Tri- and pentanuclear tungsten-(mu-S)-M clusters (M = W, Cu, Ag)

The thiotungstate [Et4N]2[OW(WS4)2], [Et4N]2.1, containing the linear [[S2W(VI)(mu-S)2]2W(IV)=O] core, was prepared from [Et4N]2[WS4] in the presence of the sulfide scavenger Cd2+. Addition of 1,2-bis(o-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ethane (diphosphine) and Cu+ or Ag+ to solutions of 1 in MeCN/DMF led to coordination of the (diphosphine)Cu/Ag fragments to the terminal sulfido ligands of 1, yielding novel linear pentanuclear, heterometallic clusters [mu-[OW(IV)(DMF)(W(VI)S4)2][M(diphosphine)]2], 2 (M = Cu) and 3 (M = Ag). Along with 2, the trinuclear cluster [[mu-(W(VI)S4)[Cu(diphosphine)(2)]], 4, was also obtained. The molecular and crystal structures of [Et4N]2.1, 2.MeCN, 3.MeCN, and 4.2MeCN.CH2Cl2 have been determined.     

Tailored pump-probe transient spectroscopy with time-dependent density-functional theory: controlling absorption spectra

Recent advances in laser technology allow us to follow electronic motion at its natural time-scale with ultra-fast time resolution, leading the way towards attosecond physics experiments of extreme precision. In this work, we assess the use of tailored pumps in order to enhance (or reduce) some given features of the probe absorption (for example, absorption in the visible range of otherwise transparent samples). This type of manipulation of the system response could be helpful for its full characterization, since it would allow us to visualize transitions that are dark when using unshaped pulses. In order to investigate these possibilities, we perform first a theoretical analysis of the non-equilibrium response function in this context, aided by one simple numerical model of the hydrogen atom. Then, we proceed to investigate the feasibility of using time-dependent density-functional theory as a means to implement, theoretically, this absorption-optimization idea, for more complex atoms or molecules. We conclude that the proposed idea could in principle be brought to the laboratory: tailored pump pulses can excite systems into light-absorbing states. However, we also highlight the severe numerical and theoretical difficulties posed by the problem: large-scale non-equilibrium quantum dynamics are cumbersome, even with TDDFT, and the shortcomings of state-of-the-art TDDFT functionals may still be serious for these out-of-equilibrium situations.     

Politically correct,but physically confusing

Switching and memory phenomena in semiconducting glasses, thin films and the variable threshold metal-oxide-nitride-semiconductor MNOS transistor are discussed in light of the available data. Potcntial device applications of these phenomena are analysed, and it is concluded that the variable-threshold transistor appears to be the most commercially attractive and versatile of these devices.     

Uncovering the Hidden Landscape of Tris(4-pyridyl) Ligands: Topological Complexity Derived from the Bridgehead

Supramolecular main group chemistry is a developing field which parallels the conventional domain of metallo-organic chemistry. Little explored building blocks in this area are main group metal-based ligands which have the appropriate donor symmetry to build desired molecular or extended arrangements. Tris(pyridyl) main group ligands (E(py)₃, E=main group metal) are potentially highly versatile building blocks since shifting the N-donor arms from the 2- to the 3-positions and 4-positions provides a very simple way of changing the ligand character from mononuclear/chelating to multidentate/metal-bridging. Here, the coordination behaviour of the first main group metal tris(4-pyridyl) ligands, E(4-py)₃ (E=Sb, Bi, Ph−Sn) is explored, as well as their ability to build metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The complicated topology of these MOFs shows a marked influence on the counter anion and on the ability of the E(4-py)₃ ligands to switch coordination mode, depending on the steric and donor character of the bridgehead. This structure-directing influence of the bridgehead provides a potential building strategy for future molecular and MOF design in this area.     

Synthesis,purification, and characterization of “perfect” star polymers via “Click” coupling

The copper (I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition “click” reaction was successfully applied to prepare well‐defined 3, 6, and 12‐arms polystyrene and polyethylene glycol stars. This study focused particularly on making “perfect” star polymers with an exact number of arms, as well as developing techniques for their purification. Various methods of characterization confirmed the star polymers high purity, and the structural uniformity of the generated star polymers. In particular, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry revealed the quantitative transformation of the end groups on the linear polymer precursors and confirmed their quantitative coupling to the dendritic cores to yield star polymers with an exact number of arms. In addition to preparing well‐defined polystyrene and poly(ethylene glycol)homopolymer stars, this technique was also successfully applied to amphiphilic, PCL‐b‐PEG star polymers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Disclosing the Structure/Activity Correlation in Trivalent Boron‐Containing Compounds: A Tendency Map

Most trivalent boron reagents are electrophiles owing to the vacancy for two electrons to fill the outer orbital of boron; however, interestingly, trivalent boron compounds can change their electrophilic character to a nucleophilic character by only changing the nature of the substituents on the boron atoms. With the help of computational tools, we have analyzed the structural‐ and electronic properties of boryl fragments that were either bonded to main‐group metals or coordinated to transition‐metals/rare‐earth‐metals and we have designed a map that might help to identify certain trends. This trend map will be useful for selecting an appropriate trivalent boron compound, depending on the sought reactivity.     

Conformational landscapes of bimesogenic compounds and their implications for the formation of modulated nematic phases

ABSTRACT

The twist-bend phase (N_TB) is most commonly observed in materials with a gross-bent shape: dimers; bent-cores; bent-oligomers. We had suggested previously that the bend-angle of such systems effectively dictates the relative thermal stability of the N_TB phase. However, our earlier paper relied on the use of a single energy-minimum conformer and so failed to capture any information about flexibility and conformational distribution. In the present work, we revisit our hypothesis and examine a second set of dimers with varying linking groups and spacer composition. We have improved on our earlier work by studying the conformational landscape of each material, allowing average bend-angles to be determined as well as the conformer distribution. We observe that the stability of the N_TB phase exhibits a strong dependence not only on the Boltzmann-weighted average bend-angle (rather than just a static conformer), but also on the distribution of conformers. To a lesser extent, the flexibility of the spacer appears important. Ultimately, this work satisfies both theoretical treatments and our initial experimental study and demonstrates the importance of molecular bend to the N_TB phase.     

Online induction heating for determination of isotope composition of woody stem water with laser spectrometry: a methods assessment

Application of stable isotopes of water to studies of plant–soil interactions often requires a substantial preparatory step of extracting water from samples without fractionating isotopes. Online heating is an emerging approach for this need, but is relatively untested and major questions of how to best deliver standards and assess interference by organics have not been evaluated. We examined these issues in our application of measuring woody stem xylem of sagebrush using a Picarro laser spectrometer with online induction heating. We determined (1) effects of cryogenic compared to induction-heating extraction, (2) effects of delivery of standards on filter media compared to on woody stem sections, and (3) spectral interference from organic compounds for these approaches (and developed a technique to do so). Our results suggest that matching sample and standard media improves accuracy, but that isotopic values differ with the extraction method in ways that are not due to spectral interference from organics.     

Synthesis of polyester from renewable feedstock: a comparison between microwave and conventional heating

1. Download high-res image (70KB)
2. Download full-size image