Diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn1−xMnxO nanowires were synthesized via an in situ doping of manganese in ZnO nanowires using vapor phase growth at 500 °C. The maximum content of the manganese in the ZnO is around 13 at. %, approaching the maximum thermal equilibrium limit of Mn solubility in ZnO at the growth temperature. Structure and composition analysis revealed that the manganese was doped into the lattice structure, forming solid solution instead of precipitation. Magnetic property measurements revealed that the as-doped Zn1−xMnxO nanowires exhibit ferromagnetic behavior with Curie temperature around 37 K.

Single-crystal structures of five lanthanide–erythritol complexes are reported. The analysis of the chemical compositions and scrutinization of structural features in the single-crystal data of the complexes led us to find that unexpected deprotonation occurs on the OH group of erythritol of three complexes. Considering these complexes were prepared in acidic environments, where spontaneous ionization on an OH group is suppressed, we suggest metal ions play an important role in promoting the proton transfer. To find out why the chemically inert OH is activated, the single-crystal structures of 63 rare-earth complexes containing organic ligands with multiple hydroxyl groups (OLMHs) were surveyed. The formation of μ2-bridges turns out to be directly relevant to the occurrence of deprotonation. When an OH group from an OLMH molecule participates in the formation of a μ2-bridge, the polarization ability of the metal ions becomes strong enough to promote the deprotonation on the OH group. The above structural characteristics may be useful in the rational design of catalysts that can activate the chemically inert OH group and promote the relevant chemical conversions.

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