Synthesis and characterization of the rare-earth dicyanamides Ln[N(CN)2]3 with Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu

The rare-earth dicyanamides Ln[N(CN)₂]₃ (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) were obtained via ion exchange in aqueous medium and subsequent drying: The crystal structures were solved and refined based on X-ray powder diffraction data and they were found to be isotypic: Ln[N(CN)₂]₃; Cmcm (no. 63), Z=4, Ln=La: , , ; Ce: , , ; Pr: , , ; Nd: , , ; Sm: , , ; Eu: , , ). The compounds represent the first dicyanamides with trivalent cations. The Ln³⁺ ions are coordinated by three bridging N atoms and six terminal N atoms of the dicyanamide ions forming a three capped trigonal prism. The structure type is related to that of PuBr₃. The novel compounds Ln[N(CN)₂]₃ have been characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy (Ln=La) and the thermal behavior has been monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (Ln=Ce, Nd, Eu).     

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of two misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi2O3-MO-Nb2O5 (M=Mg, Ni) systems

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of Bi_1.667Mg_0.70Nb_1.52O₇ (BMN) and Bi_1.67Ni_0.75Nb_1.50O₇ (BNN) misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi₂O₃-M^IIO-Nb₂O₅ (M=Mg, Ni) systems are reported. As for other recently reported Bi-pyrochlores, the metal ion vacancies are found to be confined to the pyrochlore A site. The B₂O₆ octahedral sub-structure is found to be fully occupied and well-ordered. Considerable displacive disorder, however, is found associated with the O′A₂ tetrahedral sub-structure in both cases. The A-site ions were displaced from Wyckoff position 16d (, , ) to 96 h (, , ) while the O′ oxygen was shifted from position 8b (, , ) to Wyckoff position 32e (, , ). The refined displacement magnitudes off the 16d and 8b sites for the A and O′ sites were 0.408 Å/0.423 Å and 0.350 Å/0.369 Å for BMN/BNN, respectively.     

Tetragonal low-temperature structure of LiAl

The cubic face-centered structure of LiAl (, at ) transforms into a tetragonal body-centered structure (I4₁/amd, , at ). This first-order phase transition at about during heating is probably the reason for the so-called “ anomalies” in some physical properties like specific heat, electrical resistivity and nuclear-spin lattice relaxation. This transition seems to be correlated with the composition Li:Al of the alloy and the amount of Li vacancies.     

Crystal growth, characterization and physical properties of PrNiSb3, NdNiSb3 and SmNiSb3

The crystal structures of three new intermetallic ternary compounds in the LnNiSb₃ (Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm) family have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃ all crystallize in an orthorhombic space group, Pbcm (No. 57), Z=12, with , , , and ; , , , and ; and , , , and , for Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm, respectively. These compounds consist of rare-earth atoms located above and below layers of nearly square, buckled Sb nets, along with layers of highly distorted edge- and face-sharing NiSb₆ octahedra. Resistivity data indicate metallic behavior for all three compounds. Magnetization measurements show antiferromagnetic behavior with (PrNiSb₃), 4.6 K (NdNiSb₃), and 2.9 K (SmNiSb₃). Effective moments of 3.62 μ_B, 3.90 μ_B and 0.80 μ_B are found for PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃, respectively, and are consistent with Pr³⁺ (f ²), Nd³⁺ (f ³), and Sm³⁺ (f ⁴).     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetism of a new heavy-fermion antiferromagnet, CePdGa6

A new compound, CePdGa₆, and its isostructural analog, LaPdGa₆ have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds adopt a tetragonal structure with P4/mmm space group, Z=1. The lattice parameters for CePdGa₆ are and and and for LaPdGa₆. Magnetic and thermal measurement have revealed that CePdGa₆ is a heavy-fermion with the specific heat coefficient and Ce f moments order antiferromagnetically along c-axis at . Reconfiguration of spin occurs at to induce a ferromagnetic component only in the a-b plane. This strong anisotropy in the magnetism might be related to its unique layered structure.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and electronic structure of RbVSe2

RbVSe₂ has been synthesized at 773 K through the reaction of V and Se with a Rb₂Se₃ reactive flux. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group D_2h²⁴-Fddd with 16 formula units in a cell of dimensions , , and at . The structure possesses infinite one-dimensional chains of edge-sharing VSe₄ tetrahedra separated from the Rb⁺ ions. These chains distort slightly to chains. The V-V distance within these chains is 2.8362(4) Å. First-principles total energy calculations indicate that a non-magnetic configuration for the V³⁺ cations is the most stable.     

Structural characterization and ferroelectric ordering in (C3N2H5)5Sb2Br11

A ferroelectric crystal (C₃N₂H₅)₅Sb₂Br₁₁ has been synthesized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies (at 300, 155, 138 and 121 K) show that it is built up of discrete corner-sharing bioctahedra and highly disordered imidazolium cations. The room temperature crystal structure has been determined as monoclinic, space group, P2₁/n with: , and and β=96.19^°. The crystal undergoes three solid-solid phase transitions: ) discontinuous, continuous and discontinuous. The dielectric and pyroelectric measurements allow us to characterize the low temperature phases III and IV as ferroelectric with the Curie point at 145 K and the saturated spontaneous polarization value of the order of along the a-axis (135 K). The ferroelectric phase transition mechanism at 145 K is due to the dynamics of imidazolium cations.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of the layered uranyl tellurites A2[(UO2)3(TeO3)2O2] (A=K, Rb, Cs)

The reactions of UO₃ and TeO₃ with KCl, RbCl, or CsCl at 800 °C for 5 d yield single crystals of A₂[(UO₂)₃(TeO₃)₂O₂] (A=K (1), Rb (2), and Cs (3)). These compounds are isostructural with one another, and their structures consist of two-dimensional sheets arranged in a stair-like topology separated by alkali metal cations. These sheets are comprised of zigzagging uranium(VI) oxide chains bridged by corner-sharing trigonal pyramidal TeO₃²⁻ anions. The chains are composed of dimeric, edge-sharing, pentagonal bipyramidal UO₇ moieties joined by edge-sharing tetragonal bipyramidal UO₆ units. The lone-pair of electrons from the TeO₃ groups are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another on each side of the sheets rendering each individual sheet non-polar. The alkali metal cations form contacts with nearby tellurite oxygen atoms as well as with oxygen atoms from the uranyl moieties. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, ): 1, triclinic, space group , , , , α=101.852(1)°, β=102.974(1)°, γ=100.081(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.70% for 98 parameters and 1697 reflections with I>2σ(I); 2, triclinic, space group , , , , α=105.590(2)°, β=101.760(2)°, γ=99.456(2)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.36% for 98 parameters and 1817 reflections with I>2σ(I); 3, triclinic, space group , , , , α=109.301(1)°, β=100.573(1)°, γ=99.504(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.61% for 98 parameters and 1965 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Structural homologies in benzylamino-N,N-bis methylphosphonic acid and its layered zirconium derivative

A new layered zirconium diphosphonate fluoride, ZrF(O₃PCH₂)₂NHCH₂C₆H₅ has been prepared and its structure determined ab initio by X-ray powder data and refined with the Rietveld method (orthorhombic, , , , space group Pbca, , Z=8, R_wp=0.080). Both phosphonic groups of each diphosphonate building block are bonded to zirconium atoms on the same side of each layer. Benzyl groups from adjacent layers are interdigitated in the interlayer region, with probable π-π stacking interactions. The structure of the free benzylamino-N,N-bis methylphosphonic acid has been determined by single crystal X-ray data (monoclinic, space group P2₁, , , , β=92.930(3)°, , Z=2, R₁=0.072, wR₂=0.150). As in the zirconium derivative, benzyl groups from adjacent layers are interdigitated and create a regular alternation of polar and non-polar regions.     

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of the anticancer drugs camptothecine, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecine, 10-hydroxycamptothecine and 7-ethylcamptothecine by the least-squares nonlinear regression of multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data

The mixed dissociation constants of four anticancer drugs - camptothecine, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecine, 10-hydroxycamptothecine and 7-ethylcamptothecine, including diprotic and triprotic molecules at various ionic strengths I of range 0.01 and 0.4, and at temperatures of 25 and 37 °C - were determined with the use of two different multiwavelength and multivariate treatments of spectral data, SPECFIT32 and SQUAD(84) nonlinear regression analyses and INDICES factor analysis. A proposed strategy for dissociation constants determination is presented on the acid-base equilibria of camptothecine. Indices of precise modifications of the factor analysis in the program INDICES predict the correct number of components, and even the presence of minor ones, when the data quality is high and the instrumental error is known. The thermodynamic dissociation constant was estimated by nonlinear regression of {pK_a, I} data at 25 and 37 °C: for camptothecine and 3.02(8), and 10.23(8); for 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecine, and 2.46(6), and 8.74(3), and 9.47(8); for 10-hydroxycamptothecine and 2.84(5), and 8.92(2), and 9.98(4); and for 7-ethylcamptothecine and 3.30(16), and 10.98(18). Goodness-of-fit tests for various regression diagnostics enabled the reliability of the parameter estimates found to be proven. Pallas and Marvin predict pK_a being based on the structural formulae of drug compounds in agreement with the experimental value.     

Structures of the reduced niobium oxides Nb12O29 and Nb22O54

The crystal structure of Nb₂₂O₅₄ is reported for the first time, and the structure of orthorhombic Nb₁₂O₂₉ is reexamined, resolving previous ambiguities. Single crystal X-ray and electron diffraction were employed. These compounds were found to crystallize in the space groups P2/m (, , , β=102.029(3)^°) and Cmcm (, , ), respectively and share a common structural unit, a 4×3 block of corner sharing NbO₆ octahedra. Despite different constraints imposed by symmetry these blocks are very similar in both compounds. Within a block, it is found that the niobium atoms are not located in the centers of the oxygen octahedra, but rather are displaced inward toward the center of the block forming an apparent antiferroelectric state. Bond valence sums and bond lengths do not show the presence of charge ordering, suggesting that all 4d electrons are delocalized in these compounds at the temperature studied, T=200 K.     

Effect of initial monomer concentration on the equilibrium swelling and elasticity of hydrogels

The linear swelling ratio α and the effective network chain length N of a series of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAAm) hydrogels were investigated as a function of the gel preparation concentration . PDMAAm hydrogels were prepared at a fixed cross-linker ratio but at various initial monomer concentrations. It was found that α is not a monotonic function of . As is increased, α first decreases up to about and remains constant in a narrow range of , but then it increases continuously. The -dependence of α is due to the variation of the network chain length N depending on the gel preparation concentration. In the range of below 0.1, N follows the scaling relationship , while at higher concentrations, N varies only slightly with . The increase of α with N obeys the relation , as predicted by the Flory-Rehner theory.     

Synthesis, structure and optical limiting effect of a novel inorganic-organic hybrid polymer containing mixed chains of copper(I)/iodine

In this paper, treatment of N-ethyl-benzo[f]quinolium (ebq) iodide and CuI with excess KI afforded an unusual coordination polymer [(ebq)₂(Cu₃I₄)(CuI₂)]_n (1). 1 crystallizes in tetragonal system, space group P4(2)bc with cell parameters of , , , Z=8, , R₁=0.0447 and wR₂=0.0974. A highly interesting feature of 1 is its presence of mixed types of chains [ and chain] in one crystal lattice based on supramolecular self-assembly directed by cations. The infinite chains and in 1 could be described as the edge-sharing arrangement of CuI₄ tetrahedron. Furthermore, IR, EA, UV-Vis, thermal analysis and optical limiting measurements were adopted to characterize polymer 1. The optical limiting experiment shows that the present polymer exhibits a large optical limiting capacity.     

Zn3(HPO3)4·Zn(H2O)6: a purely inorganic open-framework zincophosphite with octahedral zinc complex [Zn(H2O)6] encapsulating in the channels

The hydrothermal synthesis and single crystal structure of Zn₃(HPO₃)₄·Zn(H₂O)₆ are reported. The structure is built-up from vertex linking ZnO₄ tetrahedral and HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids units, giving rise to a three-dimensional framework with large 8, 16-membered ring channels. The zincophosphite is purly inorganic with the octahedral zinc complex filled in the channel. The synthesis of system required the presence of the organic amine which is not incorporated into the structure of the product. The framework-metal complex encapsulating in the channel is the first time appeared in open-framework zincophospates and zincophosphites. Crystal data: Zn₃(HPO₃)₄·Zn(H₂O)₆, M=689.52, orthorhombic, Fddd (No. 70), , , , , Z=8, , , R=0.0265, R_w=0.0406.     

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of ambroxol, antazoline, naphazoline, oxymetazoline and ranitidine by the regression analysis of spectrophotometric data

The mixed dissociation constants of five drug acids—ambroxol, antazoline, naphazoline, oxymetazoline and ranitidine—at various ionic strengths I of range 0.01 and 1.0 and at temperatures of 25 and 37 °C were determined using SQUAD(84) regression analysis of the pH-spectrophotometric titration data. A proposed strategy of efficient experimentation in a protonation constants determination, followed by a computational strategy for the chemical model with a protonation constants determination, is presented on the protonation equilibria of ambroxol. The thermodynamic dissociation constant pK_a^T was estimated by non-linear regression of {pK_a, I} data at 25 and 37 °C: for ambroxol and 8.25 (4), log  and 11.83 (8), for antazoline and 7.83 (6), and 9.55 (2), for naphazoline and 10.63 (1), for oxymethazoline and 10.77 (7), pK_a,2^T=12.03(3) and 11.82 (4) and for ranitidine and 1.77 (1). Goodness-of-fit tests for various regression diagnostics enabled the reliability of the parameter estimates to be found.