Synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones/thiones using ZrOCl2/mont K10 under microwave assisted solvent-free conditions

ZrOCl₂·8H₂O supported on montmorillonite K10 (ZrOCl₂/mont K10) catalyzed Biginelli reaction under solvent-free conditions is reported. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET surface area analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The activity of montmorillonite K10, montmorillonite KSF, ZrOCl₂·8H₂O, SO₄ ^2?/ZrO₂, and ZrOCl₂/mont K10s was investigated by Biginelli reaction of benzaldehyde, ethylacetoacetate and urea. The reactions were carried out by addition of ZrOCl₂/mont K10 to a mixture of aldehyde, ethylacetoacetate and urea/thiourea with thorough stirring in the absence of solvent under conventional heating or microwave irradiation to prepare 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one/thione derivatives at 80?°C in good yields.     

Diffraction Studies on Concentrated Aqueous Hydrochloric Acid Solutions

X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction experiments with H/D isotopically substituted aqueous 21 mol% hydrochloric acid solutions were carried out in order to obtain detailed features concerning the intermolecular hydrogen-bonded structure in highly concentrated aqueous acidic solutions. Structure parameters, namely, intermolecular distance, root-mean-square amplitude, and coordination number, for the nearest neighbor H₃O⁺···H₂O interaction were determined from the least-squares-fitting analysis of the observed X-ray interference term. These were, respectively, r(H₃O⁺···H₂O) = 2.45(1) Å; l(H₃O⁺···H₂O) = 0.11(1) Å; and n(H₃O⁺···H₂O) = 1.8(1). The intermolecular nearest neighbor distances, r(H···H) = 2.02(5) Å and r(O···H) = 1.69(2) Å, were determined from the least-squares fit to partial structure factors, a_ij (Q), derived from the observed neutron intermolecular interference terms for sample solutions with different H/D isotopic ratios. The present values of intermolecular distances are significantly shorter than those for pure liquid water, implying that extremely strong hydrogen bonds exist in concentrated aqueous acidic solutions.     

Preparation and characterization of the continuous titanium-doped ZrO2 mesoporous fibers with large surface area

The continuous titanium-doped ZrO₂ mesoporous fibers with a large surface area (190 m² g^?1, TZ50-400) have been prepared by the sol–gel method coupled with the chemical template route. In the formation process, the self-induced acid environment of ZrOCl₂·8H₂O in ethanol solution was utilized to avoid a rapid hydrolysis process and the viscous sol precursors were successfully obtained for spinning fibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra were used to study the chemical environment of surface Ti(IV) and Zr((IV)) ions. The findings disclose that the partial Ti atoms (less than 30 %) enter into the ZrO₂ lattice and occupy the positions of Zr atoms, while the excess Ti atoms construct the linear Ti–O–Ti chains inside the extra framework, being favorable to prevent the collapse of meso structure.     

Microwave Assisted Crystal Growth of a New Organic—Decavanadate Assembly: [V10O27(OH)] · 2(C6N2H14) · (C6N2H13) · (C6N2H12) · 2H2O

Microwave synthesis was used to grow single crystals of a new organic–inorganic supramolecular assembly, [V₁₀O₂₇(OH)] · 2(C₆N₂H₁₄) · (C₆N₂H₁₃) · (C₆N₂H₁₂) · 2H₂O, in a very short time compared to the conventional solution technique. In order to generate crystals suitable for single crystal experiments, an equimolar mixture of reactants and a few hours of microwave heating are required. Although non-merohedral twinning is an inherent problem, the crystal structure can be solved and refined in the orthorhombic space group Pna2 ₁ with a = 20.972(4) Å, b = 10.3380(14) Å, c = 20.432(3) Å, Z = 4, with an excellent result, R(F²) = 0.0431. The assembly is hydrogen bond-assisted and built up of the monoprotonated decavanadate and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane of various degrees of protonation. The number and location of protons on both the inorganic and organic motifs govern the formation of the extensive hydrogen bonding network, which in turn regulates the assembly architecture.     

Lanthanide(III) 1,4-Phenylenediacetate Complexes: The Relation Between the Structure and Thermal Properties

The series of isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers with the empirical formula [Ln₂(PDA)₃(H₂O)]·2H₂O, where PDA = 1,4-phenylenediacetate anion = [C₈H₈(COO)₂]^2?; Ln = La-Lu(III), and Y(III) were produced in the reaction of LnCl₃·nH₂O with ammonium salt of 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid in water solution. The compounds were characterised structurally using powder X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses as well as FT-IR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analyses show that in the range 60–170 °C the dehydration process occurs. The thermal stability of dehydrated compounds, Ln₂(PDA)₃ increased from about 200–350 °C in the whole series of complexes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for the Gd(III) complex revealed that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with a = 21.863(2) Å, b = 10.035(1) Å, c = 13.854(1) Å, β = 91.53(1)° and V = 3,038.5(4) ų. The complex contains one-dimensional gadolinium-carboxylato chains, which are connected with the –CH₂–C₆H₄–CH₂– spacers of PDA ligand to the three-dimensional metal–organic framework.     

Synthesis and structural refinement of fully dehydrated fully Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-exchanged zeolite Y (FAU), |Zn<Subscript>35.5</Subscript>|[Si<Subscript>121</Subscript>Al<Subscript>71</Subscript>O<Subscript>384</Subscript>]-FAU

The single-crystal structure of |Zn_35.5|[Si₁₂₁Al₇₁O₃₈₄]-FAU per unit cell, a = 24.794(1), dehydrated at 673 K and 1 × 10^?6 Torr, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques in the space group \( Fd\bar{3}m \) at 294(1) K. The structure was refined using all intensities to the final error indices (using the 930 reflections for which F _o > 4σ(F _o)) R ₁ = 0.0448 (based on F) and wR ₂ = 0.1545 (based on F ²). About 35.5 Zn²⁺ ions per unit cell are found at an unusually large number of crystallographic distinct positions, six. The 0.5 Zn²⁺ ion per unit cell is located at the center of double 6-ring (D6R, site I; Zn(I)-O(3) = 2.642(3) Å and O(3)-Zn(I)-O(3) = 81.23(12) and 98.77(12)°). Two different site-I′ positions (in the sodalite cavities opposite D6Rs) are occupied by 14 and 3 Zn²⁺ ions per unit cell, respectively; these Zn²⁺ ions are recessed 0.67 Å and 1.02 Å, respectively, into the sodalite cavities from their 3-oxygens plane (Zn(I′a)-O(3) = 2.094(3) Å, Zn(I′b)-O(3) = 2.23(5) Å, O(3)-Zn(I′a)-O(3) = 110.32(12)°, and O(3)-Zn(I′b)-O(3) = 100.9(30)°). Site-II′ positions (in the sodalite cavities opposite S6Rs) are occupied by 6 Zn²⁺ ions, each of which extends 0.63 Å into the sodalite cavities from their 3-oxygens plane (Zn(II′)-O(2) = 2.164(3) Å and O(2)-Zn(II′)-O(2) = 112.00(12)°). Twelve Zn²⁺ ions are found at two nonequivalent sites II (in the supercage) with occupancies of 7 and 5 ions, respectively; these Zn²⁺ ions are recessed 0.52 Å and 0.96 Å, respectively, into the supercage from their 3-oxygens plane (Zn(IIa)-O(2) = 2.138(12) Å, Zn(IIb)-O(2) = 2.28(4) Å, O(2)-Zn(IIa)-O(2) = 114.2(10)°, and O(2)-Zn(IIb)-O(2) = 103.7(25)°).     

Separation of Uranium from Aqueous Solutions Using Al3+‐ and Fe3+‐modified Titanium‐ and Zirconium Phosphates

Abstract

The ability of four amorphous Al³⁺‐ and Fe³⁺‐doped titanium and zirconium sorbents to separate U(VI) from acidic aqueous solutions (pH_init=3, ionic strength 0.1 M established by NaNO₃) was investigated using a batch technique and instrumental neutron activation analysis. All investigated sorbents were found to be chemically stable and remove considerable amounts of uranium from acidic aqueous solutions (pH_init=3). The scanning electron microscopic and powder‐X‐ray diffraction examination of the grains of the two investigated titanium phosphates after contacting the uranium solutions revealed the formation of sodium autunite (Na₂(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂ · 6‐8H₂O) accompanied, in the case of the Fe³⁺‐doped titanium phosphate, by iron uranyl phosphate hydroxide hydrate (Fe(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂(OH) · 7H₂O). No crystal formation was observed in the cases of uranium sorbed by zirconium phosphates indicating the different sorption mechanism involved.     

Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles with proper magnetic and supercapacitive characteristics: A novel synthesis platform and characterization

A novel electrochemical procedure was developed for the facile preparation of Gd-doped iron oxide nanoparticles (GdIO-NPs). A simple galvanostatic deposition (i=10 mA cm^-2) was done in an additive-free aqueous solution containing FeCl₂·4H₂O, Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O and GdCl₃·6H₂O. The XRD, FE-SEM, EDS and TEM characterizations showed that the product is composed of 15% GdIO-NPs with 10 nm in size. VSM analysis proved that the GdIO-NPs are superparamagnetic. The cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge tests showed that the prepared GdIO-NPs are capable to deliver specific capacity as high as 190.1 F g^-1 at 0.5A g^-1 and capacity retention of 95.1% after 2000 cycling. Based on the results, it was concluded that the developed electrochemical strategy acts as an efficient procedure for the preparation of lanthanide doped MNPs with proper magnetic and supercapacitive characters.     

Inverse precipitation synthesis of ZrO2 nanopowder and in-situ coating on MWCNTs

ZrO₂-multiwall carbon nanotubes composite was successfully prepared by simple inverse precipitation method. The effects of initial ZrOCl₂·H₂O concentration (0.5 and 1?g) and stirring speeds (400, 800 and 1200?rpm) on the phase formation, texture, surface characterization and microstructural evolutions were studied. Results from XRD showed that almost all of the synthesis ZrO₂ exists in tetragonal phase; however, depending on ZrOCl₂·8H₂O concentration and stirring speed, some peaks of monoclinic phase existed in the composites. Texture studies illustrated the (111) plane preferred growth for tetragonal phases. The FTIR results confirmed the formation of different oxide groups in the surface of the CNTs. In addition, formation of the tetragonal ZrO₂ on the surface of CNTs was proved by Raman spectroscopic analyses. The results from microscopic images showed that the size of the ZrO₂ nanoparticles significantly decreased (30?nm) with an increase in the initial ZrOCl₂·8H₂O concentration to 1?g.     

Effects of zirconium source and content on zirconia crystal form,microstructure and mechanical properties of ZTM ceramics

ZTM ceramics were successfully derived from coal gangue. The effect of zirconium source (ZrO₂ and ZrOCl₂?8H₂O) and content on properties of the ZTM ceramics has been studied. The phase composition, density, and microscopic morphology were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Archimedes method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of zirconium source, sintering temperature, zirconia content on flexural properties and fracture toughness was studied. The sample, with ZrOCl₂?8H₂O added 12% zirconia (Z2TM12) sintered at 1475 °C for 3 h has the highest density of 2.83 g/cm³. Partially stable t-ZrO₂ was present in samples with zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂?8H₂O) as the zirconium source, due to the constraints of mullite crystals. Therefore, Z2TM12 had both microcrack toughening and stress phase transformation toughening mechanisms. The flexural strength was increased from 162.40 MPa to 285.04 MPa, while the fracture toughness was improved to 3.55 MPa m^1/2 from 2.38 MPa m^1/2. Our achievement can be used as a reference to fabricate ZTM ceramics from coal gangue with high-value additions.     

Preparation of Nano-ZrO2 powder via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

ZrO₂ nanocrystals were synthesised by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method using zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂·8H₂O), yttrium chloride (YCl₃·6H₂O), and liquor ammonia (NH₃·H₂O) as raw materials, triethanolamine (TEOA) as mineraliser, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as dispersant. The obtained products were characterised with thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the concentration of ZrOCl₂·8H₂O had little effect on the material properties, whereas the PEG molecular weight, microwave hydrothermal time and temperature, and the concentration of TEOA greatly influenced the dispersibility of the nano-sized zirconia powders. XRD and FT-IR analyses indicated that the ZrO₂ nanocrystals synthesised by the microwave hydrothermal method had a tetragonal phase without any trace of monoclinic or cubic phases. The optimal parameters for preparing nano-zirconia powders with appreciable crystallinity and crystal forms included the use of PEG1000/PEG2000/PEG4000 dispersants, a microwave hydrothermal time of 30–50 min and a temperature of 200–240 °C, and a TEOA concentration of 0.3–0.5 M. Nano-ZrO₂ powder prepared via our optimised microwave hydrothermal method contained mostly tetrahedral, spherically shaped, highly homogeneous, and well-dispersed 20–30 nm particles.     

Simple and novel synthesis of zirconia whiskers from a phosphate flux

High quality zirconia whiskers have been successfully prepared by molten salt method, using zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂·8H₂O) and sodium phosphate tribasic dodecahydrate (Na₃PO₄·12H₂O) as precursor and molten salt, respectively. The effects of types of molten salt and heat treatment temperature on the formation of zirconia whiskers were characterized by XRD, Raman, DTA-TG, FE-SEM, TEM, SAED and HR-TEM. When Na₃PO₄·12H₂O is utilized as molten salt and the heat treatment temperature is 900?°C, the as-prepared zirconia whiskers with length ranging from 4?µm to 8?µm show an average aspect ratio of 25. The obtained ZrO₂ whiskers with monoclinic structure are elongated along [010] direction and exhibit a smooth surface with no distinct defects. The XRD and Raman results reveal that the phase transformation from tetragonal zirconia to monoclinic zirconia occurs with the increased crystal size and the water quenching treatment can significantly reduce the content of sodium zirconium phosphate [Na_9–4×Zr_x(PO₄)₃] in the final product. The growth mechanism of zirconia whiskers is supposed to be a dissolution-precipitation process. Since the sodium zirconium phosphate [Na_9–4×Zr_x(PO₄)₃] effectively promotes the dissolution of zirconia in liquid molten salt, zirconia can grow into zirconia whiskers according to its anisotropy.     

A quaternized poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan composite alkaline polymer electrolyte: preparation and characterization of the membrane

Quaternized poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (QPVA/CS) composite membranes were prepared by solution casting method with AlCl₃·6H₂O aqueous solution as solvent for CS and glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. The crystalline, thermal and mechanical properties of the QPVA/CS composite membranes were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and tensile test measurements, respectively. The composite membranes were immersed in potassium hydroxide aqueous solution to form polymer electrolyte membranes. The alkaline uptake, swelling ratio, ion conductivity and methanol permeability of the electrolyte membranes were studied. The experimental results indicated that aluminum chloride hexahydrate (AlCl₃·6H₂O) had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the QPVA/CS composite membrane. The elongation-at-break of this membrane reached the maximum of 401.0%. The alkaline uptake and swelling ratio of the composite membranes decreased. With the addition of 30 wt% AlCl₃·6H₂O, the composite membrane showed the ion conductivity and methanol permeability of 1.82 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 and 2.17 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1, respectively. These values were higher than those of the membrane with acetic acid as the solvent for CS. The selectivity of the QPVA/CS membrane could reach 8.39 × 10³ S s cm^?3. This study showed that with AlCl₃·6H₂O as the solution for CS, the high performance QPVA/CS composite alkaline polymer electrolyte membrane could be prepared.     

Syntheses and Structural Characterization of Co(II) Coordination Polymers Supported by Bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzimidazolyl)methane and Bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-imidazolyl)methane

[Co₂(L¹)₂(NCS)₄]·4MeOH 1, [Co(L²)₂(H₂O)₂](Sal)₂·4H₂O (Sal = salicylate) 2 were obtained from self-assembly of the cobalt salts with bis(N-benzimidazolyl)methane (L¹), and bis(N-benzimidazolyl)methane (L²), and their structures were characterized by IR and X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 exhibits a two-dimensional grid structure, whereas complex 2 is a coordination polymer having a one-dimensional linear chain structure. The grid in 1 lies parallel to the crystallographic ab plane and exhibits intra-grid M–M separations of 10.508 × 10.508 Å. Hydrogen bonds hold the cationic chains in 2 together leading to a three-dimensional network structure.     

1D Coordination Polymer from Tetraaza Macrocyclic Nickel(II) Complex and 1,2,3,4-Cyclobutanetetracarboxylic Acid

The self assembly of [Ni(L)]Cl₂·2H₂O (L = 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo[14,4,0^1.18,0^7.12]docosane) and 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid (H₄cbtc) acid generates a 1D coordination and 2D hydrogen-bonded polymer [Ni(L)(H₂cbtc)₂·3H₂O] _n (1). Complex 1 is characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. Each nickel(II) ion has a distorted octahedral coordination environment with the four secondary amines of the macrocycle in which two carboxylate anions of the H₂cbtc^2? ligand have assembled around each nickel center. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system P-1 with a = 9.715(3) Å, b = 12.891(5) Å, c = 13.903(6) Å, α = 72.64(2)°, β = 75.70(3)°, γ = 73.27(3)°, V = 1566.6(10) ų, Z = 2. The electronic spectrum of 1 indicates a high-spin octahedral environment. The magnetic behavior of 1 reveals a weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction with J = ?1.23(1) cm^?1.     

X-ray crystal structure of the dye 2-cyano-4-bromo-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The crystal structure and molecular conformation of 2-cyano-4-bromo-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene (C₁₇H₁₇N₄Br, mol. wt. = 357·2 a.m.u) has been determined from X-ray diffraction data; triclinic, P$\text{1}$ (No. 2), a = 10·132(11) Å, b = 12·216(16) Å, c = 6·966(11) Å, α = 104·21(9)°, β = 92·67(12)°, γ = 97·22(7)°, V = 826·5(9) ų, Z = 2, D_c = 1·436 g cm^?3, F(000) = 378, λ(MoKα) = 0·71069 Å, μ(MoKα) = 26·0 cm^?1. The structure was solved by the multiple solution direct method and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0·059 for 1538 independent observed reflections. The azobenzene skeleton is planar to within 0·06 Å. Most significant bonding data are: NN, 1·290(8) Å; BrC, 1·866(6) Å; mean CN (azo) 1·380(8) Å; NNC, 113·6(4) and 115·3(4)°; NCC (cis relative to NN) 125·9(4)° and 126·7(4)°; NCC (trans) 116·8°(5)° and 116·1(4)°.     

Crystal structure and thermal expansion of ammonium pentaborate NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>B<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>

Anhydrous ammonium pentaborate NH₄B₅O₈ has been synthesized by thermal dehydration of larderellite NH₄[B₅O₇(OH)₂] · H₂O at a temperature of 290°C for 7 h. The crystal structure has been determined from the X-ray powder diffraction data: a = 7.58667(5) Å, b = 12.00354(8) Å, c = 14.71199(8) Å, R _p = 6.23, R _wp = 7.98, R _B = 12.7, R _F = 8.95, and β-KB₅O₈ structure type. The double interpenetrating framework is formed by pentaborate groups, each consisting of a boron-oxygen tetrahedron and four triangles, in which all oxygen atoms are bridging. The thermal behavior of the NH₄B₅O₈ compound has been investigated using thermal X-ray diffraction. As for other pentaborates of this type, the thermal expansion of the NH₄B₅O₈ compound is anisotropic and reaches a maximum along the a axis. The thermal expansion coefficients are as follows: α _a = 39 × 10^?6, α _b = 6 × 10^?6, α _c = 20 × 10^?6, and α _V = 65 × 10^?6 °C^?1.     

Phase formation in fabrication of a refractory material from nonstabilized Zro2

Results of a study of fabrication of heat-insulating binary powders from nonstabilized ZrO₂ are presented. The strength of grains of monoclinic ZrO₂ is enhanced due to formation of a binder of tetragonal ZrO₂ after introduction of ZrOCl₂ · 8H₂O into the charge or firing of monoclinic ZrO₂ in MgO vapor.     

PREPARATION AND THERMAL EXPANSION OF FE2-xYxW3O12 POWDER BY CITRATE SOL-GEL PROCESS

Fe_2-xY_xW₃O₁₂ powder has been synthesized by the citrate sol-gel process. A model was proposed to calculate the concentration of species in a citric solution. The calculated results could provide valuable information for determining the optimal molar ratio of cation to citric acid and pH value of solution for Fe_2-xY_xW₃O₁₂ preparation. The predicted parameters derived from this model are in good agreement with the experimental results. The prepared gel and the Fe_2-xY_xW₃O₁₂ powder were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry (DTA-TG). The results show that it is very difficult to obtain pure Fe₂W₃O₁₂ powder by the citrate sol-gel process in the temperature range 500°–1000°C, however, Y₂W₃O₁₂ can easily be prepared even at 500°C. Y₂W₃O₁₂ annealed at 1000°C for 10 h is favorable for absorbing moisture in air to form Y₂W₃O₁₂·3.3H₂O. The thermal expansion coefficients of Y₂W₃O₁₂·3.3H₂O are: α_a = ? 8.01 × 10^?6°C^?1, α_b = ? 2.51 × 10^?7°C^?1, and α_c = ? 5.55 × 10^?6°C^?1 in 473–1173 K.     

X-ray crystal structure of the dye 2-bromo-4-cyano-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The crystal structure of 2-bromo-4-cyano-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene has been determined from X-ray diffraction data: C₁₇H₁₇N₄Br, mol. wt = 357·1. Triclinic, Pī (No. 2), α = 13·162(5) Å, b = 7·516(3) Å, c = 8·496(4) Å, α = 101·63(4)°, β = 95·79(4)°, γ = 91·49(4)°, V = 818·10 ų, Z = 2, D_c = 1·45 g cm^?3, F(000) = 378, λ(Mo_Kz) = 0·7107 Å, μ(Mo_Kα) = 26·70 cm^?1. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0·053 for 2081 independent reflexions. The molecule possesses an essentially planar azobenzene skeleton. The effects of substituents on the geometry of the azo group are discussed. Significant molecular parameters are: NN, 1·264(6) Å; ₁BrC, 1·904(5) Å; mean NC, 1·410(7) Å; NNC, 115·7(2)° and 113·0(2)°; NCC (cis relative to NN), 125·4(3)° and 123·1(2)°; CC(Br)C, 123·0(2)°.