Heteroleptic triple-decker terbium(III) (porphyrinato)(crownphthalocyaninate) as an efficient receptor of alkaline metal cations

Peculiarities of the interaction between a heteroleptic triple-decker terbium(III) complex of a general type [Br₄TPP]Tb[(15C5)₄Pc]Tb[(15C5)₄Pc] (Tb-TD*, where Br₄TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetra-(4-bromophenyl)-porphyrin and (15C5)₄ Pc = tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyanine) and potassium cations in different solvents are studied. The interaction between Tb-TD* and potassium acetate is found to proceed via either the supramolecular dimerization of the complex or the inclusion of the cations between the crown-containing molecular decks depending on the polarity of the media. From the analysis of the titration curves, the stability constant of Tb-TD* × 4K⁺ adduct in a chloroform : methanol = 1 : 1 mixture was estimated. The stability constant of the aggregate was found to exceed the known values of similar compounds by over ten orders.     

Potassium-promoted anionic selectivity of lanthanide bis(tetra-15-crown-phthalocyaninate) complexes

The interaction between neutral, lanthanide bis(tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyaninate) complexes Ln[(15C5)₄Pc]₂⁰, (Ln = La, Tb, and Tm) and potassium bromide, picrate, or tetraphenylborate in chloro-form-acetonitrile solutions is studied using the spectrophotometric titration. The architecture of the supramolecular aggregates formed is shown to depend on the size of the lanthanide ion introduced into crown-phthalocyaninate and the nature of potassium salt anion.     

Solubilization of Crown-Substituted Magnesium Phthalocyaninates in Solutions of Salts of Bile Acids

Crown-containing Pc Mg[(B15C5O)₈Pc], Mg[(B15C5O)₄Pc], and Mg[(15C5)₄Pc] are in the monomolecular state in solutions of synthetic anionic surfactants: sodium dodecylsulfate and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. In micellar solutions of bile-acid salts, molecular organization of crown-substituted Pc with different methods of introduction of crown groups into the macrocycle and their different numbers changes their state from predominantly monomeric for Mg[(B15C5O)₈Pc] in the presence of NaCl to the aggregated one in the case of Mg[(15C₅)₄Pc)]. Magnesium phthalocyaninate with annulated (15-crown-5)-fragments, Mg[(15C₅)₄Pc], is characterized by the highest sensitivity to the structure of the micelle-forming biocompatible surfactant.     

Photorefractive and nonlinear optical properties of indium(III) tetra(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninate-based composites

Photoelectric, nonlinear optical, and photorefractive properties of hybrid composite materials based on polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) and indium(III) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-tetra(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninate [(15C5)₄Pc]In(OH) are studied in detail. Field dependence of the quantum efficiency in a 7.8 μm-thick layer containing 5 at % [(15C5)₄Pc]In(OH) is measured. The best approximation of the quantum efficiency with Onsager’s equation corresponds to a quantum yield of thermalized electron-hole pairs φ₀ = 0.01 at initial separation r ₀ = 9.8 Å. Z-scan measurements in a nanosecond range showed that the electric susceptibility of [(15C5)₄Pc]In(OH) solution in tetrachloroethane (TCE) with a concentration of 7 × 10^?4 mol/L is χ⁽³⁾ = 1.34 × 10^?9 esu. The maximum coupling gain coefficient found for the material composed of PVK and 5 wt % [(15C5)₄Pc]In(OH) at an electric-field intensity of 200 V/μm is Γ = 80 cm^?1, and the difference between the coupling gain and absorption coefficients is Γ ? α = 70 cm^?1. The dependence of the coupling gain coefficient on the intensity ratio of interfering beams 1 and 2 (β = I ₁(0)/I ₂(0)) in a composite containing 3 wt % [(15C5)₄Pc]In(OH) is measured. An increase in β was attained by decreasing intensity of the signal beam I ₂(0) at constant intensity of the pump beam I ₁(0) = 0.15 W/cm² and E ₀ = 214 V/μm. Within the initial segment of the curve, the coupling gain coefficient increases from 30 to 60 cm^?1; then, the coefficient drops almost to the initial value. The data obtained show that the composite materials studied can be used in practice for correcting faded images. The combined analysis of the results obtained and similar data for gallium and ruthenium tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyaninate complexes revealed the regularities in the change of the quantum yield of thermalized electron-hole pairs and the photorefractive coupling gain coefficient in a series of complexing metals: gallium(III), ruthenium(II), and indium(III). An increase in the molecular weight of the central metal atom is found to result in a substantial decrease in Γ and φ₀ due to the increase in the spin-orbit coupling constant.     

Physicochemical properties of solutions and ultrathin films of triple-decker gadolinium tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyaninate

The ability of the triple-decker gadolinium complex with tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyanine Gd₂(R₄Pc)₃, (R = 15-crown-5) (1) to form monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films (LBFs) was studied for the first time. The charge characteristics of molecules of a triple-decker phthalocyaninate in monolayer, as well as their orientation and adhesion to the water subphase, were controlled by changing the surface pressure, pH, and subphase composition (aqueous solutions containing triethylenetetramine (TETA) and metal cations). It was shown that the presence of Na⁺ and protonated TETA aminogroups in resulted in an increasing limiting monolayer area and significant decreasing of the monolayer liquid state region. It is proven that the observed effects are caused by the conformational and charge transitions of peripheral crown ethers induced by their interaction with cations. A comparison of the differential reflectance spectra of the complex monolayer on the deionized water surface with UV-Vis absorption spectra of three-layer Gd₂(R₄Pc)₃ LBF and complex solution in chloroform shows that partial complex oxidation and intensive stacking formation occurs already at the stage of monolayer formation on the subphase surface. Electrochemical studies of three-layer LBFs performed at the indium-tin-oxide electrodes (ITO-electrodes) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed three reversible redox waves in the potential range −200 to +1100 mV (vs. Ag⁺/AgCl). All registered peaks remain the same position and intensity upon multiple cycling. plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements allow to register three stable redox states of studied LBF upon applying the external potential. Such behavior shows the possibility to use multistep redox transformations of studied complex LBF for developing of stable and reproducible switchable optoelectronic systems.     

Magnesium Octa[(4'-Benzo-15-Crown-5)-Oxy]Phthalocyaninate in Low-Molecular Hydrogels: Spectral Properties and Release under Stimulation

This work is dedicated to low-molecular hydrogels based on biodegradable sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and lysine hydrochloride (lys × HCl) with magnesium octa-[(4'-benzo-15-crown-5)-oxy]phthalocyaninate (Mgcr₈Pc) as the active component, namely, their synthesis, spectral properties of gel-solubilized Mgcr₈Pc, its release from the gel etc. Addition of Mgcr₈Pc occurs both via the mixing of the components and via its diffusion from the aqueous solution into the phase of the formed SDC/lys × HCl gel. Mgcr₈Pc-containing hydrogels are thermoreversible. The state of Mgcr₈Pc in the SDC/lys × HCl/NaCl gel at the room temperature and in the melt is studied using spectral methods. Gel melting releases Mgcr₈Pc in the form of a micelle-bound monomer. The presence of the Mgcr₈Pc monomer phase in the phthalocyanine-carrying supramolecular hydrogel causes fluorescent activity of the latter.     

The effect of aggregate state of octa-(benzo-15-crown-5)-substituted phthalocyanines in aqueous solutions on the structure of self-organized composites of ultrathin ion layers

The method of layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition from aqueous solutions was used to obtain electrostatic self–organized composites consisting of cationic fragments of octa-[(4′-benzo-15-crown-5)oxy]phthalocyaninates of metals (Mcr8Pc)/K⁺ and anionic fragments of sodium polystyrenesulfonate or 4,4′,4″,4?-[cobalt phthalocyaninate-2,(3),9,(10),16,(17),23,(24)-tetrayl-tetrakis(oxy)]-tetrabenzoic acid. The electronic absorption spectra of composite coatings indicate preservation of structures formed in aqueous solutions of Mcr₈Pc: coaxial associates, noncoaxial associates, and high-order aggregates. An increase in the content of noncoaxial associates and the possible presence of suspension particles in the composite are observed.     

New Hybrid Materials Based on Nanostructured Aluminum Oxyhydroxide and Terbium(III) Bis(Tetra-15-Crown-5-Phthalocyaninate)

A new method was developed for preparation of hybrid functional nanostructures through interaction between terbium complex with tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyanine Tb[(15C₅)₄Pc]₂ and the surface of highly porous nanostructured aluminum oxyhydroxids (NAOs). It was shown that immobilization of phthalocyaninate on an NAO surface may be reversible upon a sorption from the solution in chloroform, and irreversable, when the adsorption occurred on the NAO surface that was chemically modified using methyltrimethoxysilane and annealed at the temperature ranging from 500 to 1100°С (NAOM). Nanostructure and chemical properties of the obtained hybrid nanomaterials were studied with the use of different methods: scanning electron microscopy, XRD, IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The sensor properties of the obtained Tb[(15C₅)₄Pc]₂//NAO and Tb[(15C₅)₄Pc]₂//NAOM hybrid nanostructures were studied when they interacted with ammonia and iodine vapors. It was shown that the phthalocyaninate complex on the NAO surface was liable to reduction, while the phthalocyaninate complex on the modified NAOM surface was liable to oxidation.     

Use of optical absorption spectroscopy for the characterization of an Ar−Ti magnetron discharge

The density of ground state and metastable Ti atoms were measured in a magnetron sputtering reactor with a 10 cm diameter Ti target by using resonant optical absorption spectroscopy. Experiments were conducted under various discharge parameters, namely the discharge current (0.2 A to 1.2 A) and the distance from the target (2 cm to 12 cm) under two working pressures (0.5 Pa and 4 Pa). The results were compared with previous results for a smaller magnetron source with a 5 cm diameter target. The Ti densities were as follows: [Ti]≈10¹¹ cm⁻³, [Ti_m]=10¹⁰ to 10¹¹ cm⁻³ for 0.5 Pa and [Ti]≈[Ti_∞]=10¹⁰ to 10¹² cm⁻³ for 4 Pa. The portion of Ti metastables in the discharge increases by a factor of approximately 2 as the working pressure increases.     

Oxygen out-diffusion in partially melted YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>y</Subscript>−0.325Ag superconductor at reduced oxygen partial pressure

In this study, we examined the chemical diffusion coefficient of oxygen out-diffusion([(D)\tilde]_out\tilde D_{out} ) in partially melted YBa₂Cu₃O_y (Y123)−Ag superconducting tape produced by the thermomechanical processing of the silverclad precursor (doped with 5 wt.% Ag) containing BaCuO_2.5 at reduced oxygen partial pressure (P₀₂). The[(D)\tilde]_out\tilde D_{out} value of Y123−Ag (O_7.0 to O_6.2), obtained by using the thermogravimetric relaxation technique at 950°C and a P₀₂ of 0.28 kPa, was 1.0476×10⁻⁷ cm²/s.     

Magnesium octa[(4′-benzo-15-crown-5)oxy]phthalocyaninate in water micellar solutions of sodium deoxycholate

Aggregation of magnesium octa-[(4′-benzo-15-crown-5)oxy]phthalocyaninate (Mgcr₈Pc) in solutions of biocompatible anionic surfactant, sodium deoxycholate (SDC), was studied. It was shown using the electron absorption spectra that formation of Mgcr₈Pc monomers in micellar solutions of SDC is affected by both increased surfactant concentration and by changes in the ionic strength of solution after sodium chloride is added. The effect of the chemical structure of biocompatible anionic surfactant on monomerization of crown-containing phthalocyanines was identified; this fact opens new possibilities for using this family of compounds for fluorescent diagnosis and photodynamic therapy.     

Complexes of zinc(II) tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate with axially coordinates N-donor ligands as potential components of photosensitive materials of telecommunication range

The methods of electron absorption spectroscopy and ¹H NMR were used to study the processes of interactions between zinc tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate and a number of N-donor ligands, including 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 3-aminopyridine, imidazole, 2-amino-5-methylpyridine, 2-methyla-4-aminopyridine, 2,3-diaminopyridine, pyrazine. A new effective method for synthesizing zinc tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyaninate was developed that allowed one to obtain the complex at a yield of greater than 80% under simple conditions in 2 h. The structure of associates was studied in detail using the example of interactions between zinc tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyaninate and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. ¹H NMR studies in a wide temperature range of 213–323 K (−60 to +50°C), as well as quantum-chemical calculations, allowed us to establish the formation of two types of associates of phthalocyanine and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane with the composition of 1: 1 and 2: 1. Up to a temperature of 253 K, the 1: 1 and 2: 1 associates are in equilibrium with a high rate of interconversion.     

Photorefractive polymer composites based on ruthenium (II) tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyanate axially coordinating ethylisonicotinate molecules photosensitive in telecommunication range

Polyvinylcarbazole layers containing ruthenium (II) tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyanate axially coordinating ethylisonicotinate molecules are found to have photoelectric and photorefractive sensitivity at 1550 nm. The effect is determined by the formation of supramolecular ensembles with the electronic optical absorption and photoelectric sensitivity in the near IR range up to 1600 or 1700 nm and nonlinear optical properties. A photorefractive two-beam coupling gain coefficient Γ measured at 1550 nm increases with an increase in the Ru(II) complex content in the polymer layer and equals 25 cm⁻¹ at 6 wt %. The difference between the coupling gain and absorption coefficients (the actual gain coefficient) is Γ − α = 19 cm⁻¹. Additionally introducing 3 wt % C₆₀ fullerene into the layer does not change the characteristics, but the subsequent preirradiation (irradiation of the whole layer with a 633-nm laser beam in a range of the optical absorption of C₆₀ before recording photorefractive curves) results in an increase in the gain coefficient at 1550 nm up to Γ = 48.3 cm⁻¹ and, hence, in Γ − α = 42.3 cm⁻¹. A time constant of the diffraction grating formation is about τ = 0.8 s.     

Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole on aluminium in different anions and corrosion protection of aluminium

In this study, polypyrrole was deposited on the aluminium in different anions (CO₃²⁻, NO₂⁻, CrO₄²⁻, DBS⁻). The contribution of anions to formation of polypyrrole film was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The effect of polypyrrole film on the corrosion of aluminium was searched in 0.1 M HCI solution by using potentiostatic method. For this purpose, polarization curves were obtained, corrosion current density (icorr), corrosion potential (Ecorr), polarization resistance (Rp) were determined from the polarization curves. Moreover, the percent efficiency of coating was calculated. The complexes of pyrrole pentamers and different anions (CO₃²⁻, NO₂⁻, CrO₄²⁻, DBS⁻) were studied using ab initio quantum chemical at the Hartree-Fock (HF) levels with STO-3G, 3-21G, 6-31G(d,p) [13] basis sets and HOMO-LUMO energy gap is calculated by B3LYP method with 3-21G* and 6-31G(d,p) basis sets. The polypyrrole film obtained in CrO₄²⁻ anion is determined to be the most effective in prevention to pitting corrosion of aluminium as experimental and theoretical.     

Electrochemical properties of carbon-coated LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiFe<Subscript>0.98</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.02</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode materials synthesized by solid-state reaction

Olivine structured LiFePO4/C (lithium iron phosphate) and Mn2+-doped LiFe0. 98Mn0. 024/C powders were synthesized by the solid-state reaction. The effects of manganese partial substitution and different carbon content coating on the surface of LiFePO4 were considered. The structures and electrochemical properties of the samples were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge/discharge tests at different current densities, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical properties of LiFePO4 cathodes with x wt. ％ carbon coating (x=3, 7, 11, 15) at γ=0. 2C, 2C (1C=170 mAh·g-1) between 2. 5 and 4. 3 V were investigated. The measured results mean that the LiFePO4 with 7 wt. ％ carbon coating shows the best rate performance. The discharge capacity of LiFe0. 98Mn0. 02PO4/C composite is found to be 165 mAh·g 1 at a discharge rate, γ=0. 2C, and 105 mAh·g-1 at γ=2C, respectively. After 10cycles, the discharge capacity has rarely fallen, while that of the pristine LiFePO4/C cathode is 150 mAh·g-1 and 98 mAh·g-1 at γ=0. 2 and 2C, respectively. Compared to the discharge capacities of both electrodes above, the evident improvement of the electrochemical performance is observed, which is ascribed to the enhancement of the electronic conductivity and diffusion kinetics by carbon coating and Mn2+-substitution.     

Coordination polymers with cyanoaurate building blocks: Potential new industrial applications for gold

This report illustrates the concept that aurophilic interactions of gold-containing building blocks, particularly cyanoaurates, could be used as a tool to increase structural dimensionality in systems containingother metals in addition to gold(I). Such high-dimensionality systems may have useful optical, magnetic, conducting or porous materials properties. Recent successes from our group and others in using the neglected, luminescent [Au(CN)₂]⁻ building block to synthesize supramolecular coordination polymers with interesting and potentially commercially applicable physical properties will be surveyed. In most heterometallic [Au(CN)₂]-based polymers, aurophilic interactions increase the structural dimensionality of the system and can impart increased thermal stability. The gold(I) ion can mediate significant magnetic interactions between transition-metal centres or influence iron(II) spin-transition behaviour in the polymers. The Cu[Au(CN)₂]₂(solvent)_x polymer system is dynamically vapochromic, i.e., it shows large, reversible colour changes upon exposure to solvent vapours, thereby illustrating a sensor-type application. The related d⁸, square-planer [Au(CN)₄]⁻ building block, which has only recently been incorporated into coordination polymers, does not form any aurophilic interactions; weak Au-N(cyano) interactions control the intermolecular packing. Several structural examples of cyanoaurate-based coordination polymers are presented, including 2-D and 3-D arrays. The incorporation of cyanoaurates as components of advanced materials would provide a new utility and market for these key compounds of the gold mining and refining industry.     

TEM study on the interfacial reaction between electroless plated Ni−P/Au UBM and Sn−3.5Ag solder

This study examined the interfacial reaction between electroless plated Ni−P/Au under bump metallization (UBM) and a eutectic Sn−3.5Ag solder using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chemical and crystallographic analysis using TEM provided important information on the microstructural evolution at the interface. In this study, UBM was prepared by the electroless plating of Au (0.15 μm)/Ni-15 at %P (5 μm) on a bare Cu substrate and was then reacted with a Sn−3.5Ag eutectic solder at 260°C for various amounts of time to examine the different sequential stages of the interfacial reaction TEM analyses confirmed that beside the Ni₃Sn₄ layer, there were three more IMC layers at the interface: the Ni−Sn−P ternary layer, Ni₃P layer, and the layer of phase mixture of the Ni₃P and Ni₂SnP ternary phases.     

Octa- and tetra-(benzo-15-crown-5)phthalocyanines in surfactant-containing solutions

The behavior of octa-(benzo-15-crown-5)phthalocyanine (H₂cr₈Pc), as well as cobalt octa- and tetra-(benzo-15-crown-5)phthalocyaninates (Cocr₈Pc and Cocr₄Pc), in aqueous solutions containing cationic or anionic surfactants, such as cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), is studied using electronic spectroscopy. The presence of eight benzo-15-crown-5 ether fragments on the periphery of the phthalocyanine ring is shown to facilitate the dissolution of Pc in an aqueous environment. The interactions between CTAB and crown-containing Pc promotes the dissolution of H₂cr₈Pc; Cocr₈Pc; and, to a lesser degree, Cocr₄Pc, which is accompanied by the appearance of molecular aggregates, including heteronuclear cofacial dimers. The presence of a metal in the ring is not the necessary condition of the process. In microscopically heterogeneous medium, such as an aqueous SDS-containing solution, H₂cr₈Pc is present in monomeric form at SDS concentrations close to C _cr and in dimeric form at SDS content below C _cr. Under similar conditions (environment, surfactant), Cocr₄Pc can exist in monomeric form at SDS concentrations much high than C _cr. The effect of the size of cation on the form of the crown-containing Pc in an aqueous solution is illustrated by an example of H₂cr₈Pc. Na-CMC promotes the dissolution of Pc and enables one to produce K⁺/Mcr₈Pc-modified films from aqueous solutions.     

Gold complexes with

The reactions of methane with the gold complexes [Au(OH)]⁻, [Au(OCH₃)₄]⁻, [Au(O(CO)₂O₂]⁻ and [Au(O₂CH)₂]⁺, [Au^I(acac)], [Au^III(acac)₂]⁺ (acac-acetylacetonato) were studied using the DFT/PBE method with the SBK basis set. High activation barriers were obtained for the electrophilic substitution in [Au(OH)]⁻, [Au(OCH₃)⁴]⁻, [Au(O(CO)₂O)₂]-and [Au^III(acac)₂]⁺ complexes, which excludes the possibility that these reactions might proceed under mild conditions. The reactions of the [Au(HCO₂)₂]⁺ and [AuI(acac)] complexes with methane have rather low energy barriers and proceed through the formation of an intermediate complex. The alternative mechanism of methane oxidation with a gold complex in the presence of oxygen is simulated.     

Bridged polysilsequioxane adsorption materials containing phosphonic acid residues

Reactions of hydrolytic polycondensation of bis(triethoxysilane) [(C₂H₅O)₃Si]₂C₂H₄ (or [(C₂H₅O)₃Si]₂C₆H₄) and functional agent (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ (alkoxysilanes molar ratio of 2: 1 and 4: 1, fluoride ion catalyst and ethanol solvent) yielded powder-like xerogels that contained phosphonic acid residues in the surface layer. Their treatment with boiling concentrated hydrochloric acid resulted in transformation of functional groups ≡Si(CH₂)₂P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ into acid groups ≡Si(CH₂)₂P(O)(OH)₂. The methods of IR, ¹H MAS NMRm and ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy showed the following (1) The surface layer in the initial xerogels contains not only phosphorus functional groups, but also some non-hydrolyzed ethoxysilyl groups as well as silanol groups. (2) The hydrochloric acid treatment of the initial xerogels causes the hydrolysis of not only ethoxy groups in the phosphonic acid residues, but also most residual ethoxysilyl groups. (3) Vacuum drying of xerogels after acid treatment forms ≡Si(CH₂)₂P(O)(OH)-OSi≡ links in their surface layer (not more than 20% of phosphorus-containing groups). (4) According to ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR spectroscopic data, boiling acid treatment relatively enriches the xerogel structure T² and T³ units and accounts for the higher rigidity of the hybrid framework. These units also account for retention of the porous structure in these xerogels over time, while most initial xerogels have porous structures that collapse in 12–18 months of storage. The acid-treated xerogels were attributed to microporous adsorbents (having specific surface area of 620 to 760 m²/g). According to the AFM data, both initial and acid-treated xerogels contain almost spherical aggregates of the primary particles (globules).