Amorphous and nanocrystalline luminescent Si and Ge obtained via a solid-state chemical metathesis synthesis route

A new solid-state metathesis synthesis route was applied to obtain bulk samples of amorphous or microcrystalline Si and Ge. The method involves reaction of Zintl phases such as NaSi or NaGe, with ammonium or metal (e.g., CuCl, CoBr₂) halides. The driving force for the solid-state reaction is provided by the formation of alkali halides and the transition metals or metal silicides, or gaseous ammonia and hydrogen. The semiconductors were purified by washing to remove other solid products. The amorphous semiconductors were obtained in bulk form from reactions carried out at 200-300 °C. Syntheses at higher temperatures gave rise to microcrystalline semiconductors, or to micro-/nanocrystalline particles contained within the amorphous material. Similar crystalline/amorphous composites were obtained after heat treatment of bulk amorphous materials.     

Aqua(phthalocyaninato‐κ4N)magnesium(II) 3‐chloropyridine disolvate

The structure of the title compound, [Mg(C₃₂H₁₆N₈)(H₂O)]·2C₅H₄ClN, comprises MgPcH₂O [Pc is phthalocyaninate(2−)] and 3‐chloropyridine solvent molecules interacting via O—H...N hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions. The central Mg atom is (4+1)‐coordinated by four equatorial isoindole N atoms of the macrocycle and by the O atom of an axial water molecule. The MgPcH₂O molecule is not planar, the Mg atom being displaced by 0.496 (2) Å from the isoindole N₄ plane towards the water O atom. MgPcH₂O molecules related by a twofold screw axis interact via O—H...N_azamethine hydrogen bonds, forming a polymeric chain along the b axis, while those related by inversion centres form π–π interacting dimers.     

Practical and quality-control aspects of multi-element analysis with quadrupole ICP–MS with special attention to urine and whole blood

Two screening methods were developed for rapid analysis of a great number of urine and blood samples within the framework of an exposure check of the population after a firework explosion. A total of 56 elements was measured including major elements. Sample preparation consisted of simple dilution. Extensive quality controls were applied including element addition and the use of certified reference materials. Relevant results at levels similar to those found in the literature were obtained for Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, and Pb in urine and for the same elements except Ni, Sn, Sb, and Ba in blood. However, quadrupole ICP–MS has limitations, mainly related to spectral interferences, for the analysis of urine and blood, and these cause higher detection limits. The general aspects discussed in the paper give it wider applicability than just for analysis of blood and urine—it can for example be used in environmental analysis.     

Spectral and non-spectral interferences in inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of environmental and biological samples is often hampered by spectral and non-spectral interferences. Spectral interferences, caused by the limited resolution of the quadrupole mass spectrometer, can be eliminated in a variety of ways. For their identification inspection of a signal versus carrier gas flowrate is useful. Anion exchange allows the removal of most S and Cl containing compounds, which are at the origin of the majority of spectral interferences. Matrix modification, for example the addition of ethanol and subsequent optimization of the gas flow rates in a number of cases enables the reduction of the interferences to insignificant values. Often a mathematical correction based on isotopic signal ratios can be applied. Non-spectral interferences can be divided in reversible, that is occurring while the sample is being measured, and irreversible matrix effects, that is clogging of the nebulizer and sampling orifices or deposition on the torch or in the ion lens stack. The errors associated with non-spectral interferences can be eliminated by appropriate calibration procedures, adapted sample preparation or limitation of the amount of sample delivered to nebulizer, plasma and sampling devices, for example by the application of flow injection. Applications of all the elimination procedures are described for the analysis of sea-water, estuarine water, soil and sewage extracts, percolate water, urine, serum and wine.     

Amperometry with two polarizable electrodes. XVI

Summary Conditions for the magnesium determination in alkaline solution by EDTA titration with biamperometric indication were examined. The most preferable pH range was found to be above 9.6. A reliable determination can be carried out in the presence of Ca, Ni, Cu and Co up to the ratio of 11. In the case of higher concentrations of Cu and Ni masking with potassium cyanide can be used. In this case, however, a change of the titration curves occurs.A new method for the determination of water-hardness by biamperometric indication is proposed. It is rapid and accurate and meets the requirements of routine and research work (error: ±1%).

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Zusammenfassung Die Bedingungen für die Magnesiumbestimmung in alkalischer Lösung durch Titration mit ÄDTA bei biamperometrischer Endpunktsanzeige wurden untersucht. Der günstigste pH-Bereich liegt über 9,6. Zuverlässige Bestimmungen können in Gegenwart von Ca, Ni, Cu und Co bis zum Verhältnis 11 ausgeführt werden. Höhere Konzentrationen an Cu oder Ni können mit KCN maskiert werden, wobei allerdings eine Umkehrung der Kurven auftritt.Ein Verfahren zur Wasserhärtebestimmung mit biamperometrischer Indikation wird vorgeschlagen, das schnell durchzuführen ist und genaue Werte liefert (Fehler ±1%).

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Part XV: Vorlíek, J., and P. Peták: Microchem. J. 12, 466–471 (1967).     

Proton-ionizable crown compounds. 17. Transport studies of alkali metal ions in a H2O-CH2Cl2-H2O liquid membrane system by macrocycles containing two sulfonamide groups derived fromo- andm-phenylene diamine

The transport of alkali metal cations by several macrocycles possessing two sulfonamide groups as a part of an 18-, 20-, or 21-membered macroring has been studied. Some of these compounds were found to be more effective transport agents than the proton-ionizable pyridone- and triazole-containing crown ethers reported previously. The factors affecting transport, such as ring size, source and receiving phase pH, and the nature of the groups attached to the sulfonamide nitrogen atoms were examined. Also, extraction experiments by some of the ligands were performed. The behavior of sulfonamide type crowns in single and competitive transport of the alkali metal cations is explained. The mechanism of transport appears to be complex. Transport of one or two cations per molecule of the disulfonamide carriers occurs. Complexation of these cations appears to occur both within and outside the macrocycle cavity. Our results also suggest that kinetic factors may play a significant role in transport rates and selectivities.Deceased: September 5, 1987.     

The synthesis of 4‐amino‐3‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazine and some of its derivatives

A mixture of both geometrical isomers of hydrazones 3a‐3e was obtained by the coupling reactions of pyrazole‐3‐diazonium salts 2a‐2d and benzenediazonium chloride 2e with 2‐pyridylacetonitrile 1 . Hydrazones 3a‐3d were cyclized to the corresponding 4‐amino‐3‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazines 4a‐4d.     

The short N [bond] F bond in N(2)F(+) and how Pauli repulsion influences bond lengths. Theoretical study of N(2)X(+), NF(3)X(+), and NH(3)X(+) (X [double bond] F, H)

Exceptionally short N [bond] F bond distances of only 1.217 A (crystal) and 1.246 A (gas phase) have been reported for N(2)F(+), making it the shortest N [bond] F bond ever observed. To trace the origin of this structural phenomenon, we have analyzed the model systems N(2)X(+), NF(3)X(+), and NH(3)X(+) (X [double bond] F, H) using generalized gradient approximation density functional theory at BP86/TZ2P. In good agreement with experiment, the computations yield an extremely short N [bond] F bond for N(2)F(+): we find N [bond] F bond distances in N(2)F(+), NF(4)(+), and NH(3)F(+) of 1.245, 1.339, and 1.375 A, respectively. The N [bond] X bonding mechanisms are quantitatively analyzed in the framework of Kohn-Sham MO theory. At variance with the current hypothesis, reduced steric and other Pauli repulsion (of substituents or lone pairs at N with F) rather than the extent of s [bond] p hybridization of N (i.e., sp versus sp(3)) are responsible for the much shorter N [bond] F distance in N(2)F(+) compared to NF(4)(+). The results for our nitrogen compounds are furthermore discussed in the more general context of how bond lengths are determined by both bonding and repulsive orbital interactions.     

Fast directed motion of "fakir" droplets

In this Letter, we report on the motion of water droplets on surfaces decorated with molecular gradients comprising semifluorinated (SF) organosilanes. SF molecular gradients deposited on flat silica substrates facilitate faster motion of water droplets relative to the specimens covered with an analogous hydrocarbon gradient. Further increase in the drop speed is achieved by advancing it along porous substrates coated with the SF wettability gradients. The results of our experiments are in quantitative agreement with a simple scaling theory that describes the faster liquid motion in terms of reduced friction at the liquid/substrate interface.     

Cytosol-mimetic chemistry: kinetics of the trypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate upon addition of polyethylene glycol and N-tert-butyl acetoacetamide

The sensitivity of an enzyme to its environment has provoked much interest both for its immediate relevance to biochemistry and for the use of enzymes in chemical synthesis. The intercellular or extracellular environment in which an enzyme naturally operates is crowded with macromolecular, small-molecule, and ionic solutes and hence is markedly different from the dilute aqueous buffer solutions commonly cited for comparisons of biochemical processes. We report the results of a kinetic study into the effects of such a crowded solution on the rate of an enzyme-mediated process-the trypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of a nonnatural substrate ester. The catalytic rate constant decreases linearly with solvent polarity, but substrate binding is independent of the concentration of added crowding agent up to 395 g/L.