Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of trigonal symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>: Nanotubes

A method has been developed for the determination of the structure and number of atoms in the shells of nanoparticles as a function of the arrangement of atoms at the symmetry elements of a symmetry group. The formulas for calculation of the number of particles of symmetry D _3d have been reported. It has been shown that the number of atoms in trigonal shells is determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the quantum number of the group order n. All possible nanostructures of symmetry D _3d have been classified: C_{θ + 6z} , z = 0, 1, 2, ..., where the basic shells are C_θ = C₆, C₈, and C₁₄. A sum rule has been obtained for the coordination numbers of the shell sites located on symmetry axes. Trigonal nanoparticles are parent ones for obtaining (3,0), (6,0), and (9,0) nanotubes of trigonal type. The general formulas of these nanotubes with icosahedral, dodecahedral, and cubic caps are N_{8 + 12p} , N_{20 + 24p} , and N_{60 + 36p} (p = 1, 2, ...), respectively. The graphical constructions of all classes of trigonal nanoparticles and nanotubes are reported.     

The molecular designs and properties of asymmetric heterocycles (HBrBN<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1-4)

The structures and properties of asymmetric heterocycles (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 1-4) are systematically studied at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The molecules (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 2-4) have the core structures of a 2n-membered ring with alternating boron and α-nitrogen atoms. The relationships between geometrical parameters and oligomerization degree n are discussed. The calculated IR spectra have four main characteristic regions. Trends in thermodynamic properties with temperature and oligomerization degree n are discussed. Thermodynamic analysis of the gas-phase oligomerizations shows that formation of the most stable heterocycles (HBrBN₃) _n (n = 2-4) is enthalpy driven in the range of 200-800 K.     

Electrodeposition of Fe<Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> </Subscript>Se<Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis> </Subscript> films from acidic solutions

Iron selenide (Fe_xSe_y) thin films were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface under constant potential and pulse potential modes. The deposition mechanism was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical processes at room temperature are accompanied by adsorption of selenium on the electrode surface and complicated by chemical reactions in the solution bulk. Several approaches to control the film stoichiometry were applied: varying of electrodeposition potential; the use of elevated temperatures (60–80°C) to decrease the electrode passivation and electrodissolution of interfering elements under pulse mode. The composition of Fe_xSe_y thin films was analyzed using an energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) analysis.     

Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of pentagonal axial symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>5<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>: Nanotubes

The method of determination of the structure and the number of atoms in the shells of nanoparticles as a function of the arrangement of atoms at the symmetry elements of a symmetry group has been developed. The formulas for the calculation of the number of particles with symmetry group D _5d are reported. The number of particles in these shells is determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the “quantum number” of the group order n. The classification of all possible nanostructures with symmetry group D _5d is given: C _θ+10z , z = 0, 1, 2, …, where the basic shells are C _θ = C ₂, C ₁₀, C ₁₂. The sum rule has been obtained for the coordination numbers of shell sites located at symmetry axes. Pentagonal axial nanoparticles are shown to be the initial shells for obtaining (5,5) and (10,10) armchair nanotubes or (5,0) and (10,0) zigzag nanotubes. The general formula of these nanotubes closed with icosahedral and dodecahedral caps is N _20+10p , N _60+10p (p = 1, 2, …). The graphical constructions of all classes of nanoparticles and nanotubes of the pentagonal axial type are reported.     

Synthesis and structure of silicon-containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyland <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzoylamides of diisopropylphosphoric acid

Diisopropyl N-benzoyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)phosphoramidate reacts with ClCH₂SiMe₂Cl under mild conditions to form diisopropyl N-benzoyl-N-[(chlorodimethylsilyl)methyl]phosphoramidate (III). Diisopropyl N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)phosphoramidate with ClCH₂SiMe₂Cl affords an N-transsilylation product which does not rearrange into diisopropyl N-[(chlorodimethylsilyl)methyl]-N-methylphosphoramidate (XV) even under severe conditions (4 h, 130°C). Compound XV was prepared by the reaction of diisopropyl phosphorochloridate with N-[(methoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]-N-methylamine followed by treatment of diisopropyl N-[(methoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]-N-methylphosphoramidate with boron trichloride. Analysis of experimental and calculated ²⁹Si chemical shifts points to a five-coordinate silicon atom in compound III and a fourcoordinate silicon atom in compound XV. According to B3LYP calculations with due regard to solvent effects, compound III is an isomer with a C=O→Si bond. By variation of substituents at silicon, phosphorus, and carbonyl carbon atoms, chelate structures with either C=O→Si or P=O→Si dative bonds can be obtained.     

Electronic structure of Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O as determined from <Emphasis Type="Italic">ab initio</Emphasis> calculations and X-ray spectroscopy studies

The TiL _α, FeL _α and OK _α ultrasoft X-ray emission bands obtained in experiment reflect, respectively, the energy distribution of mainly the Ti3d, Fe3d and O2p electronic states in Ti₄Fe₂O compound, which is an efficient hydrogen absorber for energy cells. Full and partial densities of electronic states for all atoms constituting the indicated oxide were calculated by a modified method of associated plane waves (APW) using the WIEN2k software package. The APW calculation data for Ti₄Fe₂O compound as well as superposition of TiL _α, FeL _α and OK _α ultrasoft X-ray emission bands on a single energy scale indicate that O2p states in the oxide are localized mainly near the bottom of the valence band, the major contribution near the ceiling of the valence band belonging to Fe3d and Ti3d states. According to the APW calculation, the major contribution to the bottom of Ti₄Fe₂O conduction band is made by Fe3d* and Ti3d* states. The APW data for Ti₄Fe₂O are supported by the cluster calculation performed for this compound using a FEFF82 software package.     

The coordination polyhedra ZnS<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> in crystal structures

Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra (VDP) and the intersecting sphere method were used to analyze the coordination of zinc atoms in the structures of all known compounds containing ZnS _n polyhedra. The Zn(II) atoms were found to coordinate 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 sulfur atoms to form coordination octahedra or trigonal prisms (n = 6), trigonal bipyramids (n = 5), tetrahedra (n = 4), triangles ZnS₃, or dumbbells ZnS₂. The effect of the coordination number of zinc atoms on the key parameters of zinc VDP is considered. A common linear dependence of the solid angles of the VDP faces corresponding to both valence and non-valence Zn-S contacts on the interatomic distances was established to exist. Although the Zn-S bond lengths vary over a broad range (2.39 to 3.29 Å), the Zn VDP volume almost does not depend on its C.N. with respect to sulfur. Some characteristic features of Zn stereochemistry are considered from the 18-electron rule standpoint.     

A Systematic Search for Structures and Stabilities of Asymmetric Clusters (HfInN<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1-6)

In order to find single source precursors (SSP), the structures, relative stabilities, and IR spectra of small asymmetric clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 1–6) are systematically investigated by means of the density functional theory at the B3LYP level. The obtained geometries show that the frameworks of clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 2–6) prefer to be 2n-membered ring with alternating indium and α-nitrogen atoms. The averaged binding energies reveal that all of asymmetric clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 1–6) can continue to gain energy as the cluster size n increasing. The second-order difference of energy (Δ₂E) and the HOMO-LUMO energy gap (E_gap) as a function of the cluster size n both exhibit a pronounced even-odd alternation phenomenon. The influences of cluster size n and temperature T on the thermodynamic properties of clusters are discussed. Judged by enthalpies and Gibbs free energies, the formations of the most stable clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 2–6) from the monomer are thermodynamically favorable in the range of 200–800 K.     

Synthesis,structure, and physicochemical properties of the Cr(<Emphasis Type="Italic">iso</Emphasis>-Bu<Subscript>2</Subscript>PS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> chelate compound

A paramagnetic (μ_ef = 3.86 BM) complex Cr(i-Bu₂PS₂)₃ (I) has been synthesized. Single crystals I were grown, and the crystal structure of the compound was determined from X-ray diffraction data (X8 APEX diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 4516 F _hkl , R = 0.0604). Monoclinic crystals, space group P2₁/n, unit cell parameters a = 14.2665(5) Å, b = 11.4400(4) Å, c = 23.1299(8) Å, β = 90.245(1)°, V = 3775.0(2) ų, Z = 4, d _calc = 1.196 g/cm³. The structure is based on discrete mononuclear molecules. The coordination polyhedron of the Cr atom is a distorted S₆ octahedron formed from the S atoms of three cyclic bidentate ligands — i-Bu₂PS ₂ ⁻ ions. Electron spectroscopy data correspond to the octahedral structure of the CrS₆ chromophore. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2007 by E. A. Sankova, L. A. Glinskaya, T. E. Kokina, R. F. Klevstova, and S. V. Larionov __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 374–378, March–April, 2007.     

Hsichengia: A 4,6-connected trigonal structural pattern in space group <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>1

A novel 4,6-connected network, called Hsichengia, is described. The novel network lies in the trigonal space group P3m1 (no. 156), with a = b = 3.447 Å and c = 12.948 Å; these lattice parameters were derived assuming Fe-S composition. It implies a binary AB₂ stoichiometry in which the 6-connected A (Fe) atoms have octahedral configuration, and the 4-connected B (S) atoms have tetrahedral configuration. The Hsichengia network seems to be very closely related to the layered MoS₂ structure-type, in which puckered MoS₂ layers composed of octahedral Mo centers and trigonal-pyramidal S centers are held together by weak van der Waals forces normal to the a and b directions where the MoS₂ layers extend. Thus the Hsichengia network can be generated from the MoS₂ lattice by the formation of disulfide (S-S) bridges between particular layers, thereby creating a 3-dimensional network from a 2-dimensional layered structure, so that the S atoms are transformed from 3-connected trigonal-pyramidal coordination into fully 4-connected tetrahedral coordination. The Wells point symbol for the Hsichengia network is given by (4⁶6⁶)(4³6³)₂, and it is thus seen to have the translated Schläfli symbol given as (5, 4^2/3). The latter is identical to that intrinsic to the well-known mineral structure of the pyrite network, FeS₂, with the corresponding Wells point symbol (5¹²)(5⁶)₂. Therefore, the Hsichengia network may be regarded as a topological isomer of the pyrite network, where topological isomerism is defined as occurring between unique networks possessing the same Schläfli symbol. Phase transformation between the two topological isomers is possible.     

Resonant photoemission and absorption spectroscopy study of the Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript> electronic structure

The Cu3p and Cu2p resonance photoelectron spectra of the valence bands and core levels as well as Ti and CuL _2,3 absorption spectra for monocrystals 1T-Cu _x TiSe₂ were studied. The valence spectra obtained at Cu3p and Cu2p resonance drastically differ from each other. For Cu 3p-3d resonance, there are several bands corresponding to different channels of excited state decay. Spectra of the valence bands at Cu 2p-3d resonance are virtually identical to the spectra of pure TiSe₂. As follows from the absorption spectra, titanium atoms have the oxidation state 4+, whereas copper atoms are close to the free ion state.     

A DFT study of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO and HCN adsorptions on 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>, 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>, and 5<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> transition metal-doped graphene nanosheets

The binding of 3d (Sc, Ti, V), 4d (Y, Zr, Nb), and 5d (La, Hf, Ta) transition metals on graphene nanosheet (TM–GNS) with hydrogen-terminated edges and the adsorption of H₂CO and HCN molecules on the pristine and TM-doped GNSs were theoretically studied using a density functional theory method. The calculation showed that all TM atoms had strong binding with GNS, in which the Ta atom displayed the strongest interaction with GNS. The H₂CO and HCN molecules showed much stronger adsorption on the TM–GNSs than that on the pristine GNS. The H₂CO showed stronger interactions with TM–GNSs than that of HCN, in which the Ta-doping displayed the strongest interactions between the GNS and H₂CO or HCN. The adsorption interactions induced dramatic changes of TM–GNS electronic properties. The results revealed that the adsorption strength and sensor ability of GNS can be greatly improved by introducing appropriate TM dopants. Therefore, TM-doped GNSs are suitable for application in H₂CO and HCN storage and sensor.     

Crystal and molecular structures of two modifications of a chelate compound of Pb[(<Emphasis Type="Italic">iso</Emphasis>-C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>PS<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A chelate compound Pb[(iso-C₄H₉)₂PS₂]² is synthesized. Using X-ray diffraction data, the crystal structures of two modifications of this compound are determined (X8 APEX diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 14169 F _hkl , R = 0.0480 for the low temperature α-form and 6261 F _hkl , R = 0.0387 for the β-form studied at ambient temperature). The crystals are triclinic: a = 11.047(2) Å, b = 14.486(3) Å, c = 32.048(6) Å; α = 91.30(3)°, β = 99.73(3)°, γ = 101.61(3)°, V = 4942.9(17) ų, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 1.682 g/cm³ (α-modification) and a = 11.2124(5) Å, b = 14.6989(7) Å, c = 17.1644(6) Å; α = 109.393(1)°, β = 94.989(2)°, γ = 101.649(1)°, V = 2576.83(19) ų, Z = 4, ρ_calc = 1.613 g/cm³ (β-modification), space group \(P\bar 1\) for both polymorphs. The structures are molecular, coordination cores of PbS₄ are tetragonal pyramids with Pb atoms in the vertices and S atoms in the base. In both structures intermolecular Pb...S contacts yield supramolecular ensembles comprising by four molecules, where PbS₄₊₂ cores form planar aggregates of edge-sharing octahedra. The ensembles are joined by weak intermolecular S...S interactions resulting in the development of polymeric chains along the a axis.     

Structural features of bismuth borates in the system <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The crystal structures of general composition nBi₂O₃-mB₂O₃ were analyzed and systematized with the use of the structures of borate groups. Based on the CNs calculated by the bond valence method, the shapes of bismuth coordination polyhedra derived from an octahedron were suggested. A correlation was found between the number of BO₃ triangles and BO₄ tetrahedra in borate groups, the average CN of Bi atoms, and the degree of distortion of Bi polyhedra as a function of the m: n ratio, as well as between the polarity of BO₄ tetrahedra and noncentrosymmetry of the structures. The role of Bi³⁺ with the active E pair in the manifestation of specific features of the forms of bismuth polyhedra and the types of connection of boron polyhedra was elucidated.     

Splitting of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis></Superscript> atomic states in icosahedral 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> metal endofullerenes M@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

Group-theoretical and quantum-chemical investigations of the spectrum of low-lying excited states have been performed by the ROHF and FCI-RAS (Full CI in Restricted Active Space) methods for 3d metal endofullerenes (MEFs) M@C₆₀ (M =Mn, Cr, and Fe) in different charged states. The major purpose of this study is quantum-chemical verification of the anomalous (“non-Bethe’s”) character of splitting of the d ^N atomic states in an electrostatic field with icosahedral symmetry, predicted previously within the theory of integral invariants theory. The interrelation between the integral invariants theory and the quantumchemical methods applied in this work is considered in detail. Our calculations suggest that the d ^N atomic states in the icosahedral field generated by fullerene C60 (I _h ) on a metal atom (ion) remain non-split for different charged states of the metal and C₆₀. Reasons for this phenomenon and other possible approaches to verification of the prediction are discussed. It is demonstrated that the d ^N states of the encapsulated metal are split in icosahedral 3d MEFs only under very strong compression of these structures.     

Kinetics of Na|CF<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> and Li|CF<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> systems

Properties of CF _x /Li and CF _x /Na cells were examined while using galvanostatic charging/discharging, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The capacity during the first cycle was as high as ca. 1000 mAh g^?1. Such an electrode is suitable for primary CF _x /Li and CF _x /Na batteries. SEM images of CF _x cathode showed that during discharging it was transformed into amorphous carbon and LiF or NaF crystals (of diameter of ca. 5–20 μm). These systems (C?+?LiF or C?+?NaF) cannot be reversibly converted back into CF _x /Li or CF _x /Na, respectively. Exchange current densities are between 10^?7 Acm^?2 and 10^?9 Acm^?2 when working with LiPF₆ and NaPF₆ electrolytes (1.12?×?10^?7 Acm^?2 and 6.82?×?10^?9 Acm^?2, respectively). Those values are low and indicate that the charge transfer process may be the rate-determining step. Activation energies for the charge transfer process were 57 and 72 kJ mol^?1 for CF _x /LiPF₆ and CF _x /NaPF₆ systems, respectively. Higher activation energy barrier for the CF/Na⁺?+?e^??→?C?+?NaF reaction results in lower observed exchange current density in comparison to the system with lithium ions.     

Crystal structures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tris</Emphasis>-hexafluoro-acetylacetonates of aluminum and scandium

The structures of tris-hexafluoroacetylacetonates Al(hfa)₃ and Sc(hfa)₃·H₂O are determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography (Bruker-Nonius X8 Apex diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, T = 150(2) K). The Al(hfa)₃ complex is trigonal, a = 17.8944(11) Å, c = 12.4061(11) Å, P-3c1 space group, V = 3440.3(4) ų, Z = 6, R = 0.076. The Sc(hfa)₃·H₂O complex is monoclinic, a = 16.0926(4) Å, b = 14.7980(3) Å, c = 24.4020(5) Å, β = 125.641(1)°, P2₁/c space group, V = 4722.54(18) ų, Z = 8, R = 0.060. The structures of the complexes are formed by neutral molecules; the coordination environment of the metal atom involves six oxygen atoms of three β-diketone ligands (Al(hfa)₃) and, additionally, a water oxygen atom (Sc(hfa)₃·H₂O). The shortest Al...Al distance is 6.203(6) Å. The Sc(hfa)₃·H₂O molecules are joined in dimers by hydrogen bonds with Sc...Sc separations of 5.6992(8) Å and 5.6853(8) Å. In the crystals, the molecules are joined by van der Waals interactions, moreover, there are intermolecular contacts F...H ～ 2.5 Å in the structure of Sc(hfa)₃·H₂O.     

5<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-4<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> Emission spectrum with a cascade decay of the 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> vacancy in the Xe atom

The 5p-4d emission spectrum, obtained during cascade de-excitation of the initial deep 3d vacancy in the Xe atom, was calculated by directly constructing a decay tree in a stepwise manner. The cascade decay tree was constructed with allowance for all radiative and nonradiative channels of decay for the initial and all intermediate ionic configurations of the cascade. The probabilities of branching and transition energies were calculated in a one-electron approximation with averaging over configurations. The 5p-4d cascade emission spectrum has a complex structure with many components, which reflects the transitions from the wide variety of the many-hole intermediate configurations generated by the cascade. The calculated data agree well with the experiment.     

Structure of A Coordination Polymer [Cu(En)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The crystal structure of [Cu(En)₂CrO₄]_n (En is ethylenediamine) is determined: a = 14.7359(4) Å, b = 9.8083(3) Å, c = 14.2664(4) Å, V = 2061.98(10) ų, space group Cmce, Z = 8, d_x = 1.931 g/cm³. It is demonstrated that the studied phase is isostructural with [Сu(Еn)₂SO₄]_n. A pseudotetragonal copper atom coordination (Cu–N 2.0204 Å and 2.0244 Å, ∠N–Cu–N 84.73°) is completed to distorted octahedral by two oxygen atoms of chromate anions (Cu–O 2.433 Å and 2.380 Å).     

New framework nanostructures of carbon atoms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">sp</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">sp</Emphasis><Superscript>3</Superscript> hybridized states

A new family of framework nanostructures including carbon atoms in _sp ² and sp ³ hybridized states is reported. Structure optimization was fulfilled using MM+ molecular mechanics and Hückel semiempirical methods. The energy characteristics of the structures have been evaluated. Comparative analysis of the stability of the title nanostructures has been performed in relation to their geometry and relative contents of sp ²/sp ³ atoms.