xi Punjab CM asks PM Modi for "Exit Strategy" from lockdown 3.0 By www.newkerala.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 07:04:01 +0530 Full Article
xi Elon Musk threatens to exit California over virus restrictions By www.thehindu.com Published On :: Sun, 10 May 2020 05:13:35 +0530 He wrote that whether the company keeps any manufacturing in Fremont depends on how Tesla is treated in the future. Full Article International
xi Low-dose X-ray structure analysis of cytochrome c oxidase utilizing high-energy X-rays By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-06-14 To investigate the effect of high-energy X-rays on site-specific radiation-damage, low-dose diffraction data were collected from radiation-sensitive crystals of the metal enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. Data were collected at the Structural Biology I beamline (BL41XU) at SPring-8, using 30 keV X-rays and a highly sensitive pixel array detector equipped with a cadmium telluride sensor. The experimental setup of continuous sample translation using multiple crystals allowed the average diffraction weighted dose per data set to be reduced to 58 kGy, and the resulting data revealed a ligand structure featuring an identical bond length to that in the damage-free structure determined using an X-ray free-electron laser. However, precise analysis of the residual density around the ligand structure refined with the synchrotron data showed the possibility of a small level of specific damage, which might have resulted from the accumulated dose of 58 kGy per data set. Further investigation of the photon-energy dependence of specific damage, as assessed by variations in UV-vis absorption spectra, was conducted using an on-line spectrometer at various energies ranging from 10 to 30 keV. No evidence was found for specific radiation damage being energy dependent. Full Article text
xi Characterization of the soft X-ray spectrometer PEAXIS at BESSY II By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-01-01 The performance of the recently commissioned spectrometer PEAXIS for resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering (RIXS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and its hosting beamline U41-PEAXIS at the BESSY II synchrotron are characterized. The beamline provides linearly polarized light from 180 eV to 1600 eV allowing for RIXS measurements in the range 200–1200 eV. The monochromator optics can be operated in different configurations to provide either high flux with up to 1012 photons s−1 within the focal spot at the sample or high energy resolution with a full width at half maximum of <40 meV at an incident photon energy of ∼400 eV. The measured total energy resolution of the RIXS spectrometer is in very good agreement with theoretically predicted values obtained by ray-tracing simulations. PEAXIS features a 5 m-long RIXS spectrometer arm that can be continuously rotated about the sample position by 106° within the horizontal photon scattering plane, thus enabling the study of momentum-transfer-dependent excitations. Selected scientific examples are presented to demonstrate the instrument capabilities, including measurements of excitations in single-crystalline NiO and in liquid acetone employing a fluid cell sample manipulator. Planned upgrades of the beamline and the RIXS spectrometer to further increase the energy resolution to ∼100 meV at 1000 eV incident photon energy are discussed. Full Article text
xi A five-axis parallel kinematic mirror unit for soft X-ray beamlines at MAX IV By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-01-29 With the introduction of the multi-bend achromats in the new fourth-generation storage rings the emittance has decreased by an order of magnitude resulting in increased brightness. However, the higher brightness comes with smaller beam sizes and narrower radiation cones. As a consequence, the requirements on mechanical stability regarding the beamline components increases. Here an innovative five-axis parallel kinematic mirror unit for use with soft X-ray beamlines using off-axis grazing-incidence optics is presented. Using simulations and measurements from the HIPPIE beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory it is shown that it has no Eigen frequencies below 90 Hz. Its positioning accuracy is better than 25 nm linearly and 17–35 µrad angularly depending on the mirror chamber dimensions. Full Article text
xi A portable on-axis laser-heating system for near-90° X-ray spectroscopy: application to ferropericlase and iron silicide By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-02-13 A portable IR fiber laser-heating system, optimized for X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS) spectroscopy with signal collection through the radial opening of diamond anvil cells near 90°with respect to the incident X-ray beam, is presented. The system offers double-sided on-axis heating by a single laser source and zero attenuation of incoming X-rays other than by the high-pressure environment. A description of the system, which has been tested for pressures above 100 GPa and temperatures up to 3000 K, is given. The XES spectra of laser-heated Mg0.67Fe0.33O demonstrate the potential to map the iron spin state in the pressure–temperature range of the Earth's lower mantle, and the NIS spectra of laser-heated FeSi give access to the sound velocity of this candidate of a phase inside the Earth's core. This portable system represents one of the few bridges across the gap between laser heating and high-resolution X-ray spectroscopies with signal collection near 90°. Full Article text
xi Location of Cu2+ in CHA zeolite investigated by X-ray diffraction using the Rietveld/maximum entropy method By journals.iucr.org Published On :: Rietveld/MEM analysis applied to synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data of dehydrated CHA zeolites with catalytically active Cu2+ reveals Cu2+ in both the six- and eight-membered rings in the CHA framework, providing the first complete structural model that accounts for all Cu2+. Density functional theory calculations are used to corroborate the experimental structure and to discuss the Cu2+ coordination in terms of the Al distribution in the framework. Full Article text
xi The indexing ambiguity in serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) resolved using an expectation maximization algorithm By journals.iucr.org Published On :: An expectation maximization algorithm is implemented to resolve the indexing ambiguity which arises when merging data from many crystals in protein crystallography, especially in cases where partial reflections are recorded in serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) at XFELs. Full Article text
xi EXAFS and XANES analysis of oxides at the nanoscale By journals.iucr.org Published On :: This work presents a discussion of the possibilities offered by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to study the local structure of nanomaterials. The current state of the art for the interpretation of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), including an advanced approach based on the use of classical molecular dynamics, is described and exemplified in the case of NiO nanoparticles. In addition, the limits and possibilities of X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) in determining several effects associated with the nanocrystalline nature of materials are also discussed in connection with the development of ZnO-based dilute magnetic semiconductors and iron oxide nanoparticles. Full Article text
xi (2S,3S,4R,4a'R,5R,5a'R,11a'R,12'S,12a'R)-5-(Acetoxymethyl)-2',2',10',10'-tetramethyloctahydro-3H,8'H-spiro[furan-2,7'-[1,3]dioxino[4',5':5,6]pyrano[3,2-d][1,3,6]trioxocine]-3,4,12'-triyl tria By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-12 While the crystal structure analysis of the title compound, C26H38O15, a synthetic derivative of sucrose, was originally reported 40 years ago [Drew et al. (1979). Carbohydr. Res. 71, 35–42], the present work has allowed for the determination of its absolute configuration through the application of resonant scattering techniques. Full Article text
xi trans-Bis(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)bis(3-nitrobenzohydroxamato-κ2O,O')zinc(II) By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-19 Single crystals of the title complex, [Zn(C7H5N2O4)2(C2H6OS)2] or [Zn(NBZH)2(DMSO)2], were isolated from a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution containing [Zn(NBZH)2]·2H2O (NBZH = 3-nitrobenzohydroxamate anion). The asymmetric unit comprises of one O,O'-chelating NBZH anion, one O-bound DMSO ligand and one zinc(II) cation localized on an inversion centre. The three-dimensional crystal packing includes N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, as well as O⋯H and H⋯H contacts identified by Hirshfeld isosurface analysis. Full Article text
xi Bis(μ2-4-nitrophenolato)bis(4-nitrophenolato)di-μ3-oxido-octaphenyltetratin chloroform sesquisolvate [+ solvate]: a tetranuclear stannoxane By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-08-06 The title tetranuclear stannoxane, [Sn4(C6H5)8(C6H4NO3)4O2]·1.5CHCl3·solvent, crystallized with two independent complex molecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit together with 1.5 molecules of chloroform. There is also a region of disordered electron density, which was corrected for using the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. The oxo-tin core of each complex is in a planar `ladder' arrangement and each Sn atom is fivefold SnO3C2 coordinated, with one tin centre having an almost perfect square-pyramidal coordination geometry, while the other three Sn centres have distorted shapes. In the crystal, the complex molecules are arranged in layers, composed of A or B complexes, lying parallel to the bc plane. The complex molecules are linked by a number of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds within the layers and between the layers, forming a supramolecular three-dimensional structure. Full Article text
xi Bis(μ2-benzoato-κ2O,O')bis(benzoato-κO)bis(ethanol-κO)bis(μ3-hydroxido)hexakis(μ-pyrazolato-κ2N,N')hexacopper(II) ethanol disolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-09-03 Trinuclear copper–pyrazolate entities are present in various Cu-based enzymes and nanojar supramolecular arrangements. The reaction of copper(II) chloride with pyrazole (pzH) and sodium benzoate (benzNa) assisted by microwave radiation afforded a neutral centrosymmetric hexanuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu6(C7H5O2)4(OH)2(C3H3N2)6(C2H5OH)2]·2C2H5OH. Half a molecule is present in the asymmetric unit that comprises a [Cu3(μ3-OH)(pz)3]2+ core with the copper(II) atoms arranged in an irregular triangle. The three copper(II) atoms are bridged by an O atom of the central hydroxyl group and by three bridging pyrazolate ligands on each of the sides. The carboxylate groups show a chelating mode to one and a bridging syn,syn mode to the other two CuII atoms. The coordination environment of one CuII atom is square-planar while it is distorted square-pyramidal for the other two. Two ethanol molecules are present in the asymmetric unit, one binding to one of the CuII atoms, one as a solvent molecule. In the crystal, stabilization arises from intermolecular O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions. Full Article text
xi 5,13-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-d]thiophene S,S-dioxide dichloromethane hemisolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-11-19 The title compound, C34H24O4S·0.5CH2Cl2, crystallizes with two independent molecules and one dichloromethane solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The crystal packing is consolidated by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Full Article text
xi 2,2'-[Methylenebis(sulfanediyl)]bis(pyridine 1-oxide) By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-02-11 The title compound, C11H10N2O2S2, crystallizes with one complete molecule in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, weak hydrogen bonding is observed between the N-oxide moieties and several C—H units. Full Article text
xi [1–9-NαC]-Linusorb B3 (Cyclolinopeptide A) dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-03-13 Crystals of the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvate of [1–9-NαC]-linusorb B3 (Cyclolinopeptide A; CLP-A; C57H84N9O9·C2H6OS), a cyclic polypeptide were obtained following peptide extraction and purification from flaxseed oil. There are four intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, the molecules are linked in chains along the a axis by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Each DMSO O atom accepts a hydrogen bond from an NH group at the Phe6 location in the CLP-A molecule. Full Article text
xi Tris(4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine)(trans-4-tert-butylcyclohexanolato)deca-μ-oxido-heptaoxidoheptavanadium acetonitrile monosolvate including another unknown solvent molecule By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-04-07 The title heptanuclear alkoxido(oxido)vanadium(V) oxide cluster complex, [V7(C10H19O)O17(C18H24N2)3]·CH3CN, was obtained by the reaction of [V8O20(C18H24N2)4] with 4-tert-butylcyclohexanol (mixture of cis and trans) in a mixed CHCl3/CH3CN solvent. The complex has a V7O18N6 core with approximately Cs symmetry, which is composed of two VO4 tetrahedra, two VO6 octahedra and three VO4N2 octahedra. In the crystal, these complexes are linked together by weak intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine ligand and the V7O18N6 core, forming a one-dimensional network along the c-axis direction. Besides the complex, the asymmetric unit contains one CH3CN solvent molecule. The contribution of other disordered solvent molecules to the scattering was removed using the SQUEEZE option in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. The unknown solvent molecules are not considered in the chemical formula and other crystal data. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-[4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy]phthalonitrile dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-05-10 This work presents the synthesis and structural characterization of [4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy]phthalonitrile, a phthalonitrile derivative carrying a benzimidazole moiety. The compound crystallizes as its dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate, C21H12N4O·(CH3)2SO. The dihedral angle between the two fused rings in the heterocyclic ring system is 2.11 (1)°, while the phenyl ring attached to the imidazole moiety is inclined by 20.7 (1)° to the latter. In the crystal structure, adjacent molecules are connected by pairs of weak intermolecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds into inversion dimers. N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with R21(7) graph-set motifs are also formed between the organic molecule and the disordered dimethyl sulfoxide solvent [occupancy ratio of 0.623 (5):0.377 (5) for the two sites of the sulfur atom]. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots were used to investigate the intermolecular interactions in the crystalline state. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure of tetrakis[μ-3-carboxy-1-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)adamantane-κ2N1:N2]tetrafluoridodi-μ2-oxido-dioxidodisilver(I)divanadium(V) tetrahydrate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-05-17 The crystal structure of the title molecular complex, [Ag2{VO2F2}2(C13H17N3O2)4]·4H2O, supported by the heterofunctional ligand tr-ad-COOH [1-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-3-carboxyadamantane] is reported. Four 1,2,4-triazole groups of the ligand link two AgI atoms, as well as AgI and VV centres, forming the heterobimetallic coordination cluster {AgI2(VVO2F2)2(tr)4}. VV exists as a vanadium oxofluoride anion and possesses a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination environment [VO2F2N]. A carboxylic acid functional group of the ligand stays in a neutral form and is involved in hydrogen bonding with solvent water molecules and VO2F2− ions of adjacent molecules. The extended hydrogen-bonding network is responsible for the crystal packing in the structure. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure of bis(μ-{2-[(5-bromo-2-oxidobenzylidene)amino]ethyl}sulfanido-κ3N,O,S){2,2'-[(3,4-dithiahexane-1,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(4-bromophenolato)-κ4O,N,N',O By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-05-24 The title binuclear CoIII complex, [Co2(C9H8BrNOS)2(C18H16Br2N2O2S2)]·C3H7NO, with a Schiff base ligand formed in situ from cysteamine (2-aminoethanethiol) and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde crystallizes in the space group P21. It was found that during the synthesis the ligand undergoes spontaneous oxidation, forming the new ligand H2L' having an S—S bond. Thus, the asymmetric unit consists of one Co2(L)2(L') molecule and one DMF solvent molecule. Each CoIII ion has a slightly distorted octahedral S2N2O2 coordination geometry. In the crystal, the components are linked into a three-dimensional network by several S⋯ Br, C⋯ Br, C—H⋯Br, short S⋯C (essentially shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii for the atoms involved) contacts as well by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal studied was refined as an inversion twin. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure of a polymorph of μ-oxido-bis[(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)iron(III)] By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-05-31 The title compound, [Fe2(C44H28N4O)2O], was obtained as a by-product during the synthesis of FeIII tetraphenylporphyrin perchlorate. It crystallizes as a new polymorphic modification in addition to the orthorhombic form previously reported [Hoffman et al. (1972). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 94, 3620–3626; Swepston & Ibers (1985) Acta Cryst. C41, 671–673; Kooijmann et al. (2007). Private Communication (refcode 667666). CCDC, Cambridge, England]. In its crystal structure, the two crystallographically independent FeIII cations are coordinated in a square-planar environment by the four N atoms of a tetraphenylporphyrin ligand. The FeIII-tetraphenylporphyrine units are linked by a μ2-oxido ligand into a dimer with an Fe—O—Fe angle close to linearity. The final coordination sphere for each FeIII atom is square-pyramidal with the μ2-oxido ligand in the apical position. The crystal under investigation consisted of two domains in a ratio of 0.691 (3): 0.309 (3). Full Article text
xi Crystal structures of two bis-carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) compounds By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-06-14 Two bis-carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide compounds, namely {[(3-{[2-(diphenylphosphinoyl)ethanamido]methyl}benzyl)carbamoyl]methyl}diphenylphosphine oxide, C36H34N2O4P2, (I), and diethyl [({2-[2-(diethoxyphosphinoyl)ethanamido]ethyl}carbamoyl)methyl]phosphonate, C14H30N2O8P2, (II), were synthesized via nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions between an ester and a primary amine. Hydrogen-bonding interactions are present in both crystals, but these interactions are intramolecular in the case of compound (I) and intermolecular in compound (II). Intramolecular π–π stacking interactions are also present in the crystal of compound (I) with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.9479 (12) Å and a dihedral angle of 9.56 (12)°. Intermolecular C—H⋯π interactions [C⋯centroid distance of 3.622 (2) Å, C—H⋯centroid angle of 146°] give rise to supramolecular sheets that lie in the ab plane. Key geometric features for compound (I) involve a nearly planar, trans-amide group with a C—N—C—C torsion angle of 169.12 (17)°, and a torsion angle of −108.39 (15)° between the phosphine oxide phosphorus atom and the amide nitrogen atom. For compound (II), the electron density corresponding to the phosphoryl group was disordered, and was modeled as two parts with a 0.7387 (19):0.2613 (19) occupancy ratio. Compound (II) also boasts a trans-amide group that approaches planarity with a C—N—C—C torsion angle of −176.50 (16)°. The hydrogen bonds in this structure are intermolecular, with a D⋯A distance of 2.883 (2) Å and a D—H⋯A angle of 175.0 (18)° between the amide hydrogen atom and the P=O oxygen atom. These non-covalent interactions create ribbons that run along the b-axis direction. Full Article text
xi Two isomers of [1-benzyl-4-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-κN3]dichloridobis(dimethyl sulfoxide-κS)ruthenium(II) By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-04 The structures of two isomers of the title compound, [RuCl2(C14H12N4)(C2H6OS)2], 2 and 3, are reported. Isomers 2 and 3 are produced by reaction of the pyridyltriazole ligand 1-benzyl-4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (bpt) (1) with fac-[RuCl2(DMSO-S)3(DMSO-O)]. Reaction in acetone produces ca 95% 2, which is the OC-6-14 isomer, with cis DMSO and trans chlorido ligands, and 5% 3 (the OC-6-32 isomer, with cis DMSO and cis chlorido ligands, and the pyridyl moiety of bpt trans to DMSO). Reaction in refluxing toluene initially forms 2, which slowly isomerizes to 3. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure of hexa-μ-chlorido-μ4-oxido-tetrakis{[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-κN3]copper(II)} containing short NO2⋯NO2 contacts By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-06-25 The title tetranuclear copper complex, [Cu4Cl6O(C6H9N3O3)4] or [Cu4Cl6O(MET)4] [MET is 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole or metronidazole], contains a tetrahedral arrangement of copper(II) ions. Each copper atom is also linked to the other three copper atoms in the tetrahedron via bridging chloride ions. A fifth coordination position on each metal atom is occupied by a nitrogen atom of the monodentate MET ligand. The result is a distorted CuCl3NO trigonal–bipyramidal coordination polyhedron with the axial positions occupied by oxygen and nitrogen atoms. The extended structure displays O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, as well as unusual short O⋯N interactions [2.775 (4) Å] between the nitro groups of adjacent clusters that are oriented perpendicular to each other. The scattering contribution of disordered water and methanol solvent molecules was removed using the SQUEEZE procedure [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–16] in PLATON [Spek (2009). Acta Cryst. D65, 148–155]. Full Article text
xi Molecular and crystal structure of 5,9-dimethyl-5H-pyrano[3,2-c:5,6-c']bis[2,1-benzothiazin]-7(9H)-one 6,6,8,8-tetroxide dimethylformamide monosolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-06-28 The title molecule crystallizes as a dimethylformamide monosolvate, C19H14N2O6S2·C3H7NO. The molecule was expected to adopt mirror symmetry but slightly different conformational characteristics of the condensed benzothiazine ring lead to point group symmetry 1. In the crystal, molecules form two types of stacking dimers with distances of 3.464 (2) Å and 3.528 (2) Å between π-systems. As a result, columns extending parallel to [100] are formed, which are connected to intermediate dimethylformamide solvent molecules by C—H⋯O interactions. Full Article text
xi Crystal structures of two CuII compounds: catena-poly[[chloridocopper(II)]-μ-N-[ethoxy(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-N'-[oxido(pyridin-3-yl)methylidene]hydrazine-κ4N,N',O:N''] and di-μ-chlorido-1:4κ2Cl:Cl-2:3κ2Cl:Cl-dichlorido-2κ By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-06-28 Two CuII complexes [Cu(C14H13N4O2)Cl]n, I, and [Cu4(C8H10NO2)4Cl4]n, II, have been synthesized. In the structure of the mononuclear complex I, each ligand is coordinated to two metal centers. The basal plane around the CuII cation is formed by one chloride anion, one oxygen atom, one imino and one pyridine nitrogen atom. The apical position of the distorted square-pyramidal geometry is occupied by a pyridine nitrogen atom from a neighbouring unit, leading to infinite one-dimensional polymeric chains along the b-axis direction. Each chain is connected to adjacent chains by intermolecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl interactions, leading to a three-dimensional network structure. The tetranuclear complex II lies about a crystallographic inversion centre and has one core in which two CuII metal centers are mutually interconnected via two enolato oxygen atoms while the other two CuII cations are linked by a chloride anion and an enolato oxygen. An open-cube structure is generated in which the two open-cube units, with seven vertices each, share a side composed of two CuII ions bridged by two enolato oxygen atoms acting in a μ3-mode. The CuII atoms in each of the two CuO3NCl units are connected by one μ2-O and two μ3-O atoms from deprotonated hydroxyl groups and one chloride anion to the three other CuII centres. Each of the pentacoordinated CuII cations has a distorted NO3Cl square-pyramidal environment. The CuII atoms in each of the two CuO2NCl2 units are connected by μ2-O and μ3-O atoms from deprotonated alcohol hydroxy groups and one chloride anion to two other CuII ions. Each of the pentacoordinated CuII cations has a distorted NO2Cl2 square-pyramidal environment. In the crystal, a series of intramolecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds are observed in each tetranuclear monomeric unit, which is connected to four tetranuclear monomeric units by intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, thus forming a planar two-dimensional structure in the (overline{1}01) plane. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-[(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)oxy]acetic acid dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-09 The title compound, C11H8O5·(CH3)2SO, is a new coumarin derivative. The asymmetric unit contains two coumarin molecules (A and B) and two dimethylsulfoxide solvent molecules (A and B). The dihedral angle between the pyran and benzene rings in the chromene moiety is 3.56 (2)° for molecule A and 1.83 (2)° for molecule B. In molecule A, the dimethyl sulfoxide sulfur atom is disordered over two positions with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.782 (5):0.218 (5). In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running along the c-axis direction. The chains are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ac plane. In addition, there are also C—H⋯π and π–π interactions present within the layers. The intermolecular contacts in the crystal have been analysed using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, which indicate that the most important contributions to the packing are from H⋯H (33.9%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (41.2%) contacts. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure of poly[[(μ3-hydroxido-κ3O:O:O)(μ3-selenato-κ3O1:O2:O3)tris[μ3-2-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)acetato-κ3N1:N2:O]tricopper(II)] dihydrate] By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-16 The title coordination polymer, {[Cu3(C4H4N3O9)3(SeO4)(OH)]·2H2O}n or ([Cu3(μ3-OH)(trgly)3(SeO4)]·2H2O), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The three independent Cu2+ cations adopt distorted square-pyramidal geometries with {O2N2+O} polyhedra. The three copper centres are bridged by a μ3-OH anion, leading to a triangular [Cu3(μ3-OH)] core. 2-(1,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)acetic acid (trgly-H) acts in a deprotonated form as a μ3-κ3N1:N2:O ligand. The three triazolyl groups bridge three copper centres of the hydroxo-cluster in an N1:N2 mode, thus supporting the triangular geometry. The [Cu3(μ3-OH)(tr)3] clusters serve as secondary building units (SBUs). Each SBU can be regarded as a six-connected node, which is linked to six neighbouring triangles through carboxylate groups, generating a two-dimensional uninodal (3,6) coordination network. The selenate anion is bound in a μ3-κ3O1:O2:O3 fashion to the trinuclear copper platform. The [Cu3(OH)(trgly)3(SeO4)] coordination layers and guest water molecules are linked together by numerous O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, leading to a three-dimensional structure. Full Article text
xi Crystal structures of four dimeric manganese(II) bromide coordination complexes with various derivatives of pyridine N-oxide By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-30 Four manganese(II) bromide coordination complexes have been prepared with four pyridine N-oxides, viz. pyridine N-oxide (PNO), 2-methylpyridine N-oxide (2MePNO), 3-methylpyridine N-oxide (3MePNO), and 4-methylpyridine N-oxide (4MePNO). The compounds are bis(μ-pyridine N-oxide)bis[aquadibromido(pyridine N-oxide)manganese(II)], [Mn2Br4(C5H5NO)4(H2O)2] (I), bis(μ-2-methylpyridine N-oxide)bis[diaquadibromidomanganese(II)]–2-methylpyridine N-oxide (1/2), [Mn2Br4(C6H7NO)2(H2O)4]·2C6H7NO (II), bis(μ-3-methylpyridine N-oxide)bis[aquadibromido(3-methylpyridine N-oxide)manganese(II)], [Mn2Br4(C6H7NO)4(H2O)2] (III), and bis(μ-4-methylpyridine N-oxide)bis[dibromidomethanol(4-methylpyridine N-oxide)manganese(II)], [Mn2Br4(C6H7NO)4(CH3OH)2] (IV). All the compounds have one unique MnII atom and form a dimeric complex that contains two MnII atoms related by a crystallographic inversion center. Pseudo-octahedral six-coordinate manganese(II) centers are found in all four compounds. All four compounds form dimers of Mn atoms bridged by the oxygen atom of the PNO ligand. Compounds I, II and III exhibit a bound water of solvation, whereas compound IV contains a bound methanol molecule of solvation. Compounds I, III and IV exhibit the same arrangement of molecules around each manganese atom, ligated by two bromide ions, oxygen atoms of two PNO ligands and one solvent molecule, whereas in compound II each manganese atom is ligated by two bromide ions, one O atom of a PNO ligand and two water molecules with a second PNO molecule interacting with the complex via hydrogen bonding through the bound water molecules. All of the compounds form extended hydrogen-bonding networks, and compounds I, II, and IV exhibit offset π-stacking between PNO ligands of neighboring dimers. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure of a binuclear mixed-valence ytterbium complex containing a 2-anthracene-substituted phenoxide ligand By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-08-23 Reaction of 2-(anthracen-9-yl)phenol (HOPhAn, 1) with divalent Yb[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF in THF–toluene mixtures affords the mixed-valence YbII–YbIII dimer {[2-(anthracen-9-yl)phenolato-κO]bis(tetrahydrofuran)ytterbium(III)}-tris[μ-2-(anthracen-9-yl)phenolato]-κ4O:O;κO:1,2-η,κO-{[2-(anthracen-9-yl)phenolato-κO]ytterbium(II)} toluene trisolvate, [Yb2(C20H13O)5(C4H8O)2]·3C7H7 or [YbIII(THF)2(OPhAn)](μ-OPhAn)3[YbII(OPhAn)]·3C7H7 (2), as the major product. It crystallized as a toluene trisolvate. The Yb—O bond lengths in the crystal structure of this dimer clearly identify the YbII and YbIII centres. Interestingly, the formally four-coordinate YbII centre shows a close contact with one anthracene C—C bond of a bridging OPhAn ligand, bringing the formal coordination number to five. Full Article text
xi The crystal structure of ((cyclohexylamino){(Z)-2-[(E)-5-methoxy-3-nitro-2-oxidobenzylidene-κO]hydrazin-1-ylidene-κN2}methanethiolato-κS)(dimethyl sulfoxide-κS)platinum(II): a supramolecular two-dimens By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-09-12 The PtII atom in the title complex, [Pt(C15H18N4O4S)(C2H6OS)], exists within a square-planar NS2O donor set provided by the N, S, O atoms of the di-anionic tridentate thiosemicarbazo ligand and a dimethyl sulfoxide S atom. The two chelate rings are coplanar, subtending a dihedral angle of 1.51 (7)°. The maximum deviation from an ideal square-planar geometry is seen in the five-membered chelate ring with an S—Pt—S bite angle of 96.45 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked via N—H⋯O, C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N and C—H⋯π interactions into two-dimensional networks lying parallel to the ab plane. The conformations of related cyclohexylhydrazine-1-carbothioamide ligands are compared to that of the title compound. Full Article text
xi Crystal structure, characterization and Hirshfeld analysis of bis{(E)-1-[(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)diazenyl]naphthalen-2-olato}copper(II) dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-02-18 In the title compound, [Cu(C16H8Br3N2O)2]·C2H6OS, the CuII atom is tetracoordinated in a square-planar coordination, being surrounded by two N atoms and two O atoms from two N,O-bidentate (E)-1-[(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)diazenyl]naphthalen-2-olate ligands. The two N atoms and two O atoms around the metal center are trans to each other, with an O—Cu—O bond angle of 177.90 (16)° and a N—Cu—N bond angle of 177.8 (2)°. The average distances between the CuII atom and the coordinated O and N atoms are 1.892 (4) and 1.976 (4) Å, respectively. In the crystal, complexes are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and by π–π interactions involving adjacent naphthalene ring systems [centroid–centroid distance = 3.679 (4) Å]. The disordered DMSO molecules interact weakly with the complex molecules, being positioned in the voids left by the packing arrangement of the square-planar complexes. The DMSO solvent molecule is disordered over two positions with occupancies of 0.70 and 0.30. Full Article text
xi Synthesis and crystal structure of a pentacopper(II) 12-metallacrown-4: cis-diaquatetrakis(dimethylformamide-κO)manganese(II) tetrakis(μ3-N,2-dioxidobenzene-1-carboximidate)pentacopper(II) By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-04-30 The title compound, [Mn(C3H7NO)4(H2O)2][Cu5(C7H4NO3)4]·C3H7NO or cis-[Mn(H2O)2(DMF)4]{Cu[12-MCCu(II)N(shi)-4]}·DMF, where MC is metallacrown, shi3− is salicylhydroximate, and DMF is N,N-dimethylformamide, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n. Two crystallographically independent metallacrown anions are present in the structure, and both anions exhibit minor main molecule disorder by an approximate (non-crystallographic) 180° rotation with occupancy ratios of 0.9010 (9) to 0.0990 (9) for one anion and 0.9497 (8) to 0.0503 (8) for the other. Each pentacopper(II) metallacrown contains four CuII ions in the MC ring and a CuII ion captured in the central cavity. Each CuII ion is four-coordinate with a square-planar geometry. The anionic {Cu[12-MCCu(II)N(shi)-4]}2− is charged-balanced by the presence of a cis-[Mn(H2O)2(DMF)4]2+ cation located in the lattice. In addition, the octahedral MnII counter-cation is hydrogen bonded to both MC anions via the coordinated water molecules of the MnII ion. The water molecules form hydrogen bonds with the phenolate and carbonyl oxygen atoms of the shi3− ligands of the MCs. Full Article text
xi Namdinator – automatic molecular dynamics flexible fitting of structural models into cryo-EM and crystallography experimental maps By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-06-27 Model building into experimental maps is a key element of structural biology, but can be both time consuming and error prone for low-resolution maps. Here we present Namdinator, an easy-to-use tool that enables the user to run a molecular dynamics flexible fitting simulation followed by real-space refinement in an automated manner through a pipeline system. Namdinator will modify an atomic model to fit within cryo-EM or crystallography density maps, and can be used advantageously for both the initial fitting of models, and for a geometrical optimization step to correct outliers, clashes and other model problems. We have benchmarked Namdinator against 39 deposited cryo-EM models and maps, and observe model improvements in 34 of these cases (87%). Clashes between atoms were reduced, and the model-to-map fit and overall model geometry were improved, in several cases substantially. We show that Namdinator is able to model large-scale conformational changes compared to the starting model. Namdinator is a fast and easy tool for structural model builders at all skill levels. Namdinator is available as a web service (https://namdinator.au.dk), or it can be run locally as a command-line tool. Full Article text
xi Conformational characterization of full-length X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) through an integrated approach By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-08-23 The X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is a multidomain protein whose main function is to block apoptosis by caspase inhibition. XIAP is also involved in other signalling pathways, including NF-κB activation and copper homeostasis. XIAP is overexpressed in tumours, potentiating cell survival and resistance to chemotherapeutics, and has therefore become an important target for the treatment of malignancy. Despite the fact that the structure of each single domain is known, the conformation of the full-length protein has never been determined. Here, the first structural model of the full-length XIAP dimer, determined by an integrated approach using nuclear magnetic resonance, small-angle X-ray scattering and electron paramagnetic resonance data, is presented. It is shown that XIAP adopts a compact and relatively rigid conformation, implying that the spatial arrangement of its domains must be taken into account when studying the interactions with its physiological partners and in developing effective inhibitors. Full Article text
xi Extraordinary structural complexity of ilmajokite: a multilevel hierarchical framework structure of natural origin By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-01-01 The crystal structure of ilmajokite, a rare Na-K-Ba-Ce-titanosilicate from the Khibiny mountains, Kola peninsula, Russia, has been solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structure is based on a 3D titanosilicate framework consisting of trigonal prismatic titanosilicate (TPTS) clusters centered by Ce3+ in [9]-coordination. Four adjacent TPTS clusters are linked into four-membered rings within the (010) plane and connected via ribbons parallel to 101. The ribbons are organized into layers parallel to (010) and modulated along the a axis with a modulation wavelength of csinβ = 32.91 Å and an amplitude of ∼b/2 = 13.89 Å. The layers are linked by additional silicate tetrahedra. Na+, K+, Ba2+ and H2O groups occur in the framework cavities and have different occupancies and coordination environments. The crystal structure of ilmajokite can be separated into eight hierarchical levels: atoms, coordination polyhedra, TPTS clusters, rings, ribbons, layers, the framework and the whole structure. The information-based analysis allows estimation of the complexity of the structure as 8.468 bits per atom and 11990.129 bits per cell. According to this analysis, ilmajokite is the third-most complex mineral known to date after ewingite and morrisonite, and is the most complex mineral framework structure, comparable in complexity to paulingite-(Ca) (11 590.532 bits per cell). Full Article text
xi The active form of quinol-dependent nitric oxide reductase from Neisseria meningitidis is a dimer By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-03-21 Neisseria meningitidis is carried by nearly a billion humans, causing developmental impairment and over 100 000 deaths a year. A quinol-dependent nitric oxide reductase (qNOR) plays a critical role in the survival of the bacterium in the human host. X-ray crystallographic analyses of qNOR, including that from N. meningitidis (NmqNOR) reported here at 3.15 Å resolution, show monomeric assemblies, despite the more active dimeric sample being used for crystallization. Cryo-electron microscopic analysis of the same chromatographic fraction of NmqNOR, however, revealed a dimeric assembly at 3.06 Å resolution. It is shown that zinc (which is used in crystallization) binding near the dimer-stabilizing TMII region contributes to the disruption of the dimer. A similar destabilization is observed in the monomeric (∼85 kDa) cryo-EM structure of a mutant (Glu494Ala) qNOR from the opportunistic pathogen Alcaligenes (Achromobacter) xylosoxidans, which primarily migrates as a monomer. The monomer–dimer transition of qNORs seen in the cryo-EM and crystallographic structures has wider implications for structural studies of multimeric membrane proteins. X-ray crystallographic and cryo-EM structural analyses have been performed on the same chromatographic fraction of NmqNOR to high resolution. This represents one of the first examples in which the two approaches have been used to reveal a monomeric assembly in crystallo and a dimeric assembly in vitrified cryo-EM grids. A number of factors have been identified that may trigger the destabilization of helices that are necessary to preserve the integrity of the dimer. These include zinc binding near the entry of the putative proton-transfer channel and the preservation of the conformational integrity of the active site. The mutation near the active site results in disruption of the active site, causing an additional destabilization of helices (TMIX and TMX) that flank the proton-transfer channel helices, creating an inert monomeric enzyme. Full Article text
xi Biochemical and structural explorations of α-hydroxyacid oxidases reveal a four-electron oxidative decarboxylation reaction By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-30 p-Hydroxymandelate oxidase (Hmo) is a flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-dependent enzyme that oxidizes mandelate to benzoylformate. How the FMN-dependent oxidation is executed by Hmo remains unclear at the molecular level. A continuum of snapshots from crystal structures of Hmo and its mutants in complex with physiological/nonphysiological substrates, products and inhibitors provides a rationale for its substrate enantioselectivity/promiscuity, its active-site geometry/reactivity and its direct hydride-transfer mechanism. A single mutant, Y128F, that extends the two-electron oxidation reaction to a four-electron oxidative decarboxylation reaction was unexpectedly observed. Biochemical and structural approaches, including biochemistry, kinetics, stable isotope labeling and X-ray crystallography, were exploited to reach these conclusions and provide additional insights. Full Article text
xi The flavin mononucleotide cofactor in α-hydroxyacid oxidases exerts its electrophilic/nucleophilic duality in control of the substrate-oxidation level By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-09-24 The Y128F single mutant of p-hydroxymandelate oxidase (Hmo) is capable of oxidizing mandelate to benzoate via a four-electron oxidative decarboxylation reaction. When benzoylformate (the product of the first two-electron oxidation) and hydrogen peroxide (an oxidant) were used as substrates the reaction did not proceed, suggesting that free hydrogen peroxide is not the committed oxidant in the second two-electron oxidation. How the flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-dependent four-electron oxidation reaction takes place remains elusive. Structural and biochemical explorations have shed new light on this issue. 15 high-resolution crystal structures of Hmo and its mutants liganded with or without a substrate reveal that oxidized FMN (FMNox) possesses a previously unknown electrophilic/nucleophilic duality. In the Y128F mutant the active-site perturbation ensemble facilitates the polarization of FMNox to a nucleophilic ylide, which is in a position to act on an α-ketoacid, forming an N5-acyl-FMNred dead-end adduct. In four-electron oxidation, an intramolecular disproportionation reaction via an N5-alkanol-FMNred C'α carbanion intermediate may account for the ThDP/PLP/NADPH-independent oxidative decarboxylation reaction. A synthetic 5-deaza-FMNox cofactor in combination with an α-hydroxyamide or α-ketoamide biochemically and structurally supports the proposed mechanism. Full Article text
xi Flexible workflows for on-the-fly electron-microscopy single-particle image processing using Scipion By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-10-01 Electron microscopy of macromolecular structures is an approach that is in increasing demand in the field of structural biology. The automation of image acquisition has greatly increased the potential throughput of electron microscopy. Here, the focus is on the possibilities in Scipion to implement flexible and robust image-processing workflows that allow the electron-microscope operator and the user to monitor the quality of image acquisition, assessing very simple acquisition measures or obtaining a first estimate of the initial volume, or the data resolution and heterogeneity, without any need for programming skills. These workflows can implement intelligent automatic decisions and they can warn the user of possible acquisition failures. These concepts are illustrated by analysis of the well known 2.2 Å resolution β-galactosidase data set. Full Article text
xi Controlled dehydration, structural flexibility and gadolinium MRI contrast compound binding in the human plasma glycoprotein afamin By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-11-19 Afamin, which is a human blood plasma glycoprotein, a putative multifunctional transporter of hydrophobic molecules and a marker for metabolic syndrome, poses multiple challenges for crystallographic structure determination, both practically and in analysis of the models. Several hundred crystals were analysed, and an unusual variability in cell volume and difficulty in solving the structure despite an ∼34% sequence identity with nonglycosylated human serum albumin indicated that the molecule exhibits variable and context-sensitive packing, despite the simplified glycosylation in insect cell-expressed recombinant afamin. Controlled dehydration of the crystals was able to stabilize the orthorhombic crystal form, reducing the number of molecules in the asymmetric unit from the monoclinic form and changing the conformational state of the protein. An iterative strategy using fully automatic experiments available on MASSIF-1 was used to quickly determine the optimal protocol to achieve the phase transition, which should be readily applicable to many types of sample. The study also highlights the drawback of using a single crystallographic structure model for computational modelling purposes given that the conformational state of the binding sites and the electron density in the binding site, which is likely to result from PEGs, greatly varies between models. This also holds for the analysis of nonspecific low-affinity ligands, where often a variety of fragments with similar uncertainty can be modelled, inviting interpretative bias. As a promiscuous transporter, afamin also seems to bind gadoteridol, a magnetic resonance imaging contrast compound, in at least two sites. One pair of gadoteridol molecules is located near the human albumin Sudlow site, and a second gadoteridol molecule is located at an intermolecular site in proximity to domain IA. The data from the co-crystals support modern metrics of data quality in the context of the information that can be gleaned from data sets that would be abandoned on classical measures. Full Article text
xi From space group to space groupoid: the partial symmetry of low-temperature E-vanillyl oxime By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2019-07-23 The phase transition of E-vanillyl oxime {1-[(E)-(hydroxyimino)methyl]-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene, C8H9NO3} has been analysed by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. The high-temperature (HT) phase (P21/a, Z' = 1) transforms into the low-temperature (LT) phase (threefold superstructure, Poverline{1}, Z' = 6) at ca 190 K. The point operations lost on cooling, {m[010], 2[010]}, are retained as twin operations and constitute the twin law. The screw rotations and glide reflections are retained in the LT phase as partial operations acting on a subset of Euclidean space {b E}^3. The full symmetry of the LT phase, including partial operations, is described by a disconnected space groupoid which is built of three connected components. Full Article text
xi Quantitative three-dimensional nondestructive imaging of whole anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-04-17 Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria play a key role in the global nitrogen cycle and in nitrogenous wastewater treatment. The anammox bacteria ultrastructure is unique and distinctly different from that of other prokaryotic cells. The morphological structure of an organism is related to its function; however, research on the ultrastructure of intact anammox bacteria is lacking. In this study, in situ three-dimensional nondestructive ultrastructure imaging of a whole anammox cell was performed using synchrotron soft X-ray tomography (SXT) and the total variation-based simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (TV-SART). Statistical and quantitative analyses of the intact anammox bacteria were performed. High soft X-ray absorption composition inside anammoxosome was detected and verified to be relevant to iron-binding protein. On this basis, the shape adaptation of the anammox bacteria response to iron was explored. Full Article text
xi Comparative study of the around-Fermi electronic structure of 5d metals and metal-oxides by means of high-resolution X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopies By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-04-14 The composition of occupied and unoccupied electronic states in the vicinity of Fermi energies is vital for all materials and relates to their physical, chemical and mechanical properties. This work demonstrates how the combination of resonant and non-resonant X-ray emission spectroscopies supplemented with theoretical modelling allows for quantitative analysis of electronic states in 5d transition metal and metal-oxide materials. Application of X-rays provides element selectivity that, in combination with the penetrating properties of hard X-rays, allows determination of the composition of electronic states under working conditions, i.e. non-vacuum environment. Tungsten metal and tungsten oxide are evaluated to show the capability to simultaneously assess composition of around-band-gap electronic states as well as the character and magnitude of the crystal field splitting. Full Article text
xi A routine for the determination of the microstructure of stacking-faulted nickel cobalt aluminium hydroxide precursors for lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide battery materials By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-02-01 The microstructures of six stacking-faulted industrially produced cobalt- and aluminium-bearing nickel layered double hydroxide (LDH) samples that are used as precursors for Li(Ni1−x−yCoxAly)O2 battery materials were investigated. Shifts from the brucite-type (AγB)□(AγB)□ stacking pattern to the CdCl2-type (AγB)□(CβA)□(BαC)□ and the CrOOH-type (BγA)□(AβC)□(CαB)□ stacking order, as well as random intercalation of water molecules and carbonate ions, were found to be the main features of the microstructures. A recursive routine for generating and averaging supercells of stacking-faulted layered substances implemented in the TOPAS software was used to calculate diffraction patterns of the LDH phases as a function of the degree of faulting and to refine them against the measured diffraction data. The microstructures of the precursor materials were described by a model containing three parameters: transition probabilities for generating CdCl2-type and CrOOH-type faults and a transition probability for the random intercalation of water/carbonate layers. Automated series of simulations and refinements were performed, in which the transition probabilities were modified incrementally and thus the microstructures optimized by a grid search. All samples were found to exhibit the same fraction of CdCl2-type and CrOOH-type stacking faults, which indicates that they have identical Ni, Co and Al contents. Different degrees of interstratification faulting were determined, which could be correlated to different heights of intercalation-water-related mass-loss steps in the thermal analyses. Full Article text
xi Structure analysis of supported disordered molybdenum oxides using pair distribution function analysis and automated cluster modelling By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-02-01 Molybdenum oxides and sulfides on various low-cost high-surface-area supports are excellent catalysts for several industrially relevant reactions. The surface layer structure of these materials is, however, difficult to characterize due to small and disordered MoOx domains. Here, it is shown how X-ray total scattering can be applied to gain insights into the structure through differential pair distribution function (d-PDF) analysis, where the scattering signal from the support material is subtracted to obtain structural information on the supported structure. MoOx catalysts supported on alumina nanoparticles and on zeolites are investigated, and it is shown that the structure of the hydrated molybdenum oxide layer is closely related to that of disordered and polydisperse polyoxometalates. By analysing the PDFs with a large number of automatically generated cluster structures, which are constructed in an iterative manner from known polyoxometalate clusters, information is derived on the structural motifs in supported MoOx. Full Article text
xi Significant texture improvement in single-crystalline-like materials on low-cost flexible metal foils through growth of silver thin films By journals.iucr.org Published On :: Single-crystalline-like thin films composed of crystallographically aligned grains are a new prototype of 2D materials developed recently for low-cost and high-performance flexible electronics as well as second-generation high-temperature superconductors. In this work, significant texture improvement in single-crystalline-like materials is achieved through growth of a 330 nm-thick silver layer. Full Article text
xi Pattern matching indexing of Laue and monochromatic serial crystallography data for applications in Materials Science By journals.iucr.org Published On :: An algorithm, based on the matching of q-vectors pairs, is combined with three-dimensional pattern matching using a nearest-neighbors approach to index Laue and monochromatic serial crystallography data recorded on small unit cell samples. Full Article text
xi GIWAXS-SIIRkit: Scattering Intensity, Indexing, and Refraction Calculation Toolkit for Grazing Incidence Wide Angle X-ray Scattering of Organic Materials By journals.iucr.org Published On :: A software package for Grazing Incident Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (GIWAXS) geared toward weakly ordered materials, including: scattering intensity normalization/uncertainty, scattering pattern indexing, and refractive shift correction. Full Article text
xi The mechanism of solvent-mediated desolvation transformation of lenvatinib mesylate from dimethyl sulfoxide solvate to form D By scripts.iucr.org Published On :: 2020-05-07 In this work, the mechanism of solvent-mediated desolvation transformation of lenvatinib mesylate (LM) was investigated. Two new solid forms of LM, a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvate and an unsolvated form defined as form D, were discovered and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. To investigate the thermodynamic mechanism of solvent-mediated desolvation transformation (SMDT) from LM DMSO solvate to form D, solubilities of LM DMSO solvate and form D in binary solvent mixtures of DMSO and water at different water volume fractions and temperatures (293.15–323.15 K) were measured and correlated by non-random two liquids model. The solubility data were used to evaluate the thermodynamic driving force of the SMDT process from DMSO solvate to form D and the effect of the activities of water and DMSO on the transformation process. Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor in situ the solid phase compositions during the SMDT process from LM DMSO solvate to form D while the solution concentration was measured by the gravimetric method. The overall desolvation transformation experiments demonstrated that the SMDT process was controlled by the nucleation and growth of form D. Moreover, effects of operating factors on the SMDT process were studied and the results illustrated that water activity in solution was the paramount parameter in the SMDT process. Finally, a new SMDT mechanism was suggested and discussed. Full Article text