Axial Bond Lengths Research Articles

The influence of the axial group on the crystal structures of boron subphthalocyanines.

The crystal structures of 16 boron subphthalocyanines (BsubPcs) with structurally diverse axial groups were analyzed and compared to elucidate the impact of the axial group on the intermolecular π-π interactions, axial-group interactions, axial bond length and BsubPc bowl depth. π-π interactions between the isoindole units of adjacent BsubPc molecules most often involve concave-concave packing, whereas axial-group interactions with adjacent BsubPc molecules tend to favour the convex side of the BsubPc bowl. Furthermore, axial groups that contain O and/or F atoms tend to have significant hydrogen-bonding interactions, while axial groups containing arene site(s) can participate in π-π interactions with the BsubPc bowl, both of which can strongly influence the crystal packing. Bulky axial groups did tend to disrupt the π-π interactions and/or axial-group interactions, preventing some of the close packing that is seen in BsubPcs with less bulky axial groups. The atomic radius of the heteroatom bonded to boron directly influences the axial bond length, whereas the axial group has minimal impact on the BsubPc bowl depth. Finally, the crystal growth method did not generally appear to have a significant impact on the solid-state arrangement, with the exception of water occasionally being incorporated into crystal structures when hygroscopic solvents were used. These insights can help with the design and fine-tuning of the solid-state structures of BsubPcs as they continue to be developed as functional materials in organic electronics.

Structural Evolution of Photoexcited Methylcobalamin toward a CarH-like Metastable State: Evidence from Time-Resolved X-ray Absorption and X-ray Emission.

CarH is a protein photoreceptor that uses a form of B12, adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), to sense light via formation of a metastable excited state. Aside from AdoCbl bound to CarH, methylcobalamin (MeCbl) is the only other example─to date─of photoexcited cobalamins forming metastable excited states with lifetimes of nanoseconds or longer. The UV-visible spectra of the excited states of MeCbl and AdoCbl bound to CarH are similar. We have used transient Co K-edge X-ray absorption and X-ray emission spectroscopies in conjunction with transient absorption spectroscopy in the UV-visible region to characterize the excited states of MeCbl. These data show that the metastable excited state of MeCbl has a slightly expanded corrin ring and increased electron density on the cobalt, but only small changes in the axial bond lengths.

Resonance Raman study of oxoiron(IV) porphyrin π-cation radical complex: Porphyrin ligand effect on ν(Fe=O) frequency

Resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopy has been applied to study the nature of the iron-oxo (Fe=O) moiety of oxoiron(IV) porphyrin π-cation radical complex (CompI). While the axial ligand effect on the nature of the Fe=O moiety has been studied with rR spectroscopy, the porphyrin ligand effect has not been studied well. Here, we investigated the porphyrin ligand effect on the Fe=O moiety with rR spectroscopy. The porphyrin ligand effect was modulated by the electron-withdrawing effect of the porphyrin substituent at the meso-position. This study shows that the frequency of the Fe=O stretching band, ν(Fe=O), hardly change even when the electron-withdrawing effect of the porphyrin substituent changes. This result is further supported by theoretical calculation of CompI. The natural atomic charge analysis reveals that the oxo and axial ligands work to buffer the electron-withdrawing effect of the porphyrin substituent. The electron-withdrawing porphyrin substituent shifts an electron population from the ferryl iron to the porphyrin, but the decreased electron population on the ferryl iron is compensated by the shift of the electron population from the oxo ligand and the axial ligand. The shift of the electron population makes the Fe–axial ligand bond length short, but the Fe=O bond length unchanged, resulting in the invariable ν(Fe=O) frequency.

Ultrafast X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Reveals Excited-State Dynamics of B12 Coenzymes Controlled by the Axial Base.

Polarized time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Co K-edge is used to probe the excited-state dynamics and photolysis of base-off methylcobalamin and the excited-state structure of base-off adenosylcobalamin. For both molecules, the final excited-state minimum shows evidence for an expansion of the cavity around the Co ion by ca. 0.04 to 0.05 Å. The 5-coordinate base-off cob(II)alamin that is formed following photodissociation has a structure similar to that of the 5-coordinate base-on cob(II)alamin, with a ring expansion of 0.03 to 0.04 Å and a contraction of the lower axial bond length relative to that in the 6-coordinate ground state. These data provide insights into the role of the lower axial ligand in modulating the reactivity of B12 coenzymes.

XAFS study of mixed ligand benzimidazole copper complexes having distorted coordination geometry

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) at the Cu K-edge in copper complexes, viz., [Cu(BzImH)4X2], where BzImH= benzimidazole and X= ClO4 (1), NO3 (2), ½ SO4 (3), Br (4), Cl (5) and their ‘inner complex’ [Cu(BzImH)2] (6) have been investigated using synchrotron radiation. The crystal structures of 4, 5 and 6 are not available. From EXAFS analysis, the structures of 4 and 5 have been estimated to be distorted square pyramidal and that of 6 to be tetrahedrally distorted square planar. Though, the crystal structure of the complexes 1 and 2 have been studied earlier using X-ray crystallography and found to be distorted square pyramidal, these complexes have been included in the study because each of these complexes has two independent formula units having two Cu sites in a molecule. In 2 the axial bond lengths are not similar at Cu1 and Cu2 sites. The electronic nature of Cu metal center in the complexes has been studied using XANES. The XANES spectra have been simulated and p-DOS and d-DOS calculated simultaneously for the Cu center in the complexes. The splitting of Cu K-edge into two edges K1 and K2 has been correlated with the p-DOS and the occurrence of pre-edge has been correlated with d-DOS.

Uranyl(VI) Mixed-ligand complex synthesis and characterization using 4-acylhydrazone-5-pyrazolone and 4-acylpyrazolone: Covalency, crystal assay, DFT study and Hirshfeld analysis

Newly prepared bidentate HLA and tridentate Bz-HLA ligands were used to synthesize the novel uranyl mixed ligand [UO2(HLA)(Bz-HLA)] complex with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. HLA ligand was prepared via the common acylation method, and the Bz-HLA ligand was prepared using the Schiff base reaction of HLA with a benzohydrazide molecule. FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, SCXRD, molar conductance, and TG-DTA were mainly implemented to examine the structure of produced compounds. The combined covalency effect of complex due to both ligands has been studied, which was discovered to be influenced by the average bond length values on the pentagonal plane, uranyl axial bond lengths, ligand coordination, and donor ability of various atoms. To demonstrate that solvents have no impact on the covalency of the synthesised complex, Sinha's covalency parameters were computed using UV–vis data. DFT calculations were performed in order to validate experimental findings in comparison to theoretical findings, and theoretical bond characteristics were also investigated through the recognition of global index values. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to examine the crystal strength, energy characteristics and non-covalent surface interactions. Analysis using cyclic voltammetry(CV) shows that the complex is irreversibly reducing. Understanding the Schiff base of acylpyrazolones and their covalency in uranyl complexes allow for the investigation of a wide range of chemical properties and applications.

A new approach to study semi-coordination using two 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole copper(ii) complexes of biological interest as a model system.

Two novel copper(ii) complexes [Cu(2mni)2(H2O)2](NO3)2·2H2O (1) and [Cu(2mni)2(NO3)2] (2), where 2mni is 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, were prepared and characterized in the solid state using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses, EPR, electronic and vibrational spectroscopies (FTIR and Raman), and thermogravimetric methods. Both products present an elongated distorted octahedral geometry with axial Cu-O bond lengths of 2.606(14) and 2.593(15) Å, indicating semi-coordination. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ theory level were used to study the electronic properties of 1 and 2. The Independent Gradient Model (IGM) was employed to determine the Intrinsic Bond Strength Index (IBSI) of the semi-coordination and to plot δg isosurfaces for the electronic sharing between the metal center and ligands. A moderate to weak antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli cultures was found for 1 with a 50% growth inhibition (GI50) value of 0.25 mmol L-1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the semi-coordination analysis using IGM was carried out for a copper(ii) complex with axial elongation, finding a good correlation between the bond length and the IBSI, and the study was extended for a series of analogous complexes described in the literature.

Mixed ligand copper(II)-diimine complexes of 2-formylpyridine-N4-phenylthiosemicarbazone: diimine co-ligands tune the in vitro nanomolar cytotoxicity.

Recently, mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes have received much attention in searching for alternative metallodrugs to cisplatin. A series of mixed ligand Cu(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L)(diimine)](ClO4) 1-6, where the HL is 2-formylpyridine-N4-phenylthiosemicarbazone and the diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (1), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (3), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanathroline (4), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5) and dipyrido-[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline (6), has been synthesized and their cytotoxicity in HeLa cervical cancer cells examined. In the molecular structures of 2 and 4, as determined by single-crystal X-ray studies, Cu(II) assumes a trigonal bipyramidal distorted square-based pyramidal (TBDSBP) coordination geometry. DFT studies reveal that the axial Cu-N4diimine bond length, interestingly, varies linearly with the experimental CuII/CuI reduction potential as well as the trigonality index τ of the five-coordinate complexes, and that methyl substitution on diimine co-ligands tunes the extent of the Jahn-Teller distortion at the Cu(II). While 4 is involved in strong DNA groove binding with a hydrophobic interaction of methyl substituents, 6 is involved in stronger binding through partial intercalation of dpq with DNA. Complexes 3, 4, 5, and 6 efficiently cleave supercoiled DNA into NC form in ascorbic acid by generating hydroxyl radicals. Interestingly, 4 exhibits higher DNA cleavage in hypoxic than at normoxic conditions. Notably, except for [CuL]+, all the complexes were stable in 0.5% DMSO-RPMI (without phenol red) cell culture medium up to 48 h at 37 °C. Remarkably, all the complexes show time-dependent cytotoxicity at nanomolar concentrations (IC50, 7.0-182 nM) in HeLa cervical cancer cells compared with uncoordinated ligand HL (IC50 > 10 000 nM). Except for 2 and 3, all the complexes exhibit higher cytotoxicity than [CuL]+ at 48 h. 4 shows (57.2 nM) higher cytotoxicity than 1 (181.5 nM) at 24 h incubation; however, notably, 1 demonstrates phenomenal cytotoxicity (7.0 nM) higher than 4 (13.6 nM) at 48 h incubation. The selectivity index (SI) reveals that complexes 1 and 4 are 53.5 and 37.3, respectively, times less toxic to HEK293 normal cells than to cancerous cells. Except for [CuL]+, all the complexes generate ROS to different extents at 24 h, with 1 producing the highest amount, which is consistent with their redox properties. Also, 1 and 4 exhibit, respectively, sub-G1 and G2-M phase cell arrest in the cell cycle. Therefore, complexes 1 and 4 have the potential to emerge as promising anticancer agents.

Ab initio prediction of key parameters and magneto-structural correlation of tetracoordinated lanthanide single-ion magnets.

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have great potential in becoming revolutionary materials for micro-electronic devices. As one type of SMM and holding the performance record, lanthanide single-ion magnets (Ln-SIMs) stand at the forefront of the family. Lowering the coordination number (CN) is an important strategy to improve the performance of Ln-SIMs. Here, we report a theoretical study on a typical group of low-CN Ln-SIMs, i.e., tetracoordinated structures. Our results are consistent with those of experiments and they identify the same three best Ln-SIMs via a concise criterion, i.e., the co-existence of long τQTM and high Ueff. Compared to the record-holding dysprosocenium systems, the best SIMs here possess τQTM values that are shorter by several orders of magnitude and Ueff values that are lower by ∼1000 Kelvin (K). These are important reasons for the fact that the tetracoordinated Ln-SIMs are clearly inferior to dysprosocenium. A simple but intuitive crystal-field analysis leads to several routes to improve the performance of a given Ln-SIM, including compression of the axial bond length, widening the axial bond angle, elongation of the equatorial bond length and usage of weaker equatorial donor ligands. Although these routes are not brand-new, the most efficient option and the degree of improvement resulting from it are not known in advance. Consequently, a theoretical magneto-structural study, covering various routes, is carried out for the best Ln-SIM here and the most efficient route is shown to be widening the axial ∠O-Dy-O angle. The most optimistic case, having a ∠O-Dy-O of 180°, could have a τQTM (up to 103 s) and Ueff (∼2400 K) close to those of the record-holders. Subsequently, a blocking temperature (TB) of 64 K is predicted to be possible for it. A more practical case, with ∠O-Dy-O being 160°, could have a τQTM of up to 400 s, Ueff of around 2200 K and the possibility of a TB of 57 K. Although having an inherent precision limit, these predictions provide a guide to performance improvement, starting from an existing system.

Equatorial restriction of the photoinduced Jahn-Teller switch in Mn(iii)-cyclam complexes.

Ultrafast transient absorption spectra were recorded for solutions of [MnIII(cyclam)(H2O)(OTf)][OTf]2 (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane and OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) in water to explore the possibility to restrict the equatorial expansion following photoexcitation of the dxy ← dz2 electronic transition, often resulting in a switch from axial to equatorial Jahn-Teller distortion in MnIII complexes. Strong oscillations were observed in the excited state absorption signal and were attributed to an excited state wavepacket. The structural rigidity of the cyclam ligand causes a complex reaction coordinate with frequencies of 333, 368, 454 and 517 cm-1, and a significantly shorter compressed-state lifetime compared to other MnIII complexes with less restricted equatorial ligands. Complementary density functional theory quantum chemistry calculations indicate a switch from an axially elongated to a compressed structure in the first excited quintet state Q1, which is accompanied by a modulation of the axial tilt angle. Computed harmonic frequencies for the axial stretching mode (∼379 cm-1) and the equatorial expansions (∼410 and 503 cm-1) of the Q1 state agree well with the observed coherences and indicate that the axial bond length contraction is significantly larger than the equatorial expansion, which implies a successful restriction of the wavepacket motion. The weak oscillation observed around 517 cm-1 is assigned to a see-saw motion of the axial tilt (predicted ∼610 cm-1). The results provide insights into the structural perturbations to the molecular evolution along excited state potential energy surfaces of MnIII octahedral complexes and can be used to guide the synthesis of optically controlled MnIII-based single-molecule magnets.

Tunable band gap of diamond twin boundaries by strain engineering

Diamond thin films are promising wide band gap semiconductor materials for applications in electronic and microwave devices. Revealing the mechanism of how twin boundaries impact the band gap of diamond is of critical importance since they are the most common defects in polycrystalline diamond films. Here, nanocrystalline diamond films are synthesized by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The atomic and electronic structures of diamond lamellar and fivefold twins, and their evolution behaviors with the increase of axial tensile strain, are investigated by combining aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy with first-principles calculations. There is no intrinsic stress concentration at the lamellar twin boundary, and its band gap equals to that of the bulk diamond ( i.e. , 5.3 eV). An intrinsic in-plane compressive stress field is formed and the band gap is increased evidently ( i.e. , 0.6 eV) in the center of fivefold twins. When applying an axial tensile strain up to 15%, the band gaps of the bulk diamond, lamellar and fivefold twins reduce significantly to 2.2 eV, 2.1 eV and 2.4 eV, respectively, which are mainly due to the decrease of p z orbital energy caused by the increase of axial bond length during the tensile process. Under the same axial tensile strain, the band gap of the fivefold twin is always larger than those of the lamellar twin and the bulk diamond due to the formation of in-plane five-membered carbon rings in the center. The findings of the tunable band gap by strain engineering will benefit for the innovation and design of advanced diamond functional devices. • Atomic and electronic structures of diamond lamellar and fivefold twins under tensile strains have been investigated. • The band gap of fivefold twins is evidently larger than that of the bulk diamond. • Under axial tensile strains, the band gap of bulk diamond, lamellar and fivefold twins reduces significantly. • The reduction of band gap is due to the decrease of p z orbital energy caused by the increase of axial bond length.

Synthesis, covalency parameters, energy calculations and crystal features of acylpyrazolone derived pentavalent Uranyl complex along with DFT and Hirshfeld analysis

A σ-donating acylpyrazolone DMBPMP (4-(3,5-dimethyl benzoyl) 1-phenyl 3-methyl 5-pyrazolone) ligand and its Uranyl acylpyrazolone complex [UO2(DMBPMP)2(EtOH)] were synthesized to analyze the nature of covalency, reactivity, and redox properties. The structure, pentavalent bipyramidal geometry, and complex composition are mainly scrutinized through their single-crystal x-ray crystal data, molar conductivity, gravimetric estimation, FTIR significant vibrations, δ-values of 1H NMR, 13C NMR and TG-DTA plots. The covalency of the Uranyl complex mainly depends on average bond length values on the pentagonal equatorial plane, Uranyl axial bond lengths, stretching frequency values, coordinated solvent on the fifth coordination site, and different aryl group substitution on the first position of the pyrazolone ring; and it can be confirmed through FTIR, single-crystal, and electronic UV–Vis spectral characterization methods. The UV–Vis data was also valuable for identifying n → π*, π → π*, and LMCT transitions and calculating Sinha’s covalency parameters, which shows that the complex can show maximum covalent character in DMSO solvent and covalency decreases in DMSO > DMF > Ethyl acetate > Ethanol > CHCl3 order. DFT calculations were performed to get an excellent correlation and comparison with all experimental values. This correlation and comparision is helpful to identify global index parameters to get an idea of the physical as well as chemical properties of such systems and to confirm the characteristics theoretically by HOMO-LUMO energy gap, theoretical vibrations, natural electronic configuration, and NBO charges. The Hirshfeld surface analysis was also carried out to identify the crystal strength through interaction energies and energy frameworks in the ligand and intermolecular non-covalent surface interactions with fingerprint plot details in both ligand and complex. Electro-chemical analysis in CV-DPV plots provides information on the redox properties of uranyl moiety.

Synthesis and crystal structure of di-aqua-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne)zinc(II) bis-(hydrogen 4-phospho-natobiphenyl-4'-carboxyl-ato)(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne)zinc(II).

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, trans-di-aqua-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4 N 1,N 4,N 8,N 11)zinc(II) trans-bis-(hydrogen 4-phospho-natobiphenyl-4'-carboxyl-ato-κO)(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4 N 1,N 4,N 8,N 11)zinc(II), [Zn(C10H24N4)(H2O)2][Zn(C13H9O5P)2(C10H24N4)], both Zn atoms lie on crystallographic inversion centres and the atoms of the macrocycle in the cation are disordered over two sets of sites. In both macrocyclic units, the metal ions possess a tetra-gonally elongated ZnN4O2 octa-hedral environment formed by the four secondary N atoms of the macrocyclic ligand in the equatorial plane and the two trans O atoms of the water mol-ecules or anions in the axial positions, with the macrocyclic ligands adopting the most energetically favourable trans-III conformation. The average Zn-N bond lengths in both macrocyclic units do not differ significantly [2.112 (12) Å for the anion and 2.101 (3) Å for the cation] and are shorter than the average axial Zn-O bond lengths [2.189 (4) Å for phospho-nate and 2.295 (4) Å for aqua ligands]. In the crystal, the complex cations and anions are connected via hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the N-H groups of the macrocycles, the O-H groups of coordinated water mol-ecules and the P-O-H groups of the acids as proton donors, and the O atoms of the phospho-nate and carboxyl-ate groups as acceptors, resulting in the formation of layers lying parallel to the (110) plane.

A semi-empirical model for bond strength between FRP composites and concrete

An accurate estimate of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)–concrete bond is essential for a successful FRP repair. The present work aims at developing a semi-empirical model employing a large database (about 500 data points) collected from various literature works. In the beginning, an iterative regression process was followed to establish the trend in behaviour (of each key parameter against bond strength) and decide on insignificant ones. Then, the different equations were merged and manipulated into a simplified model with three regression constants. These were determined based on two-thirds of the database points using the statistical software SPSS. The key parameters involved in the final simplified model included concrete properties (compressive strength and maximum aggregate size) and mechanical and geometric characteristics of the FRP composites (axial stiffness and bond width and length). The proposed model showed a high fit of the regression database at 0.88 coefficient of determination (R2) with a very limited number of outliers. Moreover, the accuracy of prediction by the present model of the validation database far exceeds that of all well-known semi-empirical and empirical models. The sensitivity of the present model to the changes in the key parameters confirms the trend in behaviours reported in the various experimental works and models.

Theoretical studies on the EPR parameters and local structure of Cu2+ center in [Co(nicotinamide)2(H2O)4](saccharinate)2 crystal

Local structure and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters for Cu2+ center in [Co(nicotinamide)2(H2O)4](saccharinate)2 (CoNAS) crystal are theoretically investigated using high-order perturbation formulas for 3d9 ions in rhombically elongated octahedra. In the calculated formulas, the related molecular orbital coefficients are acquired from the superposition model which enables to correlate the crystal field parameters and hence the EPR parameters with the studied Cu2+ center, the admixtures of d-orbitals in the ground state wave function as well as the ligand orbital and spin–orbit coupling contributions are taken into account. Based on the studies, the [CuO4N2]12− cluster of the studied Cu2+ center are found to suffer the axial and perpendicular bond length variations Δz (≈ 0.0612 Å) along z-axis and δr (≈ 0.0360 Å) along x- and y-axes, respectively, due to the Jahn–Teller effect.

Structural and Magnetic Characterization of Homo- and Heterometallic Trinuclear Ni(II) and Cu(II) Clusters with N2O6 Acyclic Polydentate Ligand

Homo- and heterometallic trinuclear complexes with an acyclic N2O6-type ligand, [Ni3(L)2(CH3COO)2]·H2O·MeOH (1) and [NiCu2(L)2(CH3COO)2]·3H2O (2) (H2L = N,N′-(hexane-1,6-diyl)bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzamide), were prepared, respectively, of which crystal structures as well as magnetic properties were characterized. The axial Cu-O bond lengths in complex 2 are 2.338–2.413 Å, unlike Ni-O, due to the axial bond elongation by the Jahn-Teller effect in Cu(II) complexes. Magnetic analyses revealed that both complexes showed intra-cluster ferromagnetic interactions with S = 3 for 1 and S = 2 for 2, respectively.

Light Mediated Properties of a Thiolato-Derivative of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 derivatives (Cbls = cobalamins) exhibit photolytic properties upon excitation with light. These properties can be modulated by several factors including the nature of the axial ligands. Upon excitation, homolytic cleavage of the organometallic bond to the upper axial ligand takes place in photolabile Cbls. The photosensitive nature of Cbls has made them potential candidates for light-activated drug delivery. The addition of a fluorophore to the nucleotide loop of thiolato Cbls has been shown to shift the region of photohomolysis to within the optical window of tissue (600-900 nm). With this possibility, there is a need to analyze photolytic properties of unique Cbls which contain a Co-S bond. Herein, the photodissociation of one such Cbl, namely, N-acetylcysteinylcobalamin (NACCbl), is analyzed based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations. The S0 and S1 potential energy surfaces (PESs), as a function of axial bond lengths, were computed to determine the mechanism of photodissociation. Like other Cbls, the S1 PES contains metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and ligand field (LF) regions, but there are some unique differences. Interestingly, the S1 PES of NACCbl contains three distinct minima regions opening several possibilities for the mechanism of radical pair (RP) formation. The mild photoresponsiveness, observed experimentally, can be attributed to the small gap in energy between the S1 and S0 PESs. Compared to other Cbls, the gap shown for NACCbl is neither exactly in line with the alkyl Cbls nor the nonalkyl Cbls.

Synthesis, Structural, and Electronic Properties of K4PuVIO2(CO3)3(cr): An Environmentally Relevant Plutonium Carbonate Complex.

The chemical properties of actinide materials are often predefined and described based on the data available for isostructural species. This is the case for potassium plutonyl (PuVI) carbonate, K4PuVIO2(CO3)3(cr), a complex relevant for nuclear technology and the environment, of which the crystallographic and thermodynamic properties of which are still lacking. We report here the synthesis and characterization of PuVI achieved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption near-edge structure at the Pu M4-edge coupled with electronic structure calculations. The crystallographic properties of PuVI are compared with isostructural uranium (U) and neptunium (Np) compounds. Actinyl (AnVI) axial bond lengths, [O-AnVI-O]2+, are correlated between solid, K4AnVIO2(CO3)3(cr), and aqueous, [AnVIO2(CO3)3]4-(aq) species for the UVI-NpVI-PuVI series. The spectroscopic data are compared to KPuVO2CO3(cr) and PuIVO2(cr) to tackle the trend in the electronic structure of PuVI regarding the oxidation state changes and local structural modifications around the Pu atom.

Stabilization of Plutonium(V) Within a Crown Ether Inclusion Complex

Crystalline coordination complexes of actinides, especially in atypical oxidation states, are not only fundamentally important for expanding the notably limited knowledge on the bonding nature of a...

Seeking magneto-structural correlations in easily tailored pentagonal bipyramid Dy(III) single-ion magnets

Controlling molecular magnetic anisotropy via structural engineering is delicate and fascinating, especially for single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Herein a family of dysprosium single-ion magnets (SIMs) sitting in pentagonal bipyramid geometry have been synthesized with the variable-size terminal ligands and counter anions, through which the subtle coordination geometry of Dy(III) can be finely tuned based on the size effect. The effective energy barrier (Ueff) successfully increases from 439 to 632 K and the magnetic hysteresis temperature (under a 200 Oe/s sweep rate) raises from 11 to 24 K. Based on the crystal-field theory, a semi-quantitative magneto-structural correlation deduced experimentally for the first time is revealed that the Ueff is linearly proportional to the structural-related value S20 corresponding to the axial coordination bond lengths and the bond angles. Through the evaluation of the remanent magnetization from hysteresis, quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) is found to exhibit negative correlation with the structural-related value Stun corresponding to the axial coordination bond angles.