Solid-solid phase transitions: interface controlled reactivity and formation of intermediate structures

Finding new pathways to novel materials is an open challenge in modern solid-state chemistry. Among the reasons that still prevent a rational planning of synthetic routes is the lack of an atomistic understanding at the moment of phase formation. Metastable phases are, in this respect, powerful points of access to new materials. For the synthetic efforts to fully take advantage of such peculiar intermediates, a precise atomistic understanding of critical processes in the solid state in its many facets, that is, nucleation patterns, formation and propagation of interfaces, intermediate structures, and phase growth, is mandatory. Recently we have started a systematic theoretical study of phase transitions, especially of processes with first-order thermodynamics, to reach a firm understanding of the atomistic mechanisms governing polymorphism in the solid state. A clear picture is emerging of the interplay between nucleation patterns, the evolution of domain interfaces and final material morphology. Therein intermediate metastable structural motifs with distinct atomic patterns are identified, which become exciting targets for chemical synthesis. Accordingly, a new way of implementing simulation strategies as a powerful support to the chemical intuition is emerging. Simulations of real materials under conditions corresponding to the experiments are shedding light onto yet elusive aspects of solid-solid transformations. Particularly, sharp insights into local nucleation and growth events allow the formulation of new concepts for rationalizing interfaces formed during phase nucleation and growth. Structurally different and confined in space, metastable interfaces occurring during polymorph transformations bring about distinct diffusion behavior of the chemical species involved. More generally, stable structures emerge as a result of the concurrence of the transformation mechanism and of chemical reactions within the phase-growth fronts.     

Solid-state photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition in a hydrogen-bonded metal complex containing several parallel and crisscross C=C bonds

One-dimensional hydrogen-bonded complex [Zn(bpe)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2).8/3 H(2)O.2/3 bpe (1, bpe=4,4'-bipyridylethylene) containing coordination complex cations [Zn(bpe)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](2+) with parallel and crisscross double bonds undergoes photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition in the solid state and produces tetrakis(4-pyridyl)cyclobutane (tpcb) in up to 100 % yield with rctt-tpcb (2a) as major and rtct-tpcb (2b) as minor product. The bpe ligands with crisscross conformation of C=C bonds appear to undergo pedal-like motion prior to photodimerization. Grinding single crystals to powder accelerates the pedal motion of crisscrossed olefins in the bpe ligands to parallel alignment and provides the rctt-cyclobutane stereoisomer 2a quantitatively. In addition, 100 % photodimerization of ground 1 indicates that the free bpe ligands, which are remote from each other in a pool of water, and NO(3)(-) ions moved toward each other to give a mixture of rctt- and rtct-tpcb isomers.     

过渡金属促进的固相偶联反应

固相有机合成作为组合化学的基石近几年发展很快,本文就1994～1999年被过渡金属促进的固相偶联反应进行了综述。     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Photodimerization of a Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP) Chromophore Model in a Single Crystal

The chromophore of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP), the photoreceptor in the photomotility of the bacterium Halorhodospira halophila, is a deprotonated para‐coumaric thioester linked to the side residue of a cysteine residue. The photophysics of the PYP chromophore is conveniently modeled with para‐hydroxycinnamic thiophenyl esters. Herein, we report the first direct evidence, obtained with X‐ray diffraction, of photodimerization of a para‐hydroxycinnamic thiophenyl ester in single crystalline state. This result represents the first direct observation of [2+2] dimerization of a model PYP chromophore, and demonstrates that even very weak light in the visible region is capable of inducing parallel radical reactions in PYP from the excited state of the chromophore, in addition to the main reaction pathway (trans–cis isomerization). This PYP model system adds an interesting example to the known solid‐state photodimerizations, because unlike the anhydrous crystal (which is not capable of sustaining the stress and disintegrates in the course of photodimerization), a single water molecule “dilutes” the structure to the extent sufficient for single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal reaction.     

New light on an old story: formation of melam during thermal condensation of melamine

We report on the existence and formation of the carbon nitride precursor melam (H(2)N)(2)(C(3)N(3))NH(C(3)N(3))(NH(2))(2), thereby clarifying one of the last unresolved issues posed by the complex thermal condensation of melamine C(3)N(3)(NH(2))(3). Experimental proof is put forward that melam is a direct condensation product of melamine, but can be detected only in small amounts under special reaction conditions owing to its rapid transformation into melem. The coexistence of melamine and melem during thermal condensation yields two adduct phases with distinct compositions [C(3)N(3)(NH(2))(3)](2)[C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(3)] and [C(3)N(3)(NH(2))(3)][C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(3)](2). They may be considered as co-crystallizates of melamine and melem and can be isolated as intermediates between 590 and 650 K prior to the formation of single-phase melem C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(3). Melam (C2/c, a=1811.0(4), b=1086.7(2), c=1398.4(3) pm, beta=96.31(3) degrees, V=2735.3(9)x10(6) pm(3), T=130 K) adopts a ditriazinylamine-type structure with a twisted conformation about the bridging NH moiety and transforms into melem around 640 K. Two compounds deriving from melam have been synthesized by solution and solid-state reactions. The salt melamium diperchlorate C(6)N(11)H(11)(ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O (C2/c, a=1747.8(4), b=1148.2(2), c=993.6(2) pm, beta=118.79(3) degrees, V=1747.4(6)x10(6) pm(3), T=130 K) crystallizes as a dihydrate and exhibits a doubly protonated, planar melam core. In the neutral complex Zn[C(6)N(11)H(9)]Cl(2) (P2(1)/c, a=743.00(15), b=2233.2(5), c=762.5(2) pm, beta=99.86(3) degrees, V=1246.5(4)x10(6) pm(3), T=200 K), melam acts as a symmetrically bent bidentate ligand, which is coordinated to the Lewis acid Zn-site through two ring nitrogen atoms.     

Reactions of Ruthenium Vinylidene and Acetylide Complexes Containing Trichloromethyl Groups: Preparation of a Cyclobutenonyl Complex by Solid‐State Photolysis

Solid‐state route to a cyclobutenone : Ruthenium perchlorocyclobutenonyl complex 2 is obtained by solid‐state photoisomerization of ruthenium trichloroacetyl acetylide complex 1 . The four‐membered ring is sufficiently robust that transfer of the intact ligand could be readily achieved in a reaction of 2 with an enyne. Cyclobutenedionyl complex 3 was obtained by hydrolysis of 2 in H₂O/THF.

     

Supercubooctahedron (Cs6Cl)2Cs5[Ga15Ge9Se48] Exhibiting Both Cation and Anion Exchange

A novel type of supertetrahedral connectivity is exhibited by the 72‐atom discrete supercubooctahedron in (Cs₆Cl)₂Cs₅[Ga₁₅Ge₉Se₄₈] ( 1 ), which undergoes both cation and anion exchange, as revealed by unambiguous single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Electronic‐structure studies helped to understand the Ge/Ga distribution.     

Study on the inclusion behavior and solid inclusion complex of 5-amino-6-methyl-2-benzimidazolone with cyclodextrins

The inclusion behaviors of three native or modified CDs including p-CD,2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD(2-Hp-β-CD) and 2,6-dimethyl-β-CD(Me-β-CD) toward 5-amino-6-methyl-2-benzimidazolone(AMBI) were comparatively investigated by NMR and fluorescence titration in combination with IR spectra,X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microphotographs.The experimental results jointly demonstrated that the phenyl ring of AMBI entered into the cavity of the CDs and located close to the narrow rims accompanied by the formation of the 1:1 inclusion complex with large stability constant in aqueous solution.The introduction of the hydroxypropyl unit to the host improved the solubility,ultimately effecting an obvious promoting in the fluorescence intensity and the stability constant     

Solid‐state reaction as a mechanism of 1T ↔ 2H transformation in MoS2 monolayers

Monolayers of molybdenum disulfide MoS₂ are considered to be prospective materials for nanoelectronics and various catalytic processes. Since in certain conditions they undergo 1T ? 2H phase transitions, studying these phase changes is an urgent task. We present a DFT research of these transitions to show that they can proceed as a solid‐state reaction. Two transition states were discovered with energy barriers 1.03 and 1.40 eV. Sulfur atoms in the transition states are shown to be displaced relative to molybdenum atoms so that a tendency of one structural modification to transform into the other modification is seen. This kind of displacements agrees with electron microscopy data reported earlier. The energy parameters indicate that 1T → 2H reactions are exothermic for both transition states and can possibly proceed in a self‐sustained manner when initially activated by some external energy impact. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.