DSC investigation of the thermal behaviour of (NH4)2SO4, NH4HSO4 and NH4NH2SO3

Gaseous products evolved from (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄HSO₄ and NH₄NH₂SO₃ during successive heating and cooling cycles were flushed with inert gas into analyzer Dräger tubes hooked tightly to the terminal port of the DSC cell base. This simple procedure allowed the starting temperature of the decomposition to be determined and the amount of the individual gases in the mixture to be identified and even estimated. NH₄NH₂SO₃ at 523 K in humid air produced HNH₂SO₃ initially and, on further cycling, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HSO₄ also appeared. The ΔH_f values for NH₄HSO₄ were (kJ mole^?1): in an airtight sample holder 12.67, in a dry argon atmosphere 11.93, and in a static air atmosphere 10.92. Endothermic peaks for (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 498 and 411 K represented the incongruent melting point and the polymorphic transition of (NH₄)₂SO₄·NH₄HSO₄. After the first heating in air to 530 K, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HSO₄ exhibited closely similar cyclic DSC curves. The endothermic peaks at about 393–420 K may be assigned to different combinations of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HSO₄.     

New pentafluoro-λ-sulfanyl (SF5) perfluoroalkyl benzene derivatives

Preparation of the following new SF₅-perfluoroalkyl benzene derivatives, m-SF₅CF₂CF₂C₆H₄X (X=NO₂, NH₂, OH, I, NHCOCH₃, SO₂Cl, SO₃H, SO₃K) has been achieved. The new compounds were characterized by their respective IR, NMR and HRMS or elemental analysis.     

Defects and Luminescence Behavior of Cubic F23 [(NH4(18-Crown-6))4MnX4] [TlX4]2 (X=Cl, Br) Crystals

Luminescence from [(NH₄(18-Crown-6))₄MnBr₄][TlBr₄]₂ (1), [(NH₄(18-Crown-6))₄MnCl₄][TlCl₄]₂ (2), [(NH₄(18-Crown-6))₂MnBr₄] (3), and [(NH₄(18-Crown-6))₂MnCl₄] (4) was studied in search of new insights regarding crystal defects in 2. Emission from 3 and 4 is normal Mn²⁺(⁴T₁(⁴G)→⁶A₁); that of 2 (λ_max≈520 nm at ca. 300 K and 560 nm at 77 K) is unusual and temperature dependent. Thermal barriers (kJ/mol, assignment): green emission of 1 and 2, T<150 K (1-2, NH⁺₄ rotations), 150<T<250 K (7-14, energy migration among [MnX₄]²⁻), 250<T<300 K (26-35, rotations of 18-Crown-6)); yellow emission of 2: T;<250 K (7-8, energy migration among [MnX₄]²⁻), T>250 K (29 kJ/mol, defect-to-Mn²⁺(⁴T₁(⁴G)) back energy transfer). Crystal data for 4: Space group P2₁/c; Z=4; a=20.173(1) Å; b=9.0144(8) Å; c=20.821(1) Å; β=98.782(5)°; V=3741.9(8) ų; R_w=0.059; R=0.054.     

A re-interpretation of the crystal structure of ‘(NH4)2(NH3)[Ni(NH3)2Cl4]’ in terms of (NH4)2−2z[Ni(NH3)2]z[Ni(NH3)2Cl4]

A re-interpretation and re-evaluation of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of a previously reported ‘(NH₄)₂(NH₃)[Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄]’ (J. Solid State Chem. 162 (2001) 254) give a new formula (NH₄)_2−2z[Ni(NH₃)₂]_z[Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄] with z=0.152. This new formula results from defects in an idealized ‘(NH₄)₂[Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄]’ basic structure, where two adjacent NH₄⁺ cations are replaced by one Ni(NH₃)₂²⁺ unit. Cl⁻ anions from the basic structure complete the coordination sphere of the new Ni²⁺ to [Ni(NH₃)₂Cl₄]²⁻.     

New Gallium Phosphate Frameworks Containing 1,4-Diaminobutane and 1,5-Diaminopentane: [NH3(CH2)xNH3][Ga4(PO4)4(HPO4)] and [NH3(CH2)xNH3][Ga(PO4)(HPO4)] (x=4 and 5)

Two new gallium phosphates, [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄ (HPO₄)] (I) and [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga(PO₄)(HPO₄)] (II), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in the presence of 1,4-diaminobutane and their structures determined using room-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Compound (I) (M_r=844.90, triclinic, space group P-1, a=9.3619(3), b=10.1158(3) and c=12.6456(5) Å, α=98.485(1), β=107.018(2) and γ=105.424(1)°; V=1070.39 ų, Z=2, R=3.68% and R_w=4.40% for 2918 observed data [I>3(σ(I))]) consists of GaO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra and GaO₅ trigonal bipyramids linked to generate an open three-dimensional framework containing 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-membered rings of alternating Ga- and P-based polyhedra. 1,4-Diaminobutane dications are located in channels bounded by the 12-membered rings in the two-dimensional pore network and are held to the framework by hydrogen bonding. Compound (II) (M_r=350.84, monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=4.8922(1), b=18.3638(6) and c=13.7468(5) Å, β=94.581(1)°; V=1227.76 ų, Z=4, R=2.95% and R_w=3.37% for 2050 observed data [I>3(σ(I))]) contains chains of edge-sharing 4-membered rings of alternating GaO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra constituting a backbone from which hang ‘pendant’ PO₃(OH) groups. Hydrogen bonding between the GaPO framework and the diamine dications holds the structure together. A previously reported phase, [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)] (V), structurally related but distinct from its stoichiometric equivalent, (I), has been prepared as a pure phase by this method. Two further materials, [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)] (III) (tricli- nic, lattice parameters from PXD: a=9.3565(4), b=5.0156(2) and c=12.7065(4) Å, α=96.612(3), β=102.747(4) and γ=105.277(3)°) and [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃][Ga(PO₄)(HPO₄)] (IV) (M_r=364.86, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=4.9239(2), b=13.2843(4) and c=19.5339(7) Å, β=96.858(1)°; V=1268.58 ų, Z=4, R=3.74% and R_w=4.44% for 2224 observed room-temperature data [I>3(σ(I))]), were also prepared under similar conditions in the presence of 1,5-diaminopentane. (III) and (IV) are structurally related to, yet distinct from (I) and (II) respectively.     

Crystal structure, phase transitions and ferroelastic properties of [(CH3)2NH2]3[Bi2Cl9]

A sequence of structural phase transitions in [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₃[Bi₂Cl₉] (DMACB) is established on the basis of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dilatometric studies. Four phase transitions are found: at 367/369, 340/341, 323/325 and 285/292 K (on cooling/heating). The crystal structure of DMACB is determined at 350 K. It crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n: a=8.062(2), b=21.810(4), c=14.072(3) Å, β=92.63(3)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0575, wR₂=0.1486. The crystal is built of the double chain anions (“pleated ribbon structure”) and the dimethylammonium cations. Dielectric studies in the frequency range 75 kHz-900 MHz indicate relatively fast reorientation of the dimethylammonium cations over the I, II, III and IV phases. Infrared spectra are recorded in the temperature range 40-300 K and analyzed in region assigned to the symmetric and asymmetric NC₂ stretching vibrations. Optical observations show the existence of the ferroelastic domain structure over all phases below 367 K. The possible mechanisms of phase transitions are discussed on the basis of presented results.     

Orientation disorder in ammonium elpasolites: Crystal structures of (NH4)3AlF6, (NH4)3TiOF5 and (NH4)3FeF6

Crystal structures of the known (NH₄)₃AlF₆(I) and (NH₄)₃FeF₆(III) and new (NH₄)₃TiOF₅(II) elpasolites were refined by localizing anions (F⁻, O²⁻) in four acceptable positions of the cubic system Fm3m (Z=4) with a=8.9401(3), 9.1104(3), 9.110(1) Å, respectively. According to the refinement data and a rather large entropy change due to fluorine (oxygen) octahedra disordering in the above compounds and in (NH₄)₃WO₃F₃(IV) elpasolite, it was found that fluorine (oxygen) atoms are randomly distributed in two ways, in general 192l position or in mixed 24e + 96j one. Statistics in fluorine (oxygen) distribution is, probably, the result of domain structure of the crystals.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new form of NH4MnFeF6

The hydrothermal synthesis at 380°C, 200 MPa of NH₄MnFeF₆, NH₄MnCrF₆, and RbMnFeF₆ leads to a new AM^IIM^IIIF₆ structural type of orthorhombic symmetry with Z = 8. Lattice constants are found to be, respectively, a = 7.844 (4), b = 12.819 (8), c = 10.582 (6); a = 7.808 (5), b = 12.755 (9), c = 10.501 (7); and a = 7.913 (5), b = 12.858 (9), c = 10.619 (5). The structure was solved for NH₄MnFeF₆ from 755 X-Ray reflections and refined to R_ω = 0.029 in the space group Pb2nC⁶_2v. The network is built from edge-sharing MnFeF₁₀ bioctahedra connected to each other by their vertices. RbMnFeF₆ upon heating transforms irreversibly to the modified pyrochlore structure at 881 K. From magnetic and Mössbauer experiments, NH₄MnFeF₆ and NH₄MnCrF₆ are established to be antiferromagnetic with T_N = 117.7 ± 0.5 K and < 6 K, respectively.     

Nanoparticles of superconducting γ-Mo2N and δ-MoN

We have been able to prepare nanoparticles (∼4 nm diameter) of cubic γ-Mo₂N by a simple procedure involving the reaction of MoCl₅ with urea at 873 K. The nanoparticles show a superconducting transition around 6.5 K. The γ-Mo₂N nanoparticles are readily transformed to nanoparticles of δ-MoN with a slightly larger diameter on heating in a NH₃ atmosphere at 573 K. Phase-pure δ-MoN obtained by this means shows a superconducting transition around 5 K.     

PtCl4-catalyzed cyclization of N-acetyl-2-alkynylanilines: A mild and efficient synthesis of N-acetyl-2-substituted indoles

An efficient synthesis of N-acetyl-2-substituted indole derivatives via direct intramolecular hydroamination of N-acetyl-2-alkynylaniline derivatives was developed. The reaction could be applied to a wide range of substrates employing only 1–2?mol% of PtCl₄ as the catalyst to furnish the desired indole products in moderate to excellent yields. The current protocol is efficient, reliable and scalable, and could serve as an important tool for convenient and rapid access to this important class of N-heterocyclic skeleton from readily available substrates.     

NMR study of molecular reorientations in NH4H2AsO4

Zeeman (T_1Z) and dipolar (T_1D) spin-lattice relaxation times of protons in NH₄H₂AsO₄ were measured as a function of temperature. The existence of a slow motion (τ ≈ 10^?3 see) is established, which is most probably a low frequency hindered reorientation of H₂AsO₄ groups. This motion is slowed down below the Curie point T_c. A sharp increase of the dipolar relaxation rate above T = 314°K indicates the possibility of a new high temperature phase transition in this compound.     

Structural and vibrational studies of Li[Kx(NH4)1−x]SO4 and Li2KNH4(SO4)2 mixed crystals

Mixed crystals of Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄ have been obtained by evaporation from aqueous solution at 313 K using different molar ratios of mixtures of LiKSO₄ and LiNH₄SO₄. The crystals were characterized by Raman scattering and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Two types of compound were obtained: Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄ with x?0.94 and Li₂KNH₄(SO₄)₂. Different phases of Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄ were yielded according to the molar ratio used in the preparation. The first phase is isostructural to the room-temperature phase of LiKSO₄. The second phase is the enantiomorph of the first, which is not observed in pure LiKSO₄, and the last is a disordered phase, which was also observed in LiKSO₄, and can be assumed as a mixture of domains of two preceding phases. In the second type of compound with formula Li₂KNH₄(SO₄)₂, the room-temperature phase is hexagonal, symmetry space group P6₃ with cell-volume nine times that of LiKSO₄. In this phase, some cavities are occupied by K⁺ ions only, and others are occupied by either K⁺ or NH₄⁺ at random. Thermal analyses of both types of compounds were performed by DSC, ATD, TG and powder X-ray diffraction. The phase transition temperatures for Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄x?0.94 were affected by the random presence of the ammonium ion in this disordered system. The high-temperature phase of Li₂KNH₄(SO₄)₂ is also hexagonal, space group P6₃/mmc with the cell a-parameter double that of LiKSO₄. The phase transition is at 471.9 K.     

NaIO4-mediated C-H activation of alkylbenzenes and alkanes with LiBr

NaIO₄ oxidizes lithium bromide efficiently under acidic conditions to functionalize alkylbenzenes and alkanes and produce the corresponding bromo and acetoxy derivatives in excellent yields. The protocol also demonstrates the direct conversion of cyclohexane into trans-1,2-dibromocyclohexane in moderate yield.     

Phase transitions, structural changes and molecular motions in [Zn(NH3)4](BF4)2 studied by neutron scattering, X-ray powder diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR and ¹⁹F NMR) measurements performed at 90-295 K, inelastic incoherent neutron scattering (IINS) spectra and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) patterns registered at 22-190 K, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) measurements performed at 86-293 K, provided evidence that the crystal of [Zn(NH₃)₄](BF₄)₂ has four solid phases. The phase transitions occurring at: T_C3=101 K, T_C2=117 K and T_C1=178 K, as were detected earlier by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were connected on one hand only with an insignificant change in the crystal structure and on the other hand with a drastic change in the speed of the anisotropic, uniaxial reorientational motions of the NH₃ ligands and BF₄⁻ anions (at T_C3 and at T_C2) and with the dynamical orientational order-disorder process (“tumbling”) of tetrahedral [Zn(NH₃)₄]²⁺ and BF₄⁻ ions (at T_C1). The crystal structure of [Zn(NH₃)₄](BF₄)₂ at room temperature was determined by XRPD as orthorhombic, space group Pnma (No. 62), a=10.523 Å, b=7.892 Å, c=13.354 Å and Z=4. Unfortunately, it was not possible to determine the structure of the intermediate and the low-temperature phase. However, we registered the change of the lattice parameters and unit cell volume as a function of temperature and we can observe only a small deviation from near linear dependence of these parameters upon temperature in the vicinity of the T_C1 phase transition.     

New mixed-valence chromium structure type: NH4Cr(CrO4)2

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new structure type of mixed Cr(III)/Cr(VI) chromates is reported. NH₄Cr(CrO₄)₂ was prepared from CrO₃ in the presence of (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆. Since this is the first preparation of mixed valence ternary chromium oxides from aqueous solution, a reaction pathway for this synthesis is suggested. The crystal structure of NH₄Cr(CrO₄)₂ has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data collected at low temperature, 173 K. The structure belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a=14.5206(10), b=5.4826(4), and Z=4. The title compound consists of corner-sharing chromium(III) octahedra and chromium(VI) tetrahedra forming a three-dimensional network with the composition [Cr(CrO₄)₂]_n^n-, containing channels in which zigzag rows of ammonium ions balance the net charge.     

BF3·OEt2-catalyzed synthesis of 1-(tetrahydropyran-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran and trans-fused hexahydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene derivatives

A novel intramolecular Prins cyclization of (E)-5-(2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)pent-4-en-1-ol with aldehydes has been achieved using 10 mol % BF₃·Et₂O to produce 1-(tetrahydropyran-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran derivatives in good to excellent yields with high selectivity. Similar type of coupling with salicylaldehydes provides the trans-fused hexahydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene derivatives in excellent yields.     

Pulsed NMR study of NH4+ β-alumina

Proton NMR relaxation times T₂, T₁, and T_1? are reported for NH₄⁺ β-alumina powder in the temperature range 77 K < T < 500 K at 16 MHz. The measurements show that the NH₄⁺ ions both reorient and translate. The translational process can be characterized by the parameters E = 20 kJ mole^?1 and τ⁰_d = 3 × 10^?11 sec. Relaxation at high temperatures is dominated by dipolar coupling to paramagnetic impurities. Reasons for the different activation energies measured using NMR and other techniques for β-alumina compounds are discussed.     

Melting curve and high-pressure polymorphism of NH4HF2

The melting curve of NH₄HF₂ I rises from 125.2°C at atmospheric pressure to a triple point II/I/liquid at 9.3 kbar, 220°C. The I/II phase boundary is terminated at a triple point III/I/II at ∼45 kbar, 295°C. The melting curve of the new phase NH₄HF₂ II passes through a broad maximum at ∼39 kbar, 306°C, and is terminated at a triple point III/II/liquid at 46.3 kbar, 301°C. The melting curve of NH₄HF₂ III rises with pressure. The NH₄HF₂ III may be a dense hydrogen-bonded phase. Liquid NH₄HF₂ appears to be anomalous in several respects, and has a high compressibility relative to the solid phases.     

Ph3P/Br2/n-Bu4NNO2 as an efficient system for the preparation of N-nitrosamines and azides

The combination PPh₃/Br₂/n-Bu₄NNO₂ was developed as a new reagent system for the efficient preparation of N-nitrosamines and azides from the corresponding amines and hydrazine derivatives, respectively, at 0 °C to room temperature, in excellent yields.     

Magnetic field dependence of the proton zeeman relaxation in (NH4)2PbCl6

The magnetic field dependence of the proton Zeeman relaxation in polycrystalline (NH₄)₂ PbCl₆ was studied at 20 K and 43 K. The relaxation rate versus resonance frequency curve exhibited tunneling maxima at 22 MHz and 44 MHz for T = 20 K and at 21 MHz for T = 43 K. The interpretation of the time dependence of the magnetization as a sum of two exponentials showed that the time constants differed from each other much more at 20 K than at 43 K. The results were compared with a recent theory based on a common Zeeman spin temperature.