Organic–inorganic hybrid oxides: Structure and magnetic properties of [{Cu(terpy)}2Mo6O17(H2O)(O3PCH2NH2CH2PO3)2] · H2O,a bimetallic oxide constructed from novel {Mo6O17(H2O)(O3PCH2NH2CH2PO3)2}4− clusters

The hydrothermal reaction of MoO₃, CuSO₄ · 5H₂O, 2,2′:6′:2″-terpyridine (terpy) and bis-N,N-(methylphosphonic acid) amine (H₂O₃PCH₂NHCH₂PO₃H₂) provided blue crystals of the bimetallic oxide [{Cu(terpy)}₂Mo₆O₁₇(H₂O)(O₃PCH₂NH₂CH₂PO₃)₂] · H₂O (1 · H₂O). The three-dimensional structure of 1 is constructed from {Mo₆O₁₇(H₂O)(O₃PCH₂NH₂CH₂PO₃)₂}⁴⁻ clusters linked through {Cu(terpy)}²⁺ subunits. The cluster consists of three pairs of edge-sharing {MoO₆} octahedra linked through corner-sharing interactions into a {Mo₆O₆} ring. One phosphonate ligand spans the diameter of the ring, bridging four molybdenum sites and leaving at a pendant {PO} group at each terminus. The second diphosphonate ligand exploits one {–PO₃} unit to cap the hexamolybdate ring and bridge all six molybdenum sites while the second {–PO₃} terminus bridges two molybdenum sites, leaving a pendant {PO} unit. Crystal data: C₃₄H₄₅Cu₂Mo₆N₈O₃₅P₄: monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 11.9431(7) Å, b = 17.382(1) Å, c = 27.524(2) Å, β = 90.429(1)°, V = 5713.7(6) Å³, Z = 4, D_calc = 2.270 g cm⁻³, R₁ = 0.0466.     

LiBa1.5[B5O8(OH)3]: A new 1-D metal borate chain constructed from B5O9(OH)36 − cluster units

A new mixed metal borate LiBa_1.5[B₅O₈(OH)₃] (1) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 11.2839(7) Å, b = 7.3974(4) Å, c = 20.7151(13) Å, β = 103.392(6)°, V = 1682.10(17) ų and Z = 8. The structure consists of infinite one-dimensional (1-D) borate chains constructed from B₅O₉(OH)₃^6 − cluster units. These BO chains are further linked by the Ba^2 + and Li⁺ cations to form a 3-D framework.     

Activity of Mo(II) allylic complexes supported in MCM-41 as oxidation catalysts precursors

[Mo(η³-C₃H₅)X(CO)₂(NCCH₃)₂] (X = Br, 1a; X = Cl, 1b) complexes reacted with the bidentate ligand RNC(Ph)–C(Ph)NR, R = (CH₂)₂CH₃ (DAB, 2) affording [Mo(η³-C₃H₅)X(CO)₂(DAB)] (X = Br, 4a; X = Cl, 4b), which were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The modified silylated ligand RNC(Ph)C(Ph)NR, R = (CH₂)₃Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃ (DAB–Si, 3), was used to immobilize the two complexes in MCM-41 (MCM) mesoporous silica. The new materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption analysis, FTIR and ²⁹Si and ¹³C CPMAS solid state NMR spectroscopy. Both the materials and the complexes were tested in the oxidation of cyclooctene and styrene and behaved as active catalyst precursors for cyclooctene and styrene epoxidation with TBHP (t-butylhydroperoxide), leading selectively to epoxides with high conversions and TOFs. Although the homogeneous systems reach 100% conversion of cyclooctene and slightly less for styrene, the loss of catalytic activity in the heterogeneous systems is small, with a 98% conversion of styrene achieved by the chloride containing material.     

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure,X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis of nickel-doped Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3

Raman, X-ray diffraction and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements of xBa(Ni_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ + (1 − x)Ba(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ samples with x = 0–0.03 were performed to reveal the nickel doping effect on the microwave properties. EXAFS result clearly shows that the nickel is located on the Mg lattice site. We also found that, as the nickel concentration increases, microwave dielectric constant decreases with the TaO and NiO bond distances. X-ray diffraction shows that the 1:2 ordered structure is degraded with the increasing of nickel concentration. The stretching phonon of the TaO₆ octahedra, that is A_1g(O) phonon near 800 cm⁻¹, are strongly correlated to the microwave properties of xBa(Ni_1/3Mg_2/3)O₃ + (1 − x)Ba(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ samples. The large Raman shift and the large width of the A_1g(O) imply rigid but distorted oxygen octahedral structure, therefore, the effect of nickel doping lowers the dielectric constant and the Q × f value of Ba(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ ceramic.     

Bridge-splitting of trans-[PtCl2(η2-CH2CH2)]2 by weak nucleophiles: Crystal and molecular structure of trans-[PtCl2(η2-CH2CH2)(MeCN)]

Bridge-splitting of trans-[PtCl₂(η²-CH₂CH₂)]₂, 1, by L in dichloromethane yields trans-[PtCl₂(η²-CH₂CH₂)(L)] (L = THF, 2, or MeCN, 3) with bridge-splitting equilibrium constants of 0.0289 ± 0.0007 and 3601 ± 215 mol^?1 dm³, respectively, as determined by UV/Vis measurements. The reaction of 3 in MeCN with Cl^? is essentially quantitative. The crystal structure of trans-[PtCl₂(η²-CH₂CH₂)(CH₃CN)] is reported.     

Measurement of the hydroxyl radical formation from H2O2, NO3−, and Fe(III) using a continuous flow injection analysis

Production of hydroxyl radical (OH) is of significant concern in engineered and natural environment. A simple in situ method was developed to measure OH formation in UV/H₂O₂, UV/Fe(III), and UV/NO₃^? systems using trapping of OH by benzoic acid (BA) and measuring fluorescence signals from hydroxylated products of BA. Method development included characterization of OH trapping mechanism and measurement of quantum yields (Φ_OH) for OH. The distribution of OHBA isomers was in the order of o-OHBA > p-OHBA > m-OHBA, although it changed with the H₂O₂ concentration and light intensity. This supports that OH attacks dominantly on the benzene rings. The quantum yields for OH formation in the UV/H₂O₂ process were 1.02 and 0.59 at 254 and 313 nm, which were in good agreement with the literature values, confirming that the method is suitable for the measurement of OH production from UV/H₂O₂ processes. Using the continuous flow method developed, quantum yields for OH in UV/H₂O₂, UV/Fe(III), and UV/NO₃^? systems were measured varying the initial concentration of OH precursors. The Φ_OH values increased with increasing concentrations of H₂O₂, Fe(III), and NO₃^? and approached constant values as the concentration increased. The Φ_OH values were 0.009 for H₂O₂ at 365 nm, showing that OH production is not negligible at such high wavelength. The Φ_OH values during the photolysis of Fe(OH)²⁺ (pH 3.0) and Fe(OH)₂⁺ (pH 6.0) at 254 nm were 0.34 and 0.037, respectively. The Φ_OH values for NO₃^? approached a constant value of 0.045 at 254 nm at the initial concentration of 10 mM.     

Copolymerizations of ethylene with α-olefin-ω-ols by highly active vanadium(III) catalysts bearing [N,O] bidentate chelated ligands

The copolymerizations of ethylene with polar hydroxyl monomers such as 10-undecen-1-ol, 5-hexen-1-ol and 3-buten-1-ol were investigated by the vanadium(III) catalysts bearing bidentate [N,O] ligands (1, [PhNC(CH₃)CHC(Ph)O]VCl₂(THF)₂; 2, [PhNCHC₆H₄O]VCl₂(THF)₂; 3, [PhNCHC(Ph)CHO]VCl₂(THF)₂). The polar monomers were pretreated by alkylaluminum before the polymerization. High catalytic activities and efficient comonomer incorporations can be easily obtained by changing monomer masking reagents and polymerization conditions in the presence of diethylaluminium chloride as a cocatalyst. The longer the spacer group, the higher the incorporation of the monomer. Under the mild conditions, the incorporation level of 10-undecen-1-ol reached 13.9 mol% in the resultant copolymers was obtained. The reactivity ratios of copolymerization (r₁ = 41.4, r₂ = 0.02, r₁r₂ = 0.83) were evaluated by Fineman–Ross method. According to ¹³C NMR spectra, polar units were located both on the main chain and at the chain end. The end-hydroxylated polymers were probably obtained due to the formation of dormant species after the insertion of the comonomer followed by the chain transfer to alkylaluminum. In addition, the signals derived from polar monomer inverse insertion were detected for the first time.     

Structural and electrical properties of bismuth magnesium tantalate pyrochlores

The subsolidus cubic pyrochlore phases in the Bi₂O₃–MgO–Ta₂O₅ (BMT) system were prepared with the proposed formula, Bi_3+(5/2)xMg_2?xTa_3?(3/2)xO_14?x (0.12 ≤ x ≤ 0.22). Replacement of smaller cations, Mg²⁺ and Ta⁵⁺ by larger Bi³⁺ cations with considerable oxygen non-stoichiometry within structure was proposed. The synthesised samples were confirmed phase pure by X-ray powder diffraction and their refined lattice parameters were in the range of 10.5532(4)–10.5672(9) Å. The grain sizes of the samples determined by SEM analysis were in the range of 0.6–10.60 μm and their average relative densities were more than 80%. Five infrared-active modes were also observed in their FTIR spectra due to their metaloxygen bonds. The BMT pyrochlores were highly electrical resistive with high dielectric constants, ?′ in the range of ～70–85; dielectric losses, tan δ in the order of 10^?3 at frequency 1 MHz and a negative temperature coefficient of permittivities, TC?′ of ～?158 to ?328 ppm/°C.     

Three Ag(I)–cyanide coordination polymers with metal bonds tuned by N-heterocyclic ligands

Hydrothermal reactions of AgNO₃, K₃[Fe(CN)₆] with N-heterocyclic ligands afforded three novel Ag(I)–cyanide coordination polymers, [Ag₂(CN)₂(tpt)]_n (1), {[Ag(CN)(bpe)_0.5][Ag(CN)]}_n (2) and [Ag(CN)(btmb)_0.5]_n (3) (tpt = 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, btmb = 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene). In complex 1, two Ag(CN) linear chains are bridged by bidentate tpt ligand to form a ladder-like structure, which are further connected by AgAg metal bond to generate a 2D polymeric network. Complex 2 is an interesting 3D supramolecular architecture assembled by 2D [Ag¹(CN)(bpe)_0.5]_n network and linear [Ag²(CN)]_n chain combined by strong AgAg metal bond. Complex 3 is a 1D ladder-like double-chain polymer constructed from Ag–cyanide linear chains and btmb spacer, which is further extended to a 2D supramolecular network by Ag–Ag weak interaction. The Ag–Ag metal interactions play important roles in the construction of three coordination polymers. Complexes 1 and 2 are respectively thermally stable at 300 and 180 °C. Complexes 1 and 3 emit strong blue luminescence.     

Lithium-mediated ring opening of 1,4-dioxane and structural characterization of a Li12O12 truncated octahedron

The equimolar reaction of ^tBuLi with 4-Cl-2,6-Me₂-C₆H₂OH (ArOH) in 1,4-dioxane led to the unexpected formation of the mixed-anion, 1D polymer [(ArO)₂(RO)₄Li₆ · (diox)]_∞, 1 (where RO = H₂CC(H)OCH₂CH₂O⁻). Incorporation of the alkoxy vinyl ether is due to cleavage of 1,4-dioxane by ^tBuLi. Compound 1 can also be prepared rationally by the reaction of ⁿBuLi with ethylene glycol vinyl ether and ArOH in 1,4-dioxane solution. Direct lithiation of ethylene glycol vinyl ether results in the formation of the alkoxide [ROLi]₁₂, 2. The crystal structure of 2 reveals an unusual truncated octahedral arrangement in the solid state, where each metal is chelated by a vinyl ether subunit.     

A DFT study of methanol oxidation on Co3O4

By means of spin polarized density functional theory with the GGA + U framework, the reaction mechanism of CH₃OH oxidation on the Co₃O₄ (110)-B and (111)-B surfaces has been investigated. Adsorption situation and a part of reaction cycle for CH₃OH oxidation are clarified. Our results indicated that: i) U value can affect the calculated energetic result significantly; ii) CH₃OH can adsorb with surface lattice oxygen atom (O_2f/O_3f) to form CoO bond directly, and the adsorption of CH₃OH and its decomposition products on (110)-B is more stable than on (111)-B, which means CH₃OH prefers Co^3 + better than Co^2 +; iii) on the (110)-B surface, CH₃OH can form CO₂, H₂O and adsorbed H atom. But on the (111)-B surface, CH₃OH can just form formaldehyde (CH₂O) and adsorbed H atom, this means oxidative capacity of (110)-B (Co^3 +) is higher than (111)-B (Co^2 +). The possible reasons corresponding to the high oxidative of (110)-B come from both Co^3 + and O_2f: Co^3 + tends to bind adsorbed species for further decomposition and O_2f tends to bind more hydrogenation atom involved in methanol due to its low-coordinates number compared to that of O_3f.     

Flame-made MoO3/SiO2–Al2O3 metathesis catalysts with highly dispersed and highly active molybdate species

MoO₃/SiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts are prepared via flame spray pyrolysis and evaluated in the self-metathesis of propene to ethene and butene. Their specific surface area ranges between 100 and 170 m² g^?1 depending on the MoO₃ loading (1–15 wt.%, corresponding to Mo surface density between 0.3 and 6.1 Mo atoms per nm²). The catalysts were characterized by N₂-physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS). The silica–alumina matrix condenses first in the flame and forms non-porous spherical particles of 5–20 nm, followed by the dispersion of Mo oxide at their surface. Depending on the MoO₃ loading, different MoO_x species are stabilized: dispersed and amorphous molybdates (mono- and oligomeric) at low loadings (<5 wt.%, <1.5 Mo nm^?2) and crystalline MoO₃ species at higher loadings. Raman spectroscopy suggests the presence of monomeric species for surface densities of 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 Mo nm^?2. The formation of MoOMo bonds is, however, clearly established by ToF-SIMS from surface densities as low as 0.5 Mo nm^?2. At 1.5 Mo nm^?2, crystallites of β-MoO₃ (2–3 nm) are detected and further increasing the loading induces the formation of bigger α- and β-MoO₃ crystals (around 20 nm). The speciation of Mo proves to have a marked impact on the metathesis activity of the catalysts. Catalysts with high Mo loading and exhibiting MoO₃ crystals are poorly active, whereas catalysts with low Mo loading (<5 wt.%) perform well in the reaction. The catalyst loaded with only 1 wt.% of MoO₃ (0.3 Mo nm^?2) is the most active, reaching turn over frequencies seven times higher than reference catalysts reported in the literature. Moreover, the specific metathesis activity is clearly inversely correlated to the degree of condensation of the molybdenum oxide phase (as evaluated by ToF-SIMS). The latter finding indicates that monomeric MoO_x species are the main active centres in the olefin metathesis.     

A new binuclear Cr(III) citrate anion: Synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of [Cr(CO(NH2)2)6]2[Cr2(CO(NH2)2)2(C6H4O7)2]3

The new anion [Cr₂(CO(NH₂)₂)₂(C₆H₄O₇)₂]^2 − has been isolated in the complex [Cr(CO(NH₂)₂)₆]₂[Cr₂(CO(NH₂)₂)₂(C₆H₄O₇)₂]₃. The crystals of this complex were obtained by a one-pot synthetic method using 1:1 molar ratio of hexaureachromium(III) chloride and trisodium citrate in aqueous medium. It was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in space group R‾3 of the trigonal system with three formula units in a cell of dimensions a = b = 24.7461(4) Å, c = 13.7204(3) Å and γ = 120°. The crystal structure comprises the columns consisting of [Cr(CO(NH₂)₂)₆]^3 + cations surrounded by a cylinder of complex anions, [Cr₂(CO(NH₂)₂)₂(C₆H₄O₇)₂]^2 − which are packed in a honeycomb-like manner. This supramolecular architecture is formed and stabilized by inter- and intramolecular NH⋯O hydrogen bonds.     

Promotional effect of SO2 on the activity of Ir/SiO2 for NO reduction with CO under oxygen-rich conditions

The effect of coexisting SO₂ on the activity of silica-supported noble metal catalysts for the selective reduction of NO with CO in the presence of O₂ was investigated. Pt/SiO₂, Rh/SiO₂, and Pd/SiO₂ showed little catalytic activity for NO reduction, irrespective of coexisting SO₂. Although Ir/SiO₂ showed no NO reduction activity in the absence of SO₂, the presence of SO₂ drastically promoted NO reduction. A comparison of the catalytic performance of Ir/SiO₂ and Ir/Al₂O₃ in the presence of SO₂ showed that Ir supported on SiO₂ is more active than Ir on Al₂O₃. SiO₂ was found to be a more effective support than Al₂O₃. The most outstanding feature of the reaction on the Ir/SiO₂ catalyst was that the coexistence of SO₂ and O₂ is essential for NO reduction to occur. The role of coexisting SO₂ was considered to be not only to stabilize but also to create Ir⁰ sites in an oxidizing atmosphere. FT-IR measurements suggested that a cis-type coordinated species of NO and CO on one iridium atom (

) was an intermediate for NO reduction by CO. Although the

species completely disappeared with the addition of O₂ to the reaction gas, the presence of coexisting SO₂ caused a reappearance of the

species. A reaction mechanism in which N₂ and N₂O are produced via the recombination of dissociated N atoms (N_(a) + N_(a) → N₂) and the formation of dimer (NO)₂-type species (2NO → (NO)_2(a) → N₂O + O_(a)), respectively, is proposed.     

Thermal expansion and mechanical properties of self-reinforced aluminum titanate ceramics with elongated grains

To fabricate aluminum titanate ceramics that possess both low thermal expansion coefficients and excellent mechanical properties, the co-doping of MgO with Y₂O₃, La₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅ was examined. Doping with MgO lowered the formation reaction temperature of aluminum titanate and prevented the formation of oriented grain regions. Liquid-phase sintering at 1500 °C of the MgO-La₂O₃-doped ceramic resulted in the formation of a minor amount of elongated grains with lengths of approximately 130 μm. This microstructure resulted in a high resistance against crack propagation during the bend test. Grain pull-out and grain bridging mechanisms as well as crack deflection and branching resulted in the high resistance. A low thermal expansion coefficient of 0.7 × 10⁻⁶/deg was observed for this ceramic. The co-doping of MgOY₂O₃ led to high bending strength and moderate low thermal expansion coefficient. The co-doping of MgO-Nb₂O₅ resulted in an extended grain growth by liquid-phase sintering at 1500 °C and poor mechanical properties.     

Low-temperature synthesized nitrogen-doped iron/iron carbide/partly-graphitized carbon as stable cathode catalysts for enhancing bioelectricity generation

Low efficiency of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) across cathode interfaces constitutes an obstacle to the bioelectricity generation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Advances in the property of carbon-based catalysts for ORR will have far-reaching implications for MFCs. Melamine is used as both carbon and nitrogen sources for preparing nitrogen-doped Fe-species/partly-graphitized carbon (Fe-species/NPGC) catalysts at relatively low temperature (640–700 °C). Main crystalline phases in Fe-species/NPGC-x (x = 640, 650, 660 and 700) change from iron carbide (Fe₃C) to α-Fe as temperature increases. The OCO groups and structurally-bonded nitrogen (Fe-bonded N, pyridinic N and pyrrolic N) in PGC skeleton are favorable for improving electrical conductivity and catalytic activity. Single chamber MFCs with Fe/Fe₃C/NPGC-650 generate power density of 1323 mW m⁻², which is higher than those of Fe-species/NPGC-x (x = 640, 660 and 700) and Pt/C (1191 mW m⁻²). Minimum power density decline (1.75%) is achieved by Fe/NPGC-660, which is far lower than that (17.11%) of Pt/C. The highest coulombic efficiency (30%) is obtained by Fe/Fe₃C/NPGC-650 due to the sufficient active-sites (embedded Fe₃C or FeN species) and easy charge transport across the triphase interfaces, which are conducive to “capture–consume” the electrons for catalyzing ORR.