In Situ Investigations of Mechanochemical One‐Pot Syntheses

We present an in situ triple coupling of synchrotron X‐ray diffraction with Raman spectroscopy, and thermography to study milling reactions in real time. This combination of methods allows a correlation of the structural evolution with temperature information. The temperature information is crucial for understanding both the thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. The reaction mechanisms of three prototypical mechanochemical syntheses, a cocrystal formation, a C?C bond formation (Knoevenagel condensation), and the formation of a manganese‐phosphonate, were elucidated. Trends in the temperature development during milling are identified. The heat of reaction and latent heat of crystallization of the product contribute to the overall temperature increase. A decrease in temperature occurs via release of, for example, water as a by‐product. Solid and liquid intermediates are detected. The influence of the mechanical impact could be separated from temperature effects caused by the reaction.     

The kinetics and mechanism of mechanochemical dissolution of chromium in nickel

The regularities of the formation of a solid solution in a Ni-Cr(20 at %) system are studied using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and particle-size distribution analysis within the framework of an energetical approach to the analysis of the kinetics of mechanochemical synthesis. It is established that the curves of the consumption of chromium atoms and the formation of the reaction product (a solid solution of chromium in nickel) coincide with each other. The rate-limiting step of the reaction is the formation of a contact surface between chromium and nickel, while the “stirring” of chromium atoms in nickel matrix has a very high rate. The rate of the formation of the contact surface in the mixture of brittle chromium and plastic nickel is determined by the rate of chromium particle disintegration. To a conversion of about 60%, the reaction kinetics is described by a quadratic dependence on the dose (D) of the mechanical treatment (N ～ D ₂).     

Direct Visualization of a Mechanochemically Induced Molecular Rearrangement

Recent progress in the field of mechanochemistry has expanded the discovery of mechanically induced chemical transformations to several areas of science. However, a general fundamental understanding of how mechanochemical reactions by ball milling occur has remained unreached. For this, we have now implemented in situ monitoring of a mechanochemically induced molecular rearrangement by synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and real‐time temperature sensing. The results of this study demonstrate that molecular rearrangements can be accomplished in the solid state by ball milling and how in situ monitoring techniques enable the visualization of changes occurring at the exact instant of a molecular migration. The mechanochemical benzil–benzilic acid rearrangement is the focal point of the study.     

Click Mechanochemistry: Quantitative Synthesis of “Ready to Use” Chiral Organocatalysts by Efficient Two‐Fold Thiourea Coupling to Vicinal Diamines

Mechanochemical methods of neat grinding and liquid‐assisted grinding have been applied to the synthesis of mono‐ and bis(thiourea)s by using the click coupling of aromatic and aliphatic diamines with aromatic isothiocyanates. The ability to modify the reaction conditions allowed the optimization of each reaction, leading to the quantitative formation of chiral bis(thiourea)s with known uses as organocatalysts or anion sensors. Quantitative reaction yields, combined with the fact that mechanochemical reaction conditions avoid the use of bulk solvents, enabled solution‐based purification methods (such as chromatography or recrystallization) to be completely avoided. Importantly, by using selected model reactions, we also show that the described mechanochemical reaction procedures can be readily scaled up to at least the one‐gram scale. In that way, mechanochemical synthesis provides a facile method to fully transform valuable enantiomerically pure reagents into useful products that can immediately be applied in their designed purpose. This was demonstrated by using some of the mechanochemically prepared reagents as organocatalysts in a model Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction and as cyanide ion sensors in organic solvents. The use of electronically and sterically hindered ortho‐phenylenediamine revealed that mechanochemical reaction conditions can be readily optimized to form either the 1:1 or the 1:2 click‐coupling product, demonstrating that reaction stoichiometry can be more efficiently controlled under these conditions than in solution‐based syntheses. In this way, it was shown that excellent stoichiometric control by mechanochemistry, previously established for mechanochemical syntheses of cocrystals and coordination polymers, can also be achieved in the context of covalent‐bond formation.     

Mechanically Assisted Bioluminescence with Natural Luciferase

Mechanochemical analogues have recently been established for several enzymatic reactions, but they require periodic interruption of the reaction for sampling, dissolution, and (bio)chemical analysis to monitor their progress. By applying a mechanochemical procedure to induce bioluminescence analogous to that used by the marine ostracod Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii, here we demonstrate that the light emitted by a bioluminescent reaction can be used to directly monitor the progress of a mechanoenzymatic reaction without sampling. Mechanical treatment of Cypridina luciferase with luciferin generates bright blue light which can be readily detected and analyzed spectroscopically. This mechanically assisted bioluminescence proceeds through a mechanism identical to that of bioluminescence in solution, but has higher activation energy due to being diffusion‐controlled in the viscous matrix. The results suggest that luciferases could be used as light‐emissive reporters of mechanoenzymatic reactions.     

The Intrinsic Mechanochemical Reactivity of Vinyl‐Addition Polynorbornene

Herein we report the discovery of the intrinsic mechanochemical reactivity of vinyl‐addition polynorbornene (VA‐PNB), which has strained bicyclic ring repeat units along the polymer backbone. VA‐PNBs with three different side chains were found to undergo ring‐opening olefination upon sonication in dilute solutions. The sonicated polymers exhibited spectroscopic signatures consistent with conversion of the bicyclic norbornane repeat units into the ring‐open isomer typical of polynorbornene made by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP‐PNB). Thermal analysis and evaluation of chain‐scission kinetics suggest that sonication of VA‐PNB results in chain segments containing a statistical mixture of vinyl‐added and ROMP‐type repeat units.     

The mechanochemical treatment of europium nitrate with 1,10-phenanthroline

The reactions that occur during the mechanochemical treatment of europium nitrate with 1,10-phenanthroline were studied by X-ray electron, infrared, and luminescent spectroscopy. Two minutes of mechanical activation resulted in the formation of europium nitrate, 1,10-phenanthroline, and water. According to the X-ray electron spectroscopy data, the coordination of 1,10-phenanthroline to europium nitrate was accompanied by a decrease in the Eu 4d _5/2 binding energy. Intense mechanochemical transformations caused changes in the composition of the surface of samples. Changes in the shape and size of reaction mixture particles and the morphology of sample surfaces after mechanical treatment in a ball mill compared with the initial mixture were studied.     

Laboratory Real‐Time and In Situ Monitoring of Mechanochemical Milling Reactions by Raman Spectroscopy

Mechanistic understanding of mechanochemical reactions is sparse and has been acquired mostly by stepwise ex situ analysis. We describe herein an unprecedented laboratory technique to monitor the course of mechanochemical transformations at the molecular level in situ and in real time by using Raman spectroscopy. The technique, in which translucent milling vessels are used that enable the collection of a Raman scattering signal from the sample as it is being milled, was validated on mechanochemical reactions to form coordination polymers and organic cocrystals. The technique enabled the assessment of the reaction dynamics and course under different reaction conditions as well as, for the first time, direct insight into the behavior of liquid additives during liquid‐assisted grinding.     

Development of kinetic models for acid‐catalyzed methyl acetate formation reaction: Effect of catalyst concentration and water inhibition

The reaction kinetics of reversible liquid‐phase esterification of acetic acid with methanol is investigated in the temperature range 26–50°C using sulfuric acid catalyst. The main goal of this work is to study the effect of catalyst concentration and sensitivity to the presence of water on the rate expression of this industrially important reaction. Experiments are conducted in an isothermal batch reactor and a second‐order kinetic model is used to correlate the experimental data, which are found to fit well with the assumed kinetic model in terms of the concentrations of reactants and products. Furthermore, an activity‐based kinetic model is also developed employing the UNIQUAC (universal quasi‐chemical equation) model to compute the activities. It is observed that the rate constant is influenced by the concentration of catalyst, and the reaction rate increased with an increase in the catalyst concentration. It is also observed that the catalyst activity is slightly inhibited by the water present in the reaction mixture. The performance of the proposed models is compared with that of other models reported in the literature, and it is found that the proposed models outperformed all the other models reported in the literature. © 2011 Wiley Peiodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 263–277, 2011     

Kinetics of the grating formation in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals: NMR measurement of diffusion coefficients

Polymer films with embedded liquid crystal inclusions (polymer-dispersed liquid crystals) are superb composites for addressable windows, flexible displays and optical storage. Their scattering behavior and electro-optic properties depend essentially on the shape and size of the liquid crystal inclusions, which are typically formed by phase separation from a multicomponent homogeneous mixture. Here, pulsed field gradient NMR is used to measure the self-diffusion coefficients of the liquid crystal and a photo-reactive monomer, which compose such a precursor mixture. The kinetics of holographic grating formation in this mixture can be predicted by inserting the NMR diffusion coefficient of the monomer and the polymerization rate in a reaction diffusion model. The ratio of diffusion rate over reaction rate is found to be in the limiting regime in which the kinetics of the grating formation is not sensitive to this parameter.     

Full Kinetics from First Principles of the Chlorine Evolution Reaction over a RuO2(110) Model Electrode

Current progress in modern electrocatalysis research is spurred by theory, frequently based on ab initio thermodynamics, where the stable reaction intermediates at the electrode surface are identified, while the actual energy barriers are ignored. This approach is popular in that a simple tool is available for searching for promising electrode materials. However, thermodynamics alone may be misleading to assess the catalytic activity of an electrochemical reaction as we exemplify with the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) over a RuO₂(110) model electrode. The full procedure is introduced, starting from the stable reaction intermediates, computing the energy barriers, and finally performing microkinetic simulations, all performed under the influence of the solvent and the electrode potential. Full kinetics from first‐principles allows the rate‐determining step in the CER to be identified and the experimentally observed change in the Tafel slope to be explained.     

Reverse Spin‐Crossover and High‐Pressure Kinetics of the Heme Iron Center Relevant for the Operation of Heme Proteins under Deep‐Sea Conditions

By design of a heme model complex with a binding pocket of appropriate size and flexibility, and by elucidating its kinetics and thermodynamics under elevated pressures, some of the pressure effects are demonstrated relevant for operation of heme‐proteins under deep‐sea conditions. Opposite from classical paradigms of the spin‐crossover and reaction kinetics, a pressure increase can cause deceleration of the small‐molecule binding to the vacant coordination site of the heme‐center in a confined space and stabilize a high‐spin state of its Fe center. This reverse high‐pressure behavior can be achieved only if the volume changes related to the conformational transformation of the cavity can offset the volume changes caused by the substrate binding. It is speculated that based on these criteria nature could make a selection of structures of heme pockets that assist in reducing metabolic activity and enzymatic side reactions under extreme pressure conditions.     

Thermal decomposition of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone in m‐xylene solution: Experimental and computational study

The mechanism of thermal decomposition of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone in m‐xylene solution was studied experimentally and theoretically at the M05‐2X/6‐31G(d, p) level of theory. It follows first‐order kinetics and appears to be homogeneous and unimolecular. The proposed mechanism is via a six‐membered cyclic transition state to give a mixture of formaldehyde and acetone. Rate constant values were experimentally determined at three temperatures: 483.15, 493.15, and 503.15 K. Calculated rate constants are of the same order of magnitude than the experimental ones. Calculated Gibbs energies of activation agree very well with the experimental values. Computationally, the progress of the reactions was followed by means of the Wiberg bond index. The results indicate that the transition state has an intermediate character between reactants and products, and the calculated synchronicity shows that the reaction is slightly asynchronous. The bond‐breaking processes are more advanced than the bond‐forming ones, indicating a bond deficiency in the transition state. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 407–413, 2012     

Mechanochemical synthesis of chromium tris(2-ethylhexanoate) and evaluation of its catalytic activity in the reaction of ethylene trimerization

A method was developed for synthesis of chromium(III) tris(2-ethylhexanoate) by the mechanochemical interaction of chromium(III) chloride with sodium 2-ethylhexanoate without a solvent, followed by heating of the reaction mixture. The influence exerted by the conditions of the mechanical activation and the subsequent thermal treatment on the course of the processes and some properties of activated mixtures was studied. Chromium(III) tris(2-ethylhexanoate) can be isolated from the reaction mixture in a ～75% yield. Both the activated reaction mixture and the target product obtained exhibit a high catalytic activity and selectivity in the reaction of ethylene trimerization.     

Cocrystal Formation through Mechanochemistry: from Neat and Liquid‐Assisted Grinding to Polymer‐Assisted Grinding

Mechanochemistry is an effective method for the preparation of multicomponent crystal systems. In the present work, we propose an alternative to the established liquid‐assisted grinding (LAG) approach. Polymer‐assisted grinding (POLAG) is demonstrated to provide a new class of catalysts for improving reaction rate and increasing product diversity during mechanochemical cocrystallization reactions. We demonstrate that POLAG provides advantages comparable to the conventional liquid‐assisted process, whilst eliminating the risk of unwanted solvate formation as well as enabling control of resulting particle size. It represents a new approach for the development of functional materials through mechanochemistry, and possibly opens new routes toward the understanding of the mechanisms and pathways of mechanochemical cocrystal formation.     

Mechanochemical oxidation of copper in a steam-air-ammonia-carbon dioxide gas atmosphere

The effect of intense mechanical actions on the rate of oxidation of copper metal in a steam-air-ammonia-carbon dioxide gas atmosphere was studied. Based on data on changes in the particle size of copper metal and the rate of its oxidation, the effect of the degree of gas mixture saturation with the components on the efficiency of mechanochemical activation was considered. The effect of the gas mixture composition on the chemical composition of oxidation products was demonstrated.     

Simulation of processes of atmospheric nitrogen fixation at mechanochemical disintegration of water solutions

Results of numerical modeling of the kinetics of reaction of binding of nitrogen at mechanochemical disintegration of water solutions are illustrated. Experimental data of kinetics of more than fifty reactions which in many cases are different from Arrhenius kinetics were used in calculations. It is found that the main channel of nitrogen fixation is the formation of nitrocompounds, but in the presence of small amount of hydrogen the change to the channel of ammonia formation becomes possible.     

Deciphering a 20‐Year‐Old Conundrum: The Mechanisms of Reduction by the Water/Amine/SmI2 Mixture

The reaction of SmI₂ with the substrates 3‐methyl‐2‐butanone, benzyl chloride, p‐cyanobenzyl chloride, and anthracene were studied in the presence of water and an amine. In all cases, the water content versus rate profile shows a maximum at around 0.2 M H₂O. The rate versus amine content profile shows in all cases, except for benzyl chloride, saturation behavior, which is typical of a change in the identity of the rate‐determining step. The mechanism that is in agreement with the observed data is that electron transfer occurs in the first step. With substrates that are not very electrophilic, the intermediate radical anions lose the added electron back to samarium(III) relatively quickly and the reaction cannot progress efficiently. However, in a mixture of water/amine, the amine deprotonates a molecule of water coordinated to samarium(III). The negatively charged hydroxide, which is coordinated to samarium(III), reduces its electrophilicity, and therefore, lowers the rate of back electron transfer, which allows the reaction to progress. In the case of benzyl chloride, in which electron transfer is rate determining, deprotonation by the amine is coupled to the electron‐transfer step.     

Mechanochemical Strecker Reaction: Access to α‐Aminonitriles and Tetrahydroisoquinolines under Ball‐Milling Conditions

A mechanochemical version of the Strecker reaction for the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles was developed. The milling of aldehydes, amines, and potassium cyanide in the presence of SiO₂ gave the corresponding α‐aminonitriles in good to high yields. The high efficiency of the mechanochemical Strecker‐type multicomponent reaction allowed the one‐pot synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines after a subsequent internal N‐alkylation reaction.     

Phase changes in the syrian phosphorite–ammonium sulphate system

With a complex of physico-chemical methods for analysis it is proved that in the course of mechanochemical treatment of a Syrian phosphorite and ammonium sulphate mixture new phases have been formed. The thermal analysis proves an increase in the reaction properties of the ammonium sulphate and the Syrian phosphorite which is a prerequisite for the increase in the content of P₂O₅^assimilated , in the activated phosphorite mixtures and the possibility to use them in the production of NP complex fertilizers.