Joachim Kusz

Does the solid-liquid crystal phase transition provoke the spin-state change in spin-crossover metallomesogens?

Three types of interplay/synergy between spin-crossover (SCO) and liquid crystalline (LC) phase transitions can be predicted: (i) systems with coupled phase transitions, where the structural changes associated to the Cr<-->LC phase transition drives the spin-state transition, (ii) systems where both transitions coexist in the same temperature region but are not coupled, and (iii) systems with uncoupled phase transitions. Here we present a new family of Fe(II) metallomesogens based on the ligand tris[3-aza-4-((5-C(n))(6-R)(2-pyridyl))but-3-enyl]amine, with C(n) = hexyloxy, dodecyloxy, hexadecyloxy, octadecyloxy, eicosyloxy, R = hydrogen or methyl (C(n)-trenH or C(n)-trenMe), which affords examples of systems of types i, ii, and iii. Self-assembly of the ligands C(n)-trenH and C(n)-trenMe with Fe(A)2 x xH2O salts have afforded a family of complexes with general formula [Fe(C(n)-trenR)](A)2 x sH2O (s > or = 0), with A = ClO4(-), F-, Cl-, Br- and I-. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements have been performed on two derivatives of this family, named as [Fe(C6-trenH)](ClO4)2 (C(6)-1) and [Fe(C6-trenMe)](ClO4)2 (C(6)-2), at 150 K for C(6)-1 and at 90 and 298 K for C(6)-2. At 150 K, C(6)-1 displays the triclinic space group P, whereas at 90 and at 298 K C(6)-2 adopts the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group. In both compounds the iron atoms adopt a pseudo-octahedral symmetry and are surrounded by six nitrogen atoms belonging to imino groups and pyridines of the ligands C(n)-trenH and C(n)-trenMe. The average Fe(II)-N bonds (1.963(2) A) at 150 K denote that C(6)-1 is in the low-spin (LS) state. For C(6)-2 the average Fe(II)-N bonds (2.007(1) A) at 90 K are characteristic of the LS state, while at 298 K they are typical for the high-spin (HS) state (2.234(3) A). Compound C(6)-1 and [Fe(C18-trenH)](ClO4)2 (C(18)-1) adopts the LS state in the temperature region between 10 and 400 K, while compound C(6)-2 and [Fe(Cn-trenMe)](ClO4)2 (n = 12 (C(12)-2), 18 (C(18)-2)) exhibit spin crossover behavior at T(1/2) centered around 140 K. The thermal spin transition is accompanied by a pronounced change of color from dark red (LS) to orange (HS). The light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect has been investigated in compounds C(6)-2, C(12)-2 and C(18)-2. The T(1/2)LIESST is 56 K (C(6)-2), 48 K (C(16)-2), and 56 K (C(18)-2). On the basis of differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffraction findings for C(18)-1, C(12)-2, and C(18)-2 at high temperature a smectic mesophase SX has been identified with layered structures similar to C(6)-1 and C(6)-2. The compounds [Fe(C(n)-trenH)](Cl)2 x sH2O (n = 16 (C(16)-3, s = 3.5, C(16)-4, s = 0.5, C(16)-5, s = 0), 18 (C(18)-3, s = 3.5, C(18)-4, s = 0.5, C(18)-5, s = 0), 20 (C(20)-3, s = 3.5, C(20)-4, s = 0.5, C(20)-5, s = 0)) and [Fe(C18-tren)](F)2 x sH2O (C(18)-6, s = 3.5, C(18)-7, s = 0) show a very particular spin-state change, while [Fe(C18-tren)](Br)2 x 3H2O (C(18)-8) together with [Fe(C18-tren)](I)2 (C(18)-9) are in the LS state (10-400 K) and present mesomorphic behavior like that observed for the complexes C(18)-1, C(12)-2, and C(18)-2. In compounds C(n)-3 50% of the Fe(II) ions undergo spin-state change at T(1/2) = 375 K induced by releasing water, and in partially dehydrated compounds (s = 0.5) the Cr-->SA phase transition occurs at 287 K (C(16)-4), 301 K (C(18)-4) and 330 K (C(20)-4). For the fully dehydrated materials C(n)-5 50% of the Fe(II) ions are in the HS state and show paramagnetic behavior between 10 and 400 K. In the partially dehydrated C(n)-4 the spin transition is induced by the change of the aggregate state of matter (solid<-->liquid crystal). For compound C(18)-6 the full dehydration to C(18)-7 provokes the spin-state change of nearly 50% of the Fe(II) ions. The compounds C(n)-3 and C(18)-6 are dark purple in the LS state and become light purple-brown when 50% of the Fe(II) atoms are in the HS state.

Correlations of the distribution of spin states in spin crossover compounds

Abstract Short range correlations of the distribution of high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) states show up in thermal spin transition curves, decay curves of the light induced metastable HS state (LIESST state), and in structural features during the spin transitions. Correlations are due to short range interactions between the spin crossover molecules. Short range interactions may compete with omnipresent long range interactions and give rise to interesting spin transition phenomena. In this paper, the effect of correlations on the thermal spin transition in the mixed crystal system [Fe x Zn 1− x (pic) 3 ]Cl 2 ·EtOH (pic=picolylamine) is discussed. In particular the step in the thermal transition curve is a direct consequence of such correlations. In addition, the decay of the metastable HS state of the pure iron compound at ca. 20 K can be significantly changed by preparing metastable HS states with a random distribution over the lattice sites. Both experiments could be well reproduced by Monte Carlo simulations. In the orthorhombic modification of the compound Fe[5NO 2 -sal-N(1,4,7,10)]([2,2′-(2,5,8,11-tetraazadodeca-1,11-diene-1,12-diyl)4-nitrophenolato] (2-)-N2, N2′,N2′′,N2′′′,O1, O1′]Fe(II)) a commensurable superstructure has been found. This compound represents the first example of a stable infinite range correlation of the spin states over the lattice sites.

X-ray structure study of the light-induced metastable states of the spin-crossover compound [Fe(mtz)6](BF4)2

Iron(II) complexes exhibiting thermal spin-crossover may be converted from the 1A1 low-spin (LS) state to the 5T2 high-spin (HS) state by irradiation with green light (light-induced excited spin-state trapping, LIESST) and from the LS to the HS state by irradiation with red light (reverse LIESST). The lifetime of the metastable LIESST states may be sufficiently long to enable an X-ray diffraction study. The lattice parameters of a single crystal of [Fe(mtz)6](BF4)2 (mtz = methyltetrazole) (space group P21/n) were measured between 300 and 10 K. While one Fe lattice site (A) of the crystal changes from the HS to the LS state near 78 K, the other site (B) remains in the LS state. Using the green light (514 nm) of an argon ion laser the crystal was quantitatively converted to the HS state at 10 K. Irradiation of the crystal at 10 K by red light of a laser diode (820 nm) with site A in the LS and site B in the HS state converts site B almost completely to the LS state. The lattice parameters of both metastable states were measured up to 50 K, where they start to decay on a minute timescale. At 10 K, a full data set for evaluation of the crystal structure was recorded. The volume change of the crystal per complex molecule accompanying the spin transition is 31.5 A3 at site A and close to zero [−0.21 (14) A3] at site B.

X-ray study of the light-induced metastable state of a spin-crossover compound

Iron(II) complexes exhibiting thermal spin crossover may be converted from the 1A1 low-spin (LS) state to the 5T2 high-spin (HS) state by irradiation with green light (light-induced excited spin-state trapping, LIESST). The lifetime of the metastable LIESST state may be sufficiently long for X-ray diffraction study. The lattice parameters of a single crystal of [Fe(ptz)6](BF4)2 (ptz = propyltetrazole) were measured between 300 and 10 K, while the crystal changed from the HS to the LS state near 135 K. Using the green light (514 nm) of an argon-ion laser, the crystal was quantitatively converted to the metastable LIESST state at 10 K; its lattice parameters were measured up to 50 K, at which point the LIESST state begins to decay on a minute timescale. The change of the lattice parameters can be interpreted by a superposition of a normal temperature dependence, for which the isostructural zinc compound served as a reference, and an almost temperature-independent part which is proportional to the fraction of molecules in the HS state.

The LIESST state of [Fe(pic)3]Cl2.EtOH – the superstructure under continuous irradiation

The superstructure recently discovered in [Fe(pic) 3 ]Cl 2 .EtOH at temperatures inside the step region of the high-spin-low-spin transition curve sheds new light on the anomalous transition behaviour in spin crossover compounds. The structure of the metastable LIESST state of [Fe(pic) 3 ]Cl 2 .BtOH at 10 K has been measured. The decay has been followed by X-ray diffraction using a CCD camera in order to detect reflections of the superstructure building up during the decay. No signal above the noise of the CCD camera was observed, so that even diffuse scattering could not be detected. This finding is in agreement with correlation lengths of pair correlations of molecules in the HS and LS states being very short, as was concluded earlier from the shape of the decay curves of the HS fraction by theoretical considerations [Romstedt et cil. (1998). J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 59, 265-275]. The crystal structure inside the step at 118 K has also been studied under continuous irradiation. The temperature range of the superstructure and the degree of order could be changed by continuous irradiation with green laser light, indicating an increase of the lifetime of the HS excited state by several orders of magnitude compared with the temperature regions outside.

High temperature X-ray single crystal study of Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3

Abstract For a Na0.5B0.5TiO2 single crystal the intensity variation of the satellite reflection was measured by X-ray diffraction. No hystereses were observed for the phase transitions into both the rhombohedra1 and the tetragonal phases, however there is a coexistence of both phases in the range between ∼250°C and 300°C. By fitting the intensity vs. temperature curve for the tetragonal phase a critical exponent of 2β = 0.39(4) was obtained. The mean square displacement of the probability tensor of the high temperature cubic phase does not vary linearly with temperature which indicates that there is some disorder in this phase.

Elbrusite-(Zr)—A new uranian garnet from the Upper Chegem caldera, Kabardino-Balkaria, Northern Caucasus, Russia

Abstract Elbrusite-(Zr) Ca3(U6+Zr)(Fe3+2 Fe2+)O12, a new uranian garnet (Ia3̅d, a ≈ 12.55 Å, V ≈ 1977 Å3, Z = 8), within the complex solid solution elbrusite-kimzeyite-toturite Ca3(U,Zr,Sn,Ti,Sb,Sc,Nb...)2(Fe,Al,Si,Ti)3O12 was discovered in spurrite zones in skarn xenoliths of the Upper Chegem caldera. The empirical formula of holotype elbrusite-(Zr) with 25.14 wt% UO3 is (Ca3.040Th0.018Y0.001)Σ3.059(U6+0.658Zr1.040Sn0.230Hf0.009Mg0.004)Σ1.941(Fe3+1.575Fe2+0.559Al0.539Ti40.199Si0.099Sn0.025V5+0.004)Σ3O12. Associated minerals are spurrite, rondorfite, wadalite, kimzeyite, perovskite, lakargiite, ellestadite-(OH), hillebrandite, afwillite, hydrocalumite, ettringite group minerals, and hydrogrossular. Elbrusite-(Zr) forms grains up to 10-15 μm in size with dominant {110} and minor {211} forms. It often occurs as zones and spots within Fe3+-dominant kimzeyite crystals up to 20-30 μm in size. The mineral is dark-brown to black with a brown streak. The density calculated on the basis of the empirical formula is 4.801 g/cm3 The following broad bands are observed in the Raman spectra of elbrusite-(Zr): 730, 478, 273, 222, and 135 cm-1. Elbrusite-(Zr) is radioactive and nearly completely metamict. The calculated cumulative dose (α-decay events/mg) of the studied garnets varies from 2.50 × 1014 [is equivalent to 0.04 displacement per atom (dpa)] for uranian kimzeyite (3.36 wt% UO3), up to 2.05 × 1015 (0.40 dpa) for elbrusite-(Zr) with 27.09 wt% UO3.

Magnetic properties of GdPdAl single crystals

Single crystals of the intermetallic ternary compound GdPdAl, crystallizing in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure, were grown by the Czochralski method. Lattice parameters, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility give evidence of an isostructural phase transition from a high temperature modification HTM I phase to HTM II phase at 180 K. The jump related to this transition causes a decrease of the lattice parameter a of 0.7% and an increase of the lattice parameter c of 1.3% during the cooling process. These changes are responsible for some microcracks in the single crystal. Besides the structural phase transition, magnetic ordering of the Gd sublattice is observed at 48 K. At about 20 K a spin reorientation process may occur. The XPS measurements of GdPdAl reveal a dominating contribution of d electrons at the Fermi level. For comparison the electronic structure of TbPdAl was also examined. Both compounds reveal formation of a narrow Pd 4d band. Further information on changes of the electronic structure at the isostructural phase transition were obtained from the temperature dependence of the ESR linewidth.

Synthesis, structure and cytotoxic activity of new acetylenic derivatives of betulin.

A new series of betulin derivatives containing one or two pharmacophores bearing an acetylenic and carbonyl function at the C-3 and/or C-28 positions has been synthesized and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, IR, MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structure of 28-O-propynoylbetulin was determined by X-ray structural analysis. All new compounds, as well as betulin, were tested in vitro for their antiproliferative activity against human SW707 colorectal, CCRF/CEM leukemia, T47D breast cancer, and against murine P388 leukemia and Balb3T3 normal fibroblasts cell lines. Most of the compounds showed better cytotoxicity than betulin and cisplatin used as reference agent. 28-O-Propynoylbetulin was the most potent derivative, being over 500 times more potent than betulin and about 100 times more cytotoxic than cisplatin against the human leukemia (CCRF/CEM) cell line, with an ID50 value of 0.02 μg/mL.

Vapnikite Ca 3 UO 6 a new double-perovskite mineral from pyrometamorphic larnite rocks of the Jabel Harmun, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel

Abstract The new mineral species vapnikite, Ca3UO6, was found in larnite pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Formation at Jabel Harmun in the Judean desert, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Vapnikite is an analogue of the synthetic ordered double-perovskite b-Ca3UO6 and is isostructural with the natural fluorperovskite - cryolite Na3AlF6. Vapnikite Ca3UO6 (P21/n, Z = 2, a = 5.739(1), b = 5.951(1), c = 8.312(1) Å, b = 90.4(1)°, V = 283.9(1) Å3) forms yellow-brown xenomorphic grains with a strong vitreous lustre. Small grains up to 20_30 mm in size are wedged between larnite, brownmillerite and ye’elimite. Vapnikite has irregular fracture, cleavage and parting were not observed. The calculated density is 5.322 g cm-3, the microhardness is VHN25 = 534 kg mm-2 (mean of seven measurements) corresponding to the hardness of ~5 on the Mohs scale. The crystal structure of vapnikite Ca3UO6 differs from that of its synthetic analogue b-Ca3UO6 by having a larger degree of Ca, U disorder. Vapnikite formed at the high-temperature retrograde stage of pyrometamorphism when larnite rocks were altered by fluids/melts of high alkalinity.