Sol–gel-derived photonic structures: fabrication,assessment, and application

Sol–gel is a handy, very flexible, and cheap method to fabricate, study, and apply innovative photonic structures. The possibility of starting from molecular precursors and elementary building blocks permits to tailor structures at the molecular level and to create new materials with enhanced performances. Of specific interest for the study of important physical effects as well as for application in light management are confined structures on the nano-micro scale as photonic crystal and planar waveguides. Activation by luminescent species and in particular by rare earth ions allows results in the integrated optics area covering application in sensing, biomedical diagnostic, telecommunication, lightning, and photon management. The present review is focused on some recent results obtained by the authors in Sol–gel photonics. The first part presents colloidal structures including single nano-micro spheres and photonic crystal structures. The second part of the review deals with amorphous and transparent glass–ceramic employed for the fabrication of confined structures in planar format. Some specific application are also reported to highlight the role of sol gel photonics in the development of high performance optical sensors, waveguide lasers, and nanostructured materials.     

Energetics, structures, bonding, and kinetics of the HSCl–HClS system

The [H,S,Cl] potential-energy surface has been investigated at the self-consistent field (SCF), complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), second-order M?ller–Plesset, coupled-cluster single-double and perturbative triple excitation, [CCSD(T)]/6-31G(d,p), 6-31G(2df,2pd), and correlation-consistent polarized valence triple zeta (cc-pVTZ) levels of theory. CCSD(T)/ cc-pVTZ results predict a very stable HSCl species, an isomer HClS, 51.84 kcal/mol higher in energy, and a transition state 57.68 kcal/mol above HSCl. Independent of the level of theory, results with the smaller 6-31G(d,p) basis set turned out to be poor, especially for HClS. Vibrational analysis indicates that both species can be easily differentiated if isolated. Bonding differences between these molecules are illustrated by contour plots of valence orbitals. Viewed classically, bonding in HClS involves a dative bond. Transition-state rate constants, and equilibrium constants for the HSCl ↔ HClS isomerization have been estimated for various temperatures (200–1000 K). At 298.15 K, the forward rate is predicted to be 7.95 × 10⁻²⁹ s⁻¹, and the equilibrium constant to be 2.31 × 10⁻³⁸. Tunneling corrections vary from 1.57 at 298.15 K to 1.05 at 1000 K. Activation energies have been obtained by a two-points linear fit to the Arrhenius equation. Received: 7 May 1999 / Accepted: 22 July 1999 / Published online: 4 October 1999     

Highly emissive hand-shaped π-conjugated alkynylpyrenes: synthesis, structures, and photophysical properties

Three alkynyl-functionalised, hand-shaped, highly fluorescent and stable emitters, namely, 2-tert-butyl-4,5,7,9,10-pentakis(p-R-phenylethynyl)pyrenes have been successfully synthesized via a Pd/Cu-catalysed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The chemical structures of the alkynylpyrenes were fully characterized by their (1)H/(13)C NMR spectra, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Synchrotron single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that there is a 1-D, slipped, face-to-face motif with off-set, head-to-tail stacked columns, which are clearly influenced by the single, bulky, tert-butyl group in the pyrene ring at the 2-position. Detailed studies on the photophysical properties in both solutions and thin films strongly indicate that they might be promising candidates for optoelectronic applications, such as organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) or as models for investigating the fluorescent structure-property relationship of the alkynyl-functionalised pyrene derivatives.     

Coding and ordering Kekulé structures

The concept of numerical Kekulé structures is used for coding and ordering geometrical (standard) Kekulé structures of several classes of polycyclic conjugated molecules: catacondensed, pericondensed, and fully arenoid benzenoid hydrocarbons, thioarenoids, and [N]phenylenes. It is pointed out that the numerical Kekulé structures can be obtained for any class of polycyclic conjugated systems that possesses standard Kekulé structures. The reconstruction of standard Kekulé structures from the numerical ones is straightforward for catacondensed systems, but this is not so for pericondensed benzenoid hydrocarbons. In this latter case, one needs to use two codes to recover the geometrical Kekulé structures: the Wiswesser code for the benzenoid and the numerical code for its Kekulé structure. There is an additional problem with pericondensed benzenoid hydrocarbons; there appear numerical Kekulé structures that correspond to two (or more) geometrical Kekulé structures. However, this problem can also be resolved.     

Analysis of the hyperfine structures and

From the theories of the nuclear hyperfine structure (HFS) and Λ doubling of diatomic molecules, several brief algebraic equations for interpretation of HFS and Λ doubling of transitions of diatomic molecule have been developed. A few important parameters of HFS and Λ doubling of¹⁵N¹⁶O have been efficiently and accurately obtained from the analysis of the high resolution spectra of¹⁵N¹⁶O (X²∏) observed in our experiments with these equations. This method can provide an effective approach to obtain important hyperfine parameters of novel radicals from their high resolution laser magnetic resonance spectra. Liu Yu-yan, Guo Yuan-qing, Assignments of FIR-LMR spectra of CF X²∏(υ= 1) and MIR-LMR spectra of NO X²∏ (υ =1←0), Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis (in press).     

Syntheses, structures, and properties of metal complexes involving π-conjugated tetrathiafulvalene-pyridine ligand

Four metal complexes based on the phenyl-bridged pyridine ligand with tetrathiafulvalene unit (TTF-Ph-Py, L), Ni^II(acac)₂(L)₂ (1, acac = acetylacetonate), M(hfac)₂(L)₂ (M = Ni^II, 2; M = Cu^II, 3; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonato) and [Co^II(Tp^Ph2)(OAc)(L)]·H₂O (4, Tp^Ph2 = hydridotri(3,5-diphenylpyrazol-1-yl) borate), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The absorption spectra and redox behaviors of these new compounds have been studied. Optimized conformation and molecular orbital diagram of L has been calculated with density functional theory (DFT).     

Crystal structures of layered zirconium pentafluorides of methylammonium,glycinium, and β-alanine

For the first time, new hybrid organic-inorganic layered zirconium pentafluorides of methylammonium, glycinium, and β-alanine with the composition (CH₃NH₃)ZrF₅·0.5H₂O, (H₃NCH₂COOH)ZrF₅·2H₂O, and (H₃N(CH₂)₂COOH)ZrF₅ are synthesized and their structures are analyzed. In the studied compounds, CN of the Zr atom is 8, and its coordination polyhedron represents a dodecahedron sharing its 6 vertex with three neighboring Zr polyhedra. The Zr dodecahedra are joined with each other in planar netlike anion layers of the composition _∞²[ZrF₅]⁻. The anion layers are hydrogen bonded into a three-dimensional structure by H₂O cations and molecules.     

X-rays to study,induce, and pattern structures in sol–gel materials

X-rays investigations have been shown to reveal important information regarding material features and the formation mechanism of mesostructured materials. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis performed using a synchrotron source has been very important in the optimization of the organization of mesoporous coatings obtained by evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA). The interaction between X-rays and ordered mesoporous films has only recently been reported, and new knowledge has been developed to use this external radiation source to tune the local material properties. Here we discuss the recent developments in X-ray lithography combined with sol–gel synthesis to pattern mesostructured and hierarchical porous coatings including the ability to tailor functionalized surfaces.     

Supramolecular synthons and pattern recognition in adenine amides – synthesis,structures and thermal properties

An effective method for the synthesis of novel adenine amides was developed and successfully implemented, leading to 4-propyloxy-N-(9H-purin-6-yl)benzamide (1) and 4-dodecyloxy-N-(9H-purin-6-yl)benzamide (2). The compounds were fully characterised by means of spectroscopic (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR) and thermal (TG, DSC) analysis. The crystallographic analysis revealed that the formation of supramolecular chains relies on hydrogen bonding between amide functionalities. All supramolecular synthons found in the crystal structure of 1 were confirmed with the temperature-dependent IR method. The temperature-dependent IR method is useful in determining supramolecular interactions for compound 2, for which the crystal structure could not be obtained. A detailed analysis of temperature-dependent FT-IR spectra was used for the first time to identify the hydrogen bonds that exist in the solid state of our compounds; it can therefore be considered a promising method for the pattern recognition of hydrogen bonding in supramolecular chemistry.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, Mössbauer spectra, and redox properties of binuclear and tetranuclear iron-sulfur nitrosyl clusters

The iron-sulfur nitrosyl complexes A[Fe₄S₃(NO)₇], where A=Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, or N(Bu ⁿ )₄ ⁺, and B₂[Fe₂S₂(NO)₄], where B=Na⁺, Cs⁺, or N(Buⁿ)₄ ⁺, were synthesized. Their structures and properties were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of the crystal packing on the geometry of the tetranuclear NH₄[Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]·H₂O and binuclear Cs₂[Fe₂S₂(NO)₄]·2H₂O complexes was analyzed. The changes in the Fe⁵⁷ Mössbauer spectral parameters of the anion in the B₂[Fe₂S₂(NO)₄] series depend on the size of the B cation and agree with variations in the structural parameters of the Fe[S₂(NO)₂] chromophores as well as in the stretching vibrations of the NO groups caused by changes in intermolecular contacts. The presence of electronic states delocalized through the Fe?Fe bonds explains the fact that the electronic states of the Fe_a(S₃NO) and Fe_b(S₂(NO)₂) chromophores in the [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]^? anion are nearly identical. The binuclear clusters are unstable upon storage in the solid phase and decompose in solutions to form the tetranuclear [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]^? complexes, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. The redox properties of the [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]^? and [Fe₂S₂(NO₄)]^2? anions in CH₃CN and THF solutions were studied. The mechanism of reduction of the anion in the tetranuclear cluster is proposed.     

Group 3 and lanthanide boryl compounds: syntheses, structures, and bonding analyses of Sc-B, Y-B, and Lu-B σ-coordinated NHC analogues

Reaction of [Ln(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(n)][BPh(4)] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu ; n = 3, 4) with Li{B(NArCH)(2)}(THF)(2) (Ar = 2,6-C(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)) formed the first group 3 and lanthanide boryl compounds, Sc{B(NArCH)(2)}(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF) and Ln{B(NArCH)(2)}(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(2) (Ln = Y, Lu), which contain two-center, two-electron Ln-B σ bonds. All of these systems were crystallographically characterized. Density functional theory analysis of the Ln-B bonding found it to be predominantly ionic, with covalent character in the σ-bonding Ln-B HOMO.     

pH-dependent syntheses and crystal structures, characterizations, and DFT calculations of complexes with 2,2′-biimidazole and terephthalic acid ligands

The divalent transition metal complexes [Zn(L)₂(H₂O)₂](Tere) (I), [Cd(L)₂(H₂O)₂](Tere]) (II) and [Cd(L)₂(HTere)₂] (III) (L = 2,2’-biimidazole, Tere = terephthalate) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, thermal analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes II and III have the same starting materials but possess different frame-works and are prepared from H₂Biim and H₂Tere under hydrothermal conditions with different pH values. The crystal structures show I and II have the same coordination circumstances and are coordinated by two H₂O molecules and two neutral bidentate 2,2′-biimidazole ligands. The terephthalate acts as the counter anion. In contrast, complex III contains protonated carboxylate groups coordinated to the metal centre to give neutral species. Furthermore, based on the optimized structures, molecular frontier orbitals, Mulliken charges and IR spetra of complex I and III are investigated by density functional theory. Calculated results show that the energy gap (ΔE _L-H) between HOMO and LUMO of complex III is bigger than that of I. It is revealed that complex III is more stable, and this calculated estimation corresponds with experimental analysis of TGA curves.     

The first organically templated gallium phosphite–oxalates: Synthesis,structures, and characterizationseer

Three new gallium phosphite–oxalates formula as (C₆N₂H₁₄)₂[Ga₂(OH)₂(C₂O₄)₂(HPO₃)₂]·2H₂O (1), (C₆N₂H₁₈)_0.5[Ga(OH)(C₂O₄)_0.5(HPO₃)] (2), and Ga(C₂O₄)_0.5(C₃N₂H₄)(HPO₃) (3) have been hydrothermally synthesized by controlling the pH value of the reaction system. Compound 1 possesses a one-dimensional ladder-like chain structure, in which the C₂O₄^2? anion is coordinated to one Ga center and acts as mono-bidentate ligand. In 2 and 3, the C₂O₄^2? anions serve as bis-bidentates ligands bridging between two Ga atoms to form the two-dimensional layered structures. Furthermore, compound 3 displays a neutral layered network, which is decorated by the directly coordinated organic ligand.     

Mono- and di-nuclear azido η6-p-cymene ruthenium(II) complexes; synthesis,reactivity, and structures

The azide bridge complex [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(µ-N₃)Cl]₂ (2) was prepared from the reaction of sodium azide with [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl]₂ in ethanol. The molecular structures and spectroscopic properties of the various azido ruthenium complexes so obtained from the reaction with monodentate and bidentate ligands are described.     

Syntheses,structures and comparative electrochemical study of π-acetylene complexes of cobalt

The preparation and characterization of the complexes [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]₂(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂H) (2), [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]₂(μ-η²-HC₂(CC)₂C₂H) (3), Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂CCSiMe₃) (4), Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂CCH) (5), [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)]₂(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂SiMe₃) (6) and [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dmpm)]₂(μ-η²-HC₂(CC)₂C₂H) (7) are described. A comparative electrochemical study of all these complexes and the related [Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)]₂(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂SiMe₃) (1), Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-Me₃SiC₂CCH) and Co₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-η²-HC₂CCH) is presented by means of the cyclic and square-wave voltammetry techniques. Crystals of 2 and 3 suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction were grown and the molecular structures of these compounds are discussed.     

Coupled cluster,MP2, and DFT study of structures,stabilities, vibrations,and bonding properties of XXeOH (X = F,Cl, Br,and I)

The optimized geometries, molecular properties, and stabilities of new noble gas molecules, XXeOH (X = F, Cl, Br, and I), were studied using CCSD, MP2, CAM-B3LYP, and WB97XD methods and large basis sets. All XXeOH molecules showed equilibrium structures with Cs symmetry. The results also showed that some bonds in XXeOH could be presented as a typical ionic bond. An alteration in ion-pair character was observed for IXeOH, showing two OH ^? and IXe ⁺ parts, while in other molecules, they could be presented as XeOH ⁺ and X ^? . Two decomposition routes were proposed for these molecules that showed high exothermic reactions. However, despite their low thermodynamic stabilities, their decomposition rate constants were small and all molecules (except BrXeOH) had high kinetic stabilities, indicating the possibility for identification and characterization of these molecules. However, in addition to the calculation of their vibrational frequencies, NBO atomic charges, and hybridizations, the bonding properties of XXeOH molecules were studied by AIM calculations (to calculate electron densities, bond elipticities, and Laplacian of electron densities) and second-order intramolecular perturbation energies using NBO calculations. Moreover, the ease of formations and relative stabilities of XXeOH molecules were compared using heats of formations, Gibbs free energies of formations and isodesmic reactions. These calculations showed that the stability of XXeOH molecules was decreased from F to I.     

Chemistry of HCNH+: mechanisms, structures, and relevance to Titan’s atmosphere

The chemistry of HCNH⁺ in Titan’s atmosphere is not completely understood despite previous experimental and theoretical studies. In response to recent suggestions in the literature, we have searched for specific products of the reactions of HCNH⁺ with H₂, CH₄, C₂H₂, and C₂H₄ using the flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube technique. We have probed for an association mechanism for reaction with H₂, and associative-H₂ loss for the reactions involving CH₄, C₂H₂, and C₂H₄. In all cases, these reaction mechanisms were found to be inefficient pathways for the depletion of HCNH⁺. Our ab initio computational studies characterize the structures and energies for these mechanisms and indicate that the proposed pathways are endothermic or possess reaction barriers. We compare our studies to previous experimental and computational work, and we suggest other ion-neutral reactions with HCNH⁺ that have not been included in previous models of Titan’s ionosphere.     

Molecular and electronic structures, Brönsted basicities, and Lewis acidities of group VIB transition metal oxide clusters

The structures and properties of transition metal oxide (TMO) clusters of the group VIB metals, (MO(3))(n) (M = Cr, Mo, W; n = 1-6), have been studied with density functional theory (DFT) methods. Geometry optimizations and frequency calculations were carried out at the local and nonlocal DFT levels with polarized valence double-zeta quality basis sets, and final energies were calculated at nonlocal DFT levels with polarized valence triple-zeta quality basis sets at the local and nonlocal DFT geometries. Effective core potentials were used to treat the transition metal atoms. Two types of clusters were investigated, the ring and the chain, with the ring being lower in energy. Large ring structures (n > 3) were shown to be fluxional in their out of plane deformations. Long chain structures (n > 3) of (CrO(3))(n) were predicted to be weakly bound complexes of the smaller clusters at the nonlocal DFT levels. For M(6)O(18), two additional isomers were also studied, the cage and the inverted cage. The relative stability of the different conformations of M(6)O(18) depends on the transition metal as well as the level of theory. Normalized and differential clustering energies of the ring structures were calculated and were shown to vary with respect to the cluster size. Br?nsted basicities and Lewis acidities based on a fluoride affinity scale were also calculated. The Br?nsted basicities as well as the Lewis acidities depend on the size of the cluster and the site to which the proton or the fluoride anion binds. These clusters are fairly weak Br?nsted bases with gas phase basicities comparable to those of H(2)O and NH(3). The clusters are, however, very strong Lewis acids and many of them are stronger than strong Lewis acids such as SbF(5). Br?nsted acidities of M(6)O(19)H(2) and M(6)O(18)FH were calculated for M = Mo and W and these compounds were shown to be very strong acids in the gas phase. The acid/base properties of these TMO clusters are expected to play important roles in their catalytic activities.     

Preparation and molecular structures of N,N-2,2′-dipicolyl- and N,N-3,3′-dipicolyldithiocarbamato metal complexes

New iron(III) and cobalt(III) complexes, [Fe(2,2′-dpdtc)₃], [Fe(3,3′-dpdtc)₃], [Co(2,2′-dpdtc)₃], and [Co(3,3′-dpdtc)₃] (dpdtc?=?dipicolyldithiocarbamate) have been synthesized and their molecular structures and spectroscopic properties determined. The 2,2′- and 3,3′-dpdtc ligands have four donors, S, S′, N, and N′. These complexes are insoluble in water, but soluble in acidic solution. Crystal structures of these metal complexes reveal that the central metal ions have MS₆ (M?=?Fe and Co) octahedral structures and all dipicolyl groups do not coordinate.