Carboxymethylation of cellulose in unconventional media

Carboxymethylation of cellulose in the new and highly efficient aqueous solvent Ni(tren)(OH)₂, [tren=tris(2aminoethyl)amine] and in melts of LiClO₄· 3H₂O or NmethylmorpholineNoxide (NMMNO), which is now widely applied for cellulose fibre production, was investigated. In case of Ni(tren)(OH)₂, a totally homogeneous carboxymethylation of cellulose with sodium monochloroacetate, in the presence of an aqueous NaOH solution is possible for the first time. Structure analysis by means of HPLC and ¹ HNMR after chain degradation showed results comparable with findings for CMC obtained by the heterogeneous slurry process, that is, a statistic distribution of substituents along the polymer chain and functionalisation of the hydroxyl groups in the order C6 C2 > C3. The etherification of cellulose in a melt of LiClO₄· 3H₂O, a new type of cellulose solvent, was shown to be possible and gave products of a statistic functionalisation pattern as well. In contrast, carboxymethylation starting from solutions of cellulose in NMMNO initiated with solid NaOH particles yields polymers with a nonstatistic distribution of functional groups along the chain, as observed for cellulose ethers prepared in reactive microstrctures starting from solutions of cellulose intermediates in dimethyl sulfoxide as well as of unmodified cellulose dissolved in N,Ndimethyl acetamide/LiCl.     

Structure and Magnetic Properties of Solid Solutions of Molecular Magnetics Based on Ni(II) and Co(II) Complexes with Nitroxyl Radicals

Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes with deprotonated paramagnetic enaminoketones 4(3,3,3trifluorine2oxopropylidene) 2,2,5,5tetramethyl3imidazolidine1oxyl (L) and 4(3,3,3trifluorine1chlorine2oxopropylidene)2,2,5,5tetramethyl3imidazolidine1oxyl (L¹) and alcohols are shown to form continuous solid solutions Ni_xCo_1-xL₂(C₂H₅OH)₂ and Ni_xCo_1-xL₂ ¹(CH₃OH)₂. Single crystal Xray diffraction analysis showed that concentration variation practically does not affect the structural characteristics of the solid solutions. Distinguishing features if the magnetic behavior of Ni_xCo_1-xL₂ · (C₂H₅OH)₂ and Ni_xCo_1-xL₂ ¹(CH₃OH)₂ are the antiferromagnetic interaction of the moments of the nickel and cobalt sublattices inside the polymeric layers and the antiferromagnetic nature of interlayer interaction of the magnetic moments.     

Recent progress in tartaric acid‐modified Raney nickel system for enantio‐differentiating hydrogenation

Tartaric acidmodified Raney nickel (TAMRNi) is an enantiodifferentiating catalyst for hydrogenation of ketones. The stereochemical models explaining the enantiodifferentiation of ketoester and 2alkanone were unified as an extended stereochemical model by the experimental supports. Based on this new model, a working hypothesis to improve the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the ketoester/TAMRNi system was developed, and the ee was improved to 96%. By further fine tuning of this system, almost perfect enantiodifferentiation resulting in over 98% ee was achieved.     

Distortion of the Cucurbituril Molecule by an Included 4‐Methylpyridinum Cation

The crystal and molecular structures of a guest–host complex of cucurbituril with 4methylpyridinium, {(4MePyH) (C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)}(NO₃) · 4H₂O, were determined by Xray structural analysis. The crystals are monoclinic with a = 26.276(3) , b = 25.861(2) , c = 17.375(2) , = 124.17(1)°, V_cell =9768.6(18) ³, space group Cc, and Z = 8. The structure contains two crystallographically independent supramolecular complexes. They are arranged in pillars oriented along the a axis. In each pillar, the complexes are parallel to each other. The pillars are shifted with respect to each other by onehalf of the crystallographic translation. The centers of the supermolecules are arranged according to a pseudobodycentered motif. Distortions of the cucurbituril molecule depending on the guest type have been analyzed with the use of results obtained in the present and previous studies.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structure of Organically Templated One‐Dimensional and Three‐Dimensional Iron Fluorophosphate

Two new openframework iron fluorophosphates, [C₄N₂H₁₂]_0.5[FeF(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)] (I) [C₄N₂H₁₂][Fe₄F₂(H₂O)₄(PO₄)₄] · 0.5H₂O (II), were synthesized hydrothermally using piperazine as a templating agent. The structures were determined by singlecrystal Xray diffraction. Compound I crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, a = 7.2126(2) , b = 14.2071(4) , c = 17.1338(2) , Z = 8. The structure is composed of infinite anionic chains of [FeF(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)]^- _n built by transfluorine sharing FeF₂O₄ octahedra. These chains are similar to those found in tancoitetype minerals. Compound II crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, a = 9.9045(3) , b = 12.3011(3) , c = 17.3220(4) , = 103.7010(10)°, Z = 4. The structure of compound II has a threedimensional (3D) architecture with an eightmembered channel along the b axis, in which protonated piperazine molecules reside. The complex framework is built from two types of secondary building unit (SBU): one hexamer [Fe₃F₂(H₂O)₂(PO₄)₃$] (SBU6), and one dimer [FeO₄(H₂O)₂PO₄] (SBU2). The vertex sharing between these SBUs create the 3D structure.     

Synthesis of β‐Chlorinated Macrocyclic [Au(C14H20N4Cl2)]X (X = AuCl2, ClO4, AuCl4) Gold(III) Complexes. Crystal and Molecular Structures of [Au(C14H20N4Cl2)]ClO4

A squareplanar [AuL₂]⁺ gold(III) complex [L₂ = 6.13dichloro5,7,12,14tetramethyl1,4,8,11tetraaza4,6,11,13tetraenato(2-)] containing two chlorine atoms in the position of the ligand hexacyclic ring was first synthesized by the reaction of the [AuL₁]⁺ tetraiminate complex [L₁ = 5,7,12,14tetramethyl1,4,8,11tetraaza4,6,11,13tetraenato(2-)] with HAuCl₄ in an acetone – DMFA solution. The complex was isolated in the form of dichloroaurite (I), perchlorate (II), and tetrachloroaurate (III). Compounds I–III were studied by elemental and Xray diffraction analyses and IR and NMR spectroscopies. Single crystals of [AuL₂]ClO₄ were obtained, and the crystal structure of this compound was determined from Xray diffraction patterns. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 10.147(2), b = 7.260(1), c = 12.519(2), = 96.70(1)°, V = 915.9(3)³, Z = 2, space group P2/c, d_calc = 2.218, d_meas = 2.209 g/cm³ The crystal structure is built of nearly planar [Au(C₁₄H₂₀N₄Cl₂)]⁺ cations and [ClO₄]^- anions. Introduction of chlorine atoms into the positions of the hexacyclic rings of the tetraazamacrocycle hardly changes the lengths of the delocalized C N and C C bonds.     

Disordered Crystal Structure of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacozane perchlorate

Crystals of the ionic complex (salt) of 4,7,13,16,21,24hexaoxa 1,10diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacozane perchlorate, [H₂(Crypt2.2.2)]²⁺ · 2ClO₄ ^-, were synthesized and studied by Xray structural analysis: space group C2/c, a = 20.198(3), b = 10.119(2), c = 12.938(2), = 90.97(1)°, Z = 4, 3030 measured independent reflections, R = 0.067. In these crystals, all atoms of the 2.2.2 dication are disordered over two positions with occupancies of 0.518(4) and 0.482(4). Two conformations of the disordered 2.2.2 dication are such that two H atoms at two nodal N atoms point to its cavity.     

C-C bond formation at polynuclear metal centers

Studies on C-C bond formation between simple hydrocarbon species such as CH₂, C=CH₂, CH=CH₂, CH₂=CH₂, CH₂=C=CH₂ and CHCH at a diruthenium center suggest that the process is promoted when the dimetal center can readily compensate for the two electrons lost in the formation of the new C-C bond. Thus, whereas -CH₂ and ethene combine only under forcing conditions, the combination of -CH₂ with allene or ethyne, which have additional -electrons available for coordination, occurs readily at room temperature. Likewise, the availability of uncoordinated -electrons in -C=CH₂ allows vinylidene to link rapidly with ethene at room temperature. Alkyne complexes [Ru₂(CO)(-RCCR)(-C₅H₅)₂] (R=CF₃ or Ph) react only under vigorous conditions with additional alkyne to give [Ru₂(CO)(-C₄R₄) (-C₅H₅)₂], but give these same species at room temperature in the presence of acid, shown to be due to the intermediacy of highly reactive 30-electron -vinyl cations. Thermally, alkyne linking proceedsvia three-alkyne species [Ru₂(-C₆R₆)(-C₅H₅)₂] to a four-alkyne complex [Ru₂(-C₈R₈)(-C₅H₅)₂], containing an unprecedented C₈ ligand composed of a C₆ ring with a C₂ tail. Treatment of [Ru₂(CO)(-RCCR)(-C₅H₅)₂] with unsaturated metal fragments gives trimetal complexes such as [Ru₃(CO)₅(₃-CF₃CCCF₃) (-C₅H₅)₂]. The MeCN derivative of this species undergoes unusual linking processes on reaction with additional alkyne to giveinter alia [Ru₃(CO)₃(₃-CCF₃){₃-C₃(CF₃)₃}(-C₅H₅)₂], arising from alkyne cleavage, and [Ru₃(CO)₃{₃-C₄(CF₃)₂(CO₂Me)₂}(-C₅H₅)₂], a closo-pentagonal bipyramidal Ru₃C₄ cluster.     

Structure and Conformational Mobility of 4′‐Pentyl‐4‐Cyanobiphenyl from IR Spectroscopic Data

The structure and conformational mobility of 4pentyl4cyanobiphenyl in the liquid and liquidcrystal states were investigated by means of IR spectroscopy (experiment and theory). IR absorption spectra in the frequency range 400–4000 cm^-1 were measured in the temperature range 26–150°. Theoretical simulation of the IR spectra was performed using the fragment approach. A comparison of theoretical and experimental spectra showed that the examined samples were mixtures of conformers; characteristics of the most probable conformers are given. Temperaturerelated changes in the spectrum are due to the conformational mobility of the molecules, which is not high in the temperature range considered.     

Ultrasonic study of the molecular encapsulation and the micellization processes of dodecylethyldimethylammonium bromide-water solutions in the presence of β-cyclodextrin or 2,6-di-o-methyl-β-cyclodextrin

Aqueous solutions of -cyclodextrin (-CD) or 2,6-di-o-methyl--cyclodextrin (DM--CD) and dodecylethyldimethylammonium bromide (D₁₂EDMAB) have been studied from speed of sound (u) data at 298.15 K, using a pulse-echo-overlap technique. The molecular encapsulation process of the surfactant monomer into the cyclodextrin cavity and its effect in the micellization process of the surfactant have been analyzed from theu measurements: I) as a function of [D₁₂EDMAB] in the presence of several initial cyclodextrin concentrations (-CD or.DM--CD); II) as a function of [cyclodextrin] (-CD or DM--CD), for an initial micellar solution of D₁₂EDMAB and; III) as a function of the [cyclodextrin]/[surfactant] stoichiometric concentrations. Both inclusion complexes formed (-CDD₁₂EDMAB) and (DM--CDD₁₂EDMAB) have stoichiometries of 11, and their association constantK have been determined using a model proposed in this work, based on the additivity of the different contributions of the involved species to the speed of sound. The apparent critical micellar concentration, cmc^*, of D₁₂EDMAB is found to increase linearly upon the addition of cyclodextrin (-CD or DM--CD). The free surfactant concentration in the micellar region, [D₁₂EDMAB]_f, decreases in the presence of -CD and slightly increases in the presence of DM--CD. The influence of the parcial methylation of the -cyclodextrin (-CDDM--CD) and of the polar head of the surfactant (D₁₂TAB D₁₂EDMAB) on the complextion and micellar parameters are also discussed.Supplementary material available: Tables of speed of sound (14 pages) are available from the authors.     

Crystal and Molecular Structure of 2,3‐Pentamethylene‐3,4‐Dihydroquinazolone‐4 Nitrate. Conjugation Effects in the Series of Tricyclic Quinazolines

The structure of 2,3pentamethylene3,4dihydroquinazolone4 nitrate was determined by means of Xray diffraction. Analysis was performed of the geometry of the heterocyclic ring in 2,3tri, tetra, and pentamethylene3,4dihydroquinazolones4, quinazolines, and their salts with inorganic acids and complexes with metal ions. It is found that in the N(1)—C(2)—N(3) fragment in the bases of quinazolines and quinazolones4, the conjugation is less pronounced than that in the protonated (salt) forms.     

The Chemistry of Methane Remediation by a Non‐thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

The destruction of methane by a nonthermal plasma in atmospheric pressure gas streams of nitrogen with variable amounts of added oxygen has been investigated. The identities and concentrations of the endproducts are determined by online FTIR spectroscopy and the plasma chemistry is interpreted using kinetic modelling. For a deposited energy of 118 kJ m^–3, the destruction is 12% in nitrogen decreasing monotonically to 5% in air. The major endproducts are HCN and NH₃ in nitrogen and CO, CO₂, N₂O, NO and NO₂ for gas streams containing oxygen. The chemistry in pure nitrogen is predominantly due to reactions of electronicallyexcited nitrogen atoms, N(²D). The addition of oxygen converts the excited state nitrogen into nitrogen oxides reducing the methane destruction which then arises by O and OH reactions yielding CO and, to a lesser extent, CO₂. The modelling correctly predicts the magnitude of the methane destruction as a function of added oxygen and the concentrations of the endproducts for processing in both nitrogen and air.     

Microstructure and Chemical Bonding in Silicon Carbonitride Films Synthesized by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

Silicon carbonitride films were synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition using silyl derivatives of asymmetric dimethylhydrazine, (CH₃)₂HSiNHN(CH₃)₂ and (CH₃)₂Si[NHN(CH₃)₂]₂, as molecular precursors. The film material consists of an amorphous matrix with nanocrystalline inclusions. Indexing of synchrotron radiation Xray diffraction patterns suggests that the structure of the nanocrystals is tetragonal with lattice parameters a = 9.6 and c = 6.4. Xray photoelectron spectra indicate that Si—N and C—N sp ³ hybrid bonds are predominant. The absence of G or Dmodes in Raman spectra, which are otherwise typical of structures possessing sp ² bonding, provides further support for the tetragonal structure of the nanocrystals.     

Crystal and Molecular Structure of 2‐nitro‐1‐ureidoguanidine

An Xray structural investigation of 2nitro1ureidoguanidine has been carried out. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 4.4690(2), b = 15.566(1), c = 9.4131(7), = 94.896(5)°, V = 652.4(3)> ³, space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, _calc = 1.650 g/cm³. The molecule consists of two planar fragments: carbamide and nitroguanidine. The geometrical characteristics of the molecule are analyzed. The system of intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal is considered.     

Crystal Structure of Ammonium(2.2.2‐cryptand) Thiocyanate Monohydrate

Crystals of the ammonium (2.2.2cryptand) thiocyanate monohydrate complex, [NH₄(2.2.2Crypt)]⁺ × SCN^- · H₂O, were studied by Xray structural analysis: space group P2/c, a = 11.303(2)*angst;, b = 8.313(1), c = 14.392(3), = 110.39(2)°, Z = 2, 3680 independent measured reflections, R = 0.064. This complex is of the guest–host type: the cryptand ligand cavity contains the NH₄ ⁺ cation with statistically disordered H atoms forming H bonds with each of its O and N heteroatoms. The SCN^- anions and H₂O molecules are linked by H bonds to form chains that are infinite along the z axis.     

A new strategy for alkane oxidation with O2 using N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a radical catalyst

A practical catalytic method to convert alkanes into the corresponding oxygencontaining compounds with O₂ under mild conditions using Nhydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) in the presence or absence of a transition metal was developed. Thus, cyclohexane was successfully converted into adipic acid in good conversion and selectivity by a combined catalytic system consisting of NHPI and Mn(acac)₂. Lower alkane such as isobutane was converted into tbutyl alcohol (83%) under 10 atm of air by NHPICo(OAc)₂ system. Alkylbenzene such as toluene was oxidized to benzoic acid in high yield (81%) under normal temperature and pressure of dioxygen in the presence of a catalytic amount of NHPI and Co(OAc)₂. ESR measurements showed that phthalimideNoxyl generated from NHPI under dioxygen atmosphere is a key species in this oxidation and functions as a radical catalyst.     

Surface fine structure of hydrodesulfurization catalysts. New aspects of promoting effects of Co and Ni

By using the highpressure DRIFT, EXAFS, and TPDDRIFT methods, it is shown that the wellknown effects concerning Co–Mo/Al₂O₃ (i.e., promoting effect of Co or Ni, activating effect of catalyst presulfiding, and inhibiting effect of H₂S) are closely connected to each other. Some direct evidence of the interactions between Mo and Co on sulfided Co–Mo/Al₂O₃ is also shown.     

Influence of F and CF3 Groups at the C=C Double Bond on the Structure and Properties of Olefinic‐Series Compounds in the Gas Phase: an ab initio MP2 Study

Ab initio calculations of gasphase fluoroolefins with F or CF₃ groups as substituents at the C=C double bond were performed using secondorder Möller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with the 6–31G^* and augccpVDZ basis sets and full geometry optimization. Geometrical parameters, singleelectron energies, electrondensity distributions, dipole moments, polarizabilities, and hyperpolarizabilities were computed. Variations in the electronic structure of fluoroolefins were analyzed and compared with variations in their physicochemical properties and reactivity.     

Crystal and Molecular Structure of Monoammonium Salt of 5‐nitroaminotetrazole

Xray structural investigation of the monoammonium salt of 5nitroaminotetrazole was performed. The crystals are orthorhombic: a = 10.077(1), b = 17.009(1), c = 6.6472(6), V = 1139.33(17)³, space group Pbca, Z =8, _calc = 1.715 g/cm³. Monodeprotonation of 5nitroaminotetrazole during formation of the salt occurs at the N(4) nitrogen atom of the heterocycle. The anion has an almost flat structure; the bond lengths suggest delocalization of electron density in the molecule. The negative charge is distributed among three nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms of the anion. Changes in the geometrical parameters of 5nitroaminotetrazole on monodeprotonation are considered.     

A variational approach to the Dirichlet–Gabor wavelet‐distributed approximating functional

We show that the Dirichlet–Gabor waveletdistributed approximating functional (DAF) can be derived from the same variational principle used to obtain noninterpolating waveletDAFs (such as the Hermite DAF). This variational approach for such interpolating DAFs complements the original viewpoint that they are generated by regularizing interpolating shells or through twoparameter Dirac delta sequences.