New neutral nickel(II) complexes bearing pyrrole-imine chelate ligands: synthesis, structure and norbornene polymerization behavior

New neutral nickel(II) complexes bearing nonsymmetric bidentate pyrrole-imine chelate ligands (4a-d), [2-(ArNCH)C4H3N]Ni(PPh3)Ph [Ar=2,6-diisopropylphenyl (a), 2-methyl-6-isopropylphenyl (b), 2,6-diethylphenyl (c), 2-tert-butylphenyl (d)], have been prepared in good yields from the sodium salts of the corresponding ligands and trans-Ni(PPh3)(2)(Ph)Cl, and the structure of complex 4a has been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These neutral Ni(II) complexes were investigated as catalysts for the vinylic polymerization of norbornene. Using modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes display very high activities and produce great mass polymers. Catalyst activity of up to 4.2 x 10(7) g (mol Ni h)(-1) and the viscosity-average molecular weight of polymer of up to 9.2 x 10(5) g mol(-1) were observed. Catalyst activity, polymer yield, and polymer molecular weight can be controlled over a wide range by the variation of reaction parameters such as Al-Ni ratio, norbornene-catalyst ratio, monomer concentration, polymerization reaction temperature and time.

Synthesis and self-assembly of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-capped gold nanoparticles

In this article, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped gold nanoparticles were synthesized successfully by using CTAB as a phase-transfer catalyst and stabilizer simultaneously in a two-phase toluene/water system. The as-prepared gold nanoparticles were characterized and analyzed by virtue of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The particle size information and collective self-assembling properties of the CTAB-capped gold nanoparticles on carbon-coated copper grid and mica were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. As a result it is demonstrated that the 3-D CTAB monolayers on a gold cluster are in the disordered liquid state. The interparticle spacing can be controlled either physically by the inherent particle-to-particle interactions or chemically by molecular linker. The assembly of both nanoparticles and linker-bridged nanonetworks on mica follows a hydrophobic interaction mechanism.

Synthesis and characterization of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites via an in-situ polymerization approach

Polypropylene/montmorillonite (PP/MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by in-situ polymerization using a MMT/MgCl2/TiCl4-EB Ziegler-Natta catalyst activated by trietbylaluminum (TEA). The enlarged layer spacing of MMT was confirmed by X-ray wide angle diffraction (WAXD), demonstrating that MMT were intercalated by the catalyst components. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) analysis proved that TiCl4 was mainly supported on MgCl2 instead of on the surface of MMT The exfoliated structure of MMT layers in the PP matrix of PP/MMT composites was demonstrated by WAXD patterns and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. The higher glass transition temperature and higher storage modulus of the PP/MMT composites in comparison with pure PP were revealed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).

Electrocatalytic performance of Pt-TiO2/C complex catalysts for oxidation of methanol

It is reported for the first time that the Pt-TiO2/C catalyst prepared with chemical reduction and sol-gel method showed the excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability for the electrooxidation of methanol. When the atom ratio of Ti to Pt in the catalysts is 1/2, the catalysts showed the best electrocatalytic properties. After the catalyst is treated at 500 degreesC, the performance is further improved. It is hopeful to use the catalyst in the pratical DMFC.

Preparation of Pt/C catalyst with solid phase reaction method

The PVC catalyst was prepared with solid phase reaction method (Pt/C(S)) for the first time. Its performances were compared with that prepared by the traditional liquid phase reaction method. The results demonstrate that the electrocatalytic activity of PVC catalyst with solid phase reaction method for methanol oxidation is higher than that with liquid phase reaction method. XRD and TEM measurements indicate that the Pt/C(S) possesses low crystalline extent and small particle size.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of dibenzo-18-crown-6 sodium isopolytungstates

Two novel dibenzo-18-crown-6 sodium isopolytungstates, [(DB18C6)(CH3OH)Na](2)W(6)O(19)(.)DB18C6(.)H(2)O 1 and [(DB18C6)(DMF)(2)Na](4)W(10)O(32)(.)2DMF(.)2H(2)O 2, have been synthesized in mixed methanol and acetonitrile solvents and characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 23.182(8), b = 19.527(2), c = 18.737(3) Angstrom, beta = 115.15(2)degrees, V = 7678(3) Angstrom(3), Z = 4, and R1(wR2) = 0.0611(0.1504). The compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 16.516(2), b = 22.325(6), c = 20.425(7) Angstrom, beta = 91.78(2)degrees, V = 7528(3) Angstrom(3), Z = 2, and R1(wR2) = 0.0397(0.0773). The compound 1 exhibits a novel organic-inorganic sandwich-type structure, in which the crown ether-sodium complexes are coordinated to the terminal oxygen atoms of W6O192-. In compound 2, all Na+ ions are thoroughly enveloped into the organic moieties of crown ether and DMF molecules and are connected with the 'naked' polyanions W10O324- via the electrostatic attraction.

Liquid crystalline and light emitting polyacetylenes: Synthesis and properties of biphenyl-containing poly(1-alkynes) with different functional bridges and spacer lengths

Biphenyl- (Biph-) containing 1-alkynes (3 and 4) and their polymers (1 and 2) with varying bridge groups and spacer lengths were synthesized and the effects of the structural variation on their properties, especially their mesomorphism and photoluminescence behaviors, were studied. The acetylene monomers 3(3) [HCdropC(CH2)(3)O-Biph-OCO(CH2)(10)CH3] and 4(m) [HCdropC(CH2)(m)OCO-Biph-OCO(CH2)(10)-CH3, m = 3, 4] were prepared by sequential etherization and esterification reactions of 1-alkynes. While 3(3) exhibits enantiotropic crystal E and SmB mesophases, its structural cousin 4(3) displays only a monotropic SmB phase. Enantiotropic SmA and SmB mesophases are, however, developed when the spacer length is increased to 4. Polymerizations of the monomers are effected by Mo-, W-, Rh-, and Fe-based catalysts, with the WCl6-Ph4Sn catalyst giving the best results (isolation yield up to 85% and M-w up to 59000). The polymers were characterized by IR, UV, NMR, TGA, DSC, POM, XRD, and PL analyses. Compared to 1(3), 2(3) shows a red-shifted absorption, a higher T-i, and a better packed interdigitated bilayer SmA(d) structure, while the mesophase of 2(4) involves monolayer-packing arrangements of the mesogens. Upon photoexcitation, 1(3) emits almost no light but 2(m) gives a strong ultraviolet emission (lambda(max) similar to 350 nm), whose intensity increases with the spacer length.

Synthesis, structure and ring-opening polymerization of phenolphthalein macrocyclic polyarylates

Phenolphthalein based polyarylate macrocyclic oligomers were selectively synthesized by an interfacial polycondensation reaction of o-phthaloyl dichloride with phenolphthalein. The high selectivity benefits from the role of phenolphthalein as a color indicator, an efficient phase transfer catalyst, acid a preferred conformation of the starting materials as indicated by analyzing a single-crystal X-ray structure of an analogous macrocycle. The melt ROP of phenolphthalein polyarylate cyclic dimer was studied using nucleophilic initiators, The molecular weight of the resulting polymers builds up very rapidly at the very early stage of polymerization but decreases with time. During the ROP of cyclic dimer, analogous macrocycles with higher degree of polymerization (n greater than or equal to 3) and linear oligomers were produced by backbiting reaction especially at later stage of polymerization. Conversion of cyclic dimer is very fast at the earlier stage of polymerization and then increases slowly with time as analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. However, the total amount of cyclic oligomers in the ROP system increases with time at the later stage of polymerization because of the formation of larger macrocycles. The resulting polymers are amorphous. Glass transition temperatures (T(g)s) of these polymers are influenced by the polymerization time, type of initiator, and initiator concentration.

Synthesis, crystal structure and reactivity of (2,4-C7H11)(2)Yb center dot DME

(2,4-C7H11)(2)Yb . DME was synthesized by the reaction of YbCl3 with K(2,4-C7H11)(2,4-dimethylpentadienyl potassium), and the single crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the complex exists in a cis- staggered conformation. Thf crystal of the compound belongs to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 0.675 2 (1) nm, b = 1.490 6 (1) nm, c = 1.529 3 (2) nm, beta = 97.55 (2)degrees, V = 1.977 79 (4) nm(3), Z = 4, F(000) = 735.8 e, mu = 49.49 cm(-1), R = 0.033 and R-w = 0.032. The title complex can be used as a catalyst for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA).

A manganese molybdenum phosphate with a tunnel: hydrothermal synthesis, structure and catalytic properties of (NH3CH2CH2NH3)(10-)H3O)(3)(H5O2)Na-2[MnMo12O24(OH)(6)(PO4)(4)(PO3OH)(4)]-[MnMo12O24(OH)(6)(PO4)(6)(PO3OH)(2)] center dot 9H(2)O

A manganese molybdenum phosphate, (NH3CH2CH2NH3)(10)(H3O)(3)(H5O)Na-2[MnMo12O24(OH)(6) (PO4)(4)(PO3OH)(4)][MnMo12O24 (OH)(6)(PO4)(6)(PO3OH)(2)]. 9H(2)O, has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of this compound may be considered to be two [Mo6O12(OH)(3)(PO4)(2)(HPO4)(2)](7-) units bonded together by a manganese atom, although several P-O groups are not protonated on account of coordination to a Na+ cation. One-dimensional tunnels were formed in the solid. A probe reaction of the oxidation of acetaldehyde with H2O2 using this compound as catalyst was carried out in a liquid-solid system, showing that the manganese molybdenum phosphate has high catalytic activity in the reaction.

A nickel molybdenum phosphate with tunnel: Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of (NH3CH2CH2NH3)(4)center dot(NH3CH2CH2NH2)center dot Na center dot[Ni2Mo12O30(PO4)(HPO4)(4)(H2PO4)(3)]center dot 6H(2)O

A nickel molybdenum phosphate, (NH3CH2CH2NH3)(4).(NH3CH2CH2NH2). Na .[Ni2Mo12O30(PO4)(HPO4)(4)(H2PO4)(3)]. 6H(2)O, invoicing molybdenum present in V oxidation, has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Deep brown-red crystals are formed in the triclinic system, space group P (1) over bar, a = 12,011(2), b = 14,612(3), c = 21.252(4) Angstrom, alpha = 80.54(2)degrees, beta = 83.10(2)degrees, gamma = 76.29(2)degrees, V = 3561.4(12) Angstrom(3), Z = 2, lambda(MoK alpha) = 0.71073 Angstrom (R(F) = 0.0529 for 9880 reflections), Data mere collected on a Siemens P4 diffractometer at 20 degrees C in the range of 1.75 degrees < theta < 23.02 degrees using the omega-scan technique. The structure was solved by direct methods using the program SHELXTL-93 and refined with the method of fun-matrix least-squares on F-2. The structure of the title compound may be considered to be two [Mo6O15(HPO4)(H2PO4)(3)](5-) units bonded together with a nickel atom, although several P-O groups are not protonated on account of coordination with a Na+ cation, The one-dimensional tunnels were formed in the solid of the title compound. A probe reaction of the oxidation of acetaldehyde with H2O2 using the title compound as catalyst was carried out in a liquid- solid system, showing that the title compound had high catalytic activity in the reaction, (C) 1999 Academic Press.

A new dinuclear molybdenum(V)-sulfur complex containing citrate ligand: synthesis and characterization of K2.5Na2NH4[Mo2O2S2(cit)(2)].5H(2)O

The complex, K2.5Na2NH4[Mo2O2S2(cit)(2)]. 5H(2)O (1), was obtained by crystallization from a solution of (NH4)(2)MoS4, potassium citrate (K(3)cit) and hydroxyl sodium in methanol and water under an atmosphere of pure nitrogen at ambient temperature. The crystals are triclinic, space group , a = 7.376 (3)Angstrom, b = 14.620 (2) Angstrom, c = 14.661 (1) Angstrom, alpha = 71.10 (1)degrees, beta = 81.77 (1)degrees, gamma = 78.27(2)degrees, R = 0.0584 for 2545 observed (I > 2 sigma (I)) reflections. Single crystal structure analysis reveals that citrate ligand coordinated to molybdenum atom through two carboxylato oxygens and one deprotonated hydroxyl oxygen together with two bridging sulfur atoms and a terminal oxygen atom completes distorted coordination octahedron around each molybdenum atom. Principal dimensions are: Mo = O-t, 1.707 Angstrom (av); Mo-S-b, 2.341 Angstrom (av); Mo-O-(hydroxyl), 2.021 Angstrom (av); Mo-O(alpha-carboxyl), 2.1290 Angstrom (av) and Mo-O(beta-carboxyl), 2.268(av) Angstrom. IR spectrum is in agreement with the structure.

A ferric molybdenum phosphate with a tunnel: hydrothermal synthesis and structure of (NH3CH2CH2NH3)(2)center dot(NH3CH2CH2NH2)(3)center dot Na center dot[Fe2Mo12O30(PO4)(HPO4)(4)(H2PO4)(3)]center dot 7H(2)O

A new ferric molybdenum phosphate containing a tunnel structure and crystallographically different clusters has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A probe reaction of the oxidation of acetaldehyde with H2O2 using the tide compound as catalyst was carried out in a liquid-solid system, showing that the title compound had high catalytic activity in the reaction. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behavior of layered mixed oxides La4BaCu5-xMnxO12 in NO reduction by CO

A series of sample having the stoichiometry La4BaCu5-xMnxO12 (x = 0 similar to 5) were prepared, characterized by XRD, IR and H-2 - TPR and used as catalyst for NO + CO reaction. It was found that they have 5 - layered ABO(3) - type structure. The results of H-2 - TPR showed that the Cu ion was more easily reduced while a part of them was replaced by Mn ions. Their catalytic behavior to NO + CO reaction was investigate, La4BaCu2Mn3O12 showed the highest catalyst activity for the reaction than the others. The reaction mechanism is discussed:the activity of the catalysts could be attributed to the Cu ions, but it was improved when Mn ions took the place of some Cu ions.

Partial oxidation of methane to synthesize gas over Ni/alpha-Al2O3 catalyst promoted by noble metals

The production of synthesis gas by partial oxidation bf methane in oxygen has been examined over Ni/alpha-Al2O3 catalyst promoted by noble metals(Rh, Ru, Pt and Pd), especially with Pt. The reactivity is considered in conjunction with the result of H-2-TPR, CO-TPD, SEM and XRD. It is found that small amount of Pt results in a great improvement of activity for the Ni/alpha-Al2O3 catalyst. The activity order is : Rh-Ni>Pt-Ni approximate to Ru-Ni>Pd-Ni, meantime the Pt improves the stability of Ni/alpha-Al2O3 catalyst except for Pd which is easy to he deactivated by carbon deposition. The results of TPD, SEM and XRD indicate that there is an interaction between Ni and Pt metals in the catalyst. The interaction increases the dispersions of Pt and Nit the presence of Pt suppresses the growth and the migration of Ni grains over the surface of the catalyst.