Chemisorption of Exchange‐Coupled [Ni2L(dppba)]+ Complexes on Gold by Using Ambidentate 4‐(Diphenylphosphino)benzoate Co‐Ligands

A new strategy for the fixation of redox‐active dinickel(II) complexes with high‐spin ground states to gold surfaces was developed. The dinickel(II) complex [Ni₂L(Cl)]ClO₄ ( 1 ClO₄), in which L^2? represents a 24‐membered macrocyclic hexaaza‐dithiophenolate ligand, reacts with ambidentate 4‐(diphenylphosphino)benzoate (dppba) to form the carboxylato‐bridged complex [Ni₂L(dppba)]⁺, which can be isolated as an air‐stable perchlorate [Ni₂L(dppba)]ClO₄ ( 2 ClO₄) or tetraphenylborate [Ni₂L(dppba)]BPh₄ ( 2 BPh₄) salt. The auration of 2 ClO₄ was probed on a molecular level, by reaction with AuCl, which leads to the monoaurated Ni^II₂Au^I complex [Ni^II₂L(dppba)Au^ICl]ClO₄ ( 3 ClO₄). Metathesis of 3 ClO₄ with NaBPh₄ produces [Ni^II₂L(dppba)Au^IPh]BPh₄ ( 4 BPh₄), in which the Cl^? is replaced by a Ph^? group. The complexes were fully characterized by ESI mass spectrometry, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography ( 2 BPh₄ and 4 BPh₄), cyclic voltammetry, SQUID magnetometry and HF‐ESR spectroscopy. Temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal a ferromagnetic coupling J=+15.9 and +17.9 cm^?1 between the two Ni^II ions in 2 ClO₄ and 4 BPh₄ (H=?2 JS₁S₂). HF‐ESR measurements yield a negative axial magnetic anisotropy (D<0), which implies a bistable (easy axis) magnetic ground state. The binding of the [Ni₂L(dppba)]ClO₄ complex to gold was ascertained by four complementary surface analytical methods: contact angle measurements, atomic‐force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The results indicate that the complexes are attached to the Au surface through coordinative Au? P bonds in a monolayer.     

Extraction properties of 25,27-bis(carbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arenes towards Sr2+: competitive extraction and extraction in a synthetic groundwater

The Sr²⁺ extraction properties of some 25,27-bis(carbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arenes, in which ester (–CH₂CO₂Et), keto (–CH₂COCH₃) and acid functionalities (–CH₂CO₂H) have been attached to the lower rim, are reported. Strontium ion extraction experiments were performed in a chloroform/water system, and the extraction performance analyzed by radiotracing using the short-lived radio nuclide ⁸⁵Sr. Effects of pH value, ligand to metal ratio, temperature, extraction time and strontium species on the extraction behavior were examined. It was observed that the 25,27-bis(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]arene derivatives are potent extracting agents towards the strontium ion, showing remarkable extraction performance in competition with a series of organic and inorganic impurities and in a synthetic groundwater. The crystal structure of 25,27-bis(acetonyloxy)calix[4]arene is also reported.     

Synthesis of Tris‐ and Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)silanes

The synthesis and complete characterization of functional, highly Lewis acidic tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanes as well as tetrakis(perfluoroalkyl)silanes Si(C₂F₅)₄ and Si(C₂F₅)₃CF₃ by direct fluorination is described. The reaction of SiCl₄ with LiC₂F₅ invariably affords (pentafluoroethyl)fluorosilicates. To avoid silicate formation by fluoride transfer from LiC₂F₅ the Lewis acidity of the silane has to be decreased by electron‐donating substituents, such as dialkylamino groups. The easily accessible Si(C₂F₅)₃NEt₂ is a valuable precursor for a series of tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanes.     

Wavelength stabilized 980 nm uncooled pump laser modules for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

We review the development of wavelength stabilized 980 nm pump laser modules without active temperature stabilization for applications in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Operation over a wide temperature range with an output power exceeding 400 mW at an ambient temperature of 70°C is demonstrated. The overall reliability of uncooled modules is estimated to be well below 500 FIT at all operating conditions. Such devices are made possible by continuous development and steady improvement of the pump laser chip, the optimization of the fiber Bragg grating stabilization scheme, careful design of the module package, and extended reliability analysis on the basis of stress tests as well as field data.     

High speed integrated electronics for communications systems

The functions necessary in broadband communications systems at speeds above 50 Mb/s are discussed. The types of components and functionality that are needed for access to networks and for the transmission and routing of traffic within networks are identified. Integrated circuit components used for customer-network access, network multiplexing, and switching are reviewed. It is shown that currently available digital VLSI technology is capable of achieving both the speeds and the levels of integration necessary to allow broadband network access even to residential subscribers