Divalent Samarium: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Sm4OCl6 and KSm2Cl5

Single crystals of Sm₄OCl₆ and KSm₂Cl₅ have been obtained by metallothermic reductions of SmCl₃ with lithium (in the presence of Sm₂O₃ or SmOCl) and potassium, respectively, at elevated temperatures in sealed tantalum containers. Sm₄OCl₆ (hexagonal, P6₃mc, Z = 2, a = 946.59(4), c = 717.88(4) pm) and KSm₂Cl₅ (monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 888.06(6), b = 784.81(5), c = 1262.77(8) pm, ß = 90.085(6)°) are true divalent samarium compounds, Sm₄OCl₆ with remarkably short Sm²⁺–O^2? distances (236.0, 237.6 (3x) pm) within the [Sm₄O] tetrahedron.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of Cd[AlCl4]2 and Cd2[AlCl4]2

Colorless single crystals of Cd[AlCl₄]₂ grow from the melt of CdCl₂ and AlCl₃ upon slow cooling from 250°C. The crystal structure [monoclinic, P1a1, Z = 2, a = 1288.7(2), b = 660.2(1), c = 705.1(1) pm, β = 92.89(1)º] may be derived from hexagonally closest packed layers of Cl^?. Octahedral and tetrahedral holes are filled with Cd²⁺ and Al³⁺ in a 1:2 ratio between all layers stacked in the [104] direction. Cd[GaCl₄]₂ and Cd[AlBr₄]₂ are isotypic. Reduction of Cd[AlCl₄]₂ with excess cadmium shot and slow cooling from 350°C yields plate-like very moisture-sensitive, colorless single crystals of Cd₂[AlCl₄]₂. The crystal structure [triclinic, C1 , Z = 2, a = 655.47(3), b = 1135.26(1), c = 935.23(6) pm, α = 89.70(2)º, β = 103.61(1)º, γ = 90.455(1)º] is built from slabs stacked in the [100] direction consisting of ethane-like [Cd₂Cl₆] units with a Cd? Cd distance of 256.1 pm sharing common vertices with [AlCl₄] tetrahedra.     

The Remarkably Robust,Photoactive Tungsten Iodide Cluster [W6I12(NCC6H5)2]

The new heteroleptic tungsten iodide cluster compound [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] is presented. The synthesis is carried-out from Cs₂W₆I₁₄ and ZnI₂ under solvothermal conditions in benzonitrile solution, yielding red cube-shaped crystals. [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] represents a heteroleptic [W₆I₈]-type cluster bearing four apical iodides and two benzonitrile ligands. Molecular [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] clusters form a robust hydrogen bridged crystal structure with high thermal stability and high resistibility against hydrolysis. The electronic structure is analyzed by quantum chemical methods of the calculated electron localization function (ELF) and the band structure. Photoluminescence measurements are performed to verify and describe the photophysical properties of [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂]. Finally, the photocatalytic properties of [W₆I₁₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] are evaluated as a proof-of-concept.     

Improved quantitation of 13-cis- and all-trans-acitretin in human plasma by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A reliable analytical method has been developed for measurement of 13-cis- and all-trans-acitretin (Neotigason) in human plasma by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, with ultraviolet detection. Human plasma was obtained after centrifugation of whole blood samples and deproteinized by ethanolic denaturation. After liquid-liquid extraction with water-n-hexane, and aliquot ws chromatographed on a silica column using isocratic elution with n-hexane-methylsalicylate-acetic acid (200:18:0.6, v/v). The wavelength was set at 360 nm, and for plasma samples a limit of quantification of 3-4 ng/ml was obtained. All manipulations were carried out under dim light conditions to prevent photoisomerization.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the Bi-excited collision systems He*(23 S) + He*(23 S, 21 S) at thermal and subthermal kinetic energies

We have carried out a comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation of the autoionizing collision systems He*(2³ S, 2¹ S) + He*(2³ S). We present high resolution electron energy spectra, obtained with a single He* beam (average relative collision energy 〈E _rel〉=1.6 meV) and with crossed He* beams (〈E _rel〉> =61 meV). The spectra show substantial structure, and under single beam conditions fast oscillations due to the interference of incoming and outgoing heavy particle waves in the entrance channels are observed. Accurate ab initio potential curves for the seven lowest He*—He*(Σ) molecular states have been obtained from a Feshbach projection scheme, and width functions for He*(2³ S) + He*(2³ S) have been derived by Stieltjes imaging. Based on these ab initio data, detailed quantum mechanical calculations of the electron spectra have been carried out and provide a thorough understanding of the experimentally observed spectral features. Good overall agreement of the calculated spectra with the experimental data is observed. The close coincidence in the positions of the experimental and theoretical peaks, especially for He*(2³ S) + He*(2³ S), underlines the reliability of the ab initio potentials. In the He*(2¹ S) + He*(2³ S) electron spectrum, the dominant peak is traced to be due to autoionization from the 2³Σ⁺ _g molecular state accessed via an avoided crossing. We also present a detailed discussion of the total ionization cross sections σ_tot and of the fraction σ_AI/σ_tot for associative ionization together with a critical comparison with previous work. The ionization probabilities for close collisions in entrance channels, from which autoionization is spin-allowed, are near unity, and therefore the absolute values and the collision energy dependence of the total cross sections simply reflect the long-range behaviour of the excited state potentials.     

A multitechnique surface analytical study of a segmented block copolymer poly(ether-urethane) modified through an H2O radio frequency glow discharge

Recent work in our laboratories has fully characterized the surface region of a segmented poly(ether-urethane) (PEU) extending from the air/polymer interfacial region through bulk depths in the micron range. This characterization utilized energy and angle dependent Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), and Comprehensive Wettability Profiling (contact angle using a homologous series of liquids) as defined by Zisman. In this study this same multi-analytical-technique approach is used to elucidate changes in these PEU surfaces induced through an H₂O Radio Frequency Glow Discharge (RFGD) plasma. This investigation reports both qualitative and quantitative changes due to the modification treatments as well as the permanency of the changes effected on these surfaces through the plasma treatment. From our analyses, the amount of surface residing polyurethane (hard segment) is observed to increase due to a proposed plasma etching mechanism. Further, the addition of oxygen containing functionality is detected at the modified surfaces unique with respect to the unmodified PEU. These surface modifications which show large increases in wettability, are finally observed to be semi-permanent over a time period of 6 months.     

[Rb2(H2O)2][Re3(μ-Cl)3Br7(H2O)2]2 · H2O,ein gemischtes Halogenid-Hydrat mit anionischen Dimeren {[Re3(μ-Cl)3Br7(H2O)2]2 · H2O}2−

[Rb₂(H₂O)₂][Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O, a Mixed Halide-Hydrate with the Anionic Dimer {[Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O}^2? [Rb₂(H₂O)₂][Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O crystallizes as dark redbrown single crystals from an hydrobromic-acid solution of ReCl₃ and RbBr at 0°C. An important feature of the crystal structure (monoclinic, C2/c; a = 1494.61(8); b = 835.71(4); c = 3079.96(19) pm; β = 97.801(4)°; V_m = 573.9(4) cm³mol^?1; R = 0.060; R_w = 0.038) is the connection of two anions [Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]^? via a water molecule to dimers, {[Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O}^2?. These dimeric units are contained in slabs that are stacked in the [001] direction and held together by Rb⁺ cations and crystal water.     

Influence of base fluid,temperature, and concentration on the thermophysical properties of hybrid nanofluids of alumina–ferrofluid: experimental data,modeling through enhanced ANN,ANFIS, and curve fitting

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Recently, the suspension of hybrid nanoparticles in conventional fluids has been investigated as a technique for improving the thermophysical...     

Die Struktur des Tetraphenyldisiloxans

Structure of Tetraphenyldisiloxane Tetraphenyldisiloxane 1 crystallizes at 298 K monoclinically (P2₁/n; a = 1407.6; b = 610.7; c = 1262.7 pm; β = 95.87° Z = 2) and undergoes a second order phase transition at 200 K, in an almost unchanged structure of triclinic symmetry. At 298 K the molecules are already bent (Si? O? Si = 160°) with static or dynamical disorder of the bridging atom. Both Si? O distances are different (156 or 169 pm), because the shift of the bridging O atom is not perpendicular to the Si? to? Si vector. The reason for this remarkable behavior is not yet clear. According to the vibrational spectra, the Si? O? Si bridge is bent in the crystal but, in CCl₄ solution a dynamical oscillation through the linear configuration may occur.