Synthesis of Inorganic Structural Isomers By Diffusion‐Constrained Self‐Assembly of Designed Precursors: A Novel Type of Isomerism

The structure of precursors is used to control the formation of six possible structural isomers that contain four structural units of PbSe and four structural units of NbSe₂: [(PbSe)_1.14]₄[NbSe₂]₄, [(PbSe)_1.14]₃[NbSe₂]₃[(PbSe)_1.14]₁[NbSe₂]₁, [(PbSe)_1.14]₃[NbSe₂]₂[(PbSe)_1.14]₁[NbSe₂]₂, [(PbSe)_1.14]₂[NbSe₂]₃[(PbSe)_1.14]₂[NbSe₂]₁, [(PbSe)_1.14]₂[NbSe₂]₂[(PbSe)_1.14]₁[NbSe₂]₁[(PbSe)_1.14]₁[NbSe₂]₁, [(PbSe)_1.14]₂[NbSe₂]₁[(PbSe)_1.14]₁[NbSe₂]₂[(PbSe)_1.14]₁[NbSe₂]₁. The electrical properties of these compounds vary with the nanoarchitecture. For each pair of constituents, over 20 000 new compounds, each with a specific nanoarchitecture, are possible with the number of structural units equal to 10 or less. This provides opportunities to systematically correlate structure with properties and hence optimize performance.     

Supercubooctahedron (Cs6Cl)2Cs5[Ga15Ge9Se48] Exhibiting Both Cation and Anion Exchange

A novel type of supertetrahedral connectivity is exhibited by the 72‐atom discrete supercubooctahedron in (Cs₆Cl)₂Cs₅[Ga₁₅Ge₉Se₄₈] ( 1 ), which undergoes both cation and anion exchange, as revealed by unambiguous single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Electronic‐structure studies helped to understand the Ge/Ga distribution.     

Study of solid state reactions in Nb/Al multilayer thin films

Solid state reactions of sputter-deposited Nb/Al multilayer thin films, with periodicities in the range 10–333 nm, have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The first phase to form upon annealing the films in NbAl₃. Constant-heating-rate calorimetric measurements show the presence of two peaks for the formation of this phase, while isothermal scans reveal that the first peak is associated with a nucleation and growth type transformation. The formation of NbAl₃ is thus interpreted as a two-stage process of nucleation and growth to coalescence (first peak) followed by growth until the consumption of one or both reactants (second peak).We thank NSF for support through DMR-9308651, K. Coffey, S. Vivekanand and B. Gadicharla for assistance and TA Instruments for the donation of a 1600°C furnace.     

β‐Ca3N2, a Metastable Nitride in the System Ca–N

A new page in the phase book : The metastable nitride β‐Ca₃N₂, the synthesis, crystal structure (see picture), and physical properties of which are reported, is an isotype of corundum (α‐Al₂O₃). Vacancies in the crystal structure of β‐Ca₃N₂ are discussed by using full‐potential local orbital methods and taking into account both the physical properties and the density of states.

     

Bright White‐Light Emission from a Single Organic Compound in the Solid State

White‐light‐emitting materials and devices have attracted enormous interest because of their great potential for various lighting applications. We herein describe the light‐emitting properties of a series of new difunctional organic molecules of remarkably simple structure consisting of two terminal 4‐pyridone push–pull subunits separated by a polymethylene chain. They were found to emit almost “pure” white light as a single organic compound in the solid state, as well as when incorporated in a polymer film. To the best of our knowledge, they are the simplest white‐light‐emitting organic molecules reported to date.     

"Green" pyrotechnics: a chemists' challenge

Fireworks are probably the application of chemistry which resonates best with the general public. However, fireworks and (civil and military) pyrotechnic applications cause environmental pollution and thus have given rise to the development of new, environmentally friendly pyrotechnic compounds and formulations. Nitrogen-rich energetic materials, such as the derivatives of tetrazoles and tetrazines, are about to revolutionize traditional pyrotechnic compositions. This Review summarizes the sources of pollution in current formulations and recent efforts toward "green" pyrotechnics.     

Unprecedented association of [Mo6Br(i) 7Y(i)Br(a) 6]3- cluster units and [Mo(III)Br6]3- complexes: synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of the double salts Rb3[Mo6Br(i) 7Y(i)Br(a) 6](Rb3[MoBr6])3 (Y=Se, Te)

The double salts Rb(3)[Mo(6)Br(i) (7)Y(i)Br(a) (6)](Rb(3)[MoBr(6)])(3) (Y=Se, Te) result from the partial disproportionation of the Mo(6)Br(12) octahedral-cluster-based bromide, in the presence of corresponding chalcogenides and RbBr salt (crystal data: Rb(12)[MoBr(6)](3)[Mo(6)Br(i) (7)Te(i)Br(a) (6)] (1), Pm$\bar 3$m (No. 221), a=12.1558(2) A, Z=1, R(1)=0.028; wR(2)=0.050; Rb(12)[MoBr(6)](3)[Mo(6)Br(i) (7)Se(i)Br(a) (6)] (2), Pm$\bar 3$m, a=12.144(3) A, Z=1, R(1)=0.028; wR(2)=0.050). The structures of 1 and 2 are built up from [Mo(III)Br(6)](3-) complexes and [Mo(6)Br(i) (7)Y(i)Br(a) (6)](3-) cluster units characterised by a random distribution of seven bromine and one chalcogen ligands on all the eight inner positions that face cap the Mo(6) clusters. Such a distribution implies a static orientational disorder of the [Mo(6)Br(i) (7)Y(i)Br(a) (6)](3-) units around the origin of the unit cell. Close-packed anionic layers based on [Mo(III)Br(6)](3-) complexes and [Mo(6)Br(i) (7)Y(i)Br(a) (6)](3-) cluster units are stacked in the sequence ABC. This arrangement leads to very short Br(a)--Br(a) intercluster unit distances of 3.252 A, much lower than the sum of the van der Waals radii (3.70 A). The trivalent oxidation state of molybdenum in the Mo complexes and 24 valence electrons per Mo(6) cluster have been confirmed by magnetic susceptibility measurements. Salts 1 and 2 constitute the first examples of structurally characterised bromides containing discrete [Mo(III)Br(6)](3-) complexes obtained by means of solid-state synthesis.     

Unusual coexistence of magnetic and nonmagnetic Mo6 octahedral clusters in a chalcohalide solid solution: synthesis, X-ray diffraction, EPR, and DFT investigations of Cs3Mo6Ii6Ii2-xSeixIa6

The Cs3Mo6Ii6Ii2-xSeixIa6 series has been obtained by a solid-state route. There is evidence for a solid solution between the compositions Cs3Mo6Ii6Ii0.8Sei1.2Ia6 and Cs3Mo6Ii6Ii0.4Sei1.6Ia6 (space group: R3c, Z=6; a=16.7065(4), c=20.5523(4) A, V=4967.8(2) A3 and a=16.6354(3), c=20.5444(4) A, V=4923.7(2) A3, respectively). The structure of this new series is based on magnetic [Mo6Ii6Sei2Ia6]3- and diamagnetic [Mo6Ii7SeiIa6]3- units with 23 and 24 valence electrons per Mo6 cluster, respectively. For a particular x, the structure of Cs3Mo6Ii6Ii2-xSexIa6 is based on a mixture of (x-1) [Mo6Ii6Sei2Ia6]3- with (2-x) [Mo6Ii7SeiIa6]3-. This leads to an average [Mo6Ii6Ii2-xSexIa6]3- ionic unit deduced from single-crystal X-ray diffraction investigations. The two inner positions of the average face-capped [Mo6Ii8-xSeixIa6]3- ionic units (located on the threefold axis of the unit) are randomly occupied by iodine and selenium, whereas the other ligand positions are fully occupied by iodine. Low-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies reveal a signal split into two components with g||>gperpendicular. The reciprocal double integration intensity of the EPR signal versus T graph reveals a typical Curie law behavior. A density functional theory (DFT) study indicates that occupation of the inner position on the threefold axis by selenium atoms is preferred energetically among the three possible distributions of selenium atoms. The comparison of experimental and theoretical g values confirms the crystallographic analysis and agrees with the axial elongation of the Mo6 cluster within the crystal structure.     

A High‐Pressure Polymorph of Phosphorus Oxonitride with the Coesite Structure

The chemical and physical properties of phosphorus oxonitride (PON) closely resemble those of silica, to which it is isosteric. A new high‐pressure phase of PON is reported herein. This polymorph, synthesized by using the multianvil technique, crystallizes in the coesite structure. This represents the first occurrence of this very dense network structure outside of SiO₂. Phase‐pure coesite PON (coe‐PON) can be synthesized in bulk at pressures above 15 GPa. This compound was thoroughly characterized by means of powder X‐ray diffraction, DFT calculations, and FTIR and MAS NMR spectroscopy, as well as temperature‐dependent diffraction. These results represent a major step towards the exploration of the phase diagram of PON at very high pressures and the possibly synthesis of a stishovite‐type PON containing hexacoordinate phosphorus.     

Homochiral oligopeptides generated by induced "mirror symmetry breaking" lattice-controlled polymerizations in racemic crystals of phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride

The formation of diastereoisomeric libraries of oligopeptides through the heterogeneous polymerization of racemic crystals of phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride (PheNCA) is reported. The diastereoisomeric compositions of the oligopeptides formed on polymerization of (R,S) crystals incorporating the deuterium-tagged S enantiomer were determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The racemic mixtures of the oligopeptides longer than pentamers are represented primarily by diastereoisomers of homochiral sequence and with peptides containing only one heterochiral repeating unit. A mechanism comprising the following three sequential steps to account for this unusual observation is proposed: 1) formation of dimers and trimers at a partially damaged liquid/solid interface, 2) chain propagation that takes place within the bulk of the crystal through a lattice-controlled "zipper-like" mechanism between homochiral molecules arranged in a head-to-tail motif to yield crystalline antiparallel beta-sheets of alternating oligopeptide chains of homochiral sequence of opposite handedness, and 3) enantiomeric cross-inhibition that results in chain termination. Induced desymmetrization of the racemic mixtures of the formed peptides was achieved by the polymerization of the mixed quasi-racemic crystals of (R)-PheNCA, ((S)-PheNCA), and (S)-ThieNCA (3-(2-thienyl)-alanine N-carboxyanhydride) of various compositions. These experiments resulted in the formation of nonracemic libraries of oligopeptides composed of homochiral chains of (R)-Phe and copolymers of randomly distributed (S)-Phe and (S)-Thie sequences. From these findings, we propose a stochastic model for the generation of libraries of nonracemic mixtures of oligopeptides from the polymerization of host (R,S)-PheNCA with racemic mixtures of other guest NCA amino acids dissolved in limited quantities in the crystal.