The water‐promoted Diels–Alder reaction in quaternary ammonium salts

Prevailing classification of salts based on their effect in solubility and stability of proteins in aqueous solution predicts that tetraalkylammonium salts, guanidinium chloride (GnCl), LiClO₄ act as salting‐in (S/I) and LiCl, NaCl act as salting‐out (S/O) in aqueous conditions. In the same context the behaviour of GnCl, LiClO₄ and LiCl are contradictory in polar solvents like ethylene glycol and formamide. In these solvents, expected salt effect shows just opposite nature from their usual expectation. However, in the aqueous solution salts like tetraalkylammonium halide (R₄NX, R = alkyl group, X = Br group) behave like salting‐in salts. The physicochemical origin of the salting in effect of R₄NX type of salts has been discussed elaborately in the present work. The role of cations in terms of substitution of various alkyl groups on R₄NX has been systematically presented here on the basis of experimental kinetic and thermodynamic studies. The abnormal behaviour of R₄NX salts in aqueous solution has also been explained by the Setschenov equation (k_s) and Δμ_solvation values, which highlights their individual nature out of common properties of R₄NX. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Volumetric, acoustic and spectroscopic studies for binary mixtures of ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) with alkoxyalkanols at T = (288.15 to 318.15) K

Densities and speeds of sound have been measured for the binary mixtures of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim][PF₆] with ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGMEE), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (Di-EGMEE), triethylene glycol monoethyl ether (Tri-EGMEE) over the whole composition range at atmospheric pressure. Experimental densities have been used to estimate excess molar volumes, V^E. Changes in isentropic compressibility, Δκ_s have been estimated by using experimental speed of sound and density values. Excess properties were fitted to the Redlich-Kister polynomial equation to obtain the binary coefficients and the standard errors. The molecular scale interactions between ionic liquid and alkoxyalkanols have been investigated through ¹H NMR spectroscopy. NMR chemical shifts for hydroxyl group of alkoxyalkanols and their deviations show hydrogen bonding interactions of varying strengths between ionic liquid and alkoxyalkanol in their binary mixtures.     

A comparative study of non-polar solvents effect on dielectric relaxation and dipole moment of binary mixtures of mono alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol and of diethylene glycol with ethyl alcohol

Dielectric relaxation and dipole moment of binary mixtures of homologous series of mono alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol and of diethylene glycol, i.e., mono methyl, mono ethyl and mono butyl ethers of ethylene glycol (ROCH₂CH₂OH) and mono methyl, mono ethyl and mono butyl ethers of diethylene glycol (ROCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH) with ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH) of different concentrations were studied in dilute solutions of benzene, dioxane and carbon tetrachloride at 35 °C. Permittivity (ε′) and loss (ε″) at 10.1 GHz, static dielectric constant ε_o at 1 MHz and high frequency limiting dielectric constant ε_∞ = n_D² at optical frequency of these molecules and their binary mixtures at different concentration were measured in dilute solutions of non-polar solvents. The average relaxation time τ_o, relaxation times corresponding to overall molecular reorientation τ₁ and group rotations τ₂ were determined using Higasi's single frequency measurement equations for dilute solutions. The evaluated values of relaxation times and free energy of activation ΔF were used to explore the solvent effect on molecular dynamics of these polar binary systems in non-polar solvents. The excess inverse relaxation time and excess free energy of activation were determined to confirm the existence of hydrogen-bonded heterogeneous cooperative domains of the ethers and alcohol molecules at different concentration their binary mixtures in non-polar solvents. The dipole moment of the binary mixtures was evaluated using Higasi's and Guggenheim's equation for dilute solutions. The evaluated values of dipole moments and computed dipole moment values using a simple mixing equation of the polar molecules binary mixture were used to explore the effect of non-polar solvent environment on heterogeneous molecular interactions between ethers and alcohol molecules. The effect of number of carbon atoms in the molecular structure of these homologous series molecules was also considered for the interpretation of various evaluated dielectric parameters.     

Microstructural analysis of foam by use of NMR R2 dispersion

The spin–spin relaxation rate R₂ (=1/T₂) in hydrogel foams measured by use of a multiple spin echo sequence is found to be dependent on the echo time spacing. This property, referred to as R₂-dispersion, originates to a large extent from molecular self-diffusion of water within internal field gradients that result from magnetic susceptibility differences between the gel and air phase. Another contribution to the R₂ relaxation rate is surface relaxation. Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the relation between the foam microstructure (the mean air bubble radius and standard deviation of the air bubble radius) and foam composition properties (such as magnetic susceptibilities, diffusion coefficient and surface relaxivity) at one hand and the R₂-dispersion at the other hand. The simulated R₂-dispersions of gel foam are in agreement with the measured R₂-dispersions. By correlating the R₂-dispersion parameters and simulated microstructure properties a semi-empirical relationship is obtained that enables the mean air bubble size to be derived from measured R₂-dispersion curves. The R₂-derived mean air bubble size of a hydrogel foam is in agreement with the bubble size measured with X-ray micro-CT. This illustrates the feasibility of using ¹H R₂-dispersion measurements to determine the size of air bubbles in hydrogel foams and of alveoli in lung tissue.     

Interplay and competition between the lithium bonding and halogen bonding: R3C···XCN···LiCN and R3C···LiCN···XCN as a working model (R = H,CH3; X = Cl,Br)

UMP2 calculations with aug-cc-pVDZ basis set were used to analyse intermolecular interactions in R₃C···XCN···LiCN and R₃C···LiCN···XCN triads (R = H, CH₃; X = Cl, Br) which are connected via lithium bond and halogen bond. To understand the properties of the systems better, the corresponding dyads are also studied. Molecular geometries and binding energies of dyads, and triads are investigated at the UMP2/aug-cc-pVDZ computational level. Particular attention is paid to parameters such as cooperative energies, and many-body interaction energies. All studied complexes, with the simultaneous presence of a lithium bond and a halogen bond, show cooperativity with energy values ranging between ?1.20 and ?7.71 kJ mol^?1. A linear correlation was found between the interaction energies and magnitude of the product of most positive and negative electrostatic potentials (V_S,maxV_S,min). The electronic properties of the complexes are analysed using parameters derived from the atoms in molecules (AIM) methodology. According to energy decomposition analysis, it is revealed that the electrostatic interactions are the major source of the attraction in the title complexes.     

Dielectric studies of alkyl acrylates with primary alcohols using time domain reflectometry

Binary polar–polar liquid mixtures of alkyl acrylates (methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate) with primary alcohols (propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol and hexan-1-ol) were subjected to dielectric studies at 303?K for different concentrations using time domain reflectometry (TDR) over the frequency range from 10?MHz to 10?GHz. Static permittivity (ε₀) dielectric constant at high frequency (ε_∞) and relaxation time (τ) were found through dielectric measurements for different concentrations of each system. The Bruggeman dielectric factor, Kirkwood correlation factor and the excess inverse relaxation time were determined and discussed to yield information on the molecular interactions of the systems. Deviations from the linearity of various models suggest molecular association through hydrogen bonding between the ?OH group of alcohols and C=O group of esters. The results also show a dependence of dielectric parameters on the alkyl chain length of both the alcohols and esters.     

Proton magnetic resonance studies of quantum mechanical tunnelling of ammonium ions in several ammonium salts

Proton magnetic resonance spectra were measured at 1·8 K for the compounds NH₄Br, NH₄I, NH₄SCN, (NH₄)₂CrO₄, and NH₄NO₃. The observed derivative curves cannot be explained on the basis only of the dipolar interactions between protons in the NH₄ ⁺ ion held rigidly in the crystal lattices. We considered the effect of quantum mechanical tunnelling on the rotation of an NH₄ ⁺ ion about its C₃-axis and calculated the theoretical lineshapes for various assumed values of the tunnelling splitting constants. Comparison between experiment and theory is quite satisfactory, and the tunnelling splitting constants, Δ, in the librational ground state of the ammonium ion in these salts are determined. It is found that there is a linear relation between the Δ values and the potential barrier to reorientation.     

Optical properties of Er doped GeO2-PbO glass: Effect of doping with Bi2O3

The optical properties of binary and ternary germanate glasses 40.3GeO₂-59.7PbO, 31.3GeO₂-26.8PbO-41.9Bi₂O₃ and 31.5GeO₂-40.4PbO-28.1Bi₂O₃ (wt%) doped with Er³⁺ were investigated. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were calculated and the near-infrared luminescence as well as the upconversion efficiency was analyzed. We observed that the ternary germanate glass containing the highest concentration of Bi₂O₃ presented the largest emission bandwidth for ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition and the highest infrared-to-visible upconversion efficiency among the samples studied. These results demonstrate that not only the presence of Bi₂O₃ but also the careful choice of its molecular weight plays a key role in optimizing parameters for using germanate glasses for photonics applications.     

The nature of hydrogen bonding in R22(8) crystal motifs – a computational exploration

R²₂(8), a commonly occurring motif in organic crystals, has been examined here through ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods. The 11 R²₂(8) motifs reported by Allen et al. have been classified into five types; their structural features, hydrogen-bonding patterns and the kind of interactions stabilising these motifs have been studied. Results reveal that the electronegativity of donor atoms plays a major role in directing the hydrogen bonds, whereas their positions in the motif have been found to be less important. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and reduced density gradient-based non-covalent-interaction analyses have been used to understand the weak interactions between monomers. Homonuclear interactions within the motifs have been found to be stronger with higher covalent character at the bond critical points than heteronuclear interactions. In addition, a localised molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis (LMOEDA) has been accomplished to provide useful insight into various long- and short-range interactions that contribute to the total stabilisation energies. The stabilising n → σ* interactions have been explained using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Overall, this study provides the essential criteria for an organic crystal to be in an R²₂(8) motif and further discusses the different combinations of hydrogen-bonding features within the R²₂(8) motifs.     

Hyperfine interactions on151Eu and57Fe in amorphous EuFe2Si2

The magnetic and quadrupole hyperfine interactions in amorphous EuFe₂Si₂ have been measured using⁵⁷Fe and¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy. The distributions in the various parameters have been found using the Fourier coefficient method. Novel features of the results are that the Eu charge state (4f occupation number) changes between the crystalline and amorphous phases and that whereas in the crystalline phase neither Eu nor Fe is magnetic, both become so in the amorphous phase.     

Enhancement of antibacterial effect of quaternary ammonium with inorganic nanosheets against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter cloacae</Emphasis>

To suppress nosocomial infections, numerous studies of quaternary ammonium cations (R₄N⁺) to improve the antibiotic properties have been investigated. However, most of them reported developments of novel organic or polymeric materials with R₄N⁺. To pioneer antibacterial inorganic materials hybridized with R₄N⁺, a colloidal solution of metal oxide nanosheets, which have a small particle size (typically less than 10 nm), is considered to be a suitable option because oxide nanosheets with a negative surface charge strongly interact R₄N⁺. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that the high antibacterial/bactericidal effects of titanate nanosheets (TNS) adsorbing tetramethylammonium (TMA-TNS) or tetrabultylammonium ions (TBA-TNS). Their antibacterial effects against Enterobacter cloacae were evaluated using a colony forming unit (CFU) counting method. The results showed that the synthesized TNS composites had superior antibacterial and bactericidal effects to those of free R₄N⁺ and TBA-TNS exhibited the strongest effect (69% CFU reduction compared with that of free TBA⁺ and 98% CFU reduction compared with the control) among the samples examined. Dark incubation was employed to ensure that photocatalytic reaction of semiconducting TNS did not contribute to the process. Compared with TiO₂ spherical particles, such high bactericidal effect would be induced by a synergistic function of TBA⁺ and TNS, which physically damages bacteria due to long hydrophobic alkyl chains and an anisotropic nanocrystalline structure with sharp edges, respectively.     

Ultrasonic study of molecular interaction in binary liquid mixtures at 30°C

Densities ρ and ultrasonic speeds u of the binary mixtures of tetrahydrofuran (THF) with 1-butanol and tert-butanol, at 30°C, over the entire composition range were measured. From these data isentropic compressibility, K _s, intermolecular free length L _f, relative association R _A, acoustic impedance Z, molar sound speed R _m, deviations in isentropic compressibility ΔK _s, and excess volume V ^E were calculated. The variation of these parameters with composition of the mixture helps us in understanding the nature and extent of interaction between unlike molecules in the mixtures. Further, theoretical values of ultrasonic speed were evaluated using theories and empirical relations. The relative merits of these theories and relations were discussed.     

Behavior of Nitroxide Biradicals with Acetylene Bridges in Organic Solvents and Ionic Liquids

Intramolecular electron spin exchange (IESE) in two nitroxide biradicals, R₆–C≡C–C≡C–R₆ (1) and R₆–C≡C–p-C₆H₄–C≡C–R₆ (2), is studied as a function of temperature and solvent properties. The effect of molecular solvents and ionic liquids (ILs, [1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium]⁺[PF₆]^?, bmimPF₆, and [1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium]⁺[BF₄]^?, omimBF₄) on the IESE in magnetically diluted solutions is investigated. Changes in electron paramagnetic resonance spectra are analyzed and the thermodynamic parameters of these changes are calculated. Geometry optimization and D-tensor calculations of biradicals 1 and 2 were carried out on the DFT/UB3LYP/cc-pVdz and DFT/ROPBE/N07D levels of theory. The probable differences in biradical behavior are discussed.     

纯有机聚合物磁性的模型研究

通过一个简单的紧束缚模型,初步研究了共轭有机聚合物的磁性问题.其中包括侧链基团与主链的共轭性对主链键序波的作用,电荷密度波的形成,次近邻跃迁和电子相互作用的影响等.特别针对有关聚乙炔侧链悬挂有机自由基团(CH₂)的具高自旋基态磁性聚合物(C₃H₃)_n的第一性原理计算结果,给出物理的解释和理解. 关键词：     

Tight-binding studies of the electronic band structure of GaAlN and GaInN alloys

The semi-empirical tight-binding (TB) approach with an sp³s^* orbital basis is used to investigate the electronic band structure of cubic Ga_1-xAl_xN and Ga_1-xIn_xN alloys. The spin–orbit splitting in the Hamiltonian and first- and second-neighbour interactions are considered to explore the gap evolution as a function of the concentration x. The TB parameters used in the studies were obtained within the virtual crystal approximation using those of the binary compounds AlN, GaN, and InN. The binary parameters are calculated by applying an empirical TB Hamiltonian taking into account first- and second-neighbour interactions. A direct to indirect gap transition is obtained for Ga_1-xAl_xN at x=0.60. In contrast, the Ga_1-xIn_xN alloys exhibit direct-gap characteristics as a consequence of being formed by the direct-gap binary compounds GaN and InN. PACS 71.20.Nr; 71.23.-k; 71.55.Eq     

Ultrasonic studies of intermolecular interactions in binary mixtures of 4-methoxy benzoin with various solvents: Excess molar functions of ultrasonic parameters at different concentrations and in different solvents

Density (ρ), ultrasonic velocity (U), for the binary mixtures of 4-methoxy benzoin (4MB) with ethanol, chloroform, acetonitrile, benzene, and di-oxane were measured at 298 K. The solute–solvent interactions and the effect of the polarity of the solvent on the type of intermolecular interactions are discussed here. From the above data, adiabatic compressibility (β), intermolecular free length (L_f), acoustic impedance (Z), apparent molar volume (Ø), relative association (RA) have been calculated. Other useful parameters such as excess density, excess velocity and excess adiabatic compressibility have also been calculated. These parameters were used to study the nature and extent of intermolecular interactions between component molecules in the binary mixtures.     

正偏离Bragg定律的二元化合物靶中离子射程参数研究

研究了正偏离Bragg定律,即计算S_e(E)值高于实测S_e(E)的二元系化合物靶的离子射程特性。文中应用“regular”观点引入了“双原子模型”,在二元化合物靶的射程计算中,不仅考虑相同“原子对”对离子的阻止本领S₁₁(E),S₂₂(E),而且考虑不同“原子对”对离子的阻止本领S₁₂(E),S₂₁(E)。文中还应用Berthelot关系,使S₁₂(E)=S₂₁(E)=(S₁₁(E)·S₂₂(E))^1/2,则二元系靶的阻止本领及总的射程为NS(E)=1/2[(N₁S₁₁(E))^1/2+(N₂S₂₂(E)^1/2)]², R=4/a[x-A₁(arctg(2x+f)/△^1/2-arctg(f/△^1/2))-B₁(ln(x+g)²/g²·e/(x²+fx+e)) -b/2 ln(x²+fx+e/e)。这里X=E^1/2,E为离子注入能量,所有其它常数是与离子和靶的质量、原子序数有关的常数。结合文献[1]提出的R与R_p,R_p与△R_p的关系式,可计算得正偏离系统的投影射程R_p及其偏差量△R_p。并对各关系式的物理意义作了阐明。 关键词：     

Analysis of the heterogeneous dynamics of imidazolium-based [Tf2N−] ionic liquids using molecular simulation

The complex dynamic behaviour of the imidazolium-based ionic liquids [C_nmim⁺][Tf₂N^?], n = 4, 8, 12 is examined at various temperatures and at atmospheric pressure using molecular dynamics simulation. An existing all-atom force field is further optimised in order to attain reasonable agreement with experimental data for transport properties, such as self-diffusivities and viscosities. Dynamical heterogeneity phenomena are quantified through the calculation of the non-Gaussian parameter and the deviation of the self-part of the van Hove correlation function from the expected normal distribution. From this analysis, ions that move faster or slower than expected are detected in the system. These subsets of ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ ions form individual clusters consisting of either mobile or immobile ions. Detailed analysis of the ions’ diffusion reveals preferential motion along the direction of the alkyl tail for the cation and along the vector that connects the two sulphur atoms for the anion. For the longest alkyl tails, the heterogeneity in the dynamics becomes more pronounced and is preserved for several nanoseconds, especially at low temperatures.     

Temperature effect on the molecular interactions between two ammonium ionic liquids and dimethylsulfoxide

To understand the molecular interactions between newly synthesized ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) and highly polar solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), precise measurements such as densities (ρ), ultrasonic sound velocities (u) and viscosities (η) have been performed over the whole composition range at temperature ranging from 298.15 to 308.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. The ILs investigated in the present study included diethyl ammonium acetate ([Et₂NH][CH₃COO], DEAA) and triethyl ammonium acetate ([Et₃NH][CH₃COO], TEAA). Further, to gain some insight into the nature of molecular interactions in these mixed solvents, we predicted the excess molar volume (V^E), the deviation in isentropic compressibilities (ΔK_s) and deviation in viscosity (Δη) as a function of the concentration of IL using the measured properties of ρ, u and η, respectively. Redlich-Kister polynomial was used to correlate the results. The intermolecular interactions and structural effects were analyzed on the basis of the measured and the derived properties. A qualitative analysis of the results is discussed in terms of the ion-dipole, ion-pair interactions, and hydrogen bonding between ILs and DMSO molecules and their structural factors.