Confusing Quantitative Descriptions of BrønstedLowry AcidBase Equilibria in Chemistry Textbooks – A Critical Review and Clarifications for Chemical Educators

In chemistry textbooks, the pK value of water in the solvent water at 25 °C is sometimes given as 14.0, sometimes as 15.7. This is confusing. The particular chemical reaction considered is the one in which water as Brønsted? Lowry acid reacts with water as Brønsted? Lowry base in water as solvent to yield equal concentrations of hydrated oxonium and hydroxide ions, H₃O⁺(aq) and HO^?(aq), respectively. This reaction is also known as the ‘self‐ionization’ of water for which the equilibrium constant is abbreviated as K_w with its known value of 10^?14.0 at 25 °C, i.e., pK_w(25 °C)=14.0. Identical values for pK and pK_w at a fixed temperature appear reasonable, since K and K_w refer to one and the same reaction. Therefore, reasons for the apparent disagreement between the ‘thermodynamically correct’ pK_a value for water (14.0 at 25 °C) and the value reported in most organic chemistry textbooks (15.7) should be discussed when teaching acid? base chemistry. There are good arguments for introducing, from the very beginning, the concepts of activity and thermodynamic standard states when teaching quantitative aspects of chemical equilibria. This also explains in a straightforward way why all thermodynamic equilibrium constants, including K_w, are dimensionless, and why pK(25 °C)=0.     

Synthesis and characterizations of well‐defined branched polymers with AB2 branches by combination of RAFT polymerization and ROP as well as ATRP

A well‐defined branched copolymer with PLLA‐b‐PS₂ branches was prepared by combination of reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The RAFT copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) yielded poly(MA‐co‐HEA), which was used as macro initiator in the successive ROP polymerization of LLA. After divergent reaction of poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLAOH with divergent agent, the macro initiator, poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLABr₂ was formed in high conversion. The following ATRP of styrene (St) produced the target polymer, poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐(PLLA‐b‐PS₂). The structures, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the intermediates and the target polymers obtained from every step were confirmed by their ¹H NMR and GPC measurements. DSC results show one T = 3 °C for the poly(MA‐co‐HEA), T = ?5 °C, T= 122 °C, and T = 157 °C for the branched copolymers (poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐PLLA), and T = 51 °C, T = 116 °C, and T = 162 °C for poly(MA‐co‐HEA)‐g‐(PLLA‐b‐PS₂). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 549–560, 2006     

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed CH Bond Functionalizations: Feasible Access to a Diversity‐Oriented β‐Carboline Library

Diversification of the β‐carboline skeleton has been demonstrated to assemble a β‐carboline library starting from the tetrahydro‐β‐carboline framework. This strategy affords feasible access to heteroaryl‐, aryl‐, alkenyl‐, or alkynyl‐substituted β‐carbolines at the C1, C3, or C8 position through three categorically different types of transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?C bond‐forming reactions, in the presence of multiple potentially reactive positions. These site‐selective functionalizations include; 1) the Cu‐catalyzed C1/C3‐selective decarboxylative C?C and C?C_sp coupling of hexahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid with a C?H bond of a heteroarene or terminal alkyne; 2) the chelation‐assisted Pd‐catalyzed C1/C8‐selective C?H arylation of hexahydro‐β‐carboline with aryl boron reagents; and 3) the chelation‐assisted Pd‐catalyzed C1/C3‐selective oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling of β‐carboline‐N‐oxide with arenes, heteroarenes, or alkenes. The saturated structural feature of the hexahydro‐β‐carboline framework can increase reactivity and control site selectivity. The robustness of these approaches has been demonstrated through the synthesis of hyrtioerectine analogues and perlolyrine. We believe that these strategies could provide inspiration for late‐stage diversifications of bioactive core scaffolds.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Radical/Radical CH/PH Cross‐Coupling: α‐Phosphorylation of Aryl Ketone O‐Acetyloximes

The selective radical/radical cross‐coupling of two different organic radicals is a great challenge due to the inherent activity of radicals. In this paper, a copper‐catalyzed radical/radical C? H/P? H cross‐coupling has been developed. It provides a radical/radical cross‐coupling in a selective manner. This work offers a simple way toward β‐ketophosphonates by oxidative coupling of aryl ketone o‐acetyloximes with phosphine oxides using CuCl as catalyst and PCy₃ as ligand in dioxane under N₂ atmosphere at 130 °C for 5 h, and yields ranging from 47 % to 86 %. The preliminary mechanistic studies by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) showed that, 1) the reduction of ketone o‐acetyloximes generates iminium radicals, which could isomerize to α‐sp³‐carbon radical species; 2) phosphorus radicals were generated from the oxidation of phosphine oxides. Various aryl ketone o‐acetyloximes and phosphine oxides were suitable for this transformation.     

Copper(I) π‐Complexes with 2‐Butyne‐1,4‐diol. Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Na[CuCl2(HOCH2C≡CCH2OH)]·2H2O

Crystals of anionic Na[CuCl₂(HOCH₂C≡CCH₂OH)]·2H₂O π‐complex have been synthesized by interaction of 2‐butyne‐1,4‐diol with CuCl in a concentrated aqueous NaCl solution and characterized by X‐ray diffraction at 100 K. The crystals are triclinic: space group , a = 7.142(3), b = 7.703(3), c = 10.425(4) Å, α = 105.60(3), β = 99.49(3), γ = 110.43(3)°, V = 495.9(4) ų, Z = 2, R = 0.0203 for 3496 reflections. The structure is built of discrete [CuCl₂(HOCH₂C≡CCH₂OH)]^? anionic stacks and polymeric cations among the stacks. The Cu^I atom adopts trigonal planar coordination of two Cl^? anions and the C≡C bond of 2‐butyne‐1,4‐diol, Cu–(C≡C) distance is equal to 1.903(3) Å. Na⁺ cations environment is octahedral and consists of O and Cl atoms. The crystal packing is governed by strong hydrogen bonds of O–H···Cl and O–H···O types.     

Fluoropolyethers end‐capped by polar functional groups. IV. A novel approach to the evaluation of reactivities of hydroxy‐terminated ethoxylated fluoropolyethers in the tin(IV)‐catalyzed reactions with isophorone diisocyanate

The effect of catalyst dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) on the kinetics of urethane formation reactions of α,ω‐bis(hydroxy)‐terminated fluoropolyethers Fomblin® Z‐DOL TXs (FPEs) of various molecular weights and poly(oxyethylene) glycol PEG‐400 with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) in hexafluoroxylene (HFX) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 40 °C and NCO:OH = 2:1 have been studied in a broad range of catalyst (0.10–9.00) ×10^?4 M and total reagents (10.0–60.1 wt %) concentrations. The rate of tin‐catalyzed second‐order reactions (with respect to diol and diisocyanate) was found to be proportional to the square root of catalyst concentration [DBTDL]^0.5 both in low polar (HFX) and polar (THF) solvents. Effect of catalyst saturation was revealed for all the reaction systems at higher DBTDL concentrations as well as the appearance of the limiting catalyst concentrations C_lim below which the rates of reaction were close to zero. Based on these findings new effective rate coefficients have been derived k = k_cat/(C ? C) that are independent of the total reagent concentration in the range of 10.0–60.1 wt % ([OH] = 0.10–0.91 equiv/L). This new approach highlights that the rate of the tin‐catalyzed urethane formation reactions of α,ω‐bis(hydroxy)‐terminated fluoropolyethers Z‐DOL TXs with IPDI in HFX at 40 °C and NCO:OH = 2:1 increases significantly with increasing MW of FPE from 776 up to 3405. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5354–5371, 2004     

Gas-Phase Reactions of Aliphatic Alcohols with ‘Bare’ FeO+

Ion/molecule reactions of ‘bare’ FeO⁺ with linear and branched aliphatic alcohols have been examined by Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Depending on the chain length of the alcohol, three different types of reactions can be distinguished: (i) Oxidation of the alcohols in the α-positions, to yield the corresponding carbonyl-Fe⁺ complexes, involves an initial O? H bond activation of the alcohol resulting in the formation of RO? Fe⁺? OH as the central intermediate. (ii) The formation of Fe(OH), concomitant by loss of the corresponding neutral alkenes, competes with the generation of neutral OFeOH and a carbocation R⁺. These couples point to the existence of an intracomplex acid-base equilibrium and are connected with each other by a proton transfer from either acid to the other, e.g. i-C₃H + OFeOH?C₃H₆ + Fe(OH). The process is driven by the Lewis acidity of FeO⁺ and starts with the abstraction of a hydroxide anion from the alcohol. (iii) For longer alcohols, e.g. pentanol, functionalization of non-activated C? H bonds which are remote from the O functionality is observed. Here, the OH group of the alcohol serves as an anchor, which directs the reactive metal-oxide cation toward a particular site of the hydrocarbon chain.     

Non‐transition metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of vinyl chloride initiated with iodoform in water at 25 °C

Non‐transition metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization (LRP) of vinyl chloride (VC) in water at 25–35 °C is reported. This polymerization is initiated with iodoform and catalyzed by Na₂S₂O₄. In water, S₂O dissociates into SO that mediates the initiation and reactivation steps via a single electron transfer (SET) mechanism. The exchange between dormant and active propagating species also includes the degenerative chain transfer to dormant species (DT). In addition, the SO₂ released from SO during the SET process can add reversibly to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) radicals and provide additional transient dormant ～SO radicals. This novel LRP proceeds mostly by a combination of competitive SET and DT mechanisms and, therefore, it is called SET‐DTLRP. Telechelic PVC with a number‐average molecular weight (M_n) = 2,000–55,000, containing two active ～CH₂? CHClI chain ends and a higher syndiotacticity than the commercial PVC were obtained by SET‐DTLRP. This PVC is free of structural defects and exhibits a higher thermal stability than commercial PVC. SET‐DTLRP of VC is carried out under reaction conditions related to those used for its commercial free‐radical polymerization. Consequently, SET‐DTLRP is of technological interest both as an alternative commercial method for the production of PVC with superior properties as well as for the synthesis of new PVC‐based architectures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6267–6282, 2004     

BiZn Bond Formation in Liquid Ammonia Solution: [BiZnBi]4−, a Linear Polyanion that is Iso(valence)‐electronic to CO2

Reactions of the zinc(I) complex [Zn₂(Mesnacnac)₂] (Mesnacnac=[(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)NC(Me)]₂CH) with solid K₃Bi₂ dissolved in liquid ammonia yield crystals of the compound K₄[ZnBi₂]?(NH₃)₁₂ ( 1 ), which contains the molecular, linear heteroatomic [Bi? Zn? Bi]^4? polyanion ( 1 a ). This anion represents the first example of a three‐atomic molecular ion of metal atoms being iso(valence)‐electronic to CO₂ and being synthesized in solution. The analogy of the discrete [Bi? Zn? Bi]^4? anion and the polymeric [(ZnBi_4/2)^4?] unit to monomeric CO₂ and polymeric SiS₂ is rationalized.     

Using controlled radical polymerization to confirm the lower critical solution temperature of an N‐(alkoxyalkyl) acrylamide polymer in aqueous solution

N‐(3‐Methoxypropyl) acrylamide (MPAM) was polymerized by controlled radical polymerization (CRP) methods such as nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) and reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization (RAFT). CRP was expected to yield well‐defined polymers with sharp lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transitions. NMP with the BlocBuilder (2‐([tert‐butyl[1‐(diethoxyphosphoryl)‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl]amino]oxy)‐2‐methylpropanoic acid) and SG1 ([tert‐butyl[1‐(diethoxyphosphoryl)‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl]amino] oxidanyl) initiating system revealed low yields and lack of control (high dispersity, ? ～ 1.5–1.6, and inhibition of chain growth). However, RAFT was far more effective, with linear number average molecular weight, , versus conversion, X, plots, low ? ～ 1.2–1.4 and the ability to form block copolymers using N,N‐diethylacrylamide (DEAAM) as the second monomer. Poly(MPAM) (with = 13.7–25.3 kg mol^?1) thermoresponsive behavior in aqueous media revealed cloud point temperatures (CPT)s between 73 and 92 °C depending on solution concentration (ranging from 1 to 3 wt %). The and the molecular weight distribution were the key factors determining the CPT and the sharpness of the response, respectively. Poly(MPAM)‐b‐poly(DEAAM) block copolymer ( = 22.3 kg mol^?1, ? = 1.41, molar composition F_DEAAM = 0.38) revealed dual LCSTs with both segments revealing distinctive CPTs (at 75 and 37 °C for poly(MPAM) and poly(DEAAM) blocks, respectively) by both UV–Vis and dynamic light scattering. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 59–67     

A New Transition Metal Tetracyanidoborate: Synthesis,Structure and Properties of Co[B(CN)4]2·2H2O

The reaction of tetracyanidoboronic acid, H[B(CN)₄], with CoCO₃ or Co(OH)₂ in aqueous solution leads after slow evaporation of water to single crystals of Co[B(CN)₄]₂ · 2H₂O. The compound has been characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction ( , a = 12.2922(9), c = 9.2235(7) Å, Z = 4). The Co²⁺ ion is octahedrally coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of four different tetracyanidoborate CN groups occupying the four equatorial positions and two molecules of water occupying the remaining corners of the octahedron. The single crystal X‐ray structure, the vibrational spectra, and the thermal properties are compared with other known tetracyanidoborates with divalent cations.     

Silaheterocyklen. III. Erzeugung und Reaktivität von Di-tbutyl-Neopentylsilaethen,BuSiCHCH2But

Silaheterocycles. III. Synthesis and Reactivity of Di-^tbutylneopentylsilaethene, Bu Si?CHCH₂Bu^t The three di-^tbutylvinylsilanes BuSi(X)CH?CH₂ (X = H 5 , X = F 9 , X = Cl 22 ) are prepared by the reaction of their SiCl precursors with vinyl lithium. In the treatment with LiBu^t the first step is the generation of the α-lithio compound BuSi(X)CH(Li)CH₂Bu^t, the following reactions are governed by the nature of the substituent X and the reaction conditions (solvent, concentration, temperature). For X = H 2,3-LiH elimination leads to BuSi(H)CH?CHBu^t ( 7 ), with X = F or Cl Si?C formation by 1,2-LiX elimination competes with intermolecular Si-C-coupling producing BuSi(H)CH(SiBuCH?CHBu^t)CH₂Bu^t ( 13 ) as the main product. BuSi?CHCH₂Bu^t ( 1 ) probably coordinates to LiBu^t and reacts to yield BuSiCH?CHBu^t ( 3 ) and 7 , forms tetrabutyl-dineopentyl-1,3-disilacyclobutane 2 by cyclodimerization and 13 by addition of BuSi(X)CH(Li)CH₂Bu^t.     

Difluoro‐λ5‐Phosphinonitrile F2PN: Matrix Isolation and Photoisomerization into FPNF

Splendid isolation : Monomeric phosphazene F₂PN (¹A₁) was prepared for the first time through irradiation of F₂PN₃ in an argon matrix with an ArF excimer laser (λ=193 nm). Upon subsequent irradiation with a high‐pressure mercury arc lamp (λ=255 nm), F₂PN undergoes a 1,2‐fluorine shift to give iminophosphane cis‐FP?NF.

     

In situ UV/VIS Spectroscopy of Electrochemically Synthesized SelenopheneThiophene Copolymers

In situ UV/VIS spectroscopy of selenophene? thiophene homo‐ and copolymer films had been investigated. λ corresponding to the π→π* interband transition was determined. The optical transition with λ from the valence band into the higher bipolaron band was also allocated. Besides, band gap energy (E_g) of the individual homopolymer and the obtained copolymer films from a direct interband transition was estimated as well, and the values were between 1.91–2.10 eV. The influence of applied polymerization potential and monomer feed ratio on the optical properties of the copolymers is discussed.     

Dynamics of the CH3 + OH reaction

We study dynamics of the CH₃ + OH reaction over the temperature range of 300–2500 K using a quasiclassical method for the potential energy composed of explicit forms of short‐range and long‐range interactions. The explicit potential energy used in the study gives minimum energy paths on potential energy surfaces showing barrier heights, channel energies, and van der Waals well, which are consistent with ab initio calculations. Approximately, 20% of CH₃ + OH collisions undergo OH dissociation in a direct‐mode mechanism on a subpicosecond scale (<50 fs) with the rate coefficient as high as ～10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Less than 10% leads to the formation of excited intermediates CH₃OH? with excess vibrational energies in CO and OH bonds. CH₃OH? stabilizes to CH₃OH, redissociates back to reactants, or forms one of various products after intramolecular energy redistribution via bond dissociation and formation on the time scale of 50–200 fs. The principal product is ¹CH₂ (k being ～10^?11), whereas ks for CH₂OH, CH₂O, and CH₃O are ～10^?12. The minor products are HCOH and CH₄ (k～10^?13). The total rate coefficient for CH₃ + OH → CH₃OH? → products is ～10^?11 and is weakly dependent on temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 455–466, 2011     

Highly Effective and Green Catalytic Approach Toward α,ω‐Dihydroxy‐Telechelic Poly(trimethylenecarbonate)

α,ω‐Dihydroxy‐telechelic poly(trimethylenecarbonate), HO‐PTMC‐OH, is synthesized from the controlled “immortal” ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate under mild conditions (bulk, 60 °C), using ZnEt₂ or, more efficiently, [(BDI)Zn(N(SiMe₃)₂)] (BDI = CH(CMeNC₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)₂) as catalyst precursor, in the presence of a diol HO‐R‐OH (R = (CH₂)₂ or CH₂C₆H₄CH₂; 0.5–10 equiv. vs Zn) acting both as co‐initiator and chain transfer agent. Alternatively, HO‐PTMC‐OH is prepared upon hydrogenolysis of HO‐PTMC‐OCH₂Ph, initially prepared from the ROP of TMC using the [(BDI)Zn(N(SiMe₃)₂)]/PhCH₂OH system, under smooth operating conditions using Pd/charcoal. Well‐defined dihydroxy‐functionalized PTMCs of molar mass ranging from = 2 000 to 109 500 g · mol⁻¹ were thus quantitatively obtained and fully characterized by NMR, MALDI‐TOF‐MS and SEC analyses. The versatility of this “immortal” ROP allows the preparation of alike α,ω‐functional polyester such as linear HO‐poly(lactide)‐OH, as well as star polymers such as the glycerol‐based PTM‐OH₃.

     

Photochemical Reactions. Part 63 [1]. The photodecarbonylation of α-aryl aldehydes

Ultraviolet irradiation of the aldehydes 6 – 11 in degassed solutions results exclusively in decarbonylation to the major products 34, 35 and 37 – 40 , and to small amounts of 2, 3-diphenyl-2, 3-dimethyl-butanes 36 from the phenyl aldehydes 6 and 7 . In the presence of tri-n-butylstannane, incorporation of stannane hydrogen competes, to substrate-specific limits, with the intramolecular deuterium transfer in 7 → 35 and 11 → 40 . The quantum yields for decarbonylation are Φ ～ 0.4–1.0 for the phenyl aldehydes 6 and 9 , and 0.02 for 8. Hammett correlations of Φ with resonance constants ( R ) for 6 (X = H, p-CH₃, ? OCH₃) and (? CF₃) and with ω_m⁺ values for the meta-substituted isomers are in agreement with the proposed α-cleavage to an associated radical pair with only moderate free radical character as the primary photochemical step. Φ for 10 (X = H) is 0.11, and for 10 (X = OCH₃) 0.065. It is noteworthy that decarbonylation of 10 (X = OCH₃) occurs also at 3340 Å (Φ_{? CO} = 0.11) i.e., upon excitation in an absorption band which is presumably lower in energy than the n → π* transition and corresponds to the aromatic L_b transition of 2-methoxynaphthalene. Singlet multiplicity of the reactive excited states is probable on the basis of the fact that the decarbonylation of 6 (X = H) and 10 (X = H and OCH₃) could be sensitised neither by acetone nor acetophenone, and could be quenched neither by naphthalene nor by cis-1, 3-pentadiene and nor by 1, 3-cyclohexadiene.     

Electrochemical Investigation of Heavy Metal Ion Transfer Across the Water/1,2‐Dichloroethane Interface Assisted by 9‐Ethyl‐3‐Carbazolecarboxaldehyde‐Thiosemicarbazone

The transfer of heavy metal ions across the polarized water/1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCE) interface assisted by 9‐ethyl‐3‐carbazolecarboxaldehyde‐thiosemicarbazone (ECCAT) in the 1,2‐DCE phase has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Voltammetric waves of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions were reversible and quasi‐reversible, respectively, whereas that of Hg(II) and Zn(II) ion were irreversible. The voltammogram of Cu(II) ion showed a two‐step wave, however the nature of the transfer could not be satisfactorily evaluated by analyzing the cyclic voltammetric data. When Ni(II) and Co(II) was used no peak was visible under the experimental conditions used in this study. The dependence of the half‐wave potentials of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions on the ligand concentration reveals that their ion‐transfer is assisted by the formation of 1:3 metal‐ECCAT complex in 1,2‐DCE. The over‐all association constants of [Pb(ECCAT)₃]²⁺ and [Cd(ECCAT)₃]²⁺ complexes in DCE‐phase have been determined to be log β =14.03 and log β =15.44, respectively.     

3‐Ethylated N‐Vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone with LCST Properties in Water

The monomer 3‐ethyl‐1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone ( 3 ) and the homopolymer poly(3‐ethyl‐1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) ( 5 ) have been synthesized. Polymer 5 is soluble in water and shows a critical temperature (T_c) of 27 °C. The presence of cyclodextrin causes a slight shift of the T_c. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) could be varied between 27 and 40 °C by copolymerization with N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. A linear correlation between the T_c and the copolymer composition is observed.

     

Cd3[B2P4O14(OH)4]: A 3D Open‐Framework Cadmium Borophosphate with Unique Twisted 8‐Ring Channels

Abstract. The cadmium borophosphate compound Cd₃[B₂P₄O₁₄(OH)₄] was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction [triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$ (no. 2), a = 5.4362(11) Å, b = 8.2190(16) Å, c = 8.3918(17) Å, and α = 111.87(3)°, β = 104.63(3)°, γ = 90.73(3)°, V = 334.29(12) ų and Z = 1]. The 3D open framework of the title compound is constructed from BO₃(OH) tetrahedra and 2D layers along the [100] direction. The resulting framework contains twisted eight‐membered rings that form 1D channels.