One‐Dimensional Arsenic Allotropes: Polymerization of Yellow Arsenic Inside Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

The pnictogen nanomaterials, including phosphorene and arsenene, display remarkable electronic and chemical properties. Yet, the structural diversity of these main group elements is still poorly explored. Here we fill single‐wall carbon nanotubes with elemental arsenic from the vapor phase. Using electron microscopy, we find chains of highly reactive As₄ molecules as well as two new one‐dimensional allotropes of arsenic: a single‐stranded zig‐zag chain and a double‐stranded zig‐zag ladder. These linear structures are important intermediates between the gas‐phase clusters of arsenic and the extended sheets of arsenene. Raman spectroscopy indicates weak electronic interaction between the arsenic and the nanotubes which implies that the formation of the new allotropes is driven primarily by the geometry of the confinement. The relative stabilities of the new arsenic structures are estimated computationally. Band‐gap calculations predict that the insulating As₄ chains become semiconducting, once converted to the zig‐zag ladder, and form a fully metallic allotrope of arsenic as the zig‐zag chain.     

Oxygen‐Doped Zig‐Zag Molecular Ribbons

The synthesis of a zig‐zag oxygen‐doped molecular rhombic ribbon has been achieved. This includes oxidative C?C and C?O bond formations that allowed the stepwise elongation and planarization of an oxa‐congener of 2,7‐periacenoacene. X‐ray diffraction analysis corroborated the flat structure and the zig‐zag topology of the O‐doped edges. Photophysical and electrochemical investigations showed that the extension of the peri‐xanthenoxanthene (PXX) into the molecular ribbon induces a noticeable shrinking of the molecular band gap devised by a rising of the HOMO energy level, a desirable property for p‐type organic semiconductors.     

Myoglobin Detection: Utilizing Functional Magnetic Hybrid and Silica Micro Particles and Simple Molding Based Micro Channel Fabrication

A magnetic separator attached in a zig zag flow channel assembly has been fabricated to detect myoglobin on the micro particles. An anti‐myoglobin conjugated magnetic hybrid and myoglobin conjugated silica micro particles were prepared and used for myoglobin detection on channel. For the detections, the competitive assay principle was followed based on affinity interaction of anti‐myoglobin‐myoglobin. The caliberation curve was plotted based on the deposit percentage of myoglobin conjugated silica micro particles. The calibration curve of the myoglobin showed the linear range between 1 × 10^?8 ‐ 5 × 10^?11 (M) (R² = 0.9944). The minimum detectable concentration was 300 pg/mL. Hence all that concludes that, the application of zig zag flow channel with magnetic separator has offered new, simple and rapid approach for detecting myoglobin in whole blood samples with in 30 min.     

Computational Study of the Stability of Nanotube Fragments

Extremely short (<1 nm) fragments of zig‐zag carbon nanotubes are studied with ab‐initio techniques to determine their geometric and electronic structure as well as their magnetic susceptibility. It is found that for lengths of a few carbon–carbon bonds, each fragment can be viewed as composed of crowns, that is, zig‐zag rings of carbon atoms along the circumference of the tube. In this case, two kinds of electronic structures are found, depending on whether the number of carbon atoms in each crown is even or odd. Systems comprising three or more crowns either have a high spin ground state or involve a charge transfer across the length of the fragment. Conjugation changes qualitatively when the length of the fragment approaches and surpasses its girth. Indications regarding the predicted chemical stability and electronic response are provided and interpreted in terms of current densities induced within each crown by a magnetic field along the tube axis.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding‐Induced Polymorphous Phase Transitions in 2D Organic Nanostructures

The 2D self‐assembly of various 2‐hydroxy‐7‐alkoxy‐9‐fluorenone (HAF) molecules has been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at the liquid/solid interface. A systematic study revealed that HAF molecules with different numbers of carbon atoms in their alkoxy chains could form two or three different kinds of nanostructures, that is, less‐ordered, flower‐like, and zig‐zag patterns, owing to the formation of different types of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The observed structural transition was found to be driven by molecular thermodynamics, surface diffusion, and the voltage pulse that was applied to the STM tip. The zig‐zag pattern was the most stable of these configurations. An odd–even effect on the flower‐like structure, as induced by the odd and even number of carbon atoms in the side chain, was observed by STM. The influence of the odd–even effect on the melting point has a close relationship with the molecular self‐assembled pattern. Our results are significant for understanding the influence of hydrogen‐bonding interactions on the dominant adsorption behavior on the surface and provide a new visual approach for observing the influence of the odd–even effect on the phase transition.     

Solvothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Two Manganese Complexes [Mn(II)(acac−)2(4,4′‐bipy)]n (bipy=4,4′‐bipyridine) and [Mn(III)(acac−)3]·4CO(NH2)2

Two special manganese complexes [Mn(II)(acac^?)₂(4,4′‐bipy)]_n (bipy=4,4′‐bipyridine) (complex 1 ) and [Mn(III)(acac^?)₃]·4CO(NH₂)₂ (acacH=acetylacetone) (complex 2 ) were synthesized in the same strategy by solvothermal method. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed the complex 1 consists of one‐dimensional infinite coordination chain, with the manganese centers bridged by 4,4′‐bipy. And free carbamides of complex 2 connect with each other through the hydrogen bonds to form a 14‐membered carbamide ring and a zig‐zag plane. Both enantiomers of Mn(III)(acac^?)₃ exist in the structure, forming a racemate. Furthermore, these enantiomers and those zig‐zag planes are linked with hydrogen bonds to form an unique spatial network.     

A Novel 3‐D Heterobimetallic Cyano‐bridged Coordination Polymer Incorporating Ag···Ag Interaction: [Cu(dien)Ag(CN)2]2[Ag2(CN)3][Ag(CN)2]

A three‐dimensional cyano‐bridged copper(II) complex, [Cu(dien)Ag(CN)₂]₂[Ag₂(CN)₃][Ag(CN)₂] ( 1 ) (dien = diethylenetriamine), has been prepared and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 6.988(2), b = 17.615(6), c = 12.564(4) Å, β = 90.790(5)°. The crystal consists of cis‐[Cu(dien)]²⁺ units bridged by [Ag(CN)₂]^— to form a zig‐zag chain. The Ag atoms of the free and bridging [Ag(CN)₂]^— link together to form additional infinite zig‐zag chains with short Ag···Ag distances. The presence of Ag···Ag interactions effectively increases the dimensionality from a 1‐D chain to a 3‐D coordination polymer.     

Closing the Nanographene Gap: Surface‐Assisted Synthesis of Peripentacene from 6,6′‐Bipentacene Precursors

The thermally induced cyclodehydrogenation reaction of 6,6′‐bipentacene precursors on Au(111) yields peripentacene stabilized by surface interactions with the underlying metallic substrate. STM and atomic‐resolution non‐contact AFM imaging reveal rectangular flakes of nanographene featuring parallel pairs of zig‐zag and armchair edges resulting from the lateral fusion of two pentacene subunits. The synthesis of a novel molecular precursor 6,6′‐bipentacene, itself a synthetic target of interest for optical and electronic applications, is also reported. The scalable synthetic strategy promises to afford access to a structurally diverse class of extended periacenes and related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as advanced materials for electronic, spintronic, optical, and magnetic devices.     

BSSE‐free description of the formamide dimers

The different configurations (linear, zig‐zag, and cyclic) of formamide dimers have been studied at the level of both Hartree–Fock (HF) and second order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). The widely used a posteriori Boys–Bernardi “counterpoise” (CP) correction scheme has been compared with our a priori methods utilizing the “chemical Hamiltonian approach” (CHA). The appropriate interaction energies have been calculated in six different basis sets (6‐31G, 6‐31G**, DZV, DZP, TZV, and cc‐pVDZ). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem, 2001     

Pnictogen‐containing iron and chromium carbonyl complexes: From complexes to semiconducting frameworks

Recently, main group elements containing transition metal carbonyl complexes have received much attention due to their novel bonding modes and versatile reactivities. In this article, we will focus on the development of pnictogen (Bi, Sb, and As)‐containing Fe or Cr carbonyl complexes reported in our previous study, in which their rational synthetic methodologies, intriguing reactivities, as well as their special properties will be described and systematically compared. Importantly, a unique zig‐zag Bi‐Fe polymer was synthesized, and several Bi‐Cr complexes were found to exhibit surprising semiconducting behaviors with varied ultra‐low energy gaps via the through‐bond or through‐space electron communication.     

Structure,conformation, and motions of polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) in the hexagonal form of the PTHF-urea inclusion compound

Combination of differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance observations made on the crystalline inclusion compound (IC) formed between polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) and urea (U), together with their comparison to identical observations performed on bulk semicrystalline samples of PTHF, have permitted an analysis of the conformations, motions, and environments available to PTHF chains in both solid-state phases. The isolated PTHF chains occupying the narrow channels of the PTHF-U-IC are highly extended, though small rotational deviations averaging 24° from the nearly all trans, planar zig zag conformation of bulk crystalline PTHF chains produce some significant differences in their behaviors. PTHF chains in PTHF-U-IC possess much greater mobility than bulk crystalline PTHF chains as evidenced by C-13 spin lattice relaxation times, T₁, 50 times shorter (1.5 s) than observed for bulk crystalline PTHF chains (75 s). FTIR observations are consistent with very little specific interaction between guest PTHF chains and host urea matrix molecules and result in similar spectra for bulk and IC PTHF, except for the presence of the CH₂ rocking vibration band at 745 cm^?1 observed for bulk PTHF. The absence of this band in the IC PTHF can be understood by considering the symmetry of the all trans, planar zig zag conformation of bulk crystalline PTHF chains, which prevents the CH₂ rocking mode from coupling with skeletal stretching and bending modes as occurs in the nonplanar, helical PTHF chains in PTHF-U-IC. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Double hexagonal chains with maximal energy

The ground state electron energy of neutral alternant conjugated hydrocarbons has an absolute value that may be identified as the sum of the absolute values of all the electron eigenvalues of its corresponding graph. The “double hexagonal chains” can be considered as benzenoids constructed by successive fusions of naphthalenes along a zig‐zag sequence of triples of edges as appear on opposite sides of each naphthalene unit. We show that if the fusions give an all‐kink structure (e.g., polybiphenanthrene), then the total π‐electron energy is the maximum from among all the double hexagonal chains with the same number of naphthalene units. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Encapsulation and Polymerization of White Phosphorus Inside Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Elemental phosphorus displays an impressive number of allotropes with highly diverse chemical and physical properties. White phosphorus has now been filled into single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from the liquid and thereby stabilized against the highly exothermic reaction with atmospheric oxygen. The encapsulated tetraphosphorus molecules were visualized with transmission electron microscopy, but found to convert readily into chain structures inside the SWCNT “nanoreactors”. The energies of the possible chain structures were determined computationally, highlighting a delicate balance between the extent of polymerization and the SWCNT diameter. Experimentally, a single‐stranded zig‐zag chain of phosphorus atoms was observed, which is the lowest energy structure at small confinement diameters. These one‐dimensional chains provide a glimpse into the very first steps of the transformation from white to red phosphorus.     

High Resolution Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of a 1D Coordination Polymer with Imidazole‐Based N,N,O Ligands on HOPG

Novel κ³‐N,N,O ligands tend to form 1D coordination polymer strands. Deposition of 1D structures on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was achieved from diluted solutions and polymer strands have been studied on HOPG by AFM/STM. Single strands were mapped by STM and their electronic properties were subsequently characterized by current imaging tunneling spectroscopy (CITS). Periodic density functional calculations simulating a polymer strand deposited on a HOPG surface are in agreement with the zig‐zag structure indicated by experimental findings. Both the observed periodicity and the Zn–Zn distances can be reproduced in the simulations. Van der Waals interactions were found to play a major role for the geometry of the isolated polymer strand, for the adsorption geometry on HOPG, as well as for the adsorption energy.     

A Dimeric Bis(melamine)‐Substituted Bispidine for Efficient Transmembrane H+/Cl− Cotransport

A 3,7‐diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane linking to two melamines is a unique transmembrane H⁺/Cl⁻ carrier. In the solid state, the V‐shaped compound forms a HCl‐bound zig‐zag network through cooperative protonation and hydrogen bond interactions. In the lipid membrane, the receptor forms a dimeric self‐assembly involving multiple H⁺ and Cl⁻ leading to the efficient transport of the acid. The pH‐dependent Cl⁻ efflux observed for the compound was rationalized based on a gradual protonation model that confers an active transmembrane carrier at physiological pH.     

Hg2(OH)[BF4], the First Basic Mercurous Tetrafluoroborate

The first basic mercurous tetrafluoroborate, Hg₂(OH)[BF₄], was obtained through a synproportionation reaction of red mercuric oxide, HgO, and elemental mercury in a 35% solution of HBF₄ in water as colourless single crystals. The crystal structure (orthorhombic, Pbca, Z = 8, a = 985.0(1), b = 991.0(1), c = 1141.0(2) pm) contains [(HO)_1/2—Hg—Hg—(OH)_1/2]⁺ zig‐zag chains that are further connected via weak Hg—OH interchain interactions to layers between which the [BF₄]^— are located in an up and down fashion.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a new O,N Lithium Coordination Polymer

The reaction of 4‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐1, 2, 4‐triazine‐3(2H)‐thione‐5‐one (HAMTTO) with n‐butyl lithium in dimethoxyethane (DME) gives the complex [Li(DME)(AMTTO)] ( 1 ). 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, IR‐ and mass‐spectrometry and an X‐ray structure analysis [space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at —80 °C: a = 867.6(1), b = 1721.5(2), c = 931.8(1) pm, β = 112.81(1)°, R₁ = 0.0315. The complex is a coordination polymer along [001] with a zig‐zag arrangement.     

Twodimensional Metal‐Organic Framework [Zn(bqdc)]n (bqdc = 2,2′‐biquinoline‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate) – Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Spectral Characterization

A new two‐dimensional metal‐organic framework [Zn(bqdc)]_n (bqdc = 2,2′‐biquinoline‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate) was obtained by the reaction of ligand 2,2′‐biquinoline‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bqdc) and Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O under hydrothermal conditions. It has been characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR and single crystal X‐ray crystallography. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and exhibits a 2D zig‐zag network, assisted by face‐to‐face π‐π interactions of quinoline rings. In addition, it has a fluorescence emission in the solution state at room temperature.     

Far-infrared spectra of piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) is currently used to form piezoelectric films. The PVF₂ molecule can exist in more than one stable conformation and it has electrically polar groups making the polymer amenable to the electrification processes involved in the formation of the piezoelectric film. The two crystalline forms of PVF₂ are distinguishable by far-infrared spectroscopy. Polarized far-infrared spectra (1000-50 cm^?1) of uniaxially oriented PVF₂ show changes in the strong perpendicular dichroism in a number of absorptions before and after being made piezoelectric. The dichroism is attributed to a structural rearrangement from a staggered trans-gauche-trans-gauché conformation to a planar zig zag conformation. In the latter conformation the permanent dipoles are oriented approximately at right angles to the surfaces of the film and result in an electrically polarized film.     

Remarkable Change in Fluorescence Emission of Poly(diphenylacetylene) Film via in situ Desilylation Reaction: Correlation with Variations in Microporous Structure,Chain Conformation,and Lamellar Layer Distance

Fluorescence (FL) emission properties, microporous structures, energy‐minimized chain conformations, and lamellar layer structures of the silicon‐containing poly(diphenylacetylene) derivative of p‐PTMSDPA before and after desilylation were investigated. The nitrogen‐adsorption isotherms of p‐PTMSDPA film before and after desilylation were typical of type I, indicating microporous structures. The BET surface area and pore volume of the p‐PTMSDPA film were significantly reduced after the desilylation reaction, simultaneously, its FL emission intensity remarkably decreased. The theoretical calculation on both model compounds of p‐PTMSDPA and its desilylated polymer, PDPA, showed a remarkable difference in chain conformation: The side phenyl rings of p‐PTMSDPA are discontinuously arranged in a zig‐zag pattern, while the PDPA is continuously coiled in a helical manner. The lamellar layer distance (LLD) in the p‐PTMSDPA film significantly decreased after the desilylation reaction.