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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Tetracopper σ‐Bound μ ‐Acetylide and ‐Diyne Units Stabilized by a Naphthyridine‐based Dinucleating Ligand

Abstract Reactions of a dicopper(I) tert ‐butoxide complex with alkynes possessing boryl or silyl capping groups resulted in formation of unprecedented tetracopper(I) μ ‐acetylide/diyne complexes that were characterized by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These compounds possess an unusual μ 4 ‐ η 1 : η 1 : η 1 : η 1 coordination mode for the bridging organic fragment, enforced by the rigid and dinucleating nature of the ligand utilized. Thus, the central π system remains unperturbed and accessible for subsequent reactivity and modification. This has been corroborated by addition of a fifth copper atom, giving rise to a pentacopper acetylide complex. This work may provide a new approach by which metal‐metal cooperativity can be exploited in the transformation of acetylide and diyne groups to a variety of substrates, or as a starting point for the controlled synthesis of copper(I) alkyne‐containing clusters.

Ríos, Pablo↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Unexpected Role of Se VI Species in Epoxidations with Benzeneseleninic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract Benzeneperoxyseleninic acid has been proposed as the key intermediate in the widely used epoxidation of alkenes with benzeneseleninic acid and hydrogen peroxide. However, it reacts sluggishly with cyclooctene and instead rapidly decomposes in solution to a mixed selenonium–selenonate salt that was identified by X‐ray absorption and 77 Se NMR spectroscopy, as well as by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. This process includes a selenoxide elimination of the peroxyseleninic acid with liberation of oxygen and additional redox steps. The salt is relatively stable in the solid state, but generates the corresponding selenonic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The selenonic acid is inert towards cyclooctene on its own; however, rapid epoxidation occurs when hydrogen peroxide is added. This shows that the selenonic acid must first be activated through further oxidation, presumably to the heretofore unknown benzeneperoxyselenonic acid. The latter is the principal oxidant in this epoxidation.

Sands, Kai N.↗
DOE OSTI2023

A New Sodium Thioborate Fast Ion Conductor: Na 3 B 5 S 9

Abstract We report a new sodium fast‐ion conductor, Na 3 B 5 S 9 , that exhibits a high Na ion total conductivity of 0.80 mS cm −1 (sintered pellet; cold‐pressed pellet=0.21 mS cm −1 ). The structure consists of corner‐sharing B 10 S 20 supertetrahedral clusters, which create a framework that supports 3D Na ion diffusion channels. The Na ions are well‐distributed in the channels and form a disordered sublattice spanning five Na crystallographic sites. The combination of structural elucidation via single crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder synchrotron X‐ray diffraction at variable temperatures, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal high Na‐ion mobility (predicted conductivity: 0.96 mS cm −1 ) and the nature of the 3D diffusion pathways. Notably, the Na ion sublattice orders at low temperatures, resulting in isolated Na polyhedra and thus much lower ionic conductivity. This highlights the importance of a disordered Na ion sublattice—and existence of well‐connected Na ion migration pathways formed via face‐sharing polyhedra—in dictating Na ion diffusion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tetracopper σ‐Bound μ ‐Acetylide and ‐Diyne Units Stabilized by a Naphthyridine‐based Dinucleating Ligand

Abstract Reactions of a dicopper(I) tert ‐butoxide complex with alkynes possessing boryl or silyl capping groups resulted in formation of unprecedented tetracopper(I) μ ‐acetylide/diyne complexes that were characterized by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These compounds possess an unusual μ 4 ‐ η 1 : η 1 : η 1 : η 1 coordination mode for the bridging organic fragment, enforced by the rigid and dinucleating nature of the ligand utilized. Thus, the central π system remains unperturbed and accessible for subsequent reactivity and modification. This has been corroborated by addition of a fifth copper atom, giving rise to a pentacopper acetylide complex. This work may provide a new approach by which metal‐metal cooperativity can be exploited in the transformation of acetylide and diyne groups to a variety of substrates, or as a starting point for the controlled synthesis of copper(I) alkyne‐containing clusters.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Stabilization Of The CN 3 5− Anion In Recoverable High‐pressure Ln 3 O 2 (CN 3 ) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) Oxoguanidinates

Abstract A series of isostructural Ln 3 O 2 (CN 3 ) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) oxoguanidinates was synthesized under high‐pressure (25–54 GPa) high‐temperature (2000–3000 K) conditions in laser‐heated diamond anvil cells. The crystal structure of this novel class of compounds was determined via synchrotron single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) as well as corroborated by X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The Ln 3 O 2 (CN 3 ) solids are composed of the hitherto unknown CN 3 5− guanidinate anion—deprotonated guanidine. Changes in unit cell volumes and compressibility of Ln 3 O 2 (CN 3 ) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) compounds are found to be dictated by the lanthanide contraction phenomenon. Decompression experiments show that Ln 3 O 2 (CN 3 ) compounds are recoverable to ambient conditions. The stabilization of the CN 3 5− guanidinate anion at ambient conditions provides new opportunities in inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

High Pressure Synthesis of Pr 2 O 5 – A Unique Lanthanoid(IV) Oxide Peroxide

Abstract Reacting praseodymium(IV) oxide with oxygen at 27 GPa in a diamond anvil cell yielded the oxide peroxide Pr 2 IV (O 2 )O 3 , which was characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction on multi‐grain samples, Raman spectroscopy and quantum theoretical calculations at various pressure points. The presence of tetravalent praseodymium ions is supported by electronic structure calculations, showing a band gap of ca. 1.2 eV, which is consistent with the anticipated chemical model of an ionic solid. Pr 2 (O 2 )O 3 thus far represents the most oxygen rich phase of any binary compound of a lanthanoid and oxygen and is the first example of a peroxide anion next to Pr 4+ . Additionally, these results demonstrate that instead of oxidizing the praseodymium ions past their +IV oxidation state, oxygen undergoes a comproportionation to form peroxide anions. Direct oxidation of the oxide anions by Pr 4+ ‐ions was ruled out by a control experiment in argon instead of oxygen, where no oxidation of oxide ions was observed.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Diazo Linker Ligand Promotes Flexibility and Induced Fit Binding in a Microporous Copper Coordination Network

Abstract Flexible organic linkers represent an intuitive and effective strategy to design flexible metal–organic materials. We report herein a systematic study concerning the effect of varying the central bond of mixed pyridyl‐benzoate linkers, L, upon the flexibility of three isostructuralkddtopology microporous coordination networks (CNs) of formula ML 2 :X‐kdd‐1‐Cu,1= L = (E)‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yldiazenyl)benzoate;X‐kdd‐2‐Cu,2= L = (E)‐4‐(2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)vinyl)benzoate; the previously reportedX‐kdd‐3‐Cu,3= L = 4‐(pyridin‐4‐ylethynyl)benzoate. As revealed by single crystal x‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) and gas sorption studies,X‐kdd‐1‐Cu, exhibited gate‐opening during CO 2 and hydrocarbon (C2 and C8) sorption experiments whereas the other two CNs did not. Insight into these phase transformations was gained from in situ variable‐pressure and variable temperature powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), SCXRD, and modeling. Rotation of ligand1around the diazo bond, torsion angle changes between phenyl and carboxylate moieties, and deformation of the Cu‐based rod building blocks enabled activatedX‐kdd‐1‐Cuto form new phases with C8 isomers and CH 2 Cl 2 , CH 2 Cl 2 inducing contraction of the activated phase. Computational studies suggest that1enables flexibility thanks to its lower barrier of deformation versus2or3. This study teaches that diazo moieties could offer a general strategy to enhance the flexibility of CNs.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2021

Promotion and Tuning of the Electrochemical Reduction of Hetero‐ and Homobimetallic Zinc Complexes**

Abstract Compounds containing multiple metals attract significant interest due to the useful redox and reactivity properties of such species. Here, the electrochemical properties of a family of macrocyclic complexes that feature a zinc(II) center paired with a secondary redox‐inactive metal cation in heterobimetallic (Na + , Ca 2+ , Nd 3+ , Y 3+ ) motifs or homobimetallic (Zn 2+ ) motifs have been investigated. The new complexes were prepared via a divergent strategy, isolated, and structurally characterized with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD results show that the structures of the complexes are modulated by the identity of the incorporated secondary metal ions. Cyclic voltammetry data reveal that ligand‐centered reduction is promoted in the bimetallic complexes and that the paired metal ions synergistically influence the redox properties of the complexes. Similar to prior work from our group and others, the bimetallic complexes containing stronger Lewis acids undergo more significant reduction potential shifts; contrasting with prior work on complexes containing redox‐active metals, however, the zinc(II) complexes studied here display faster electron transfer (as judged by lower reorganization energies, λ) when incorporating di‐ or tri‐valent Lewis acids in contrast to monovalent (and more weakly acidic) sodium. The quantified trends in these data offer insights that could help distinguish metal‐ versus ligand‐centered reduction of bimetallic complexes.

Kelsey, Shaun R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Synthesis, Electronic Properties and Reactivity of [B 12 X 11 (NO 2 )] 2– (X=F–I) Dianions

Nitro-functionalized undecahalogenated closo-dodecaborates [B 12 X 11 (NO 2 )] 2– were synthesized in high purities and characterized by NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy, single crystal X-diffraction, mass spectrometry, and gas-phase ion vibrational spectroscopy. The NO 2 substituent leads to an enhanced electronic and electrochemical stability compared to the parent perhalogenated [B 12 X 12 ] 2– (X=F–I) dianions evidenced by photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and quantum-chemical calculations. The stabilizing effect decreases from X=F to X=I. Thermogravimetric measurements of the salts indicate the loss of the nitric oxide radical (NO . ). The homolytic NO . elimination from the dianion under very soft collisional excitation in gas-phase ion experiments results in the formation of the radical [B 12 X 11 O] 2–. . Theoretical investigations suggest that the loss of NO . proceeds via the rearrangement product [B 12 X 11 (ONO)] 2– . The O-bonded nitrosooxy structure is thermodynamically more stable than the N-bonded nitro structure and its formation by radical recombination of [B 12 X 11 O] 2–. and NO . is demonstrated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Organo‐Functionalized Lacunary Double Cubane‐Type Oxometallates: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of [(M II Cl) 2 (V IV O) 2 {((HOCH 2 CH 2 )(H)N(CH 2 CH 2 O))(HN(CH 2 CH 2 O) 2 )} 2 ] (M=Co, Zn)

Abstract Organofunctionalized tetranuclear clusters [(M II Cl) 2 (V IV O) 2 {((HOCH 2 CH 2 )(H)N(CH 2 CH 2 O))(HN(CH 2 CH 2 O) 2 )} 2 ] (1, M=Co,2: M=Zn) containing an unprecedented oxometallacyclic {M 2 V 2 Cl 2 N 4 O 8 } (M=Co, Zn) framework have been prepared by solvothermal reactions. The new oxo‐alkoxide compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, magnetic susceptibility measurement, DFT and ab initio computational methods, and complete single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction structure analysis. The isostructural clusters are formed of edge‐sharing octahedral {VO 5 N} and trigonal bipyramidal {MO 3 NCl} units. Diethanolamine ligates the bimetallic lacunary double cubane core of1and2in an unusual two‐mode fashion, unobserved previously. In the crystalline state, the clusters of1and2are joined by hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional network structure. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate weakly antiferromagnetic interactions between the vanadium centers [J iso (V IV −V IV )=−5.4(1); −3.9(2) cm −1 ], and inequivalent antiferromagnetic interactions between the cobalt and vanadium centers [J iso (V IV −Co II )=−12.6 and −7.5 cm −1 ] contained in1.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

High‐pressure Synthesis of Cobalt Polynitrides: Unveiling Intriguing Crystal Structures and Nitridation Behavior

Abstract In this study, we conduct extensive high‐pressure experiments to investigate phase stability in the cobalt‐nitrogen system. Through a combination of synthesis in a laser‐heated diamond anvil cell, first‐principles calculations, Raman spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, we establish the stability fields of known high‐pressure phases, hexagonal NiAs‐type CoN, and marcasite‐type CoN 2 within the pressure range of 50–90 GPa. We synthesize and characterize previously unknown nitrides, Co 3 N 2 ,Pnma‐CoN and two polynitrides, CoN 3 and CoN 5 , within the pressure range of 90–120 GPa. Both polynitrides exhibit novel types of polymeric nitrogen chains and networks. CoN 3 feature branched‐type nitrogen trimers (N 3 ) and CoN 5 show π‐bonded nitrogen chain. As the nitrogen content in the cobalt nitride increases, the CoN 6 polyhedral frameworks transit from face‐sharing (in CoN) to edge‐sharing (in CoN 2 and CoN 3 ), and finally to isolated (in CoN 5 ). Our study provides insights into the intricate interplay between structure evolution, bonding arrangements, and high‐pressure synthesis in polynitrides, expanding the knowledge for the development of advanced energy materials

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Crystallography Reveals Metal‐Triggered Restructuring of β‐Hairpins

Abstract Metal binding to β‐sheets occurs in many metalloproteins and is also implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. De novo designed metallo‐β‐sheets have been pursued as models and mimics of these proteins. However, no crystal structures of canonical β‐sheet metallopeptides have yet been obtained, in stark contrast to many examples for ɑ‐helical metallopeptides, leading to a poor understanding for their chemistry. To address this, we have engineered tryptophan zippers, stable 12‐residue β‐sheet peptides, to bind Cu(II) ions and obtained crystal structures through single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SC‐XRD). We find that metal binding triggers several unexpected supramolecular assemblies that demonstrate the range of higher‐order structures available to metallo‐β‐sheets. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of crystallography in elucidating the rich structural landscape of metallo‐β‐sheet peptides.

Thuc Dang, Viet↗
DOE OSTI2024

Unique Aluminum Clusters Stabilized by Cation‐Ligand Cooperativity

Abstract Two novel cyclic Al 3 clusters, Li 2 [Al 3 (PR 2 ) 6 ] ⋅ 2(Et 2 O) [R=Ph ( 1 ), Cy ( 2 )] were synthesized through salt metathesis of metastable AlCl ⋅ (Et 2 O) n solutions with LiPR 2 . Both complexes were characterized by single crystal X‐Ray diffraction and their solid state and electronic structures are compared to previously reported cyclic Al 3 clusters. Compounds 1 and 2 were further characterized using density functional theory (DFT) methods to understand the nature of the free electron and the three‐center two‐electron Al−Al bonds. Calculations revealed that both clusters are influenced by pseudo Jahn‐Teller distortion and are likely in equilibrium between two low energy bonding states. The solid‐state structures of 1 and 2 are unique among Al 3 clusters, while the electronic structure is similar to the previously reported [Si t 4 Al 3 ]. In aluminum chemistry, 1 and 2 are rare examples of clusters containing isoelectronic cores in different ligand environments. The effects of the phosphide ligand sphere and strongly coordinated lithium atoms are discussed in detail.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Energetics of hydroxylbastnäsite solid solutions, La 1-$\chi$ Nd $\chi$ CO 3 OH

Bastnäsites (LnCO 3 (F,OH)) are a group of common rare earth elements (REE)-bearing minerals and are one of the primary global sources of REE. Due to the chemical similarities among REE, bastnӓsites tend to occur as solid solutions instead of end members in REE containing ores. To better understand the processes and the mechanisms of formation of such deposits, it is essential to determine the thermodynamic properties of bastnӓsites, including hydroxylbastnӓsite (LnCO 3 OH) solid solutions. In this work, we performed detailed structural and calorimetric investigations on synthetic hexagonal La–Nd hydroxylbastnӓsite (La 1-$\chi$ NdCO 3 OH, $\chi$ = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) solid solutions. X-ray diffraction confirms the crystal structure of the solid solution series in the $\ P$6 space group, and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis reveals local bonding environments characterized by three different types of 9-coordinated metal-oxygen polyhedra. Unit cell parameters of La1–xNdxCO3OH exhibit a nearly linear relation with the Nd content x, suggesting a random distribution of La and Nd in the structure. Their standard enthalpies of formation (Δ$\ H$° f ) were determined by high temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry, from which the enthalpies of mixing (Δ$\ H$ mix ) were derived. The Δ$\ H$ mix can be fitted by a regular solution model with an interaction parameter of 12.58 ± 0.16 kJ/mol, suggesting enthalpic metastability of La1–xNdxCO3OH relative to the two endmembers. Combining entropy and enthalpy, we further estimated the Gibbs free energies of mixing (Δ$\ G$ mix ) at relevant temperatures, revealing favorable temperatures under which the intermediate La 1-$\chi$ NdCO 3 OH phases can be stabilized. Such entropy-driven stabilization, as is consistent with our geochemical modeling results, may explain the enhancement of thermal stability of the solid solutions in nature. Additionally, the temperature range constrained from this study may be used to estimate the thermal history of REE bastnӓsite deposit.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structural Investigation of Six Quinary Sulfides Synthesized via the Flux-Assisted Boron-Chalcogen Mixture (BCM) Method: Eu 2+ Containing Members of the RE 3 MTQ 7 (M and T = Transition or Main Group Metals, Q = Chalcogens) Family

For this work, a series of six quinary rare-earth sulfides Ce 4+ 1.85 Eu 2+ 1.15 Na 0.30 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.91 Eu 2+ 1.09 K 0.18 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.96 Eu 2+ 1.04 Rb 0.08 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.98 Eu 2+ 1.02 Cs 0.05 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.97 Eu 2+ 1.03 Ag 0.06 SiS 7 , and Ce 4+ 1.50 Eu 2+ 1.50 CuSiS 7 were obtained in an alkali iodide flux using the boron-chalcogen mixture (BCM) method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to determine the structures of the high quality single crystals that were grown; their elemental compositions were confirmed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The compounds crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system in the noncentrosymmetric space group P63. The crystal structure consists of a three-dimensional network composed of mixed cerium and europium bicapped trigonal prisms, isolated SiS4 tetrahedra, and monovalent metals (Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ag, and Cu) located in cavities created by linked Ce/EuS 8 polyhedra. The structures are charge-balanced when Ce and Eu are in their +4 and +2 oxidation states, respectively. The effective magnetic moment of Ce 1.50 4+ Eu 1.50 2+ CuSiS 7 determined from the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility data is consistent with the presence of Ce 4+ and Eu 2+ . Clear correlations between the alkali ion site occupancy, the ionic radius of the alkali cations, and the average bond length of Ce 4+ /Eu 2+ –S, were established. UV–vis diffuse reflectance data were collected for Ce 1.50 4+ Eu 1.50 2+ CuSiS 7 and a band gap of 1.9(1) eV was established.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗