Sol-Gel Deposited Sb-Doped Tin Oxide Films

The structural, electrical and optical properties of single sol-gel derived antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) films sintered at 550°C have been measured. The reproducibility of both the preparation and the characterization procedures have been tested by a round-robin test involving eight laboratories within a Concerted European Action (CEA) project. The resistivity measured as a function of Sb content has been obtained by electric and reflectance and transmission measurements. Their differences are discussed in terms of structural and grain boundary effects. An increase of Sb content results in a decrease of the crystallite size (7.0 to 5.4 nm) and a greater influence of the grain boundary.     

Crystal-to-crystal transformations in heterometallic yttrium(III)-copper(I) iodide derivatives in a confined solvent-free environment: influence of solvated yttrium cations on the nuclearity and dimensionality of iodocuprate clusters

The solvated yttrium iodide precursors [Y(L)(8)]I(3) (L = DMSO or DMF), prepared in situ by stirring YI(3)(Pr(i)OH)(4) in DMSO or DMF, react with CuI in the presence of NH(4)I to give ionic hetero-metallic species [Y(DMSO)(8)][Cu(2)(mu-I)I(4)] (1) and [Y(DMF)(8)][Cu(4)(mu(3)-I)(2)(mu-I)(3)I(2)] (2) in excellent yields. Re-crystallization of 1 from DMF afforded the mixed-solvate complex [Y(DMSO)(6)(DMF)(2)][CuI(3)][I] (3). Compounds 2 and 3 undergo unique crystal-to-crystal transformation via progressive substitution of DMF by water molecules in a confined, solvent-free environment. Thus, crystals of 3 transform into [Y(DMSO)(6)(H(2)O)(2)][CuI(3)][I] (4), whereas a discrete ion-pair assembly of 2 is first converted into a 1-D zig-zag structure [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(2)](3+)[Cu(7)(mu(4)-I)(3)(mu(3)-I)(2)(mu-I)(4)(I)](1infinity)(3-) (5) and finally into a 2-D sheet containing mixed-valent copper atoms, [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(3)](3+)[Cu(I)(7)Cu(II)(2)(mu(3)-I)(8)(mu-I)(6)](2infinity)(3-) (6). The bi- and tetrafurcate H-bonding between water ligands on yttrium and iodides of the Cu-I cluster plays a pivotal role in the evolution of structures 4-6. Formation of a wide range of iodocuprate structures in 1-6, from discrete mono-, di- or tetranuclear units to one- and two-dimensional extended arrays, reflects the influence of solvated yttrium cations on the nuclearity and dimensionality of Cu-I clusters. TG-DTA-MS studies and DFT calculations for these complexes have also been carried out in order to determine their thermal stability and have insight about aforesaid transformations.     

Metal alkoxides and β-diketonates as precursors for oxide and non-oxide thin films

Single-components or multicomponent oxide thin films are of interest for electronic and opto-electronic devices, optical applications, catalysis, corrosion protection etc. Their preparation by chemical routes is based on the hydrolytic (sol-gel process) or pyrolytic (MOCVD) conversion of precursors. Derivatives having M? O bonds, namely metal alkoxides, carboxylates or β-diketonates, are the most common sources of metal oxides. The properties of alkoxides are appropriate for sol-gel as well as MOCVD applications, whilst the limited hydrolytic susceptibility but good volatility of β-diketonates is most convenient for MOCVD purposes. The low temperature and flexibility of sol-gel routes, and the presence of residual OH groups in the final films, are favorable for the encapsulation of organic or organometallic derivatives, the anchoring of enzymes and in general for the development of functional and composite coatings. The facile formation of heterometallic alkoxides is also attractive for the development of coatings based on multimetallic formulations. MOCVD is favorable for the buildup of heterostructures and epitaxial layers. Although metal alkoxides and β-diketonates are usually oxide precursors, nitride or sulfide films can be obtained by reacting with the appropriate reagents. Fluorinated ligands enhance volatility but often result in the formation of metal fluorides.     

The Quest for Single-Source Precursors for BaTiO3 and SrTiO3

The reactions between titanium alkoxides Ti(OR)₄ (R = Et,i Pr) and strontium -diketonates Sr(-dik)₂ (-dik = thd, acac) were investigated. The various Sr-Ti species, Sr₂Ti₂(-dik)₄ (OR)₈, have a 1:1 Sr:Ti stoichiometry and were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction for Sr₂Ti₂(₃-OiPr)₂ (-OiPr)₄ (OiPr)₂(thd)₄ (1). The hydrolysis-polycondensation reactions of the various species were investigated and the resulting powders analyzed by light scattering and XRD. While acetone was found to have little influence on the hydrolysis reactions of the Sr-Ti species, polycondensation of Ti(OiPr)₄ in neat acetone offers a trinuclear enolate Ti(₃-O)₂(OCMe=CH₂)₃ (OiPr)₅(iPrOH) (4). Comparisons between the Ba-Ti and Sr-Ti systems are given.     

Soluble Ni alkoxides based on dimethylaminoisopropoxide ligands: molecular structure of [Li(PrOH)Ni (η-OR)2Cl]2 and of cis-NiCl2(ROH)2 (R = CHMeCH2NMe2)

Various routes to Ni^II aminoalkoxides have been investigated. A nickel isopropoxide derivative 1 was prepared by anodic dissolution of the metal in the presence of LiCl as electrolyte. Alcoholysis reactions of 1 with 1-dimethylamino-2-propanol afforded the homoleptic nickel(II) aminoalkoxide 2 together with a Ni---Li species 3. 2 was also obtained by metathesis reactions between sodium alkoxide and the nickel hexammine complex whereas the reaction between the latter and the aminoalcohol led to an halide solvate, cis-NiCl₂(η²-ROH)₂, 4. The various compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopies as well as by X-ray diffraction for 3 and 4. 3 corresponds to [Li(PrⁱOH)Ni(η²-OCHMeCH₂NMe₂)Cl]₂ and the overall structure can be seen as two [Ni(η²-OCHMeCH₂NMe₂)₂Cl]⁻ moieties assembled by Li(PrⁱOH)⁺. The lithium atom is 4-coordinate due to its interaction with the oxygen atoms of the aminoalkoxide ligands. Nickel is 5-coordinate with a distorted tetragonal pyramidal stereochemistry, one nitrogen being in the apical position. The metal displays a distorted octahedral surrounding for the NiCl₂ adduct 4. The bond distances vary in the order Ni---OR < Ni---N ≈ Ni---O(H)R < Ni---Cl for 3 and 4. The various compounds (except 1) are soluble in organic media.     

Single–Step Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Doped-Lanthanum Hydroxide Materials from Heterometallic Alkoxides

The reactions between La₃(OBu^t)₉(HOBu^t)₂ and various trimethylsilylamide species M[N(SiMe₃)₂] _x(THF)_y (M = K, Ba, Pb) have been investigated as a means to acceed to heterometallic La-M species. The La-K derivative was used as synthon in metathesis reaction toward CuCl₂ in order to get an heterometallic La-Cu derivative. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, EPR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopies. Their hydrolyses at room temperature in THF led to nanocrystalline doped-lanthanum hydroxides. The as-prepared materials were characterized by elemental analysis, XRD and TEM. Their thermal behavior was studied by XRD and compared with that of yttrium derivatives.     

Synthesis and characterization of dinuclear niobium(IV), niobium(III) and tantalum(III) chloride complexes with strongly basic phosphanes: PCy3 and P(Bu-t)3

Summary The reactions between niobium and tantalum pentachlorides and tri-t-butylphosphane and tricyclohexylphosphane under various reducing conditions (magnesium turnings, amalgamated magnesium or sodium naphthalenide) were investigated. The products are highly dependent on the experimental conditions. Niobium(IV) adducts: Nb₂Cl₈[P(Bu-t)₃]₂ and Nb₂Cl₈(PCy₃)₄ were obtained with magnesium turnings, while reduction to Ta₂Cl₆(PCy₃)₃ occurred under similar conditions with tantalum. Ligand exchanges from NbCl₄(THF)₂ also yielded niobium(IV) adducts Nb₂Cl₈(PR₃)₃. The formation of the first soluble diamagnetic niobium(IV) adducts appears to be favored by the strong basicity of PCy₃ and P(Bu-t)₃. However, these crowded niobium(IV) complexes are unstable both in the solid and in solution with respect to niobium(III). Derivatives in oxidation state 3: M₂Cl₆(PCy₃)₃ (M=Nb or Ta), Ta₂Cl₆[P(Bu-t)₃]₃ and Nb₂Cl₆[P(Bu-t)₃]₂ were formed more efficiently with amalgamated magnesium or with sodium naphthalenide. Activation of dinitrogen under mild conditions (normal pressure, room temperature) was observed during the reduction process with magnesium, for both tantalum and niobium; an unstable adduct, Nb₂Cl₆[P(Bu-t)₃]₃N₂, could be isolated. All products were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements and i.r. spectroscopy; their molecular structure is discussed in terms of the¹H and³¹P n.m.r. data.     

Cumulated double bond systems as ligands : IV. 1H and 13C NMR studies of the intra- and inter-molecular exchange processes of cationic dialkylsulfurdiimine compounds of RhI,IrI and PtII

The preparation and properties are described of trans-[(Ph₃P)₂(CO)M(RNSNR)] [ClO₄] (M  Rh^I, Ir^I; R  Me, Et, i-Pr, t-Bu) and of cis- or trans-[L₂Pt(RNSNR)X] [ClO₄] (X  Cl^?, L  Et₂S, PhMe₂As, PhMe₂P, R  Me, t-Bu; X  CH₃, L  PhMe₂P, R  Me).¹H and ¹³C NMR data show the existence of various isomers in solution which may interconvert via intra- and inter-molecular exchange processes. A general reaction scheme for the intramolecular exchange processes is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterisation of Hf(thd)2X2 derivatives [X = N(SiMe3)2, OSiMe3 and OSiBuMe2] as precursors for MOCVD of hafnium silicate films

Hafnium β-diketonatochlorides HfCl₂(thd)₂ (1), HfCl(thd)₃ (2) as well as β-diketonato-silylamide and/or siloxide derivatives of 1 namely Hf(thd)₂[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (3), Hf(thd)₂(OSiMe₃)₂ (4) and Hf(thd)₂(OSi^tBuMe₂)₂ (5) (thd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and TGA. 2 and 5 were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The siloxide ligands are in cis position for 5 and exert a strong trans effect. The new volatile compounds were tested as single-source precursors for the deposition of HfSi_xO_y films by pulsed liquid injection MOCVD on Si(1 0 0) and R plane sapphire. The as-deposited at 600–800 °C films were essentially amorphous, Hf-rich (Hf/Hf + Si = 0.7–0.85) and smooth.