An efficient preparation, crystal structures, and properties of monocarbenium-ion compounds stabilized by 3-guaiazulenyl and anisyl groups

Reaction of guaiazulene (1) with 2-methoxybenzaldehyde (2) in methanol in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at 25 °C for 2 h gives (3-guaiazulenyl)(2-methoxyphenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (5a) in 93% yield. Similarly, reaction of 1 with 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (3) or 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (4) under the same reaction conditions as for 2 affords (3-guaiazulenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (6) (91% yield) or (3-guaiazulenyl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (7) (97% yield). The crystal structures as well as the spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chemical properties of these monocarbenium-ion compounds, possessing interesting resonance forms, stabilized by the 3-guaiazulenyl and anisyl (i.e., 2-, 3-, or 4-methoxyphenyl) groups are reported.     

Reactions of guaiazulene with methyl terephthalaldehydate and 2-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxybenzaldehydes in methanol in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid: comparative studies on molecular structures and spectroscopic, chemical and electrochemical properties of monocarbocations stabilized by 3-guaiazulenyl and phenyl groups

Reaction of guaiazulene (1) with methyl terephthalaldehydate (2) in methanol in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at 25 °C for 2 h under aerobic conditions gives (3-guaiazulenyl)[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methylium hexafluorophosphate (5) in 94% yield. Similarly, reactions of 1 with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3) and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4) under the same reaction conditions as 2 give (3-guaiazulenyl)(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (6) and (3-guaiazulenyl)(4-hydroxyphenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (7) in 89 and 97% yields, respectively. Comparative studies on the molecular structures as well as the spectroscopic, chemical and electrochemical properties of the monocarbocation compounds 5-7 stabilized by 3-guaiazulenyl and 4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl (or 2-hydroxy- or 4-hydroxyphenyl) groups are reported.     

A facile preparation, the crystal structure, the chemical and electrochemical properties of [4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-3-guaiazulenylmethylium tetrafluoroborate

Reaction of guaiazulene (1) with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in methanol in the presence of tetrafluoroboric acid gives the title monocarbocation compound, [4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-3-guaiazulenylmethylium tetrafluoroborate (2), in 90% yield. The title investigations of compound 2 compared with those of two other monocarbocations stabilized by a 3-guaiazulenyl group (i.e. phenyl-3-guaiazulenylmethyl and [4-(isopropyl)phenyl]-3-guaiazulenylmethyl cations) are reported.     

An efficient preparation and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of quinodimethane derivatives with four 3-(methoxycarbonyl)azulen-1-yl groups

Reaction of methyl 1-azulenecarboxylate (8) with terephthalaldehyde (9) in acetic acid in the presence of hydrochloric acid at 25 °C for 2 h gives 1,4-bis[bis(3-methoxycarbonyl-1-azulenyl)methyl]benzene (12), in 93% yield, which upon oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) in dichloromethane in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at 25 °C for 1 h affords the dicarbenium-ion compound 15 in 94% yield. Furthermore, reduction of 15 with zinc powder in a mixed solvent of acetonitrile and chloroform at 25 °C for 1 h yields the target quinodimethane 18 in 90% yield. Similarly, as in the case of 18, the quinoid compounds 19 and 20 can be derived from the dicarbenium-ion compounds 16 and 17, quantitatively. A facile preparation as well as spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 15-20 is reported.     

Reactions of guaiazulene with thiophene-2,5-dicarbaldehyde and furan-2,5-dicarbaldehyde in methanol in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid: a facile preparation and properties of delocalized dicarbenium-ion compounds stabilized by two 3-guaiazulenyl groups and a thiophene (or furan) ring

Reaction of guaiazulene (1) with thiophene-2,5-dicarbaldehyde (2) in methanol in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at 25 °C for 3 h gives as high as 90% isolated yield of the delocalized dicarbenium-ion compound, 2,5-thienylenebis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium) bis(hexafluorophosphate) (3). Similarly, reaction of 1 with furan-2,5-dicarbaldehyde (4) under the same conditions as the above reaction affords the corresponding dicarbenium-ion compound, 2,5-furylenebis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium) bis(hexafluorophosphate) (5), in 84% isolated yield. Along with a facile preparation and the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 3 and 5, comparative studies on the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral and chemical properties of 3 and 5 with those of the delocalized mono- and dicarbenium-ion compounds [i.e., (3-guaiazulenyl)(2-thienyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (7), (2-furyl)(3-guaiazulenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (9), α,α′-bis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium) bis(tetrafluoroborate) (10), 1,2-phenylenebis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium) bis(hexafluorophosphate) (11), and 1,4-phenylenebis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium) bis(tetrafluoroborate) (12)] are reported. Moreover, referring to the results of the X-ray crystallographic analyses of 7, 9, 11, and 12, the optimized 2,5-thienylenebis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium)- and 2,5-furylenebis(3-guaiazulenylmethylium)-ion structures for 3 and 5, calculated by a WinMOPAC (version 3.0) program using PM3 as a semiempirical Hamiltonian, are described.     

Reactions of azulene and guaiazulene with all-trans-retinal and trans-cinnamaldehyde: comparative studies on spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of monocarbenium-ions stabilized by expanded π-electron systems with an azulenyl or 3-guaiazulenyl group

Reaction of azulene (1) with all-trans-retinal in diethyl ether in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at −10 °C for 1 h in a dark room gives the corresponding monocarbenium-ion compound, (2E,4E,6E,8E)-1-azulenyl-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphate (3), in 74% isolated yield. The spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of 3 compared with those of the previously-documented (2E,4E,6E,8E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphate (4) are reported. Along with the above delocalized monocarbenium-ion compounds 3 and 4, stabilized by the expanded π-electron systems possessing an azulenyl (or 3-guaiazulenyl) group, an efficient preparation as well as the spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of (2E)-1-azulenyl-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ylium and (2E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphates (5 and 6) (90 and 96% isolated yields), having a similar partial structure [i.e., the (2E)-1-azulenyl-2-propen-1-ylium-ion or (2E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-2-propen-1-ylium-ion part] to those of 3 and 4, is documented. Moreover, the crystal structure of 6, whose carbenium-ion framework is planar, is shown.     

Preparation, crystal structure, and spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of (2E,4E)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,3-butadiene compared with those of (E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene

Wittig reaction of 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]propanal (5) with (3-guaiazulenylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (4) in ethanol containing NaOEt at 25 °C for 24 h under argon gives the title (2E,4E)-1,3-butadiene derivative 6E in 19% isolated yield. Spectroscopic properties, crystal structure, and electrochemical behavior of the obtained new extended π-electron system 6E, compared with those of the previously reported (E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (12), are documented. Furthermore, reaction of 6E with 1,1,2,2-tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in benzene at 25 °C for 24 h under argon affords a new Diels-Alder adduct 8 in 59% isolated yield. Along with spectroscopic properties of the [π4+π2] cycloaddition product 8, the crystal structure, possessing a cis-3,6-substituted 1,1,2,2-tetracyano-4-cyclohexene unit, is shown. Moreover, reaction of 6E with (E)-1,2-dicyanoethylene (DCNE) under the same reaction conditions as the above gives no product; however, this reaction in p-xylene at reflux temperature (138 °C) for four days under argon affords a new Diels-Alder adduct 9 in 54% isolated yield. Although reaction of 6E with DCNE in toluene at reflux temperature (110 °C) for four days under argon provides 9 very slightly, reaction of 6E with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in toluene at reflux temperature for two days under argon yields a new Diels-Alder adduct 10, in 58% isolated yield, which upon oxidation with MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ at 25 °C for 1 h gives 11, converting a (CH₃)₂N-4″ into CH₃NH-4″ group, in 37% isolated yield. The crystal structure of 11 supports the molecular structure 10 possessing a partial structure cis-3,6-substituted 1,2-dimethoxycarbonyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene. The title basic studies on the above are reported in detail.     

Reactions of (1R,2S)-1,2-di(2-furyl)-1,2-di(3-guaiazulenyl)ethane and (1R,2S)-1,2-di(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,2-di(2-thienyl)ethane with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in benzene: comparative studies on the products and their spectroscopic properties

Reactions of the title meso forms, (1R,2S)-1,2-di(2-furyl)-1,2-di(3-guaiazulenyl)ethane (1) and (1R,2S)-1,2-di(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,2-di(2-thienyl)ethane (2), with a two molar amount of TCNE in benzene at 25 °C for 5 h (for 1) and 48 h (for 2) under oxygen give new compounds, 2,2,3,3-tetracyano-4-(2-furyl)-8-isopropyl-6-methyl-1,4-dihydrocyclohepta[c,d]azulene (3) and 2,2,3,3-tetracyano-8-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-(2-thienyl)-1,4-dihydrocyclohepta[c,d]azulene (4), respectively, in 74 and 21% isolated yields. Comparative studies on the above reactions as well as the spectroscopic properties of the unique products 3 and 4, possessing interesting molecular structures, are reported and, further, a plausible reaction pathway for the formation of these products is described.     

Effect of surface fluorination and conductive additives on the electrochemical behavior of lithium titanate (Li4/3Ti5/3O4) for lithium ion battery

Effect of surface fluorination and conductive additives on the charge/discharge behavior of lithium titanate (Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄) has been investigated using F₂ gas and vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF). Surface fluorination of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ was made using F₂ gas (3 × 10⁴ Pa) at 25-150 °C for 2 min. Charge capacities of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ samples fluorinated at 70 °C and 100 °C were larger than those for original sample at high current densities of 300 and 600 mA/g. Optimum fluorination temperatures of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ were 70 °C and 100 °C. Fibrous VGCF with a large surface area (17.7 m²/g) increased the utilization of available capacity of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ probably because it provided the better electrical contact than acetylene black (AB) between Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ particles and nickel current collector.     

Low-dimensional compounds containing cyano groups. XIV. Crystal structure, spectroscopic, thermal and magnetic properties of [CuL2][Pt(CN)4] complexes (L=ethylenediamine or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine)

Violet crystals of [Cu(en)₂][Pt(CN)₄] and blue crystals of [Cu(dmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄] were crystallized from the water-methanol solution containing CuCl₂·2H₂O, ethylenediamine (en) or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) and K₂[Pt(CN)₄]·3H₂O. Both compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and UV-VIS spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, specific heat measurements and thermal analysis. X-ray structure analysis revealed chain-like structure in both compounds. The covalent chains are built of Cu(II) ions linked by [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions in the [111] and [101] direction, respectively. The Cu(II) atoms are hexacoordinated by four nitrogen atoms in the equatorial plane from two molecules of bidentate ligands L with average Cu-N distance of 2.022(2) and 2.049(4) Å, respectively. Axial positions are occupied by two nitrogen atoms from bridging [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions at longer Cu-N distance of 2.537(2) and 2.600(5) Å, respectively. Both materials are characterized by the presence of weak antiferromagnetic exchange coupling. Despite the one-dimensional (1D) character of the structure, the analysis of magnetic properties and specific heat at very low temperatures shows that [Cu(en)₂][Pt(CN)₄] behaves as two-dimensional (2D) spatially anisotropic square lattice Heisenberg magnet, while more pronounced influence of interlayer coupling is observed in [Cu(dmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄].     

Improvement of high-voltage cycling behavior of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathodes by Mg, Cr, and Al substitution

To improve the electrochemical properties of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ at high charge end voltage (4.6 V), a series of the mixed transition metal compounds, Li(Ni_1/3Co_{1/3 − x} Mn_1/3M _x )O₂ (M = Mg, Cr, Al; x = 0.05), were synthesized via hydroxide coprecipitation method. The effects of doping Mg, Cr, and Al on the structure and the electrochemical performances of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ were compared by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), galvanostatic charge–discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The XRD results show that all the samples keep layered structures with R3m space group as the Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂. SEM images show that all the compounds have spherical shapes and the Cr-doped sample has the largest particle size. Furthermore, galvanostatic charge–discharge tests confirm that the Cr-doped electrode shows improved cycling performance than the undoped material. The capacity retention of Li(Ni_1/3Co_{1/3 − 0.05}Mn_1/3Cr_0.05)O₂ is 97% during 50 cycles at 2.8∼4.6 V. The improved cycling performance at high voltage can be attributed to the larger particle size and the prevention of charge transfer resistance (R _ct) increase during cycling.     

Synthesis, structure, and properties of chromium(III) sulfates

Reactions between CrO₃ and 50- are studied at temperatures up to the boiling point of the acid. Depending on the H₂SO₄ concentration and synthesis temperature, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, CrH(SO₄)₂, (H₃O)[Cr(SO₄)₂], Cr₂(SO₄)₃·H₂SO₄·4H₂O (gross formula), and (H₅O₂)[Cr(H₂O)₂(SO₄)₂], are obtained as identified reaction products in addition to the incompletely characterized chromic-sulfuric acid. The Cr^III-based sulfates are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The nuclear and magnetic structures of Cr₂(SO₄)₃ at are determined, the structure type of (H₃O)[Cr(SO₄)₂] is established, and the crystal structure of (H₅O₂)[Cr(H₂O)₂(SO₄)₂] is firmly stipulated. Magnetic susceptibility data suggest that the samples of CrH(SO₄)₂ are in a micro-crystalline rather than in an amorphous state. All Cr^III-based sulfates synthesized in this study appear to undergo paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic transitions at around .     

Crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of copper(II) pseudohalide complexes with two sparteine epimers, having a CuN4 chromophore

Tetrahedrally distorted copper(II) sparteine pseudohalide complexes having a CuN₄ chromophore were prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. Among them, the crystal structures of copper(II) isothiocyanate complexes with two sparteine epimers, (−)-l-sparteine (Sp) and (−)-α-isosparteine (α-Sp), were determined. The N_Sp–Cu–N_Sp plane in copper(II) (−)-l-sparteine isothiocyanate [Cu(Sp)(NCS)₂] and copper(II) (−)-α-isosparteine isothiocyanate [Cu(α-Sp)(NCS)₂] is twisted by 58.2(6)° and 52.2(9)°, respectively, from the N_NCS–Cu–N_NCS plane. Based on the values of the dihedral angles and tilted distances of these two complexes, the geometry around Cu(II) in Cu(α-Sp)(NCS)₂ is more distorted from the perfect tetrahedron than that in Cu(Sp)(NCS)₂. For copper(II) sparteine pseudohalide (NCS⁻ and N₃⁻) complexes having a CuN₄ chromophore, the EPR and the optical spectral data were collected. The results of X-ray crystallography and ESR spectroscopy are in a good agreement with the assumption that the degree of distortion from planarity to tetrahedron will reduce the A_|| value of four-coordinate copper(II) sparteine pseudohalide complexes.     

Low-dimensional compounds containing cyano groups. XVII. Crystal structure, spectroscopic, thermal and magnetic properties of [Cu(bmen)2][Pt(CN)4] (bmen=N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)

The synthesis, structural analysis, spectroscopic studies, susceptibility and specific-heat measurements of {[Cu(bmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄]}_n (bmen=N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine) are presented. X-ray crystal-structure analysis revealed that the [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ building blocks are combined with [Cu(bmen)₂]²⁺ units to form a chain-like structure along the a axis. The Cu(II) atoms are hexacoordinated by four nitrogen atoms in the equatorial plane belonging to two molecules of bidentate bmen ligands with average Cu-N distance of 2.043(18) Å. The axial positions are occupied by two nitrogen atoms from bridging [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions at a longer axial Cu-N distance of 2.490(4) Å. The compound is characterized by the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic exchange coupling J/k_B=0.6 K. Despite the one-dimensional (1D) character of the structure, the analysis of the magnetic properties and specific heat at very low temperatures shows that [Cu(bmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄] behaves as a two-dimensional (2D) square-lattice Heisenberg magnet with weak interlayer coupling.     

Reaction of guaiazulene with o-formylbenzoic acid in diethyl ether (or methanol) in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid: comparative studies on H and C NMR spectral properties of 3-guaiazulenylmethylium- and 3-guaiazulenium-ion structures

Reaction of guaiazulene (1) with o-formylbenzoic acid (2) in diethyl ether in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at 25 °C for 90 min gives the corresponding monocarbenium-ion compound, [2-(carboxy)phenyl](3-guaiazulenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (3), quantitatively, which upon treatment with aq NaHCO₃ leads to 3-(3-guaiazulenyl)-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-one (5) in 96% isolated yield. Similarly, reaction of 1 with 2 in methanol under the same conditions as the above reaction affords two kinds of inseparable monocarbenium-ion compounds, 3 and (3-guaiazulenyl)[2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methylium hexafluorophosphate (4) with an equilibrium between them, which upon reaction with a solution of NaBH₄ in ethanol at 25 °C for 30 min leads to 5 in 46% isolated yield and (3-guaiazulenyl)[2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methane (6) in 37% isolated yield. Along with the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral properties of a solution of 5 in trifluoroacetic acid-d₁ at 25 °C, whose molecular structure is converted to a ca. 1:1 equilibrium mixture of 7 possessing a partial structure of the 3-guaiazulenylmethylium-ion and 8 possessing a partial structure of the 3-guaiazulenium-ion, comparative studies on the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral properties of 7 and 8 with those of the monocarbenium-ion compound, (3-guaiazulenyl)[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methylium hexafluorophosphate (A), 5, and 6 are reported. From these NMR studies, it can be inferred that the positive charge of the 3-guaiazulenylmethylium-ion part of 7 apparently is transferred to the seven-membered ring, generating a resonance form of the 3-guaiazulenylium-ion structure η′, and the same result can be inferred for the previously documented monocarbenium-ion compounds A-I. Moreover, referring to a comparative study on the C-C bond lengths of A observed by the X-ray crystallographic analysis with those of the optimized (3-guaiazulenyl)[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methylium-ion structure for A calculated by a WinMOPAC (Ver. 3.0) program using PM3, AM1, or MNDOD as a semiempirical Hamiltonian, the optimized [2-(carboxy)phenyl](3-guaiazulenyl)methylium-ion structure for 3 calculated using PM3 is described.     

Crystal structures of RPt3−xSi1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction

The crystal structures of ternary compounds RPt_3−xSi_1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data. All compounds are isotypic and crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm. The general formula RPt_3−xSi_1−y arises from defects: x≈0.20, y≈0.14. The crystal structure of RPt_3−xSi_1−y can be considered as a packing of four types of building blocks which derive from the CePt₃B-type unit cell by various degrees of distortion and Pt, Si-defects.     

Determination of cadmium, copper and lead in soils, sediments and sea water samples by ETAAS using a Sc + Pd + NH(4)NO(3) chemical modifier

Cadmium, copper and lead in soils, sediments and spiked sea water samples have been determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman effect background corrector using NH₄NO₃, Sc, Pd, Sc + NH₄NO₃, Pd + NH₄NO₃, Sc + Pd and Sc + Pd + NH₄NO₃ as chemical modifiers. A comprehensive comparison was made among the modifiers and without modifier in terms of pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, detection limits and accuracy of the determinations. Sc + Pd + NH₄NO₃ modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of analytes in soil and sediment certified and standard reference materials, and sea water samples because it increased the pyrolysis temperature up to 900 °C for Cd, 1350 °C for Cu and 1300 °C for Pb. Optimum masses of mixed modifier components found are 20 μg Sc + 4 μg Pd + 8 μg NH₄NO₃. Characteristic masses of Cd, Cu and Pb obtained are 0.6, 5.3 and 15.8 pg, respectively. The detection limits of Cd, Cu and Pb were found to be 0.08, 0.57 and 0.83 μg l⁻¹, respectively. Depending on the solid sample type, the percent recoveries were increased up to 103% for Cd, Cu and Pb by using the proposed modifier mixture. The accuracy of the determination of analytes in the sea water samples was also increased.     

Crystal growth, transport, and magnetic properties of Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) with a perovskite-like structure

Ln₃Co₄Sn₁₃ (Ln=La, Ce) have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds adopt the Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃-type structure and crystallize in the cubic space group (No. 223) with Z=2. Lattice parameters at 298 K are , , and , for the La and Ce analogues, respectively. The crystal structure consists of an Sn-centered icosahedron at the origin of the unit cell, which shares faces with eight Co trigonal prisms and 12 Ln-centered cuboctahedra. Magnetization data at 0.1 T show paramagnetic behavior down to 1.8 K for Ce₃Co₄Sn₁₃, with per Ce³⁺, while conventional type II superconductivity appears below 2.85 K in the La compound. Electrical resistivity and specific heat data for the La compound show a corresponding sharp superconducting transition at T_c∼2.85 K. The entropy and resistivity data for Ce₃Co₄Sn₁₃ show the existence of the Kondo effect with a complicated semiconducting-like behavior in the resistivity data. In addition, a large enhanced specific heat coefficient at low T with a low magnetic transition temperature suggests a heavy-fermionic character for the Ce compound. Herein, the structure and physical properties of Ln₃Co₄Sn₁₃ (Ln=La, Ce) are discussed.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and properties of a new family of isostructural and isomorphous compounds of type [M(L)(NCS)3] [M = La,Gd, Tb and Dy; L = a neutral hexadentate Schiff base]

The neutral hexadentate Schiff base N-(1-pyridin-2-yl-phenylidene)-N′-[2-({2-[(1-pyridin-2-yl-phenylidene)amino]ethyl}amino)ethyl]ethane-1,2-diamine (L) was used to synthesize new lanthanide(III) complexes of type [M(L)(NCS)₃] (M = La, 1; Gd, 2; Tb, 3; Dy, 4). Single crystal X-ray diffractometry reveals the tricapped trigonal prismatic structure of all the compounds. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in 2–4 show the expected χ_MT versus T plot for an isolated, mononuclear lanthanide(III) ion with 4f⁷, 4f⁸ and 4f⁹ configurations, respectively following Curie Law.     

Polymorphism in mercury(I) selenite(IV): preparation, crystal structures of α-, β-and γ-Hg2SeO3, and thermal behavior of the α- and β-modification

Mercury(I) selenite(IV) is polymorphic and crystallizes at least in three modifications, named α-, β-and γ-Hg₂SeO₃. Polycrystalline β-Hg₂SeO₃ was prepared by precipitation of a concentrated mercurous nitrate solution with selenous acid. Hydrothermal treatment of the colorless β-Hg₂SeO₃ powder in demineralized water at 250°C (10 days) yields light-yellow single crystals of α-Hg₂SeO₃ which show the highest density of the three modifications. Colorless needle-shaped single crystals of β-Hg₂SeO₃ and very few single crystals of γ-Hg₂SeO₃ co-crystallize from strongly diluted Hg₂(NO₃)₂ and H₂SeO₃ solutions and were grown by a diffusion technique. All crystal structures were solved and refined from single crystal diffractometer data sets and are based on Hg₂²⁺ dumbbells and trigonal pyramidal SeO₃²⁻ anions as the main building units. A common structural feature of all modifications is the formation of open channels extending parallel to the shortest crystallographic axis. The non-bonding orbitals of the Se^IV atoms are stereochemically active and protrude into the channels. Upon heating in an open system under N₂ atmosphere, both α- and β-Hg₂SeO₃ decompose in a well-separated three-step mechanism. The first step (T > 250°C) involves disproportionation into elementary mercury and α-HgSeO₃ which at ca. 400°C subsequently transforms into β-HgSeO₃. The second step between T = 400 and 500°C is accompanied by a loss of Hg and SeO₂ and the formation of the basic salt Hg₃SeO₆. In the third step, at temperatures between T = 500° and 600°C, this material decomposes completely. Upon heating in a closed system (sealed silica capillaries), β-Hg₂SeO₃ transforms between 320-340°C into the more dense α-Hg₂SeO₃ which on further heating likewise converts into elementary mercury and β-HgSeO₃.