Insights into the naphthalenide-driven synthesis and reactivity of zerovalent iron nanoparticles

The chemical and thermal stability of alkali metal naphthalenides as powerful reducing agents are examined, including the type of alkali metal ([LiNaph] and [NaNaph]), the type of solvent (THF, DME), the temperature (−30 to +50 °C), and the time of storage (0 to 12 hours). The stability and concentration of [LiNaph]/[NaNaph] are quantified via UV-Vis spectroscopy and the Lambert–Beer law. As a result, the solutions of [LiNaph] in THF at low temperature turn out to be most stable. The decomposition can be related to a reductive polymerization of the solvent. The most stable [LiNaph] solutions in THF are exemplarily used to prepare reactive zerovalent iron nanoparticles, 2.3 ± 0.3 nm in size, by reduction of FeCl$_{3}$ in THF. Finally, the influence of [LiNaph] and/or remains of the starting materials and solvents upon controlled oxidation of the as-prepared Fe(0) nanoparticles with iodine in the presence of selected ligands is evaluated and results in four novel, single-crystalline iron compounds ([FeI$_{2}$(MeOH)$_{2}$], ([MePPh$_{3}$][FeI$_{3}$(Ph$_{3}$P)])$_{4}$·PPh$_{3}$·6C$_{7}$H$_{8}$, [FeI$_{2}$(PPh$_{3}$)$_{2}$], and [FeI$_{2}$(18-crown-6)]). Accordingly, reactive Fe(0) nanoparticles can be obtained in the liquid phase via [LiNaph]-driven reduction and instantaneously reacted to give new compounds without remains of the initial reduction (e.g. LiCl, naphthalene, and THF)

Being Objective With a Personal Perspective

This article examines what objectivity means to 15 environmental journalists at two Chinese newspapers and how this value guides their practices. It reveals that although objectivity is central to their journalistic ethos, the participants see it as ethical to organise reports within a framework arising from their personal judgments of news events. The appropriation and particular definition of the American journalistic norm of objectivity increases the participants' political safety and justifies them in playing their perceived role as guardians of society and educators. In so doing, they negotiate with other social actors and consolidate their cultural authority over defining reality