Unraveling the Crystal Structure of Lanthanide–Murexide Complexes: Use of an Ancient Complexometry Indicator as a Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Single‐Ion Magnet

Herein, we provide some structural evidence of the complexation color‐change of murexide solutions in presence of lanthanide, which has been used for decades in complexometric studies. For Ln=Sm to Lu and Y, the compounds crystallize as monomeric [Ln(Murex)₃] ? 11 H₂O with an N3O6 tricapped square‐antiprism environment, which are stable up to 250 °C. Single‐ion magnet (SIM) behavior is then observed on the Yb^III derivative in an original nine‐coordinated environment. In‐field slow relaxation (Δ=(15.6±1) K; τ₀=2.73×10^?6 s) is observed with a very narrow distribution of the relaxation time (α_max=0.09). Magnetic and photophysical properties can be correlated. On one hand the analysis of NIR emission spectrum permits to have access to crystal field parameters and to compare them with those extracted from dc measurements. On the other hand, magnetic measurements permit to identify the nature of the M _J states involved in the ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 luminescence spectrum. The gap between the low‐lying states is in agreement with the energy barrier obtained from magnetic slow‐relaxation measurement.     

Mesoporous‐Silica‐Functionalized Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

The ever‐growing interest for finding efficient and reliable methods for treatment of diseases has set a precedent for the design and synthesis of new functional hybrid materials, namely porous nanoparticles, for controlled drug delivery. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) represent one of the most promising nanocarriers for drug delivery as they possess interesting chemical and physical properties, thermal and mechanical stabilities, and are biocompatibile. In particular, their easily functionalizable surface allows a large number of property modifications further improving their efficiency in this field. This Concept article deals with the advances on the novel methods of functionalizing MSNPs, inside or outside the pores, as well as within the walls, to produce efficient and smart drug carriers for therapy.     

Experimental analysis of floc size distributions in a 1-L jar under different hydrodynamics and physicochemical conditions

This study focuses on the relation among hydrodynamics, physicochemical conditions, and floc size. During ortho-kinetic flocculation, the floc size is controlled by a balance between hydrodynamic stress and aggregate strength. Special attention was paid to the influence of a hydrodynamic sequencing on both the aggregate strength and the flocculation processes. Experimental research was conducted in a 1-L jar for two different pH values. The hydrodynamic sequencing was made up of successive slow and rapid mixing periods, and different slow mixing intensities were studied. First, the large floc size was shown to decrease with increasing velocity gradient (G), with an expected trend (d proportional variant epsilon(-1/4)). Then, the aggregate strength was shown to depend on two main factors: the flocculation history and the physicochemical conditions, which control the cohesion forces between primary particles. Finally, flocculation processes are discussed in terms of aggregation and breakup phenomena, with relation to local hydrodynamics and physicochemical conditions.     

Two new terpyridine dimanganese complexes: a manganese(III,III) complex with a single unsupported oxo bridge and a manganese(III,IV) complex with a dioxo bridge. Synthesis, structure, and redox properties

Two new terpyridine dimanganese oxo complexes [Mn(2)(III,IV)(mu-O)(2)(terpy)(2)(CF(3)CO(2))(2)](+) (3) and [Mn(2)(III,III)(mu-O)(terpy)(2)(CF(3)CO(2))(4)] (4) (terpy = 2,2':6,2' '-terpyridine) have been synthesized and their X-ray structures determined. In contrast to the corresponding mixed-valent aqua complex [Mn(2)(III,IV)(mu-O)(2)(terpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](3+) (1), the two Mn atoms in 3 are not crystallographically equivalent. The neutral binuclear monooxo manganese(III,III) complex 4 exhibits two crystallographic forms having cis and trans configurations. In the cis complex, the two CF(3)CO(2)(-) ligands on each manganese adopt a cis geometry to each other; one CF(3)CO(2)(-) is trans to the oxygen of the oxo bridge while the second is cis. In the trans complex, the two coordinated CF(3)CO(2)(-) have a trans geometry to each other and are cis to the oxo bridge. The electrochemical behavior of 3 in organic medium (CH(3)CN) shows that this complex could be oxidized into its corresponding stable manganese(IV,IV) species while its reduced form manganese(III,III) is very unstable and leads by a disproportionation process to Mn(II) and Mn(IV) complexes. Complex 4 is only stable in the solid state, and it disproportionates spontaneously in CH(3)CN solution into the mixed-valent complex 3 and the mononuclear complex [Mn(II)(terpy)(2)](2+) (2), thereby preventing the observation of its electrochemical behavior.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of the sulfite-based polyoxometalate cluster redox series: alpha- and beta-[Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)](4-/5-/6-)

The synthesis, isolation and structural characterization of the sulfite polyoxomolybdate clusters alpha-(D(3h))(C(20)H(44)N)(4){alpha-[Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)]}CH(3)CN and beta-(D(3d))(C(20)H(44)N)(4){beta-[Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)]}CH(3)CN is presented. Voltammetric studies in acetonitrile (0.1 M Hx(4)NClO(4), Hx(4)N=tetra-n-hexylammonium) reveal the presence of an extensive series of six one-electron reduction processes for both isomers. Under conditions of bulk electrolysis, the initial [Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)](4-/5-) and [Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)](5-/6-) processes produce stable [Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)](5-) and [Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)](6-) species, respectively, and the same reduced species may be produced by photochemical reduction. Spectroelectrochemical data imply that retention of structural form results upon reduction, so that both alpha and beta isomers are available at each of the 4-, 5-, and 6-redox levels. However, the alpha isomer is the thermodynamically favored species in both the one- and two-electron-reduced states, with beta-->alpha isomerization being detected in both cases on long time scales (days). EPR spectra also imply that increasing localization of the unpaired electron occurs over the alpha- and beta-[Mo(18)O(54)(SO(3))(2)](5-) frameworks as the temperature approaches 2 K where the EPR spectra show orthorhombic symmetry with different g and hyperfine values for the alpha and beta isomers. Theoretical studies support the observation that it is easier to reduce the alpha cluster than the beta form and also provide insight into the driving force for beta-->alpha isomerization in the reduced state. Data are compared with that obtained for the well studied alpha-[Mo(18)O(54)(SO(4))(2))](4-) sulfate cluster.     

Application of heat conduction calorimetry to high explosives

This paper describes some thermal analysis experiments conducted on high explosive samples. These employ differential scanning calorimetry to monitor thermal effects at elevated temperatures (around 200 °C) and heat conduction calorimetry to record thermal effects at much lower temperatures (below 100 °C).The work shows that, due to the generally high thermal stability of many high explosive compositions, heat generation rates are very low, if detectable at all, at normal storage temperatures, even when using a very sensitive instrument. The sensitivity and reproducibility of this technique has been investigated in detail by Wilker et al. [S. Wilker, U. Ticmanis, G. Pantel, Detailed investigation of sensitivity and reproducibility of heat flow calorimetry, in: Proceedings of the 11th Symposium on Chemical Problems Connected with the Stability of Explosives, Sweden, 1998] and shown to be capable of recording heat generation rates of less than a microwatt. This allows continuous measurement of decomposition processes in nitrate ester based propellants at temperatures as low as 40 °C. However, the measurement of very low levels of heat generation is difficult, time consuming and therefore expensive. If the assumption is made that the life limiting process is invariably the slow decomposition of the energetic component, this will frequently lead to very long service lifetime predictions.A number of possible complications are identified. Firstly, due to its low detection threshold, a heat conduction calorimeter may detect other reactions which will not lead to failure, but which may still dominate the heat flow signal. Secondly, the true failure process may generate little energy and be overlooked. In view of these considerations, at present it seems unwise to rely on heat conduction microcalorimetry as the only tool for the assessment of the life of high explosive energetic systems.Based on examples of life terminating processes in high explosives during storage and use, it is clear that decomposition of the energetic material is not invariably the cause of system failure. It is also by no means the only reaction that may take place in, and be observed by, a heat conduction calorimeter.     

What a difference ancillary thienyl makes: unexpected additional stabilization of the diruthenium(III,II) but not the diosmium(III,II) mixed-valent state in tetrazine ligand-bridged complexes

The Ru(2)(III,II) mixed-valent state is strongly stabilized in [(bpy)(2)Ru(mu-bttz)Ru(bpy)(2)](5+) (3(5+), bttz = 3,6-bis(2-thienyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, as evident from lowered oxidation potentials and isolability, a strongly increased comproportionation constant K(c) = 10(16.6), and a high-energy intervalence charge transfer band at 10100 cm(-1). Curiously, no such effects were observed for the diosmium(III,II) analogue, whereas the related systems [(bpy)(2)M(mu-bmptz)M(bpy)(2)](5+), bmptz = 3,6-bis(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, exhibit conventional behavior, i.e., a slightly higher K(c) value of the Os(2)(III,II) analogue. EPR signals were observed at 4 K for 3(5+) but not for the other mixed-valent species, and high-frequency (285 GHz) EPR was employed to study the diruthenium(II) radical complexes 2(3+) and 3(3+).