Synthesis and thermochemistry of SrB2O4·4H2O and SrB2O4

Two pure strontium borates SrB₂O₄·4H₂O and SrB₂O₄ have been synthesized and characterized by means of chemical analysis and XRD, FT-IR, DTA-TG techniques. The molar enthalpies of solution of SrB₂O₄·4H₂O and SrB₂O₄ in 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) were measured to be −(9.92 ± 0.20) kJ mol⁻¹ and −(81.27 ± 0.30) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The molar enthalpy of solution of Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O in (HCl + H₃BO₃)(aq) were determined to be −(51.69 ± 0.15) kJ mol⁻¹. With the use of the enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ in 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq), and the standard molar enthalpies of formation for Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpies of formation of −(3253.1 ± 1.7) kJ mol⁻¹ for SrB₂O₄·4H₂O, and of −(2038.4 ± 1.7) kJ mol⁻¹ for SrB₂O₄ were obtained.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of endo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.0]decane

Endo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decane (CAS 6004-38-2) is an important intermediate compound for synthesizing diamantane. The lack of data on the thermodynamic properties of the compound limits its development and application. In this study, endo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decane was synthesized and the low temperature heat capacities were measured with a high-precision adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range from (80 to 360) K. Two phase transitions were observed: the solid-solid phase transition in the temperature range from (198.79 to 210.27) K, with peak temperature 204.33 K; the solid-liquid phase transition in the temperature range from 333.76 K to 350.97 K, with peak temperature 345.28 K. The molar enthalpy increments, ΔH_m, and entropy increments, ΔS_m, of these phase transitions are ΔH_m=2.57 kJ · mol⁻¹ and ΔS_m=12.57 J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ for the solid-solid phase transition at 204.33 K, and, Δ_fusH_m=3.07 kJ · mol⁻¹ and Δ_fusS_m=8.89 J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ for the solid-liquid phase transition at 345.28 K. The thermal stability of the compound was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. TG result shows that endo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decane starts to sublime at 300 K and completely changes into vapor when the temperature reaches 423 K, reaching the maximal rate of weight loss at 408 K.     

Hydrogen purification using a SAPO-34 membrane

A SAPO-34 membrane separated CO₂/H₂ and H₂/CH₄ mixtures at feed pressures up to 1.7 MPa. Strong CO₂ adsorption inhibited H₂ adsorption and decreased H₂ permeances significantly, especially at low temperatures, so that CO₂ preferentially permeated and CO₂/H₂ selectivities were higher at low temperatures. At 253 K, CO₂/H₂ separation selectivities were greater than 100 with CO₂ permeances of 3 × 10⁻⁸ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹. The CO₂/H₂ separation exceeded the upper bounds (selectivity–permeability plot) for polymer membranes. The SAPO-34 membrane separated H₂ from CH₄ because CH₄ is close to the SAPO-34 pore size and has a lower diffusivity than H₂. The H₂/CH₄ separation selectivity had a small maximum with temperature, and decreased slightly with feed pressure and CH₄ feed concentration.     

New synthetic method and thermochemistry of szaibelyite

A new synthetic method of szaibelyite (2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O) has been reported. The enthalpy of solution of 2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O in 2.9842 mol dm⁻³ HCl (aq) was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in 2.9842 mol dm⁻³ HCl (aq) and of MgO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO (s), H₃BO₃ (s), and H₂O (l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(2884.36±1.82) kJ mol⁻¹ of 2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O was obtained.     

Synthesis and thermochemistry of MgO·3B2O3·3.5H2O

A new magnesium borate MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₆O₉(OH)₂]·2.5H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5595.02±4.85) kJ mol⁻¹ of MgO·3B₂O₃3.5H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

Change in mechanistic pathway of hydroboration: A detailed kinetic study of H2BBr·SMe2 and HBBr2·SMe2

Hydroboration reactions of 1-octene and 1-hexyne with H₂BBr·SMe₂ in CH₂Cl₂ were studied as a function of concentration and temperature, using ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The reactions exhibited saturation kinetics. The rate of dissociation of dimethyl sulfide from boron at 25 °C was found to be (7.36 ± 0.59 and 7.32 ± 0.90) × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for 1-octene and 1-hexyne, respectively. The second order rate constants, k₂, for hydroboration worked out to be 7.00 ± 0.81 M s⁻¹ and 7.03 ± 0.70 M s⁻¹, while the overall composite second order rate constants, k K, were (3.30 ± 0.43 and 3.10 ± 0.37) × 10⁻² M s⁻¹, respectively at 25 °C. The entropy and enthalpy values were found to be large and positive for k₁, whilst for k₂ these were large and negative, with small values for enthalpies. This is indicative of a limiting dissociative (D) for the dissociation of Me₂S and associative mechanism (A) for the hydroboration process. The overall activation parameters, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠, were found to be 98 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ and +56 ± 7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for 1-octene whilst, in the case of 1-hexyne these were found out to be 117 ± 7 kJ mol⁻¹ and +119 ± 24 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. When comparing the kinetic data between H₂BBr·SMe₂ and HBBr₂·SMe₂, the results showed that the rate of dissociation of Me₂S from H₂BBr·SMe₂ is on average 34 times faster than it is in the case of HBBr₂·SMe₂. Similarly, the rate of hydroboration with H₂BBr·SMe₂ was found to be on average 11 times faster than it is with HBBr₂·SMe₂. It is also clear that by replacing a hydrogen substituent with a bromine atom in the case of H₂BBr·SMe₂ the mechanism for the overall process changes from limiting dissociative (D) to interchange associative (I_a).     

Stabilisation of heterobimetallic networks by crown ethers and hydrogen-bonding in [Ni(H2O)6][Cu3Cl8(H2O)2] · (15-crown-5)2 · 2H2O: Structure and magnetism

[Ni(H₂O)₆][Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂] · (15-crown-5)₂ · 2H₂O can be conveniently prepared by the interaction of NiCl₂ · 6H₂O, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O and 15-crown-5 in water. The X-ray crystal structure reveals an ionic complex involved in a hydrogen-bonded two dimensional network with the [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and [Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂]²⁻ ions sandwiched between the 15-crown-5 macrocycles. The magnetic susceptibility data (4–300 K) and magnetisation isotherms (2–5.5 K; 0–5 T) are best interpreted in terms of intra-trimer ferromagnetic coupling within the [Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂]²⁻ moieties, with J ∼ 6 cm⁻¹, and antiferromagnetic coupling between the trimers, the latter mediated by H-bonding pathways. Comparisons are made to other reported quaternary ammonium salts of [Cu₃Cl₈]²⁻ and [Cu₃Cl₁₂]⁶⁻, most of which display structures that involve close stacking of such Cu(II) trimers, rather than being of the present isolated, albeit H-bonded, types.     

Calorimetric study and thermal analysis of [Gd4/3Y2/3(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O and [ErY(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O (Gly: glycin)

Two solid-state coordination compounds of rare earth metals with glycin, [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O and [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O were synthesized. The low-temperature heat capacities of the two coordination compounds were measured with an adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 376 K. [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O melted at 342.90 K, while [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O melted at 328.79 K. The molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion for the two coordination compounds were determined to be 18.48 kJ mol⁻¹ and 53.9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O, 1.82 kJ mol⁻¹ and 5.5 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O, respectively. Thermal decompositions of the two coordination compounds were studied through the thermogravimetry (TG). Possible mechanisms of the decompositions are discussed.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermochemistry of a new form of 2MgO·3B2O3·17H2O

A new magnesium borate, β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O, has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₃O₃(OH)₅]·6H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(10256.39±4.93) kJ mol⁻¹ of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

Hydrogen gas mixture separation by CVD silica membrane

In this work we investigate the performance of high flux chemical vapour deposition (CVD) silica membranes for the separation of gas mixtures containing H₂ and CO₂ at various temperatures. The membranes were prepared by a counter diffusion CVD method where tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and O₂ were used as reactants. Single gas permeation resulted in activated transport for the smaller kinetic diameter gases (H₂ and He) whilst the larger kinetic diameter gases (CO₂ and N₂) showed negative activation energy. The single gas permeation of H₂ increased from 5.1 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ in the temperature range 100–400 °C, and H₂/CO₂ and H₂/N₂ selectivities reached 36 and 57 at 400 °C, respectively. The H₂ purity in the permeate stream also increased with temperature for H₂:CO₂ binary gas mixture, thus being beneficial for H₂ diffusion. H₂ competitively permeated through the membrane at a several range of gas mixtures, and a saturation level was achieved at H₂:CO₂ 60:40 feed concentration, where the diffusion of CO₂ molecules became negligible delivering ∼99% H₂ purity in the permeate stream. These results substantiate that the counter diffusion CVD method produced thin silica film membranes with a very precise pore size control, in particular suggesting a narrow pore distribution with average pore radius of about 3.1 Å.     

Thermochemistry of NaRb[B4O5(OH)4]·4H2O

The enthalpies of solution of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ aqueous hydrochloric acid and of RbCl in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid + sodium chloride) were determined. From these results and the enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) and of sodium chloride in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5128.02 ± 1.94) kJ mol⁻¹ for NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was obtained from the standard molar enthalpies of formation of NaCl(s), RbCl(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l). The standard molar entropy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was calculated from the Gibbs free energy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O computed from a group contribution method.     

Kinetics and mechanism of hydroboration reactions of HBBr2 · SMe2 and HBCl2 · SMe2 - Application of B NMR spectroscopy

The kinetics and mechanism of the hydroboration reactions of 1-octene with HBBr₂ · SMe₂ and HBCl₂ · SMe₂, in CH₂Cl₂ as a solvent, were studied. Rates of hydroboration were monitored using ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The reactions exhibited simple second-order kinetics of the form . The HBCl₂ · SMe₂ was found to be 20 times more reactive than the HBBr₂ · SMe₂. The overall activation parameters (ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠) for the reaction of HBBr₂ · SMe₂ with 1-octene were found to be 82 ± 1 kJ mol⁻¹, −18 ± 4 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and with 1-hexyne were 78 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹ −34 ± 12 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. For the reaction of HBCl₂ · SMe₂ with 1-octene, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ were 104 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹ and 43 ± 16 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The activation parameters (ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠) for the dissociation of Me₂S from HBBr₂ · SMe₂ were found to be 104 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹, +33 ± 8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. Based on the activation parameters, it was concluded that the detaching of Me₂S from the boron centre follows a dissociative mechanism, while the hydroboration process follows an associative pathway. It was also concluded that the dissociation of Me₂S from the boron centre is the rate determining step.     

New solid-state synthesis routine and mechanism for LiFePO4 using LiF as lithium precursor

Li₂CO₃ and LiOH·H₂O are widely used as Li-precursors to prepare LiFePO₄ in solid-phase reactions. However, impurities are often found in the final product unless the sintering temperature is increased to 800 °C. Here, we report that lithium fluoride (LiF) can also be used as Li-precursor for solid-phase synthesis of LiFePO₄ and very pure olivine phase was obtained even with sintering at a relatively low temperature (600 °C). Consequently, the product has smaller particle size (about 500 nm), which is beneficial for Li-extraction/insertion in view of kinetics. As for cathode material for Li-ion batteries, LiFePO₄ obtained from LiF shows high Li-storage capacity of 151 mAh g⁻¹ at small current density of 10 mA g⁻¹ (1/15 C) and maintains capacity of 54.8 mAh g⁻¹ at 1500 mA g⁻¹ (10 C). The solid-state reaction mechanisms using LiF and Li₂CO₃ precursors are compared based on XRD and TG-DSC.     

Complexes of Al(III) with d-gluconic acid

The complexation of Al(III) with d-gluconic acid was studied in solution by means of pH-potentiometry, ESI mass spectrometry and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Six complexes were found to form in solution from pH 2 to 10: [AlL]²⁺, [AlLH₋₁]⁺, [AlLH₋₂], [AlLH₋₃]⁻, [AlL₂H₋₁] and [AlL₂H₋₂]⁻. NMR spectroscopy indicated very complicated chemical exchange processes between the free ligand and gluconic acid molecules bound in the metal complexes, with different coordination modes resulting in changes both of the chemical shift and of the line shape of the signals. A solid complex [AlL₂H₋₁] · 2H₂O was isolated as a microcrystalline powder and characterized. The structures of the complexes are discussed on the basis of the spectroscopic results and MM force field calculations.     

Tetrazole derivatives and matrices as novel cobalamin coordinating compounds

Cobalamin (Cbl, vitamin B₁₂) consists of two moieties: (i) the corrin ring with the central Co-ion in the oxidation states Co^3+/2+/1+ and (ii) the nucleotide side chain. The lower position of the ring is typically occupied by the nucleotide base (Bzm), whereas the upper surface coordinates exchangeable ligands. We have found that amino-tetrazole can coordinate to H₂O · Cbl (Co³⁺) with K_d = 10⁻⁵-10⁻⁶ M. A specific group (presumably tetrazole, TZ) can be easily created in CNBr-activated Sepharose by treatment with . The prepared matrix (STZ) contained ≈10 mM of the active groups, which bound H₂O · corrinoids with K_d = 10⁻⁵-10⁻⁶ M. Stability of STZ-Cbl bonds gradually increased and reached K_d = 10⁻⁷ M over 10-20 h (20 °C, pH 6-7). This effect can be ascribed to partial displacement of Bzm and coordination of TZ to the lower position. The binding was most efficient at pH 4-7 and low ionic strength, yet, noticeable adsorption took place even at extreme conditions, pH 1-9 and I = 0-2 M. Reduced corrins (Co²⁺) also exhibited high affinity for STZ. The bound ligands could be eluted as H₂O · Cbl (pH 0), HO · Cbl (pH 14) or diCN · Cbl (pH 9-12, CN⁻). The adsorbent is applicable for one-step purification of corrins from a crude extract; separation of aquo- and diaquo-forms; specific capturing of H₂O · Cbl from a mixture containing organo-Cbls or protein-bound Cbl, analysis of peptide-Cbl dissociation kinetics, etc.     

Crystal growth of Ce2O(CO3)2·H2O in aqueous solutions: Film formation and samarium doping

Crystalline cerium oxide carbonate hydrate (Ce₂O(CO₃)₂·H₂O) was grown in aqueous solutions at a low temperature of 80 °C under ambient pressure. When cerium nitrate was used as a starting material, large Ce₂O(CO₃)₂·H₂O particles were precipitated through homogeneous nucleation and subsequent fast crystal growth. In contrast, the usage of cerium chloride was found to promote the preferential precipitation of Ce₂O(CO₃)₂·H₂O on foreign substrates through heterogeneous nucleation and slow crystal growth. This phenomenon was applied to a chemical bath deposition of Ce₂O(CO₃)₂·H₂O films. Immersion of glass substrates in the solution at 80 °C for typically 24 h resulted in formation of solid films with a unique morphology like a micrometer-scale brush. It was also found that samarium could be incorporated into Ce₂O(CO₃)₂·H₂O during the crystal growth in the solutions, as evidenced by characteristic photoluminescence of Sm³⁺ in heating products of CeO₂. These results suggest that rare-earth oxide carbonate hydrates with a variety of compositions and morphologies can be synthesized from the aqueous solutions.     

Investigation of Fe-based oxyhydroxy-fluoride with hollandite-type structure

Well crystallized Fe-based oxyhydroxy-fluoride with the FeO(OH_0.2F_0.8)·0.2H₂O chemical composition has been prepared from hydrolysis of Fe trifluoride under supercritical CO₂ conditions. Investigation by Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction show that this compound crystallize in the monoclinic symmetry (SG: I2/m, a = 10.447(7) Å, b = 3.028(2) Å, c = 10.445(4) Å, β = 90.00(3)°). Taking into account the Fe-O(F) bond distances, F⁻ anions are mainly located on the common vertices of Fe octahedra whereas OH⁻ groups occupy mainly the shared edges of the Fe octahedra. Two various highly distorted octahedral sites have been identified with Fe-O/F bond distances varying from 1.90 Å to 2.31 Å. One Fe site is more distorted than in FeO_0.8OH_1.2·0.2Cl akaganeite because of the random distribution of F⁻/OH⁻/O²⁻ in the vicinity of this Fe cation.     

Vapour pressure and excess Gibbs free energy of binary mixtures of hydrogen sulphide with ethane, propane, and n-butane at temperature of 182.33 K

The vapour pressure of binary mixtures of hydrogen sulphide with ethane, propane, and n-butane was measured at T = 182.33 K covering most of the composition range. The excess Gibbs free energy of these mixtures has been derived from the measurements made. For the equimolar mixtures for (H₂S + C₂H₆), (820.1 ± 2.4) J · mol⁻¹ for (H₂S + C₃H₈), and (818.6 ± 0.9) J · mol⁻¹ for (H₂S + n-C₄H₁₀). The binary mixtures of H₂S with ethane and with propane exhibit azeotropes, but that with n-butane does not.     

Synthetic,structural and spectroscopic studies of copper(II) complexes derived from the combination of the succinamate(−1) ligand with aromatic N,N′-chelates

The use of succinamic acid (H₂sucm)/N,N′-chelate (2,2′-bipyridine, bpy; 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, dmbpy; 1,10-phenanthroline, phen) ‘ligand blends’ in CuX₂·yH₂O (X = NO₃, y = 3; X = Cl, y = 0) chemistry has yielded the new complexes [Cu₂(Hsucm)₃(bpy)₂](NO₃)·0.5MeOH (1·0.5MeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)(OH)Cl(bpy)₂](OH)·3.6H₂O (5·3.6H₂O) and [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂Cl₂(phen)₂] (6). The succinamate(−1) ion behaves as a carboxylate ligand and exists in two different coordination modes in the structures of the above complexes, i.e., the common syn, syn μ₂-κO:κO′ in 1, 5 and 6, and the μ₂-κ²O:κO′ in 1. The primary amide group of Hsucm⁻ remains uncoordinated and participates in intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions leading to 1D, 2D and 3D networks. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the Hsucm⁻ ligands.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of Na2[(VO)2(ttha)]·8H2O (ttha = triethylenetetraamine-N,N,N′,N″,N′″,N′″-hexaacetate): Interpreting the results with density functional theory

Na₂[(V^IVO)₂(ttha)]·8 H₂O (ttha = triethylenetetraamine–N,N,N′,N″,N′″,N′″–hexaacetate ion), prepared by treating [VO(H₂O)₅][(VO)₂(ttha)]·4 H₂O with Na₆(ttha), has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, and modeled by density functional theory (DFT). The X-ray structure revealed a distorted octahedral geometry around each vanadium center. The electronic absorption spectrum of [(VO)₂(ttha)]²⁻ (aq) features absorptions at ca. 200 nm (ε > 13900 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 255 nm (ε = 3480 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 586 nm (ε = 33 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹), and 770 nm (ε = 38 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculated electronic absorption spectrum was remarkably similar to the actual spectrum, and TDDFT predicts absorption peaks at 297, 330, 458, 656, and 798 nm. TDDFT assigned the peak at 798 nm to be the α spin HOMO → LUMO transition. Hence, the peak at 770 nm in the actual spectrum is most likely the α spin HOMO → LUMO transition. Moreover, the TDDFT calculations revealed that the α spin HOMO and LUMO are partly comprised of d orbitals on both vanadium centers, and the first derivative electron spin resonance spectrum also suggests that the two unpaired electrons in [(VO)₂(ttha)]²⁻ are localized near the vanadium centers.