A comparative study of species N3 and P3

Calculations on linear and bent structures of N₃ and P₃ show that these species are quite different. N₃ is linear, P₃ is bent almost to a D_3h geometry. The symmetry of P₃ in D_3h is ²E″ but the Jahn-Teller distortion is very small, ≈4°. The many-body expansion of the energy of P_n clusters appears to be only slowly convergent.     

Matrix-isolation spectroscopy of Pb2

Fluorescence and Raman scattering were observed from Pb₂ isolated in neon and argon matrices. Two new excited states were observed by two-photon stepwise excitations, which involve low-lying electronic states of Pb₂. Most spectroscopic constants of the states observed could be given and complement previous results. Two resonance Raman progressions with ω_c = 112.5 and 123.1 cm⁻¹ and a single Raman signal at 80 cm⁻¹ were observed in argon matrices. The ω_c = 123.1 cm⁻¹ Raman signal which had recently been assigned to a larger Pb cluster was shown to arise from Raman scattering within the electronically excited A state of Pb₂ at 5500 cm⁻¹.     

Molecular motion and phase transition in perovskite-type (CH3)nNH4−nSnCl3 (n=1–4) studied by proton NMR spin–lattice relaxation

Powder X-ray diffraction, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra, and ¹H NMR spin–lattice relaxation times, T₁, were measured for (CH₃)_nNH_4−nSnCl₃ (n=1–4). From the Rietveld analysis, it is shown that all four compounds crystallize into deformed perovskite-type structures at room temperature. The temperature dependence of ¹H T₁ was analyzed in terms of the CH₃ reorientation and other motions of the whole cation. Except for the phase transition in CH₃NH₃SnCl₃, which is from monoclinic to rhombohedral at 331 K, ¹H T₁ was continuously changed at other phase transitions in this compound as well as in the n=2–4 compounds, suggesting that the transitions are not caused by the change of the motional state of the cation but by an instability of the [SnCl₃]_nⁿ⁻ perovskite lattice.     

Near-IR absorption transition of H4 to F2 for UCl6 complex in M2ZrCl6 host crystals (M = K, Rb, and Cs): an experimental and theoretical study

The near-IR electronic transition from ground-state Г₁ of ³H₄ to the excited-state Г₃ of ³F₂ for the UCl₆²⁻ complex in three M₂ZrCl₆ host crystals (M = K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The vibration frequency of the excited state is found to be sensitive to the alkaline ion substitution and the frequency variation follows the trend predicted by the ‘counterion effect’. In contrast to previous studies, the apparent anomaly in the intensity ratio of the two vibronic peaks from the prediction of a Boltzmann distribution relationship is attributed to the vibration frequency difference between the ground and the excited state. This new interpretation is supported by computer simulation of the experimental optical spectra.     

On the origin of the splittings of the ν3(SO4) modes in the specular reflectance IR spectra of gypsum

The IR polarized spectra of gypsum CaSO₄·2H₂O were recorded at incidence angles of approximately 10 and 16 degrees. Band singlet or doublet was observed for the higher frequency ν₃(SO₄²⁻) mode of B_u symmetry type, depending on polarization (n or p). A doublet was observed for the lower frequency ν₃(SO₄²⁻) mode of B_u symmetry type too, irrespectively of the type of polarization. In order to give an explanation for the doublets origin, a model permittivity function was constructed. Quite good agreement exists between the reflectance based on the model permittivity function and the experimentally measured one for the high-frequency doublet. The origin of the lower frequency doublet could not be explained in this way, but may be speculated to result from an Evans type interaction between a combination of a water libration and ν₂(SO₄²⁻), with the lower frequency ν₃(SO₄²⁻) mode.     

A homodinuclear complex of manganese containing novel ligand, Mn2(CO)6(μ-H){μ-S(SC3H5)C=C(PPr3)S}

The title complex Mn₂(CO)₆(μ-H){μ-S(SC₃H₅)C=C(PPr₃ⁱ)S} was synthesized by allyation of the homobinuclear anion [Mn₂(CO)₆(μ-H){μ-S(SC₃H₅)C=C(PPr₃ⁱ)S}]⁻¹, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR spectra. The molecular structure shows that it contains a novel fairly planar ligand S(S)C=C(PPr₃ⁱ)S, and the two Mn(CO)₃ fragments are symmetrically placed at both sides of the plane of the ligand.     

Lifetime measurements of electronically excited C3(Πu) radicals in different vibrational states

The radiative lifetimes of nine vibrational levels of the C₃(¹Π_u) radical were obtained from decay time studies of the C₃(¹Π_u → ¹Σ⁺_g) fluorescence induced by a tunable dye laser. The lifetimes of the different vibronic levels were found to be constant within the experimental error limits, namely, τ_o = (200 ± 10) ns. The collisional deactivation of the C₃(¹Π_u) states by helium gives rate constants between 2.5 and 4 in 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ units.     

H2O2-based epoxidation of bridged cyclic alkenes with [P{Ti(O2)}2W10O38] in monophasic systems: active site and kinetics

The H₂O₂-based epoxidation of bridged cyclic alkenes in a monophasic system containing low concentrations (<2 mM) of [Bu₄ⁿN]₄[Pr₂ⁱNH₃]₂H[P{Ti(O₂)}₂W₁₀O₃₈]·H₂O (1) (with two η²-peroxotitanium sites in the anion) has been studied in search of the catalytically active species involved. ³¹P NMR spectra of 1, measured under a variety of conditions, revealed that the active species was not hydroperoxotitanium complex [P{Ti(OOH)}₂W₁₀O₃₈]⁷⁻or [P{Ti(OOH)}Ti(O₂)W₁₀O₃₈]⁷⁻. The reaction pathways for the alkene epoxidation are discussed to understand the kinetics (especially the initial [H₂O₂] dependence). It was concluded that the net catalytic reaction for the epoxidation occurred through the two-electron oxidation at the hydroperoxotitanium site in the catalyst.     

Ab initio MRD-CI study of GaAs, GaAs2(±), Ga2As2(±) and As4 clusters

Using pseudopotentials and double zeta basis sets with s, p diffuse functions and two sets of d functions, MRD-CI calculations were performed on As₂^(±), As₄⁽⁺⁾, GaAs⁻, GaAs₂^(±) and Ga₂As₂^(±). This study complements previous theoretical investigations on Ga^(±) to Ga₄^(±) and GaAs⁽⁺⁾. For As₄ tetrahedral symmetry was assumed, and Re of X¹A₁ determined as 4.73a₀. Vertical ionization potentials to several states of As₄⁺ were calculated. For GaAs₂, GaAs₂⁺ and GaAs₂⁻, ground and one low-lying state were geometry-optimized, both in C_2v (Ga-As-As), and linear symmetry (GaAsAs, C_∞h and AsGaAs, D_∞h). The lowest state of GaAs₂ is ²B₂ in C_2v. For Ga₂As₂, the lowest state and low-lying excited states were optimized in various geometries. The most stable state has rhombic structure (¹A_g in D_2h), but T-form and other forms (C_2v, C_∞v, D_∞h) are only 1–2 eV less stable. In D_2h symmetry, several low-lying excited states of Ga₂As₂ were studied. The ground states of Ga₂As₂⁺ and Ga₂As₂⁻ were found to be ²B_2u, and ²B_2g, respectively. Trends in ionization potentials (IP), electron affinities (EA), atomization energies and fragmentation energies for the molecules Ga_xAs_y and the pure compounds Ga_n and As_n up to 4 atoms, were studied. Ga_xAs_y clusters, with x + y even, have higher IP's than odd-numbered clusters. An experimentally observed alternation of EA, whereby an odd number of atoms have higher EA than their even neighbors, is confirmed. The mixed compounds Ga_xAs_y have atomization energies between those of Ga_n and As_n (x + y = n), usually closer to those of Ga_n. Fragmentation of Ga_xAs_y occurs such that As----As bonds are retained, and if possible, also Ga----As bonds, since the dissociation energy of As₂ is higher than that of GaAs, which in turn is higher than that of Ga₂. Calculated fragmentation energies agree qualitatively with experimental observations about the composition of 3-atomic and 4-atomic clusters Ga_xAs_y.     

Structure and redox properties of CexPr1−xO2−δ mixed oxides and their catalytic activities for CO, CH3OH and CH4 combustion

A series of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides were synthesized by a sol–gel method and characterized by Raman, XRD and TPR techniques. The oxidation activity for CO, CH₃OH and CH₄ on these mixed oxides was investigated. When the value x was changed from 1.0 to 0.8, only a cubic phase CeO₂ was observed. The samples were greatly crystallized in the range of the value x from 0.99 to 0.80, which is due to the formation of solid solutions caused by the complete insertion of Pr into the CeO₂ crystal lattices. Raman bands at 465 and 1150 cm⁻¹ in Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ samples are attributed to the Raman active F_2g mode of CeO₂. The broad band at around 570 cm⁻¹ in the region of 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.99 can be linked to oxygen vacancies. The new band at 195 cm⁻¹ may be ascribed to the asymmetric vibration caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. The TPR profile of Pr₆O₁₁ shows two reduction peaks and the reduction process is followed: . The reduction temperature of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides is lower than those of Pr₆O₁₁ or CeO₂. TPR results indicate that Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides have higher redox properties because of the formation of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ solid solutions. The presence of the oxygen vacancies favors CO and CH₃OH oxidation, while the activity of CH₄ oxidation is mostly related to reduction temperatures and redox properties.     

Reaction dynamics of the Ca(D2, PJ) + CH3I → CaI + CH3 system: chemiluminescence, energy disposal and product polarization

The Ca(¹D₂, ³P_J) + CH₃ → CaI(A,B) + CH₃ reactions system has been studied by measuring its chemiluminescence under beam-gas conditions. Absolute values of the state-to-state reaction cross-sections were determined at low collision energy . In addition, the electronic branching ratio and product energy disposal have been determined for each metastable reaction. The major changed observed in the chemiluminescence when comparing the Ca(¹D₂) reaction versus that of Ca(³P_J) is the total yield associated with the former reaction. To the best of our spectral resolution neither the electronic branching ratio e.g. CaI(A)/CaI(B) nor the internal CaI energy disposal change significantly as the metastable Ca(¹D₂)/Ca(³P_J) ratio is varied. In spite of the fact that the Ca(³P_J) reaction is less exoergic, the CaI product appears with a higher fraction of internal energy than that of Ca(¹D₂) reaction. Thus, the fraction of the total energy appearing in CaI internal energy amounts to 57.5% in the Ca(³P_J) reaction while it is 19.3% only for the Ca(¹D₂) reaction. This difference is discussed in the light of a distinct mechanism associated with the attack of the excited Ca atom into the C---I bond. No significant chemiluminescence yield was found for the energetically open CaCH^*₃ channels.

The product chemiluminescence polarization was also measured as a function of the metastable concentration. A significant degree of polarization was found depending upon the specific electronic excitation. The analysis of the polarization emission associated to the parallel CaI(X ²Σ⁺ ← B ²Σ⁺) emission led into a strong polarization of the product rotational angular momentum. The comparison of the product rotational alignment for the kinematically identical Ca(¹D₂, ³P_J, ¹P₁) + CH₃ → CaI^* (B₂Σ⁺) + CH₃ reaction system showed that the CaI rotational polarization diminishes in the ³P_J → ¹D₂ → ¹P₁ sequence, e.g. as the reaction exothermicity increases. In addition the degree of polarization associated with other emission bands as for example CaI(X ²Σ⁺ ← A ²Π_1/2) indicates the presence of a parallel transition which was been interpreted as mixing of Hund's case (a) and (c) appropriate for this heavy CaI diatom produced with a high rotational excitation.     

Interaction between a σ bond and a d MLn fragment: an MO analysis of the MnSiH three-center interaction in CpMnL2HSiR3 complexes

Two types of interactions between a σ bond and a dⁿ Ml_n entity are generally considered: in the first type the σ bond is complexed to the metal atom, acting as a 2-electron ligand; in the second type, an oxidative addition reaction occurs, leading to a complex in which the σ bond is broken. The two different complexes resulting from two kinds of interactions can often be considered as two isomers. Extended Hückel calculations on compounds of the type CpMnL₂HSiR₃ show that the three center MnHSi interaction can be viewed as belonging to the first type, i.e. a σ H---Si bond coordinated to the d⁶ CpMnL₂ fragment. Generalization for other dⁿ L_nMHSiR₃ complexes suggests that, when the H---bond is fully broken, the addition is not oxidative and that the bonding is better described as having a formally H⁻ and a formally SiR₃⁺ ligand coordinated to a metal atom which has the same formal oxidation state as in the free Ml_n fragment. The known experimental studies on these complexes are analysed on the basis of this MO analysis.     

Synthesis and low temperature fluorination of the alkaline-earth palladates Ba2−xSrxPdO3 (x = 0–2)

Since the discovery of superconductivity in Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ there has been an increased interest in ternary oxide-fluorides. Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ is prepared via low temperature (T = 220 °C) reaction routes. Low temperature fluorination induces an interesting structural rearrangement in the parent compound Sr₂CuO₃, which is a one-dimensional material containing linear chains of vertex sharing CuO₄ squares along the crystallographic b axis. Upon fluorination, one oxide is substituted by two fluorides and Cu²⁺ becomes octahedrally coordinated by four oxides and two fluorides. The fluorinated compound Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ displays the T-type structure (La₂CuO₄). Insertion of excess fluorine, δ, also takes place and this fluorine occupies interstitial sites in the T structure. Although the starting material Ca₂CuO₃ is isostructural to Sr₂CuO₃, Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ displays the T′ (Nd₂CuO₄) structure due to the smaller radius of Ca²⁺ compared to that of Sr²⁺.

The alkaline-earth palladates with the general formula A₂PdO₃ (A = Ba, Sr) are isostructural with the A₂CuO₃(A = Ca, Sr) materials. We prepared the Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₃ (x = 0–2) series and performed low temperature fluorination, which led to the synthesis of the series Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₂F_2+δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.5). All the compounds in the Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₂F_2+δ series show T′ structure (Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ). Similarities and differences with Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ and Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ will be discussed.     

A mixed-valence complex of platinum and thiourea: Spectroscopic (195Pt NMR,visible, esca) evidence

It has been found that there is a linear relationship between orbital contributions to values <r₁₂ⁿ>^−1/n and the nuclear charge in the Hartree-Fock framework. This seems to be a general property of the model at any level of accuracy.     

Synthesis and thermodynamic properties of a metal-organic framework: [LaCu6(μ-OH)3(Gly)6im6](ClO4)6

A metal-organic complex, which has the potential property of absorbing gases, [LaCu₆(μ-OH)₃(Gly)₆im₆](ClO₄)₆ was synthesized through the self-assembly of La³⁺, Cu²⁺, glycine (Gly) and imidazole (Im) in aqueous solution and characterized by IR, element analysis and powder XRD. The molar heat capacity, C_p,m, was measured from T = 80 to 390 K with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. The thermodynamic functions [H_T − H_298.15] and [S_T − S_298.15] were derived from the heat capacity data with temperature interval of 5 K. The thermal stability of the complex was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of some arylantimony triphenylgermanylpropionates and crystal structures of Ph3GeCH(Ph)CH2CO2SbPh4 and [Ph3GeCH2CH(CH3)CO2]2Sb(4-ClC6H4)3

A series of novel arylantimony(V) triphenylgermanylpropionates with the formula (Ph₃GeCHR¹CHR²CO₂)_nSbAr_(5−n) (R¹=H, Ph; R²=H, CH₃; n=1, 2) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structures of Ph₃GeCH(Ph)CH₂CO₂SbPh₄ and [Ph₃GeCH₂CH(CH₃)CO₂]₂Sb(4-ClC₆H₄)₃ were determined by X-ray diffraction. The in vitro antitumor activities of some selected compounds against five cancer cells are reported.     

Polarized absorption spectra and polarized Raman spectra of single crystals of trans(Cl2)-[CoCl2(NH3)n(H2O)4−n]Cl complexes (n = 2, 3, 4)

The title cobalt(III) complexes have been investigated by polarized absorption and Raman spectroscopies of the single crystals. The symmetry properties of the d-electron orbitals and of the vibrational modes attributable to the Raman bands of trans(Cl₂)-[CoCl₂(NH₃)_n(H₂O)_4−n]Cl complexes (n = 2, 3, or 4) were examined to elucidated the peculiar observation that ligand substitution causes no splitting of the 15 200-cm⁻¹ absorption band and the 250-cm⁻¹ Raman band. Effects of replacing the NH₃ ligand with H₂O on the electronic structure, atom–atom force constants and vibrational modes of these complex ions are briefly described.     

Electronic spectrum of a photochromic diarylethene derivative in a supersonic free jet. Internal conversion from S2(1B) to S1(2A)

The fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra of the open-ring isomer of 1,2-bis(3-methyl-2-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene have been measured in a supersonic free jet. No vibronic structure has been observed in the excitation spectrum. The intensity of fluorescence gradually increases with the excitation energy in the 25,500–28,700 cm⁻¹ region, indicating that the geometry of the molecule substantially changes upon photoexcitation. The dispersed fluorescence spectrum is anomaly Stokes-shifted with respect to the excitation energy, suggesting that the S₂(1B) state is initially excited followed by rapid internal conversion from the S₂(1B) to S₁(2A) state. The fluorescence is due to the S₁(2A)–S₀(1A) transition. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G^** level have been carried out to investigate stable conformations responsible for the observed spectra.     

Kinetic study of gas-phase Lu(D3/2) with O2, N2O and CO2

The second-order rate constants of gas-phase Lu(²D_3/2) with O₂, N₂O and CO₂ from 348 to 573 K are reported. In all cases, the reactions are relatively fast with small barriers. The disappearance rates are independent of total pressure indicating bimolecular abstraction processes. The bimolecular rate constants (in molecule⁻¹ cm³ s⁻¹) are described in Arrhenius form by k(O₂)=(2.3±0.4)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−3.1±0.7 kJmol⁻¹/RT), k(N₂O)=(2.2±0.4)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−7.1±0.8 kJmol⁻¹/RT), k(CO₂)=(2.0±0.6)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−7.6±1.3 kJmol⁻¹/RT), where the uncertainties are ±2σ.     

Pathway studies in the fragmentation of Ge(CH3)4 involving Ge(3d,3p,3s) and C(1s) inner-shell photoexcitation in the range 49.5–450 eV

The dissociative multiple photoionization of tetramethylgermane (Ge(CH₃)₄) in the valence, and in the Ge(3d,3p,3s) and C(1s) inner-shell regions has been studied by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled to synchrotron radiation in the range 49.5–450 eV. Total and individual photoion yields have been recorded as a function of the incident photon energy. Several discrete resonances over a structureless giant resonance are observed below the Ge(3p), Ge(3s) and C(1s) threshold regions. The structureless giant resonance corresponding to the Ge(3d) presumably arises from the continuum enhancement caused by the 3d→εf transition. Various monocations of H⁺, H₂⁺, CH_n⁺ (n=0–4), C₂H_n⁺ (n=0–5), GeH_n⁺, GeCH_n⁺, GeC₂H_n⁺, and GeC₃H_n⁺ are detected in the whole energy range. Dissociation processes have also been investigated by photoelectron–photoion and photoion–photoion coincidence methods. The dominant dissociation channel is found to be CH_n⁺–GeCH_n⁺ in the whole energy examined. Specific energy dependence of dissociation processes is observed in the Ge(3p) and Ge(3s) regions. With the help of ab initio HF/6-311++G(2df,p) calculation, we roughly estimated the photoabsorption positions and symmetries for the discrete core hole states.