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Paper des Monats
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Crystals of the title compound, C18H26O2, were grown from ethyl acetate. Due to the racemic precursor, the title compound is also obtained as a racemate. Disorder was observed during structure refinement, originating from two possible half-chair conformations of the non-aromatic ring. The disorder was refined by introducing split positions in the cyclo-hexane ring regarding the two possible R and S-enantiomers at the chiral CH group [ratio 0.744 (3):0.256 (3)]. The crystal structure features pairs of inversion-related molecules connected by pairs of non-classical C–H···O hydrogen bonds.
Mechanochemistry has become a valuable method for the synthesis of new materials and molecules, with a particular strength for screening and preparing multicomponent crystals. In this work, two novel cocrystals of pyrazinamide (PZA) with pimelic acid (PA) were prepared mechanochemically. Their formation was monitored in real time by in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Control over the polymorphic form was obtained through the selective choice of liquid additive via liquid assisted grinding. Slurry experiments and dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations suggest that Form I is the thermodynamically stable form under ambient conditions. Upon aging, Form II converts to Form I. The stability of Form II upon aging was found to depend strongly on the milling duration, intensity, and material of the milling vessels. Longer or higher energy milling drastically increased the lifetime of the Form II product. For the first time, this work also demonstrates that the choice of milling jar can have a decisive effect on the aging stability of a bulk polymorphic powder. In contrast to material prepared in steel milling vessels, the preparation of Form II in Perspex (PMMA) vessels increased its lifetime 3-fold. These findings offer a new dimension to garnering control over mechanochemical cocrystallization and demonstrate the critical importance of the careful and timely ex situ screening of ball mill grinding reactions. This will be of importance for potential industrial applications of mechanochemical cocrystallization where understanding polymorph longevity is crucial for the development of a robust preparative protocol.
The effect of the ball to reactant ratio on mechanochemical reaction times studied by in situ PXRD
(2017)
The effect of the reactant powder mass on reaction times for the mechanochemical formation of a soft matter model system was studied by in situ PXRD. The syntheses were performed at a constant ball mass in a shaker mill with and without glassy SiO2 as an inert additive. Reaction times decreased with the increase of the ball to reactant ratio (BRR). The kinetic influence of the SiO2 powder was excluded. The decrease in the reaction time with decreasing mass of reactants was related to the rise in the stress energy transferred to the powder by a higher ball impact. The BRR had no effect on the induction time. But the product conversion was accelerated by raising the BRR. While a certain temperature is needed for the activation of reactants in the induction phase, the conversion of soft matter reactants is rather controlled by impact than temperature.
A new cocrystal of pyrazinamide with oxalic acid was prepared mechanochemically and characterized by PXRD, Raman spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, DTA-TG, and SEM. Based on powder X-ray diffraction data the structure was solved. The formation pathway of the reaction was studied in situ using combined synchrotron PXRD and Raman spectroscopy. Using oxalic acid dihydrate the initially neat grinding turned into a rapid self-accelerated liquid-assisted grinding process by the release of crystallization water. Under these conditions, the cocrystal was formed directly within two minutes.
The cocrystal formation of pyrazinamide (PZA) with malonic acid (MA) was studied in situ. The mechanochemical reaction proceeds via conversion of a crystalline intermediate (PZA:MA II) into the thermodynamically more stable form (PZA:MA I) upon further grinding. The information derived from in situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) enabled the isolation of this new metastable polymorph. On the basis of the PXRD data, the crystal structure of the 1:1 cocrystal PZA:MA II was solved. The polymorphs were further characterized and compared by Raman spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Our study demonstrates how monitoring mechanochemical reactions by in situ PXRD can direct the discovery and isolation of even short-lived intermediates not yet accessed by conventional methods.
We present an in situ triple coupling of synchrotron X-ray diffraction with Raman spectroscopy, and thermography to study milling reactions in real time. This combination of methods allows a correlation of the structural evolution with temperature information. The temperature information is crucial for understanding both the thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. The reaction mechanisms of three prototypical mechanochemical syntheses, a cocrystal formation, a C@C bond formation (Knoevenagel condensation), and the formation
of a manganese-phosphonate, were elucidated. Trends in the temperature development during milling are identified. The heat of reaction and latent heat of crystallization of the product contribute to the overall temperature increase. A decrease in temperature occurs via release of, for example, water as a byproduct.
Solid and liquid intermediates are detected. The influence of the mechanical impact could be separated from temperature effects caused by the reaction.
The mechanism of ternary cocrystal formation, and the potential role of intermediate binary phases, has been debated for some time. We report here the first in situ real-time monitoring of two prototypic ternary cocrystals. Our results suggest that the question is more complicated than previously considered. The mechanism of mechanochemical ternary cocrystal formation depends on the milling conditions, here the milling frequency and addition of liquid. Binary phases can form under certain conditions, but do not act as intermediates in the formation of the ternary cocrystals. Rather, binary phases are competitive with the ternary phase, and their formation appears to compete with that of the ternary components. The presence of binary phases leads to an increase in the overall reaction time. The results reported here offer the first insights into the true complexities of mechanochemical multi-component synthesis of higher order multi-component crystals and demonstrate a new understanding of the influence of milling condition for the study of mechanisms and kinetics.
We present a first direct measurement of the temperature during milling combined with in situ Raman spectroscopy monitoring. The data reveal a low temperature increase due to the mechanical impact and clear temperature increases as a consequence of the reaction heat. Based on the data, temperature rises as postulated in the magma plasma and hot spot theory can be excluded for soft matter milling syntheses.
X-ray imaging methods are used in many fields of research, as they allow a non-destructive Investigation of the elemental content of various samples. As for every imaging method, for X-ray imaging the optics are of crucial importance. However, these optics can be very expensive and laborious to build, as the requirements on surface roughness and precision are extremely high. Angles of reflection and refraction are often in the range of a few mrad, making a compact design hard to achieve. In this work we present a possibility to simplify X-ray imaging. We have adapted the coded aperture method, a high energy radiation imaging method that has its origins in astrophysics, to full field X-ray fluorescence imaging. In coded aperture imaging, an object is projected through a known mask, the coded aperture, onto an area sensitive detector. The resulting image consists of overlapping projections of the object and a reconstruction step is necessary to obtain the information from the recorded image. We recorded fluorescence images of different samples with an energy-dispersive 2D detector (pnCCD) and investigated different reconstruction methods. With a small coded aperture with 12 holes we could significantly increase the count rate compared to measurements with a straight polycapillary optic. We show that the reconstruction of two different samples is possible with a deconvolution approach, an iterative algorithm and a neural network. These results demonstrate that X-ray fluorescence imaging with coded apertures has the potential to deliver good results without scanning and with an improved count rate, so that measurement times can be shortened compared to established methods.
X-ray fluorescence imaging is a well-established tool in materials characterization. In this work, we present the adaption of coded aperture imaging to full-field X-ray fluorescence imaging at the synchrotron. Coded aperture imaging has its origins in astrophysics, and has several advantages: Coded apertures are relatively easy to fabricate, achromatic, allow a high photon throughput, and high angular acceptance. Coded aperture imaging is a two-step-process, consisting of the measurement process and a reconstruction step. Different programs have been written, for the raytracing/forward projection and the reconstruction. Experiments with coded aperture in combination with a Color X-ray Camera and an energy-dispersive area detector, have been conducted at the BAMline. Measured samples were successfully reconstructed, and gave a 9.1-fold increase in count rate compared to a polycapillary optic.
Pirfenidone is an important drug molecule used in the treatment of idiopathic lung fibrosis. Although approved by the USFDA in 2014, pirfenidone’s aqueous solubility is too high and must be mitigated by additives. In this work, the cocrystallization of pirfenidone is explored as an alternative approach to reducing its solubility. Herein, an anhydrous form of pirfenidone is reported, alongside its first two reported cocrystals. The new crystalline solids are thoroughly characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Equilibrium solubility and intrinsic dissolution rates (IDR) are studied for the cocrystals and compared to that of the parent drug. Both cocrystal forms exhibit drastically lower aqueous solubility (by up to 90%) and dissolution rates, rationalized based on both lattice energy calculations and consideration of intermolecular interactions in the solid state. Furthermore, we compare the physicochemical properties of solution-based material with that of material produced mechanochemically. Importantly, no differences are observed between the two production methods. This work demonstrates the strength of crystal Engineering strategies to beneficially modify important pharmaceutical properties and highlights the potential of mechanochemistry to facilitate this in an environmentally benign way.
1,2,5,6,9,10-Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a widely used flame retardant, which tends to persist in the environment and accumulates in biota. The six stereoisomers (three racemates named α-, β-, and γ-HBCD) of the technical mixture were isolated with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Direct separations were performed on a chiral stationary phase containing permethylated -cyclodextrin (NUCLEODEX -PM column) and the pure enantiomers of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD were physically characterized for the first time. The absolute configurations of all six isomers were determined by anomalous dispersion using single crystal X-ray crystallography. Optical rotations αD in tetrahydrofuran were +4.2/-4.0 (α-HBCD), +26.1/-27.5 (β-HBCD), and +68.0/-66.3 (γ-HBCD). The sense of rotation could be correlated with the absolute configurations of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD enantiomers and their order of elution on a chiral permethylated β-cyclodextrin-bonded stationary phase. The diastereomers α-, β-, and γ-HBCD displayed distinctly different melting points as well as 1H-, 13C NMR, and IR spectra.
Decabromodiphenylethane
(2007)
Decabromodiphenylethane [systematic name: 1,1'-ethane-1,2-diylbis(pentabromobenzene)], C14H4Br10 (DBDPE), was crystallized from toluene. The molecule shows crystallographic inversion symmetry. The CBr distances are in the range 1.873 (7)1.891 (6) Å; intermolecular BrBr contacts contribute to the formation of ribbons.
rac-2,3-Dibromopropionamide
(2013)
The racemic title compound, C3H5Br2NO, was crystallized from methanol. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are linked through N–H···O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the c-axis direction. These chains are linked through N–H···O hydrogen bonds, forming an undulating two-dimensional network lying parallel to the bc plane. There are also short Br···Br contacts present [3.514 (3) Å].
Delta-Hexabromocyclododecane
(2007)
The title compound, also known as cis-zearalenone (cis-ZEN), C18H22O5, has already been reported elsewhere [Griffin et al. (1981). ACA Ser. 29, 35], but no atomic coordinates are publicly available. The molecule is of interest with respect to its toxicity. In the crystal, intramolecular O—H···O hydrogen bonds stabilize the molecular conformation, while intermolecular O—H···O hydrogen bonds link the molecules to form infinite chains along the [110] and [1¯10] directions. The absolute configuration has been assigned by reference to an unchanging chiral centre in the synthetic procedure.
Two isomorphous crystals are reported based on a naphthylvinylpyridine coformer. The crystals are mechanically flexible and exhibit photosalient response to UV irradiation. We therefore show how multiple mechanical phenomena can be simultaneously designed into a single material by cocrystallization.
We obtained three 4-(1-Napthylvinyl) pyridine based cocrystals ( 1–3 ) and studied its structure mechan- ical property correlation which aimed towards various applications for photo switches, mechanical ac- tuators etc. Selection of coformer molecules is important in fine tuning mechanical property outcome of synthesized cocrystals. Amongst three cocrystals, cocrystal 1 is mechanically flexible and its mechani- cal property is attributed to underlying crystal packing features which is in line with existing elastically bendable crystals while other two cocrystals ( 2, 3 ) are brittle in nature. Hirshfeld analysis was carried out to illustrate structure-property correlation particularly in terms of number as well as types of non- covalent interactions in the lattice and further to corroborate the space of the molecules in the lattice.
We obtained concomitant dimorphic forms of Anthracene Schiffbase (N-(anthracen-9-yl methylene)-2,5- dichloroaniline) from hexane solvent. Two polymorphs can be differentiated by their morphology and mechanical properties. One form is long acicular type and elastically bendable while another form is block shaped and brittle in nature. Mechanical property is attributed to underlying crystal packing. Hirsh- feld analysis and energy framework calculations were done to corroborate structure-property correlation of two forms.
Time resolved in situ (TRIS) monitoring has revolutionised the study of mechanochemical transformations but has been limited by available data quality. Here we report how a combination of miniaturised grinding jars together with innovations in X-ray powder diffraction data collection and state-of-the-art analysis strategies transform the power of TRIS synchrotron mechanochemical experiments. Accurate phase compositions, comparable to those obtained by ex situ measurements, can be obtained with small sample loadings. Moreover, microstructural parameters (crystal size and microstrain) can be also determined with high confidence. This strategy applies to all chemistries, is readily implemented, and yields high-quality diffraction data even using a low energy synchrotron source. This offers a direct avenue towards the mechanochemical investigation of reactions comprising scarce, expensive, or toxic compounds. Our strategy is applied to model systems, including inorganic, metal-organic, and organic mechanosyntheses, resolves previously misinterpreted mechanisms in mechanochemical syntheses, and promises broad, new directions for mechanochemical research.
Superhydrophobic surfaces can be quickly formed with supramolecular materials. Incorporating low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) with perfluorinated chains generates xerogel coatings with low surface energies and high roughness. Here, we examine and compare the properties of the xerogel coatings formed with eight different LMWGs. These LMWGs all have a trans-1,2-diamidocyclohexane core and two perfluorinated ponytails, whose lengths vary from three to ten carbon atoms (CF3 to CF10). Investigation of the xerogels aims to provide in-depth information on the chain length effect. LMWGs with a higher degree of fluorination (CF7 to CF10) form superhydrophobic xerogel coatings with very low surface energies. Scanning electron microscopy images of the coatings show that the aggregates of CF5 and CF7 are fibrous, while the others are crystal-like. Aggregates of CF10 are particularly small and further assemble into a porous structure on the micrometer scale. To test their stabilities, the xerogel coatings were flushed multiple times with a standardized water flush test. The removal of material from the surface in these flushes was monitored by a combination of the water contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, and coating thickness measurements. A new method based on image processing techniques was developed to reliably determine the change of the coating thickness. The CF7, CF9, and CF10 surfaces show consistent hydrophobicity and coating durability after repetitive flushing tests. The length of the perfluorinated side chains thus has a significant effect on the morphology of the deposited xerogel coatings, their roughness, and, in consequence, their hydrophobicity and mechanical durability.
Crystallization processes under different conditions are of fundamental interest in chemistry, pharmacy, and medicine. Therefore, we have studied the formation of micro- and nanosized crystals using water-caffeine (1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione) solutions under ambient conditions as a relevant model system. When droplets of an aqueous caffeine solution evaporate and eventually dry on surfaces (glass, polystyrene, and polyester), stable coffee tabletop rings with a perimeter of typically 3 mm are formed after 20 to 50 min. Using a micro focus X-ray beam available at the BESSY µSpot-beamline, the fine structure of different caffeine needles can be distinguished. Unexpectedly, both crystal modifications (α- and β-caffeine) are present, but locally separated in these rings. Furthermore, AFM studies reveal the presence of even smaller particles on a nanometer length scale. To eliminate influences of surface irregularities from the crystallization process, acoustic levitation of liquid samples was employed. Such levitated droplets are trapped in a stable position and only surrounded by air. The solvent in an ultrasonically levitated drop evaporates completely, and the resulting crystallization of caffeine was followed in situ by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. In this case, the diffraction pattern is in accordance with pure α-caffeine and does not indicate the formation of the room temperature polymorph β-caffeine. Hence, our investigations open new vistas that may lead to a controlled formation of cocrystals and novel polymorphs of micro- and nanocrystalline materials, which are of relevance for fundamental studies as well as for pharmaceutical and medical applications.
As a model for spray drying the early stages of crystallization of complex molybdate catalyst precursors were monitored online in droplets levitated acoustically. Synchron X-ray scattering techniques were applied to study the drying process of a typical molybdate catalysts precursor prepared from Ni-,Fe-,Bi-nitrate, ammonium heptamolybdate and H3PO4. Comparison with diffraction patterns obtained from sessile droplets shows significant differences in the crystal growth, whereas the final crystal structure – including a Keggin-type anion – is identical in both cases. The levitated samples exhibit a decelerated growth with a large number of small crystallites at the beginning of the crystallization, whereas in case of the sessile droplets a small number of large crystallites were observed after a few minutes. The acoustic levitation using an ultrasonic trap proves to be an elegant tool to mimic spray drying and offers new possibilities in relation to the understanding of the drying process.
For the investigation of small sample volumes, the use of an acoustic levitator was tested as a `sample holder' for hovering droplets in a synchrotron beam. It might be advantageous to use levitated droplets instead of samples confined in solid holders, especially for the study of crystallization processes where the influence of containing walls has to be minimized. In a first experiment, the crystallization of sodium chloride in a small droplet of aqueous solution has been followed with a time resolution of 30 s. The collected diffraction peaks are compared with data in the ICSD database.
Nanocomposites based on poly(ʟ-lactide) (PLA) and organically modified MgAl Layered Double Hydroxides (MgAl-LDH) were prepared by melt blending and investigated by a combination of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS, WAXS), and dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). Scanning microfocus SAXS investigations show that the MgAl-LDH is homogeneously distributed in the matrix as stacks of 6 layers and/or partly exfoliated layers. DSC and WAXS show that the degree of crystallinity decreases linearly with the content of LDH. The extrapolation of the dependencies (DSC and WAXS) to zero estimates a limiting concentration of LDH CCri of ca. 21 wt% where the crystallization of PLA is completely suppressed by the nanofiller. The dielectric behavior of neat PLA show two relaxation regions, a β-relaxation at low temperatures related to localized fluctuations and the α-relaxation at higher temperatures due to the dynamic glass transition. The dielectric spectra of the nanocomposites show several additional relaxation processes compared to neat PLA which are discussed in detail. For the nanocomposites around 260 K (ƒ = 1 kHz) an additional process is observed which intensity increases with increasing concentration of LDH. This process is mainly attributed to the exchanged dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) molecules which are adsorbed at the LDH layers and form a mixed phase with the polymer close to the layers and stacks. An analysis of this process provides information about the molecular dynamics in the interfacial region between the LDH layers and the PLA matrix which reveal glassy dynamics in this region. In the temperature range around 310 K (ƒ = 1 kHz) a further process is observed. Its relaxation rate has an unusual saddle-like temperature dependence. It was assigned to rotational fluctuations of water molecules in a nanoporous environment provided by the LDH filler. Above the glass transition temperature a further process is observed at temperatures above. It is related to Maxwell/Wagner/Sillars polarization due to the blocking of charges at the nanofiller.
The mechanochemical formation of the ionic cocrystals of glucose (Glc) and sodium salts Glc2NaCl·H2O (1) and Glc2NaX (X = Br (2), I (3)) is presented. Products are formed by co-milling Glc with three sodium salts (NaCl, NaBr, NaI). The ionic cocrystals were obtained under both neat grinding and liquid-assisted grinding conditions, the later found to accelerate the reaction kinetics. The crystal structures of the ionic cocrystals (2) and (3) were solved from powder X-ray diffraction data. The structure solution contrasts with the structure of Glc2NaCl·H2O (1) where the electron density at three halide crystallographic sites is modeled as of being the intermediate between water molecule and a chloride ion. The reaction pathways of the three ionic cocrystals were investigated in real time using our tandem approach comprising a combination of in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate the rapid formation of each cocrystal directly from their respective starting materials without any intermediate moiety formation. The products were further characterized by DTA-TG and elemental analysis.
Unintended Rate Enhancement in Mechanochemical Kinetics by Using Poly(methyl methacrylate) Jars
(2022)
Time-resolved in situ (TRIS) X-ray diffraction has changed how mechanochemical transformations are studied but requires the use of X-ray transparent jars often made from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). However, using PMMA jars can alter the apparent kinetics of mechanochemical polymorphism by an order of magnitude, questioning the interpretability of established TRIS methods. Our results suggest that rate enhancement in PMMA jars may not be dominated by chemical effects of the polymer, but rather a result of different equilibrium temperatures within the jar. These features must be better understood before control over mechanochemical reactions can be achieved.
Mechanochemistry offers a unique opportunity to modify and manipulate crystal forms, often providing new products as compared with conventional solution methods. While promising, there is little known about how to control the solid form through mechanochemical means, demanding dedicated investigations. Using a model organic cocrystal system (isonicotinamide:glutaric acid), we here demonstrate that with mechanochemistry, polymorphism can be induced in molecular solids under conditions seemingly different to their conventional thermodynamic (thermal) transition point.
Whereas Form II converts to Form I upon heating to 363 K, the same transition can be initiated under ball milling conditions at markedly lower temperatures (348 K). Our results indicate that mechanochemical techniques can help to reduce the energy barriers to solid form transitions, offering new insights into controlling polymorphic forms. Moreover, our results suggest that the nature of mechanochemical transformations could make it difficult to interpret mechanochemical solid form landscapes using conventional equilibrium-based tools.
Mechanochemistry offers a unique opportunity to modify and manipulate crystal forms, often providing new products as compared with conventional solution methods. While promising, there is little known about how to control the solid form through mechanochemical means, demanding dedicated investigations. Using a model organic cocrystal system (isonicotinamide:glutaric acid), we here demonstrate that with mechanochemistry, polymorphism can be induced in molecular solids under conditions seemingly different to their conventional thermodynamic (thermal) transition point. Whereas Form II converts to Form I upon heating to 363 K, the same transition can be initiated under ball milling conditions at markedly lower temperatures (348 K). Our results indicate that mechanochemical techniques can help to reduce the energy barriers to solid form transitions, offering new insights into controlling polymorphic forms. Moreover, our results suggest that the nature of mechanochemical transformations could make it difficult to interpret mechanochemical solid form landscapes using conventional equilibrium-based tools.
We show that mechanochemically driven polymorphic transformations can require extremely long induction periods, which can be tuned from hours to days by changing ball milling energy. The robust design and interpretation of ball milling experiments must account for this unexpected kinetics that arises from energetic phenomena unique to the solid state. Detailed thermal analysis, combined with DFT simulations, indicates that these marked induction periods are associated with processes of mechanical activation. Correspondingly, we show that the pre‐activation of reagents can also lead to marked changes in the length of induction periods. Our findings demonstrate a new dimension for exerting control over polymorphic transformations in organic crystals. We expect mechanical activation to have a much broader implication across organic solid‐state mechanochemistry.
Single crystals which exhibit mechanical flexibility are promising materials for advanced technological applications. Before such materials can be used, a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of bending is needed. Using single crystal X-ray diffraction and microfocus Raman spectroscopy, we study in atomic detail the high-pressure response of the plastically flexible coordination polymer [Zn(μ-Cl)2(3,5-dichloropyridine)2]n (1). Contradictory to three-point bending, quasi-hydrostatic compression of (1) is completely reversible, even following compression to over 9 GPa. A structural phase transition is observed at ca. 5 GPa. DFT calculations show this transition to result from the pressure-induced softening of low-frequency vibrations. This phase transition is not observed during three-point-bending. Microfocus synchrotron X-ray diffraction revealed that bending yields significant mosaicity, as opposed to compression. Hence, our studies indicate of overall disparate mechanical responses of bulk flexibility and quasi-hydrostatic compression within the same crystal lattice. We suspect this to be a general feature of plastically bendable materials.
he mutual influence of F and OH groups in neighboring sites in topaz (Al2SiO4(F,OH)2) was investigated using magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) and Raman spectroscopy. The splitting of 19F and 1H NMR signals, as well as the OH Raman band, provides evidence for hydrogen bond formation within the crystal structure. Depending on whether a given OH group has another OH group or fluoride as its neighbor, two different hydrogen bond constellations may form: either OH···O···HO or F···H···O. The proton accepting oxygen was determined to be part of the SiO4 tetrahedron using 29Si MAS NMR. Comparison of the MAS NMR data between an OH-bearing and an OH-free topaz sample confirms that the 19F signal at −130 ppm stems from F− ions that take part in H···F bonds with a distance of ∼ 2.4 Å, whereas the main signal at −135 ppm belongs to fluoride ions with no immediate OH group neighbors. The Raman OH sub-band at 3644 cm−1 stems from OH groups neighboring other OH groups, whereas the sub-band at 3650 cm−1 stems from OH groups with fluoride neighbors, which are affected by H···F bridging. The integrated intensities of these two sub-bands do not conform to the expected ratios based on probabilistic calculations from the total OH concentration. This can be explained by a difference in the polarizability of the OH bond between the different hydrogen bond constellations or partial order or unmixing of F and OH, or a combination of both. This has implications for the quantitative interpretation of Raman data on OH bonds in general and their potential use as a probe for structural (dis-)order. No indication of tetrahedrally coordinated Al was found with 27Al MAS NMR, suggesting that the investigated samples likely have nearly ideal Al/Si ratios, making them potentially useful as high-density electron microprobe reference materials for Al and Si, as well as for F.
Lanthanides (Ln) are critical raw materials, however, their mining and purification have a considerable negative environmental impact and sustainable recycling and separation strategies for these elements are needed. In this study, the precipitation and solubility behavior of Ln complexes with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), the cofactor of recently discovered lanthanide (Ln) dependent methanol Dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes, is presented. In this context, the molecular structure of a biorelevant europium PQQ complex was for the first time elucidated outside a protein environment.
The complex crystallizes as an inversion symmetric dimer, Eu2PQQ2, with binding of Eu in the biologically relevant pocket of PQQ. LnPQQ and Ln1Ln2PQQ complexes were characterized by using inductively coupled Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 151Eu-Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray total scattering, and Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). It is shown that a natural enzymatic cofactor is capable to achieve Separation by precipitation of the notoriously similar, and thus difficult to separate, lanthanides to some extent.
Lanthanides (Ln) are critical raw materials, however, their mining and purification have a considerable negative environmental impact and sustainable recycling and separation strategies for these elements are needed. In this study, the precipitation and solubility behavior of Ln complexes with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), the cofactor of recently discovered lanthanide (Ln) dependent methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes, is presented. In this context, the molecular structure of a biorelevant europium PQQ complex was for the first time elucidated outside a protein environment. The complex crystallizes as an inversion symmetric dimer, Eu2PQQ2, with binding of Eu in the biologically relevant pocket of PQQ. LnPQQ and Ln1Ln2PQQ complexes were characterized by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 151Eu‐Mössbauer spectroscopy, X‐ray total scattering, and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). It is shown that a natural enzymatic cofactor is capable to achieve separation by precipitation of the notoriously similar, and thus difficult to separate, lanthanides to some extent.
Mechanically dual-responsive molecular crystals have gained ubstantial interest among researchers due to their significant applications in various fields. However, incorporation of disparate mechanical responses in the same crystalline material is still a challenging issue and is continuously being explored. Here, we report long acicular crystals derived from 4-bromobenzhydrazide and 9-anthraldehyde exhibit both stressinduced mechanical bending and blue-light induced photomechanical bending. Furthermore, the crystals show thermal back isomerization upon gradual heating. These two distinct mechanical responses in the crystalline phase have been studied and their structure–property correlation have been established.
Crystalline materials that exhibit reversible mechanical responses upon exposure to external stimuli have garnered significant attention owing to their potential applications in various fields. Herein, we report a crystal of (2Z,2′Z)-2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(3-(4-bromophenyl)acrylonitrile) (DSBr), which displays simultaneous elasto-plastic behaviour and reversible thermosalient effects. While elasto-plastic behaviour is attributed to underlying packing features, reversible thermosalient expansion is attributed to uniaxial expansion mediated by heat. Exceptional length increase and contraction upon cooling is due to the restorative nature of weak interactions through a cooperative effect. The cooperative movement of molecules is reflected in the unidirectional expansion of the habit plane. Thermosalient reversible expansion–contraction in elasto-plastic crystals have not been discussed in the literature so far. Detailed analysis reported herein provides a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism of flexibility and thermosalient responses. This crystal's unique blend of reversible thermal expansion with flexibility holds substantial promise for applications in flexible thermal actuators.
Mechanochemistry has become a valuable tool for the synthesis of new molecules, especially in the field of organic chemistry. In the present work, we investigate the kinetic profile of the chlorination reaction of N-3-ethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (EDMH) activated and driven by ball milling. The reaction has been carried out using 2 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm ball sizes in a new small custom-made Perspex milling jar. The Crystal structure of the starting material EDMH and the 1-chloro-3-ethyl5,5′-dimethyl hydantoin (CEDMH) chlorination product was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The reaction was monitored, in situ and in real time, by both powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Our kinetic data show that the reaction progress to equilibrium is similar at all milling ball sizes. The induction period is very short (between 10 and 40 s) when using 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm balls. For the reaction performed with a 2 mm ball, a significantly longer induction period of 9 min was observed. This could indicate that an initial energy accumulation and higher mixing efficiency are necessary before the reaction starts. Using different kinetic models, we found that the amount of powder affected by critical loading conditions during individual impacts is significantly dependent on the ball size used. An almost linear correlation between the rate of the chemical transformations and the ball volume is observed.
Formation Mechanism of a Nano-Ring of Bismuth Cations and Mono-Lacunary Keggin-Type Phosphomolybdate
(2022)
A new hetero-bimetallic polyoxometalate (POM) nano-ring was synthesized in a one-pot procedure. The structure consists of tetrameric units containing four bismuth-substituted monolacunary Keggin anions including distorted [BiO8] cubes. The nano-ring is formed via self-assembly from metal precursors in aqueous acidic medium. The compound (NH4)16[(BiPMo11O39)4] ⋅ 22 H2O; (P4Bi4Mo44) was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), Raman spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), and thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-MS). The formation of the nano-ring in solution was studied by time-resolved in situ small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and in situ EXAFS measurements at the Mo−K and the Bi−L3 edge indicating a two-step process consisting of condensation of Mo-anions and formation of Bi−Mo-units followed by a rapid self-assembly to yield the final tetrameric ring structure.
The preparation of new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) multicomponent Crystal forms, especially co-crystals and salts, is being considered as a reliable strategy to improve API solubility and bioavailability. In this study, three novel imidazole-based salts of the poorly water-soluble salicylic acid (SA) are reported exhibiting a remarkable improvement in solubility and dissolution rate properties. All structures were solved by powder X-ray diffraction. Multiple complementary techniques were used to solve co-crystal/salt ambiguities: density functional Theory calculations, Raman and 1H/13C solid-state NMR spectroscopies. In all molecular salts, the Crystal packing interactions are based on a common charged assisted +N-H SA)...O-(co-former) hydrogen bond interaction. The presence of an extra methyl group in different positions of the co-former, induced different supramolecular arrangements, yielding salts with different physicochemical properties.
All salts present much higher solubility and dissolution rate than pure SA. The most promising results were obtained for the salts with imidazole and 1-methylimidazole co-formers.
We present a series of remarkable structural transformations for a family of layered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in a three-step solid-state reaction cycle. The cycle represents new dynamic behavior of 2D coordination polymers and involves the sequence of reactions: {[Mn2(ina)4(H2O)2]·2EtOH}n (JUK-1) → {(NH4)2[Mn(ina)2(NCS)2]}n·xH2O (JUK-2) → {[Mn2(ina)2(Hina)2(NCS)2]}n (JUK-3) → JUK-1 (Hina = isonicotinic acid), each accompanied by rearrangement of intralayer coordination bonds and each induced by a different external stimulus. In situ investigation of the first step of the cycle by combined synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveals direct mechanochemical unzipping of JUK-1 bilayers to respective JUK-2 layers with reaction rates dependent on the milling conditions. In contrast, the reverse zipping of JUK-2 layers involves two steps and proceeds through a new MOF (JUK-3) whose structure was elucidated by powder X-ray diffraction. Magnetic measurements confirm conversions of manganese nodes in the reaction cycle. The findings indicate the possibility of developing coordination-based assemblies with large structural responses for use in smart stimuli-responsive systems and sensor technologies.
The debate on the mechanisms which underpin mechanochemical reactions via ball mill grinding is still open. Our ability to accurately measure the microstructural (crystal size and microstrain) evolution of materials under milling conditions as well as their phase composition as a function of time is key to the in-depth understanding of the kinetics and driving forces of mechanochemical transformations. Furthermore, all ball milling reactions end with a steady state or milling equilibrium – represented by a specific phase composition and relative microstructure – that does not change as long as the milling conditions are maintained. The use of a standard sample is essential to determine the instrumental contribution to the X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) peak broadening for time-resolved in situ (TRIS) monitoring of mechanochemical reactions under in operando conditions. Using TRIS-XRPD on a ball milling setup, coupled with low-energy synchrotron radiation, we investigated different data acquisition and analysis strategies on a silicon standard powder. The diffraction geometry and the microstructural evolution of the standard itself have been studied to model the instrumental contribution to XRPD peak broadening throughout the grinding activity. Previously proposed functions are here challenged and further developed. Importantly, we show that minor drifts of the jar position do not affect the instrumental resolution function significantly. We here report and discuss the results of such investigations and their application to TRIS-XRPD datasets of inorganic and organic ball mill grinding reactions.
Mechanochemistry has become a sustainable and attractive cost-effective synthetic technique, largely used within the frame of crystal engineering. Cocrystals, namely, crystalline compounds made of different chemical entities within the same crystal structure, are typically synthesized in bulk via mechanochemistry; however, whereas the macroscopic aspects of grinding are becoming clear, the fundamental principles that underlie mechanochemical cocrystallization at the microscopic level remain poorly understood. Time-resolved in situ (TRIS) monitoring approaches have opened the door to exceptional detail regarding mechanochemical reactions. We here report a clear example of cocrystallization between two solid coformers that proceeds through the formation of a metastable low melting binary eutectic phase. The overall cocrystallization process has been monitored by time-resolved in situ (TRIS) synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction with a customized ball milling setup, currently available at μ Spot beamline at BESSY-II, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. The binary system and the low melting eutectic phase were further characterized via DSC, HSM, and VT-XRPD.
The Keggin type polyoxotungstate [Ti2W10PO40]7- forms stable associates with the biopolymer chitosan in the nanometer size range. The cluster compound crystallizes from aqueous solution as K4H3[Ti2W10PO40] · 15H2O having a tetragonal structure. Both, the cluster compound and the chitosan/[Ti2W10PO40] associates show a high hydrolytic stability at pH 7.4. The associates formed between the cluster anion [Ti2W10PO40]7- with the polyaminosaccharide chitosan have been characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, filtration, centrifugation and zeta potential measurements. The size of the associates formed is in the range of ca. 5×101 to 5×102 nm. These particles have a defined stoichiometry with 56 cluster anions bound per molecule chitosan. The isoelectric point determined by zeta potential measurements was found for a cluster anion to chitosan molar ratio of 5.5, indicating the charge neutralization between protonated chitosan and [Ti2W10PO40]7- anions. Cellular uptake studies with [Ti2W10PO40]7- using tumor cell lines FaDu (human squamous carcinoma) and HT-29 (human adenocarcinoma) showed that the tungsten amount inside the cells is remarkably enhanced in the presence of chitosan.
Ergotaminine
(2012)
The title compound {systematic name: (6aR,9S)-N-[(2R,5S,10aS,10bS)-5-benzyl-10b-hydroxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxooctahydro-8H-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c]pyrazin-2-yl]-7-methyl-4,6,6a,7,8,9-hexahydroindolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide}, C33H35N5O5, was formed by an epimerization reaction of ergotamine. The non-aromatic ring (ring C of the ergoline skeleton) directly fused to the aromatic rings is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.317 (4) Å] and shows an envelope conformation, whereas ring D, involved in an intramolecular N–H···N hydrogen bond exhibits a slightly distorted chair conformation. The structure displays chains running approximately parallel to the diagonal of bc plane that are formed through N–H···O hydrogen bonds.
Ergometrinine
(2010)
The absolute configuration of ergometrinine, C19H23N3O2 {systematic name: (6aR,9S)-N-[(S)-1-hydroxypropan-2-yl]-7-methyl-4,6,6a,7,8,9-hexahydroindolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide}, was established based on epimerization reaction of ergometrine, which was followed by preparative HPLC. The non-aromatic ring (ring C of the ergoline skeleton) directly fused to the aromatic rings is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.271 (3) Å] and shows an envelope conformation, whereas ring D, involved in an intramolecular N-HN hydrogen bond, exibits a slightly distorted chair conformation. The structure displays undulating layers in the ac plane formed by O-H...O and N-H...O hydrogen bonds.