Multifunctional materials based on polyazomethines derived from 2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone and siloxane diamines

New polyazomethines have been synthesized by the reaction between 2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone and siloxane diamines differing by the siloxane sequence length. A dimer has also been prepared as a model compound. The products were characterized by spectral (FTIR and ¹H‐NMR) and elemental analyses, GPC, viscosity measurements, solubility tests, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The different properties have been investigated by adequate techniques: thermal (DSC and TGA), spectral (UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy), redox (Differential Pulse Voltammetry). pH‐sensitivity and metal complexing ability were also evaluated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1862–1872, 2008     

Wess-Zumino model in the causal approach

The Wess–Zumino model is analysed in the framework of the causal approach of Epstein–Glaser. The condition of invariance with respect to supersymmetry transformations is similar to gauge invariance in the Zürich formulation. We prove that this invariance condition can be implemented in all orders of perturbation theory, i.e. the anomalies are absent in all orders. This result is of a purely algebraic nature. We work consistently in the quantum framework based on the Bogoliubov axioms of perturbation theory, so no Grassmann variables are necessary. Received: 30 April 2001 / Revised version: 19 July 2001 / Published online: 31 August 2001     

Pressure versus Temperature Effects on Intramolecular Electron Transfer in Mixed‐Valence Complexes

Mixed‐valence trinuclear carboxylates, [M₃O(O₂CR)₆L₃] (M=metal, L=terminal ligand), have small differences in potential energy between the configurations M^IIM^IIIM^III?? M^IIIM^IIM^III??M^IIIM^IIIM^II, which means that small external changes can have large structural effects, owing to the differences in coordination geometry between M²⁺ and M³⁺ sites (e.g., about 0.2 Å for Fe? O bond lengths). It is well‐established that the electron transfer (ET) between the metal sites in these mixed‐valence molecules is strongly dependent on temperature and on the specific crystal environment; however, herein, for the first time, we examine the effect of pressure on the electron transfer. Based on single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data that were measured at 15, 90, 100, 110, 130, 160, and 298 K on three different crystals, we first unexpectedly found that our batch of Fe₃O (O₂CC(CH₃)₃)₆(C₅H₅N)₃ ( 1 ) exhibited a different temperature dependence of the ET process than previous studies of compound 1 have shown. We observed a phase transition at around 130 K that was related to complete valence trapping and Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that this phase transition was governed by a subtle competition between C? H???π and π???π intermolecular interactions. Subsequent high‐pressure single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction at pressures of 0.15, 0.35, 0.45, 0.74, and 0.96 GPa revealed that it was not possible to trigger the phase transition (i.e., valence trapping) by a reduction of the unit‐cell volume, owing to this external pressure. We conclude that modulation of the ET process requires anisotropic changes in the intermolecular interactions, which occur when various directional chemical bonds are affected differently by changes in temperature, but not by the application of pressure.     

Studies of a Large Odd‐Numbered Odd‐Electron Metal Ring: Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Muon Spin Relaxation Spectroscopy of Cr8Mn

The spin dynamics of Cr₈Mn, a nine‐membered antiferromagnetic (AF) molecular nanomagnet, are investigated. Cr₈Mn is a rare example of a large odd‐membered AF ring, and has an odd‐number of 3d‐electrons present. Odd‐membered AF rings are unusual and of interest due to the presence of competing exchange interactions that result in frustrated‐spin ground states. The chemical synthesis and structures of two Cr₈Mn variants that differ only in their crystal packing are reported. Evidence of spin frustration is investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and muon spin relaxation spectroscopy (μSR). From INS studies we accurately determine an appropriate microscopic spin Hamiltonian and we show that μSR is sensitive to the ground‐spin‐state crossing from S=1/2 to S=3/2 in Cr₈Mn. The estimated width of the muon asymmetry resonance is consistent with the presence of an avoided crossing. The investigation of the internal spin structure of the ground state, through the analysis of spin‐pair correlations and scalar‐spin chirality, shows a non‐collinear spin structure that fluctuates between non‐planar states of opposite chiralities.     

Isolated heterometallic Cr7Ni rings grafted on Au(111) surface

A study of the deposition of heterometallic antiferromagnetically coupled rings onto gold surfaces is reported. Two new {Cr7Ni} rings, [NH2nPr2][Cr7NiF8(3-tpc)16] (1) (where 3-tpc=3-thiophenecarboxylate) and [nBuNH2CH2CH2SH] [Cr7NiF8(O2CtBu)16] (2) have been made and structurally characterized. They have been deposited from the liquid phase on Au(111) and the adsorbed molecules compared by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). In both cases a two-dimensional distribution of individually accessible {Cr7Ni} heterometallic rings on the gold surface has been obtained, exploiting the direct grafting of sulfur-functionalized clusters. There is a competition between the chemisorption of the {Cr7Ni} clusters and a thiolic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formed by free ligands. In 2, the presence of a single sulfur ligand should force the molecule to graft with the ring axis normal to the surface. The cluster stability in the STM images and the S-2p energy positions demonstrate, for both functionalizations, the strength of the grafting with the gold surface.     

Heterometallic Rings: Their Physics and use as Supramolecular Building Blocks

An enormous family of heterometallic rings has been made. The first were Cr₇M rings where M=Ni^II, Zn^II, Mn^II, and rings have been made with as many as fourteen metal centers in the cyclic structure. They are bridged externally by carboxylates, and internally by fluorides or a penta‐deprotonated polyol. The size of the rings is controlled through templates which have included a range of ammonium or imidazolium ions, alkali metals and coordination compounds. The rings can be functionalized to act as ligands, and incorporated into hybrid organic–inorganic rotaxanes and into molecules containing up to 200 metal centers. Physical studies reported include: magnetic measurements, inelastic neutron scattering (including single crystal measurements), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (including measurements of phase memory times), NMR spectroscopy (both solution and solid state), and polarized neutron diffraction. The rings are hence ideal for understanding magnetism in elegant exchange‐coupled systems.     

Linking heterometallic rings for quantum information processing and amusement

Linking polymetallic cages can be a method for creating new structures and new properties. In this tutorial review we use heterometallic anti-ferromagnetically coupled rings (AF-rings) as exemplars for three approaches that can be used to link cage compounds. The first of three routes involves an ion-pair interaction supported by hydrogen-bonding interactions, which allows the synthesis of hybrid rotaxanes among other materials. The second route involves functionalising the exterior of the AF-ring so that it will act as a Lewis base; complexes involving coordination of pyridine to bridging monometallic and dimetallic fragments are discussed. The third route involves creating a vacancy on one site of the AF-ring, and then using the ring as a Lewis acid. Di-imine ligands can then be used to link the AF-rings into dimers. A brief discussion of the physical properties of these systems is also included.     

Rings with Lattices of Idempotents

The central idempotents of any ring with identity form a Boolean algebra. This result is largely extended for rings with generalized commuting idempotents.     

An EPR Study of Superoxide Radicals from Potassium Superoxide Solutions

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and the spin trapping technique were employed in order to monitor the superoxide radical liberated from potassium superoxide in aqueous alkaline solutions; DEPMPO (5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) was used as a trapping agent. Three reaction systems were prepared, varying the ratios between KO₂, superoxide and DEPMPO. The data indicate distinct mechanisms leading to DEPMPO/spin adducts with different kinetic rates.