The Crystal and Molecular Structure of γ‐P4S6

The crystal and molecular structure of γ‐P₄S₆ was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes monoclinically in the space group P2₁/m (No. 11) with a = 6.627(3) Å, b = 10.504(7) Å, c = 6.878(3) Å, β = 90.18(4)°, V = 478.8(4) ų, and Z = 2. The structure consists of cage‐like P₄S₆ molecules with C_S symmetry arranged with the topology of a cubic close packing.     

Mechanistic considerations on contact-active antimicrobial surfaces with controlled functional group densities

A series of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyldeoxyammonium celluloses is synthesized by converting tosyl celluloses with DBA and DDA, respectively. Surface coatings with these water-insoluble derivatives contain well-defined densities of quaternary ammonium functions and nonactive hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. It is shown that the antimicrobial activity of such surfaces against S. aureus requires a delicate balance between DDA, BDA, and hydrophobic groups. A mechanism is proposed that involves the selective adhesion of anionic phospholipids from the bacterial cell membrane. This so-called phospholipid sponge effect is supported by the fact that all coatings could be deactivated by treatment with SDS or negatively charged phospholipids, but not with neutral phospholipids.     

LiBSe3: A NOVEL PERSELENOBORATE WITH POLYMERIC ANION NETWORK

We now report the synthesis and crystal structure of LiBSe₃, a new perselenoborate with anionic layers. LiBSe₃ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca2₁ (No. 29), a = 12.770(3) Å, b = 5.777(2) Å, c = 10.726(2) Å.     

Luminescent mononuclear and dinuclear cycloplatinated (II) complexes comprising azide and phosphine ancillary ligands

A new series of cycloplatinated (II) complexes with general formulas of [Pt (bhq)(N₃)(P)] [bhq = deprotonated 7,8‐benzo[h]quinoline, P = triphenyl phosphine (PPh₃) and methyldiphenyl phosphine], [Pt (bhq)(P^P)]N₃ [P^P = 1,1‐bis (diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) and 1,2‐bis (diphenylphosphino)ethane] and [Pt₂(bhq)₂(μ‐P^P)(N₃)₂] [P^P = dppm and 1,2‐bis (diphenylphosphino)acetylene] is reported in this investigation. A combination of azide (N₃^?) and phosphine (monodentate and bidentate) was used as ancillary ligands to study their influences on the chromophoric cyclometalated ligand. All complexes were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To confirm the presence of the N₃^? ligand directly connected to the platinum center, complex [Pt (bhq)(N₃)(PPh₃)] was further characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The photophysical properties of the new products were studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy in CH₂Cl₂ and photoluminescence spectroscopy in solid state (298 or 77 K) and in solution (77 K). Using density functional theory calculations, it was proved that, in addition to intraligand charge‐transfer (ILCT) and metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) transitions, the L′LCT (L′ = N₃, L = C^N) electronic transition has a remarkable contribution in low energy bands of the absorption spectra (for complexes [Pt (bhq)(N₃)(P)] and [Pt₂(bhq)₂(μ‐P^P)(N₃)₂]). It is indicative of the determining role of the N₃^? ligand in electronic transitions of these complexes, specifically in the low energy region. In this regard, the photoluminescence studies indicated that the emissions in such complexes originate from a mixed ³ILCT/³MLCT (intramolecular) and also from aggregations (intermolecular).     

The Zintl Phase Cs7NaSi8 – From NMR Signal Line Shape Analysis and Quantum Mechanical Calculations to Chemical Bonding

Powder samples as well as red and transparent single crystals of the Zintl phase Cs₇NaSi₈ were synthesized and characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Cs₇NaSi₈ was found to be isotypic to the recently reported phase Rb₇NaSi₈. It crystallizes in the Rb₇NaGe₈ structure type forming trigonal pyramidal Si₄^4– anions. Two unique environments of the cations are observed, a linear arrangement [Na(Si₄)₂]^7– with short Na–Si distances of 3.0 Å and a Cs2 atom coordinated by six Si₄^4– anions with long Cs–Si distances of 4.2 Å. The bonding situation was investigated by a combined application of ²⁹Si, ²³Na, and ¹³³Cs solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and quantum mechanical calculations of the NMR coupling parameters. In addition the electronic density of states (DOS), the electron localizability indicator (ELI) and the atomic charges using the QTAIM approach were studied. Good agreement of the calculated and experimental values of the NMR coupling parameters was obtained. An anisotropic bonding situation of the silicon atoms is indicated by the chemical shift anisotropy being similar to Rb₇NaSi₈. Confirmation is given by the observation of one lone‐pair‐like feature for each silicon atom and two types of two‐center Si–Si bonds using the ELI. Calculation and NMR spectroscopic determination of the ²³Na and ¹³³Cs electric field gradients prove anisotropies of the charge distribution around the cations. Due to the similar values for the Na atoms in M₇NaSi₈ (M = Rb, Cs) equal bonding situations can be concluded. The much larger anisotropy of the charge distribution of the Cs atoms can be addressed as the main difference to Rb₇NaSi₈.     

A highly efficient method for the hydroaminomethylation of long-chain alkenes under aqueous, biphasic conditions

The use of salts of secondary and primary amines with different inorganic and organic acids in hydroaminomethylation enables the quantitative conversion of 1-octene with high selectivity for saturated amines. We propose that a cationic rhodium species is formed under the acidic conditions which catalyses the hydrogenation of the enamine or imine formed subsequently. Thus the use of acids and amine salts enables the hydroaminomethylation of long-chain alkenes under aqueous, biphasic conditions with quantitative conversions and short reaction times.     

Density and speed of sound measurements of hexadecane

The density and speed of sound of hexadecane have been measured with two instruments. Both instruments use the vibrating-tube method for measuring density. Ambient pressure (83 kPa) density and speed of sound were measured with a commercial instrument from T = (290.65 to 343.15) K. Adiabatic compressibilities are derived from the density and speed of sound data at ambient pressure. Compressed liquid density was measured in a second instrument and ranged from T = (310 to 470) K with pressures from (1 to 50) MPa. The overall relative expanded uncertainty of the compressed liquid density measurements is 0.10–0.13% (k = 2). The overall relative expanded uncertainty (k = 2.3) of the speed of sound measurements is 0.2% and that of the ambient pressure density measurements is approximately 0.04% (k = 2.3). The ambient pressure and compressed liquid density measurements are correlated within 0.1% with a modified Tait equation.     

Determination of organic acids and ketones in contaminated soils

Hydrocarbons and metabolites from biodegradation in soil have been isolated and separated using Soxhlet extraction, with n-heptane and dichloromethane, combined with solid-phase extraction on silica gel and basic aluminum oxide using n-pentane, dichloromethane, methanol, and sulfuric acid – methanol as eluents. This procedure can be used for determination of metabolites both in laboratory-prepared soil samples containing mineral oils and in actual contaminated soil. After microbiological degradation, organic acids and ketones which were not original components of the diesel fuel and lubricating oil contaminating the soil samples were identified using capillary gas chromatography – mass spectrometry in batch-soil experiments. Predominantly alicyclic and branched-chain aliphatic organic acids and diacids, and aromatic ketones, were found to be formed after a few weeks degradation.