X-ray crystal structure and spectroscopy of a pseudo-square pyramidal Cu(II) complex, trans-dinitratotetrakis (trans-4-styrylpyridine)copper(II)

Single crystals of the title Cu(II) complex, [Cu(stpy)₄(ONO₂)(ONO₂)] [stpy = trans-4-styryl-pyridine] have been prepared and characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, IR, electronic and EPR spectral measurements, and X-ray crystal structure determination. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with unit-cell parameters, a = 12.985(2), b = 22.865(8), c = 17.024(10) Å, = 112.29(3)°, and Z = 4. The structure consists of discrete monomeric units of [Cu(stpy)₄(ONO₂)(ONO₂)]. The equatorial positions of the Cu(II) polyhedron are occupied by nitrogen atoms of the four stpy ligands and the axial positions by the oxygens of two unidentate nitrate anions. One of these oxygens is at rather longer distance [2.609(3) Å] and may be considered to be semicoordinated. If this semibond is ignored, the coordination geometry lies closer to an idealized square pyramid than to the trigonal bipyramid geometry. IR spectra reveal nitrogen coordination from stpy and asymmetry in the monodentate oxygen binding of the two nitrate ligands. The optical reflectance band at 600 nm suggests pseudo-square-based pyramidal geometry around Cu(II). Well-resolved Cu(II) hyperfine features in the EPR spectra reveal the absence of exchange interactions between adjacent copper centers. Optical and EPR spectra of a methanolic solution of the complex indicate solvent interactions. Thermogravimetric analysis shows the complex to be stable up to 175°C.     

Computational insights into the molecular mechanisms for chromium passivation of stainless-steel surfaces

First principles DFT calculations are used to gain insights into the molecular mechanism of Cr passivation of FeCr alloy surfaces. The systems studied represent early stages of oxidation of FeCr alloys when the oxide layers extend just a few atomic layers into the bulk. A Monte-Carlo atom-swapping algorithm was developed to efficiently explore possible atomic positions and identify the most promising structures that yield overall energy lowering. Analysis of the resulting low energy structures show that the surface oxide layer is rich in chromium while there is a reduction in chromium in the metallic phase near the alloy-oxide interface. Furthermore, there is an increased concentration of Fe near the oxide-air surface. Analysis of the molecular structure of the oxide layers found that oxidized Cr was predominantly in the Cr₂O₃ phase, while oxidized Fe was present as both FeO and Fe₂O₃. We propose that the oxidative variability of Fe facilitates O diffusion in the iron-rich phases because of the range of geometries available for accommodating the O atom. In contrast, O diffusion is less facile in Cr, which has little variability in oxidation state.     

Preparation of ammonia borane in high yield and purity, methanolysis, and regeneration

Ammonia borane (AB) is emerging as a promising solid hydrogen carrier, particularly for power generation in portable devices that employ proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. A preparative-scale synthesis of AB from sodium borohydride and ammonium salts in high yields (> or =95%) and very high purity (> or =98%) has been described. The first systematic study of a transitional metal-catalyzed alcoholysis of AB, comparison of the methanolysis to the hydrolysis of AB, and regeneration of AB from ammonium tetramethoxyborate also has been described.     

Fiber-based Bessel beams with controllable diffraction-resistant distance

We experimentally generate n=0 Bessel beams via higher-order cladding mode excitation with a long period fiber grating. Our method allows >99% conversion efficiency, wide or narrow conversion bandwidth, and accurate control of the number of rings in the beam. This latter property is equivalent to tuning the beam cone angle and allows for control of width and propagation distance of the center spot. We generate Bessel-like beams from LP(0,5) to LP(0,15) cladding modes and measure their propagation-invariant characteristics as a function of mode order, which match numerical simulations and a simple geometric model. This yields a versatile tool for tuning depth of focus out of fiber tips, with potential uses in endoscopic microscopy.     

Giant flexoelectricity in polyvinylidene fluoride films

Recent studies have shown that giant flexoelectricity may exist in certain elastomers with bent-core molecular structures, which contradicts the previous theoretical estimation that the flexoelectric coupling is small in those materials. In this Letter, we report an analogous phenomenon, i.e., the giant direct flexoelectric effect, observed in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film. Our experimental studies indicate that such an enhanced flexoelectric effect might be induced by the interaction between the energy couplings of the apolar and the polar molecular structures of the polymer film under elastic deformation.     

Conformation-specific spectroscopy and populations of diastereomers of a model monolignol derivative: chiral effects in a triol chain

Single-conformation spectroscopy of two diastereomers of 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,2,3-triol (HMPPT) has been carried out under isolated, jet-cooled conditions. HMPPT is a close analog of coniferyl alcohol, one of the three monomers that make up lignin, the aromatic biopolymer that gives structural integrity to plants. In HMPPT, the double bond of coniferyl alcohol has been oxidized to produce an alkyl triol chain with chiral centers at C(α) and C(β), thereby incorporating key aspects of the β-O-4 linkage between monomer subunits that occurs commonly in lignin. Both (R,S)- and (R,R)-HMPPT diastereomers have been synthesized in pure form for study. Resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI), UV hole-burning (UVHB)/IR-UV hole-burning (IR-UV HB), and resonant ion-dip infrared (RIDIR) spectroscopy have been carried out, providing single-conformation UV spectra in the S(0)-S(1) region (35200-35800 cm(-1)) and IR spectra in the hydride stretch region. Five conformers of (R,S)- and four conformers of (R,R)-HMPPT are observed and characterized, leading to assignments for all nine conformers. Spectroscopic signatures for α-β-γ, γ-β-α, and α-γ-β-π chains and two cyclic forms [(αβγ) and (αγβ)] of the glycerol side chain are determined. Infrared ion-gain (IRIG) spectroscopy is used to determine fractional abundances for the (R,S) diastereomer and constrain the populations present in (R,R). The two diastereomers have very different conformational preferences. More than 95% of the population of (R,R) configures the glycerol side chain in a γ-β-α triol chain, while in (R,S)-HMPPT, 51% of the population is in α-β-γ chains that point in the opposite direction, with an additional 21% of the population in H-bonded cycles. The experimental results are compared with calculations to provide a consistent explanation of the diastereomer-specific effects observed.     

Structure imaging and vanadium substitution in cubic TiCr2 Laves phase

Properties of Laves phase compounds can be tailored by alloying and microstructural engineering. V-substituted cubic TiCr₂ Laves phase has been studied to understand the location of V atoms in the lattice, by structural imaging and first-principle computations. Even though Ti, V and Cr appear next to each other in the periodic table, V preferentially replaces the Ti lattice producing anti-site defects. The defect formation energy for V substitution in Ti and in Cr lattice is 0.29 and 0.40 eV, respectively. V replacement in the Ti lattice generates atomic scale strain. Atomic numbers of V, Ti and Cr being very close, this phase is not quite suitable for incoherent imaging for understanding the structure and the chemistry. Instead, difference in channelling behaviour of electron waves along the Ti columns and along the Cr columns could be exploited to preferentially image the individual atom columns. Nature of the exit phase wave, phase and amplitude has been used to understand the contrast qualitatively. The intensity distribution of any particular atom column that is disturbed by the presence of foreign atom has been used to detect the position of V atoms. This method could be extended to study other Laves phases and complex intermetallic structures to understand their structure, defects and interfaces.     

THE 31P NMR SPECTRA OF ISOMERIC DIAMINOHEXA-CHLOROCYCLOTETRAPHOSPHAZATETRAENES; EXAMPLES OF A2B2 AND AA'BB' SPIN SYSTEMS

Abstract

The ³¹P nmr spectra of 2,4- and 2,6-diamino-derivatives of octachlorocyclotetraphosphazatetraene, N₄P₄Cl₆(NR¹R²)₂ (R¹ = H, R² = Bu^t; R¹ = H, R² = CH₂Ph; R¹ = Me, R² = Ph), have been measured. The 2,4- and 2,6-isomers were analysed as AA'BB' and A₂B₂ spin systems respectively. In the 2,4-isomers the spin-spin couplings ²J(PNP) and ⁴J(PNPNP) were of opposite sign.     

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of New Macro Acyclic Mannich Derivatives: Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical 2-[(E)-(Benzylideneamino)(aryl)methyl]cyclododecanone

Abstract

In an effort to provide a green synthetic route for heterocyclic scaffolds, new macro analogs of acyclic Mannich derivatives have been synthesized in good yields in a one-pot, efficient fashion. The acyclic symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2-[(E)-(benzylideneamino)(aryl)methyl]cyclododecanones have been synthesized by condensation of cyclododecanone, aromatic aldehyde, and ammonium acetate in ethanolic media. By infrared, NMR, and mass spectral analyses, their structures were determined. Examination of crystal structure of a p-Cl and o-Br analogs reveals the minimum energy [3333] square conformation of cyclododecanone ring. In the crystal, molecules aggregate in dimeric subunits formed by C-Cl … π and C-H..π interactions. The reported one-pot, multichain reaction of macrocycles is the first synthetic attempt of acyclic compounds in this type of Mannich reaction involving ketones containing active methylene groups.

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