σ-Hole bond tunability in YO<Subscript>2</Subscript>X<Subscript>2</Subscript>:NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and YO<Subscript>2</Subscript>X<Subscript>2</Subscript>:H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O complexes (X = F,Cl, Br; Y = S,Se): trends and theoretical aspects

A σ-hole is defined as an electron-deficient region on the extension of a covalently bonded group IV–VII atoms. If the electronic density in the σ-hole is sufficiently low, then this region will have a positive electrostatic potential, which allows attractive noncovalent interactions with negative sites. SO₂X₂ and SeO₂X₂ (X = F, Cl and Br) have three Lewis acid sites of σ-hole located in the outermost of chalcogen atom and X end, participating in the chalcogen and halogen bonds with NH₃ and H₂O, respectively. MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations reveal that for a given halogen atom, SeO₂X₂ forms stronger chalcogen bond interactions than SO₂X₂ counterpart. Almost a perfect linear relationship is evident between the interaction energies and the magnitudes of the product of most positive and negative electrostatic potentials. The interaction energies calculated by M06-2X and MP2 methods are almost consistent with each other.     

A theoretical investigation on the structures and stabilities of C<Subscript>60</Subscript>X<Subscript>18</Subscript> and C<Subscript>70</Subscript>X<Subscript>10</Subscript> (X = H,F, Cl,and Br)

A density functional theory study was performed on fullerene derivatives C₆₀X₁₈ and C₇₀X₁₀ (X = H, F, Cl, and Br). The calculated results show that the lowest energy isomers are IPR-satisfying for C₆₀X₁₈ (X = H, F, Cl, and Br). It is found that the addition patterns of X (X = Cl and Br) are different from those of X (X = H and F) for C₆₀, demonstrating that the stability of fullerene derivatives is partly attributed to the steric repulsion and electronegativity of added atoms. However, the lowest energy isomers are IPR-violating for C₇₀X₁₀ (X = H, F, and Cl), suggesting that many more fullerene derivatives may violate the isolated pentagon rule.     

Hydrogen abstraction reactions of OH radicals with CF<Subscript>2</Subscript>ClCClXH (X = F,Cl) and CFCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>CClXH (X = F,Cl): a mechanistic and kinetic study

The reactions of OH (OD) radicals with CF₂ClCClFH (R1), CF₂ClCCl₂H (R2), CFCl₂CClFH (R3), and CFCl₂CCl₂H (R4) have been investigated theoretically by a dual-level direct dynamics method. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary points are calculated at the MPW1K/6-311+G(d,p) level. To improve the reaction enthalpy and potential barrier of each reaction channel, the single-point energy calculation is made by the MC-QCISD method. The enthalpies of formation of the species CF₂ClCClFH, CF₂ClCCl₂H, CFCl₂CClFH, CFCl₂CCl₂H, CF₂ClCClF, CF₂ClCCl₂, CFCl₂CClF, and CFCl₂CCl₂ are evaluated by two sets of isodesmic reactions. Using canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with the small-curvature tunneling correction (SCT) method, the rate constants of OH and OD radicals with CF₂ClCClXH (X = F, Cl) and CFCl₂CClXH (X = F, Cl) are evaluated over a wide temperature range of 100–2,000 K at the MC-QCISD//MPW1K/6-311+G(d,p) level. The calculated CVT/SCT rate constants are consistent with available experimental data. The results show that the tunneling correction has an important contribution in the calculation of rate constants at lower temperatures. For the above-mentioned four reactions, the kinetic isotope effects are also calculated. Finally, the effect of fluorine or chlorine substitution on reactivity of the C–H bond is discussed.     

Exploring the Mechanism of Reactions of SiX<Subscript>3</Subscript> and CX<Subscript>3</Subscript> Radicals with Si<Subscript>20</Subscript>X<Subscript>20</Subscript> Fullerenes (X = H,F): A Density Functional Study

We have applied density functional calculations to study reactions SiX₃ + Si₂₀X₂₀, and CX₃ + Si₂₀X₂₀ (X = H, F) based on two reaction channels (H- or F-abstraction and H-or F-displacement from Si₂₀H₂₀ and Si₂₀F₂₀). Our results show that SiX₃ radicals prefer the hydrogen or halogen atom abstraction from Si₂₀H₂₀ and Si₂₀F₂₀ fullerenes. The exothermic reaction channels are proceed via reactant-like transition states i.e. the elongation of the breaking bonds of transition states is smaller than that of their forming bonds. Among the mentioned reaction channels, the reactions of SiF₃ radical with Si₂₀F₂₀ and CF₃ radical with Si₂₀H₂₀ are most favorable both thermodynamically and kinetically with the lowest barrier height exothermic character. Generally, the reactions of Si₂₀H₂₀ and Si₂₀F₂₀ with SiF₃ radical are more favorable than SiH₃ radical and the reaction of CH₃ and CF₃ radicals with Si₂₀H₂₀ fullerenes is more favorable than SiH₃ and SiF₃ radicals. These results are in agreement with the electrostatic surface potentials of reactants.     

Balance,uniformity, and asymmetry of the structure of volborthite Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Four structural models of volborthite Cu₃(OH)₂(V₂O₇)·2H₂O (a = 10.646(2) Å, b = 5.867(1) Å, c = 14.432(2) Å, β = 95.19(1)°, V = 897.7(5) ų, Z = 4, R/R _w = 0.038/0.046) calculated in the space groups determined from the systematic absences are compared. Based on the structure balance and the similarity of constituting polyhedra, values of the R factor, and isotropic thermal parameters, the space group Ia is found to be preferable, which is the only possible asymmetric and uniform variant. Hydrogen atoms of OH-groups, oxygen atoms and, partially, hydrogen atoms of water are localized.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)] · 1.33H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The single crystals of Rb₂[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)] · 1.33H₂O were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/m, Z= 2, the unit cell parameters: a = 5.6537(8), b = 18.736(3), c = 9.4535(15) Å, β = 98.440(5)°, V = 990.6(3) ų, R ₁ = 0.0506. The main structural units of the crystal are infinite layers of [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)]^2?, corresponding to the crystal chemical group A₂K ₂ ⁰² B² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , B² = SeO ₄ ^2? ) of uranyl complexes. The uranium-containing layers are united into a three-dimensional framework through the electrostatic interactions with the outer-sphere rubidium ions and the hydrogen bonding system involving the outer-sphere water molecules.     

Sol–Gel Synthesis of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> Glasses and their Characterization by NMR,SNMS, and AFM

Sodium aluminophosphate samples with composition 43.8Na₂O12.5Al₂O₃43.8P₂O₅ were prepared by the sol–gel route using different precursors and working in different pH ranges from pH < 1 up to pH > 10. The structures of the gels and of the corresponding glasses were investigated by solid state NMR and compared to that of a glass with the same composition prepared by a traditional melting process. In addition to bulk materials, thin films were deposited by dip coating on silica glasses. Applying secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), the expected elements and residual carbon were identified. The surfaces of the coatings and fracture surfaces of bulk material were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Solid state NMR revealed that samples prepared via a lactate route exhibited local Al and P environments closest to that of the melt-prepared glass, with the highest extent of Al-O-P connectivity.     

Synthesis,Structure and Solid-Phase Transformations of Fe Nitrosyl Complex Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>(S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NO)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] · 4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Binuclear iron nitrosyl complex Na₂[Fe₂(S₂O₃)₂(NO)₄] · 4H₂O (I) was synthesized by the reaction of iron(II) sulfate with sodium thiosulfate in the flow of NO gas. According to X-ray diffraction data, the [Fe₂(S₂O₃)₂(NO)₄]^2– anion has binuclear centrosymmetric structure with Fe atoms bonded by the µ-S atoms of thiosulfate groups. The isomeric shift for complex I =0.168(1) mm/s and quadrupole splitting E _Q =1.288 mm/s at T=80 K. When heated, complex I transforms to Na₂[Fe₂(S₂O₃)₂(NO)₄] (II), whose unit cell parameters found by X-ray diffraction method differ from those of complex I. The process of transformation of I to II was studied by calorimetric method. Complex I transforms to complex II without chemical decomposition, which was confirmed by IR and mass spectroscopy data.__________Translated from Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 5, 2005, pp. 323–328.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sanina, Aldoshin, Rudneva, Golovina, Shilov, Shulga, Martynenko, Ovanesyan.     

Crystal structure and thermal properties of [Au(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Cu(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>3</Subscript>·8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of a double complex salt of the composition [Au(en)₂]₂[Cu(C₂O₄)₂]₃·8H₂O (en = ethylenediamine) at 150 K is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal data for C₂₀H₄₈Au₂Cu₃N₈O₃₂ are: a = 9.1761(3) Å, b = 16.9749(6) Å, c = 13.4475(5) Å, β = 104.333(1)°, V = 2029.43(12) ų, P2₁/c space group, Z = 2, d _x = 2.450 g/cm³. It is demonstrated that the thermal decomposition of the double complex salt in a helium or hydrogen atmosphere affords the solid solution Au_0.4Cu_0.6.     

Exohedral Silicon Fullerenes: Si<Subscript>60</Subscript>Pn<Subscript>60</Subscript> and Si<Subscript>80</Subscript>Pn<Subscript>60</Subscript> (Pn = P,As, Sb and Bi)

Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we predict that the icosahedral structures of the silicon fullerenes Si₆₀ and Si₈₀ can be stabilized by 12 exohedral pentagons of group V-A unit Pn₅ (Pn = P, As, Sb or Bi). The 12 pentagons can fully passivate the dangling bonds associated with 12 pentagonal Si₅ rings on the silicon fullerene cages, thereby resulting in stable exohedral silicon fullerenes Si₆₀Pn₆₀ and Si₈₀Pn₆₀. Properties of the eight Si₆₀Pn₆₀ and Si₈₀Pn₆₀ clusters, including harmonic vibrational frequencies, electron affinity (EA), the HOMO–LUMO gap and NICS values, are computed. We find that all eight Si₆₀Pn₆₀ and Si₈₀Pn₆₀ fullerenes possess relatively large HOMO–LUMO gaps, high electron affinities, and that the Si₆₀Pn₆₀ fullerenes exhibit weak aromaticity. Among eight clusters examined, the exohedral fullerene I _h-Si₆₀P₆₀ possesses the largest cohesive energy per atom. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation is performed to demonstrate thermal stability of the hollow cage structure of Si₆₀P₆₀ at the room temperature.     

Crystal structure of Cs[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)] · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Cs[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)] · H₂O were synthesized and structurally studied using X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/m, Z = 2, with the unit cell parameters a = 5.5032(4) Å, b = 13.5577(8) Å, c = 9.5859(8) Å, β = 97.012(3)°, V = 709.86(9) ų, R = 0.0444. The main building units of crystals are [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)]^? layers of the A₂K ₂ ⁰² M² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and M² = OH^?) crystal-chemical family. Uranium-containing layers are linked into a three-dimensional framework via electrostatic interactions with outer-sphere cations and hydrogen bonds with water molecules.     

Effect of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Catalyst Structure and Catalytic Sulfur-Resistant Methanation Performance of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts

A series of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts was prepared and investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation aimed at production of synthetic natural gas. Different methods including impregnation, deposition precipitation, and co-precipitation were used for preparing ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ composite supports. These composite supports and their corresponding Mo-based catalysts were investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation, and characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD and H₂-TPR. The results indicated that adding ZrO₂ promoted MoO3dispersion and decreased the interaction between Mo species and support in the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. The co-precipitation method was favorable for obtaining smaller ZrO₂ particle size and improving textural properties of support, such as better MoO₃ dispersion and increased concentration of Mo⁶⁺ species in octahedral coordination to oxygen. It was found that the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst with ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support prepared by co-precipitation method exhibited the best catalytic activity. The ZrO₂ content in the ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support was further optimized. The MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ with 15 wt % ZrO₂ loading exhibited the highest sulfur-resistant CO methanation activity, and excess ZrO₂ reduced the specific surface area and enhanced the interaction between Mo species and support. The N₂ adsorption-desorption results indicated that the presence of ZrO₂ in excessive amounts decreased the specific surface area since some amounts of ZrO₂ form aggregates on the surface of the support. The XRD and H₂-TPR results showed that with the increasing ZrO₂ content, ZrO₂ particle size increased. These led to the formation of coordinated tetrahedrally Mo⁶⁺(T) species and crystalline MoO₃, and this development was unfavorable for improving the sulfur-resistant methanation performance of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Solubility and stability of (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> in organic and aqueous-organic media

Solubility and stability of (NH₄)₂SO₄·H₂O₂ in organic solvents (glycerol, ethylene glycol, TOSOL-A40 OM antifreeze), in mixtures of an organic solvent and water, and in pure water was studied. Crystallographic properties of the ammonium sulfate precipitating from aqueous-organic solvents and aqueous solutions in various time intervals and differing from ordinary (NH₄)₂SO₄ in solubility and one of crystallographic parameters were analyzed.     

Dissociation enthalpies and phase equilibrium for TBAB semi-clathrate hydrates of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, N<Subscript>2</Subscript> + CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> + CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) semi-clathrate (sc) hydrates of gas are of prime importance in the secondary refrigeration domain and in the separation of gas molecules by molecular size. However, there is a scarcity of dissociation enthalpies under pressure of pure gases and gases mixtures for such systems. In addition, the phase equilibrium of TBAB sc hydrates of several pure gases is not well defined yet as a function of the TBAB concentration and as a function of the pressure. In this paper, dissociation enthalpies and the phase equilibrium of TBAB sc hydrates of gas have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under pressure. Pure gases such as N₂ and CO₂ and gases mixtures such as N₂ +  CO₂ and CH₄ +  CO₂ were studied. To our knowledge, we present the first phase diagram of TBAB sc hydrates of N₂ for different pressures of gas in the TBAB concentration range from 0.170 to 0.350 wt. Enthalpies of dissociation of TBAB sc hydrates of pure gases and gases mixtures were determined as a function of the presssure for a compound with a congruent melting point whose hydration number corresponds to 26.     

Crystal structure of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NCS)]<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 9H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Ba₃[UO₂(C₂O₄)₂(NCS)]₂ · 9H₂O are synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Fddd, Z = 16, and the unit cell parameters are a = 16.253(3) Å, b = 22.245(3) Å, c = 39.031(6) Å. The main crystal structural units are mononuclear complex groups [UO₂(C₂O₄)₂NCS]^3? of the crystal-chemical family (AB ₂ ⁰¹ M¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B⁰¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = NCS^?) of the uranyl complexes linked into a three-dimensional framework by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds involving oxalate ions and water molecules.     

Rapid synthesis,kinetics and thermodynamics of binary Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The non-isothermal kinetics of dehydration of AlPO₄·2H₂O was studied in dynamic air atmosphere by TG–DTG–DTA at different heating rates. The result implies an important theoretical support for preparing AlPO₄. The AlPO₄·2H₂O decomposes in two step reactions occurring in the range of 80–150 °C. The activation energy of the second dehydration reaction of AlPO₄·2H₂O as calculated by Kissinger method was found to be 69.68 kJ mol⁻¹, while the Avrami exponent value was 1.49. The results confirmed the elimination of water of crystallization, which related with the crystal growth mechanism. The thermodynamic functions (ΔH*, ΔG* and ΔS*) of the dehydration reaction are calculated by the activated complex theory. These values in the dehydration step showed that it is directly related to the introduction of heat and is non-spontaneous process.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of [K(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)(Piv)]<Subscript>∞</Subscript> and [K<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Phen)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Piv)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>∞</Subscript>

A method for the synthesis of potassium pivalates (trimethylacetates) from potassium tert-butoxide and pivalic acid was proposed. The complexes of the formulas [K(H₂O)(Piv)]_∞(I) and [K₂(Phen)(H₂O)₂(Piv)₂]_∞ (II) (Piv denotes the pivalate anion and Phen denotes 1,10-phenanthroline) were obtained and characterized by elemental analysis and IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of complexes I and II were determined using X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure I has a layered motif with two nonequivalent K atoms (C.N.s 5 + 2 and 6). The coordination of phenanthroline in II gives rise to a ribbon motif, the structure containing three nonequivalent K atoms (C.N.s 6, 6 + 1, and 8).     

Synthesis and structure of the complex [Mo<Subscript>3</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-S)(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-S<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>NCS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]I

The structure of tri-μ₂-disulfido-μ₃-thiotris(diethyldithiocarbamato)-S,S′-triangle-trimolybdenum iodide [Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ₂-S₂)₃(Et₂NCS₂)₃]I was determined. The compound was characterized by differential thermal analysis and IR, Raman, and X-ray electronic spectroscopy.     

New double complex salt [PdEn<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>3</Subscript>[Rh(NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 2.67H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O: Synthesis,crystal structure,and thermal properties

The crystal structure of the double complex salt (DCS) [PdEn₂]₃[Rh(NO₂)₆]₂ ? 2.67H₂O (I) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals are triclinic, space group \(P\bar 1\), Z = 4, a = 9.2331(3) Å, b = 9.9136(4) Å, c = 13.7824(5) Å, α = 84.3230(14)°, β = 89.9655(14)°, γ = 66.7272(13)°, V = 1152.19(7) ų, ρ_calcd = 2.141 g/cm³, R = 0.0279. The thermal behavior of complex salt I has been studied in various gas atmospheres. The end product of thermolysis in reductive atmosphere is a mixture of Pd_0.45Rh_0.55 and Pd_0.95Rh_0.05 solid solutions. The end product of thermolysis in an inert atmosphere is a homogeneous Pd_0.6Rh_0.4 solid solution.