Tertiary amine-mediated synthesis of microporous carbon membranes

Microporous carbon membranes were prepared on an -alumina support by a pyrolysis of cationic tertiary amine/anionic polymer composites. The precursor solutions contain a thermosetting resorcinol/formaldehyde (RF) polymer and a cationic tertiary amine. Three types of cationic tertiary amines with different chain lengths were used, such as tetramethlammonium bromide (TMAB), tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). A porous structure was produced by a decomposition of the amine and the resulting pores assisted the further gasification of the RF polymer at high temperature. The carbon/alumina membranes have thin and continuous carbon top layers with a thickness of 1 μm. Gas permeation tests were performed using single gases of CO₂, O₂, N₂, CF₄, n-C₄H₁₀ and i-C₄H₁₀, as well as binary mixtures of CH₄/n-C₄H₁₀ and N₂/CF₄ at different temperatures between 23 and 150 °C. The carbon membrane prepared using TMAB showed separation factors higher than 650 for the CH₄/n-C₄H₁₀ mixtures and higher than 8100 for the N₂/CF₄ mixture. From the permeation of pure gases with different molecular sizes, the pore sizes of the carbon membrane prepared using TMAB, TPAB and CTAB are estimated to be 4.0, 5.0 and larger than 5.5 Å, respectively, indicating that the micropore size of the carbon membranes is controllable by using different amines.     

高硅MFI分子筛膜的合成与低温脱除膜内有机模板剂

采用旋涂法在粗糙的α-Al₂O₃载体片上制备出较完备的分子筛晶种层;以四丙基氢氧化铵(TPAOH)为有机模板剂,通过调控合成液的H₂O/Si摩尔比,实现了对分子筛晶体面内优先生长的调控;经过三次水热合成得到致密交联的h0h-轴取向高硅MFI分子筛膜,膜厚约为8 μm(包括~5 μm致密层和~3 μm过渡层)。采用先低温加氢裂解后低温空气氧化的两步法脱除工艺,有效脱除了分子筛膜内的有机模板剂。相比于传统高温煅烧法,该法可以避免分子筛膜因脱除模板剂而形成的较大晶间缺陷。因而采用低温两步法脱除模板剂的分子筛膜片在30 ℃时具有较好的CO₂分离效果,其CO₂/N₂分离因子达到5.2, CO₂渗透通量高达5.8 × 10^-7mol·m^-2·s^-11·Pa^-1。     

Novel iodoammonium cations: Synthesis and characterization of o-C6H4(NH2)2IX (X = I, AsF6, AlI4)

The new iodoammonium salts o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺I⁻ (1) and o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺ AsF₆⁻ (2) were prepared by reaction of o-phenylene diamine with I₂ or I₃⁺AsF₆⁻, respectively. Compound 1 reacts with AlI₃ yielding quantitatively the corresponding tetraiodoaluminate o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺AlI₄⁻ (3). The species were characterized by chemical analysis, vibrational (IR and Raman) and temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectropscopy. Direct evidence for a N---I bond was found in the Raman spectra of 1, 2 and 3 (ν(NI) = 599–600 cm⁻¹).     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of cyclohexadienyl (c-C6H7) radicals with O2 and NO at room temperature

Rate coefficients for the reactions of cyclohexadienyl (c-C₆H₇) radicals with O₂ and NO were measured at 296 ± 2 K. The c-C₆H₇ radicals were detected selectively by laser-induced fluorescence. The rate coefficient for the reaction of c-C₆H₇ with O₂, (4.4 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, was independent of the bath-gas (He) pressure (13–80 Torr). In the reaction of c-C₆H₇ with NO, thermal equilibrium among c-C₆H₇, NO, and C₆H₇NO was observed. The forward and reverse reactions were in the falloff region, and the equilibrium constant was (1.5 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule⁻¹.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of sulfonates, phosphinates and carboxylates of organometallic Group 4 metal fluorides

Reaction of [Cp^*TiF₃] (Cp^* = (ν⁵-C₅Me₅)) with Me₃SiOSO₂- p-C₆H₄CH₃, Me₃SiOPOPh₂ and 1,2-(Me₃SiOCO)₂C₆H₄ yields the dinuclear complexes [{Cp^*TiF(μ-F)(μ-OSO₂-p-C₆H₄CH₄)}₂] (1), [{Cp^*TiF(μ-F)(μ-OPOPh₂)}₂] (2) and [{Cp^*TiF(μ-F)(μ-OCO-o-C₆H₄CO₂SiMe₃)}₂] (3). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In complexes 1-3, the two titanium atoms are connected by bridging fluorine atoms as well as bridging sulfonate, phosphinate and carboxylate groups respectively. Each titanium atom is also bonded to a terminal fluorine atom. Reaction of [Cp₂^*ZrF₂] with 1,2-(Me₃SiOCO)₂C₆H₄ leads to the mononuclear pentacoordinate 18-electron species [Cp₂^*ZrF(μ-OCO-o-C₆H₄CO₂SiMe₃)] (4) and its structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic methods.     

Predicting of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Membrane-based Isobutene/1,3-Butadiene Separation: Combining Molecular Simulation and Machine Learning

Efficient separation of C4 olefins is of critical importance and a challenging task in petrochemical industry. Covalent organic frameworks(COFs) could be used as promising candidates for membrane-based isobutene/1,3-butadiene(i-C₄H₈/C₄H₆) separation. Owing to large amounts of COFs appearing, however, the rapid prediction of optimal COFs is imperative before experimental efforts. In this work, we combine molecular simulation and machine learning to study COF membranes for efficient isolation of i-C₄H₈ over C₄H₆. Using molecular simulation, four potential COF membranes, which possess both high membrane performance score (MPS) value and moderate membrane selectivity were screened out and the mechanism of membrane separation further revealed is an adsorption dominated process. Further, random forest(RF) model with high prediction accuracy(R²>0.84) was obtained and used for elucidating key factors in controlling the membrane selectivity and i-C₄H₈ permeability. Ultimately, the optimal COF features were obtained through structure-performance relationship study. Our results may trigger experimental efforts to accelerate the design of novel COFs with better i-C₄H₈/C₄H₆separation performance.     

Relationship between the molybdenum phases and the conversion of n-butane over Mo/HZSM-5

The conversion of n-C₄H₁₀ was undertaken on MoO₃/HZSM-5 catalyst at 773–973 K and the phases of molybdenum species were detected by XRD. The XRD results show that bulk MoO₃ on HZSM-5 can be readily reduced by n-C₄H₁₀ to MoO₂ at 773 K and MoO₂ can be gradually carburized to molybdenum carbide above 813 K. The molybdenum carbide formed from the carburization of MoO₂ with n-C₄H₁₀ below 893 K is -MoC_1−x with fcc-structure, while hcp-molybdenum carbide formed above 933 K. During the evolution of MoO₃ to MoO₂ (>773 K) or the carburization of MoO₂ to molybdenum carbide (>813 K), deep oxidation, cracking and coke deposition are serious, in particular at higher reaction temperatures, these lead to the poor selectivity to aromatics. Aromatization of n-C₄H₁₀ can proceed catalytically on both Mo₂C/HZSM-5 and MoO₂/HZSM-5, the distribution of the products for the two catalysts is similar below 813 K, but the activity for Mo₂C/HZSM-5 is much higher than that for MoO₂/HZSM-5.     

Ultrafast dissociation dynamics of ketones at 195 nm

The photodissociation dynamics of the 3s Rydberg state of three ketones (CH₃CO–R, R=C₂H₅, C₃H₇, and iso-C₄H₉) and the ensuing dissociation of the nascent acetyl radical following 195 nm excitation were investigated by ultrafast photoionization spectroscopy. The 3s state the lifetimes of these ketones are similar (2.5–2.9 ps), though lifetimes of the acetyl radical range from 8.6 ps for CH₃CO–C₂H₅, 15 ps for CH₃CO–C₃H₇, to 23 ps for CH₃CO–(iso-C₄H₉), which suggests that for larger R more vibrational degrees of freedom compete for the excess energy so that less energy is partitioned into the internal energy of the acetyl radical.     

Structure and stability of closo-BnHn−2(CO)2 (n = 5–12)

Closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ (n = 5–12), isolobal analogues of closo-C₂B_n−2H_n, have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G^**density functional level of theory. The most stable isomers of closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ are similar to those of closo-C₂B_n−2H_n in geometric patterns apart from closo-B₆H₄(CO)₂, and closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ is much less strained than closo-C₂B_n−2H_n. Energetic analysis identifies closo-B₆H₄(CO)₂, closo-B₁₂H₁₀(CO)₂ and closo-B₁₀H₈(CO)₂ to be most stable, of which the latter two cages have been prepared experimentally. On the basis of the negative and rather large nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS), closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ are aromatic. To aid further experimental study, the CO stretching frequencies have been computed.     

New organogold(I) complexes: Synthesis, structure, and dynamic behavior of the polynuclear organogold diphenylmethane and diphenylethane derivatives

Two organogold derivatives of diphenylmethane and diphenylethane, Ph₃PAu(o-C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄-o)AuPPh₃ (1) and Ph₃PAu(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)AuPPh₃ (2), have been synthesized by the reaction of ClAuPPh₃ with Li(o-C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄-o)Li and Li(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)Li respectively. The interaction of 1 with dppe results in the replacement of the two PPh₃ groups to give a macrocyclic compound (3) that includes an Au Au bond. Compounds 1 and 2 react with one or two equivalents of [Ph₃PAu]BF₄ to form new types of cationic complex [CH₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₃]BF₄ (4), [CH₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₄](BF₄)₂ (5), and [(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₄](BF₄)₂ (6). Complexes 1–6 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, FAB MS, and IR as well as by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. A complicated system of Au H-C agostic interactions, involving the bridging alkyl groups (—CH₂— and CH₂-CH₂—) of diphenylmethane and diphenylethane ligands, has been found to occur in complexes 1–3 and 6.     

Removal of pollutants from indoor air using zeolite membranes

MFI-type zeolite membranes prepared by liquid phase hydrothermal synthesis on tubular commercial supports were used to remove model pollutants n-hexane, formaldehyde and benzene present at very low concentration levels (2–230 ppmv) in indoor air. The influence of several operating parameters was studied both in batch and continuous separation experiments. Depending on the operation conditions, permeation fluxes of the organic compound up to 3300, 130 and 30 mg/(m² h) and organic/air separation factors of 250, 6.3 and 38 were achieved for n-hexane, formaldehyde and benzene, respectively.     

First steps in radiation-induced hydrogel synthesis: radical formation and oligomerization in dilute aqueous N-isopropylacrylamide solutions

The reactions of hydroxyl radical, hydrogen atom and hydrated electron intermediates of water radiolysis with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were studied by pulse radiolysis in dilute aqueous solutions. OH, H and e_aq⁻ react with NIPAAm with rate coefficient of (6.9±1.2)×10⁹, (6.6±1)×10⁹, and (1.0±0.2)×10¹⁰ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹. In OH and H radical addition to the double bond mainly -carboxyalkyl type radicals form, (OHCH₂CH^√C(N-i-C₃H₇)O and CH₃CH^√C(N-i-C₃H₇)O). In reaction of e_aq⁻ oxygen atom centered radical anion is produced (CH₂CHC^√(N-i-C₃H₇)O⁻), the anion undergoes reversible protonation with pK_a=8.7. There is also an irreversible protonation on the β-carbon atom that produces the same radical as forms in H atom reaction (CH₃CH^√C(N-i-C₃H₇)O). The -carboxyalkyl type radicals at low NIPAAm concentration (0.1–1 mmol dm⁻³) mainly disappear in self-termination reactions, 2k_t,m=8.4×10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹. At higher concentrations the decay curves reflect the competition of the self-termination and radical addition to monomer (propagation). The termination rate coefficient of oligomer radicals containing a few monomer units is 2k_t≈2×10⁸ mol⁻¹ dm³ s¹.     

Platination of [3-X-7,8-Ph2-7,8-nido-C2B9H8] (X=Et, F): Synthesis and characterisation of slipped and 1,2→1,7 isomerised products

The reaction of the labelled carborane ligand [3-Et-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ with a source of {Pt(PMe₂Ph)₂}²⁺ affords non-isomerised 1,2-Ph₂-3,3-(PMe₂Ph)₂-6-Et-3,1,2-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (1). The analogous reaction between [3-F-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ and {Pt(PMe₂Ph)₂}²⁺ yields 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-4-F-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (3). Compound 1 has a heavily slipped structure (Δ 0.72 Å), which to some degree obviates the need for C atom isomerisation. However, that it is a kinetic product of the reaction is evident from the fact that it reverts to isomerised 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-4-Et-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (2) slowly at room temperature but more rapidly with gentle warming. The heteroatom and labelled-B atom positions in the isomerised compounds 2 and 3 may be explained most simply by the rotation of a CB₂ face of an intermediate based on the structure of 1. Compounds 1–3 were characterised by a combination of spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques.     

Exchange reactions of distibines

Distibines of the type R₂SbSbR′₂ with R = CH₃, R′ = C₂H₅ (1), R = CH₃, R′= n-C₃H₇ (2), R = CH₃, R′= C₆H₅ (3), R = C₂H₅, R′= C₆H₅ (4), R = n-C₃H₇, R′ = C₆H₅ (5), and R = CH₃, R′ = 2,4,6-(CH₃)₂C₆H₂ (6) are formed in equilibria by exchange reactions of the respective distibines of the type R₄Sb₂ and R′₄Sb₂.     

Thermodynamics of (1,4-difluorobenzene + an n-alkane) and of (hexafluorobenzene + an n-alkane)

Excess molar enthalpies H^E and excess molar volumes V^E have been measured, as a function of mole fraction x₁, at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for the five liquid mixtures (x₁1,4-C₆H₄F₂ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7, 8, 10, 12 and 16. In addition, H^E and excess molar heat capacities C_P^E at constant pressure have been determined for the two liquid mixtures (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7 and 14, at the same temperature and pressure. The instruments used were flow microcalorimeters of the Picker design (the H^E version was equipped with separators) and a vibrating-tube densimeter, respectively.

The excess enthalpies of the five difluorobenzene mixtures are all positive and quite large; they increase with increasing chain length l of the n-alkane from H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1050 for l = 7 to 1359 for l = 16. The corresponding excess volumes V^E are all positive and also increase with increasing l: V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 0.650 for l = 7 and 1.080 for l = 16. Interestingly, the excess enthalphies of the corresponding mixtures with hexafluorobenzene are only about 5% larger, whereas the excess volumes of (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2) are roughly twice as large as those of their counterparts in the series containing 1,4-C₆H₄F₂. Specifically, at 298.15 K H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1119 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆) and 1324 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀), and for the same mixtures V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 1.882 and 2.093, respectively. The excess heat capacities for both systems are negative and of about the same magnitude as the excess heat capacities of mixtures of fluorobenzene with the same n-alkanes (Roux et al., 1984): C_P^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = −1.18 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆), and −2.25 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀). The curve C_P^E vs. (x₁ for x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀) shows a sort of “hump” for x₁ 0.5, which is presumed to indicate emerging W-shape composition dependence at lower temperatures.     

Substituent effects on the frontier molecular orbitais of aryl isonitriles

An investigation of the frontier molecular orbitais ofo- and p-RC₆H₄NC (R=H, CH₃, NO₂, F, Cl, CF₃, OCH₃) was carried out so that a thorough understanding of the intricacies of σ donation and π acceptance could be developed and used to modify subtly the electron density on metal centers. The results of this study-Indicate that the substituent position (ortho vs. para ) does alter the electron density in the ligand appreciably and that substitution of the phenyl ring with the groups indicated has a smaller effect on the σ-donating ability than it does on the π-accepting ability of the isonitrile ligand.

The π-accepting abilities of the isonitrile ligands increase in the order o-, p-CH₃OC₆H₄NC, o-, p-CH₃C₆H₄NC, o-, p-C₆H₅NC, o-, p-FC₆H₄NC, o-, p-CF₃C₆NC, o-, p-ClC₆H₄NC, o-, p-NO₂C₆H₄NC while the σ-donating ability decreases in this order. The energies of the σ-donor and π-acceptor orbitais are shown to correlate well with observed E values of Cr(RC₆H₄NC)₆ and Mn(RC₆H₄NC)₆⁺¹ complexes. This demonstrates how the theoretical results can be useful in understanding the observed physical properties of isonitrile-metal complexes.     

Desorption kinetic detection of different adsorption sites on opened carbon single walled nanotubes: The adsorption of n-nonane and CCl4

We show that thermal desorption kinetics clearly resolve adsorbates bound in different sites on single walled carbon nanotube bundles. The molecules n-C₉H₂₀ and CCl₄ were compared and it was found that the nanotube internal sites exhibited the highest desorption temperature, whereas external groove sites exhibited the next highest desorption temperature for both molecules. When n-C₉H₂₀ and CCl₄ coadsorb, the more strongly bound n-C₉H₂₀ quantitatively displaces CCl₄ from internal sites to groove sites. Molecular shape governs the capacity of the different sites for the two molecules.     

MFI型分子膜的制备与H2S/CH4分离性能

采用二次生长法在多孔α-Al₂O₃载体上制备MFI型（ZSM-5和silicate-1）分子筛膜;通过XRD和SEM检测,证明所合成的分子筛膜为致密、交联和无取向的MFI型分子筛膜,厚度为5 μm;单组分气体渗透实验检测中,所制备样品膜的N₂渗透量均小于10^-11 mol/（m²·s·Pa）,可认为其无缺陷;同时,考察了样品分子筛膜对H₂S/CH₄混合气的分离效果,在渗透压分别为0.3和0.5 MPa时,silicate-1分子筛膜的H₂S/CH₄的分离因子分别为1.99和4.44,而ZSM-5分子筛膜的CH₄/H₂S的分离因子分别为6.71和12.85。     

Velocity map imaging of the photolysis of n-C4H9Br in UV region

Using velocity map ion imaging technique, the photodissociation of n-C₄H₉Br in the wavelength range 231–267 nm was studied. The results and our ab initio calculations indicated that the absorption of n-C₄H₉Br in the investigated region originated from the excitations to the lowest three repulsive states, as assigned as 1A″, 2A′ and 3A′ in C_s symmetry. Dissociations occurred on the PES surfaces of the three states, terminating in C₄H₉+Br (²P_3/2) or C₄H₉ + Br^* (²P_1/2) as two channels, and being impacted by an avoided crossing between the PES surfaces of the 2A′ and 3A′ states. The transition dipole to the 1A″ state was perpendicular to the symmetry plane, so perpendicular to the C–Br bond. The transitions to the 3A′ state was polarized parallel to the symmetry plane, and also parallel to the C–Br bond. While the transition dipole to the 2A′ state was in the symmetry plane, but formed an angle of about 53.1° with the C–Br bond. We have also determined the avoided crossing probabilities, which affected the relative fractions of the individual pathways, for the photolysis of n-C₄H₉Br near 234 nm and 267 nm.     

Fabrication of a thin palladium membrane supported in a porous ceramic substrate by chemical vapor deposition

A thin, gas-tight palladium (Pd) membrane was prepared by the counter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process employing palladium chloride (PdCl₂) vapor and H₂ as Pd precursors. A disk-shaped, two-layer porous ceramic membrane consisting of a fine-pore γ-Al₂O₃ top layer and a coarse-pore -Al₂O₃ substrate was used as Pd membrane support. A 0.5–1 μm thick metallic membrane was deposited in the γ-Al₂O₃ top layer very close to its surface, as verified by XRD and SEM with a backscattered electron detector. The most important parameters that affected the CVD process were reaction temperature, reactants concentrations and top layer quality. Deposition of Pd in the γ-Al₂O₃ top layer resulted in a 100- to 1000-fold reduction in He permeance of the porous substrate. The H₂ permeation flux of these membranes was in the range 0.5–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ at 350–450°C. The H₂ permeation data suggest that surface reaction steps are rate-limiting for H₂ transport through such thin membranes in the temperature range studied.