Vibrational spectroscopy of the borate mineral henmilite Ca₂Cu[B(OH)₄]₂(OH)₄.
Henmilite is a triclinic mineral with the crystal structure consisting of isolated B(OH)(4) tetrahedra, planar Cu(OH)(4) groups and Ca(OH)(3) polyhedra. The structure can also be viewed as having dimers of Ca polyhedra connected to each other through 2B(OH) tetrahedra to form chains parallel to the C axis. The structure of the mineral has been assessed by the combination of Raman and infrared spectra. Raman bands at 902, 922, 951, and 984 cm(-1) and infrared bands at 912, 955 and 998 cm(-1) are assigned to stretching vibrations of tetragonal boron. The Raman band at 758 cm(-1) is assigned to the symmetric stretching mode of tetrahedral boron. The series of bands in the 400-600 cm(-1) region are due to the out-of-plane bending modes of tetrahedral boron. Two very sharp Raman bands are observed at 3559 and 3609 cm(-1). Two infrared bands are found at 3558 and 3607 cm(-1). These bands are assigned to the OH stretching vibrations of the OH units in henmilite. A series of Raman bands are observed at 3195, 3269, 3328, 3396, 3424 and 3501 cm(-1) are assigned to water stretching modes. Infrared spectroscopy also identified water and OH units in the henmilite structure. It is proposed that water is involved in the structure of henmilite. Hydrogen bond distances based upon the OH stretching vibrations using a Libowitzky equation were calculated. The number and variation of water hydrogen bond distances are important for the stability off the mineral.
Hydroxide ions in condensed materials — Correlation of spectroscopic and structural data
Solid hydroxide research of the last twenty years is reviewed with regard to bonding and structure of hydroxide ions in solid materials. This article is focussed on new results on hydrogen bonding and other intermolecular interactions including cooperative, anticooperative, and synergetic effects, H/D isotope effects, and phase transitions due to order-disorder reorientational motions of the OH− ions. The results of the main techniques used for structure determination as well as for spectroscopic and physical measurements of solid hydroxides, viz. X-ray and neutron scattering, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, NMR and NQR studies etc., are discussed.
THE IRON-ACETOCARMINE METHOD OF FIXING AND STAINING CHROMOSOMES
A short description of this procedure was given in Vol. 55 of the American Naturalist, pp. 573â€”574. The method has now been used almost daily for five years, and certain improvements have suggested themselves. The solution can be prepared by mixing about equal volumes of glacial acetic acid and water. To this is added powdered carmine in excess. The liquid is then â€ ? just brought to boil, cooled, and decanted. To the red solution there are then added a few drops of a solution of ferric hydrate in 50 per cent. acetic acid, to act as a mordant. The amount of iron varies with different objects. Too much produces a precipitate in a short time. The more