Emeralds, synthesis

The easiest way to 10 goes via the synthesis of KDNM (see Section n.C). Acidification of an aqueous solution of KDNM, which should be buffered with H3PO4 (pH = 6.5), followed by low-temperature extraction with diethyl ether, gives the monomeric emerald-green nitrosolic acid 10 dissolved in the ether phase. Slow removal of the solvent yields the yellowish dimeric form of 10. The acid (10) is only poorly characterized. It is known to slowly decompose into HCN and HNO2 in basic solution (decomposition of the anion DNM), while the free acid (10) rapidly decomposes to give fuhninic acid, HCNO and hyponitrous acid, HON=NOH. It should be noted that both the free acid and its metal DNM salts are highly explosive. 

With the exceptions of quartz and emerald, the typical crystals grown hydrothermally are small. There is no inherent reason for this. Hydrothermal synthesis of fine powders of barium titanate and similar dielectric materials is of importance in capacitor manufacture. 

Synthetic emeralds. Emeralds can be synthesized either by flux-growth or hydrothermal processes. The flux-growth techniques is used by Chatham Research Laboratories in San Francisco, United States and Les fitablissements Cdramiques Pierre Gilson, while the hydro-thermal synthesis once utilized by Union Carbide (1965-1970) is currently employed by Biron and Vacuum Ventures. Synthetic emeralds are easily distinguished from naturals by their lower indices of refraction and densities, and by their distinct inclusions. 

Compared to the relatively young history of the pure metal, aluminium compounds have been known for ages from the above-cited alum class to the more exclusive transition metal-doped aluminium oxides like ruby and sapphire (corundum varieties with chromium for the former and titanium and iron impurities for the latter) or aluminosilicate-like emeralds (a beryl type with chromium and vanadium impurities). However, to the synthetic chemist, aluminium chloride, is de facto one of the first jewels of the aluminium family. Aluminium trichloride (together with titanium tetrachloride, tin tetrachloride and boron trifluoride) is an exemplary Lewis acid that finds many applications in organic synthesis It is extensively used for instance in Friedel-Crafts alkylations and acylations, in Diels-Alder-type cycloadditions and polymerisation reactions. Its involvement in a wide range of reactions has been documented in many reviews and book chapters. ... 

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