The formal combination of three singlet biradicaloid entities to a singlet hexaradicaloid metalloid Ge14[Si(SiMe3)3]5[Li(THF)2]3 cluster

The reaction of GeBr with LiSi(SiMe(3))(3) leads to the metalloid cluster compound [(THF)(2)Li](3)Ge(14)[Si(SiMe(3))(3)](5) (1). After the introduction of a first cluster of this type, in which 14 germanium atoms form an empty polyhedron, [(THF)(2)Li](3)Ge(14)[Ge(SiMe(3))(3)](5) (2), we present here further investigations on 1 to obtain preliminary insight into its chemical and bonding properties. The molecular structure of 1 is determined via X-ray crystal structure solution using synchrotron radiation. The electronic structure of the Ge(14) polyhedron is further examined by quantum chemical calculations, which indicate that three singlet biradicaloid entities formally combine to yield the singlet hexaradicaloid character of 1. Moreover, the initial reactions of 1 after elimination of the [Li(THF)(2)](+) groups by chelating ligands (e.g., TMEDA or 12-crown-4) are presented. Collision induced dissociation experiments in the gas phase, employing FT-ICR mass spectrometry, lead to the elimination of the singlet biradicaloid Ge(5)H(2)[Si(SiMe(3))(3)](2) cluster. The unique multiradicaloid bonding character of the metalloid cluster 1 might be used as a model for reactions and properties in the field of surface science and nanotechnology.     

In Situ Synchrotron Radiation X‐Ray Microspectroscopy of Polymer Microcontainers

Direct, real‐time analytical techniques that provide high‐resolution information on the chemical composition and submicrometer structure of various polymer micro‐ and nanoparticles are in high demand in a range of life science disciplines. Synchrotron‐based scanning transmission X‐ray microspectroscopy (STXM) combines both local‐spot chemical information (assessed via near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy) and imaging with resolution of several tens of nanometers, and thus can yield new insights into the nanoscale properties of these materials. Furthermore, this method allows in situ examination of soft‐matter samples in aqueous/gaseous environments and under external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, ultrasound, and light irradiation. This Minireview highlights some recent progress in the application of the STXM technique to study the temperature‐dependent behavior of polymer core–shell microcapsules and to characterize the physicochemical properties of the supporting shells of gas‐filled microbubbles in their natural hydrated state.     

Twin Structure of (La,Nd)GaO3 Solid Solutions

For La_1‐xNd_xGaO₃ crystals the La‐Nd substitution leads to decrease of spontaneous strains and for composition with x≈0.32 the six possible twin states of orthorhombic phase (m3mFmmm) may be degenerated in three twin states inhered in m3mF4/mmm species when a distorted perovskite pseudocell becomes tetragonal. The {110} and {112} reflection twins and axial twins with compositional planes close to (211) and (21‐1) (S‐walls) were identified in La_1‐xNd_xGaO₃ (x=0.07, 0.12, 0.20) solid solutions crystals. All observed twins are typical for crystals with GdFeO₃ type perovskite‐like structure. It has been shown that for x≤0.2 and x≥0.5 orientations of S‐walls weakly depend on La/Nd ratio, whereas in the range of 0.2<x<0.5 they depend strongly on the solid solution composition. The tilt angle between two twin states across twin boundary in La_1‐xNd_xGaO₃ (x<0.6) solid solutions is smaller than that between two twins in pure LaGaO₃ or NdGaO₃.     

A comprehensive study of the vibrationally resolved S 2p(-1) Auger electron spectrum of carbonyl sulfide

High-resolution normal Auger-electron spectra of carbonyl sulfide subsequent to S 2p(-1) photoionization at photon energies of 200, 220, and 240 eV are reported along with corresponding photoelectron spectra. In addition, theoretical results are presented that take the core-hole orientation of the various spin-orbit-split and molecular-field-split S 2p(-1) states into account. Auger transitions to eight metastable dicationic final states are observed and assigned on the basis of the theoretical results. From Franck-Condon analysis, assuming Morse potentials along the normal coordinates for seven of the observed quasi-stable dicationic final states, information on the potential-energy surfaces is derived and compared with theoretical results from the literature.     

2.2]Paracyclophane derived bisphosphines for the activation of hydrogen by FLPs: application in domino hydrosilylation/hydrogenation of enones

The heterolytic splitting of hydrogen by two types of [2.2]paracyclophane derived bisphosphines (1, 2a and 2b) in combination with tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (3) at room temperature is described. The corresponding frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) exhibit different behavior in the activation of hydrogen. This results from diverse steric and electronic properties of the bisphosphines. The reactivity of the frustrated Lewis pairs was exploited in the first diastereoselective domino hydrosilylation/hydrogenation reaction catalyzed by FLPs.     

Gas-dynamic consideration of the laser evaporation synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes

The abundance of carbon single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) in soot synthesized by pulsed laser evaporation of graphite is studied over a wide range of synthesis conditions. The derived SWNT growth time-scale appears to be much longer than any characteristic time-scale in a simplified model of the relaxation of a high-pressure hot condensing gas bubble in a background atmosphere. It is concluded that SWNT nucleation and growth take place in relaxed, condensed, thermalized evaporation products at an optimal temperature between 850-1250 °C at a rate of few 7m length per second, which is consistent with a condensed state "precipitation" mechanism for the SWNT formation.     

Propene polymerization with Ziegler-type catalysts formed from Me2Si(Ind)2ZrMe2 and cation-generating reagents

Kinetic and polymer analytical results obtained with the systems Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrMe₂/[B(C₆F₄Si(i-Pr)₃)₄]⁻ [(C₆H₅)₃C]⁺ (2) and Me₂Si(Ind)₂ZrMe₂/[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ [(C₆H₅)₃C]⁺ (3) in olefin polymerizations are compared (Me: methyl; Ind: indenyl). Both systems show that the polymerization rate increases with increasing metallocene concentration in a surplus due to the formation of binuclear species. The expected influence of increasing cation-anion distance on the stereo-errors of the poly(propylene)s when changing from system 3 into system 2 could not be detected.     

Dyeing uric acid crystals with methylene blue

The growth of anhydrous uric acid (UA) and uric acid dihydrate (UAD) crystals from supersaturated aqueous solutions containing methylene blue, a cationic organic dye, has been investigated. Low concentrations of dye molecules were found to be included in both types of crystal matrixes during the growth process. Incorporation of dye into UA crystals occurs with high specificity, affecting primarily [001] and [201] growth sectors, while UAD crystals grown from solutions of similar dye concentration show inclusion but little specificity. The orientation of the UA-trapped species was determined from polarization data obtained from visible light microspectrometry. To achieve charge neutrality, a second anionic species must also be included with the methylene blue into UA and UAD crystal matrices. Under high pH conditions, crystallization of 1:1 stoichiometric mixtures of methylene blue and urate yields methylene blue hexahydrate (MBU.6(H2O). The crystal structure of MBU.6(H2O) reveals continuous pi-pi stacks of planes of dye cations and urate anions mediated by water molecules. This structure provides an optimal geometry for methylene blue-urate pairs and additional support for the incorporation of these dimers in uric acid single-crystal matrices. The strikingly different inclusion patterns in UA and UAD demonstrate that subtle changes in the crystal surfaces and/or growth dynamics can greatly affect recognition events.