Three-dimensional grids based on graphene oxide and 3,3’,4,4’-tetraaminodiphenyl oxide for supercapacitor electrodes

1. Download high-res image (95KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Synthesis of a phosphotyrosyl analogue having χ1, χ2 and φ angles constrained to values observed for an SH2 domain-bound phosphotyrosyl residue

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains provide connectivity in protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent signaling through their high affinity association with phosphotyrosyl (pTyr)-containing peptide sequences. Because recognition of pTyr residues is central to SH2 domain-binding affinity, design of pTyr-mimicking residues has been one component of SH2 domain signaling antagonist development. Reported herein is the synthesis of (±)-(rel-1R,2R,5S)-3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-8-O-phosphoryl-1,5-methano-3-benzazocine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3c) as a monomeric pTyr-mimicking analogue that constrains three torsion angles (χ₁=168°; χ₂=−85°; φ₁=−113°) to values approximating those observed for a pTyr residue bound to the Grb2 SH2 domain (χ₁=182°; χ₂=−89°; φ₁=−132°). Compound 3c differs from our previously reported analogue, (±)-(rel-1R,2R,5S)-3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-1-methyl-1,5-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol, in lacking a methyl substituent at the bridgehead 1-position. Molecular modeling studies had indicated that this methyl group could potentially hinder SH2 domain binding. Synthesis of the desmethyl derivative was achieved by formation of the methanobenzazocine ring system using an intramolecular electrophilic cyclization that proceeds through an activated acyliminium intermediate. Importantly, the correct relative (2R) stereochemistry at the ‘α-carboxyl’-bearing carbon is obtained through base-catalyzed equilibration of a (2S/2R) diastereomeric mixture that results from intramolecular ring closure. Comparison of Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity of 3c (IC₅₀=1167 μM) with conformationally flexible phosphorylated (±)-N-acetyl-tyrosine methyl ester (15; IC₅₀=1469 μM) revealed no apparent enhancement in affinity. This apparent ineffectiveness of ‘local conformational constraint’ on SH2 domain-binding affinity of the monomeric pTyr mimetic is consistent with previous reports obtained by conformationally constraining pTyr-mimicking residues that were contained within peptide platforms. Although not providing high binding affinity in its current form, the novel 1,5-methano-3-benzazocine ring system may afford a novel platform for further elaboration and development of small molecule SH2 domain signaling antagonists.     

Diverse coordination of two ligands in ferromagnetic [Cu(μ-HCO2)2(3-pyOH)]n and [Cu2(μ-HCO2)2(μ-3-pyOH)2(3-pyOH)2(HCO2)2]n

Two novel polynuclear complexes with methanoate anions and 3-hydroxypyridine ligands [Cu(μ-HCO₂)₂(3-pyOH)]_n (1) and [Cu₂(μ-HCO₂)₂(μ-3-pyOH)₂(3-pyOH)₂(HCO₂)₂]_n (2), respectively, were synthesized and characterized. The central copper atom in 1 is surrounded by four methanoates and a 3-pyOH molecule, forming a square-pyramidal CuO₃NO chromophore. All the methanoates are bidentate and serve as bridges between the adjacent copper ions via syn-anti and anti–anti coordination. The basal square coordination axes are formed by O(syn), N(3-pyOH) (1.974(2), 2.016(2) Å) and O(anti), O(anti) (1.945(2), 1.960(2) Å), while the third O(anti) (2.247(2) Å) is on the top of the pyramid. A ferromagnetic transition with an exchange constant 2J/k_B = 9.2 cm⁻¹ is found for 1 below 20 K. This interaction probably takes place through two syn-anti methanoates extended in a chain through the 2D structure. On the other hand, two monoatomic Cu–O–Cu intra-dinuclear asymmetric (1.986(2), 2.415(2) Å) bridges of two methanoates in [Cu₂(HCO₂)₄(3-pyOH)₄] (2) are present. An elongated distorted octahedral coordination sphere around each copper(II) atom is completed by an additional monodentate terminal methanoate (1.975(2) Å), two N-coordinated 3-pyOH (2.005(2), 2.002(2) Å) and the third weakly O-coordinated 3-pyOH (2.732(2) Å). Although a shorter Cu?Cu distance is noticed in 2 than in 1 (4.690(1) Å 1, 3.442(1) Å 2), much weaker ferromagnetism is found in 2.     

Thermodynamic evidence for phase transition in MoO2−δ

The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of MoO_2−δ, Δ_fG^°(MoO_2−δ), has been measured over a wide temperature range (925 to 1925) K using an advanced version of bi-electrolyte solid-state electrochemical cell incorporating a buffer electrode:

Pt∣Mo + MoO_2−δ∥(Y₂O₃)ThO₂∥(CaO)ZrO₂∥O₂(0.1 MPa)∣Pt     

Carbon nanotubes decorated α-Al2O3 containing cobalt nanoparticles for Fischer-Tropsch reaction

A new hierarchical composite consisted of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) layer anchored on macroscopic α-Al2O3 host matrix was synthesized and used as support for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The composite constituted by a thin shell of a homogeneous, highly entangled and structure-opened carbon nanotubes network and it exhibited a relatively high and fully accessible specific surface area of 76 m 2 g-1 , compared with that of 5 m 2 g-1 of the original α-Al2O3 support. The metal-support interaction between carbon nanotubes surface and cobalt precursor and high effective surface area led to a relatively high dispersion of cobalt nanoparticles. This hierarchically supported cobalt catalyst exhibited a high FTS activity along with an extremely high selectivity towards liquid hydrocarbons compared with the cobalt-based catalyst supported on pristine α-Al2O3 or on CNTs carriers. This improvement can attribute to the high accessibility of composite surface area comparing with the macroscopic host structure alone or to the bulk CNTs where the nanoscopic dimension induced a dense packing with low mass transfer which favoured the problem of reactants competitive diffusion towards the cobalt active site. In addition, intrinsic thermal conductivity of decorated CNTs could help the heat dissipating throughout the catalyst body, thus avoiding the formation of local hot spots which appeared in high CO conversion under pure syngas feed in FTS reaction. Cobalt supported on CNTs decorated α-Al2O3 catalyst also exhibited satisfied high stability during more than 200 h on stream under relatively severe conditions compared with other catalysts reported in the literature. Finally, the macroscopic shape of such composite easily rendered its usage as catalyst support in a fixed-bed configuration without facing problems of transport and pressure drop as encountered with the bulk CNTs.     

Ab-initio structure determination of β-La2WO6

The structure of the low-temperature form of β-La₂WO₆ has been determined from laboratory X-ray, neutron time-of-flight and electron diffraction data. This tungstate crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group (no. 19) P2₁2₁2₁, with Z=8, a=7.5196(1) Å, b=10.3476(1) Å, c=12.7944(2) Å, and a measured density 7.37(1) g cm⁻³. The structure consists of tungsten [WO₆] octahedra and tetrahedral [OLa₄]. Tungsten polyhedra are connected such that [W₂O₁₁]¹⁰⁻ units are formed.     

Ionic diffusion mastering using crystal-chemistry parameters: τ-Cu1/2Ag1/2V2O5 structure determination and comparison with refined δ-AgxV2O5 and ε-CuxV2O5 ones

τ-Ag_1/2Cu_1/2V₂O₅ compound crystallises in the monoclinic system space group C2/m with cell parameters a=11.757(4) Å, b=3.6942(5) Å, c=9.463(2) Å, and β=114.62(2)°. The structure is build up with V₄O₁₀ D4 double layer. The silver and copper ions are located in two different oxygenated tunnels. Examination of electronic density maps shows that while the silver ions are located in defined crystallographic sites, the copper ones are fully delocalised over the whole tunnel. Comparison with δ-Ag_xV₂O₅ and ε-Cu_xV₂O₅ refined structure allows to define crystal chemistry parameters governing the ionic delocalisation and give clues to predict from structural consideration the expected electrical behaviour with the aim to make possible a structural design to enhance guest species reactivity.     

Selective water sorbents for multiple applications, 8. sorption properties of CaCl2?SiO2 sol-gel composites

This paper presents sorption properties of CaCl₂/SiO₂ composites synthesized by a sol-gel approach. Desorption isobars measured at T=30–140°C and vapor pressure 12.8–81.0 mbar clearly show a correlation between the sorbents pore structure and their sorption properties. The sample adsorptivities are found to exceed 1.2 kg H₂O/kg adsorbent (or 20–25 mol H₂O/mol of the salt). That is markedly higher than any reported before for silica-based materials. This results in a high energy storage capacity reaching 3,400 kJ/kg of dry sorbent, as confirmed by direct calorimetric measurements. The isosteric desorption heat is found to decrease from 67±5 kJ/mol to 46±5 kJ/mol with increase in the surface coverage.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structures of new uranyl oxalate hydroxides: α- and β-[(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2] and [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2]·H2O

Two modifications of the new uranyl oxalate hydroxide dihydrate [UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] (1 and 2) and one form of the new uranyl oxalate hydroxide trihydrate [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (3) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structures were refined by full-matrix least-squares methods to agreement indices R(wR)=0.0372(0.0842) and 0.0267(0.0671) calculated for 1096 and 1167 unique observed reflections (I>2σ(I)), for α (1) and β (2) forms, respectively and to R(wR)=0.0301(0.0737) calculated for 2471 unique observed reflections (I>2σ(I)), for 3. The α-form of the dihydrate is triclinic, space group , Z=1, a=6.097(2), b=5.548(2), , α=89.353(5), β=94.387(5), γ=97.646(5)°, , β-form is monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z=4, a=12.180(3), b=8.223(2), , β=95.817(4), . The trihydrate is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, Z=4, a=5.5095(12), b=15.195(3), , β=93.927(3), . In the three structures, the coordination of uranium atom is a pentagonal bipyramid composed of dioxo UO₂²⁺ cation perpendicular to five equatorial oxygen atoms belonging to one bidentate oxalate ion, one water molecule and two hydroxyl ions in trans configuration in 2 and in cis configuration in 1 and 3. The UO₇ polyhedra are linked through hydroxyl oxygen atoms to form different structural building units, dimers [U₂O₁₀] obtained by edge-sharing in 1, chains [UO₆]_∞ and tetramers [U₄O₂₆] built by corner-sharing in 2 and 3, respectively. These units are further connected by oxalate entities that act as bis-bidentate to form one-dimensional chains in 1 and bi-dimensional network in 2 and 3. These chains or layers are connected in frameworks by hydrogen-bond arrays.     

Preparation and Double-Helix Icosahedra Structure of δ-Co2Zn15

The first known example of a regular face-sharing icosahedra helix is presented in the novel crystal structure of δ-Co₂Zn₁₅, solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. The compound δ-Co₂Zn₁₅ is also the first example of an intermetallic compound crystallizing in the acentric hexagonal space group P6₂. The parameters from the single crystal refinement are a=11.292(2) Å, c=7.750(1) Å, Z=4, and R_w=0.025.     

Structure, bonding, and magnetic response in two complex borides: Zr2Fe1−δRu5+δB2 and Zr2Fe1−δ(Ru1−xRhx)5+δB2

Polycrystalline samples of two complex intermetallic borides Zr₂Fe_1−δRu_5+δB₂ and Zr₂Fe_1−δ(Ru_1−xRh_x)_5+δB₂ (δ=ca. 0.10; x=0.20) were synthesized by high-temperature methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. Both structures are variants of Sc₂Fe(Ru_1−xRh_x)₅B₂ and crystallize in the space group P4/mbm (no. 127) with the Ti₃Co₅B₂-type structure. These structures contain single-atom, Fe-rich Fe/Ru or Fe/Ru/Rh chains along the c-axis with an interatomic metal-metal distance of 3.078(1) Å, a feature which makes them viable for possible low-dimensional temperature-dependent magnetic behavior. Magnetization measurements indicated weak ferrimagnetic ordering with ordering temperatures ca. 230 K for both specimens. Tight-binding electronic structure calculations on a model “Zr₂FeRu₅B₂” using LDA yielded a narrow peak at the Fermi level assigned to Fe-Fe antibonding interactions along the c-axis, a result that indicates an electronic instability toward ferromagnetic coupling along these chains. Spin-polarized calculations of various magnetic models were examined to identify possible magnetic ordering within and between the single-atom, Fe-rich chains.     

High-temperature electron-hole transport in PrBaCo2O5+δ

The oxygen content, conductivity and thermopower in the double perovskite-like cobaltite PrBaCo₂O_5+δ are reported in the oxygen partial pressure range 2×10⁻⁶-0.21 atm and temperatures between 650 and 950 °C. The electrical properties are shown to be continuous through the transition from δ>0.5 to δ<0.5. The variations of transport parameters with temperature and oxygen content reveal hole polaron hopping conduction within oxygen non-stoichiometry domain δ<0.5.     

A 4D Structural Study of a Ca-Rich Composite-Type Crystal [A2Cu2O3]7+δ [CuO2]10 with Disorder Phenomena in CuO2 Sublattice

The structure of a Ca-rich composite-type crystal [A₂Cu₂O₃]_7+δ [CuO₂]₁₀ with A=Sr_0.43Ca_0.55Bi_0.03 and δ=0.04 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using the 4D superspace group formalism. Thanks to the existence of a significant number of first-order satellite reflections, reliable results were obtained concerning the displacive modulation within each subsystem. A comparison is made with the accurate structural results obtained by Frost Jensen on similar composite crystals containing less calcium. A larger modulation amplitude is observed in our crystal. Weak interactions (Cu-O?2.72 Å) are involved locally between the copper atoms of a [Cu₂O₃] layer and one oxygen atom of a [CuO₂] layer, leading in some unit cells to a pyramidal coordination of copper. Such an interaction is not observed in the Ca-less-containing crystal of Frost-Jensen. However, the most important point of this study concerns the evidence for the first time of disorder phenomena inside the [CuO₂] subsystem; this disorder was modeled with both Cu and O splitted sites. Two main configurations with realistic Cu-O bonds are privileged for the CuO₄ squares inside the [CuO₂] sublattice. The refinement results and the bond valence formalism give strong evidence that the A sites are occupied at random by Sr and Ca atoms, which display two types of coordination, 7 and 8, in the crystal.     

Cyclopentadienyl molybdenum dicarbonyl η-allyl complexes as catalyst precursors for olefin epoxidation. Crystal structures of Cp′Mo(CO)2(η-C3H5) (Cp′ = η-C5H4Me, η-C5Me5)

The complexes Cp′Mo(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅) [Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₅ (1), η⁵-C₅H₄Me (2), η⁵-C₅Me₅ (3)] have been prepared, structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction (2, 3), and tested as catalyst precursors for the epoxidation of olefins at 55 °C. Complex 1 gave a turnover frequency (TOF) of 310 mol mol_Mo⁻¹ h⁻¹ in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP, in decane) as oxidant, and 1,2-epoxycyclooctane was obtained quantitatively within 6 h. A similar result was obtained for complex 2, while the TOF for 3 was about one order of magnitude lower, suggesting a possible activity dependence on the ring substituents. For 1 the use of 1,2-dichloroethane as solvent increased the initial reaction rate to 361 mol mol_Mo⁻¹ h⁻¹, with no decrease in epoxide selectivity. Under these conditions the reaction rates for other olefins increased in the order 1-octene < trans-2-octene < cyclododecene < (R)-(+)-limonene < cis-cyclooctene, and, with the exception of limonene, the corresponding epoxide was the only product. For 1 the selective epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene could also be achieved in aqueous solution, using TBHP or H₂O₂ as oxidants, which gave epoxide yields of 99% and 27% at 24 h, respectively. The possibility of facilitating catalyst recycling by using ionic liquids as solvents was investigated.     

Crystal structure analysis of β-tricalcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2 by neutron powder diffraction

The crystal structure of sintered β-tricalcium phosphate, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, was refined using a high-resolution neutron powder diffraction data and the Rietveld method. This material was confirmed to have a rhombohedral structure (space group R3c, Z=21). Unit-cell parameters with higher precision (a=b=10.4352(2) Å, c=37.4029(5) Å, α=β=90°, and γ=120° in the hexagonal setting) and positional parameters for oxygen with equal precision were obtained by the neutron powder diffraction technique, compared with the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data by Dickens et al. (J. Solid State Chem. 10 (1974) 232). The site Ca(4) with atomic coordinates [0.0, 0.0, −0.0851(6)] was confirmed to be very different from the other four Ca sites: The position Ca(4) is three-fold coordinated with oxygen atoms, and has lower occupancy factor of 0.43(4), and a higher isotropic thermal parameter. On the contrary, each of the Ca(1), Ca(2), Ca(3), and Ca(5) is fully occupied by one Ca atom and these positions are coordinated with seven, eight, eight, and six oxygen atoms, respectively. The bond valence sums of Ca(4) and Ca(5) are lower (0.7) and higher (2.7), respectively, than the others (1.8-2.1).     

W(η-PhCCPh)3(η-Ph2PCCPPh2) as a ligand to prepare homo- and hetero-nuclear cluster complexes

Reaction of W(η²-PhCCPh)₃(NMe₃) (1) and Ph₂PCCPPh₂ (dppa) produces W(η²-PhCCPh)₃(η¹-Ph₂PCCPPh₂) (2), which contains a pendant phosphine group. Treatment of 2 with W(CO)₄(NCMe)₂ yields [W(η²-PhCCPh)₃](μ,η²-Ph₂PCCPPh₂)[W(CO)₄(NCMe)] (3). Compound 2 reacts with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ to afford Os₃(CO)₁₀[(μ,η²-Ph₂PCCPPh₂)W(η²-PhCCPh)₃]₂ (4), and reacts with Ru₃(CO)₉(NCMe)₃ to afford Ru₃(CO)₉[(μ,η²-Ph₂PCCPPh₂)W(η²-PhCCPh)₃]₃ (5). The crystal structures of 2 and 3 are determined by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Synthesis of Mo(CO)2(η-PPh2(o-C6H4)C(O)H)2 and its reaction with C60

Reaction of Mo(CO)₃(NCMe)₃ and PPh₂(o-C₆H₄)C(O)H (abbreviated as PCHO) at room temperature affords Mo(CO)₂(η³-PCHO)₂ (1), while compound 1 and the phosphine-imine complex Mo(CO)₄(η²-PPh₂(o-C₆H₄)CHNMe) (2) are obtained by using Mo(CO)₃(η³-(MeNCH₂)₃) as the reactant. Thermal reaction of 1 with C₆₀ products Mo(CO)₂(η⁴-(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄)CH)₂)(η²-C₆₀) (3) in low yield, apparently through coupling of the formyl moieties. The structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The two aldehyde groups of 1 and C₆₀ ligand of 3 are coordinated to the molybdenum atom in a π-fashion.     

Mechanistic studies on the alcoholysis and aminolysis of [(MeZn)2{μ-N(H)tBu}{μ-N(CH2Py)2}]

The reaction of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (II) with t-butylamine and dimethylzinc gives the heteroleptic [(MeZn)₂{μ-N(H)tBu}{μ-N(CH₂Py)₂}] (1). Stoichiometric alcoholysis of 1 with methanol leads to the exchange of the μ-N(H)tBu moiety. Almost quantitatively the corresponding methoxide [(MeZn)₂(μ-OMe){μ-N(CH₂Py)₂}] (2) is formed. Alternatively bis(alkylzinc)methoxide-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amides (Alkyl = methyl (2), bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl) (3)) are also accessible by direct zincation of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (II) and methanol with dialkylzinc regardless of the bulkiness of the alkyl groups. Extensive DFT calculations on the alcoholysis mechanism reveal the preferential insertion of methanol into a zinc amide bond rather than the cleavage of zinc carbon bonds. An intermediate with a Zn[μ-(MeO?H?NHR)]Zn functionality is predicted. Aminolyis of 1 with t-butylamine leads to intermediates with Zn[μ-(RNH ? H ? NHR)]Zn functionalities, respectively. We were able to detect the latter by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The aminolysis of 1 with an excess of phenylamine results in a partial decomposition of the complex leading to the hexanuclear amide [{Zn(μ-N(H)Ph)}{MeZn(μ-N(H)Ph)}₂{μ-N(CH₂Py)₂}]₂ (4). Compound 2 is able to cleave silicon grease when dissolved in t-butylamine yielding [(MeZn)₂{μ-N(CH₂Py)₂}₂Zn{μ-(OMe₂Si)₂O}] (5). The X-ray structures of complexes 1-5 are discussed.