‐Solution Reaction in High Sodium Content P2‐Type Cathode for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries

P2‐type layered oxides suffer from an ordered Na⁺/vacancy arrangement and P2→O2/OP4 phase transitions, leading them to exhibit multiple voltage plateaus upon Na⁺ extraction/insertion. The deficient sodium in the P2‐type cathode easily induces the bad structural stability at deep desodiation states and limited reversible capacity during Na⁺ de/insertion. These drawbacks cause poor rate capability and fast capacity decay in most P2‐type layered oxides. To address these challenges, a novel high sodium content (0.85) and plateau‐free P2‐type cathode‐Na_0.85Li_0.12Ni_0.22Mn_0.66O₂ (P2‐NLNMO) was developed. The complete solid‐solution reaction over a wide voltage range ensures both fast Na⁺ mobility (10^?11 to 10^?10 cm² s^?1) and small volume variation (1.7 %). The high sodium content P2‐NLNMO exhibits a higher reversible capacity of 123.4 mA h g^?1, superior rate capability of 79.3 mA h g^?1 at 20 C, and 85.4 % capacity retention after 500 cycles at 5 C. The sufficient Na and complete solid‐solution reaction are critical to realizing high‐performance P2‐type cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries.     

Alkaliisocyanacetate. Synthese und Struktur von [K(18‐Krone‐6)](O2CCH2NC)

Alkali‐isocyanoacetates. Synthesis and Structure of [K(18‐crown‐6)](O₂CCH₂NC) The alkali isocyanoacetates M⁺[O₂CCH₂NC]^? (M = Li,Na,K,Cs) ( 1a ‐ d ) are synthesized by reaction of ethyl isocyanoacetate with the respective alkali hydroxides in ethanol and characterized by IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C), and mass spectrometry (FAB). In alcoholic solution as well as in the gas phase ion pairs and higher aggregated species are observed. In contrast, [K(18‐crown‐6)][O₂CCH₂NC] ( 2 ) which is obtained from 1c and 18‐crown‐6, turns out to be a 1:1 electrolyte in solution (acetone); in the solid, the isocyanoacetate anion binds to K⁺ via the two carboxylate oxygen atoms resulting in an O₈‐coordinated metal atom.     

Cation Effect on Formation of Preyssler‐type 30‐Tungsto‐5‐phosphate: Enhanced Yield of Na‐encapsulated Derivative and Direct Synthesis of Ca‐ and Bi‐Encapsulated Derivatives

The effect of cations in a reaction mixture for the preparation of the Preyssler‐Jeannin‐Pope type 30‐tungsto‐5‐phosphate [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na]^14– is investigated. Reaction of phosphate and tungstate with a P/W ratio of ca. 3.9 in an acidic aqueous solution without cations selectively leads to the Dawson‐type 18‐tungsto‐2‐phosphate, [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]^6–. Amongst all the alkali cations, only Na⁺ allows formation of the Preyssler‐type polyanion [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Na]^14–, with an encapsulated Na⁺ ion, and the product yield can be improved by increasing Na⁺ amount. The presence of Li⁺ ions instead results in the Dawson‐type polyanion [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]^6–, whereas K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ selectively result in the Keggin‐type polyanion [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3–. An improved synthetic procedure for the Na⁺‐encapsulated Preyssler‐ion leading to a higher isolated yield is presented. Furthermore, addition of Ca²⁺ and Bi³⁺ compounds allows formation of the Ca²⁺‐ and Bi³⁺‐encapsulated Preyssler‐type polyanions, [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Ca]^13– and [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Bi]^12–, respectively. Furthermore, single‐crystal XRD structure of the Bi³⁺‐encapsulated Preyssler‐type polyanions, [P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Bi]^12–, is presented for the first time.     

Zundel‐like and Eigen‐like Hydrated Protons on a Platinum Surface

The nature of hydrated protons is an important topic in the fundamental study of electrode processes in acidic environment. For example, it is not yet clear whether hydrated protons are formed in the solution or on the electrode surface in the hydrogen evolution reaction on a Pt electrode. Using mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy, we show that hydrogen atoms are converted into hydrated protons directly on a Pt(111) surface coadsorbed with hydrogen and water in ultrahigh vacuum. The hydrated protons are preferentially stabilized as multiply hydrated species (H₅O₂⁺ and H₇O₃⁺) rather than as hydronium (H₃O⁺) ions. These surface‐bound hydrated protons may play an important role in the interconversion between adsorbed hydrogen atoms and solvated protons in solution.     

A High‐Voltage and Ultralong‐Life Sodium Full Cell for Stationary Energy Storage

Recently, there has been great interest in developing advanced sodium‐ion batteries for large‐scale application. Most efforts have concentrated on the search for high‐performance electrode materials only in sodium half‐cells. Research on sodium full cells for practical application has encountered many problems, such as insufficient cycles with rapid capacity decay, low safety, and low operating voltage. Herein, we present a layered P2‐Na_0.66Ni_0.17Co_0.17Ti_0.66O₂, as both an anode (ca. 0.69 V versus Na⁺/Na) and as a high‐voltage cathode (ca. 3.74 V versus Na⁺/Na). The full cell based on this bipolar electrode exhibits well‐defined voltage plateaus near 3.10 V, which is the highest average voltage in the symmetric cells. It also shows the longest cycle life (75.9 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles) in all sodium full cells, a usable capacity of 92 mAh g^?1, and superior rate capability (65 mAh g^?1 at a high rate of 2C).     

The sodium salt of 2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrobenzylsulfonic acid

The structural data for sodium 2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitro­benzyl­sulfonate monohydrate, Na⁺·C₇H₆NO₆S^?·H₂O, which mimics an artificial substrate for human aryl­sulfatase A, viz. p‐­nitrocatechol sulfate, reveal that the geometric parameters of the substrate and its analogue are very similar. Two water mol­ecules, the phenolic O atom and three sulfonate O atoms form the coordination sphere of the Na⁺ ion, which is a distorted octahedron. The Na⁺ cations and the O atoms join to form a chain polymer.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a two‐dimensional sodium coordination polymer of 4,4′‐(diazenediyl)bis(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one)

The crystal engineering of coordination polymers has aroused interest due to their structural versatility, unique properties and applications in different areas of science. The selection of appropriate ligands as building blocks is critical in order to afford a range of topologies. Alkali metal cations are known for their mainly ionic chemistry in aqueous media. Their coordination number varies depending on the size of the binding partners, and on the electrostatic interaction between the ligands and the metal ions. The two‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[tetra‐μ‐aqua‐[μ₄‐4,4′‐(diazenediyl)bis(5‐oxo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolido)]disodium(I)], [Na₂(C₄H₂N₈O₂)(H₂O)₄]_n, (I), was synthesized from 4‐amino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5(4H)‐one (ATO) and its single‐crystal structure determined. The mid‐point of the imino N=N bond of the 4,4′‐(diazenediyl)bis(5‐oxo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolide) (ZTO²⁻) ligand is located on an inversion centre. The asymmetric unit consists of one Na⁺ cation, half a bridging ZTO²⁻ ligand and two bridging water ligands. Each Na⁺ cation is coordinated in a trigonal antiprismatic fashion by six O atoms, i.e. two from two ZTO²⁻ ligands and the remaining four from bridging water ligands. The Na⁺ cation is located near a glide plane, thus the two bridging O atoms from the two coordinating ZTO²⁻ ligands are on adjacent apices of the trigonal antiprism, rather than being in an anti configuration. All water and ZTO²⁻ ligands act as bridging ligands between metal centres. Each Na⁺ metal centre is bridged to a neigbouring Na⁺ cation by two water molecules to give a one‐dimensional [Na(H₂O)₂]_n chain. The organic ZTO²⁻ ligand, an O atom of which also bridges the same pair of Na⁺ cations, then crosslinks these [Na(H₂O)₂]_n chains to form two‐dimensional sheets. The two‐dimensional sheets are further connected by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, giving rise to a stabile hydrogen‐bonded network.     

Sodium 2‐nitro­ethanaloximate forms a layered‐framework structure

In the title compound, [Na(C₂H₃N₂O₃)], the Na⁺ cation lies on a centre of inversion in space group P2₁/m and all the atoms of the anion lie on a mirror plane. Na is octahedrally coordinated by four O and two N atoms from six different anions and each anion is coordinated to six different Na⁺ cations, forming chains of confacial octahedra which link the anion layers. Within these layers, the individual anions are linked by both O—H?O and C—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

EPR of O−2 pairs in SrCl2 crystals

The EPR spectrum of an O^?₂ pair center has been observed in SrCl₂ crystals doped with Na⁺. A model involving D_2h symmetry is proposed based on a discussion of the appropriate exchange interaction hamiltonian.     

Bis[μ3‐1,8‐bis(triisopropylsilylamido)naphthalene]bis(tetrahydrofuran)di‐μ3‐oxido‐dimanganese(III)disodium

The solid‐state structure of the title compound, [Na₂Mn₂(C₃₂H₅₆N₂OSi₂)₂O₂] or [1,8‐C₁₀H₆(NSiⁱPr₃)₂Mn(μ₃‐O)Na(THF)]₂, which lies across a crystallographic twofold axis, exhibits a central [Mn₂O₂Na₂]⁴⁺ core, with two oxide groups, each triply bridging between the two Mn^III ions and an Na⁺ ion. Additional coordination is provided to each Mn^III centre by a 1,8‐C₁₀H₆(NSiⁱPr₃)₂ [1,8‐bis(triisopropylsilylamido)naphthalene] ligand and to the Na⁺ centres by a tetrahydrofuran molecule. The presence of an additional Na...H—C agostic interaction potentially contributes to the distortion around the bridging oxide group.     

Sodium pyridine‐3‐carboxyl­ate

The title compound, also known as sodium nicotinate, Na⁺·C₆H₄NO₂⁻, consists of two unique Na atoms coordinated to two unique pyridine‐3‐­carboxyl­ate ligands through the N atoms and carboxylate groups. One Na atom and one pyridine‐3‐­carboxyl­ate ligand lie on a twofold axis. Extensive Na coordination results in a three‐dimensional array comprising infinite NaO₂CR chains linked by intrachain Na—N bonds.     

Sodium 2‐oxo‐3‐semicarbazono‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐5‐sulfonate dihydrate

The title compound, Na⁺·C₉H₇N₄O₅S⁻·2H₂O, presents a Z configuration around the imine C=N bond and an E configuration around the C(O)NH₂ group, stabilized by two intra­molecular hydrogen bonds. The packing is governed by ionic inter­actions between the Na⁺ cation and the surrounding O atoms. The ionic unit, Na⁺ and 2‐oxo‐3‐semicarbazono‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐5‐sulfonate, forms layers extending in the bc plane. The layers are connected by hydrogen bonds involving the water mol­ecules.     

Das erste Alkalimetall‐Lanthanoid(III)‐Iodid‐Oxotellurat(IV): Na2Lu3I3[TeO3]4

Colorless platelets of Na₂Lu₃I₃[TeO₃]₄ were obtained within five days at 775 °C by the reaction of Lu₂O₃ and TeO₂ in a 3:8 molar ratio with NaI added in excess as both fluxing agent and reactant in evacuated silica ampoules. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/c with the lattice parameters a = 921.69(5), b = 552.71(3), c = 1664.37(9) pm, β = 90.218(4)° and Z = 2. The crystal structure of Na₂Lu₃I₃[TeO₃]₄ exhibits two crystallographically different Lu³⁺ cations, both coordinated by eight O^2– anions as square antiprisms. These polyhedra are interconnected through four common edges to build up {}^2_∞ {[LuO{}^e_8/2 ]^5–} layers (e = edge‐linking) parallel to (100). Furthermore, the crystal structure includes a crystallographically unique Na⁺ cation surrounded by four O^2– and four I^– anions also in the shape of a square antiprism. These polyhedra connect via common (I2)^–···(I2)^– edges in generating {}^1_∞ {[Na₂O₈I{}^e_4 ]^18–} double‐strands that are further linked by (I1)^– vertices to result in the formation of {}^2_∞ {[Na₂O₈I₃{}^e,v_3 ]^17–} layers (v = vertex‐linking) spreading out parallel to (100) as well. Thus, the crystal structure contains two crystallographically distinct I^– anions, of which (I1)^– is coordinated nearly linear (? (Na–I1–Na) = 179.6°) by two Na⁺ cations, whereas (I2)^– has contact to three of them displaying a distance of 114 pm from the triangular (Na⁺)₃ plane. The crystal structure of Na₂Lu₃I₃[TeO₃]₄ is completed by two crystallographically independent Te⁴⁺ cations that show stereochemically active non‐bonding electron pairs (“lone pairs”) and are located above and below the {}^2_∞ {[LuO{}^e_8/2 ]^5–} layers forming isolated ψ¹‐tetrahedral [TeO₃]^2– anions (d(Te–O) = 188–190 pm) with all oxygen atoms.     

Nonperipherally Octa(butyloxy)‐Substituted Phthalocyanine Derivatives with Good Crystallinity: Effects of Metal–Ligand Coordination on the Molecular Structure,Internal Structure,and Dimensions of Self‐Assembled Nanostructures

To investigate the effects of metal–ligand coordination on the molecular structure, internal structure, dimensions, and morphology of self‐assembled nanostructures, two nonperipherally octa(alkoxyl)‐substituted phthalocyanine compounds with good crystallinity, namely, metal‐free 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25‐octa(butyloxy)phthalocyanine H₂Pc(α‐OC₄H₉)₈ ( 1 ) and its lead complex Pb[Pc(α‐OC₄H₉)₈] ( 2 ), were synthesized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the distorted molecular structure of metal‐free phthalocyanine with a saddle conformation. In the crystal of 2 , two monomeric molecules are linked by coordination of the Pb atom of one molecule with an aza‐nitrogen atom and its two neighboring oxygen atoms from the butyloxy substituents of another molecule, thereby forming a Pb‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker supramolecular structure with a domed conformation for the phthalocyanine ligand. The self‐assembling properties of 1 and 2 in the absence and presence of sodium ions were comparatively investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Intermolecular π–π interactions between metal‐free phthalocyanine molecules led to the formation of nanoribbons several micrometers in length and with an average width of approximately 100 nm, whereas the phthalocyaninato lead complex self‐assembles into nanostructures also with the ribbon morphology and micrometer length but with a different average width of approximately 150 nm depending on the π–π interactions between neighboring Pb‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker building blocks. This revealed the effect of the molecular structure (conformation) associated with metal–ligand (Pb? N_isoindole, Pb? N_aza, and Pb? O_butyloxy) coordination on the dimensions of the nanostructures. In the presence of Na⁺, additional metal–ligand (Na? N_aza and Na? O_butyloxy) coordination bonds formed between sodium atoms and aza‐nitrogen atoms and the neighboring butyloxy oxygen atoms of two metal‐free phthalocyanine molecules cooperate with the intrinsic intermolecular π–π interactions, thereby resulting in an Na‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker building block with a twisted structure for the phthalocyanine ligand, which self‐assembles into twisted nanoribbons with an average width of approximately 50 nm depending on the intertetrapyrrole π–π interaction. This is evidenced by the X‐ray diffraction analysis results for the resulting aggregates. Twisted nanoribbons with an average width of approximately 100 nm were also formed from the lead coordination compound 2 in the presence of Na⁺ with a Pb‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker as the building block due to the formation of metal–ligand (Na? N_aza and Na? O_butyloxy) coordination bonds between additionally introduced sodium ions and two phthalocyanine ligands of neighboring pseudo‐double‐decker building blocks.     

High‐Field Pulsed EPR Spectroscopy for the Speciation of the Reduced [PV2Mo10O40]6− Polyoxometalate Catalyst Used in Electron‐Transfer Oxidations

An in‐depth spectroscopic EPR investigation of a key intermediate, formally notated as [PV^IVV^VMo₁₀O₄₀]^6? and formed in known electron‐transfer and electron‐transfer/oxygen‐transfer reactions catalyzed by H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀, has been carried out. Pulsed EPR spectroscopy have been utilized: specifically, W‐band electron–electron double resonance (ELDOR)‐detected NMR and two‐dimensional (2D) hyperfine sub‐level correlation (HYSCORE) measurements, which resolved ⁹⁵Mo and ¹⁷O hyperfine interactions, and electron–nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), which gave the weak ⁵¹V and ³¹P interactions. In this way, two paramagnetic species related to [PV^IVV^VMo₁₀O₄₀]^6? were identified. The first species (30–35 %) has a vanadyl (VO²⁺)‐like EPR spectrum and is not situated within the polyoxometalate cluster. Here the VO²⁺ was suggested to be supported on the Keggin cluster and can be represented as an ion pair, [PV^VMo₁₀O₃₉]^8?[V^IVO²⁺]. This species originates from the parent H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ in which the vanadium atoms are nearest neighbors and it is suggested that this isomer is more likely to be reactive in electron‐transfer/oxygen‐transfer reaction oxidation reactions. In the second (70–65 %) species, the V^IV remains embedded within the polyoxometalate framework and originates from reduction of distal H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ isomers to yield an intact cluster, [PV^IVV^VMo₁₀O₄₀]^6?.     

Poly[[μ‐(1‐azaniumylethane‐1,1‐diyl)bis(hydrogen phosphonato)]sodium]: a powder X‐ray diffraction study

The title two‐dimensional coordination polymer, [Na(C₂H₈NO₆P₂)]_n, was characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction data and its structure refined using the Rietveld method. The asymmetric unit contains one Na⁺ cation and one (1‐azaniumylethane‐1,1‐diyl)bis(hydrogen phosphonate) anion. The central Na⁺ cation exhibits distorted octahedral coordination geometry involving two deprotonated O atoms, two hydroxy O atoms and two double‐bonded O atoms of the bisphosphonate anion. Pairs of sodium‐centred octahedra share edges and the pairs are in turn connected to each other by the biphosphonate anion to form a two‐dimensional network parallel to the (001) plane. The polymeric layers are connected by strong O—H...O hydrogen bonding between the hydroxy group and one of the free O atoms of the bisphosphonate anion to generate a three‐dimensional network. Further stabilization of the crystal structure is achived by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonding.<!?tpb=18.7pt>