Production of endohedral <Superscript>133</Superscript>Xe-higher fullerenes by ion implantation

Endohedral ¹³³Xe-higher fullerenes (¹³³Xe@C₇₆ and ¹³³Xe@C₈₄) were produced by implantation of ¹³³Xe ions using an isotope separator. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the peak of endohedral ¹³³Xe-higher fullerenes shifted backward from that of empty fullerenes, suggesting a possibility of the separation of endohedral ¹³³Xe-higher fullerenes from empty fullerenes. The yields of endohedral ¹³³Xe-fullerenes were in the order of ¹³³Xe@C₇₆<¹³³Xe@C₈₄<¹³³Xe@C₆₀<¹³³Xe@C₇₀.     

Production of endohedral 133Xe-fullerene by ion implantation

Ion implantation was applied to the production of endohedral ¹³³Xe-fullerene. Using an isotope separator, ¹³³Xe ions were implanted into a fullerene target of C₆₀ and C₇₀ produced by vacuum evaporation on a Ni backing. An HPLC analysis following dissolution of the fullerene targets in o-dichlorobenzene corroborated the formation of ¹³³Xe@C₆₀ and ¹³³Xe@C₇₀, showing a strong correlation between C₆₀/C₇₀ and ¹³³Xe. The observed tailing following ¹³³Xe peaks in the elution curves suggests a possibility of the isolation of endohedral ¹³³Xe-fullerene from empty fullerene.     

Synthesis of [<Superscript>14</Superscript>C] quincetone

Summary The water-soluble fullerene derivative C₆₀(OH)_x was radiolabeled with ⁶⁷GaCl₃. The labeling yields were determined by radio-PLC. The effects of pH, reaction time, temperature and the amount of C₆₀(OH)_x on the labeling yields were studied. The stability of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x was also examined. The results showed that the labeling yields could reach 97% under the best labeling conditions and the radiochemical purity of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x solution kept at 37 °C remained at 88% after 212 hours. The biodistribution studies of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x in mice showed a high localization of ⁶⁷Ga-C₆₀(OH)_x in the bone marrow, bone, liver and spleen with slow clearance and a negligible accumulation in the blood. These data suggest that the water-soluble C₆₀(OH)_x, having the same properties as microcolloids, may be used as a carrier of drug system for lymphatic targeting.     

Separation of <Superscript>133</Superscript>Xe from <Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo, <Superscript>131</Superscript>I and uranium,and removal of impurities using gas chromatography

Summary Separation and purification of ¹³³Xe from acidic solution containing uranium, ⁹⁹Mo and ¹³¹I has been developed. In the first step of this work, uranium pellets were dissolved under pressure (8-15 bar) in 8M nitric acid solution. Then¹³³ Xe and other gases were conducted to activated charcoal cold trap. Final purification of ¹³³Xe from impurities such as NO_x, radioiodine and krypton was performed by passing through a molecular sieve preparative chromatographic column using helium as mobile phase. The final recovery of ¹³³Xe from the separation-purification process was higher than 98%. Adsorption-desorption behavior of radioxenon on the charcoal and molecular sieves have also been studied and discussed.     

Capping [H<Subscript>8−n</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>42</Subscript>C<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>44</Subscript>]<Superscript>n−</Superscript> (n = 6, 7, 8) Octa-carbide Carbonyl Nanoclusters with [Ni(CO)] and [CuCl] Fragments

The reactions of [Ni₁₆(C₂)₂(CO)₂₃]^4? and [Ni₃₈C₆(CO)₄₂]^6? with CuCl afforded mixtures of the previously reported [HNi₄₂C₈(CO)₄₄(CuCl)]^7? bimetallic octa-carbide cluster and the new [HNi₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^7? and [HNi₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^7? homo-metallic octa-carbides. The three species have very similar properties resulting always in co-crystals such as [NMe₄]₇[HNi_42+2xC₈(CO)_44+2x(CuCl)_1?x]·6.5MeCN (x = 0.14) (86% [HNi₄₂C₈(CO)₄₄(CuCl)]^7?, 14%[HNi₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^7?/[HNi₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^7?) and [NMe₄]₇[HNi_42+2xC₈(CO)_44+2x(CuCl)_1?x]·5.5MeCN (x = 0.30) (70% [HNi₄₂C₈(CO)₄₄(CuCl)]^7?, 30% [HNi₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^7?/[HNi₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^7?). The new homo-metallic octa-carbides can be obtained free from the Ni–Cu octa-carbido cluster by reacting [Ni₁₀(C₂)(CO)₁₆]^2? in thf with a stoichiometric amount of CuCl, and crystals of [NMe₄]₆[H₂Ni_43+xC₈(CO)_45+x]·6MeCN (x = 0.72), which contain [H₂Ni₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^6? (72%) and [H₂Ni₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^6? (28%), have been obtained. Despite the different charges and compositions, these anions display almost identical structures, which are also closely related to those previously reported for the bimetallic Ni–Cd octa-carbido clusters [Ni_42+xC₈(CO)_44+x(CdCl)]^7? and [HNi_42+xC₈(CO)_44+x(CdBr)]^6?. Indeed, all these clusters are based on the same Ni₄₂C₈ cage decorated by miscellaneous [CdX]⁺ (X = Cl, Br), [CuCl] and [Ni(CO)] fragments.     

Molecular modeling of hydration properties of hydrophobic ions Li<Superscript>+</Superscript>@C<Subscript>60</Subscript> and K<Superscript>+</Superscript>@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

The Gibbs free energies of solvation (ΔG _s) and the electronic structures of endohedral metallofullerenes M⁺@C₆₀ (M⁺= Li⁺, K⁺) were calculated within the framework of the density functional theory and the polarizable continuum model. In water environment, the equilibrium position of K⁺ is at the center of the fullerene cavity whereas that of Li⁺ is shifted by 0.14 nm toward the fullerene cage. The Li⁺ cation is stabilized by interactions with both the fullerene and solvent. The equilibrium structures of both endohedral metallofullerenes are characterized by very close ΔG _s values. In particular, the calculated ΔG _s values for K⁺@C₆₀ are in the range from −124 to −149 kJ mol⁻¹ depending on the basis set and on the type of the density functional. Molecular dynamics simulations (TIP3P H₂O, OPLS force field, water sphere of radius 1.9 nm) showed that the radial distribution functions of water density around C₆₀ and M⁺@C₆₀ are very similar, whereas orientations of water dipoles around the endohedral metallofullerenes resemble the hydration pattern of isolated metal ions.     

Determination of molar extinction coefficients for endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C<Subscript>82</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2v</Subscript>)

Isomerically pure endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C₈₂(C _2v) was synthesized by the electric arc method, extracted from the soot with o-dichlorobenzene, isolated from the extract by HPLC, and characterized by mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry. The spectrophotometric titration of a solution of endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C₈₂(C _2v) was conducted with potassium perchlorotriphenylmethide. The concentration of Dy@C82(C _2v) in o-dichlorobenzene was determined, and the molar absorption coefficients for its neutral and anionic forms were calculated (3.0?10³ (at 927 nm) and 4.0?10³ mol^–1 L cm^–1 (at 884 nm), respectively.     

Quantum-chemical modeling of endohedral derivatives of buckminsterfullerenes Gd@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>(CHR)<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Gd@C<Subscript>80</Subscript>(CHR)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The structural energies of the endohedral derivatives of buckminsterfullerenes Gd@C₆₀(CHR)₂ and Gd@C₈₀(CHR)₂ were calculated by quantum-chemical methods – semiempirical PM3 and nonempirical RHF SCF MO LCAO with the S. Huzinaga MINI minimum basis set and GAMESS software.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of intermediates in benzene-to-pheno conversion by FeO<Superscript>+</Superscript>

Gas-phase FeO⁺ can convert benzene to phenol under thermal conditions. Two key intermediates of this reaction are the [HO-Fe-C₆H₅]⁺ insertion intermediate and Fe⁺(C₆H₅OH) exit channel complex. These intermediates are selectively formed by reaction of laser ablated Fe⁺ with specific organic precursors and are cooled in a supersonic expansion. Vibrational spectra of the sextet and quartet states of the intermediates in the O-H stretching region are measured by infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD). For Fe⁺(C₆H₅OH), the O-H stretch is observed at 3598 cm⁻¹. Photodissociation primarily produces Fe⁺+C₆H₅OH; Fe⁺(C₆H₄)+H₂O is also observed. IRMPD of [HO-Fe-C₆H₅]⁺ mainly produces FeOH⁺+C₆H₅ and the O-H stretch spectrum consists of a peak at ∼3700 cm⁻¹ with a shoulder at ∼3670 cm⁻¹. Analysis of the experimental results is aided by comparison with hybrid density functional theory computed frequencies. Also, an improved potential energy surface for the FeO⁺+C₆H₆ reaction is developed based on CBS-QB3 calculations for the reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products.     

Enhanced radical scavenging activity of polyhydroxylated C<Subscript>60</Subscript> functionalized cellulose nanocrystals

A first demonstration of conjugated polyhydroxylated fullerene (C₆₀(OH)₃₀) on the surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)s is reported. These nanohybrids display favourable antioxidant performance and are an attractive alternative to derivatized fullerene nanocages reported previously. UV–Vis measurements indicated that the C₆₀(OH)₃₀-CNC system scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals to a greater degree than C₆₀(OH)₃₀ alone, due to the nucleation of C₆₀(OH)₃₀ on the surface of CNC and high colloidal stability of the engineered nanohybrid. A mechanism for the 2-stage process of the radical reaction with C₆₀(OH)₃₀-CNC is proposed, and modelled by pseudo-first order kinetics. Successful grafting of C₆₀(OH)₃₀ on CNC was confirmed by FTIR, while TEM revealed the morphology of the system with a grafting degree of 20.8 % C₆₀(OH)₃₀. Zeta potential measurements of C₆₀(OH)₃₀-CNC in aqueous solution showed a high stability in the pH range 4.0-8.0, indicating functionality of the CNC based antioxidant system as a biocompatible and sustainable protocol with potential for use in personal care applications.     

A Quantum Chemical Study of C<Subscript>60</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>30</Subscript>, C<Subscript>60</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>30</Subscript> Molecules and Fe@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>30</Subscript> Endocomplex

(U)PBE0/cc-pVDZ method is used to study the structure of C₆₀Cl₃₀, C₆₀(OH)₃₀ molecules and Fe@C₆₀(OH)₃₀ endocomplex. The triplet state of the endocomplex is shown to be the lowest in energy among its four states corresponding to different spin multiplicities and positions of Fe nucleus within the fullerene cavity. This state is characterized by bonding between the iron atom and one of two benzenoid cycles of the carbon cage, six internuclear Fe–C distances (208 pm), and 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d^7.24s^0.14p^0.3 electron configuration of iron with spin population of 2.36.     

Hydrolysis behavior of a precursor for bridged polysilsesquioxane 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene: a <Superscript>29</Superscript>Si NMR study

The hydrolysis behavior of 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (BTB), a precursor of bridged polysilsesquioxane, was investigated with high-resolution ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance (²⁹Si NMR) spectroscopy at ambient temperature in a system with BTB:ethanol:water:HCl = 1:10:x:0.8 × 10⁻⁴ (x = 3, 6 or 9). Signals due to hydrolyzed triethoxysilyl groups as well as unhydrolyzed triethoxysilyl groups [−Si(OEt)₃, −Si(OEt)₂(OH), −Si(OEt)(OH)₂ and −Si(OH)₃ (OEt = OCH₂CH₃)] formed four sub-regions based on the number of hydroxyl groups bound to a silicon atom. In addition, one silicon environment influenced the other silicon environment by an intra-molecular interaction between two silicon atoms, and each sub-region for monomeric species thus contained four signals. Based on the development of signal intensity, it is revealed that one of the two triethoxysilyl groups in BTB is hydrolyzed preferentially. Thus, when a triethoxysilyl group is hydrolyzed, the −Si(OH) _x (OEt)_3−x (x = 1, 2) groups formed undergo further hydrolysis, which is opposite to the tendency expected from the hydrolysis behavior of organotrialkoxysilanes under acidic conditions.     

Modeling β-γ coincidence spectra of <Superscript>131m</Superscript>Xe, <Superscript>133</Superscript>Xe, <Superscript>133m</Superscript>Xe,and <Superscript>135</Superscript>Xe

In support of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), improvements have been made to the model of the Automated Radioxenon Sampler/Analyzer (ARSA) β-γ coincidence detector for radioxenon monitoring. MCNPX is used to simulate the detector response for all the electrons and photons emitted from ^131mXe, ¹³³Xe, ^133mXe, ¹³⁵Xe, and ¹³⁷Cs signals. A MatLab code was written to incorporate the MCNPX results in the calculation of β-γ coincidence spectra. These will aid in the development of the Spectral Deconvolution Analysis Tool (SDAT)¹ and to calibrate β-γ coincidence systems. The models developed for this work include improvements over previous models in their ability to address Compton scattering in the β-cell, and the β-distribution offset in the 31 keV γ-ray region for ¹³³Xe.     

Electroactive Polymerization Behaviors of Fused-Pentagon Chlorofullerenes: <Superscript>#1809</Superscript>C<Subscript>60</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>8</Subscript> and <Superscript>#271</Superscript>C<Subscript>50</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>10</Subscript>

The fullerenes that violate isolated pentagon rule (IPR) have unusual electronic properties resulting from their fused-pentagon structures. Numerous non-IPR fullerenes have now been captured by chlorination, affording opportunity to go insight into the properties involved in non-IPR fullerenes in the forms of chlorofullerenes (CFs). Here cyclic voltammetry (CV) is employed to probe the electrochemical properties of non-IPR ^#1809C₆₀Cl₈ in comparison with those of ^#271C₅₀Cl₁₀. Differing from IPR-satisfying CFs such as C₆₀Cl₈ and C₆₀Cl₁₀ (referring to I _h-symmetric C₆₀), the two non-IPR CFs exhibit divergent electroactive polymerization characters. In addition, the electrocatalytic effect of ferrocene that is otherwise employed as internal reference has been shown in the CV process of CFs.     

High-field solid-state <Superscript>35</Superscript>Cl NMR in selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) hexachlorides

We report solid-state ³⁵Cl NMR spectra in three hexachlorides, (NH₄)₂SeCl₆, (NH₄)₂TeCl₆ and Rb₂TeCl₆. The C_Q(³⁵Cl) quadrupole coupling constants in the three compounds were found to be 41.4±0.1 MHz, 30.3±0.1 MHz and 30.3±0.1 MHz, respectively, some of the largest C_Q(³⁵Cl) quadrupole coupling constants ever measured in polycrystalline powdered solids directly via ³⁵Cl NMR spectroscopy. The ³⁵Cl EFG tensors are axial in all three cases reflecting the C_4v point group symmetry of the chlorine sites. ³⁵Cl NMR experiments in these compounds were only made possible by employing the WURST-QCPMG pulse sequence in the ultrahigh magnetic field of 21.1 T. ³⁵Cl NMR results agree with the earlier reported ³⁵Cl NQR values and with the complementary plane-wave DFT calculations. The origin of the very large C_Q(³⁵Cl) quadrupole coupling constants in these and other main-group chlorides lies in the covalent-type chlorine bonding. The ionic bonding in the ionic chlorides results in significantly reduced C_Q(³⁵Cl) values as illustrated with triphenyltellurium chloride Ph₃TeCl. The high sensitivity of ³⁵Cl NMR to the chlorine coordination environment is demonstrated using tetrachlorohydroxotellurate hydrate K[TeCl₄(OH)]?0.5H₂O as an example. ¹²⁵Te MAS NMR experiments were performed for tellurium compounds to support ³⁵Cl NMR findings.     

Dodecanuclear Ni<Superscript>II</Superscript> complex containing pivalate and hexafluoroacetylacetonate ligands

A dodecanuclear complex [Ni₁₂Piv₁₀(hfac)₆(OH)₈(EtOH)₆]·C₆H₁₄ was isolated from various synthetic systems simultaneously containing Ni^II and the pivalate and hexafluoro-acetylacetonate anions. The structure of this complex was determined and the magnetic properties were investigated. The use of EtOH as the solvent or the presence of EtOH in the reagents is the decisive factor for the formation of this complex.     

Endohedral Complex of Fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript> with Tetrahedral N<Subscript>4</Subscript>, N<Subscript>4</Subscript>@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

B3LYP/6-31G(d) hybrid HF/DFT and BLYP/6-31G(d, p) DFT calculations were carried out to determine the structural and electronic properties of the endohedral complex of C₆₀ with Tetrahedral N₄ (T_d N₄), N₄@C₆₀. It was demonstrated that N₄ was seated in the center of the fullerene cage and the tetrahedral structure of N₄ is remained in the cage. The formation of this complex is endothermic with inclusion energy of 37.92 kcal/mol. N₄ endohedral doping perturbs the molecular orbitals of C₆₀ not so much, the calculated HOMO–LUMO gaps, the electron affinity (EA) and the ionizational potential (IP) of N₄@C₆₀ are similar to that of C₆₀.     

Soil-to-plant transfer factors of fallout <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs and native <Superscript>133</Superscript>Cs in various crops collected in Japan

In order to compare the soil-to-plant transfer factors (TFs) of fallout ¹³⁷Cs and those of native stable ¹³³Cs, concentrations of these isotopes were determined in various crops and the associated soils collected throughout Japan. The results showed that TF-¹³⁷Cs was 11 times higher than TF-native ¹³³Cs for brown rice, while those values were almost the same for leafy vegetables. Possibly, fallout ¹³⁷Cs would be more mobile and more easily adsorbed by plants than native ¹³³Cs in the soil because a part of the ¹³³Cs is in a soil structure where it is hard to replace with ¹³⁷Cs. However, ¹³⁷Cs and native ¹³³Cs have reached an approximately isotopic equilibrium in the bioavailable fraction in the soils, therefore, the TF-native ¹³³Cs can be used for long-term transfer of ¹³⁷Cs in the environment.     

Solubility and hydrolysis of lutetium at different [Lu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>]<Subscript>initial</Subscript>

Solubility product (Lu(OH)_3(s)⇆Lu³⁺+3OH⁻) and first hydrolysis (Lu³⁺+H₂O⇆Lu(OH)²⁺+H⁺) constants were determined for an initial lutetium concentration range from 3.72·10⁻⁵ mol·dm⁻³ to 2.09·10⁻³ mol·dm⁻³. Measurements were made in 2 mol·dm⁻³ NaClO₄ ionic strength, under CO₂-free conditions and temperature was controlled at 303 K. Solubility diagrams (pLu_aq vs. pC _H) were determined by means of a radiochemical method using ¹⁷⁷Lu. The pC _H for the beginning of precipitation and solubility product constant were determined from these diagrams and both the first hydrolysis and solubility product constants were calculated by fitting the diagrams to the solubility equation. The pC _H values of precipitation increases inversely to [Lu³⁺]_initial and the values for the first hydrolysis and solubility product constants were log₁₀ β* _Lu,H = −7.92±0.07 and log₁₀ K*_sp,Lu(OH)3 = −23.37±0.14. Individual solubility values for pC _H range between the beginning of precipitation and 8.5 were S _Lu3+ = 3.5·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³, S _Lu(OH)2+ = 6.2·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³, and then total solubility was 9.7·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³.     

Inertness of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> fullerene toward RO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>·</Superscript> peroxy radicals

The reactivity of fullerene C₆₀ toward peroxy radicals RO₂ ^· was tested by the chemiluminescence method. A comparison of the influence of C₆₀ and known inhibitors on the kinetics of liquid-phase chemiluminescence (CL) during oxidation of a series of hydrocarbons (ethyl-benzene, cyclohexane, n-dodecane, and oleic acid) shows that the fullerene does not react with the RO₂ ^· radicals. A sharp decrease in the CL intensity observed upon C₆₀ addition is caused by the quenching of CL emitters with fullerene but not by inhibition of hydrocarbon oxidation. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1808–1811, August, 2005.