Exploring the coordination chemistry of MOF-graphite oxide composites and their applications as adsorbents.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), besides being porous materials exhibit a very rich chemistry, which can be used for the synthesis of composites and/or the reactive adsorption of toxic gases. In this study, composites of MOFs (MOF-5, HKUST-1 or MIL-100(Fe)) and a graphitic compound (graphite or graphite oxide, GO) were synthesized and tested for the removal of NH(3), H(2)S and NO(2) under ambient conditions. The materials were characterized before and after exposure to the target gases by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, N(2) sorption measurement and FT-IR spectroscopy. The results indicate that strong chemical bonds exist between the MOF and GO as a result of the coordination between the GO oxygen groups and the MOFs' metallic centers. Depending on the structure of the MOF, such interactions induce the formation of a new pore space in the interface between the carbon layers and the MOF units, which enhances the physical adsorption capacity of the toxic gases. When unsaturated metallic sites are present in the MOFs, the target gases are also adsorbed via coordination to these centers. Further reaction with the framework leads to the formation of complexes. This is accompanied by the collapse of the MOF structure.

Camille Petit, Teresa J Bandosz.

The Department of Chemistry, The City College of New York and the Graduate School of the City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, USA.

Journal Article: Dalton Transactions (impact factor: 4.08). 02/2012; DOI: 10.1039/c2dt12017h

Towards a New Family of Photoluminescent Organozinc 8-Hydroxyquinolinates with a High Propensity to Form Noncovalent Porous Materials.

We report on investigations of reactions of tBu(2) Zn with 8-hydroxyquinoline (q-H) and the influence of water on the composition and structure of the final product. A new synthetic approach to photoluminescent zinc complexes with quinolinate ligands was developed that allowed the isolation of a series of structurally diverse and novel alkylzinc 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes: the trinuclear alkylzinc aggregate [tBuZn(q)](3) (1(3) ), the pentanuclear oxo cluster [(tBu)(3) Zn(5) (μ(4) -O)(q)(5) ] (2), and the tetranuclear hydroxo cluster [Zn(q)(2) ](2) [tBuZn(OH)](2) (3). All compounds were characterized in solution by (1) H NMR, IR, UV/Vis, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, TGA, and PL studies. Density functional theory calculations were also carried out for these new Zn(II) complexes to rationalize their luminescence behavior. A detailed analysis of the supramolecular structures of 2 and 3 shows that the unique shape of the corresponding single molecules leads to the formation of extended 3D networks with 1D open channels. Varying the stoichiometry, shape, and supramolecular structure of the resulting complexes leads to changes in their spectroscopic properties. The close-packed crystal structure of 1(3) shows a redshifted emission maximum in comparison to the porous crystal structure of 2 and the THF-solvated structure of 3.

Kamil Sokołowski, Iwona Justyniak, Witold Sliwiński, Katarzyna Sołtys, Adam Tulewicz, Arkadiusz Kornowicz, Robert Moszyński, Janusz Lipkowski, Janusz Lewiński.

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw (Poland), Fax: (+48) 22-3433333.

Journal Article: Chemistry (impact factor: 5.38). 03/2012; DOI: 10.1002/chem.201104028

Hydrogen Bonding Patterns and Supramolecular Structure of 4,4′-Bipyrazolium Salts

12/marzo/2012
Maximiliano De La Higuera Macías

The crystal structures of 18 inorganic salts of 4,4′-bipyrazolium [H2bpz]2+ and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-bipyrazolium [H2Me4bpz]2+ (bpz = 4,4′-bipyrazole; Me4bpz = 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-bipyrazole) involving Cl−, I−, I3−, PdCl42−, Cu2Cl62−, Re2Cl82−, SiF62−, TaF6−, Zr2F124−, (BeF3−)n, IO3−, ClO4−, S2O62−, HSO4−, and H2PO4− ions were determined by X-ray diffraction. Primary supramolecular organization of the bipyrazolium salts originates in strong hydrogen bonding between multiple NH cationic donors and O, F, Cl, I anionic acceptors following three main modes, which support linear joints of the cationic moieties: {(Hpz+)2(A−)2}, {(Hpz+)2(AX2−)2}- two pyrazolium moieties joined by a one-atom and three-atom bridging fragment respectively, and {(Hpz+)(AX2−)} - a single pyrazolium moiety “capped” by a three-atom anionic fragment. These modes provide suitable and characteristic supramolecular synthons for the rational design of hydrogen bonded pyrazolium frameworks. The control over dimensionality of the structure is feasible through proper choice of the anion, its charge, and configuration of the acceptor atoms. A relatively high number of hydrogen bond acceptor atoms of the anions (TaF6−, Zr2F124−, ClO4−) results in bifurcation of NH···X bonding. Weaker CH···X hydrogen bonding and slipped π/π interactions are relevant for the secondary supramolecular organization.

Ishtvan Boldog (et al). Hydrogen Bonding Patterns and Supramolecular Structure of 4,4′-Bipyrazolium Salts Inorganic Chemistry Department, Kiev University, Volodimirska Street 64, Kiev 01033, Ukraine, LCC Toulouse, 205, Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Murmanskaya Str. 4, 253660, Ukraine, and Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraβe 3, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany

Cryst. Growth Des., 2009, 9 (6), pp 2895–2905

DOI: 10.1021/cg9002109

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/cg9002109

Lone Pair Effect in Thallium(I) Macrocyclic Compounds

12/marzo/2012
Maximiliano De La Higuera Macías

The role of the inert (lone) pair of electrons in thallium(I) salts is studied by comparison of the compounds [Tl@18-crown-6]⁺X^- (X = TlI₄, ClO₄) and [K@18-crown-6]⁺ClO₄^-. In contrast to common introductory chemistry textbook opinions, the paradigm that s−p hybridization is a prerequisite for an inert electron pair to become stereochemically active in compounds of the heavier main group elements has to be revised. Instead, an inert pair of electrons is expected to become stereochemically involved whenever it is forced to participate in antibonding orbital interactions with its surroundings, and there is the possibility for a structural distortion that minimizes these repulsive forces. The structural distortion will occur to such an extent that repulsive orbital interactions and attractive electrostatic interactions counterbalance. Our results also provide an explanatory background for many of the rules of thumb that are found in the literature about why and when an inert electron pair is expected to become stereochemically active in a certain compound.

Anja-Verena Mudring* and Franziska Rieger. Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Universität zu Köln, Greinstrasse 6, D-50939 Köln, Germany Lone Pair Effect in Thallium(I) Macrocyclic Compounds. Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44 (18), pp 6240–6243 August 5, 2005

DOI: 10.1021/ic050547k

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ic050547k

Co4(OH)2(C10H16O4)3 Metal–Organic Framework: Slow Magnetic Relaxation in the Ordered Phase of Magnetic Chains

12/marzo/2012
Maximiliano De La Higuera Macías

Reported here are the synthesis and structural and topological analysis as well as a magnetic investigation of the new Co4(OH)2(C10H16O4)3 metal−organic framework. The structural analysis reveals a one-dimensional inorganic subnetwork based on complex chains of cobalt(II) ions in two different oxygen environments. Long alkane dioic acid molecules bridge these inorganic chains together to afford large distances and poor magnetic media between dense spin chains. The thermal dependence of the χT product provides evidence for uncompensated antiferromagnetic interactions within the cobaltous chains.

In zero-field, dynamic magnetic susceptibility measurements show slow magnetic relaxation below 5.4 K while both neutron diffraction and heat capacity measurements give evidence of long-range order (LRO) below this temperature. The slow dynamics may originate from the motion of broad domain walls and is characterized by an Arrhenius law with a single energy barrier Δτ/kB = 67(1) K for the [10−5000 Hz] frequency range.

Moreover, in nonzero dc fields the ac susceptibility signal splits into a low-temperature frequency-dependent peak and a high-temperature frequency-independent peak which strongly shifts to higher temperature upon increasing the bias dc field. Heat capacity measurements have been carried out for various applied field values, and the recorded CP(T) data are used for the calculation of the thermal variations of both the adiabatic temperature change ΔTad and magnetic entropy change ΔSm. The deduced data show a modest magnetocaloric effect at low temperature. Its maximum moves up to higher temperature upon increasing the field variation, in relation with the fieldsensibility of the intrachain magnetic correlation length.

Romain Sibille, Thomas Mazet, Bernard Malaman, Thomas Gaudisson, and Michel François

Institut Jean Lamour, UMR 7198—Nancy Université, BP 70239, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France. Co₄ (OH) ₂(C₁₀H₁₆O₄)₃ Metal–Organic Frameworks: Slow Magnetic Relaxation in the Ordered Phase of Magnetic Chains Inorg. Chem., 2012, 51 (5), pp 2885–2892

DOI: 10.1021/ic2020995. February 17, 2012

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ic2020995

Hybrid Structure of Zinc Oxide Nanorods and Three Dimensional Graphene Foam for Supercapacitor and Electrochemical Sensor

12/marzo/2011
Maximiliano De La Higuera Macías

A hybrid structure of zinc oxide (ZnO) on three dimensional (3D) graphene foam has been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of graphene followed by a facial in-situ precipitation of ZnO nanorods under hydrothermal conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to characterize the morphology and structure of graphene/ZnO hybrids. The results show that the ZnO nanorods have high crystallinity and cluster uniformly on graphene skeleton to form flower-like nanostructures. Serving as a free-standing electrode, the electrochemical and biosensing performance of graphene/ZnO hybrid are studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge/discharge and amperometric measurements.

It is found that the graphene/ZnO hybrids display superior capacitive performance with high specific capacitance (~400 F/g) as well as excellent cycle life, making them suitable for high-performance energy storage applications. Furthermore, the graphene/ZnO hybrids exhibit a high sensitivity for detection of [Fe(CN)6]3+ and dopamine, with the extropolated lower detection limits of ~1.0 µM and ~10.0 nM respectively. These results demonstrate the potentials of free-standing graphene/ZnO hybrid electrode for the development of highly sensitive electrochemical sensors.

Peng Chen. Hybrid Structure of Zinc Oxide Nanorods and Three Dimensional Graphene Foam for Supercapacitor and Electrochemical Sensor Applications. RSC Advances. Royal Society of Chemistry. Mar 2, 2012. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2012/ra/c2ra01295b