Amino-Modified Silicate Xerogels Complexed with Cu(II) as Catalyst Precursors. Coordination State and Thermal Decomposition

The sol-gel process is a useful method for preparing two series of organically and co-ordinately modified xerogels of the types [CuN _n ]·N _5–n ·5xSiO_4/2 (n < 4) and [Cu(N–N)_n]·(N–N)_2–n ·2x SiO_4/2(n 2), where N = NH₂(CH₂)₃ SiO_3/2, N–N = NH₂(CH₂)₂NH·(CH₂)₃SiO_3/2 and x = [SiO_4/2]/[N] or [SiO_4/2]/[N–N]. The amino groups in the materials are coordinately active and participate partly in the coordination sphere of Cu(II) ions. The composition of the coordination sphere can be varied with the SiO_4/2 content and also as a result of the thermal decomposition of the organic residues at higher temperatures.Because the xerogel materials are considered to be catalyst precursors, this study is focused on their coordination and thermal properties. The prepared xerogels, such as silica, aminated silicates with N and N–N, as well as those entities complexed with Cu(II), were characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy. During gelation and thermal decomposition the materials were analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The xerogels were additionally studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The gaseous products of the thermal decomposition of these materials in an Ar atmosphere were investigated by the use of FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with TG and DTG thermal analysis. These data were complemented by temperature-programmed decomposition (TPDec) in a 2% O₂ + 98% Ar stream coupled with quadrupole mass spectroscopy.     

X-ray structure and multinuclear NMR studies of platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

Pt(II) and Pd(II) dichloride complexes with 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dbtp) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared and ¹H, ¹³C NMR, ¹³C CPMAS spectroscopy. The structures of the cis-PtCl₂(dbtp)₂ · EtOH (1) and cis-PdCl₂(dbtp)(dmso) (2) has been determined by signal-crystal X-ray diffraction. In both complexes the X-ray crystal structures shows that heterocycle ligand (dbtp) binds the central atom monodentate via nitrogen atom N(3). In addition, compound (2) is interesting for its structural features, because it is the first report of mixed dichloride Pd(II) complexes with N-donor (triazolopyrimidine) and S-donor (dimethylsulfoxide) ligands. In this structure the Pd–Cl distances are: 2.302(1) and 2.281(1) Å, Pd–N 2.041(3) Å and Pd–S 2.245(1) Å. The ¹H, ¹³C NMR studies show clearly that these structures are retained in solution.     

Thermal properties of rare earth dodecaborides

We have measured heat capacity and thermal expansion of rare earth dodecaborides REB₁₂ (RE=Y, Tb-Tm, Lu). YB₁₂ and LuB₁₂ are diamagnetics whereas the other dodecaborides are ordered antiferromagnetically. The amplitude of the heat capacity discontinuity at the Néel temperature and the shape of the heat capacity variation in the critical region for all these antiferromagnetics are characteristics for amplitude-modulated magnetic structures. In the ordered state TbB₁₂ reveals two first-order phase transitions, most likely due to magnetic structure changes. The heat capacity of ErB₁₂ just below the Néel point shows an anomaly of unclear origin. From the Schottky contribution to the heat capacity we have determined crystal field parameters. They are completely different than that is estimated from Point Charge Model.     

Study of the influence of substituents on spectroscopic and photoelectric properties of zinc phthalocyanines

In this paper we describe conversion of light energy into electric energy in a photoelectrochemical cell containing zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) dyes. For all dyes investigated in liquid polyvinyl alcohol with dimethyl sulfoxide solution and located in the photoelectrochemical cell the following measurements have been done: absorption, fluorescence, photoacoustic spectra, photovoltaic spectra, kinetics of photocurrent and current–voltage characteristics. It has been shown that all dyes located in the photoelectrochemical cell are able to convert light into electric energy but with different effectiveness. The influence of substituted different peripheral groups to ZnPc core and the correlation between the molecular structure and effectiveness of solar to electric energy conversion were observed and described. The unique behavior of ZnPc substituted with fluorines was indicated.     

Impedance studies of porous lanthanum-phosphate-bonded nickel electrodes in concentrated sodium hydroxide solution

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was investigated on a lanthanum-phosphate-bonded nickel (LPBN) powder electrode in 30 wt.% NaOH at 70°C using ac impedance and steady-state polarization techniques. Circuits containing one or two constant-phase elements (CPEs) in parallel with a resistance and corresponding to fractal and porous electrode models were tested in order to interpret the ac impedance data. The experimental impedance spectra were well described by the porous electrode model and the circuit containing two CPEs. The results obtained from the ac impedance and steady-state measurements allowed the mechanism and kinetics of the HER to be evaluated. Comparison of these parameters with those obtained on the polycrystalline nickel electrode in 1 M alkaline solution at 25°C indicates that an increase in activity is principally due to an increase in the real surface area.     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of Co3O4 powder and single crystals

Kinetics of thermal decomposition in vacuum of Co₃O₄ powder as well as single crystals has been investigated. Discrepancies with the results of previous authors have been discussed. Decomposition of Co₃O₄ proceeds through formation of a compact layer of CoO and hence diffusion is the rate-limiting factor. The experimental curves α(t) be described for 0.05 < α < 0.85 using a modified Ginstling-Brounshtein equation: 1 ? 2α/3 ? (1 ? α)^2/3 = ktⁿ where the activation energy varies with the degree of decomposition.     

On the apparent molar volumes of nonelectrolytes in water

Apparent molar volumes of aqueous solutions of argon and xenon have been calculated using a previously developed comprehensive equation of state for nonelectrolyte systems. The equation consists of a virial expansion truncated after the fourth virial coefficient and a closed-form term approximating higher coefficients. Mixing rules are based on the composition dependence of virial coefficients, which is known from statistical mechanics. The equation accurately represents vapor-liquid and gas-gas equilibria for the Ar+H₂O and Xe+H₂O systems over wide ranges of pressure and temperature using two binary parameters. With the binary parameters determined from phase equilibrium data, the equation accurately predicts apparent molar volumes V in the near-critical and far-from-critical regions. Apart from reproducing experimental V data, the equation reveals remarkable maxima of V as a function of pressure and temperature in the near-critical region. The implications of this equation with respect to the Ar–H₂O potential are discussed via the second virial coefficient.     

Excess volumes for n-alkanols + n-alkanes I. Binary mixtures of methanol,ethanol, n-propanol,and n-butanol + n-heptane

Excess volumes V^E measured at 298.15 K in a successive-dilution dilatometer are reported for binary mixtures of the n-alkanols C₁ to C₄ + n-heptane. For ethanol +, and n-butanol + n-heptane, the measurements were extended to high dilutions of alkanol. V^E is positive for all of the mixtures but decreases rapidly in magnitude for increasing chain length of the n-alkanol. The results were used to estimate the excess partial molar volumes of the components.     

Multipeak distributions of first passage times in bistable dynamics in a model of a thermochemical system.

A master equation is used to study transitions between the stable limit cycle and stable focus in the two-variable bistable system. The distribution function of the mean first passage time between these attractors and the relative dispersion of the mean first return time from the stable focus to itself as a function of the intensity of fluctuations are calculated and discussed. A coherence resonance is observed for the return time from the focus to itself.