Melting and thermal decomposition of [Ni(H2O)6](NO3)2

The two-stage melting process and the thermal decomposition of [Ni(H₂O)₆](NO₃)₂ was studied by DSC, DTA and TG. The first melting point at 328 K is connected with the small and the second melting point at 362 K with the large enthalpy and entropy changes. The thermal dehydration process starts just above ca. 315 K and continues up to ca. 500 K. It consists of three well-separated stages, but the sample mass loss at each stage depends on the experimental regime. However, irrespective of the chosen regime, the total of registered mass losses in stage one and two amounts to three H₂O molecules per one [Ni(H₂O)₆](NO₃)₂ molecule. The remaining three H₂O molecules are gradually freed in the temperature range of 440–500 K in the third stage of the dehydration. Above 580 K, anhydrous Ni(NO₃)₂ decomposes into NO and NiO. The gaseous products were identified by quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS), and the solid product was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of crystalline [Re2(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6 (Re = Eu, Er; Ala = alanine)

[Re₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆ (Re=Eu, Er; Ala=alanine) were synthesized, and the low-temperature heat capacities of the two complexes were measured with a high-precision adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 370 K. For [Eu₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, two solid–solid phase transitions were found, one in the temperature range from 234.403 to 249.960 K, with peak temperature 243.050 K, the other in the range from 249.960 to 278.881 K, with peak temperature 270.155 K. For [Er₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, one solid–solid phase transition was observed in the range from 270.696 to 282.156 K, with peak temperature 278.970 K. The molar enthalpy increments, ΔH_m, and entropy increments,ΔS_m, of these phase transitions, were determined to be 455.6 J mol⁻¹, 1.87 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 243.050 K; 2277 J mol⁻¹, 8.43 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 270.155 K for [Eu₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆; and 4442 J mol⁻¹, 15.92 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 278.970 K for [Er₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆. Thermal decompositions of the two complexes were investigated by use of the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. A possible mechanism for the thermal decomposition is suggested.     

Dinuclear transition metal compounds of a decadentate pyrazole-containing chelating ligand. X-ray crystal structure of Co2(tthd)(ClO4)4(H2O)2(MeOH)1.75

A potentially decadentate ligand, 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexakis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazadecane (tthd), has been synthesized from the reaction of tri-ethylenetetramine with six equivalents of N-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole. The tthd ligand forms coordination compounds, M₂(tthd)(ClO₄)₄(H₂O)_x, when M is Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd and x = 4–8; and M₂(tthd)(A)₂(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)_x when M is Co and Ni, A is NCS or Cl, and x = 4–8. The cobalt compound, Co₂(tthd)(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂(MeOH)_1.75, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, a = 1.959(2), b = 1.5657(3), c = 2.1244(3) nm, = 105.5(1), β = 96.9(1), γ = 112.1(1). Due to severe disorder of the anions the structure could only be refined to an R_w, value of 0.099. The ligand acts as a decadentate, dinucleating ligand. The cobalt ions are distorted octahedrally surrounded by five N-atoms of the tthd ligand and an O-atom of water occupying the sixth coordination place. The other perchlorate compounds have very similar structures, as can be concluded from spectroscopic data.

In the thiocyanate and chloride compounds the anions have replaced the coordinated water molecules, resulting in octahedral Ni compounds. With Co thiocyanate, however, tthd acts as an octadentate ligand, resulting only in five-coordinated compounds.     

Structural and spectroscopic properties of Hexamethylenetetramine cobalt(II) complex: [Co(NCS)2(hmt)2(H2O)2][Co(NCS)2(H2O)4] (H2O)

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and thermal properties of complex [Co(NCS)₂(hmt)₂(H₂O)₂][Co(NCS)₂(H₂O)₄] (H₂O) (I), assembled by hexamethylenetetramine and octahedral Co(II) metal ions, are reported. Crystal data for I: F_w 387.34, a=9.020(8), b=12.887(9), c=7.95(1) Å, =96.73(4), β=115.36(5), γ=94.16(4)°, V=820(1) Å³, Z=2, space group=P−1, T=173 K, λ(Mo-K)=0.71070 Å, ρ_calc=1.718567 g cm⁻³, μ=17.44 cm⁻¹, R=0.088, R_w=0.148. An interesting two-dimensional network is assembled via hydrogen bonds through coordinated and free water molecules. The d–d transition energy levels of Co(II) ion are determined by UV–vis spectroscopy and calculated by ligand field theory. The calculated results agree well with experiment ones.     

Factors influencing decomposition of H2O2 over supported Pd catalyst in aqueous medium

Since H₂O₂ decomposition can result in selectivity/yield loss in the direct H₂O₂ synthesis process from H₂ and O₂ over supported Pd catalysts, it is important to have an enhanced understanding about the factors affecting the H₂O₂ decomposition reaction. Herein, detailed studies have been undertaken to investigate the influence of different factors, such as (a) nature and concentration of acid in reaction medium, (b) nature and concentration of halide in presence and absence of acid in reaction medium, (c) pretreatment procedures and (d) catalyst modification by incorporation of different halides, on the H₂O₂ decomposition reaction over a 5% Pd/C catalyst in aqueous medium at 25 °C. This study has shown that the H₂O₂ decomposition activity is profoundly influenced by all the above factors. The effectiveness of the acids in suppressing the H₂O₂ decomposition activity decreased in the following order: hydroiodic acid > hydrobromic acid > hydrochloric acid  acetic acid > phosphoric acid > sulfuric acid > perchloric acid. The ability of the acid to decrease the H₂O₂ decomposition activity was found to very strongly depend on the nature of its associated anion. Halides, such as iodide, bromide and chloride were particularly effective in suppressing the H₂O₂ decomposition activity. Oxidation pretreatment of the catalyst was found to strongly suppress its H₂O₂ decomposition activity, while a reduction treatment was found to promote its activity. A gradual decrease in the H₂O₂ decomposition activity of the catalyst was observed with each successive usage due to in situ sub-surface oxidation of Pd by H₂O₂. Halide incorporation either via the reaction medium or prior catalyst modification had a similar qualitative effect on the H₂O₂ decomposition activity.     

Ab initio computation of the potential energy surfaces of the water·hydrocarbon complexes H2O·C2H2, H2O·C2H4 and H2O·CH4: minimum energy structures, vibrational frequencies and hydrogen bond energies

On the basis of ab initio MP2/6–31 + + G(2d,2p) calculations, we examined the potential energy surfaces of the water·hydrocarbon complexes H₂O·CH₄, H₂O·C₂H₂ and H₂O·C₂H₂ to locate all the minimum energy structures and estimate the hydrogen bond energies and vibrational frequencies associated with the C(spⁿ)---H·O and the O---H·C(spⁿ) bonds (n = 1−3). Our calculations show that H₂O·C₂H₂, H₂O·C₂H₄ and H₂O·CH₄ have two minimum energy structures (i.e., the C---H·O and O---H·C hydrogen bond forms), but H₂O·C₂H₄ has only one when the vibrational motion is taken into account, the O---H·C hydrogen bond form. We have also computed the barrier for the interconversion from one minimum to the other. The fully optimized geometries of H₂O·CH₄, H₂O·C₂H₄ and H₂O·C₂H₂ as well as the vibrational shifts of the C---H stretching frequencies in their C---H·O hydrogen-bonded forms are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The calculated hydrogen bond energies show that the C(spⁿ---H·O bond strengths decrease in the order C(sp)---H·O>C(sp²)---H·O>C(sp³)---O>C(sp³---H·O, which is also consistent with the available experimental data.     

Polarized absorption spectra and polarized Raman spectra of single crystals of trans(Cl2)-[CoCl2(NH3)n(H2O)4−n]Cl complexes (n = 2, 3, 4)

The title cobalt(III) complexes have been investigated by polarized absorption and Raman spectroscopies of the single crystals. The symmetry properties of the d-electron orbitals and of the vibrational modes attributable to the Raman bands of trans(Cl₂)-[CoCl₂(NH₃)_n(H₂O)_4−n]Cl complexes (n = 2, 3, or 4) were examined to elucidated the peculiar observation that ligand substitution causes no splitting of the 15 200-cm⁻¹ absorption band and the 250-cm⁻¹ Raman band. Effects of replacing the NH₃ ligand with H₂O on the electronic structure, atom–atom force constants and vibrational modes of these complex ions are briefly described.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of [Zn(H2O)4]2 [H2As6V15O42(H2O)]·2H2O

The compound [Zn(H₂O)₄]₂[H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O (1) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESR, magnetic measurement, third-order nonlinear property study and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound 1 crystallizes in trigonal space group R3, a=b=12.0601(17) Å, c=33.970(7) Å, γ=120°, V=4278.8(12) Å³, Z=3 and R1(wR2)=0.0512 (0.1171). The crystal structure is constructed from [H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]⁴⁻ anions and [Zn(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations linked through hydrogen bonds into a network. The [H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]⁶⁻ cluster consists of 15 VO₅ square pyramids linked by three As₂O₅ handle-like units.     

Synthesis and thermodynamic properties of a metal-organic framework: [LaCu6(μ-OH)3(Gly)6im6](ClO4)6

A metal-organic complex, which has the potential property of absorbing gases, [LaCu₆(μ-OH)₃(Gly)₆im₆](ClO₄)₆ was synthesized through the self-assembly of La³⁺, Cu²⁺, glycine (Gly) and imidazole (Im) in aqueous solution and characterized by IR, element analysis and powder XRD. The molar heat capacity, C_p,m, was measured from T = 80 to 390 K with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. The thermodynamic functions [H_T − H_298.15] and [S_T − S_298.15] were derived from the heat capacity data with temperature interval of 5 K. The thermal stability of the complex was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

The polymerization of [P(O2C12H8)(N3)] and the formation of soluble and insoluble poly(2,2′-dioxy-1,1′-biphenylphosphazene)

The phosphorus azide [P(O₂C₁₂H₈)(N₃)] [(O₂C₁₂H₈) = 2,2′-dioxy-1,1′-biphenyl] undergoes a solid state polymerization at 30 °C giving a separable mixture of the polyphosphazene {[NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]}_n with a M_w in the range of 10⁴, together with a fraction of small and large cyclic spirophosphazene oligomers {[NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]}_n, and an insoluble polymeric material with a very high char forming tendency, consisting very likely on a network of large interlooped cyclic oligomers and polymers of overall composition [NP(O₂C₁₂H₈)]_n. The reaction proceeds with smooth though irregular release of nitrogen at first but tending to abrupt accelerations ending in an explosion. The later outcome is more likely in scales of 10–50 g, and results in a decrease in the yield of the soluble polymer and a large increase in the yield of the polymeric matrix.     

Study of an iron-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst incorporated with SiO2

The effect of adding SiO₂ to a precipitated iron-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyst was investigated using N₂ physical adsorption, H₂ differential thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed reduction/desorption (TPR/TPD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The FTS performances of the catalysts with or without SiO₂ were compared in a fixed bed reactor. The characterization results indicated that SiO₂ facilitates the high dispersion of Fe₂O₃ and significantly influences the Fe/Cu and Fe/K contacts, which play an important role in the surface basicity, reduction and carburization behaviors, as well as the FTS performances. The incorporation of SiO₂ enhances the Fe/Cu contact, further enlarges the H₂ adsorption and promotes the reduction of Fe₂O₃ → FeO_x, while the transformation of FeO_x → Fe is suppressed probably due to the strong Fe–SiO₂ interaction. SiO₂ indirectly weakens the surface basicity and severely suppresses the carburization and CO adsorption of the catalyst. In the FTS reaction, it was found that SiO₂ decreases the FTS initial activity but improves the catalyst stability. Due to the lower surface basicity than the catalyst without SiO₂, the catalyst incorporated with SiO₂ has higher selectivity to light hydrocarbons and methane and decreased selectivity to the olefins and heavy hydrocarbons.     

Three interpenetrated frameworks constructed by long flexible N,N′-bipyridyl and dicarboxylate ligands

Three interpenetrated polymeric networks, {[Co(bpp)(OH-BDC)] · H₂O}_n (1) [Ni(bpp)_1.5(H₂O)(OH-BDC)]_n (2) and {[Cd(bpp)(H₂O)(OH-BDC)] · 2H₂O}_n (3), have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions of 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp), 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (OH-H₂BDC), with Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and Cd(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the three compounds all exhibit interpenetrated but entirely different structures. Compound 1 is a fourfold interpenetrated adamantanoid structure with water molecules as space fillers, in which bpp adopts a TG conformation (T = trans, G = gauche). Compound 2 is an interdigitated structure from the interpenetrated long arms of one-dimensional molecular ladders, while bpp in 2 adopts both TT and TG conformations. Compound 3 is a twofold interpenetrated three-dimensional network from a one-dimensional metal-carboxylate chain bridged by TG conformational bpp. The hydrogen bonding interactions in 1–3 further stabilize the whole structural frameworks and play critical roles in their constructions.     

Catalytic decomposition of H2O2 on Co3O4 doped with MgO and V2O5

The effects of doping of Co₃O₄with MgO (0.4–6 mol%) and V₂O₅ (0.20–0.75 mol%) on its surface and catalytic properties were investigated using nitrogen adsorption at −196°C and decomposition of H₂O₂ at 30–50°C. Pure and doped samples were prepared by thermal decomposition in air at 500–900°C, of pure basic cobalt carbonate and basic carbonate treated with different proportions of magnesium nitrate and ammonium vanadate. The results revealed that, V₂O₅ doping followed by precalcination at 500–900°C did not much modify the specific surface area of the treated Co₃O₄ solid. Treatment of Co₃O₄ with MgO at 500–900°C resulted in a significant increase in the specific surface area of cobaltic oxide. The catalytic activity in H₂O₂ decomposition, of Co₃O₄ was found to suffer a considerable increase by treatment with MgO. The maximum increase in the catalytic reaction rate constant (k) measured at 40°C on Co₃O₄ due to doping with 3 mol% MgO attained 218, 590 and 275% for the catalysts precalcined at 500, 700 and 900°C, respectively. V₂O₅-doping of Co₃O₄ brought about a significant progressive decrease in its catalytic activity. The maximum decrease in the reaction rate constant measured at 40°C over the 0.75 mol% V₂O₅-doped Co₃O₄ solid attained 68 and 93% for the catalyst samples precalcined at 500 and 900°C, respectively. The doping process did not modify the activation energy of the catalyzed reaction but much modified the concentration of catalytically active constituents without changing their energetic nature. MgO-doping increased the concentration of CO³⁺–CO²⁺ ion pairs and created Mg²⁺–CO³⁺ ion pairs increasing thus the number of active constituents involved in the catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂. V₂O₅-doping exerted an opposite effect via decreasing the number of CO³⁺–CO²⁺ ion pairs besides the possible formation of cobalt vanadate.     

The electrolyte NRTL model and speciation approach as applied to multicomponent aqueous solutions of H2SO4, Fe2(SO4)3, MgSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 at 230–270 °C

This work presents chemical modeling of solubilities of metal sulfates in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid at high temperatures. Calculations were compared with experimental solubility measurements of hematite (Fe₂O₃) in aqueous ternary and quaternary systems of H₂SO₄, MgSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ at high temperatures. A hybrid model of ion-association and electrolyte non-random two liquid (ENRTL) theory was employed to fit solubility data in three ternary systems H₂SO₄–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 235–270 °C and H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 150–270 °C. Employing the Aspen Plus™ property program, the electrolyte NRTL local composition model was used for calculating activity coefficients of the ions Al³⁺, Mg²⁺ Fe³⁺ and SO₄²⁻, HSO₄⁻, OH⁻, H₃O⁺, respectively, as well as molecular species. The solid phases were hydronium alunite (H₃O)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆, hematite Fe₂O₃ and magnesium sulfate monohydrate (MgSO₄)·H₂O which were employed as constraint precipitation solids in calculating the metal sulfate solubilities. A correlation for the equilibrium constants of the association reactions of complex species versus temperature was implemented. Based on the maximum-likelihood principle, the binary interaction energy parameters for the ionic species as well as the coefficients for equilibrium constants of the reactions were obtained simultaneously using the solubility data of the ternary systems. Following that, the solubilities of metal sulfates in the quaternary systems H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 250 °C and H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O at 230–270 °C were predicted. The calculated results were in excellent agreement with the experimental data.     

H2O2-based epoxidation of bridged cyclic alkenes with [P{Ti(O2)}2W10O38] in monophasic systems: active site and kinetics

The H₂O₂-based epoxidation of bridged cyclic alkenes in a monophasic system containing low concentrations (<2 mM) of [Bu₄ⁿN]₄[Pr₂ⁱNH₃]₂H[P{Ti(O₂)}₂W₁₀O₃₈]·H₂O (1) (with two η²-peroxotitanium sites in the anion) has been studied in search of the catalytically active species involved. ³¹P NMR spectra of 1, measured under a variety of conditions, revealed that the active species was not hydroperoxotitanium complex [P{Ti(OOH)}₂W₁₀O₃₈]⁷⁻or [P{Ti(OOH)}Ti(O₂)W₁₀O₃₈]⁷⁻. The reaction pathways for the alkene epoxidation are discussed to understand the kinetics (especially the initial [H₂O₂] dependence). It was concluded that the net catalytic reaction for the epoxidation occurred through the two-electron oxidation at the hydroperoxotitanium site in the catalyst.     

Pathways for the thermally induced dehydrogenation of C60H2

The thermolysis of C₆₀H₂ to yield C₆₀ and H₂ was studied by hybrid density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311G**//B3LYP/3-21G). The concerted loss of dihydrogen requires an activation energy of 92 kcalmol⁻¹ atT=452 K. An alternative radical mechanism, which is first order in the C₆₀H₂ concentration, has an activation energy at 452 K of only 61 kcalmol⁻¹. Monitoring of the C₆₀H₂ decomposition in 1,2-dichloro-[D₄]-benzene solution by NMR spectroscopy indicates a pseudo first-order reaction with an activation energy of 61.38±2.35 kcalmol⁻¹.     

FTIR and computational studies of pure and water containing SO3 species in solid argon matrices

The FT infrared spectrum in the 4000–400 cm⁻¹ range of SO₃ vapors, matrix isolated in argon and in water doped argon solid layers, is reported. Vibrational bands are assigned to pure SO₃ monomeric and polymeric species and to SO₃H₂O complexes, on the basis of theoretical B3LYP and MP2 calculations employing the aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The spectroscopic evidence suggests that in addition to the monomer, both the dimeric and the cyclic trimeric (SO₃)_n complexes are the only other SO₃ forms present in the matrix. The spectra also indicate the presence of the 1:1 and the 1:2 SO₃·H₂O complexes as well as traces of H₂S₂O₇ and water complexed H₂SO₄, but no evidence for a stable 2:1 SO₃H₂O complex was found. The occurrence of the various species is discussed in the light of their calculated energies.     

Fabrication of novel threefold shape CeO2 dendrites: Optical and electrochemical properties

Threefold shape CeO₂ dendritic crystals were successfully prepared from a single precursor via a thermal decomposition route. The precursor was synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction using Ce(NO₃)₃6 H₂O with CO(NH₂)₂ at 150 °C in a water–TEA complex solution. The dendritic pattern of precursor almost remained in the as-prepared product. The optical absorption spectrum indicates that the CeO₂ dendrites have a direct band gap of 3.51 eV. The electrochemical tests show that the CeO₂ dendrites are a promising electrode material as they can deliver a large reversible discharge capacity of about 534 mAh g⁻¹.     

A spectroscopic study on the 12-heteropolyacids of molybdenum and tungsten (H3PMo12−nWnO40) combined with cetylpyridinium bromide in the epoxidation of cyclopentene

The epoxidation of cyclopentene with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by 12-heteropolyacids of molybdenum and tungsten (H₃PMo_12−nW_nO₄₀, n = 1–11), 12-tungstophosphoric acid and 12-molybdophosphoric acid combined with cetylpyridinium bromide as a phase transfer reagent was carried out in acetonitrile. Among 13 heteropolyacids investigated, catalyst of H₃PMo₆W₆O₄₀ showed the highest activity, giving a conversion of 60% and a selectivity of 95% in the epoxidation of cyclopentene. The fresh catalysts and the catalysts under reaction condition were characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, which has revealed that all of the molybdotungstophosphoric acids were degraded in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to form a considerable amount of phosphorus-containing species. The active species resulted from H₃PMo₆W₆O₄₀ are new kinds of phosphorus-containing species, which is different from {PO₄[WO(O₂)₂]₄}³⁻.     

The ternary system H2O–Fe(NO3)3–Co(NO3)2 isotherms 0 and 15 °C

The solid–liquid equilibria of the ternary system H₂O–Fe(NO₃)₃–Co(NO₃)₂ were studied by using a synthetic method based on conductivity measurements.

Two isotherms were established at 0 and 15 °C, and the stable solid phases which appear are the iron nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O), the iron nitrate hexahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·6H₂O), the cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and the cobalt nitrate trihydrate (Co(NO₃)₂·3H₂O).