Local structure and charge distribution in the UO(2)-U(4)O(9) system

Analysis of X-ray absorption fine structure spectra of UO(2+x) for x = 0-0.20 (UO(2)--U(4)O(9)) reveals that the adventitious O atoms are incorporated as oxo groups with U--O distances of 1.74 A, most likely associated with U(VI), that occur in clusters so that the UO(2) fraction of the material largely remains intact. In addition to the formation of some additional longer U--O bonds, the U sublattice consists of an ordered portion that displays the original U--U distance and a spectroscopically silent, glassy part. This is very different from previous models derived from neutron diffraction that maintained long U--O distances and high U--O coordination numbers. UO(2+x) also differs from PuO(2+x) in its substantially shorter An-oxo distances and no sign of stable coordination with H(2)O and its hydrolysis products.     

Comparative EXAFS investigation of uranium(VI) and -(IV) aquo chloro complexes in solution using a newly developed spectroelectrochemical cell

The coordination of the U(IV) and U(VI) ions as a function of the chloride concentration in aqueous solution has been studied by U L(III)-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The oxidation state of uranium was changed in situ using a gastight spectroelectrochemical cell, specifically designed for the safe use with radioactive solutions. For U(VI) we observed the complexes UO2(H2O)5(2+), UO2(H2O)4Cl+, UO2(H2O)3Cl2(0), and UO2(H2O)2Cl3- with [Cl-] increasing from 0 to 9 M, and for U(IV) we observed the complexes U(H2O)9(4+), U(H2O)8Cl3+, U(H2O)(6-7)Cl2(2+), and U(H2O)5Cl3+. The distances in the U(VI) coordination sphere are U-Oax = 1.76+/-0.02 A, Oeq = 2.41 +/- 0.02 A, and U-Cl = 2.71 +/- 0.02 A; the distances in the U(IV) coordination sphere are U-O = 2.41 +/- 0.02 A and U-Cl = 2.71 +/- 0.02 A.     

Cs8U(IV)(U(VI)O2)3(Ge3O9)3·3H2O: a mixed-valence uranium germanate with 9-ring channels

A mixed-valence uranium(IV,VI) germanate has been synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions. The structure contains discrete U(IV)O(6) octahedra and U(VI)O(6) tetragonal bipyramids, which are connected by three-membered single-ring Ge(3)O(9)(6-) anions to form a three-dimensional framework with 9-ring channels. The U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum was measured to identify the valence states of the uranium.     

Electrocatalytic O2 reduction by covalently immobilized mononuclear copper(I) complexes: evidence for a binuclear Cu2O2 intermediate

A Cu(I) complex of 3-ethynyl-phenanthroline covalently immobilized onto an azide-modified glassy carbon surface is an active electrocatalyst for the four-electron (4-e) reduction of O(2) to H(2)O. The rate of O(2) reduction is second-order in Cu coverage at moderate overpotential, suggesting that two Cu(I) species are necessary for efficient 4-e reduction of O(2). Mechanisms for O(2) reduction are proposed that are consistent with the observations for this covalently immobilized system and previously reported results for a similar physisorbed Cu(I) system.     

Refinement of the α-U4O9 crystalline structure: new insight into the U4O9 → U3O8 transformation

The oxidation reaction of UO(2) into U(3)O(8) is studied as a function of the crystalline distortion of interstitial oxygen clusters, named cuboctahedra, which appear in U(4)O(9) and U(3)O(7) intermediate phases. For that purpose, the refinement of α-U(4)O(9) was performed because this phase undergoes a trigonal distortion from cubic β-U(4)O(9) when the temperature is decreased. In α-U(4)O(9), the cuboctahedra can be described as crumpled sheets taken from a fragment of U(3)O(8). The manner by which the accumulation of crumpled sheets can lead to the formation of U(3)O(8) is discussed.     

Pose prediction accuracy in docking studies and enrichment of actives in the active site of GSK-3beta

We present molecular docking studies on the inhibitors of GSK-3beta kinase in the enzyme binding sites of the X-ray complexes (1H8F, 1PYX, 1O9U, 1Q4L, 1Q5K, and 1UV5) using the Schr?dinger docking tool Glide. Cognate and cross-docking studies using standard precision (SP) and extraprecision (XP) algorithms have been carried out. Cognate docking studies demonstrate that docked poses similar to X-ray poses (root-mean-square deviations of less than 2 A) are found within the top four ranks of the GlideScore and E-model scores. However, cross-docking studies typically produce poses that are significantly deviated from X-ray poses in all but a couple of cases, implying potential for induced fit effects in ligand binding. In this light, we have also carried out induced fit docking studies in the active sites of 1O9U, 1Q4L, and 1Q5K. Specifically, conformational changes have been effected in the active sites of these three protein structures to dock noncognate ligands. Thus, for example, the active site of 1O9U has been induced to fit the ligands of 1Q4L, 1Q5K, and 1UV5. These studies produce ligand docked poses which have significantly lower root-mean-square deviations relative to their X-ray crystallographic poses, when compared to the corresponding values from the cross-docking studies. Furthermore, we have used an ensemble of the induced fit models and X-ray structures to enhance the retrieval of active GSK-3beta inhibitors seeded in a decoy database, normally used in Glide validation studies. Thus, our studies provide valuable insights into computational strategies useful for the identification of potential GSK-3beta inhibitors.     

Lead(II)alkadiynoates. A novel class of liquid-crystalline precursors to poly(diacetylenes)

Lead(II) salts of aliphatic diacetylenic carboxylic acids are found to form highly ordered smectic phases which thermodynamic data indicate are similar to those reported for the saturated lead(II)alkanoates. At room temperature the materials exist as glassy mesophases which can be readily polymerized by U.V. radiation to yield highly coloured poly(diacetylenes).     

Subsolidus phase relations in Ca2Mo2O8-NaEuMo2O8-powellite solid solution predicted from static lattice energy calculations and Monte Carlo simulations

Thermodynamic mixing properties and subsolidus phase relations of Ca2Mo2O8-NaEuMo2O8 powellites were modelled in the temperature range of 423-1773 K with static lattice energy calculations based on empirically constrained interatomic potentials. Relaxed static lattice energies (SLE) of a large set of randomly varied structures in a 4 x 4 x 2 supercell of I4(1)/a powellite (a = 5.226 A, c = 11.433 A) containing 128 exchangeable (Ca, Na and Eu) atoms were calculated using the general utility lattice program (GULP). These energies were cluster expanded in the basis set of 69 pair-wise effective interactions and three configuration-independent parameters. Temperature-dependent enthalpies of mixing were calculated using the Monte Carlo method. Free energies of mixing were obtained by thermodynamic integration of the Monte Carlo results. The simulations suggest that the NaEuMo2O8 end-member is nearly fully ordered and has I4[combining macron] symmetry. The calculated subsolidus temperature-composition phase diagram is dominated by three miscibility gaps which are separated by narrow fields of stability of two ordered phases with the compositions of x = 4/9 and x = 2/3, where x is the mole fraction of the NaEuMo2O8 end-member.     

Cation-cation interactions in Sr5(UO2)20(UO6)2O16(OH)6(H2O)6 and Cs(UO2)9U3O16(OH)5

Two novel U6+ compounds, Sr5(UO2)20(UO6)2O16(OH)6(H2O)6 (SrFm) and Cs(UO2)9U3O16(OH)5 (CsFm), have been synthesized by mild hydrothermal reactions. The structures of SrFm (orthorhombic, C2221, a = 11.668(1), b = 21.065 (3), c = 13.273 A, V = 3532.5(1) A3, Z = 2) and CsFm (trigonal, R3c, a = 11.395(2), c = 43.722(7) A, V = 4916.7(1) A3, Z = 6) are rare examples of uranyl compounds that contain cation-cation interactions where an O atom of one uranyl ion is directly linked to another uranyl ion. Both structures are complex frameworks. SrFm contains sheets of polyhedra that are linked through cation-cation interactions with uranyl ions located between the sheets. CsFm possesses an unusually complex framework of vertex- and edge-sharing U6+ polyhedra that incorporates cation-cation interactions.     

A theoretical study of the fluoride exchange between UO2F+(aq) and UO2 2+(aq)

Experimental data on the thermodynamics and reaction mechanism of the inner-sphere fluoride exchange reaction U17O2(2+) + UO2F+ <==> U17O2F+ + UO2(2+) have been compared with different intimate reaction mechanisms using quantum chemical methods. Two models have been tested that start from the outer sphere complexes, (H2O)[U(A)O2F(OH2)4+]...[U(B)O2(OH2)5(2+)] and [U(A)O2F(OH2)4+]...[U(B)O2(OH2)5(2+)]; the geometry and energies of the intermediates and transition states along possible reaction pathways have been calculated using different ab initio methods, SCF, B3LYP and MP2. Both the experimental data and the theoretical results suggest that the fluoride exchange takes place via the formation and breaking of a U-F-U bridge that is the rate determining step. The calculated activation enthalpy DeltaH( not equal) = 30.9 kJ mol(-1) is virtually identical to the experimental value 31 kJ mol(-1); however this agreement may be a coincidence as we do not expect a larger accuracy than 10 kJ mol(-1) with the methods used. The calculations show that the fluoride bridge is formed as an insertion of U(A)O2)F(OH2)4+ into U(B)O2(OH2)5(2+) followed by a subsequent transfer of water from the first to the second coordination sphere of U(B).     

对硫磷在单壁碳纳米管/金-四氧化三铁纳米粒子复合材料修饰电极上的电化学响应及其测定

制备了单壁碳纳米管/金-四氧化三铁纳米粒子复合材料修饰玻碳电极,用循环伏安法研究了对硫磷在该电极上的电化学行为。该电极对对硫磷具有较好的富集和催化特性,在优化条件下,对硫磷的浓度与其峰电流在2.0×10-9～1.0×10-6 mol/L范围内呈线性关系,其检出限为1.0×10-9 mol/L。对1.0×10-7 mol/L的对硫磷溶液平行测定9次的RSD为3.9%(n=9)。用该电极对不同蔬菜样品中的对硫磷进行测定,平均回收率在96.0%～105.5%之间,相对标准偏差在3.3%～3.9%之间。     

(CH3)4N][(C5H5NH)0.8((CH3)3NH)0.2]U2Si9O23F4 (USH-8): an organically templated open-framework uranium silicate

The open-framework uranium fluorosilicate [(CH3)4N][(C5H5NH)0.8((CH3)3NH)0.2]U2Si9O23F4 (USH-8) has been synthesized hydrothermally by using tetramethylammonium hydroxide and pyridine-HF. The compound has a framework composition U2Si9O23F4 based on silicate double layers that are linked by chains of UO3F4 pentagonal bipyramids. The framework has 12-ring channels along [010] and 7-ring channels along [100]. The [010] 12-ring channels have a calabash-shape with the middle part partially blocked by the uranyl oxygen atoms. The narrow side of the 12-ring channels is occupied by well-ordered TMA cations while the wide side is occupied by disordered pyridinium and trimethylammonium cations.     

Electrocatalytic water oxidation beginning with the cobalt polyoxometalate [Co4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10-: identification of heterogeneous CoOx as the dominant catalyst

The question of "what is the true catalyst?" when beginning with the cobalt polyoxometalate (POM) [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)](10-) in electrochemical water oxidation catalysis is examined in pH 8.0 sodium phosphate buffer at a glassy carbon electrode. Is [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)](10-) a true water oxidation catalyst (WOC), or just a precatalyst? Electrochemical, kinetic, UV-vis, SEM, EDX, and other data provide four main lines of compelling evidence that, under the conditions used herein, the dominant WOC is actually heterogeneous CoO(x) and not homogeneous [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)](10-).     

铀氧化物的氧化还原行为及其价态的X—射线光电子能谱的研究

应用Ｘ－射线光电子能谱对铀氧化物（ＵＯ２、ＵＯ３、Ｕ３Ｏ８）的化学态及其不同价态的相对含量（Ｕ＾４＋／Ｕ＾６＋）进行了研究，结果表明，常温下ＵＯ２在空气中可氧化形成ＵＯ２＋ｘ；ＵＯ３易与水结合形成水合物，在高温和高真空中易脱氧，部分Ｕ＾６＋转变成Ｕ＾４＋；Ｕ３Ｏ８中存在Ｕ＾４＋和Ｕ＾６＋两种价态，其相对量之比为１∶２。铀氧化物中Ｕ＾４＋和Ｕ＾６＋的Ｕ４ｆ７／２结合能相差１ｅＶ左右，借助于曲线拟合技     

The role of polar, lamdba (Λ)-shaped building units in noncentrosymmetric inorganic structures

A methodology for the design of polar, inorganic structures is demonstrated here with the packing of lambda (Λ)-shaped basic building units (BBUs). Noncentrosymmetric (NCS) solids with interesting physical properties can be created with BBUs that lack an inversion center and are likely to pack into a polar configuration; previous methods to construct these solids have used NCS octahedra as BBUs. Using this methodology to synthesize NCS solids, one must increase the coordination of the NCS octahedra with maintenance of the noncentrosymmetry of the bulk. The first step in this progression from an NCS octahedron to an inorganic NCS solid is the formation of a bimetallic BBU. This step is exemplified with the compound CuVOF(4)(H(2)O)(7): this compound, presented here, crystallizes in an NCS structure with ordered, isolated [Cu(H(2)O)(5)](2+) cations and [VOF(4)(H(2)O)](2-) anions into Λ-shaped, bimetallic BBUs to form CuVOF(4)(H(2)O)(6)·H(2)O, owing to the Jahn-Teller distortion of Cu(2+). Conversely, the centrosymmetric heterotypes with the same formula MVOF(4)(H(2)O)(7) (M(II) = Co, Ni, and Zn) exhibit ordered, isolated [VOF(4)(H(2)O)](2-) and [M(H(2)O)(6)](2+) ionic species in a hydrogen bond network. CuVOF(4)(H(2)O)(7) exhibits a net polar moment while the heterotypes do not; this demonstrates that Λ-shaped BBUs give a greater probability for and, in this case, lead to NCS structures.     

N(CH2CH2NH3)3][U3O2F13].2H2O: a novel organically templated mixed-valent uranium oxyfluoride with a hybrid network structure

The synthesis and characterization of a novel mixed-valent uranium oxyfluoride is described; the inorganic network consists of 2-D [U(2)F(10)](2)(-) sheets constructed from corner- and edge-sharing U(IV)F(9) tricapped trigonal prisms and 1-D [UO(2)F(3)](-) chains constructed from edge-sharing U(VI)O(2)F(5) pentagonal bipyramids with the organic cations and water molecules between the sheets. This is the first example with a hybrid network structure in the system of uranium fluoride or oxyfluoride. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility confirms the oxidation state of the uranium ions. Crystal data follow: C(6)H(25)N(4)O(4)F(13)U(3), monoclinic, space group P2(1) (No. 4); a = 8.6876(4) A, b = 7.3158(4) A, c = 16.3376(8) A, beta = 93.7285(9) degrees , V = 1036.2(2) A(3), and Z = 2.     

Isolation of two-dimensional 2:1 cation-ordered perovskite units by anion vacancy ordering in Ba6Na2Nb2P2O17

A new six-layer perovskite-related structure Ba 6Na 2Nb 2M 2O 17 (M = P, V), which consists of cubic (c) BaO 3 layers and oxygen-deficient pseudocubic (c') BaO 2 layers stacked in the sequence c'ccccc, is presented. In Ba 6Na 2Nb 2M 2O 17, two-dimensional slabs of the well-known 2:1 octahedral cation-ordered perovskite motif are isolated between layers of tetrahedral units formed by anion vacancy ordering: two consecutive NbO 6 octahedral layers are sandwiched by two single NaO 6 octahedral layers, which, in turn, connect with two isolated MO 4 tetrahedral layers. Both oxides are derived from the 2:1 ordered perovskite structure (e.g., Ba 3ZnTa 2O 9) by ordered removal of O atoms in every sixth BaO 3 layer. Both materials exhibit a relative permittivity of approximately 20-23, Q x f 0 values of approximately 7800-10600 GHz, and negative temperature coefficients of the resonant frequency of approximately -23 to -7 ppm/ degrees C.     

Ending Aging in Super Glassy Polymer Membranes

Aging in super glassy polymers such as poly(trimethylsilylpropyne) (PTMSP), poly(4‐methyl‐2‐pentyne) (PMP), and polymers with intrinsic microporosity (PIM‐1) reduces gas permeabilities and limits their application as gas‐separation membranes. While super glassy polymers are initially very porous, and ultra‐permeable, they quickly pack into a denser phase becoming less porous and permeable. This age‐old problem has been solved by adding an ultraporous additive that maintains the low density, porous, initial stage of super glassy polymers through absorbing a portion of the polymer chains within its pores thereby holding the chains in their open position. This result is the first time that aging in super glassy polymers is inhibited whilst maintaining enhanced CO₂ permeability for one year and improving CO₂/N₂ selectivity. This approach could allow super glassy polymers to be revisited for commercial application in gas separations.     

Visible light photo-oxidation of model pollutants using CaCu3Ti4O12: an experimental and theoretical study of optical properties, electronic structure, and selectivity

Charge transfer between metal ions occupying distinct crystallographic sublattices in an ordered material is a strategy to confer visible light absorption on complex oxides to generate potentially catalytically active electron and hole charge carriers. CaCu3Ti4O12 has distinct octahedral Ti4+ and square planar Cu2+ sites and is thus a candidate material for this approach. The sol?gel synthesis of high surface area CaCu3Ti4O12 and investigation of its optical absorption and photocatalytic reactivity with model pollutants are reported. Two gaps of 2.21 and 1.39 eV are observed in the visible region. These absorptions are explained by LSDA+U electronic structure calculations, including electron correlation on the Cu sites, as arising from transitions from a Cu-hybridized O 2p-derived valence band to localized empty states on Cu (attributed to the isolation of CuO4 units within the structure of CaCu3Ti4O12) and to a Ti-based conduction band. The resulting charge carriers produce selective visible light photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol (monitored by mass spectrometry) by Pt-loaded CaCu3Ti4O12 which is attributed to the chemical nature of the photogenerated charge carriers and has a quantum yield comparable with commercial visible light photocatalysts.     

Coordination of a uraniumIV sulfate monomer in an aqueous solution and in the solid state

UraniumIV sulfate in an aqueous solution and the solid state has been investigated with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The coordination polyhedron comprises monodentate sulfate, bidentate sulfate, and water molecules. The coordination modes of sulfate in solution have been determined from the U-S distances with EXAFS. The U-S distance of 3.67 +/- 0.02 A indicates monodentate sulfate, and the U-S distance of 3.08 +/- 0.02 A indicates bidentate coordination. The obtained sulfur coordination numbers of a solution with a [SO42-]/[U4+] ratio of 40 suggest species with compositions of [U(SO4,bid)2(SO4,mon)2 x nH2O]4- and [U(SO4,bid)3 (SO4,mon)2 x mH2O]6-. Charge-compensating countercations or ion pairing with Na+ and NH4+ could not be detected with EXAFS. One of the solution species, [U(SO4)5H2O]6-, has been conserved in a crystal. The corresponding crystal structure of Na1.5(NH4)4.5[U(SO4)5 x H2O] x H2O [space group P1, a = 9.4995(16) A, b = 9.8903(16) A, c = 12.744(2) A, alpha = 93.669(2) degrees, beta = 103.846(2) degrees, gamma = 109.339(2) degrees] has been determined by single-crystal XRD. Two monomeric uraniumIV sulfate complexes and three sodium units are linked in alternating rows and form a one-dimensional ribbon structure parallel to the a axis.