Formation and properties of halogenated aluminum clusters

The fast-flow tube reaction apparatus was employed to study the halogenation of aluminum clusters. For reactions with HX (X=Cl, Br, and I), acid-etching pathways are evident, and we present findings for several reactions, whereby Al(n)X(-) generation is energetically favorable. Tandem reaction experiments allowed us to establish that for Al(n)Cl(-), Al(n)I(-), and Al(n)I(2) (-), species with n=6, 7, and 15 are particularly resistant to attack by oxygen. Further, trends in reactivity suggest that, in general, iodine incorporation leaves the aluminum clusters' electronic properties largely unperturbed. Ab initio calculations were performed to better interpret reaction mechanisms and elucidate the characteristics of the products. Lowest energy structures for Al(13)X(-) were found to feature icosahedral Al(13) units with the halogen atom located at the on-top site. The charge density of the highest occupied molecular orbital in these clusters is heavily dependent on the identity of X. The dependence of reactivity on the clusters' charge state is also discussed. In addition, we address the enhanced stability of Al(13)I(-) and Al(13)I(2) (-), arguing that the superhalogen behavior of Al(13) in these clusters can provide unique opportunities for the synthesis of novel materials with saltlike structures.     

Syntheses and characterization of nanometer-sized semiconductor clusters

During the past few years a wide variety of synthetic teainiques have been developed to prepare semiconductor clusters in the nanometer size regime. These clusters possess properties which are intermediate between the molecular and bulk limits and can be considered a new class of materials. In this paper, we review their synthesis and discuss recent developments as well as possible future directions.     

Formation of silver clusters in nozzle expansions

The first successful experiments to generate continuum silver cluster beams from nozzle expansions are described. A mixture Ar/Ag expands out of a conical nozzle (0.35 mm dia., 10° cone angle, length 17 mm). At 2150 K, total pressure 300 kPa, silver partial pressure 8 kPa the silver intensity measured with a rate meter 479mm away from the source is 1.8 nm/s, or 0.02 g m^?2s^?1. The data for the onset of clustering confirm the predictions of the scaling laws developed to compare condensation in nozzle expansions of metal vapors with that of rare gases.     

Synthesis and characterization of triosmium and triruthenium pyrene clusters

The reaction between 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde (C₁₆H₉CHO) and the labile triosmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(CH₃CN)₂] gives rise to the formation of two new compounds by competitive oxidative addition between the aldehydic group and an arene C-H bond, to afford the acyl complex [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-COC₁₆H₉)] (1) and the compound [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H) (C₁₆H₈CHO)] (2), respectively. Thermolysis of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-C₁₆H₉CO)] (1) in n-octane affords two new complexes in good yields, [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ-COC₁₆H₈)] (3) and the pyryne complex [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-η¹:η¹:η²-C₁₆H₈)] (4).In contrast, when 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde reacts with [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] only one product is obtained, [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-η¹:η¹:η²-C₁₆H₈)] (5), a nonacarbonyl cluster bearing a pyrene ligand. All compounds were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic data, and crystal structures for 1, 2, 4 and 5 were obtained.     

Formation of antimony oxide clusters by gas aggregation

Sb_xO_y clusters are produced by using a gas aggregation technique. Antimony vapor is mixed with He/O₂ or He/N₂O and cooled in a reaction channel. After photoionisation with a KrF (248 nm) or ArF (193 nm) excimer laser the products are mass analyzed in a time of flight mass spectrometer. In the presence of N₂O no oxide clusters besides SbO⁺ can be detected, while with oxygen under similar experimental conditions dramatic changes can be observed. At low oxygen partial pressure the obtained spectra are dominated by the pure Sb _x ⁺ clusters with low intensity of Sb_xO _y ⁺ , whereas at high oxygen partial pressure antimony oxides following the general sequence SbO⁺(Sb₂O₃)n are most abundant. The same stable species can furthermore be produced via aggregation of vaporised solid antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃). Within these experiments another new Series of antimony oxides tentatively assigned to (Sb₂O₃) _n ⁺ appeared in the mass spectra.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mesitylphosphinidene-capped ruthenium and osmium clusters

Thermal reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with PH₂Mes (Mes = mesityl) in refluxing toluene afforded mesitylphosphinidene-capped ruthenium carbonyl clusters, [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PMes)] (1), [Ru₃(CO)₈(PH₂Mes)(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PMes)] (2), [Ru₃(CO)₉(μ₃-PMes)₂] (3), [Ru₄(CO)₁₀(μ-CO)(μ₄-PMes)₂] (4), and [Ru₅(CO)₁₀H₂(μ₄-PMes)(μ₃-PMes)₂] (5). All products were fully characterized and structurally confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Complexes 2-4 were also obtained in high yields by stepwise reaction starting from 1. Fluxional behavior of carbonyl groups was observed in case of 4. Complex 5 reveals a new type of skeletal structure, bicapped-octahedron having μ₃- and μ₄-phosphinidene ligands at the capping positions. Similar reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with PH₂Mes yielded a phosphido-bridged osmium cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)(μ-PHMes)] (6) and a phosphinidene-capped cluster [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PMes)] (7).     

Synthesis and characterization of new heterometallic iron sulfur nitrosyl clusters

The reactivity of the (PPN)₂[Fe₈S₆(NO)₈] and (PPN)₂[Fe₆S₆(NO)₆] clusters is explored and new derivative clusters have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The unique (PPN)₂Fe₄S₄(NO)₆ “open-cubane” cluster with a chair like Fe₄S₄ core is obtained along with the mixed metal pentandite-like clusters (PPN)₂[Mo₂Fe₆S₆(NO)₆(CO)₆], (PPr₃)₂Cu₂Fe₆S₆(NO)₆, (PPr₃)₄Cu₄Fe₄S₆(NO)₄, (PPr₃)₂Ni₂Fe₆S₆(NO)₆, (PPr₃)₃Ni₃Fe₄S₆(NO)₄. The rich electrochemistry of the mixed metal clusters is presented as well.     

Surface-mediated synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of tantalum clusters on silica

Tantalum clusters were synthesized on the surface of porous silica by treatment of adsorbed Ta(CH(2)Ph)(5) in H(2) at temperatures in the range of 523-723 K. The surface species were characterized by UV-vis, far-infrared, and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies, each of which provided evidence of Ta-Ta bonds similar to those in well-characterized molecular tantalum clusters. The Ta-Ta distance determined by EXAFS spectroscopy was 2.93 A. The chemistry of the cluster synthesis is similar to that of syntheses of similar tantalum clusters in solution. The supported clusters formed at 523 K are characterized by an EXAFS first-shell Ta-Ta coordination number of nearly 2, indicative of tri-tantalum clusters, although it is expected that a mixture of clusters was present, and reduction in H(2) at higher temperatures led to larger tantalum clusters. This is the first example of the surface-mediated synthesis of an early transition metal cluster, and the supported clusters reported here are the first to have been characterized by all three of the spectroscopic methods mentioned above. The similarity of the surface synthesis to that in solution points to opportunities to extend this new class of material to other early transition metal clusters on various supports.     

Metallic ions and clusters: Formation,energetics, and reaction

Several aspects of the properties of metal clusters and metals in cluster ions are discussed. In particular, results from our laboratory on the photoionization and reactions of sodium clusters, and the thermochemistry and formation of clusters containing metallic ions are presented.     

Synthesis and electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of biicosahedral Au25 clusters

The synthesis and electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of biicosahedral Au(25) clusters with a composition of [Au(25)(PPh(3))(10)(thiolate)(5)Cl(2)](2+) are described. The biicosahedral Au(25) clusters protected with various types of thiol ligands including alkanethiols, 2-phenylethanethiol, 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, and 11-mercapto-1-undecanol were synthesized in high yields using a one-step, one-phase procedure in which Au(PPh(3))Cl is reduced with tert-butylamine-borane in the presence of the thiol ligand in a 3:1 v/v chloroform/ethanol solution. All biicosahedral Au(25) clusters prepared exhibit characteristic optical absorption and photoluminescence properties. The emission energy is found to be substantially smaller than the optical absorption energy gap of 1.82 eV, indicating a subgap energy luminescence. The electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gap (~1.54 eV) of the clusters is also substantially smaller than the optical absorption energy gap but rather similar to the emission energy. These electrochemical and optical properties of the biicosahedral Au(25) clusters are distinctly different from those of the Au(25)(thiolate)(18) clusters.     

Formation and characterization of polyglutamate core-shell microspheres

The need for organ-targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents creates an interest in biocompatible, biodegradable vesicles. We make protein microspheres using high-intensity ultrasound; these microspheres have a protein shell and a hydrophobic interior, making them ideal for delivering hydrophobic materials. We have previously shown that various proteins, e.g., bovine serum albumin (BSA), form a microsphere shell stabilized by interprotein cross-linking of cysteine residues. In this study, polyglutamate was used to form core-shell microspheres at slightly basic pH using sonication. These particles are smaller than our previous protein microspheres and are stable under conditions encountered in vivo. The stability of polyglutamate microspheres appears to be due to hydrogen bonding networks and not covalent cross-linking.     

Formation and characterization of mesostructured silica nanotubes

The multi-walled mesoporous silica nanotubes are prepared using cetyltrimethylammonium bromize (CTAB) as the surfactant micellar template and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the silica precursor via a one-step wet chemical approach. The synthesized tubes are found to be double/triple walled and of amorphous nature. Their diameter and the length are about 100 nm to 1 μm and about 0.1–20 μm, respectively. The specific surface area approaches 1,488 m²/g. Based on the transmission electron microscopy analysis, it is inferred that the formation of the double/triple walled silica nanotubes is associated with the lamellar curling mechanism. A striking photoluminescence effect is detected in the mesostructured silica nanotubes. These nanotubes are expected to be a promising material for various applications such as gas storage, catalyst, or catalyst supports.     

Formation of novel rare-gas-containing molecules by molecular photodissociation in clusters

Recent work by R?s?nen and coworkers showed that photolysis of hydrides in rare-gas matrices results in part in formation of novel, rare-gas-containing molecules. Thus, photolysis of HCl in Xe and of H2O in Xe result respectively in formation of HXeCl and HXeOH in the Xe matrices. Ab initio calculations show that the compounds HRgY so formed are stable in isolation, and that by the strength and nature of the bonding these are molecules, very different from the corresponding weakly bound clusters Rg...HY. This paper presents a study of the formation mechanism of HRgY following the photolysis of HY in clusters Rgn(HY). Calculations are described for HXeCl, as a representative example. Potential energy surfaces that govern the formation of HXeCl in the photolysis of HCl in xenon clusters are obtained, and the dynamics on these surfaces is analyzed, partly with insight from trajectories of molecular dynamics simulations. The potential surfaces are obtained by a new variant of the DIM (diatomics in molecules) and DIIS (diatomics in ionic systems) models. Non-adiabatic couplings are also obtained. The main results are: (1) Properties of HXeCl predicted by the DIM-DIIS model are in reasonable accord with results of ab initio calculations. (2) The potential along the isomerization path HXeCl-->Xe...HCl predicted by DIM is in semiquantitative accord with the ab initio results. (3) Surface-hopping molecular dynamics simulations of the process in clusters, with "on the fly" calculations of the DIM-DIIS potentials and non-adiabatic couplings are computationally feasible. (4) Formation of HXeCl, following photolysis of HCl in Xe54(HCl), requires cage-exit of the H atom as a precondition. The H atom and the Cl can then attack the same Xe atom on opposite sides, leading to charge transfer and production of the ionic HXeCl. (5) Non-adiabatic processes play an important role, both in the reagent configurations, and at the charge-transfer stage. The results open the way to predictions of the formation of new HRgY species.     

Formation and stability of charged amino acid clusters and the role of chirality

Amino acid clusters have been studied by several groups and most notably magic number clusters and chiral recognition have been reported. In this work, we have studied the formation of amino acid clusters by electrospray ionization (ESI) and their stability by high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). Appearance sizes were determined for multiply charged clusters where the charge is either due to protons or to sodium ions. Finally, we conclude that chiral selectivity plays an important role in cluster formation but seems to be of minor importance for the fragmentation of mixed clusters.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of heterometallic thorium aluminum polynuclear molecular clusters

Aluminum can undergo hydrolysis in aqueous solutions leading to the formation of soluble molecular clusters, including polynuclear species that range from 1 to 2 nm in diameter. While the behavior of aluminum has been extensively investigated, much less is known about the hydrolysis of more complex mixed-metal systems. This study focuses on the structural characteristics of heterometallic thorium-aluminum molecular species that may have important implications for the speciation of tetravalent actinides in radioactive waste streams and environmental systems. Two mixed metal (Th(4+)/Al(3+)) polynuclear species have been synthesized under ambient conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Th(2)Al(6)(OH)(14)(H(2)O)(12)(hedta)(2)](NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(12) (ThAl1) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/c with unit cell parameters of a = 11.198(1) ?, b = 14.210(2) ?, c = 23.115(3) ?, and β = 96.375° and [Th(2)Al(8)(OH)(12)(H(2)O)(10)(hdpta)(4)](H(2)O)(21) (ThAl2) was modeled in P1? with a = 13.136(4) ?, b = 14.481(4) ?, c = 15.819(4) ?, α = 78.480(9)°, β = 65.666(8)°, γ = 78.272(8)°. Infrared spectra were collected on both compounds, confirming complexation of the ligand to the metal center, and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal degradation of these compounds resulted in the formation of an amorphous product at high temperatures. These mixed metal species have topological relationships to previously characterized aluminum-based polynuclear species and may provide insights into the adsorption of tetravalent actinides on colloidal or mineral surfaces.