Rare gas–iodine complexes in the ion-pair states

Luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra in the vicinity of the optical–optical double resonance transitions to the I₂(, v_f = 8 and 9, J_f ≈ 55) levels have been measured at the bulb conditions for the I₂ + Rg mixtures (Rg = He, Ar, Xe) at the rare gas pressures 2–20 Torr and room temperature. Luminescence attributed to the RgI₂ complexes in the ion-pair states has been observed for the first time. It is argued that the complexes can be formed by direct optical excitation from the complexes or colliding pairs. Besides, the RgI₂ complexes in the ion-pair states can be formed in nonadiabatic internal conversion processes from the one. The complexes have rather long lifetime, especially in the case of Xe, and decay radiatively and nonradiatively forming I₂ molecules in different ion-pair states.     

Mannich-type reactions in a colloidal solution formed by sodium tetrakis(3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)borate as a catalyst in water

Sodium tetrakis(3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)borate efficiently catalyzed the one-pot, three-component Mannich reaction of ketones with aromatic aldehydes and different anilines in water at an ambient temperature and afforded the corresponding β-amino carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields.     

Iron complexes of terdentate nitrogen ligands: formation and X-ray structure of three new dicationic complexes

Dicationic iron complexes were obtained upon complexation of the ligands 6,6″-di(p-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (L¹) or 2,6-bis-(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (L²) with iron dichloride or iron trichloride. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. Single crystal structure determinations of , and all show six-coordinate metal center. These complexes were obtained from L¹FeCl₂ and L²FeCl₂ during recrystallization attempts. (L¹)₂Fe²⁺ was shown to be a high-spin complex, whereas (L²)₂Fe²⁺ was shown to be low-spin. For , two independent dications of very similar geometry but with distinctive distortion were observed by X-ray analysis.     

Theoretical studies on the aromaticity of η-cyclopentadienyl cobalt dithiolene complexes

Some η⁵-cyclopentadienyl cobalt dithiolene complexes CpCoS₂C₂R₂ have been optimized at B3LYP/6-311++G(d) level. The optimized geometries agree well with experiment. The analyses of nature bond orbital and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) at B3LYP/6-311++G(d) and GIAO-B3LYP/6-311++G(d) levels reveal the aromatic character of the η⁵-cyclopentadienyl cobalt dithiolene complexes. However, their aromaticity is weaker than that of the isolated . There are two reasons for the change of heterocyclic aromaticity of the metal dithiolene in the η⁵-cyclopentadienyl cobalt dithiolene complexes with respect to that of the isolated . The better equalization of bond lengths in the isolated cation is the first reason. The other reason is that the contribution to the NICS from the metallic cobalt atom is much larger in the isolated cation . The planar character of cyclopentadienyl is destroyed slightly in the complexes. At the same time, the size of cyclopentadienyl (Cp) becomes bigger than the isolated Cp⁻¹ and this is caused by the cobalt atom in the pentagon. The π-electron delocalization causes stronger aromaticity of the Cp in the complexes than that of the isolated Cp⁻¹.     

Long-term prediction of compressive creep development in expanded polystyrene

The results obtained in investigating the creep of expanded polystyrene (EPS) boards under compressive stress are presented. Power and exponential equations were used for describing creep compliance. It was found that the curves of creep compliance approximated by both equations adequately represent the research results, taking into account the scatter of the experimental data. Based on the calculation and empirical estimate of long-term creep of EPS under compressive stress σ_c=(0.25–0.45)σ_10%, its creep compliance was determined for a period of 10 years in the future. The dependence of on the density of polystyrene boards and the value of long-term compressive stress σ_c was established. The expected values of creep strain development in expanded polystyrene boards EPS 80–EPS 250 under constant compressive stress σ_c=(0.25–0.45)σ_10% are presented for the prediction period of 10 years. To obtain the expected creep values for any other period of time in the interval of 5T50 years, the values of should be multiplied by the empirical coefficient .     

Electrochemical characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/formyl methyl pyridinium (PVA-FP) anion-exchange membranes

To explore electrodialysis for purification of negatively charged large organic molecules (e.g., amino acids and medicine), water-swollen formyl methyl pyridinium-immobilized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-FP) anion-exchange membranes were prepared and characterized in terms of their electrochemical properties. The PVA-FP membranes exhibited low electrical resistance (1.0–3.0 Ω cm²), high swelling properties (water content ratio, 0.62–0.73), and reasonable transport number ( for Cl⁻). For glutamic acid solutions, the electrical resistance of the PVA-FP membrane was low (1.0–3.0 Ω cm²) in a wide pH range, with no membrane fouling. Since the resonance effect of quaternary aromatic ammonium contributed to the structural stability of the PVA-FP membrane, the water-splitting with the PVA-FP membrane was approximately one order of magnitude lower than that with a commercial ion-exchange membrane at a same current density.     

Enthalpies of combustion and formation of 3-formylchromones

The enthalpies of combustion of 3-formylchromone (3F), 3-formyl-6-methylchromone (3F6M) and 3-formyl-6-isopropylchromone (3F6I) were determined by combustion calorimetry. The molar combustion energies () of the 3F, 3F6M and 3F6I are: −(4452.4 ± 1.8), −(5115.6 ± 2.7) and −(6411.4 ± 2.5) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The formation enthalpies in the crystalline state () are: −(340.2 ± 2.2), −(355.1 ± 3.1) and −(415.5 ± 3.0) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.s     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal studies of the reactions of the donors piperazine and N,N′-dimethylpiperazine with σ- and π-acceptors

The interactions of the electron donors piperazine (PIP) and N,N′-dimethylpiperazine (DMPIP) with the σ-acceptor iodine and the π-acceptors tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) were studied spectrophotometrically in chloroform at 25 °C. The electronic and infrared spectra of the resulting charge-transfer complexes were recorded, in addition to thermal analysis. The results obtained showed that the stoichiometries of the reactions are not fixed and depend on the nature of both the donor and the acceptor. The formed CT-complexes have the formulas of , [(PIP)(TCNE)₂], [(PIP)(DDQ)₂], , [(DMPIP)(TCNE)₂] and [(DMPIP)(DDQ)₂]. A general mechanism explaining the formation of triiodide complexes was suggested.     

To what extent are thermodynamic properties of water argon-like?

A new view on the role of H-bonds in water, arising from the principle of corresponding states and Hilbert’s principle is presented. It is shown that the relative values of the H-bond contributions to the fraction volume and the heat of evaporation per molecule do not exceed 5%, although H-bonds are responsible for the non-monotone behavior of the fraction volume. It is established that the average number of H-bonds per molecule everywhere on the vapor–liquid coexistence curve is given by the formula n_H(T) ≈ 4(1 − 0.83t), where and is the critical temperature of water.     

Theoretical studies on fluorescence of phenol and 1-naphthol in both acid and alkali solutions

The molecular structures of the ground state and the first singlet excited state for , C₆H₅OH, C₆H₅O⁻, , C₁₀H₇OH and C₁₀H₇O⁻, the forms of phenol and 1-naphthol in acid and alkali solutions, were optimized by ab initio HF and configuration interaction with singlet excitations (CIS) method, respectively. Their fluorescent spectra were obtained by the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) using the B3LYP method with the 6-31+G (d) basis set. The frontier molecular orbital characteristics, fluorescent spectrum and proton affinities had been analyzed systematically in order to study different fluorescence of phenol and 1-naphthol in acid and alkali solutions. It was found that C₆H₅OH and are the main forms of phenol in acid solution, but C₆H₅O⁻ in alkali solution; C₁₀H₇OH and C₁₀H₇O⁻ are the main forms of 1-naphthol in alkali solution, but in acid solution. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Solvatochromism of 3-[2-(aryl)benzoxazol-5-yl]alanine derivatives

The photophysical properties of N-Boc-3-[2-(9-anthryl)benzoxazol-5-yl]-l-alanine methyl ester (BoxAnt) and N-Boc-3-[2-[4-(9′-(10′-butyl)anthryl)phenyl]benzoxazol-5-yl]-l-alanine methyl ester (BoxPhAnt) were studied in a series of solvents. Their absorption spectra are less sensitive to the solvent polarity than the corresponding fluorescence spectra which show a pronounced solvatochromic effect leading to large Stokes shifts. Using an efficient solvatochromic method, based on the empirical solvent polarity parameter , a large change of the dipole moment on excitation for BoxPhAnt has been found. From an analysis of the solvatochromic behaviour of the absorption and fluorescence spectra in terms of bulk solvent polarity functions, f(_r, n) and g(n), a larger excited-state dipole moment (about 8 D, ψ = 56) was obtained for BoxPhAnt than for BoxAnt (about 3 D, ψ = 0). Both applied methods gave similar values of the excited-state dipole moments for both compounds studied.     

Excess molar enthalpies for binary mixtures of trimethyl phosphate with alkanols {CH3(CH2)nOH, n = 0–3} at 298.15 K

The excess molar enthalpies () for the binary mixtures of trimethyl phosphate (TMP) with alkanols {CH₃(CH₂)_nOH, n = 0–3} have been measured with an isothermal calorimeter at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The values are positive for all the mixtures over the whole composition range. The values increase in the order methanol < ethanol < 1-propanol < 1-butanol. The experimental results have been correlated with the Redlich–Kister equation.     

Synthesis and structures of three 1-aminoethylidenediphosphonate compounds with transition-metal ions

Three new aminodiphosphonates, namely M(phen)(AEDPH₃)₂·4H₂O (M = Zn, (1); Ni, (2)) and Cu(phen)(AEDPH₃)₂·H₂O (4), in addition to the previously reported Co(phen)(AEDPH₃)₂·4H₂O (3), Cu(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)(HEDPH₂)·2H₂O (5), and Cu(phen)(H₂O)(HEDPH₂)·2H₂O (6) (AEDPH₄ = 1-aminoethylidenediphosphonic acid, HEDPH₄ = 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl), have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds are all synthesized at the similar condition (80 °C), whereas they illustrate different frameworks. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 are isomorphous, which contain two same chelate and one six-coordinated metal ion, and display a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. Compound 4 contains a chelate and a monodentate , while the Cu ion is five-coordinated. The coordination model of Cu²⁺ in 4 is similar to that of 5 and 6. Comparing with four aminoethylidenediphosphonates, the difference of their structures is directed to the coordination model of the metal ions, while the three copper(II) diphosphonates illustrate different structures based on the deprotonized degree of the corresponding diphosphonic acids.     

Pulse radiolysis of 9-anthrylmethylammonium cation in aqueous solution

The reaction of hydrated electron with 9-anthrylmethylammonium cation to form the respective anthracene radical anion in aqueous solution has been studied by the method of pulse radiolysis. The rate constant of the reaction of with is reported. It is demonstrated that the anthracene radical anion is unstable and undergoes further reactions. The spectra of transient intermediates, leading to the final reduction products, are presented.     

UV photodissociation of N-methylpyrrole: The role of πσ states in non-hydride heteroaromatic systems

The photophysics of jet-cooled N-methylpyrrole molecules following excitation to their first excited singlet state (the ¹A₂ state, arising from a 3s/σ^*←π electron promotion) has been investigated by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionisation spectroscopy, by measurements of wavelength resolved ‘action’ spectra for forming CH₃ photoproducts, and by velocity map imaging studies of these CH₃ products (in their v = 0 and v₂ = 1 vibrational levels). CH₃ products are observed at all excitation wavelengths within the NMP absorption band. Direct dissociation on the ¹A₂ potential energy surface (PES) yields ‘fast’ CH₃ fragments, with an average total kinetic energy release (TKER) of 6500 cm⁻¹, but this product channel is only observed in a narrow wavelength range near the absorption band origin. All of the measured CH₃ images also show a broad component, peaking at lower TKER (1700 cm⁻¹); this component extends beneath the ‘fast’ feature in images recorded at wavelengths near the origin, and accounts for all of the CH₃ products observed at shorter photolysis wavelengths. These products are attributed to decay of highly vibrationally excited ground state molecules formed by radiationless transfer from the ¹A₂ state. Similarities and differences with the results of previous studies of the H + pyrrolyl products arising in the UV photodissociation of pyrrole are discussed in terms of the likely nuclear motions on the relevant ground and excited PESs (along R_N–CH3/R_N–H), and the possible couplings between these surfaces. The present study confirms that the proposed model of ¹πσ^* state induced bond fission in heteroaromatic molecules [A.L. Sobolewski, W. Domcke, Chem. Phys. 259 (2000) 181] is also applicable to non-hydride substituted heteroaromatics, but that mass effects can have an important influence on the subsequent nuclear dynamics.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structural characterization of two new modified polyoxometalates constructed of positive and negative metal–oxo cluster ions

Two new interesting polyoxometalate derivatives 1 and 2 constructed of modified metal–oxo cluster ions carrying positive and negative changes, respectively, was hydrothermally prepared and structurally characterized by IR, ESR, XPS, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The result of structure determination shows that compound 1 and 2 are isostructural and both contain polyoxocation and polyoxoanion, and both cation and anion are built on mixed Mo–V tetra-capped pseudo-Keggin units with P centre, [Mo₈V₈O₄₀(PO₄)]ⁿ⁻, bonded to four or two [Ni(2,2′-bipy)₂H₂O]²⁺ complexes, respectively, via terminal oxygen of the capping V atoms. Magnetism measurement indicates that there exists antiferromagnetic interaction in complex 1 and 2.     

First examples of ternary lanthanide 5-aminoisophthalate complexes: Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of lanthanide coordination polymers with 5-aminoisophthalate and oxalate

Two new lanthanide coordination polymers with mixed-carboxylates, [Ln(OX)(HAPA)(H₂O)]_n[Ln = Eu (1), Ho (2); H₂APA = 5-aminoisophthalic acid; OX = oxalate] were obtained by hydrothermal reactions, and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and IR spectra. Complexes 1 and 2 are both 3-D supramolecular structure, in which lanthanide ions are bridged by oxalate and 5-aminoisophthalate ligands forming 2-D metal–organic framework, and 2-D networks are further architectured to form 3-D supramolecular structures by hydrogen bonds. The two carboxylate groups of H₂APA ligand are all deprotonated and exhibit chelating and bridging bidentate coordination modes, respectively, and the amino group in HAPA presents – in the titled complexes. The thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to examine the thermal stability of the titled complexes. And the photoluminescence property of 1 was investigated.     

H homonuclear dipolar decoupling at high magic-angle spinning frequencies with rotor-synchronised symmetry sequences

We demonstrate here application of symmetry-adapted sequences of the form to obtain high-resolution ¹H spectra in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance under high-speed magic-angle spinning. Experimental results are shown for samples of alanine and glycine for spinning speeds up to 30 kHz with radio-frequency nutation rates of around 100 kHz.     

Structure characterization of several oxalate-bridged transition-metal coordination polymers

Four oxalate-bridged transition-metal supramolecular compounds [Co₂(im)₄(ox)₂] 1, [Co(im)₂(ox)] 2, [Mn(2,2′-bpy)(ox)] 3 and [Fe(H₂O)₂(ox)] 4 (im, imidazole; ox, oxalate; bpy, bipyridine) were obtained from the simple hydrothermal reactions of Mⁿ⁺oxL (M, transition metal; L, aromatic N-donor ligand) system. They all exhibit the 1-D chain structures, consisting of the (or ML²⁺) units linked by oxalate bridges. Interestingly, the 1-D oxalate chains in the title compounds are further self-assembled into the 3-D supramolecular networks through the interchain various secondary bonding interactions. Because the units adopt the different configuration, the oxalate chains show either zigzag type as in compounds 1–3 or linear type as in compound 4. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomeric, and only in packing modes of interchain im molecules there exists the difference.     

Anion sensing using colorimetric amidourea based receptors incorporated into a 1,3-disubstituted calix[4]arene

The synthesis of amidourea-based colorimetric anion sensors 1 and 2 and the evaluation of these sensors using anions such as acetate , fluoride (F⁻), hydrogen phosphate and hydrogenpyrophosphate (pyr) in DMSO is described. While 1 has a single amidourea moiety, 2 has two such receptors incorporated into a lower-rim 1,3-disubstituted calix[4]arene scaffold. Whilst both sensors gave rise to red shifts in their absorption spectra upon anion recognition, the sensing of F⁻ and pyr gave rise to large changes with concomitant colour changes from yellow to purple, which were visible to the naked eye.