Rationally functionalized deltahedral zintl ions: synthesis and characterization of [Ge9-ER3]3-, [R3E-Ge9-ER3]2-, and [R3E-Ge9-Ge9-ER3]4- (E=Ge, Sn; R=Me, Ph)

Six new derivatized deltahedral Zintl ions have been synthesized by reactions between the known Zintl ions Ge(9) (n-) with the halides R(3)EX and/or the corresponding anions R(3)E(-) for E=Ge or Sn. This rational approach is based on our previous discovery that these derivatization reactions are based on nucleophilic addition to the clusters. All species were structurally characterized as their salts with potassium countercations sequestered in 2,2,2-crypt or [18]crown-6 ether. The tin-containing anions were characterized also in solutions by (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy. The reaction types for such substitutions and the structures of the new anions are discussed.     

Self-injection length in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3-YBa2Cu3O7-δ ferromagnet-superconductor multilayer thin films

We have carried out extensive studies on the self-injection problem in barrierless heterojunctions between La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ (LCMO) and YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) thin films. The heterojunctions were formed in situ by sequentially growing LCMO and YBCO films on 〈100〉 LaAlO₃ (LAO) substrate using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system. YBCO micro-bridges with 64 μm width were patterned both on the LAO (control) and LCMO side of the substrate. Critical current, I _c, was measured at 77 K on both the control side as well as the LCMO side for different YBCO film thickness. It was observed that while the control side showed a J _c of ∼ 2 × 10⁶ A/cm², the LCMO side showed about half the value for the same thickness (1800 ?). The difference in J _c indicates that a certain thickness of YBCO has become ‘effectively’ normal due to self-injection. From the measurement of J _c at two different thicknesses (1800 ? and 1500 ?) of YBCO films both on the LAO as well as the LCMO side, the value of self-injection length (at 77 K) was estimated to be ∼ 900 ?. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first time that self-injection length has been quantified. A control experiment carried out with LaNiO₃ deposited by PLD on YBCO did not show any evidence of self-injection.     

A New Series of Charge-assisted Hydrogen-bonded Host Frameworks Based on [Co（en）_3]~（3＋）and Dicarboxylates

A new series of metal complex carboxylates(MCC)made of [Co(en)3]3+(MC)and either 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic(NDC)or 4,4-biphenyldicarboxylic(BPDC)were synthesized and structurally characterized.The four new compounds have a general formula(MC)2(C)3·n(guest)with the guests of dimethylformamide(DMF)and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)and water.All the structures represent a pillared-layer type,where the layer consists of MC cations,carboxylate anions or water molecules via a large number of hydrogen bonds.The layers are pillared by the organic residues of NDC or BPDC,resulting in the inclusion cavities where the guest molecules reside.Although their topological structures are similar,they crystallize in different crystal structures due to the rearrangement of pillars and hydrogen-bonded layers.     

Hydrogen-bonded inclusion compounds with reversed polarity: anionic metal-complexes and cationic organic linkers

Synthesized and structurally characterized is a new series of soft-host frameworks assembled by charge-assisted hydrogen bonds between an anionic metal complex (MC) and cationic organic linkers (OL), specifically [Co(en)(ox)(2)](-) and diprotonated 4,4'-bipyridinium (H(2)bpy) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridinium)ethylene (H(2)bpye). While frameworks built of cationic complexes and anionic organic linkers are already well-known, the seven new compounds described here represent the first series of frameworks with reversed polarity, that is, made of anionic complexes and cationic organic linkers. The compounds have a general formula [OL][MC](2)·n(guest), where the guest molecules 4,4'-biphenol (bp), 4-methoxyphenol (mp), 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (dmb), 1,6-dimethoxynaphtalene (dmn), and 4-nitroanisole (na). Structurally the compounds can be described as pillared-layer frameworks with layers constructed of MC anions and linked together by hydrogen-bonded cationic OL pillars. The guest molecules occupy the galleries between the pillars while their steric, electronic, and π-π and hydrogen-bonding capabilities influence the overall structure of the soft frameworks.     

Tin-based organo-Zintl ions: alkylation and alkenylation of Sn9(4-)

Reactions of nine-atom deltahedral clusters (Zintl ions) of tin, Sn 9 (4-), with alkyl chlorides, RCl (R = (t) Bu, (n) Bu, (s) Bu), and alkynes (Me3Si-C[triple bond]C-SiMe3, Ph-C[triple bond]CH) yielded the corresponding alkylated and alkenylated clusters [Sn 9-R] (3-). The triple bonds of the alkynes are hydrogenated to double bonds in the process. These are the first tin-based organo-Zintl ions, that is Zintl ions of tin that were subsequently functionalized with organic groups. They are analogous to the recently reported germanium-based derivatives. The (t) Bu-, vinyl-, and styrene-functionalized clusters [Sn 9- (t) Bu] (3-), [Sn 9-CH=CH 2] (3-), and [Sn 9-CH=CH-Ph] (3-), respectively, were structurally characterized in the solid state with [K(2,2,2-crypt)] (+) countercations and in solution by electrospray mass spectrometry. Crystal data: [K(2,2,2-crypt)] 3[Sn 9- (t) Bu].2py, triclinic, P1, a = 14.4259(3), b = 16.2725(4), and c = 22.5593(5) A, alpha = 86.092(1), beta = 78.952(1), and gamma = 65.114(1) degrees , V = 4714.48(7) A (3), Z = 2; [K(2,2,2-crypt)] 3[Sn 9-CH=CH 2].2py, triclinic, P-1, a = 15.6988(3), b = 17.4195(4), and c = 17.4432(4) A, alpha = 86.299(1), beta = 81.566(1), and gamma = 85.349(1) degrees , V = 4696.27(18) A (3), Z = 2; [K(2,2,2-crypt)] 3[Sn 9-CH=CH-Ph].tol.0.75py, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 38.5883(9), b = 23.3893(5), and c = 25.0192(5) A, beta = 120.269(1) degrees , V = 19502.6(7) A (3), Z = 8.