Lithium Iron Phosphate/Carbon (LFP/C) Composite Using Nanocellulose as a Reducing Agent and Carbon Source.

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) is the most promising cathode material for use in safe electric vehicles (EVs), due to its long cycle stability, low cost, and low toxicity, but it suffers from low conductivity and ion diffusion. In this work, we present a simple method to obtain LFP/carbon (LFP/C) composites with different types of NC: cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF). Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis was used to obtain LFP with nanocellulose inside the vessel, and the final LFP/C composite was achieved by heating the mixture under a N2 atmosphere. The resulting LFP/C indicated that the NC in the reaction medium not only acts as the reducing agent that aqueous iron solutions need (avoiding the use of other chemicals), but also as a stabiliser of the nanoparticles produced in the hydrothermal synthesis, obtaining fewer agglomerated particles compared to synthesis without NC. The sample with the best coating-and, therefore, the best electrochemical response-was the sample with 12.6% carbon derived from CNF in the composite instead of CNC, due to its homogeneous coating. The utilisation of CNF in the reaction medium could be a promising method to obtain LFP/C in a simple, rapid, and low-cost way, avoiding the waste of unnecessary chemicals.

High Performance Na-O2 Batteries and Printed Microsupercapacitors Based on Water-Processable, Biomolecule-Assisted Anodic Graphene.

Integrated approaches that expedite the production and processing of graphene into useful structures and devices, particularly through simple and environmentally friendly strategies, are highly desirable in the efforts to implement this two-dimensional material in state-of-the-art electrochemical energy storage technologies. Here, we introduce natural nucleotides (e.g., adenosine monophosphate) as bifunctional agents for the electrochemical exfoliation and dispersion of graphene nanosheets in water. Acting both as exfoliating electrolytes and colloidal stabilizers, these biomolecules facilitated access to aqueous graphene bio-inks that could be readily processed into aerogels and inkjet-printed interdigitated patterns. Na-O2 batteries assembled with the graphene-derived aerogels as the cathode and a glyme-based electrolyte exhibited a full discharge capacity of ∼3.8 mAh cm-2 at a current density of 0.2 mA cm-2. Moreover, shallow cycling experiments (0.5 mAh cm-2) boasted a capacity retention of 94% after 50 cycles, which outperformed the cycle life of prior graphene-based cathodes for this type of battery. The positive effect of the nucleotide-adsorbed nanosheets on the battery performance is discussed and related to the presence of the phosphate group in these biomolecules. Microsupercapacitors made from the interdigitated graphene patterns as the electrodes also displayed a competitive performance, affording areal and volumetric energy densities of 0.03 µWh cm-2 and 1.2 mWh cm-3 at power densities of 0.003 mW cm-2 and 0.1 W cm-3, respectively. Taken together, by offering a green and straightforward route to different types of functional graphene-based materials, the present results are expected to ease the development of novel energy storage technologies that exploit the attractions of graphene.

Iron-Doped Sodium-Vanadium Fluorophosphates: Na3V2-yO2-yFey(PO4)2F1+y (y < 0.3).

The sodium-vanadium fluorophosphate family has been actively investigated recently, but few examples tackle chemical doping or the substitution of vanadium. This work presents a series of iron-doped compounds Na3V2-yO2-yFey(PO4)2F1+y (y ≤ 0.3) prepared by hydrothermal synthesis with low iron content. The amount of iron in the structure is confirmed by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electronic paramagnetic resonance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR). The degree of vanadium substitution, together with the solubility limit for iron in sodium-vanadium fluorophosphates, has been calculated by ssNMR and magnetic susceptibility measurements to be y = 0.3 based on the synthetic route used here. The introduction of small amounts of Fe3+ to the structure leads to the reduction of a fraction of V4+ to V3+, and the voltage profiles do not change with the introduction of iron to the structure. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the electrochemical-structural changes during charge and discharge are very similar to those observed in the V3+/V4+ mixed-valent Na3V2O1.6(PO4)2F1.4, which could be related to the existence of both iron dopant and V3+ in the phase.

Revisiting the thiosemicarbazonecopper(II) reaction with glutathione. Activity against colorectal carcinoma cell lines.

Thiosemicarbazones (TSCs), and their copper derivatives, have been extensively studied mainly due to the potential applications as antitumor compounds. A part of the biological activity of the TSC-CuII complexes rests on their reactivity against cell reductants, as glutathione (GSH). The present paper describes the structure of the [Cu(PTSC)(ONO2)]n compound (1) (HPTSC=pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) and its spectroscopic and magnetic properties. ESI studies performed on the reaction of GSH with 1 and the analogous [{Cu(PTSC*)(ONO2)}2] derivative (2, HPTSC*=pyridine-2-carbaldehyde 4N-methylthiosemicarbazone) show the absence of peaks related with TSC-Cu-GSH species. However GSH-Cu ones are detected, in good agreement with the release of CuI ions after reduction in the experimental conditions. The reactivity of 1 and 2 with cytochrome c and myoglobin and their activities against HT-29 and SW-480 colon carcinoma cell lines are compared with those shown by the free HPTSC and HPTSC* ligands.

Anti-thyroid and antifungal activities, BSA interaction and acid phosphatase inhibition of methimazole copper(II) complexes.

It has been reported that various metal coordination compounds have improved some biological properties. A high activity of acid phosphatase (AcP) is associated to several diseases (osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, prostate cancer, among others) and makes it a target for the development of new potential inhibitors. Anti-thyroid agents have disadvantageous side effects and the scarcity of medicines in this area motivated many researchers to synthesize new ones. Several copper(II) complexes have shown antifungal activities. In this work we presented for a first time the inhibition of AcP and the anti-thyroid activity produced by methimazole-Cu(II) complexes. Cu-Met ([Cu(MeimzH)2(H2O)2](NO3)2·H2O) produces a weak inhibition action while Cu-Met-phen ([Cu(MeimzH)2(phen)(H2O)2]Cl2) shows a strong inhibition effect (IC50 = 300 µM) being more effective than the reported behavior of vanadium complexes. Cu-Met-phen also presented a fairly good anti-thyroid activity with a formation constant value, Kc=1.02 × 10(10)M(-1) being 10(6) times more active than methimazole (Kc = 4.16 × 10(4)M(-1)) in opposition to Cu-Met which presented activity (Kc=9.54 × 10(3)M(-1)) but in a lesser extent than that of the free ligand. None of the complexes show antifungal activity except Cu-phen (MIC = 11.71 µgmL(-1) on Candidaalbicans) which was tested for comparison. Besides, albumin interaction experiments denoted high affinity toward the complexes and the calculated binding constants indicate reversible binding to the protein.

Antitumoral, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects of an octanuclear copper(II)-telmisartan complex with an hydrophobic nanometer hole.

A new Cu(II) complex with the antihypertensive drug telmisartan, [Cu8Tlm16]·24H2O (CuTlm), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and electronic, FTIR, Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystal structure (at 120 K) was solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The octanuclear complex is a hydrate of but otherwise isostructural to the previously reported [Cu8Tlm16] complex. [Cu8Tlm16]·24H2O crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/ncc space group with a = b = 47.335(1), c = 30.894(3) Å, Z = 4 molecules per unit cell giving a macrocyclic ring with a double helical structure. The Cu(II) ions are in a distorted bipyramidal environment with a somewhat twisted square basis, cis-coordinated at their core N2O2 basis to two carboxylate oxygen and two terminal benzimidazole nitrogen atoms. Cu8Tlm16 has a toroidal-like shape with a hydrophobic nanometer hole, and their crystal packing defines nanochannels that extend along the crystal c-axis. Several biological activities of the complex and the parent ligand were examined in vitro. The antioxidant measurements indicate that the complex behaves as a superoxide dismutase mimic with improved superoxide scavenger power as compared with native sartan. The capacity of telmisartan and its copper complex to expand human mesangial cells (previously contracted by angiotensin II treatment) is similar to each other. The antihypertensive effect of the compounds is attributed to the strongest binding affinity to angiotensin II type 1 receptor and not to the antioxidant effects. The cytotoxic activity of the complex and that of its components was determined against lung cancer cell line A549 and three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3, and DU 145). The complex displays some inhibitory effect on the A549 line and a high viability decrease on the LNCaP (androgen-sensitive) line. From flow cytometric analysis, an apoptotic mechanism was established for the latter cell line. Telmisartan and CuTlm show antibacterial and antifungal activities in various strains, and CuTlm displays improved activity against the Staphylococcus aureus strain as compared with unbounded copper(II).

Promising antioxidant and anticancer (human breast cancer) oxidovanadium(IV) complex of chlorogenic acid. Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic examination on the transport mechanism with bovine serum albumin.

A new chlorogenate oxidovanadium complex (Na[VO(chlorog)(H2O)3].4H2O) was synthesized by using Schlenk methodology in the course of a reaction at inert atmosphere in which deprotonated chlorogenic acid ligand binds to oxidovanadium(IV) in a reaction experiment controlled via EPR technique and based in a species distribution diagram. The compound was characterized by FTIR, EPR, UV-visible and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies and thermogravimetric, differential thermal and elemental analyses. The ligand and the complex were tested for their antioxidant effects on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), ABTS(+) (radical cation of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt), O2(-), OH and ROO radicals and their cytotoxic activity on different cancer cell lines (SKBR3, T47D and MDAMB231) and primary human mammary epithelial cells. The complex behaved as good antioxidant agent with strongest inhibitory effects on O2(-), OH and ROO radicals and exhibited selective cytotoxicity against SKBR3 cancer cell line. Albumin interaction experiments denoted high affinity toward the complex and its calculated binding constant was indicative of a strong binding to the protein. Based on this study, it is hypothesized that Na[VO(chlorog)(H2O)3].4H2O would be a promising candidate for further evaluation as an antioxidant and anticancer agent.

Biological evaluation of morin and its new oxovanadium(IV) complex as antioxidant and specific anti-cancer agents.

It is known that flavonoids possess, among others, antioxidant and antitumoral properties that depend on their molecular structure. The central objective if this study was to investigate the potential antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of the flavonol morin and its new oxovanadium(IV) complex (VOmor) that was synthesized in order to modify the morin chemical structure. Two osteoblast (UMR106 and MC3T3E1), two breast tumor (T47D and SKBR3) and breast epithelial cell lines in culture were used for the antitumoral determinations. Additionally, a comparative study of their antioxidant capacities using different radicals (DPPH, ABTS(+), OH, O2(-), ROO) was performed. Selected mechanisms of action were studied using the breast cancer cell lines. Results obtained show that morin and its complex behaved as good antioxidant agents for some of the radicals and that the complexation improved the behavior with respect to OH and O2(-) radicals being morin more effective as ROO scavenger. A considerable variation in sensitivity was observed in the breast cancer cells but non-specificity was found for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Moreover, the compounds did not affect the normal proliferation of the breast epithelial mammal cells. The mechanistic studies demonstrated that the complex did not generate reactive oxygen species in the cells (confirming the in vitro studies) and did not produce any damage of DNA. The plasmatic membrane was observed to be damaged only in the SKBR3 cell line. In contrast, the perturbation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase 3/7 for the breast tumor cells revealed an apoptotic cell death process. All these results collectively suggested that VOmor complex could serve as promising pharmacologically active substance against breast cancer treatment.

M(C6H16N3)2(VO3)4 as heterogeneous catalysts. Study of three new hybrid vanadates of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) with 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazonium.

Three new hybrid vanadates have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions with the formula M(C(6)H(16)N(3))(2)(VO(3))(4), where M = Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II). The structural analyses show that the phases are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. These compounds show a two-dimensional crystal structure, with sheets composed of [VO(3)](n)(n-) chains and metal centres octahedrally coordinated, chelated by two 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazonium ligands. The thermal study reveals that the copper containing phase is less stable than the cobalt and nickel containing ones. The IR spectra of the three phases are very similar, with little differences in the inorganic bond region of the copper containing phase. The UV-visible spectra show that the cobalt(II) and the nickel(II) are in slightly distorted octahedral environments. The catalytic tests show that the phases act as heterogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation of alkyl aryl sulfides, with both H(2)O(2) and tert-butylhydroperoxide as oxidizing agents. The influence of the steric hindrance in the kinetic profile has been studied. The catalytic reactions induce the partial amorphization of the phases.

Antioxidant, DNA cleavage, and cellular effects of silibinin and a new oxovanadium(IV)/silibinin complex.

A new complex of the oxovanadium(IV) cation with the flavolignan silibinin has been synthesized and characterized. Vanadium compounds show interesting biological and pharmacological properties and some of them display antitumoral actions. Flavonoids are part of a larger group of antioxidant compounds called polyphenols which may inhibit the proliferation and growth of cancer cells. The antioxidant and antitumoral effects of silibinin and its oxovanadium(IV) complex were investigated. Silibinin acted as a very strong antioxidant and its complexation with oxovanadium(IV) improved this behavior. Besides, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by this compound was favored in tumoral (UMR106) cells and correlated with the deleterious behavior in the proliferation of this cell line. Conversely, silibinin did not exert any effect on the proliferation of normal osteoblasts (MC3T3E1). The cytotoxic action and ROS generation of the oxovanadium(IV) complex was more effective in tumoral cells. This behavior was not consistent with cleaving DNA of plasmid DNA pA1 because no significant cleaving activity was observed in both cases. These results suggest that the main deleterious mechanisms may take place through cytotoxic effects more than genotoxic actions. A comparison with our own findings on the behavior of other flavonoids and their vanadyl(IV) complex has also been performed.

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of nickel complexes with hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand and double bridged by phosphate esters.

The reaction between [NiTp*(µ-OH)]2 (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) and (RO)2P(O)OH (R = Et, Bu, 4-NO2-Ph) affords the dinuclear nickel phosphates [NiTp*(µ-O2P(OR)2)]2 (R = Et (1), Bu (2), 4-NO2-Ph (3)), which have been studied by spectroscopic methods (IR, UV-vis, and (1)H NMR). In chloroform solution, those complexes exhibit isotropically shifted (1)H NMR resonances. Their molecular structures reveal that they all have an eight-membered Ni2O4P2 ring which possesses two nickel centers bridged to each other by two isobidentate phosphate ligands. Magnetic studies on 1-3 and other similar complexes (4 and 5) reveal antiferromagnetic behavior at low temperatures as well as an interesting correlation between calculated D values and the planarity of eight-membered Ni2O4P2 rings.

Role of oxidative stress in the antitumoral action of a new vanadyl(IV) complex with the flavonoid chrysin in two osteoblast cell lines: relationship with the radical scavenger activity.

The new complex [VO(chrysin)(2)EtOH](2) (VOchrys) has been synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Fourier transform IR, UV-vis, diffuse reflectance, and EPR spectroscopies as well as elemental analysis and thermal measurements were performed. In solution, different species could be detected by EPR spectroscopy as a function of the ligand-to-metal ratio. The stoichiometry of the chelate complex formed at pH 5 was also determined by spectrophotometric titrations. Since flavonoids are natural antioxidant compounds, the antioxidant capacity of chrysin and its vanadyl(IV) complex was investigated using different radicals. Chrysin and its complex were not able to diminish the level of superoxide and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals to a great extent. In contrast, they were strong scavengers for 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt radical cations and OH. radicals with a greater potency for VOchrys. Taking into account their selective antioxidant properties, we investigated the bioactivity of these compounds in two osteoblast-like cells in culture. Chrysin and VOchrys caused an inhibition of cell proliferation in MC3T3E1 normal osteoblasts and UMR106 tumor cells in a dose-response manner, with a greater effect in the latter cell line. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated in both cell lines and a correlation could be established between the antiproliferative effects of chrysin and the increase in the ROS levels. The complex did not generate types of ROS that can be detected by the dihydrorhodamine 123 technique so the antiproliferative effect may be attributed to the formation of other radicals such as superoxide, which is not detected by this probe. The morphological alterations were in agreement with these changes.

Losartan and its interaction with copper(II): biological effects.

Losartan, the potassium salt of 2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]imidazol, is an efficient antihypertensive drug. The vibrational FTIR and Raman spectra of Losartan (its anionic and protonated forms) are discussed. In addition, the copper(II) complex of Losartan was obtained and characterized as a microcrystalline powder. The metal center is bound to the ligand through the nitrogen atoms of the tetrazolate moiety as determined by vibrational spectroscopy. The compound is a dimer with the metal centers in a tetragonal distorted environment but the presence of a monomeric impurity has been determined by EPR spectroscopy. The antioxidant properties of the complex (superoxide dismutase mimetic activity) and its effect on the proliferation and morphology of two osteoblast-like cells in culture are reported. The new compound exerted more toxic effects on tumoral cells than the copper(II) ion and Losartan.

Structural, thermal, spectroscopic, specific-heat, and magnetic studies of (C5H18N3)[Fe3(HPO3)6].3H2O: a new organically templated iron(III) phosphite with a pillared structure formed by the interpenetration of two subnets.

A new open framework iron(III) phosphite with formula (C5H18N3)[Fe3(HPO3)6].3H2O has been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis with N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine as a templating agent. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in the trigonal space group R. The unit cell parameters are a= 8.803(1) A and c= 25.292(2) A with Z = 3. The complex pillared structure can be described as two interpenetrating subnets, one organic, [(C5H18N3).3H2O]3+, and one inorganic, [Fe3(HPO3)6]3-. In the inorganic subnet, the pillars are formed by FeO6 trimers linked by vertex sharing phosphite groups, while in the cationic subnet the organic molecules act like pillars. With increasing temperature, the flexibility of the structure allows contraction due to dehydration followed by thermal expansion before reaching the thermal stability limit. The Dq and Racah parameters calculated for (C5H18N3)[Fe3(HPO3)6].3H2O are Dq = 965, B = 1080, and C = 2472 cm(-1). Mössbauer spectroscopy confirms the trivalent oxidation state of iron cations and the crystallographic multiplicities of their sites. The ESR spectra show isotropic signals with a g-value of 2.00(1). Specific-heat measurements show a three-dimensional (lambda-type) peak at a critical temperature Tc = 32 K. The value of the entropy at saturation is 46 J/mol K, very near the expected value of 44.7 J/mol K for the iron(III) cations with S = 5/2. Magnetic measurements indicate a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering below 32 K and a reorientation of spins below 15 K with an incomplete cancellation of spins due to triangular interactions inherent to the structure.

Structure and magnetic properties of carbonate-bridged five-coordinate nickel(II) complexes controlled by solvent effect.

CO2 and HCO3- react with the dinuclear hydroxo-complex [Ni(mcN3)(mu-OH)]2(PF6)2 (mcN3 = 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene) to form micro-CO3 bridged nickel(II) complexes, [{Ni(mcN3)}2(mu-CO3)](PF6)2 (1a) with a symmetric core in which both nickel atoms are five-coordinate and [Ni(mcN3)(mu-CO3)Ni(mcN3)(MeCN)](PF6)2 (1b) with an asymmetric dinuclear core containing five- and six-coordinate nickel atoms. The magnetic behaviour indicates the existence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the metallic centres. A substantial increase in the value of J occurs when the symmetric five-coordinate nickel species transforms to an asymmetric five- and six-coordinate species by axial coordination of acetonitrile.

Synthesis, characterization, antitumoral and osteogenic activities of quercetin vanadyl(IV) complexes.

The development of new vanadium derivatives with organic ligands, which improve the beneficial actions (insulin-mimetic, antitumoral) and decrease the toxic effects, is of great interest. A good candidate for the generation of a new vanadium compound is the flavonoid quercetin because of its own anticarcinogenic effect. The complex [VO(Quer)(2)EtOH]( n ) (QuerVO) has been synthesized and characterized by means of different spectroscopic techniques (UV-vis, Fourier transform IR, electron paramagnetic resonance) and its magnetic and stability properties. The inhibitory effect on bovine alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity has been tested for the free ligand, the complex as well as for the vanadyl(IV) (comparative purposes). The biological activity of the complex on the proliferation of two osteoblast-like cells in culture, a normal one (MC3T3E1) and a tumoral one (UMR106), has been compared with that of the vanadyl(IV) cation and quercetin. The differentiation osteoblast markers ALP specific activity and collagen synthesis have been also tested. In addition, the effect of QuerVO on the activation of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is reported. The bone antitumoral effect of quercetin alone was established with the cell proliferation assays (it inhibits the proliferation of the tumoral cells and does not exert any effect on the normal osteoblasts). Moreover, the complex exerts osteogenic effects since it stimulates the type I collagen production and is a weak inhibitory agent upon ALP activity. Finally, QuerVO stimulated the ERK phosphorylation in a dose-response manner and this activation seems to be involved as one of the possible mechanisms for the biological effects of the complex.

Parametrization of the magnetic behavior of the triangular spin ladder chains organically templated: (C2N2H10)[M(HPO3)F3] (M(III) = Fe, Cr, and V). Crystal structure and thermal and spectroscopic properties of the iron(III) phase.

A new iron(III) phosphite templated by ethylenediamine has been synthesized using solvothermal conditions under autogenous pressure. The (C2N2H10)[Fe(HPO3)F3] compound has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and spectroscopic and magnetic techniques. The crystal structure is formed by chains extended along the c axis and surrounded by ethylenediammonium cations. A study by diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy has been performed, and the calculated Dq, B, and C parameters for the Fe(III) cations are 1030, 720, and 3080 cm(-1), respectively. The Mössbauer spectrum at room temperature is characteristic of Fe(III) ions. The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra carried out at different temperatures show isotropic signals with a g value of 2.00(1). The thermal evolution of the intensity of the ESR signals indicates the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions for the Fe(III) phase. The magnetic susceptibility data of the Cr(III) and V(III) compounds show antiferromagnetic couplings. The J-exchange parameters of the Fe(III) and Cr(III) compounds have been calculated by using a model for a triangular spin ladder chain. The values are J1 = -1.63(1) K and J2 = -0.87(2) K with g = 2.02 for the Fe(III) phase and J(1) = -0.56(2) K and J2 = -0.40(2) K with g = 1.99 for the Cr(III) compound. In the case of the V(III) phase, the fit has been performed considering a linear chain with the magnetic parameters D = 2.5 cm(-1) and J = -1.15(1) K.

Pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes double bridged by phosphate ester or phosphinate ligands: spectroscopic, structural, kinetic, and magnetic studies.

The bis(phosphatediester)-bridged complexes [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-O(2)P(OR)(2))](2)](PF(6))(2) [[12]aneN(3)=Me(3)[12]aneN(3), 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; R=Me (1), Bu (2), Ph (3), Ph-4-NO(2) (4); [12]aneN(3)=Me(4)[12]aneN(3), 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; R=Me (5), Bu (6), Ph (7), Ph-4-NO(2) (8)] were prepared by hydrolysis of the phosphate triester with the hydroxo complex [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-OH)](2)](PF(6))(2) or by acid-base reaction of the dialkyl or diaryl phosphoric acid and the above hydroxo complex. The acid-base reaction was also used to synthesise the phosphinate-bridged complexes [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-O(2)PR(2))](2)](PF(6))(2) [[12]aneN(3)=Me(3)[12]aneN(3), R=Me (9), Ph (10); [12]aneN(3)=Me(4)[12]aneN(3), R=Me (11), Ph (12)]. The molecular structures of complexes 2, 3 and 12 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The eight-membered rings defined by the nickel atoms and the bridging ligands show distorted twist-boat, chair and boat-boat conformations in 2, 3 and 12, respectively. The experimental susceptibility data for compounds 2, 3 and 12 were fitted by least-squares methods to the analytical expression given by Ginsberg. The best fit was obtained with values of J=-0.11 cm(-1), D=-9.5 cm(-1) and g=2.20 for 2; J=-0.97 cm(-1), D=-9.3 cm(-1) and g=2.21 for 3; and J=-0.14 cm(-1), D=-11.9 cm(-1) and g=2.195 for 12. The magnetic-exchange pathways must involve the phosphate/phosphinate bridges, because these favour antiferromagnetic interactions. The observation of a higher exchange parameter for compound 3 is a consequence of a favourable disposition of the O-P-O bridges. The kinetics for the hydrolysis of TNP (tris(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate) with the dinuclear nickel(II) hydroxo complex [[Ni(Me(3)[12]aneN(3))(mu-OH)](2)](PF(6))(2) was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. The proposed mechanism for TNP-promoted hydrolysis can be described as one-substrate/two-product, and can be fitted to a Michaelis-Menten equation.

Fe(AsO4): a new iron(III) arsenate synthesized from thermal treatment of (NH4)[Fe(AsO4)F].

The new orthorhombic Fe(AsO4) phase has been synthesized by thermal treatment at 525 degrees C of a new (NH4)[Fe(AsO4)F] compound, with a [Fe(AsO4)F]- skeleton showing channels where the ammonium cations are located. The crystal structure of Fe(AsO4) has been solved from single-crystal data. The structure is formed by layers of edge-sharing dimeric octahedra, and interconnected by chains of alternating FeO6 octahedra and AsO4 tetrahedra.