Mineralogical analysis of auriferous ores from the El Diamante mine, Colombia

X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectrometry (MS), secondary ions mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and laser-ablation microprobe–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LAM–ICP–MS) were used to study mineral samples of Colombian auriferous ores collected from the “El Diamante” mine, located in the municipality of Guachavez-Nariño, in Colombia. The samples were prepared as polished thin sections and polished sections. From XRD data, quartz, sphalerite and pyrite were detected and their respective cell parameters were estimated. From MS analyses, pyrite, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite were identified; their respective hyperfine parameters and respective texture were deduced. Multiple regions of approximately 200 × 200 μm in each sample were analyzed with SIMS; the occurrence of “invisible gold” associated mainly with pyrite and secondarily with arsenopyrite could thus be assigned. It was also found that pyrite is of the arsenious type. Spots from 30 to 40 μm in diameter were analyzed with LAM–ICP–MS for pyrite, arsenopyrite and sphalerite; Au is “homogeneously” distributed inside the structure of the arsenious pyrite and the arsenopyrite (not as inclusions); the chemical composition indicates similarities of this “invisible gold”, forming a solid solution with arsenious pyrite and arsenopyrite. One hundred nineteen and 62 ppm of ‘invisible gold’ was quantified in 21 spots analyzed on pyrite and in 14 spots on arsenopyrite, respectively.     

Time-resolved fluorescence spectra using time-correlated photon counting: Picosecond fluorescence in aqueous solutions of Cr(III) complexes at room temperature

A new procedure for measuring time-resolved emission spectra has been implemented. This technique has subnanosecond time resolution combined with the sensitivity and dynamic range needed to cope with extremely weak luminescence. Using this method the emissions of Cr(NH₃)₂ (NCS)₄^? and Cr(NCS)₆^3- in aqueous solution at room temperature have each been analyzed into two components. The fast component has a broad spectrum and is assigned to prompt fluorescence with lifetime below 100 ps. The slow component is dominated by phosphorescence but may include some delayed fluorescence. The phosphorescence lifetime is 5.5 ± 0.5 ns in Cr(NH₃)₂ (NCS)₄^? and 1.65 ± 0.1 ns in Cr(NCS)₆^3-. Order of magnitude estimates have been derived for other photophysical parameters.     

Computational studies of Cu(II)/Met and Cu(I)/Met binding motifs relevant for the chemistry of Alzheimer's disease

A systematic study of the binding motifs of Cu(II) and Cu(I) to a methionine model peptide, namely, N-formylmethioninamide 1, has been carried out by quantum chemical computations. Geometries of the coordination modes obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory are discussed in the context of copper coordination by the peptide backbone and the S atom of a methionine residue in peptides with special emphasis on Met35 of the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) of Alzheimer's disease. The relative binding free energies in the gas phase, DeltaG(g), are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory, and the solvation affects are included by means of the COSMO model to obtain the relative binding energies in solution, DeltaG(aq). A free energy of binding, DeltaG(aq) = -19.4 kJ mol(-1), relative to aqueous Cu(II) and the free peptide is found for the most stable Cu(II)/Met complex, 12. The most stable Cu(I)/Met complex, 23, is bound by -15.6 kJ mol(-1) relative to the separated species. The reduction potential relative to the standard hydrogen electrode is estimated to be E degrees (12/23) = 0.41 V. On the basis of these results, the participation of Met35 as a low affinity binding site of Cu(II) in Abeta, and its role in the redox chemistry underlying Alzheimer's disease is discussed.     

Pentacyclic triterpenes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcostemma clausum</Emphasis>

A homologous series of alkanoic acid (C₂–C₅) esters of germanicol was isolated from the methanolic extract of Sarcostemma clausum, of which germanicol-3-propionate and 3-pentanoate have not been previously described in the literature. In addition, taraxasterol, multiflorenol, and bauerenol were also isolated for the first time from the genus Sarcostemma. Structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods (NMR, IR, SM) and by comparison with literature data.Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6 pp. 464–466, November–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Structural characterization of CeO(2)-ZrO(2)/TiO(2) and V(2)O(5)/CeO(2)-ZrO(2)/TiO(2) mixed oxide catalysts by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, HREM, and other techniques

Structural characteristics of CeO(2)-ZrO(2)/TiO(2) (CZ/T) and V(2)O(5)/CeO(2)-ZrO(2)/TiO(2) (V/CZ/T) mixed oxide catalysts have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, Raman spectroscopy (RS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) techniques. The CeO(2)-ZrO(2) (1:1 mole ratio) solid solution was deposited over a finely powdered TiO(2) support by a deposition precipitation method. A nominal 5 wt % V(2)O(5) was impregnated over the calcined (773 K) CZ/T mixed oxide carrier by a wet impregnation technique. The obtained CZ/T and V/CZ/T samples were further subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K to understand the dispersion and temperature stability of these materials. In the case of CZ/T samples, the XRD results suggest the formation of different cubic and tetragonal Ce-Zr-oxide phases, Ce(0.75)Zr(0.25)O(2), Ce(0.6)Zr(0.4)O(2), Ce(0.5)Zr(0.5)O(2), and Ce(0.16)Zr(0.84)O(2) in varying proportions depending on the treatment temperature. With increasing calcination temperature from 773 to 1073 K, the intensity of the lines pertaining to cubic Ce(0.6)Zr(0.4)O(2) and Ce(0.5)Zr(0.5)O(2) phases increased at the expense of cubic Ce(0.75)Zr(0.25)O(2), indicating more incorporation of zirconia into the ceria lattice. The TiO(2) was mainly in the anatase form whose crystallite size also increased with increasing treatment temperature. A better crystallization and more incorporation of zirconia into the ceria lattice was noted when CZ/T was impregnated with V(2)O(5). However, no crystalline V(2)O(5) could be seen from both XRD and RS measurements. In particular, a preferential formation of CeVO(4) compound and an intense tetragonal Ce(0.16)Zr(0.84)O(2) phase were noted beyond 873 K. The HREM results indicate, in the case of CZ/T samples, a well-dispersed Ce-Zr-oxide of the size approximately 5 nm over the bigger crystals ( approximately 40 nm) of TiO(2) when treated at 873 K. The exact structural features of these crystals as determined by digital diffraction analysis of experimental images reveal that the Ce-Zr-oxides are mainly in the cubic fluorite geometry and the TiO(2) is in anatase form. A better crystallization of Ce-Zr-oxides ( approximately 8 nm) over the surface of bigger crystals of TiO(2) was noted at 1073 K. A further enhancement in the crystallite size and zirconia-rich tetragonal phase was noted in the case of V/CZ/T samples. Further, the structure of CeVO(4) formed was also clearly identified in conformity with XRD and RS results.     

Trimethylsilylcyclopentadienylchromium(III) complexes with diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine: synthesis, structural characterisation and catalytic behaviour of [(C6H5)2PC5H4NH][(η-Me3SiCp)CrCl3]

Reaction of CrCl₃ with LiCpSiMe₃ in THF leads to the formation of a solvated intermediate, [(η⁵-Me₃SiCp)CrCl₂(THF)], which in turn reacts with diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine to yield the complex [(C₆H₅)₂PC₅H₄NH][(η⁵-Me₃SiCp)CrCl₃] (1) in 66% yield. As a secondary product was isolated the neutral complex [(η⁵-Me₃SiCp)CrCl₂{(C₆H₅)₂PC₅H₄N}] (2) in 5% yield. The structure of complex 1 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the anion the metal centre shows a pseudo-octahedral geometry with the centroid of the trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl ligand occupying the centre of three octahedral sites, and three chloride atoms completing the co-ordination sphere. Complex 1 in the presence of MAO leads to the formation of an active catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene.     

Surface stabilized nanosized Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O(2) solid solutions over SiO(2): characterization by XRD, Raman, and HREM techniques

Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) solid solutions deposited over silica surface were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) techniques in order to understand the role of silica support and the temperature stability of these composite oxides. For the purpose of comparison, an unsupported Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) was also synthesized and subjected to characterization by various techniques. The Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2)/SiO(2) (CZ/S) (1:1:2 mole ratio based on oxides) was synthesized by depositing Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) solid solution over a colloidal SiO(2) support by a deposition precipitation method and unsupported Ce(x)Zr(1)(-)(x)O(2) (CZ) (1:1 mole ratio based on oxides) was prepared by a coprecipitation procedure, and the obtained catalysts were subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K. The XRD measurements disclose the presence of cubic phases with the composition Ce(0.75)Zr(0.25)O(2) and Ce(0.6)Zr(0.4)O(2) in CZ samples, while CZ/S samples possess Ce(0.75)Zr(0.25)O(2), Ce(0.6)Zr(0.4)O(2), and Ce(0.5)Zr(0.5)O(2) in different proportions. The crystallinity of these phases increased with increasing calcination temperature. The cell a parameter estimations indicate contraction of ceria lattice due to the incorporation of zirconium cations into the CeO(2) unit cell. Raman measurements indicate the presence of oxygen vacancies, lattice defects, and displacement of oxygen ions from their normal lattice positions in both the series of samples. The HREM results reveal, in the case of CZ/S samples, a well-dispersed nanosized Ce-Zr-oxides over the surface of amorphous SiO(2). The structural features of these crystals as determined by digital diffraction analysis of experimental images reveal that the Ce-Zr-oxides are mainly in the cubic geometry and exhibit high thermal stability. Oxygen storage capacity measurements by a thermogravimetric method reveal a substantial enhancement in the oxygen vacancy concentration of CZ/S sample over the unsupported CZ sample.     

A pyrimidine thiolate Rh(I) complex: structure, bonding and one-dimensional interactions in solid and in solution

The reaction of [Rh(micro-Cl)(COD)]2 with 4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidinethiolate (Me2-pymt) and subsequent substitution of COD by CO yields [Rh(Me2-pymt)(CO)2]. The stacking pattern found in this compound is in contradiction with previously studied comparable square-planar complexes of type d8-[M(chelate)(monodentate)2] in which each ligand has different pi-acidic character. A theoretical study of the intermolecular interactions and conformation of the title compound has been carried out, combining semi-empirical band calculations on the real chains and ab initio(MP2 level) calculations on a model dimer. The combination of electronic and steric effects determines the rotation of the successive monomers and the deviation from linearity of the one-dimensional stacks. Its behaviour in solution is also special, developing a blue colour and forming micelles, when adding water to acetone solutions.     

Thermodynamic study of the three isomers of bromo and iodobenzoic acids. Part II

Using our technique of combustion of small amount of a substance, we determined by calorimetry the standard molar enthalpy of formation in the condensed state and atT=298.15 K of the three isomers of bromo and iodobenzoic acids. Associating to these values their standard molar enthalpies of sublimation previously measured, it was possible to determine their standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous state and atT=298.15 K. The experimental values of the thermodynamic properties _f H _m ^o (cr, 298.15 K), _f H _m ^o (cr, 298.15 K), _sub H _m ^o (298.15 K), and _f H _m ^o (g, 298.15 K) are given for the two series. From the experimental value of the standard molar enthalpy of atomization, it was possible to determine an enthalpy value for the C_b-Br and C_b-I bonds. The experimental and theoretical values of the resonance energy of bromo and iodobenzoic acids are compatible. The relative stability of some monosubstituted derivatives of benzoic acid studied in our laboratory is also discussed.Part I is concerned with Ref. 22 (for bromobenzoic acids) and with Ref. 23 (for iodobenzoic acids).