Radu Custelcean

Computer-Aided Design of a Sulfate-Encapsulating Receptor

Custom built: A promising new approach towards more efficient self-assembled cage receptors through computer-aided design is demonstrated. The resulting M(4)L(6) tetrahedral cage, internally functionalized with accurately positioned urea hydrogen-bonding groups (see structure; yellow: predicted, blue: experimental, space-filling: SO(4)(2-)), proved to be a remarkably strong sulfate receptor in water.

Anions in crystal engineering

This tutorial review presents a current account of anions in crystal engineering, organized around two main questions: (i) how do anions influence and control crystal structures, and (ii) how do crystal environments recognize and select anions? The first part pertains to deliberate assembly of new crystalline materials using anionic components, by taking advantage of the strong and directional interactions of anions in the solid state. Along this line, the various structural roles of anions in crystals are examined. The second question is related to selective separation of anions by crystallization, by exploiting chemical recognition phenomena in the well-defined and highly structured environment inside crystals.

How Amidoximate Binds the Uranyl Cation

This study identifies how the amidoximate anion, AO, interacts with the uranyl cation, UO(2)(2+). Density functional theory calculations have been used to evaluate possible binding motifs in a series of [UO(2)(AO)(x)(OH(2))(y)](2-x) (x = 1-3) complexes. These motifs include monodentate binding to either the oxygen or the nitrogen atom of the oxime group, bidentate chelation involving the oxime oxygen atom and the amide nitrogen atom, and η(2) binding with the N-O bond. The theoretical results establish the η(2) motif to be the most stable form. This prediction is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of UO(2)(2+) complexes with acetamidoxime and benzamidoxime anions.

Selectivity Principles in Anion Separation by Crystallization of Hydrogen-Bonding Capsules

The fundamental factors controlling anion selectivity in the crystallization of hydrogen-bonding capsules [Mg(H2O)6][X [symbol: see text] L2] (X = SO4(2-), 1a; SeO4(2-), 1b; SO3(2-), 1c; CO3(2-), 1d; L = tris[2-(3-pyridylurea)ethyl]-amine) from water have been investigated by solution and solid-state thermodynamic measurements, anion competition experiments, and X-ray structural analysis. The crystal structures of 1a-d are isomorphous, thereby simplifying the interpretation of the observed selectivities based on differences in anion coordination geometries. The solubilities of 1a-d in water follow the order: 1a < 1b < 1c < 1d, which is consistent with the selectivity for the tetrahedral sulfate and selenate anions observed in competitive crystallization experiments. Crystallization of the capsules is highly exothermic, with the most favorable DeltaH(cryst)(o) of -99.1 and -108.5 kJ/mol corresponding to SO4(2-) and SeO4(2-), respectively, in agreement with the X-ray structural data showing shape complementarity between these tetrahedral anions and the urea-lined cavities of the capsules. Sulfite, on the other hand, has a significantly less negative DeltaH(cryst)(o) of -64.6 kJ/mol, which may be attributed to its poor fit inside the capsules, involving repulsive interactions. The more favorable entropy of crystallization for this anion, however, partly offsets the enthalpic disadvantage, resulting in a solubility product very similar to that of the selenate complex. Because of their very similar shape and size, SO4(2-) and SeO4(2-) have a propensity to form solid solutions, which limits the selectivity between these two anions in competitive crystallizations. In the end, a comprehensive picture of contributing factors to anion selectivity in crystalline hydrogen-bonding capsules emerges.

Urea-functionalized crystalline capsules for recognition and separation of tetrahedral oxoanions

The persistent ability of tripodal TREN-based tris-urea receptors (TREN = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine) to self-assemble with a variety of oxoanions into dimeric capsules upon crystallization is reviewed. The capsule crystallization allows for charge-, shape-, and size-selective encapsulation of tetrahedral XO(4)(n-) anions (n = 2,3), and provides an effective way to separate these anions from competitive aqueous environments.

Highly Soluble Alkoxide Magnesium Salts for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

A unique class of air-stable and non-pyrophoric magnesium electrolytes has been developed based on alkoxide magnesium compounds. The crystals obtained from this class of electrolytes exhibit a unique structure of tri-magnesium cluster, [Mg3Cl3(OR)2(THF)6]+ [(THF)MgCl3]−. High reversible capacities and good rate capabilities have been obtained in Mg–Mo6S8 batteries using these new electrolytes at both 20 and 50 °C.

Supramolecular organization of calix[4]pyrrole with a methyl-trialkylammonium anion exchanger leads to remarkable reversal of selectivity for sulfate extraction vs. nitrate.

meso-Octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole (C4P) enhances sulfate selectivity in solvent extraction by Aliquat® 336N, an effect ascribed to the supramolecular preorganization and thermodynamic stability imparted by insertion of the methyl group of the Aliquat cation into the cup of C4P in its cone conformation.

TUNING DIHYDROGEN BONDS : ENHANCED SOLID-STATE REACTIVITY IN A DIHYDROGEN-BONDED SYSTEM WITH EXCEPTIONALLY SHORT H...H DISTANCES

Topochemical assembly of a covalent material can be achieved with the complex LiBH4 ⋅TEA (TEA=triethanolamine; section of structure shown), a dihydrogen-bonded system which has very short H⋅⋅⋅H contacts and high solid-state reactivity due to acidity enhancement in the OH groups by Li+ ion complexation.

Properties of single crystalline AZn2Sb2 (A=Ca,Eu,Yb)

Single crystals of CaZn2Sb2, EuZn2Sb2, and YbZn2Sb2 were grown from melts of nominal composition AZn5Sb5 (A = Ca,Eu,Yb) with the excess melt being removed at 1073 K. The electrical transport properties are consistent with those previously reported for polycrystalline samples. This confirms that the p-type carrier concentrations ranging from 2 × 1019 cm−3 to ∼1 × 1020 cm−3 are intrinsic to these materials. Also consistent with transport in polycrystalline materials, the carrier mobility is found to be lowest in CaZn2Sb2, suggesting the trends in mobility and thermoelectric efficiency within these compounds are inherent to the material systems and not due to inhomogeneity or impurities in polycrystalline samples. These results suggest CaZn2Sb2 has the strongest coupling between the doping/defects and the electronic framework. Magnetization measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic transition near 13 K in EuZn2Sb2, and the observed magnetic anisotropy indicates the spins align parallel and anti-parallel to c in the trigonal lattice. Powder neutron diffraction on polycrystalline samples of CaZn2Sb2 and YbZn2Sb2 reveals smooth lattice expansion to 1000 K, with c expanding faster than a. The Debye temperatures calculated from specific heat capacity data and the isotropic displacement parameters are found to correlate with the carrier mobility, with the CaZn2Sb2 displaying the largest Debye temperature and smallest mobility.Single crystals of CaZn2Sb2, EuZn2Sb2, and YbZn2Sb2 were grown from melts of nominal composition AZn5Sb5 (A = Ca,Eu,Yb) with the excess melt being removed at 1073 K. The electrical transport properties are consistent with those previously reported for polycrystalline samples. This confirms that the p-type carrier concentrations ranging from 2 × 1019 cm−3 to ∼1 × 1020 cm−3 are intrinsic to these materials. Also consistent with transport in polycrystalline materials, the carrier mobility is found to be lowest in CaZn2Sb2, suggesting the trends in mobility and thermoelectric efficiency within these compounds are inherent to the material systems and not due to inhomogeneity or impurities in polycrystalline samples. These results suggest CaZn2Sb2 has the strongest coupling between the doping/defects and the electronic framework. Magnetization measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic transition near 13 K in EuZn2Sb2, and the observed magnetic anisotropy indicates the spins align parallel and anti-parallel to c ...

Structure and Properties of Single Crystalline CaMg2Bi2, EuMg2Bi2, and YbMg2Bi2

Single crystals of CaMg(2)Bi(2), EuMg(2)Bi(2), and YbMg(2)Bi(2) were obtained from a Mg-Bi flux cooled to 650 °C. These materials crystallize in the CaAl(2)Si(2) structure-type (P ̅3m1, No. 164), and crystal structures are reported from refinements of single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data. EuMg(2)Bi(2) displays an antiferromagnetic transition near 7 K, which is observed via electrical resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat capacity measurements. Magnetization measurements on YbMg(2)Bi(2) reveal a weak diamagnetic moment consistent with divalent Yb. Despite charge-balanced empirical formulas, all three compounds are p-type conductors with Hall carrier concentrations of 2.0(3) × 10(19) cm(-3) for CaMg(2)Bi(2), 1.7(1) × 10(19) cm(-3) for EuMg(2)Bi(2), and 4.6(7) × 10(19) cm(-3) for YbMg(2)Bi(2), which are independent of temperature to 5 K. The electrical resistivity decreases with decreasing temperature and the resistivity ratios ρ(300 K)/ρ(10 K) ≤ 1.6 in all cases, indicating significant defect scattering.