Pd(0.213)Cd(0.787) and Pd(0.235)Cd(0.765) structures: their long c axis and composite crystals, chemical twinning, and atomic site preferences

We present single-crystal studies of Pd(0.213)Cd(0.787) and Pd(0.235)Cd(0.765), synchrotron powder studies of Pd(1-x)Cd(x), 0.755> or =x> or =0.800, and LDA-DFT and extended Hückel (eH) calculations on these or related phases. The two single-crystal structures have a, b, and c axis lengths of 9.9013(7), 14.0033(10), 37.063(24) and 9.9251(3), 14.0212(7), 60.181(3) A, respectively and they crystallize in the space groups Ccme and F2mm, respectively (solved as (3+1)-dimensional crystals their most convenient superspace group is Xmmm(00gamma)s00). The structures have two different structural components each with their own separate axis parameters. Powder data shows that the ratio of these separate axes (S/L) varies from 1.615 to 1.64, values near the golden mean (1.618). For Pd(0.213)Cd(0.787), different Pd and Cd site occupancies lead to variation in the R factor from 2.6-3.6 %. The site occupancy pattern with the lowest R factor (among the 26 820 variants studied) is the exact site occupancy pattern predicted by LDA-DFT parameterized eH Mulliken charge populations. The phases can be understood through a chemical twinning principle found in gamma-brass, the parent structure for the above phases (a relation with the MgCu(2) Laves phase is also noted). This twinning principle can be used to account for Cd and Pd site preferences. At the same time there is a clean separation among the Cd and Pd atoms for the two separate chain types at height b=0 and 1/2. These results indicate that Cd:Pd stoichiometry plays a role in phase stability.     

Two Cd(II) complexes derived from mercapto-triazole ligands: syntheses,crystal structures,and luminescent properties

Two cadmium complexes, {[Cd(a-ptt)(ptt)]·H₂O} _n (1) and [Cd(a-Hmtt)₂(SO₄)H₂O]·CH₃OH (2), have been prepared based on 4-amino-3-(4-pyridine)-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (a-Hptt) and 4-amino-3-methyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (a-Hmtt), respectively. In 1, amino-triazole ligand a-Hptt can partly be deaminated and transformed into 3-(4-pyridine)-5-mercapto-triazole (Hptt) under hydrothermal conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 exhibits an unusual 2-D lampshade-type layer structure in which the amino ligand a-ptt and the deamination ligand ptt display exo-tridentate bridging and bidentate bridging, respectively. Complex 2 is mononuclear and further assembled into a 3-D supramolecular architecture via non-covalent interactions. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and thermogravimetric analyses. Furthermore, solid-state luminescent properties of 1 and 2 have also been investigated.     

(Salen)tin complexes: syntheses, characterization, crystal structures, and catalytic activity in the formation of propylene carbonate from CO(2) and propylene oxide

A series of (salen)tin(II) and (salen)tin(IV) complexes was synthesized. The (salen)tin(IV) complexes, (salen)SnX(2) (X = Br and I), were prepared in good yields via the direct oxidation reaction of (salen)tin(II) complexes with Br(2) or I(2). (Salen)SnX(2) successfully underwent the anion-exchange reaction with AgOTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) to form (salen)Sn(OTf)(2) and (salen)Sn(X)(OTf) (X = Br). The (salen)Sn(OTf)(2) complex was easily converted to any of the dihalide (salen)SnX(2) compounds using halide salts. All complexes were fully characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis, while some were characterized by (13)C, (19)F, and (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy. Several crystal structures of (salen)tin(II) and (salen)tin(IV) were also determined. Finally, both (salen)tin(II) and (salen)tin(IV) complexes were shown to efficiently catalyze the formation of propylene carbonate from propylene oxide and CO(2). Of the series, (3,3',5,5'-Br(4)-salen)SnBr(2), 3i, was found to be the most effective catalyst (TOF = 524 h(-)(1)).     

A series of metal-organic polymers assembled from MCl2 (M = Zn, Cd, Co, Cu): structures, third-order nonlinear optical and fluorescent properties

In this paper four metal-organic polymers {[Zn(fcz)Cl2].CH3OH}n 1, {[Cd(fcz)2Cl2].CH3OH.2H2O}n 2, {[Co(fcz)2Cl2].2CH3OH}n 3 and {[Cu(fcz)2Cl2].2CH3OH}n 4 (fcz = fluconazole: alpha-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-alpha-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-ylmethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-l-ethanol) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Polymer consists of 1-D infinite chains arranged along the b-axis. All of polymers 2-4 exhibit a 2-D rhombohedral grid structure. We study the third-order nonlinear optical properties of fcz and polymers 1-4 in DMF solution by using 8 ns laser pulses at 532 nm, and find that 1 and 4 exhibit different NLO properties from fcz and both 2 and 3 show similar NLO properties to fcz. 1 possesses strong NLO refractive effects and large NLO absorptive behaviors. 2, 3 and fcz exhibit strong refractive effects, but their NLO absorptive behaviors are weaker than that of 1. The NLO effects of 4 are very weak. The study of optical limiting (OL) effects by using 40 ps laser pulses at 532 nm shows that fcz and polymer 3 possess a strong OL effect. The optical limiting threshold values of 0.15 J cm(-2) for fcz and 0.16 J cm(-2) for are comparable to those of many heterothiometallate clusters. Polymers 1, 2 and 4 show a weak OL effect. The fluorescent spectra in DMF solution (concentration: 1 x 10(-4) mol dm(-3)) show that polymers 1-4 exhibit different luminescence properties from fcz. The maximum wavelength of polymers 1-3 are blue shifted gradually by 2-12 nm while polymer 4 exhibits a fluorescent self-quenching phenomenon. These results demonstrate that metal ions play an important part in the NLO and fluorescent properties of coordination polymers.     

A new series of molybdenum-(IV), -(V), and -(VI) dithiolate compounds as active site models of molybdoenzymes: preparation, crystal structures, spectroscopic/electrochemical properties and reactivity in oxygen atom transfer

A new set of molybdenum-(IV), -(V), and -(VI) compounds containing 3,6-dichloro-1,2-benzenedithiolate (bdtCl2) were isolated and characterised by crystallographic and other spectroscopic techniques as active site models of arsenite oxidase, one of the molybdoenzymes. MoO2 compounds were prepared in high yields by reaction of MoO2Cl2 with bdtCl2, related dithiolene and thiocatecholate in methanol at low temperature. The bdtCl2 ligand particularly stabilised the MoO compounds with oxidation numbers of +4 and +5 as well as the MoO2 compound with an oxidation number of +6. The compounds (Et4N)2[MoVIO2(bdtCl2)2], (Et4N)2[MoIVO(bdtCl2)2] and (Et4N)[MoVO(bdtCl2)2] were successfully isolated, whereas (Et3NH)2[MoO2(thiocatecholate)2] gradually decomposed in acetonitrile. A distorted octahedral structure similar to that of was suggested for the structure of the active site of the oxidised form of arsenite oxidase on the basis of a comparison of their bond distances and angles. The bond distances and angles around the molybdenum(IV) atom in were similar to those around the molybdenum(IV) centre in the reduced form of arsenite oxidase. The reversible / couple exhibited a more positive redox potential than common MoO dithiolene compounds. Underwent an irreversible proton-coupled reduction process to yield. An oxygen atom transfer reaction of with triphenylphosphine afforded and triphenylphosphine oxide, and proceeded in second order as v=-d/dt[MoO2]=k[MoO2][PPh3]. The structures and properties of the oxo-bridged dinuclear compound (Et4N)2[MoVIO2(bdtCl2)]2(micro-O), a dimer of bdtCl2 and were also characterised.     

A series of M-M′ heterometallic coordination polymers: syntheses, structures and surface photoelectric properties (M=Ni/Co, M′=Cd/Zn)

Four new heterometallic polymers, [NiCd(mal)₂(H₂O)₂]n·2nH₂O 1, [NiZn₂(Hcit)₂(H₂O)₂]n 2, [CoCd₂(Hcit)₂(H₂O)₂]n 3, [CoZn₂(Hcit)₂(H₂O)₂]n 4 (H₂mal=malonic acid, H₄cit=citric acid) were synthesized and characterized. The photoelectric properties of the polymers were discussed by the surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS). The structural analyses indicate 1 is a Ni-Cd heterometallic polymer with 3D structure bridged by the mal^2- group. 2-4 are all heterometallic polymers with 2D structures bridged by the Hcit^3- group. The results of SPS for the four polymers reveal that there are wide photovoltage response bands in the range of 300-800 nm, which indicates that they all possess photoelectric conversion properties. By the introduction of the other metals, the SPS of heterometallic polymers are broadened obviously than the SPS of monometallic complexes. Moreover, the relationships between SPS and UV-Vis absorption spectra have been discussed.     

Peptide models. XXXIII. Extrapolation of low-level Hartree-Fock data of peptide conformation to large basis set SCF,MP2, DFT,and CCSD(T) results. The Ramachandran surface of alanine dipeptide computed at various levels of theory

At the dawn of the new millenium, new concepts are required for a more profound understanding of protein structures. Together with NMR and X-ray-based 3D-structure determinations in silico methods are now widely accepted. Homology-based modeling studies, molecular dynamics methods, and quantum mechanical approaches are more commonly used. Despite the steady and exponential increase in computational power, high level ab initio methods will not be in common use for studying the structure and dynamics of large peptides and proteins in the near future. We are presenting here a novel approach, in which low- and medium-level ab initio energy results are scaled, thus extrapolating to a higher level of information. This scaling is of special significance, because we observed previously on molecular properties such as energy, chemical shielding data, etc., determined at a higher theoretical level, do correlate better with experimental data, than those originating from lower theoretical treatments. The Ramachandran surface of an alanine dipeptide now determined at six different levels of theory [RHF and B3LYP 3-21G, 6-31+G(d) and 6-311++G(d,p)] serves as a suitable test. Minima, first-order critical points and partially optimized structures, determined at different levels of theory (SCF, DFT), were completed with high level energy calculations such as MP2, MP4D, and CCSD(T). For the first time three different CCSD(T) sets of energies were determined for all stable B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) minima of an alanine dipeptide. From the simplest ab initio data (e.g., RHF/3-21G) to more complex results [CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)] all data sets were compared, analyzed in a comprehensive manner, and evaluated by means of statistics.     

Selective complexation of uranium(III) over lanthanide(III) triflates by 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine. X-Ray crystal structures of [M(OTf)3(terpy)2] and [M(OTf)2(terpy)2(py)][OTf](M = Nd, Ce, U) and of polynuclear mu-oxo uranium(IV) complexes resulting from hydrolysis

Reactions of Ln(OTf)3(Ln = Ce, Nd) or [U(OTf)3(dme)2](OTf = OSO2CF3, dme = dimethoxyethane) with 2 mol equivalents of 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (terpy) in pyridine or acetonitrile led to the quantitative formation of the bis(terpy) complexes which crystallized as the discrete cation-anion pairs [M(OTf)2(terpy)2(py)][OTf] x 0.5py from pyridine or neutral derivatives [M(OTf)3(terpy)2] x nMeCN from acetonitrile (M = Ce, Nd, U). The crystal structures of these complexes show the differences in the M-O bond lengths to follow the variation of the ionic radii of the metals, while the U-N(terpy) and U-N(py) bonds are shorter than those expected from a purely ionic bonding model. The better affinity of terpy for U(III) over Ce(III) and Nd(III) was evidenced by the thermodynamic parameters (K, DeltaH, DeltaS) corresponding to the equilibrium between the bis- and tris(terpy) complexes in acetonitrile. Hydrolysis of the bis(terpy) compounds followed different courses; whereas the aquo compound [Ce(OTf)2(terpy)2(H2O)][OTf] crystallized readily from pyridine, the uranium complexes [UX2(terpy)2(py)]X (X = I, OTf) were oxidized into the tri- and tetranuclear mu-oxo U(IV) compounds [{UI(terpy)2(mu-O)}2{UI2(terpy)}]I4 x 2MeCN x H2O and [{U(OTf)(terpy)2(mu-O)(mu-OTf)U(terpy)}2(mu-OTf)2(mu-O)][OTf]4 x py x MeCN. The crystal structures of these first examples of uranium(IV) compounds with terpy ligands show the almost linear arrangement of the metal atoms.     

Reactive scattering of H2 from Cu(100): six-dimensional quantum dynamics results for reaction and scattering obtained with a new, accurately fitted potential-energy surface

Six-dimensional quantum dynamical calculations are reported for the dissociative chemisorption of (v=0, 1, j=0) H(2) on Cu(100), and for rovibrationally inelastic scattering of (v=1, j=1) H(2) from Cu(100). The dynamics results were obtained using a new potential-energy surface (PES5), which was based on density-functional calculations using a slab representation of the adsorbate-substrate system and a generalized gradient approximation to the exchange-correlation energy. A very accurate method (the corrugation reducing procedure) was used to represent the density-functional theory data in a global potential-energy surface. With the new, more accurately fitted PES5, the agreement between the dynamics results and experimental results for reaction and rovibrationally elastic scattering is not as good as was obtained with a previous potential-energy surface (PES4), which was based on a subset of the density-functional theory data not yet including the results for the low-symmetry Cu sites. Preliminary density-functional theory results suggest that the agreement between theory and experiment will improve over that obtained with PES5 if the density-functional calculations are repeated using a larger basis set and using more copper layers than employed in PES4 and PES5.     

Magnetic structures of the M2TbF6 (M=Li, K, Rb) fluorides: A complex behavior resulting from frustration

Neutron powder diffraction has been performed on Li₂TbF₆, K₂TbF₆ and Rb₂TbF₆ fluoroterbates. Incommensurate long-range magnetic order is observed below T_N=2.02, 1.60 and 2.07 K. The square-modulating of the magnetic structures can be correlated with the geometric frustration induced by the pseudo-hexagonal packing of the [TbF₆]²⁻ chains in these hexafluorides. This frustration and the magnetic interactions are discussed on the basis of experimental data and topological considerations. The magnetic structures encountered in this series, and the particular thermal evolution of the Li₂TbF₆ magnetic structure may result from the competition between the magnetic interactions taking place in the chains and the magnetic interactions coupling the chains.     

An attempt towards coordination supramolecularity from Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) with a new hexadentate [N4O2] symmetrical Schiff base ligand: Syntheses,crystal structures,electrical conductivity and optical properties

To explore the influence of non-covalent weak force interactions, mainly exerted by carboxylic groups, on the formation of supramolecular architectures of transition metal complexes and their electrical conduction processes, a new symmetrical [N₄O₂] hexadentate Schiff base ligand, 1,8-N-bis(3-carboxy)disalicylidene-3,6-diazaoctane-1,8-diamine, abbreviated to H₄fsatrien, and its complexes of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II) have been synthesized using in situ condensation of the ligand components in the presence of metal ions. The complexes were structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, NMR, ESR, molar conductivity and magnetic measurements. The crystal structures of all the complexes have been determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The 1-D, 2-D and 3-D networks of the complexes are formed by π–π stacking, C–H?π interactions and mono or bifurcated H-bonding. The electronic structures of the complexes have been examined using the DFT method. Solid-state properties (e.g. electrical conductivity at different temperatures and optical properties) of the Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes have also been studied and, depending on the temperature, the conductivity of the complexes is found to be insulating and semiconducting (intrinsic and extrinsic) in nature. The optical band gap (E_gd) of complexes (1) and (3) is found to be 2.57 and 2.30 eV, respectively.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis,a technique for measurement of Se,Hg, Fe,Zn, K,Mn, Br,and the Hg:Se ratio in brain tissue samples with results from the Memory and Aging Project (MAP)

An INAA method for measurement of Se, Hg, Fe, Cr, Zn, Mn, K, and Br in autopsy cerebellum, anterior putamen, white matter, mid-frontal cortex, and inferior temporal lobe. Se, Hg, Fe, Cr, and Zn were measured autopsy samples collected from participants of the Memory and Aging Project. The first study examined the association between seafood consumption, brain Hg and Se, Apolipoprotein E (APOE-ε4) status, and brain neuropathology. Following the initial study, the samples were archived. A subsequent method was developed to measure Mn, K, and Br in the archived brain tissue samples.     

Synthesis, crystal structure from single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data, and thermal behavior of mixed potassium lanthanide squarates: thermal transformations of layered [Ln(H2O)6]K(H2C4O4)(C4O4)2 into pillared LnK(C4O4)2 (Ln = Y, La, Gd, Er)

A new series of mixed potassium and rare-earth squarates, [Ln(H(2)O)(6)]K(H(2)C(4)O(4))(C(4)O(4))(2) (Ln = Y, La, Gd, Er), has been synthesized and structurally characterized from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic analyses. The yttrium-based compound crystallizes with a monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/c [a = 8.3341(2) A, b = 37.7094(9) A, c = 11.7195(3) A, beta = 90.3959(9) degrees , V = 3683.1(2) A(3), Z = 8]. The structure is built from layers maintained together via hydrogen bonds. Within a layer, squarate ligands act as linkers between lanthanide and potassium cations. The thermal decomposition of the precursors has been studied by powder thermodiffractometry and thermal analyses. It is shown that crystalline intermediate phases are formed during the degradation. Among them, unprecedented mixed anhydrous squarates, LnK(C(4)O(4))(2), could be isolated. The crystal structure of the Y compound has been solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data, using direct-space methods [a = 6.2010(5) A, c = 11.639(1) A, V = 447.55 A(3), Z = 2]. The structure consists of layers of edge-sharing YO(8) and KO(8) antiprisms, pillared by mu(8)-squarate groups. The end of the precursor decomposition is marked by the formation of cubic sesquioxides Ln(2)O(3), including lanthanum oxide.     

A new series of mixed oxalates MM′(C2O4)3(H2O)3·nH2O (M = Cd,Hg, Pb; M′ = Zr,Hf) based on eight-fold coordinated metals: Synthesis,crystal structure from single-crystal and powder diffraction data and thermal behaviour

A new series of mixed oxalates MM′(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃·nH₂O (M = Cd, Hg, Pb; M′ = Zr, Hf) has been prepared. The crystal structures have been solved from single-crystal and powder diffraction data. The isotypical compounds crystallise with space group P2₁/c (No. 14). The structures consist of honeycomb layers formed by eight-fold coordinated metals, in a distorted square-based antiprismatic conformation, connected together via oxalates which act as bidentate ligands and also as monodentate in a less-common μ3-bridging mode. Sheets are built from two shifted honeycomb layers and linked to each other through a hydrogen network. The resulting frameworks of the series display a compact two-dimensional arrangement of polyhedra MO₈ and M′O₈. Weakly-bonded water molecules are located between and within the sheets. Comparisons with the 3D open-framework structures of related metal oxalates are made. The dehydration processes occur in three or four steps. The final products are MO, M′O₂ and PbZrO₃ resulting from the sublimation of PbO in air. The size of PbZrO₃ crystallites, which are on average isotropic, has been evaluated to be 1055 Å from line-broadening analysis.