Affinement de la structure de TiNb2O7 et répartition des cations

TiNb₂O₇ is monoclinic $\text{C2}\text{m}$ with a = 20.351(3), b = 3.801(2), c = 11.882(2) Å, β = 120.19°, Z = 6. The structure, determined by Wadsley in 1961 from visual estimation of intensities, has been refined to R = 0.065 for 915 reflexions with I ≥ 3σI. This study shows that Ti and Nb are not randomly distributed: like several niobo or tantalotitanates with edge-sharing octahedra, this one shows preferential occupation of one type of site by the titanium atoms.     

Studies in werner clathrates. Part 2. Structures of bis (isothiocyanato) tetra (4-phenylpyridine) nickel (II)· 4-dimethylsulphoxide,bis (isothiocyanato) tetra (3-methylpyridine) nickel (II)· chloroform and bis (isothiocyanato) tetra (3,5-dimethylpyridine) nickel (II)

The structures of Ni(NCS)₂(4-PhPy)₄·4DMSO and Ni(NCS)₂(3-MePy)₄·CHCl₃ have been elucidated. Movement of guest molecules through channels in the host structure was simulated by potential energy calculations. Ni(NCS)₂(3,5-diMePy)₄ does not form inclusion compounds. An intra-molecular potential energy study shows that theortho-hydrogens on the 3,5-dimethylpyridine ligands control the conformation of the molecule. The same result is obtained with the 4-methylpyridine ligand, which suggests that the extent of rotation of substituted pyridines about the Ni–N bounds is not a factor governing clathrate formation. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82030 (43 pages).     

The first structural and spectroscopic characterization of a neptunyl polyoxometalate complex

The reaction between PW9O349- and NpO2+ has yielded the first structurally characterized neptunyl(V) polyoxometalate complex, [Na2(NpO2)2(A-PW9O34)2]14-. This complex is isostructural with the uranyl(VI) analogue, and there is also spectroscopic evidence for its existence in solution. The complex is readily extracted into toluene, and this may have significance in the sequestering and/or separation of the neptunyl ion in terms of nuclear waste management.     

Structural characterization of a lanthanum bistriflimide complex, La(N(SO2CF3)2)3(H2O)3, and an investigation of La, Sm, and Eu electrochemistry in a room-temperature ionic liquid, [Me3N(n)Bu][N(SO2CF3)2

The reduction of selected lanthanide cations to the zerovalent state in the room-temperature ionic liquid [Me3N(n)Bu][TFSI] is reported (where TFSI = bistriflimide, [N(SO2CF3)2]-). The lanthanide cations were introduced to the melt as the TFSI hydrate complexes [Ln(TFSI)3(H2O)3] (where Ln = La(III), Sm(III) or Eu(III)). The lanthanum compound [La(TFSI)3(H2O)3] has been crystallographically characterized, revealing the first structurally characterized f-element TFSI complex. The lanthanide in all three complexes was shown to be reducible to the metallic state in [Me3N(n)Bu][TFSI]. For both the Eu and Sm complexes, reduction to the metallic state was achieved via divalent species, and there was an additional observation of the electrodeposition of Eu metal.     

Exploring the self-assembly of dumbbell-shaped polyoxometalate hybrids,from molecular building units to nanostructured soft materials

The formation of hierarchical nanostructures using preformed dumbbell-like species made of covalent organic–inorganic polyoxometalate (POM)-based hybrids is herein described. In this system, the presence of charged subunits (POM, metal linkers, and counter ions) in the complex molecular architecture can drive their aggregation, which results from a competition between the solvation energy of the discrete species and intermolecular electrostatic interactions. We show that the nature of the POM and the charge of the metal linker are key parameters for the hierarchical nanoorganization. The experimental findings were corroborated with a computational investigation combining DFT and molecular dynamics simulation methods, which outlines the importance of solvation of the counter ion and POM/counter ion association in the aggregation process. The dumbbell-like species can also form gels, in the presence of a poorer solvent, displaying similar nanoorganization of the aggregates. We show that starting from the designed molecular building units whose internal charges can be controlled by redox trigger we can achieve their implementation into soft nanostructured materials through the control of their supramolecular organization.

The formation of hierarchical nanostructures using supramolecular dumbbell-like species made of organic–inorganic polyoxometalate-based hybrids is investigated by combination of SAXS and computational methods.     

A capping methodology for the synthesis of lower mu-oxo-phthalocyaninato silicon oligomers

A mixed condensation of a substituted and unsubstituted silicon phthalocyanine monomer, in which the former serves as a "cap" to a growing oligomeric chain, provides unprecedented access to a mixed dimer, trimers, and a tetramer. An important element of product control can be achieved by changing the ratio of the precursor monomers.     

Photodynamic properties of amphiphilic derivatives of aluminum tetrasulfophthalocyanine

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment modality that has recently been accepted in clinics as a curative or palliative therapy for cancer and other nonmalignant conditions. Phthalocyanines (Pc) are attractive photosensitizers for PDT because of their enhanced photophysical and photochemical properties. The overall charge and solubility of Pc play a major role in their potential usefulness for PDT. A series of amphiphilic derivatives of tetrasulfonated aluminum Pc (AlPcS4) was prepared by substituting one of the four sulfonate groups with aliphatic side chains of 4, 8, 12 and 16 carbon atoms. The photodynamic properties of the derivatives were compared with those of AlPcS4 and the adjacent disulfonated aluminum Pc. Parameters studied included reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) retention times, capacity to generate singlet oxygen (1O2), in vitro cell uptake and phototoxicity, as well as PDT response of transplantable EMT-6 tumors in mice. The monomerized AlPcS4 derivatives showed similar or higher capacities to generate 1O2 as compared with the parent AlPcS4 as measured from relative L-tryptophan photooxidation yields. A549 cell uptake of the AlPcS4 derivatives decreased in the following order: AlPcS4(C16) > AlPcS4(C12) > AlPcS4(C8) > AlPcS4(C4). Human low-density lipoprotein at high concentrations (40 micrograms/mL) completely prevented uptake, whereas at 4 micrograms/mL uptake was decreased for the more lipophilic compounds and yet remained unaffected for the more hydrophilic dyes. Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, A549 cell survival was assessed; it showed that photocytotoxic activity varied directly with the HPLC retention times, i.e. more hydrophilic compounds were less phototoxic. As 1O2 yields were similar for the four substituted AlPcS4 derivatives, it was postulated that the increased cytotoxic activity was caused by enhanced subcellular localization as a result of the long aliphatic side chains. These amphiphilic compounds proved to be photodynamically potent against the EMT-6 mouse mammary tumor model implanted in Balb/c mice. At dye doses of 0.2 mumol/kg and a fluence of 400 J/cm2 complete tumor regression was observed with no morbidity. The substitution of AlPcS4 with long aliphatic chains on the macrocycle greatly enhances its photodynamic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.     

Two (E)‐2‐arylidene‐1,4‐di‐p‐tosyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxaline compounds: supramolecular frameworks built with C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions

The pyrazine ring in two N‐substituted quinoxaline derivatives, namely (E)‐2‐(2‐methoxybenzylidene)‐1,4‐di‐p‐tosyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxaline, C₃₀H₂₈N₂S₂O₅, (II), and (E)‐methyl 2‐[(1,4‐di‐p‐tosyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxalin‐2‐ylidene)methyl]benzoate, C₃₁H₂₈N₂S₂O₆, (III), assumes a half‐chair conformation and is shielded by the terminal tosyl groups. In the molecular packing of the compounds, intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds between centrosymmetrically related molecules generate dimeric rings, viz. R₂²(22) in (II) and R₂²(26) in (III), which are further connected through C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions into novel supramolecular frameworks.     

Sticking and nonsticking orbits for a two-degree-of-freedom oscillator excited by dry friction and harmonic loading

We consider a system composed of two masses connected by linear springs. One of the masses is in contact with a rough surface. Friction force, with Coulomb’s characteristics, acts between the mass and the surface. Moreover, the mass is also subjected to a harmonic external force. Several periodic orbits are obtained in closed form. A first kind of orbits involves sticking phases: during these parts of the orbit, the mass in contact with the rough surface remains at rest for a finite time. Another kind of orbits includes one or more stops of the mass with zero duration. Normal and abnormal stops are obtained. Moreover, for some of these periodic solutions, we prove that symmetry in space and time occurs.