title: The effect of alkyl chain length on the structure of lead(ii) xanthates and their decomposition to PbS in melt reactions.
abstract: A series of lead(ii) alkylxanthates, [Pb(S2COR)2] (R = ethyl (1), n-propyl (2), n-butyl (3), n-hexyl (4) or n-octyl (5)) have been prepared and explored as single source precursors for use in melt reactions to form lead sulfide. X-ray single crystal structures of (2), (3) and (4) were used along with previously reported structures to investigate the influence of structure and chain length on the materials produced. The complexes were decomposed at 150, 175 or 200 °C forming PbS nanocrystals as confirmed by XRD and TEM. Analysis by SEM shows that the choice of precursor had an influence on nanocrystal size with longer alkyl chains resulting in smaller cubic nanocrystals. In addition to cubes, anisotropic growth was observed from decomposition of compound (5).
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. paul.o'brien@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9330-389X
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: McNaughter
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Selina A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saah
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. paul.o'brien@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Masood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. paul.o'brien@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Khadijat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abdulwahab
authors.affiliation: School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: M Azad
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. paul.o'brien@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raftery
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. paul.o'brien@manchester.ac.uk and Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Johannes A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Awudza
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. paul.o'brien@manchester.ac.uk and School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Brien