Contribution of thermal analysis to the description of transport phenomena of pesticides

The vaporization enthalpies of two acetanilide pesticides, alachlor (2’,6’-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-2-chloroacetanilide) and metolachlor (2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-[(1S)-2-methoxy-1-methylethyl] acetamide), were determined by processing non-isothermal thermogravimetry data according to the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. The reliability of the procedure proposed was tested carrying out some experiments at different heating rates using acetanilide as a reference compound. A good agreement is found among the vaporization enthalpies derived from all the multi-heating rate experiments as well as with the one predicted from the vapor pressure data taken from literature. The vaporization temperatures (T _vap=470±2 K and T _vap=479±2 K) and enthalpies (Δ_vap H°(436 K)=85±1 kJ mol^–1 and Δ_vap H°(436 K)=70±1 kJ mol^–1) for alachlor and metolachlor, were selected, respectively.     

Differential scanning calorimetric examination of the degenerated human palmar aponeurosis in dupuytren disease

The Dupuytren contracture - degenerative shortening of the palmar aponeurosis - is a common disease of the hand in Europe. The aetiology of the degenerative changes in the collagen structures is still not clear. To describe the clinical manifestation of the disease we use an international classification according to Iselin. Our hypothesis was that in Dupuytren disease there is a clear pathological abnormality in the tissue elements building up the palmar aponeurosis, which is responsible for the disease, and could be monitored besides the classical histological methods by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal denaturation of different parts of human samples was monitored by a SETARAM Micro DSC-II calorimeter. All the experiments were performed between 0 and 100°C. The heating rate was 0.3 K min⁻¹. DSC scans clearly demonstrated significant differences between the different types and conditions of samples (control: T _m=63°C and ΔH _cal=4.1 J g⁻¹, stage I.: T _m= 63°C and ΔH _cal=5.1 J g⁻¹, stage II.: T _m=64°C and ΔH _cal=5.2 J g⁻¹, stage III.: T _m=60°C and ΔH _cal=5.2 J g⁻¹, stage IV.: T _m=60.2°C and ΔH _cal=5.3 J g⁻¹). The heat capacity change between native and denatured states of aponeurosis samples increased with the degree of structural alterations indicating significant water loosing. These observations could be explained with the structural alterations caused by the biochemical processes. With our investigations we could demonstrate that DSC is a useful and well applicable method for the investigation of collagen tissue of the human aponeurosis. Our results may be of clinical relevance in the future i.e. in the choice of the optimal time of surgical therapy of different clinical level Dupuytren contractures.     

Thermodynamic investigation of several natural polyols

The low-temperature heat capacity C _p,m of erythritol (C₄H₁₀O₄, CAS 149-32-6) was precisely measured in the temperature range from 80 to 410 K by means of a small sample automated adiabatic calorimeter. A solid-liquid phase transition was found at T=390.254 K from the experimental C _p-T curve. The molar enthalpy and entropy of this transition were determined to be 37.92±0.19 kJ mol⁻¹ and 97.17±0.49 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The thermodynamic functions [H _T-H _298.15] and [S _T-S _298.15], were derived from the heat capacity data in the temperature range of 80 to 410 K with an interval of 5 K. The standard molar enthalpy of combustion and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound have been determined: Δ_c H _m⁰(C₄H₁₀O₄, cr)= −2102.90±1.56 kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_f H _m⁰(C₄H₁₀O₄, cr)= − 900.29±0.84 kJ mol⁻¹, by means of a precision oxygen-bomb combustion calorimeter at T=298.15 K. DSC and TG measurements were performed to study the thermostability of the compound. The results were in agreement with those obtained from heat capacity measurements.     

Molar heat capacities and standard molar enthalpy of formation of 2-amino-5-methylpyridine

The heat capacities (C _p,m) of 2-amino-5-methylpyridine (AMP) were measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 398 K. A solid-liquid phase transition was found in the range from 336 to 351 K with the peak heat capacity at 350.426 K. The melting temperature (T _m), the molar enthalpy (Δ_fus H _m⁰), and the molar entropy (Δ_fus S _m⁰) of fusion were determined to be 350.431±0.018 K, 18.108 kJ mol⁻¹ and 51.676 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The mole fraction purity of the sample used was determined to be 0.99734 through the Van’t Hoff equation. The thermodynamic functions (H _T-H _298.15 and S _T-S _298.15) were calculated. The molar energy of combustion and the standard molar enthalpy of combustion were determined, ΔU _c(C₆H₈N₂,cr)= −3500.15±1.51 kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_c H _m⁰ (C₆H₈N₂,cr)= −3502.64±1.51 kJ mol⁻¹, by means of a precision oxygen-bomb combustion calorimeter at T=298.15 K. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the crystalline compound was derived, Δ_r H _m⁰ (C₆H₈N₂,cr)= −1.74±0.57 kJ mol⁻¹.     

The crystal polymorphs of metazachlor

Five crystal polymorphs of the herbicide metazachlor (MTZC) were characterized by means of hot stage microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, IR- and Raman spectroscopy as well as X-ray powder diffractometry. Modification (mod.) I, II and III° can be crystallized from solvents and the melt, respectively, whereas the unstable mod. IV and V crystallize exclusively from the super-cooled melt. Based on the results of thermal analysis and solvent mediated transformation studies, the thermodynamic relationships among the polymorphic phases of metazachlor were evaluated and displayed in a semi-schematic energy/temperature-diagram. At room temperature, mod. III° (T _fus =76°C, Δ_fus H _III =26.6 kJ mol^-1) is the thermodynamically stable form, followed by mod. II (T _fus =80°C, Δ_fus H _II =23.0 kJ mol^-1) and mod. I (T _fus =83°C, Δ_fus H _II=19.7 kJ mol^-1). These forms are enantiotropically related showing thermodynamic transition points at ~55°C (T _{trs, III/II}), ~60°C (T _{trs, III/I}) and ~63°C (T _{trs, II/I}). Thus mod. I is the thermodynamically stable form above 63°C, mod. III° below 55°C and mod. II in a small window between these temperatures. Mod. IV (T _fus =72-74°C, Δ_fus H _II =18.7 kJ mol^-1) and mod. V (T _fus =65°C) are monotropically related to each other as well as to all other forms. The metastable mod. I and II show a high kinetic stability. They crystallize from solvents, and thus these forms can be present in commercial samples. Since metazachlor is used as an aqueous suspension, the use of the metastable forms is not advisable because of a potential transformation to mod. III°. This may result in problematic formulations, due to caking and aggregation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The thermodynamic properties of S-lactic acid

The enthalpies of combustion and formation of S-lactic acid at 298.15 K, Δ_c H _m^o(cr.) = −1337.9 ± 0.8 and Δ_f H _m^o(cr.) = −700.1 ± 0.9 kJ/mol, were determined by calorimetry. The temperature dependence of acid vapor pressure was studied by the transpiration method, and the enthalpy of its vaporization was obtained, Δ_vap H ^o(298.15 K) = 69.1 ± 1.0 kJ/mol. The temperature and enthalpy of fusion, T _m (330.4 K) and Δ_m H ^o(298.15 K) = 14.7 ± 0.2 kJ/mol, were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation of the acid in the gas phase was obtained. Ab initio methods were used to perform a conformational analysis of the acid, calculate fundamental vibration frequencies, moments of inertia, and total and relative energies of the stablest conformers. Thermodynamic properties were calculated in the ideal gas state over the temperature range 0–1500 K. A thermodynamic analysis of mutual transformation processes (the formation of SS- and RS(meso)-lactides from S-lactic acid and the racemization of these lactides) and the formation of poly-(RS)-lactide from S-lactic acid and SS- and RS(meso)-lactides was performed.     

Thermophysical Investigations of the Polymorphous Phases of Calcium Carbonate

1. Results of thermodynamic and kinetic investigations for the different crystalline calcium carbonate phases and their phase transition data are reported and summarized (vaterite: V; aragonite: A; calcite: C). A→C: T _tr=455±10°C, Δ_tr H=403±8 J mol^–1 at T _tr, V→C: T _tr=320–460°C, depending on the way of preparation,Δ_tr H=–3.2±0.1 kJ mol^–1 at T _tr,Δ_tr H=–3.4±0.9 kJ mol^–1 at 40°C, S _V ^Θ= 93.6±0.5 J (K mol)^–1, A→C: E _A=370±10 kJ mol^–1; XRD only, V→C: E _A=250±10 kJ mol^–1; thermally activated, iso- and non-isothermal, XRD 2. Preliminary results on the preparation and investigation of inhibitor-free non-crystalline calcium carbonate (NCC) are presented. NCC→C: T _tr=276±10°C,Δ_tr H=–15.0±3 kJ mol^–1 at T _tr, T _tr – transition temperature, Δ_tr H – transition enthalpy, S ^Θ – standard entropy, E _A – activation energy. 3. Biologically formed internal shell of Sepia officinalis seems to be composed of ca 96% aragonite and 4% non-crystalline calcium carbonate. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermodynamic Properties of Hydrofullerene C60H36 from 5 to 340 K

The temperature dependence of the molar heat capacity (C⁰ _p) of hydrofullerene C₆₀H₃₆ between 5 and 340 K was determined by adiabatic vacuum calorimetry with an error of about 0.2%. The experimental data were used for the calculation of the thermodynamic functions of the compound in the range 0 to340 K. It was found that at T=298.15 K and p=101.325 kPa C⁰ _p (298.15)=690.0 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹,H^o(298.15)−H^o(0)= 84.94 kJ mol⁻¹,S^o(298.15)=506.8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, G^o(298.15)−H^o(0)= −66.17 kJ mol⁻¹. The standard entropy of formation of hydrofullerene C₆₀H₃₆ and the entropy of reaction of its formation by hydrogenation of fullerene C₆₀ with hydrogen were estimated and at T=298.15 K they were Δ_fS^o= −2188.4 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and Δ_rS^o= −2270.5 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

DSC measurement of cartilage destruction caused by septic arthritis

Summary Treatment of a bacterial arthritis is a challenging task for a clinician as inadequate therapy can cause cartilage destruction and can result in severe osteoarthritis of the affected joint. The development of cartilage destruction in septic arthritis is not known in details. The aim of this study was to follow this process by calorimetric method. We induced experimental septic arthritis in knee joints of seven New Zealand rabbits by single inocculation of Staphylococcus aureusOKI 112001 culture (1.5 mL 8·10⁸±5% c.f.u.). The first rabbit died on the 11^thday. At that time all the other subjects were made overslept and samples were isolated from the cartilage of the femurs for calorimetric measurement. The DSC scans clearly demonstrated the development of infective structural destruction in cartilage from the first to the tenth day of incubation. In case of healthy control the melting temperatures (T_m) were: 49.7, 55 and 63.4°C and the total calorimetric enthalpy change (ΔH) was 0.55 J g^-1. After the first day the enthalpy decreased (0.375 J g^-1), the first two transition temperature shifted towards higher temperature: 57 and 63.15°C. Up to the fourth day the effect of infection culminated with T_mof 49.3, 55.9, 59.4, 62.8°C and further decrease of the ΔH. At the fifth day the effect of infection is culminated in two separable thermal denaturation events (with 55 and 63.3°C T_ms) with high jump in ΔHindicating the dramatic change of the structure of rabbit cartilage, so this time elapsed seems to be critical from the point of view of practical clinical relevance too. Between the 7^thand 11^thdays practically we had same melting temperatures (50 and 63°C) with low (~0.24 J g^-1) enthalpy.     

Kinetics and mechanism of dehydration of kaolinite,muscovite and talc analyzed thermogravimetrically by the third-law method

Summary The third-law method has been applied to determine the enthalpies, Δ_rH_T⁰, for dehydration reactions of kaolinite, muscovite and talc. The Δ_rH_T⁰values measured in the equimolar (in high vacuum) and isobaric (in the presence of water vapour) modes (980±15, 3710±39 and 2793±34 kJ mol^-1, for kaolinite, muscovite and talc, respectively) practically coincide if to take into account the strong self-cooling effect in vacuum. This fact strongly supports the mechanism of dissociative evaporation of these compounds in accordance with the reactions (primary stages): Al₂O₃·2SiO₂·2H₂O(s)→Al₂O₃(g)↓+2SiO₂(g)↓+2H₂O(g); K₂O·3Al₂O₃·6SiO₂·2H₂O(s) →K₂O(g)↓+3Al₂O₃(g)↓+6SiO₂(g)↓+2H₂O(g) and 3MgO·4SiO₂·H₂O(s) →3MgO(g)↓+4SiO₂(g)↓+H₂O(g). The values of the Eparameter deduced from these data for equimolar and isobaric modes of dehydration are as follows: 196 and 327 kJ mol^-1for kaolinite, 309 and 371 kJ mol^-1for muscovite and 349 and 399 kJ mol^-1for talc. These values are in agreement with quite a few early results reported in the literature in 1960s.     

Some thermodynamic aspects of nitrides in materials science

The energies of combustion in fluorine of gallium nitride and indium nitride in wurzite crystalline structure have been measured in a two-compartment calorimetric bomb, and new standard molar enthalpies of formation have been calculated: Δ_fH_m⁰(GaN(cr) 298.15 K)= –(163.7±4.2) kJ mol^–1 and Δ_fH_m⁰(InN(cr) 298.15 K)= –(146.5±4.6) kJ mol^–1 . Comparison with the recommended values of the Δ_fH_m⁰ nitrides from the literature is also presented.     

Novel determination of the dimerization mechanism for thermal polymerization of α-methylstyrene

This study discussed the phenomena on thermal polymerization of α-methylstyrene (AMS). A curve scanned by temperature-programmed technique was performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Heat of polymerization (ΔH) and onset temperature of exothermic (T₀) behavior were determined to be 280±10 J g^-1 and about 138±1°C, respectively. A dimer formation mechanism was proposed for initiation of the propagating chain. Spectroscopic identification of dimer structure was conducted by infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the wavenumber from 650 to 1100 cm^-1associated with molecular fingerprint characteristics. The mechanism of thermal polymerization on α-methylstyrene proposed in this study was similar to that of styrene suggested by Mayo.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic behaviour of salicylsalicylic acid

The thermal behaviour of salicylsalicylic acid (CAS number 552-94-3) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The endothermic melting peak and the fingerprint of the glass transition were characterised at a heating rate of 10°C min^-1. The melting peak showed an onset at T _on = 144°C (417 K) and a maximum intensity at T _max = 152°C (425 K), while the onset of the glass transition signal was at T _on = 6°C. The melting enthalpy was found to be Δ_mH = 28.9±0.3 kJ mol^-1, and the heat capacity jump at the glass transition was ΔC _P = 108.1±0.1 J K^-1mol^-1. The study of the influence of the heating rate on the temperature location of the glass transition signal by DSC, allowed the determination of the activation energy at the glass transition temperature (245 kJ mol^-1), and the calculation of the fragility index of salicyl salicylate (m = 45). Finally, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of crystalline monoclinic salicylsalicylic acid at T = 298.15 K, was determined as Δ_fH_m ^o(C₁₄H₁₀O₅, cr) = - (837.6±3.3) kJ mol^-1, by combustion calorimetry. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The standard enthalpy of formation of silver pivalate

The standard enthalpy of combustion of crystalline silver pivalate, (CH₃)₃CC(O)OAg (AgPiv), was determined in an isoperibolic calorimeter with a self-sealing steel bomb, Δ_c H ⁰ (AgPiv, cr)= −2786.9±5.6 kJ mol⁻¹. The value of standard enthalpy of formation was derived for crystalline state: Δ_f H ⁰(AgPiv,cr)= −466.9±5.6 kJ mol⁻¹. Using the enthalpy of sublimation, measured earlier, the enthalpy of formation of gaseous dimer was obtained: Δ_f H ⁰(Ag₂Piv₂,g)= −787±14 kJ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy of reaction (CH₃)₃CC(O)OAg(cr)=Ag(cr)+(CH₃)₃CC(O)O^.(g) was estimated, Δ_r H ⁰=202 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of 2-benzoylpyridine (C12H9NO)

The heat capacities of 2-benzoylpyridine were measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 340 K. The melting point, molar enthalpy, Δ_fusH^m, and entropy, Δ_fusS^m, of fusion of this compound were determined to be 316.49±0.04 K, 20.91±0.03 kJ mol^–1 and 66.07±0.05 J mol^–1 K^–1, respectively. The purity of the compound was calculated to be 99.60 mol% by using the fractional melting technique. The thermodynamic functions (H_T–H_298.15) and (S_T–S_298.15) were calculated based on the heat capacity measurements in the temperature range of 80–340 K with an interval of 5 K. The thermal properties of the compound were further investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From the DSC curve, the temperature corresponding to the maximum evaporation rate, the molar enthalpy and entropy of evaporation were determined to be 556.3±0.1 K, 51.3±0.2 kJ mol^–1 and 92.2±0.4 J K^–1 mol^–1, respectively, under the experimental conditions.     

Heat capacity,enthalpy and entropy of calcium niobates

Heat capacity and enthalpy increments of calcium niobates CaNb₂O₆ and Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were measured by the relaxation time method (2–300 K), DSC (260–360 K) and drop calorimetry (669–1421 K). Temperature dependencies of the molar heat capacity in the form C _pm=200.4+0.03432T−3.450·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for CaNb₂O₆ and C _pm=257.2+0.03621T−4.435·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were derived by the least-squares method from the experimental data. The molar entropies at 298.15 K, S _m⁰(CaNb₂O₆, 298.15 K)=167.3±0.9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and S _m⁰(Ca₂Nb₂O₇, 298.15 K)=212.4±1.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, were evaluated from the low temperature heat capacity measurements. Standard enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K were derived using published values of Gibbs energy of formation and presented heat capacity and entropy data: Δ_f H ⁰(CaNb₂O₆, 298.15 K)= −2664.52 kJ mol^t-1 and Δ_f H ⁰(Ca₂Nb₂O₇, 298.15 K)= −3346.91 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Standard enthalpy of formation of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid

The energy of combustion of crystalline 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid in oxygen at T=298.15 K was determined to be -4795.9±1.3 kJ mol^-1 using combustion calorimetry. The derived standard molar enthalpies of formation of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid in crystalline and gaseous states at T=298.15 K, Δ_fH_m ^Θ (cr) and Δ_fH_m ^Θ (g), were -852.9±1.9 and -721.7±2.0 kJ mol^-1, respectively. The reliability of the results obtained was commented upon and compared with literature values. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

DSC analysis of human fat tissue in steroid induced osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral frequently occurs after steroid medication. One of the final pathways leading to steroid induced ON is thought to be pathologic fat metabolism. The pathobiological mechanism underlying the induction of fat metabolism outslides by steroids leading to ON has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the intraoperative obtained gluteal fat tissue from ON patients with histology, gas chromatography (GC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and to compare them with otherwise healthy patient’s samples. The histological sections showed no significant differences compared with the control group. GC revealed that fraction of saturated fatty acids decreased in ON samples from mean values of controls of 24% to 21, the polyunsaturated fraction from 20 to 14%. The monounsaturated acids showed an increase from mean rate of 52% of the controls to 65% of steroid treated samples. DSC curves correlate with chromatographic analysis of the tissue fatty acids (Steroid treated, heating between 0–100°C: T _m=5.7°C, ΔH= −15.8J/g⁻¹; heating between −20–100°C: Tm= −9.96 and 5.85°C, ΔH= −59.17 and −16.2 J g⁻¹. Non-necrotic, heating between 0–100°C: two separable transition with Tm=5.7 and 9.9°C, total ΔH= −20.8 J g⁻¹; heating between −20–100°C: Tm= −10.9 and 4.95°C, total ΔH= −75.8 J g⁻¹.) Our preliminary findings are rather tendentious. Further investigations are needed with higher sample rate and under other anamnestic circumstances too.     

Thermal behavior of verapamil hydrochloride and its association with excipients

The thermal properties of verapamil hydrochloride (VRP) and its physical association as binary mixtures with some common excipients were evaluated. Thermogravimetry (TG) was used to determine the thermal mass loss, as well as to study the kinetics of VRP thermal decomposition, using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model. Based on their frequent use in pharmacy, five different excipients (microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and talc) were blended with VRP. Samples were prepared by mixing the analyte and excipients in a proportion of 1:1 (m/m). DSC curves for pure VRP presented an endothermic event at 143 ± 2 °C (ΔH_melt = 132 ± 4 J g⁻¹), which corresponds to the melting (literature T_m = 143.7 °C, ΔH_melt = 130.6 J g⁻¹). Comparisons among the observed results for each compound and their binary physical mixtures presented no relevant changes. This suggests no interaction between the drug and excipient.     

Thermodynamic properties of strontium metaniobate SrNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The heat capacity and the enthalpy increments of strontium metaniobate SrNb₂O₆ were measured by the relaxation method (2-276 K), micro DSC calorimetry (260-320 K) and drop calorimetry (723-1472 K). Temperature dependence of the molar heat capacity in the form C _pm=(200.47±5.51)+(0.02937±0.0760)T-(3.4728±0.3115)·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (298-1500 K) was derived by the least-squares method from the experimental data. Furthermore, the standard molar entropy at 298.15 K S _m⁰ (298.15 K)=173.88±0.39 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ was evaluated from the low temperature heat capacity measurements. The standard enthalpy of formation Δ_f H ⁰ (298.15 K)=-2826.78 kJ mol⁻¹ was derived from total energies obtained by full potential LAPW electronic structure calculations within density functional theory.