Chemistry,commentary and community: Discussion of “The NaDyBr<Subscript>4</Subscript> complex: its molecular structure and thermodynamic properties” by Varga and Hargittai

The molecular geometries, relative stabilities, binding energies, and dissociation energies of NaDyBr₄ and its molecular ion are discussed. Both the bidentate and tridentate isomers are stable for the neutral species, while only the bidentate form is stable for NaDyBr₄ ⁺.

A comparative study of hydrothermal and sol–gel methods in the synthesis of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructures

In this work, MnO₂ nanostructure powders with different crystalline phases have been successfully prepared by hydrothermal and sol–gel methods. The obtained products were characterized by XRD and SEM techniques and their crystallographic phases and morphological properties compared. Results showed that α-MnO₂, β-MnO₂, and δ-MnO₂ nanorods were synthesized by hydrothermal method and γ-MnO₂ polymorph was obtained by sol–gel method.

Core-shell structured electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

Recent progress in studies of several types of core-shell structured electrode materials, including TiO₂/C, Si/C, Si/SiO _x , LiCoO₂/C, and LiFePO₄/C nanocomposites, including details of their preparation and their electrochemical performance is briefly reviewed. Results clearly show that the coating shell can effectively prevent the aggregation of the nanosized cores, which are the electrochemically active materials. In addition, the diffusion coefficients of lithium ions can be increased, and the reversibility of lithium intercalation and deintercalation is improved. As a result, the cycling behavior is greatly improved. The reviewed results suggest that core-shell nanocomposites are a good starting point for further development of new promising electrode materials.

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Synthesis and dopamine receptor binding affinity of 4H-thiochromenoapomorphines

Abstract  The synthesis of 4H-thiochromene derivatives of apomorphines, a novel class of isoquinoline alkaloid-related compounds, has been achieved by different O-dealkylation methods applied on previously published heteroring-fused aporphinoids. Detailed DFT study has been presented regarding the mechanism of the L-selectride-mediated multiple O-dealkylation of a seven-ring aporphine analogue. Dopamine-binding tests confirmed the essential function of 11-hydroxy moiety of the aporphine skeleton and revealed a remarkable D₁ over D₂ specificity for the derivative having the 4H-thiochromene ring system attached to positions 2 and 3 of the aporphine backbone. Graphical Abstract  

In defence of the correlation coefficient

The relationship between calibrated range, residual standard deviation and correlation coefficient r is discussed. It is shown that in typical chemical calibration applications with appropriately distributed calibration points (particularly, with range comparable to mean and with approximately even or with ‘successive dilution’ spacing), the linear correlation coefficient has valid application as a routine criterion for acceptable fit if used with due care.

Model-based measurement uncertainty evaluation,with applications in testing

Basic concepts and implementations of the model-based approach to uncertainty evaluation are discussed. One implementation is that of the law of propagation of uncertainty with the use of the central limit theorem as recommended in the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). Another is the propagation of distributions, the subject of a supplemental guide to the GUM, which is at an advanced stage of development. It falls in the category of other analytical and numerical methods indicated in the GUM. Two testing applications are used to illustrate the principles: tennis-ball rebound and tensile strength.

Vapor phase tin diiodide: its structure and thermodynamics,a computational study

The molecular structure and vibrational characteristics of monomeric and dimeric tin diiodide, SnI₂ and Sn₂I₄, were determined by high-level computational methods. For the dimer molecule two low-energy geometries were found, one with C _s and the other with C _2v symmetry, the former with somewhat lower energy; their relative energy is strongly dependent on the computational method. Thermodynamic functions for both species and their dimerization reaction were calculated based on the computed structures.

Do we need to rethink collaborative trials?

The currently recommended design of collaborative trials (interlaboratory method performance studies) is examined in relation to the usefulness of the resulting statistics. It is suggested that larger experiments, without duplicate analysis, would be more informative.

A note on Michael Weisberg’s: challenges to the structural conception of chemical bonding

Michael Weisberg’s recent 2007 paper on the chemical bond makes the claim that the chemical notion of the covalent bond is in trouble. This note casts doubts on that claim.

Electrochemistry and catalytic behavior of immobilized binuclear complexes of copper(II) and nickel(II) with Robson type ligand

Various systems containing immobilized binuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with Robson type ligand ([M₂L]Cl₂) are studied and compared in relation to catalysis of hydrogen peroxide reduction. Molecular complexes adsorbed on mercury and gold, crystalline complexes immobilized in the carbon paste electrode, and complex species entrapped into polyphenol-modified gold electrodes are considered. Electrocatalysis is assumed to result from the formation of H₂O₂–[M₂L]Cl₂ adduct, not from mediating redox transformations. Possible geometry of the formed reaction layers supporting adduct formation is discussed.

Modeling of solvent viscosity effects on the electroreduction of Pt(II) aquachlorocomplexes

Solvent dynamics effects on the electroreduction of [PtCl₃(H₂O)]⁻ at a mercury electrode are explored in the framework of Sumi–Marcus model using an efficient computational scheme. According to results of density functional calculations, the second electron transfer step may be regarded as rate controlling. The nonmonotonous influence of solvent viscosity on the reaction rate is predicted and explained in terms of the saddle point avoidance. The results of model calculations are employed to interpret experimental data reported earlier in the literature.

Self-assembling process of zirconium oxide suspension induced by vaporization of volatile solvents

We investigated the self-assembling processes of solutions of poly(vinyl methyl ether) in mixed solvents of 2-butanone and water with and without zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) particles with average size of 75 nm during vaporization of the solvents by means of optical microscopy. The self-assembling processes can be classified into three regimes: (1) early stage (nucleation and growth regime), (2) intermediate stage (regularly arranged regime), and (3) late stage (aggregation and coalescence regime). In the intermediate stage, the water droplets, including the ZrO₂ particles, were regularly arranged with an almost constant spacing. The mechanism of the self-assembling processes is discussed on the basis of experimental results.

A novel Ce<Superscript>III</Superscript>-cyclam type complex and its redox chemistry in aqueous solutions

A new Ce^III complex was synthesized by mixing the ligand “dioxocyclam” with Ce^III ions at pH 8.0 and its redox properties were investigated.

Chemistry, commentary, and community: discussion of “an examination of the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, and 1,3,5-triazine” by Lipkind and Chickos

Vaporization enthalpies for the isomeric diazines were discussed within the context of recent measurements and estimation techniques. It is suggested that pyridazine shows enigmatic behavior.

Imploded bilirubins: synthesis and properties of 10-nor-mesobilirubin-XIIIα and analogs

Abstract  Six 10-nor-bilirubin analogs have been synthesized and investigated. Lacking the C(10) CH₂ group, these linear tetrapyrroles have a bipyrrole core rather than a dipyrrylmethane core and thus a different shape. Whereas the propionic acid groups of bilirubin are well engaged in intramolecular hydrogen bonding to the dipyrrinones, molecular modeling studies of the 10-nor-rubins predict that propionic acid chains are too short to engage the CO₂H hydrogen fully in intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the dipyrrinones. Butyric acid chains, however, can and do lead to a stabilized conformation with a bipyrrole dihedral angle of approximately 115°. Spectroscopic studies verify the predictions and vapor pressure osmometry indicates that the 10-nor-rubins with butyric acids are monomeric in CHCl₃. Graphical abstract  

Carbon–Carbon Bond Forming and Cleavage in the Reactions of Isopropenyl-acetylene and 2-Methyl-hex-1-en-3-yne with Fe3(CO)12 in Basic Methanolic Solution. The X-ray Structure of Fe2(CO)5[μ-η7-{RCC(H)C(CH3)CR}] (R=CH3(=CH2))

The title complex is the main product of the reaction of Fe₃(CO)₁₂ with isopropenylacetylene in basic methanolic solution (followed by acidification); it is obtained upon carbon–carbon bond forming and dimerization of the alkyne. The same complex is also obtained by reacting Fe₃(CO)₁₂ in CH₃OH/KOH solution with 2-methyl-hex-1-en-3-yne; carbon–carbon bond cleavage presumably occurs to form isopropenylacetylene, which then reacts with the iron carbonyl. The unprecedented structure of the complex has been determined with a X-ray diffraction analysis.

Food anaphylaxis

    Figure Avoidance is the primary measure in food allergy confirmed

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Encapsulating of single quantum dots into polymer particles

Single semiconductor quantum dots were embedded into polymer particles with diameters below 0.1 μm by an emulsion polymerization procedure or via a secondary dispersion approach. The photoluminescence properties of the nanocrystals are retained upon encapsulation, as demonstrated by fluorescence confocal microscopy.

Dimerization in Acetonitrile of [H6PMo9O34]3− into [P2Mo18O62]6−: Structural Characterization of the Tetrabutyl Ammonium Salt

The trivacant heteropolyanion A-α[PMo₉O₃₁(OH₂)₃]³⁻ spontaneously dimerizes in acetonitrile to form the Dawson complex [P₂Mo₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻. A rapid new quantitative preparation of the sodium salt of this Dawson complex is described. In addition, the structure of TBA₅[HP₂Mo₁₈O₆₂] is given and the featuring data compared with the isomorphous sodium salt (space group C2/c).