Fe K‐Edge X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure Determination of γ‐Al2O3‐Supported Iron‐Oxide Species

The structure of FeO_x species supported on γ‐Al₂O₃ was investigated by using Fe K‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The samples were prepared through the impregnation of iron nitrate on Al₂O₃ and co‐gelation of aluminum and iron sulfates. The dependence of the XRD patterns on Fe loading revealed the formation of α‐Fe₂O₃ particles at an Fe loading of above 10 wt %, whereas the formation of iron‐oxide crystals was not observed at Fe loadings of less than 9.0 wt %. The Fe K‐edge XAFS was characterized by a clear pre‐edge peak, which indicated that the Fe?O coordination structure deviates from central symmetry and that the degree of Fe?O?Fe bond formation is significantly lower than that in bulk samples at low Fe loading (<9.0 wt %). Fe K‐edge extended XAFS oscillations of the samples with low Fe loadings were explained by assuming an isolated iron‐oxide monomer on the γ‐Al₂O₃ surface.     

Hollow and Yolk‐Shell Iron Oxide Nanostructures on Few‐Layer Graphene in Li‐Ion Batteries

We report a simple and template‐free strategy for the synthesis of hollow and yolk‐shell iron oxide (FeO_x) nanostructures sandwiched between few‐layer graphene (FLG) sheets. The morphology and microstructure of this material are characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Its properties are evaluated as negative electrode material for Li‐ion batteries and compared with those of solid FeO_x/FLG and two commercial iron oxides. In all cases, the content of carbon in the electrode has a great influence on the performance. The use of pristine FLG improves the capacity retention and further enhancement is achieved with the hollow structure. For a low carbon loading of 18 wt. %, the presence of metallic iron in the hollow and yolk‐shell FeO_x/FLG composite significantly enhances the capacity retention, albeit with a relatively lower initial reversible capacity, retaining above 97 % after 120 cycles at 1000 mA g^?1 in the voltage range of 0.1–3.0 V.     

Boron‐Doped,Carbon‐Coated SnO2/Graphene Nanosheets for Enhanced Lithium Storage

Heteroatom doping is an effective method to adjust the electrochemical behavior of carbonaceous materials. In this work, boron‐doped, carbon‐coated SnO₂/graphene hybrids (BCTGs) were fabricated by hydrothermal carbonization of sucrose in the presence of SnO₂/graphene nanosheets and phenylboronic acid or boric acid as dopant source and subsequent thermal treatment. Owing to their unique 2D core–shell architecture and B‐doped carbon shells, BCTGs have enhanced conductivity and extra active sites for lithium storage. With phenylboronic acid as B source, the resulting hybrid shows outstanding electrochemical performance as the anode in lithium‐ion batteries with a highly stable capacity of 1165 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1 after 360 cycles and an excellent rate capability of 600 mA h g^?1 at 3.2 A g^?1, and thus outperforms most of the previously reported SnO₂‐based anode materials.     

Fe and Cr K‐edges EXAFS Study of Double Perovskite (Sr2‐xCax)FeMoO6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) and Sr2CrMO6 (M = Mo,W) Systems

The local structure of the double perovskite (Sr_2‐xCa_x)FeMoO₆ (0 ≤ × ≤ 2.0) and Sr₂CrMO₆ (M = Mo, W) systems have been probed by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy at the Fe and Cr K‐edges. We found Fe‐O (ave) distance apparently decreases from 1.999 Å (x = 0) to 1.991 Å (x = 1.0) in (Sr_2‐xCa_x)FeMoO₆ (tetragonal structure). When x is increased further from 1.5 to 2.0, the Fe‐O bond distance decreased from 2.034 Å to 2.012 Å (monoclinic structure). In addition, Cr‐O, Sr‐Cr, and Cr‐Mo bond distances in Sr₂CrWO₆ are all slightly larger than the bond distances of Sr₂CrMoO₆, which is due to the ionic radius of the W⁵⁺ (0.62 Å) which is larger than the ionic radius of Mo⁵⁺ (0.61 Å). The results are consistent with our XRD refinements data.     

Structural Characterization and Enzymatic Degradation of α‐, β‐, and γ‐Crystalline Forms for Poly(β‐propiolactone)

A structural comparison of three different crystalline forms of poly(β‐propiolactone) (PPL) was carried out by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The α‐form in a hot‐drawn and annealed film represents a 2₁ helix conformation. The β‐form in a cold‐drawn and annealed film represents a planar zigzag conformation. The γ‐form in an oriented sedimented mat of solution‐grown chain‐folded lamellar crystals also implies a planar zigzag conformation. The solution‐cast film depicts similar outlines with the γ‐form in lamellar crystals in all the experimental measurements, suggesting that the molecular chain in the solution‐cast film has a planar zigzag conformation. While elongation at break decreased, tensile strength and Young's modulus increased with an increase in the crystallinity, independent of the crystalline forms. The influence of the enzymatic degradation of these crystal structures has been investigated by using an extracellular PHB depolymerase purified from Ralstonia pickettii T1. The rate of degradation was in the order of β‐form > α‐form > solution‐cast (γ‐form) film, and the different surface morphologies after partial enzymatic degradation were observed in scanning electron micrographs. It is suggested that the crystal structure is one of the important factors for determining the rate of degradation together with crystallinity.

Enzymatic degradation profiles of poly(β‐propiolactone) films.     

N‐Methylimidazolkomplexe des Berylliums: [Be(Me‐Im)4]I2 und [Be3(μ‐OH)3(Me‐Im)6]Cl3

Tetra(N‐methylimidazole)‐beryllium‐di‐iodide, [Be(Me‐Im)₄]I₂ ( 1 ), was prepared from beryllium powder and iodine in N‐methylimidazole suspension to give yellow single crystal plates, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Compound 1 crystallizes tetragonally in the space group I 2d with four formula units per unit cell. Lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = b = 1784.9(1), c = 696.2(1) pm, R₁ = 0.0238. The structure consists of homoleptic dications [Be(Me‐Im)₄]²⁺ with short Be–N distances of 170.3(3) pm and iodide ions with weak interionic C–H ··· I contacts. Experiments to yield crystalline products from reactions of N‐methylimidazole with BeCl₂ and (Ph₄P)₂[Be₂Cl₆], respectively, in dichloromethane solutions were unsuccessful. However, single crystals of [Be₃(μ‐OH)₃(Me‐Im)₆]Cl₃ ( 2 ) were obtained from these solutions in the presence of moisture air. According to X‐ray diffraction studies, two different crystal individuals ( 2a and 2b ) result, depending on the starting materials BeCl₂ and (Ph₄P)₂[Be₂Cl₆], respectively [ 2a : Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4; 2b : Space group P , Z = 2]. As a side‐product from the reaction of N‐methylimidazole with (Ph₄P)₂[Be₂Cl₆] single crystals of (Ph₄P)Cl·CH₂Cl₂ ( 3 ) were identified crystallographically (P2₁/n, Z = 4) which are isotypical with the corresponding known bromide (Ph₄P)Br·CH₂Cl₂.     

Photoelectron Spectroscopy at the Graphene–Liquid Interface Reveals the Electronic Structure of an Electrodeposited Cobalt/Graphene Electrocatalyst

Electrochemically grown cobalt on graphene exhibits exceptional performance as a catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and provides the possibility of controlling the morphology and the chemical properties during deposition. However, the detailed atomic structure of this hybrid material is not well understood. To elucidate the Co/graphene electronic structure, we have developed a flow cell closed by a graphene membrane that provides electronic and chemical information on the active surfaces under atmospheric pressure and in the presence of liquids by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We found that cobalt is anchored on graphene via carbonyl‐like species, namely Co(CO)_x, promoting the reduction of Co³⁺ to Co²⁺, which is believed to be the active site of the catalyst.     

Wet‐Chemical Synthesis of Nanoscale Iron Boride,XAFS Analysis and Crystallisation to α‐FeB

The reaction of lithium tetrahydridoborate and iron bromide in high boiling ether as reaction medium produces an ultrafine, pyrophoric and magnetic precipitate. X‐ray and electron diffraction proved the product to be amorphous. According to X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) the precipitate has FeB structure up to nearly two coordination spheres around an iron absorber atom. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the ultrafine powder to be nanoscale. Subsequent annealing at 450 °C causes the atoms to arrange in a more distinct FeB structure, and further thermal treatment to 1050 °C extends the local structure to the α‐modification of FeB. Between 1050 °C and 1500 °C α‐FeB is transformed into β‐FeB.     

Environmentally Friendly γ‐MnO2 Hexagon‐Based Nanoarchitectures: Structural Understanding and Their Energy‐Saving Applications

Although about 200,000 metric tons of γ‐MnO₂ are used annually worldwide for industrial applications, the γ‐MnO₂ structure is still known to possess a highly ambiguous crystal lattice. To better understand the γ‐MnO₂ atomic structure, hexagon‐based nanoarchitectures were successfully synthesized and used to elucidate its internal structure for the present work. The structural analysis results, obtained from the hexagon‐based nanoarchitectures, clearly show the coexistence of akhtenskite (ε‐MnO₂), pyrolusite (β‐MnO₂), and ramsdellite in the so‐called γ‐MnO₂ phase and verified the heterogeneous phase assembly of the γ‐MnO₂ state, which violates the well‐known “De Wolff” model and derivative models, but partially accords with Heuer's results. Furthermore, heterogeneous γ‐MnO₂ assembly was found to be a metastable structure under hydrothermal conditions, and the individual components of the heterogeneous γ‐MnO₂ system have structural similarities and a high lattice matches with pyrolusite (β‐MnO₂). The as‐obtained γ‐MnO₂ nanoarchitectures are nontoxic and environmentally friendly, and the application of such nanoarchitectures as support matrices successfully mitigates the common problems for phase‐change materials of inorganic salts, such as phase separation and supercooling‐effects, thereby showing prospect in energy‐saving applications in future “smart‐house” systems.     

The Nitrogen‐Assisted Triphenylphosphine Displacement of 3‐Hydroxypyridine and 3‐Aminopyridine Ligands in Palladium(II) Complexes: Crystal Structures of [Pd(PPh3)Br]2{μ,η2‐C5H3N(OH)}2 and [Pd(PPh3)Br]2{μ,η2‐C5H3N(NH2)}2

Treatment of Pd(PPh₃₎₄ with 2‐bromo‐3‐hydroxypyridine [C₅H₃N(OH)Br] and 3‐amino‐2‐bromopyridine [C₅H₃N(NH₂)Br] in dichloromethane at ambient temperature cause the oxidative addition reaction to produce the palladium complex [Pd(PPh₃₎₂{η¹‐C₅H₃N(OH)}(Br)], 2 and [Pd(PPh₃₎₂{η¹‐C₅H₃N(NH₂)}(Br)], 3 , by substituting two triphenylphosphine ligands, respectively. In dichloromethane solution of complexes 2 and 3 at ambient temperature for 3 days, it undergo displacement of the triphenylphosphine ligand to form the dipalladium complexes [Pd(PPh₃)Br]₂{μ,η²‐C₅H₃N(OH)}₂, 4 and [Pd(PPh₃)Br]₂{μ,η²‐C₅H₃N(NH₂)}₂, 5 , in which the two 3‐hydroxypyridine and 3‐aminopyridine ligands coordinated through carbon to one metal center and bridging the other metal through nitrogen atom, respectively. Complexes 4 and 5 are characterized by X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Azocinoindole Synthesis by a Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Ring Expansion of 2‐Propargyl‐β‐Tetrahydrocarboline

A new methodology taking advantage of gold(I)‐catalyzed ring expansion has been developed to assemble tricyclic 1H‐azocino[5,4‐b]indoles from 2‐propargyl‐β‐tetrahydrocarbolines. The azocinoindoles were obtained in moderate to excellent yields; the structure of which was established by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. A mechanism involving regioselective intramolecular hydroarylation, [1,2]‐alkenyl migration and carbon–carbon bond‐fragmentation was proposed.     

Kristallstrukturen der iso‐Thiocyanatoberyllate (Ph4P)2[Be(NCS)4] und (Ph4P)4[{Be2(NCS)4(μ‐NCS)2}{Be2(NCS)6(μ‐H2N2C2S2)}]

Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) hexachloridodiberyllate, (Ph₄P)₂[Be₂Cl₆], reacts with excess trimethylsilyl‐iso‐thiocyanate to give a mixture of colourless single crystals of (Ph₄P)₂[Be(NCS)₄] ( 1 ) and (Ph₄P)₄[{Be₂(NCS)₄(μ‐NCS)₂}{Be₂(NCS)₆(μ‐H₂N₂C₂S₂)}] ( 2 ), which can be separated by selection. Both complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 can be prepared without by‐products by treatment of (Ph₄P)₂[BeCl₄] with excess Me₃SiNCS in dichloromethane solution. 1 : Space group I4₁/a, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = b = 1091.2(1), c = 3937.1(3) pm, R₁ = 0.0474. The [Be(NCS)₄]^2– ion of 1 forms tetragonally distorted tetrahedral anions with Be–N distances of 168.4(2) pm and weak intermolecular S ··· S contacts along [100] and [010]. 2 ·4CH₂Cl₂: Space group P , Z = 1, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = 919.5(1), b = 1248.3(1), c = 2707.0(2) pm, α = 101.61(1) °, β = 95.08(1) °, γ = 94.52(1) °, R₁ = 0.103. Compound 2 contains two different anionic complexes in the ratio 1:1. In {Be₂(NCS)₄(μ‐NCS)₂}^2–, the beryllium atoms are connected by (NCS)^– bridging groups forming centrosymmetric eight‐membered Be₂(NCS)₂ rings with distances Be–N of 168(1) pm and Be–S of 235.2(9) pm. The second anion {Be₂(NCS)₆(μ‐H₂N₂C₂S₂)}^2– consists of two {Be(NCS)₃}^– units, which are linked by the nitrogen atoms of the unique dimeric cyclo‐addition product of HNCS with Be–N distances of 179(1) pm.     

Evidence of CuI/CuII Redox Process by X‐ray Absorption and EPR Spectroscopy: Direct Synthesis of Dihydrofurans from β‐Ketocarbonyl Derivatives and Olefins

The Cu^I/Cu^II and Cu^I/Cu^III catalytic cycles have been subject to intense debate in the field of copper‐catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions. A mechanistic study on the Cu^I/Cu^II redox process, by X‐ray absorption (XAS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies, has elucidated the reduction mechanism of Cu^II to Cu^I by 1,3‐diketone and detailed investigation revealed that the halide ion is important for the reduction process. The oxidative nature of the thereby‐formed Cu^I has also been studied by XAS and EPR spectroscopy. This mechanistic information is applicable to the copper‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization of β‐ketocarbonyl derivatives to dihydrofurans. This protocol provides an ideal route to highly substituted dihydrofuran rings from easily available 1,3‐dicarbonyls and olefins.     

Reversible Hydrogenation of Graphene on Ni(111)—Synthesis of “Graphone”

Understanding the adsorption and reaction between hydrogen and graphene is of fundamental importance for developing graphene‐based concepts for hydrogen storage and for the chemical functionalization of graphene by hydrogenation. Recently, theoretical studies of single‐sided hydrogenated graphene, so called graphone, predicted it to be a promising semiconductor for applications in graphene‐based electronics. Here, we report on the synthesis of graphone bound to a Ni(111) surface. We investigate the formation process by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD), and density‐functional theory calculations, showing that the hydrogenation of graphene with atomic hydrogen indeed leads to graphone, that is, a hydrogen coverage of 1 ML (4.2 wt %). The dehydrogenation of graphone reveals complex desorption processes that are attributed to coverage‐dependent changes in the activation energies for the associative desorption of hydrogen as molecular H₂.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of the Molybdenum(II) Complexes with the N,N‐dimethylthiocarbamoyl Containing Ligand: Crystal Structures of [Mo(CO)2(η2‐S2COEt)(η2‐SCNMe2)(PPh3)] and [Mo(CO)2(η2‐S2CNC4H8)(η2‐SCNMe2)(PPh3)]

The reaction of the thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)₂Cl] 1 , with EtOCS2K and C4H8NCS2NH4 in dichloromethane at room temperature yielded the seven coordinated ethyldithiocarbonate thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐S₂COEt)(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)] 2 , and the dithiocarbamate thiocarbamoyl‐molybdenum complex [Mo(CO)₂(η²‐S₂CNC₄H₈)(η²‐SCNMe₂)(PPh₃)] 3 . The geometry around the metal atom of compounds 2 and 3 are capped octahedrons as revealed by X‐ray diffraction analyses. The thiocarbamoyl and ethyldithiocarbonate or pyrrolidinyldithiocarbamate ligands coordinate to the molybdenum metal center through the carbon and sulfur and two sulfur atoms, respectively. Structure parameters, NMR, IR and Mass spectra are in agreement with the crystal chemistry of the two compounds.     

Nanoelectrocatalyst Based on High‐Density Au/Pt Hybrid Nanoparticles Supported on a Silica Nanosphere

A high‐efficiency nanoelectrocatalyst based on high‐density Au/Pt hybrid nanoparticles supported on a silica nanosphere (Au‐Pt/SiO₂) has been prepared by a facile wet chemical method. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy are employed to characterize the obtained Au‐Pt/SiO₂. It was found that each hybrid nanosphere is composed of high‐density small Au/Pt hybrid nanoparticles with rough surfaces. These small Au/Pt hybrid nanoparticles interconnect and form a porous nanostructure, which provides highly accessible activity sites, as required for high electrocatalytic activity. We suggest that the particular morphology of the Au‐Pt/SiO₂ may be the reason for the high catalytic activity. Thus, this hybrid nanomaterial may find a potential application in fuel cells.     

1,3‐Bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,3,2‐diazaphospha‐[3]ferrocenophanes

The 2‐tert‐butyl, 2‐phenoxy, and 2‐diethylamino derivatives of 1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,3,2‐diazaphospha‐[3]ferrocenophane were prepared, and the molecular structure of the latter was determined by X‐ray diffraction. The phosphines could be oxidized by their slow reactions with sulfur or selenium, and the molecular structures of three sulfides and one selenide were determined. In contrast, the synthesis of oxides was less straightforward. All new compounds were characterized in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance methods (1D and 2D ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²⁹Si, ³¹P, and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy).     

Synthese und Eigenschaften von Ph3Sn‐substituierten Telluraten – Die Kristallstrukturen von trans‐[(Ph3SnO)4Te(OH)2] und trans‐[(Ph3SnO)2Te(OMe)4]

The reaction of Te(OH)₆ with Ph₃SnOH in ethanol leads to the formation of trans‐[(Ph₃SnO)₄Te(OH)₂] ( 1 ). Compound 1 crystallizes triclinic in the space group P\bar{1} with a = 996.6(2) pm, b = 1365.4(3) pm, c = 1368.2(3) pm and α = 71.15(2)°, β = 71.48(2)°, γ = 74.81(3)° (at 220 K). The molecular structure of 1 consists of a tellurium atom, which is coordinated nearly octahedrally by four Ph₃SnO units and two hydroxyl groups that are trans to each other. The Te–O bond lengths are in the range of 190.5(2) and 193.7(2) pm. Treatment of 1 with methanol under reflux yields trans‐[(Ph₃SnO)₂Te(OMe)₄] ( 2 ). Compound 2 crystallizes triclinic in the space group P\bar{1} with a = 1012.8(1) pm, b = 1422.4(2) pm, c = 1618.1(2) pm, and α = 100.44(1)°, β = 107.92(1)°, γ = 110.66(1)° (at 220 K). 2 forms centrosymmetric molecules in which the tellurium atom is surrounded nearly octahedrally by four methoxy groups and two trans arranged Ph₃SnO units. The Te–O bond lengths of 187.9(3)–194.5(3) pm are similar to those observed in 1 .