Thermogravimetric analysis of wheatleyite Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Evidence for the existence of primitive life forms such as lichens and fungi can be based upon the formation of oxalates. These oxalates form as a film like deposit on rocks and other host matrices. The anhydrous oxalate mineral moolooite CuC₂O₄ as the natural copper(II) oxalate mineral is a classic example. Another example of a natural oxalate is the mineral wheatleyite Na₂Cu²⁺(C₂O₄)₂·2H₂O. High resolution thermogravimetry coupled to evolved gas mass spectrometry shows decomposition of wheatleyite at 255°C. Two higher temperature mass losses are observed at 324 and 349°C. Higher temperature mass losses are observed at 819, 833 and 857°C. These mass losses as confirmed by mass spectrometry are attributed to the decomposition of tennerite CuO. In comparison the thermal decomposition of moolooite takes place at 260°C. Evolved gas mass spectrometry for moolooite shows the gas lost at this temperature is carbon dioxide. No water evolution was observed, thus indicating the moolooite is the anhydrous copper(II) oxalate as compared to the synthetic compound which is the dihydrate.     

Structural investigation of salts containing ions [Pd(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and [IrF<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Superscript>2–</Superscript>

Double complex salts (DCS) α-[Pd(NH₃)₄][IrF₆]·H₂O (P2₁/m, a = 6.3181(3) Å, b = 10.8718(5) Å, с = 7.4526(4) Å, β = 103.568(2)°), β-[Pd(NH₃)₄][IrF₆]·H₂O (P2₁/с, a = 8.5773(3) Å, b = 10.8791(4) Å, с = = 12.6741(3) Å, β = 122.497(2)°), [Pd(NH₃)₄]₃[IrF₆]₂Cl₂·H₂O (P-1, a = 7.6080(2) Å, b = 7.6274(2) Å, с = 11.8070(3) Å, β = 122.497(2)°), and [Pd(NH₃)₄]₂[IrF₆]NO₃ (Fm-3m, a = 11.21210(10) Å) have been synthesized and structurally characterized for the first time. The existence of polymorphs for the DCS has been revealed. The influence of the chemical composition of the initial reagents on the reaction course and, respectively, the products, has been demonstrated. A hypothesis on the influence of the second coordination sphere on the formation of one or the other polymorph of the DCS has been suggested. It has been shown that the series α-[Pd(NH₃)₄][МF₆]·H₂O (M = Pt, Pd) exhibits isostructurality.     

Experimental Determination of the Isotherm at 15°C of the System Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, SO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2</Superscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Summary.  The diagram of the ternary system Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O was established at 15°C by means of analytical and conductimetric measurements. Three compounds were found in this diagram, which are MgSO₄·6H₂O, MgSO₄·7H₂O, and MgCl₂·6H₂O. The solubility field of MgSO₄·7H₂O is important whereas those of MgSO₄·6H₂O and MgCl₂·6H₂O are small. The compositions (mass-%) of the two invariant points determined by the two methods are: MgSO₄:MgCl₂=2.73:33.80 and MgSO₄: MgCl₂=3.38:28.91. Both the measured and the calculated isotherm at 15°C have been used for modelling of the diagram Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O between 0 and 35°C. The polythermal invariant point was approximately located between 15 and 10°C.  Corresponding author. E-mail: ariguib@planet.tn Received October 16, 2002; accepted (revised) December 3, 2002 Published online April 24, 2003 RID="a" ID="a" Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Heinz Gamsj?ger on the occasion of his 70^th birthday     

Structures of the complex ions [CuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Superscript>2−</Superscript> and [CuCl<Subscript>5</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript>

The electronic structures of the complex ions [CuCl₄]^2? and [CuCl₅]^3? were analyzed in terms of the extended angular overlap model (AOM) with consideration to sd and pd mixing. The total antibonding orbital energies of these ions show no anomalies in the transition from a tetrahedron to a planar square [CuCl₄]^2? and from a trigonal bipyramid to a tetragonal pyramid [CuCl₅]^3?. Presumably, the existence of numerous intermediate forms of these complexes is mainly due to the packing effects rather than the electronic factors.     

A novel bimetallic chain based on [Mo(Cn)<Subscript>8</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions as building blocks

A novel Mo^V-Eu^III bimetallic chain, {[Eu^III(Phen)(DMF)₄][Mo^V(CN)₈] · i-C₃H₇OH · 3H₂O} _n (I) (DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide; Phen = phenanthroline), has been constructed by the reaction of [Mo(CN)₈]^3? with Eu³⁺ and phenanthroline in mixed solvent DMF/i-C₃H₇OH. Complex I is confirmed as a chain structure by X-ray structural analysis. The neighboring chains interact with each other by one type of face-to-face π…π stack with the distance of 3.5522(10) Å. Thus complex I has been extended to a 2D network.     

Single-phased white-light emitting CaAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>: Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> phosphors prepared by a sol–gel method

CaAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors have been prepared by a sol–gel method. X-ray diffractometer, spectrofluorometer and UV–Vis spectrometer were used to characterize structural and optical properties of the samples. The results indicate that anorthite (CaAl₂Si₂O₈) directly crystallizes at 1000 °C in the sol–gel process. CaAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors show two emission bands excited by ultraviolet light. Blue (around 415 nm) and yellow (around 575 nm) emissions originate from Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺, respectively. With appropriate tuning of Mn²⁺ content, CaAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors exhibit different hues and relative color temperatures.     

Isothermal solubility diagram of the 2Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>,Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>‖2Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, 2ClO<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>‒</Superscript></Stack>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O quaternary system at 20 and 100°C

The solubility in the 2Na⁺,Mg²⁺‖2Cl⁻, 2ClO₃⁻-H₂O system was studied at 20 and 100°C and the solubility diagrams were plotted. New compounds were not found to form in the title quaternary reciprocal system. The sodium chloride field was observed to expand with rising temperature.     

Kinetics of electroreduction of S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Stack><Subscript>8</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack> anions on mechanically renewable silver electrode

The kinetics of electroreduction of peroxodisulfate anions on a mechanically renewed silver electrode is studied by voltammetric and impedance methods. Impedance diagrams obtained in the region of negatively charged metal surface are successfully modeled by the equivalent circuit formed by the solution resistance and also the reaction resistance connected in parallel with the constant-phase element substituted for the double layer capacitance. The analysis of experimental data carried out in terms of this circuit and their comparison with the literature data makes it possible to assume that the reduction kinetics of S₂O ₈ ^2? anions on this electrode can be adequately described in the framework of the phenomenological theory of slow discharge. The reasons for deviation of the literature data on the kinetics of this reaction on polycrystalline Ag electrode from the relationships following from the slow discharge theory are put forward and substantiated.     

Adsorption of Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript> ions on γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> oxide from nitrate solutions

The adsorption of chloride ions on γ-Fe₂O₃ oxide (maggemite) from nitrate solution is studied using the method of potentiometric titration and an ion-selective electrode. The specific character of adsorption is determined. It is shown that the maggemite surface coverage with Cl^? ions increases with increasing concentration of ions in the solution, decreasing pH value, and increasing potential. The adsorbability of ions changes drastically in the pH range about pH₀ (γ-Fe₂O₃)6.2. It is found that the adsorption of chloride ions from neutral nitrate solution exponentially increases in the potential range from 0.1 to 1.0 V. The type of adsorption isotherm and the adsorption parameters are determined. It is found that, in the absence of external polarization, the concentration dependences of adsorption of Cl^? ions are complex-shaped, and their initial portions are described by the Langmuir isotherm. Further increase of adsorption is explained by the penetration of Cl^? ions inwards the oxide.     

Novel ladder-like structure motif assembled from edge-sharing rhombus and square of Mo<Subscript>2</Subscript>Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript> based on [Mo(CN)<Subscript>8</Subscript>]<Superscript>4−</Superscript> and Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions as building blocks

A novel bimetallic 4d–4f complex, “Cs[Dy(MeOH)₃(DMF)(H₂O)Mo(CN)₈] · H₂O” _n (I) (DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystal analyses showed that complex I consists of a one-dimensional infinite chain, which adopts a 1D ladder-like structure motif assembled from an edge-sharing rhombus and square of Mo₂Dy₂. This is the first structurally characterized example of a 1D ladder structure based on the [Mo(CN)₈]^4? and Dy³⁺ building blocks. Complex I crystallizes in triclinic crystal system, \(P\bar 1\) space group, with a = 9.876(2), b = 10.300(2), c = 13.498(3) Å, α = 81.96(3)°, β = 86.68(3)°, γ = 65.42(3)°, V = 1236.4(4) ų, and Z = 2.     

Comparison of the specific adsorption of sulfate (HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript>) ions on Cr and Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The specific adsorption of sulfate ions on powdered Cr was studied by a radiotracer technique using ³⁵S-labeled sulfuric acid in low concentration (c<10^–3 mol dm^–3) in the presence of a large excess of perchlorate supporting electrolyte. The pH and concentration dependence were determined. On the basis of a comparison of the results obtained for Cr₂O₃ and Cr, it can be assumed that, similar to other metals, the overall sorption behavior of Cr is determined by the protective oxide film present on the surface.     

Routes to Higher Nuclearity Mixed-Metal Carbonyl Clusters Using the [Rh(η<Superscript>5</Superscript>-C<Subscript>5</Subscript>Me<Subscript>5</Subscript>)(NCMe)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Dication as a Building Block

Reaction of the [Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(NCMe)₃]²⁺ (1) dication with the hexaosmium [Os₆(CO)₁₇]²⁻ (2) dianion leads to the initial formation of [Os₆(CO)₁₇Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (3). This cluster readily adds CO to form [Os₆(CO)₁₈Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (4) which has been characterised crystallographically. 3 also adds dihydrogen to give [Os₆H₂(CO)₁₇Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (5) and undergoes a substitution reaction with PPh₃ to form [Os₆(CO)₁₆(PPh₃)Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (6). With the [Ru₆(CO)₁₈]²⁻ (7) dianion, [Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(NCMe)₃]²⁺ (1) reacts to form three mixed-metal clusters [Ru₅(CO)₁₅Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (8), [Ru₆(CO)₁₈Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (9) and [Ru₆(CO)₁₈Rh₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂] (10). The clusters have been characterised spectroscopically and the structures of 8 and 10 have been confirmed crystallographically. The cluster 8 undergoes a substitution reaction with P(OMe)₃ to form the disubstituted product [Ru₅(CO)₁₃(P(OMe)₃)₂Rh((η⁵-C₅Me₅)] (11) which has also been characterised crystallographically.     

Nucleophilic addition of aromatic amide oximes to [2-B<Subscript>10</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>NCC<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>]<Superscript>–</Superscript> anion

A series of closo-decaborate anions containing an O-iminoacylamide oxime fragment were synthesized by nucleophilic addition of aromatic amide oximes to 2-propionitrilium closo-decaborate anion. The isolated compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C–{¹H}, and ¹¹B–{¹H} NMR, and mass spectra. The structure of (Ph₄P)[2-B₁₀H₉NH=C(Et)ON=C(NH₂)C₆H₄Me-2] was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

On the charge storage mechanism at RuO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/0.5 M H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> interface

Comparative study of capacitative properties of RuO₂/0.5 M H₂SO₄ and Ru/0.5 M H₂SO₄ interfaces has been performed with a view to find out the nature of electrochemical processes involved in the charge storage mechanism of ruthenium (IV) oxide. The methods of cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed for the investigation of electrochemical behavior and surface morphology of RuO₂ electrodes. It has been suggested that supercapacitor behavior of RuO₂ phase in the potential E range between 0.4 and 1.4 V vs reference hydrogen electrode (RHE) should be attributed to double-layer-type capacitance, related to non-faradaic highly reversible process of ionic pair formation and annihilation at RuO₂/electrolyte interface as described by following summary equation:

Preparation of nano-SO<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst and its application in esterification of sebacic acid with 2-ethyl hexanol

A pure anatase phase nano-SO₄²⁻ /TiO₂ catalysts were synthesized and their catalytic activities were tested. Nano-SO₄²⁻/TiO₂ shows high activity and effective re-usable when used as basic catalysts for the synthesis of dioctyl sebacate.     

The electrochemical behavior of the LaSrCuO<Subscript>4 − δ</Subscript>/Ce<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>2 − δ</Subscript> interface

The electrochemical behavior of the LaSrCuO_{4 − δ}/Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_{2 − δ} interface is studied by impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry methods. By analyzing the dependence of the impedance frequency spectra on the oxygen partial pressure, the rate-determining stages of oxygen exchange are determined in the temperature interval of 500–900°C. For temperatures above 700°C, the adsorption of oxygen molecules and their dissociation to oxygen atoms are shown to make a substantial contribution to the polarization resistance of the overall electrode process, besides the charge-transfer resistance.     

Fabrication of Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–PbO<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrode and its performance in electrochemical advanced oxidation processes

Owing to its high oxygen evolution potential, PbO₂ electrode is one of the candidates for electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). To further improve its performance as EAOP electrode, a Ga₂O₃-doped PbO₂ electrode (Ga₂O₃–PbO₂ electrode) was fabricated by the composite plating method. SEM and XRD results showed that the crystalline in the coating of Ga₂O₃–PbO₂ electrode is more uniform and in smaller size than that in the undoped PbO₂ electrode, which provided a higher specific surface area. The electrochemical studies showed that the Ga₂O₃–PbO₂ electrode had higher oxygen evolution potential (OEP) and smaller electrode surface impedance, which is a benefit for the formation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH). The electrochemically degradation test using bromocresol green sodium (BG) solution and glucose solution as the simulated wastewater showed that the kinetics of electrochemical catalytic degradation is a pseudo-first-order reaction, and the reaction rate constant on Ga₂O₃–PbO₂ electrode was 2 times accelerated.     

Studies on structure and electrochemical properties of pillared M–MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M=Ba<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, ZrO<Superscript>2+</Superscript>)

Supramolecular pillared oxides were prepared through the intercalation of M²⁺ cations into a MnO₂ host matrix by the method of ion exchange between the precursor δ-K _x MnO₂ and the corresponding guest. The materials M-MnO₂ crystallize in the hexagonal system, the same structure as the precursor, with a larger interlamellar spacing. In the case of ZrO-MnO₂, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) determination indicates that the Zr atom locates between the MnO₂ layers forming a stable structure. Compared with the precursor, the cycling property of M-MnO₂ was improved distinctly, while the capacity decreased to some degree due to the strong interaction between pillars and the host matrix. Among these pillared materials, ZrO-MnO₂ has an advanced reversible capacity of 161.5 mAh·g⁻¹ and improved cycling behavior compared with the precursor.     

Calorimetric study of the acidic character of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript> catalysts used in methanol oxidation to dimethoxymethane

The surface acidic properties of sulfated vanadia–titania catalysts prepared by various methods were investigated by adsorption microcalorimetry, using ammonia as probe molecule. The acidic characteristics of the samples were shown to be strongly affected by the preparation method, calcination temperature, and sulfur content. The samples prepared by sol–gel and mechanical grinding exhibited higher acidity than co-precipitated samples. Moreover, increasing the calcination temperature of co-precipitated samples resulted in a decrease in surface area from 402 to 57 m² g⁻¹ and sulfur content from around 4 to 0.2 mass%, but up to a certain point generated a stronger acidity. The optimal calcination temperature appeared to be around 673 K.