Antipyrine and pyridine n-oxide complexes of iron(II)

Iron(II) complexes of 1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-5-pyrazolone (antipyrine, Apy) and pyridine N-oxide (PyO), having the formulae [Fe(Apy)6](ClO4)2, Fe(Apy)2Cl2, Fe(Apy)2Br2, Fe(Apy)4I2, [Fe(PyO)3Cl3]2 . 2H2O, [Fe(PyO)Cl2 . 2H2O]2, [Fe(PyO)3Br2]2 and [Fe(PyO)6]I2 have been prepared and characterized. [Fe(Apy)6](ClO4)2 in nitrobenzene and [Fe(PyO)6]I2 in acetonitrile behave as 1:2 electrolytes; Fe(Apy)4I2 shows considerable dissociation while Fe(Apy)2Cl2 and Fe(Apy)2Br2 are non-electrolytes and monomeric in nitrobenzene. [Fe(PyO)3Cl2]2 . 2H2O and [Fe(PyO)3Br2]2 in nitrobenzene and [Fe(PyO)Cl2 . 2H2O]2 in acetonitrile behave as non-electrolytes. All the complexes are spin-free. The i.r. spectra show that the oxygens of the CO and NO groups are the donors in the Apy and PyO complexes. A large decrease in the NO stretching frequency in [Fe(PyO)Cl2. 2H2O]2 suggests PyO acts as a bridge forming a binuclear complex. The chloro and the bromo complexes of Apy have been assigned pseudo tetrahedral structures while the rest of the complexes have octahedral or near octahedral configurations around the iron(II) on the basis of the magnetic moments and the electronic transitions.

Potentiometric and spectrophotometric investigations of nickel-triethanolamine complexes

A detailed study of nickel-triethanolamine complexes has been made employing potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods. The potentiometric method has been used to investigate the conditions for the formation of both mono- and polynuclear complexes. The formulae and the stability constants of the following complexes have been determined Ni(TEA)2+, Ni(TEA)22+, and Ni2(TEA)24+. Absorption spectra of pure mononuclear complexes have been computed by the combination of potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods. The results are discussed on the basis of ligand field theory. Comparison of the step constants of the nickel-ethanolamines (mono-, di- and tri-) shows a slight chelate effect in these complexes due to coordination through hydroxyl oxygen. In the case of polynuclear complexes it is likely that bridging occurs through hydroxyl oxygen.

Electroreduction of oxygen on some novel cobalt phthalocyanine complexes

The catalytic activity of cobalt phthalocyanine monomer and some of its polymeric derivatives towards the electroreduction of molecular oxygen in salt and alkaline solutions is examined. It is found that most of these complexes exhibit a higher catalytic activity than the cobalt phthalocyanine monomer.

A Model for Creating Strategic Alliances. A Study of Inter-firm Cooperation in the North European ICT Sector

In this study, it is argued that the view on alliance creation presented in the current academic literature is limited, and that using a learning approach helps to explain the dynamic nature of alliance creation. The cases in this study suggest that a wealth of inefficiency elements can be found in alliance creation. These elements can further be divided into categories, which help explain the dynamics of alliance creation. The categories –combined with two models brought forward by the study– suggest that inefficiency can be avoided through learning during the creation process. Some elements are especially central to this argumentation. First, the elements related to the clarity and acceptance of the strategy of the company, the potential lack of an alliance strategy and the elements related to changes in the strategic context. Second, the elements related to the length of the alliance creation processes and the problems a long process entails. It is further suggested that the different inefficiency elements may create a situation, where the alliance creation process is –sequentially and successfully– followed to the end, but where the different inefficiencies create a situation where the results are not aligned with the strategic intent. The proposed solution is to monitor and assess the risk for inefficiency elements during the alliance creation process. The learning, which occurs during the alliance creation process as a result of the monitoring, can then lead to realignments in the process. This study proposes a model to mitigate the risk related to the inefficiencies. The model emphasizes creating an understanding of the other alliance partner’s business, creating a shared vision, using pilot cooperation and building trust within the process. An analytical approach to assessing the benefits of trust is also central in this view. The alliance creation approach suggested by this study, which emphasizes trust and pilot cooperation, is further critically reviewed against contracting as a way to create alliances.

Managing Project Business Development: an Inter-Organizational and Intra-Organizational Perspective (summary section only)

The driving force behind this study is the gap between the reality of the firms engaged in project business and the available studies covering project management and business process development. Previous studies show that project-based organizations were ‘immature’ in terms of the project-management ‘maturity model’, as few firms were found to be optimizing processes. Even within those, very little attention was paid to combine inter-organizational and intra-organizational perspectives. In this study an effort is made to elaborate some thoughts and views on project management, which interrelate firms’ external and internal activities. In line with the integration, the dissertation uses an approach to the management of project-business interdependencies in the networks of actors, activities and resources. Firstly, the study develops an understanding for inter-organizational perspectives by exploring the complementarities of process activities in the basic development of project business. It presents a framework that is elaborated on the basis of the reciprocal interactions of activities within and outside the organization—thus providing a coherent basis for continuous business-process improvement. In addition, the study presents new tools that can be used to develop project-business processes in each of its functional areas. The research demonstrates how project-business activities can be optimized using the right resources at the right time with the right actors and the right actions. The selected five articles included in this dissertation explain the basic framework for the development of project business. Each paper covers various aspects of inter-organizational and intra-organizational perspectives for project management. The study develops a valuable and procedural model for business-process improvement using the Delphi method that can be used not only in academia but also as a guide for practitioners that takes them through a series of well-defined steps when making informed, consistent and efficient changes to their business processes.

Electronic structures of electron donor-acceptor complexes: results from ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and molecular orbital calculations

HeI photoelectron spectra of 1:1 electron donor-acceptor complexes are discussed in the light of molecular orbital calculations. The complexes discussed include those formed by BH3, BF3 and SO2. Some systematics have been found in the ionization energy shifts of the complexes compared to the free components and these are related to the strength of the donor-acceptor bond. Hel spectra of hydrogen bonded complexes are discussed in comparison with results from MO calculations. Limitations of such studies as well as scope for further investigations are indicated.

4,4′-Bipyridyl complexes of iron: Magnetic, Mössbauer and other spectroscopic studies

4,4prime-Bipyridyl (4,4prime-bipy) complexes of ferrous salts of the Fe(4,4prime-bipy)x(anion)y type (where x or y=1 or 2) and of ferric salts of the Fe(4,4prime-bipy)m(anion)n type (where m=1 or 2 and n=3) have been synthesised. Elemental analyses, i.r. and electronic spectra, magnetic and Mössbauer studies have been performed to characterize the complexes. 4,4prime-Bipy and some anions are inferred to act as bridging ligands. The magnetic moments, electronic and Mössbauer spectra suggest that the complexes are of high spin type with distorted octahedral structures. The value of the isomer shift and quadrupole splitting are discussed in terms of bonding of the ligand and anions.