A chemical analysis and detailed structural characterization, using X-ray single crystal and neutron powder diffraction, of the binary lithium-tin compound "Li(4.4)Sn" is presented. Phase analyses and subsequent structural refinements result in the reformulation of "Li(4.4)Sn" as Li(17)Sn(4). The lithium-rich binary phase crystallizes with a complex cubic structure in the space group Ffourmacr;3m, with a = 19.6907(11) A, Z = 20. The improved crystal structure determination indicates well-defined lithium atom positions, some of which differ from those previously reported. The nearly Zintl phase Li(17)Sn(4) exhibits poor metallic behavior similar to that of heavily doped semiconductors. Comparisons of the refined crystal structure with previously reported X-ray crystal structures associated with "Li(4.4)Sn" are discussed.

The heterocyclic diazoles 3-amino-1H-isoindole, indazole, imidazole, 4-bromoimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, pyrazole, 4-nitropyrazole, and 4-sulfopyrazole were investigated as corrosion inhibitors of iron in 1 M HCl using ac and dc techniques. The polarization curves showed a decrease in corrosion current for the inhibitor-containing solution. Impedance spectra demonstrate that the charge-transfer resistance in the presence of these inhibitors was greater than in inhibitor-free solution, except for 4-nitropyrazole. The resistance increased with inhibitor concentration and with immersion time. The structural and electronic parameters of these diazoles were calculated using computational methodologies. The elemental composition and the speciation of the treated surfaces were investigated via XPS measurements, and morphological changes were monitored by vertical scanning interferometery.

The synthetic conditions for the isolation of the iron-molybdenum nanocluster FeMoC [HxPMo12O40 [subset]H4Mo72Fe30(O2CMe)15O254(H2O)98], along with its application as a catalyst precursor for VLS growth of SWNTs have been studied. As-prepared FeMoC is contaminated with the Keplerate cage [H4Mo72Fe30(O2CMe)15O254(H2O)98] without the Keggin [HxPMo12O40]n- template, however, isolation of pure FeMoC may be accomplished by Soxhlet extraction with EtOH. The resulting EtOH solvate is consistent with the replacement of the water ligands coordinated to Fe being substituted by EtOH. FeMoC-EtOH has been characterized by IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, MS, XPS and 31P NMR. The solid-state 31P NMR spectrum for FeMoC-EtOH (delta-5.3 ppm) suggests little effect of the paramagnetic Fe3+ centers in the Keplerate cage on the Keggin ion's phosphorous. The high chemical shift anisotropy, and calculated T1 (35 ms) and T2 (8 ms) values are consistent with a weak magnetic interaction between the Keggin ion's phosphorus symmetrically located within the Keplerate cage. Increasing the FeCl2 concentration and decreasing the pH of the reaction mixture optimizes the yield of FeMoC. The solubility and stability of FeMoC in H2O and MeOH-H2O is investigated. The TGA of FeMoC-EtOH under air, Ar and H2 (in combination with XPS) shows that upon thermolysis the resulting Fe : Mo ratio is highly dependent on the reaction atmosphere: thermolysis in air results in significant loss of volatile molybdenum components. Pure FeMoC-EtOH is found to be essentially inactive as a pre-catalyst for the VLS growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) irrespective of the substrate or reaction conditions. However, reaction of FeMoC with pyrazine (pyz) results in the formation of aggregates that are found to be active catalysts for the growth of SWNTs. Activation of FeMoC may also be accomplished by the addition of excess iron. The observation of prior work's reported growth of SWNTs from FeMoC is discussed with respect to these results.

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A new lithium silver stannide, Li17Ag3Sn6, was synthesized from high-temperature reactions of the pure elements in tantalum containers. Its crystal structure, in the space group, P31m, with a = 8.063(3) A, c = 8.509(4) A, Z = 1, features two distinct AgSn-based anionic layers. Defect graphitic layers of Ag2Sn3, with ordered vacancies at one-third of the Ag sites, are alternately stacked with Kagome-like nets of isolated trigonal planar AgSn3 units. Double layers of Li ions are sandwiched between the stacked AgSn-based layers. Theoretical calculations show unusual pi-interactions within both anionic layers, with the trigonal planar [AgSn3]11- units being isoelectronic with CO(3)2-. In addition, the chemical bonding of the layered [Ag2Sn3]6- pi-network features incompletely filled lone-pair Sn states involved in in-plane trefoil aromatic interactions. Transport and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Li17Ag3Sn6 indicate excellent metallic behavior and temperature-independent paramagnetism consistent with results from band structure calculations. The "trefoil" aromaticity, previously postulated for aromatic molecular systems, is finally observed, albeit in a polar intermetallic solid-state structure that lies at the border between metals and nonmetals.