Dynamic effects in MAS and MQMAS NMR spectra of half-integer quadrupolar nuclei: calculations and an application to the double perovskite cryolite

Dynamic processes such as chemical exchange or rotations between inequivalent orientations can affect the magic-angle spinning (MAS) and the multiple-quantum (MQ) MAS NMR spectra of half-integer quadrupolar nuclei. The present paper discusses such dynamic multisite MAS and MQMAS effects and applies them to study the dynamic processes that occur in the double perovskite cryolite, Na3AlF6. Dynamic line shape simulations invoking a second-order broadening of the central transition and relying on the semiclassical Bloch-McConnell formalism for chemical exchange were performed for a variety of exchange models possessing different symmetries. Fitting experimental variable-temperature cryolite 23Na NMR data with this formalism revealed that the two inequivalent sodium sites in this mineral undergo an exchange characterized by a broad distribution of rates. To further assess this dynamic process a variety of 27Al and 19F MAS NMR studies were also undertaken; quantitative 27Al-19F dipolar coupling measurements then revealed a dynamic motion of the AlF6 octahedra that were qualitatively consistent with predictions stemming from molecular dynamic simulations on this double perovskite.     

Incorporation of transmembrane hydroxide transport into the chemiosmotic theory

A cornerstone of textbook bioenergetics is that oxidative ATP synthesis in mitochondria requires, in normal conditions of internal and external pH, a potential difference (delta psi) of well over 100 mV between the aqueous compartments that the energy-transducing membrane separates. Measurements of delta psi inferred from diffusion of membrane-permeant ions confirm this, but those using microelectrodes consistently find no such delta psi--a result ostensibly irreconcilable with the chemiosmotic theory. Transmembrane hydroxide transport necessarily accompanies mitochondrial ATP synthesis, due to the action of several carrier proteins; this nullifies some of the proton transport by the respiratory chain. Here, it is proposed that these carriers' structure causes the path of this "lost" proton flow to include a component perpendicular to the membrane but within the aqueous phases, so maintaining a steady-state proton-motive force between the water at each membrane surface and in the adjacent bulk medium. The conflicting measurements of delta psi are shown to be consistent with the response of this system to its chemical environment.     

The structures of ordered defects in thiocyanate analogues of Prussian Blue

We report the structures of six new divalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthate frameworks with the generic formula , M = Mn, Co, Ni and Zn. These frameworks are defective analogues of the perovskite-derived trivalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthates M^III[Bi(SCN)₆]. The defects in these new thiocyanate frameworks order and produce complex superstructures due to the low symmetry of the parent structure, in contrast to the related and more well-studied cyanide Prussian Blue analogues. Despite the close similarities in the chemistries of these four transition metal cations, we find that each framework contains a different mechanism for accommodating the lowered transition metal charge, making use of some combination of Bi(SCN)₆³⁻ vacancies, M_Bi antisite defects, water substitution for thiocyanate, adventitious extra-framework cations and reduced metal coordination number. These materials provide an unusually clear view of defects in molecular framework materials and their variety suggests that similar richness may be waiting to be uncovered in other hybrid perovskite frameworks.

We report the structures of six new divalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthate Prussian Blue analogues frameworks, which contain complex ordered defect structures.     

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry analysis of paraquat and diquat using conventional and multilayer solid-phase extraction cartridges

The performance of alkyl-silica sorbent packed solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges and a mixed-mode, polymeric sorbent packed SPE cartridge (resin SPE cartridge) were evaluated for the sample preparation of paraquat and diquat in environmental water and vegetation matrices. Also the recoveries of the native and 2H-labeled paraquat and diquat were correlated to validate that the 2H-labeled species can be used for the isotopic dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) analysis of paraquat and diquat. The results show that the extraction efficiency of alkyl-silica SPE is dependent on the carbon loading of the sorbent and deteriorates with an increasing sample pH. The resin SPE cartridge required no pH adjustment and showed excellent correlation between the native and 2H-labeled species, therefore, allowing us to develop the first liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization IDMS analytical method for the analysis of paraquat and diquat in environmental water and vegetation matrices. Method detection limits derived using standard EPA protocol were 0.2 and 0.1 microg/l for paraquat and diquat in water matrices, and 0.02 and 0.01 microg/g in vegetation matrices, respectively.     

Emitting-state displacements in ligand-centered vibrational modes in the trans-[OsO2(NCS)4]2- complex determined from near-infrared luminescence spectroscopy

Low-temperature luminescence spectra from three salts of the trans-[OsO(2)(NCS)(4)](2-) complex exhibit highly resolved vibronic structure in both metal-ligand high-frequency O=Os=O (885 cm(-1)) and lower-frequency Os-N(CS) (255 cm(-1)) symmetric stretching modes as well as in a ligand-centered CS stretching mode (858 cm(-1)). Band maxima range from 10000 to 12000 cm(-1), and spectra contain irregular frequency intervals that correspond to transitions from more than one origin and phonon sidebands. Experimental band shapes are distinctly different for all three compounds and are calculated assuming harmonic potential energy surfaces for both the ground and emitting states. Normal-coordinate offsets along all displaced vibrational modes are determined and compared for the three compounds. The analyses reveal emitting-state displacement of high-frequency ligand-centered (CS) and metal-ligand (O=Os=O) symmetric stretching modes, leading to observed high-frequency intervals (855-880 cm(-1)) that do not match any frequencies determined from ground-state Raman spectra. The values for the high-frequency normal-coordinate offsets, DeltaQ(O=Os=O) and DeltaQ(CS), were found to be on the order of 0.06 A. Offsets along the 255 cm(-1) Os-N mode varied noticeably between the three compounds and were largest for the compound with the largest value of DeltaQ(CS).     

[Ge2]4− Dumbbells with Very Short Ge−Ge Distances in the Zintl Phase Li3NaGe2: A Solid‐State Equivalent to Molecular O2

The novel ternary Zintl phase Li₃NaGe₂ comprises alkali‐metal cations and [Ge₂]^4? dumbbells. The diatomic [Ge₂]^4? unit is characterized by the shortest Ge?Ge distance (2.390(1) Å) ever observed in a Zintl phase and thus represents the first Ge=Ge double bond under such conditions, as also suggested by the (8?N) rule. Raman measurements support these findings. The multiple‐bond character is confirmed by electronic‐structure calculations, and an upfield ⁶Li NMR shift of ?10.0 ppm, which was assigned to the Li cations surrounded by the π systems of three Ge dumbbells, further underlines this interpretation. For the unperturbed, ligand‐free dumbbell in Li₃NaGe₂, the π‐ bonding p_y and p_z orbitals are degenerate as in molecular oxygen, which has singly occupied orbitals. The partially filled π‐type bands of the neat solid Li₃NaGe₂ cross the Fermi level, resulting in metallic properties. Li₃NaGe₂ was synthesized from the elements as well as from binary reactants and subsequently characterized crystallographically.     

Local environments and lithium adsorption on the iron oxyhydroxides lepidocrocite (gamma-FeOOH) and goethite (alpha-FeOOH): a 2H and 7Li solid-state MAS NMR study

2H and 7Li MAS NMR spectroscopy techniques were applied to study the local surface and bulk environments of iron oxyhydroxide lepidocrocite (gamma-FeOOH). 2H variable-temperature (VT) MAS NMR experiments were performed, showing the presence of short-range, strong antiferromagnetic correlations, even at temperatures above the Néel temperature, T(N), 77 K. The formation of a Li+ inner-sphere complex on the surface of lepidocrocite was confirmed by the observation of a signal with a large 7Li hyperfine shift in the 7Li MAS NMR spectrum. The effect of pH and relative humidity (RH) on the concentrations of Li+ inner- and outer-sphere complexes was then explored, the concentration of the inner sphere complex increasing rapidly above the point of zero charge and with decreasing RH. Possible local environments of the adsorbed Li+ were identified by comparison with other layer-structured iron oxides such as gamma-LiFeO2 and o-LiFeO2. Li+ positions of Li+-sorbed and exchanged goethite were reanalyzed on the basis of the correlations between Li hyperfine shifts and Li local structures, and two different binding sites were proposed, the second binding site only becoming available at higher pH.     

Tuning the structural and physical properties of Cr2Ti3Se8 by lithium intercalation: a study of the magnetic properties, investigation of ion mobility with NMR spectroscopy and electronic band structure calculations

The room temperature intercalation of Cr2Ti3Se8 with butyl lithium yields a phase mixture of the starting material and of the new trigonal phase with composition Li0.4Cr0.5Ti0.75Se2. The phase pure fully intercalated trigonal phase is obtained at elevated temperature (80 degrees C) with the final composition Li0.62Cr0.5Ti0.75Se2. The line profile analysis (LPA) of the powder patterns shows that pronounced strain occurs in the intercalated material. The deintercalation of the material is realized by treatment of the fully intercalated sample with distilled water leading to the composition Li0.15Cr0.5Ti0.75Se2. The intercalation is accompanied by an electron transfer from the guest Li to the host material, and as a consequence significant changes of the interatomic distances are observed. The local environment and the dynamics of the Li+ ions in the fully intercalated sample were studied with 7Li magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR investigations. These reveal different environments of transition metal neighbors for the Li sites and a high mobility of the Li ions. Magnetic measurements show that in the pristine material antiferromagnetic interactions are dominating (theta = -113.5 K) with no long-range order at low temperatures. The magnetic ground state is characterized by a spin-glass behavior. With increasing Li content the antiferromagnetic character vanishes progressively, and the fully intercalated phase exhibits a positive Weiss constant (theta = 12 K) indicating dominating ferromagnetic exchange interactions; i.e., the magnetic properties can be significantly altered by lithiation. The interpretation of our experimental findings is supported by the results of accompanying band structure calculations done within the framework of local spin density functional theory. These demonstrate in particular the role of the charge transfer between the constituents as a function of the Li concentration and its impact on the exchange coupling.