The cation-deficient Ruddlesden-Popper oxysulfide Y2Ti2O5S2 as a layered sulfide: topotactic potassium intercalation to form KY2Ti2O5S2

Potassium intercalation into the cation-deficient n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper oxysulfide Y(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) to form KY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) has been carried out by reaction of the oxysulfide with potassium vapor in sealed metal tubes at 400 degrees C, potassium naphthalide in THF at 50 degrees C, or potassium in liquid ammonia at temperatures as low as -78 degrees C. Insertion of potassium is topotactic, and although a site 12-coordinate by oxide ions is vacant in the perovskite-type oxide slabs of the structure, potassium is too large to enter this site via the 4-coordinate window, and instead enters the rock-salt-type sulfide layers of the structure which necessitates a 30% increase in the lattice parameter c normal to the layers. In contrast with one of the sodium intercalates of Y(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) (beta-NaY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2)) in which sodium occupies a tetrahedral site in the sulfide layers, potassium favors an 8-coordinate site which necessitates a relative translation of adjacent oxide slabs. KY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) is tetragonal: P4/mmm, a = 3.71563(4) A, c = 14.8682(2) A (at 298 K), Z = 1. Although the resistivity (3.4(1) x 10(3) Omega cm) is larger than would be expected for a metal, temperature independent paramagnetism dominates the magnetic susceptibility, and the material is electronically very similar to the analogous sodium intercalate beta-NaY(2)Ti(2)O(5)S(2) which features reduced-titanium-containing oxide layers of very similar geometry and electron count.     

Molecular structures,bond energies,and bonding analysis of group 11 cyanides TM(CN) and isocyanides TM(NC) (TM = Cu,Ag, Au)

We report on quantum chemical calculations at the DFT (BP86/TZP) and ab initio (CCSD(T)/III+) levels of the title compounds. The geometries, vibrational spectra, heats of formation, and homolytic and heterolytic bond dissociation energies are given. The calculated bond length of Cu-CN is in reasonable agreement with experiment. The theoretical geometries for CuNC and the other group 11 cyanides and isocyanides which have not been measured as isolated species provide a good estimate for the exact values. The theoretical bond dissociation energies and heats of formation should be accurate with an error limit of +/-5 kcal/mol. The calculation of the vibrational spectra shows that the C-N stretching mode of the cyanides, which lies between 2170 and 2180 cm(-)(1), is IR inactive. The omega(1)(C-N) vibrations of the isocyanides are shifted by approximately 100 cm(-)(1) to lower wavenumbers. They are predicted to have a very large IR intensity. The nature of the metal-ligand interactions was investigated with the help of an energy partitioning analysis in two different ways using the charged fragments TM(+) + CN(-) (TM = transition metal) and the neutral fragments TM(*) + CN(*) as bonding partners. The calculations suggest that covalent interactions are the driving force for the formation of the TM-CN and TM-NC bonds, but the finally formed bonds are better described in terms of interactions between TM(+) and CN(-), which have between 73% and 80% electrostatic character. The contribution of the pi bonding is rather small. The lower energy of the metal cyanides than that of the isocyanides comes from the stronger electrostatic interaction between the more diffuse electron density at the carbon atom of the cyano ligand and the positively charged nucleus of the metal.     

Structural diversity and polytypism of lead phenylphosphonates: BING-6 and BING-9

We report the solvothermal synthesis and characterization of a series of layered lead phenylphosphonates. The crystals were suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction data, and the two new structures we denote BING-6 [SUNY at Binghamton, Structure No. 6, Pb(PO(3)C(6)H(5)).0.25C(5)H(5)N, triclinic space group Ponemacr;, Z = 2, a = 7.0770(4) A, b = 9.3113(6) A, c = 14.6785(9) A, alpha = 80.456(1) degrees, beta = 78.023(1) degrees, gamma = 73.265(1)(o)] and BING-9 [Pb(PO(3)HC(6)H(5))(PO(3)HC(6)H(4)CH(3)), monoclinic space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 32.663(8) A, b = 5.6220(13) A, c = 8.3307(19) A, beta = 101.419(4)(o)]. The third structure, a polytype of BING-9, was previously known only from powder X-ray diffraction methods and is denoted 3 [Pb(PO(3)HC(6)H(5))(2), monoclinic space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 31.681(6) A, b = 5.5639(11) A, c = 8.2515(16) A, beta = 101.814(4)(o)]. All three structures possess Pb(II) and P centers connected by doubly and triply bridging oxygens. The phenyl groups cap and separate the charge-neutral layers. The phosphonates of BING-6 are nonprotonated, and the structure therefore has a Pb/P ratio of 1:1. Neutral, partially disordered pyridine solvent molecules also reside in the interlamellar space, increasing the layer to layer distance. BING-9 and 3 are polytypes and contain singly protonated phosphonates, for a Pb/P ratio of 1:2. Further characterization methods are discussed, including powder X-ray diffraction, in-situ variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Related work in the Ge, Sn, and Mn systems is also discussed. These low-dimensional materials may be useful intercalation compounds for ion-exchange or sensor applications.     

Asymmetric synthesis of oxygen heterocycles via Pd-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations: application to nucleosides

Racemic butadiene and isoprene monoepoxide react with unsaturated alcohols in the presence of a chiral palladium catalyst and a boron co-catalyst to give 3-alkoxy-4-hydroxy-1-butene and 3-alkoxy-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-butene, respectively, with excellent regio- and enantioselectivity in a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation whereby both enantiomers of the starting epoxides provide the same enantiomeric product. In the case of 2-phenylbutadiene monoepoxide, easily available from phenacyl chloride and vinylmagnesium bromide, the reaction proceeds by kinetic resolution. A model to rationalize the result is presented. The bis-olefin products are ideal substrates for the Ru catalyzed ring closing metathesis. In this way, five-, six-, and seven-membered oxygen heterocycles are readily available enantiomerically pure. The value of this very simple two step process is demonstrated by the use of the five-membered ring heterocycles to form unnatural and unusual nucleosides that cannot be easily accessed by other means. The sequence involves a Ru catalyzed isomerization of the initial 2,5-dihydrofuran to a 2,3-dihydrofuran followed by a selenium promoted addition of a pyrimidine or purine base. One advantage of this strategy is the easy access to either enantiomeric series, both of which have important biological applications.     

The Sensitivity of Tracer Concentration to Nonuniform Permeability and Porosity

Concentration of tracer at a producing well is a function of time and of the flow field that transports the tracer from one well to another. Small localized changes in the permeability and porosity fields result in small changes in the observed concentration history. Calculation of the effect of changes in the petrophysical parameter fields on observed concentration is an integral part of most approaches to solving the inverse problem, i.e. calculation of permeability and porosity fields that are consistent with observed tracer concentrations. This paper does not address the inverse problem directly, only the forward problem, but the results are presented as semi-analytic formulas which are intended to provide physical insight into the limitations of the inverse procedure. In particular, for a simple example of dipole flow between two wells in a nearly homogeneous infinite 2D porous medium, the width of the region of significant influence is shown to scale as d where is the dispersivity and d is half the interwell distance. Also, for fixed injection and production rates the influence on concentration of variation in porosity and in log-permeability are shown to be similar in magnitude.     

Calibration system and analytical considerations for quantitative sesquiterpene measurements in air

Sesquiterpenes (C15H24, SQT) are semi-volatile organic compounds emitted from vegetation and are of interest for air quality considerations because of their suspected contribution to the formation of secondary aerosol. This article investigates the application of a capillary diffusion method for the generation of standard atmospheres of 16 SQT and four other related semi-volatile compounds. This instrument subsequently has been used in the testing of analytical materials, protocols and calibration of air sampling methods. SQT DB-1 retention indices, vapor pressures at 25 and 75 degrees C, and diffusion coefficients were determined. A quantitative, on-line GC method yielded improved results (median relative standard deviation of 5.0-6.1%) for the diffusion rate determination in comparison to a gravimetric approach (median relative standard deviation 18%). The GC method also allowed identifying errors in the gravimetric method stemming from residual solvent evaporation, impurities, and chemical analyte losses. Stainless steel, glass, nickel and PTFE tubing that were tested for transfer lines and a sampling loop had to be kept at temperatures in excess of approximately 110 degrees C in order to prevent significant analytical errors from the stickiness of SQT to these materials. In addition to SQT analysis, results from this research provide general guidelines for gas-phase analysis of related compounds in the C14-C16 volatility range.     

Suzuki coupling approach for the synthesis of phenylene-pyrimidine alternating oligomers for blue light-emitting material

[reaction: see text] Conjugated oligomers with an alternating phenylene-pyrimidine structure have been synthesized by the successive Suzuki coupling reaction starting from 2-bromo-5-iodopyrimidine. The photoluminescence properties and quasi-reversible redox behavior of these oligomers make them applicable as an active material for a light-emitting device. Blue light-emitting electroluminescent devices with an external quantum efficiency up to 1.8% have been fabricated.     

Tris(tert-butoxy)siloxy derivatives of boron,including the boronous acid HOB[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](2) and the metal (siloxy)boryloxide complex Cp(2)Zr(Me)OB[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](2): a remarkable crystal structure with 18 independent molecules in its asymmetric unit

Silanolysis of B(O(t)Bu)(3) with 2 and 3 equiv of HOSi(O(t)Bu)(3) led to the formation of (t)BuOB[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](2) (1) and B[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](3) (2), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are efficient single-source molecular precursors to B/Si/O materials via thermolytic routes in nonpolar media, as demonstrated by the generation of BO(1.5).2SiO(2) (BOSi2(xg)) and BO(1.5).3SiO(2) (BOSi3(xg)) xerogels, respectively. Use of a block copolymer template provided B/Si/O materials (BOSi2(epe) and BOSi3(epe)) with a broad distribution of mesopores (by N(2) porosimetry) and smaller, more uniform particle sizes (by TEM) as compared to the nontemplated materials. Hydrolyses of 1 and 2 with excess H(2)O resulted in formation of the expected amounts of (t)BuOH and HOSi(O(t)Bu)(3); however, reaction of 1 with 1 equiv of H(2)O led to isolation of the new boronous acid HOB[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](2) (3). This ligand precursor is well suited for the synthesis of new metal (siloxy)boryloxide complexes via proton-transfer reactions involving the BOH group. The reaction of 3 with Cp(2)ZrMe(2) resulted in formation of Cp(2)Zr(Me)OB[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](2) (4) in high yield. This rare example of a transition metal boryloxide complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group Ponemacr; and exhibits a crystal structure with an unprecedented number of independent molecules in its asymmetric unit (i.e., Z' = 18 and Z = 36). This unusual crystal structure presented an opportunity to perform statistical analyses of the metric parameters for the 18 crystallographically independent molecules. Complex 4 readily converts to Cp(2)Zr[OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)](2) (5) upon thermolysis or upon dissolution in Et(2)O at room temperature.     

Isochores merit the prefix 'iso'

The isochore concept in the human genome sequence was challenged in an analysis by the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium (IHGSC). We argue here that a statement in the IHGSC's analysis concerning the existence of isochores is misleading, because the homogeneity was not examined at a large enough length scale and consequently an inappropriate statistical test was applied. A test of the existence of isochores should be equivalent to a test of homogeneity or equality of windowed GC%. The statistical test applied in the IHGSC's analysis, the binomial test, is a test of whether individual bases are independent and identically-distributed (iid). For testing the existence of isochores, or homogeneity in windowed GC%, we propose to use another statistical test: the analysis of variance (ANOVA). It can be shown that DNA sequences that are rejected by the binomial test may not be rejected by the ANOVA test.