Two Hexagonal Series of Lanthanoid(III) Oxide Fluoride Selenides: M6O2F8Se3 (M = La – Nd) and M2OF2Se (M = Nd,Sm, Gd – Ho)

Two hexagonal series of lanthanoid(III) oxide fluoride selenides with similar structure types can be obtained by the reaction of the components MF₃, M₂O₃, M, and Se in sealed niobium tubes at 850 °C using CsI as fluxing agent. The compounds with the lighter and larger representatives (M = La – Nd) occur with the formula M₆O₂F₈Se₃, whereas with the heavier and smaller ones (M = Nd, Sm, Gd – Ho) their composition is M₂OF₂Se. For both systems single‐crystal determinations were used in all cases. The compounds crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system (space group: P6₃/m) with lattice parameters of a = 1394–1331 pm and c = 403–372 pm (Z = 2 for M₆O₂F₈Se₃ and Z = 6 for M₂OF₂Se). The (M1)³⁺ cations show different square antiprismatic coordination spheres with or without an extra capping fluoride anion. All (M2)³⁺ cations exhibit a ninefold coordination environment shaped as tricapped trigonal prism. In both structure types the Se^2– anions are sixfold coordinated as trigonal prisms of M³⁺ cations, being first condensed by edges to generate trimeric units and then via faces to form strands running along [001]. The light anions reside either in threefold triangular or in fourfold tetrahedral cationic coordination. For charge compensation, both structures have to contain a certain amount of oxide besides fluoride anions. Since F^– and O^2– can not be distinguished by X‐ray diffraction, bond‐valence calculations were used to address the problem of their adjunction to the available crystallographic sites.     

Cyclic Tribismuthide as a Piano Stool Complex Ligand – Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (η3‐Bi3)M(CO)33– (M = Cr,Mo)

The reactions between K₅Bi₄, [(C₆H₆)Cr(CO)₃] or [(C₇H₈)Mo(CO)₃], and [2.2.2]crypt in liquid ammonia yielded the compounds [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₃(η³‐Bi₃)M(CO)₃ · 10NH₃ (M = Cr, Mo), which crystallize isostructurally in P2₁/n. Both contain an 18 valence electron piano‐stool complex with a η³‐coordinated Bi₃‐ring ligand. The Bi–Bi distances range from 2.9560(5) to 2.9867(3) Å and are slightly shorter than known Bi–Bi single bonds but longer than Bi–Bi double bonds. The newly found compounds complete the family of similar complexes with E₃‐ring ligands (E = P‐Bi).     

Über Oxotantalate der Lanthanide des Formeltyps MTaO4 (M = La – Nd,Sm – Lu)

About Lanthanide Oxotantalates with the Formula MTaO₄ (M = La – Nd, Sm – Lu) Besides being a by‐product of solid state syntheses in tantalum ampoules the lanthanide(III) oxotantalates of the formula MTaO₄ can be easily prepared by sintering lanthanide sesquioxide M₂O₃ and tantalum(V) oxide Ta₂O₅ with sodium chloride as flux. Under these conditions two structure types emerge depending upon the M³⁺ cationic radius. For M = La – Pr the MTaO₄‐type tantalates crystallize in the space group P2₁/c with lattice constants of a = 762(±1), b = 553(±4), c = 777(±4) pm, β = 101(±1)° and four formula units per unit cell. With M = Nd, Sm – Lu, the monoclinic cell dimensions (space group P2/c) shrink to the lattice constants like a = 516(±9), b = 551(±9), c = 534(±9) pm, β = 96.5(±0.3)° and there are only two formula units present. Both structures show a coordination sphere of eight oxygen atoms for the lanthanide trications shaped as distorted square antiprism for the structure with the larger lanthanides (in the following referred to as A‐type) and as trigonal dodecahedron for the structure with the smaller ones (called as B‐type in the following). The coordination environment about the Ta⁵⁺ cations can be described as a slightly distorted octahedron (CN = 6) for the A‐type structure of MTaO₄ and a heavily distorted one (CN = 6) for the B‐type. The difference between the two types results from the interconnection of these [TaO₆]^7? octahedra. Whereas they are connected via four vertices to form corrugated layers according to parallel the bc‐plane in the A‐type, the octahedra of the B‐type MTaO₄ structure share edges to built up zig‐zag chains along the c axis.     

Morphology of poly(butylene terephthalate)–poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate‐co‐sebacate) segmented copolyesters

Segmented copolyesters, namely, poly(butylene terephthalate)–poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate‐co‐sebacate) (PBT‐PETIS), were synthesized with the melting transesterification processing in vacuo condition involving bulk polyester produced on a large scale (PBT) and ternary amorphous random copolyester (PETIS). Investigations on the morphology of segmented copolyesters were undertaken. The two‐phase morphology model was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. One of the phases was composed of crystallizable PBT, and the other was a homogeneous mixture of PETIS and noncrystallizable PBT. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2257–2263, 2003     

Niels Bohr (1885–1962): On the Wing of a Butterfly,Johann J. Balmer (1825–1898)

By the year 1913, a number of revolutionary events had begun to transform the landscape of physics. In 1900, Max Planck (1858–1947) had proposed that energy radiated in quanta or packets. The announcement of the photoelectric effect in 1905 by an unassuming Swiss patent worker by the name of Albert Einstein (1879–1955) clearly implicated that light energy, or the photon, later coined by Gilbert N. Lewis (1875–1946) in 1926, was also quantized and showed unprecedented particle‐like properties. More startling was the discovery by Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937) who demonstrated that the atom consisted of a hard positive center surrounded by electrons. Niels Bohr (1885–1962), then a young postgraduate, was deeply involved in understanding the structure of the atom. He needed physical or experimental evidence to substantiate his intuitive ideas. Ironically, that evidence had already been published in the year of his birth by Johann J. Balmer (1825–1898), a Swiss mathematics teacher at a secondary school for girls.     

Crystal Chemistry of the M11+,2+–M22+,3+–(H)‐Arsenites: the First Cadmium(II) Arsenite,Na4Cd7(AsO3)6

The crystal structures among M1–M2–(H)‐arsenites (M1 = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺; M2 = Mg²⁺, Mn^2+,3+, Fe^2+,3+, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺) are less investigated. Up to now, only the structure of Pb₃Mn(AsO₃)₂(AsO₂OH) was described. The crystal structure of hydrothermally synthesized Na₄Cd₇(AsO₃)₆ was solved from the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Its trigonal crystal structure [space group R$\bar{3}$ , a = 9.5229(13), c = 19.258(4) Å, γ = 120°, V = 1512.5(5) ų, Z = 3] represents a new structure type. The As atoms are arranged in monomeric (AsO₃)^3– units. The surroundings of the two crystallographically unique sodium atoms show trigonal antiprismatic coordination, and two mixed Cd/Na sites are remarkably unequal showing tetrahedral and octahedral coordinations. Despite the 3D connection of the AsO₃ pyramids, (Cd,Na)O_x polyhedra and NaO₆ antiprisms, a layer‐like arrangement of the Na atoms positioned in the hexagonal channels formed by CdO₄ deformed tetrahedra and AsO₃ pyramids in z = 0, 1/3, 2/3 is to be mentioned. These pseudo layers are interconnected to the 3D network by (Cd,Na)O₆ octahedra. Raman spectra confirmed the presence of isolated AsO₃ pyramids.     

Die Oxidnitridselenide M3ONSe2 dreiwertiger Lanthanoide (M = Ce – Nd)

The Oxide Nitride Selenides M₃ONSe₂ of Trivalent Lanthanoids (M = Ce – Nd) Oxide nitride selenides of the trivalent lanthanoids (M = Ce – Nd) with the composition M₃ONSe₂ can be prepared by the oxidation of the respective lanthanoid metal with selenium and sodium azide (NaN₃) in presence of impurities containing oxygen when the corresponding lanthanoid trichloride (MCl₃) is used as sodium trap for the coformation of NaCl. The thermal treatment of these mixtures along with additional NaCl as flux at 900 °C in evacuated silica tubes secures the formation of fawn, transparent, lath‐shaped crystals. The monoclinic structure (C2/m, Z = 6) was determined from X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction data (Ce₃ONSe₂: a = 2480.51(14), b = 406.85(3), c = 952.83(6) pm, β = 95.506(4)°; Pr₃ONSe₂: a = 2462.72(14), b = 403.74(3), c = 947.26(6) pm, β = 95.731(4)°; Nd₃ONSe₂: a = 2440.35(14), b = 401.48(3), c = 944.02(6) pm, β = 95.763(4)°). Five crystallographically different M³⁺ cations reside in six‐ to eightfold coordination of the respective anions (three independent O^2?/N^3? and Se^2? each), for which a statistic distribution of the light elements (O^2? : N^3? = 1 : 1) has to be assumed. However, the main features of the crystal structure are (O^2?/N^3?)‐centred (M³⁺)₄ tetrahedra. For the first time ever within the same structure of this kind, condensation of these anion‐centred cation polyhedra forming strands and layers simultaneously could be detected. Cis‐edge connected [(O/N)M₄]^9.5+ tetrahedra build up the chain components running along [010], which are already known as dominating core in some crystal structures of pure nitride chalcogenides (e.g. Sm₄N₂S₃ and Tb₄N₂Se₃). A new motif of condensed tetrahedral units comprises the second feature. By fusing [(O/N)M₄]^9.5+ tetrahedra via vertices and edges, one‐dimensional strand sections from the cationic sheets of the Ce₂O₂S‐type structure, which are further connected only via common vertices to form a lower‐condensed steplike two‐dimensional layer , spreading parallel to the (100) plane, emerge for the very first time.     

Theoretical studies of organometallic compounds. II. All electron and pseudopotential calculations of M(CH3)nCl4 − n (M = C,Si, Ge,Sn, Pb; n = 0–4)

The performance of effective core potentials (ECP) for the main group elements of group IV has been studied by calculating the geometries and reaction energies of isodesmic reactions for the molecules M(CH₃)_nCl_{4 ? n} (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; n = 0–4) at the Hartree–Fock level of theory. The results are compared with data from all electron calculations and experimental results as far as available. The all electron calculations were performed with a 3-21G(d) and a 6-31G(d) basis set for Si, a (43321/4321/41) basis set for Ge, and a (433321/43321/431) basis set for Sn. For the ECP calculations the potentials developed by Hay and Wadt with a configuration (n)s^a(n)p^b and the valence basis set (21/21), extended by a set of d functions, are employed. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Triphenylsilanol–4,4′‐bipyridyl (4/1): the Z′ = 4 polymorph revisited

A fully ordered structure is reported for the polymorph of triphenylsilanol–4,4′‐bipyridyl (4/1), 4C₁₈H₁₆OSi·C₁₀H₈N₂, having Z′ = 4. The asymmetric unit contains four similar but distinct five‐molecule aggregates, in which the central bipyridyl unit is linked to two molecules of triphenylsilanol via O—H...N hydrogen bonds, with a further pair of triphenylsilanol molecules linked to the first pair via O—H...O hydrogen bonds. An extensive series of C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links these aggregates into complex sheets. This structure is compared with a previously reported structure [Bowes, Ferguson, Lough & Glidewell (2003). Acta Cryst. B 59 , 277–286], which was based on an erroneous disordered structural model arising from a false direct‐methods solution with reference to a strong pseudo‐inversion centre.     

More crystal field theory in action: the metal–4‐picoline (pic)–sulfate [M(pic)x]SO4 complexes (M = Fe,Co, Ni,Cu, Zn,and Cd)

Seven crystal structures of five first‐row (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and one second‐row (Cd) transition metal–4‐picoline (pic)–sulfate complexes of the form [M(pic)_x]SO₄ are reported. These complexes are catena‐poly[[tetrakis(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)metal(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [M(SO₄)(C₆H₇N)₄]_n, where the metal/M is iron, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium, di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ⁴O:O‐bis[tris(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)copper(II)], [Cu₂(SO₄)₂(C₆H₇N)₆], catena‐poly[[bis(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Zn(SO₄)(C₆H₇N)₂]_n, and catena‐poly[[tris(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Zn(SO₄)(C₆H₇N)₃]_n. The Fe, Co, Ni, and Cd compounds are isomorphous, displaying polymeric crystal structures with infinite chains of M^II ions adopting an octahedral N₄O₂ coordination environment that involves four picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. The Cu compound features a dimeric crystal structure, with the Cu^II ions possessing square‐pyramidal N₃O₂ coordination environments that contain three picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. Zinc crystallizes in two forms, one exhibiting a polymeric crystal structure with infinite chains of Zn^II ions adopting a tetrahedral N₂O₂ coordination containing two picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions, and the other exhibiting a polymeric crystal structure with infinite chains of Zn^II ions adopting a trigonal bipyramidal N₃O₂ coordination containing three picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. The structures are compared with the analogous pyridine complexes, and the observed coordination environments are examined in relation to crystal field theory.     

Amphiphilic conetworks. II. Novel two‐step synthesis of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]–polyisobutylene,poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)–polyisobutylene,and poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)–polyisobutylene hydrogels

Amphiphilic polymer conetworks consisting of hydrophilic poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), or poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) and hydrophobic polyisobutylene chains were synthesized with a novel two‐step procedure. In the first step, a methacrylate‐multifunctional polyisobutylene crosslinker was prepared by the cationic copolymerization of isobutylene with 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate. In the second step, the methacrylate‐multifunctional polyisobutylene crosslinker, with a number‐average molecular weight of 8200 and an average functionality of approximately 4 per chain, was copolymerized radically with 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, N‐isopropylacrylamide, or N,N‐dimethylacrylamide into transparent amphiphilic conetworks containing 42–47 mol % hydrophilic monomer. The synthesized conetworks were characterized with solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The amphiphilic nature of the conetworks was proved by swelling in both water and n‐heptane. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6378–6384, 2006     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 122. 1,2,3,4-Tetra-tert-butyl-tetraphosphan,H(PBut)–(PBut)2–(PBut)H – ein stabiles kettenförmiges Tetraphosphan

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 122. 1,2,3,4-Tetra-tert-butyltetraphosphane, H(PBu^t)—(PBu^t)₂—(PBu^t)H — a Stable Chain-type Tetraphosphane The alcoholysis of 1,2,3,4-tetra-tert-butyl-1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-tetraphosphane, (Me₃Si)₂(PBu^t)₄, yields the hitherto unknown title compound 1 , which is the first stable partially substituted derivative of n-tetraphosphane(6), n-P₄H₆. 1 can also be obtained in the reaction of 1,4-dipotassium-1,2,3,4-tetra-tert-butyl-tetraphosphide, K₂(PBu^t)₄, with tert-butylchloride. In solution 1 forms the three diastereomers 1d (threo/d,l/threo), 1f (erythro/threo/threo), and 1b (erythro/d,l/erythro) in a ratio of about 10:5:1. Their correlation to the ³¹P-NMR spectroscopically observed spin systems results from the preferred trans arrangement of neighbouring tert-butyl groups as well as from the dependence of the ¹J(PP) coupling constant on dihedral angles and from the ³J(PP) long range coupling constant. The configuration and conformation of the existent isomers is determined by the all-trans arrangement of the tert-butyl groups and by the tendency of vicinal free electron pairs to assume a gauche conformation.     

Totalsynthese von (–)-Norgestrel

Total-Synthesis of (–)-Norgestrel (–)-Norgestrel ( 1a ) or (–)-norethindrone ( 1b ), two active progestational ingredients of currently used contraceptives have been synthesized stereoselectively. Compound 1a has been obtained starting from m-cresol methyl ether, dimethyl malonate, and (E)-1,4-dibromo-2-butene. The steroid skeleton has been constructed using an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an o-quinodimethane derivative preceeded by a photo-enolization of an appropriate methyl-substituted acetophenone derivative. Chirality has been introduced at an early stage during an S_cN′ reaction (cf. Scheme 1). Compound 1b has been obtained similarly using a previously reported mixture of the enantiomerically pure constitutional isomers 18b / 19b (cf. Scheme 3).     

Unsaturated alkoxy‐substituted poly(p‐phenylene 1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s: Synthesis and chemical–physical characterization

A new series of alkoxy‐substituted poly(p‐phenylene 1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s modified by the insertion of small percentages of various comonomers were synthesized through the precursor polyhydrazides. The comonomers used contained trans double bonds or meta‐alkoxy‐substituted aromatic rings to improve the solubility of the final polymers. The synthesized copolymers were chemically characterized by ¹H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In some cases, the copolymers really showed improved solubility in organic solvents. The ¹⁵N solid‐state NMR technique was applied to examine the degree of conversion from the precursor polyhydrazides to the final polymers, which determined the effective conjugated length in the target polyoxadiazoles. Thermal stability and structural characteristics of all the polymers as well as a preliminary investigation on the optical properties of polyoxadiazoles are also reported. The copolymers retained high absorbance in the UV region and high transmission in the whole telecommunication range. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3916–3928, 2003     

Stereochemische Korrelationen zwischen (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin und (–)-(R)-Linalol

Stereochemical Correlations between (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol, (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol, (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin and (–)-(R)-Linalol The optically active C₅- and C₄-building units 1 and 2 with their hydroxy group at a asymmetric C-atom were transformed to (–)-(1S,5R)-Frontalin ( 7 ) and (–)-(3R)-Linalol ( 8 ) respectively; 1 and 2 had been used earlier in the preparation of the chroman part of (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-Tocopherol ( 6a , vitamin E), and for introduction of the side chain in (25S,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol ((25S)- 4 ), a natural metabolite of Vitamin D₃. The stereochemical correlations resulting from these converions fit into a coherent picture with those correlations already known from literature and they confirm our earlier stereochemical assignments. A stereochemical assignment concerning the C(25)-epimers of 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol that was in contrast to our findings and that initiated the conversion of 1 and 2 to 7 resp. 8 for additional stereochemical correlations has been corrected in the meantime by the authors [26].     

Crystallographic report: N,N′‐Dimethylimidazolium tris(selenocyanate) cadmium(II), [Me2Im][Cd(SeCN)3] (Me2Im = N,N′‐dimethylimidazolium)

The title structure, [Me₂Im][Cd(SeCN)₃] (Me₂Im = N,N′‐dimethylimidazolium), comprises triply bridged one‐dimensional cadmium‐selenocyanate chains in which the cadmium atoms are octahedrally coordinated within 3Se3N geometries. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystallographic report: Bis[bis(N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamato)zinc(II)] (trans‐1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene)trans‐1, 2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene lattice adduct

The dimeric and centrosymmetric structure of [Zn(S₂CNEt₂)₂(trans‐NC₅H₄C(H)?C(H)C₅H₄N)]₂ shows bidentate coordination by the dithiocarbamate ligands and a distorted square pyramidal geometry for zinc, defined by a NS₄ donor set with the N atom in the apical position. The compound co‐crystallises with a centrosymmetric molecule of trans‐NC₅H₄C(H)?C(H)C₅H₄N that does not form a significant interaction to the Zn atom. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase geometries and energies of bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) interacting either with Cu(I) or Ag(I): Computational study

With a polarized double‐zeta basis set, we carried out MP2 and density functional theory geometry optimization of bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) interacting either with Cu(I) or Ag(I). The computed gas‐phase geometries of both Cu and Ag complexes present tetrahedral distortions around the ions. However, geometry optimization on Cu or Ag ions complexing with ammonia molecules yield perfect tetrahedral coordination and interaction energies comparable to those of the bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) complexes. Solid‐state laboratory studies on complexes of the same metal ions with substituted bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) revealed tetrahedral distortions around the ions, even stronger than those computed in the gas phase. From our analysis of the potential interaction energies we conclude that the origin of the larger distortions in the solid state result from stacking interactions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 395–404, 2003     

Dichloro(diisopropylamino)phosphonio[5(4H)oxopyrazol‐4‐ylide‐5‐one]: Synthesis and properties

Chlorination of the 4‐[chloro(diisopropylamino)phosphino]pyrazole 1 leads to the dichlorophosphonium chloride 2 , which immediately after its formation transforms into the dichloro(diisopropylamino)phosphonio[5(4)oxopyrazol‐4‐ylide‐5‐one] 3 , as a result of dealkylation through loss of ethyl chloride. Reactions of 3 with various nucleophilic reagents were studied. The partial hydrolysis of 3 in the presence of nitriles, resulting in new phosphorus‐containing cyclic systems, is of particular interest. It was demonstrated that chlorination of the P‐dichloropyrazolylphosphine A leads to the stable tetrachlorophosphorane 12 . The C P bond of 12 is broken upon heating. An X‐ray structure determination of compound 11b revealed a planar central heterocycle (mean deviation 0.029 Å). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:452–458, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10177