Active Lone Pair Research Articles

Zoisite-(Pb), a New Orthorhombic Epidote-Related Mineral from the Jakobsberg Mine, Värmland, Sweden, and Its Relationships with Hancockite

The new mineral zoisite-(Pb), ideally CaPbAl3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH), was discovered in a sample from the Jakobsberg manganese-iron oxide deposit, Värmland, Sweden. Zoisite-(Pb) is found as pale pink subhedral prisms elongated on [010], up to 0.3 mm in size, associated with calcite, celsian, diopside, grossular, hancockite, hyalophane, native lead, phlogopite, and vesuvianite. Associated feldspars show one of the highest PbO contents (~7–8 wt%) found in nature. Electron-microprobe analysis of zoisite-(Pb) point to the empirical formula (Ca1.09Pb0.86Mn2+0.01Na0.01)∑1.97(Al2.88Fe3+0.10Mn3+0.04)∑3.02Si3.00O12(OH)1.00. The eight strongest diffraction lines [dobs, Iobs, (hkl)] are 8.63 s (101), 8.11 mw (200), 4.895 m (011), 4.210 m (211), 3.660 s (112, 311), 3.097 mw (312), 2.900 s (013), and 2.725 m (511). Zoisite-(Pb) is isostructural with zoisite and its crystal structure was refined up to R1 = 0.0213 for 2013 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). Pb shows a stereochemically active lone pair leading to a lopsided distribution of its coordinating oxygens. A full chemical and Raman characterization of zoisite-(Pb) and of the Pb-bearing epidote hancockite is reported, together with an improved crystal structural model of hancockite, refined up to R1 = 0.0254 for 2041 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). The effects of the incorporation of Pb in the crystal structure of zoisite-(Pb), hancockite, and related synthetic and natural phases are described and discussed.

Germanium Antimony Bonding in Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10 with Low Thermal Conductivity.

A new quaternary telluride, Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10, was synthesized at high temperature via the reaction of elements. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study shows that the title compound crystallizes in its own structure type in the monoclinic P21/c space group having cell dimensions of a = 13.984(3) Å, b = 13.472(3) Å, c = 13.569(3) Å, and β = 90.16(3)° with four formula units per unit cell (Z = 4). The pseudo-one-dimensional crystal structure of Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10 consists of infinite 1∞[Ge2Sb2Te10]8- stripes, which are separated by Ba2+ cations. Each of the Ge(1) atoms is covalently bonded to four Te atoms, whereas the Ge(2) atom is covalently bonded with one Sb(2) and three Te atoms in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The title compound is the first example of a chalcogenide that shows Ge-Sb bonding. The Sb(1) atom is present at the center of the seesaw geometry of four Te atoms. In contrast, the Sb(2) atom forms a seesaw geometry by coordinating with one Ge(2) and three Te atoms. Condensation of these Ge and Sb centered polyhedral units lead to the formation of 1∞[Ge2Sb2Te10]8- stripes. The temperature-dependent resistivity study suggests the semimetallic/degenerate semiconducting nature of polycrystalline Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10. The positive sign of Seebeck coefficient values indicates that the predominant charge carriers are holes in Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10. An extremely low lattice thermal conductivity of ∼0.34 W/mK at 773 K was observed for polycrystalline Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10, which is presumably due to the lattice anharmonicity induced by the stereochemically active 5s2 lone pair of Sb. The electronic structure of Ba4Ge2Sb2Te10 and the bonding of atom pairs in the structure have been analyzed by means of ELF analysis and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis.

Isovalent cation ordering in Bi-based double perovskites: A density functional analysis

Perovskites with two different types of cations at one of the sublattices, namely the A-site or the B-site, are called double perovskites. For these compounds, cation ordering may exist when the difference between the ionic radii and oxidation states is significant. The only known example of isovalent cation ordering is Bi2AlFeO6. In this work, using density functional theory (DFT), we analyzed the role of the stereochemically active lone pair on Bi ions, the size of ionic radii, and magnetism on the formation of the B-site cation ordering. The studies were conducted for Bi-based double perovskite oxides with the general formula Bi2MM’O6, where M and M’ are Al, Ga, In, and Fe. Comparing Bi- to La-based double perovskites, we found that the lone pair had a minor effect on the cation ordering. Our results suggest that the ionic radius may play a major role in the rocksalt cation ordering in the non-magnetic Bi-based double perovskites. However, for the magnetic Bi2MFeO6 (M = Al, Ga, In) the interactions between Fe cations may stabilize the layered ordering.

Weak dependence of spontaneous polarization on epitaxial strain in ferroelectric BiAlO3: A first-principles study

We investigate the effects of epitaxial strain on the ferroelectric properties of BiAlO3 (BAO) using first-principles calculations. We find a large polarization (P) of 72.3 μC/cm2 as well as a small energy barrier of ∼0.1 eV/formula unit for coherent ferroelectric switching of unstrained BAO. Thus, this material is suitable for applications in high-speed nonvolatile memory. We study the modification of P due to epitaxial strains of −5 to +5%, where the minus and plus signs represent the compressive and tensile strains, respectively. The polarization of BAO is insensitive to epitaxial strain; the polarization change is limited to below ∼6%. The weak sensitivity of the polarization is attributed to the stereochemical activity of Bi 6s2 lone pairs as well as the inertness of the B-site Al to the polarization. The strain application modifies the switching energy barrier by up to 30%, which provides guidelines for design of devices based on BAO.

Amino Acid and Biogenic Amine Adductions Derived from Reactive Metabolites.

Reactive metabolites (RMs) are products generated from the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substances. RMs are characterized as electrophilic species chemically reactive to nucleophiles. Those nucleophilic species may be nitrogen-containing bio-molecules, including macro-biomolecules, such as protein and DNA, and small biomolecules, i.e., amino acids (AAs) and biogenic amines (BAs). AAs and BAs are essential endogenous nitrogen-containing compounds required for normal development, metabolism, and physiological functions in organisms, through participating in the intracellular replication, transcription, translation, division and proliferation, DNA and protein synthesis, regulation of apoptosis, and intercellular communication activities. These biological amines containing an active lone pair of electrons on the electronegative nitrogen atom would be the proper N-nucleophiles to be attacked by the abovementioned RMs. This review covers an overview of adductions of AAs and BAs with varieties of RMs. These RMs are formed from metabolic activation of furans, naphthalene, benzene, and products of lipid peroxidation. This article is designed to provide readers with a better understanding of biochemical mechanisms of toxic action.

NH4Sb2(C2O4)F5: A novel UV nonlinear optical material synthesized in deep eutectic solvents

The deep eutectic solvents was first employed to solve the hydrolysis of Sb3+ cations in Sb(III)-oxyacid system to explore new nonlinear optical materials, producing a novel antimony(III) fluoride oxalate named NH4Sb2(C2O4)F5. The title compound featured a 3D noncentrosymmetric structure composed of [Sb2(C2O4)F5]- anionic clusters and NH4+ cations. The cooperative effect of the planar π-conjugated [C2O4]2- anionic groups and the Sb3+ cations with stereochemically active lone pairs induce a relatively strong SHG response (1.1×KH2PO4) and a large birefringence (0.111@546 nm), which was confirmed by detailed theoretical calculations. The overall performances indicate that NH4Sb2(C2O4)F5 is a potential ultraviolet nonlinear optical material. The successful application of deep eutectic solvents in the synthesis for easy hydrolytic materials system opens the door to exploring new inorganic solid functional materials.

Stabilization of Reactive Nitrene by Silylenes without Using a Reducing Metal.

Herein, we report the stabilization of nitrene reagents as the source of a nitrogen atom to synthesize nitrogen‐incorporated R1LSi‐N←SiLR2 (1) [L=PhC(NtBu)2; R1=NTMS2, R2=NTMS]. Compound 1 is synthesized by reacting LSi(I)‐SiIL with 3.1 equivalents of Me3SiN3 at low temperature to afford a triene‐like structural framework. Whereas the reaction of the LSi(I)‐SiIL with 2.1 equivalents of Me3SiN3 at room temperature produced silaimine 2 with a central four‐membered Si2N2 ring which is accompanied by a silylene LSi and a cleaved silylene fragment. 1 further reacts with AgOTf at room temperature to yield compound 3 which shows coordination of nitrene to silver with the triflate salt. The compounds 1 and 2 were fully characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The quantum mechanical calculations reveal that compounds 1 and 2 have dicoordinated monovalent N atoms having two active lone pairs of electrons. These lone pairs are stabilized by hyperconjugative interactions.

Stabilization of Reactive Nitrene by Silylenes without Using a Reducing Metal

AbstractHerein, we report the stabilization of nitrene reagents as the source of a nitrogen atom to synthesize nitrogen‐incorporated R1LSi‐N←SiLR2 (1) [L=PhC(NtBu)2; R1=NTMS2, R2=NTMS]. Compound 1 is synthesized by reacting LSi(I)‐SiIL with 3.1 equivalents of Me3SiN3 at low temperature to afford a triene‐like structural framework. Whereas the reaction of the LSi(I)‐SiIL with 2.1 equivalents of Me3SiN3 at room temperature produced silaimine 2 with a central four‐membered Si2N2 ring which is accompanied by a silylene LSi and a cleaved silylene fragment. 1 further reacts with AgOTf at room temperature to yield compound 3 which shows coordination of nitrene to silver with the triflate salt. The compounds 1 and 2 were fully characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The quantum mechanical calculations reveal that compounds 1 and 2 have dicoordinated monovalent N atoms having two active lone pairs of electrons. These lone pairs are stabilized by hyperconjugative interactions.

Effect of a long-term exposure of anatase TiO2 powder doped with surface-located Sb3+ ions to UV radiation on its photocatalytic activity

Ultraviolet photocatalytic experiments on the kinetics of decolorization of methyl orange and the 121Sb Mössbauer characterization of the title catalyst were performed. The stereochemically active electronic lone pair of Sb3+ was found to completely deactivate the neighboring oxygen vacancy as a recombination center towards the photogenerated electrons and holes.

Structural origin of the weak germanate anomaly in lead germanate glass properties

AbstractBinary PbO–GeO2 glasses have been studied in detail from 5 to 75 mol% PbO using high‐resolution neutron diffraction, high‐energy X‐ray diffraction, 207‐Pb NMR, pycnometry, and thermal analysis. The Ge–O coordination number displays a broad maximum nGeO = 4.14(3) close to 27 mol% PbO. This is smaller than the maximum nGeO = 4.3 reported in CaO–GeO2 glasses but occurs at a similar composition. This structural behavior appears to explain the relatively weak germanate anomaly manifest in lead germanate glasses, for example as a maximum in the measured atom number density and a plateau in the glass transition temperatures. The structural role of Pb(II) is complex. On the one hand, short covalent Pb–O bonds and small Pb–O coordination numbers of ∼3 to 4 indicate glass network former character for Pb(II), associated with a stereochemically active electron lone pair. On the other hand, the presence of some GeO5 or GeO6 units, in addition to the majority GeO4 tetrahedral species, indicates some modifier character of Pb(II) at low PbO contents, giving rise to the observed weak germanate anomaly, as well as elongation and enhanced ionicity of the Pb–O bonds. Overall, the observed structural behavior of Pb(II) in lead germanate glasses appears as intermediate between that observed in lead silicate and lead borate glasses. Despite rapid quenching, at low PbO contents, the glasses studied exhibited nanoscale heterogeneity, evidenced by small‐angle X‐ray scattering consistent with the early stages of spinodal decomposition.

Lead silicate glass structure: New insights from diffraction and modeling of probable lone pair locations

AbstractStructures of binary PbO‐SiO2 glasses have been studied in detail over the compositional range 35 to 80 mol% PbO using high‐resolution neutron diffraction, high‐energy X‐ray diffraction, static 207Pb NMR, and structural modeling. The changes in the local environment of Pb(II) are subtle; it has a low coordination to oxygen (∼3 to 4) plus a stereochemically active electron lone pair and, thus, behaves as a glass network forming (or intermediate) cation over the entire composition range. This conclusion contradicts previous reports that Pb(II) is a network modifier at low concentrations, and is supported by an analysis of lead and alkaline earth silicate glass molar volumes. The Pb‐O peak bond length shortens by 0.04 Å with increasing PbO content, indicating stronger, more covalent bonding, and consistent with an increase in the number of short (≤ 2.70 Å) Pb‐O bonds, from 3.3 to 3.6. This is accompanied by increased axial symmetry of the Pb(II) sites, and is interpreted as a gradual transition toward square pyramidal [PbO4] sites such as those found in crystalline PbO polymorphs. An attendant decrease in the periodicity associated with the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) toward that of β‐PbO, accompanied by increases in the correlation lengths associated with the plumbite network (FSDP) and silicate anions (neutron prepeak), provides evidence of increased intermediate‐range order and has implications for the glass forming limit imposed by crystallization. Pb(II) electron lone pairs occupy the natural voids within the silicate network at low PbO contents, while at high PbO contents they aggregate to create voids that form part of the plumbite network, analogous to the open channels in Pb11Si3O17 and the layered structures of α‐ and β‐PbO. Si‐O and Pb‐O bond lengths have been correlated with 29Si and 207Pb NMR chemical shifts, respectively. This is the first time that such correlations have been demonstrated for glasses and attests to the accuracy with which pulsed neutron total scattering can measure average bond lengths.

Lessons learned from FeSb2O4 on stereoactive lone pairs as a design principle for anion insertion

Fluoride-ion batteries are an attractive energy storage concept analogous to lithium-ion batteries but feature an inverted paradigm where anions are the principal charge carriers. Insertion hosts that can reversibly insert fluoride ions at room temperature are exceedingly sparse. Here, we report that topochemical insertion of fluoride ions in FeSb 2 O 4 involves Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ redox but is mediated by multi-center synergies between iron and antimony centers. Separation of the redox center from the p-block coordination site alleviates structural strain by enabling compensatory contraction and expansion of FeO 6 and SbO 3 polyhedra, respectively. p-block electron lone pairs play a critical role in weakening anion-lattice interactions, enabling reversible fluoride-ion diffusion across microns. The results illuminate the key principle that interactions traceable to stereoactive lone pairs can be used to mediate anion-lattice interactions and suggest that anion insertion hosts can be designed by pairing redox-active transition metals with p-block cations bearing stereochemically active electron lone pairs. Topochemical insertion of fluoride ions is mediated by synergies between Fe and Sb centers p-block electron lone pairs weaken anion-lattice interactions X-ray ptychography imaging demonstrates bulk fluoride-ion diffusion Sb 5 s 2 electron lone pairs enable fluoride-ion deinsertion and facile diffusion Despite several decades of research, fundamental design principles for anion insertion in crystalline lattices remain poorly explored. Zaheer et al. provide a fundamental design principle based on electronic structure considerations that allows use of anions (fluoride ions) instead of cations for electrochemical energy storage.

Tin(II)-Induced Large Birefringence Enhancement in Metal Phosphates.

Two alkali tin(II) phosphates, namely, Rb[SnF(HPO4)] and Rb(Sn3O)2(PO4)3, were synthesized through mild hydrothermal methods. They belong to the orthorhombic Pnma and Pbcn space groups, respectively. Rb[SnF(HPO4)] features a layered structure based on 1D [SnF(HPO4)]∞ chains interconnected by hydrogen bonds, with Rb+ cations located at the interlayer space. For Rb(Sn3O)2(PO4)3, each pair of [Sn3O]4+ clusters is bridged by a pair of [P(1)O4]3- tetrahedra to build a 1D [Sn-P-O]∞ chain. These 1D [Sn-P-O]∞ chains are further cross-linked though [P(2)O4]3- tetrahedra to construct a 3D network with 7- and 10-membered-ring channels. The tin(II) ions in Rb[SnF(HPO4)] and Rb(Sn3O)2(PO4)3 with stereochemically active lone pairs (SCALPs) significantly enhance the birefringences of metal phosphates: Δn = 0.147@1064 nm for Rb[SnF(HPO4)] and 0.082@1064 nm for Rb(Sn3O)2(PO4)3.

Structural complexity and the metal-to-semiconductor transition in lead telluride

Lead chalcogenides are known for their thermoelectric properties since the first work of Thomas Seebeck on the discovery of this phenomenon. Yet, the electronic properties of lead telluride are still of interest due to the incomplete understanding of the metal-to-semiconductor transition at temperatures around 230 °C. Here, a temperature-dependent atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy study performed on a single crystal of lead telluride reveals structural reasons for this electronic transition. Below the transition temperature, the formation of a dislocation network due to shifts of the NaCl-like atomic slabs perpendicular to {100} was observed. The local structure modification leads to the appearance of in-gap electronic states and causes metal-like electronic transport behavior. The dislocation network disappears with increasing temperature, yielding semiconductor-like electrical conductivity, and re-appears after cooling to room temperature restoring the metal-like behavior. The structural defects coupled to the ordering of stereochemically active lone pairs of lead atoms are discussed in the context of dislocations' formation.

Low pH-induced lone-pair activity in the hybrid (C6H10N2)[SnCl3]Cl: Chemical study and physical characterizations

By changing the synthesis method and through the pourbaix diagram, a novel 0D organic−inorganic hybrid like perovskite system was crystallized by slow evaporation in an aqueous solution of 2-(aminomethyl) pyridine (2-amp) and tin chloride. Compound with the formula (C6H10N2)[SnCl3]Cl was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) as well as photoluminescence (PL) technique and thermal analysis. The crystals of (C6H10N2)[SnCl3]Cl belong to the orthorhombic system with the Pbca space group. The crystalline stability is ensured by a three-dimensional network of N-H…Cl hydrogen bonds. Theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory with the B3LYP/LanL2DZ level for studying the molecular structure and vibrational spectra of the title compound. A satisfactory agreement has been found between the calculated and the experimental vibrational frequencies. UV-Vis reveals that (C6H10N2)[SnCl3]Cl undergoes two absorption bands with an energy gap estimated to 3.27 eV. The material exhibits an important broad-band white light emission with a correlated color temperature of 4989 K with chromaticity coordinates (CIE) of (0.34, 0.33) and CRI of 92. According to others s2 Tin-complexes, this emission is mainly resulting from the self-trapped exciton transitions within the inorganic framework. Our contribution of luminescent 0D organic-inorganic hybrid materials as lead-free lighting systems opens up a new paradigm in functional materials design.

S-p Mixing in Stereochemically Active Lone Pairs Drives the Formation of 1D Chains of Lead Bromide Square Pyramids.

In lead(II) halide compounds including virtually all lead halide perovskites, the Pb2+ 6s lone pair results in distorted octahedra, in accordance with the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect, rather than generating hemihedral coordination polyhedra. Here, in contrast, we report the characterization of an organic-inorganic hybrid material consisting of one-dimensional edge-sharing chains of Pb-Br square pyramids, separated by [Mn(DMF)6]2+ (DMF = dimethylformamide) octahedra. Molecular orbital analysis and density-functional theory calculations indicate that square pyramidal coordination about Pb2+ results from the occupancy of the empty ligand site by a Pb2+ lone pair that has both s and p orbital character rather than the exclusively 6s lone pair. These results demonstrate that a Pb2+ lone pair can be exploited to behave like a ligand in lead halide compounds, greatly expanding the realm of possible lead halide materials to include extended solids with nonoctahedral coordination environments.

Effects of Sn4+ dopant ions located either in the bulk or at crystallite surfaces on the ultraviolet photocatalytic activity of anatase

Isovalent Sn4+ dopant cations do not have a significant effect on the ultraviolet photocatalytic activity of anatase (TiO2) regardless of their location in the bulk or at the surfaces of crystallites. This is due to the formation of no charge balance oxygen vacancies VO acting as (e–,h+) recombination centers towards photogenerated electrons and holes upon doping with Sn4+. Nevertheless, the analysis of a sample containing surfacelocated heterovalent Sb3+ ions (isoelectronic with Sn2+) revealed a significant weakening of the negative effect of VO, which can be accounted for by the presence of a stereochemically active lone pair E of 5s electrons in the nearest vicinity of VO.

Halide-modulated self-assembly of metal-free perovskite single crystals for bio-friendly X-ray detection

Halide-modulated self-assembly of metal-free perovskite single crystals for bio-friendly X-ray detection

Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis and DFT Calculations of the Novel 1D Pb (II) Coordination Polymer with Thiosemicarbazone Derivative Ligand and Its Use for Preparation of PbO Clusters

In the present work, using a sonochemical method, a new lead (II) coordination 1D polymer, [Pb(L)2(CH3COO)]n (L = pyridine-4-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) (1) was prepared. It was characterized structurally with different spectroscopic methods, such as SEM, IR spectroscopy, XRD, and elemental analysis. The coordination compound becomes a stair-step one-dimensional polymer in solid mode. The lead (II) ions have the coordination number of six (PbNS3O2) with two oxygen atoms from acetate anion and three sulfur atoms and one nitrogen atom from organic ligand. It contains a stereo-chemically active lone electron pair and the hemidirected coordination sphere. The high-intensity ultrasound is considered a flexible, environmentally friendly, and easy synthetic tool for the coordination compounds. PbO clusters was achieved with thermolyzing 1 at 180 ˚C with oleic acid (as a surfactant). Furthermore, the size and morphology of the created PbO clusters were assessed via SEM. The estimated gap of HOMO and LUMO is 3.275 eV based on DFT calculations.

Tuning the Kinetic Inertness of Bi3+ Complexes: The Impact of Donor Atoms on Diaza-18-Crown-6 Ligands as Chelators for 213Bi Targeted Alpha Therapy.

The radionuclide 213Bi can be applied for targeted α therapy (TAT): a type of nuclear medicine that harnesses α particles to eradicate cancer cells. To use this radionuclide for this application, a bifunctional chelator (BFC) is needed to attach it to a biological targeting vector that can deliver it selectively to cancer cells. Here, we investigated six macrocyclic ligands as potential BFCs, fully characterizing the Bi3+ complexes by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Solid-state structures of three complexes revealed distorted coordination geometries about the Bi3+ center arising from the stereochemically active 6s2 lone pair. The kinetic properties of the Bi3+ complexes were assessed by challenging them with a 1000-fold excess of the chelating agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). The most kinetically inert complexes contained the most basic pendent donors. Density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) calculations were employed to investigate this trend, suggesting that the kinetic inertness is not correlated with the extent of the 6s2 lone pair stereochemical activity, but with the extent of covalency between pendent donors. Lastly, radiolabeling studies of 213Bi (30-210 kBq) with three of the most promising ligands showed rapid formation of the radiolabeled complexes at room temperature within 8 min for ligand concentrations as low as 10-7 M, corresponding to radiochemical yields of >80%, thereby demonstrating the promise of this ligand class for use in 213Bi TAT.