Lithium–Lanthanide Bimetallic Metal–Organic Frameworks towards Negative Electrode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Novel lithium–lanthanide (Ln: cerium and praseodymium) bimetallic coordination polymers with formulas C₁₀H₂LnLiO₈ (Ln: Ce (CeLipma) and Pr (PrLipma)) and C₁₀H₃CeO₈ (Cepma) were prepared through a simple hydrothermal method. The three compounds were characterized by means of FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of structural refinement show that they belong to triclinic symmetry and P space group with cerium (or praseodymium) and lithium cations, forming coordination bonds to oxygen atoms from different pyromellitic acid molecules, and leading to the construction of 3D structures. It is interesting to note that the frameworks exclude any coordination water and lattice water. As an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, CeLipma exhibits a maximum capacity of 800.5 mAh g⁻¹ and a retention of 91.4 % after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. The favorable electrochemical properties of the lanthanide coordination polymers show potential application prospects in the field of electrode materials.     

Comparative XPS study between experimentally and naturally weathered pyrites

A comparative study has been carried out between experimentally and naturally weathered pyrites. Both were found to share similar species of weathering products and a similar weathering mechanism. The weathering products could be divided into sulphur-bearing or iron-bearing groups. The sulphur-bearing group was comprised of sulphate, sulphite, thiosulphate, elemental sulphur, polysulphide, and mono-sulphide. The iron-bearing group was comprised of goethite, hematite or magnetite, and iron sulphate. The weathering structural profile was also similar for both types of weathering, being composed of a surficial layer and a transitional layer. The surficial layer was made up of both the sulphur-bearing and the iron-bearing products, while the transitional layer was comprised of goethite, and hematite or magnetite. The inward migration of the weathering interface was stimulated by the diffusion of oxygen and moisture. The oxygen was considered to preferably squeeze the iron to form goethite, and the ferric ions of goethite to have acted as a bridge for electron transfer between the oxygen and bulk S₂²⁻ and Fe²⁺ of pyrite.     

One-Pot Synthesis and Fungicidal Activities of Derivatives of Imidazo [2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-5(6H)-one

The isothiocyanates 2, obtained from aza-Wittig reactions of vinyliminophosphoranes 1 with CS ₂ , reacted with hydrazine to give 3-amino-2-thioxo-4-imidazolidinones 4. One-pot reactions of 4, aromatic isocyanates, Ph ₃ P, C ₂ Cl ₆ , and Et ₃ N generated imidazo[2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-5(6H)-ones 7. Compound 7 exhibited good fungicidal activities, especially against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum de Bary and Botrytis Cinerea Pers.     

Synthesis of some novel 5-substituted benzamido-6-arylamino-pyrazolo[3,4-D]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives for herbicidal activity

Abstract

Sixteen novel 3-methylthio-5-substituted benzamido-6-arylamino-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4 (5H)-one derivatives (4a–p) were successfully synthesized from iminophosphoranes, aryl isocyanate, and substituted benzoylhydrazine. The structures of the title compounds were elucidated by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS. Herbicidal activity of the compounds 4a–p against Brassica napus (rape), Echinochloa crusgalli (barnyard grass), Cucumis sativus (cucumber), and Triticum aestivum (wheat) were determined. The results showed that 5-(2-chlorobenzamido)-6-phenylamino-3-methylthio-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4 (5H)-one (4c) displayed remarkable inhibition activity against the stalk and root of rape with 100% inhibition rate at the dosages of 10?mg/L and 100?mg/L, and 5-(4-nitrobenzamido)-6-phenylamino-3-methylthio-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4 (5H) -one (4d) exhibited excellent activity against the stalk and root of barnyard grass with 100% inhibition rate at the same dosages.     

Fabrication of chitosan microcapsules via layer-by-layer assembly for loading and in vitro release of heparin

The heparin-loaded microcapsules were successfully prepared by layer-by-layer deposition of chitosan (CHI) and heparin (Hep). Film growth was confirmed by the reversal of ζ-potentials during polysaccharide deposition. Both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope evidenced the integrity of (CHI/Hep)₅ capsules after the removal of cores. By assembling the carriers with chitosan that are inherently degradable, the capsules were engineered to degrade specifically in the presence of lysozyme. It was demonstrated that the loaded heparin was released from the capsules over a long period of time when being incubated in lysozyme solution. With these results, such CHI/Hep capsules may have a great potential as controlled release carrier for heparin.     

Stability constants of metal complexes of macrocyclic ligands with pendant donor groups

Abstract

In our studies of the stability constants of metal complexes, we have investigated a number of macrocyclic ligands with pendant donor groups. The ligands are characterized by the fact that they have nitrogen donors in the macrocyclic ring and oxygen or sulfur donors in the pendant arms. These ligands represent seven different macrocycles, and by varying the pendant donor groups, ten different ligands are indicated. The affinities of these ligands for fifteen metal ions will be described. The Fe(III) complex of triazanonane with o-hydroxypyridyl or o-hydroxybenzyl pendant donor groups are the most stable ferric complexes ever reported. The In(III) complex of triazacyclononane with pendant mercaptoethyl donor groups, is exceptionally stable. Also, the Ca(II) complex of DOTA probably has the highest stability of any calcium(II) complex. These, and other comparisons will be made on the basis of the thermodynamic stability constant data for the ligands described.     

Water Clusters: Through Which Water Capsules Were Connected to Form Supramolecular Chains

A crystal structure of {H₂O@CB[5]·(NH₄PF₆)₂}·9(H₂O) which consists of supramolecular chains self-assembled by water clusters and water capsules alternately was demonstrated. A water molecule is encapsulated in the cavity of CB[5] whose portals are occupied by two NH₄ ⁺, resulting in the formation of water capsule. The water clusters are made up of (H₂O)₄ and (H₂O)₅ clusters. The (H₂O)₄ cluster forms zigzag line and (H₂O)₅ features “Y-shape” structure. Moreover, anion channels consisting of six parallel supramolecular chains are occupied by PF₆ ^?.