Spectroscopic and thermal investigations of complexes of Cr<Superscript>III</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>II</Superscript>, Zn<Superscript>II</Superscript> &; Cd<Superscript>II</Superscript> - carboxamide

Complexes of Cr^III, Mn^II, Zn^II & Cd^II with the polydentate carboxamide ligandN′, N′′-bis(3-carboxy-1-oxoprop-2-enyl) 2-Amino-N-arylbenzamidine (H₂L) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic studies (Vibrational, electronic, ESR and ¹H-NMR), magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermal studies and powder diffraction studies. The vibrational spectral data are in agreement with coordination of amide and carboxylate oxygen of the ligands with the metal ions. The electronic spectra indicates octahedral or tetrahedral geometry around the metal ions, has been supported by magnetic susceptibility measurements. The results of electron spin resonance & ¹H-NMR spectra have supported the results of other spectral techniques. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal data using Coats and Redfern method, which confirm first order kinetics. Powder diffraction determines the cell parameters of the complexes.     

Polynuclear Ni<Superscript>II</Superscript> and Co<Superscript>II</Superscript> hexafluoroacetylacetonates

Hydrolysis of [M₄(hfac)₄(MeO)₄(MeOH)₄] (М = Сo, Ni and hfac is hexafluoroacetylaceton ate) is a convenient way of obtaining polynuclear complexes [Ni₇(hfac)₆(OH)₈(H₂O)₆]?2H₂O, [Co₁₂(hfac)₁₀(OH)₁₄(H₂O)₈]?2H₂O?2MePh, [Co₁₂(hfac)₁₀(OH)₁₄(H₂O)₄(Me₂CO)₄]?3PhMe, and [Co₁₂(hfac)₁₀(OH)₁₄(H₂O)₆(Me₂CO)₂]?2H₂O?2Me₂CO, whose structures were confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Heterospin mixed-ligand heterotrinuclear Co<Superscript>II</Superscript>, Gd<Superscript>III</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>II</Superscript> complex with nitronyl nitroxide

A method was developed for the synthesis of mixed-metal heterospin compounds with the direct coordination of the nitroxide fragment based on the replacement of acetonitrile molecules in the heterotrinuclear complex [Co₂Gd(NO₃)Piv₆(CH₃CN)₂] with nitroxide molecules. The molecular and crystal structure of the heterospin mixed-ligand heterotrinuclear Co^II, Gd^III, Co^II complex [Co₂Gd(NO₃)Piv₆(NIT-Me)₂], where NIT-Me is stable nitronyl nitroxide, was established. The magnetic properties of this complex were investigated in the temperature range of 2–300 K. The coordination of nitroxide groups to Co^II ions is responsible for strong exchange interactions between the unpaired electrons in the exchange clusters {>-·O-Co^II}, resulting in the virtually complete spin coupling between each coordinated >N-·O group and one of the unpaired electrons of each Co^II ion at temperatures below 200 K. Dedicated to Academician G. A. Abakumov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1742–1745, September, 2007.     

Interaction energies of histidine with cations (H<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Li<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, K<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>)

The imidazol side group of histidine has two nitrogen atoms capable of being protonated or participating in metal binding. Hence, histidine can take on various metal-bound and protonated forms in proteins. Because of its variable structural state, histidine often functions as a key amino acid residue in enzymatic reactions. Ab initio (HF and MP2) calculations were done in modeling the cation (H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) interaction with side chain of histidine. The region selectivity of metal ion complexation is controlled by the affinity of the side of attack. In the imidazol unite of histidine the ring nitrogen has much higher metal ion (as well as proton) affinity. The complexation energies with the model systems decrease in the following order: Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺. The variation of the bond lengths and the extent of charge transfer upon complexation correlate well with the computed interaction energies.     

Preparation of <Superscript>26</Superscript>Al, <Superscript>59</Superscript>Ni, <Superscript>44</Superscript>Ti, <Superscript>53</Superscript>Mn and <Superscript>60</Superscript>Fe from a proton irradiated copper beam dump

The station for pions cancer therapy was operated at PSI from 1980 to 1992. After a cooling time of 12 years it’s made of copper beam dump was cut and samples were taken for analytical purposes. The sampling collected about 500 g of high active copper chips that can be used for separation of exotic radionuclides. The analyses by gamma spectrometry, LSC and AMS showed main nuclides present to be ⁶⁰Co, ⁵⁴Mn, ²²Na, ⁶⁵Zn, ²⁶Al, ⁵³Mn, ⁵⁹Ni, ⁶³Ni, ⁵⁵Fe and ⁶⁰Fe and ⁴⁴Ti with a daughter nuclide ⁴⁴Sc. In the frame of ERAWAST project a procedure combining selective precipitation and ion exchange for the separation of the rare radionuclides from the copper beam dump was developed. The proposed separation procedure is easy for remote controlled implementation in a hot cell. The ion exchange separation of Ni, Al, Mg, Ti and Fe was complete and high decontamination factors for copper and cobalt were achieved. Based on the developed procedure a remotely controlled system for separation of exotic radionuclides from the copper chips was set up. The full scale system was installed in a hot cell where high activity levels can be handled. In order to evaluate the reliability and functionality of the system extensive tests have been done. During the test period 13.86 g in total of the proton irradiated copper beam dump were processed for separation of ²⁶Al, ⁵⁹Ni, ⁵³Mn, ⁴⁴Ti and ⁶⁰Fe. The results showed that the system was operational and the radionuclide separation was selective with high chemical yield. The procedure manages as well the generated liquid wastes containing high level of ⁶⁰Co activity.     

Sequential separation of <Superscript>99</Superscript>Tc, <Superscript>94</Superscript>Nb, <Superscript>55</Superscript>Fe, <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr and <Superscript>59/63</Superscript>Ni from radioactive wastes

A sequential separation procedure has been developed for the determination of ⁹⁹Tc, ⁹⁴Nb, ⁵⁵Fe, ⁹⁰Sr and ^59/63Ni in various radioactive wastes generated from nuclear power plants. Ion exchange and extraction chromatography were adopted for individual separation of the radionuclides. Precipitation was supplementarily utilized for both purification of the individual radionuclides and preparation of the radionuclide sources for use in a radioactivity measurement. The chromatographic separation behavior of the radionuclides both from the sample matrix metals and from one another was investigated using stable metals, Re (as a surrogate of ⁹⁹Tc), Nb, Fe, Sr and Ni. The validity of the procedure for reliability and applicability was evaluated by measuring the recovery of the metal carriers added to synthetic radioactive waste solutions. The recoveries by the chromatographic separation were in the range of 84.8 to 102.2% with 2s of less than 8.6%, the recoveries by the precipitation being in the range of 84.3 to 97.3% with 2s of less than 10.9%.     

<Superscript>103</Superscript>Ru/<Superscript>103m</Superscript>Rh generator

^103mRh is a very promising radionuclide for Auger electron therapy due to its very low photon/electron ratio. The goal of the present work was the elaboration a method for production of large quantities of ^103mRh for generator system. It was found that the combination of solvent extraction with evaporation of ¹⁰³RuO₄ followed by decomposition of H₅IO₆ makes it possible to produce ^103mRh of high radionuclidic and chemical purity.     

Disequilibrium of dissolved <Superscript>234</Superscript>U/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U and <Superscript>210</Superscript>Po/<Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb in Greek rivers

For the first time, a radiological study for the dissolved ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po was held in major Greek rivers across the country. ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratios are above one in all samples and ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb activity ratios are respectively below the unit indicating the disequilibrium in the samples. Quite satisfactory correlations were observed among ²³⁴U and ²³⁸U as well as among ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb values. Uranium isotopes were separated by ion exchange and electroplated on stainless steel plates. ²¹⁰Po was spontaneously deposited on nickel plates, while ²¹⁰Pb was indirectly determined through the ingrowth of ²¹⁰Po. The sources were measured by a-spectrometry.     

Thermodynamics of citrate complexation with Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Isothermal titration calorimetry has been used to determine the stoichiometry, formation constants and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ^o, ΔH, ΔS) for the formation of the citrate complexes with the Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The measurements were run in Cacodylate, Pipes and Mes buffer solutions with a pH of 6, at 298.15 K. A constant ionic strength of 100 mM was maintained with NaClO₄. The influence of a metal ion on its interaction energy with the citrate ions and the stability of the resulting complexes have been discussed.     

Determination of <Superscript>3</Superscript>H, <Superscript>226</Superscript>Ra, <Superscript>222</Superscript>Rn and <Superscript>238</Superscript>U in Austrian ground- and drinking water

Screening measurements for ³H, ²²⁶Ra, ²²²Rn and ²³⁸U in ground water were performed within a ground- and drinking water project in Austria. The aim of this project is to get an overview of the distribution of natural radionuclide activity concentration levels in ground water bodies. In some cases this water is used for drinking water abstraction. In this paper methods and results of the screening measurements are presented. Regions with high activity concentrations were identified and in these regions further investigation for ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po will be conducted.     

Incorporation of Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ba<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> into aragonite and comparison with calcite

We have investigated the presence of foreign ions into the bulk structure and the external surfaces of aragonite using periodic ab-initio methods. Four cations isovalent to Ca²⁺ were studied: Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The calculations were performed at structures (bulk, surface) that contain four and eight CaCO₃ units. Our results, at the Hartree-Fock level, show that the incorporation of those ions into aragonite depends strongly on their size. Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺, due to their smaller size, can substitute Ca²⁺ ions in the crystal lattice while the incorporation of Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ into aragonite is energetically less favoured. Examination of the [011], [110] and [001] surfaces of aragonite revealed that the surface incorporation reduces the energetic cost for the larger ions. These systems provide challenging examples for most shape analysis methods applied in Mathematical Chemistry.     

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.     

Enhancing single-molecule magnet behavior of linear Co<Superscript>II</Superscript>-Dy<Superscript>III</Superscript>Co<Superscript>II</Superscript> complex by introducing bulky diamagnetic moiety

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are regarded as promising candidates for ultrahigh-density storage, quantum information processing and molecular spintronics. It is a crucial challenge for chemists to modulate magnetic dynamics of SMMs. Here, we successfully synthesized two 3d-4f polynuclear compounds [Co₂Dy(TTTT^Cl)₂(MeOH)]NO₃·3MeOH (1) and [Co₂Dy(TTTT^Cl)₂ (MeOH)][Co(HTTTT^Cl)](NO₃)₂·2.5MeOH·2H₂O (2), where H₃TTTT^Cl=2,2′,2′′-(((nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)) tris(azanediyl)) tris(methylene))tris-(4-chlorophenol). On applying the approach by co-crystallization of bulky diamagnetic moiety, the effective energy barrier enhances from 401 K (1) to 536 K (2), which are both among the highest d-f heterometallic SMMs.     

Kinetic aspects of the ion-exchange reactions of Cs<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>and Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions on the H<Superscript>+</Superscript> form of chromium hexacyanoferrate(II)

Summary This paper reports the radiochemical study of the ion-exchange of Cs⁺, Na⁺, Sr²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions with H⁺ by chromium hexacyanoferrate(II) which was prepared in a granular form using a gel method. The slow steps which determine the rate of exchange of these ions are directly proportional to the particle diameter and this is confirmed from the linearity test of Bt vs. t plots at different particle diameters. Boyed’s equation and Reichenberg’s tables were used for evaluating all the kinetic parameters. The results reveal that the effective particle radii are unchanged for both chromium hexacyanoferrate(II) dried at 60 and 120 °C. The obtained data were analyzed using McKay plots and Arrhenius equation and the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, e.g., effective diffusion coefficient, activation energies and entropies of activation have been evaluated. The mobility of these ions inside the particles of chromium hexacyanoferrate(II) decrease in the order of Eu³⁺>Sr²⁺>Na⁺⊃Cs⁺.     

<Superscript>234</Superscript>U/<Superscript>235</Superscript>U activity ratios as a probe for the <Superscript>238</Superscript>U/<Superscript>235</Superscript>U half-life ratio

High-resolution alpha-particle spectrometry was performed on three uranium materials enriched in ²³⁵U. Besides the ²³⁵U peaks, separate peaks belonging to impurity traces of ²³⁴U could be quantified. Relying on the isotopic composition of the uranium, as determined by mass spectrometry, the ratio of the half-lives of ²³⁸U and ²³⁵U was determined via the activity ratio of ²³⁴U and ²³⁵U in the materials. As an intermediate link, the ²³⁴U/²³⁸U half-life ratio was taken from published mass spectrometric analyses of ‘secular equilibrium’ uranium material. The resulting half-life ratio T _1/2(²³⁸U)/T _1/2(²³⁵U) = 6.351±0.031 is in agreement with the commonly adopted half-life values determined by Jaffey et al.     

Variation of <Superscript>231</Superscript>Pa, <Superscript>230</Superscript>Th and <Superscript>231</Superscript>Pa<Subscript>ex</Subscript>/<Superscript>230</Superscript>Th<Subscript>ex</Subscript> in surface sediments of the Sabah–Sarawak coastal waters

Protactinium and thorium activities were measured in eight surface sediment taken in 2004 to determine effectiveness scavenging of ²³¹Pa at Sabah–Sarawak coastal waters. The result found that activity ratios of ²³¹Pa_ex/²³⁰Th_ex were ranged from 0.07 to 0.13 at all sampling stations. The high ²³¹Pa_ex/²³⁰Th_ex activity ratio than the production ratio of 0.093 in seawater at station SR 01, SR 02, SR 04, SB 02 and SB 05, revealed that ²³¹Pa is effectively removed from the water column into the sediment in comparison with ²³⁰Th at those stations. Low percentage of ²³⁰Th_ex (90–95%) in comparison with ²³¹Pa_ex at all stations can be attributed to less efficiently scavenged of ²³⁰Th onto particles prior deposited at the marine sediment bed.     

Complexes of Zr<Superscript>IV</Superscript> and Hf<Superscript>IV</Superscript> with monolacunary Keggin-and Dawson-type anions

The reactions of the tetranuclear hydroxo complexes [M₄(μ₂-OH)₈(H₂O)₁₆]⁸⁺ (M = Zr or Hf) with the lacunary Keggin-type ([α-PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻) and Dawson-type ([α ₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁]¹⁰⁻) phosphotungstates in aqueous solutions produce the sandwich polyoxometalate complexes [M(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]¹⁰⁻ (M = Zr (1) or Hf (2)) and [M(α ₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁)₂]¹⁶⁻ (M = Zr (3) and Hf (4)). The complexes were isolated and structurally characterized as salts with potassium and dimethylammonium cations. The zirconium and hafnium atoms have a square antiprismatic coordination environment (coordination number is 8). In all complexes, the mutual arrangement of the ligands corresponds to the syn isomer. Hafnium complexes 2 and 4 are the first structurally characterized polyoxometalate complexes of this metal. The structures of the resulting compounds were confirmed also by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy in solution. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 214–218, February, 2007.     

New antiferromagnetic tetranuclear pivalate complex containing Fe<Superscript>III</Superscript> and Fe<Superscript>II</Superscript> atoms

The interaction of [K₂Fe^III ₄(O)₂(OOCCMe₃)₁₀(HOOCCMe₃)₂(H₂O)₂]_n with 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde results in a mixed-valence complex Fe^IIFe^III ₃(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-OOCCMe₃)₇L₂··2.5MeCN·3H₂O (L = 2-NC₅H₄COOH_0.75K_0.25). The structure of the complex was established by X-ray analysis. The magnetic properties of the complex were studied. Dedicated to Academician A. L. Buchachenko on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2145–2148, September, 2005.     

Physicochemical foundations of synthesis of new ferromagnets from chalcopyrites A<Superscript>II</Superscript>B<Superscript>IV</Superscript>C<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>V</Superscript></Stack>

The results of studying phase equilibria of ternary A^IIB^IVC^V systems have been reported. Physicochemical foundations have been developed for the synthesis of new ferromagnets with Curie temperatures above room temperature structurally compatible with basic semiconducting materials. Methods of synthesis and physicochemical properties of manganese-doped A^IIB^IVC₂^V ferromagnets have been described. The results of theoretical simulation of magnetic properties have been considered and basic approaches to the explanation of the emergence of ferromagnetism in A^IIB^IVC₂^V doped with 3d metals have been surveyed. The most promising ways to produce and study dilute magnetic semiconductors as spintronics materials have been presented.