Tetrachloro- and tetrabromoarsonium(V) cations: raman and 75As, 19F NMR spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystal structures of [AsCl4][As(OTeF5)6] and [AsBr4][AsF(OTeF5)5]

The salts [AsX4][As(OTeF5)6] and [AsBr4][AsF(OTeF5)5] (X = Cl, Br) have been prepared by oxidation of AsX3 with XOTeF5 in the presence of the OTeF5 acceptors As(OTeF5)5 and AsF(OTeF5)4. The mixed salts [AsCl4][Sb(OTeF5)6-nCl(n-2)] and [AsCl4][Sb(OTeF5)6-nCl(n)] (n > or = 2) have also been prepared. The AsBr4+ cation has been fully structurally characterized for the first time in SO2ClF solution by 75As NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [AsBr4][AsF(OTeFs)5]: P1, a = 9.778(4) A, b = 17.731(7) A, c = 18.870(8) A, alpha = 103.53(4)degrees, beta = 103.53(4) degrees, gamma = 105.10(4) degrees, V = 2915(2) A3, Z = 4, and R1 = 0.0368 at -183 degrees C. The crystal structure determination and solution 75As NMR study of the related [AsCl4][As(OTeF5)6] salt have also been carried out: [AsCl4][As(OTeF5)6], R3, a = 9.8741(14) A, c = 55.301(11) A, V= 4669(1) A3, Z = 6, and R1 = 0.0438 at -123 degrees C; and R3, a = 19.688(3) A, c = 55.264(11) A, V= 18552(5) A3, Z = 24, and R1 = 0.1341 at -183 degrees C. The crystal structure of the As(OTeF5)6- salt reveals weaker interactions between the anion and cation than in the previously known AsF6- salt. The AsF(OTeF5)5- anion is reported for the first time and is also weakly coordinating with respect to the AsBr4+ cation. Both cations are undistorted tetrahedra with bond lengths of 2.041(5)-2.056(3) A for AsCl4+ and 2.225(2)-2.236(2) A for AsBr4+. The Raman spectra are consistent with undistorted AsX4+ tetrahedra and have been assigned under Td point symmetry. The 35Cl/37Cl isotope shifts have been observed and assigned for AsCl4+, and the geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies of all known and presently unknown PnX4+ (Pn = P, As, Sb, Bi; X = F, Cl, Br, I) cations have been calculated using density functional theory methods.     

Synthesis of new tricyclic phosphines and phosphinites by intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of trivalent phospholes

Phospholes bearing an allyl-X substituent at phosphorus tend to undergo an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition (IMDA) leading to the corresponding tricyclic derivative. When X = O or NR, the IMDA easily takes place at room temperature. When X = CH2, the IMDA slowly takes place around 110-140 degrees C, as a function to the substitution pattern of the dienic system. Two tricyclic derivatives (X = O and CH2) have been characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis of the P-sulfides.     

Structural and dynamic study of chemically modified polyHIPE by solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy

The structure of laboratory‐made polyHIPEs was successfully characterized by cross‐polarity/magic‐angle spinning, solid‐state ¹³C NMR experiments. The signals of vinyl groups appeared in the spectrum of the polyHIPE precursor PH? CH?CH₂, which was prepared by the polymerization of the divinylbenzene continuous phase from a highly concentrated reverse emulsion. This material was chemically modified by the regioselective free‐radical addition of thiols to the pendant vinyl groups. Spectra of materials modified by the grafting of C₈ and C₁₂ alkyl chains, PH? SC₈ and PH? SC₁₂, respectively, were produced. The signals of the vinyl groups disappeared in favor of methylene groups. This experiment clearly established that the alkyl chains were covalently bound to the polymer. To elucidate the dynamic aspect of long chains in polyHIPE, we measured the ¹³C spin–lattice relaxation times (T₁) of PH? SC₁₂ from 25 to 100 °C with variable‐temperature, solid‐state, high‐resolution ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, revealing a strong variation in T₁ along the alkyl side chain. Furthermore, the crystallinity of a wide range of chemically modified polyHIPEs, including PH? SC₁₂, was studied with pulse ¹H NMR. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 956–963, 2001     

Nonclassical Crystallization and Size Control of Ultra‐Small MoO2 Nanoparticles in Water

Size tuning for MoO₂ nanoparticles is demonstrated for the first time over a wide range 2–100 nm, through a colloidal route into water. A nucleation‐growth mechanism based on oriented attachment is evidenced to rationalize the impact of two simple synthetic levers: reactant ratio and temperature. The smallest non‐aggregated crystalline MoO₂ nanoparticles are reported, with specific surface area reaching 86 m² g^?1. Size and morphology control, along with the ability to produce, non‐aggregated ultra‐small MoO₂ particles are important for a wide range of applications, such as catalysis and energy storage. To exemplify the importance of size tuning, the impact of downscaling on the electrochemical properties in Li‐ion batteries is investigated.     

Nonlinear beam shaper for femtosecond laser pulses, from Gaussian to flat-top profile

We present a straightforward method to transform a spatially Gaussian femtosecond laser beam into a flat-top shaped beam. The proposed technique takes advantage of a nonlinear phase induced in positive Kerr medium followed by a simple optical system. The variation of the refractive index with the laser intensity creates a phase plate which induces changes in the beam profile after propagation; flat-top and doughnut profiles are observed. The shaping conditions are computed numerically and confirmed experimentally. The method does not introduce energy losses. The device is very simple, self-regulated, flexible and does not need a manufactured phase plate or precise alignment. This method can be useful for light-matter interaction and laser machining.     

Effect of aqueous acetic, oxalic, and carbonic acids on the adsorption of europium(III) onto alpha-alumina

Chemical retention, i.e., partition of the element between aqueous solution and mineral surface, is a key phenomenon for assessing the safety of possible nuclear waste disposal. For this purpose, the sorption of Eu(III) onto a model mineral-alpha-alumina-is studied here, including the effects of groundwater chemistry: pH and concentrations of small organic and inorganic ligands (acetate, oxalate, and carbonate anions). This work presents some experimental evidence for a synergic mechanism of sorption of europium-ligand complexes onto the alumina. Only cationic complexes were necessary to consider to model experimental results. Using the ion-exchange theory (IET) and a corresponding restricted set of parameters-exchange capacities and thermodynamic equilibrium constants-the whole set of sorption experiments of Eu(III) cationic species onto the alpha-alumina was modeled under various chemical conditions.     

Microsolvation effects on the excited-state dynamics of protonated tryptophan

To better understand the complex photophysics of the amino acid tryptophan, which is widely used as a probe of protein structure and dynamics, we have measured electronic spectra of protonated, gas-phase tryptophan solvated with a controlled number of water molecules and cooled to approximately 10 K. We observe that, even at this temperature, the bare molecule exhibits a broad electronic spectrum, implying ultrafast, nonradiative decay of the excited state. Surprisingly, the addition of two water molecules sufficiently lengthens the excited-state lifetime that we obtain a fully vibrationally resolved electronic spectrum. Quantum chemical calculations at the RI-CC2/aug-cc-pVDZ level, together with TDDFT/pw based first-principles MD simulations of the excited-state dynamics, clearly demonstrate how interactions with water destabilize the photodissociative states and increase the excited-state lifetime.     

Phosphinites derived from the 7-phosphanorbornene skeleton: first results in asymmetric catalysis

[structure: see text] The bisphosphinite 4 incorporating two 7-phosphanorbornene subunits is an efficient ligand for the Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of functional alkenes in terms of rate and enantioselectivity. This type of structures is readily accessible by [4 + 2] cycloaddition of phospholes with dienophilic alkenes and can be easily fine-tuned.     

Tetrachloro- and Tetrabromostibonium(V) Cations: Raman and (19)F, (121)Sb, and (123)Sb NMR Spectroscopic Characterization and X-ray Crystal Structures of SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) and SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-)

The stable salts, SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) and SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), have been prepared by oxidation of Sb(OTeF(5))(3) with Cl(2) and Br(2), respectively. The SbBr(4)(+) cation is reported for the first time and is only the second example of a tetrahalostibonium(V) cation. The SbCl(4)(+) cation had been previously characterized as the Sb(2)F(11)(-), Sb(2)Cl(2)F(9)(-), and Sb(2)Cl(0.5)F(10.5)(-) salts. Both Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) salts have been characterized in the solid state by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Owing to the weakly coordinating nature of the Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) anion, both salts are readily soluble in SO(2)ClF and have been characterized in solution by (121)Sb, (123)Sb, and (19)F NMR spectroscopy. The tetrahedral environments around the Sb atoms of the cations result in low electric field gradients at the quadrupolar (121)Sb and (123)Sb nuclei and correspondingly long relaxation times, allowing the first solution NMR characterization of a tetrahalocation of the heavy pnicogens. The following crystal structures are reported: SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), trigonal system, space group P&thremacr;, a = 10.022(1) ?, c = 18.995(4) ?, V = 1652.3(6) ?(3), D(calc) = 3.652 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0461; SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), trigonal system, space group P&thremacr;, a = 10.206(1) ?, c = 19.297(3) ?, V = 1740.9(5) ?(3), D(calc) = 3.806 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0425. The crystal structures of both Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) salts are similar and reveal considerably weaker interactions between anion and cation than in previously known SbCl(4)(+) salts. Both cations are undistorted tetrahedra with bond lengths of 2.221(3) ? for SbCl(4)(+) and 2.385(2) ? for SbBr(4)(+). The Raman spectra are consistent with undistorted SbX(4)(+) tetrahedra and have been assigned under T(d)() point symmetry. Trends within groups 15 and 17 are noted among the general valence force constants of the PI(4)(+), AsF(4)(+), AsBr(4)(+), AsI(4)(+), SbCl(4)(+) and SbBr(4)(+) cations, which have been calculated for the first time, and the previously determined force constants for NF(4)(+), NCl(4)(+), PF(4)(+), PCl(4)(+), PBr(4)(+), and AsCl(4)(+), which have been recalculated for the P and As cations in the present study. The SbCl(4)(+) salt is stable in SO(2)ClF solution, whereas the SbBr(4)(+) salt decomposes slowly in SO(2)ClF at room temperature and rapidly in the presence of Br(-) ion and in CH(3)CN solution at low temperatures. The major products of the decompositions are SbBr(2)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), as an adduct with CH(3)CN in CH(3)CN solvent, and Br(2).