Synthesis and Structure of a New Dimanganese Complex [Mn2(μ-OAc)2(phen)4](ClO4)2

A dinuclear manganese(II) complex, [Mn2(μ-Oac)2(phen)4](ClO4)2 1 (phen = phenanthroline), has been prepared by the reaction of Mn(Oac)2·4H2O, phen, tartaric acid and NaClO4·H2O in MeOH/H2O solution. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystal is of monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 9.6052(4), b = 14.2353(7), c = 18.8893(8)(A),β= 96.584(1)°, C52H38Cl2Mn2N8O12, Mr = 1147.68, V = 2565.8(2) (A)3, Dc = 1.486 g/cm3, F(000) = 1172, μ = 0.668 cm-1 and Z = 2. The final refinement gave R = 0.0605 and wR = 0.1619 for 3203 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The complex contains a dinuclear [Mn2(μ-Oac)2(phen)4]]2+ cation located at a centre of symmetry with two syn-anti acetate bridges between the Mn atoms. Each Mn atom is coordinated by four N atoms from two chelating phen ligands and two O atoms from a pair of bridging acetate groups to furnish a distorted octahedral geometry. Two ClO4 anions exist around the cation [Mn2(μ-Oac)2(phen)4]2+as counter ions.     

A novel histidine assay using tetraphenylporphyrin manganese (III) chloride as a molecular recognition probe by resonance light scattering technique

A novel histidine-selective method has been developed for the determination of histidine in aqueous solutions by resonance light scattering (RLS) technique. At pH 8.0, the weak RLS intensity of tetraphenylporphyrin manganese (III) chloride [MnTPPCl] was greatly enhanced by the addition of histidine with the maximum peak located at 483 nm. Under the optimum conditions, it was found that the enhanced RLS intensity was in proportion to the concentration of histidine in the range 7.8 × 10⁻⁷-2.4 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. Low detection limit of 9.2 × 10^-8 mol l⁻¹ has been achieved. The histidine concentrations in synthetic samples and real samples were determined with satisfactory results. The sensitivity and selectivity of this method are high enough to permit the determination of trace amounts of histidine without any significant interference from high levels of other components such as common anions and especially, other amino acids.     

Tuning the Basicity of Cyano‐Containing Ionic Liquids to Improve SO2 Capture through Cyano–Sulfur Interactions

A new approach has been developed to improve SO₂ sorption by cyano‐containing ionic liquids (ILs) through tuning the basicity of ILs and cyano–sulfur interaction. Several kinds of cyano‐containing ILs with different basicity were designed, prepared, and used for SO₂ capture. The interaction between these cyano‐containing ILs and SO₂ was investigated by FTIR and NMR methods. Spectroscopic investigations and quantum chemical calculations showed that dramatic effects on SO₂ capacity originate from the basicity of the ILs and enhanced cyano–sulfur interaction. Furthermore, the captured SO₂ was easy to release by heating or bubbling N₂ through the ILs. This efficient and reversible process, achieved by tuning the basicity of ILs, is an excellent alternative to current technologies for SO₂ capture.     

Mechanistic Aspects of a Highly Active Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst for the Co‐polymerization of Epoxides and CO2

The dinuclear zinc complex reported by us is to date the most active zinc catalyst for the co‐polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide. However, co‐polymerization experiments with propylene oxide (PO) and CO₂ revealed surprisingly low conversions. Within this work, we focused on clarification of this behavior through experimental results and quantum chemical studies. The combination of both results indicated the formation of an energetically highly stable intermediate in the presence of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A similar species in the case of cyclohexene oxide/CO₂ co‐polymerization was not stable enough to deactivate the catalyst due to steric repulsion.     

Near-infrared spectroscopic measurements of volume expansion and composition of CO2-expanded ethyl acetate,acetone, tetrahydrofuran,acetonitrile, methanol-OD,and dimethyl sulfoxide

CO₂-expanded liquid (CXL) is a mixture of organic solvent with high-pressure CO₂ whose volume is increased by CO₂ dissolved in it. CXLs have attracted attention as tunable solvents, because the solvent properties can be widely controlled by the pressure. The volume expansion and the solubility of CO₂ were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy for 6 CXLs at various pressures up to 55 bar and 40 °C. The molarity of organic solvent was determined from the absorbance of the 3ν and 2ν + δ bands, and that of CO₂ was obtained from the area of the 3ν₃ band, whose peak shifted to higher frequency with increasing pressure due to a decrease in the molecular interaction around CO₂. The expansion coefficient was shown to be an increasing function of the pressure with larger slope at higher pressure, and the mole fraction of CO₂ in the liquid phase was an almost linearly increasing function of the pressure. The results were in quantitative agreement with the literature data measured by conventional sampling method, indicating the validity of the spectroscopic method.     

Relation between Morphology and Photoelectrochemical Performance of TiO2 Nanotubes Arrays Grown in Ethylene Glycol/Water

The TiO₂ nanotube films were prepared by anodizing Ti plates in 0.2 M NH₄F ethylene glycol/10% H₂O under different formation voltages keeping fixed the time length, or by keeping fixed the formation voltage and varying the time length. The morphology of the TiO₂ film obtained was observed by SEM images and different morphological parameters were derived from them. Furthermore, the optical and semiconducting properties of TiO₂ films were also measured. The photoelectrochemical performance toward water oxidation of the TiO₂ only showed to be dependent with the inner diameter of the nanotubes, that could be related to the interaction of the film with the light and the transport of species in the electrolyte inward or outward the film.     

Titanium dioxide nanowires as green and heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of novel pyranocoumarins

Titanium dioxide nanowires were employed as novel, recyclable and safe catalysts in a one-pot three-component condensation of aldehydes, malononitrile, and 4-hydroxycoumarin to produce new and known pyrano[2,3-c]chromenes as potent biologically active compounds. A possible catalytic mechanism was also proposed based on the interaction of reactants with TiO₂ nanowires. This expedient new route has advantages, such as the use of a safe and reusable catalyst, simple operation, short reaction times and good to excellent yields.     

Reversible fixation and release of carbon dioxide with a binary system consisting of polyethylene glycol and polystyrene‐bearing cyclic amidine pendant group

In this study, we investigated the CO₂‐capture/release behavior of the polystyrene‐bearing cyclic amidine pendant groups, which was synthesized via free radical polymerization of HCl salt of the corresponding styrene monomer followed by neutralization. For comparison, we also prepared the polystyrene bearing N‐formyl‐1,3‐propanediamine pendant groups through the hydrolysis of the cyclic amidine group by treatment with an alkaline solution. First, we examined the CO₂‐capture/release behaviors of the amidine and amine monomers in aqueous solution in terms of conductivity. The conductivity of a wet DMSO solution of the amidine monomer increased upon CO₂ bubbling at 25 °C and reached a stationary value of about 11 mS/m, which indicated the formation of the bicarbonate salt. Conversely, the conductivity decreased to its original value upon N₂ bubbling at 50 °C, reflecting the complete release of the trapped CO₂ molecules. Both solutions showed the changes in the conductivity with quick responses, and no appreciable difference was observed between them. We then investigated the CO₂‐capture/release behaviors of the amidine and amine polymers, by taking advantage of the binary system with polyethylene glycol, and found that the binary system with the amidine polymer captured and released CO₂ more efficiently than that with the amine polymer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2025–2031     

Multiple‐pathways of carbon dioxide binding by a Lewis acid [B(C6F5)3] and a lewis base [P(tBu)3]: The energy landscape perspective

Using the reaction‐relevant two‐dimensional potential energy surface, an accurate reaction‐pathway mapping and ab inito molecular dynamics, it is shown that CO₂ capture by P(tBu)₃ and B(C₆F₅)₃ species has many nearly degenerate reaction‐routes to take. The explanation of that is in the topography of the transition state (saddle) area. An ensemble of asynchronous reaction‐routes of CO₂ binding is described in fine detail. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

[2,5‐Bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐6‐yl)‐3,4‐diazahexa‐2,4‐diene]dichloridomanganese(II): from a mononuclear compound to a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework through C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions

The title compound, [MnCl₂(C₂₄H₂₀N₆)], has been synthesized and characterized based on the multifunctional ligand 2,5‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐6‐yl)‐3,4‐diazahexa‐2,4‐diene (L). The Mn^II centre is five‐coordinate with an approximately square‐pyramidal geometry. The L ligand acts as a tridendate chelating ligand. The mononuclear molecules are bridged into a one‐dimensional chain by two C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. These chains are assembled into a two‐dimensional layer through π–π stacking interactions between adjacent uncoordinated bipyridyl groups. Furthermore, a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework is attained through π–π stacking interactions between adjacent coordinated bipyridyl groups.