Structure and magnetism of the quasi-1-d K4Cu(MoO4)3 and the structure of K4Zn(MoO4)3

Single crystals of K(4)Cu(MoO(4))(3) and nonmagnetic K(4)Zn(MoO(4))(3) have been grown by the flux-growth method. K(4)Cu(MoO(4))(3) can be described as a quantum quasi-1-d antiferromagnet with correlations between neighboring Cu(2+) ions but no magnetic long-range ordering down to 0.4 K. Comparison of the structure and magnetic properties of isostructural A(4)Cu(MoO(4))(3) (A = K, Rb) allows the isolation of the effects of low dimensionality from structural distortion along the Cu-O-Mo chains. The characteristic one-dimensional behavior is hence suppressed to lower the temperature in K(4)Cu(MoO(4))(3) in comparison with that of the Rb analogue. For example, a broad peak in the specific heat is observed ~2.3 K at 0 T, which is consistent with the onset of the quantum spin liquid state.     

Ultrafast dynamics of 2E state formation in Cr(acac)3

Femtosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy has been used to elucidate the excited-state dynamics associated with formation of the (2)E excited state in a Cr(III) transition metal complex. Cr(acac)(3) (where acac is the deprotonated monoanion of acetylacetone) exhibits monophasic decay kinetics with tau = 1.1 +/- 0.1 ps following excitation into the lowest-energy ligand-field absorption band; the time constant is found to be independent of both excitation and probe wavelength across the entire (4)A(2) --> (4)T(2) absorption envelope. The lack of a significant shift in the excited-state absorption spectrum combined with the observed spectral narrowing is consistent with an assignment of this process as vibrational cooling (k(vib)) in the (2)E state. The data on Cr(acac)(3) indicate that intersystem crossing associated with the (4)T(2) --> (2)E conversion occurs at a rate k(ISC) > 10(13) s(-)(1) and furthermore competes effectively with vibrational relaxation in the initially formed (4)T(2) state. Excitation into the higher energy (4)LMCT state (lambda(ex) = 336 nm) gives rise to biphasic kinetics with tau( 1) = 50 +/- 20 fs and tau( 2) = 1.2 +/- 0.2 ps. The slower component is again assigned to vibrational cooling in the (2)E state, whereas the subpicosecond process is attributed to conversion from the charge-transfer to the ligand-field manifold. In addition to detailing a process central to the photophysics of Cr(III), these results reinforce the notion that the conventional picture of excited-state dynamics in which k(vib) > k(IC) > k(ISC) does not generally apply when describing excited-state formation in transition metal complexes.     

LiFe(MoO4)2, LiGa(MoO4)2 and Li3Ga(MoO4)3

The structures of lithium iron dimolybdate, LiFe(MoO₄)₂, and lithium gallium dimolybdate, LiGa(MoO₄)₂, are shown to be isomorphous with each other. Their structures consist of segregated layers of LiO₆ bicapped trigonal bipyramids and Fe(Ga)O₆ octahedra separated and linked by layers of isolated MoO₄ tetrahedra. The redetermined structure of trilithium gallium trimolybdate, Li₃Ga(MoO₄)₃, shows substitional disorder on the Li/Ga site and consists of perpendicular chains of LiO₆ trigonal prisms and two types of differently linked Li/GaO₆ octahedra.     

Binary molybdates K4M2+(MoO4)3 (M2+=Mg, Mn, Co) and crystal structure of K4Mn(MoO4)3

Binary molybdates K₄M²⁺ (MoO₄)₃ (M²⁺=Mg, Mn, Co) isostructural to triclinic \ga-K₄Zn(WO₄)₃ were synthesized, and optimal conditions for their spontaneous crystallization were found. It was established by XRPA and DTA that at 530°C the structure of the compound with cobalt undergoes a transition to the orthorhombic structure of K₄Zn(MoO₄)₃. The structure of K₄Mn(MoO₄)₃ was determined from single crystal diffraction data (a=7.613, b=9.955, c=10.156 Å,α=92.28,β=106.66,γ=105.58°, Z=2, space group $P\bar 1$ , R=0.030). In this compound, Mn has a higher coordination number (CN=5+1) than that of Zn inα-K₄Zn(WO₄)₃ (CN=4+1). The main structural feature is pairs of MnO₆ octahedra linked by the bridging MoO₄ tetrahedra into ribbons stretching along the a axis. The structure is compared with related structures of binary molybdates and other members of the alluaudite family.     

Ultrafast dynamics of Cu(I)-phenanthrolines in dichloromethane

Transient absorption spectrometry of Cu(I)-phenanthrolines in CH2Cl2 reveals ligand-independent dynamic processes lasting 15 ps, which are associated with the peculiar structural rearrangements occurring for this class of compounds upon photoexcitation.     

Phase equilibria in the Tl2MoO4-Fe2(MoO4)3-Hf(MoO4)2 system and the crystal structure of ternary molybdate Tl(FeHf0.5)(MoO4)3

The subsolidus region of the ternary salt system Tl₂MoO₄-Fe₂(MoO₄)₃-Hf(MoO₄)₂ was studied by X-ray powder diffraction. New compounds Tl₅FeHf(MoO₄)₆ (5: 1: 2) and Tl(Fe,Hf_0.5)(MoO₄)₃ (1: 1: 1). were found to be formed in this system. Crystals of new ternary molybdate of the composition Tl(FeHf_0.5)(MoO₄)₃ were grown by spontaneous flux crystallization. Its composition and crystal structure were refined based on X-ray diffraction data. The mixed three-dimensional framework of the crystal structure is composed of Mo tetrahedra sharing O vertices with (Fe,Hf)O₆ octahedra. The thallium atoms occupy wide channels in the framework.     

Phase equilibria in the Tl2MoO4-Nd2(MoO4)3-Hf(MoO4)2 system and the crystal structure of double molybdate TlNd(MoO4)2

The Tl₂MoO₄-Nd₂(MoO₄)₃-Hf(MoO₄)₂ system was studied in the subsolidus region using X-ray powder diffraction. New triple molybdates were found to exist in this system: Tl₅NdHf(MoO₄)₆ (5: 1: 2), TlNdHf_0.5(MoO₄)₃ (1: 1: 1), and Tl₂NdHf₂(MoO₄)_6.5 (2: 1: 4). The first TlNd(MoO₄)₂ single crystals were grown from melt solutions with spontaneous nucleation. Their crystal structure was refined from X-ray diffraction data (Bruker X8 Apex automated diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 386 F(hkl), R = 0.0136). The tetragonal unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 6.3000(2) Å, c = 9.5188(5) Å, V = 377.80(3) ų, Z = 2, ρ_calcd = 5.876 g/cm³, space group P4/nnc. The structure is a framework built of NdO₈ and TlO₈ tetragonal antiprisms linked via shared lateral edges and alternating in the checkerboard order. Layers share oxygen vertices with MoO₄ interlayer tetrahedra and are linked into the framework.     

Ultrafast dynamics of acetylacetone (2,4-pentanedione) in the S2 state

The dynamics of the enolic form of acetylacetone (E-AcAc) was investigated using a femtosecond pump-probe experiment. The pump at 266 nm excited E-AcAc in the first bright state, S2(pi pi*). The resulting dynamics was probed by multiphoton ionization at 800 nm. It was investigated for 80 ps on the S2(pi pi*) and S1(n pi*) potential energy surfaces. An important step is the transfer from S2 to S1 that occurs with a time constant of 1.4 +/- 0.2 ps. Before, the system had left the excitation region in 70 +/- 10 fs. An intermediate step was identified when E-AcAc traveled on the S2 surface. Likely, it corresponds to an accidental resonance in the detection scheme that is met along this path. More importantly, some clues are given that an intramolecular vibrational energy relaxation is observed, which transfers excess vibrational energy from the enolic group O-H to the other modes of the molecule. The present multistep evolution of excited E-AcAc probably also describes, at least qualitatively, the dynamics of other electronically excited beta-diketones.     

New MoO3 Phase:Synthesis and Structure of (NH4)0.66MoO3

Gentle reduction of solid MoO₃ leads to four distinct phase of H_xMoO₃. These compounds have a wide range of colors and crystal classes:phase Ⅰ (0.25< x< 0.40), blue, orthorhombic; phase Ⅱ (0.85< x< 1.04), blue, monoclinic; phase Ⅲ (1.55< x< 1.72), red, monoclinic; and phase Ⅳ (x=2.0), green, monoclinic^[1-3]. We have now obtained a new MoO₃ phase (NH₄)MoO₃ with network structure from an aqueous solution of Na₂MoO₄ reduced by NH₂NH₂·2HC1 at 170℃.     

Investigation par analyse thermique differentielle du systeme Gd2(MoO4)3-Bi2(MoO4)3

The phase diagram of the system Gd₂(MoO₄)₃-Bi(MoO₄)₃ has been studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Sealed platinum tubes were used as sample holders, in order to prevent the loss of Bi₂O₃ and MoO₃ through volatilization at high temperature. Various solid solutions and new phases are reported: α-Gd_2-x-Bi_x(MoO₄)₃, β -Gd_2-x-Bi_x(MoO₄)₃, α-Bi_2-xGd_x(MoO₄)₃, 3Gd₂(MoO₄)₃·2Bi₂(MoO₄)₃, etc.     

Ultrafast dynamics in complex fluids observed through the ultrafast optically-heterodyne-detected optical-Kerr-effect (OHD-OKE)

The ultrafast molecular dynamics of complex fluids have been recorded using the optically-heterodyne-detected optical-Kerr-effect (OHD-OKE). The OHD-OKE method is reviewed and some recent refinements to the method are described. Applications to a range of complex fluids, including microemulsions, polymer melts and solutions, liquid crystal and ionic liquids are surveyed. The level of detail attainable with the OHD-OKE method in these complex fluids is discussed. The prospects for future experiments are discussed.     

Phase equilibrium in the Cs2MoO4-Bi2(MoO4)3-Zn(MoO4)2 system and the crystal structure of new triple molybdate Cs5BiZr(MoO4)6

The subsolidus region of the Cs₂MoO₄-Bi₂(MoO₄)₃-Zr(MoO₄) system was studied by X-ray powder diffraction. Quasi-binary sections were elucidated, and triangulation performed. Triple molybdates with the component ratios 5: 1: 2 (S ₁) and 2: 1: 4 (S ₂) were prepared for the first time. Crystals of cesium bismuth zirconium molybdate of the 5: 1: 2 stoichiometry (Cs₅BiZr(MoO₄)₆) were grown from fluxed melts with spontaneous nucleation. The composition and crystal structure of this triple molybdate were refined using X-ray diffraction data (collected on X8 APEX automated diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 2348 F(hkl), R = 0.0226). The trigonal unit cell parameters were as follows: a = b = 10.9569(2), c = 39.804(4) Å, V = 4138.4(4) ų, Z = 6, space group R $ \bar 3 The subsolidus region of the Cs₂MoO₄-Bi₂(MoO₄)₃-Zr(MoO₄) system was studied by X-ray powder diffraction. Quasi-binary sections were elucidated, and triangulation performed. Triple molybdates with the component ratios 5: 1: 2 (S ₁) and 2: 1: 4 (S ₂) were prepared for the first time. Crystals of cesium bismuth zirconium molybdate of the 5: 1: 2 stoichiometry (Cs₅BiZr(MoO₄)₆) were grown from fluxed melts with spontaneous nucleation. The composition and crystal structure of this triple molybdate were refined using X-ray diffraction data (collected on X8 APEX automated diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 2348 F(hkl), R = 0.0226). The trigonal unit cell parameters were as follows: a = b = 10.9569(2), c = 39.804(4) ?, V = 4138.4(4) ?³, Z = 6, space group R c. The mixed-metal three-dimensional framework in this structure is built of Mo tetrahedra and two sorts of (Bi,Zr)O₆ octahedra. Large interstices accommodate two sorts of cesium atoms. The Bi³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ cation distributions over two positions were refined during structure solution. Original Russian Text ? B.G. Bazarov, T.V. Namsaraeva, R.F. Klevtsova, A.G. Anshits, T.A. Vereshchagina, R.V. Kurbatov, L.A. Glinskaya, K.N. Fedorov, Zh.G. Bazarova, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 9, pp. 1585–1589.     

Phase formation in the Rb2MoO4-Er2(MoO4)3-Hf(MoO4)2 system and the crystal structure of new triple molybdate Rb5ErHf(MoO4)6

The subsolidus region of the Rb₂MoO₄-Er₂(MoO₄)₃-Hf(MoO₄)₂ ternary salt system is studied using X-ray powder diffraction. A novel 5: 1: 2 triple molybdate, Rb₅ErHf(MoO₄)₆, is found to form in the system. Crystals of Rb₅ErHf(MoO₄)₆ are flux-grown under spontaneous nucleation conditions. The composition and crystal structure of Rb₅ErHf(MoO₄)₆ are refined in a single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment (X8 APEX diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 1753 reflections, R = 0.0183). The crystals are trigonal; a = 10.7511(1) Å, c = 38.6543(7) Å, V = 3869.31(9) ų, d _calc = 4.462 g/cm³, Z = 6, space group $R\bar 3c$ . The mixed three-dimensional framework of the structure is formed of MoO₄ tetrahedra, each sharing corners with two ErO₆ and HfO₆ octahedra. Two types of Rb atoms occupy large cavities of the framework. The distribution of the Er³⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ cation over two positions is refined in the course of structure solution.