Solid-state Structures and Solution Behavior of Alkali Salts of the [\hbox{Nb}_{6}\hbox{O}_{19}]^{8-} Lindqvist Ion

The hexaniobate Lindqvist ion has long been known as the dominant specie in alkaline niobium oxide solutions. Recent advances in heteropolyniobate chemistry continue to be greatly aided by use of alkali salts as soluble precursors; in particular, potassium, sodium and lithium hexaniobate salts. We report here the solid-state characterization and solution behavior of Li, K, Rb and Cs Lindqvist salts. Synthesis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data is reported for nine new hexaniobate salts. These structures differ in the number of charge-balancing alkali cations, protonation of the clusters, relative arrangement of the clusters and alkali metal cations, amount of lattice water and its mode of interaction with other lattice species. Trends of alkali-cluster bonding are observed as a function of alkali radius. Protonation of the clusters in the solid-state is influenced by the method of crystallization of the salt. Lability of the cluster oxygens is observed by solution ¹⁷O NMR experiments. Rates of isotopic enrichment of the bridging oxygen, terminal oxygen and bridging hydroxyl cluster sites are compared for aqueous solutions of Li, K, Rb and Cs hexaniobate salts. Parameters influencing the oxo-ligand exchange rates of the salts are discussed relative to their use as heteropolyniobate precursors.This paper is dedicated to Professor Michael T. Pope on the event of his retirement to acknowledge his fruitful career in polyoxometalate chemistry.     

The First Structurally Characterized Mn(III) Substituted Sandwich-type Polyoxotungstates

The new polyoxotungstates H₂O (1), · 28H₂O (2) and H₂O (3) were synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and single-crystal X-ray analysis. The anions in 1 and 2 are the first structurally characterized sandwich-type polyoxoanions which contain trivalent manganese atoms. The manganese atoms are coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two Keggin fragments and one water molecule, forming a square pyramid. The manganese(II) containing anions in 3 are linked via Mn–O–W-bonds, forming a two-dimensional network.Dedicated to Prof. M.T. Pope on the occasion of his retirement.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction of O2 by a Cu(II)-Substituted Electron-Rich Wheel-Type Oxomolybdate Nanocluster

Catalysis of electron transfer by a Cu-substituted wheel-type oxomolybdate cluster–anion, , (1), is demonstrated. Data provided include aqueous-solution chemistry (stability) studies of 1 and , (2), derivatives of the “plenary” {Mo₁₅₄} anion, , (3). Combined use of cyclic voltammetry and UV–vis spectroscopy shows that, while both 1 and 2 appear to be stable in solution at pH 0.33 (0.5 M H₂SO₄), 1 is more stable than 2 at pH 3 (in 0.2 M Na₂SO₄). Cyclic voltammetric analysis in the presence of O₂ shows that 1 is an electrocatalyst for electron transfer to O₂. Bulk electrolysis of 1 in the presence of O₂ (ca. 1 mM) is used to assess catalyst stability under turnover conditions, and to demonstrate that the final product of electrocatalytic reduction is water, rather than H₂O₂. Finally, control experiments using 1, 2, and CuSO₄ (no oxomolybdate-cluster present), show that catalytic activity is due to specific interaction(s) between Cu ions and the Mo₁₄₂ type oxomolybdate structure of 1.     

Two Group 8 Carbonyl Clusters Containing a Naked {\varvec{\mu}}_5-Sb Atom

The synthesis and structural characterisation of two novel clusters, 2, and 3, are presented. They are the first examples of osmium and ruthenium clusters containing a naked atom.     

Cluster Oxalate Complexes [W3(μ3-Q)(μ2-Q)3 (C2O4)3(H2O)3]2? (Q=S, Se): Mechanochemical Synthesis and Crystal Structure

Mechanochemical reaction of cluster coordination polymers (Q=S, Se) with solid leads to the cluster core excision with the formation of anionic complexes . Extraction of the reaction mixture with water followed by crystallization gives crystalline (main product) and (1) (minor product). In the case of the Se cluster, the complex could not be isolated, and the treatment of the aqueous extract with PPh₃ gave (2) in a low yield. Alternatively, it was obtained from and in high yield. Both 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Dedicated to Academician I. I. Moiseev on the occasion of his 75th birthday and in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cluster chemistry.     

Pd(PBu 3 t ) Adducts of Os3(CO)12. Synthesis and Structures of Pd2Os3(CO)12(PBu 3 t )2 and Pd3Os3(CO)12 (PBu 3 t )3

Two new compounds Pd₂Os₃(CO)₁₂ , 13 and Pd₃Os₃(CO)₁₂ , 14 have been obtained from the reaction of with Os₃(CO)₁₂ at room temperature. The products were formed by the addition of two and three groups to the Os–Os bonds of Os₃(CO)₁₂. Compounds 13 and 14 interconvert between themselves by intermolecular exchange of the groups in solution. Compounds 13 and 14 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.Dedicated to Professor Brian F. G. Johnson on the occasion of his retirement – 2005.     

Interactions between Keggin-Type Lacunary Polyoxometalates and Ag Nanoparticles: A Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopic Investigation

Interactions between two Keggin-type lacunary polyoxometalates (POMs), PW₁₁O and SiW₁₁O, and pre-formed citrate-protected colloidal Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were studied by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and UV-Vis spectroscopies. Clear SERS evidence of displacing the originally surface-bound citrate ions by the subsequently added POMs indicates a stronger metal–ligand interaction between the POMs and the Ag NPs. Accompanied red-shifts in the surface plasma peak position of the Ag NPs were also observed for both POMs. The simultaneous presence of a number of SERS vibrational bands which can be assigned to vibrational modes of the POM molecule suggests that its overall structure is intact upon adsorption. Based on the SERS observations, a bonding between the penta-dentate aperture of the POMs and the Ag NP surface was proposed.Dedicated to the retirement of Michael Pope.     

Counter-Ion Association Effect in Dilute Giant Polyoxometalate [AsIII 12CeIII 16(H2O)36W148O524]76−({W148}) and [Mo132O372(CH3COO)30 (H2O)72]42− ({Mo132}) Macroanionic Solutions

This article reports the use of simple conductivity measurements to explore the state of small counter-ions (mostly NH ₄ ⁺ and Na⁺) in $[\hbox{As}^{\rm III}_{12}\hbox{Ce}^{\rm III}_{16}(\hbox{H}_2\hbox{O})_{36}\hbox{W}_{148}\hbox{O}_{524}]^{76-} (\{\hbox{W}_{148}\})$ and $[\hbox{Mo}_{132}\hbox{O}_{372}(\hbox{CH}_{3}\hbox{COO})_{30} (\hbox{H}_{2}\hbox{O})_{72}]^{42-} (\{\hbox{Mo}_{132}\})$ macroanionic solutions. All the solutions are dialyzed to remove the extra electrolytes. Conductivity measurements on {(NH₄)₇₀Na₆W₁₄₈} and {(NH₄)₄₂Mo₁₃₂} solutions at different concentrations both before and after dialysis indicate that the state of counter-ions has obvious concentration dependence. The “counter-ion association” phenomenon, that is, some small counter-ions closely associate with macroanions and move together, has been observed in both types of macroionic solutions above certain concentration. The association of counter-ions in hydrophilic macroionic solutions provides support on our previous speculation that the counter-ions might be responsible for the unique self-assembly of such macroanions into single-layer blackberry-type structures.     

Mononuclear species LnL and LnLH<Subscript>−1</Subscript> based on 1,10-phenanthroline dibenzoimidazole derivatives as catalysts for hydrolysis of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP)

Two novel multidentate ligands: 2,9-bis- -1,10-phenanthroline(L₁) and 2,9-bis- -1,10-phenanthroline(L₂) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Protonation of the ligands and the stability of complexes of the ligands with rare earth metal ions were investigated. The mononuclear metal complexes [Gd^III and Sm^III] of the ligands were studied as catalysts for the transphosphorylation of the RNA-model substrate 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenylphosphate(HPNP). Kinetic studies show the second-order rate constants of HPNP hydrolysis catalyzed by complexes LnL and LnLH₋₁, respectively. We found that both LnL and LnLH₋₁ have catalytic activity, but GdL₁H₋₁ was the most efficient catalyst of them, which indicated that the structure of the ligands has obviously influence on the activity of corresponding complexes. A new mechanism was proposed for HPNP hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by LnL and LnLH₋₁.     

Thermolytic Transformation of Organometallic Polymers Containing the Cr(CO)<Subscript>5</Subscript> Precursor into Nanostructured Chromium Oxide

Thermal treatment in air of the organometallic polymer (1) results in the formation of nanometer-size metal oxide particles. Cr particles in the 35–85 nm range, mostly 54 nm, immersed in an phosphorus oxides matrix were found. ATG studies in air suggest that the formation of the nanostructures occurs in four steps, the first involving loss of the carbonyl groups of the Cr(CO)₅ fragment. The following steps involve the oxidation of the organic matter and finally the oxidation of the chromium to give the pyrolytic product. The use of these kinds of organometallic polymers as precursors for a general and potential new route to materials having metal/metal oxide nanostructures is discussed.     

Studies on a new dinuclear Co<Superscript>II</Superscript>–pterin complex exhibiting reactivity towards phenylalanine and bromobenzene

2-Pivaloylamino-6-acetonyl-isoxanthopterin (1, ) has been reacted with under suitable conditions for synthesizing the new compound ] (2). It has been characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility measurement, different spectroscopic techniques, and cyclic voltammetry. Molecular mechanics (MM2) method provided with its optimized geometry (having lowest steric energy), consistent with the above data; the optimized bond lengths and bond angles data tally with the literature X-ray structural data. Reactivity of (2) towards phenylalanine in the presence of in methanol has been followed both kinetically and stoichiometrically; a reasonable amount of tyrosine could be recovered from the reaction medium. The negative value (−274.0 J mol⁻¹ indicates an associative pathway for this process. (2) is also able to react with bromobenzene as indicated by time-dependent absorption spectra as well as product identification. Efficacy of the pterin ligand residue of (2) in rendering the latter reactive towards the above-mentioned organic compounds, has been discussed on the basis of experimental evidence.     

Mixed-Valence 24-Vanadophosphate Decorated with Six RuII(dmso)3 Groups: [{RuII3(dmso)9PVV11VIVRuIIIO37(OH)3}2]8?

The mixed-valence 24-vanadophosphate (1) has been synthesized and characterized in the solid state by IR, magnetism, EPR, XPS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on (Na-1), which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group , with a = 17.168(3) ?, b = 18.1971(14) ?, c = 20.1422(13) ?, α = 114.753(3)°, β = 99.390(4)°, γ = 95.124(4)°, and Z = 2. Polyanion 1 has an unusual, open structure composed of 2 Ru^IIIO₆ octahedra, 2 V^IVO₆ octahedra, 14 V^VO₅ square-pyramids, 8 V^VO₄ tetrahedra, and 2 PO₄ tetrahedra which are all directly linked via edges and corners. The outer surface of 1 is decorated with six Ru^II(dmso)₃ groups. XPS studies on Na-1 confirm the presence of 2 Ru^III and 6 Ru^II as well as 22 V^V and 2 V^IV centers. Magnetic susceptibility data on Na-1 show that the V^IV–Ru^III pairs are coupled antiferromagnetically, with J ₁ = −13 K and J ₂ ∼ −3 K. We did not detect any peak in our EPR measurements on Na-1, thus supporting the conclusion that Na-1 is diamagnetic in its ground state. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. In Memoriam Prof. F. A. Cotton     

Influence of Base Gas Mixture on Decomposition of 1,4-Dichlorobenzene in an Electron Beam Generated Plasma Reactor

Decomposition of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB) in different gas mixtures [e.g. air, N₂, 1.027%NO/N₂ (N₂ as balance gas)] in an electron beam generated plasma reactor was investigated to gain insight into the base gases influence on 1,4-DCB decomposition. Decomposition efficiency of 1,4-DCB increased with the absorbed dose increasing, the order of 1,4-DCB to be easily decomposed in different gas mixtures was: , the reason for this was discussed.     

Reactions of Unsaturated Quinoline Triosmium Clusters [Os3(CO)9(μ3-η2-C9H5(4-R)N)(μ-H)] (R=Me or H) with Tetramethylthiourea: X-ray Structures of [Os3(CO)8(μ-η2-C9H5(4-Me)N)(η2-SC(NMe2NCH2Me)(μ-H)2] and [Os3(CO)9(μ-η2-C9H6N)(η1-SC(NMe2)2)(μ-H)]

Treatment of the electronically unsaturated 4-methylquinoline triosmium cluster $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO)}_{9}(\upmu_3\hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-}\hbox{C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{5} \hbox{(4-Me)N})(\upmu\hbox{-H})]$ (1) with tetramethylthiourea in refluxing cyclohexane at 81°C gave $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO)}_{8}(\upmu\hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{5} \hbox{(4-Me)N})(\upeta^2\hbox{-SC}(\hbox{NMe}_2\hbox{NCH}_2\hbox{Me})(\upmu \hbox{-H})_2]$ (2) and $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO)}_{9}(\upmu\hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{5}\hbox{(4-Me)N})(\upeta^1\hbox{-SC}(\hbox{NMe}_2)_2)(\upmu\hbox{-H})]$ (3). In contrast, a similar reaction of the corresponding quinoline compound $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO)}_{9}(\upmu_{3}\hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{6}\hbox{N})(\upmu\hbox{-H})]$ (4) with tetramethylthiourea afforded $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO)}_{9}(\upmu\hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{6}\hbox{N})(\upeta^{1}\hbox{-SC(NMe}_{2})_{2})(\upmu\hbox{-H)}]$ (5) as the only product. Compound 2 contains a cyclometallated tetramethylthiourea ligand which is chelating at the rear osmium atom and a quinolyl ligand coordinated to the Os₃ triangle via the nitrogen lone pair and the C(8) atom of the carbocyclic ring. In 3 and 5, the tetramethylthiourea ligand is coordinated at an equatorial site of the osmium atom, which is also bound to the carbon atom of the quinolyl ligand. Compounds 3 and 5 react with PPh₃ at room temperature to give the previously reported phosphine substituted products $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO)}_{9}(\upmu \hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{5}\hbox{(4-Me)N)(PPh}_{3})(\upmu\hbox{-H)}]$ (6) and $[\hbox{Os}_{3}\hbox{(CO}_{9}(\upmu \hbox{-}\upeta^{2}\hbox{-C}_{9}\hbox{H}_{6}\hbox{N)(PPh}_{3})(\upmu\hbox{-H)}]$ (7) by the displacement of the tetramethylthiourea ligand.     

Mechanistic investigations on the oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-valine by diperiodatocuprate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium: a kinetic model

The oxidation of l-valine (l-val) by diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) in aqueous alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 3.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ was studied spectrophotometrically at 298 K and follows the rate law;

Vibrational isotope effect by the low rank perturbation method

Mathematical formalism of the Low Rank Perturbation method (LRP) is applied to the vibrational isotope effect in the harmonic approximation with a standard assumption that force field does not change under isotopic substitutions. A pair of two n-atom isotopic molecules A and B which are identical except for isotopic substitutions at ρ atomic sites is considered. In the LRP approach vibrational frequencies ω _k and normal modes of the isotopomer B are expressed in terms of the vibrational frequencies ν _i and normal modes of the parent molecule A. In those relations complete specification of the normal modes is not required. Only amplitudes at sites τ affected by the isotopic substitutions and in the coordinate direction s (s = x, y, z) are needed. Out-of-plane vibrations of the (H,D)-benzene isotopomers are considered. Standard error of the LRP frequencies with respect to the DFT frequencies is on average . This error is due to the uncertainty of the input data (± 0.5 cm⁻¹) and in the absence of those uncertainties and in the harmonic approximation it should disappear. In comparing with experiment, one finds that LRP frequencies reproduces experimental frequencies of (H,D)-benzene isotopomers better () than scaled DFT frequencies () which are designed to minimize (by frequency scaling technique) this error. In addition, LRP is conceptually and numerically simple and it also provides a new insight in the vibrational isotope effect in the harmonic approximation.     

Mechanism of the electroreduction of Ni (II) ions on mercury electrodes catalyzed by pyridine and its derivatives: nicotinamide, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethylnicotinamide and nicotine: concept of parallel heterogeneous catalytic reactions

The theory of the polarographic catalytic currents (mechanism CE) has been developed for the system: Ni²⁺-L-X^p− where L: pyridine (Py), nicotinamide (NA), N,N-diethylnicotinamide (DEN), nicotine (NC) and X^p−: NO⁻ ₃, AcO⁻, HPO²⁻ ₄ . The theory is based on the kinetic parallel heterogeneous catalytic reactions:

Experimental Research of OH and N<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> Spatially Resolved Spectra in a Needle-Plate Pulsed Streamer Discharge

In this study, the spatial distributions of the emission intensity of OH (\(\hbox{A}^{2}\Upsigma {\rightarrow}\hbox{X}^{2}\Uppi,\) 0-0) and \(\hbox{N}_{2}^{+} (\hbox{B}^{2}\Upsigma_{\rm u}^{+}\rightarrow \hbox{X}^{2}\Upsigma_{\rm g}^{+},\) 0-0, 391.4 nm) are investigated in the atmospheric pressure pulsed streamer discharge of H₂O and N₂ mixture in a needle-plate reactor configuration. The effects of pulsed peak voltage, pulsed repetition rate, input power, and O₂ flow rate on the spatial distributions of the emission intensity of OH (\(\hbox{A}^{2}\Upsigma {\rightarrow}\hbox{X}^{2}\Uppi,\) 0-0), \(\hbox{N}_{2}^{+} (\hbox{B}^{2}\Upsigma _{\rm u}^{+} \rightarrow \hbox{X}^{2}\Upsigma _{\rm g}^{+},\) 0-0, 391.4 nm), and the vibrational temperature of N₂ (C) in the lengthwise direction from needle to plate are attained. It is found that the emission intensities of OH (\(\hbox{A}^{2}\Upsigma {\rightarrow}\hbox{X}^{2}\Uppi,\) 0-0) and \(\hbox{N}_{2}^{+} (\hbox{B}^{2}\Upsigma_{\rm u}^{+} \rightarrow \hbox{X}^{2}\Upsigma_{\rm g}^{+},\) 0-0, 391.4 nm) rise with increasing the pulsed peak voltage, the pulsed repetition rate and the input power, and decrease with increasing O₂ flow rate. In the direction from needle to plate, the emission intensity of OH (\(\hbox{A}^{2}\Upsigma {\rightarrow}\hbox{X}^{2}\Uppi,\) 0-0) decreases firstly, and rises near the plate electrode, while the emission intensity of \(\hbox{N}_{2}^{+}(\hbox{B}^{2}\Upsigma_{\rm u}^{+} \rightarrow \hbox{X}^{2}\Upsigma_{\rm g}^{+},\) 0-0, 391.4 nm) is nearly constant along the needle to plate direction firstly, and rises sharply near the plate electrode. The vibrational temperature of N₂ (C) is almost independent of the pulsed peak voltage and the pulsed repetition rate, but rises with increasing the O₂ flow rate and keeps nearly constant in the lengthwise direction. The main physicochemical processes involved are discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization and DNA binding studies of ruthenium(II) complexes: [Ru(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(dtmi)]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and [Ru(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(dtni)]<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

Two new ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes (1) (dtmi = 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5,6-f]-5-methoxylisatin) and (2) (dtni = 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5,6-f]-5-nitroisatin) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-MS, ES-MS and ¹H-n.m.r. The DNA-binding patterns of complexes were investigated by spectroscopic titration, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation. The results indicate that the complexes (1) and (2) interact with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) by intercalative mode. Due to the withdrawing electronic substitutent in the intercalative ligand, ptni, the DNA-binding affinity of the complexes (2) is larger than that complex (1) does.     

Recent developments in Ruddlesden–Popper nickelate systems for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

Motivated by recent work on the Ruddlesden–Popper material, which was shown to be a superior oxide-ion conductor than conventional solid-oxide fuel cell cathode perovskite materials, we undertook A- and B-site doping studies of the Ruddlesden–Popper nickelate series in an attempt to identify other candidates for cathode application. In this paper, we summarize our most significant results for the and systems and more recently, the higher-order Ruddlesden–Popper phases La _n+1Ni _n O_3n+1 (n=2 and 3), which show greater promise as cathode materials than the n=1 compositions.