Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and physical properties of {[Gd(H2O)4(μ2-C6NO2H5)2Gd(H2O)4](μ3-C6NO2H4)2(ZnCl3)2} · 2H2O · 2Cl

A bimetallic 4f–3d tetranuclear complex {[Gd(H₂O)₄(μ₂-C₆NO₂H₅)₂Gd(H₂O)₄](μ₃-C₆NO₂H₄)₂(ZnCl₃)₂} · 2H₂O · 2Cl (1) has been synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is characterized by a tetranuclear Gd₂Zn₂ structure with the gadolinium and zinc atoms interconnected by isonicotinic acid ligands. The tetranuclear species of {[Gd(H₂O)₄(μ₂-C₆NO₂H₅)₂Gd(H₂O)₄](μ₃-C₆NO₂H₄)₂(ZnCl₃)₂} link to isolated chlorine ions and water molecules via π?π interactions and hydrogen bonds to yield a 3-D supramolecular framework. Photoluminescent investigation reveals that the title complex displays an emission in ultraviolet region. The solid-state diffuse reflectance spectra of 1 reveal the presence of a sharp optical gap of 3.66 eV.     

A Michael-type reaction between acrylato ions and ethylenediamine coordinated to Ni(II). Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of [Ni2(EDDP)2(H2O)2] · 2H2O (H2EDDP = ethylenediamine-N,N-dipropionic acid)

The reaction between NiCO₃ · Ni(OH)₂, acrylic acid and ethylenediamine in a 2:4:1 molar ratio affords the binuclear complex, [Ni₂(EDDP)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O 1. The organic ligand, EDDP^2? (the dianion of the ethylenediamine-N,N-dipropionic acid ligand), results from the addition of one amine group to the carbon–carbon double bonds of two acrylato ions. The crystal structure of 1 consists of neutral centrosymmetric entities, with the nickel ions connected by two carboxylato groups, each one acting as a monoatomic bridge. The intramolecular Ni?Ni distance is 3.212 Å. The metal ions exhibit an octahedral geometry. The cryomagnetic investigation of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling of the nickel(II) ions (J = ?21.8 cm^?1, H = ?JS_Ni1S_Ni2).     

A novel uranyl complex UO2(tci)(C3H5N2) · H2O: Synthesis,crystal structure and characterization

Reaction of uranium oxynitrate hexahydrate with tris(2-carboxyethyl)isocyanurate (tciH₃) in acidic aqueous solution (pH ～4–5) yields the compound UO₂(tci)(C₃H₅N₂) · H₂O. X-ray diffraction shows that the uranyl ion is in a hexagonal bipyramid structure. Uranium ion in the complex is found to be ligated with three chelating COO^? groups at the equatorial plane, two oxygen atoms linking to uranium atom formed the vertical axis. The complex has the layered topology structure in the space. The thermal analysis verifies the component and the structure of the complex.     

Mixed solvothermal synthesis and X-ray characterization of a layered copper coordination polymer,Cu(H2O)(1,3-BDC) · H2O (BDC=benzenedicarboxylate)

A novel copper coordination polymer, Cu(H₂O)(1,3-BDC) · H₂O was synthesized by a mixed solvothermal reaction of cupric acetate with 1,3-BDC and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in a tetragonal space group P4/nmm with cell parameters a=19.1411(5) Å, c=6.7881(2) Å, and Z=8. Its structure contains paddle-wheel-like bi-copper clusters with the pseudo-octahedral centers of Cu(II) ion, Cu₂O₈(H₂O)₂. Every 1,3-BDC fragment links two such clusters to yield a two-dimensional open structure. It was also characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma analysis, differential thermal and thermal gravimetric analyses.     

Synthesis,structure of a coordination polymer: {Na2[Zn(C2O4)1.5H2PO4] · 2H2O}n

A phosphatooxalate compound {Na₂[Zn(C₂O₄)_1.5H₂PO₄] · 2H₂O}_n 1 was synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and fluorescent spectroscopy. X-ray single-crystal analysis revealed that its structure was a new mixed inorganic–organic ligand supramolecular framework building up through multilayer assembly.     

Thermal dehydration of Y(TFA)3(H2O)3: Synthesis and molecular structures of [Y(μ,η1:η1-TFA)3(THF)(H2O)]1∞ · THF and [Y4(μ3-OH)4(μ,η1:η1-TFA)6(η1-TFA)(η2-TFA)(THF)3(DMSO)(H2O)] · 6THF (TFA = trifluoroacetate)

In order to obtain a better anhydrous precursor for various applications in materials science and catalysis, thermal dehydration reactions of Y(TFA)₃(H₂O)₃ (TFA = trifluoroacetate) (A) were investigated. Thermal treatment of A at different temperatures under vacuum (5 × 10^?2 mm) for several hours failed to give totally anhydrous yttrium trifluoroacetate (as indicated by IR). Two different complexes, a partially dehydrated [Y(μ,η¹:η¹-TFA)₃(THF)(H₂O)]_1∞·THF (1) and a partially hydrolyzed [Y₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ,η¹:η¹-TFA)₆(η¹-TFA)(η²-TFA)(THF)₃(DMSO)(H₂O)] · 6THF (2), were obtained with good and moderate yield, respectively, by crystallization of two different thermally treated batches of A from THF (or THF + DMSO) at room temperature. More efficient dehydration of A could be achieved at 200 °C in a furnace, the obtained anhydrous yttrium tris-trifluoroacetate giving Y(TFA)₃(THF)₂ (3) on crystallization from THF. All the products were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as thermo-gravimetric analysis. In addition, single crystal X-ray structures are reported for 1 and 2, which show either a terminal (η¹ and η²) or bridging (μ,η¹:η¹) bonding behavior of the TFA ligand.     

Theoretical investigation of mixed-ligand lanthanocene complexes, (η5-C5H5)2LnX · OC4H8 (Ln=La,Gd, Lu; X=F,Cl, Br,I)

For the first time, density functional theory (DFT) calculation was performed on the titled complexes and the calculated geometries are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The decrease in the bond distances (Ln–X) as well as the increase in the Hirshfeld charges and the chemical hardness from La to Lu indicates an increase in ionic character on going from La to Lu. The lanthanide contraction and ionic character of metal–ligand bond are found to follow the order: Ln–X > Ln–Cp > Ln–O.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and thermal stability of a novel 3D cadmium carboxyphosphonate containing left-hand helical chains Cd3Cl2[(O3PCH2–N(H)C5H9–COO)2(H2O)2] · 4H2O

A novel 3D cadmium carboxyphosphonate containing left-hand helical chains, Cd₃Cl₂[(O₃PCH₂–N(H)C₅H₉–COO)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O 1 has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction at 120 °C and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as well as with infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. In compound 1, the hexanuclear clusters based on Cd(1)O₄Cl₂, Cd(2)O₄Cl₂, Cd(3)O₆ and CPO₃ polyhedra are interconnected through carboxyphosphonate ligands to form a 3D open-framework structure with channel system. The result of connections in this manner is the formation of 20- and 30-atom rings that are parallel to one another and run in the a-axis direction. It is interesting that a type of left-hand helical chain is formed by HL^2? ligands bridging Cd₃ ions running along the b-axis.     

The first metal chelate of un-substituted 2,6-pyridine-dicarboxamide (pdcam): synthesis,molecular and crystal structure,and properties of [CuII(pdc)(pdcam)] · 2H2O (pdc = 2,6-pyridine-dicarboxylato(2−) ligand)

The compound (2,6-pyridine-dicarboxamide)(2,6-pyridine-dicarboxylato)copper(II) dihydrate ([Cu(pdc)(pdcam)] · 2H₂O, compound 1) has been synthesised by reaction of Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂, H₂pdc acid and pdcam in an aqueous-ethanol medium. The new compound has been characterised by thermal, spectral, magnetic and X-ray diffraction methods. Its crystal consists of a 3D hydrogen bonded network where all N–H(amide) bonds of pdcam act as H-donors for O carboxyl(pdc) or water acceptor atoms. The Cu(II) atom exhibits an elongated octahedral coordination, type 4 + 2. Both pdc and pdcam ligands define a nearly orthogonal dihedral angle (88.4°). The anionic pdc acts as mer-NO₂(equatorial) tridentate ligand, supplying three among the four closest to the metal donor atoms (Cu–N 1.913(2), Cu–O 2.022(2) and 2.055(2) Å). The diamide pdcam ligand displays a mer-N(equatorial) + O₂(apical) role (Cu–N 2.007(2), Cu–O(amide) 2.295(2) and 2.305(2) Å), thus showing a remarkable conformational flexibility.     

Phase evolution and chemical durability of Zr1-xNd xO2-x/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) ceramics

A series of Zr_1-xNd _xO_2-x/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) ceramics was prepared by solid-state reaction method. The effects of Nd content on the phase evolution were investigated. The chemical durability of resulting waste forms was also examined. The results show that the ceramics with x < 0.1 show monoclinic and cubic zirconia phase, with 0.2 ≤ x < 0.4 exhibit a single cubic phase, with 0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 exhibit a single pyrochlore phase, with 0.6 < x < 0.8 exhibit a single cubic phase and remain cubic phases and hexagonal Nd₂O₃ when 0.8 ≤ x ≤ 1. The unit cell parameters of the Nd-doped zirconia samples increase as the Nd content increases. Moreover, the normalized element release rates of Nd element in Nd-doped zirconia ceramics firstly decrease with leaching time and almost no change after 21 days (∼0⁻⁶ g m⁻² d⁻¹), demonstrating its good chemical durability.     

Synthesis and negative thermal expansion properties of solid solutions Yb2−xLaxW3O12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2)

A new series of rare earth solid solutions Yb_2?xLa_xW₃O₁₂ were successfully synthesized by the solid-state method. Effects of substituted ion lanthanum on the microstructures and thermal expansion properties in the resulting Yb_2?xLa_xW₃O₁₂ ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and thermal mechanical analyzer (TMA). Results indicate that the structural phase transition of the Yb_2?xLa_xW₃O₁₂ changes from orthorhombic to monoclinic with increasing substituted content of lanthanum. The pure phases can form in the composition range of 0 ≤ x < 0.5 with orthorhombic structure and 1.5 < x ≤ 2 with monoclinic one. High lanthanum content leads to a low hygroscopicity of Yb_2?xLa_xW₃O₁₂. Negative thermal coefficients of the Yb_2?xLa_xW₃O₁₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) also vary from ?7.78 × 10^?6 K^?1 to 2.06 × 10^?6 K^?1 with increasing substituted content of lanthanum.     

First two-dimensional framework material constructed from bicapped Keggin structure clusters: [Cu(en)2(H2O)]{[PMoVI8VIV6O42Cu(en)2][Cu0.5(en)]3} · 5.5H2O

The hydrothermal reaction of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, Na₂MoO₄ · 2H₂O, NH₄VO₃, ethylenediamine (en) and H₃PO₄ yields a novel two-dimensional open-framework material. The extended structure consists of a network of {PMo₈V₆O₄₂ [Cu(en)₂]}⁵⁻ cages, with each cage connected to three other neighboring units via [Cu(en)₂]²⁺ bridging groups.     

The novel ligand 4′-phenyl-3,2′:6′,3′′-terpyridine (L) and the supramolecular structure of the dinuclear complex [Zn2(μ-L)(acac)4] · H2O (acac = acetylacetonato)

The new terpyridyl ligand 4′-phenyl-3,2′:6′,3′′-terpyridine (L) reacts with Zn(acac)₂ to produce the dizinc complex [Zn₂(μ-L)(acac)₄] · H₂O (1) (acac = acetylacetonato). The analysis of the crystal structure of this zero-dimensional (0D) complex shows the existence of two Zn(acac)₂ centers bridged symmetrically by one μ-L ligand. The key role played by the acac and L ligands and the guest water molecule allows the generation of a series of intermolecular hydrogen bonds of the O–H/O, C–H/O and C–H/π type which give raise to a 3D supramolecular array. The observed C–H/π interactions are so widespread that all the π-rings present in the structure, viz., those belonging to the L ligand as well as the acetylacetonato chelate rings, participate as hydrogen bond acceptors.     

Thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of SmxZr1−xO2−x/2 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) ceramics

A study was conducted of the effect of additions of samarium oxide on the thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of zirconium oxide for thermal barrier coatings. Sm_xZr_1?xO_2?x/2 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) ceramic powders synthesized with a chemical-coprecipitation and calcination method were sintered at 1873 K for 15 h. Structures of the synthesized powders and sintered ceramics were identified by X-ray diffractometer. The morphologies of ceramic powders were observed by transmission electron microscope. The thermal expansion coefficients and thermal diffusion coefficients of Sm_xZr_1?xO_2?x/2 ceramics were studied with a high-temperature dilatometer and a laser flash diffusivity technique from room temperature to 1673 K. The thermal conductivity was calculated from thermal diffusivity, density and specific heat of bulk ceramics. Sm_0.1Zr_0.9O_1.95 ceramics consists of both monoclinic and tetragonal structures. However, Sm_0.2Zr_0.8O_1.9 and Sm_0.3Zr_0.7O_1.85 ceramics only exhibit a defect fluorite structure. Sm_0.4Zr_0.6O_1.8 and Sm_0.5Zr_0.5O_1.75 ceramics have a pyrochlore-type lattice. With the increase of Sm₂O₃ content, the linear thermal expansion of Sm_xZr_1?xO_2?x/2 ceramics increases except for Sm_0.1Zr_0.9O_1.95. The thermal conductivities of Sm_xZr_1?xO_2?x/2 ceramics ranged from 1.41 at 873 K to 1.86 W m^?1 K^?1 at room temperature in a test temperature range of room temperature to 1673 K, and the results can be explained by phonon scattering mechanism.     

Heteroepitaxial ZnO/sapphire (0 0 0 1) structure prepared by sol–gel process

ZnO thin films were grown on sapphire (0 0 0 1) substrates by sol–gel process and their structural and optical properties were characterized in detail. High-quality texture was obtained by using precursor solution of zinc acetate and ethanolamine in 2-methoxyethanol, pyrolyzed at 300 °C, then heated at 500 °C, and finally annealed at 750 °C. Highly c-axis oriented ZnO films were confirmed by X-ray θ–2θ scan. A relatively high transmittance in the visible spectra range and clear absorption edge of the film were observed. Epitaxial relationship between ZnO and sapphire and photoluminescence of the film were examined by using a X-ray pole-figure analysis and He–Cd laser. Near-band-edge emission with a deep-level emission was observed.