Evaluating the structure and magnitude of the ash plume during the initial phase of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption using lidar observations and NAME simulations

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland erupted explosively on 14 April 2010, emitting a plume of ash into the atmosphere. The ash was transported from Iceland toward Europe where mostly cloud-free skies allowed ground-based lidars at Chilbolton in England and Leipzig in Germany to estimate the mass concentration in the ash cloud as it passed overhead. The UK Met Office's Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modeling Environment (NAME) has been used to simulate the evolution of the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano during the initial phase of the ash emissions, 14–16 April 2010. NAME captures the timing and sloped structure of the ash layer observed over Leipzig, close to the central axis of the ash cloud. Relatively small errors in the ash cloud position, probably caused by the cumulative effect of errors in the driving meteorology en route, result in a timing error at distances far from the central axis of the ash cloud. Taking the timing error into account, NAME is able to capture the sloped ash layer over the UK. Comparison of the lidar observations and NAME simulations has allowed an estimation of the plume height time series to be made. It is necessary to include in the model input the large variations in plume height in order to accurately predict the ash cloud structure at long range. Quantitative comparison with the mass concentrations at Leipzig and Chilbolton suggest that around 3% of the total emitted mass is transported as far as these sites by small (<100 μm diameter) ash particles.

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and reactivity of the polymeric copper(II) dicarboxylic acid complex {Cu2(η1η1μ2-oda)2(py)4(H2O)2}n(odaH2 = octanedioic acid, PY = pyridine)

An aqueous solution of the α-ω-dicarboxylic acid octanedioic acid (odaH2) reacts with [Cu2(μ-O2CCH3)4(H2O)2] in the presence of an excess of pyridine (py) to give the crystalline copper(II) complex {Cu2(η1η1μ2-oda)2(py)4(H2O)2}n (1). structure of 1, as determined by X-ray crystallography, consists of polymeric chains in which bridging oda2− anions link two crystallographically identical copper atoms. The copper atoms are also ligated by two transoidal pyridine nitrogens and an oxygen atom from an apical water molecule, giving the metals an overall N2O3 square-pyramidal geometry. If the blue solid 1 is gently heated, or if it is left to stand in its mother liquor for prolonged periods, it loses one molecule of pyridine and half a molecule of water and the green complex {Cu (oda)(py)(H2O)0.5}n (2) is formed. Spectroscopic and magnetic data for both complexes are given, together with the electrochemical and thermogravimetric measurements for 1.

Structure and spectra of dichloro(hydroxy-methoxy-di(2-pyridyl)methane)copper(II)

The non-electrolyte dichloro(hydroxy-methoxy-di(2-pyridylmethane)copper(II), resulting from the reaction of di(2-pyridyl)ketone and copper(II) chloride in methanol solution, was isolated and characterized and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. The pyridyl nitrogens and the chloride anions virtually from a basal plane in which lies the copper atom, while the oxygen of the methoxy group is in an apical position at a distance of 2.497 (3)Å. The nitrogenous base adopts the boat conformation with the pyridyl rings forming a dihedral angle of 108.72 (14)°. The nearest interatomic copper distance of 3.940(3)Å precludes copper-copper interactions, while the proximity of copper to the out-of-plane chlorine atoms [3.109(3)Å] suggests weakly bound chloro-bridged dimers. Spectral changes indicate that protic molecules displace the methoxy group and water affords the corresponding 1,1-diol.

Synthesis and reactions of [Et3NH]4[Mo8O6]: X-ray crystal structure of [Et3NH]3[NaMo8O26]

[Et3NH]4[Mo8O26] (1) was prepared by reacting triethylamine with either molybdenum trioxide dihydrate or with a solution of ammonium molybdate in aqueous HCl. An aqueous solution of complex 1 reacted with an excess of sodium chloride to give a mixture of [Et3NH]3[NaMo8O26] (2) and [Et3NH]2[Mo6O19] (3). Complex 2 was also formed on reacting sodium molybdate with triethylamine in aqueous HCl. In the reaction of 1 with potassium chloride the nature of the product obtained was critically dependent upon reaction time. After a 5.5 h reflux period a mixture of [Et3NH]3[KMo8O26] (4) and 3 was obtained, whereas upon prolonged reflux (24 h) only K4Mo8O26 · H2O (5) was precipitated. The X-ray crystal structure of 2 shows it to be polymeric, with each Na+ ion sandwiched between two β[Mo8O26]4− ions. Four oxygen atoms on one face of each β[Mo8O26]4− ion are coordinated to a Na+ ion, and four oxygens from the opposite face are bonded to the next Na+ ion in the polymer chain. This produces a zig-zag arrangement of Na+ ions throughout the molecular structure. Spectral, conductivity and voltammetry data are given.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of the novel tetratin species bromoheptakis(2,6-diethylphenyl)-cyclotetrastannabutane

Metallation of ArBr (Ar = 2,6-diethylphenyl) with Li powder in diethyl ether, followed by addition of stannous chloride at low temperature does not give the expected oligomeric diarylstannane but an essentially quantitative yield of the novel tetrastannabutane [{SnAr2}3SnArBr]. Some reactions of the new species are reported.

Tin–osmium cluster formation with a monomeric tin(II) alkyl: the formation, crystal structure and reactivity of [Os3(µ-H)SnR(CO)10], a formal stannyne complex of the osmium triangle {R = C(SiMe3)2C5H4N-2}

The monomeric tin(II) species SnR2{R = C(SiMe3)2C5H4N-2} reacts with [Os3(H)2(CO)10] in hexane to give [Os3(µ-H)SnR(CO)10]1 quantitatively; 1 is the first formal stannyne complex of the triosmium nucleus, in which the picoline nitrogen is coordinated to the tin atom, and which is itself also reactive, being a potential precursor to high nuclearity SnOs clusters.

The synthesis and properties of [Fe3(CO)11(RCN)] derivatives, and a high-yield general route to mono- and di-substituted derivatives of [Fe3(CO)12]; the crystal and molecular structure of [Fe3(CO)11(NCC6H4-2-Me)]

The clusters [Fe3(CO)11(RCN)] (1: R = Me, C3H5, C6H5, or C6H4-2-Me) have been prepared at low temperature from [Fe3(CO)12] and RCN in the presence of Me3NO. Compounds 1 react essentially quantitatively with a wide range of two-electron donors, L, (viz.: CO, PPh3, P(OMe)3, PPh2H, PPh2Me, PF3, CyNC (Cy = cyclohexyl), P(OEt)3, SbPh3, PBu3, AsPh3, or SnR2 (R = CH(SiMe3)2)) to give [Fe3(CO)11L] (2). In some cases (2), on treatment with Me3NO and then L′ (L′ = a second two-electron donor) yields [Fe3(CO)10LL′] in high yield. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 (L = NCC6H4Me-2) have been determined by a full single crystal structure analysis, and shown to have an axial nitrile coordinated at the unique iron atom, with two CO groups bridging the other two metal atoms.

The synthesis, structure, and reactions of some simple unsaturated σ-hydrocarbylplatinum(II) complexes

Trimethyltin compounds Me3SnR(R = CHCH2, CFCF2, or CCPh) are selective reagents for the synthesis of unsaturated hydrocarbyl derivatives such as trans-PtCl(R)(PPhEt2)2, by R/Cl exchange or oxidative addition (e.g., to Pt(PPh3)3); single crystal X-ray analyses of two such compounds (R = CHCH2 or CCPh) show that the trans-influence of R has only a low sensitivity to hybridisation at carbon, with sp3 > sp ⩾ sp2.

Office sustainability: occupier perceptions and implementation of policy

Purpose – The purpose of this research was twofold. First, to investigate the views of occupiers in a typical UK city on the importance of various sustainability issues, their perceived impact of different sustainability drivers and willingness to pay. Second, the environmental and social performance of existing buildings in that city was examined. Design/methodology/approach – The research focuses on buildings of 10,000 feet2 or more that have been constructed in the Bristol city-region in the UK over the past 50 years. The buildings in the sample are located in the city centre and in out-of-town business parks. A questionnaire survey investigated the views of occupiers and follow-up interviews looked more closely at the sustainability performance of the existing stock. Findings – The findings indicate that, as far as occupiers are concerned, the strongest drivers are consumer demand and staff demand. Green features of a building appear to rank low in the overall building selection preference structure and a willingness to pay a premium for green features was indicated. The interviews uncovered barriers to progress as well as initiatives to reduce both energy consumption and the environmental impact of office space. Practical implications – The paper identifies progress and issues which could form obstacles to improving the environmental performance of office buildings. It is argued that there is a need to focus on energy efficiency. Originality/value – This paper explores the linkage between the perception and use of office space by occupants and how this affects the environmental performance of this space.