Mixed metal metal-organic frameworks (MM-MOFs) of copper-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate (BTC), M-Cu-BTC, wherein M is Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), and/or Fe(II) may be made using post-synthetic exchange (PSE) with metal ions. Such MM-MOFs may be used in H.sub.2 storage, especially Ni(II) and Co(II) MM-MOFs. Selected metal exchanged materials can provide gravimetric H.sub.2 uptake around 1.63 wt. % for Zn—Cu-BTC, around 1.61 wt. % for Ni—Cu-BTC, around 1.63 wt. % for Fe—Cu-BTC, and around 1.12 wt. % for Co—Cu-BTC.

Mixed metal metal-organic frameworks (MM-MOFs) of copper-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate (BTC), M-Cu-BTC, wherein M is Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), and/or Fe(II) may be made using post-synthetic exchange (PSE) with metal ions. Such MM-MOFs may be used in H.sub.2 storage, especially Ni(II) and Co(II) MM-MOFs. Selected metal exchanged materials can provide gravimetric H.sub.2 uptake around 1.63 wt. % for Zn—Cu-BTC, around 1.61 wt. % for Ni—Cu-BTC, around 1.63 wt. % for Fe—Cu-BTC, and around 1.12 wt. % for Co—Cu-BTC.

A new strategy to design container molecules is presented. Sulfonylcalix[4]arenes, which are synthetic macrocyclic containers, are used as building blocks that are combined with various metal ions and tricarboxylate ligands to construct metal-organic ‘super-containers’ (MOSCs). These MOSCs possess both endo and exo cavities and thus mimic the structure of viruses. The synthesis of MOSCs is highly modular, robust, and predictable.

A new strategy to design container molecules is presented. Sulfonylcalix[4]arenes, which are synthetic macrocyclic containers, are used as building blocks that are combined with various metal ions and tricarboxylate ligands to construct metal-organic ‘super-containers’ (MOSCs). These MOSCs possess both endo and exo cavities and thus mimic the structure of viruses. The synthesis of MOSCs is highly modular, robust, and predictable.

Functionalized Group IVA particles, methods of preparing the Group IVA particles, and methods of using the Group IVA particles are provided. The Group IVA particles may be passivated with at least one layer of material covering at least a portion of the particle. The layer of material may be a covalently bonded non-dielectric layer of material. The Group IVA particles may be used in various technologies, including lithium ion batteries and photovoltaic cells.

Functionalized Group IVA particles, methods of preparing the Group IVA particles, and methods of using the Group IVA particles are provided. The Group IVA particles may be passivated with at least one layer of material covering at least a portion of the particle. The layer of material may be a covalently bonded non-dielectric layer of material. The Group IVA particles may be used in various technologies, including lithium ion batteries and photovoltaic cells.

Disclosed are nickel-containing complexation precursors having high complexation activity for bidentate processed under various conditions phosphite ligands. Also disclosed are methods of making the complexation precursors. The disclosed method of generating the nickel-containing complexation precursor includes including contacting a nickel starting material with a reductant under conditions sufficient to generate a nickel-containing complexation precursor having at least about 1,500 ppmw sulfur in the form of sulfide.

Disclosed are nickel-containing complexation precursors having high complexation activity for bidentate processed under various conditions phosphite ligands. Also disclosed are methods of making the complexation precursors. The disclosed method of generating the nickel-containing complexation precursor includes including contacting a nickel starting material with a reductant under conditions sufficient to generate a nickel-containing complexation precursor having at least about 1,500 ppmw sulfur in the form of sulfide.

A method of forming a thin film on a substrate which includes a step of contacting a surface with a precursor compound having a transition metal and one or more alkyl-1,3-diazabutadiene ligands is provided. The resulting modified surface is then contacted with an activating compound.

The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.