Uranium sorption from aqueous solutions on sodium-form of HEU-type zeolite crystals

The uranium sorption from aqueous solutions (concentration range 50–20.000 mg/l) by the sodium-form (Na-form) of HEU-type zeolite crystals (particle-size <20 m) has been investigated by means of a batch-type method. The INAA, RI-XRF, powder-XRF, SEM-EDS and FT-IR techniques were used for the study of the experimental products. The absolute uranium uptake by the material reached the value of 11.68 mg/g in the case of initial concentraton 20,000 mg/l. On the other hand theK _d -values indicated that the relative uranium uptake, and consequently the percentage of removal, is higher for concentrations below 100 mg/l. The uranium uptake by the zeolite is attributed to different sorption processes such as ion-exchange, adsorption and surface precipitation, taking place both to the interior and the surface of the crystals and strongly depending on the pH of the solutions. The investigated zeolitic material was sufficiently resistant at the low initial pH of the solutions with dealumination phaenomena only observed in the case of the most acidic solution used.     

Aromaticity of ortho and meta 8-Cycloparaphenylene and Their Dications: Induced Magnetic Field Analysis with Localized and Delocalized Orbitals in Strained Nanohoops

Dications of cycloparaphenyles ([n]CPPs) are known to exhibit in-plane global aromaticity, contained in a nanobelt structure. Recently synthesized ortho and meta isomers of [n]CPPs break the radial symmetry of π structure incorporating perpendicular oriented π orbitals. Herein we set to explore the aromaticity of neutral and dicationic ortho and meta isomers of [8]CPP by dissecting the induced magnetic field to contributions of the twofold radial/perpendicular π system using delocalized canonical molecular orbitals (CMO), and introducing the natural localized molecular orbitals (NLMO) analysis with DFT methods. The dications sustain a reduced global aromatic character of the radial π system under a perpendicular orientation of the external field which declines from ortho to meta isomer and reinforces local aromaticity of ortho ring while it destroys aromaticity of meta ring. Aromaticity variations are determined by symmetry governed rotational excitations of frontier π orbitals. The parallel orientation reveals a substantial reduction of local aromaticity verified with NICS_π analysis and electron delocalization indices.     

Synthesis,Spectral Properties,and Crystal Structure of {Methoxo[4-phenylbutane-2,4-dione(p-nitrobenzoyl) hydrazonato(2-)]oxovanadium(V)}

The hydrazino complex {methoxo[4-phenylbutane-2,4-dione(p-nitrobenzoyl)hydrazonato(2-)]oxovanadium(V)}, VO(p-NO₂bhbzac)OCH₃, (1), has been prepared by the direct reaction of bis(benzoylacetonato) oxovanadium(IV), VO(bza)₂, with p-NO₂-C₆H₄C(O)NHNH₂, p-NO₂bh, in CH₃OH. The resulting compound contains benzoylacetone-(p-NO₂)benzoyl hydrazone as tridentate Schiff base-type ligand and OCH₃ group as Lewis base, both ligated to vanadium. The crystals are orthorhombic, with Z = 8, space group Pbca, a = 11.699(5) Å, b = 14.035(5) Å, c = 22.564(5) Å, R1 = 0.0756 and wR2 = 0.1302. The crystal structure demonstrated the square-pyramidal geometry of the VO_oxo(ONO)O coordination sphere with the oxo ligand at the apical position. The electronic absorption spectra revealed a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) band in the near UV region at _max = 23,700 cm^–1 (B = 5640 dm³ mol^–1 cm^–1) in CH₃CN, _max = 23,420 cm^–1 (B = 5550 dm³ mol^–1 cm^–1) in DMSO, and _max near 26,950 (sh) cm^–1 (B = 10,550 dm³ mol^–1 cm^–1) in CH₂Cl₂. The FT-IR spectra of (1) show the characteristic strong (V = O) stretching vibration at 993 cm^–1 and support the view that the oxovanadium complex is pentacoordinated and monomeric.     

Aromatic character of Oh-C24N24. A cavernous nitride fullerene bearing N4-macrocycle motifs

Spherical fullerenes offer noteworthy structures usually involving six- and five-membered faces, with application in technological issues. In this sense, cavernous spherical-like structures bearing larger holes provide interesting examples for further understanding of structure-properties relationship. Here, we explored the magnetic response of a proposed cavernous nitride fullerene, C₂₄N₂₄, which has a O_h-symmetry with six N₄-macrocyclic and eight 1,3,5-triazine faces displaying 48-π electrons. C₂₄N₂₄ exhibits a local aromatic behavior owing to the contrasting antiaromatic response of the N₄-macrocyclic faces and the aromatic character of the 1,3,5-triazine faces. Thus, the overall structure is ascribed as a local aromatic species, where the triazine faces exhibit the characteristic shielding cone for aromatic rings. Furthermore, the constructive combination of local shielding cones in C₂₄N₂₄ delivers a related shielding-cone response, as expected for a perfect aromatic cage. Hence, the local aromatic/nonaromatic/antiaromatic sections exhibit an additive or subtractive interaction, leading to a characteristic response inherent to the nature of the spherical cage. We expect that further study of the interplay between different aromatic and antiaromatic faces in fullerene-like cages can deliver interesting pseudo-aromatic or pseudo-antiaromatic spherical species.     

UV and MO study on the deprotonation of some 2-aryl-Δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thiones

Substituent effects on the deprotonation processes of a series of 2-aryl-Δ²-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione (1) derivatives have been studied experimentally as well as theoretically. The acid dissociation constants pK_a have been determined spectrophotometrically in ethanol-water solutions (7.5-92.5%) and vary between 3.76 and 5.80. Semiempirical molecular orbital (MO) calculations (AM1 and PM3) were used for the investigation of the existence of possible tautomeric thione and thiol forms of the studied compounds. Strong correlation between the pK_a values and the deprotonation enthalpies were evaluated.     

On the cation–π capabilities of small all sp2-carbon host structures. Evaluation of [6.8]3cyclacene from relativistic DFT calculations

Cation–π interactions are noncovalent forces with essential roles in the stability of protein structures, molecular recognition, and host–guest chemistry. In this work, we discuss the formation of cation–π complexes involving one of the smallest characterized nanobelts to date, given [6.8]₃cyclacene, by using relativistic DFT-D calculations. Such nanobelt exhibits a noteworthy all-sp² carbon backbone, leading to a rigid and confined host framework. Our results reveal that the inclusion of representative cations, such as Ag⁺ and Sn²⁺, appears to be plausible, revealing that it is feasible to obtain these compounds experimentally. Such systems involves two contrasting coordination modes, where the Ag⁺ cation remains coordinated in the upper face of the nanobelt, whereas the Sn²⁺ is able to be located at the center of the structure. In addition, the coordination of isoelectronic Cd²⁺ and In⁺ was also discussed. Moreover, the bonding characteristics of the resulting cation–π interaction show that the π-orbitals from the nanobelt 1 are able to moderate the charge transfer, according to the selected cation, which can be seen as an interesting strategy to tune the amount of charge of the π-backbone in nanobelts. We envisage that the use of more rigid host in the formation of cation–π interactions will be beneficial to gain a better understanding about the metal coordination and also to tune the capabilities of related nanobelts or nanotubes sections.     

Characterisation of zeolitic materials with a HEU-type structure modified by transition metal elements: definition of acid sites in nickel-loaded crystals in the light of experimental and quantum-chemical results

Nickel-loaded HEU-type zeolite crystals have been obtained by well-known synthetic procedures and characterised by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning-electron microscopy/ energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), FT-IR, diffuse reflectance UV/ Vis spectroscopy (DR(UV/Vis)S) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements as non-homoionic and non-stoichiometric substances containing exchangeable hydrated Ni2+ ions in the micropores and nickel hydroxide phases supported on the surface. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential gravimetry (TGA/DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) demonstrated that full dehydration below approximately 400 degrees C follows a clearly endothermic process, whereas at higher temperatures the zeolite is amorphised and finally partially recrystallised to Ni(Al,Si) oxides, detected by powder X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The solid acidity of NiHEU, initially determined by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia to be 8.93 mgg(-1) NH3, is attributed to the weak acid sites (fundamentally Lewis sites) resolved at approximately 183 degrees C, and to the strong acid sites (essentially Br?nsted sites) resolved at approximately 461 degrees C in the TPD pattern. A more sophisticated study based on in situ/ex situ FT-IR with in situ/ex situ 27Al MAS NMR and pyridine (Py) as a probe molecule, revealed that the Lewis acid sites can be attributed primarily to Ni2+ ions, whereas the Br?nsted ones can probably be associated with the surface-supported nickel hydroxide phases. The spectroscopic measurements in conjunction with powder XRD and 29Si MAS NMR data strongly suggest that distorted Al tetrahedra are formed during the dehydration process and Py chemisorption/complexation (NiHEU-Py), whereas the crystal structure is remarkably well preserved in the rehydrated material (NiHEU-Py/R). The structural, electronic, energetic and spectroscopic properties of all possible nickel(II) aqua and dihydroxy complexes absorbed in the zeolite micropores or supported on the zeolite surface were studied theoretically by density functional theory (DFT). The computed proton affinity, found to be in the range 182.0-210.0 kcalmol(-1), increases with increasing coordination number of the aqua and dihydroxy nickel(II) complexes.     

Consequences of Curvature on Induced Magnetic Field: The Case of Helicenes

Helicenes consist of several fused rings twisted around an axis, forming a cylindrical helix, with π-delocalized electrons in the non-planar rings. Induced magnetic fields dissecting the orbital contributions of [6]-, [7]-, and [14]helicene are discussed. Computations show a deshielding cone produced by the π-electrons along the helical axis. Unexpectedly, the response of the core electrons produces a shielding cone, which is cumulative and sensitive to the curvature of the systems owing to the overlap of the other ring responses. A warning is provided regarding the evaluation of the delocalization in curved systems in which the x- and y-components of the induced magnetic field become relevant.     

Synthesis and a UV and IR spectral study of some 2-aryl-Δ-2-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thiones

Twenty four 2-Aryl-Δ-²-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione derivatives 2 were synthesized and their uv and ir spectra were studied. Correlation between σ-Hammett constants of aryl substituents and the differences in absorption maxima (Δv = v₁-v₂ in kK) of the electronic spectra of the deprotonated species were also evaluated. A new method for the synthesis of the 2-(amino)aryl derivatives 2v,w,x is also reported.     

Heavy metal uptake by zeoliferous rocks from Metaxades,Thrace, Greece: An exploratory study

The uptake of mercury, cadmium and silver from aqueous solutions by unpretreated and NaCl-pretreated clinoptilolite-bearing volcaniclastic rocks from Metaxades (Thrace, Greece) has been studied using a batch method with radioactive tracers (¹⁹⁷Hg,¹¹⁵Cd and^110mAg). The concentration of the solutions used varied between approximately 1000 and 17000 ppm. An improvement of the uptake ability was observed in the case of NaCl-pretreated material for all the investigated metals and especially for mercury at the upper part of the concentration range studied. The heavy metal uptake is attributed to different mechanisms taking place both at the rock grains and their individual mineral components.