Freezing in resonance structures for better packing: XeF2 becomes (XeF+)(F-) at large compression

Recent high-pressure experiments conducted on xenon difluoride (XeF(2)) suggested that this compound undergoes several phase transitions up to 100 GPa, becoming metallic above 70 GPa. In this theoretical study, in contrast to experiment, we find that the ambient pressure molecular structure of xenon difluoride, of I4/mmm symmetry, remains the most stable one up to 105 GPa. In our computations, the structures suggested from experiment have either much higher enthalpies than the I4/mmm structure or converge to that structure upon geometry optimization. We discuss these discrepancies between experiment and calculation and point to an alternative interpretation of the measured cell vectors of XeF(2) at high pressure. At pressures exceeding those studied experimentally, above 105 GPa, the I4/mmm structure transforms to one of Pnma symmetry. The Pnma phase contains bent FXeF molecules, with unequal Xe-F distances, and begins to bring other fluorines into the coordination sphere of the Xe. Further compression of this structure up to 200 GPa essentially results in self-dissociation of XeF(2) into an ionic solid (i.e., [XeF](+)F(-)), similar to what is observed for nitrous oxide (N(2)O) at high pressure.     

X-ray crystallographic, FT-IR, and density functional theory studies of the salt formed between dipicrylamine and 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-1-ene

The DPA-TBD (dipicrylamine-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-1-ene) salt has been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray single-crystal diffraction, and theoretical study. In the FT-IR spectrum of the crystalline DPA-TBD salt, an unexpected intense band at 1742 cm(-1) is present. The optimized geometry and the FT-IR spectra of the DPA salt were calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G+(d) level and give an explanation of the nature of this band as the ν(C═N═C) vibration. For comparison, the calculated IR spectra of the DPA anion, hydrogen-bonded DPA anion, and neutral DPA and TBD molecules as well as for the TBD cation are also shown. The presence of the free DPA anion in the gas phase was directly detected in the negative ion mode electrospray ionization MS spectra. The fragmentation of the DPA anion is also discussed.     

Current induced resistance change of magnetic tunnel junctions with ultra-thin MgO tunnel barriers

Ultra-thin magnetic tunnel junctions with low resistive MgO tunnel barriers are prepared to examine their stability under large current stress. The devices show magnetoresistance ratios of up to 110% and an area resistance product of down to . If a large current is applied, a reversible resistance change is observed, which can be attributed to two different processes during stressing and one relaxation process afterwards. Here, we analyze the time dependence of the resistance and use a simple model to explain the observed behavior. The explanation is further supported by numerical fits to the data in order to quantify the timescales of the involved phenomena.     

New Polymethoxyflavones from Hottonia palustris Evoke DNA Biosynthesis-Inhibitory Activity in An Oral Squamous Carcinoma (SCC-25) Cell Line

Four new compounds, 5-hydroxy-2′,6′-dimethoxyflavone (4), 5-hydroxy-2′,3′,6′-trimethoxyflavone (5), 5-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone (6), and 5,6′-dihydroxy-2′,3′-dimethoxyflavone (7), and three known compounds, 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione (1), 5-hydroxyflavone (2), and 5-hydroxy-2′-methoxyflavone (3), were isolated from the aerial parts of Hottonia palustris. Their chemical structures were determined through the use of spectral, spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The quantitative analysis of the compounds (1–7) and the zapotin (ZAP) in methanol (HP1), petroleum (HP6), and two chloroform extracts (HP7 and HP8) were also determined using HPLC-PDA. The biological activity of these compounds and extracts on the oral squamous carcinoma cell (SCC-25) line was investigated by considering their cytotoxic effects using the MTT assay. Subsequently, the most active compounds and extracts were assessed for their effect on DNA biosynthesis. It was found that all tested samples during 48 h treatment of SCC-25 cells induced the DNA biosynthesis-inhibitory activity: compound 1 (IC₅₀, 29.10 ± 1.45 µM), compound 7 (IC₅₀, 40.60 ± 1.65 µM) and extracts ZAP (IC₅₀, 20.33 ± 1.01 µM), HP6 (IC₅₀, 14.90 ± 0.74 µg), HP7 (IC₅₀, 16.70 ± 0.83 µg), and HP1 (IC₅₀, 30.30 ± 1.15 µg). The data suggest that the novel polymethoxyflavones isolated from Hottonia palustris evoke potent DNA biosynthesis inhibitory activity that may be considered in further studies on experimental pharmacotherapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma.     

Spectroscopic, semiempirical and X-ray structural study of the 2:1 complex of a cyclic diamide of o-phthalic acid with water molecule

Cyclic diamide of o-phthalic acid with 3,6-dioxa-octyl-1,8-diamine (CPhDA) was synthesised by a new method and its hydrate structure has been studied by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, NMR and PM5 semiempirical methods. The crystal of this compound is orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, with a = 16.7033(11), b = 8.8823(5), c = 19.6182(12) and Z = 8. The IR spectrum of the crystal is consistent with the results obtained by the X-ray study and provides spectroscopic evidence for the formation of the H-bonded complex with water molecules. The calculated structure of the complex and the structural parameters are comparable with those determined by the X-ray method.     

Intramolecular hydrogen bonds with large proton polarizability in semisalts of mono- and di-N-oxides of N,N′-tetraalkyl-o-xylyldiamines

Heteroconjugated NO⁺H … N NO … H⁺N and homoconjugated NO⁺H … ON NO … H⁺ON intramolecular hydrogen bonds formed in semisalts of mono- and di-N-oxides of N,N′-tetraalkyl-o-xylyldiamines were studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy. All these hydrogen bonds show large proton polarizability. In the case of the heteroconjugated hydrogen bonds the proton transfer equilibrium shifts from compounds 1 to 3 to the left hand side since the interaction of the hydrogen bond with the solvent environment decreases in this series of compounds. With compound 1 the hydrogen bonds are slightly weaker and longer, hence the wavenumber dependence of the intensity of the continuum caused by these hydrogen bonds is slightly changed with compound 1 compared with compound 2. In the case of compound 3 the intensity of the continuum decreases because of increasing screening of the hydrogen bonds. In the series of homoconjugated hydrogen bonds, from compound 4 to 6 the intense continuum vanishes, and only the band of the 0–1 proton transition at 950 cm⁻¹ remains. The vanishing of the continuum is caused by increasing screening of the hydrogen bonds against their solvent environments by bulky groups, and thus, this change demonstrates again that the interaction of the hydrogen bond with large proton polarizabilities is a necessary prerequisite for IR continua to appear.     

Crystal structure of Schiff base derivative of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl-3-carbaldehyde with n-butylamine

Crystals of the Schiff base derivative of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl-3-carbaldehyde with n-butylamine were examined using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and CPMAS spectroscopy. Their space group is with a=8.377(2), b=12.214(2), c=14.774(3) Å, =76.62(3)°, β=81.34(3)°, γ=86.62(3)° and Z=4. The unit cell contains two symmetry-independent zwitterions. The hydrogen atom of the protonated N atom of the Schiff base is linked to the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group at position 2, which in turn is linked to the hydroxyl group by a short hydrogen bond [molecule A: NO=2.614(3), OO=2.520(3) Å; molecule B: NO=2.594(4), OO=2.526(3) Å]. The OHO⁻H⁺N bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bonds are crystallographically asymmetric. The results of the FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N NMR and CPMAS study of the crystals are in agreement with the X-ray data. Instead of a continuous absorption, only a broad band is found indicating relatively low proton polarizability in the two types of the cooperative relatively short intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The ¹⁵N NMR chemical shift indicates the protonation of the Schiff base.     

X-ray and spectroscopic studies of the molecular structure of bis(8-oxy-1-methylquinolinium) hydroiodide

Bis(8-oxy-1-methylquinolinium) hydroiodide has been studied by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. In the crystalline state a homoconjugated OH  O⁻ hydrogen bond is formed. As indicated by the X-ray data this hydrogen bond is very short (2.457 Å) and structurally symmetrical. The existence of this bond is manifested in the FT-IR spectra by an intense and broad band in the 1500–400 cm⁻¹ region. This type of absorption indicates that this hydrogen bond can be described by one very broad potential energy minimum in which the proton shows a large proton polarizability due to its fast fluctuations, i.e., it shows the so-called Zundel’s polarizability.     

Formation of hydrogen-bonded chains between a strong base with guanidine-like character and phenols with various pKa values - an FT-IR study

The complexes formed by phenols with 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-l-methyl-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine (mTBD), an N-base with guanidine-like character, were studied as a function of the pK_a of the phenols by FT-IR spectroscopy. The following phenols were used: 4-cyanophenol (4-CNPh), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DNPh). In the case of chloroform solutions of 1: 1 mixtures of the phenols with MTBD the corresponding complexes are formed completely. With increasing acidity of the phenols the hydrogen bonds become increasingly asymmetrical. The O … N ⁻O … H⁺N hydrogen bond in the 4-CNPh-MTBD complex shows large proton polarizability. In the other cases only the polar structure is realized. With increasing phenol MTBD ratio, the formation of chains with two phenol molecules is observed. With decreasing pK_a of the phenols the fluctuation is limited to the phenol-phenolate bond and finally, the phenol-protonated MTBD bond begins to dissociate. In acetonitrile solutions, N⁺H …O⁻ hydrogen bonds are observed in the case of the 1:1 mixture of 4-CNPh with MTBD. A weak continuum indicates the presence of homoconjugated phenol-phenolate bonds with large proton polarizability. In the case of 2:1 mixtures only protonated MTBD and homoconjugated phenol-phenolate bonds are observed, independent of the pK_a of the phenols. The results are discussed with regard to the proton pathway in bacteriorhodopsin.     

Managing Excess Lead Iodide with Functionalized Oxo-Graphene Nanosheets for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

Stability issues could prevent lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) from commercialization despite it having a comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) to silicon solar cells. Overcoming drawbacks affecting their long-term stability is gaining incremental importance. Excess lead iodide (PbI₂) causes perovskite degradation, although it aids in crystal growth and defect passivation. Herein, we synthesized functionalized oxo-graphene nanosheets (Dec-oxoG NSs) to effectively manage the excess PbI₂. Dec-oxoG NSs provide anchoring sites to bind the excess PbI₂ and passivate perovskite grain boundaries, thereby reducing charge recombination loss and significantly boosting the extraction of free electrons. The inclusion of Dec-oxoG NSs leads to a PCE of 23.7 % in inverted (p-i-n) PSCs. The devices retain 93.8 % of their initial efficiency after 1,000 hours of tracking at maximum power points under continuous one-sun illumination and exhibit high stability under thermal and ambient conditions.