General synthesis and structural evolution of a layered family of Ln8(OH)20Cl4 x nH2O (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Y)

The synthesis process and crystal structure evolution for a family of stoichiometric layered rare-earth hydroxides with general formula Ln(8)(OH)(20)Cl(4) x nH(2)O (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Y; n approximately 6-7) are described. Synthesis was accomplished through homogeneous precipitation of LnCl(3) x xH(2)O with hexamethylenetetramine to yield a single-phase product for Sm-Er and Y. Some minor coexisting phases were observed for Nd(3+) and Tm(3+), indicating a size limit for this layered series. Light lanthanides (Nd, Sm, Eu) crystallized into rectangular platelets, whereas platelets of heavy lanthanides from Gd tended to be of quasi-hexagonal morphology. Rietveld profile analysis revealed that all phases were isostructural in an orthorhombic layered structure featuring a positively charged layer, [Ln(8)(OH)(20)(H(2)O)(n)](4+), and interlayer charge-balancing Cl(-) ions. In-plane lattice parameters a and b decreased nearly linearly with a decrease in the rare-earth cation size. The interlamellar distance, c, was almost constant (approximately 8.70 A) for rare-earth elements Nd(3+), Sm(3+), and Eu(3+), but it suddenly decreased to approximately 8.45 A for Tb(3+), Dy(3+), Ho(3+), and Er(3+), which can be ascribed to two different degrees of hydration. Nd(3+) typically adopted a phase with high hydration, whereas a low-hydration phase was preferred for Tb(3+), Dy(3+), Ho(3+), Er(3+), and Tm(3+). Sm(3+), Eu(3+), and Gd(3+) samples were sensitive to humidity conditions because high- and low-hydration phases were interconvertible at a critical humidity of 10%, 20%, and 50%, respectively, as supported by both X-ray diffraction and gravimetry as a function of the relative humidity. In the phase conversion process, interlayer expansion or contraction of approximately 0.2 A also occurred as a possible consequence of absorption/desorption of H(2)O molecules. The hydration difference was also evidenced by refinement results. The number of coordinated water molecules per formula weight, n, changed from 6.6 for the high-hydration Gd sample to 6.0 for the low-hydration Gd sample. Also, the hydration number usually decreased with increasing atomic number; e.g., n = 7.4, 6.3, 7.2, and 6.6 for high-hydration Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd, and n = 6.0, 5.8, 5.6, 5.4, and 4.9 for low-hydration Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er. The variation in the average Ln-O bond length with decreasing size of the lanthanide ions is also discussed. This family of layered lanthanide compounds highlights a novel chemistry of interplay between crystal structure stability and coordination geometry with water molecules.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) and Se(IV) from their aqueous solutions onto Zr4+-substituted ZnAl/MgAl-layered double hydroxides: effect of Zr4+ substitution in the layer

Hydrotalcite-like compounds (layered double hydroxides, LDHs) containing varying amounts of Al(3+), Zr(4+), and Zn(2+) or Mg(2+) in the metal hydroxide layer have been synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical methods. The adsorption behavior of uncalcined (as-synthesized) and calcined LDHs have been investigated for Cr(2)O(7)(2-) and SeO(3)(2-). The mixed oxides, obtained on calcination at 450 degrees C, exhibit high adsorption capacities for Cr(2)O(7)(2-) (1.6-2.7 meq/g) and SeO(3)(2-) (1.1-1.5 meq/g), where adsorption occurs through rehydration. Substitution of Zr(4+) in the LDHs, for either M(2+) or Al(3+) ions, increases the adsorption capacity up to 20%, thus providing an alternative way to enhance the adsorption capacity of this type of material. The high adsorption capacity of these materials could be successfully used for removal of undesirable anions from water and also for synthesis of intercalated materials with tailored acidobasicity.     

Synthesis of Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-, Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-, and Ga<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-containing layered hydroxides and supported platinum catalysts based thereon

The effect of the cationic composition of MgAl(Ga) layered double hydroxides on the structure, texture, and acid–base properties of related oxide supports for platinum catalysts has been investigated. As gallium is progressively substituted for aluminum in the mixed oxide, the properties of the support change only slightly, while the activity of the Ga–Pt catalysts in propane conversion increases, the propylene selectivity remains high (99%), and C–C bond hydrogenolysis is hampered.     

Short-time hydrothermal synthesis and delamination of ion exchangeable Mg/Ga layered double hydroxides

The hydrothermal synthesis of magnesium-gallium layered double hydroxides (Mg/Ga LDHs) was studied under static and agitated conditions. Not only well-crystallized and large-sized Mg/Ga LDHs having hexagonal morphology were obtained but also the reaction time was comparatively decreased from 24 to 2 h by means of agitation during hydrothermal synthesis. In static conditions, mainly GaOOH and magnesite phases were formed. The elemental analysis results show that the final Mg/Ga ratio is significantly different from the initial ratio. The reason was attributed to the difference in the hydrolytic behavior of Mg²⁺ and Ga³⁺. Furthermore, the anion exchange studies with glycine, dodecyl sulfate, ferrocyanide and ferricyanide were performed to investigate the intercalation behavior of the anions into Mg/Ga LDHs. In addition, delamination of Mg/Ga LDHs was performed in formamide for the glycine exchanged forms. Large size of nanosheets thus obtained can be utilized in the fabrication of functional thin films.     

Structural characterization of glassy phases in the system Na2O-Ga2O3-P2O5 by MAS-NMR, EXAFS and vibrational spectroscopy. I. Cations coordination

The cationic coordinations of phosphate based gallium sodium glasses in the system Na2O-Ga2O3-P2O5 have been studied by several techniques (71Ga and 23Na MAS-NMR, EXAFS and vibrational spectroscopies) in order to study the relationship between the structure and the chemical composition. We found that three different environments are available for the gallium ions while it is very difficult to get accurate information on the sodium coordinations. Our data show that in orthophosphate glasses, gallium is mainly tetrahedral but when the mean phosphate chain length increases, its coordination becomes more and more octahedral. In these glassy structure, it becomes then possible to dissolve large amounts of typically octahedral cations like Fe3+ or Cr3+.     

Synthesis of porous zinc gallate prisms composed of highly oriented nanoparticles by an in situ conversion reaction

Porous ZnGa(2)O(4) prisms assembled by highly oriented nanoparticles have been fabricated by an in situ chemical conversion approach. We report, for the first time, that a solid α-Ga(2)O(3) precursor can be directly converted into ZnGa(2)O(4) rather than through the intermediate GaOOH. Based on a detailed study of the evolution of ZnGa(2)O(4) prisms, a growth mechanism is proposed for the in situ conversion reaction. During this conversion process, the precursor morphology can be highly retained, which is attributed to the similar atomic arrangements of the Ga and O atoms and excellent matching of the lattice spacing between the α-Ga(2)O(3) and ZnGa(2)O(4) prisms. The direct reaction between the precursor α-Ga(2)O(3) and Zn(2+) ions is more efficient than that between the byproduct GaOOH and Zn(2+) ions. Moreover, the photoluminescent color of the ZnGa(2)O(4) phosphor can be tuned by doping with Mn(2+) ions. Efficient energy transfer (ET) from the host lattice to the Mn(2+) centers is observed, whereas ET from the defects to the Mn(2+) ions is prohibited. The fabricated ZnGa(2)O(4) products have potential in the field of display applications.     

Synthesis of temperature and pH-responsive crosslinked micelles from polypeptide-based graft copolymer

We report a method for synthesizing small-diameter ZnO nanorods at room temperature (20 °C), under normal atmospheric pressure (1 atm), and using a relatively short reaction time (1 h) by adding gallium salts to the reaction solution. The ZnO nanorods were, on average, 92 nm in length and 9 nm in diameter and were single crystalline in nature. Quantitative analyses revealed that gallium atoms were not incorporated into the synthesized nanocrystals. On the basis of the experimental results, we propose a mechanism for the formation of small-diameter ZnO nanorods in the presence of gallium ions. The optical properties were probed by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The absorption band of the small-diameter ZnO nanorods was blue-shifted relative to the absorption band of the ~230 nm diameter ZnO nanorods (control samples). Control experiments demonstrated that the absence of metal ion-containing precipitants (except ZnO) at room temperature is essential, and that the ZnO nanorod diameter distributions were narrow for the stirred reaction solution and broad when prepared without stirring.     

Base free lithium-organoaluminate and the gallium congener: potential precursors to heterometallic assemblies

The first examples of base free lithium-organoaluminate and the corresponding gallium compound [LM(Me)OLi]3 (M = Al (3), Ga (4); L = HC{C(Me)N-2,6-iPr2C6H3}2) have been prepared by the reaction of Li[N(SiMe3)2] with the corresponding metal hydroxides LM(Me)OH (M = Al (1), Ga(2)); the oxygen atom in the M-O-Li fragment exists as oxide ion and is involved in the central Li3O3 six-membered ring formation.     

Cu2+ ions as a paramagnetic probe to study the surface chemical modification process of layered double hydroxides and hydroxide salts with nitrate and carboxylate anions

A layered zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2.2H2O) and a layered double hydroxide (Zn/Al-NO3) were synthesized by coprecipitation and doped with different amounts of Cu2+ (0.2, 1, and 10 mol%), as paramagnetic probe. Although the literature reports that the nitrate ion is free (with D3h symmetry) between the layers of these two structures, the FTIR spectra of two zinc hydroxide nitrate samples show the C2v symmetry for the nitrate ion, whereas the g ||/A || value in the EPR spectra of Cu2+ is high. This fact suggests bonding of some nitrate ions to the layers of the zinc hydroxide nitrate. The zinc hydroxide nitrate was used as matrix in the intercalation reaction with benzoate, o-chlorobenzoate, and o-iodobenzoate ions. FTIR spectra confirm the ionic exchange reaction and the EPR spectroscopy reveals bonding of the organic ions to the inorganic layers of the zinc hydroxide nitrate, while the layered double hydroxides show only exchange reactions.     

Sensitized emission from lanthanide-doped nanoparticles embedded in a semiconductor sol-gel thin film.

In(2)O(3) sol-gel thin films made with LaF(3):Ln(3+) (Ln=Er, Nd, and Eu) nanoparticles were prepared and showed sensitized emission of the lanthanide ions after In(2)O(3) matrix excitation. The excitation spectra showed an In(2)O(3) absorption band in addition to the excitation peaks of the lanthanide ions, clearly demonstrating that there is energy transfer from the In(2)O(3) matrix to Ln(3+) (Er(3+), Nd(3+), and Eu(3+)). Similarly, HfO(2) and ZrO(2) sol-gel thin films made with LaF(3):Ln(3+) nanoparticles also showed energy transfer from the semiconductor matrix to the lanthanide ions.     

Synthesis and thermal behaviour of gallium-substituted aluminosilicate inorganic polymers

A combined sol-gel and solid-state method reported for the synthesis of gallium silicate analogues of aluminosilicate inorganic polymers has also been extended to the formation of related compounds with a range of Al-for Ga substitutions. Homogeneous, robust products were obtained at an optimum composition of SiO(2):(Ga(2)O(3) + Al(2)O(3)) = 7. After curing at 40 °C, all the products were typically X-ray amorphous, and the Al and Ga was shown by (27)Al and (71)Ga MAS NMR spectroscopy to be in solely tetrahedral coordination. The (29)Si MAS NMR spectra were as expected for silicate inorganic polymers, but also indicated the presence of some unreacted silica. Electron microscopy in conjunction with EDS elemental mapping showed that the Ga, Al and Si was homogeneously distributed in the products. Thermal treatment of these compounds results in endothermic water loss at about 75-160 °C followed by an exothermic event at about 950 °C corresponding to crystallization of KGaSi(2)O(6) in the gallium end-member. By contrast, the Al-substituted compounds never fully crystallised, but melted at 1200 °C to an X-ray amorphous product.     

Well Crystallized α-GaOOH Nanocrystals Synthesized through Hydrothermal Routes and Their Properties

A facile hydrothermal process involving Ga(NO₃)₃·H₂O·NaN₃ solutions led to the formation of α‐GaOOH nano‐platelets. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed that the synthesized samples belonged to an orthorhombic crystal structure with lattice constants a=0.4510 nm, b=0.9750 nm and c=0.2965 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies showed that α‐GaOOH displayed the morphologies of an eccentric platelet‐like structure with 60–120 and 200–300 nm in the short and long axes, respectively. The average thickness of products was about 70 nm through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The ultraviolet absorption of the samples was at 214 nm. The prepared α‐GaOOH nano‐platelets exhibited a broad emission band from 220 to 400 nm with a maximum at 343 nm under short UV excitation of 200 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum confirmed the existence of Ga₂O and Ga–OH bending modes. A possible mechanism for the formation of α‐GaOOH nano‐platelets was discussed briefly.     

Group 13 and lanthanide complexes with mixed O,S anionic ligands derived from maltol

Four mixed O,S binding ligand precursors derived from maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone) have been chelated to gallium(III), indium(III), and lanthanide(III) ions to yield a series of metal complexes. The four ligand precursors include two pyranthiones, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyranthione, commonly known as thiomaltol (Htma), and 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyranthione, commonly known as ethylthiomaltol (Hetma), and two pyridinethiones, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4(H)-pyridinethione (Hmppt) and 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4-pyridinethione (Hdppt). Dimeric forms of the pyridinethiones, Hmppt dimer and Hdppt dimer, were also isolated and characterized. Complete characterization of the monomeric organic compounds is reported including acidity constants and crystal structures of Htma, Hetma, and Hdppt dimer. Reacting the four monomeric ligand precursors with Ga(3+) and In(3+) ions yielded new tris(bidentate ligand) complexes. X-ray-quality crystals of the fac isomer of Ga(tma)(3) were also obtained. New complexes with a range of lanthanides (Ln(3+)) were also synthesized with the two pyranthiones, Htma and Hetma. The synthesis reactions yielded complexes of the type LnL(3).xH(2)O and LnL(2)(OH).xH(2)O, as indicated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence such as mass spectral data and IR and NMR spectra.     

Photoluminescent layered lanthanide silicates

The hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of layered lanthanide silicates, K(3)[M(1-a)Ln(a)Si(3)O(8)(OH)(2)] (M = Y(3+), Tb(3+); Ln = Eu(3+), Er(3+), Tb(3+), and Gd(3+)), named AV-22 materials, are reported. The structure of these solids was elucidated by single-crystal (180 K) and powder X-ray diffraction and further characterized by chemical analysis, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, (29)Si MAS NMR, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The Er-AV-22 material is a room-temperature infrared phosphor, while Tb- and Eu-AV-22 are visible emitters with output efficiencies comparable to standards used in commercial lamps. The structure of these materials allows the inclusion of a second (or even a third) type of Ln(3+) ion in the framework and, therefore, the fine-tuning of their photoluminescent properties. For the mixed Tb(3+)/Eu(3+) materials, evidence has been found of the inclusion of Eu(3+) ions in the interlayer space by replacing K+ ions, further allowing the activation of Tb(3+)-to-Eu(3+) energy transfer mechanisms. The occurrence probability of such mechanisms ranges from 0.62 (a = 0.05) to 1.20 ms(-1) (a = 0.1) with a high energy transfer efficiency (0.73 and 0.84, respectively).     

Oligonuclear gallium nitrogen cage compounds: molecular intermediates on the way from gallium hydrazides to gallium nitride

Gallium hydrazides are potentially applicable as facile starting compounds for the generation of GaN by thermolysis. The decomposition pathways are, however, complicated and depend strongly on the substituents attached to the gallium atoms and the hydrazido groups. This paper describes some systematic investigations into the thermolysis of the gallium hydrazine adduct Bu(t)(3)Ga←NH(2)-NHMe (1a) and the dimeric gallium hydrazides [R(2)Ga(N(2)H(2)R')](2) (2b, R = Bu(t), R' = Bu(t); 2c, R = Pr(i), R' = Ph; 2d, R = Me, R' = Bu(t)) which have four- or five-membered heterocycles in their molecular cores. Heating of the adduct 1a to 170 °C gave the heterocyclic compound Bu(t)(2)Ga(μ-NH(2))[μ-N(Me)-N(=CH(2))]GaBu(t)(2) (3) by cleavage of N-N bonds and rearrangement. 3 was further converted at 400 °C into the tetrameric gallium cyanide (Bu(t)(2)GaCN)(4) (4). The thermolysis of the hydrazide (Bu(t)(2)Ga)(2)(NH-NHBu(t))(2) (2b) at temperatures between 270 and 420 °C resulted in cleavage of all N-N bonds and the formation of an octanuclear gallium imide, (Bu(t)GaNH)(8) (6). The trimeric dialkylgallium amide (Bu(t)(2)GaNH(2))(3) (5) was isolated as an intermediate. Thermolysis of the hydrazides (Pr(i)(2)Ga)(2)(NH-NHPh)(NH(2)-NPh) (2c) and (Me(2)Ga)(2)(NH-NHBu(t))(2) (2d) proceeded in contrast with retention of the N-N bonds and afforded a variety of novel gallium hydrazido cage compounds with four gallium atoms and up to four hydrazido groups in a single molecule: (Pr(i)Ga)(4)(NH-NPh)(3)NH (7), (MeGa)(4)(NH-NBu(t))(4) (8), (MeGa)(4)(NH-NBu(t))(3)NBu(t) (9), and (MeGa)(4)(NHNBu(t))(3)NH (10). Partial hydrolysis gave reproducibly the unique octanuclear mixed hydrazido oxo compound (MeGa)(8)(NHNBu(t))(4)O(4) (11).     

Enantiomeric self-recognition in homo- and heterodinuclear macrocyclic lanthanide(III) complexes

The controlled formation of lanthanide(III) dinuclear μ-hydroxo-bridged [Ln(2)L(2)(μ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) complexes (where X = H(2)O, NO(3)(-), or Cl(-)) of the enantiopure chiral macrocycle L is reported. The (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances of these complexes have been assigned on the basis of COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, and HMQC spectra. The observed NOE connectivities confirm that the dimeric solid-state structure is retained in solution. The enantiomeric nature of the obtained chiral complexes and binding of hydroxide anions are reflected in their CD spectra. The formation of the dimeric complexes is accompanied by a complete enantiomeric self-recognition of the chiral macrocyclic units. The reaction of NaOH with a mixture of two different mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(1)L](3+) and [Ln(2)L](3+), results in formation of the heterodinuclear [Ln(1)Ln(2)L(2)(μ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) complexes as well as the corresponding homodinuclear complexes. The formation of the heterodinuclear complex is directly confirmed by the NOESY spectra of [EuLuL(2)(μ-OH)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](4+), which reveal close contacts between the macrocyclic unit containing the Eu(III) ion and the macrocyclic unit containing the Lu(III) ion. While the relative amounts of homo- and heterodinuclear complexes are statistical for the two lanthanide(III) ions of similar radii, a clear preference for the formation of heterodinuclear species is observed when the two mononuclear complexes contain lanthanide(III) ions of markedly different sizes, e.g., La(III) and Yb(III). The formation of heterodinuclear complexes is accompanied by the self-sorting of the chiral macrocyclic units based on their chirality. The reactions of NaOH with a pair of homochiral or racemic mononuclear complexes, [Ln(1)L(RRRR)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(RRRR)](3+), [Ln(1)L(SSSS)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(SSSS)](3+), or [Ln(1)L(rac)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(rac)](3+), results in mixtures of homochiral, homodinuclear and homochiral, heterodinuclear complexes. On the contrary, no heterochiral, heterodinuclear complexes [Ln(1)L(RRRR)Ln(2)L(SSSS)(μ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) are formed in the reactions of two different mononuclear complexes of opposite chirality.     

Anion exchange reaction potentials as approximate estimates of the relative thermodynamic stabilities of Mg/Al layered double hydroxides containing different anions

Coatings of hydrotalcite-like nitrate-intercalated Mg/Al layered double hydroxides are electrochemically deposited on a Pt electrode by electrogeneration of base by reduction of a mixed metal nitrate aqueous solution. As-prepared coatings are stable to workup and function as rugged electrodes. The voltammetric response generated by anion exchange of intercalated nitrate for dissolved anions from solution under equilibrium conditions is employed to estimate the thermodynamic stabilities of the Mg/Al layered double hydroxides comprising different anions relative to the nitrate-containing phase. Among monovalent anions, the most stable is the fluoride-containing LDH (ΔG° = -48.7 kJ mol(-1)) relative to the nitrate-containing LDH. The stability in aqueous phase decreases as F(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) > NO(2)(-) > NO(3)(-), whereas, among divalent anions, SO(4)(2-) (ΔG° = -8.7 kJ mol(-1)) > CO(3)(2-) (ΔG° = 14.3 kJ mol(-1)). The results of monovalent ions match well with the Miyata series, whereas the divalent anion series is at variance with the commonly held belief that carbonate-LDHs are more stable than sulfate-LDHs.     

Electron transfer. 147. Reductions with gallium(I)

Solutions 0.03-0.05 M in gallium(I) can be generated by treatment of the "mixed" halide Ga(I)Ga(III)Cl(4) with cold water under argon and then removing the precipitated metallic gallium and Ga(OH)(3) by centrifugation. Ga(I) is lost from such preparations with a half-life of about 3 h at 0 degrees C. These solutions, which may be handled by conventional techniques, readily reduce I(3)(-), IrCl(6)(2)(-), Fe(bipy)(3)(3+), Fe(NCS)(2+), aquacob(III)alamin, and a group of ring-substituted derivatives of Ru(NH(3))(5)(py)(3+) but are inert to (NH(3))(5)CoCl(2+) and (NH(3))(5)CoBr(2+). All reactions give Ga(III). Reduction of HCrO(4)(-) in 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutanoate buffers (pH 3.6) yields a Cr(IV) chelate of the buffering anion but forms Cr(III) when carried out in 0.01 M H(+). Reactions of le(-) oxidants proceed via successive single changes with the conversion Ga(II) --> Ga(III) much more rapid than Ga(I) --> Ga(II). Only for the reactions of I(3)(-) and Fe(NCS)(2+) is there evidence for redox bridging.     

Intercalation of cobaltammine complex ions into layered manganese oxide

The intercalation of Co(2+), [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+), and [Co(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) ions into layered manganese oxide (birnessite) was studied by chemical, XRD, SEM, IR, and DTA-TG analyses. The intercalation reaction progressed by a 2:1 or 3:1 ion-exchange mechanism depending on the valence of the starting ions. The oxidation state of cobalt did not change with the intercalation reaction. The intercalation of [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+) ions resulted in an increase of basal spacing from 0.716 to 0.956 nm, giving a layered structure material consisting mainly of platelike particles. The chemical analysis results showed that the structure of [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+) ions was maintained in the interlayer. On the other hand, an H(2)O/NH(3) ligand exchange reaction progressed for the intercalation of [Co(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) ions, resulting in an increase in the basal spacing from 0.716 to 0.956 nm.