Effect of mechanical activation on thermal and electrical conductivity of sintered Cu,Cr, and Cu/Cr composite powders

The results of measurement of electric resistivity and thermal conductivity of materials obtained by spark plasma sintering from powders of Cu, Cr, and their mixtures in the range of 300–600 K are presented. It is shown that the grinding of powders in planetary mills results in a reasonably substantial change in the electric and thermal properties of materials: to increasing electric resistivity and decreasing thermal conductivity and temperature coefficients of electric resistivity. The possible causes of these effects are considered.     

Site‐Directed Dimerization of Bowl‐Shaped Radical Anions to Form a σ‐Bonded Dibenzocorannulene Dimer

Designed site‐directed dimerization of the monoanion radicals of a π‐bowl in the solid state is reported. Dibenzo[a,g]corannulene (C₂₈H₁₄) was selected based on the asymmetry of the charge/spin localization in the C₂₈H₁₄^.? anion. Controlled one‐electron reduction of C₂₈H₁₄ with Cs metal in diglyme resulted in crystallization of a new dimer, [{Cs⁺(diglyme)}₂(C₂₈H₁₄?C₂₈H₁₄)^2?] ( 1 ), as revealed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study performed in a broad range of temperatures. The C?C bond length between two C₂₈H₁₄^.? bowls (1.560(8) Å) measured at ?143 °C does not significantly change upon heating of the crystal to +67 °C. The single σ‐bond character of the C?C linker is confirmed by calculations. The trans‐disposition of two bowls in 1 is observed with the torsion angles around the central C?C bond of 172.3(5)° and 173.5(5)°. A systematic theoretical evaluation of dimerization pathways of C₂₈H₁₄^.? radicals confirmed that the trans‐isomer found in 1 is energetically favored.     

Crystal Structure of Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>[NbCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>] and Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>[NbBr<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

Single crystals of Tl₂[NbCl₆] (1) and Tl₂ [NbBr₆] (2) are obtained as black needles on heating TlCl, Nb, S₂Cl₂ (1) and Tl, Nb, and Br₂ at 400°C (2). Tl₂NbBr₆ also forms in the reaction of TlBr, Nb, Br₂, and S at 500°C. Both compounds crystallize in the K₂[PtCl₆] structure type to form non-distorted octahedral [NbХ₆]^2– anions (Nb–Cl 2.397(4) Å and Nb–Br 2.516(2) Å). The magnetic properties of Tl₂[NbBr₆] in a range 5-300 K indicate an antiferromagnetic interaction between Nb⁴⁺ ion spins (d¹, S = 1/2). On cooling, the compound becomes a noncollinear ferromagnet with T_c = 23 K.     

Hunting dimers

HBCBH and HAlCAlH are related electron-deficient molecules, predicted as local minima on their respective potential energy surfaces. Different views of their electronic structure—as allenes, carbenes, or carbones—prompted two research groups to a friendly competition exploring the predilection of these small molecules to dimerize. Many such dimers emerged from the calculations, some with large enthalpies favoring dimerization. Most interesting among these is an octahedral didehydrocarborane (or alane). The menagerie of (HECEH)₂, E = B, Al structures obtained shows great variety in its bonding patterns. That variety is instructive, for it points to the necessity of examining dimerization for any theoretically postulated metastable molecule. We also learn of the continuing utility of simple Lewis structures, the acid–base reactivity of carbones and carbenes, and the dominant role of electron deficiency in borane and alane chemistry.     

Zinc(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from ethylenediamine and salicylaldehyde: the synthesis and photoluminescent properties

The effect of the nature of organic ligands and complex formation on the photoluminescent characteristics (relative quantum yield, excited-state lifetime) and thermal stability of tetradentate Schiff bases (H₂L), derivatives of salicylaldehyde (H₂(SAL)¹, H₂(SAL)²), o-vanillin (H₂(MO)¹, H₂(MO)²) with ethylenediamine and o-phenylenediamine, and their zinc(II) complexes was studied. Zinc(II) complexes were synthesized by the reaction of H₂L with Zn(AcO)₂·2H₂O in MeOH at room temperature or under reflux. In the case of H₂L = H₂(SAL)², H₂(MO)¹, H₂(MO)², complexes of the composition ZnL·H₂O were isolated irrespective of the temperature. For H₂L = H₂(SAL)¹, the reaction results in Zn(SAL)¹·H₂O at room temperature and in anhydrous dimeric complex [Zn(SAL)¹]₂ under reflux. Density functional calculations of H₂L and ZnL confirmed that (1) luminescence of these compounds is due to the π-π* transition between orbitals of the organic ligand and (2) enhancement of conjugation of the chain and introduction of electron-donating substituents lead to a decrease of the energy gap and, there-fore, to a bathochromic shift of the emission maximum. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1846–1855, September, 2008.     

Structure and properties of thin-film polyguanidine-based composite coatings deposited from the gas phase

Morphological features and structure of thin-film composite coatings containing polyhexamethylene-guanidines and polyurethanes and prepared from volatile products of electron-beam dispersion of these polymers were studied.     

Specific features of formation and molecular structure of polyaniline-based composite coatings deposited from active gas phase

Regular trends in formation of composite polymeric coatings based on polyaniline (emeraldine base) and thermoplastic polymers (polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane) from the gas phase generated by electron-beam dispersion were determined. The dependence of the molecular structure and adsorption activity of the deposited coating on its composition at various modes of support treatment was examined.