Formation and structure of Co₂O₄: a combined IR matrix isolation and theoretical study

The formation and structure of dicobalt tetroxide (Co?O?) has been investigated using matrix isolation in solid neon and argon coupled to infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical methods. It is found that Co?O? can be formed by dimerization of cobalt dioxide without activation energy by diffusion of ground state CoO? molecules at 9 K in the dark. The IR data on eight fundamentals, isotopic effects and quantum chemical calculations are both consistent with a centro-symmetrical structure with two pairs of equivalent oxygen atoms, engaged in a stronger terminal Co-O bond and in a weaker bridging Co-O-Co position. Evidence for other, metastable states is also presented, but the data are not conclusive. The electronic structure and formation pathway has been investigated using the Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria/triple-zeta valence polarived basis set (TPSS/TZVP) and broken symmetry unrestricted density functional theory (BS-UDFT) approach and the ground electronic state is predicted to be an open shell 1Ag singlet with the quintet, triplet, septet, and nonet states above by 3.3, 4.9, 9.3, and 27.7 kcal/mol, respectively, but certainly has a complex multireference character that hinders the use of more precise multireference approaches. Different formation pathways have been considered, and the 2(O═Co═O) → Co?O? dimerization reaction is found to be the only barrierless channel and to be strongly exothermic. Comparisons with another transition metal (TM) oxide system (V?O?) suggests that the difference in predicted ground state geometries in TM?O? systems might be due in HOMO-LUMO shapes of the isolated dioxide subunits and optimal overlap configurations.     

Characterization of ground and low-lying excited states of CoO4: a combined matrix isolation and DFT study

The nature of the reaction products between CoO(2) and molecular O(2), isolated in rare gas matrices, have been investigated using IR absorption spectroscopy. In this paper, we report on the vibrational spectrum of the CoO(4) molecule in its ground and first low-lying excited states. Isotopic substitutions using (16)O(2) and (18)O(2) precursors, as well as (16)O(2) + (18)O(2) and (16)O(2) +( 16)O(18)O + (18)O(2) mixtures in either excess argon or neon, enable demonstration of C(2)(v)() and C(s)() structures for the respective states. CoO(4) is formed following molecular diffusion by complexation of ground-state CoO(2) by an O(2) molecule. The molecule is first formed in the excited state and then spontaneously relaxes to the ground state after remaining in the dark. The kinetics of relaxation can be fitted to a first-order exponential decay with an excited-state lifetime estimated around 23 +/- 2 min in argon and 15 +/- 2 min in neon, indicative of a slow, spin-forbidden process. Population of the excited state is induced by photons around 4250 +/- 250 cm(-1). Experimental results are compared to density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the BPW91/6-311G(3df) level. Electronic and geometrical optimizations were carried out starting from the ground-state precursors (i.e., (3)Sigma(g)(-) for O(2) and (2)Sigma(g)(+) for CoO(2)). Calculations predict a (2)A(2) (C(2)(v)()) ground state and a (4)A' (C(s)()) first excited state 0.37 eV above, close to the 4250 +/- 250 cm(-1) experimental excitation energy. The transition pathway is found to involve two supplementary states with crossed potential energy surfaces (PESs): a (2)B(1) excited state, 0.48 eV above the ground state, reached first through an adiabatic transition with a photon around 4800 cm(-1), and a (4)B(1) transition state into which the system relaxes before finally attaining the (4)A' (C(s)()) excited state. Harmonic frequencies and absolute intensities are also calculated and compared with the experimental data, indicating however that the DFT underestimates the internuclear distances for both configurations. Force and interaction constants were obtained with a semiempirical harmonic force-field potential calculation. They were then used in an empirical rule of plot linking force constants and internuclear distances in order to obtain an estimate of the Co-O bond lengths for each state and are compared to the DFT predictions.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory study on the reactions of rhodium and cobalt atoms with carbon dioxide in rare-gas matrixes

Reactions of laser-ablated rhodium and cobalt atoms with carbon dioxide molecules in solid argon and neon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. The OMCO, O2MCO, OMCO(-) (M = Rh, Co), OCo2CO, and OCoCO(+) molecules have been formed and characterized on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, ultraviolet irradiation, CCl4-doping experiments, and the change of laser power. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these products. The overall agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts supports the identification of these products from the matrix infrared spectrum.     

Thermal Analysis of Cobalt(II) Salts with some Carboxylic Acids

The thermal analysis of CoC₂O₄·2H₂O, Co(HCOO)₂·2H₂O and Co(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O was carried out with simultaneous TG-DTG-DTA measurements under non-isothermal conditions in air and argon atmospheres. The intermediates and the end products of decomposition were characterised by X-ray diffraction and IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The decomposition of the studied compounds occur in several stages. The first stage of dissociation of each compound is dehydration both in air and argon. The next stages differ in air and argon. The final product of the decomposition of each compound in air is Co₃O₄. In argon it is a mixture of Co and CoO for cobalt(II) oxalate and cobalt(II) formate but CoO for cobalt(II) acetate. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Vibrational spectrum and structure of CoO6: a model compound for molecular oxygen reversible binding on cobalt oxides and salts; a combined IR matrix isolation and theoretical study

The formation and structure of a novel species, a disuperoxo-cobalt dioxide complex (CoO(6)), has been investigated using matrix isolation in solid neon and argon, coupled to infrared spectroscopy and by quantum chemical methods. It is found that CoO(6) can be formed by successive complexation of cobalt dioxide by molecular oxygen without activation energy by diffusion of ground state O(2) molecules at 9K in the dark. The IR data on one combination and seven fundamentals, isotopic effects, and quantum chemical calculations are both consistent with an asymmetrical structure with two slightly nonequivalent oxygen ligands complexing a cobalt dioxide subunit. Evidence for other, metastable states is also presented, but the data are not complete. The electronic structure and formation pathway of this unique, formally +VI oxidation state, complex has been investigated using several functionals of current DFT within the broken-symmetry unrestricted formalism. It has been shown that the M06L pure local functional well reproduce the experimental observations. The ground electronic state is predicted to be an open shell (2)A' doublet with the quartet states above by more than 9 kcal/mol and the sextet lying even higher in energy. The ground state has a strong and complex multireference character that hinders the use of more precise multireference approaches and requires caution in the methodology to be used. The geometrical, energetic, and vibrational properties have been computed.     

Absorption spectra of ground-state and low-lying electronic States of copper nitrosyl: a rare gas matrix isolation study

The reaction of ground-state Cu atoms with NO during condensation in solid argon, neon, and binary argon/neon mixtures has been reinvestigated. In addition to the ground-state already characterized in rare gas matrixes by its nu1 mode in reactions of laser-ablated Cu with nitric oxide, another very low lying electronic state is observed for CuNO in solid argon. Photoconversion and equilibrium processes are observed between the two lowest lying electronic states following photoexcitations to second and third excited states in the visible and near-infrared. The electronic spectrum of the CuNO complex was also recorded to understand the photoconversion processes. In solid neon, only the ground state (probably 1A') and the second and third excited states are observed. This suggests that interaction with the argon cage stabilizes the triplet state to make 1A' and 3A' ' states almost isoenergetic in solid argon. On the basis of previous predictions founded on DFT calculations on the very low lying 1A' and 3A' ', a mechanism is proposed, involving the singlet-triplet state manifolds. For these two lower and one higher electronic states, 14N/15N, 16O/18O, and 63Cu/65Cu isotopic data on nu1, nu2, and nu3 have been measured. On the basis of harmonic force-field calculations and relative intensities in the vibronic progressions, some structural parameters are estimated. The molecule is bent in all electronic states, with Cu-N-O bond angles varying slightly around 130 +/- 10 degrees , but the Cu-N bond force constants are substantially different, denoting larger differences in bond lengths.     

The Ni2+O2 reaction: the IR spectrum and structure of Ni2O2. A combined IR matrix isolation and theoretical study

The formation of Ni2O2 can be observed from the condensation of effusive beams of Ni and O2 in neon or argon matrices. Observation of 58Ni(2)16O2, 58Ni60Ni16O2, 60Ni2(16)O2, Ni(2)18O2 and Ni(2)16O18O isotopic data for five fundamental transitions enable a discussion of structural parameters for matrix-isolated Ni2O2 in its cyclic ground state. Analysis of the nickel isotopic effects on the 58,60Ni2(16)O18O fundamentals suggest an elongated rhombic structure with a Ni-O bond force constant (240+/-10 N m-1) and NiONi bond angles around 79 degrees. The latter points to a Ni-Ni internuclear distance shorter than the O-O one. Low-lying singlet, triplet and quintet states have been studied using density functional theory with an unrestricted wave function and broken symmetry formalism. The high spin states and closed shell singlet states have been also investigated at the CCSD(T) level. The Ni2O2 ground state is calculated to be an antiferromagnetic singlet state with all the hybrid functionals. The first order properties (energies, geometry) calculated with a hybrid functional are very similar when different exchange-correlation functionals with different exact exchange fractions are used and the calculated ground state geometry (NiONi bond angle near 80 degrees, NiO bond distance around 179.5 pm) is in good agreement with the experimental estimate. Nevertheless, a correct reproduction of the experimental vibrational properties is found only when a hybrid functional containing an exact exchange fraction in the 0.4-0.5 range is used. The orbital and topological bonding analyses of Ni2O2 reveal that the relatively short Ni-Ni internuclear distance within the molecule should not be interpreted as a remaining metal-metal bonding interaction, but clearly indicate that the bonding driving force is due to the formation of four strong and highly polarized Ni-O bonds. Even in such an early stage of metal oxidation, the Ni-Ni interaction has virtually disappeared.     

The Ni + O2 reaction: a combined IR matrix isolation and theoretical study of the formation and structure of NiO2

The reaction of Ni atoms with molecular oxygen has been reinvestigated experimentally in neon matrices and theoretically at the DFT PW91PW91/6311G(3df) level. Experimental results show that i) the nature of the ground electronic state of the superoxide metastable product is the same in neon and argon matrices, ii) two different photochemical pathways exist for the conversion of the superoxide to the dioxide ground state (involving 1.6 or 4 eV photons) and iii) an important matrix effect exists in the Ni + O(2)--> Ni(O(2)) or ONiO branching ratios. Theoretical results confirm that the electronic ground state of the metastable superoxide corresponds to the singlet state, in agreement with former CCSD(T) calculations, but in contradiction with other recent works. Our results show that the ground electronic state of the dioxide is (1)Sigma(+)(g) with the lowest triplet and quintet states at slightly higher energy, consistent with the observation of weak vibronic transitions in the near infrared. The potential energy profiles are modelled for the ground state and nine electronic excited states and a pathway for the Ni(triplet) + O(2)(triplet) --> Ni(O(2)) or ONiO (singlet) reaction is proposed, as well as for the Ni(O(2)) --> ONiO photochemical reaction, accounting for the experimental observations.     

Electronic structure and reactivity of cobalt oxide dimers and their hexacarbonyl complexes: a density functional study

The dimers of cobalt oxide (CoO)(2) with cyclic and open bent structure are studied with the B1LYP density functional; the ordering of states is validated by the CCSD(T) method. The D(2h)-symmetry rhombic dioxide Co(2)O(2) with antiferromagnetically ordered electrons on cobalt centers is the global minimum. The cyclic peroxide Co(2)(O(2)) with side-on-bonded dioxygen in (7)B(2) ground state is separated from the global minimum by an energy gap of 3.15 eV. The dioxide is highly reactive as indicated by the high value of proton affinity and chemical reactivity indices. The four-member ring structures are more stable than those with three-member ring or chain configuration. The thermodynamic stability toward dissociation to CoO increases upon carbonylation, whereas proton affinity and reactivity with release of molecular oxygen also increase. The global minimum of Co(2)O(2)(CO)(6) corresponds to a triplet state (3)A" with oxygen atoms shifted above the molecular plane of the rhombic dioxide Co(2)O(2). The SOMO-LUMO gap in the ground-state carbonylated dioxide is wider, compared to the same gap in the bare dicobalt dioxide. The peroxo-isomer Co(2)(O(2))(CO)(6) retains the planar Co(2)(O(2)) ring and is only stable in a high-spin state (7)A". The carbonylated clusters have increased reactivity in both redox and nucleophilic reactions, as a result of the increased electron density in the Co(2)O(2)-ring area.     

Heterogeneous activation of oxone using Co3O4

This study explores the potential of heterogeneous activation of Oxone (peroxymonosulfate) in water using cobalt oxides. Two commercially available cobalt oxides, CoO and Co3O4 (CoO.Co2O3) were tested for the activation of peroxymonosulfate and the consequent oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) via a sulfate radical mechanism. Both systems, CoO/Oxone and Co3O4/Oxone, were tested at acidic and neutral pH and compared with the homogeneous Co(NO3)2/Oxone. The activity of these systems was evaluated on the basis of the induced transformation of 2,4-DCP as well as the dissolution of cobalt occurred after 2 h of reaction. It was observed that only Co3O4 activates peroxymonosulfate heterogeneously, with its heterogeneity being more pronounced at neutral pH. Both CoO and Co2O3 contained in Co3O4 might be responsible for the observed heterogeneity, and the relative mechanisms are further discussed here. To our knowledge, this is perhaps the first study that documents the heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate with cobalt, the best-known catalyst-activator for this inorganic peroxide.     

Effect of cobalt precursors on the dispersion, reduction, and CO oxidation of CoO(x)/γ-Al2O3 catalysts calcined in N2

The present work tentatively investigated the effect of cobalt precursors (cobalt acetate and cobalt nitrate) on the physicochemical properties of CoO(x)/γ-Al(2)O(3) catalysts calcined in N(2). XRD, Raman, XPS, FTIR, and UV-vis DRS results suggested that CoO/γ-Al(2)O(3) was obtained from cobalt acetate precursors and CoO was dispersed on γ-Al(2)O(3) below its dispersion capacity of 1.50 mmol/(100 m(2) γ-Al(2)O(3)), whereas Co(3)O(4)/γ-Al(2)O(3) was obtained from cobalt nitrate precursors and Co(3)O(4) preferred to agglomerate above the dispersion capacity of 0.15 mmol/(100m(2) γ-Al(2)O(3)). Compared with Co(3)O(4)/γ-Al(2)O(3), CoO/γ-Al(2)O(3) catalysts were difficult to be reduced and easy to desorb oxygen species at low temperatures and presented high activities for CO oxidation as proved by H(2)-TPR, O(2)-TPD, and CO oxidation model reaction results. A surface incorporation model was proposed to explain the dispersion and reduction properties of CoO/γ-Al(2)O(3) catalysts.     

From Dinuclear to Mononuclear：Co（Ⅱ） Complexes with Pyridine-2,6-Dicarboxylic Acid（H_2PDA）

Reactions of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid(H2PDA) with cobalt(Ⅱ) acetate resul-ted in two cobalt(Ⅱ) complexes,[Co(HPDA)2].2H2O.0.5CH3OH(1) and [Co2(PDA)2(H2O)5].2H2O(2),which were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction,IR and electronic absorption spectra.For both complexes,every cobalt atom lies in peudo-octahedral coordination geometry,and the whole structures present 3D frameworks linked by π-π stacking interactions and extensive hydrogen bonds.Magnetic studies showed λ =-83.38 cm-1 for(1) and g = 2.50 and J =-1.38 cm-1 for(2).     

Infrared spectra and structures of the coinage metal dihydroxide molecules

Laser-ablated Cu, Ag, and Au atoms react with H2O2 and with H2 + O2 molecules during condensation in excess argon to give four new IR absorptions in each system (O-H stretch, M-O-H bend, O-M-O stretch, and M-O-H deformation modes) that are due to the coinage metal M(OH)2 dihydroxide molecules. Isotopic substitution (D2O2, 18O2, 16O18O, D2, and HD) and comparison with frequencies computed by DFT verify these assignments. The calculations converge to 2B(g) ground electronic state structures with C2h symmetry, 111-117 degrees M-O-H bond angles, and substantial covalent character for these new metal dihydroxide molecules, particularly for Au(OH)2. This is probably due to the high electron affinity of gold owing to the effect of relativity.     

Synthesis, structural, and spectroscopic characterization and reactivities of mononuclear cobalt(III)-peroxo complexes

Metal-dioxygen adducts are key intermediates detected in the catalytic cycles of dioxygen activation by metalloenzymes and biomimetic compounds. In this study, mononuclear cobalt(III)-peroxo complexes bearing tetraazamacrocyclic ligands, [Co(12-TMC)(O(2))](+) and [Co(13-TMC)(O(2))](+), were synthesized by reacting [Co(12-TMC)(CH(3)CN)](2+) and [Co(13-TMC)(CH(3)CN)](2+), respectively, with H(2)O(2) in the presence of triethylamine. The mononuclear cobalt(III)-peroxo intermediates were isolated and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography, and the structural and spectroscopic characterization demonstrated unambiguously that the peroxo ligand is bound in a side-on η(2) fashion. The O-O bond stretching frequency of [Co(12-TMC)(O(2))](+) and [Co(13-TMC)(O(2))](+) was determined to be 902 cm(-1) by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The structural properties of the CoO(2) core in both complexes are nearly identical; the O-O bond distances of [Co(12-TMC)(O(2))](+) and [Co(13-TMC)(O(2))](+) were 1.4389(17) ? and 1.438(6) ?, respectively. The cobalt(III)-peroxo complexes showed reactivities in the oxidation of aldehydes and O(2)-transfer reactions. In the aldehyde oxidation reactions, the nucleophilic reactivity of the cobalt-peroxo complexes was significantly dependent on the ring size of the macrocyclic ligands, with the reactivity of [Co(13-TMC)(O(2))](+) > [Co(12-TMC)(O(2))](+). In the O(2)-transfer reactions, the cobalt(III)-peroxo complexes transferred the bound peroxo group to a manganese(II) complex, affording the corresponding cobalt(II) and manganese(III)-peroxo complexes. The reactivity of the cobalt-peroxo complexes in O(2)-transfer was also significantly dependent on the ring size of tetraazamacrocycles, and the reactivity order in the O(2)-transfer reactions was the same as that observed in the aldehyde oxidation reactions.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of inorganic-organic hybrid cobalt(II) phosphites containing bifunctional ligands

Seven new cobalt(II) phosphites, [Co(HPO(3))(C(14)H(14)N(4))(H(2)O)(2)].2H(2)O (1), [Co(HPO(3))(C(22)H(18)N(4))].H(2)O (2), [Co(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(22)H(18)N(4))(2)H(2)O].H(2)O (3), [Co(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(12)H(10)N(4))(1.5)H(2)O].1.5H(2)O (4), [Co(HPO(3))(C(14)H(14)N(4))(0.5)].H(2)O (5), [Co(HPO(3))(C(18)H(16)N(4))(0.5)] (6), and [Co(HPO(3))(C(18)H(16)N(4))(0.5)] (7) were synthesized in the presence of 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L1), 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L2), 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L3), 1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene (L4), 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L5), 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)naphthalene (L6), and 1,5-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)naphthalene (L7), respectively, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 is a molecular compound in which two cobalt(II) ions are held together by double mu-O linkages. The inorganic framework of compounds 2 and 3 are composed of vertex-shared CoO(2)N(2)/CoO(3)N(2) and HPO(3) polyhedra that form four rings; these are further linked by an organic ligand to generate 2D sheets. Compounds 4 and 5 both have 1D inorganic structures, with the bifunctional ligands connected to each side of the ladder by coordination bonds to give 2D hybrid sheets. A 3D organically pillared hybrid framework is observed in 6 and 7. In 6, the stacking of the interlayer pillars gives rise to a small hydrophobic channel that extends through the entire structure parallel to the sheets. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of these compounds show weak interactions between the metal centers, mediated through the mu-O and/or O-P-O linkages.     

Investigation of Molecular Iridium Fluorides IrFn (n=1–6): A Combined Matrix-Isolation and Quantum-Chemical Study

The photo-initiated defluorination of iridium hexafluoride (IrF₆) was investigated in neon and argon matrices at 6 K, and their photoproducts are characterized by IR and UV-vis spectroscopies as well as quantum-chemical calculations. The primary photoproducts obtained after irradiation with λ=365 nm are iridium pentafluoride (IrF₅) and iridium trifluoride (IrF₃), while longer irradiation of the same matrix with λ=278 nm produced iridium tetrafluoride (IrF₄) and iridium difluoride (IrF₂) by Ir−F bond cleavage or F₂ elimination. In addition, IrF₅ can be reversed to IrF₆ by adding a F atom when exposed to blue-light (λ=470 nm) irradiation. Laser irradiation (λ=266 nm) of IrF₄ also generated IrF₆, IrF₅, IrF₃ and IrF₂. Alternatively, molecular binary iridium fluorides IrF_n (n=1–6) were produced by co-deposition of laser-ablated iridium atoms with elemental fluorine in excess neon and argon matrices under cryogenic conditions. Computational studies up to scalar relativistic CCSD(T)/triple-ζ level and two-component quasirelativistic DFT computations including spin-orbit coupling effects supported the formation of these products and provided detailed insights into their molecular structures by their characteristic Ir−F stretching bands. Compared to the Jahn-Teller effect, the influence of spin-orbit coupling dominates in IrF₅, leading to a triplet ground state with C_4v symmetry, which was spectroscopically detected in solid argon and neon matrices.     

Co/HZSM-5催化剂中Co相态和价态的表征

苯乙烯是一种重要的化工原料 ,是合成聚苯乙烯等高分子材料的单体 .目前 ,工业上苯乙烯的生产采用两步法工艺 ,即苯和乙烯在 Al Cl3或 HZSM- 5催化剂上烷基化合成乙苯 ,然后乙苯再在含有助催化剂的氧化铁系催化剂上脱氢得到苯乙烯 .在另一部分工作中 ,我们采用金属负载 HZSM- 5分子筛催化剂研究了苯和乙烯一步合成苯乙烯反应 ,结果表明 ,Co/HZSM- 5是较好的催化剂[1] ,并提出了反应是经过中间物乙苯脱氢生成苯乙烯的机理 [2 ] .实验还发现 ,催化剂的焙烧和还原温度对苯乙烯的收率有很大影响 .本工作结合 XRD,TPR和 DRS等方法对 Co…     

Shape-controlled synthesis and characterization of cobalt oxides hollow spheres and octahedra

We demonstrated that single-crystalline cobalt monoxide (CoO) hollow spheres and octahedra could be selectively synthesized via thermal decomposition of cobalt(II) acetylacetonate in 1-octadecene solvent in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine. The morphologies and sizes of as-prepared CoO nanocrystals could be controlled by adjusting the reaction parameters. Cobalt oxide (Co(3)O(4)) hollow spheres and octahedra could also be selectively obtained via calcination method using corresponding CoO hollow spheres and octahedra as precursors. The morphology, size and structure of the final products were investigated in detail by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, DSC, TG, and XPS. The results revealed that the electrochemical performance of cobalt oxide hollow spheres is much better than that of cobalt oxide octahedra, which may be related to the degree of crystallinity, size, and morphology of cobalt oxides.     

A new heptanuclear cobalt(II) cluster encapsulated in a novel heteropolyoxometalate topology: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of [Co7H2O)2(OH)2(P2W25O94]16-

The synthesis and the structural and magnetic characterization of a novel heptanuclear cobalt cluster encapsulated in a heteropolyoxotungstate is reported. This complex shows how it is possible to control the nuclearity of the Co clusters formed in a tungstate solution by slightly changing the synthetic conditions, and the relevance of pH in this regard. This heptanuclear complex [Co(7)(H(2)O)(2)(OH)(2)P(2)W(25)O(94)](16-) (Co(7)) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P (a = 12.3403(6) A, b = 22.5966(11) A, c = 23.2645(12) A, alpha = 68.7830(11) degrees, beta = 83.7981(12) degrees, gamma = 78.5423(13) degrees, V = 5922.4(5) A(3), Z = 2) and is formed by six CoO(6) octahedra from two Co(3) trimers sustained by Keggin trivacant fragments held together by the bridge [CoW(7)O(26)(OH)(2)], which contains one tetrahedral CoO(4) unit. The magnetic properties of the complex are discussed on the basis of the coexistence of ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions and fitted according to an anisotropic exchange model in the low-temperature regime.     

On the electronic structure of molecular UO2 in the presence of Ar atoms: evidence for direct U-Ar bonding

Calculations via scalar-relativistic density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio CCSD(T) methodologies are used to explore the possibility of direct interactions between molecular UO2 and Ar atoms. The 3Hg electronic state of UO2, which is an excited state of the isolated molecule, exhibits significant bonding to Ar in the model complexes UO2(Ar) and UO2(Ar)5. The calculated vibrational frequencies of ground-state 3Phiu UO2 and UO2(Ar)5 with an (fphi)1(fdelta)1 electron configuration agree well with the observed frequencies of UO2 in solid neon and solid argon, respectively. The results strongly suggest that the ground electron configuration of UO2 changes from 5f17s1 to 5f2 when the matrix host is changed from neon to argon.