Synthesis of Block Copolymers of Styrene with <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Lactide by the Sequential Controlled Cationic Polymerization and Ring-Opening Anionic Polymerization

The cationic polymerization of styrene initiated by the system 2-chloro-2-phenylpropane–TiCl₄–pyridine is studied in a mixture CH₂Cl₂–n-hexane at a temperature of –80°С. It is shown that under these conditions polymerization occurs via the living mechanism at [monomer]: [initiator] ≤ 100. The method of preparing polystyrenes with terminal primary hydroxyl groups (M_n = 4000–10000 g/mol) by the sequential controlled cationic polymerization of styrene and the in situ alkylation of 4-phenoxy-1-butanol by polystyrene macrocations is proposed. The resulting functionalized polystyrenes are used as macroinitiators of anionic-coordination ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide in the presence of tin bis(2-ethyl hexanoate) [Sn(Oct)₂] in toluene at 80°С. Copolymers polystyrene-block-poly(D,L-lactide) with the controlled length of the poly(D,L-lactide) block (M_n = 10000–17000 g/mol) and a relatively low molecular-weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.6–1.8) are synthesized. Formation of the block copolymers is confirmed by ¹Н NMR spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and atomic force microscopy.     

Phase equilibria involving solid solutions in the Li–Mn–O system

Phase equilibria involving LiMn₂O_4-, Li₂MnO_3-, LiMnO_2-, Mn₃O_4-, and MnO-base solid solutions were studied with varied temperature and partial oxygen pressure. The \({P_{{o_2}}}\)–T and x–y projections of the P–T–x–y phase diagram of the Li–Mn?O system were constructed, as well as the key x–y isotherms of the Li₂O–MnO–MnO₂ quasi-ternary system. In some experiments, the authors’ hydride lithiation method was employed to prepare lithium-rich homogeneous three-component nonstoichiometric phases.     

Optimized synthesis of 2-substituted 1-halocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids

The reaction of gem-dichloro- and gem-dibromocyclopropanes with n-butyllithium in THF under argon at–78°С followed by purging the reaction mixture with dry CO₂ was used to synthesize cis- and/or trans-1-halocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids in 30–56% yields. The yields of the target products could be increased to 76–83% by the addition of an equimolar amount of LiCl to the reaction mixture. The highest salt effect was obtained with lithium chloride generated in situ (88–96%).     

Radiation-Induced Heterogeneous Processes of Water Decomposition in the Presence of Mixtures of Silica and Zirconia Nanoparticles

The radiation-induced heterogeneous processes of water decomposition on mixtures of silicon dioxide (n-SiO₂) and zirconium dioxide (n-ZrO₂) nanoparticles have been studied. The kinetics of buildup of molecular hydrogen in the radiolytic processes of water decomposition in the test systems has been examined. The reaction rates and the radiation-chemical yield of hydrogen in the radiolysis of water in the presence of n-SiO₂–n-ZrO₂ mixtures with different ratios between the components have been determined. It has been found that the rates and radiation-chemical yields decreased on going from n-ZrO₂ to n-SiO₂. The individual components (n-SiO₂ and n-ZrO₂) and the mixtures of n-SiO₂–n-ZrO₂ and n-SiO₂–n-ZrO₂ + H₂O before and after γ-irradiation have been examined by Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy in order to reveal interactions between the components and to study the mechanism of radiolytic processes. It has been found that the adsorption of water in the test systems occurs via both molecular and dissociative mechanisms. It has been shown that there is no noticeable interaction between the components of the oxide nanoparticles under the conditions of the experiments.     

Structure of A Coordination Polymer [Cu(En)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The crystal structure of [Cu(En)₂CrO₄]_n (En is ethylenediamine) is determined: a = 14.7359(4) Å, b = 9.8083(3) Å, c = 14.2664(4) Å, V = 2061.98(10) ų, space group Cmce, Z = 8, d_x = 1.931 g/cm³. It is demonstrated that the studied phase is isostructural with [Сu(Еn)₂SO₄]_n. A pseudotetragonal copper atom coordination (Cu–N 2.0204 Å and 2.0244 Å, ∠N–Cu–N 84.73°) is completed to distorted octahedral by two oxygen atoms of chromate anions (Cu–O 2.433 Å and 2.380 Å).     

Structure and properties of the volatile isomers of bis(1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethylhexane-2,4-dionato) of platinum(II)

In the work, isomeric complexes of platinum(II) with the (ptac)^–1 pivaloyltrifluoroacetonate ion (Pt((CH₃)₃–CO–CH–CO–CF₃)₂) are studied. The synthesis and chromatographic separation of Pt(ptac)₂ isomers are described, TGA data for the separated isomers are given, and the crystal structures of the solid phases are studied. The cis-Pt(ptac)₂ complex crystallizes in the space group P-1, a = 10.7091(4) Å, b = 12.7787(6) Å, c = 16.0154(8) Å, α = 92.389(2)°, β = 90.868(2)°, γ = 112.1260(10)°, V = 2027.39(16) ų, Z = 4, d _calc = 1.918 g/cm³. The trans-Pt(ptac)₂ complex crystallizes in the space group C2/m, a = 13.3235(5) Å, b = 8.5515(3) Å, c = 9.6694(3) Å, β = 118.5880(10)°, V = 967.38(6) Å3, Z = 2, d _calc = 2.010 g/cm3. The structures of the complexes are molecular, the Pt atom has a square coordination of four oxygen atoms of two ligands; for cis-Pt(ptac)2, the Pt–Oav distance is 1.968 Å, for trans-Pt(ptac)2 it is 1.980 Å.     

Modeling of half-Heusler crystals with the chalcopyrite structure: Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgZn<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> (X = N,P, As,Sb)

A model of Li₂MgZnX ₂ half-Heusler compounds with the chalcopyrite structure is considered. The electronic structure is studied from first principles, showing that Li₂MgZnX ₂ are direct-gap crystals, except for pseudo-direct-gap Li₂MgZnP₂, with a band gap of 2.7 eV, 2.2 eV, 3.3 eV, and 2.5 eV for X = N, P, As, and Sb, respectively. The band structure and chemical bonding in the model crystals are found to be similar to those in LiMgX and LiZnX half-Heusler crystals. Total electron density and deformation electron density distributions are obtained. It is found that Mg–X and Zn–X ionic-covalent bonds are stronger than Li–X ionic bonds in Li₂MgZnX ₂ crystals, which allows Li atoms to move in the space between MgX ₄ and ZnX ₄ cation tetrahedra.     

Structure and thermal properties of a novel volatile bis(1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-3-hexene-4-imino-2-onate) platinum(II) compound

A novel volatile Pt(II)β-iminoketonate complex is synthesized. β-Aminovinylketone H(i-ptac) = [CF₃–C(O)–CH=C(NH₂)–C(CH₃)₃] is used as a ligand. The XRD method is used to determine the structures of the ligand and the complex. The crystallographic data for C₁₆H₂₂F₆N₂O₂Pt are as follows: a = 10.0716(4) Å, b = 10.9572(4) Å, c = 9.6322(4) Å, β = 110.9010(10)°, space group С2/m, Z = 2, R = 0.011. The platinum atom has a square planar coordination with two oxygen and two nitrogen atoms of two bidentately linked ketoiminate ligands in trans-position; the PtO₂N₂ coordination site is formed.     

A Novel 3D Platinum–Thallium Coordination Polymer having Strong Metal–Metal Interactions

A new three-dimensional platinum(II)–thallium(I) coordination polymer [{Pt(pda)(NHCOtBu)₂}₄Tl₄][Pt(CN)₄]₂·2H ₂ O (pda = 1,2-propyldiamine) has been prepared from the direct reaction of [Tl₂Pt(CN)₄] and [Pt(pda)(NHCOtBu)₂] in water, and its structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic, space group Pn, a = 11.567(2) Å, b = 11.570(2) Å, c = 37.677(8)Å, β = 94.64(3)°, V = 5025.8(17) Å³, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0679 and wR2 = 0.1574 [I >  2σ (I)], Goodness-of-fit on F ² = 1.055. The compound exhibits a novel 3D network structure consisting of [Pt(CN)₄]^2? connected 1D infinite Pt–Tl–Pt–Tl chains via strong Pt–Tl bonds.     

Transformations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-acylaryl)benzamides and their analogs under the Camps cyclization conditions

N-(2-Acylaryl)benzamides and analogous N-substituted furan-2-, thiophene-2-, and cyclopropane-carboxamides in the systems EtONa–EtOH, EtONa–THF, and t-BuOK–t-BuOH undergo Camps cyclization to 2-aryl-, 2-hetaryl-, and 2-cyclopropylquinolin-4(1H)-ones with high yields. The same substrates in the system t-BuOK (5 equiv)–THF are converted mainly to the corresponding N-(2-hydroxyaryl) amides as a result of oxidative transformation of the acyl fragment into hydroxy group.     

Iridium–nickel composite oxide catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction in acidic water electrolysis

A series of Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) composite oxides have been prepared by a simple pyrolysis method in ethanol system and used as the electrocatalysts for OER in acidic medium. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical performances of these Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y composite catalysts are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and steady-state measurements. The resulting oxides with the Ni content (x) less than 0.3 have a complex nature of metal Ir and rutile structure IrO₂ which is similar to the Ir oxide prepared by the same approach and possess the contracted lattice resulted from the Ni-doping. Although the addition of Ni reduces the electroactive surface areas due to the coalescence of particles, the catalytic activity of the Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 < x ≤ 0.3) catalysts is slightly higher than that of the pyrolyzed Ir oxide. Regardless of the surface area difference, the intrinsic activity first increases and then decreases with the Ni content in Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y catalysts, and the intrinsic activity of Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst is about 1.4 times of the Ni-free Ir oxide mainly attributed to the enhancement of conductivity and a change of the binding energy as increasing amount of the incorporated Ni with respect to the pure IrO₂. The Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst shows a prospect of iridium-nickel oxide materials in reducing the demand of the expensive Ir oxide catalyst for OER in acidic water electrolysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium heterocyclic-thiocarboxylate complexes

The cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes CpRuL₂SCO-het (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅; L₂ = 2PPh₃ (1), dppe (2)) bearing heterocyclic thiocarboxylate ligands have been synthesized from the reaction of CpRuL₂SH with heterocyclic acid chlorides (ClCO-2-C₄H₃S (a); ClCO-2-C₄H₃O (b); ClCO-1-C₄H₈N (c)). Bubbling of CO gas through a THF solution of (1) produced the mixed carbonyl–phosphine complexes CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)SCO-het (3) with high yields. Complexes (1)-(3) were characterized by spectroscopic methods (i.r., ¹H-n.m.r., ³¹P-n.m.r.) and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCO-2-C₄H₃S (1a) verifies that the thiocarboxylate ligands bind via the sulfur atom (Ru–S = 2.406(2) Å).     

Synthesis and study of high-temperature heat capacity of erbium orthovanadate

Orthovanadate ErVO₄ has been prepared by solid-phase synthesis from a stoichiometric mixture of high pure V₂O₅ and chemically pure Er₂O₃ by multistage calcination in air in the temperature range 873–1273 K. The effect of temperature (380–1000 K) on the heat capacity of orthovanadate ErVO₄ was studied by hightemperature calorimetry. Thermodynamic properties of erbium orthovanadate (enthalpy change H°(T)–H°(380 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(380 K), and reduced Gibbs energy Φ°(T)) have been calculated from the experimental C_p = f(T) data. It has been shown that the specific heat varies in a row of oxides and orthovanadates of Gd-Lu naturally depending on the radius of the R³⁺ ion within the third and fourth tetrads.     

Optical Band Gap Energies in Quasi-Metal Carbon Nanotubes

The structure of carbon nanotubes is described by two positive integers (n₁, n₂). The π-electron model of the nanotube band structure predicts that when the difference n₁–n₂ is multiple of three, the energy gap between the valence and conduction bands vanishes so that such tubes should exhibit quasi-metal properties. The band structure of 50 chiral and achiral (n₁, n₂) nanotubes with 4 ≤ n₁ ≤ 18 and n₂ = n₁–3q has been calculated by the linearized augmented cylindrical wave method. Nanotubes have been identified for which the optical band gaps are in the terahertz range (1–40 meV) and which can be used for design of emitters, detectors, multipliers, antennas, transistors, and other nanoelements operating in the high-frequency range.     

Homo and hetero glaser coupling involving acetylene derivatives of trifluoromethanesulfonamide

Glaser homocoupling of N,N-bispropargyltriflamide led to the formation of N,N'-hexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diylbis(N-prop-2-yne-1-triflamide). Further condensation into a 14-membered heterocycle, 1,8-bis-(triflyl)-1,8-diazacyclotetradeca-3,5,10,12-tetrayne did not occur evidently because of rigid steric requirements to the cyclization. In the Glaser heterocoupling of N-propargyltriflamide with arylacetylenes ArC≡CH (Ar = Ph, p-CNC₆H₄) the condensation products formed in 20–30% yields.     

Standard Thermodynamic Functions of Crystalline Arsenate Mg<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the Range from <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> → 0 to 670 K

The temperature dependence of heat capacity C^° _p = f(T) of crystalline arsenate Mg_0.5Zr₂(AsO₄)₃ was studied by precision adiabatic vacuum and differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range 8?670 K. The standard thermodynamic functions C^° _p (T), H°(T)–H°(0), S°(T), and G°(T)–H°(0) of the arsenate for the range from Т → 0 to 670 K and the standard formation entropy at Т = 298.15 K were calculated from the obtained experimental data. Based on the low-temperature capacity data (30–50 K) the fractal dimension D of the arsenate was determined, and the topology of its structure was characterized. The results were compared with the thermodynamic data for the structurally related crystalline phosphates M_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni) and arsenate NaZr₂(AsO₄)₃.     

Thebaine Adducts with Maleimides. Synthesis and Transformations

Diels-Alder reaction of thebaine with maleimides is structurally specific and yields [7,8,3′,4′ ]-succinimido-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaines containing N′-alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl substituents. N′-[1(S)-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpropyl]-succinimido-6,14-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaine formed in reaction of S-valinol with (7α,8α)-anhydrido-6,14-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaine. The reduction of the adducts by LiAlH₄ afforded N′-substituted 7,8-pyrrolidino-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaines. The reduction of fused succinimides by NaBH₄ resulted in the corresponding 2′α-hydroxylactam derivatives. O-Demethylation of the tetrahydrothebaine pyrrolidine derivatives effected by BBr₃ afforded compounds of the tetrahydrooripavine series. The O-demethylation of tetrahydrothebaine succinimide derivatives gave rise to the corresponding 6-demethyl-endo-ethenotetrahydrooripavines. Alkylation conditions were found for N′-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-substituted tetrahydrothebaine succinimide derivatives.     

Apparent Molar Volumes of Aqueous Solutions of Magnesium Tetraborate from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Densities for aqueous solutions of magnesium tetraborate MgB₄O₇(aq) at the molalities of (0.00556–0.03341) mol·kg^?1 were measured with an Anton Paar Digital vibrating-tube densimeter at temperature intervals of 5 K from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa. Apparent molar volumes were obtained based on the experimental density data, and the 3D diagrams of the apparent molar volume (V _? ) of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature (T) and molality (m) were plotted. On the basis of the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equation, the coefficients of the correlation equation for densities of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature and molality were parameterized. According to the Pitzer ion-interaction model of the apparent molar volume, the temperature correlation equations of Pitzer single-salt parameters F(i,p,T)?=?a₀?+?a₁?×?T?+?a₂?×?T ²?+?a₃/T?+?a₄?×?ln(T)?+?a₅?×?T ³ (where T is temperature in Kelvin, a _i are model parameters) for MgB₄O₇ were obtained for the first time.     

New Phosphate-Sulfates with NZP Structure

NaZr_2–xB_x(PO₄)_3–2x(SO₄)_2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, B = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and NaZr_2–xR_x(PO₄)_3–x(SO₄)_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, R = Al, Fe) phosphate-sulfates series have been prepared by a sol–gel process. These compounds belong to the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP) structure family and crystallize in hexagonal crystal system, space group R\(\bar 3\)c. Limited solid solution series were found to exist; their formation temperatures and thermal stability limits were determined. Particle sizes as determined by microstructure observation were 50–200 nm, and for Cu- and Zn-containing samples, 200–500 nm. The thermal expansion of phosphate-sulfate NaZr_1.25Cu_0.75(PO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5 was studied in the range 25–700°C. Thermal expansion coefficients and thermal expansion anisotropy were found to be α_a =–5.40 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_с = 18.88 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_avg = 2.69 × 10^–6 °C^–1, and Δα = 24.28 × 10^–6 °C^–1.     

Crystal structure and conduction of BICUTIVOX

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters were studied for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} solid solutions. Doping levels within x = 0.025–0.15 distort the C2/m crystal lattice (this lattice is characteristic of individual the Bi₄V₂O₁₁ phase) and lowers its symmetry to triclinic. The solid solutions with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 crystallize in tetragonal space group I4/mmm. High-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry measurements for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} (x ≤ 0.35) solid solutions verified the existence of three structural varieties within 298–1023 K. Electrical conductivity of BICUTIVOX was studied by impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature, composition, and oxygen partial pressure. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for the structural varieties are noted. Above 873 K, the solid solutions samples with x = 0.05 have the highest conductivity. At lower temperatures, higher conductivities are in the solid solutions that retain the γ phase in the low-temperature region. The dominant oxygen-ion conduction mechanism was discovered in the solid solutions.