Microemulsions: Options To Expand the Synthesis of Inorganic Nanoparticles

Microemulsions (MEs) are ideal for obtaining high‐quality inorganic nanoparticles. As thermodynamically stable systems with a nanometer‐sized droplet phase that serves as a nanoreactor, MEs have obvious advantages for the synthesis of nanoparticles. MEs also have disadvantages, such as their complexity as multicomponent systems, the low amount of obtainable nanoparticles, their limited thermal stability, the fact that hydrolyzable or oxidizable compounds are often excluded from synthesis, the partly elaborate separation of nanoparticles, as well as the removal of surface‐adhered surfactants subsequent to synthesis. This Review presents some strategies to further expand the options of ME‐based synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles. This comprises the crystallization of nanoparticles in “high‐temperature MEs”, the synthesis of hollow nanospheres, the use of hydrogen peroxide or liquid ammonia as the polar droplet phase, and the synthesis of base metals and nitrides in MEs.     

Stereoelectronic effects in cyclic sulfoxides, sulfones, and sulfilimines: application of the Perlin effect to conformational analysis

The 1JC--H coupling constants in conformationally constrained sulfoxides, bissulfoxides, sulfoxide-sulfones, and sulfilimines derived from 2-benzylidene-1,3-dithiane and 2-(2,2-dimethylpropylidene)-1,3-dithiolane were measured by means of HMQC and HSQC NMR experiments and the Perlin effects were calculated. The type and the relative configuration of S==X groups (X= O, NTos) in these compounds have a strong influence on the magnitude of coupling constants for axial and equatorial C--H bonds, respectively. Axial S==O bonds give rise to a stereoelectronic effect on antiperiplanar axial C--H bonds. The resultant weakening of the respective C--H bonds leads to a smaller coupling constant than for a respective equatorial C--H bond. Equatorial S==O groups have an influence on beta-C--H bonds through a homoanomeric effect. Here, the axial C--H bond is weakened and a smaller coupling constant is measured. Sulfilimine groups show similar effects to sulfoxide groups.     

Pyridine-based Liquid-Phase Synthesis of Crystalline TiN and ZnSiN2 Nanoparticles

TiN and ZnSiN₂ nanoparticles are obtained via a novel pyridine-based synthesis route. This one-pot liquid-phase route strictly avoids all oxygen sources (including starting materials, surface functionalization, solvents), which is highly relevant in regard of the material purity and material properties. Colloidally stable suspensions of crystalline, small-sized TiN (5.4±0.4 nm) and ZnSiN₂ (5.2±1.1 nm) are instantaneously available from the liquid phase. Elemental analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy confirm the purity of the compounds and specifically the absence of oxygen. The as-prepared ZnSiN₂ show yellowish emission (500-700 nm) already at room temperature with its maximum at 570 nm.     

[P3Se4]+: A Binary Phosphorus–Selenium Cation

Although a fairly large number of binary group 15/16 element cations have been reported, no example involving phosphorus in combination with a group 16 element has been synthesized and characterized to date. In this contribution is reported the synthesis and structural characterization of the first example of such a cation, namely a nortricyclane‐type [P₃Se₄]⁺. This cation has been independently discovered by three groups through three different synthetic routes, as described herein. The molecular and electronic structure of the [P₃Se₄]⁺ cage and its crystal properties in the solid state have been characterized comprehensively by using X‐ray diffraction, Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, as well as quantum chemical calculations.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering with silver nanostructures generated in situ in a sporopollenin biopolymer matrix

Silver nanoparticles were generated based on citrate reduction in the ultrastructure of the sporopollenin biopolymer of Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) and Secale cereale (rye). The nanoparticles enable the acquisition of SERS spectra and thereby a vibrational characterization of the local molecular structure of sporopollenin.     

Synthesis, characterization and examination of Gd[DO3A-hexylamine]-functionalized silica nanoparticles as contrast agent for MRI-applications

Spherical, nonporous and monodisperse silica nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of about 100 nm were synthesized and covalently functionalized with lanthanoid(III) (Ln=Gd or Y) chelate complexes, which serve as contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The materials were fully characterized after each synthetic step by different analytical methods, such as dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, DRIFT and NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis, as well as zetapotential measurements. High surface concentrations of Gd(III) complexes (up to 50 μmol g(-1)) were determined by ICP-AES and T(1)-measurements, respectively. MRI experiments show the typical concentration-dependent increase of the longitudinal relaxation rate. T(1)-weighted images of samples with more than 25 μg NPs per 100 μL agar display a clear contrast enhancement in the agar layer. The transverse relaxivities r(2) of the materials are significantly higher than r(2) of the corresponding free Gd(III) complexes in water and medium, whereas the longitudinal relaxivities r(1) are slightly increased. Due to the high loading of Gd(III) complexes, the relaxivities per particle are remarkably high (up to 2.78×10(5) mM(-1) s(-1) for r(1)). Thus, new hybrid materials, based on nonporous silica NPs with high local relaxivity values were synthesized, which can serve as very effective CAs for MRI.     

(2)(∞)[Co{1,4-C6H4(CN)2}2{NTf2}2][SnI{Co(CO)4}3](2)--a 2D coordination network with an intercalated carbonyl cluster

Dark red transparent crystals of [Co{1,4-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2)}(2){NTf(2)}(2)][SnI{Co(CO)(4)}(3)](2) are obtained by reacting SnI(4), Co(2)(CO)(8) and 1,4-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2) in the ionic liquid [EMIm][NTf(2)] (EMIm: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium; NTf(2): bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide). According to X-ray structure analysis based on single crystals, the title compound crystallizes in a triclinic manner and contains the novel (2)(∞)[Co{1,4-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2)}(2){NTf(2)}(2)] coordination network. This infinite 2D network is composed of Co(2+) ions that are planarily interlinked by four 1,4-dicyanobenzene ligands. As a non-charged 2D network, Co(2+) is furthermore coordinated by two [NTf(2)](-) anions. The (2)(∞)[Co{1,4-C(6)H(4)(CN)(2)}(2){NTf(2)}(2)] layers are stacked on top of each other with SnI[Co(CO)(4)](3) molecules intercalated in distorted cubic gaps between the layers. The title compound is furthermore characterized by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, thermogravimetry (TG), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and optical spectroscopy (UV-Vis).