NMR spectroscopic study of xenon fluorides in the gas phase and of XeF2 in the solid state

The xenon fluorides, XeF₂, XeF₄, and XeF₆, were characterized by gas-phase and NMR spectroscopy, providing the first gas-phase NMR spectroscopic data for the xenon fluorides. Xenon difluoride was also characterized in the solid state by static and magic angle spinning (MAS) and NMR spectroscopy, providing experimental values for the (4260±10 ppm) and (125±5 ppm) shielding anisotropies in XeF₂. A method for encapsulating reactive fluoride samples for study by MAS NMR spectroscopy is also described.     

Surface characterization of poly(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate) by inverse gas chromatography and contact angle measurements

A fluorinated methacrylic homopolymer, poly(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate) (PPFPMA) was synthesized by a free radical polymerization reaction. The dispersive component of the surface energy () of PPFPMA was determined by contact angle measurements and inverse gas chromatography (IGC). An extensive surface characterization was conducted by means of IGC. Surface characterization demonstrated that PPFPMA has low value, even at 35 °C and is a Lewis amphoteric polymer with predominantly basic character, as confirmed by the Lewis acidity and basicity constants K_A and K_B, respectively. The values of obtained by IGC are slightly higher than those obtained by the contact angle method. This trend can be attributed to the fact that IGC evaluates, primarily, high energy sites of a surface.     

Thermoelectric properties and antiferromagnetism of the new ternary transition metal telluride CrAuTe4

The new ternary transition metal telluride CrAuTe₄ has been discovered through solid-state reaction of the elements. The crystal structure is solved in the monoclinic space group P2/m (No. 10) with lattice parameters , , , and β=90.604(10)°. The structure is related to that of the binary compound AuTe₂, and a derivation of the structure of CrAuTe₄ from AuTe₂ is shown. Measurements of the thermopower, thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and magnetic susceptibility are presented. The compound undergoes a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at .     

Enhanced Lewis acidity by aliovalent cation doping in metal fluorides

A model regarding the generation of acidity in binary metal fluorides has been proposed and its validity has been examined for several binary fluoride systems with the general compositions MF₃/M′F₃ and MF₂/M′F₃. In accordance with this hypothesis, the binary systems (CrF₃/AlF₃, CrF₃/FeF₃ and AlF₃/VF₃) do not show acidities larger than the sum of the acidities of the component fluorides. The hypothesis predicts the generation of Lewis acidity when MF₂ is the major component (host) and generation of Brønsted acidity when MF₃ acts as the host for the MF₂/M′F₃. The experimental results (surface acidity and catalytic activity) confirmed the predictions made from this hypothesis for binary combinations MgF₂/ M′F₃ (M′=Cr, Al, Fe, V). The application of this model is discussed in terms of other parameters: ionic radii and the fluoride affinity of the metal fluorides involved.     

In3Ir3B, In3Rh3B and In5Ir9B4, the first indium platinum metal borides

The first indium platinum metal borides have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction data. In₃Ir₃B and In₃Rh₃B are isotypic. They crystallize with the hexagonal space group and Z=1. The lattice constants are , for In₃Ir₃B and , for In₃Rh₃B. The structure which is derived from the Fe₂P type is characterized by columns of boron centered triangular platinum metal prisms inserted in a three-dimensional indium matrix. The indium atoms are on split positions. In₅Ir₉B₄ (hexagonal, space group , , , Z=1) crystallizes with a structure derived from the CeCo₃B₂ type. The structure can be interpreted as a layer as well as a channel structure. In part the indium atoms are arranged at the vertices of a honeycomb net (Schlaefli symbol 6³) separating slabs consisting of double layers of triangular Ir₆B prisms, and in part they form a linear chain in a hexagonal channel formed by iridium prisms and indium atoms of the honeycomb lattice.     

The first organically templated linear metal selenate

An organically templated cadmium selenate of the formula [enH₂][Cd(H₂O)₂(SeO₄)₂], , has been synthesized by carrying out the reaction between CdO and H₂SeO₄ in the presence of the amine in aqueous medium at 80°C. The structure of involves isolated infinite [Cd(H₂O)₂(SeO₄)₂]²⁻ chains running along the c-axis, with the protonated ethylenediamine molecules between them. Crystal data for are as follows: Monoclinic, space group=C2/c, a=10.5059(7), b=10.3605(7), , β=94.666(2)°, , z=8, R₁=0.0237, wR₂=0.0500 (for all data).     

Solvothermal synthesis of new metal organic framework structures in the zinc-terephthalic acid-dimethyl formamide system

Two new metal organic framework (MOF) structures have been obtained from the Zn-terephthalic acid (H₂BDC)-dimethyl formamide (DMF) system and examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: Zn(C₈H₄O₄)(C₃H₇NO), 1, monoclinic C2/m, a=11.1369(5), b=14.0217(7), , β=106.316(1)°, , , Z=4, R₁=0.060, wR₂=0.169, S=1.27; Zn(HCO₂)₃(C₂H₈N), 2, trigonal , a=8.1818(1), , , , Z=6, R₁=0.014, wR₂=0.039, S=1.11. Contrary to previously published structures in the same system, the crystals were obtained by solvothermal synthesis at 381 K. Structure 1 consists of 2-D layers stacked in an offset manner to accommodate DMF moieties coordinated to Zn²⁺ within voids in adjacent layers. Structure 2 consists of a 3-D network constructed from Zn²⁺ ions bridged by deprotonated formic acid moieties. Over time, the structure of 1 rearranges to Zn(C₈H₄O₄)(C₃H₇NO)(H₂O) [monoclinic P2₁/n, a=6.6456(2), b=15.2232(5), , β=104.110(2)°, , , Z=4, R₁=0.048, wR₂=0.100, S=1.07], which is identical to the known MOF-2 structure, obtained by crystallization at ambient conditions. The three structures were determined from crystals with similar crystal habits picked from a single solvothermal synthesis batch. The study demonstrates that MOF syntheses can give not only multiple crystal structures under different conditions, but also that numerous different structures, including some that are metastable, can be formed under identical conditions.     

Organoaluminum fluorides

In this review we introduce a survey of organoaluminum fluorides with some examples of other related aluminum-fluorine compounds. A systematic overview of currently available synthetic methods for the preparation of organoaluminum fluorides is presented first. Then major examples of molecular structures of different classes of compounds are discussed in connection with their structural parameters and and NMR spectroscopic characteristics.     

Self-assembly of polyoxometalate clusters into a 3-D heterometallic framework via covalent bonding: synthesis, structure and characterization of Na4[Nd8(dipic)12(H2O)9][Mo8O26]·8H2O

An unprecedented hybrid solid obtained by self-assembly of octamolybdate clusters into a three-dimensional alkali metal modified neodymium-organic heterometallic framework is described. Crystal data: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, , , , β=98.90(3)°; ; Z=2, R (final)=0.0474. The data were collected on a Rigaku R-AXIS RAPID IP diffractometer at 293 K using graphite-monochromated MoKα radiation () and oscillation scans technique in the range of 1.98°<θ<27.48°.     

A possible 2,1 → 3,1 isomerization mechanism in zirconocene-catalyzed propene polymerization: An application of the density functional theory and combined ONIOM approach

The unimolecular isomerization mechanism from a secondary 2,1 → 3,1 propene unit promoted by the prototype zirconocene system H₂SiCp₂Zr⁺(P) (P = polymeryl chain) has been investigated by using density functional theory calculations (B3LYP) for both gas and solvent phases. The typical route occurring through β-hydrogen elimination to the metal, olefin rotation around the metal center and olefin reinsertion into the metal hydrogen bond has been calculated by using QM/MM calculations with the ONIOM model in the presence of the counterion and compared to the alternative intramolecular reversible formation of a zirconocene allyl dihydrogen complex. Our calculations show that the alternative route remains energetically less accessible, at least for the prototype metallocene system used here.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy of a layer-like transition metal (TM)-oxalate templated polyoxovanadium borate

A novel polyoxometalate (POM) Na₂(H₂en)₂{(VO)₁₀[B₁₄O₃₀(OH)₂]₂}{Mn₄(C₂O₄) [B₂O₄(OH)₂]₂}Mn(H₂O)₂·(H₃O)₁₂(H₂O)₁₉1 (en=ethylenediamine), which is a layer-like transition metal (TM) oxalate templated polyoxovanadium borate, has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by EPR, elemental analysis, thermal analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction and 2D IR correlation spectroscopy studies, respectively. This compound crystallized in the triclinic space group with , , , α=64.48(1)°, β=64.68(1)°, γ=63.93(1)°, and Z=2. The cluster anion with an open central cavity has a central band of ten edge-sharing VO₅ square pyramids, which is capped top and bottom by two crown-like polyborate ligands of formula [B₁₄O₃₀(OH)₂]²⁰⁻. There is a fragment of {Mn₄(C₂O₄)[B₂O₄(OH)₂]₂}²⁻ fixed in the central cavity as a guest part. The cluster units are connected to form a two-dimensional (2D) framework by octahedral Mn(II) and Na⁺ sites. In addition, we first introduce the generalized 2D correlation spectroscopy to explore the POMs and obtain the dynamic information about structural changes of POMs.     

Geometry and chemical bonding in polyhedral boranes, metallaboranes, and dimetallaboranes: From closo to isocloso to oblatocloso polyhedra

The geometry and chemical bonding in the closo metal-free boranes and the isoelectronic carboranes and C₂B_n−2H_n with 2n + 2 skeletal electrons are based on the most spherical deltahedra with a preference for degree 5 vertices, particularly for the boron atoms. Such deltahedral boranes can be considered to be three-dimensional aromatic systems, as indicated by strongly diatropic nucleus independent chemical shift values for (n = 6, 8, 9, 12). Metallaborane structures, particularly those with 9-11 vertices and only 2n rather than 2n + 2 apparent skeletal electrons, are often based on isocloso deltahedra with the metal atom at a degree 6 vertex. Dimetallaborane structures, particularly the rhenium derivatives Cp₂Re₂B_n−2H_n−2 (8 ? n ? 12), are based on highly non-spherical and very oblate deltahedra with the metal atoms typically at degree 6 or 7 vertices, which are the lowest curvature sites of the deltahedra. A viable model for the skeletal bonding in such dimetallaboranes can be developed if each of the two metal vertices is assumed to contribute five internal orbitals to the skeletal bonding. This leads to 2n + 4 skeletal electrons, which are partitioned into n surface bonds and a formal metal-metal double bond inside the oblate deltahedron.     

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of two misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi2O3-MO-Nb2O5 (M=Mg, Ni) systems

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of Bi_1.667Mg_0.70Nb_1.52O₇ (BMN) and Bi_1.67Ni_0.75Nb_1.50O₇ (BNN) misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi₂O₃-M^IIO-Nb₂O₅ (M=Mg, Ni) systems are reported. As for other recently reported Bi-pyrochlores, the metal ion vacancies are found to be confined to the pyrochlore A site. The B₂O₆ octahedral sub-structure is found to be fully occupied and well-ordered. Considerable displacive disorder, however, is found associated with the O′A₂ tetrahedral sub-structure in both cases. The A-site ions were displaced from Wyckoff position 16d (, , ) to 96 h (, , ) while the O′ oxygen was shifted from position 8b (, , ) to Wyckoff position 32e (, , ). The refined displacement magnitudes off the 16d and 8b sites for the A and O′ sites were 0.408 Å/0.423 Å and 0.350 Å/0.369 Å for BMN/BNN, respectively.     

Crystal structures of the ionic conductors Bi46M8O89 (M=P, V) related to the fluorite-type structure

The crystal structures of the two oxides Bi₄₆M₈O₈₉ (M=P, V) have been solved from single crystals X-ray data at room temperature. Bi₄₆P₈O₈₉ crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/m) with the cell parameters , , and β=112.14(3)°. The symmetry of Bi₄₆V₈O₈₉ is also monoclinic but the space group is P2₁/c with the unit-cell parameters: , , and β=107.27(3)°. Both structures derive from an oxygen deficient fluorite-type structure where the Bi and M cations (M=P, V) are ordered in the framework. The structures are characterised by isolated MO₄ tetrahedra (M=P, V) which contradicts the previous results. The difference between the two structures is only due to a different order of the M atoms (M=P, V) in the fluorite-type superstructure. It will be shown that some oxygen sites are partially occupied in both structures which can explain the ion conduction properties of these phases. A structural building principle will be proposed that can explain the large domain of solid solution related to the fluorite-type observed in both systems.     

Thermochemistry of adducts of some bivalent transition metal bromides with aniline

The compounds [MBr₂(an)₂] (where M is Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II); an = aniline) were synthesized and characterized by melting points, elemental analysis, thermal studies, and electronic and IR spectroscopy. The enthalpies of dissolution of the adducts, metal(II) bromides and aniline in methanol, aqueous 1.2 M HCl or 25% (v/v) aqueous 1.2 M HCl in methanol were measured. The following thermochemical parameters for the adducts have been determined by thermochemical cycles: the standard enthalpies for the Lewis acid/base reactions (Δ_rH°), the standard enthalpies of formation (Δ_fH°), the standard enthalpies of decomposition (Δ_DH°), the lattice standard enthalpies (Δ_MH°) and the standard enthalpies of the Lewis acid/base reactions in the gaseous phase (Δ_rH°(g)). The mean bond dissociation enthalpies of the M(II)-nitrogen bonds () and the enthalpies of formation of the adducts from the ions in the gaseous phase: M²⁺_(g) + Br⁻_(g) + an_(g) → [MBr₂(an)₂]_(g), (Δ_fiH°) have been estimated.