Ion Pairing in Protic Ionic Liquids Probed by Far‐Infrared Spectroscopy: Effects of Solvent Polarity and Temperature

The cation–anion and cation–solvent interactions in solutions of the protic ionic liquid (PIL) [Et₃NH][I] dissolved in solvents of different polarities are studied by means of far infrared vibrational (FIR) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The dissociation of contact ion pairs (CIPs) and the resulting formation of solvent‐separated ion pairs (SIPs) can be observed and analyzed as a function of solvent concentration, solvent polarity, and temperature. In apolar environments, the CIPs dominate for all solvent concentrations and temperatures. At high concentrations of polar solvents, SIPs are favored over CIPs. For these PIL/solvent mixtures, CIPs are reformed by increasing the temperature due to the reduced polarity of the solvent. Overall, this approach provides equilibrium constants, free energies, enthalpies, and entropies for ion‐pair formation in trialkylammonium‐containing PILs. These results have important implications for the understanding of solvation chemistry and the reactivity of ionic liquids.     

Metal/Metal Redox Isomerism Governed by Configuration

A pair of diastereomeric dinuclear complexes, [Tp′(CO)BrW{μ-η²-C,C′-κ²-S,P-C₂(PPh₂)S}Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)], in which W and Ru are bridged by a phosphinyl(thiolato)alkyne in a side-on carbon P,S-chelate coordination mode, were synthesized, separated and fully characterized. Even though the isomers are similar in their spectroscopic properties and redox potentials, the like-isomer is oxidized at W while the unlike-isomer is oxidized at Ru, which is proven by IR, NIR and EPR-spectroscopy supported by spectro-electrochemistry and computational methods. The second oxidation of the complexes was shown to take place at the metal left unaffected in the first redox step. Finally, the tipping point could be realized in the unlike isomer of the electronically tuned thiophenolate congener [Tp′(CO)(PhS)W{μ-η²-C,C′-κ²-S,P-C₂(PPh₂)S}Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)-(PPh₃)], in which valence trapped W^III/Ru^II and W^II/Ru^III cationic species are at equilibrium.     

An Autonomous Chemical Robot Discovers the Rules of Inorganic Coordination Chemistry without Prior Knowledge

We present a chemical discovery robot for the efficient and reliable discovery of supramolecular architectures through the exploration of a huge reaction space exceeding ten billion combinations. The system was designed to search for areas of reactivity found through autonomous selection of the reagent types, amounts, and reaction conditions aiming for combinations that are reactive. The process consists of two parts where reagents are mixed together, choosing from one type of aldehyde, one amine and one azide (from a possible family of two amines, two aldehydes and four azides) with different volumes, ratios, reaction times, and temperatures, whereby the reagents are passed through a copper coil reactor. Next, either cobalt or iron is added, again from a large number of possible quantities. The reactivity was determined by evaluating differences in pH, UV‐Vis, and mass spectra before and after the search was started. The algorithm was focused on the exploration of interesting regions, as defined by the outputs from the sensors, and this led to the discovery of a range of 1‐benzyl‐(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐N‐alkyl‐(2‐pyridinemethanimine) ligands and new complexes: [Fe(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ); [Fe(L²)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ); [Co₂(L³)₂](ClO₄)₄ ( 3 ); [Fe₂(L³)₂](ClO₄)₄ ( 4 ), which were crystallised and their structure confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction determination, as well as a range of new supramolecular clusters discovered in solution using high‐resolution mass spectrometry.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 2.2′-dihydroxyazobenzene

C₁₂H₁₀N₂O₂; monoclinic, space group P1 2₁/c 1 (Z = 2), 826 observed independent reflexions, R = 0.043; lattice dimensions at 25 °C, a = 975.8(3) pm, b = 466.8(1) pm, c = 1186.8(2) pm, β = 108.51(1)°.     

Studies on main - chain liquid - crystalline model oligomers of defined length and structure

Oligomers of defined sequence and structure modelling main chain LC polymers were prepared a) by solution synthesis; b) by a novel liquid phase synthesis using two monomethoxy-poly (ethylene glycol) supports. Benzyl- and tert.butyl-groups were used as orthogonal pair of protecting groups for route a), and also as compatible anchor groups for carriers in route b). Depending on chain structure and end groups, at least ca. 3 mesogenic elements are required to allow for LC phase transitions. The phase behaviour of oligomers with free carboxylic ends can be explained by their association tendency.     

Comparative study of the thermal properties of related aromatic polyhydrazides and poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole)s

Studies were undertaken to ascertain the thermal behavior of several new types of aromatic polyhydrazides and poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole)s containing different functional groups. Results of thermal analysis investigations indicate that all the polyoxadiazoles are remarkably heat-resistant when heated in nitrogen at elevated temperature but somewhat less heat-resistant than fully aromatic polyoxadiazoles. Most of the new polyoxadiazoles decompose when heated to about 450°C. The incorporation of tetraphenyl silane, hexafluoroisopropylidene, phthalido or phenoxytherephthalic groups into the main chain decrease the glass transition temperature of aromatic poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole)s. In the case of the silicon-containing polymers the glass transition temperature is independent of the other groups incorporated in the same macromolecule. The cyclization process of all investigated polyhydrazides takes place in the range between 320 and 390°C.     

A Ramsey‐type problem and the Turán numbers*

For each n and k, we examine bounds on the largest number m so that for any k‐coloring of the edges of K_n there exists a copy of K_m whose edges receive at most k?1 colors. We show that for , the largest value of m is asymptotically equal to the Turá number , while for any constant then the largest m is asymptotically larger than that Turá number. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 40: 120–129, 2002     

Direct coupling of magnetic fields to tunneling systems in glasses

We report on investigations of spontaneous polarization echoes in the nonmagnetic multicomponent glass BaO-Al2O3-SiO2 in static magnetic fields. While the echo decay is only marginally influenced, the echo amplitude depends strongly on magnetic fields. It seems that the intrinsic magnetic moment of tunneling systems causes dephasing effects which are detected in our echo experiments. In addition we find a strong increase of the echo amplitude with magnetic fields. This result shows that the coupling of the tunneling systems to magnetic fields is surprisingly strong and cannot be understood on the basis of current theories.