Analytical characterization of BCxNy films generated by LPCVD with triethylamine borane

Triethylamine borane (TEAB) and He, N₂ or NH₃ were applied as additional reaction gases in the production of BC_xN_y layers by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). These layers were deposited on Si(100) wafers and characterized chemically by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and synchrotron radiation-based total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis combined with near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (TXRF-NEXAFS). The composition of the material produced without NH₃ was found to be dominated by B–C bonds with the stoichiometric formula B₂C₃N. B–N bonds with the formula B₂CN₃ were preferred when NH₃ was added. A first attempt was made to compare the results obtained by applying trimethylamine borane and TEAB as single-source precursors.     

Synthesis and structure of the cadmium(II) complex [Cd2(Ph(NH2)2)5(DMFA)4](B10H10)2

A new binuclear cadmium(II) complex with neutral ligands, 1,2-diaminobenzene (DMB) and dimethylformamide (DMF), [Cd₂(Ph(NH₂)₂)₅(DMFA)₄](B₁₀H₁₀)₂, was synthesized and studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 26.198(3) ?, b = 12.742(3) ?, c = 21.658(3) ?, β = 119.985(10)°, Z = 8, space group C2/c. The distorted octahedral environment of Cd is formed by four nitrogen atoms of three DAB molecules and two oxygen atoms of DMF molecules. Three independent DAB molecules perform different functions: one chelates the Cd atom, another is linked to cadmium as a monodentate ligand, and the third one bridges two Cd atoms, thus forming the dimer. The amino groups of the DAB molecules are involved in the N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and in N-H⋯B and N-H⋯H-B specific interactions with the cluster boron anion. Original Russian Text ? E.A. Malinina, V.V. Drozdova, L.V. Goeva, I.N. Polyakova, N.T. Kuznetsov, 2007, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 52, No. 6, pp. 922–926.     

Polymorphism and Pressure Driven Thermal Spin Crossover Phenomenon in [Fe( abpt )2(NC X )2] ( X =?S, and Se): Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic Properties

Summary.  The monomeric compounds [Fe(abpt)₂(NCX)₂] (X = S (1), Se (2) and abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole) have been synthesized and characterized. They crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/n space group with a = 11.637(2) ?, b = 9.8021(14) ?, c = 12.9838(12) ?, β = 101.126(14)°, and Z = 2 for 1, and a = 11.601(2) ?, b = 9.6666(14) ?, c = 12.883(2) ?, β = 101.449(10)°, and Z = 2 for 2. The unit cell contains a pair mononuclear [Fe(abpt)₂(NCX)₂] units related by a center of symmetry. Each iron atom, located at a molecular inversion center, is in a distorted octahedral environment. Four of the six nitrogen atoms coordinated to the Fe(II) ion belong to the pyridine-N(1) and triazole-N(2) rings of two abpt ligands. The remaining trans positions are occupied by two nitrogen atoms, N(3), belonging to the two pseudo-halide ligands. The magnetic susceptibility measurements at ambient pressure have revealed that they are in the high-spin range in the 2 K–300 K temperature range. The pressure study has revealed that compound 1 remains in high-spin as pressure is increased up to 4.4 kbar, where an incomplete thermal spin crossover appears at around T _1/2 = 65 K. Quenching experiments at 4.4 kbar have shown that the incomplete character of the conversion is a consequence of slow kinetics. Relatively sharp spin transition takes place at T _1/2 = 106, 152 and 179 K, as pressure attains 5.6, 8.6 and 10.5 kbar, respectively. Corresponding author. E-mail: jose.a.real@uv.es Received June 12, 2002; accepted July 1, 2002     

Characterization of Nanocomposite Coatings in the System Ti–B–N by Analytical Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

 Superhard nanocomposite coatings of different composition in the quasi-binary system TiN–TiB₂ were deposited onto stainless steel sheets by means of unbalanced DC magnetron co-sputtering using segmented TiN/TiB₂ targets. The chemistry and microstructure of a TiB_0.6N_0.7 coating was investigated using X-ray and electron diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy-loss spectrometry. High resolution elemental mapping of the elements Ti, B, N, and O with energy-filtering TEM reveals a homogeneous distribution on the nanometer scale. X-Ray and electron diffraction exhibit only TiN crystallites of nanometer size, but no information on the boron-rich phase. The near-edge fine structures of the BK and NK ionization edges in the EELS spectra of the Ti–B–N coatings were used to derive information on the phases by comparing the edges with those of reference compounds. It was found that the TiN nanocrystals occur together with TiO _x particles; the grains are embedded in a strongly disordered or quasi-amorphous matrix consisting mainly of TiB₂ particles and, near the steel substrate, also boron oxide (B₂O₃).     

Rare Earth-Rich Indides RE 5Pt2In4 ( RE = Sc, Y, La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Tm, Lu)

The isotypic indides RE ₅Pt₂In₄ (RE = Sc, Y, La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Tm, Lu) were synthesized by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing. They were investigated via X-ray powder diffraction. Small single crystals of Gd₅Pt₂In₄ were grown via slow cooling and the structure was refined from X-ray single crystal diffractometer data: Pbam, a = 1819.2(9), b = 803.2(3), c = 367.6(2) pm, wR ² = 0.089, 893 F ² values and 36 parameters. The structure is an intergrowth variant of distorted trigonal and square prismatic slabs of compositions GdPt and GdIn. Together the platinum and indium atoms build up one-dimensional [Pt₂In₄] networks (292–333 pm Pt–In and 328–368 pm In–In) in an AA stacking sequence along the c axis. The gadolinium atoms fill distorted square and pentagonal prismatic cages between these networks with strong bonding to the platinum atoms.     

The Unusual Thermodynamic Stability Order of the First-series Transition Metal Complexes with N,N,N′-tri(2-pyridylmethyl)glycinamide and the Crystal Structure of the Nickel(II) Complex

A new pentadentate tripodal peptide ligand N,N,N′-tri(2-pyridylmethyl)glycinamide (L) has been synthesized. The crystal structure of its nickel(II) complex, [NiL(H₂O)] · 1.17ClO₄ · 0.17H₃O · 0.03H₂O (1), has been determined by X-ray diffraction. In the complex, the deprotonated ligand L acts in a pentadentate fashion and coordinates to the nickel(II) ion through five nitrogen atoms, while the sixth position is occupied by a water molecule. The units of the complex are connected as a 3D honeycomb network by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The thermodynamic properties of the ligand L with the first-series transition metal ions Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) have been investigated by potentiometric titration and the results show that the order of their stability constants does not conform to the Irving–Williams serial. The reason why the stability constants of the Cu(II) complex are unconventionally small is proposed.     

Thermal conversions of chitosanium dodecahydro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">closo</Emphasis>-dodecaborate

The thermal behavior of chitosanium dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate, (C₆O₄H₉NH₃)₂B₁₂H₁₂, was studied by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As this compound is heated at a rate above 10–20 K/min, it ignites at a temperature of about 300°C. As the compound is heated to 1000°C at a rate below 10 K/min in an inert atmosphere, it yields a mixture of carbon and amorphous boron and/or boron carbides. The presence of a small amount of boron oxide in the product is explained by the formation of a partially oxidized hydroborate anion at the early stages of (C₆O₄H₉NH₃)₂B₁₂H₁₂ decomposition via the interaction between oxygen of the chitosanium cation and the B₁₂H₁₂²⁻ anion. Heating the initial compound in air at a rate below 10 K/min yields carbon and boron oxide as the main products. Molten boron oxide protects boron and/or boron carbides and boron nitride forming in small amounts in the particle bulk from oxidation.     

Giant colloidal crystals of fluorine-containing polymer spheres in exhaustively deionized aqueous suspensions and in the presence of sodium chloride

 Gigantic colloidal single crystals (2–6 mm) are formed for fluorine-containing polymer spheres (120–210 nm in diameter) in exhaustively deionized aqueous suspensions. The spheres used are poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFEA and PTFEB), copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether (PFA) and copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropylene (PTP). The phase diagrams of these spheres are obtained in the deionized suspensions and also in the presence of sodium chloride for PFA. The critical sphere concentrations of crystal melting (φ _c) for these spheres are around 0.0006 in volume fraction, which are close to, but slightly larger than, those of monodispersed polystyrene spheres (φ _c ≈ 0.00015) and colloidal silica spheres(φ _c = 0.0002–0.0004) reported previously. The crystals are largest when the sphere concentrations are a bit higher than the φ _c value and their size decreases as the sphere concentration increases. Reflection spectra are taken in sedimentation equilibrium as a function of the height from the bottom of the suspension. The static elastic modulus is estimated to be 10.8 and 28.7 Pa for PTFEA and PTP spheres at the sphere concentrations 0.00325 and 0.00322 in volume fraction, respectively. Received: 27 October 1999 Accepted in revised form: 16 November 1999     

On the Importance of H-Bonding Interactions in Organic Ammonium Tetrathiotungstates

Summary. Four new organic ammonium tetrathiotungstates (N–Me–enH₂)[WS₄] (1), (N,N′-dm-1,3-pnH₂)[WS₄] (2), (1,4-bnH₂)[WS₄] (3), and (mipaH)₂[WS₄] (4), (N–Me–enH₂ = N-methylethylenediammonium, N,N′-dm-1,3-pnH₂ = N,N′-dimethyl-1,3-propanediammonium, 1,4-bnH₂ = 1,4-butanediammonium, and mipaH = monoisopropylammonium) were synthesized by the base promoted cation exchange reaction and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, Raman, UV-Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1–4 consist of [WS₄]²⁻ tetrahedra which are linked to the organic ammonium cations via N–H⋯S hydrogen bonding. The strength and number of the S⋯H interactions affect the W–S bond lengths as evidenced by distinct short and long W–S bonds. The IR spectra exhibit splitting of the W–S vibrations, which can be attributed to the distortion of the [WS₄]²⁻ tetrahedron. From a comparative study of several known tetrathiotungstates it is observed that a difference of more than 0.033 ? between the longest and shortest W–S bonds in a tetrathiotungstate will result in the splitting of the asymmetric stretching vibration of the W–S bond.     

On the Importance of H-Bonding Interactions in Organic Ammonium Tetrathiotungstates

Four new organic ammonium tetrathiotungstates (N–Me–enH₂)[WS₄] (1), (N,N′-dm-1,3-pnH₂)[WS₄] (2), (1,4-bnH₂)[WS₄] (3), and (mipaH)₂[WS₄] (4), (N–Me–enH₂ = N-methylethylenediammonium, N,N′-dm-1,3-pnH₂ = N,N′-dimethyl-1,3-propanediammonium, 1,4-bnH₂ = 1,4-butanediammonium, and mipaH = monoisopropylammonium) were synthesized by the base promoted cation exchange reaction and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, Raman, UV-Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1–4 consist of [WS₄]²⁻ tetrahedra which are linked to the organic ammonium cations via N–H⋯S hydrogen bonding. The strength and number of the S⋯H interactions affect the W–S bond lengths as evidenced by distinct short and long W–S bonds. The IR spectra exhibit splitting of the W–S vibrations, which can be attributed to the distortion of the [WS₄]²⁻ tetrahedron. From a comparative study of several known tetrathiotungstates it is observed that a difference of more than 0.033 ? between the longest and shortest W–S bonds in a tetrathiotungstate will result in the splitting of the asymmetric stretching vibration of the W–S bond.     

Microwave Assisted Deprotection of N , N -Dimethylhydrazones in Water Using Palladium Chloride–Tin Chloride as Catalyst

 N,N-Dimethylhydrazones of ketones and aldehydes undergo facile cleavage to the corresponding carbonyl compounds upon exposure to microwaves in water containing a catalytic amount of PdCl₂–SnCl₂ in high yields.     

Volcano correlations for the reactivity of surface-confined cobalt N<Subscript>4</Subscript>-macrocyclics for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-mercaptoacetate

We have investigated the electrocatalytic activity of several substituted and unsubstituted cobalt–phthalocyanines of substituted tetraphenyl porphyrins and of vitamin B₁₂, for the electro-oxidation of 2-mercaptoacetate, with the complexes pre-adsorbed on a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Several N4-macrocyclic were used to have a wide variety of Co(II)/(I) formal potentials. The electrocatalytic activity, measured as current at constant potential, increases with the Co(II)/(I) redox potential for porphyrins as Co–pentafluorotetraphenylporphyrin < Co–tetrasulfonatotetraphenylporphyrin < Co-2,2′,2″,2‴tetra-aminotetraphenylporphyrin and decreases for cobalt phthalocyanines as Co-3,4-octaethylhexyloxyphthalocyanine > Co–octamethoxyphthalocyanine > Co–tetranitrophthalocyanine Co–tetraaminophthalocyanine > Co–unsubstituted phthalocyanine > Co–tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine > Co–perfluorinated phthalocyanine. Vitamin B₁₂ exhibits the maximum activity. A correlation of log I (at constant potential) versus the Co(II)/(I) formal potential of the catalysts gives a volcano curve. This clearly shows that the search for better catalysts for this reaction point to those N₄-macrocyclic complexes with Co(II)/(I) formal potentials close to −0.84 V versus SCE, which correspond to an optimum situation for the interaction of the thiol with the active site. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Teresa Iwasita on the occasion of her 65th birthday in recognition of her numerous contributions to interfacial electrochemistry.     

Characterization of Nanocomposite Coatings in the System Ti–B–N by Analytical Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Summary.  Superhard nanocomposite coatings of different composition in the quasi-binary system TiN–TiB₂ were deposited onto stainless steel sheets by means of unbalanced DC magnetron co-sputtering using segmented TiN/TiB₂ targets. The chemistry and microstructure of a TiB_0.6N_0.7 coating was investigated using X-ray and electron diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy-loss spectrometry. High resolution elemental mapping of the elements Ti, B, N, and O with energy-filtering TEM reveals a homogeneous distribution on the nanometer scale. X-Ray and electron diffraction exhibit only TiN crystallites of nanometer size, but no information on the boron-rich phase. The near-edge fine structures of the BK and NK ionization edges in the EELS spectra of the Ti–B–N coatings were used to derive information on the phases by comparing the edges with those of reference compounds. It was found that the TiN nanocrystals occur together with TiO _x particles; the grains are embedded in a strongly disordered or quasi-amorphous matrix consisting mainly of TiB₂ particles and, near the steel substrate, also boron oxide (B₂O₃). Received October 4, 2001. Accepted (revised) January 10, 2002     

Syntheses and properties of poly (amide–imide)s based on 5,5′-bis[4-(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]-hexahydro-4,7-methanoindan and aromatic diamines

 A novel polymer-forming diimide–diacid, 5,5′-bis[4-(4-trimellitimido phenoxy)phenyl]-hexahydro-4,7-methanoindan (II), was prepared by the condensation reaction of 5,5′-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-hexahydro-4,7-methanoindan with trimellitic anhydride. A series of novel aromatic poly(amide–imide)s (PAIs) containing polycyclic cardo groups was prepared by the direct polycondensation of II with various aromatic diamines using phosphorylation techniques. The polymers had inherent viscosities between 0.71 and 0.96 dl/g. The polymers were soluble in polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N,N-dimethylformamide, and could be cast from their DMAc solutions into transparent, flexible, and tough films, except for III _a . These films had yield strengths of 85–114 MPa, tensile strengths of 77–102 MPa, an elongation at break of 8–17%, and initial moduli of 2.0–2.7 GPa. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that the polymers are amorphous. The glass-transition temperatures of the polymers were in the range 242–312 °C. All the PAIs exhibited no appreciable decomposition below 430 °C, and their 10%-weight-loss temperatures were in the range 484–507 °C in nitrogen and 494–515 °C in air. Received: 26 January 1999 Accepted in revised form: 11 May 1999     

Phase transformations and cation mobility in Li3 ? 2xNbxIn2 ? x(PO4)3 complex phosphates

Cation mobility in Li_{3 − 2x} Nb _x In_{2 − x} (PO₄)₃ complex phosphates was studied by impedance spectroscopy, calorimetry, and ⁷Li NMR spectroscopy. A phase transition at ≈273 K is suggested for compositions containing ≈1 mol lithium per formula unit. Original Russian Text ? A.R. Shaikhlislamova, I.A. Stenina, N.A. Zhuravlev, I.V. Arkhangel’skii, A.I. Rebrov, A.B. Yaroslavtsev, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 4, pp. 552–557.     

Solvothermal Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties of New [Mn( dien )2]2+ Complexes

 The two new compounds Mn(dien)₂[MoS₄] (1) and Mn(dien)₂[Mo₂O₂S₆] (2) (dien = diethylenetriamine) were prepared under solvothermal conditions. Both compounds were obtained as phase-pure products. The structures consist of new [Mn(dien)₂]²⁺ cations and isolated tetrahedral [MoS₄]²⁻ (1) or [Mo₂O₂S₆]²⁻ (2) anions. Between the anions and the cations, hydrogen bonding is observed. Compound 1 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I (a = 10.219(2), c = 9.259(2) ?, Z = 2), whereas 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (a = 8.703(2), b = 18.390(4), c = 14.603(3) ?, β = 103.18(3)°, Z = 4). The thermal behaviour of the thiomolybdates was investigated using difference thermoanalysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG). Both compounds decompose under argon with a single endothermic signal in the DTA curve (peak maximum: 252 (1) and 242°C (2)).     

Oxygen excess nonstoichiometry and thermodynamic quantities of La2NiO4?+?δ

The oxygen excess nonstoichiometry of La₂NiO_4 + δ is measured as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure (pO₂) by coulometric titration method. A positive deviation from the ideal dilution solution behavior is exhibited, and the partial molar thermodynamic quantities of La₂NiO_4 + δ are calculated from the Gibbs–Helmholtz equation for regular solution by introducing the activity coefficient of the charge carriers. The activity coefficient of holes is successfully calculated by using the Joyce–Dixon approximation of the Fermi–Dirac integral. The effective mass of holes ( m_\texth^* m_{\text{h}}^{{*}} ) is 1.27–1.29 times the rest mass (m _h), which indicate the action of band-like conduction and allow the effect of the small degree of polaron hopping to be ignored. The activity coefficient of holes calculated against the oxygen nonstoichiometry clearly illustrates the early positive deviation of the activity coefficient of holes from unit, leading to g_{\texth ^·} \gamma_{{{\text{h}}^{ \bullet }}}  ≈ 14 at δ ≈ 0.08, which is quite close to the literature value of g_{\texth ^·} \gamma_{{{\text{h}}^{ \bullet }}}  ≈ 10 at δ ≈ 0.08. All the evaluated thermodynamic quantities are in good agreement with the experimental literature values.     

A two-dimensional ladder-type network in the 2:1 co-crystal of 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dicarboxylic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine

Abstract  

The crystal structure of the 2:1 co-crystal of 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dicarboxylic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine, (C₄H₂N₂O₄S)₂·C₁₀H₈N₂, has been determined by X-ray diffraction at the monoclinic space group C2/c with cell parameters of a = 21.388(7) ?, b = 6.735(2) ?, c = 14.877(5) ?, β = 110.431(3)°, and Z = 4. There are one molecule of thiadiazole and a half molecule of bipyridine in the asymmetric unit. The dihedral angle between the pyridine ring planes is 40.5(3)°. Two intramolecular O–H···N [2.730(7) ?] and O–H···O [2.433(6) ?] hydrogen bonds are observed in the thiadiazole molecule. In the crystal structure, the molecules form a unique two-dimensional ladder-type network linked by intermolecular O–H···N [2.704(4) ?] hydrogen bonds and S···O [3.100(5) ?] heteroatom interactions.     

The Lewis basicity of nitrido complexes. Theoretical investigation of the structure and bonding of Cl2 (PH3)3ReN–X (X = BH3, BCl3, BBr3, AlH3, AlCl3, AlBr3, GaH3, GaCl3, GaBr3, O, S, Se, Te)

Quantum chemical calculations using gradient-corrected density functional theory (B3LYP) and ab initio methods at the MP2 level are reported for the geometries and bond energies of the nitrido complexes Cl₂ (PH₃)₃ReN–X (X = BH₃, BCl₃, BBr₃, AlH₃, AlCl₃, AlBr₃, GaH₃, GaCl₃, GaBr₃, O, S, Se, Te). The theoretical geometries are in excellent agreement with experimental values of related complexes which have larger phosphine ligands. The parent nitrido complex Cl₂(PH₃)₃ReN is a very strong Lewis base. The calculated bond dissociation energy of Cl₂(PH₃)₃ReN–AlCl₃ is D _e = 43.7 kcal/mol, which is nearly as high as the bond energy of Me₃N–AlCl₃. The donor-acceptor bonds of the other Cl₂(PH₃)₃ReN–AY₃ complexes are also very strong. Even stronger N–X bonds are predicted for most of the nitrido-chalcogen complexes, which exhibit the trend X = O ≫ S > Se > Te. Analysis of the electronic structure shows that the parent compound Cl₂(PH₃)₃ReN has a Re–N triple bond. The Re–N σ bond is clearly polarized towards nitrogen, while the two π bonds are nearly nonpolar. The Re–N σ and π bonds become more polarized toward nitrogen when a Lewis acid or a chalcogen atom is attached. Bonding in AY₃ complexes should be described as Cl₂(PH₃)₃ReE≡N→AY₃, while the chalcogen complexes should be written with double bonds Cl₂(PH₃)₃Re=N=X. The charge-decomposition analysis indicates that the nitrogen-chalcogen bonds of the heavier chalcogen complexes with X = S, Se, Te can also be interpreted as donor-acceptor bonds between the nitrido complex acting as a Lewis base and the chalcogen atom with an empty p(σ) orbital acting as a Lewis acid. The nitrido oxo complex Cl₂(PH₃)₃ Re=N=O has a covalent N–O double bond. Received: 27 July 1998 / Accepted: 26 October 1998 / Published online: 16 March 1999