Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of complexes with a (μ-oxo)bis-(μ-carboxylato)diruthenium(III) core

Reaction of [Ru2O(O2CR)2(MeCN)4(PPh3)2](ClO4)2 (1) with 1,2-diaminoethane (em) in MeOH---H2O yielded a mixture of products, from which a purple diamagnetic and 1:2 electrolytic diruthenium(III) complex, [Ru2O(O2CR)2(en)2(PPh3)2](ClO4)2 (2), was isolated along with a trace by-product of [Ru2O(O2CR)2(en)2(PPh3)2](ClO4)(MeCONH) (3) (R = C6H4-p-X : X = H, a; OMe, b; Me, c). Complex 3b has been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure shows the presence of a (Ru2(?-O)(?-O2CR)22+)_core, with the metal centre bonded to an unidentate PPh3 and a bidentate chelating en terminal ligand. The Ru�Ru distance and the Ru�O�Ru angle in the core are 3.255(3) Å and 119.1(4)°. The amidate anion, formed presumably by nucleophilic attack of OH? on the MeCN ligand in complex 1, remains uncoordinated to the metal. In MeCN/0.1 M [NBun4]ClO4 complex 2 exhibits a nearly reversible Ru2III,III?Ru2III,IV couple near 0.9 V and an irreversible Ru2III,III?Ru2III,II process at ?0.6 V (vs S.C.E.). The mechanistic aspects of the substitution and nucleophilic reactions in the formation of complexes 2 and 3 are discussed. References

Synthesis, structure and redox properties of (?-oxo)bis(?-carboxylato)diruthenium(III) complexes containing three different terminal ligands

Blue coloured, unstable, essentially diamagnetic and non-electrolytic diruthenium(III) complexes of the formation [Ru2O(O2CR)4(en)2(PPh3)2] were prepared by reacting [Ru2O(O2CR)4(PPh3)2] with 1,2-diaminoethane (en) in CH2Cl2 (R = C6H4-p-X; X = H, Me and OMe). The molecular structure of the complexes is proposed as [{(?1-O2CR)(?1-en)(PPH3)Ru}2(?-O)(?-O2CR)2] based on the 1H NMR spectral data. The electronic spectra of the complexes display a band near 569 nm with a shoulder at 630 nm. In CH2Cl2-0.1 M [Bun4N]ClO4, the complexes exhibit redox couples Ru2III,III/Ru2III,IV and Ru2III,IV/Ru2IV,IV near 0.1 and 1.2 V (vs SCE), respectively. The potentials are the lowest among diruthenium(III) complexes with a similar core structure.

CoMn2O4 spinel from a MOF: synthesis, structure and magnetic studies

A hydrothermal reaction of Mn(OAc)(2)center dot 4H(2)O, Co(OAc)(2)center dot 4H(2)O and 1,2,4 benzenetricarboxylic acid at 220 degrees C for 24 h gives rise to a mixed metal MOF compound, CoMn2(C6H3(COO)(3))(2)], I. The structure is formed by the connectivity between octahedral CoO6 and trigonal prism MnO6 units connected through their vertices forming a Kagome layer, which are pillared by the trimellitate. Magnetic susceptibility studies on the MOF compound indicate a canted anti-ferromagnetic behavior, due to the large antisymmetric DM interaction between the M2+ ions (M = Mn, Co). Thermal decomposition studies indicate that the MOF compound forms a tetragonal mixed-metal spinel phase, CoMn2O4, with particle sizes in the nano regime at 400 degrees C. The particle size of the CoMn2O4 can be controlled by varying the decomposition temperature of the parent MOF compound. Magnetic studies of the CoMn2O4 compound suggests that the coercivity and the ferrimagnetic ordering temperatures are dependent on the particle size.

(Ba3MTiMO9)-Ti-III-O-V (M-III = Fe, Ga, Y, Lu, M-V = Nb, Ta, Sb) perovskite oxides Synthesis, structure and dielectric properties

We describe the synthesis structures and dielectric properties of new perovskite oxides of the formula (Ba3MTiMO9)-Ti-III-O-V for M-III = Fe Ga Y Lu and M-V = Nb Ta Sb While M-V = Nb and Ta oxides adopt disordered/partially ordered 3C perovskite structures where M-III/Ti/M-V metal-oxygen octahedra are corner connected the M-V = Sb oxides show a distinct preference for the 6H structure where Sb-V/Ti-IV metal-oxygen octahedra share a common face forming (Sb Ti)O-9 dimers that are corner-connected to the (MO6)-O-III octahedra The preference of antimony oxides (Sb-V 4d(10)) for the 6H structure which arises from a special Sb-V-O chemical bonding that tends to avoid linear Sb-O-Sb linkages unlike Nb-V/Ta-V d(0) atoms which prefer similar to 180 degrees Nb/Ta-O-Nb/Ta linkages - is consistent with the crystal chemistry of M-V-O oxides in general The dielectric properties reveal a significant difference among Mill members All the oxides with the 3C structure excepting those with Mill = Fe show a normal low loss dielectric behaviour with epsilon = 20-60 in the temperature range 50-400 degrees C the M-III = Fe members with this structure (M-V = Nb Ta) display a relaxor-like ferroelectric behaviour with large E values at frequencies <= 1 MHz (50-500 degrees C) (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved

Crystal structure and electrical properties of CaNaBi2Nb3O12 ceramics

Monophasic CaNaBi2Nb3O12 powders were synthesized via the conventional solid-state reaction route. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) studies confirmed the phase to be a three-layer Aurivillius oxide associated with an orthorhombic B2cb space group. The dielectric properties of the ceramics have been studied in the 300-800 K temperature range at various frequencies (1 kHz to 1 MHz). A dielectric anomaly was observed at 676 K for all the frequencies corresponding to the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition as it was also corroborated by the high temperature X-ray diffraction studies. The incidence of the polarization-electric field (P vs. E) hysteresis loop demonstrated CaNaBi2Nb3O12 to be ferroelectric.

Synthesis, structure and ionic conductivity in scheelite type Li(0.5)Ce(0.5-x)Ln(x)MoO(4) (x=0 and 0.25, Ln = Pr, Sm)

Scheelite type solid electrolytes, Li(0.5)Ce(0.5-x)Ln(x)MoO(4) (x = 0 and 0.25, Ln = Pr, Sm) have been synthesized using a solid state method. Their structure and ionic conductivity (a) were obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction and ac-impedance spectroscopy, respectively. X-ray diffraction studies reveal a space group of I4(1)/a for Li(0.5)Ce(0.5-x)Ln(x)MoO(4) (x = 0 and 0.25, Ln = Pr, Sm) scheelite compounds. The unsubstituted Li0.5Ce0.5MoO4 showed lithium ion conductivity similar to 10(-5)-10(-3) Omega(-1)cm(-1) in the temperature range of 300-700 degrees C (sigma = 2.5 x 10(-3) Omega(-1) cm(-1) at 700 degrees C). The substituted compounds show lower conductivity compared to the unsubstituted compound, with the magnitude of ionic conductivity being two (in the high temperature regime) to one order (in the low temperature regime) lower than the unsubstituted compound. Since these scheelite type structures show significant conductivity, the series of compounds could serve in high temperature lithium battery operations.

Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Structure and Transport in the K2O-2SiO2 System Using a Partial Charge Based Model Potential

Potassium disilicate glass and melt have been investigated by using a new partial charge based potential model in which nonbridging oxygens are differentiated from bridging oxygens by their charges. The model reproduces the structural data pertaining to the coordination polyhedra around potassium and the various bond angle distributions excellently. The dynamics of the glass has been studied by using space and time correlation functions. It is found that K ions migrate by a diffusive mechanism in the melt and by hops below the glass transition temperature. They are also found to migrate largely through nonbridging oxygenrich sites in the silicate matrix, thus providing support to the predictions of the modified random network model.

Molecular dynamics Investigation of structure and transport in the K2O-2SiO2 system using a partial charge based model potential

Potassium disilicate glass and melt have been investigated by using anew partial charge based potential model in which nonbridging oxygens are differentiated from bridging oxygens by their charges. The model reproduces the structural data pertaining to the coordination polyhedra around potassium and the various bond angle distributions excellently. The dynamics of the glass has been studied by using space and time correlation functions. It is found that K ions migrate by a diffusive mechanism in the melt and by hops below the glass transition temperature. They are also found to migrate largely through nonbridging oxygen-rich sites in the silicate matrix, thus providing support to the predictions of the modified random network model.

Structure and stability of human telomeric sequence

Telomeric DNA of a variety of vertebrates including humans contains the tandem repeat d(TTAGGG)(n). We have investigated the structural properties of the human telomeric repeat oligonucleotide models d(T(2)AG(3))(4), d(G(3)T(2)A)(3)G(3), and d(G(3)T(2)AG(3)) using CD, gel electrophoresis, and chemical probing techniques. The sequences d(G(3)T(2)A)(3)G(3) and d(T(2)AG(3))(4) assume an antiparallel G quartet structure by intramolecular folding, while the sequence d(G(3)T(2)AG(3)) also adopts an antiparallel G quartet structure but by dimerization of hairpins. In all the above cases, adenines are in the loop. The TTA loops are oriented at the same end of the G tetrad stem in the case of hairpin dimer. Further, the oligonucleotide D(G(3)T(2)AG(3)) forms a higher order structure by the association of two hairpin dimers via stacking of G tetrad planes. Here we show that N-7 of adenine in the hairpin dimer is Hoogsteen hydrogen-bonded. The partial reactivity of loop adenines with DEPC in d(T(2)AG(3))(4) suggests that the intramolecular G quartet structure is highly polymorphic and structures with different loop orientations and topologies are formed in solution. Intra- and interloop hydrogen bonding schemes for the TTA loops are proposed to account for the observed diethyl pyrocarbonate reactivities of adenines. Sodium-induced G quartet structures differ from their potassium-induced counterparts not only in stability but also in loop conformation and interactions. Thus, the overall structure and stability of telomeric sequences are modulated by the cation present, loop sequence, and the number of G tracts, which might be important for the telomere function.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Ferromagnetically Coupled Angular Trinuclear Copper(11) Complex [Cu3(02CMe)4(bpy)s(HzO)](PF)62

The synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, and magnetic properties of an angular trinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu3(O2CMC)4(bpy)3(H2O)](PF6)2 (1), obtained from a reaction of Cu2(O2CMe)4(H2O)2 With 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and NH4PF6 in ethanol, are reported. Complex 1 crystallizes in triclinic space group P1BAR with a = 11.529(1) angstrom, b = 12.121(2) angstrom, c = 17.153(2) angstrom, alpha = 82.01(1)-degrees, beta = 79.42(1)-degrees, gamma = 89.62(1)-degrees, and Z = 2. A total of 6928 data with I > 2.5sigma(I) were refined to R = 0.0441 and R(w) = 0.0557. The structure consists of a trinuclear core bridged by four acetate ligands showing different bonding modes. The coordination geometry at each copper is distorted square-pyramidal with a CuN2O2...O chromophore. The Cu...Cu distances are 3.198(1) angstrom, 4.568(1) angstrom, and 6.277(1) angstrom. There are two monoatomic acetate bridges showing Cu-O-Cu angles of 93.1(1) and 97.5(1)-degrees. Magnetic studies in the temperature range 39-297 K show the presence of a strong ferromagnetically coupled dicopper(II) unit (2J = +158 cm-1) and an essentially isolated copper(II) center (2J' = -0.4 cm-1) in 1. The EPR spectra display an axial spectrum giving g(parallel-to) = 2.28 (A(parallel-to) = 160 X 10(-4) cm-1) and g(perpendicular-to) = 2.06 (A(perpendicular-to) = 12 X 10(-4) cm-1) for the normal copper and two intense isotropic signals with g values 2.70 and 1.74 for the strongly coupled copper pair. The structural features of 1 compare well with the first generation models for ascorbate oxidase.

Synthesis, x-ray structure and redox properties of [Ru2(?-O) (?-O2CMe)2(Me2NCH2CH2NH2)2(PPh3)2](ClO4)2

The title complex has been prepared from a reaction of [Ru2O(O22CMe)2 (MeCN)4(PPH3)2](ClO4)2 with N,N-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (dmen) in MeOH. The crystal structure of [Ru2O(O2CMe)2(dmen)2(PPh3)2](ClO4)2.MeOH shows the presence of a [Ru2(mu-O)(mu-O2CMe)2]2+ core. The terminal ligands on each metal are a PPh3 and a bidentate chelating dmen. The Ru-Ru distance and Ru-O-Ru angle in the core are 3.271(2) angstrom and 120.9(4)-degrees. The more electron-donating site of the dmen ligand is bonded at the terminal sites trans to the mu-oxo ligand. The complex displays a visible absorption band at 566 nm (epsilon, 6960 M-1 cm-1) in MeCN and undergoes a nearly reversible one-electron oxidation at 1.02 V and an irreversible reduction at -0.52 V (vs SCE) in MeCN-0.1 M [NBu4n](ClO4).

Social selection and the evolution of cooperative groups: The example of the cellular slime moulds

In social selection the phenotype of an individual depends on its own genotype as well as on the phenotypes, and so genotypes, of other individuals. This makes it impossible to associate an invariant phenotype with a genotype: the social context is crucial. Descriptions of metazoan development, which often is viewed as the acme of cooperative social behaviour, ignore or downplay this fact. The implicit justification for doing so is based on a group-selectionist point of view. Namely, embryos are clones, therefore all cells have the same evolutionary interest, and the visible differences between cells result from a common strategy. The reasoning is flawed, because phenotypic heterogeneity within groups can result from contingent choices made by cells from a flexible repertoire as in multicellular development. What makes that possible is phenotypic plasticity, namely the ability of a genotype to exhibit different phenotypes. However, co-operative social behaviour with division of labour requires that different phenotypes interact appropriately, not that they belong to the same genotype, or have overlapping genetic interests. We sketch a possible route to the evolution of social groups that involves many steps: (a) individuals that happen to be in spatial proximity benefit simply by virtue of their number; (b) traits that are already present act as preadaptations and improve the efficiency of the group; and (c) new adaptations evolve under selection in the social context-that is, via interactions between individuals-and further strengthen group behaviour. The Dictyostelid or cellular slime mould amoebae (CSMs) become multicellular in an unusual way, by the aggregation of free-living cells. In nature the resulting group can be genetically homogeneous (clonal) or heterogeneous (polyclonal); in either case its development, which displays strong cooperation between cells (to the extent of so-called altruism) is not affected. This makes the CSMs exemplars for the study of social behaviour.

Lanthanide Sulfate Frameworks: Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties

Layered lanthanide sulfate compounds with three different structures have been prepared and characterized. The compounds C10H10N2] La(SO4)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O (I), C10H10N2] La(SO4)(2)(H2O)(2)](2) (Ha), C10H10N2]Pr(SO4)(2)(H2O)(2)](2) (IIb), C10H10N2]Nd-2(SO4)(4)(H2O)(2)](2) (IIIa), C10H10N2]Sm-2(SO4)(4)(H2O)(2)](2) (IIIb), and C10H10N2]Eu-2(SO4)(4)(H2O)(2)] 2 (IIIC) have anionic lanthanide sulfate layers separated by protonated bipyridine molecules. The layers are formed by the connectivity between the lanthanide polyhedra and sulfate tetrahedra. The formation of a two-dimensional La-O-La layer (la), Pr-O-Pr chains (IIb), and a tetramer cluster (IIIa) is noteworthy. The compounds exhibit honeycomb (I), square (IIa, IIb), and honeycomb (IIIa-IIIc) net arrangements, when the connectivity between the lanthanide ions is considered. Optical studies indicate the observation of characteristic metal-centered emission at room temperature. The Nd compound (IIIa) exhibits a two-photon upconversion behavior.

Ab initio studies of the structure and vibrational spectra of methyl isocyanide-borane and acetonitrile-borane

The SCF/DZP and MP2/DZP methods of ab initio quantum chemistry have been utilized to study the structure, vibrational spectra, binding energy, and barrier to internal rotation of methyl isocyanide-borane and acetonitrile-borane adducts. The eclipsed conformation of the complexes was predicted to be a minimum, and the staggered form is a transition state with a barrier height of about 10 cal/mol. The vibrational analyses of CH3NC-BH3 and CH3CN-BH3 and several of their isotopomers have been carried out by the GF matrix method. Computations have also been carried out for free CH3NC and CH3CN in order to investigate the changes in CH3NC and CH3CN as a result of their complex formation with BH3. To obtain an acceptable set of force constants, a recently proposed procedure ''RECOVES'' has been utilized. The increase in the N=C/C=N stretching force constant of CH3NC/CH3CN on adduct formation is interpreted with the help of Parr and Borkman's model. The binding energies for the two adducts have been determined taking basis set superposition error (BSSE) into consideration. The effect of the BSSE on structure, dipole moment, and vibrational frequencies of CH3CN and CH3NC is also evaluated. The predicted infrared band intensities for the two complexes are in good agreement with the experimentally observed features, and they have been utilized in the assignment of vibrational frequencies.