A Nanoscale Molecular Switch Triggered by Thermal,Light, and Guest Perturbation

Bottoms up! A discrete metallo‐supramolecular nanoball (see picture), synthesized by using “bottom‐up” methodologies, uniquely undergoes a solvent‐sensitive, physically addressable electronic spin switching. The switching occurs by thermal, light, or solvent perturbation, where importantly it can be switched “on” or “off” by green or red laser irradiation, respectively.

     

Inside Cover: A Nanoscale Molecular Switch Triggered by Thermal,Light, and Guest Perturbation (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 14/2009)

Continuous switching between high‐spin and low‐spin magnetic states can be accomplished by irradiation with red and green laser light, respectively. In their Communication on page 2549 ff., S. R. Batten and co‐workers report a metallo‐supramolecule that undergoes spin crossover (SCO) switching induced by temperature change or light irradiation. The SCO behavior is also dependent on the presence and nature of intercalated solvent molecules within the porous crystal structure.

     

CONTROLLING THE 3D NANOSCALE ORGANIZATION OF BULK HETEROJUNCTION POLYMER SOLAR CELLS

In this study,the three dimensional nanoscale organization in the photoactive layers of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a methanofullerene derivative (PCBM) is revealed by transmission electron tomography.After annealing treatment,either at elevated temperature or during slow solvent evaporation,nanoscale interpenetrating networks are formed with high crystalline order and favorable concentration gradients of both components through the thickness of the photoactive layer.Such a tailored morphology acco...     

Models for capacitated lot-sizing problem with backlogging,setup carryover and crossover

Setup operations are significant in some production environments. It is mandatory that their production plans consider some features, as setup state conservation across periods through setup carryover and crossover. The modelling of setup crossover allows more flexible decisions and is essential for problems with long setup times. This paper proposes two models for the capacitated lot-sizing problem with backlogging and setup carryover and crossover. The first is in line with other models from the literature, whereas the second considers a disaggregated setup variable, which tracks the starting and completion times of the setup operation. This innovative approach permits a more compact formulation. Computational results show that the proposed models have outperformed other state-of-the-art formulation.     

Meso-porphyrinylphosphine oxides: mono- and bidentate ligands for supramolecular chemistry and the crystal structures of monomeric {[10,20-diphenylporphyrinatonickel(II)-5,15-diyl]-bis-[P(O)Ph(2)] and polymeric self-coordinated {[10,20-diphenylporphyrinatozinc(II)-5,15-diyl]-bis-[P(O)Ph(2)]}

A series of porphyrins substituted in one or two meso positions by diphenylphosphine oxide groups has been prepared by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of diphenylphosphine or its oxide with the corresponding bromoporphyrins. Compounds {MDPP-[P(O)Ph2]n} (M = H2, Ni, Zn; H2DPP = 5,15-diphenylporphyrin; n = 1, 2) were isolated in yields of 60-95%. The reaction is believed to proceed via the conventional oxidative addition, phosphination, and reductive elimination steps, as the stoichiometric reaction of eta(1)-palladio(II) porphyrin [PdBr(H2DPP)(dppe)] (H2DPP = 5,15-diphenylporphyrin; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with diphenylphosphine oxide also results in the desired mono-porphyrinylphosphine oxide [H2DPP-P(O)Ph2]. Attempts to isolate the tertiary phosphines failed due to their extreme air-sensitivity. Variable-temperature 1H NMR studies of [H2DPP-P(O)Ph2] revealed an intrinsic lack of symmetry, while fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the phosphine oxide group does not behave as a "heavy atom" quencher. The electron-withdrawing effect of the phosphine oxide group was confirmed by voltammetry. The ligands were characterized by multinuclear NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography showed that the bis(phosphine oxide) nickel(II) complex {[NiDPP-[P(O)Ph2]2} is monomeric in the solid state, with a ruffled porphyrin core and the two P=O fragments on the same side of the average plane of the molecule. On the other hand, the corresponding zinc(II) complex formed infinite chains through coordination of one Ph2PO substituent to the neighboring zinc porphyrin through an almost linear P=O...Zn unit, leaving the other Ph2PO group facing into a parallel channel filled with disordered water molecules. These new phosphine oxides are attractive ligands for supramolecular porphyrin chemistry.     

New bis-, tris- and tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands with 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl substituents: synthesis and coordination chemistry

The new ligands dihydrobis[3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Bp(4py)]-, hydrotris[3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tp(4py)]-, tetrakis[3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tkp(4py)]-, dihydrobis[3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Bp(3py)]-, hydrotris[3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tp(3py)]- and tetrakis[3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tkp(4py)]- are derivatives of the well known bis-, tris- and tetrakis-(pyrazolyl)borate cores, bearing 4-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl substituents attached to the pyrazolyl C3 positions. These pyridyl groups cannot chelate to the metal ions in the poly(pyrazolyl) cavity but are externally directed. Structural studies on a range of metal complexes show how, in many cases, coordination of these pendant pyridyl groups to the M(pyrazolyl)n core of an adjacent metal complex fragment results in formation of coordination oligomers or polymeric networks. [Tl(Bp(3py))], [Tl(Bp(4py))] and [Tl(Tp(4py))] form one-dimensional polymeric chains via coordination of one of their pendant pyridyl units to the Tl(I) centre of an adjacent complex fragment; in contrast, in [Tl(Tp(3py))] coordination of all three pendant pyridyl units to separate Tl(I) neighbours results in formation of a two-dimensional polymeric sheet. In [Tl(Tkp(3py))] and [Tl(Tkp(4py))] the Tl(I) is coordinated by two or three of the four pyrazolyl arms, respectively; bridging interactions of pendant 4-pyridyl groups with adjacent Tl(I) centres result in a two-dimensional sheet forming in each case. In Ag(Tkp(4py)) each Ag(I) ion is coordinated by two pyrazolyl rings, and two bridging pyridyl ligands from other complex units, resulting in a one-dimensional chain consisting of pairs of cross-linked zigzag chains. In contrast to these polymeric coordination networks, the structures of [Cu(Tp(4py))] and [(Tp(3py))Cd(CH3CO2)] are dimers, with a pendant pyridyl residue from the first metal centre attaching to a vacant coordination site on the second, and vice versa; these dimers are stabilised by pi-stacking interactions between sections of the two ligands. [Ni(Tp(3py))2] is monomeric, with an octahedral coordination geometry arising from two tris(pyrazolyl)borate chelates; the array of pendant 3-pyridyl groups is involved only in intramolecular hydrogen-bonding. [(Tp(4py))Re(CO)3] is also monomeric, with a facial arrangement of three pyrazolyl ligands and three carbonyls, with the pendant 4-pyridyl groups not further coordinated. [(Tp(2py))Re(CO)3], based on the related ligand hydrotris[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate, has a similar fac-(CO)3(pyrazolyl)3 coordination geometry.     

Preparation, structural analysis and dielectric properties of Bi x La1−x FeO3 perovskite

Rare earth element substituted bismuth ferrites (BiFeO₃) are of enormous importance as magnetoelectric materials. The polycrystalline samples of Bi _x La_1−x FeO₃ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were prepared by solid-state reaction using standard ceramic method. The single-phase formation of these compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The samples with x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 are found to be orthorhombic while the sample with x=0.8 is triclinic. The dielectric constant (ε′) and dissipation factor (tan δ) were measured in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz at room temperature and as a function of temperature at certain fixed frequencies (1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz). All the samples showed dielectric dispersion. The dielectric constant with temperature shows a broad peak; the peak temperature shifts with frequency which reflects the relaxor-type behavior. The peak above 600 K in the measured temperature range corresponds to antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (Néel temperature). The broadness of the peak changes with composition. The ac conductivity as well as ε′ are found to be maximum for the sample x=0.2 at room temperature.     

Magnetoelectric effect in cobalt ferrite-barium titanate composites and their electrical properties

CoFe₂O₄-BaTiO₃ composites were prepared using conventional ceramic double sintering process with various compositions. Presence of two phases in the composites was confirmed using X-ray diffraction. The dc resistivity and thermoemf as a function of temperature in the temperature range 300 K to 600 K were measured. Variation of dielectric constant (ɛ′) with frequency in the range 100 Hz to 1 MHz and also with temperature at a fixed frequency of 1 kHz was studied. The ac conductivity was derived from dielectric constant (ɛ′) and loss tangent (tan δ). The nature of conduction is discussed on the basis of small polaron hopping model. The static value of magnetoelectric conversion factor has been studied as a function of magnetic field.