Is the HO4− Anion a Key Species in the Aqueous‐Phase Decomposition of Ozone?

The role of the HO₄^? anion in atmospheric chemistry and biology is a matter of debate, because it can be formed from, or be in equilibrium with, key species such as O₃ + HO^? or HO₂ + O₂^?. The determination of the stability of HO₄^? in water therefore has the greatest relevance for better understanding the mechanism associated with oxidative cascades in aqueous solution. However, experiments are difficult to perform because of the short‐lived character of this species, and in this work we have employed DFT, CCSD(T) complete basis set (CBS), MRCI/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, and combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations to investigate this topic. We show that the HO₄^? anion has a planar structure in the gas phase, with a very large HOO? OO bond length (1.823 Å). In contrast, HO₄^? adopts a nonplanar configuration in aqueous solution, with huge geometrical changes (up to 0.232 Å for the HOO? OO bond length) with a very small energy cost. The formation of the HO₄^? anion is predicted to be endergonic by 5.53±1.44 and 2.14±0.37 kcal mol^?1 with respect to the O₃ + HO^? and HO₂ + O₂^? channels, respectively. Moreover, the combination of theoretical calculations with experimental free energies of solvation has allowed us to obtain accurate free energies for the main reactions involved in the aqueous decomposition of ozone. Thus, the oxygen transfer reaction (O₃ + OH^? → HO₂ + O₂^?) is endergonic by 3.39±1.80 kcal mol^?1, the electron transfer process (O₃ + O₂^? → O₃^? + O₂) is exergonic by 31.53±1.05 kcal mol^?1, supporting the chain‐carrier role of the superoxide ion, and the reaction O₃ + HO₂^? → OH + O₂^? + O₂ is exergonic by 12.78±1.15 kcal mol^?1, which is consistent with the fact that the addition of small amounts of HO₂^? (through H₂O₂) accelerates ozone decomposition in water. The combination of our results with previously reported thermokinetic data provides some insights into the potentially important role of the HO₄^? anion as a key reaction intermediate.     

Theoretical study of the structure and unimolecular decomposition pathways of ethyloxonium, [CH3CH2OH2]+

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations with split-valence plus polarization basis sets and incorporating valence-electron correlation have been performed to determine the equilibrium structure of ethyloxonium ([CH₃CH₂OH₂]⁺) and examine its modes of unimolecular dissociation. An asymmetric structure (1) is predicted to be the most stable form of ethyloxonium, but a second conformational isomer of C_s symmetry lies only 1.4 kJ mol^?1 higher in energy than 1. Four unimolecular decomposition pathways for 1 have been examined involving loss of H₂, CH₄, H₂O or C₂H₄. The most stable fragmentation products, lying 65 kJ mol^?1 above 1, are associated with the H₂ elimination reaction. However, large barriers of 257 and 223 kJ mol^?1 have to be surmounted for H₂ and CH₄ loss, respectively. On the other hand, elimination of either C₂H₄ or H₂O from ethyloxonium can proceed without a barrier to the reverse associations and, with total endothermicities of 130 and 160 kJ mol^?1, respectively, these reactions are expected to dominate at lower energies. A second important equilibrium structure on the surface is a hydrogen-bridged complex, lying 53 kJ mol^?1 above 1. This complex is involved in the C₂H₄ elimination reaction, acts as an intermediate in the proton-transfer reaction connecting [C₂H₅]⁺ +H₂O and C₂H₄ + [H₃O]⁺ and plays an important role in the isotopic scrambling that has been observed experimentally in the elimination of either H₂O or C₂H₄ from ethyloxonium. The proton affinity of ethanol was calculated as 799 kJ mol^?1, in close agreement with the experimental value of 794 kJ mol^?1.     

The structure and dissociation pathways of protonated methanol: An ab initio molecular orbital study

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations with moderately large polarization basis sets and including valence-electron correlation have been used to examine the structure and dissociation mechanisms of protonated methanol [CH₃OH₂]⁺. Stable isomers and transition structures have been characterized using gradient techniques. Protonated methanol is found to be the only stable isomer in the [CH₅O]⁺ potential surface. There is no evidence for a tightly-bound complex, [HOCH₂]⁺…?H₂, analogous to the preferred structure [CH₃]⁺…?H₂ of [CH₅]⁺. Protonated methanol is found to possess a pyramidal arrangement of bonds at the oxygen atom with a barrier to inversion of 8kJ mol^?1. The lowest energy fragmentation pathways are dissociation into methyl cation and water (predicted to require 284 kJ mol^?1 with zero reverse activation energy) and loss of molecular hydrogen (endothermic by 138 kJ mol^?1 but with a reverse activation barrier of 149 kJ mol^?1). The results offer a possible explanation as to why production of [CH₂OH]⁺ from the reaction of methyl cation with water is not observed. Other dissociation processes examined include loss of a hydrogen atom to yield the methylenoxonium radical cation or methanol radical cation (requiring 441 and 490 kJ mol^?1, respectively) and loss of a proton to yield neutral methanol (requiring 784 kJ mol^?1).     

A photoionization study of [C4H7]+ ions in the gas phase

The ionization and [C₄H₇]⁺ appearance energies for a series of C₄H₇CI and C₄H₇Br isomers have been measured by dissociative photoionization mass spectrometry. Cationic heats of formation, based on the stationary electron convention, are derived. No threshold ion is observed with a heat of formation corresponding to the trans-1-methylallyl cation, although there is evidence for formation of the less stable cis isomer. A 298 K heat of formation of 871 kJ mol^?1 is obtained for the cyclopropylcarbinyl cation, with the cyclobutyl cation having a higher value of 886 kJ mol^?1. At the HF/6-31G^** level, ab initio molecular orbital calculations show the 2-butenyl, isobutenyl and homoallyl cations to be stable forms of [C₄H₇]⁺, being less stable than the trans-1-methylallyl cation by 101 kJ mol^?1, 159 kJ mol^?1 and 164 kJ mol^?1, respectively. However, threshold formation is not observed for any of these ions, the fragmentation of appropriate precursor molecules producing [C₄H₇]⁺ ions with lower energy structures.     

Study of the kinetics of the reactions of NO3 with HO2 and OH

The Absolute rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of NO₃ with HO₂ and OH have been determined using the discharge flow laser magnetic resonance method (DF-LMR). Since OH was found to be produced in the reaction of HO₂ with NO₃, C₂F₃Cl was used to scavenge it. The overall rate constant, k₁, for the reaction, HO₂ + NO₃ → products, was measured to be k₁=(3.0 ± 0.7)×10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at (297 ± 2) K and P=(1.4 – 1.9) torr. This result is in reasonable agreement with the previous studies. Direct detection of HO₂ and OH radicals and the use of three sources of NO₃ enabled us to confirm the existence of the channel producing OH:HO₂+NO₃→OH+NO₂+O₂ (1a); the other possible channel is HO₂+NO₃→HNO₃+O₂ (1b). From our measurements and the computer simulations, the branching ratio, k_1a/(k_1a + k_1b), was estimated to be (1.0). The rate coefficient for the reaction of OH with NO₃ was determined to be (2.1 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reduction of monochloramine by hydroxylamine and hydroxylammonium ion

The kinetics and mechanism by which monochloramine is reduced by hydroxylamine in aqueous solution over the pH range of 5–8 are reported. The reaction proceeds via two different mechanisms depending upon whether the hydroxylamine is protonated or unprotonated. When the hydroxylamine is protonated, the reaction stoichiometry is 1:1. The reaction stoichiometry becomes 3:1 (hydroxylamine:monochloramine) when the hydroxylamine is unprotonated. The principle products under both conditions are Cl^–, NH⁺₄, and N₂O. The rate law is given by ?[d[NH₂Cl]/dt] = k₊[NH₃OH⁺][NH₂Cl] + k₀[NH₂OH][NH₂Cl]. At an ionic strength of 1.2 M, at 25°C, and under pseudo‐first‐order conditions, k₊= (1.03 ± 0.06) ×10³ L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and k₀=91 ± 15 L · mol^?1 · s^?1. Isotopic studies demonstrate that both nitrogen atoms in the N₂O come from the NH₂OH/NH₃OH⁺. Activation parameters for the reaction determined at pH 5.1 and 8.0 at an ionic strength of 1.2 M were found to be ΔH? = 36 ± 3 kJ · mol^–1 and Δ S? = ?66 ± 9 J · K^?1 · mol^?1, and Δ H? = 12 ± 2 kJ · mol^?1 and Δ S? = ?168 ± 6 J · K^?1 · mol^?1, respectively, and confirm that the transition states are significantly different for the two reaction pathways. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 124–135, 2006     

Sequential segregation of Sn and Sb in a Cu(111) single crystal

The sequential segregation of Sn and Sb to the surface of a Cu(111) single crystal was measured in the temperature range 400–1100 K by Auger electron spectroscopy. It was found that Sn with the higher diffusion coefficient first segregates to the surface and then is replaced by the slower‐segregating Sb. The results were fitted by a ternary segregation model yielding segregation energies (ΔG_Sn = 76.3 kJ mol^?1, ΔG_Sb = 95.9 kJ mol^?1), interaction parameters (Ω_SnCu = 3.8 kJ mol^?1, Ω_SbCu = 16.2 kJ mol^?1, Ω_SnSb = ?5.3 kJ mol^?1) and diffusion coefficients (D_0(Sn) = 1.8 × 10^?5 m² s^?1, E_Sn = 173 kJ mol^?1, D_0(Sb) = 6.0 × 10^?5 m² s^?1, E_Sb = 205 kJ mol^?1) for both species. The validity of the interaction coefficients and segregation energies was verified using the Guttman equations for equilibrium segregation in ternary systems. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Activation of Strong Boron–Fluorine and Silicon–Fluorine σ‐Bonds: Theoretical Understanding and Prediction

The oxidative addition of BF₃ to a platinum(0) bis(phosphine) complex [Pt(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) was investigated by density functional calculations. Both the cis and trans pathways for the oxidative addition of BF₃ to 1 are endergonic (ΔG°=26.8 and 35.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively) and require large Gibbs activation energies (ΔG°^≠=56.3 and 38.9 kcal mol^?1, respectively). A second borane plays crucial roles in accelerating the activation; the trans oxidative addition of BF₃ to 1 in the presence of a second BF₃ molecule occurs with ΔG°^≠ and ΔG° values of 10.1 and ?4.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively. ΔG°^≠ becomes very small and ΔG° becomes negative. A charge transfer (CT), F→BF₃, occurs from the dissociating fluoride to the second non‐coordinated BF₃. This CT interaction stabilizes both the transition state and the product. The B?F σ‐bond cleavage of BF₂Ar^F (Ar^F=3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and the B?Cl σ‐bond cleavage of BCl₃ by 1 are accelerated by the participation of the second borane. The calculations predict that trans oxidative addition of SiF₄ to 1 easily occurs in the presence of a second SiF₄ molecule via the formation of a hypervalent Si species.     

Alginate polyelectrolyte ionotropic gels. XVIII. Oxidation of alginate polysaccharide by potassium permanganate in alkaline solutions: Kinetics of decomposition of intermediate complex

The kinetics of decomposition of [Alg · Mn ^VIO₄^2?] intermediate complex have been investigated spectrophotometrically at a constant ionic strength of 0.5 mol dm^?3. The decomposition reaction was found to be first-order in the intermediate concentration. The results showed that the rate of reaction was base-catalyzed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and found to be ΔS^? = ?103.88±6.18 J mol^?1 K^?1, ΔH^? = 51.61 ± 1.02 kJ mol^?1, and ΔG^? = 82.57 ± 2.86 kJ mol^?1, respectively. A reaction mechanism consistent with the results is discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface segregation measurements of In and S impurities from a dilute Cu(In,S) ternary alloy

The surface segregation of In and S from a dilute Cu(In,S) ternary alloy were measured using Auger electron spectroscopy coupled with a linear programmed heater. The alloy was linearly heated and cooled at constant rates. Segregation data of a linear heat run showed surface segregation of In that reached a maximum surface coverage of 25% followed by S, which reached a coverage of 30%. It was found that after In had reached a maximum surface coverage, it started to desegregate as soon as the S enriched the surface until In was completely replaced by S. The segregation parameters, namely, the pre‐exponential factor (D₀), activation energy (Q), segregation energy (ΔG?) and interaction energy (Ω) were extracted from the measured segregation data for both In and S segregation in Cu by simulating the measured segregation data with a theoretical segregation model (modified Darken model). The segregation parameters obtained for In segregation in Cu are D₀ = 1.8 ± 0.5 × 10^?5 m² s^?1, Q = 184.3 ± 1.0 kJ.mol^?1, ΔG? = ?61.4 ± 1.4 kJ.mol^‐1, Ω_Cu?In = 3.0 ± 0.4 kJ.mol^?1; for S segregation in Cu the parameters are D₀ = 8.9 ± 0.5 × 10^?3 m² s^?1, Q = 212.8 ± 3.0 kJ.mol^?1, ΔG? = ?120.0 ± 3.5 kJ.mol^?1, Ω_Cu?S = 23.0 ± 2.0 kJ mol^?1 and the In and S interaction parameter is Ω_In?S = ?4.0 ± 0.5 kJ.mol^?1. The initial parameters used for the Darken calculations were extracted from fits performed with the Fick's and Guttmann model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Base hydrolysis of (αβ S)-(o-methoxy benzoato) (tetraethylenepentamine) cobalt(III) ion: A comparative study of the role of ion pairs and micelles

The kinetics of base hydrolysis of (αβ S)-(o -methoxy benzoato) (tetraethylenepentamine)cobalt(III) obeyed the rate law: k_obs = k_OH[OH^?], in the range 0.05 ? [OH^?]_T, mol dm^?3 ? 1.0, I = 1.0 mol dm^?3, and 20.0–40.0°C. At 25°C, k_OH = 13.4 ± 0.4 dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, ΔH^≠ = 93 ± 2 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS^≠ = 90 ± 5 JK^?1 mol^?1. Several anions of varying charge and basicity, CH₃CO₂^?, SO₃^2?, SO₄^2?, CO₃^2?, C₂O₄^2?, CH₂(CO₂)₂^2?, PO₄^3?, and citrate^3? had no effect on the rate while phthalate^2?, NTA^3?, EDTA^4?, and DTPA^5? accelerated the process via formation of the reactive ion pairs. The anionic (SDS), cationic (CTAB), and neutral (Triton X-100) micelles, however, retarded the reaction, the effect being in the order SDS> CTAB > Triton X-100. The importance of electrostatic and hydrophobic effects of the micelles on the selective partitioning of the reactants between the micellar and bulk aqueous pseudo-phases which control the rate are discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Heterolysis of H2 Across a Classical Lewis Pair, 2,6‐Lutidine⋅BCl3: Synthesis,Characterization, and Mechanism

We report that 2,6‐lutidine?trichloroborane (Lut?BCl₃) reacts with H₂ in toluene, bromobenzene, dichloromethane, and Lut solvents producing the neutral hydride, Lut?BHCl₂. The mechanism was modeled with density functional theory, and energies of stationary states were calculated at the G3(MP2)B3 level of theory. Lut?BCl₃ was calculated to react with H₂ and form the ion pair, [LutH⁺][HBCl₃^?], with a barrier of ΔH^≠=24.7 kcal mol^?1 (ΔG^≠=29.8 kcal mol^?1). Metathesis with a second molecule of Lut?BCl₃ produced Lut?BHCl₂ and [LutH⁺][BCl₄^?]. The overall reaction is exothermic by 6.0 kcal mol^?1 (Δ_rG°=?1.1). Alternate pathways were explored involving the borenium cation (LutBCl₂⁺) and the four‐membered boracycle [(CH₂{NC₅H₃Me})BCl₂]. Barriers for addition of H₂ across the Lut/LutBCl₂⁺ pair and the boracycle B?C bond are substantially higher (ΔG^≠=42.1 and 49.4 kcal mol^?1, respectively), such that these pathways are excluded. The barrier for addition of H₂ to the boracycle B?N bond is comparable (ΔH^≠=28.5 and ΔG^≠=32 kcal mol^?1). Conversion of the intermediate 2‐(BHCl₂CH₂)‐6‐Me(C₅H₃NH) to Lut?BHCl₂ may occur by intermolecular steps involving proton/hydride transfers to Lut/BCl₃. Intramolecular protodeboronation, which could form Lut?BHCl₂ directly, is prohibited by a high barrier (ΔH^≠=52, ΔG^≠=51 kcal mol^?1).     

A Thermodynamic Study of Chromotropico-Titanium(III) Complex from Spectrophotometric Measurements

The formation of 1 : 2 titanium(III) complex with chromotropic acid (4, 5-dihydroxy-2, 7-naphthalene-disulfonic acid) was observed by spectrophotometric measurements at various ionic strengths. An expression, [Ti(III)]/D=1/Δ? + α_H²+/KΔ?[H₂R^2?]², was derived for the determination of the formation constant, K=7.2×10² liter² mol^?2 for the Ti(III).(HR)₂ ion in the pH range of 1.3–1.8 at constant ionic strength, I=0.2 M, at 25°C. The thermodynamic data for the reaction, Ti(III)+2H₃R^2?=Ti(III) (HR)₂+2H⁺, were calculated to be ΔG° = ?16 kJ mol^?1 ΔH° = 18 kJ mol^?1, ΔS° = 110 JK^?1 mol^?1, at 25°C.     

Influence of the Preparation Procedure on the Catalytic Activity of Gold Supported on Diamond Nanoparticles for Phenol Peroxidation

The catalytic activity of diamond‐supported gold nanoparticle (Au/D) samples prepared by the deposition/precipitation method have been correlated as a function of the pH and the reduction treatment. It was found that the most active material is the one prepared at pH 5 followed by subsequent thermal treatment at 300 °C under hydrogen. TEM images show that Au/D prepared under optimal conditions contain very small gold nanoparticles with sizes below 2 nm that are proposed to be responsible for the catalytic activity. Tests of productivity using large phenol (50 g L ^?1) and H₂O₂ excesses (100 g L ^?1) and reuse gives a minimum TON of 458,759 moles of phenol degraded per gold atom. Analysis of the organic compounds extracted from the deactivated solid catalyst indicates that the poisons are mostly hydroxylated dicarboxylic acids arising from the degradative oxidation of the phenyl ring. By determining the efficiency for phenol degradation and the amount of O₂ evolved two different reactions of H₂O₂ decomposition (the Fenton reaction at acidic pH values and spurious O₂ evolution at basic pH values) are proposed for Au/D catalysis. The activation energy of the two processes is very similar (ranging between 30 and 35 kJ mol^?1). By using dimethylsulfoxide as a radical scavenger and N‐tert‐butyl‐α‐phenylnitrone as a spin trap under aerated conditions, the EPR spectrum of the expected PBN? OCH₃ adduct was detected, supporting the generation of HO^., characteristic of Fenton chemistry in the process. Phenol degradation, on the other hand, exhibits the same activation energy as H₂O₂ decomposition at pH 4 (due to the barrierless attack of HO^. to phenol), but increases the activation energy gradually up to about 90 kJ mol^?1 at pH 7 and then undergoes a subsequent reduction as the pH increases reaching another minimum at pH 8.5 (49 kJ mol^?1).     

Mass spectra of ethenol and its deutero analogues

Ethenol, 1-d-ethenol, O-d-ethenol and Z-2-d-ethenol were prepared by pyrolysis of corresponding 5-norbornenols at 800^°C/2 × 10^?6 Torr. The most important fragments in the electron impact mass spectrum of ethenol are [C₂H₃O]⁺ and CHO⁺ and CH₃˙. The hydrogen atom eliminated from the molecular ion comes mainly from the hydroxyl group (68%) and to a lesser extent from C(1) (25%) and C(2) (7%). The loss of the hydroxyl hydrogen is preceded by rate-determining migration of the hydrogen atom from C(1) onto C(2) to yield CH₃C?OH⁺˙ions that decompose to CH₃CO⁺ and H˙. The loss of deuterium from O-d-ethenol shows a very small primary isotope effect (k_H/k_D=1.07), whereas a significant effect is observed for the loss of hydrogen from 1-d-ethenol (k_H/k_D=1.28). The appearance energy of [C₂H₂DO]⁺ from 1-d-ethenol, AE=11.32 eV, gives a critical energy for the hydrogen loss, E=203 kJ mol^?1, which is 90 kJ mol^?1 above the thermochemical threshold for CH₃CO⁺+H˙. The appearance energy of CDO⁺ from 1-d-ethenol was measured as 12.96±0.07 eV, which sets the barrier to isomerization to CH₃CDO⁺˙ at 1121 kJ mol^?1. The ionization energy of ethenol was found to be 9.22±0.03 eV.     

Investigation of the water exchange mechanism of the Plutonyl(VI) and Uranyl(VI) ions with quantum chemical methods

The water exchange reactions of [PuO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺ and [UO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺ were investigated with density functional theory (DFT) and wave function theory (WFT). Geometries and vibrational frequencies were calculated with DFT and CPCM hydration. The electronic energies were evaluated with general multiconfiguration quasi-degenerate second-order perturbation theory (GMC-QDPT2). Spin-orbit (SO) effects, computed with SO configuration interaction (SO–CI), are negligible. Both Actinyl(VI) ions react via an associative exchange mechanism, most likely I_a. The Gibbs activation energies (ΔG^?) at 25 °C are 33–34 and 30–37 kJ mol^?1 for [PuO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺ and [UO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺, respectively. ΔG^? for dissociative mechanisms (D, I_d) is higher by more than 15 kJ mol^?1.     

Negative ion fragmentations of deprotonated peptides. The unusual case of isoAsp: a joint experimental and theoretical study. Comparison with positive ion cleavages

The following peptides have been examined in this study: GLDFG(OH), caeridin 1.1 [GLLDGLLGLGGL(NH₂)], 11 Ala citropin 1.1 [GLFDVIKKVAAVIGGL(NH₂)], Crinia angiotensin [APGDRIYVHPF(OH)] and their isoAsp isomers. It is not possible to differentiate between Asp‐ and isoAsp‐containing peptides (used in this study) using negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry. This is because the isoAsp residue cleaves to give the same fragment anions as those formed by δ and γ backbone cleavage of Asp. The isoAsp fragmentations are as follows: RNHCH(CO₂H)^?CHCONHR′ → [RNH^?(HO₂CCH?CHCONHR′)] → RNH^?+HO₂CCH?CHCONHR′ and RNHCH(CO₂H)^?CHCONHR′ → [RNH^?(HO₂CCH?CHCONHR′] → ^?O₂CCH?CHCONHR′+RNH₂. Calculations at the HF/6‐31+G(d)//AM1 level of theory indicate that the first of these isoAsp cleavage processes is endothermic (by +115 kJ mol^?1), while the second is exothermic (?85 kJ mol^?1). The barrier to the highest transition state is 42 kJ mol^?1. No diagnostic cleavage cations were observed in the electrospray mass spectra of the MH⁺ ion of the Asp‐ and isoAsp‐containing peptides (used in this study) to allow differentiation between these two amino acid residues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protonated silanoic acid HSi(OH)2+ and its neutral counterpart: a tandem mass spectrometric and CBS-QB3 computational study

Protonated silanoic acid, HSi(OH)₂⁺, 1a ⁺, is cleanly generated by the dissociative electron ionization of triethoxysilane, HSi(OC₂H₅)₃, and tetraethoxysilane, Si(OC₂H₅)₄. This follows from tandem mass spectrometric experiments and CBS-QB3 model chemistry calculations. The calculations predict that 1a ⁺ (ΔH_f(298 K) = 205 kJ mol⁻¹) is separated by high barriers from its isomers HOSiOH₂⁺, 1b ⁺ and HSi(O)OH₂⁺, 1c ⁺. Low-energy (metastable) ions 1a ⁺ dissociate by loss of H₂O via the pathway 1a ⁺ → 1b ⁺ → SiOH⁺ + H₂O. Analysis of the metastable peak for this process confirms that the isomerization step 1a ⁺ → 1b ⁺ is rate determining. The calculations further predict that the incipient ions 1b ⁺ communicate via a low barrier with the proton-bound dimer SiO···H···OH₂⁺, 1d ⁺. This dimer ion is much lower in energy than its counterpart OSi···H···OH₂⁺, 1e ⁺, which is calculated to be only marginally stable. A comparison of the potential energy diagram for the silicon-containing ions 1a ⁺– 1e ⁺ with that of their carbon analogues reveals that the dissociation chemistries of HSi(OH)₂⁺ and HC(OH)₂⁺ are only superficially similar. Neutralization–reionization experiments confirm the theoretical prediction that the HSi(OH)₂^• radical (ΔH_f(298 K) = −455 kJ mol⁻¹) is a stable species in the rarefied gas phase. However, owing to a mismatch of Franck–Condon factors a large fraction of the neutralized ions dissociates by loss of H^• yielding Si(OH)₂. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Measurement of the Gibbs Energy of Transfer Between Oil and Water Using a Nano‐Carbon Paste Electrode

The use of nano‐carbon paste electrodes for the measurement of Gibbs energies of transfer between oil and aqueous phases is reported. In this method the oil of interest is used as the binder for the nano‐carbon paste electrodes and the molecule of interest is dissolved in the organic or aqueous phase. Voltammetry is performed over a period of time and used to monitor the transfer of the molecule between the two phases. The method is illustrated for the transfer of ferrocenemethanol between water and oil using the ferrocenemethanol / ferroceniummethanol (FcCH₂OH/FcCH₂OH⁺) redox couple. Three pairs of voltammetric peaks were observed in a 0.1 M KCl solution when the nano‐carbon paste electrode was modified by dissolution of FcCH₂OH in the binder oil: P1 [E=0.23 V, 0.17 V vs. Ag/AgCl (1 M KCl)], P2 [E=0.36 V, 0.32 V vs. Ag/AgCl (1 M KCl)] and P3 [E=0.55 V, 0.46 V vs. Ag/AgCl (1 M KCl)]. These are assigned to the FcCH₂OH species existing in the aqueous solution [FcCH₂OH(aq)/FcCH₂OH⁺(aq)], originating in the oil (o) [FcCH₂OH(o)/FcCH₂OH⁺(aq)] and to oxidation of adsorbed (ads) material on the nano‐carbon [FcCH₂OH(ads)] respectively. When supporting electrolyte containing the anions Cl^?, NO₃^? or SCN^? was used, an expulsion of the oxidised ferrocene occurred and the difference in midpoint potentials (E_mid) between the peaks P1 and P2 observed in these experiments allowed the calculation of the Gibbs energy (ΔG°) of transfer of ferrocenemethanol from water to oil. The average ΔG° value thus obtained was (?12.7±0.2) kJ mol^?1. For more hydrophobic anions (X^?=PF₆^?, AsF₆^?), the electron transfer is coupled to the transfer of the anion into the oil and the ΔG° for the transfer of the ion pair of FcCH₂OH⁺ and X^? ions from water to oil was found to be ?1.3 and ?3.9 kJ mol^?1 for PF₆^? and AsF₆^? respectively.