Kinetic Investigation of the Electrochemical Oxidation of Bis(benzene)chromium(0) in Diethyl ketone/N,N-Dimethylformamide

The cyclic voltametric technique utilizing a platinum working electrode was applied for the investigation of the electrochemical oxidation of bis(benzene)chromium(0), (C₆H₆)₂Cr to bis(benzene)chromium(I), (C₆H₆)₂Cr⁺ in diethyl ketone (DEK), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and DEK/DMF binary mixtures containing n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) as the supporting electrolyte at T=298.15 K. The half-wave potentials (E _1/2) of the (C₆H₆)₂Cr^+/0 redox couple in DEK, DMF and DEK/DMF binary mixtures, were determined. The variation of E _1/2 with the solvent composition was found to be almost linear. The E _1/2 results were analyzed in terms of the electron-donating power of the solvent medium. The diffusion coefficients, D, were calculated using the Randles-Sevcik equation. The kinetics of the electrode reaction were investigated through the determination of the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants, k _s, according to the electrochemical rate equation proposed by Nicholson. Furthermore, the activation Gibbs energies for the electron-transfer process (ΔG ^≠) were also calculated. The results indicate that the redox couple (C₆H₆)₂Cr^+/0 exhibits an electrochemically reversible and diffusion-controlled process in all the investigated solvent media.     

Thermodynamic Features of the Complexation of Neodymium(III) and Americium(III) by Lactate in Trifluoromethanesulfonate Media

The protonation of lactate has been studied in a variety of electrolyte solutions using microcalorimetry to reveal a distinct medium influence imposed on the thermochemistry of the equilibrium. The thermochemistry of lactate protonation, when studied directly in 1.0 mol⋅L⁻¹ sodium lactate, agreed well with the studies performed in trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate). This thermodynamic agreement suggests that the physical chemistry of lactate in the solutions applicable to the TALSPEAK process—a solvent extraction method for separating trivalent actinides from trivalent lanthanides within the scope of used nuclear fuel processing efforts—may be simulated in triflate solutions. Potentiometry, spectrophotometry and microcalorimetry have been subsequently used to study the thermodynamic features of neodymium and americium complexation by lactate using triflate as a strong background electrolyte. Three successive mononuclear lactate complexes were identified for Nd(III) and Am(III). The stability constants for neodymium, β ₁₀₁=2.60±0.01, β ₁₀₂=4.66±0.02 and β ₁₀₃=5.6±0.1, and for americium, β ₁₀₁=2.60±0.06, β ₁₀₂=4.7±0.1 and β ₁₀₃=6.2±0.2, were found to closely agree with the thermodynamic studies reported in sodium perchlorate solutions. Consequently, the thermodynamic medium effect, imposed on the TALSPEAK-related solution equilibria by the presence of strong background electrolytes such as NaClO₄ and NaNO₃, does not significantly impact the speciation in solution.     

In vitro evaluation of the schistosomicidal potential of Eremanthus erythropappus (DC) McLeisch (Asteraceae) extracts

Eremanthus erythropappus (DC) McLeisch, a plant popularly known as Candeia (Asteraceae), has high therapeutic potential. In this study, the in?vitro schistosomicidal potentials of the ethanolic, dichloromethane and hexane extract of branches were evaluated. Couples of worms obtained from the infected mice were cultured in RPMI supplemented with foetal bovine serum and antibiotics. Four pairs of adult worms were exposed to increasing concentrations of each extract and examined by light microscope. The extracts at 100 and 200?μg?mL(-1) had schistosomicidal activity, as demonstrated by the analysis of several aspects such as tegument darkening, absence of motility, incapacity of adhesion in culture plate and absence of egg in culture medium. At 50 and 75?μg?mL(-1), the dichloromethane and hexane extracts were highly effective. The results suggest that these extracts could be useful in the development of new schistosomicidal drugs.     

Heats of adsorption from the Dubinin-Astakhov model applied to the characterization of pillared interlayered clays (PILCs)

Heats of adsorption of organic molecules are a useful tool for the characterization of porosity and surface chemistry of microporous materials. This work describes the possibility of using heats of adsorption of organic molecules, estimated from a methodology derived from the Dubinin-Astakhov equation, for the characterization of Pillared Interlayered Clays. The estimated heats were compared with data determined directly by adsorption microcalorimetry. It is shown that the chemical nature of the organic probe molecule strongly conditions the obtained results. The best agreement between calculated and experimental values, amongst the probe molecules studied, was found for toluene.     

On the influence of heterogeneity of graphene sheets in the determination of the pore size distribution of activated carbons

We model carbon-based microporous materials, such as activated carbons, taking into account surface defects in the form of geometrical rugosity in the inner surface of each graphitic slit pore. The used model is a simplified variation of the randomly etched graphite (REG) pore model (Seaton et al., Langmuir 13:1199–1204, 1997).     

Sorption of Lead(II) on Two Chelating Resins: From the Exchange Coefficient to the Intrinsic Complexation Constant

The sorption of inorganic lead(II) on two cationic resins containing different complexing groups, the iminodiacetic Chelex 100 and the carboxylic Amberlite CG-50, was investigated. The Gibbs-Donnan model was used to describe and predict the sorption through the determination of the intrinsic complexation constants. These quantities, even though non-thermodynamic, characterize the sorption as being independent of experimental conditions. The sorption mechanism for metals on complexing resins was also studied by adding a competitive soluble ligand that shifts the sorption curves to higher pH. The ligand competes with the resin for complexation with the metal ion. Lead(II) is strongly sorbed on Chelex 100 through the formation of two complexes in the resin phase: MHL with log ₁₀ β _111i =−0.3 and ML with log ₁₀ β _111i =−3.7. The presence of the competitive ligand in solution allows for the determination of a third complex. Furthermore, on Amberlite CG-50 the sorption is rather strong and involves the formation of the complex ML, in more acidic solution, with log ₁₀ β _110i =−2.0. In the presence of the ligand PyDA, the ML(OH) complex was characterized by log ₁₀ β _11−1i =−5.6. In all the experiments the hydrolysis reactions in the aqueous phase are considered quantitatively.     

In situ scanning tunnelling microscopic study of the initial stages of growth and of the structure of the passive film on Ni(111) in 1 mM NaOH(aq)

In situ electrochemical scanning tunnelling microscopic (STM) measurements of the growth mechanism of the passive film on Ni(111) single-crystal surfaces in an alkaline 1 mM NaOH aqueous solution are reported. Stepping the potential from –1,050 mV/SHE, where the terrace topography of the bare Ni(111) surface is observed, to –800 mV generates a continuous step flow resulting from a slow dissolution of the surface localized at step edges of the surface. Islands are observed on the terraces that possibly correspond to the specific adsorption of hydroxide anions, without formation of an ordered structure. The nucleation of the passivating oxide is preferentially located at the step edges at this potential. The ongoing dissolution at the nearby step edges not yet passivated leads to the formation of isolated 2D islands of the passivating oxide. At –780 mV, the formation of extended islands constituted of 2D nanocrystals (~2 nm) is observed on the substrate terraces and blocks the dissolution at the step edges. The nanocrystals have an hexagonal lattice assigned to the formation of a monolayer of Ni(OH)₂(0001) in strained epitaxy on Ni(111). At E–630 mV, the formation of a facetted topography is observed as a result of the 3D growth of the passive film in tilted epitaxy on the substrate. Its structure is in excellent agreement with that expected for an unstrained 3D -Ni(OH)₂(0001) layer. This 3D layer of -Ni(OH)₂ is not reduced by a cathodic sweep of the potential down to –1,500 mV whereas the 2D islands are reduced under similar conditions. Ageing of the passive film shifts cathodically the potential of non-reversibility.Special issue for Prof. Gyorgy Horanyi on the occasion of his 70th birthday, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Electrochemistry and Material Science.     

Investigation of the Thermodynamic Properties of the Cationic Surfactant CTAC in EG + Water Binary Mixtures

To understand the thermodynamic characteristics of cationic surfactants in binary mixtures, the aggregation behavior of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) has been investigated in ethylene glycol (EG) + water solvent mixtures at different temperatures and EG to water ratios. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and degree of counter ion bonding (β) were calculated from electrical conductivity measurements. An equilibrium model for micelle formation was applied to obtain the thermodynamic parameters for micellization, including the standard Gibbs energies of micellization (DG_mic^o)\Delta G_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}}), standard enthalpies of micelle formation (DH_mic^o)\Delta H_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}}) and standard entropies of micellization (DS_mic^o)\Delta S_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}}). Our results show that DG_mic^o\Delta G_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}} is always negative and slightly dependent on temperature. The process of micellization is entropy driven in pure water, whereas in EG + water mixtures the micellization is enthalpy driven.     

Volumetric Study of Aqueous Solutions of Polyethylene Glycol as a Function of the Polymer Molar Mass in the Temperature Range 283.15 to 313.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Density measurements were made for binary aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol at seven temperatures: 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. Polyethylene glycol samples with nominal average molar masses of 3000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 3000), 6000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 6000), 10000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 10000) and 20000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 20000) were used. These results were used to determine the specific volumes of solutions with solute-to-solvent mass ratios (mass of the solute/mass of the solvent) in the range 0.0546 to 1.4932 for PEG 3000, from 0.0553 to 1.4986 for PEG 6000, from 0.0552 to 1.2241 for PEG 10000, and from 0.0530 to 1.2264 for PEG 20000. The differences between the specific volume of a solution and the specific volume of the pure solvent, at a given temperature, were represented by a virial-type equation in terms of solute concentration. The first-order coefficient of the expansion is the partial specific volume of the solute at infinite dilution. The higher-order coefficients are related to the contribution of pairs, triplets, and higher-order solute aggregates, according to the Constant-Pressure Solution Theory. The functional dependence of the virial coefficients upon temperature is discussed in terms of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions. The effect of the PEG molar mass on the partial specific volume of solute at infinite dilution, as well as the contributions of pairs of solute molecules to the solution volume, are also investigated. The apparent specific volume, apparent specific expansibility, apparent specific expansibility at infinite dilution and virial coefficients of the apparent specific expansibility are also presented.     

Isopiestic Investigation of the Osmotic and Activity Coefficients of {yMgCl2+(1−y)MgSO4}(aq) and the Osmotic Coefficients of Na2SO4⋅MgSO4(aq) at 298.15 K

Isopiestic vapor-pressure measurements were made for {yMgCl₂+(1−y)MgSO₄}(aq) solutions with MgCl₂ ionic strength fractions of y=(0,0.1997,0.3989,0.5992,0.8008, and 1) at the temperature 298.15 K, using KCl(aq) as the reference standard. These measurements for the mixtures cover the ionic strength range I=0.9794 to 9.4318 mol⋅kg⁻¹. In addition, isopiestic measurements were made with NaCl(aq) as reference standard for mixtures of {xNa₂SO₄+(1−x)MgSO₄}(aq) with the molality fraction x=0.5000 that correspond to solutions of the evaporite mineral bloedite (astrakanite), Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(cr). The total molalities, m _T=m(Na₂SO₄)+m(MgSO₄), range from m _T=1.4479 to 4.4312 mol⋅kg⁻¹ (I=5.0677 to 15.509 mol⋅kg⁻¹), where the uppermost concentration is the highest oversaturation molality that could be achieved by isothermal evaporation of the solvent at 298.15 K. The parameters of an extended ion-interaction (Pitzer) model for MgCl₂(aq) at 298.15 K, which were required for an analysis of the {yMgCl₂+(1−y)MgSO₄}(aq) mixture results, were evaluated up to I=12.075 mol⋅kg⁻¹ from published isopiestic data together with the six new osmotic coefficients obtained in this study. Osmotic coefficients of {yMgCl₂+(1−y)MgSO₄}(aq) solutions from the present study, along with critically-assessed values from previous studies, were used to evaluate the mixing parameters of the extended ion-interaction model.     

Radical scavenging and in vitro antifungal activities of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes of the t-butylphenyl derivative of porphyrazine

Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes and metal-free t-butylphenyl peripherally substituted porphyrazine (Pz) have been screened for in vitro antifungal (Aspergillus niger) and antioxidant (free radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, and reducing power) activities. The results were compared with synthetic antioxidants, e.g., butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), trolox, or α-tocopherol. The free radical scavenging activity of H₂Pz was higher than the CuPz complex. However, CuPz complex showed higher superoxide radical scavenging activity than BHA, BHT, and trolox while H₂Pz and CoPz showed weaker activity than BHA, BHT, and trolox. The reducing power of all complexes was similar to that of BHT and α-tocopherol on a per molar basis. The ligand and complexes have antifungal activity against A. niger. The compounds have significant superoxide radical scavenging activity against various antioxidant systems in vitro.     

Densities and Viscosities of Tris(acetylacetonato)cobalt(III) Complex Solutions in Various Solvents

The densities and the viscosities of tris(acetylacetonato)cobalt(III) solutions in acetonitrile, dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrachloromethane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene were measured in the dilute concentration regions at several temperatures ranging from 278 to 313 K under ambient pressure. The partial molar volumes of the solvents and solute were calculated. They are independent of concentration and increase slightly as the temperature increases. The viscosity A- and B-coefficients of the Jones-Dole equation were obtained. The A-coefficients were found to be zero within experimental error. The B-coefficients are positive and decrease as the temperature increases. Thermodynamic quantities of activation for viscous flow were calculated on the basis of Eyring’s viscosity equation. From the quantities obtained in this study, along with some information from the literature, it is suggested that structure-making interactions occur between the segments of the complex and the solvent molecules. These interactions include electrostatic interactions between the local charge on the complex and the dipole moment of the solvent in solutions of acetonitrile and dichloromethane, interlocking packing interactions along C ₃-axis of the complex with solvent in solutions of chloroform and tetrachloromethane, and π-electron interactions between the chelate ring of the complex and the solvent in solutions of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene.     

Coordination Features of a Polyaza-Bipyridine-Macrocyclic Ligand toward Co(II) and Cd(II) in Water and Dimethylsulfoxide

The coordination features of a polyaza macrocycle, containing the diverse bipyridine unit 4,4′-(2,5,6,11,14-pentaaza[15]-[15](2,2′)-bipyridylophane (L3), with Co(II) and Cd(II) have been studied in aqueous solution and in the aprotic solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The study was carried out at 298 K by means of potentiometric, spectrophotometric and calorimetric techniques. The formation of the dinuclear species M₂ L3 is observed for Co(II) both in water and in DMSO, whereas Cd(II) is able to form this type of dinuclear complex only in DMSO. The FT-IR spectra of the mononuclear species ML3, formed in both solvents, provide evidence that the rigid structure of the polyaminic chain prevents metal ions from being coordinated by all of the nitrogens of the macrocyclic cavity, in good agreement with the behavior suggested by the thermodynamic parameters. The results are compared with those for the complexation of Co(II) and Cd(II) with similar polyazamacrocycles containing a bipyridine unit directly inside the cavity. Semi-empirical calculations were also performed to obtain structural information.     

Self-assembly snapshots of a 2 × 2 copper(I) grid

Self-assembled 2 × 2 grids have been characterised as high-fidelity species produced when the correct stoichiometric ratios are met, but rarely are the individual steps leading to and from their formation characterised. Here, we present such a study using equilibrium-restricted factor analysis to model a set of UV–vis spectra starting from a bis-bidentate ligand to the assembly of a 2 × 2 grid complex upon titration with 1 equiv. of [Cu(MeCN)₄](PF₆) and to disassembly upon further titration. Intermediate species [CuL₂]⁺, [Cu₂L₃]²⁺, [Cu₃L₂]³⁺ and [Cu₂L]²⁺ are evidenced along the assembly and disassembly pathways. Complementary ¹H NMR titrations are consistent with the rich set of complexes and equilibria involved. Given the nature of the assembly process, the assembly is entropy driven and likely enthalpy driven as well. The disassembly process is both enthalpy and entropy driven according to the standard free energy values derived from the modelling of the spectrophotometric titration data.     

Adsorption of CO2 as a method for the characterisation of the structure of alumina-pillared clay catalysts

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the metal loading on the structure of two series of cobalt and manganese pillared clay-supported catalysts. For this purpose, equilibrium data for CO₂ adsorption at 273 K were analysed using Freundlich, Langmuir and Toth isotherm models, in order to estimate the adsorption parameters and to relate them with the metal loading of the catalysts. The metal distributions on the porous structure of the catalysts were studied using the temperature programmed reduction results combined with information from the nitrogen physisorption data. Comparison of all results reveals that up to a certain metal loading, about 0.5 wt% of Co and 2 wt% of Mn, the metal oxide is well dispersed into the porous structure of the pillared clay. At higher metal loadings, bulk-metal oxide particles are formed on the external surface.     

Spectroscopic Studies on the Molecular Complex of the Drug Atenolol with Iodine

Spectroscopic and spectrofluorimetric studies were made of the interaction between the drug atenolol and iodine. The interaction was found to proceed through the initial formation of a charge transfer (CT) complex as an intermediate species. The product of this interaction has been isolated and characterized using UV-Vis, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Formation of the triodide I₃^-\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-} species was confirmed by its electronic and Raman spectra. Peaks appeared in Raman spectrum of the isolated product at 153, 102 and 85 cm⁻¹ that are assigned to ν _as(I-I), ν _s(I-I) and d(I₃^-)\delta(\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-}) respectively, which confirmed the presence of the I₃^-\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-} ion. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:2. The rate of their reaction has been measured as a function of time and solvent. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the reaction were measured at various temperatures and the thermodynamic activation parameters (ΔG ^#,ΔS ^# and ΔH ^#) were computed. Preliminary fluorescence quenching studies indicated that the interaction between atenolol and iodine is spontaneous and proceeds through a CT complex, and the quenching of fluorescence of atenolol by iodine increases as the extent of such complexation increases     

Oxidative Deamination and Decarboxylation of L-Asparagine by the Aqueous Alkaline Diperiodatonickelate(IV) Complex

The kinetics of the oxidation of L-asparagine, (L-asp) by diperiodatonickelate(IV), (DPN) in aqueous alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 0.5 mol⋅dm⁻³, was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction is first order in [DPN] and of fractional order in both [L-asp] and [alkali]. Addition of the products has no significant effect on the reaction rate. However, increasing the ionic strength or decreasing the dielectric constant of the medium increases the reaction rate. The oxidation process in alkaline medium is shown to proceed via two paths, one involving the interaction of L-asparagine with diperiodatonickelate(IV) ion in a slow step to yield the products, and the other path involving the interaction of alkali with the diperiodatonickelate(IV) ion to give nickel(II). Some reaction constants involved in the mechanism were determined, and calculated and observed rate constants are in excellent agreement. The activation parameters were computed for the slow step of the mechanism.     

Kinetics of the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 2,2-Dimethylolpropionaldehyde

A new method of synthesis 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid from 2,2-dimethylolpropionaldehyde was put forward. The electrochemical oxidation behavior of 2,2-dimethylolpropionaldehyde has been investigated on a Ti/SnO₂ + Sb₂O₄/PbO₂ electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and stable polarization curves in sulfuric acid. The results showed that it was an irreversible reaction controlled by diffusion. The formation mechanism of 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid in the sulfuric acid was then proposed and the transfer coefficients of the reaction were calculated. It was concluded that RCHO+ỌH_ads→RCHOỌH_ads was the rate-determining step in the electrolysis process. The rate of this step obtained from the assumed process agrees well with experiment.