Construction of an Internally B3N3‐Doped Nanographene Molecule

The synthesis of a hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) with a central borazine core is described. The solid‐state structure of this BN‐doped HBC (BN‐HBC) is isotypic with that of the parent HBC. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows that BN‐HBC lies flat on Au(111) in a two‐dimensional pattern.     

B2Si2O6 – ein amorphes anorganisches Netzwerk mit Si–Si‐Bindungen

B₂Si₂O₆ – an Amorphous Inorganic Network Containing Si–Si Bonds B₂Si₂O₆ has been synthesized via sol‐gel processing, reacting Si₂Cl₆ with boric acid in abs. dioxane. The resulting amorphous product is the first borosilicate containing Si–Si bonds. B₂Si₂O₆ has been characterized by IR, NMR, DTA, XANES, and TEM. The spectroscopic results indicate that BSiO₃ is an individual phase and not a mixture of Si₂O₃ and B₂O₃. A random network model of B₂Si₂O₆ can be derived, where structural units of Si₂O₆ are connected via common vertices to trigonal planar coordinated boron atoms.     

ChemInform Abstract: B2N2O4: Prediction of a Magnetic Ground State for a Light Main‐Group Molecule.

DFT and coupled‐cluster calculations show that the B₂N₂O₄ molecule has a triplet ground state and therefore is paramagnetic.     

Das Lanthan‐Dodekahydro‐closo‐Dodekaborat‐Hydrat [La(H2O)9]2[B12H12]3·15 H2O und sein Oxonium‐Chlorid‐Derivat [La(H2O)9](H3O)Cl2[B12H12]·H2O

The Lanthanum Dodecahydro‐closo‐Dodecaborate Hydrate [La(H₂O)₉]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]₃·15 H₂O and its Oxonium‐Chloride Derivative [La(H₂O)₉](H₃O)Cl₂[B₁₂H₁₂]·H₂O By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the free acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with basic La₂O₃ and after isothermic evaporation colourless, face‐rich single crystals of a water‐rich lanthanum(III) dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate hydrate [La(H₂O)₉]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]₃·15 H₂O are isolated. The compound crystallizes in the trigonal system with the centrosymmetric space group (a = 1189.95(2), c = 7313.27(9) pm, c/a = 6.146; Z = 6; measuring temperature: 100 K). The crystal structure of [La(H₂O)₉]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]₃·15 H₂O can be characterized by two of each other independent, one into another posed motives of lattice components. The [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions (d(B–B) = 177–179 pm; d(B–H) = 105–116 pm) are arranged according to the samarium structure, while the La³⁺ cations are arranged according to the copper structure. The lanthanum cations are coordinated in first sphere by nine oxygen atoms from water molecules in form of a threecapped trigonal prism (d(La–O) = 251–262 pm). A coordinative influence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions on La³⁺ has not been determined. Since “zeolitic” water of hydratation is also present, obviously the classical H–O^δ–···^+δH–O‐hydrogen bonds play a significant role in the stabilization of the crystal structure. During the conversion of an aqueous solution of (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with lanthanum trichloride an anion‐mixed salt with the composition [La(H₂O)₉](H₃O)Cl₂[B₁₂H₁₂]·H₂O is obtained. The compound crystallizes in the hexagonal system with the non‐centrosymmetric space group (a = 808.84(3), c = 2064.51(8) pm, c/a = 2.552; Z = 2; measuring temperature: 293 K). The crystal structure can be characterized as a layer‐like structure, in which [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions and H₃O⁺ cations alternate with layers of [La(H₂O)₉]³⁺ cations (d(La–O) = 252–260 pm) and Cl⁻ anions along [001]. The [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ (d(B–B) = 176–179 pm; d(B–H) = 104–113 pm) and Cl⁻ anions exhibit no coordinative influence on La³⁺. Hydrogen bonds are formed between the H₃O⁺ cations and [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ anions, also between the water molecules of [La(H₂O)₉]³⁺ and Cl⁻ anions, which contribute to the stabilization of the crystal structure.     

ZnO Nanocluster as a Potential Catalyst for Dissociation of H2S Molecule

Adsorption of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the external and internal surface of Zn₁₂O₁₂ nanocluster was studied by using density functional calculations. The results indicate that the H₂S molecule is physically adsorbed or chemically dissociated by the nanocluster. It was found that the H₂S molecule can dissociate into –H and–SH fragments, suggesting that the nanocluster might be a potential catalyst for dissociation of the H₂S molecule. Also, dissociation of H₂S to S species in internal surface of the Zn₁₂O₁₂ nanocluster is energetically impossible. The HOMO–LUMO energy gap of H₂S dissociation configuration is changed about 27.68 %, indicating that the electronic properties of the nanocluster by dissociation process have strongly changed.     

N2分子在UO（100）表面的吸附与解离

运用密度泛函理论中广义梯度近似(GGA)的VWN-BP方法结合周期性平板模型,研究N2在UO(100)表面的吸附.研究表明,N2平行吸附在UO(100)表面穴位为最稳定吸附构型,吸附能为79.0 kJ·mol-1.Mulliken布居分析显示,N2获得电子.吸附后,N-N伸缩振动频率发生红移.波数在1770-2143 cm-1之间.态密度分析表明,U原子将df电子转移至N2的2π轨道.计算所得解离反应的能垒为266.9 kJ·mol-1.     

双电荷离子[C12H12N2O]2+和[C12H12N2S]2+的气相单分子分解反应研究

The unimolecular dissociation reactions of doubly charged ions were reported,which resulted from a tandem mass spectrometer and a reversed geometry double focusing mass spectrometer by electron impact.Mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometry(MIKES) was used to obtain the kinetic energy releases in charge separation reactions of doubly charged ions.The intercharge distances between the two charges at transition states can be calculated from the kinetic energy releases.Transition structures of unimolecular dissociation reactions were infered from MIKES and MS/MS.     

Metal‐Doped Nitrogenated Carbon as an Efficient Catalyst for Direct CO2 Electroreduction to CO and Hydrocarbons

This study explores the kinetics, mechanism, and active sites of the CO₂ electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) to syngas and hydrocarbons on a class of functionalized solid carbon‐based catalysts. Commercial carbon blacks were functionalized with nitrogen and Fe and/or Mn ions using pyrolysis and acid leaching. The resulting solid powder catalysts were found to be active and highly CO selective electrocatalysts in the electroreduction of CO₂ to CO/H₂ mixtures outperforming a low‐area polycrystalline gold benchmark. Unspecific with respect to the nature of the metal, CO production is believed to occur on nitrogen functionalities in competition with hydrogen evolution. Evidence is provided that sufficiently strong interaction between CO and the metal enables the protonation of CO and the formation of hydrocarbons. Our results highlight a promising new class of low‐cost, abundant electrocatalysts for synthetic fuel production from CO₂.     

Zu den Kristallstrukturen der Übergangsmetall(II)‐Dodekahydro‐closo‐Dodekaborat‐Hydrate Cu(H2O)5,5[B12H12]·2,5 H2O und Zn(H2O)6[B12H12]·6 H2O

On the Crystal Structures of the Transition‐Metal(II) Dodecahydro‐closo‐Dodecaborate Hydrates Cu(H₂O)_5.5[B₁₂H₁₂]·2.5 H₂O and Zn(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]·6 H₂O By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the free acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with basic copper(II) carbonate or zinc carbonate, blue lath‐shaped single crystals of the octahydrate Cu[B₁₂H₁₂]·8 H₂O (≡ Cu(H₂O)_5.5[B₁₂H₁₂]·2.5 H₂O) and colourless face‐rich single crystals of the dodecahydrate Zn[B₁₂H₁₂]·12 H₂O (≡ Zn(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]·6 H₂O) could be isolated after isothermic evaporation. Copper(II) dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate octahydrate crystallizes at room temperature in the monoclinic system with the non‐centrosymmetric space group Pm (Cu(H₂O)_5.5[B₁₂H₁₂]·2.5 H₂O: a = 768.23(5), b = 1434.48(9), c = 777.31(5) pm, β = 90.894(6)°; Z = 2), whereas zinc dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate dodecahydrate crystallizes cubic in the likewise non‐centrosymmetric space group F23 (Zn(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]·6 H₂O: a = 1637.43(9) pm; Z = 8). The crystal structure of Cu(H₂O)_5.5[B₁₂H₁₂]·2.5 H₂O can be described as a monoclinic distortion variant of the CsCl‐type arrangement. As characteristic feature the formation of isolated [Cu₂(H₂O)₁₁]⁴⁺ units as a condensate of two corner‐linked Jahn‐Teller distorted [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra via an oxygen atom of crystal water can be considered. Since “zeolitic” water of hydratation is also present, obviously both classical H–O^δ?···^+δH–O and non‐classical B–H^δ?···^+δH–O hydrogen bonds play a significant role for the stabilization of the structure. A direct coordinative influence of the quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anions on the Cu²⁺ cations has not been determined. The zinc compound Zn(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]·6 H₂O crystallizes in a NaTl‐type related structure. Two crystallographically different [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra are present, which only differ in their relative orientation within the packing of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anions. The stabilization of the crystal structure takes place mainly via H–O^δ?···^+δH–O hydrogen bonds, since again the hydrogen atoms of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anions have no direct coordinative influence on the Zn²⁺ cations.     

Fluorine‐Doped Fe2O3 as High Energy Density Electroactive Material for Hybrid Supercapacitor Applications

Nanostructured α‐Fe₂O₃ with and without fluorine substitution were successfully obtained by a green route, that is, microwave irradiation. The hematite phase materials were evaluated as a high‐performance electrode material in a hybrid supercapacitor configuration along with activated carbon (AC). The presence of fluorine was confirmed through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Fluorine‐doped Fe₂O₃ (F‐Fe₂O₃) exhibits an enhanced pseudocapacitive performance compared to that of the bare hematite phase. The F‐Fe₂O₃/AC cell delivered a specific capacitance of 71 F g^?1 at a current density of 2.25 A g^?1 and retained approximately 90 % of its initial capacitance after 15 000 cycles. Furthermore, the F‐Fe₂O₃/AC cell showed a very high energy density of about 28 W h kg^?1 compared to bare hematite phase (～9 W h kg^?1). These data clearly reveal that the electrochemical performance of Fe₂O₃ can be improved by fluorine doping, thereby dramatically improving the energy density of the system.     

Zwei Dodekahydro‐closo‐Dodekaborate mit Lone‐Pair‐Kationen der 6. Periode im Vergleich: Tl2[B12H12] und Pb(H2O)3[B12H12]·3H2O

During the reaction of an aqueous solution of (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with Tl₂CO₃ anhydrous thallium(I) dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Tl₂[B₁₂H₁₂] is obtained as colorless, spherical single crystals. It crystallizes in the cubic system with the centrosymmetric space group Fm$\bar{3}$ (a = 1074.23(8) pm, Z = 4) in an anti‐CaF₂ type structure. Four quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂H₁₂]^2– anions (d(B–B) = 180–181 pm, d(B–H) = 111 pm) exhibit coordinative influence on each Tl⁺ cation and provide a twelvefold coordination in the shape of a cuboctahedron (d(Tl–H) = 296 pm). There is no observable stereochemical activity of the non‐bonding electron pairs (6s² lone pairs) at the Tl⁺ cations. By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with PbCO₃ and after isothermic evaporation colorless, plate‐like single crystals of lead(II) dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate hexahydrate Pb(H₂O)₃[B₁₂H₁₂] · 3H₂O can be isolated. This compound crystallizes orthorhombically with the non‐centrosymmetric space group Pna2₁ (a = 1839.08(9), b = 1166.52(6), c = 717.27(4) pm, Z = 4). The crystal structure of Pb(H₂O)₃[B₁₂H₁₂] · 3H₂O is characterized as a layer‐like arrangement. The Pb²⁺ cations are coordinated in first sphere by only three oxygen atoms from water molecules (d(Pb–O) = 247–248 pm). But a coordinative influence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2– anions (d(B–B) = 173–181 pm, d(B–H) = 93–122 pm) on lead has to be stated, too, as three hydrogen atoms from three different hydroborate anions are attached to the Pb²⁺ cations (d(Pb–H) = 258–270 pm) completing their first‐sphere coordination number to six. These three oxygen and three hydrogen ligands are arranged as quite irregular polyhedron leaving enough space for a stereochemical lone‐pair activity (6sp) at each Pb²⁺ cation. Since additional intercalating water of hydration is present as well, both classical H–O^δ– ··· ^+δH–O‐ and unconventional B–H^δ– ··· ^+δH–O hydrogen bonds play a significant role in the stabilization of the entire crystal structure.     

[Et4N][7‐Me2S‐nido‐B11H12]

Tetraethyl­ammonium 7‐di­methyl­sulfanyl‐nido‐dodeca­hydro­undecaborate, [Et₄N][7‐Me₂S‐nido‐B₁₁H₁₂] or C₈H₂₀N⁺·C₂H₁₈B₁₁S⁻, is a product of the deprotonation of [7‐Me₂S‐nido‐B₁₁H₁₃] with KHBEt₃ and precipitation with tetraethyl­ammonium chloride. The effect of removing one endo‐terminal H atom is to cause a general contraction of the open‐face B—B distances.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of graphene‐supported Si‐TiO2 nanospheres as anode material for Li‐ion batteries

Graphene‐supported Si‐TiO₂ (Si‐Ti‐GE) composites have been synthesized by a simple polymerization and sintering method. In the Si‐Ti‐GE composites, many small Si‐TiO₂ particles are scattered on the graphene sheet, which can mitigate the agglomeration of the material and further reduce the particle size. The initial discharge capacities of Si‐TiO₂, Si‐Ti‐GE‐1, Si‐Ti‐GE‐2, and Si‐Ti‐GE‐3 are 336.9, 337.2, 339.8, and 356.6 mAh g⁻¹ at the current density of 200 mA g⁻¹, respectively. The discharge rate capacities of TiO₂, Si‐TiO₂, and Si‐Ti‐GE‐3 composites retain 57.5%, 41.7%, and 82.1% at the current density from 100 to 400 mA g⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, the introduction of graphene not only could facilitate the Li⁺ diffusion and electron transport but also could make better electrical conductivity.     

Charge referencing issues in XPS of insulators as evidenced in the case of Al‐Si‐N thin films

Accurate charge referencing in XPS of insulating specimens is a delicate issue. This difficulty is illustrated in the case of Al‐Si‐N composite thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering with variable composition from pure aluminum nitride to pure silicon nitride. The samples were mounted with Au‐coated metallic clamps. Argon sputter cleaning was required to remove a surface native oxide before analysis. For charge referencing implanted argon atoms from the sputter gas and a small amount of gold re‐deposited from the metallic clamps onto the specimen surface during sputter cleaning were evaluated. For the argon atoms, a surprisingly large chemical shift (～1 eV) and a significant peak broadening (0.6 eV) of the Ar 2p_3/2 photoelectron line were found with varying the Si content of the films. This could be related to chemical and structural changes of the Al‐Si‐N films. Hence implanted argon could not be used for charge referencing of Al‐Si‐N samples. In contrast to the implanted argon, the Au 4f_7/2 line width of the gold re‐deposited onto the sample surface did not depend on the Si content of Al‐Si‐N films. A constant energy shift (～1.2 eV) of the Au 4f_7/2 line as compared with bulk gold was, however, found, which was related to the size of gold particles formed on the insulating films. Therefore gold could be reliably used to study chemical shifts of sample‐relevant species in Al‐Si‐N films, but the absolute binding energies of Al 2p, Si 2p and N 1s photoelectrons could not be determined. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.