Comparative study of the lanthanide (Ln) and actinide (An) triflate complexes M(OTf)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

Theoretical studies on the lanthanide and actinide triflate complexes M(OTf) _n where M = La, Ce, Gd, Yb, Lu, Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm, Bk, and No; n = 3 and 4, are carried out using functional density theory (DFT). The study of An(OTf)₃ complexes showed that the three OTf groups are bidentate, generating a trigonal prism (TP). Two limiting structures of TP are observed; the most distorted is the thorium triflate Th(OTf)₃ and the ideal one is U(OTf)₃. The highest population contribution of 5d orbital compared to 5f orbital in Th–O bond of Th(OTf)₃ explains the distortion. The intramolecular rearrangement of the OTf ligands in Ln(OTf)₃ generates two conformers. In Yb(OTf)₃, the pseudo-eclipsed and the staggered conformations are stable and can be isolated.     

Sensitizing activity of metal tetraphenylporphines toward diethylaminobenzaldehyde <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-diphenylhydrazone and its dependence on the central metal atom

The sensitizing activity of metal (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, and Ag) tetraphenylporhines (TPPs) toward N,N-diphenylhydrazone of diethylaminobenzaldehyde was studied. It was found that the sensitized photosensitivity essentially depends on the electronic structure of the central metal atom in the TPP molecule: porphyrin complexes with metals that have vacant d or f shells or unpaired electrons (Co, Cu, Ni, and Ag TPPs) do not act as spectral sensitizers for diethylaminobenzaldehyde N,N-diphenylhydrazone.     

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.     

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.     

Structural,Electronic and Tunable Magnetic Properties of Transition Metal Doped Rh<Subscript>8</Subscript> Cluster from First Principles Calculation

The configurations, electronic and magnetic properties of the Rh₇M (M?=?3d, 4d transition metal) are systematically investigated within the framework of the generalized gradient approximation density-functional theory (DFT-GGA). The results indicated that the ground state structures of Rh₇M (M?=?3d) clusters prefer to a bicapped octahedron configuration, while the Rh₇M (M?=?4d) clusters present a different degree of geometry reconstruction relative to the perfect cubic structure of Rh₈ cluster. In most cases, the doped clusters show relatively higher stability, indicating that impurity atoms could stabilize the pure Rh₈ cluster; the Rh₇M (M?=?3d, 4d) have smaller frontier orbital energy gaps in comparison to the host. The magnetic moments of Rh₇M (M?=?3d, 4d) exhibit a tunable magnetism with range from 3μ_B to 13μ_B and the Fe atom doping enhances the magnetic moment of mixed cluster.     

RBaCuCoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (R = Nd,Sm, Gd) layered cuprocobaltites: Synthesis,structure, and properties

Cuprocobaltites RBaCuCoO_{5 + gd}(R = Nd, Sm, Gd) were prepared. Their unit cell parameters were determined, and thermal expansion, electrical conductivity (σ), and Seebeck coefficient (S) were studied in air in the range 300–1100 K. The compounds have tetragonal structures (space group P4/mmm, Z = 1). Their unit cell parameters are a = 0.3906(2) nm, c= 0.7648(7) nm for NdBaCuCoO_5.21; a = 0.3904(2) nm, c = 0.7609(6) nm for SmBaCuCoO_5.06; and a = 0.3891(2), c = 0.7592(6) nm for GdBaCuCoO_5.02. The RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} cuprocobaltites at room temperature are p-type semiconductors, whose electrical conductivity and linear thermal expansion coefficient (LTEC) increase with increasing R³⁺ ionic radius, whereas the Seebeck coefficient decreases. The LTECs of RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} phases in the range 500–575 K increase by a factor of 1.2–1.5 because of the elimination of weakly bound oxygen. S = f(T) curves for RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (R = Nd, Sm, Gd) feature maxima at 510 K for R = Sm and 365 K for R = Gd, probably, due to the change in the spin state of cobalt cations in these phases.     

Electronic structure of crystalline uranium nitride: LCAO DFT calculations

The results of electronic structure calculations performed for the first time for crystalline uranium nitride and using a LCAO basis are discussed. For calculations we used the density functional method with the PW91 exchange correlation potential and a variety of relativistic core potentials for the uranium atom. The calculated atomization energy of the crystal agrees well with the experimental data and with the results of calculations with the plane wave basis. It is shown that a chemical bond in crystalline uranium nitride is a metal covalent bond. The metal component of the bond is due to the 5f electrons localized on the uranium atom and having energies near the Fermi level and the bottom of the conduction band. The covalent component of the chemical bond results from an overlap between the uranium 6d and 7s valence orbitals and the nitrogen 2p atomic orbitals. Inclusion of the 5f electrons in the core of the uranium atom introduces relatively minor changes in the calculated binding energy and electron density distribution.     

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.     

Synthesis,spectral, antimicrobial,and thermal properties of Ce(III), Gd(III), Nd(III), Tb(III), and Er(III) gliclazide complexes

The complexation between the lanthanide metal ions Ce(III), Gd(III), Nd(III), Tb(III), and Er(III) and gliclazide produced 1 : 1 molar ratio metal: gliclazide (Glz) complexes coordinated in a monodentate fashion via the OH group and having the general formulas [M(Glz)Cl₃(H₂O)]·xH₂O (M = Ce, Gd, Nd and x = 1, 3, 4, respectively) and [M(Glz)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃·yH₂O (M = Tb, Er and y = 1, 2, respectively). The structure of the synthesized lanthanide gliclazide complexes was assigned by IR, ¹HNMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Thermal analysis and kinetic and thermodynamic parameters gave evidence for the thermal stability of the Glz complexes. The latter showed a significant antimicrobial effect against some bacteria and fungi.     

Magnetism in Simple Metal and 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> Transition Metal Clusters

In this review article I discuss two aspects of magnetism in small metal clusters. The first question discussed is whether simple metal clusters, that obey electronic shell models and mimic properties of elemental atoms, also obey Hund’s rule of maximum spin multiplicity. The second question is whether small clusters of 4d transition metal atoms, that are non-magnetic in the bulk, have magnetic ground states. The question arises because calculations showed that small V clusters are magnetic although the bulk metal is not. We discuss known results on Rh clusters in detail to show that small clusters are generally magnetic, but it is difficult to unequivocally identify the ground state due to the presence of many isomers and spin states that are very close in energy.     

Mononuclear and heterodinuclear phenanthrolinedione complexes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>-block elements

1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione (Phd) complexes of group 3 and lanthanide elements having formulae Ln(hfac)₃(Phd) (Ln = Y, Eu, Yb; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) were synthesised and characterised. Complexes of d-block elements of the type [MCl(Phd)(p-cymene)]⁺ (M = Ru, Os) were also prepared. In all these species, coordination of the polydentate ligand occurs by the N-donor moieties, as indicated by DFT calculations. The novel compounds were tested, together with fac-ReBr(Phd)(CO)₃, as precursors for the preparation of heterobimetallic d/f derivatives. The reaction of the rhenium complex with yttrium or lanthanide anhydrous triflate salts led to the formation of the complexes ReBr(CO)₃(N,N′-Phd-O,O′)Ln(OTf)₃(THF) (Ln = Y, Eu, Yb), where the trivalent ions interacted with the quinonoid moiety. The redox properties of the rhenium centre were strongly affected by the coordination of Ln(OTf)₃, as observed by comparing the cyclic voltammetry measurements carried out on fac-ReBr(Phd)(CO)₃ and on ReBr(CO)₃(N,N′-Phd-O,O′)Y(OTf)₃.     

Stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-element diphosphates in water

The mean atomic Gibbs energies of formation of (Δ _f ? _at ⁰ ) of s-, p-, and d-element diphosphates have been calculated using ion increments of the Gibbs energy (Δ _f G ⁰). The diphosphate hydrolysis kinetics is considered, and a correlation between the Δ _f ? _at ⁰ values and the hydrolysis rate constants is presented.     

Stability of 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-element cyclotetraphosphates in water

The hydrolysis kinetics of the anion in 3d-element cyclotetraphosphates is considered. The thermodynamic functions of formation (Δ _f H ⁰, Δ _f G ⁰, and Δ _f ? _at ⁰ ) of the cyclotetraphosphates are calculated using the ion increment method. A linear correlation is established between and log K Δ _f ? _at ⁰ for these compounds.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Twist Linear Tetranuclear Co<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>III</Superscript></Stack>Ln<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>III</Superscript></Stack> Complexes

A series of twist linear tetranuclear 3d–4f Co ₂ ^III Ln ₂ ^III [Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Ho (4), Er (5)] complexes have been prepared under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized with Schiff-base ligand 2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylene)amino)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (H₄L). The two central Co ions are linked by two alkoxyl oxygen atoms, and one Ln ion lying above and the other below the Co–Co dimer, form a twist linear array. The magnetic susceptibility studies reveal antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic behaviour, whilst dynamic magnetic studies indicate no slow magnetic relaxation for these complexes.     

The thermodynamic properties of the [(Me<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si)<Subscript>7</Subscript>C<Subscript>60</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> fullerene complex

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity C _p ^o of the [(Me₃Si)₇C₆₀]₂ fullerene complex was measured for the first time using precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry over the temperature range 6.7–340 K and high-accuracy differential scanning calorimetry at 320–635 K. For the most part, the error in the C _p ^o values was about ±0.5%. An irreversible endothermic effect caused by the splitting of the dimeric bond between fullerene fragments and the thermal decomposition of the complex was observed at 448–570 K. The thermodynamic characteristics of this transformation were calculated and analyzed. Multifractal analysis of the low-temperature (T < 50 K) heat capacity was performed, and conclusions were drawn concerning the character of the heterodynamicity of the structure. The experimental data obtained were used to calculate the standard thermodynamic functions C _p ^o (T), H ^o (T) ? H ^o (0), S ^o (T) ? S ^o (0), and G ^o (T) ? H ^o (0) over the temperature range from T → 0 to 445 K and estimate the standard entropy of formation of the compound from simple substances at 298.15 K. The standard thermodynamic properties of [(Me₃Si)₇C₆₀]₂ are compared with those of the (C₆₀)₂ dimer, the [(η⁶-Ph₂)₂Cr]⁺[C₆₀]^?? fulleride, and the initial C₆₀ fullerene.     

The standard thermodynamic properties of 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> metal trichlorides

The enthalpies of sublimation Δ_sub H ⁰(298) of 4f metal trichlorides were calculated by the second and third laws of thermodynamics from saturated vapor pressures using the thermodynamic functions of the condensed and gaseous states suggested by us. The set of the Δ_sub H ^o(298) enthalpies was analyzed to determine the most reliable values. The enthalpies of atomization found from these values were compared with those calculated from the measured equilibrium constants of gas phase reactions with the participation of the compounds under consideration and the enthalpies of atomization found from the experimental appearance potentials AP(Ln⁺/LnCl₃). Recommended Δ_at H ^o(298) values were obtained for all the 4f metal trichlorides.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In silico</Emphasis> study of the atomic and electronic structure of quantum dots of the CdTe family doped with atoms of rare earth elements

An in silico study of semiconductor quantum dots of the CdTe family doped with atoms of rare earth elements is performed based of density functional theory. An ab initio computer design of quantum dots based on CdTe nanoparticles doped with Eu и Gd atoms is carried out. Partial densities of states of CdTe:Eu and CdTe:Gd quantum dots are calculated and analyzed. X-ray absorption near edge (XANES) spectra near the Eu K-, L₁-, and L₃- and Gd K-, L₁-, and L₃-edges of CdTe:Eu and CdTe:Gd quantum dots are calculated. The sensitivity of XANES spectroscopy for the verification of parameters of a nanosized atomic structure of quantum dots based on CdTe particles doped with atoms of rare earth elements and the determination of the local atomic structure around the atoms of rare earth elements in quantum dots is demonstrated.     

Discovery of natural berberine-derived nitroimidazoles as potentially multi-targeting agents against drug-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

A series of natural berberine-derived nitroimidazoles as novel antibacterial agents were designed, synthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectra (IR), and high resolution mass spectra (HRMS) spectra. The antimicrobial evaluation showed that some target molecules exhibited moderate to good inhibitory activities against the tested bacteria and fungi including clinical drug-resistant strains isolated from infected patients. Especially, 2-fluorobenzyl derivative 8f not only gave strong activity against drug-resistant E. coli with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.003 mM, 33-fold more active than norfloxacin, but also exhibited low toxicity toward RAW 264.7 cells and less propensity to trigger resistance. The aqueous solubility and ClogP values of target compounds were investigated to elucidate the structureactivity relationships. Molecular docking and quantum chemical studies for compound 8f rationally explained its antibacterial effect. The further exploration of antibacterial mechanism revealed that the highly active compound 8f could effectively permeabilize E. coli cell membrane and intercalate into DNA isolated from resistant E. coli to form 8f-DNA complex that might block DNA replication to exert the powerful bioactivities. Compound 8f could also selectively address resistant E. coli from a mixture of various strains.     

Conductive polymer nanocomposites containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> ultra-fine metal particles

A conductive polymeric composite containing in situ ultra-fine metal particles is prepared by melt blending. Incorporation of elastomeric nano-particles and carbon nanotubes hinders the coalescing of metal particles and causes a shift to the breakup direction in the breakup/coalescence equilibrium of metal particles. The prime metal particles (about 26 μm) are in situ converted into the ultra-fine metal particles (UFMP, about 932 nm). The network of carbon nanotubes has been improved due to in situ ultra-fine metal particles and the percolation threshold of the composite with 1.96 vol% UFMP is only 0.25 vol% carbon nanotubes.     

Structure Studies of the Extracellular Polysaccharide from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> sp. KK19L1 and Its Antitumor Effect via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

An extracellular polysaccharide TP1A was purified from the fermented broth of Trichoderma sp. KK19L1 by combination of Q Sepharose fast flow and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. TP1A was composed of Man, Gal, and Glc in a molar ratio of about 3.0:5.1:8.1. The molar mass of TP1A was about 40.0 kDa. Methylation and NMR analysis indicated that the probable structure of TP1A was [→4,6)-α-D-Glcp(1→6)-β-D-Galf(1→6)-β-D-Galf(1→2,6)-β-D-Galf(1→2,6)-β-D-Galf(1→2,6)-β-D-Galf(1→2,6)-α-D-Manp(1→2,6)-α-D-Manp(1→] with [α-D-Glcp(1→] and [α-D-Manp(1→6)-α-D-Glcp(1→6)-α-D-Glcp(1→] as branches. The antitumor study showed that TP1A was able to inhibit the cell viability of HeLa and MCF-7 cells. TP1A could arrest HeLa cells in G2/M phase and induce HeLa cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that fungal polysaccharides could be a potential source for antitumor agents.