O2 Distance Research Articles

Exploring the Deprotonation Process during Incorporation of a Ligand Water Molecule at the Dangling Mn Site in Photosystem II.

The Mn4CaO5 cluster, featuring four ligand water molecules (W1 to W4), serves as the water-splitting site in photosystem II (PSII). X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) structures exhibit an additional oxygen site (O6) adjacent to the O5 site in the fourth lowest oxidation state, S3, forming Mn4CaO6. Here, we investigate the mechanism of the second water ligand molecule at the dangling Mn (W2) as a potential incorporating species, using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) approach. Previous QM/MM calculations demonstrated that W1 releases two protons through a low-barrier H-bond toward D1-Asp61 and subsequently releases an electron during the S2 to S3 transition, resulting in O•- at W1 and protonated D1-Asp61. During the process of Mn4CaO6 formation, O•-, rather than H2O or OH-, best reproduced the O5···O6 distance. Although the catalytic cluster with O•- at O6 is more stable than that with O•- at W1 in S3, it does not occur spontaneously due to the significantly uphill deprotonation process. Assuming O•- at W2 incorporates into the O6 site, an exergonic conversion from Mn1(III)Mn2(IV)Mn3(IV)Mn4(IV) (equivalent to the open-cubane S2 valence state) to Mn1(IV)Mn2(IV)Mn3(IV)Mn4(III) (equivalent to the closed-cubane S2 valence state) occurs. These findings provide energetic insights into the deprotonation and structural conversion events required for the Mn4CaO6 formation.

Effect of isovalent substitution on structure of the two-slab BaNd2-xSmxIn2O7 indates

The conditions of isovalent substitution of Nd atoms for Sm atoms in A-positions of the BaNd2In2O7 two-slab perovskite-like structure of the BaNd2-xSmxIn2O7 type (0 £ x £ 1.8) have determined by X-ray powder diffraction methods. Tetragonal crystal structure (space group P42/mnm) of the BaNd2-xSmxIn2O7 phases with substitution degree of Nd atoms equal to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 1.8 was determined by the Rietveld method. Crystal structure of BaNd2-xSmxIn2O7 is based on the two-dimensional (infinite in the XY plane) perovskite-like blocks, consisting of two slabs of the deformed InO6 octahedra connected by vertices. Ba atoms are localized only at 4f position inside the perovskite block, while REE atoms are placed only at 8j position at the boundary of the perovskite block. The adjacent perovskite-like blocks are separated by a slab of LnO9 polyhedra and held together by - O - Ln - O - interblock bonds. It is established that the isovalent substitution of Nd atoms by smaller Sm atoms leads to a decrease in the length of the Ln - O2 distance (from 0.230(2) nm to 0.206(2) nm) and to an increase in the degree of deformation of the interblocks of LnO9 polyhedra, the inner block polyhedra BaO12, and the InO6 octahedra as well. Such structural changes destabilize the interblock "stitching" and are one of the main destruction factors of the slab perovskite-like structure of the BaNd2-xSmxIn2O7 phases at x > 1.8. Data obtained could be used for directed regulation of structure-sensitive properties of materials based on the BaNd2In2O7 indate.

Two Distinct Oxygen-Radical Conformations in the X-ray Free Electron Laser Structures of Photosystem II

We report the existence of two distinct oxygen-radical-containing Mn4CaO5/6 conformations with short O···O bonds in the crystal structures of the oxygen-evolving enzyme photosystem II (PSII), obtained using an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL). A short O···O distance of <2.3 Å between the O4 site of the Mn4CaO5 complex and the adjacent water molecule (W539) in the proton-conducting O4-water chain was observed in the second flash-induced (2F) XFEL structure (2F-XFEL), which may correspond to S3. By use of a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach, the OH• formation at W539 and the short O4···OW539 distance (<2.3 Å) were reproduced in S2 and S3 with reduced Mn1(III), which lacks the additional sixth water molecule O6. As the O•- formation at O6 and the short O5···O6 distance (1.9 Å) have been reported in another 2F-XFEL structure with reduced Mn4(III), two distinct oxygen-radical conformations exist in the 2F-XFEL crystals.

The Nature of the Short Oxygen-Oxygen Distance in the Mn4CaO6 Complex of Photosystem II Crystals.

The O···O distance for a typical H-bond is ∼2.8 Å, whereas the radiation-damage-free structures of photosystem II (PSII), obtained using the X-ray free electron laser (XFEL), shows remarkably short O···O distances of ∼2 Å in the oxygen-evolving Mn4CaO5/6 complex. Herein, we report the protonation/oxidation states of the short O···O atoms in the XFEL structures using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach. The O5···O6 distance of 1.9 Å is reproduced only when O6 is an unprotonated O radical (O•-) with Mn(IV)3Mn(III), i.e., the S3 state. The potential energy profile shows a barrier-less energy minimum region when O5···O6 = 1.90-2.05 Å (O•- ↓) or 2.05-2.20 Å (O•- ↑). Formation of such a short O5···O6 distance is not possible when O6 is OH- with Mn(IV)4. In the case in which the O5···O6 distance is 1.9 Å, it seems likely that the O radical species exists in the oxygen-evolving complex of the XFEL-S3 crystals.

Fluorine Effects for Tunable C–C and C–S Bond Cleavage in Fluoro-Julia–Kocienski Intermediates

Classical Julia–Kocienski fluoroolefination represents an indispensable platform for the construction of monofluoroalkenes. Nevertheless, its complex multistep mechanistic manifold along with the u...

Chiral Lanthanide Complexes with l- and d-Alanine: An X-ray and Vibrational Circular Dichroism Study.

A whole series of [Ln(H2O)4(Ala)2]26+ dimeric cationic lanthanide complexes with both l- and d-alanine enantiomers was synthesized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 and 292 K shows the formation of two types of dimers (I and II) in crystals. Between the dimer centers, the alanine molecules behave as bridging (μ2-O,O’-) and chelating bridging (μ2-O,O,O’-) ligands. The first type of bridge is present in dimers I, while both bridge forms can be observed in dimers II. The IR and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of all l- and d-alanine complexes were registered in the 1750–1250 cm−1 range as KBr pellets. Despite all the studied complexes are exhibiting similar crystal structures, the spectra reveal correlations or trends with the Ln–O1 distances which exemplify the lanthanide contraction effect in the IR spectra. This is especially true for the positions and intensities of some IR bands. Unexpectedly, the ν(C=O) VCD bands are quite intense and their composed shapes reveal the inequivalence of the C=O vibrators in the unit cell which vary with the lanthanide. Unlike in the IR spectra, the ν(C=O) VCD band positions are only weakly correlated with the change of Ln and the VCD intensities at most show some trends. Nevertheless, this is the first observation of the lanthanide contraction effect in the VCD spectra. Generally, for the heavier lanthanides (Ln: Dy–Lu), the VCD band maxima are very close to each other and the mirror reflection of the band of two enantiomers is usually better than that of the lighter Lns. DFT calculations show that the higher the multiplicity the higher the stability of the system. Actually, the molecular geometry in crystals (at 100 K) is well predicted based on the highest-spin structures. Also, the simulated IR and VCD spectra strongly depend on the Ln electron configuration but the best overall agreement was reached for the Lu complex, which is the only system with a fully filled f-shell.

The first-principle studies of the elastic, electronic, and vibrational properties of L-alanine

The calculation in the present work is conducted with the help of CRYSTAL’17 package using PBE method, including gradient approximation and taking into account van der Waals forces as well as the B3LYP hybrid functional. Crystal structure and chemical bond, elastic properties, equation of state, structural properties under pressure, and vibrational properties are studied. The elastic constants of single crystal and polycrystalline properties are obtained; anisotropic nature of the crystal is determined. The impact of hydrostatic compression up to pressure of 7.5 GPa on the L-alanine properties is studied. The effect of taking into account the forces of intermolecular interaction on the accuracy of calculation of lattice constants and intermolecular distances is shown. The atom charges and bond overlap population in molecules are determined within the framework of the Mulliken scheme. The total and partial density of states is calculated and it is established that the transition from valence band to conduction band is performed by electrons from oxygen atoms to carbon atoms of the –COO group. The average value of the tensor component of the polarizability, permittivity, and piezoelectric stress coefficients were 40.67 A3, 2.08, and − 4.25 pm/V, relatively. The obtained dependence of the lattice constants demonstrated occurrence of intersection within pressure interval of about 1.8 GPa, the fact that has earlier been established experimentally. It has been shown that C–C and C–N intramolecular distances reduce with pressure increase, as for the –COO group, C1–O1 distances decrease, while C1–O2 distances increase. The mode Gruneisen parameters, obtained from ab initio calculations for the first time, revealed the increase in the vibration frequency of the –NH3 group, while other vibration frequencies decrease with increasing pressure.

Investigations of the hydrogen bond in the crystals of tropolone and thiotropolone via car-parrinello and path integral molecular dynamics.

Car-Parrinello and path integrals molecular dynamics (CPMD and PIMD) simulations were carried out for the 10π-electron aromatic systems: 2-hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one, commonly known as Tropolone (I) and 2-hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatriene-1-thione, called Thiotropolone (II) in vacuo and in the solid state. The extremely fast proton transfer (FPT) and "prototropy" tautomerism in the keto-enol (thione-enethiol) systems have been analyzed on the basis of CPMD and PIMD methods level. Comparisons of two-dimensional (2D) free-energy landscapes of reaction coordinate δ-parameter and RO…O or RO…S distances shows that the OH… tautomer to be more favorable in the Thiotropolone. The hydrogen between the oxygen and the sulfur atoms adopts a starkly asymmetrical position in the double potential well. The values of the energy barriers for the FPT were calculated and suggested a strong hydrogen bond with low barrier for FPT mechanism. These studies and the 2D average index of π-delocalization 〈λ〉 landscape of time evolutions of RO1…O2 and RC7O2 or RC7S1 distances for the both crystals indicate that hydrogen bonds in the crystals of Tropolone (I) and Thiotropolone (II) have characteristic properties for the type of bonding model resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds and also low-barrier hydrogen bonds. In the crystal of the Thiotropolone (II), we found the hydrogen bond OH…S existing without the equilibrium of the two tautomers whereas in the crystal of the Tropolone (I) has been confirmed the hydrogen bond OH…O existing with the equilibrium of the two tautomers. It was also found the significant differences in frequency, speed, and the image of the FPT in the studied crystals. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Car–Parrinello and Path Integral Molecular Dynamics Study of the Proton Transfer in the Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds in the Ketohydrazone–Azoenol System

Car-Parrinello (CPMD) and path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) simulations were carried out for 1-(phenylazo)-2-naphthol (I) and 1-(4-F-phenylazo)-2-naphthol (II) (Sudan I) in vacuo and in the solid state at 298 K. The fast proton transfer (FPT) and tautomerism in the ketohydrazone-azoenol systems have been analyzed on the basis of CPMD and PIMD methods level. The two-dimensional free-energy landscape of reaction coordinate δ-parameter and RN···O distances shows the NH tautomer to be more favorable in the gas phase as well as in the solid state according to the CP and PI results, respectively. The hydrogen between the nitrogen and the oxygen atoms adopts a starkly asymmetrical position in the double potential well. The molecular geometry and energy barrier for the intramolecular proton transference were calculated, and the value found suggested a strong hydrogen bond with low barrier for FPT mechanism. These studies and the two-dimensional average index of π-delocalization ⟨λ⟩ landscape of time evolutions of RN1···O1 and RC1═O1 distances for both the crystals indicate that the hydrogen bonds in the crystals of 1-(phenylazo)-2-naphthol (I) and 1-(4-F-phenylazo)-2-naphthol (II) have characteristic properties for the type of bonding model: resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds and low-barrier hydrogen bonds, without the existence of equilibrium in the two tautomers. The infrared spectrum has been calculated, and a comparative vibrational analysis has been performed. The CPMD vibrational results appear to qualitatively agree with the experimental ones.

Cardiorespiratory adaptation during 6-Minute Walk Test in fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia patients who did or did not respond to pulmonary rehabilitation.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves performance in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in a subset of patients with fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (f-IIP); however, a large proportion of patients does not respond to PR. To investigate the effects of a PR program on cardiorespiratory responses during a 6MWT and to identify the characteristics of patients who do not show improved performance after PR. An observational study. Patients were recruited from the Competence Centre for Rare Pulmonary Diseases at Lille University Hospital, France and completed an 8-week home-based PR program. A total of 19 patients with f-IIP; 12 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 7 with fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia. Patients underwent spirometry and completed a 6MWT before and after an 8-week PR program. Gas exchange, heart rate, and pulse O2 saturation were measured continuously during the 6MWT. Quality of life, dyspnea, and anxiety/depression were assessed using the Short-Form 36 (SF-36), the baseline/transition dyspnea index (BDI/TDI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Patients who did and did not improve the distance walked in the 6MWT by at least 30 m after PR were classified as responders (N.=9) and non-responders (N.=10), respectively. O2 uptake, ventilation rate, and distance covered during the 6MWT were significantly improved only in the responder group (P<0.05). Changes in SF-36, BDI/TDI, and HADS scores did not differ significantly between responders and non-responders. The non-responder group contained significantly more patients with IPF (P<0.05) and experienced greater arterial oxygen desaturation during the 6MWT compared with the responder group. Failure to improve performance in the 6MWT after PR was associated with a diagnosis of IPF, non-improvement in gas exchange, and greater arterial oxygen desaturation. Most f-IIP patients who did not respond to PR were diagnosed with IPF and displayed greater hypoxemia during exercise. Clinical practitioners should seek to determine why patients fail to improve exercise performance after PR and propose an alternative exercise regimen to these patients.

The structure of P21/c (Ca0.2Co0.8)CoSi2O6 pyroxene and the C2/c–P21/c phase transition in natural and synthetic Ca–Mg–Fe2+ pyroxenes

ABSTRACTA P21/c synthetic (Ca0.2Co0.8)CoSi2O6 pyroxene was synthesized by slow cooling from melt at high pressure. Single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained and refined. The results were compared to those of C2/c pyroxenes along the series CaCoSi2O6–Co2Si2O6. Strong similarities in the crystal chemical mechanism of the transition with the synthetic CaFeSi2O6–Fe2Si2O6 and CaMgSi2O6–Mg2Si2O6 pyroxenes, both at an average and local level are apparent.The results, examined together with two new refinements of pigeonite in the ureilites ALHA77257 and RKPA80239 and with a set of natural and synthetic C2/c and P21/c pyroxenes, show that the average cation radius in the M2 site is the driving force for the phase transition from C2/c to P21/c. The longest M2–O3 distances and the O3–O3–O3 angles follow the same trend, dictated only by the ionic radius in M2, in either synthetic or natural pyroxenes, regardless of the ionic radius of the M1 cations. The transition also affects the difference between bridging and non-bridging oxygen atoms and the extent of tetrahedral deformation, whereas the M1–O, M2–O1 and M2–O2 distances are unaffected by the transition and are determined only by the ionic radius of the bonding cation. The structural changes between the ionic radius and the high temperature C2/c and P21/c transitions are similar, and different to the high-pressure transition.Analysis of natural and synthetic pyroxenes shows that the transition with composition occurs in strain free pyroxenes for a critical radius of 0.85 Å. Increasing strain stabilizes the P21/c structure to a higher temperature and larger cation radius.Finally, our results show that the monoclinic P21/c Ca-poor clinopyroxene, i.e the mineral pigeonite, crystallizes only at conditions where the structure is HT-C2/c, and changes to the P21/c symmetry during cooling.

First high-pressure synthesis of rossmanitic tourmaline and evidence for the incorporation of Li at the X site

Lithium is an important component of some tourmalines, especially in chemically evolved granites and pegmatites. All attempts at synthesizing Li-rich tourmaline have so far been unsuccessful. Here we describe the first synthesis of rossmanitic tourmaline at 4 GPa and 700 °C in the system Li2O–Al2O3–SiO2–B2O3–H2O (LASBH) from seed-free solid starting materials consisting of a homogenous mixture of Li2O, γ-Al2O3, quartz and H3BO3. The solid run products after 12-day run duration comprise rossmanitic tourmaline (68 wt%), dumortierite (28 wt%) and traces of spodumene (3 wt%) and coesite (1 wt%). Tourmaline forms idiomorphic, large prismatic crystals (30 × 100 μm), which are inclusion free and chemically unzoned. The refined cell dimensions of the tourmaline are: a = 15.7396(9) A, c = 7.0575(5) A, V = 1514.1(2) A3. Conventionally, the Li+ ion is assumed to exclusively occupy the octahedral Y site in the tourmaline structure to a maximum of 2 Li per formula unit (pfu). However, the chemical composition of our synthetic tourmaline determined by electron microprobe and secondary ion mass spectroscopy results in the formula: X(☐0.67(11)Li0.33(11))Y(Al2.53(10)Li0.47(10))Z(Al6)T(Si5.42(15)B0.58(15))O 18 B (BO3) 3 V+W [(OH)2.40(3)O1.60(3)], wherein a significant amount of Li occupies the X site for charge balance requirements. Reliable assignment of the OH-stretching vibrations in a polarized single-crystal Raman spectrum such as a single-crystal XRD structure refinement, confirms the incorporation of Li at the X site [0.24(9) and 0.15(5) XLi pfu, respectively]. The SREF data show that the Li–O1 distances are shortened significantly in order to compensate for the smaller ionic radius of Li+ compared to Na+, K+ or Ca2+ at the X site, i.e., Li is closer to the Si6O18 ring and to a sevenfold coordination with oxygen.

Understanding the ε and ζ High-Pressure Solid Phases of Oxygen. Systematic Periodic Density Functional Theory Studies Using Localized Atomic Basis.

The experimentally characterized ε and ζ phases of solid oxygen are studied by periodic Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory calculations at pressures from 10 to 160 GPa using different types of exchange-correlation functionals with Gaussian atomic basis sets. Full geometry optimizations of the monoclinic C2/m (O2)4 unit cell were done to study the evolution of the structural and electronic properties with pressure. Vibrational calculations were performed at each pressure. While periodic HF does not predict the ε-ζ phase transition in the considered range, Local Density approximation and Generalized Gradient approximation methods predict too low transition pressures. The performance of hybrid functional methods is dependent on the amount of non-local HF exchange. PBE0, M06, B3PW91, and B3LYP approaches correctly predict the structural and electronic changes associated with the phase transition. GGA and hybrid functionals predict a pressure range where both phases coexist, but only the latter type of methods yield results in agreement with experiment. Using the optimized (O2)4 unit cell at each pressure we show, through CASSCF(8,8) calculations, that the greater accuracy of the optimized geometrical parameters with increasing pressure is due to a decreasing multireference character of the unit cell wave function. The mechanism of the transition from the non-conducting to the conducting ζ phase is explained through the Electron Pair Localization Function, which clearly reveals chemical bonding between O2 molecules in the ab crystal planes belonging to different unit cells due to much shorter intercell O2-O2 distances.

Temperature dependence of the local structure and lattice dynamics of wurtzite-type ZnO

Temperature-dependent (10–300K) Zn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra of polycrystalline wurtzite-type ZnO were analyzed using ab initio multiple-scattering theory and taking into account anisotropy of the crystallographic structure and thermal disorder. We employed two different simulation approaches: classical molecular dynamics (MD) and reverse Monte Carlo coupled with an evolutionary algorithm (RMC/EA method). The accuracy of several force-field models, which are commonly used in the MD simulations of bulk and nanostructured ZnO, was tested based on a comparison between the experimental and simulated Zn K-edge EXAFS spectra. It was found that available force-field models fail to describe accurately many-atom distribution functions. A more accurate solution was obtained with the RMC/EA method, which allowed us also to resolve the non-equivalent groups of atoms in the first two coordination shells around the absorbing Zn atom and to follow the changes of structural parameters as the temperature varied. It was found that upon increasing temperature the structure of ZnO becomes more anisotropic due to the increase of internal parameter u of the oxygen Wyckoff position (2b) and related Zn0–O2 distances.

Trans influence and covalent bonding in a new octahedral lanthanum(III) complex of diphenylmorpholinyl phosphinamide

The ligand (C6H5)2P(O)NC4H8O (L) was synthesized and used to prepare new octahedral complex mer-[(C6H5)2(NC4H8O)PO]3LaCl3 (LaL3Cl3). In the solid state structure of LaL3Cl3, the chloride anion trans to neutral ligand L3 (Cl2) has an inverse trans influence, while the La–O3 (trans to Cl2) distance is slightly shorter than the La–O1 and La–O2 distances (La–O1 trans to La–O2). On the contrary, the La–O3 distance is considerably longer than the La–O1 and La–O2 distances in the gas phase structure of LaL3Cl3, as a result of the normal trans influence of Cl2. The La–Cl2 (trans to La–O3) binding energy is larger in magnitude than the calculated values for the La–Cl1 and La–Cl3 bonds. The directional dependence of La–ligand bonding is in agreement with the trends in calculated electron density (ρ) values at bond critical points (bcp’s) and wiberg bond indices. Based on the results of atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis, the positive values for the electronic energy density, H(r), at the bcp of La–O bond paths suggest an ionic character for the La–O bonds, and the small negative values for H(r), at the bcp of La–Cl bonds, indicate a partial covalent character of the La–Cl interaction. The NBO analysis reveals a partial occupancy of La 5d and 6s orbitals which is originated from the ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) in complex LaL3Cl3, agreeing with the loss of electron density from the coordinated ligands L and chloride counterions.

Pressure Induced Isostructural Metastable Phase Transition of Ammonium Nitrate

The energetic material ammonium nitrate (AN, NH(4)NO(3)) has been studied under both hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic conditions using diamond anvil cells combined with micro-Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. The refined powder X-ray data indicates that under hydrostatic conditions AN-IV (orthorhombic, Pmmn) is stable to above 40 GPa. In one nonhydrostatic compression experiment a volume collapse was observed, suggesting an isostructural phase transition to a "metastable" phase IV' between 17 and 28 GPa. The structures of phase IV and IV' are similar with the subtle difference in the hydrogen-bonding network; that is, a noticeably shorter N1···O1 distance seen in phase IV'. This hydrogen bond has a significant component along the b-axis, which proves to be the most compressible until cell axis over the entire pressure range. It is likely that the shear stress of the nonhydrostatic experiment drives the phase IV-to-IV' transition to occur. We compare the present isotherms of phase IV and IV' in both static and nonhydrostatic conditions with the previously obtained Hugoniot and find that the nonhydrostatic isotherm approximately matches the Hugoniot. On the basis of this comparison, we conjecture that a chemical reaction or phase transition may occur in AN under dynamic pressure conditions at 22 GPa.

THE CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY OF LIZARDITE-1T FROM NORTHERN APENNINES OPHIOLITES NEAR MODENA, ITALY

We investigated the crystal-chemical features of six crystals of lizardite-1 T sampled in four outcrops of ophiolite, at Pompeano, Sassomorello, Varana, and Santa Scolastica, in the Modena Apennines, Italy. In spite of the extensive contributions already present in the literature, this is the first study dealing with lizardite from the Modena ophiolites. As is clear from one of our samples, the whole-rock composition affects the composition of lizardite, which makes it susceptible to overprinting by later metasomatic events. In our study, we paid particular attention to the effects of VI Mg −1 VI Fe 2+ and of IV Si −1 IV Al VI (Mg, Mn, Fe) 2+ −1 VI (Al, Cr, Fe) 3+ exchange mechanisms on the structure. Our results suggest that VI Mg −1 VI Fe 2+ substitution induces an increase in the M –O4 length in octahedra and a decrease in the octahedral-site distortion. Both these effects are also observed to influence the unit-cell parameter c . The effect of the IV Si −1 IV Al VI (Mg, Mn, Fe) 2+ −1 VI (Al, Cr, Fe) 3+ substitution is to decrease the M –O1 distance and concomitantly, to increase the T –O1 distance.

Synthesis and structural analysis of Bi 2− ySr yIr 2O 7, a new pyrochlore solid solution

This paper presents a study of the synthesis and structural properties of the new pyrochlore-type Bi 2− y Sr y Ir 2O 7 series. Ten compositions with 0.0≤ y≤0.9 were prepared by solid-state reaction with thermal treatments at 873, 1073 and 1323 K under atmospheric pressure conditions. Structural refinements from X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method show that all compounds of the Bi 2− y Sr y Ir 2O 7 solid solution crystallize in a α-pyrochlore structure. The main structural difference when bismuth is substituted by strontium concerns the x position of the O1 ( x, ⅛, ⅛). This substitution significantly increases the Bi/Sr–O1 distance and diminishes the Ir–O1 distance; this implies that the Ir–O1–Ir bond angle increases. With the Sr substitution, the IrO 6 local configuration goes from a flattened trigonal antiprism, y<0.5, to an elongated one, y>0.5, passing through an octahedral array, y∼0.5. The electrical consequences of these structural changes observed in this system are qualitatively explained with electronic structure calculations, this behavior agrees very well with those observed in other pyrochlore systems A 2 M 2O 7 ( A=rare earth cations or Tl +, Pb 2+, or Bi 3+, and M=Ru or Ir).

Thermal behaviour of natrite Na2CO3 in the 303–1013 K thermal range

This study reports a structural investigation, at a fine temperature scale, of natrite Na2CO3 from 303 to 1013 K by laboratory parallel-beam X-ray powder diffraction. Within the investigated thermal range, Na2CO3 undergoes the γ C2/m(α0γ)0s → β C2/m → α P63/mmc phase transitions. Results indicate that all modulation amplitudes tend to decrease to zero, approaching the γ → β transition temperature. However, a high-amplitude anti-phase modulation of the two symmetry-equivalent C–O1 distances starts at ca 520 K and reaches a maximum value of ca 0.7 valence units at the γ → β transition. Therefore, it seems that O1 instability represents the driving force of the γ → β transition. The β-polymorph is characterized by a disordered structure showing multiple site splitting and a strong anisotropic microstrain, starting immediately after the γ → β transition. The structure of α-Na2CO3 was also refined and found to differ from reference data. Similarly, for α-K2CO3 and α-Rb2CO3 a considerable disorder at the O site was observed.

Crystal structures of crown ethers containing an alkyl diarylphosphinate or a diarylphosphinic acid unit

This paper describes the structures of pseudo-18-crown-6 compounds (2, R,R-4 and 5) in the crystals together with theoretical calculations of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The achiral macrocyclic phosphinic acid 5 forms hydrogen-bonded dimers in the crystal. The O1–O2 distance (2.489 Ǻ) indicates strong H-bondings. The conformations of the macrorings of the achiral phosphinate 2 and the monomers of the achiral phosphinic acid 5 are chiral. A comparison of the torsion angles of the achiral methyl phosphinate 2 and the monomeric units of achiral 5 indicates a similar geometry. The torsion angles of the chiral methyl phosphinate (R,R)-4 differ more significantly from those in achiral methyl phosphinate 2. A negative 1Bb exciton couplet was observed in the ECD spectrum of monomeric (R,R)-6 in MeOH and H2O as in the spectra of (R,R)-4 in all solvents. To support the idea that (R,R)-4 has basically the same conformation in the crystal and in solution, the ECD spectrum of (R,R)-4 was calculated using the geometry of the molecule in the crystal. The calculated ECD spectrum shows a reasonable agreement with the ECD spectra obtained in solution. This shows that the steric structure observed in the crystal is predominant in solution as well.