Luminescent multifunctional lanthanides-based metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks based on trivalent lanthanides (LnMOFs) are a very promising class of materials for addressing the challenges in engineering of luminescent centres. Lanthanide-bearing phosphors find numerous applications in lighting, optical communications, photonics and biomedical devices. In this critical review we discuss the potential of LnMOFs as multifunctional systems, which combine light emission with properties such as microporosity, magnetism, chirality, molecule and ion sensing, catalysis and activity as multimodal imaging contrast agents. We argue that these materials present a unique chance of observing synergy between several of these properties, such as the coupling between photoluminescence and magnetism. Moreover, an integrated approach towards the design of efficient, stable, cheap, environmentally-friendly and multifunctional luminescent LnMOFs is still missing. Although research into LnMOFs is at its early stage and much basic knowledge is still needed, the field is ripe for new ideas, which will enable sensor devices and photonic prototypes to become a commercial reality (81 references).     

Evolution of photoluminescence across dimensionality in lanthanide silicates

The dehydratation process of layered lanthanide silicates K3[LnSi3O8(OH)2], Ln = Y, Eu, Tb, and Er, and the structural characterization of the obtained small-pore framework K3LnSi3O9, Ln = Y, Eu, Tb, and Er solids, named AV-23, have been reported. The structure of AV-23 has been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods and further characterized by chemical analysis, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and 29Si MAS NMR. The photoluminescence (PL), radiance, and lifetime values of AV-23 have been studied and compared with those of AV-22. Both materials have a similar chemical makeup and structures sharing analogous building blocks, hence providing a unique opportunity for rationalizing the evolution of the PL properties of lanthanide silicates across dimensionality. Although Tb-AV-23 contains a single crystallographic Tb(3+) site, PL spectroscopy indicates the presence of Ln(3+) centers in regular framework positions and in defect regions. PL evidence suggests that Eu-AV-23 contains a third type of Ln(3+) environment, namely, Eu(3+) ions replacing K(+) ions in the micropores. The radiance values of the Tb-AV-22 and Tb-AV-23 samples are of the same order of magnitude as those of standard Tb(3+) green phosphors. For the samples K3(Y1-aEraSi3O9), a = 0.005-1, efficient emission and larger 4I13/2 lifetimes (ca. 7 ms) are detected for low Er(3+) content, indicating that the Er(3+)-Er(3+) interactions become significant as the Er(3)+ content increases.     

Holographic considerations on a Machian Universe

MOND theory explains the rotation curves of the galaxies. Verlinde’s ideas establish an entropic origin for gravitational forces and Tsallis principle generalizes the theory of Boltzmann–Gibbs. In this work we have promoted a connection between these recent approaches, that at first sight seemed to have few or no points in common, using the Mach’s principle as the background. In this way we have used Tsallis formalism to calculate the main parameters of the Machian Universe including the Hubble parameter and the age of the Universe. After that, we have also obtained a new value for the Tsallis parameter via Mach’s principle. Using Verlinde’s entropic gravity we have obtained new forms for MOND’s well established ingredients. Finally, based on the relations between particles and bits obtained here, we have discussed the idea of bits entanglement in the holographic screen.     

New bounds for Tsallis parameter in a noncommutative phase–space entropic gravity and nonextensive Friedmann equations

In this paper, we have analyzed the nonextensive Tsallis statistical mechanics in the light of Verlinde’s formalism. We have obtained, with the aid of a noncommutative phase–space entropic gravity, a new bound for Tsallis nonextensive (NE) parameter (TNP) that is clearly different from the ones present in the current literature. We derived the Friedmann equations in a NE scenario. We also obtained here a relation between the gravitational constant and the TNP.     

Cleavage of the dimeric cyclopalladated [Pd(N,C-dmba)(μ-X)]2, (dmba = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine; X = SCN and NCO) by diphosphines. Palladium(II) compounds with distinct structures in the solid-state and in solution

The reactions of the pseudohalide-bridged dimer [Pd(N,C-dmba)(-SCN)]₂ (1) (dmba = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) with cis-Ph₂PCH=CHPPh₂ (cis-dppet) (1:1 molar ratio) and of [Pd(N,C-dmba)(-NCO)]₂ (2) with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppe) (1:2 molar ratio) gave mononuclear [Pd(C-dmba)(SCN)(cis-dppet)]·H₂O (1a) and [Pd(C-dmba)(NCO)(dppe)] (2a), respectively, with the diphosphines acting as chelating ligands. Reaction of (2) with Fe(C₅H₄PPh₂)₂ (dppf) (1:1 molar ratio) yielded [{Pd(N,C-dmba)(NCO)}₂(-dppf)] (2b), a bimetallic species containing two palladium atoms bridged by the diphosphine, whereas reaction in a 1:2 molar ratio gave the mononuclear [Pd(N,C-dmba)(dppf)][NCO]·CH₂Cl₂ (2c), with the diphosphine acting as a chelating ligand. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, i.r., ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C- and ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopies. Conductivity measurements together with spectroscopic data showed that (1a) and (2a) do not have the same structure in the solid state and in MeCl solution, whereas for compounds (2b) and (2c) no structural changes were observed when the solids were dissolved in MeCl.     

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).     

Photoluminescent microporous lanthanide silicate AV-21 frameworks

The hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of the lanthanide silicate system [Na(6)Ln(2)Si(12)O(30).x H(2)O] (Ln=La(3+), Sm(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), and Tb(3+)), named AV-21, has been reported. Structural elucidation of the Sm(3+) analogue (isomorphous with the Eu(3+), Gd(3+), and Tb(3+) frameworks) using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR spectroscopy reveal disorder in the Si(1) second coordination sphere. La-AV-21 presents a distinct framework. These materials combine microporosity and interesting photoluminescence features with structural flexibility that allows the introduction of a second or third type of lanthanide center. Room-temperature lifetime decay dynamics have been used to estimate the Ln(3+)-Ln(3+) distances and the maximum distance over which energy transfer is active. Though the majority of Ln(3+) centers occupy regular framework positions, the Ln(2) defect centers are disordered over the Na(1) sites in the pores and greatly influence the energy-transfer process, providing a unique opportunity for studying the relationship between structural disorder and photoluminescence properties in framework solids.     

Karyotypic similarity among Barycholos ternetzi and five species of the genus Eleutherodactylus from southeastern Brazil (Anura, Brachycephalidae)

Comparative cytogenetic analyses were carried out in six species of Brachycephalidae from southeastern Brazil. Barycholos ternetzi, Eleutherodactylus binotatus, Eleutherodactylus guentheri, Eleutherodactylus juipoca, Eleutherodactylus parvus and Eleutherodactylus sp. have 2n=22 karyotypes with a marked variation in the morphology of chromosome pairs 8, 10 and 11, which are of telocentric or metacentric types, resulting in FN=38, 40 and 44. Eleutherodactylus have a single chromosome pair bearing Ag-NOR, i.e. pair 1 in E. binotatus, pair 6 in E. guentheri and E. parvus, and pair 11 in E. juipoca and Eleutherodactylus sp. In contrast, B. ternetzi showed Ag-positive sites in the chromosome pairs 1, 4, 5, 9 and 11, and only one to three labelings per metaphase in each individual. Nevertheless, the main chromosome pair with Ag-NOR in the species seems to be the 11th, like in E. juipoca and Eleutherodactylus sp. The NOR site was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique in E. binotatus and in B. ternetzi, bearing 1p1p and 9p11p11p Ag-NOR pattern, respectively. All the species exhibited predominantly centromeric C-banding pattern, but interstitial bands have also been observed in some cases. In E. binotatus, there is an indication of geographical difference in the distribution of the interstitial C-bands. The fluorochromes GC-specific chromomycin A(3) (CMA(3)) and AT-specific 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), with distamycin A (DA) counterstaining, provided the molecular content of some repetitive regions in the karyotypes of the species. One male of E. binotatus presented an extensive heteromorphism, involving at least five different pairs, probably as a consequence of multiple reciprocal translocations. Such rearrangements might be responsible for the multivalent chain seen in the meiosis of this specimen, as well as in another male, although not exhibiting chromosome heteromorphism. The remaining males and those belonging to the other species have always shown 11 bivalents in diplotene and metaphase I cells. In all male specimens, metaphases II presented 11 chromosomes. Despite the observed discrepancies, the five species of Eleutherodactylus have a great uniformity in the 2n=22 karyotypes, suggesting an assemblage of species from southeastern and southern Brazil, in contrast to northern and northeastern assemblage which is characterized by higher diploid numbers. Undoubtedly, B. ternetzi could be included in that proposed assemblage, due to its karyotypic similarity with the Eleutherodactylus species, as evidenced in the present study. This fact strongly supports the close relationships of both genera, previously inferred on the basis of several characters shared by their species.     

Synthesis and characterization of mono and polymeric cyclopalladated compounds: Crystal and molecular structure of [{Pd(dmba)(ONO2)}2(μ-pz)] · H2O (pz = pyrazine)

In the treatment of cyclometallated dimer [Pd(dmba)(μ-Cl)]₂ (dmba = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) with AgNO₃ and acetonitrile the result was the monomeric cationic precursor [Pd(dmba)(NCMe)₂](NO₃) (NCMe = acetonitrile) (1). Compound 1 reacted with m-nitroaniline (m-NAN) and pirazine (pz), originating [Pd(dmba)(ONO₂)(m-NAN)] (2) and [{Pd(dmba)(ONO₂)}₂(μ-pz)] · H₂O (3), respectively. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The IR spectra of (2–3) display typical bands of monodentade O-bonded nitrate groups, whereas the NMR data of 3 are consistent with the presence of bridging pyrazine ligands. The structure of compound 3 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. This packing consists of a supramolecular chain formed by hydrogen bonding between the water molecule and nitrato ligands of two consecutive [Pd₂(dmba)₂(ONO₂)₂(μ-pz)] units.