Determination of the (Na) Sternheimer antishielding factor by Na NMR spectroscopy on sodium oxide chloride, Na3OCl

The (Na⁺) Sternheimer antishielding factor γ_∞ (Na⁺) was determined by ²³Na NMR spectroscopy on sodium oxide chloride, Na₃OCl. The quadrupolar coupling constant of the sodium ion in Na₃OCl was determined to QCC=11.34 MHz, which presents the largest coupling constant of a sodium nucleus observed so far. Applying a simple point charge model, the largest principal value of the electric field gradient at the sodium site was calculated to V_zz=−6.76762·10²⁰ V/m². From these values we calculated the (Na⁺) Sternheimer antishielding factor to γ_∞ (Na⁺)=−5.36. In sodium oxide, Na₂O, we observed an isotropic chemical shift of δ_CS=55.1 ppm, referenced to 1 M aqueous NaCl (δ=0 ppm).     

CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy of O3. Part 3: Analysis of the 6490–6900 cm region and overview comparison with the O3 main isotopologue

This paper is devoted to the third part of the analysis of the very weak absorption spectrum of the ¹⁸O₃ isotopologue of ozone recorded by CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy between 5930 and 6900 cm⁻¹. In the two first parts [A. Campargue, A. Liu, S. Kassi, D. Romanini, M.-R. De Backer-Barilly, A. Barbe, E. Starikova, S.A. Tashkun, Vl.G. Tyuterev, J. Mol. Spectrosc. (2009), doi: 10.1016/j.jms.2009.02.012 and E. Starikova, M.-R. De Backer-Barilly, A. Barbe, Vl.G. Tyuterev, A. Campargue, A.W.Liu, S. Kassi, J. Mol. Spectrosc. (2009) doi: 10.1016/j.jms.2009.03.013], the effective operators approach was used to model the spectrum in the 6200–6400 and 5930–6080 cm⁻¹ regions, respectively. The analysis of the whole investigated region is completed by the present investigation of the 6490–6900 cm⁻¹ upper range. Three sets of interacting states have been treated separately. The first one falls in the 6490–6700 cm⁻¹ region, where 1555 rovibrational transitions were assigned to three A-type bands: 3ν₂ + 5ν₃, 5ν₁ + ν₂ + ν₃ and 2ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃ and one B-type band: ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 4ν₃. The corresponding line positions were reproduced with an rms deviation of 18.4 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ by using an effective Hamiltonian (EH) model involving eight vibrational states coupled by resonance interactions. In the highest spectral region – 6700–6900 cm⁻¹ – 389 and 183 transitions have been assigned to the ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 5ν₃ and 4ν₁ + 3ν₂ + ν₃ A-type bands, respectively. These very weak bands correspond to the most excited upper vibrational states observed so far in ozone. The line positions of the ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 5ν₃ band were reproduced with an rms deviation of 7.3 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ by using an EH involving the {(054), (026), (125)} interacting states. The coupling of the (431) upper state with the (502) dark state was needed to account for the observed line positions of the 4ν₁ + 3ν₂ + ν₃ band (rms = 5.7 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹).The dipole transition moment parameters were determined for the different observed bands. The obtained set of parameters and the experimentally determined energy levels were used to generate a complete line list provided as Supplementary Materials.The results of the analyses of the whole 5930–6900 cm⁻¹ spectral region were gathered and used for a comparison of the band centres to their calculated values. The agreement achieved for both ¹⁸O₃ and ¹⁶O₃ (average difference on the order of 1 cm⁻¹) indicates that the used potential energy surface provides accurate predictions up to a vibrational excitation approaching 80% of the dissociation energy. The comparison of the ¹⁸O₃ and ¹⁶O₃ band intensities is also discussed, opening a field of questions concerning the variation of the dipole moments and resonance intensity borrowing by isotopic substitution.     

Spectral characterization and energy levels of Cr:Sc2(MoO4)3 crystal

This paper reports the spectral properties and energy levels of Cr³⁺:Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ crystal. The crystal field strength Dq, Racah parameter B and C were calculated to be 1408 cm⁻¹, 608 cm⁻¹ and 3054 cm⁻¹, respectively. The absorption cross sections σ_α of ⁴A₂→⁴T₁ and ⁴A₂→⁴T₂ transitions were 3.74×10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 499 nm and 3.21×10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 710 nm, respectively. The emission cross section σ_e was 375×10⁻²⁰ cm² at 880 nm. Cr³⁺:Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ crystal has a broad emission band with a broad FWHM of 176 nm (2179 cm⁻¹). Therefore, Cr³⁺:Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ crystal may be regarded as a potential tunable laser gain medium.     

Molecular dynamics and information on possible sites of interaction of intramyocellular metabolites in vivo from resolved dipolar couplings in localized H NMR spectra

Proton NMR resonances of the endogenous metabolites creatine and phosphocreatine ((P)Cr), taurine (Tau), and carnosine (Cs, β-alanyl-l-histidine) were studied with regard to residual dipolar couplings and molecular mobility. We present an analysis of the direct ¹H–¹H interaction that provides information on motional reorientation of subgroups in these molecules in vivo. For this purpose, localized ¹H NMR experiments were performed on m. gastrocnemius of healthy volunteers using a 1.5-T clinical whole-body MR scanner. We evaluated the observable dipolar coupling strength SD₀ (S = order parameter) of the (P)Cr-methyl triplet and the Tau-methylene doublet by means of the apparent line splitting. These were compared to the dipolar coupling strength of the (P)Cr-methylene doublet. In contrast to the aliphatic protons of (P)Cr and Tau, the aromatic H2 (δ = 8 ppm) and H4 (δ = 7 ppm) protons of the imidazole ring of Cs exhibit second-order spectra at 1.5 T. This effect is the consequence of incomplete transition from Zeeman to Paschen-Back regime and allows a determination of SD₀ from H2 and H4 of Cs as an alternative to evaluating the multiplet splitting which can be measured directly in high-resolution ¹H NMR spectra. Experimental data showed striking differences in the mobility of the metabolites when the dipolar coupling constant D₀ (calculated with the internuclear distance known from molecular geometry in the case of complete absence of molecular dynamics and motion) is used for comparison. The aliphatic signals involve very small order parameters S ≈ (1.4 − 3) × 10⁻⁴ indicating rapid reorientation of the corresponding subgroups in these metabolites. In contrast, analysis of the Cs resonances yielded S ≈ (113 − 137) × 10⁻⁴. Thus, the immobilization of the Cs imidazole ring owing to an anisotropic cellular substructure in human m. gastrocnemius is much more effective than for (P)Cr and Tau subgroups. Furthermore, ¹H NMR experiments on aqueous model solutions of histidine and N-acetyl-l-aspartate (NAA) enabled the assignment of an additional signal component at δ = 8 ppm of Cs in vivo to the amide group at the peptide bond. The visibility of this proton could result from hydrogen bonding which would agree with the anticipated stronger motional restriction of Cs. Referring to the observation that all dipolar-coupled multiplets resolved in localized in vivo ¹H NMR spectra of human m. gastrocnemius collapse simultaneously when the fibre structure is tilted towards the magic angle (θ ≈ 55°), a common model for molecular confinement in muscle tissue is proposed on the basis of an interaction of the studied metabolites with myocellular membrane phospholipids.     

Magnitudes and Orientations of the N Chemical Shift Tensor of [1-N]-2′-Deoxyguanosine Determined on a Polycrystalline Sample by Two-Dimensional Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

The magnitudes and orientations of the ¹⁵N chemical shift tensor of [1-¹⁵N]-2′-deoxyguanosine were determined from a polycrystalline sample using the two-dimensional PISEMA experiment. The magnitudes of the principal values of the ¹⁵N chemical shift tensor of the N1 nitrogen of [1-¹⁵N]-2′-deoxyguanosine were found to be ς₁₁ = 54 ppm, ς₂₂ = 148 ppm, and ς₃₃ = 201 ppm with respect to (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ in aqueous solution. Comparisons of experimental and simulated two-dimensional powder pattern spectra show that ς_33N is approximately collinear with the N–H bond. The tensor orientation of ς_33N for N1 of [1-¹⁵N]-2′-deoxyguanosine is similar to the values obtained for the side chain residues of ¹⁵N_ε1-tryptophan and ¹⁵N_π-histidine even though the magnitudes differ significantly.     

Al Chemical Shielding Anisotropy

Accurate values for the²⁷Al chemical shielding anisotropy (CSA) are reported for sapphire (α-Al₂O₃). The values (δ_σ= −17.3 ± 0.6 ppm, η_σ= 0.03 ± 0.06) are obtained from single-crystal²⁷Al NMR and appear to be the first convincing determination of an²⁷Al CSA.     

Correlation between P chemical shift tensor and local structure in lithium cyclohexaphosphates Li6P6O18·3H2O and Li6P6O18

To understand the surprising behavior between the variations of the P′–P–P″ angles and the correlated variations of the O′–P–O″ ones, two lithium cyclohexaphosphate compounds Li₆P₆O₁₈·3H₂O and Li₆P₆O₁₈ are studied by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The two compounds exhibit the same [P₆O₁₈]⁶⁻ ring anions but with 3m or internal symmetry, respectively. Such symmetries induce local distortions that are exhibited by NMR spectroscopy. One-dimensional (1D) NMR gives information on structural sites of ⁷Li and ³¹P ions and the crystallographic non-equivalencies are observed. Nevertheless, in the anhydrous compound, X-ray diffraction and NMR results do not completely agree and some discrepancy exists between the number of sites observed with the first technique and the number of lines exhibited in the NMR spectra either for ⁷Li or ³¹P nuclei. This problem is elucidated by using 2D double quantum NMR spectroscopy coupled with theoretical considerations. We find that the ³¹P chemical shift tensor is dependent on the deviations of the O–P–O angles from those in the regular tetrahedron. Within the same empirical model, we suggest that the surprising behavior between the variations of the P′–P–P″ and the ones of the O′–P–O″ is related to the overall charge on the PO₄ group. We also find the positions of the isotropic lines for ⁷Li essentially depend on the site co-ordination of this nuclei.     

Lithium ion conductive glass–ceramics with Li3Fe2(PO4)3 and YAG laser-induced local crystallization in lithium iron phosphate glasses

The glasses with the composition of 37.5Li₂O–(25 − x)Fe₂O₃–xNb₂O₅–37.5P₂O₅ (mol%) (x = 5,10,15) are prepared, and it is found that the addition of Nb₂O₅ is effective for the glass formation in the lithium iron phosphate system. The glass–ceramics consisting of Nasicon-type Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ crystals with an orthorhombic structure are developed through conventional crystallization in an electric furnace, showing electrical conductivities of 3 × 10^− 6 Scm^− 1 at room temperature and the activation energies of 0.48 eV (x = 5) and 0.51 eV (x = 10) for Li⁺ ion conduction in the temperature range of 30–200 °C. A continuous wave Nd:YAG laser (wavelength: 1064 nm) with powers of 0.14–0.30 W and a scanning speed of 10 μm/s is irradiated onto the surface of the glasses, and the formation of Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ crystals is confirmed from XRD analyses and micro-Raman scattering spectra. The crystallization of the precursor glasses is considered as new route for the fabrication of Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ crystals being candidates for use as electrolyte materials in lithium ion secondary batteries.     

Modified Spectral Editing Methods for C CP/MAS Experiments in Solids

The spectral editing approach of Zilm and coworkers utilizes polarization, polarization inversion, and spin depolarization methods for enhancing or suppressing NMR spectral lines in solids. The proposed pulse sequences allow nonprotonated C, CH, CH₂, and CH₃ types of carbon resonances to be separated from one another and identified accordingly. The former method tentatively separates the nonprotonated C and CH₃ peaks with a cutoff shift of 35 ppm. This shift is a reasonable demarcation shift for a preponderance of organic molecules, but exceptions do exist that could constitute a serious drawback in a few instances. The new approach separates the nonprotonated C and CH₃ carbon peaks unequivocally using modified pulse sequences similar to those of Zilm. Further, both the CH only and CH₂ only spectra, respectively, can be acquired directly from combining so called (+) and (−) sequences using different spectral delay periods and pulse parameters. The (+) and the (−) pulse sequences produce signals for the nonprotonated and methyl carbons that have essentially the same amplitude but opposite phases. These spectra, combined with the previously reported CH₃ and nonprontonated C only spectra, offer a complete spectral editing technique for solid samples. Examples of these spectral editing methods are provided for 3-methylglutaric acid, fumaric acid monoethyl ester, and two complex natural products: methyl o-methylpodocarpate and 10-deacetylbaccatin III.     

High-resolution synchrotron far-infrared spectroscopy of acrolein: The vibrational levels below 700 cm

The far-infrared spectrum of acrolein, CH₂CHCHO, is studied in the 100–360 cm⁻¹ region using continuum radiation from a synchrotron source. The combination of a very high resolution spectrometer, a long absorption path, and a low sample pressure, yields observed line widths of less than 0.0008 cm⁻¹. Observation of the ν₁₈ (157.9 cm⁻¹), and ν₁₃ (323.8 cm⁻¹) fundamental bands, together with six hot bands in the same regions, gives information on eight low-lying vibrational states of the molecule, including the Fermi and Coriolis interactions among them. Combining the present assignments with previous data on the ν₁₂ (564.34 cm⁻¹) and ν₁₇ (593.08 cm⁻¹) fundamental bands, all ten excited vibrational levels below 700 cm⁻¹ are analyzed in terms of one 1-state fit, two 2-state fits, and one 5-state fit.     

Al and Cu NMR study in UCu5Al

We have studied the microscopic properties of the tetragonal UCu₅Al Kondo compound by ²⁷Al and ^63,65Cu NMR in the paramagnetic state. NMR and susceptibility measurements performed on the powdered sample, but oriented along the applied field, showed χ>χ. Plots of K(T) against χ(T) at temperatures T≥100 K yield the transferred hyperfine fields of +5.9 kOe/μ_B for ²⁷Al nuclei, and +5.3 and −7.0 kOe/μ_B for ⁶⁵Cu nuclei in crystallographically inequivalent Cu(2) and Cu(1) sites, respectively. The Knight shift vs. susceptibility plots for T<100 K exhibit a deviation from the linear behaviour (absolute values of shifts become smaller than expected). We attribute this finding to the crystalline electric field effect in similar way as it was reported for several Ce-based compounds. The random distribution of the Al and Cu(2) atoms in the crystal lattice we consider as a reason of an unusual broadening of the NMR spectra, particularly at low temperatures.     

Novel Peak Assignments of in VivoC MRS in Human Brain at 1.5 T

¹³C MRS studies at natural abundance and after intravenous 1-¹³C glucose infusion were performed on a 1.5-T clinical scanner in four subjects. Localization to the occipital cortex was achieved by a surface coil. In natural abundance spectra glucose C_3β,5β, myo-inositol, glutamate C_1,2,5, glutamine C_1,2,5, N-acetyl-aspartate C_1-4,C=O, creatine CH₂, CH₃, and C_C=N, taurine C_2,3, bicarbonate HCO⁻₃ were identified. After glucose infusion ¹³C enrichment of glucose C_1α,1β, glutamate C_1-4, glutamine C_1-4, aspartate C_2,3, N-acetyl-aspartate C_2,3, lactate C₃, alanine C₃, and HCO⁻₃ were observed. The observation of ¹³C enrichment of resonances resonating at >150 ppm is an extension of previously published studies and will provide a more precise determination of metabolic rates and substrate decarboxylation in human brain.     

13C NMR Chemical Shift of β-Alkoxyvinylketones: II. Empirical Substituent Effects in β-Aryl-β-Methoxyvinyltrihalomethylketones

Evaluation by empirically derived equations for the substituent effect (α,β,γ,δ) on the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 in β-aryl-β-methoxyvinylhalomethylketones 1a-g to 2a-g [R³C(O)-CH=C(Ar)-OMe, where R³ = CCl₃, CF₃ and Ar = p-YC₆H₄ (Y = H, Me, MeO, F, Cl, Br, NO₂)], taking as reference the β-ethoxyvinyltrichloromethylketone (3), is reported. From the calculated values for the α,β,γ,δ effects for each substituent it was possible to estimate the chemical shift of each carbon of the compounds 1,2. The ¹³C chemical shifts of the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 of these compounds, can be estimated with good to rasoable precision: 84% of the calculated chemical shifts are found to be within ±1.0ppm, and 100% are found to be within ±1.5ppm. The Y-Effects on C-3 and C-4 are compared with carbon charge densities (qr).     

Li mobility in Li0.5 − xNaxLa0.5TiO3 perovskites (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5): Influence of structural and compositional parameters

The dependence of Li mobility on structure and composition of Li_0.5 − xNa_xLa_0.5TiO₃ perovskites (0 ≤ x ≤  0.5) has been investigated by means of neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance and impedance spectroscopy. At 300 K, all samples display a rhombohedral superstructure (R-3c S.G.), where octahedra are out of phase tilted along [111] direction of the ideal cubic cell. The elimination of the octahedral tilting is responsible for the rhombohedral–cubic transformation, detected near 1000 K. In these perovskites, La and Na cations are randomly distributed in A sites, but Li ions are fourfold coordinated at unit cell faces of the cubic perovskite. Lithium conductivity, σ_300 K, decreases with the sodium content, decreasing from values typical of fast ionic conductors, 10^− 3 S/cm, to those of good insulators, 10^− 10 S/cm, when the interconnectivity between vacant A sites is lost (x > 0.3). In samples with x < 0.3, dc conductivity displays a non-Arrhenius behaviour, decreasing activation energy from ~ 0.37 to 0.25 eV when the sample is heated between 77 and 500 K. The temperature dependence of B_Li factors shows the existence of two regimes for Li motion. Below 373 K, Li ions remain partially located near square oxygen windows that connect contiguous A sites, but above 400 K, extended Li motions become dominant. The additional decrease of activation energy from 0.25 to 0.16 eV (low-temperature ⁷Li NMR value), should require the full elimination of octahedral tilting which is only produced above 1000 °C.     

CHHC and H–H magnetization exchange: Analysis by experimental solid-state NMR and 11-spin density-matrix simulations

A protocol is presented for correcting the effect of non-specific cross-polarization in CHHC solid-state MAS NMR experiments, thus allowing the recovery of the ¹H–¹H magnetization exchange functions from the mixing-time dependent buildup of experimental CHHC peak intensity. The presented protocol also incorporates a scaling procedure to take into account the effect of multiplicity of a CH₂ or CH₃ moiety. Experimental CHHC buildup curves are presented for l-tyrosine·HCl samples where either all or only one in 10 molecules are U–¹³C labeled. Good agreement between experiment and 11-spin SPINEVOLUTION simulation (including only isotropic ¹H chemical shifts) is demonstrated for the initial buildup (t_mix < 100 μs) of CHHC peak intensity corresponding to an intramolecular close (2.5 Å) H–H proximity. Differences in the initial CHHC buildup are observed between the one in 10 dilute and 100% samples for cases where there is a close intermolecular H–H proximity in addition to a close intramolecular H–H proximity. For the dilute sample, CHHC cross-peak intensities tended to significantly lower values for long mixing times (500 μs) as compared to the 100% sample. This difference is explained as being due to the dependence of the limiting total magnetization on the ratio N_obs/N_tot between the number of protons that are directly attached to a ¹³C nucleus and hence contribute significantly to the observed ¹³C CHHC NMR signal, and the total number of ¹H spins into the system. ¹H–¹H magnetization exchange curves extracted from CHHC spectra for the 100% l-tyrosine·HCl sample exhibit a clear sensitivity to the root sum squared dipolar coupling, with fast buildup being observed for the shortest intramolecular distances (2.5 Å) and slower, yet observable buildup for the longer intermolecular distances (up to 5 Å).     

Quantitative Evaluation of the Lactate Signal Loss and Its Spatial Dependence in PRESS Localized H NMR Spectroscopy

Localized ¹H NMR spectroscopy using the 90°−t₁−180°−t₁+t₂−180°−t₂−Acq. PRESS sequence can lead to a signal loss for the lactate doublet compared with signals from uncoupled nuclei which is dependent on the choice of t₁ and t₂. The most striking signal loss of up to 78% of the total signal occurs with the symmetrical PRESS sequence (t₁=t₂) at an echo time of 2/J (290 ms). Calculations have shown that this signal loss is related to the pulse angle distributions produced by the two refocusing pulses which leads to the creation of single quantum polarization transfer (PT) as well as to not directly observable states (NDOS) of the lactate AX₃ spin system: zero- and multiple-quantum coherences, and longitudinal spin orders. In addition, the chemical shift dependent voxel displacement (VOD) leads to further signal loss. By calculating the density operator for various of the echo times TE=n/J, n=1, 2, 3, …, we calculated quantitatively the contributions of these effects to the signal loss as well as their spatial distribution. A maximum signal loss of 75% can be expected from theory for the symmetrical PRESS sequence and TE=2/J for Hamming filtered sinc pulses, whereby 47% are due to the creation of NDOS and up to 28% arise from PT. Taking also the VOD effect into account (2 mT/m slice selection gradients, 20-mm slices) leads to 54% signal loss from NDOS and up to 24% from PT, leading to a maximum signal loss of 78%. Using RE-BURP pulses with their more rectangular pulse angle distributions reduces the maximum signal loss to 44%. Experiments at 1.5 T using a lactate solution demonstrated a maximum lactate signal loss for sinc pulses of 82% (52% NDOS, 30% PT) at TE=290 ms using the symmetrical PRESS sequence. The great signal loss and its spatial distribution is of importance for investigations using a symmetrical PRESS sequence at TE=2/J.     

Electrolytic coloration and spectral properties of OH- and Cu-codoped NaCl crystals

OH⁻- and Cu⁺-codoped NaCl crystals are colored electrolytically by using a pointed anode and a flat cathode at various temperatures and under various voltages. Absorption and fluorescence spectral properties of colored crystals are investigated. Absorption, excitation and fluorescence spectra reveal existence of V₂, V₂^m, V₃, OH⁻, U, U_A, O²⁻–V_a⁺, O₂⁺, Cu⁺, Cu⁰, Cu⁻ and OH⁻-perturbed Cu⁺ color centers in colored crystals. Formations of color centers are explained.     

C, N CPMAS NMR and GIAO DFT calculations of stereoisomeric oxindole alkaloids from Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Oxindole alkaloids, isolated from the bark of Uncaria tomentosa [Willd. ex Schult.] Rubiaceae, are considered to be responsible for the biological activity of this herb. Five pentacyclic and two tetracyclic alkaloids were studied by solid-state NMR and theoretical GIAO DFT methods. The ¹³C and ¹⁵N CPMAS NMR spectra were recorded for mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, pteropodine (uncarine C), isopteropodine (uncarine E), speciophylline (uncarine D), rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Theoretical GIAO DFT calculations of shielding constants provide arguments for identification of asymmetric centers and proper assignment of NMR spectra. These alkaloids are 7R/7S and 20R/20S stereoisomeric pairs. Based on the ¹³C CP MAS chemical shifts the 7S alkaloids (δ C3 70–71 ppm) can be easily and conveniently distinguished from 7R (δC3 74.5–74.9 ppm), also 20R (δC20 41.3–41.7 ppm) from the 20S (δC20 36.3–38.3 ppm). The epiallo-type isomer (3R, 20S) of speciophylline is characterized by a larger ¹⁵N MAS chemical shift of N4 (64.6 ppm) than the allo-type (3S, 20S) of isopteropodine (δN4 53.3 ppm). ¹⁵N MAS chemical shifts of N1–H in pentacyclic alkaloids are within 131.9–140.4 ppm.     

Preparation and electrical properties of a pyrochlore-related Ce2Zr2O8−x phase

A pyrochlore-related Ce₂Zr₂O_8−x phase has been prepared in a reduction reoxidation process from Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ powders. Ce₂Zr₂O_8−x, based on a cubic symmetry with a=1.053 nm, decomposes in nitrogen at 800 °C, but remains stable up to 900 °C in air. It shows mixed oxygen ionic and electronic conductivity. The bulk conductivity at 700 °C is 4×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ in air and 1×10⁻² S cm⁻¹ in nitrogen, and the activation energy is 1.27 eV in air. In nitrogen, the Arrhenius law is not obeyed, and a curved plot was obtained from 400 to 700 °C; then, the conductivity decreased rapidly due to the thermal decomposition of Ce₂Zr₂O_8−x.     

Rotational spectrum of the Ar–dimethyl sulfide complex

The rotational spectra of three isotopomers of the Ar–dimethyl sulfide (DMS) complex – normal, ³⁴S, and ¹³C species – were measured in the frequency region from 3.7 up to 24.1 GHz by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The normal species yielded 43 a-type and 79 c-type transitions. No Ar tunneling splitting was observed, while many transitions were split by the internal rotation of the two methyl tops of the DMS unit. In cases where the K-type splitting was close to that due to methyl internal-rotation, several forbidden transitions were observed that followed b-type selection rules. All of the observed transition frequencies were analyzed simultaneously using a phenomenological Hamiltonian also used in previously published work describing the Ar–dimethyl ether (DME) and Ne–DME complexes. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants and the potential barrier height to methyl-top internal rotation, V₃, were determined. The rotational constants were consistent with an Ar–DMS center of mass (cm) distance of 3.796 (3) Å and a S–cm–Ar angle of 104.8 (2)°. The V₃ potential barrier obtained, 736.17 (32) cm⁻¹, was 97.8% of the DMS monomer barrier. By assuming a Lennard–Jones-type potential, the dissociation energy was estimated to be 2.4 kJ mol⁻¹, which was close to the value for Ar–DME, 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹.