Nucleophilic Reactivity of Hydroxide and Hydroperoxide Ions in Aqueous-Alcoholic Media and of HCO<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> Ion in Water

Nucleophilic reactivity of hydroxide and hydroperoxide ions toward ethyl 4-nitrophenyl ethylphosphonate, diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate, 4-nitrophenyl 4-toluenesulfonate, and 4-nitrophenyl dimethylcarbamate in the system H₂O₂-KOH was studied in aqueous-alcoholic solutions at 25°C. The rate of reactions of both anions with ethyl 4-nitrophenyl ethylphosphonate, diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate, and 4-nitrophenyl dimethylcarbamate and of hydroxide ion with 4-nitrophenyl 4-toluenesulfonate increases with rise in the fraction of the alcohol in mixtures of water with isopropyl and tert-butyl alcohols, while the reaction rate of hydroperoxide ion with 4-nitrophenyl 4-toluenesulfonate decreases. The rate of reactions of both anions with all the above substrates in mixtures of water with ethylene glycol decreases as the fraction of the latter rises. The apparent rate of the reaction of ethyl 4-nitrophenyl ethylphosphonate with anionic nucleophiles in the system H₂O₂-HO^?-HCO ₃ ^? in water at pH 8.5 almost does not depend on the concentration of ammonium hydrogen carbonate up to a value of 1 M, and it increases when the NH₄HCO₃ concentration exceeds 1 M. Mixtures of water with the lower monohydric alcohols were recommended for use as components of H₂O₂-HO^?-HCO ₃ ^? systems for oxidative decomposition of ecotoxicants.     

Preparation of fullerene С<Subscript>60</Subscript> dispersions in water

Stable colloidal dispersions of fullerene С₆₀ in water free of organic solvents have been obtained. The addition of a С₆₀ solution to a water–acetone mixture has been shown to cause a solvatochromic effect.     

Photochemistry of PtBr<Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript> in aqueous solution

Photochemistry of the PtBr₆ ²⁻ complex in aqueous solution was studied by steady-state and laser flash photolysis (308 nm). The multistep photoaquation of the complex occurs in the nano-and microsecond time intervals without the formation of intermediate platinum(III) complexes. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2277–2283, December, 2007.     

Photochemistry of the IrCl<Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript> complex in aqueous solutions in the presence of the bromide anions

Laser flash photolysis (308 nm) was applied to study photochemistry of the IrCl₆ ²⁻ complex in aqueous solutions in the presence of the Br⁻ anions. The formation of the Br₂ ^·− radical anions in the reaction between the Br⁻ ion and secondary radical pair formed after the photon absorption by the initial complex was observed. The Br₂ ^·− radical anions decay both in recombination and in the reaction with the initial IrCl₆ ²⁻ complex.     

Enthalpy of solution of VOCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> in dilute sodium hydroxide solutions and the standard enthalpy of formation of the HVO<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack> ion

The calorimetric enthalpies of solution of liquid vanadium oxytrichloride in dilute sodium hydroxide solutions were measured at 298.15 K and ionic strengths I = 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 (NaClO₄). The standard enthalpy of formation of the HVO ₄ ^2? ion was calculated from the measured data.     

Aromatic character of polycyclic π systems formed by fusion of two or more rings of the same size

The sequential line plot of topological resonance energy (TRE) against the number of π electrons (N(π)) for any polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) is very similar with the same number of extrema to that for benzene. Thus, global aromaticity of a PAH molecular ion strongly reflects that of a benzene molecular ion. Likewise, the N(π) dependence of TRE for any polycyclic π system formed by fusion of two or more rings of the same size reflects that for a monocyclic species of the same ring size. In general, TREs for such polycyclic π systems and their molecular ions can be interpreted consistently by reference to those for neutral and charged monocyclic species of the same ring size.     

The Hydrolysis of AuCl<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> and the Stability of Aquachlorohydroxocomplexes of Gold(III) in Aqueous Solution

The equilibria AuCl₄⁻+jOH⁻+kH₂O⇌AuCl_4−j−k (OH) _j (H₂O) _k ^k−1+(j+k)Cl⁻, β _jk (0≤j,k≤4) have been studied spectrophotometrically at 20 °C in aqueous solution. For I=2 mol⋅dm⁻³(HClO₄) the conventional constants, β _i ^*, of the equilibria, Au^*+iCl⁻ ⇌AuCl _i ^*, are equal to log ₁₀ β ₁^*=(6.98±0.08); log ₁₀ β ₂^*=(13.42±0.05); log ₁₀ β ₃^*=(19.19±0.09); and log ₁₀ β ₄^*=(24.49±0.07), where [AuCl _i ^*]=∑[AuCl _i (OH) _j (H₂O)_4−i−j ] at i=const. The hydrolysis and other transformations of AuCl₄⁻ in aqueous solution are discussed. On the basis of new and known data, a full set of equilibrium constants, β _jk , or their estimates has been obtained.     

A study of the hydrolysis of ZrF<Stack><Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack> and the structure of intermediate hydrolysis products by <Superscript>19</Superscript>F and <Superscript>91</Superscript>Zr NMR in the 9.4 T field

The high-field ¹⁹F and ⁹¹Zr NMR method is used to study the hydrolysis and polycondensation of hexafluorozirconate ZrF₆²⁻ in aqueous and water-peroxide solutions. During hydrolysis in aqueous solutions only ZrF₆²⁻ and F⁻ ions were observed by NMR, however, in the water-peroxide medium, an intermediate product of hydrolysis ([F₅Zr-OO-ZrF₅]⁴⁻ dimer) was detected. The dimer structure is confirmed by ¹⁹F and ⁹¹Zr NMR. In high fields (¹⁹F NMR frequency > 200 MHz), the fluorine exchange between ZrF₆²⁻ and F⁻ is slow in the ¹⁹F NMR scale and has a multisite character.     

Thermal relaxation of defects in nanosized mechanically activated МоО<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The regularities of the thermal relaxation of structural defects (paramagnetic centers and microdistortions), as well as the sizes of coherent-scattering regions and the external surface, of mechanically activated МоО₃ have been studied with the use of X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance, and adsorption/desorption methods. It has been revealed that heating of activated samples at temperatures below 450°C is accompanied by the death of paramagnetic centers, annealing of microdistortions, and liberation of molecular oxygen. It has been assumed that oxygen results from the rupture of deformed Mo–O–Mo bridge bonds formed by its atoms. Above 450°C, recrystallization processes occur, which are accompanied by an increase in the sizes of the coherent-scattering regions and the MoO₃ (monoclinic) → MoO₃ (orthorhombic) phase transition. The thermal stability of the external particle surface depends on mechanical activation conditions. For samples activated at early stages of activation (fracture regime), the specific surface area decreases by more than an order of magnitude, when a temperature of 450°C is reached. At higher activation doses (friction regime), the sample is not sintered in the same temperature range.     

Graphitized carbon materials for electrosynthesis of Н<Subscript>2</Subscript>О<Subscript>2</Subscript> from О<Subscript>2</Subscript> in gas-diffusion electrodes

New graphitized carbon materials: technical carbon N220, С140, and СН85 (Omsktekhuglerod) were studied as catalysts of electrosynthesis of alkaline solutions of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen in gasdiffusion electrodes (GDEs). The kinetic parameters of oxygen reduction in alkaline solution and the capacity of gas-diffusion electrodes based on technical carbon N220, С140, and СН85 were determined. Data on the kinetics of hydrogen peroxide accumulation were obtained at different current densities. The fraction of current γ spent on the reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide was determined. The rate constants of hydrogen peroxide decomposition under the given conditions were calculated.     

Influence of ion size on the stability of chloroplumbates containing PbCl<Stack><Subscript>5</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> or PbCl<Stack><Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack>

The enthalpies of formation of PbCl₄, PbCl₅⁻ and PbCl₆²⁻, originating from quantum mechanics, have enabled the thermodynamic behaviour of these ions with respect to Cl-detachment to be assessed. The stability of salts containing PbCl₅⁻ and PbCl₆²⁻ as a function of the dimensions of these anions and complementary cations was studied using an approach combining the Kapustinskii-Yatsimirskii equation with basic thermochemical relationships. It was found that hexachloroplumbates of monovalent metal cations will not dissociate into metal chlorides and PbCl₄, provided the complementary cations are suitably large in size. Hexachloroplumbates of divalent metal cations have not yet been synthesised since no known metal cations attain the requisite large size. Such salts will not dissociate if the divalent metal cations are able to complex suitably large electron-donating ligands. The pentachloroplumbates of both monovalent and divalent metal cations are unstable, since no known metal cations have appropriately large ionic radii. The approach adopted appears to be useful for the examination of the thermal behaviour, stability and reactivity of chloroplumbates.     

Role of the HO<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>•</Superscript></Stack> radical in hydrogen oxidation at the third self-ignition limit

It is demonstrated by simultaneous analysis of experimental data and the results of numerical simulation that, at 100 kPa, the H₂/O₂ mixture self-ignites only owing to the occurrence of a chain avalanche. Self-heating becomes significant in the course of chain combustion and strengthens the chain avalanche. The accelerating decomposition of H₂O₂, which results from the reaction between HO₂^• and H₂, contributes to chain branching and determines the character of the chain thermal explosion. The role of the HO₂^• radical depends on the chain process conditions, consisting of chain termination as a result of the partial loss of HO₂^• at the initial self-acceleration stage, H atom regeneration, and participation in the second branched cycle under conditions of accelerated H₂O₂ decomposition.     

The energy and geometric characteristics of the transition state in reactions of RO<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>•</Superscript></Stack> with carbonyl compound C-H bonds

The energy and geometry of the transition state in reactions of the ethyl peroxyl radical with ethane, ethanol (its α and β C-H bonds), acetone, butanone-2, and acetaldehyde were calculated by the density functional theory method. In all these reactions (except EtO_2/? + ethanol α C-H bond), the C…H…O reaction center has an almost linear configuration (φ = 176° ± 2°); polar interaction only influences the r ^≠ (C…O) interatomic bond. In the reaction of EtO_2/? with the ethanol α C-H bond, it is the O-H…O H-bond formed in the transition state that determines the configuration of the reaction center with the angle φ(C…H…O) = 160°. The results were used to estimate the r ^≠ (C…H) and r ^≠ (O…H) interatomic bonds in the transition state by the method of intersecting parabolas and the contribution of polar interaction to the activation energy of reactions between peroxyl radicals and aldehydes and ketones.     

Hydration of CBr<Subscript>3</Subscript>COOH molecules and CBr<Subscript>3</Subscript>CO<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>–</Superscript></Stack> anions in aqueous solutions

The optimal structures and the vibrational frequencies of H-bonded complexes formed from one-two CBr₃COOH molecules or the CBr₃CO ₂ ^– anion with water molecules are calculated by density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)). The comparison of the obtained results with the known Raman spectra of the CBr₃COOH–H₂O and NaCBr₃CO ₂ ^– ·H₂O solutions (with component molar ratios of ≤1:16) shows that they include stable hydrates: CBr₃COOH·H₂O and CBr₃CO ₂ ^– ·(H₂O)₆. The first one has a cyclic form, and the second has a cubic globular form. The vibrational band frequencies of the CBr₃COOH molecule and the CBr₃CO ₂ ^– anion in the spectra of both solutions are almost completely determined by the mutual arrangement of units in these hydrates.     

The sensor properties of SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> · In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposite oxides in the detection of hydrogen in air

The sensor properties of In₂O₃ · SnO₂ polycrystalline films having different compositions were studied in the detection of 2% hydrogen in air over the temperature range 330–530°C. Films containing 19% In₂O₃ were most sensitive to hydrogen. The temperature dependence of the sensitivity of sensors passed a maximum, the position of which depended on the composition of the film. The temperature at which sensor sensitivity was maximum decreased as the content of indium oxide increased. This temperature was 485°C for the SnO₂ film and 425°C for the In₂O₃ film. The response and relaxation times of sensors also decreased as the amount of In₂O₃ in the composite metal oxide film increased. Possible mechanisms of the sensor sensitivity of the films are discussed.     

Electrosynthesis of Н<Subscript>2</Subscript>О<Subscript>2</Subscript> from О<Subscript>2</Subscript> in Gas Diffusion Electrodes Based on Black СН600

Furnace black СН600 was studied as a catalyst for electrosynthesis of Н₂О₂ from О₂ in a gas diffusion electrode in alkaline and acidic solutions. The texture properties of the starting black СН600 and gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) based on it were determined by the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA) method. The rate constants of Н₂О₂ decomposition on black and its mixtures with fluoroplast-4D in acidic and alkaline solutions of electrolyte were calculated. The process selectivity γ (the current fraction spent on the two-electron reduction of oxygen), kinetic parameters of oxygen reduction, and double-layer capacity of the СН600-based GDE were determined. Data on the kinetics of hydrogen peroxide accumulation during electrosynthesis from oxygen in СН600-based GDE in acidic and alkaline solutions were obtained.     

Nongeneral Character of the Resonance Parameters Σ<Stack><Subscript>R</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> of Silicon-, Germanium-, and Tin-Containing Substituents in Radical Cations

The resonance parameters σ _R ⁺ of substituents Y in radical cations YD^+· [where D is a π- or n-type center, and Y = MMe₃, CH₂MMe₃ (M = Si, Ge, Sn), C(SiMe₃)₃] depend on the nature of both Y and D. Using radical cations YD^+· (Y = CH₂SiMe₃, SnMe₃) as examples, it was found that the two conjugation parameters, constants σ _R ⁺ of substituents Y and perturbation energy calculated by the modified molecular orbital perturbation method, are linearly related to each other. The energies of donor and acceptor components of the overall resonance effect of CH₂SiMe₃ and SnMe₃ with respect to radical cation centers D^+· were estimated for the first time. The donor energy constituent in YD^+· is considerably greater than in neutral DY molecules.     

Mössbauer diagnosis of the electronic structure and local environment of <Superscript>119</Superscript>Sn in MgTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Annealing of a hydroxide precursor containing equimolar amounts of Mg²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ and small additions of Sn⁴⁺ (0.1 at %) in air at 900°C leads to titanate MgTiO₃ with an ilmenite structure. The ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectrum of the sample (unresolved doublet with the isomer shift δ = 0.10 ± 0.01 mm/s and the quadrupole splitting Δ = 0.49 ± 0.02 mm/s) is evidence that the tin atoms are still in the oxidation state +4. Annealing of the precursor at the same temperature in a hydrogen atmosphere yields MgTiO₃ containing Sn²⁺ ions (a doublet at δ = 2.82 ± 0.01 mm/s and Δ = 1.66 ± 0.03 mm/s) (the Sn²⁺/MgTiO₃ sample). According to the spectral parameters, the ¹¹⁹Sn²⁺ ions have a low coordination number (CN ? 6) and are abnormally resistant to reduction to the metal. Analogous features of the crystal-chemical behavior of ¹¹⁹Sn²⁺ were previously observed during the Mössbauer study of the samples containing tin on the surface of Cr₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, and MgO crystallites. The conclusion drawn from analysis of the ¹¹⁹Sn²⁺ Mössbauer parameters that tin in the Sn²⁺/MgTiO₃ sample has surface localization was supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Mössbauer measurements show that the tin of Sn²⁺/MgTiO₃ when in contact with air is oxidized much more slowly than on the surface of Cr₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, or MgO crystallites. The inhibition of the oxidation reaction is explained to be due to passivation of adsorbed O₂ molecules caused by their interaction with mobile t _2g electrons of Ti³⁺ forming in titanate during high-temperature annealing in H₂. In addition to the Sn²⁺ doublet, the ¹¹⁹Sn spectrum shows a spectral component with parameters (δ ～ 1.6 mm/s, Δ ≤ 0.2 mm/s) not fitting the known tin species that can form in MgTiO₃. This component is explained by persistence in titanate of some Sn⁴⁺ ions immobilizing the mobile t _2g electron at one of their neighboring Ti⁴⁺ cations.     

Electrosynthesis of Н<Subscript>2</Subscript>О<Subscript>2</Subscript> from О<Subscript>2</Subscript> in a Gas-Diffusion Electrode Based on Mesostructured Carbon CMK-3

Mesostructured carbon CMK-3 (Carbon Mesostructured by KAIST) synthesized by the template method is studied as the electrocatalyst for electrosynthesis of Н₂О₂ from О₂ in a gas-diffusion electrode (GDE) in alkaline and acidic solutions. The texture characteristics of the original material and its mixture with hydrophobizer (polytetrafluoroethylene) are studied by the method of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The rate constants for hydrogen peroxide decomposition on these materials in alkaline and acidic solutions are calculated. Kinetic parameters of oxygen reduction in alkaline and acidic solutions are determined as well as the capacitance of gas-diffusion electrodes based on mesocarbon. The selectivity of the electrocatalyst is estimated by finding the current fracture γ consumed in oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide. Data on the kinetics of hydrogen peroxide accumulation during electrosynthesis of Н₂О₂ from О₂ are obtained. The acidic solution of hydrogen peroxide with the concentration more than 3 M is obtained with the current efficiency higher than 80%.     

Preparation of nano-SO<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst and its application in esterification of sebacic acid with 2-ethyl hexanol

A pure anatase phase nano-SO₄²⁻ /TiO₂ catalysts were synthesized and their catalytic activities were tested. Nano-SO₄²⁻/TiO₂ shows high activity and effective re-usable when used as basic catalysts for the synthesis of dioctyl sebacate.