Magnetic structure of MnO at 10 K from total neutron scattering data

Total neutron scattering data from a powdered sample of MnO collected at 10 K have been analyzed using the reverse Monte Carlo method to refine the nuclear and magnetic structure. The results give the first unambiguous assignment of the average magnetic structure. The magnetic moments are aligned ferromagnetically within (111) sheets with the magnetization vectors of alternate sheets along axes parallel and antiparallel to the <112> directions, albeit with a small modulated out-of-plane component. Small displacements of Mn and O (modulated with the same periodicity) accompany the magnetic ordering and both atomic and magnetic structures may be described in the monoclinic space group C2.     

Control of Metal–Organic Framework Crystallization by Metastable Intermediate Pre‐equilibrium Species

There is an increasing amount of interest in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for a variety of applications, from gas sensing and separations to electronics and catalysis. However, the mechanisms by which they crystallize remain poorly understood. Herein, an important new insight into MOF formation is reported. It is shown that, prior to network assembly, crystallization intermediates in the canonical ZIF‐8 system exist in a dynamic pre‐equilibrium, which depends on the reactant concentrations and the progress of reaction. Concentration can, therefore, be used as a synthetic handle to directly control particle size, with potential implications for industrial scale‐up and gas sorption applications. These findings enable the rationalization of apparent contradictions between previous studies of ZIF‐8 and opens up new opportunities for the control of crystallization in network solids more generally.     

Light Lanthanide Metallocenium Cations Exhibiting Weak Equatorial Anion Interactions

As the dysprosocenium complex [Dy(Cp^ttt)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp^ttt=C₅H₂tBu₃-1,2,4, 1-Dy ) exhibits magnetic hysteresis at 60 K, similar lanthanide (Ln) complexes have been targeted to provide insights into this remarkable property. We recently reported homologous [Ln(Cp^ttt)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1-Ln ) for all the heavier Ln from Gd–Lu; herein, we extend this motif to the early Ln. We find, for the largest Ln^III cations, that contact ion pairs [Ln(Cp^ttt)₂{(C₆F₅-κ¹-F)B(C₆F₅)₃}] ( 1-Ln ; La–Nd) are isolated from reactions of parent [Ln(Cp^ttt)₂(Cl)] ( 2-Ln ) with [H(SiEt₃)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄], where the anion binds weakly to the equatorial sites of [Ln(Cp^ttt)₂]⁺ through a single fluorine atom in the solid state. For smaller Sm^III, [Sm(Cp^ttt)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1-Sm ) is isolated, which like heavier 1-Ln does not exhibit equatorial anion interactions, but the Eu^III analogue 1-Eu could not be synthesised due to the facile reduction of Eu^III precursors to Eu^II products. Thus with the exception of Eu and radioactive Pm this work constitutes a structurally similar family of Ln metallocenium complexes, over 50 years after the [M(Cp)₂]⁺ series was isolated for the 3d metals.     

A simple method for extracting both active oily and water soluble extract (WSE) from Nigella sativa (L.) seeds using a single solvent system

The current study provides a way of extraction for both active NSO and WSE from Nigella sativa seeds using 98% methanol. About 1?kg of ground seeds was macerated by 1:2.5 w/v (g/mL) for 72?hours. After rotary evaporation and 7 days of continuous drying and chilling at 50 and 4?°C, NSO and WSE were obtained at the same instant. Solubility tests of 24 solvents and 11 thin layer chromatographic analyses while 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay of NSO (73.66) , WSE (33.32) and NSO?+?WSE (78.22) against ascorbic acid (IC50?=?4.28?mg/mL) was performed. WSE was found to be highly soluble in water and 5% NaOH exhibiting the same Rf value of 0.95 for EtOH:DMSO (9:1) against the honey. WSE has revealed more than twofold higher anti-oxidant activity than others. Formulation of WSE with Tualang honey may provide better targeted hydrophilic drug delivery systems.     

Crystal structure of (4α,4aα,8aα)-(±)-octahydro-2-(phenylmethyl)-2H-1,2-benzoxazin-4-ol, 4-methylbenzenesulfonate(ester)

The title compound, a bicyclic tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine, crystallizes in a monoclinic lattice, space group P2₁/c, with a = 12.9809(18)Å, b = 12.920(2)Å, c = 13.631(2)Å, = 110.713(12)°, and Z = 4. The structure found in the solid state for this conformationally mobile molecule shows the tosyl group in an axial position and a benzyl group in an equatorial position of the bicyclic system.     

Viscoelastic and shear viscosity studies of colloidal silica particles dispersed in monoethylene glycol (MEG), diethylene glycol (DEG), and dodecane stabilized by dodecyl hexaethylene glycol monoether (C12E6)

Silica dispersions stabilized by a nonionic surfactant, dodecyl hexaethylene glycol monoether (C 12E 6), were studied using rheological measurements. The viscosity-shear rate flow behavior of silica in monoethylene glycol (MEG) is shear thinning at low shear rates, leading to a Newtonian plateau at high shear rates for all dispersions studied. All rheological properties showed an increase above a critical surfactant concentration. The dispersions were stable at low levels of C 12E 6 concentrations because of electrostatic repulsions as deduced from the zeta potentials of silica that were on the order of about -30 to -65 mV in monoethylene glycol (MEG). Instability on further addition of C 12E 6 to the silica particles, a phenomenon normally obtained with high-molecular-weight polymers, was observed in MEG. Viscoelatic measurements of silica in monoethylene glycol at various surfactant concentrations showed a predominantly viscous response at low frequency and a predominantly elastic response at high frequencies, indicative of weak flocculation. Instability is explained in terms of hydrophobic and bridging interactions. Restabilization observed at high surfactant concentration was due to the steric repulsion of ethoxy groups of micellar aggregates adsorbed on silica particles. The study also revealed that the presence of trace water introduced charge repulsion that moderated rheological measurements in glycol media and introduced the charge reversal of silica particles in dodecane.     

Unusual spin transition behavior in 2,6-bis((pyrazol-3-yl)-pyridine) iron(II)-bis-oxalato-platinate(II)

[Fe(bpp)2][Pt(ox)2].H2O (with bpp=2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)-pyridine and ox=oxalate) was prepared, and its spin crossover behavior was characterized. The two-step spin transition behavior changes over several cycles. The original behavior is restored when the sample is allowed to relax for a week. Furthermore, the ST exhibits a strong dependence on the heating and cooling rate. Heating the compound at 1 K/min leads to a spin transition with a third step and a second plateau at gammaHS approximately 0.8. Quenching the sample to 77 K also affects the spin transition behavior. The kinetic relaxation is followed after quenching and after light-induced excited spin state trapping experiments.     

Complexation and redox chemistry of neptunium,plutonium and americium with a hydroxylaminato ligand

There is significant interest in ligands that can stabilize actinide ions in oxidation states that can be exploited to chemically differentiate 5f and 4f elements. Applications range from developing large-scale actinide separation strategies for nuclear industry processing to carrying out analytical studies that support environmental monitoring and remediation efforts. Here, we report syntheses and characterization of Np(iv), Pu(iv) and Am(iii) complexes with N-tert-butyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)hydroxylaminato, [2-(^tBuNO)py]⁻(interchangeable hereafter with [(^tBuNO)py]⁻), a ligand which was previously found to impart remarkable stability to cerium in the +4 oxidation state. An[(^tBuNO)py]₄ (An = Pu, 1; Np, 2) have been synthesized, characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption, ¹H NMR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry, along with computational modeling and analysis. In the case of Pu, oxidation of Pu(iii) to Pu(iv) was observed upon complexation with the [(^tBuNO)py]⁻ ligand. The Pu complex 1 and Np complex 2 were also isolated directly from Pu(iv) and Np(iv) precursors. Electrochemical measurements indicate that a Pu(iii) species can be accessed upon one-electron reduction of 1 with a large negative reduction potential (E_1/2 = −2.26 V vs. Fc^+/0). Applying oxidation potentials to 1 and 2 resulted in ligand-centered electron transfer reactions, which is different from the previously reported redox chemistry of U^IV[(^tBuNO)py]₄ that revealed a stable U(v) product. Treatment of an anhydrous Am(iii) precursor with the [(^tBuNO)py]⁻ ligand did not result in oxidation to Am(iv). Instead, the dimeric complex [Am^III(μ₂-(^tBuNO)py)((^tBuNO)py)₂]₂ (3) was isolated. Complex 3 is a rare example of a structurally characterized non-aqueous Am-containing molecular complex prepared using inert atmosphere techniques. Predicted redox potentials from density functional theory calculations show a trivalent accessibility trend of U(iii) < Np(iii) < Pu(iii) and that the higher oxidation states of actinides (i.e., +5 for Np and Pu and +4 for Am) are not stabilized by [2-(^tBuNO)py]⁻, in good agreement with experimental observations.

The coordination modes and electronic properties of a strongly coordinating hydroxylaminato ligand with Np, Pu and Am were investigated.Complexes were characterized by a range of experimental and computational techniques.     

… zur Forschung in der Didaktik: 7 Thesen …

Goals and contents of chemical education research are presented as a list of seven statements in order to be discussed.