Niobium(V) oxynitride: synthesis, characterization, and feasibility as anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

The decomposition reaction of niobium(V) oxytrichloride ammoniate to the oxynitride of niobium in the 5+ oxidation state was developed in a methodological way. By combining elemental analysis, Rietveld refinements of X-ray and neutron diffraction data, SEM and TEM, the sample compound was identified as approximately 5?nm-diameter particles of NbO(1.3(1))N(0.7(1)) crystallizing with baddeleyite-type structure. The thermal stability of this compound was studied in detail by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis and temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the electrochemical uptake and release by the galvanostatic cycling method of pure and carbon-coated NbO(1.3(1))N(0.7(1)) versus lithium was investigated as an example of an Li-free transition-metal oxynitride. The results showed that reversible capacities as high as 250 and 80?A?h kg(-1) can be reached in voltage ranges of 0.05-3 and 1-3?V, respectively. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism for the charge-discharge reaction is proposed.     

[Te8][NbOCl4]2 containing an infinite chain‐like {[Te–Te–Te–(Te5)]2+}n polycation

The title compound, [Te₈][NbOCl₄]₂, was obtained as translucent black crystals by reaction of elemental tellurium, niobium(V) chloride and niobium(V) oxychloride in the ionic liquid BMImCl (BMImCl is 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride). The synthesis was performed in argon‐filled glass ampoules. According to X‐ray structure analysis based on single crystals, the title compound crystallizes with triclinic lattice symmetry and consists of infinite {[Te₈]²⁺}_n cations associated with pyramidal [NbOCl₄]⁻ anions. The novel catena‐octatellurium(2+) cation is composed of Te₅ rings that are linked via Te₃ units [Te—Te = 2.6455 (18)–2.8164 (19) Å]. The composition and purity of [Te₈][NbOCl₄]₂ were further confirmed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction (EDX) analysis.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of the 3D Porous Framework [Zn(INAIP)]·DMA·H2O

A new three‐dimensional (3D) porous framework [Zn(INAIP)] · DMA · H₂O ( 1 ) [INAIP = 5‐(isonicotinamido)isophthalate, DMA = N,N′‐dimethylacetamide] was synthesized by solvothermal methods and characterized by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The results of X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complex 1 has an unusual 3D architecture with the (3,6)‐connected rutile ( rtl ) topology. The adsorption behavior shows that compound 1 exhibits selective adsorptions of CO₂ over N₂ after the removal of the solvent molecules within the pores.     

Two CdII/CoII‐Imidazolate Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,Stabilities, and Luminescent/Magnetic Properties

Cadmium(II) based 2D coordination polymer [Cd(L1)₂(DMF)₂] ( 1 ) (L1 = 4,5‐dicyano‐2‐methylimidazolate, DMF = N,N′‐dimethylformamide) and 2D cobalt(II)‐imidazolate framework [Co(L3)₄] ( 2 ) (L3 = 4,5‐diamide‐2‐ethoxyimidazolate) were synthesized under solvothermal reaction conditions. The materials were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction measurement (PXRD) and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 has hexacoordinate Cd^II ions and forms a zigzag chain‐like coordination polymer structure, whereas compound 2 exhibits a 2D square grid type structure. The thermal stability analysis reveals that 2 showed an exceptional thermal stability up to 360 °C. Also, 2 maintained its fully crystalline integrity in boiling water as confirmed by PXRD. The solid state luminescent property of 1 was not observed at room temperature. Compound 2 showed an independent high spin central Co^II atom.     

New 3 D Tubular Porous Structure of an Organic–Zincophosphite Framework with Interesting Gas Adsorption and Luminescence Properties

A new 3D tubular zinc phosphite, Zn₂(C₂₂H₂₂N₈)_0.5(HPO₃)₂?H₂O ( 1 ), incorporating a tetradentate organic ligand was synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 is the first example of inorganic zincophosphite chains being interlinked through 1,2,4,5‐tetrakis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene to form a tubular porous framework with unusual organic–inorganic hybrid channels. The thermal and chemical stabilities, high capacity for CO₂ adsorption compared to that for N₂ adsorption, and interesting optical properties of LED devices fabricated using this compound were also studied.     

Solvothermal Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Strong Luminescence of the First Organic‐Templated Europium Sulfate Chloride

The first organic amine templated europium sulfate chloride [C₆N₄H₂₂]_0.5Cl[Eu(SO₄)₂ · H₂O] ( 1 ) was synthesized solvothermally and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, TGA, and ICP. Crystal analyses of compound 1 shows a novel inorganic layer constructed from [–Eu–O–S–O–]_n chains. The adjacent chains are connected by sharing the bridging SO₄^2– groups to generate eight‐membered rings. The very strong luminescence in the red light region indicates compound 1 is an excellent candidate for red fluorescent materials.     

Electrochemical Fabrication and Properties of Highly Ordered Fe‐Doped TiO2 Nanotubes

Highly‐ordered Fe‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes (TiO₂nts) were fabricated by anodization of co‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films in a glycerol electrolyte containing NH₄F. The as‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films correspond to a solid solution of Ti and Fe according to X‐ray diffraction. The Fe‐doped TiO₂nts were studied in terms of composition, morphology and structure. The characterization included scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis. As a result of the Fe doping, an indirect bandgap of 3.0 eV was estimated using Tauc’s plot, and this substantial red‐shift extends its photoresponse to visible light. From the Mott–Schottky analysis, the flat‐band potential (E_fb) and the charge carrier concentration (N_D) were determined to be ?0.95 V vs Ag/AgCl and 5.0 ×10¹⁹ cm^?3 respectively for the Fe‐doped TiO₂nts, whilst for the undoped TiO₂nts, E_fb of ?0.85 V vs Ag/AgCl and N_D of 6.5×10¹⁹ cm^?3 were obtained.     

Crystalline Intermediates during Polycondensation Reactions in the C–N–Cl System – The Paddle‐Wheel Molecule N(C6N7Cl2)3

Solid state metathesis reactions between cyanuric chloride and C–N–H or alkali metal–(B–)C–N compounds, respectively, were carried out in the temperature range between 150 °C to 500 °C, studying intermediate stages of reactions and targeting the formation of carbon nitride materials by elimination of HCl or alkali metal chlorides. Although cyanuric chloride was reacted with quite a number of different reaction partners such as melamine, cyanamide, lithium nitride, lithium or sodium carbodiimide, lithium nitridoborate or sodium dicyandiamide, always the same intermediate compounds appeared in the reactions mixtures. Colorless, needle‐shaped crystals of the tertiary amine N(C₃N₃Cl₂)₃ ( 1 ) were obtained at temperatures around 200–250 °C. Temperatures as high as 400 °C yielded yellow, plate‐like crystals of the heptazine compound C₆N₇Cl₃ ( 2 ). At even higher temperatures, the reaction products were of poorer crystallinity, but evidence of the formation of another crystalline intermediate was given by X‐ray powder diffraction and electron diffraction experiments. This third intermediate is assumed to be a tertiary amine, quite similar to 1 , however, having heptazine ligands instead of triazine ligands and is assigned with the formula N(C₆N₇Cl₂)₃ ( 3 ). Theoretical calculations were performed for the structures and the vibrational spectra of 1 and 3 . Theoretical calculations and a structure refinement based of X‐ray powder diffraction data yielded a plausible structural model for compound 3 .     

Powder X‐ray study of racemic (2RS,3RS)‐5‐amino‐3‐[4‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalen‐2‐ol

The structure of the title benzovesamicol analogue, C₂₁H₂₇N₃O₂, an important compound for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, has been determined by X‐ray powder diffraction. The title compound was firstly synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods (FT–IR, and ¹³C and ¹H NMR). The compound is a racemic mixture of enantiomers which crystallizes in the monoclinic system in a centrosymmetric space group (P2₁/c). Crystallography, in particular powder X‐ray diffraction, was pivotal in revealing that the enantio‐resolution did not succeed. The piperazine ring is in a chair conformation, while the cyclohexene ring assumes a half‐chair conformation. The crystal packing is dominated by intermolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonding which links molecules along the c direction.     

X‐ray Diffraction and Solid‐State NMR Studies of a Germanium Binuclear Complex

A compound formulated as (C₄H₁₂N₂)[Ge₂(pmida)₂(OH)₂] ? 4 H₂O (where pmida^4?=N‐(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetate and C₄H₁₂N₂²⁺=piperazinedium cation), containing the anionic [Ge₂(pmida)₂(OH)₂]^2? complex, has been synthesised by the hydrothermal approach and its structure determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Several high‐resolution solid‐state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR techniques, in particular two‐dimensional ¹H–X(¹³C,³¹P) heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) and ¹H–¹H homonuclear correlation (HOMCOR) experiments incorporating a frequency‐switched Lee–Goldburg (FS‐LG) decoupling scheme, have been employed for the first time in such a material. Using these tools in tandem affords an excellent general approach to study the structure of other inorganic–organic hybrids. We assigned the NMR resonances with the help of C ??? H and P ??? H internuclear distances obtained through systematic statistical analyses of the crystallographic data. The compound was further characterised by powder X‐ray diffraction techniques, IR and Raman spectroscopy, and by elemental and thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry).     

Structural characterization and photochromic behaviour of a novel compound based on a π‐acidic naphthalene diimide derivative and a double hydroxide‐bridged dinuclear AlIII aqua ion cluster

Noncovalent interactions, such as π–π stacking interactions, C—H…π interactions and hydrogen bonding, are important driving forces for self‐assembly in the construction of functional supermolecules and materials, especially in multicomponent supramolecular systems. Herein, a novel compound based on a π‐acidic naphthalene diimide derivative and a double hydroxide‐bridged dinuclear Al³⁺ aqua ion cluster, namely bis[N,N′‐bis(2‐sulfonatoethyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide] di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis[tetraaquaaluminium(III)] tetrahydrate, (C₁₈H₁₂N₂O₁₀S₂)₂[Al₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₈]·4H₂O, was obtained using the above‐mentioned common noncovalent interactions, as well as uncommon lone‐pair–π interactions. Functional molecular modules were connected by these noncovalent interactions to generate obvious photochromic properties. The compound was prepared by the self‐assembly of N,N′‐bis(2‐sulfoethyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide and Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O under mixed solvothermal conditions, and was characterized in detail by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction and FT–IR spectroscopy. The thermal stability and photochromic properties were also investigated; furthermore, in‐situ solid‐state UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and electron spin resonance (ESR) were used to clarify the photochromic mechanism.     

A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound: bis(μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)‐κ4O2,N,O6:O6′;κ4O2:O2′,N,O6‐bis[(azido‐κN)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)bismuth(III)] tetrahydrate

A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound, [Bi₂(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(N₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·4H₂O, has been synthesized by an ionothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of one centrosymmetric dinuclear neutral fragment and four water molecules. Within the dinuclear fragment, each Bi^III centre is seven‐coordinated by three O atoms and four N atoms. The coordination geometry of each Bi^III atom is distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal (BiO₃N₄), with one azide N atom and one bridging carboxylate O atom located in axial positions. The carboxylate O atoms and water molecules are assembled via O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. Two types of π–π stacking interactions are found, with centroid‐to‐centroid distances of 3.461 (4) and 3.641 (4) Å.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid salt and its application as a highly effectual Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalyst for the production of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides

In this research, a novel organic–inorganic hybrid salt, namely, N¹,N¹,N²,N²‐tetramethyl‐N¹,N²‐bis(sulfo)ethane‐1,2‐diaminium tetrachloroferrate ([TMBSED][FeCl₄]₂) was prepared and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mapping, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric (TG), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), and vibrating‐sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses. Catalytic activity of the hybrid salt was tested for the synthesis of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides through the reaction of benzamide (2 eq.) and aromatic aldehydes (1 eq.) under solvent‐free conditions in which the products were obtained in high yields and short reaction times. The catalyst was superior to many of the reported catalysts in terms of two or more of these factors: the reaction medium and temperature, yield, time, and turnover frequency (TOF). [TMBSED][FeCl₄]₂ is a Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalyst; there are two SO₃H groups (as Brønsted acidic sites) and two tetrachloroferrate anions (as Lewis acidic sites) in its structure. Highly effectiveness of the catalyst for the synthesis of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides can be attributed to synergy of the Brønsted and Lewis acids and also possessing two sites of each acid.     

A Polyoxometalate‐Encapsulating Cationic Metal–Organic Framework as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Desulfurization

A new cationic triazole‐based metal–organic framework encapsulating Keggin‐type polyoxometalates, with the molecular formula [Co(BBPTZ)₃][HPMo₁₂O₄₀]?24 H₂O [compound 1 ; BBPTZ=4,4′‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)biphenyl] is hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure of compound 1 contains a non‐interpenetrated 3D CdSO₄ (cds)‐type framework with two types of channels that are interconnected with each other; straight channels that are occupied by the Keggin‐type POM anions, and wavelike channels that contain lattice water molecules. The catalytic activity of compound 1 in the oxidative desulfurization reaction indicates that it is not only an effective and size‐selective heterogeneous catalyst, but it also exhibits distinct structural stability in the catalytic reaction system.     

Bis(2‐but­yl‐N,N′‐diisopropyl­amidinato)dichloro­hafnium(IV)

The title compound, [Hf(C₁₁H₂₃N₂)₂Cl₂], is a monomeric hafnium(IV) complex containing two bidentate amidinate ligands and two cis Cl atoms. The crystals are triclinic (space group ) and there is one independent six‐coordinate monomer with a highly distorted octa­hedral geometry in the asymmetric unit. The reported structure is the first hafnium–amidinate complex to be characterized successfully by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Binuclear meta‐xylyl‐linked Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of N‐alkyl/aryl‐alkyl‐substituted bis‐benzimidazolium salts: synthesis,crystal structures and in vitro anticancer studies

Salts of meta‐xylyl‐linked N‐ethyl/n‐butyl/benzyl‐substituted bis‐benzimidazolium having hexafluorophosphate counterions have been synthesized. The corresponding binuclear Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes were prepared by the reaction of Ag₂O. The N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursor 7 and Ag(I)–NHC complexes 10 and 11 have been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. All of the reported compounds have been tested for their anticancer activity using human colorectal (HCT 116) cancer cell lines. Sterically varied benzimidazolium salts displayed significant activity against HCT 116 cell line, yielding IC₅₀ values in the range 0.1–19.4 µ m , while Ag(I)–carbene complexes showed exceptionally good activity (0.2–1.3 µ m ) against tested cancer cell lines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Structural Determination of the Disordered Bixbyite Cu3‐xSb1+xO5.5+3x/2 with Spin‐Glass Behaviour

The ternary copper antimony oxide Cu_3‐xSb_1+xO_5.5+3x/2 (x=0.23) has been synthesized under 0.8–1.3 MPa pO₂ at 1022–1082 °C. Rietveld refinements of X‐ray and neutron powder diffraction patterns concluded that the oxide adopts a bixbyite type structure, crystallising in the cubic space group Ia‐3 with the unit cell parameter a=9.61164(4) Å at room temperature from powder neutron diffraction data. The cationic 8b and 24d sites were found to be occupationally disordered where both Cu and Sb could be found on both sites. This is supported by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy experiments showing more than one possible Cu environment. There was a significant net deficiency of oxygen in the compound which was first inferred from observations of a thermochromic‐like phenomena and also seen from in situ high temperature neutron diffraction experiments. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements show paramagnetic behaviour with spin‐glass like transition below 6 K.     

Nitridation of niobium oxide films by rapid thermal processing

The possibility of forming niobium oxynitride through the nitridation of niobium oxide films in molecular nitrogen by rapid thermal processing (RTP) was investigated. Niobium films 200 and 500 nm thick were deposited via sputtering onto Si(100) wafers covered with a thermally grown SiO₂ layer 100 nm thick. These as-deposited films exhibited distinct texture effects. They were processed in two steps using an RTP system. The as-deposited niobium films were first oxidized under an oxygen atmosphere at 450 °C for various periods of time and subsequently nitridated under a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 °C for 1 min. Investigations of the oxidized films showed that samples where the start of niobium pentoxide formation was detected at the surface and the film bulk still consisted of a substoichiometric NbO_x phase exhibited distinctly lower surface roughness and microcrack densities than samples where complete oxidation of the film to Nb₂O₅ had occurred. The niobium oxide phases formed at the Nb/substrate interface also showed distinct texture. Zones of niobium oxide phases like NbO and NbO₂, which did not exist in the initial oxidized films, were formed during the nitridation. This is attributed to a “snow-plough effect” produced by the diffusion of nitrogen into the film, which pushes the oxygen deeper into the film bulk. These oxide phases, in particular the NbO₂ zone, act as barriers to the in-diffusion of nitrogen and also inhibit the outdiffusion of oxygen from the SiO₂ substrate layer. Nitridation of the partially oxidized niobium films in molecular nitrogen leads to the formation of various niobium oxide and nitride phases, but no indication of niobium oxynitride formation was found. Figure Schematic representation of the phase distribution in 200 nm Nb film on SiO₂/Si substrate after two steps annealing using an RTP system. The plot below represents the SIMS depth profiles of the nitridated sample with the phase assignment     

In situ Alkylation of 4,4′‐Vinylenedipyridine for Inorganic‐Organic Iodides/Iodidomercurates

Solvothermal reactions of HgI₂, 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine, and HI in alcoholic solution (methanol, ethanol, or pentanol) gave rise to a family of organic‐inorganic hybrid complexes, formulated as [C₁₄H₁₆N₂][I₄]^2– ( 1 ), [C₁₆H₂₀N₂][HgI₄] ( 2 ), and [C₂₂H₃₂N₂][HgI₄]₄ ( 3 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals that all three compounds are discrete structures, including the inorganic anion [I₄]^2– or [HgI₄]^2– and an organic cation, where the resulting organic cations were generated in situ alkylation reactions of 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine with alcohols, with cleavage of the alcoholic C–O bond followed by a one‐step in situ N‐alkylation reaction of 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine in acidic HI solution. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDS), IR, as well as UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the complexes.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Photoluminescence Properties of a Planar Copper Triazolate Coordination Polymer with Cyanide as Co‐Ligand

A new copper coordination polymer [Cu₃(CN)(dmtz)₂] ( 1 ) (Hdmtz = 3,5‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazole) was solvothermally synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, X‐ray power diffraction, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The single‐crystal diffraction analysis shows that compound 1 belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pmmn, and exhibits a 2D planar framework constructed by the ligand dmtz and cyanide anions, in which the cyanide anion was generated from in situ decomposition of acetonitrile. The photoluminescent study indicates that 1 emits strong blue‐green luminescence with long emission lifetimes in the solid state at room temperature.