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A new type of hybrid compound, combining properties of MOFs and borohydrides, was synthesized solvothermally using Mg(BH4)2 and imidazole as precursors. Material in the form of acetonitrile solvate with formula [Mg3{(Im)BH2(Im)}6(ImH)6] ·CH3CN crystallizes in the space group R¯3, having the unit cell parameters a = 15.1942(2)˚A and c = 28.3157(3)˚A as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure was further investigated by solid state NMR and DFT quantum chemical calculations. The main feature of the structure, reported here for the first time, is a linear trinuclear complex, where octahedrally nitrogen-coordinated Mg2+ ions are bridged with {(Im)BH2(Im)}– units, forming inside voids of 4.6˚A in diameter between the magnesium ions. Polar intermolecular interactions hold the molecules in a dense 1 Page 1 of 32 ACS Paragon Plus Environment Submitted to Inorganic Chemistry 123456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 rhombohedral stacking, where a disordered acetonitrile molecule plays a cohesive role. The compound is stable in air and upon heating to about 160 ◦C. Using an alternative synthesis method from imidazole melt, an imidazole solvate with the formula [Mg3{(Im)BH2(Im)}6(ImH)6] ·ImH and a very similar crystal structure to acetonitrile solvate was prepared. It is stable up to 220 ◦C. Upon further heating, it transformed into a layered structure with the formula Mg(Im3BH)2, space group P¯31c, and unit cell parameters a = 8.7442(4)˚A, c = 17.643(2)˚A determined by synchrotron powder diffraction. Besides its structural novelty, two types of potentially reactive hydrogens, bonded to boron and nitrogen in the same molecule, make the material highly interesting for future investigations in the fields of energy storage applications.

Lysosomal cysteine peptidase cathepsin B (catB) is an important tumor-promoting factor involved in tumor progression and metastasis representing a relevant target for the development of new antitumor agents. In the present study, we synthesized 11 ruthenium compounds bearing either the clinical agent nitroxoline that was previously identified as potent selective reversible inhibitor of catB activity or its derivatives. We demonstrated that organoruthenation is a viable strategy for obtaining highly effective and specific inhibitors of catB endo- and exopeptidase activity, as shown using enzyme kinetics and microscale thermophoresis. Furthermore, we showed that the novel metallodrugs by catB inhibition significantly impair processes of tumor progression in in vitro cell based functional assays at low noncytotoxic concentrations. Generally, by using metallodrugs we observed an improvement in catB inhibition, a reduction of extracellular matrix degradation and tumor cell invasion in comparison to free ligands, and a correlation with the reactivity of the monodentate halide leaving ligand., Eleven ruthenium compounds bearing either the clinical agent nitroxoline or its potent cathepsin B (catB) inhibiting derivatives were evaluated as antimetastatic agents. We demonstrated that organoruthenation is a viable strategy for obtaining highly effective and specific inhibitors of catB activities, as shown using enzyme kinetics and microscale thermophoresis. Furthermore, we showed that the novel metallodrugs significantly impair processes of tumor progression in in vitro cell based functional assays at low noncytotoxic concentrations.

We have synthesized a range of novel cyclometallated organoruthenium(II) complexes through ortho-C-H activation of the aryl group in 2-aryl-substituted quinazolines with [RuX2(p-cymene)]2. The beneficial effect of the carboxylate ligand on both the cyclometallation and further arylation reaction step was demonstrated. Mechanistic studies reveal that bromide and iodide anions decelerates the arylation process via in situ ligand exchange reaction. Additionally, a detailed NMR investigation explains some elementary steps in the arylation of 2-(aryl)quinazoline-halido-ruthenacycles.

Dinuclear ferrocene-based conjugates comprising a small homochiral sequence of two aminoacids (FcCO-Pro-Ala-NHFc) were prepared using stepwise solution-phase coupling techniques. The propensity of these bioorganometallics to form tight turns that resemble those in natural peptides was investigated by means of spectroscopy and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The experimental data were corroborated by DFT calculations. The intramolecular NHFc⋯OCFc hydrogen bond keeps the molecule in the β-turn conformation. Molecules are further organized into bilayers with the inner region containing amino acid parts with relatively strong NHAla⋯OCAla hydrogen bonds, and the outer region linked by relatively weaker ferrocene⋯ferrocene interactions. The current research again confirms the robustness of the β-turn and its persistence in solution and in the solid state of small dinuclear ferrocene peptidomimetics.

This study was supported by the ERA-NET HarvEnPiez project. The authors would like to thank their national funding agencies (Latvian State Education Development Agency, Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CCCDI-UEFISCDI, project number 49/2016 within PNCDI III – M-ERA NET Program)., The results of experimental and theoretical ab initio study of structural and piezoelectric properties of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 perovskite solid solutions are discussed and compared. Experimentally, plate-like (Ba,Sr)TiO3 particles were synthesized by the topochemical conversion in the molten salt from Bi4Ti3O12 template plates. All dimensions (side length ≈ 1 µm, thickness ≈ 200–400 nm) were well above the critical size necessary for observation of piezo- and ferroelectricity. The first-principles computations of the structural and electromechanical properties of solid solutions were performed with CRYSTAL14 computer code within the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) approximation, using three advanced hybrid functionals of the density-functional-theory (DFT). Different chemical compositions are considered for the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases. Calculated structural properties of solid solutions in tetragonal and cubic phases are in a very good agreement with experimental data. Experimentally obtained and calculated band gaps are compared for cubic SrTiO3 and tetragonal BaTiO3. BaTiO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures were considered theoretically for different chemical compositions. The calculated piezoelectric properties of solid solutions and heterostructures in ferroelectric phase are compared. It is predicted that both solid solutions and heterostructures improve the piezoelectric properties of the bulk BaTiO3, but solid solutions are more preferable for equal Sr concentrations., ERA-NET HarvEnPiez project; Latvian State Education Development Agency, Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CCCDI-UEFISCDI, project number 49/2016 within PNCDI III – M-ERA NET Program; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART²

Four novel ruthenium organometallic complexes: [(η$^6$-p-cymene)Ru(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-bromophenyl)-1,3-butanedione)Cl] (1), [(η$^6$-p-cymene)Ru(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-bromophenyl)-1,3-butanedione)pta]PF$_6$ (2), [(η$^6$-p-cymene)Ru(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-iodophenyl)-1,3-butanedione)Cl] (3) and [(η$^6$-p-cymene)Ru(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-iodophenyl)-1,3-butanedione)pta]PF$_6$ (4) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), UV-Vis, NMR and mass spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures and spectroscopic data were compared to the previously published complexes [(η$^6$-p-cymene)Ru(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1,3-butanedione)Cl] (5) and [(η$^6$-p-cymene)Ru(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-butanedione)pta]PF$_6$ (6). The pairs of complexes 1 and 3 as well as 2 and 4 are isostructural, with the former crystallizing in triclinic P-1 and the latter in monoclinic P2$_1$/c. The ruthenium(II) ion is found in a pseudo-octahedral “piano-stool” geometry in all compounds. Bond lengths and angles are consistent with other complexes of this type. Complexes 2 and 4 exhibit some moderate dynamic disorder. The lack of hydrogen bonding and major π-π interactions means that most of intramolecular interactions are fairly weak and involve halogen atoms present. This was further confirmed by $^1$H-NMR spectra, where a significant difference is observed only on the ligand near the halogen atom, following an expected trend. The combined data show that the difference in any activity depends substantially on the type of the ligand′s substituted halogen atom.

In the system BaF2/BF3/PF5/anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) a compound Ba(BF4)(PF6) was isolated and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction on the single crystal. Ba(BF4)(PF6) crystallizes in a hexagonal P 6 ¯ 2 m space group with a=10.2251(4) A, c=6.1535(4) A, V=557.17(5) A3 at 200 K, and Z=3. Both crystallographically independent Ba atoms possess coordination polyhedra in the shape of tri-capped trigonal prisms, which include F atoms from BF4− and PF6− anions. In the analogous system with AsF5 instead of PF5 the compound Ba(BF4)(AsF6) was isolated and characterized. It crystallizes in an orthorhombic Pnma space group with a=10.415(2) A, b=6.325(3) A, c=11.8297(17) A, V=779.3(4) A3 at 200 K, and Z=4. The coordination around Ba atom is in the shape of slightly distorted tri-capped trigonal prism which includes five F atoms from AsF6− and four F atoms from BF4− anions. When the system BaF2/BF3/AsF5/aHF is made basic with an extra addition of BaF2, the compound Ba2(BF4)2(AsF6)(H3F4) was obtained. It crystallizes in a hexagonal P63/mmc space group with a=6.8709(9) A, c=17.327(8) A, V=708.4(4) A3 at 200 K, and Z=2. The barium environment in the shape of tetra-capped distorted trigonal prism involves 10 F atoms from four BF4−, three AsF6− and three H3F4− anions. All F atoms, except the central atom in H3F4 moiety, act as μ2-bridges yielding a complex 3-D structural network.

The KxBa1−xGa2−xGe2+xO8 (x=0.6−1.0) solid solutions undergo a structural phase transition that has a significant effect on their sintering behavior and their microwave dielectric properties. The crystal structures of both phases within the solid-solution region were determined by the Rietveld method using powder X-ray diffraction data. We found that the low-temperature-stable phase is isostructural with the pseudo-orthorhombic KGaGe3O8 (space group P21/a), while the high-temperature-stable phase has a typical monoclinic feldspar structure (space group C2/m). Due to the topological differences between the two structures, the T–O bonds within the tetrahedra must be partially recombined to make a new framework, which causes an endothermic effect during the P21/a to C2/m phase transition. The correlation between the crystal structures, the microwave dielectric properties and the phase-transition behaviors were discussed in terms of the crystallographic features, the lattice parameters, and the strain-induced anisotropic peak-broadening.

We demonstrate, for the first time, a considerable electrochemical activity of two members of lithium transition element titanates: Li 2 FeTiO 4 and Li 2 MnTiO 4 . Both materials consist of 10-20 nm particles embedded in a conductive carbon coating. We show that not the coating but the small particle size is decisive for materials' activity. Li 2 FeTiO 4 shows a stable reversible capacity of up to 123 mA hg ―1 at C/20 and 60°C which is 83% of the theoretical value for exchange of 1 electron (148 mA hg ―1 ). Li 2 MnTiO 4 could only be prepared in a nanosized form that contained about 30% of impurities. The capacity of the whole material (including impurities) is comparable to that of Li 2 FeTiO 4 but the cycling stability is much poorer. In contrast to the Fe and Mn analogues, the third member of the titanate family, Li 2 NiTiO 4 , shows a good electrochemistry even when the particle size is much larger (about 100 nm). During initial cycles at C/10 and 60°C, exchange of more than 1 electron per compound formula has been observed. The cycling stability at high temperatures, however, is poor.

Two new C 2 -symmetric benzoimidazolium tetrafluoroborates 19 and 20 were prepared from (1 S )-(+)-camphorquinone 1 in seven and eight steps, respectively. Thus, N 1 -((1 S ,2 R ,3 S ,4 R )-1,7,7-trimethyl-4′-methylenedihydro-3′ H -spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furan]-3-yl)benzene-1,2-diamine 11 , available in three steps from 1 , was first condensed with 1 to afford amino imines 12 and 13 / 13′ . [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of trimethylenemethane (TMM) to 12 or 13 / 13′ gave cycloadduct 17 , which was successfully reduced to diamine 4 using NaCNBH 3 . Catalytic hydrogenation of methylene groups of 4 gave the methyl analogue 18 . Finally, cyclization of diamines 4 and 18 with triethyl orthoformate furnished the desired C 2 -symmetric benzoimidazolium tetrafluoroborates 19 and 20 , respectively. The structures were determined by NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.

Stereoselective inverse-demand [4+2] cycloadditions of 3,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate to 4′-methylenedihydro-3′ H -spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furans] and 4′-methylene-1′-(4-nitrophenyl)spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,2′-pyrrolidine] were studied. Cycloadditions took place stereoselectively at the exocyclic C C double bonds to give novel 11:14-isopropylidene-14-methyl-2,3-diaza-8-oxadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadecane and 11:14-isopropylidene-11-methyl-2,3,8-triazadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadecane derivatives in 50–98% de. The structures of the novel dispiro compounds were determined by NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

A simple and efficient synthesis of four new substituted pyrimidines, compounds 9a–d, from the title compound 3 is described. Conversion of 3 to methyl (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-2-(6-methoxy-2-phenylpyrimidin-4-yl)prop-2-enoate (4), followed by condensation with various dinucleophiles according to the ‘enaminone methodology’, afforded the target compounds 9 in medium-to-good yields.

Stereoselective [3+2] cycloadditions of trimethylenemethane (TMM) to the exocyclic C O and C N double bonds of (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones gave the corresponding spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furan] and spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,2′-pyrrolidine] derivatives. Further stereoselective reductions of the C N or C O bond in these cycloadducts furnished new chiral amines, diamines, and a new aminoalcohol. All cycloadditions and reductions of the C N double bonds took place from the less hindered endo-face of the (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones, exclusively, thus giving the corresponding products in 100% de. The structures were determined by NMR, NOESY spectroscopy, and by X-ray diffraction.

In CDCl 3 solution, enantiopure ( S )-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione ( S )- 1a formed diastereomeric C O ⋯ H –N hydrogen-bonded associates with racemic ( RS , Z )-1-benzyl-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]piperazine-2,5-diones 2a and 2b , ( RS )- tert -butyl pyroglutamate ( RS )- 2c and ( RS )- N -benzoylalanine methyl ester ( RS )- 2d . This resulted in splitting (doubling) of the characteristic signals in the 1 H NMR and 13 C spectra of racemic compounds 2a – d in the presence of 1 equiv of ( S )- 1a . The formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers in CDCl 3 solution was studied by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and 2D NMR and confirmed by the intermolecular NOE observed between the hydrogen-bonded amide protons from each of the monomeric units, ( S )- 1a and 2a – c . On the other hand, a slightly different binding mode was proposed for association of ( S )- 1a with alaninamide ( RS )- 2d . Enantiomer compositions of known (weighed) mixtures of both enantiomers of tert -butyl pyroglutamate 2c were re-determined by 1 H NMR in the presence of ( S )- 1a in CDCl 3 . The experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values, thus indicating the potential applicability of ( S )- 1a and related diketopiperazines as chiral solvating agents in NMR spectroscopy.

The system Li–A–Y–BH4 (A=K Rb Cs) is found to contain five new compounds and four further ones known from previous work on the homoleptic borohydrides. Crystal structures have been solved and refined from synchrotron X ray powder diffraction thermal stability of new compounds have been investigated and ionic conductivity measured for selected samples. Significant coordination flexibility for Y3+ is revealed which allows the formation of both octahedral frameworks and tetrahedral complex anions with the tetrahydroborate anion \{BH4\} both as a linker and terminal ligand. Bi and trimetallic cubic double perovskites c A3Y(BH4)6 or c A2LiY(BH4)6 (A=Rb Cs) form in all the investigated systems with the exception of the Li–K–Y system. The compounds with the stoichiometry AY(BH4)4 crystallize in all investigated systems with a great variety of structure types which find their analog amongst metal oxides. In situ formation of a new borohydride – closo borane is observed during decomposition of all double perovskites.

A simple and efficient synthesis of novel 2-heteroaryl-substituted 1H-indole-2-carboxylates and γ-carbolines, compounds 1–3, from methyl 2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (4) by the enaminone methodology is presented.

The reaction of xenon difluoride with enamino lactone 3 furnished the new α-fluoro aldehyde 7, whereas reaction of 3 with anhydrous HF led to racemic dihydro-β-campholenolactone 6. Acid-catalysed rearrangement of α-ethylidenelactone 4 proceeded with retention of configuration to give β-campholenolactone 8. Nitrosation of the novel bicyclic enamino lactone 6 afforded the corresponding oxime 9, while acid-catalysed treatment with primary amines, 2-methyl-1H-indole, potassium cyanide and hydrazine hydrochloride, furnished the dimethylamine substitution products 11–13 and the ‘ring switched’ product 14. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Stereoselective additions to the exocyclic C C double bond of some (1R,3E,4S)-3-alkylidene-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and (1R,4E,5S)-4-alkylidene-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones were studied. All additions took place predominantly from the less hindered endo-face of the methylidene compounds to give the corresponding exo-adducts as the major isomers. Thus, catalytic hydrogenations afforded the α-alkylated (1R,3R,4R)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and (1R,4R,5R)-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones in 28–100% de. Similarly, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of 2,4,6-trisubstituted benzonitrile oxides gave the corresponding spiro cycloadducts in 66–100% de. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction.

A series of racemic dipodazine analogues 9 were prepared in 22–80% yield from (3Z,6RS)-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-6-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)piperazine-2,5-dione (7) (Scheme 1), which was prepared in four steps from (RS)-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride. The preparation of nonracemic 7 from (S)-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride failed, since the introduction of the enamino functionality at position 3 of the precursor 6 was accompanied by almost complete racemization.

Reductions of (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and their lactone analogues, prepared from (1R)-(+)-camphor, were studied. Catalytic hydrogenation selectively led to partial saturation of the [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azine residue, while in reactions with borane–methylsulfide coordination of borane to the 1-position of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azine system took place. On the other hand, activation of the carbonyl group in (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones with boron trifluoride etherate followed by reaction with borane–methylsulfide furnished the corresponding isoborneols, stereoselectively. The structures of all representative compounds were confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

4-[(Heteroaryldiazenyl)methylidene] and 4-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl) substituted (1R,5R)-4-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones 6/6′ and 7/7′ were obtained in a one-pot transformation of the enamino lactone 2 with hydrazinoazines 3a–g followed by oxidation of the intermediate mixture of isomeric enehydrazines 4/4′ and hydrazones 5/5′ with lead tetraacetate. The oxidation selectivity was dependent on the ratio of isomeric intermediates 4/4′ and 5/5′. Treatment of 7b with lead tetraacetate led to α-acetoxylated compound 11, while bromination of 9b afforded a 1:1 mixture of α-bromination products 12 and 12′, which were separated by medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The structures of intermediates and products were confirmed by NMR and X-ray diffraction.

(1R,4E,5S)-4-Oximino-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one 9 was prepared in three steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor 1 via nitrosation of (1R,4E,5S)-4-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one 8. Catalytic hydrogenation of 9 under various reaction conditions afforded (1R,4S,5S)-4-amino-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one derivatives 11, 13, and 15b. On the other hand, reduction of 9 with Grignard reagents led to two types of products, (1R,4S,5S)-4-dialkylamino-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones 15b and 15c and/or 2-substituted (1E)-1-[(1S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentyl]ethane-1,2-dione 1-oximes 16a,b and 15d–f. The structures of compounds 9, 10′, 15b, and 16b were determined by X-ray diffraction.

N-Substituted (1R,5S)-4-aminomethylidene-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones were prepared in three steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor via coupling of (1R,4E,5S)-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one with primary amines. N,N′-Bis-{[(1R,5S)-1,8,8-trimethyl-3-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-4-ylidene]methyl}benzene-1,2-diamine was used as the ligand in the preparation of the corresponding coordination compounds with palladium(II), copper(II) and nickel(II). The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction.

(1R,3R,4R)-3-(1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones were prepared in 68–94% d.e. in three steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor via coupling of (1R,4R)-3-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one with hydrazinoazines followed by oxidative cyclisation of the intermediate hydrazones with methanolic bromine. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques and NOESY spectroscopy as well as by X-ray diffraction.

Oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with 5-cyanopyridine-2-carboxylic acid (HpicCN), 3,5-difluoropyridine-2-carboxylic acid (HpicFF), 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid (H2hypic), and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (Hprz) have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and aqueous solution through elemental analysis, IR and EPR spectroscopy, potentiometric titrations, and DFT simulations. The crystal structures of the complexes (OC-6-23)-[VO(picCN)2(H2O)]·2H2O (1·2H2O), (OC-6-24)-[VO(picCN)2(H2O)]·4H2O (2·4H2O), (OC-6-24)-Na[VO(Hhypic)3]·H2O (4), and two enantiomers of (OC-6-24)-[VO(prz)2(H2O)] (Λ-5 and Δ-5) have been determined also by X-ray crystallography. 1 presents the first crystallographic evidence for the formation of a OC-6-23 isomer for bis(picolinato) V(IV)O complexes, whereas 2, 4, and 5 possess the more common OC-6-24 arrangement. The strength order of the ligands is H2hypic ≫ HpicCNHprzHpicFF, and this results in a different behavior at pH 7.40. In organic and aqueous solution the three isomers OC-6-23, OC-6-24, and OC-6-42 are formed, and this is confirmed by DFT simulations. In all the systems with apo-transferrin (VO)2(apo-hTf) is the main species in solution, with the hydrolytic V(IV)O species becoming more important with lowering the strength of the ligand. In the systems with albumin, (VO)(x)HSA (x = 5, 6) coexists with VOL2(HSA) and VOL(HSA)(H2O) when L = picCN, prz, with [VO(Hhypic)(hypic)](-), [VO(hypic)2](2-), and [(VO)4(μ-hypic)4(H2O)4] when H2hypic is studied, and with the hydrolytic V(IV)O species when HpicFF is examined. Finally, the consequence of the hydrolysis on the binding of V(IV)O(2+) to the blood proteins, the possible uptake of V species by the cells, and the possible relationship with the insulin-enhancing activity are discussed.

The symmetry transformation of aluminophosphate molecular sieve AlPO4-31 and the interaction of its framework with dipropylamine template molecules were studied by variable temperature XRD and multinuclear MAS, CPMAS, and MQMAS NMR measurements. The as-synthesized material exhibited triclinic symmetry with a slightly distorted rhombohedral-like unit cell. Deviation from a rhombohedral symmetry was due to a large amount of template within cavities of a molecular sieve, which caused short contacts with the aluminophosphate framework. The template within AlPO4-31 was in the form of dipropylammonium hydroxide ionic pairs, whose arrangement did not possess a long-range order. Hydroxyl groups, not being isolated by surrounding alkyl groups, interacted with the aluminophosphate framework and gave rise to 5-coordinated aluminum sites. Dipropylammonium and hydroxyl groups were also coupled to the framework through hydrogen bonds with the framework oxygen and affected the local environments of the 4-coordinated alu...

Highly crystalline aluminophosphate molecular sieve AlPO4-41 has been synthesized using dipropylamine as the templating molecule. Materials in the as-made, calcined never rehydrated, and calcined rehydrated forms have been characterized by solid-state NMR spectroscopy using 27Al and 31P magic angle spinning (MAS), two-dimensional 27Al 5Q-MAS, and 27Al → 31P CP/MAS techniques. Both 31P MAS and 27Al 5Q-MAS spectra of the as-synthesized AlPO4-41 exhibit several resonances, all of them being assigned to framework atoms. Spectra are drastically modified after calcination. While the 31P MAS spectrum of the calcined never rehydrated solid is composed of a single broad resonance at ca. −30.5 ppm, five signals can be observed after rehydration. Rehydration slightly modifies the unit cell parameters, particularly the b axis and γ angle, but it is a completely reversible process. 27Al NMR spectroscopy shows that water preferentially coordinates one of the five nonequivalent aluminum sites of the structure and transf...

The solid-state structures of three stereoisomer, 1–3, of the cyclic tetramer of 3-aminobutanoic acid are presented. These cyclo-β-peptides were found to be highly insoluble materials, and it proved to be impossible to grow crystals of sufficient quality for X-ray single-crystal analysis. The samples of 1–3 were, however, suitable candidates for structure determination from powder diffraction data (Fig. 1), and the application of this method is described. All three isomers have been found to adopt tubular structures (Figs. 2–4) in a fashion similar to those already observed for certain cyclo-α-peptides. The stacks of 16-membered rings are held together by four nonlinear CO…HN H-bonds between pairs of molecules (Fig.5).

Evolution of the structural and magnetic properties of ZnFe1.95Yb0.05O4 nanoparticles, prepared via a high-energy ball milling route and exposed to further thermal annealing/heating, was assessed in detail and correlation of these properties explored. While as-prepared spinel nanoparticles possess a high degree of inversion, heating of the sample to ∼500 °C is found to rapidly alter the cation distribution from mixed to normal, in agreement with the known cation preferences. Under the same conditions the crystallite size only slowly grows. By further thermal treatment at higher temperatures, the crystallite size is changed more appreciably. An interrelationship among the lattice parameter, octahedral site occupancy, and crystallite size has been established. The observations are (a) both the site occupancy of Fe 3+ at octahedral 16d spinel sites (N16d(Fe 3+ )) and the cubic lattice parameter rapidly increase with an initial increase of the crystallite size, (b) the lattice parameter increases with increasing occupancy, N16d(Fe 3+ ), and (c) there appears to be a critical nanoparticle diameter (approximately 15 nm) above which both the site occupancy and lattice parameter values are saturated. The magnetic behavior of the annealed samples appears to be correlated to the evolution of both the cation distribution and crystallite size, as follows. As-prepared samples and those annealed at lower temperatures show superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, presumably as a consequence of the Fe 3+ distribution and strong Fe 3+ (8a)−O−Fe 3+ (16d) superexchange interactions. Samples with a nanoparticle diameter greater than 12 nm and with almost normal distributions exhibit the paramagnetic state. The coercive field is found to decrease with an increase of the crystallite size. Partial Yb 3+ /Fe 3+ substitution is found to increase the inversion parameter and saturation magnetization. Detailed knowledge of the thermal evolution of structural/microstructural parameters allows control over the cation distribution and crystallite size and hence the magnetic properties of nanoferrites.

Over the last 20 years, the effects of using limestone in Portland cement (PC) have been well studied. The benefits of limestone as a partial replacement for PC are well established. Its economic and environmental advantages of reducing CO2 emissions are well known. For a long time, the limestone has been considered as an inert filler. Recently it has been concluded that limestone serves both as an inert filler and also reacts to a limited extend. The reactivity depends on its fineness (specific surface)[1] and content [2,3]. The question arose, whether a) it is the availability of excess carbonate ion in the hydration system, which determines the degree of influence on the hydration process or b) does the system have its internal capacity to include carbonate ions and the increased availability (more carbonate ions in the solution, embedding the hydrating particles) would not have a significant effect. So the question was if the more soluble carbonates would have more pronounced effect on the hydration of the Portland cement than the limestone, which is only slightly soluble. The influence of slightly soluble (CaCO3, MgCO3, dolomite), medium soluble (Li2CO3) and highly soluble (K2CO3 and KHCO3) carbonates on the hydration of Portland cement was studied using Rietveld analysis. The results indicated that the amount of reacted carbonate in cement hydration at a 15% addition of slightly or medium soluble carbonates does not exceed 5% and is not affected by their solubility; at a 15% addition of the highly soluble carbonate K2CO3 the amount of reacted carbonate is around 6% leading to the conclusion that the system behaves according to the option b). The fugure presents the quantitative analysis of cement hydration at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days of hydration and temperatures of 25 and 400C.

The triclinic form of AlPO4-34, a microporous aluminophosphate with the chabazite (CHA) topology, adopts a rhombohedral symmetry upon calcination. The framework structure of this phase remains intact under ambient conditions, but it distorts dramatically, though reversibly, in the presence of water. Following these structural changes in situ by X-ray diffraction revealed that there are actually two stable rehydrated phases, which differ from each other by one water molecule in the channel. Both of these phases have triclinic unit cells that are closely related to that of the calcined rhombohedral phase. The structure of the low-temperature (10 °C), fully rehydrated phase (phase B) was elucidated by combining high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction with solid-state NMR techniques. Coordination of three of the six Al atoms to water molecules causes the deformation of the framework and the reduction of the symmetry. Rietveld refinement of the structure of phase B in the triclinic space group P1 (a = 9.026, b = 9.338, c = 9.508 Å, α = 95.1°, β = 104.1°, and γ = 96.6°) converged with RF = 0.079 and RWP = 0.176 (Rexp = 0.087). Framework connectivities derived from the structure were used to assign 31P NMR lines as well as part of the 27Al NMR signal.