Structure and hydration of the C4H4●+ ion formed by electron impact ionization of acetylene clusters

Here we report ion mobility experiments and theoretical studies aimed at elucidating the identity of the acetylene dimer cation and its hydrated structures. The mobility measurement indicates the presence of more than one isomer for the C(4)H(4)(●+) ion in the cluster beam. The measured average collision cross section of the C(4)H(4)(●+) isomers in helium (38.9 ± 1 A?(2)) is consistent with the calculated cross sections of the four most stable covalent structures calculated for the C(4)H(4)(●+) ion [methylenecyclopropene (39.9 A?(2)), 1,2,3-butatriene (41.1 A?(2)), cyclobutadiene (38.6 A?(2)), and vinyl acetylene (41.1 A?(2))]. However, none of the single isomers is able to reproduce the experimental arrival time distribution of the C(4)H(4)(●+) ion. Combinations of cyclobutadiene and vinyl acetylene isomers show excellent agreement with the experimental mobility profile and the measured collision cross section. The fragment ions obtained by the dissociation of the C(4)H(4)(●+) ion are consistent with the cyclobutadiene structure in agreement with the vibrational predissociation spectrum of the acetylene dimer cation (C(2)H(2))(2)(●+) [R. A. Relph, J. C. Bopp, J. R. Roscioli, and M. A. Johnson, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 114305 (2009)]. The stepwise hydration experiments show that dissociative proton transfer reactions occur within the C(4)H(4)(●+)(H(2)O)(n) clusters with n ≥ 3 resulting in the formation of protonated water clusters. The measured binding energy of the C(4)H(4)(●+)H(2)O cluster, 38.7 ± 4 kJ/mol, is in excellent agreement with the G3(MP2) calculated binding energy of cyclobutadiene(●+)·H(2)O cluster (41 kJ/mol). The binding energies of the C(4)H(4)(●+)(H(2)O)(n) clusters change little from n = 1 to 5 (39-48 kJ/mol) suggesting the presence of multiple binding sites with comparable energies for the water-C(4)H(4)(●+) and water-water interactions. A significant entropy loss is measured for the addition of the fifth water molecule suggesting a structure with restrained water molecules, probably a cyclic water pentamer within the C(4)H(4)(●+)(H(2)O)(5) cluster. Consequently, a drop in the binding energy of the sixth water molecule is observed suggesting a structure in which the sixth water molecule interacts weakly with the C(4)H(4)(●+)(H(2)O)(5) cluster presumably consisting of a cyclobutadiene(●+) cation hydrogen bonded to a cyclic water pentamer. The combination of ion mobility, dissociation, and hydration experiments in conjunction with the theoretical calculations provides strong evidence that the (C(2)H(2))(2)(●+) ions are predominantly present as the cyclobutadiene cation with some contribution from the vinyl acetylene cation.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of complex oxides of the Zn2 ? x(ZraSnb)1 ? xFe2xO4 composition

A multicomponent system of complex refractory oxides of the composition Zn_{2 − x} (Zr _a Sn _b )_{1 − x} Fe_2x O₄ (a + b = 1; a: b = 1: 5, 1: 4, 1: 3, 1: 2, 1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1, 4: 1; x = 0−1.0; Δx = 0.05) was studied by X-ray diffraction. The samples were prepared from oxides of appropriate metals by low-temperature plasma synthesis (hydrogen-oxygen flame). Two phases with wide homogeneity ranges were identified: α phase crystallized in the crystal system of inverse cubic spinel and β phase with the structure of tetragonal spinel. The phase boundaries were found. Structural data are presented for about 100 solid solutions.     

Infrared multiphoton dissociation spectroscopy study of protonated p-aminobenzoic acid: does electrospray ionization afford the amino- or carboxy-protonated ion?

Infrared multiphoton dissociation spectra of protonated p-aminobenzoic acid generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) from aqueous methanol and acetonitrile solutions were recorded in the gas phase from 2800-4000 cm(-1). The O-protonated ion is more stable than the N-protonated structure in the gas phase, whereas the opposite is true in both solutions. When CH(3)OH/H(2)O was used as the ESI solvent, only the O-protonated ion was observed. In contrast, a 70:30 mixture of the O- and N-protonated species were produced from CH(3)CN/H(2)O. These structural assignments are based on an assortment of experimental data (action spectra, photofragments, photofragmentation kinetics, and H/D exchange) and are fully supported by extensive computations. This work shows that ESI can lead to isomerization and that the ionization site may be varied by changing the solvent from which the substrate is analyzed.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and the thermodynamic properties of manganites Ca1 ? x ? ySrxLayMnO3 ? δ

The content of oxygen in Ca_{0.6 − y} Sr_0.4La _y MnO_{3 − δ}, where y = 0 and 0.05, was determined by coulometric titration over the temperature range 650–950°C at oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase varied from 10⁻⁴ to 1 atm. The results were used to calculate the partial molar enthalpy, Δ$ \bar H $ \bar H _O(δ), and entropy, Δ$ \bar S $ \bar S _O(δ), of oxygen in manganites. Changes in the Δ$ \bar H $ \bar H _O(δ) and Δ$ \bar S $ \bar S _O(δ) dependences caused by the introduction of lanthanum are evidence of the formation of local clusters of the double perovskite type in the Ca_0.6Sr_0.4MnO_{3 − δ} matrix.     

Quantum-chemical study of chlorophosphoranes: II. Structure of molecules of (Cl2)aP(ClnX3?n)e series, and mutual influence of axial and equatorial substituents

The quantum-chemical calculations of the (C₆H₅)₂PCl₃ molecule were performed by the methods RHF/6-31G(d) and MP2/6-31G(d) with complete and partial optimization of its geometry. The results of calculations were used for evaluating the NQR frequencies of ³⁵Cl and the parameters of asymmetry of the of electric field gradient on the ³⁵Cl nuclei of this molecule. According to the results of calculations with the partial optimization of geometry and to the experimental data of ³⁵Cl NQR the bond lengths were found of central atom P in the solid state of this compound. The mutual influence of its axial and equatorial bonds was studied. It is shown that in chlorophosphoranes the ³⁵Cl NQR frequencies of the axial and equatorial chlorine atoms decrease with the decrease in the bond lengths of phosphorus atom.     

Synthesis and study of the properties of K2Y1 ? x ? yEuxTby(MoO4)(PO4) and K2Y1 ? x ? yEuxTby(MoO4)(PO4)1?δ(VO4)δ solid solutions

Al synthesized samples are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic symmetry system, space group Ibca. Particles of the final product of ∼200 nm in size have been obtained. The introduction of the vanadate anion into the matrix composition leads to the lowering of the symmetry of the Eu³⁺ environment and to the rise of the defect luminescence at 450–550 nm because of the unit cell distortion. The luminescence of defects in terbium-europium-containing samples is determined by the sample surface area, which decreases on annealing. The τ, W ₀ and γ parameters of the luminescence kinetics of the samples have been determined.     

How does dielectric solvation affect the size of an ion?

The effect of solvation by a continuum dielectric on the size of an ion is examined using electronic structure calculations. Various measures correlated with size are considered, including the root-mean-square radius of the electronic charge density, the amount of solute charge penetrating outside the cavity, the electronic radial distribution function, the nucleus-electron potential energy, and the electron-electron potential energy. Calculations are made on several representative ionic solutes, and it is found that every measure indicates that the application of a dielectric makes the cations larger and the anions smaller. These counterintuitive trends are examined, and a plausible explanation is offered for the observed behavior.     

The conditions of formation and physicochemical properties of Nd1 ? xBaxMn1 ? yFeyO3 phases

The homogeneity regions of Nd_{1 − x} Ba _x MnO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) and NdMn_{1 − y} Fe _y O₃ (0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0) orthorhombic solid solutions in air at 1373 K were determined. The region of the existence of Nd_{1 − x} Ba _x Mn_{1 − y} Fe _y O₃ orthorhombic solid solutions in air at 1373 K was studied. A fragment of the phase diagram of the NdMnO₃-BaMnO₃-BaFeO_2.5-NdFeO₃ quasi-quaternary complex oxide system in air at 1373 K was suggested. The mechanothermal properties of Nd_0.75Ba_0.25MnO₃, Nd_0.8Ba_0.2Mn_0.9Fe_0.1O₃, Nd_0.8Ba_0.2Mn_0.7Fe_0.3O₃, and Nd_0.8Ba_0.2Mn_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ doped neodymium manganates were studied.     

Synthesis and characterization of the La1−xSrxFeO3−δ system and the fluorinated phases La1−xSrxFeO3−xFx

The oxyfluorides La_1−xSr_xFeO_3−xF_x have been prepared by fluorination of the precursor oxides La_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ via a low temperature route using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The structures of the oxides and oxyfluorides were investigated in detail by the Rietveld analysis of powder diffraction data. The oxyfluorides crystallize in the space group Pnma for 0<x≤0.9 (SrFeO₂F itself is cubic, space group Pm-3m) and show a sort of two-step structural distortion for decreasing x. Furthermore, a structural comparison of the oxyfluorides with the oxides is given, revealing an increase of the volume per La_1−xSr_xFeX₃ unit during fluorination, of which the magnitude highly depends on the value of x.     

Effects of combined substitution of Dy and Mo or Si on the crystal structures and magnetic properties of Nd1?yDyyFe11?xTiMx (M = Mo, Si) compounds

A series of Nd_1−y Dy _y Fe_11−x TiM_x (M = Mo, Si) alloys have been prepared by arc melting and studied by X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction. All samples are found to crystallize in the ThMn₁₂-type structure. The lattice parameters a and c and unit cell volume V of Nd_0.5Dy_0.5Fe_11−x TiMo _x alloys increase linearly with increasing content of Mo (x), while the lattice parameters a and c and unit cell volume V of Nd_0.5Dy_0.5Fe_11−x TiSi _x alloys decrease linearly with increasing content of Si(x). In Nd _y Dy_1−y Fe_11−x TiM _x (M = Mo, Si) compounds, Ti and Mo atoms preferentially occupy the 8i sites and Si atoms preferentially occupy the 8j and 8f sites. Magnetic measurements show that the substitution of Fe by either Mo or Si leads to a decrease in the Curie temperature. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20775088) and the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KF2008-06)     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and the thermodynamic and structural properties of double perovskites PrBaCo2 ? xCuxO5 + δ

The special features of the structure, electrophysical properties, and oxygen nonstoichiometry of new double perovskites PrBaCo_{2 − x} Cu _x O_{5 + δ} were studied. Within the homogeneity region with respect to copper 0 < x ≤ 1, solid solution samples had an orthorhombic structure (space group Pmmm) with the parameters a _p × 2a _p × 2a _p , where a _p ≈ 3.8 ?. The oxygen nonstoichiometry of PrBaCo_{2 − x} Cu _x O_{5 + δ} changes as the copper content increases approximately as δ ≈ 0.85 − x/2. The content of oxygen was measured by coulometric titration over wide temperature and oxygen pressure ranges. The partial thermodynamic functions of labile oxygen were calculated and the limits of the thermodynamic stability of the solid solution were established. Original Russian Text ? A.Yu. Suntsov, I.A. Leonidov, A.A. Markov, M.V. Patrakeev, Ya.N. Blinovskov, V.L. Kozhevnikov, 2009, published in Zhurnal Fizicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 954–960.     

Impurity and phase compositions of the surface of CdxHg1?xTe solid solutions

The results of our studies of the real surface impurity and phase compositions of Cd _x Hg_{1 − x} Te solid solutions and changes in the compositions induced by thermal evacuation and ion bombardment are presented. The impurity and phase compositions of the surface of CdHgTe solid solutions exposed to air included the gases and vapors (CO, O₂, H₂O) and hydrocarbons adsorbed from the atmosphere. Thermal vacuum treatment of the samples at 615 K led to surface purification from organic impurities, oxygen, water, and mercury microinclusions. The Cd _x Hg_{1 − x} Te sample surface was completely cleaned and its stoichiometric composition achieved by ion etching to a depth of 100 ?.     

Why does silane enhance the protective properties of epoxy films?

Using neutron reflectivity, the protection mechanisms of a novel one-step epoxy-silane coating system were investigated in terms of coating structure and water response behavior. By comparing pure epoxy and epoxy-silane mixtures in various aqueous environments, the effects of the addition of silane were determined. Specifically, a bridged bis-silane coupling agent with six alkoxy moieties and a polysulfur bridge was investigated. The key mechanisms of silane-enhanced protection are (1) the silane is enriched at the substrate-coating interface, forming a hydrophobic dense interfacial layer and good adhesion to the substrate, and (2) the silane serves as a cross-linker, resulting in a denser and less hydrophilic bulk film compared to the neat epoxy. The hydrophobic nature of bis-sulfur silane also increases the overall hydrophobicity of the mixed film.     

Combined adsorption of ammonia and oxygen on the surface of solid solutions of CdxHg1 ? xTe

The adsorption of ammonia, oxygen, and the NH₃ + O₂ mixture on solid solutions Cd _x Hg_{1 − x} Te is studied. The low adsorbability of the mixture, as compared to that of the individual components, is established. Conclusions are drawn as to the nature of its active centers. Schemes for the combined adsorption of ammonia and oxygen are proposed. The temperature areas of tentatively highest catalytic activity of CdTe and CdHgTe in the reaction of ammonia oxidation are established. The formation of gaseous nitrogen in the final products is demonstrated. The degree of ammonia’s transformation into nitrogen is 97–99%. It increased with a rise in temperature and did not depend on the initial ammonia concentration.     

Phase transitions and ion transport in NASICON materials of composition Li1 + xZr2 ? xInx(PO4)3(x = 0–1)

NASICON materials of composition Li_{1 + x} Zr_{2 − x} In _x (PO₄)₃(x = 0–1) were synthesized. The phase constitution, particle size, and conductivity of these materials were studied as s function of synthesis temperature. High-temperature X-ray powder diffraction was used to study phase transitions in the materials synthesized. Low levels (x ≤ 0.1) partial substitution of indium for zirconium considerably increase the lithium ion conductivity and reduce the activation energy for conduction compared to the parent compound.     

Solid solutions of Ba2(In1 ? xAlx)2O5: Structural evolution and hydration processes

Solid solutions of the composition Ba₂(In_{1 − x} Al _x )₂O₅[VO]₁ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) with an incomplete oxygen sublattice were obtained. It was established that, along with an increase in parameter x, there is disordering of oxygen vacant positions and a transition from the structure of brownmillerite to that of defect perovskite. It was demonstrated that the phases under study are characterized by an ability for reversible interaction with water vapors in the temperature range 150–450°C. During this process, proton defects, predominantly in the form of OH⁻ groups, are formed in the oxide structure. We conclude that in a number of solid solutions, the amount of intercalated water declines upon an increase in the aluminum content.     

Characterization of the fluxes of neutral and positively charged clusters (Agn and Agn+; n≤4) produced by argon ion sputtering of silver

The emission of neutral and positively charged silver clusters during sputtering of a polycrystalline silver target by 5 keV Ar⁺ ion bombardment has been studied and the sputter ejected silver flux has been characterized. As a result, the silver flux is found to be strongly dominated byneutral clusters rather than cluster ions. The contribution of neutral clusters in the overall silver flux decreases rapidly and monotonically with increasing cluster size n and decreases, in addition, with decreasing bombarding energy. The well known alternation of the secondary ion intensities of Ag _n ⁺ as a function of cluster size (higher intensities for odd n) is found to be correlated with the effective ionization potentials of the corresponding sputtered neutral clusters.     

The thermodynamics of ionization of α-alanine in methanol + water mixtures and the determination of single ion thermodynamics

In order to understand the effect of solvents on the thermodynamic parameters of amino acids, the thermodynamic dissociation constants, k₁ and K₂, for the reactions

and

(where RH^± = α-alanine) have been determined pH-metrically in methanol + water mixtures. The measurements were carried out in dilute solutions and in the absence of neutral electrolytes to minimize the “salt effect” as far as practicable so that the “medium effects” on the dissociation constants of the α-alanine can be properly understood.The enthalpy values for reactions (1) and (2) (up to 44.14 wt% of methanol) have been determined calorimetrically. It has been observed that the conversion of α-alanine into cations and anions is favourable both from enthalpic and entropic considerations, so that the reverse reactions of (1) and (2) are spontaneous. Attempts have been made to interpret the thermodynamics properties of α-alanine in terms of hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions and other structural changes of the solvent molecules.In order to get a better insight into the nature of specific solute-solvent interactions, we have analysed the results in terms of single ion values using the thermodynamic values from the present work and other relevant data from previous work in our laboratory.     

Why does cyclopropene have the acidity of an acetylene but the bond energy of methane?

The gas-phase acidity of 3,3-dimethylcyclopropene (1) has been measured by bracketing and equilibrium techniques. Consistent with simple hybridization arguments, our value (deltaH degrees (acid) = 382.7 +/- 1.3 kcal mol(-)(1)) is indistinguishable from that for methylacetylene (i.e., deltadeltaH degrees (acid)(1 - CH(3)Ctbd1;CH) = 1.6 +/- 2.5 kcal mol(-)(1)). The electron affinity of 3,3-dimethylcyclopropenyl radical (1r) was also determined (EA = 37.6 +/- 3.5 kcal mol(-)(1)), and these quantities were combined in a thermodynamic cycle to afford the homolytic C-H bond dissociation energy. To our surprise, the latter quantity (107 +/- 4 kcal mol(-)(1)) is the same as that for methane, which cannot be explained in terms of the s-character in the C-H bonds. An orbital explanation (delocalization) is proposed to account for the extra stability of 1r. All of the results are supplemented with G3 and B3LYP computations, and both approaches are in good accord with the experimental values. We also note that for simple hydrocarbons which give localized carbanions upon deprotonation there is an apparent linear correlation between any two of the following three quantities: deltaH degrees (acid), BDE, and EA. This observation could be of considerable value in many diverse areas of chemistry.