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At least 181 records · Page 10

Crystal structure and polymorphic forms of auranofin revisited

Auranofin, initially developed as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, is currently under extensive investigation as a potential drug for various conditions, including cancer, bacterial infections, and parasitic infections. The compound is a known inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD1) and related selenoproteins. Although preliminary studies on the auranofin crystal polymorphism exist, and a low-quality crystal structure has been reported, a comprehensive crystallographic characterization remains unexplored. Utilizing X-ray crystallography techniques, we conducted detailed structural analysis of auranofin and compared our findings with related organogold compounds. Implementation of Hirshfeld atom refinement (HAR) enabled a more accurate hydrogen atom positioning in the structure. The crystal packing reveals a layered arrangement stabilised by numerous weak hydrogen bonds and dispersive interactions. Notably, our attempts to reproduce the previously reported polymorphic form of auranofin, purportedly more water-soluble, were unsuccessful despite following published protocols. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing a “disappearing polymorph” phenomenon of any pharmaceutically relevant transition metal coordination compound. Our findings may have significant implications for medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of coordination complexes, suggesting the need for systematic revision of historical crystallographic data in this field.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ca X ML: Chemistry‐informed machine learning explains mutual changes between protein conformations and calcium ions in calcium‐binding proteins using structural and topological features

Proteins' flexibility is a feature in communicating changes in cell signaling instigated by binding with secondary messengers, such as calcium ions, associated with the coordination of muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and gene expression. When binding with the disordered parts of a protein, calcium ions must balance their charge states with the shape of calcium-binding proteins and their versatile pool of partners depending on the circumstances they transmit. Accurately determining the ionic charges of those ions is essential for understanding their role in such processes. However, it is unclear whether the limited experimental data available can be effectively used to train models to accurately predict the charges of calcium-binding protein variants. Here, we developed a chemistry-informed, machine-learning algorithm that implements a game theoretic approach to explain the output of a machine-learning model without the prerequisite of an excessively large database for high-performance prediction of atomic charges. We used the ab initio electronic structure data representing calcium ions and the structures of the disordered segments of calcium-binding peptides with surrounding water molecules to train several explainable models. Network theory was used to extract the topological features of atomic interactions in the structurally complex data dictated by the coordination chemistry of a calcium ion, a potent indicator of its charge state in protein. Our design created a computational tool of Ca X ML, which provided a framework of explainable machine learning model to annotate ionic charges of calcium ions in calcium-binding proteins in response to the chemical changes in an environment. Our framework will provide new insights into protein design for engineering functionality based on the limited size of scientific data in a genome space.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Similar but Different: Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of Series of Neodymium, Europium, Americium, and Curium Coordination Complexes

Series of curium, americium, europium, and neodymium complexes with five different polyoxometalate (POM) ligands were structurally and spectroscopically characterized: Na x Cs y H z [M(XW 11 O 39 ) 2 ]· n H 2 O, where M = Nd 3+ , Eu 3+ , Am 3+ , or Cm 3+ and X = B 3+ , Ga 3+ , Si 4+ , Ge 4+ , or P 5+ . This first “serial approach” on transplutonium chemistry was allowed by minimizing the amount of f-element needed per synthesis down to ∼10 μg. This offers a unique opportunity to contrast structural and spectroscopic properties of trivalent actinide with those of lanthanide compounds under identical conditions. The results showcase that although actinide(III) and lanthanide(III) can make isostructural complexes, their solid-state coordination chemistries deviate significantly. The curium and americium compounds were found to be more uniform than their europium and neodymium counterparts, respectively. The particular symmetry of the Cm-POMs also enables the observation of rarely seen emission bands, which hints at vibronic coupling or new emissive pathways. Additionally, the Cm-POM and Eu-POM complexes were characterized via steady-state and time-resolved excitation and emission spectroscopy in solutions containing five different counterions (Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , or Cs + ), representing 50 combinations of alkali/[M III (XW 11 ) 2 ] n − complexes. The Cm-POMs respond to the alkali counterions by improving symmetry from Li + to Cs + , while the Eu-POMs do the opposite. The luminescence lifetimes of the Cm-POMs also depart from the ideal Kimura equation. Finally, this study provides a rare, and perhaps the most comprehensive, experimental data set comparing heavy actinides and lanthanides via single crystal XRD plus, solution-state, solid-state, and time-resolved emission spectroscopy and demonstrates that lanthanides are only a coarse approximation for actinide elements.

chemical structure↗

Insight into the Structural and Emissive Behavior of a Three‐Dimensional Americium(III) Formate Coordination Polymer

Abstract We report the structural, vibrational, and optical properties of americium formate (Am(CHO 2 ) 3 ) crystals synthesized via the in situ hydrolysis of dimethylformamide (DMF). The coordination polymer features Am 3+ ions linked by formate ligands into a three‐dimensional network that is isomorphous to several lanthanide analogs, (e. g., Eu 3+ , Nd 3+ , Tb 3+ ). Structure determination revealed a nine‐coordinate Am 3+ metal center that features a unique local C 3v symmetry. The metal–ligand bonding interactions were investigated by vibrational spectroscopy, natural localized molecular orbital calculations, and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. The results paint a predominantly ionic bond picture and suggest the metal‐oxygen bonds increase in strength from Nd−O 5 D 1′ → 7 F 0′ emission band is observed and dominates the emission spectrum. This behavior is unusual and is attributed to the C 3v coordination environment of the metal center.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Spin Glass Behavior and Giant Magnetoresistance via Aliovalent Fe/Ni Alloying in Amorphous Tetrathiafulvalene-Tetrathiolate Coordination Polymers

The discovery of materials with programmable combinations of charge transport and magnetic properties is a major goal in synthetic chemistry. Molecular materials, such as coordination polymers (CPs), are emerging candidates in this field due to their synthetic modularity. While there are many conductive or magnetic CPs, single-component examples with both properties are still emerging. Here, in this work, we demonstrate how alloying paramagnetic Fe(III) centers into a highly conductive Ni-based CP results in novel amorphous materials with high conductivity and giant magnetoresistance. Aliovalent doping with paramagnetic Fe centers engenders spin-glass transitions, while Ni and the strong π-stacking interactions of tetrathiafulvalene-2,3,6,7-tetrathiolate (TTFtt) ligands support conductivity. Ni 0.69 Fe 0.31 TTFtt has σ ≈ 200 S/cm and a 1.8 K magnetoresistance of −52% at 5 T, among the largest for any coordination solid. This work demonstrates not only how magnetic properties can be rationally incorporated into conductive CPs, but also an unexpected potential for amorphous materials in spintronic applications.

amorphous materials↗

Redox Chemistry Mediated Control of Morphology and Properties in Electrically Conductive Coordination Polymers: Opportunities and Challenges

Coordination polymers (CPs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant research interest in the past several decades due to their reticular structures and modularity. However, realizing electrically conductive CPs or MOFs with comparable properties to classic conducting organic polymers has only been a recent development. This emerging class of materials has found wide appli-cation in many fields due to combined features of structural rigidity, chemical tunability, porosity, and charge transport. Alongside many studies revealing myriad design approaches to access these materials, the role that redox chemistry plays in both material synthesis and modulation of electronic properties has been an emerging theme. This perspective provides a brief overview of select examples where redox chemistry medi-ates control of morphology and properties in electrically conductive CPs/MOFs. Here, the challenges and limitations in this area are also discussed. Particular challenges include the characterization of redox states in these materials and measuring and understanding highly correlated elec-tronic properties and other unusual physical phenomena which may be important for potential applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of an einsteinium complex

The transplutonium elements (atomic numbers 95–103) are a group of metals that lie at the edge of the periodic table. As a result, the patterns and trends used to predict and control the physics and chemistry for transition metals, main-group elements and lanthanides are less applicable to transplutonium elements. Furthermore, understanding the properties of these heavy elements has been restricted by their scarcity and radioactivity. This is especially true for einsteinium (Es), the heaviest element on the periodic table that can currently be generated in quantities sufficient to enable classical macroscale studies. Here we characterize a coordination complex of einsteinium, using less than 200 nanograms of 254 Es (with half-life of 275.7(5) days), with an organic hydroxypyridinone-based chelating ligand. X-ray absorption spectroscopic and structural studies are used to determine the energy of the L 3 -edge and a bond distance of einsteinium. Photophysical measurements show antenna sensitization of EsIII luminescence; they also reveal a hypsochromic shift on metal complexation, which had not previously been observed in lower-atomic-number actinide elements. Here, these findings are indicative of an intermediate spin–orbit coupling scheme in which j–j coupling (whereby single-electron orbital angular momentum and spin are first coupled to form a total angular momentum, j) prevails over Russell–Saunders coupling. Together with previous actinide complexation studies, our results highlight the need to continue studying the unusual behaviour of the actinide elements, especially those that are scarce and short-lived.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Role of Cooperative Interactions Among Surfaces, Solvents, and Reactive Intermediates on Catalysis at Liquid–Solid Interfaces (Final Report DE-SC0020224)

This project established quantitative links between inner‑sphere chemistry (active metal identity, coordination, and zeolite topology) and outer‑sphere organization (solvent identity, hydrogen‑bond networks, and pore condensation) that govern rates, activation barriers, and selectivities for alkene epoxidation and epoxide ring‑opening at solid–liquid and quasi‑liquid–solid interfaces. We deconvoluted contributions from covalent interactions at active sites and noncovalent, solvent‑mediated interactions within pores by pairing well‑defined metal substituted zeolites with controlled solvent environments. We then mapped those contributions onto measurable kinetics (ΔH‡, ΔS‡), adsorption thermodynamics (ITC), and in situ spectroscopy. The transferrable outcomes include a set of design rules that include the following understandings. First, tune silanol ((SiOH)x) density and pore topology to organize solvent networks that selectively stabilize transition states. Second, exploit activity‑coefficient‑normalized rates and adsorption– barrier correlations to diagnose when solvent reorganization rather than surface chemistry limits performance. Third, use partial pore condensation (e.g., acetonitrile, water but also generalizable to other solvents) to elicit liquid‑like stabilization effects even in nominally vapor‑phase reactors. Collectively, these results provide strategies to increase epoxidation rates, improve oxidant utilization (i.e., selectivities), and steer regioselectivity in zeolite‑based catalytic processes relevant to sustainable oxidation chemistry. These outcomes should be transferable to other classes of reactions that proceed in microporous materials and under confinement provided by organized solvents (e.g., electrochemical double layers).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Binding, Release and Functionalization of Intact Pnictogen Tetrahedra Coordinated to Dicopper Complexes

The bridging MeCN ligand in the dicopper(I) complexes [(DPFN)Cu 2 (μ,η 1 : η 1 -MeCN)][X] 2 (X=weakly coordinating anion, NTf 2 (1 a), FAl[OC 6 F 10 (C 6 F 5 )] 3 (1 b), Al[OC(CF 3 ) 3 ] 4 (1 c)) was replaced by white phosphorus (P 4 ) or yellow arsenic (As 4 ) to yield [(DPFN)Cu 2 (μ,η 2 : η 2 -E 4 )][X] 2 (E=P (2 a-c), As (3 a-c)). The molecular structures in the solid state reveal novel coordination modes for E 4 tetrahedra bonded to coinage metal ions. Experimental data and quantum chemical computations provide information concerning perturbations to the bonding in coordinated E 4 tetrahedra. Reactions with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) led to replacement of the E 4 tetrahedra with release of P 4 or As 4 and formation of [(DPFN)Cu 2 (μ,η 1 : η 1 - Me NHC)][X] 2 (4 a,b) or to an opening of one E-E bond leading to an unusual E 4 butterfly structural motif in [(DPFN)Cu 2 (μ,η 1 : η 1 -E 4 Dipp NHC)][X] 2 (E=P (5 a,b), E=As (6)). With a cyclic alkyl amino carbene ( Et CAAC), cleavage of two As-As bonds was observed to give two isomers of [(DPFN)Cu 2 (μ,η 2 : η 2 -As 4 Et CAAC)][X] 2 (7 a,b) with an unusual As 4 -triangle+1 unit.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solute chemistry for streams draining geomorphic features and varying land cover gradients in the East River watershed, Colorado

This dataset contains solute chemistry data and GPS coordinates for surface water samples collected in the East River watershed in the Elk and West Elk Ranges of Colorado from August 3rd through August 11th, 2022. Samples were collected from streams and groundwater seeps as part of a comprehensive analysis within the watershed of how different geomorphic features (such as landslides and rock glaciers) along with variations in land cover (such as the presence of vegetation) affect stream water quality in this Rocky Mountain headwater environment. This dataset includes concentrations of the following in a single csv file: fluoride, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, silicon, and total organic carbon (TOC). All concentrations are reported in mg/L. The sulfate data in this version have been updated to account for an earlier ion chromatograph instrument method error whereby sulfate and bromide peaks overlapped in calibration solution samples, biasing calculated sulfate concentrations low by 30-50%. Sulfate data reported herein are from a re-run of the samples performed in December 2024 using a corrected instrument method. All samples were stored under refrigerated conditions and filtered on initial collection.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Synthesis and structure of Americium(III) diglycolate oxalate Trihydrate, Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3

Improving f-element separations is important for actinide(III) (An 3+ ) and lanthanide(III) (Ln 3+ ) based technologies. Unfortunately, An 3+ and Ln 3+ ions are difficult to separate from one another because they have similar chemical characteristics. One successful separation method utilizes anion exchange chromatography. This approach exploits differences in An 3+ and Ln 3+ Lewis acidities and their varying abilities to attract anionic complexing agents, like oxalates (C 2 O 4 2– ) and diglycolates (ODA 2– ). The resulting negatively charged complexes are then separated using an anion exchange resin. To better understand how this anion exchange separation works, we reacted Am 3+ (aq) (aq designates Am 3+ dissolved in water) with the anion exchange complexing agents (H 2 C 2 O 4 and H 2 ODA). Here, the resulting Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3 product was characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3 structure was similar to that established previously for Ln 3+ analogues, namely Ln(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) x . These compounds were all isomorphous, had bridging C 2 O 4 2– and ODA 2– ligands, and crystallized as 2-dimensional extended solids. In addition, the Am 3 +–O bond distances could be predicted based on relative differences in Am 3+ and Ln 3+ 9-coordinate metal ionic radii. Overall, isolation of Am(ODA)(C 2 O 4 )(H 2 O) 3 showcased similarities in complexation and crystallization chemistry for Am 3+ and Ln 3+ .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Coordination-induced O-H/N-H bond weakening by a redox non-innocent, aluminum-containing radical

Abstract Several renewable energy schemes aim to use the chemical bonds in abundant molecules like water and ammonia as energy reservoirs. Because the O-H and N-H bonds are quite strong (>100 kcal/mol), it is necessary to identify substances that dramatically weaken these bonds to facilitate proton-coupled electron transfer processes required for energy conversion. Usually this is accomplished through coordination-induced bond weakening by redox-active metals. However, coordination-induced bond weakening is difficult with earth’s most abundant metal, aluminum, because of its redox inertness under mild conditions. Here, we report a system that uses aluminum with a redox non-innocent ligand to achieve significant levels of coordination-induced bond weakening of O-H and N-H bonds. The multisite proton-coupled electron transfer manifold described here points to redox non-innocent ligands as a design element to open coordination-induced bond weakening chemistry to more elements in the periodic table.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Gas-mediated trace element incorporation into rhyolite-hosted topaz: A synchrotron microbeam XAS study

Magmatic gas exsolving during late-stage cooling of shallow magmas has been considered an important facilitator of low-pressure alteration and metal transport. However, the chemical properties of such gas, particularly its metal transport mechanisms and capacity, remain elusive. Trace elements in minerals produced by gas-mediated surface reaction or precipitation from gas capture details of gas composition and reaction pathways. However, interpretation of mineral trace element contents is dependent on understanding crystallographic controls on gas/mineral partitioning. Here, this work investigates the structural accommodation of As, Mn, Ga, Ge, Fe, and Ti in vapor-deposited topaz of vesicular topaz rhyolite from the Thomas Range, Utah, through single-crystal synchrotron microbeam X-ray techniques on picogram quantities of those trace elements. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) data indicates that these elements are incorporated into topaz as As 5+ , Fe 3+ , Mn 3+ , Ti 4+ , Ga 3+ , and Ge 4+ . Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis for these trace elements, compared to EXAFS of structural Al and Si, reveals that As 5+ and Ge 4+ are incorporated directly into the tetrahedral site of the topaz structure, with the octahedral site accommodating Mn 3+ , Fe 3+ , Ga 3+ , and Ti 4+ . For As 5+ and Fe 3+ , the structural impact of substitution extends to at least second neighbors (other elements were only resolvable to first neighbors). Further interpretation of the EXAFS results suggests that the substitution of Ti 4+ results in increased distortion of the octahedral site, while the other trace elements induce more uniform expansion correlating in magnitude to their ionic radius. Comparison of quantified X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data for two topaz crystals from this rhyolite reveals variable trace element concentrations for As 5+ , Fe 3+ , Ga 3+ , and Ti 4+ , reflective of a source gas undersaturated in these trace elements changing in concentration over the period of topaz deposition. The identical Ge 4+ content of the two topaz crystals suggests that Ge 4+ in the gas was buffered by the growth of another Ge 4+ -bearing phase, such as quartz. The very low Mn 3+ content in the topaz crystals does not reflect the abundance of Mn 3+ in the gas (saturation of Mn is evidenced by coexisting bixbyite). Instead, it suggests a strong Jahn-Teller inhibitory effect to the substitution of Mn 3+ for Al 3+ in the distorted octahedral site of topaz. It is proposed that exsolution of an HF-enriched gas from cooling rhyolitic magma led to local scouring of Al, Si, and trace metals from the magma. Once topaz crystals nucleated, self-catalyzed reactions that recycle HF led to continued growth of topaz.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Functional Ion Pair Receptors Targeting Cesium, Lithium, Sulfate, and Uranyl (Final Technical Report)

The major goal of this project was the synthesis and study of receptors for key ions of interest to the DOE mission, namely cesium, lithium, sulfate, hydroxide, carbon dioxide/bicarbonate, and early actinides. The work, fundamental in nature, had as its objective achieving an increased understanding of how changes in receptor design could be used to optimize binding energies, ion specificity, complex structure, extraction efficiency, and substrate release. Within this broad paradigm, particular emphasis was placed on systems that could be used to sense the cesium cation in mixed aqueous media and act as extractants for the lithium cation and, separately, the carbon dioxide/bicarbonate and hydroxide anions in the form of ion pairs likely to be encountered under conditions of putative use in the field. The development of new nitrogen-rich ligands that act as receptors for early, high-valent actinide cations was also a major point of emphasis. The first in-plane actinide complexes were synthesized using a hexa-aza porphyrin analogue. The complexes exhibited an increase in the ligand–metal bonding covalency on passing from thorium(IV) to uranium(IV) to neptunium(IV) and illustrates how the use of appropriate porphyrinoid-like ligands could be used to modulate the covalency interactions between an f-element metal center and a ligand.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cold Trap Replacement Project Report

This report documents the replacement of the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) cold trap. The work involved preparation of the facility to replace the cold trap, removal of the existing welded cold trap from the sodium purification circuit, installation of a new replacement cold trap, completion of associated welds and examinations, restoration of instrumentation and heaters, and controlled return of the cold trap circuit to service. The replacement represented a significant maintenance evolution because the cold trap is an integral welded component of the sodium system. As a result, the work required coordinated control of sodium chemistry, deliberate formation of freeze plugs, inert gas management, precision cutting and welding, and a staged reheating and refill sequence. The activity was executed using procedural controls intended to protect personnel, preserve system cleanliness, and maintain the integrity of the sodium boundary throughout the work. This report provides a narrative summary of the milestone, including the purpose of the work, the pre-job system condition, the major field activities performed, observations made during execution, and the resulting post-work condition of the METL cold trap circuit.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Four Isotope-Labeled Recombination Pathways of Ozone Formation

A theoretical approach is developed for the description of all possible recombination pathways in the ozone forming reaction, without neglecting any process a priori, and without decoupling the individual pathways one from another. These pathways become physically distinct when a rare isotope of oxygen is introduced, such as 18 O, which represents a sensitive probe of the ozone forming reaction. Each isotopologue of O 3 contains two types of physically distinct entrance channels and two types of physically distinct product wells, creating four recombination pathways. Calculations are done for singly and doubly substituted isotopologues of ozone, eight rate coefficients total. Two pathways for the formation of asymmetric ozone isotopomer exhibit rather different rate coefficients, indicating large isotope effect driven by ΔZPE-difference. Rate coefficient for the formation of symmetric isotopomer of ozone (third pathway) is found to be in between of those two, while the rate of insertion pathway is smaller by two orders of magnitude. These trends are in good agreement with experiments, for both singly and doubly substituted ozone. The total formation rates for asymmetric isotopomers are found to be somewhat larger than those for symmetric isotopomers, but not as much as in the experiment. Altogether, the distribution of lifetimes is found to be very similar for the metastable states in symmetric and asymmetric ozone isotopomers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Boundary conditions for the paleoenvironment: Chemical and Physical Processes in dense interstellar clouds

The present research includes searches for important new interstellar constituents; observations relevant to differentiating between different models for the chemical processes that are important in the interstellar environment; and coordinated studies of the chemistry, physics, and dynamics of molecular clouds which are the sites or possible future sites of star formation. Recent research has included the detection and study of four new interstellar molecules; searches which have placed upper limits on the abundance of several other potential constituents of interstellar clouds; quantitative studies of comparative molecular abundances in different types of interstellar clouds; investigation of reaction pathways for astrochemistry from a comparison of theory and the observed abundance of related species such as isomers and isotopic variants; studies of possible tracers of energenic events related to star formation, including silicon and sulfur containing molecules; and mapping of physical, chemical, and dynamical properties over extended regions of nearby cold molecular clouds.

Irvine, W. M.↗

Coordinated Analyses of Mineral-organic Matter Associations in Interplanetary Dust Particles

Little is known about the timing and processes involved in the incorporation of organic matter with inorganic materials in early Solar System bodies. Recently, X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) studies showed carbon-rich rims surrounding individual mineral grains in anhydrous IDPs [1,2]. These carbonaceous rims are believed to have formed prior to parent body formation and likely served to bond mineral grains during accretion into larger aggregates. We are exploring the nature of these carbonaceous rims through coordinated analyses of their chemistry, mineralogy, spectroscopy and isotopic characteristics. Here we report our preliminary mineralogical observations.

Nakamura-Messenger, K.↗