Transition metal hydrazide-based hydrogen-storage materials: the first atoms-in-molecules analysis of the Kubas interaction

Molecular models of the M-H(2) binding sites of experimentally characterised amorphous vanadium hydrazide gels are studied computationally using gradient corrected density functional theory, to probe the coordination number of the vanadium in the material and the nature of the interaction between the metal and the H(2) molecules. The H(2) is found to bind to the vanadium through the Kubas interaction, and the first quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules analysis of this type of interaction is reported. Strong correlation is observed between the electron density at the H-H bond critical point and the M-H(2) interaction energy. Four coordinate models give the best reproduction of the experimental data, suggesting that the experimental sites are four coordinate. The V-H(2) interaction is shown to be greater when the non-hydrazine based ligand, THF, of the experimental system is altered to a poorer π-acceptor ligand. Upon altering the metal to Ti or Cr the M-H(2) interaction energy changes little but the number of H(2) which may be bound decreases from four (Ti) to two (Cr). It is proposed that changing the metal from V to Ti may increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the experimental system. A 9.9 wt% maximum storage capacity at the ideal binding enthalpy for room temperature performance is predicted when the Ti metal is combined with a coordination sphere containing 2 hydride ligands.     

Synthesis, molecular and electronic structure of U(V)(O)[N(SiMe3)2]3

Addition of 1 equiv of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) to U(NR(2))(3) in hexanes affords U(O)(NR(2))(3) (2), which can be isolated in 73% yield. Complex 2 is a rare example of a terminal U(V) oxo complex. In contrast, addition of 1 equiv of Me(3)NO to U(NR(2))(3) (R = SiMe(3)) in pentane generates the U(IV) bridging oxo [(NR(2))(3)U](2)(μ-O) (3) in moderate yields. Also formed in this reaction, in low yield, is the U(IV) iodide complex U(I)(NR(2))(3) (4). The iodide ligand in 4 likely originates from residual NaI, present in the U(NR(2))(3) starting material. Complex 4 can be generated rationally by addition of 0.5 equiv of I(2) to a hexane solution of U(NR(2))(3), where it can be isolated in moderate yield as a tan crystalline solid. The solid-state molecular structures and magnetic susceptibilities of 2, 3, and 4 have been measured. In addition, the electronic structures of 2 and 3 have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods.     

Phase-field crystals with elastic interactions

We report on a novel extension of the recently introduced phase-field crystal (PFC) method [Elder, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 245701 (2002)10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.245701], which incorporates elastic interactions as well as crystal plasticity and diffusive dynamics. In our model, elastic interactions are mediated through wave modes that propagate on time scales many orders of magnitude slower than atomic vibrations but still much faster than diffusive time scales. This allows us to preserve the quintessential advantage of the PFC model: the ability to simulate atomic-scale interactions and dynamics on time scales many orders of magnitude longer than characteristic vibrational time scales. We demonstrate the two different modes of propagation in our model and show that simulations of grain growth and elastoplastic deformation are consistent with the microstructural properties of nanocrystals.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Merochlorin A

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the meroterpenoid (?)‐merochlorin A is described. The route features enantiospecific gold‐catalyzed tandem 1,3‐acyloxy migration/Nazarov/aldol reaction sequence to furnish the bicyclo[3.3.0]octane core in a single step from a linear propargylic 1,3‐enyne aldehyde. After completion of the central skeleton by reductive enol lactone rearrangement, late stage Diels–Alder cycloaddition/aromatization sequence installed the resorcinol. An additional salient feature of the synthesis is the assignment of the absolute configuration, which had not been determined previously.     

Phosphate‐Binding Characteristics and Selectivity Studies of Bifunctional Organotin Carriers

The selective recognition of the orthophosphate anion by a series of bifunctional Lewis acidic organotin compounds is investigated. The binding affinity of these carriers to anions, as measured by NMR titrations in CH₂Cl₂ obeyed the potentiometric selectivity order phosphate > sulfate > perchlorate, and provided the corresponding complex‐formation constants. More accurate calculations of these values were obtained by the segmented‐sandwich‐membrane method performed directly inside the liquid polymeric membrane. These carriers were also studied potentiometrically in polymeric liquid membranes. The results indicate that (PhBr₂Sn)₂CH₂ is 2 to 5 orders of magnitude more selective towards phosphate over other oxoanions. These results set the ground for the development of a new series of highly selective anions carriers with a wide range of possible applications.     

On the equilibrium personnel structure in the presence of vertical and horizontal mobility via multivariate Markov chains

The present paper employs the Multivariate Homogeneous Markov System (MHMS) in the context of Markov manpower planning modelling. The system is regulated by an embedded multivariate Markov process that allows us to distinguish employees’ mobility patterns that take place either within or among the existing divisions (departments) of an organization. The motivation behind this step arises from the generalization of univariate Markov manpower planning models in which the organization is considered a single (probably hierarchical) group and from the fact that departmental mobility is actually common in most realistic establishments. The first part of the paper presents the functional relations of the MHMS governing intra/inter-departmental transitions. Using these functional forms, we proceed by studying the system’s equilibrium behaviour. This asymptotic analysis reveals the inherent tendencies of the system to reach the limiting structures of specific forms and properties under conditions imposed in the long run.     

Multiorganyltin Compounds. Designing a novel phosphate-selective carrier

A series of distannyl derivatives, 1–9 , were studied for their application as phosphate-selective carriers in polymer-based liquid membranes. A drastically different potentiometric behavior was observed depending on the distance between the tin(IV) coordinating centers and the ligands attached to them. Some of the compounds examined, i.e. (PhSnBr₂)₂CH₂( 1 ) and (Me₃SiCH₂SnCl₂CH₂)₂ ( 3 ) showed very high potentiometric selectivity towards phosphate over other lipophilic anions such as perchlorate and thiocyanate. Results indicate that (1) the optimal number of CH₂ groups between the Sn-centers are either one or three, (2) the electron-withdrawing power of the organic ligands attached to Sn-centers strongly influences the overall response towards phosphate, and (3) the steric effect of the organic substituents is important in the potentiometric selectivity observed.     

Characteristics of ESEEM and HYSCORE spectra of S>1/2 centers in orientationally disordered systems

One- and two-dimensional electron-spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectra of Kramers’ multiplets in orientationally disordered systems are simulated using a simple mathematical model. A fairly general high-field spin Hamiltonian is considered with a general g-tensor and arbitrary relative orientations between all tensors involving the electron-spin S, the nuclear spin I, and their interaction. The zero field splitting (ZFS) and the nuclear quadrupole interactions are, however, approximated by their respective secular part in a way that retains all orientation dependencies and it is assumed that the nuclear quadrupole interaction is smaller than the hyperfine interaction. These approximations yield an effective sublevel nuclear Hamiltonian for each EPR transition and are sufficient to account for the most important characteristics of the ESEEM spectra of high electronic multiplets in orientationally disordered systems. Moreover, they allow to obtain some analytical expressions that for I=1/2 illuminate important aspects of 2D hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) experiments in S=3/2, 5/2 systems. The pulses are considered as ideal and selective with respect to the different EPR transitions. The contributions of the latter to the echo intensity are weighed according to their different nutation angles and equilibrium Boltzmann populations. For simple axial cases with I=1/2, analytical expressions, analogous to the S=1/2 case, were derived for: (i) the modulation depth, (ii) the lineshapes of the HYSCORE cross-correlation ridges, and (iii) ENDOR powder pattern. Experimental results obtained from Mn(D₂O)₆²⁺ and VO(D₂O)₅²⁺ in frozen solutions are presented, compared, and analyzed in light of the theoretical part.     

Acretoside, a new sucrose ester from Aristolochia cretica

A new sucrose ester, acretoside, was isolated from the roots of the Greek endemic species Aristolochia cretica and identified as 6-O-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (1). In addition, a known sucrose ester, identified as arillatose B, two phenylpropanoid glucose esters, and five derivatives of aristolochic acid were isolated. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR data.     

Photochemische Cycloadditionen von 3-Phenyl-2H-azirinen mit Triphenyl-vinylphosphoniumbromid. 36. Mitteilung über Photoreaktionen

On irradiation in acetonitrile 3-phenyl-2H-azirines of type 1 react with triphenyl vinyl phosphonium bromide to form in approximative 50% yield 2H-indoles of type 4 (Scheme 1). In analogy to other photochemical reactions with 2H-azirines [2] [3] it is assumed that the photochemically generated dipoles 2 react with the triphenyl vinyl phosphonium salt (Scheme 1). The conversion of 1 to 4 represents a new synthesis for 2H-pyrroles.