UCr4C4 with filled MoNi4 type structure

The title compound was prepared by arc melting coldpressed pellets of the elemental components with subsequent annealing at both 800°C or 1100°C. UCr₄C₄ crystallizes tetragonal, space group I4/m,a=0.79363 (4) nm,c=0.30754 (3) nm,V=0.19370 nm³ withZ=2 formula units per cell. The structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray data and refined to a residual ofR=0.027 for 16 variable parameters and 279 structure factors. The positions of the metal atoms correspond to those of the MoNi₄ type structure. The carbon atoms occupy octahedral voids formed by four chromium and two adjacent uranium atoms. Chemical bonding in UCr₄C₄ and in other interstitial compounds is briefly discussed. The average valence electron number of the metal atoms is usually greater for the unfilled (host) structure than for the corresponding filled structure.Dedicated to Prof. Dr.Kurt Komarek and to Prof. Dr.Adolf Neckel on the occasion of their 60th birthdays.     

The crystal structure of the molybdenum cementite Mo12Fe22C10 (ξ-phase)

The crystal structure of molybdenum cementite Mo₁₂Fe₂₂C₁₀ (-phase) has been determined by means of a single crystal x-ray diffraction study of crystal fragments. The lattice parameters were found to be:a=10.865 (3),b=7.767 (2),c=6.559 (2) Å and =120.13 (2)°, space group C2/m;Z=1. From the analysis ofPatterson maps and differenceFourier analysis the atomic parameters were derived, yielding a residual ofR=0.059. The crystal structure contains octahedral and triangular prismatic groups which accommodate the carbon atoms in their voids, as is usually found in interstitial compounds. The octahedral building group consists of four Mo- and two Fe-atoms, the triangular prism is built up by four Fe-and two Mo-atoms. The mode of filling of the metal polyhedra is discussed.

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Die Kristallstruktur von Molybdän-Zementit, Mo₁₂Fe₂₂C₁₀ (-Phase)

Zusammenfassung Die Kristallstruktur von Molybdän-Zementit, Mo₁₂Fe₂₂C₁₀ (-Phase) wird auf Grund von Einkristall-Beugungsaufnahmen unter Anwendung vonPatterson-and DifferentialFourier-Analysen bestimmt. In der monoklinen Elementarzelle (a=1.870;b=7.67;c=6.563 Å, =120.1°) Raumgruppe C 2/m befindet sich eine Formeleinheit Mo₁₂Fe₂₂C₁₀ (oderZ=2, Mo₆Fe₁₁C₅). DerR-Wert von 6% für 1200 Reflexe unterstreicht die Richtigkeit der Struktur, die aus oktaedrischen und trigonal prismatischen Gruppen aufgebaut ist. Die Oktaedergruppe besteht aus 4 Mo- und 2-Fe-Atomen, die trigonal prismatische Gruppe aus 4 Fe- und 2 Mo-Atomen. Die Kohlenstoffatome füllen die Lücken dieser Bauelemente, wie es für typische Einlagerungscarbide (Komplexcarbide) erwartet werden kann.

     

Synthesis of Macrocyclic Compounds Using Diorganotin(IV) Dicarboxylates as Covalent Templates

A series of new macrocyclic compounds have been prepared by treating di- n -butyltin(IV) dicarboxylates of diphenic acid (biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid), thiodiacetic acid and maleic anhydride with succinyl, adipoyl and sebacoyl dichlorides. The compounds have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses and spectral data (mass, IR, ^IH and ¹³C NMR).     

Dynamic materials derived from biobased furans: towards the ‘sleeping giant’ awakening

This focus article presents the author’s view on the problems in the development of biorefining strategies based on the use of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), the key product derived from renewable plant biomass that was recognized as the ‘sleeping giant’ of the sustainable chemistry. The several key problems that hinder the large-scale production of HMF and its applicability in the laboratory organic synthesis and industry are discussed. This minireview is also focused on the development of the dynamic cross-linked polymers with controlled three-dimensional structure based on Diels–Alder reaction of biobased HMF-derived furans with maleimides. Realization of scalable technologies for an efficient production of such ‘smart’ analogues of the traditional petrochemical-based materials could be the basis for the realization of the competitive HMF-promoted biorefining.     

Mutual influence between covalent and noncovalent interactions in H3N–MCN–XF (X = H,Li, Cl,Br; M = Ag,Cu, Au)

The interplay between covalent and noncovalent interactions has been investigated in H₃N–MCN–XF (X = H, Li, Cl, Br; M = Ag, Cu, Au) complexes using ab initio calculations at the MP2 level of theory. The coinage metal as a substituent has an irregular enhancing effect (Au < Cu < Ag) on the strength of noncovalent interaction in MCN–XF, while the covalent interaction in H₃N–MCN becomes stronger with the reverse order. Interesting cooperativity effects were observed when covalent and noncovalent interactions coexist in the same complex, and they become more prominent for the stronger covalent and noncovalent interactions. These effects have been characterised in detail with the structural, spectroscopic, energetic, and charge transfer features of the complexes.