Homoleptic Al(III) Photosensitizers for Durable CO2 Photoreduction.

Exploiting noble-metal-free systems for high-performance photocatalytic CO2 reduction still presents a key challenge, partially due to the long-standing difficulties in developing potent and durable earth-abundant photosensitizers. Therefore, based on the very cheap aluminum metal, we have deployed a systematic series of homoleptic Al(III) photosensitizers featuring 2-pyridylpyrrolide ligands for CO2 photoreduction. The combined studies of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations demonstrate that in anerobic CH3CN solutions at room temperature, visible-light excitation of the Al(III) photosensitizers leads to an efficient population of singlet excited states with nanosecond-scale lifetimes and notable emission quantum yields (10-40%). The results of transient absorption spectroscopy further identified the presence of emissive singlet and unexpectedly nonemissive triplet excited states. More importantly, the introduction of methyl groups at the pyrrolide rings can greatly improve the visible-light absorption, reducing power, and durability of the Al(III) photosensitizers. With triethanolamine, BIH (1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole), and an Fe(II)-quaterpyridine catalyst, the most methylated Al(III) photosensitizer achieves an apparent quantum efficiency of 2.8% at 450 nm for selective (>99%) CO2-to-CO conversion, which is nearly 28 times that of the unmethylated one (0.1%) under identical conditions. The optimal system realizes a maximum turnover number of 10250 and higher robustness than the systems with Ru(II) and Cu(I) benchmark photosensitizers. Quenching experiments using fluorescence spectroscopy elucidate that the photoinduced electron transfer in the Al(III)-sensitized system follows a reductive quenching pathway. The remarkable tunability and cost efficiency of these Al(III) photosensitizers should allow them as promising components in noble-metal-free systems for solar fuel conversion.

Three-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks as Super Heat-Resistant Explosives: Potassium 4,4'-Oxybis[3,3'-(5-tetrazol)]furazan and Potassium (1,2,4-Triazol-3-yl)tetrazole.

Heat-resistant explosives play an irreplaceable role in specialized applications. Two energetic metal-organic frameworks (EMOFs), potassium 4,4'-oxybis[3,3'-(5-tetrazol)]furazan and potassium (1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)tetrazole, featuring a three-dimensional metal-organic framework structure, were first synthesized and characterized by chemical (1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal XRD) and physicochemical analyses (sensitivity toward friction, impact, electrostatic, and DSC-TGA test). The new 3D EMOFs were found to show high thermostability, highly positive heat of formation, and suitable sensitivities. The Hirshfeld surface was further analyzed in order to explore the effect on sensitivities. Their detonation properties (detonation velocity, detonation pressure, etc.) were calculated by the EXPLO5 program. K2NTT exhibits extremely high decomposition temperatures of up to 361 °C; meanwhile, its detonation performance is comparable to that of TATB and other energetic potassium salts, which makes it a promising heat-resistant explosive.

N-Site Regulation of Pyridyltriazole in Cp*Ir(N̂N)(H2O) Complexes Achieving Catalytic FA Dehydrogenation.

A series of novel Cp*Ir complexes with nitrogen-rich N̂N bidentate ligands were developed for the catalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid in water under base-free conditions. These complexes were synthesized by using pyridyl 1,2,4-triazole, methylated species, or pyridyl 1,2,3-triazole as a N-site regulation ligand and were fully characterized. Complex 1-H2O bearing 1,2,4-triazole achieved a high turnover frequency of 14192 h-1 at 90 °C in 4 M FA aqueous solution. The terminal and bridged Ir-H intermediates of 1-H2O were successfully detected by 1H NMR and mass spectrometry measurements. Kinetic isotope effect experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed; then a plausible mechanism was proposed involving the ß-hydride elimination and formation of H2. Water-assisted H2 release was proven to be the rate-determining step of the reaction. The distribution of Mulliken charges on N atoms of triazole ligand internally revealed that the ortho site N2 of 1-H2O with a higher electron density was conducive to efficient proton transfer. Additionally, the advantage of water-assisted short-range bridge of 1,2,4-triazole moieties led to a higher catalytic activity of 1-H2O. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of nitrogen-rich ligands on FA dehydrogenation and revealed a good strategy for N site regulation in the development of new homogeneous catalysts.

Precisely Controlling Ancillary Ligands to Improve Catalysis of Cp*Ir Complexes for CO2 Hydrogenation.

The regulation of ancillary ligands is critical to improve catalysis of Cp*Ir complexes for CO2 hydrogenation. Herein, a series of Cp*Ir complexes with N^N or N^O ancillary ligands were designed and synthesized. These N^N and N^O donors were derived from the pyridylpyrrole ligand. The solid-state structures of Cp*Ir complexes featured a pendant pyridyl group in 1-Cl and 1-SO4 and a pyridyloxy group in 2-Cl, 3-Cl, 2-SO4, and 3-SO4. These complexes were employed as catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to formate in the presence of alkali under a pressure range of 0.1-8 MPa and temperature range of 25-120 °C. The catalytic activity of 2-SO4 with a pyridyloxy pendant group dramatically outperformed that of 1-SO4 and 3-SO4. The TOF of conversion of CO2 into formate reached 263 h-1 at 25 °C under a total pressure of 8 MPa (CO2/H2 = 1:1). The experiments and density functional theory calculations revealed that a pendant base in metal complexes plays a key role in the rate-determining heterolytic H2 splitting and enhancing the proton transfer by forming a hydrogen bonding bridge thereby improving the catalytic activity.

3D Uranyl Organic Frameworks Supported by Rigid Octadentate Carboxylate Ligand: Synthesis, Structure Diversity, and Luminescence Properties.

Seven three dimensional (3D) uranyl organic frameworks (UOFs), formulated as [NH4 ][(UO2 )3 (HTTDS)(H2 O)] (1), [(UO2 )4 (HTTDS)2 ](HIM)6 (2, IM=imidazole), [(UO2 )4 (TTDS)(H2 O)2 (Phen)2 ] (3, Phen=1,10-phenanthroline), [Zn(H2 O)4 ]0.5 [(UO2 )3 (HTTDS)(H2 O)4 ] (4), and {(UO2 )2 [Zn(H2 O)3 ]2 (TTDS)} (5), {Zn(UO2 )2 (H2 O)(Dib)0.5 (HDib)(HTTDS)} (6, Dib=1,4-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene) and [Na]{(UO2 )4 [Cu3 (u3 -OH)(H2 O)7 ](TTDS)2 } (7) have been hydrothermally prepared using a rigid octadentate carboxylate ligand, tetrakis(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)silicon(H8 TTDS). These UOFs have different 3D self-assembled structures as a function of co-ligands, structure-directing agents and transition metals. The structure of 1 has an infinite ribbon formed by the UO7 pentagonal bipyramid bridged by carboxylate groups. With further introduction of auxiliary N-donor ligands, different structure of 2 and 3 are formed, in 2 the imidazole serves as space filler, while in 3 the Phen are bound to [UO2 ]2+ units as co-ligands. The second metal centers were introduced in the syntheses of 4-7, and in all cases, they are part of the final structures, either as a counterion (4) or as a component of framework (5-7). Interesting, in 7, a rare polyoxometalate [Cu3 (µ3 -OH)O7 (O2 CR)4 ] cluster was found in the structure. It acts as an inorganic building unit together with the dimer [(UO2 )2 (O2 CR)4 ] unit. Those uranyl carboxylates were sufficiently determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and their topological structures and luminescence properties were analyzed in detail.

Metal-Ligand Cooperation in Cp*Ir-Pyridylpyrrole Complexes: Rational Design and Catalytic Activity in Formic Acid Dehydrogenation and CO2 Hydrogenation under Ambient Conditions.

Interconversion between CO2 + H2 and FA/formate is the most promising strategy for the fixation of carbon dioxide and reversible hydrogen storage; however, FA dehydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation are usually studied separately using different catalysts for each reaction. This report describes of the catalysis of [Cp*Ir(N∧N)(X)]n+ (Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; X = Cl, n = 0; X = H2O, n = 1) bearing a proton-responsive N∧N pyridylpyrrole ligand for both reactions. Complex 2-H2O catalyzes FA dehydrogenation at 90 °C with a TOFmax of 45 900 h-1. Its catalysis is more active in aqueous solution than in neat solution under base-free conditions. These complexes also catalyze CO2 hydrogenation in the presence of base to formate under atmospheric pressure (CO2/H2 = 0.05 MPa/0.05 MPa) at 25 °C with a TOF value of 4.5 h-1 in aqueous solution and with a TOF value of 29 h-1 in a methanol/H2O mixture solvent. The possible mechanism is proposed by intermediate characterization and KIE experiments. The extraordinary activity of these complexes are mainly attributed to the metal-ligand cooperative effect of the the pyrrole group to accept a proton in the dehydrogenation of formic acid and assist cooperative heterolytic H-H bond cleavage in CO2 hydrogenation.

Efficient Electrochemical Water Oxidation Mediated by Pyridylpyrrole-Carboxylate Ruthenium Complexes.

Spurred by the rapid growth of Ru-based complexes as molecular water oxidation catalysts (WOCs), we propose novel ruthenium(II) complexes bearing pyridylpyrrole-carboxylate (H2ppc) ligands as members of the WOC family. The structure of these complexes has 4-picoline (pic)/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in [Ru(ppc)(pic)2(dmso)] and pic/pic in [Ru(ppc)(pic)3] as axial ligands. Another ppc2- ligand and one pic ligand are located at the equatorial positions. [Ru(ppc)(pic)2(dmso)] behaves as a WOC as determined by electrochemical measurement and has an ultrahigh electrocatalytic current density of 8.17 mA cm-2 at 1.55 V (vs NHE) with a low onset potential of 0.352 V (vs NHE), a turnover number of 241, a turnover frequency of 203.39 s-1, and kcat of 16.34 s-1 under neutral conditions. The H2O/pic exchange of the complexes accompanied by oxidation of a ruthenium center is the initial step in the catalytic cycle. The cyclic voltametric measurements of [Ru(ppc)(pic)2(dmso)] at various scan rates, Pourbaix diagrams (plots of E vs pH), and kinetic studies suggested a water nucleophilic attack mechanism. HPO42- in a phosphate buffer solution is invoked in water oxidation as the proton acceptor.

Neutral Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes with Pyridylpyrrole Ligand for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Water.

To explore structure-activity relationships with respect to light-harvesting behavior, a family of neutral iridium complexes [Ir(ppy)2(LR)] 1-4 (where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, and N̂N = 2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine and its functionalized derivatives) were designed and synthesized. The structural modifications in metal complexes are accomplished through the attributions of electron-donating CH3 in 2, OCH3 in 3, and electron-withdrawing CF3 in 4. The structural analysis displays that the pyridylpyrrole acts as one-negative charged bidentated ligand to chelate the iridium center. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of these complexes were systematically studied. The neutral 1-4 as well as the ionic structurally analogous [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)](PF6) (5) were utilized as PSs in photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water with [Co(bpy)3](PF6)2 as catalyst and triethanolamine (TEOA) as electron sacrificial agent in the presence of salt LiCl. Complex 1 maintains activity for more than 144 h under irradiation, and the total turnover number is up to 1768. The electrochemical properties and the quenching reaction indicate the H2 generation by neutral complexes 1-4 is involved exclusively in the oxidative quenching process.

Formation of Iridium(III) Complexes via Selective Activation of the C-H and N-H Bonds of a Dipyridylpyrrole Ligand.

Treatment of [Ir(PPh3)3Cl] with 2-[5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]pyridine (Hdpp) in refluxing toluene affords an unexpected pyrrole-metalated iridium(III) hydride complex, [Ir(K2C,N-dpp)(H)(Cl)(PPh3)2] (1), via Cpyrrole-H activation, while the presence of the base KOtBu as the deprotonation reagent produces a pyridine-metalated iridium(III) hydride complex, [Ir(K3C,N,N-dpp)(H)(PPh3)2] (2), via Cpyridine-H activation. Treatment of [Ir(PPh3)3Cl] prepared by a convenient method with Hdpp in the presence of KOtBu under the refluxing mixture solvent toluene/methanol (2:1, v/v) generates the N,N-chelating complex [Ir(K2N,N-dpp)(H)(Cl)(PPh3)2] (3) together with 1 and the N,N-chelating dihydride complex [Ir(K2N,N-dpp)(H)2(PPh3)2] (4). Complex 4 is also readily produced by the reaction of [Ir(PPh3)3Cl] and Hdpp in the presence of KOtBu under refluxing methanol or by the reaction of IrCl3 and PPh3 in refluxing 2-ethoxyethanol. Complexes 1-4 are fully characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The dpp-/dpp2- ligand shows rich coordination capability, of which pyridine- and pyrrole-cyclometalated coordination modes are first reported. The formation of structural isomers 1 and 3 involved the selective activation of the C-H and N-H bonds of Hdpp is rationalized by theoretical calculations.

Design of New Bridge-Ring Energetic Compounds Obtained by Diels-Alder Reactions of Tetranitroethylene Dienophile.

The density functional theory method was employed to calculate three-dimensional structures for a series of novel explosophores. The design of new molecules (DA1-DA12) was based on the bridge-ring structures that could be formed via Diels-Alder (DA) reaction of selected nitrogen-rich dienes and tetranitroethylene dienophile. The feasibility of the proposed DA reactions was predicted on the basis of the molecular orbital theory. The strong interactions between the HOMO of dienes, with electron-donating groups (Diene2, Diene6, and Diene8), and the LUMO of tetranitroethylene dienophile suggested thermodynamically favorable formation of the desired DA reaction products. In addition to molecular structures of the explored DA compounds, their physicochemical and energetic properties were also calculated in detail. Due to compact bridge-ring structures, new energetic molecules have highly positive heats of formation (up to 1124.90 kJ·mol-1) and high densities (up to 2.04 g·cm-3). Also, as a result of all-right ratios of nitrogen and oxygen, most of the new compounds possess high detonation velocities (8.28-10.02 km·s-1) and high detonation pressures (30.87-47.83 GPa). Energetic compounds DA1, DA4, and DA12 exhibit a superior detonation performance over widely used HMX explosive, and DA5, DA7, and DA10 could be comparable to the state-of-the-art CL-20 and ONC explosives. Our proposed designs and synthetic methodology should provide a platform for the development of novel energetic materials with superior performance.

Green Energetic Nitrogen-Rich Salts of 1,1'-Dinitramino-5,5'-bistetrazolate.

A series of nitrogen-rich energetic salts of 1,1'-dinitramino-5,5'-bistetrazolate (DNABT) guanidinium (1), aminoguanidinium (2), diaminoguanidinium (3), triaminoguanidinium (4), diaminouronium (5), 3,4-diamino-1,2,4-triazolium (6), and ethylenediammonium (7) was synthesized by a metathesis strategy and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and IR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The natural bond orbitals (NBOs) and electrostatic potentials (ESPs) were further computed for a better understanding of the structures of the DNABT molecule. The heats of formation were calculated based on the Born-Haber energy cycle. The detonation parameters were evaluated by using the EXPLO5 program, and the sensitivities were measured according to BAM standers. These new salts exhibit highly positive heats of formation (407.0-1377.9 kJ mol-1 ) and good thermal stabilities (180-211 °C). Most of these compounds possess detonation velocities comparable to RDX and acceptable detonation pressures. The high volumes of explosion gases of the salts 3 and 4 (921 and 933 L kg-1 , respectively) further support their power as explosives. The enhancing performances, the fact of being free of metals, and the more moderate sensitivities than K2 DNABT, suggest that the salts 4 (D=8851 m s-1 , P=29.0 GPa), 5 (D=9053 m s-1 , P=32.3 GPa), and 6 (D=8835 m s-1 , P=30.2 GPa) might be potential environmentally friendly energetic materials.

Energetic Salts Based on Tetrazole N-Oxide.

Energetic materials (explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics) are used extensively for both civilian and military applications and the development of such materials, particularly in the case of energetic salts, is subject to continuous research efforts all over the world. This Review concerns recent advances in the syntheses, properties, and potential applications of ionic salts based on tetrazole N-oxide. Most of these salts exhibit excellent characteristics and can be classified as a new family of highly energetic materials with increased density and performance, alongside decreased mechanical sensitivity. Additionally, novel tetrazole N-oxide salts are proposed based on a diverse array of functional groups and ions pairs, which may be promising candidates for new energetic materials.

Combination multinitrogen with good oxygen balance: molecule and synthesis design of polynitro-substituted tetrazolotriazine-based energetic compounds.

We investigated 5,8-dinitro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrotetrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine (short for DNTzTr (1)) using various ab initio quantum chemistry methods. We proposed an additional three novel polynitro-substituted tetrazolotriazine-based compounds with exceptional performance, including 5,8-dinitro-5,6-dioxotetrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine, DNOTzTr (2), 4,5,9,10-tetranitro[1,2,4,5]tetrazolo[3,4-b][1,2,4,5]tetrazolo[3',4':5,6]triazino[2,3-e]triazine, TNTzTr (3), and 4,5,6,10,11,12-hexanitro-bis[1,2,4,5]tetrazolo[3',4':5,6]triazino[2,3-b:2',3'-e]triazine, HNBTzTr (4). The optimized structure, electronic density, natural bond orbital (NBO) charges and HOMO-LUMO orbitals, electrostatic potential on surface of molecule, IR- and NMR-predicted spectra, as well as thermochemical parameters were calculated with the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d) level of theory. Critical parameters such as density, enthalpy of formation (EOF), and detonation performance have also been predicted. Characters with positive EOF (1386.00 and 1625.31 kJ/mol), high density (over 2.00 g/cm(3)), outstanding detonation properties (D = 9.82 km/s, P = 45.45 GPa; D = 9.94 km/s, P = 47.30 GPa), the perfect oxygen balance set to zero, and acceptable impact sensitivity led novel compounds 3 and 4 to be very promising energetic materials. This work provides the theoretical molecule design and a reasonable synthesis path for further experimental synthesis and testing.

Extensive theoretical studies on two new members of the FOX-7 family: 5-(dinitromethylene)-1,4-dinitramino-tetrazole and 1,1'-dinitro-4,4'-diamino-5,5'-bitetrazole as energetic compounds.

Two novel compounds 5-(dinitromethylene)-1,4-dinitramino-tetrazole (DNAT) and 1,1'-dinitro-4,4'-diamino-5,5'-bitetrazole (DNABT) were suggested to be potential candidates of high energy density materials (HEDMs). The optimized geometry, NBO charges and electronic density, HOMO-LUMO, electrostatic potential on the surface of molecules, the IR spectrum and thermochemical parameters were calculated for inspecting the electronic structure properties at B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory. Meanwhile, the solid states of DNAT and DNABT were studied using the crystal packing models by the plane-wave periodic local-density approximation density functional theory. Four stable polymorphous cells have been found including P212121, P21/c, P1̄ and Pbca, assigned to the orthorhombic, monoclinic and triclinic lattice systems. In addition, properties such as density, enthalpy of formation and detonation performance have also been predicted. As a result, the detonation velocity and pressure of two compounds are found to be very remarkable (DNAT: D = 9.17 km s(-1), P = 39.23 GPa; DNABT: D = 9.53 km s(-1), P = 40.92 GPa). Considering the tetrazole rings with energetic groups and the insensitive fragment of FOX-7, high positive heat of formation (583.50 kJ mol(-1) and 1081.39 kJ mol(-1)) and eminent performance render DNAT and DNABT to be very promising powerful energetically insensitive compounds. This work provides theoretical support for further experimental synthesis.

Multi-stage decomposition of 5-aminotetrazole derivatives: kinetics and reaction channels for the rate-limiting steps.

The thermal behavior, decomposition kinetics and mechanisms of 1-amino-1-(tetrazol-5-yldiazenyl) guanidine (tetrazene) and 2-(tetrazol-5-yldiazenyl) guanidine (MTX-1) have been investigated using DSC, TG techniques, and quantum chemical calculations. It has been found that MTX-1 is much more stable than tetrazene and MTX-1, and both of them decompose in three steps with different kinetic parameters. Tetrazene is melted-dehydrated at 128.4 °C with a heat absorption of 50 J g(-1) and then it starts to decompose at around 118.6 °C with a peak temperature of 126.3 °C covered by a heat release of 1037 J g(-1) at a heating rate of 1.0 °C min(-1), while MTX-1 starts at 167.7 °C with a main peak of 191.1 °C covered by a heat change of 1829 J g(-1) under the same conditions. The activation energy is almost the same for their first decomposition steps (225 kJ mol(-1)), which are controlled by a three dimensional nucleation and growth model (A3). The mechanisms of the rate-limiting steps are supported by quantum chemical calculations. They could undergo a similar rate-limiting chemical process producing 1H-tetrazole and N2 for both cases, while the former also produces aminocyanamide and the latter produces cyanamide.

Synthesis and detonation characters of 3,4,5-1H-trinitropyrazole and its nitrogen-rich energetic salts.

The development of energetic materials is still facing challenges due to the inherent contradiction between energy and sensitivity. Two new nitrogen-rich energetic salts of 3,4,5-1H-trinitropyrazole (HTNP) were synthesized. They are fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, NMR, MS and IR spectroscopy. The DSC and BAM tests were carried out as well. These TNP salts show high thermostability and high positive heat of formation. Their detonation performances were calculated by the EXPLO5 program. Most noteworthy is that DATr salt exhibits superior sensitivity and detonation performance comparable to secondary explosive RDX, making it promising for use as a new-generation green energetic material.

Trinitromethyl-Substituted 1H-1,2,4-Triazole Bridging Nitropyrazole: A Strategy of Utterly Manipulable Nitration Achieving High-Energy Density Material.

Nitro groups have been demonstrated to play a decisive role in the development of the most powerful known energetic materials. Two trinitromethyl-substituted 1H-1,2,4-triazole bridging nitropyrazoles were first synthesized by straightforward routes and were characterized by chemical (MS, NMR, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and experimental analysis (sensitivity toward friction, impact, and differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetric analysis test). Their detonation properties (detonation pressure, detonation velocity, etc.) were predicted by the EXPLO5 package based on the crystal density and calculated heat of formation with Gaussian 09. These new trinitromethyl triazoles were found to show suitable sensitivities, high density, and highly positive heat of formation. The combination of exceedingly high performances superior to those of HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitrotetraazacyclooctane), and its straightforward preparation highlights compound 8 as a promising high-energy density material (HEDM). This work supports the effectivity of utterly manipulable nitration and provides a generalizable design synthesis strategy for developing new HEDMs.

Mononuclear indium(III) photosensitizers for photo-dehalogenation and olefin reduction.

Photoactive main-group complexes have been relatively underexplored in photocatalytic applications. Herein, we report a family of indium(III) complexes (In-1-In-4) containing pyridylpyrrolide ligands with different amounts of methyl groups, which all exhibit intense visible-light absorption as well as blue-green emission with nanosecond emission lifetimes and emission quantum yields of 6.7-12.5%. Electrochemical studies and quantum chemical calculations indicate that their (photo-)redox processes involve only ligand-centered events, which efficiently mediate photocatalytic dehalogenation and olefin reduction.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research on Management Strategies for Dyspnoea in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Complicated with Chronic Heart Failure.

Objective: To investigate the most effective strategies for the management of dyspnoea in elderly patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) complicated with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: The best management plans for dyspnoea were evaluated using quantitative and qualitative research techniques for a total of 120 senior patients with CHD complicated with CHF. A self-made questionnaire on dyspnoea management strategies served as the survey instrument for the cross-sectional quantitative investigation. A phenomenological approach served as the framework for the qualitative study, which involved semi-structured interviews with 12 elderly patients who had CHD complicated by CHF. Data were gathered through audio recordings, and the Colaizzi method was used to analyse the data. Results: A data analysis of the qualitative research results revealed the four strategies for dyspnoea management that were most effective: using drugs, inhaling oxygen, staying in a comfortable position and maintaining air circulation. These were consistent with the most effective strategies identified by the quantitative findings. There was no significant difference in the choice of dyspnoea management strategies for men and women (t = 0.968, P = 0.806); patients tended to use multiple integrated strategies to manage dyspnoea. Conclusion: Health care providers should consider employing individualised combinations of dyspnoea management strategies to assist elders with CHD complicated with CHF during acute exacerbations of dyspnoea.

Design of functionalized bridged 1,2,4-triazole N-oxides as high energy density materials and their comprehensive correlations.

The demand for high energy density materials (HEDMs) remains a major challenge. Density functional theory (DFT) methods were employed to design a new family of bridged 1,2,4-triazole N-oxides by the manipulation of the linkage and oxygen-containing groups. The optimized geometry, electronic properties, energetic properties and sensitivities of new 40 molecules in this study were extensively evaluated. These designed compounds exhibit high densities (1.87-1.98 g cm-3), condensed-phase heat of formation values (457.31-986.40 kJ mol-1), impressive values for detonation velocity (9.28-9.49 km s-1) and detonation pressure (21.22-41.31 GPa). Their sensitivities (impact, electrostatic, and shock) were calculated and compared with 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TABT) and 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF). Some new compounds 4,4'-trinitro-5,5'-bridged-bis-1,2,4-triazole-2,2'-diol (TN1-TN8) and 4,4'-dinitro-5,5'-ammonia-bis-1,2,4-triazole-2,2'-diol (DN3) were distinguished from this system, making them promising candidates for HEDMs. In addition, we found that the gas-relative parameters (detonation heat, oxygen balance, φ) were as important as the density, which were highly correlated to the detonation properties (P, D). Their comprehensive correlations should also be considered in the design of new energetic molecules.