Molecular precursors for ferroelectric materials: synthesis and characterization of Bi2M2(mu-O)(sal)4(Hsal)4(OEt)2 and BiM4(mu-O)4(sal)4(Hsal)3(O(i)Pr)4 (sal = O2CC6H4O,Hsal = O2CC6H4OH) (M = Nb,Ta)

Reactions between triphenyl bismuth, salicylic acid, and niobium or tantalum ethoxide have been explored. Four new coordination complexes incorporating bismuth and the group 5 metals niobium or tantalum have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically, by elemental analysis, and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The new complexes are Bi(2)M(2)(mu-O)(sal)(4)(Hsal)(4)(OEt)(2) (1a, M = Nb; 1b, M = Ta) and BiM(4)(mu-O)(4)(sal)(4)(Hsal)(3)(O(i)Pr)(4) (sal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-O, Hsal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-OH) (2a, M = Nb; 2b, M = Ta). Complexes 1a and 1b are isomorphous, as are 2a and 2b. The thermal and hydrolytic decomposition of 1a has been explored by DT/TGA and powder X-ray diffraction, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the morphology and composition of the oxides. The heterobimetallic molecules are completely converted to the amorphous bimetallic oxide by heating to 500 degrees C in air. Decomposition of 1a or 1b at 650 degrees C produces the metastable high temperature form of BiNbO(4) as the major crystalline oxide phase. Heating samples of 1a to 850 degrees C favors conversion of the materials to the low temperature phase as well as disproportionation into Bi(5)Nb(3)O(15) and Nb(2)O(5). Thermal decomposition of 1a and 1b produces porous oxides, while hydrolytic decomposition of the complexes has been shown to produce nanometer scale bimetallic oxide particles. The potential of the complexes to act as single-source precursors for ferroelectric materials is considered.     

Characterization of oxygen dynamics in ZrW2O8

The dynamics of oxygen motion in ZrW(2)O(8) have been characterized using (17)O solid-state NMR. Rates of dynamic exchange have been extracted from magnetization transfer experiments over a temperature range of 40 to 226 degrees C, and distinct values for the associated activation barrier have been observed on either side of the order/disorder phase transition at approximately 175 degrees C. A detailed model for the dynamical process is proposed, which reconciles the observation of continuing oxygen dynamics in the low-temperature phase with the static order implied by earlier X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis, crystal structure from single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data, and thermal behavior of mixed potassium lanthanide squarates: thermal transformations of layered [Ln(H2O)6]K(H2C4O4)(C4O4)2 into pillared LnK(C4O4)2 (Ln = Y, La, Gd, Er)

A new series of mixed potassium and rare-earth squarates, [Ln(H(2)O)(6)]K(H(2)C(4)O(4))(C(4)O(4))(2) (Ln = Y, La, Gd, Er), has been synthesized and structurally characterized from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic analyses. The yttrium-based compound crystallizes with a monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/c [a = 8.3341(2) A, b = 37.7094(9) A, c = 11.7195(3) A, beta = 90.3959(9) degrees , V = 3683.1(2) A(3), Z = 8]. The structure is built from layers maintained together via hydrogen bonds. Within a layer, squarate ligands act as linkers between lanthanide and potassium cations. The thermal decomposition of the precursors has been studied by powder thermodiffractometry and thermal analyses. It is shown that crystalline intermediate phases are formed during the degradation. Among them, unprecedented mixed anhydrous squarates, LnK(C(4)O(4))(2), could be isolated. The crystal structure of the Y compound has been solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data, using direct-space methods [a = 6.2010(5) A, c = 11.639(1) A, V = 447.55 A(3), Z = 2]. The structure consists of layers of edge-sharing YO(8) and KO(8) antiprisms, pillared by mu(8)-squarate groups. The end of the precursor decomposition is marked by the formation of cubic sesquioxides Ln(2)O(3), including lanthanum oxide.     

Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O: a layered cadmium phosphonate with reversible dehydration/hydration properties

In a recent systematic study on the influence of the reaction temperature on the structure formation in the system CdCl2/H(HO3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH (H5L) /NaOH, [Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O was obtained as a microcrystalline compound. We have now been able to elucidate the structure from single-crystal data: triclinic, P; a=5.4503(9), b=12.880(2), and c=16.417(3) A; alpha=67.841(6) degrees, beta=80.633(6) degrees, gamma=87.688(8) degrees, V=1052.9(3) A3; Z=1; R1=0.1143, R2=0.2108 (all data); 0.0705, 0.1823 ((I>2sigmaI)). The structure of [Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O is built up of cadmium phosphonate layers connected by water-mediated hydrogen bonds between aryl-carboxylic acid groups and water molecules coordinated to Cd2+ ions of adjacent layers (C-OH...H2O...H2O-Cd2+). The title compound was characterized by IR spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray, elemental, and thermogravimetric analyses. Furthermore, temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction data are presented. [Cd3(H2O)3((O3PCH2)2NH-CH2C6H4-COOH)2].11H2O can be reversibly dehydrated, and mechanical stress and grinding in the presence of water leads to the intercalation of additional water molecules.     

Na2[(VO)2(HPO4)2C2O4].2H2O: crystal structure determination from combined powder diffraction and solid-state NMR

The vanadyl oxalatophosphate Na2[(VO)2(HPO4)2C2O4].2H2O has been synthesized by hydrothermal treatment. Its structure has been determined and refined by combining X-ray powder diffraction and solid-state NMR techniques. It crystallizes with monoclinic symmetry in space group P2(1), a = 6.3534(1) A, b = 17.1614(3) A, c = 6.5632(1) A, beta = 106.597(1) degrees . The structure is related to that of (NH4)2[(VO)2(HPO4)2C2O4].5H2O, which was previously reported. The vanadium phosphate framework consists of infinite [(VO)(HPO4)] chains of corner-sharing vanadium octahedra and hydrogenophosphate tetrahedra. The oxalate groups ensure the connection between the chains to form a 2D structure. The sodium ions and the water molecules are located between the anionic [(VO)2(HPO4)2C2O4]2- layers. The thermal decomposition has been studied in situ by temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry. It takes place in three stages, where the first two correspond to water removal and the last to the decomposition of the oxalate group and water elimination, leading to the final product NaVOPO4.     

Synthesis and characterization of the open-framework barium bisphosphonate [Ba3(O3PCH2NH2CH2PO3)2(H2O)4].3H2O

Following the strategy of using polyfunctional phosphonic acids for the synthesis of open-framework metal phosphonates, the phosphonocarboxylic acid (H2O3PCH2)2NCH2C6H4COOH was used in the hydrothermal synthesis of new Ba phosphonates. Its decomposition led to the first open-framework barium phosphonate [Ba3(O3PCH2NH2CH2PO3)2(H2O)4].3H2O. The synthesis was also successfully performed using iminobis(methylphosphonic acid), (H2O3PCH2)2NH, as a starting material, and the synthesis was optimized to obtain as a pure material. The reaction setup as well as the pH are the dominant parameters, and only a diffusion-controlled reaction led to the desired compound. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal data: monoclinic; C2/c; a=2328.7(2), b=1359.95(7), and c=718.62(6) pm; beta=98.732(10) degrees ; V=2249.5(3)x10(6) pm3; Z=4; R1=0.036; and wR2=0.072 (all data). The structure of [Ba3(O3PCH2NH2CH2PO3)2(H2O)4].3H2O is built up from BaO8 and BaO10 polyhedra forming BaO chains and layers, respectively. These are connected to a three-dimensional metal-oxygen-metal framework with the iminobis(methylphosphonic acid) formally coating the inner walls of the pores. The one-dimensional pores (3.6x4 A) are filled with H2O molecules that can be thermally removed. Thermogravimetric investigations and temperature-dependent X-ray powder diffraction demonstrate the stability of the crystal structure up to 240 degrees C. The uptake of N,N-dimethylformamide and H2O by dehydrated samples is demonstrated. Furthermore, IR, Raman, and 31P magic-angle-spinning NMR data are also presented.     

O triclusters revisited: classical MD and quantum cluster results for glasses of composition (Al(2)O(3))2(SiO(2))

The (17)O NMR spectrum of CaAl(2)Si(2)O(8) glass shows two types of O sites that are not present in the crystalline material. One of these, with (17)O NMR parameters C(Q) = 2.3 MHz and delta = +20 ppm, has been assigned to a "tricluster" O, a local geometry in which the O is coordinated to three tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, either Al or Si. For crystalline CaAl(4)O(7), a tricluster site (with three Al linkages to O, i.e., OAl(3)) has been characterized experimentally, with a C(Q) of 2.5 MHz and a delta of about +40 ppm. Thus, a C(Q) value of 2.5 MHz or less seems to be a characteristic of such sites, although they may show a range of delta values. However, several different quantum chemical cluster calculations employing energy-optimized geometries for various tricluster species have given C(Q) values considerably larger than that seen experimentally in the CaAl(2)Si(2)O(8) glass (with minimum C(Q) values of 3.0 MHz even for all Al species). We have recently shown that for edge-sharing geometries, in which the tricluster O atoms participate in "two-membered rings" of composition Al(2)O(2), the calculated C(Q) values are considerably lower, in the range identified in the glass. However, such two-membered ring geometries had been observed only in crystalline inorganic alumoxanes. Ab initio MD calculations on related compositions, such as the calcium aluminosilicate, CAS, (CaO)(0.21)(Al(2)O(3))(0.12)(SiO(2))(0.67), show a small percentage of O triclusters, but none in two-membered rings of the Al(2)O(2) type, and the calculated C(Q) values for the triclusters that do exist are higher than seen in the original experiments on CaAl(2)Si(2)O(8) glass and not significantly different from those for two-coordinate O in Si-O-Al sites. However, a classical MD simulation of the structure of glassy aluminum silicate AS2, (Al(2)O(3))2(SiO(2)), gave a predominance of O triclusters within two-membered rings, with structures much like those seen in the alumoxanes. We have now calculated (17)O nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and NMR shielding values for clusters extracted from these simulations, using standard quantum chemical methods. The calculated C(Q) values for these O triclusters are now in the range observed experimentally in the CaAl(2)Si(2)O(8) glass (around 2.3-2.6 MHz) when the tricluster O is surrounded by three Al, two of which are part of an Al(2)O(2) ring. This supports the experimentalists' contention that such tricluster O species do exist and have been seen by (17)O NMR.     

Low-energy electron-stimulated luminescence of thin H2O and D2O layers on Pt(111)

The electron-stimulated luminescence (ESL) from amorphous solid water and crystalline ice films deposited on Pt(111) at 100 K is investigated as a function of the film thickness, incident electron energy (5-1000 eV), isotopic composition, and film structure. The ESL emission spectrum has a characteristic double-peaked shape that has been attributed to a transition between a superexcited state (C) and the dissociative, first excited state (A) in water: C --> A. Comparing the electron-stimulated luminescence and O2 electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) yields versus incident electron energy, we find the ESL threshold is approximately 3 eV higher than the O2 ESD threshold, which is close to the center of the emission spectrum near 400 nm and supports the C --> A assignment for the ESL. For thin films, radiative and nonradiative interactions with the substrate tend to quench the luminescence. The luminescence yield increases with coverage since the interactions with the substrate become less important. The ESL yield from D2O is approximately 4-5 times higher than that from H2O. With use of layered films of H2O and D2O, this sizable isotopic effect on the ESL is exploited to spatially profile the luminescence emission within the ASW films. These experiments show that most of the luminescence is emitted from within the penetration depth of the incident electron. However, the results depend on the order of the isotopes in the film and can be modeled by assuming some migration of the electronically excited states within the film. The ESL is very sensitive to defects and structural changes in solid water, and the emission yield is significantly higher from amorphous films than from crystalline ice.     

Catalytic efficiency of iron(III) oxides in decomposition of hydrogen peroxide: competition between the surface area and crystallinity of nanoparticles

Various iron(III) oxide catalysts were prepared by controlled decomposition of a narrow layer (ca. 1 mm) of iron(II) oxalate dihydrate, FeC(2)O(4).2H(2)O, in air at the minimum conversion temperature of 175 degrees C. This thermally induced solid-state process allows for simple synthesis of amorphous Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles and their controlled one-step crystallization to hematite (alpha-Fe(2)O(3)). Thus, nanopowders differing in surface area and particle crystallinity can be produced depending on the reaction time. The phase composition of iron(III) oxides was monitored by XRD and (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy including in-field measurements, providing information on the relative contents of amorphous and crystalline phases. The gradual changes in particle size and surface area accompanying crystallization were evaluated by HRTEM and BET analysis, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the synthesized nanoparticles was tested by tracking the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The obtained kinetic data gave an unconventional nonmonotone dependence of the rate constant on the surface area of the samples. The amorphous nanopowder with the largest surface area of 401 m(2) g(-1) revealed the lowest catalytic efficiency, while the highest efficiency was achieved with the sample having a significantly lower surface area, 337 m(2) g(-1), exhibiting a prevailing content of crystalline alpha-Fe(2)O(3) phase. The obtained rate constant, 26.4 x 10(-3) min(-1) (g/L)(-1), is currently the highest value published. The observed rare catalytic phenomenon, where the particle crystallinity prevails over the surface area effects, is discussed with respect to other processes of heterogeneous catalysis.     

稀土高氯酸盐-甘氨酸配合物[Sm2(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O单晶 体的低温热 容及标准生成焓

合成了稀土高氯酸盐-甘氨酸配合物晶体。经热重、差热、化学化析及有关文献对比,确定其组成是[Sm2(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O,单晶结构,纯度是99.0%.熔点分析仪分析知其没有固定熔点,在79～370K温区,用高精密全自动绝热量仪对单晶配合物进行了热容测定,发现该配合物在低温段没有反常热容。348.07K附近是该配合物的分解温区,配合物的分解温度、分解熵和分解焓分别是346.89K,44.669kJ/mol和128.77J/K·mol。计算机拟合了热容对温度的多项式方程,在79～318K温区,Cp=1294.56+624.17K-11.893X^2+75.075X^3+23.762X^4.在常压,298.15K下用具有恒温环境的反应热量计测定了配合物的标准生成焓值为-8022.405kJ/mol。     

Synthesis of aluminium borate-boron oxide and binary titanium-boron and zirconium-boron oxides from metal alkoxides and (MeO)3B3O3 in non-aqueous solvents

The reaction of metal alkoxides M(OR)4 (M = Ti, Zr; R = organyl) with (MeO)3B3O3 (1 : 0.67) in dry propan-2-one at room temperature led to gels which when dried and calcined in air for 24 h at 500-1000 degrees C afforded bi-phased mixed-oxide materials formulated as 4TiO2 x 3B2O3 and ZrO2 x B2O3 in high ceramic yields and purity; the B2O3 phases of these materials were amorphous. The materials remained amorphous upon calcination at lower temperatures. The TiO2 phase of the 4TiO2 x 3B2O3 was crystalline when calcined at higher temperatures with either anatase (600 degrees C) or rutile (>800 degrees C) being obtained. The ZrO2 phase of the ZrO2 x B2O3 was crystalline when calcined at higher temperatures and was obtained as a metastable tetragonal phase (<700 degrees C) or baddeleylite (>800 degrees C). In a similar reaction, Al(O(i)Pr)3 (2 : 1) gave a bi-phased aluminium borate-boron oxide (Al18B4O(33).7B2O3) after calcination at >700 degrees C. The dried gels and oxide materials were all characterized by elemental analysis, TGA-DSC, and powder XRD.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and properties of a 3D infinitely extended structural rare earth coordination compound of K3{[Sm(H2O)7]2Na[α-SiW11O39Sm(H2O)4]2}·14 H2O

A 3D infinitely extended structural rare earth coordination compound with a formula of K3{[Sm(H2O)7]2Na[α-SiW11O39Sm(H2O)4]2}·14H2O has been synthesized by reaction of Sm2O3, HClO4, NaOH with α-K8SiW11O39·nH2O, and characterized by IR,UV spectra, ICP, TG-DTA, cyclic voltammetry, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and X-ray single-crystal diffraction.X-ray single-crystal diffraction indicates that the title compound crystallizes in a triclinic lattice, Pī space group, with a=1.2462(3) nm, b=1.2652(3) nm,c=1.8420(4) nm,α=87.45(3)°,β=79.91(3)°,γ=82.57(3)°,Z=1, R1=0.0778,wR2=0.1610.Structural analysis reveals that Sm3+(1) coordination cation has incorporated into the vacant site of [α-SiW11O39]8- entity,forming the [α-SiW11O39Sm(H2O)4]5- subunit.The two adjacent [α-SiW11O39Sm(H2O)4]5- subunits are combined with each other through two Sm(1)-O-W bridges accompanying the formation of dimmer structural unit [α-SiW11O39Sm(H2O)4]210- of the title compound.The neighboring dimmer structural units [α-SiW11O39Sm(H2O)4]210- are linked to form the 1D chainlike structure by means of two Sm3+(2) and a Na+(1) coordination cations.The K+(1) cations connect the 1D packing chains constructing the 2D netlike structure, and adjacent netlike layers are also grafted by K+(2) cations to build the novel 3D infinitely extended structure.The result of TG-DTA curves manifests that the decomposition temperature of the title polyanionic framework is 554℃.The cyclic voltammetry measurements show that the title polyanion has the two-step redox processes in aqueous solution with pH=3.1.Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility indicates the title compound obeys the Cruie-Weiss Law in the higher temperature range from 110 to 300 K, while in the lower temperature range from 2 to 110 K the comparatively strong antiferromagnetism interactions can be observed.     

Di-tert-butyl phosphate as synthon for metal phosphate materials via single-source coordination polymers [M(dtbp)(2)](n) (M = Mn,Cu) and [Cd(dtbp)(2)(H2O)](n) (dtbp-H = (tBuO)(2)P(O)OH)

Reaction of M(OAc)(2).xH(2)O (M = Mn, Cu, or Cd) with di-tert-butyl phosphate (dtbp-H) in a 1:2 molar ratio in methanol followed by slow crystallization of the resultant solid in MeOH/THF medium results in the formation of three new polymeric metal phosphates [M(dtbp)(2)](n)() [M = Mn, 1 (beige); M = Cu, 2 (blue)] and [Cd(dtbp)(2)(H(2)O)](n)(), 3 (colorless)] in good yields. The formation of [Mn(dtbp)(2)](n) (1) proceeds via tetrameric manganese phosphate [Mn(4)(O)(dtbp)(6)] (4), which has been isolated in an analytically pure form. Perfectly air- and moisture-stable compounds 1-4 were characterized with the aid of analytical, thermoanalytical, and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of 1-3 were further established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Crystal data for 1: C(32)H(72)Mn(2)O(16)P(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 19.957(4) A, b = 13.419(1) A, c = 18.083(2) A, beta = 91.25(2) degrees, Z = 4. Crystal data for 2: C(16)H(36)CuO(8)P(2), orthorhombic, Pccn, a = 23.777(2) A, b = 10.074(1) A, c = 10.090(1) A, Z = 4. Crystal data for 3: C(48)H(114)Cd(3)O(27)P(6), triclinic, P1, a = 12.689(3) A, b = 14.364(3) A, c = 22.491(5) A, alpha = 84.54(3) degrees, beta = 79.43(3) degrees, gamma = 70.03(3) degrees, Z = 2. The diffraction studies reveal three different structural forms for the three compounds investigated, each possessing a one-dimensional coordination polymeric structure. While alternating triple and single dtbp bridges are found between the adjacent Mn(2+) ions in 1, uniform double dtbp bridges across the adjacent Cu(2+) ions are present in 2. The cadmium ions in the structure of 3 are pentacoordinated. Thermal analysis (TGA and DSC) indicates that compounds 1-3 convert to the corresponding crystalline metaphosphate materials M(PO(3))(2), in each case at temperatures below 500 degrees C. Similarly, the thermal decomposition of 4 results in the formation of Mn(PO(3))(3) and Mn(2)P(2)O(7). The final materials obtained by independent thermal decomposition of bulk samples have been characterized using IR spectroscopic, powder diffraction, and N(2) adsorption studies.     

稀土钬及铒钇丙氨酸配合物的量热与热分析研究

合成了两种固态稀土丙氨酸配合物[Ho2(Ala)4(H2O)8]Cl6和[ErY(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6 (Ala为丙氨酸),用量热和热分析方法研究了这两种配合物的热力学性质.用全自动高精密绝热量热计测定了在78～377 K温区内的低温热容.对于[Ho2(Ala)4(H2O)8]Cl6,在214～255 K温区内发现一固-固相变,其相变温度为235.09 K.对于[ErY(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6,在99～121 K温区内也发现一固-固相变,其相变温度为115.78 K. [Ho2(Ala)4(H2O)8]Cl6固-固相变焓为3.02 kJ• mol－1,相变熵为12.83 J•K－1•mol－1； [ErY(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6 固-固相变焓为1.96 kJ•mol－1,相变熵为16.90 J•K－1•mol－1.同时,用TG技术在40～800 ℃温区研究了两配合物的热稳定性.由TG/DTG曲线分析可知, [Ho2(Ala)4(H2O)8]Cl6从80 ℃到479 ℃热分解分两步完成, [ErY(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6从120 ℃到430 ℃热分解分三步完成.     

Novel gallium phosphate framework encapsulating trinuclear Mn3(H2O)6O8 cluster: hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of Mn3(H2O)6Ga4(PO4)6

A new manganese gallium phosphate, Mn3(H2O)6Ga4(PO4)6, has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 150 degrees C and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic susceptibility, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. It crystallized in the monoclinic space group, P2(1)/n, with a = 8.9468(4) A, b = 10.148(5) A, c = 13.5540(7) A, beta = 108.249(1) degrees, and Z = 2. The compound is unusual in that it is not only the first nonoranically templated MnGaPO phase but also the first instance where edge-shared trinuclear manganese-oxygen clusters are encapsulated in a metal phosphate lattice. The trimer involves a central Mn(H2O)4O2 octahedron, which links to two Mn (H2O)2O4 octahedra at trans edges. The Mn3(H2O)6O8 clusters reside in tunnels built from GaO5 trigonal bipyramids and PO4 tetrahedra. Our magnetic study revealed that superexchange interactions occurred between the neighboring MnII centers. A good fit of the magnetic susceptibility data for the isolated trimers was obtained by using a derived expression based on Van Vleck's equation. Unlike all existing linear trinuclear MnII complexes, the chi MT product in the range 8-4 K remains at a constant value corresponding to one spin S = 5/2 per three MnII centers. The Curie behavior at such low temperatures has been confirmed by EPR data. According to the thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) results, the title compound is thermally stable up to ca. 200 degrees C.     

Polynuclear vanadium complexes from thermal decomposition of [V3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3]Cl

Solid-state decomposition of [V3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3]Cl at 300 degrees C followed by alcoholysis of the product gives the new vanadium complexes [V6O6(PhCO2)6(CH3O)6(CH3OH)3] (1), [V6O6(PhCO2)6(C2H5O)6(C2H5OH)3] (2), [V6O6(PhCO2)6(C3H7O)6(C3H7OH)3] (3), [V6O6(PhCO2)6(C4H9O)6(C4H9OH)3] (4) and [V4O4(OCH3)6(O2CPh)2(HOCH3)2] (5). Complexes 2, 3 and 5 have been crystallographically characterised. DC magnetic susceptibility studies on complex shows antiferromagnetic coupling leading to a S = 0 spin ground state.     

Vanadium(V) tartrato complexes: speciation in the H3O+(OH-)/H2VO4-/(2R,3R)-tartrate system and X-ray crystal structures of Na4[V4O8(rac-tart)2].12H2O and (NEt4)4[V4O8((R,R)-tart)2].6H2O (tart = C4H2O6(4-))

A study of the aqueous H3O+(OH-)/H2VO4-/(2R,3R)-tartrate system has been performed at 273 K in a 1.0 mol/L Na+(Cl-) ionic medium using 51V NMR spectroscopy. In this relatively complicated system, more than 12 different species were observed. Ligand concentration, vanadate concentration, and pH variation studies were carried out, particularly for the range of pH 5.8-8.0 and for pH 2.4. Chemical shifts, vanadium-ligand stoichiometry, and also composition and formation constants for some, but not all, species are given. Despite some reduction of vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV) in an acidic medium at pH approximately 2.4, the stoichiometries of the principal species in solution at this pH were determined. Electrospray ionization mass spectra for some solutions were obtained and were in accordance with the conclusions drawn from the speciation studies. A series of crystalline vanadium(V) tartrato complexes M4[V4O8(tart)2].aq were also prepared and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies of Na4[V4O8(rac-tart)2].12H2O (1) and (NEt4)4[V4O8((R,R)-tart)2].6H2O (2) revealed unique tetranuclear [V4O8(tart)2]4- ions for which the {V4O4} rings have boat conformations.     

Polar symmetry and intercalation of new multilayered hybrid molybdates: [M2(pzc)2(H2O)x][Mo5O16] (M = Co, Ni)

The layered molybdate [M2(pzc)2(H2O)x][Mo5O16] (I: M = Ni, x = 5.0; II: M = Co, x = 4.0; pzc = pyrazinecarboxylate) hybrid solids were synthesized via hydrothermal reactions at 160-165 degrees C. The structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for I (Cc, Z = 4; a = 33.217(4) A, b = 5.6416(8) A, c = 13.982(2) A, beta = 99.407(8) degrees , and V = 2585.0(6) A3) and powder X-ray diffraction data for II (C2/c, Z = 4; a = 35.42(6) A, b = 5.697(9) A, c = 14.28(2) A, beta = 114.95(4) degrees , and V = 2614(12) A3). The polar structure of I contains new [Ni2(pzc)2(H2O)5]2+ double layers that form an asymmetric pattern of hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds to stair-stepped [Mo5O16]2- sheets, inducing a net dipole moment in the latter. In II, however, the [Co2(pzc)2(H2O)4]2+ double layers have one less coordinated water and subsequently exhibit a symmetric pattern of covalent and hydrogen bonding to the [Mo5O16]2- sheets, leading to a centrosymmetric structure. Thermogravimetric analyses and powder X-ray diffraction data reveal that I can be dehydrated and rehydrated with from 0 to 6.5 water molecules per formula unit, which is coupled with a corresponding contraction/expansion of the interlayer distances. Also, the dehydrated form of I can be intercalated by approximately 4.3 H2S molecules per formula unit, but the intercalation by pyridine or methanol is limited to less than one molecule per formula unit.     

A hydrothermal investigation of the 1/2V2O5-H2C2O4/H3PO4/NH4OH system: synthesis and structures of (NH4)VOPO(4).1.5H2O, (NH4)0.5VOPO(4).1.5H2O, (NH4)2[VO(H2O)3]2[VO(H2O)][VO(PO4)2](2).3H2O, and (NH4)2[VO(HPO4)]2(C2O4).5H2O

The 1/2V2O5-H2C2O4/H3PO4/NH4OH system was investigated using hydrothermal techniques. Four new phases, (NH4)VOPO(4).1.5H2O (1), (NH4)0.5VOPO(4).1.5H2O (2), (NH4)2[VO(H2O)3]2[VO(H2O)][VO(PO4)2]2.3H2O (3), and (NH4)2[VO(HPO4)]2(C2O4).H2O (4), have been prepared and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 have layered structures closely related to VOPO(4).2H2O and A0.5VOPO4.yH2O (A = mono- or divalent metals), whereas 3 has a 3D open-framework structure. Compound 4 has a layered structure and contains both oxalate and phosphate anions coordinated to vanadium cations. Crystal data: (NH4)VOPO(4).1.5H2O, tetragonal (I), space group I4/mmm (No. 139), a = 6.3160(5) A, c = 13.540(2) A, Z = 4; (NH4)0.5VOPO(4).1.5H2O, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/m (No. 11), a = 6.9669(6) A, b = 17.663(2) A, c = 8.9304(8) A, beta = 105.347(1) degrees, Z = 8; (NH4)2[VO(H2O)3]2[VO(H2O)][VO(PO4)2]2.3H2O, triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2), a = 10.2523(9) A, b = 12.263(1) A, c = 12.362(1) A, alpha = 69.041(2) degrees, beta = 65.653(2) degrees, gamma = 87.789(2) degrees, Z = 2; (NH4)2[VO(HPO4)]2(C2O4).5H2O, monoclinic (C), space group C2/m (No. 12), a = 17.735(2) A, b = 6.4180(6) A, c = 22.839(2) A, beta = 102.017(2) degrees, Z = 6.     

Thermoluminescence study of persistent luminescence materials: Eu2+- and R3+-doped calcium aluminates, CaAl2O4:Eu2+,R3+

Thermoluminescence properties of the Eu2+-, R3+-doped calcium aluminate materials, CaAl2O4:Eu2+,R3+, were studied above room temperature. The trap depths were estimated with the aid of the preheating and initial rise methods. The seemingly simple glow curve of CaAl2O4:Eu2+ peaking at ca. 80 degrees C was found to correspond to several traps. The Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions, which enhance most the intensity of the high-temperature TL peaks, form the most suitable traps for intense and long-lasting persistent luminescence, too. The location of the 4f and 5d ground levels of the R3+ and R2+ ions were deduced in relation to the band structure of CaAl2O4. No clear correlation was found between the trap depths and the R3+ or R2+ level locations. The traps may thus involve more complex mechanisms than the simple charge transfer to (or from) the R3+ ions. A new persistent luminescence mechanism presented is based on the photoionization of the electrons from Eu2+ to the conduction band followed by the electron trapping to an oxygen vacancy, which is aggregated with a calcium vacancy and a R3+ ion. The migration of the electron from one trap to another and also to the aggregated R3+ ion forming R2+ (or R3+-e-) is then occurring. The reverse process of a release of the electron from traps to Eu2+ will produce the persistent luminescence. The ability of the R3+ ions to trap electrons is probably based on the different reduction potentials and size of the R3+ ions. Hole trapping to a calcium vacancy and/or the R3+ ion may also occur. The mechanism presented can also explain why Na+, Sm3+, and Yb3+ suppress the persistent luminescence.