Solvation Phenomena of Potassium Thiocyanate in Methanol–Water Mixtures

This paper reports the results of a variety of experiments carried out for understanding the solvation behavior of potassium thiocyanate in methanol–water mixtures. Electrical conductivity, speed of sound, viscosity, and FT-Raman spectra of potassium thiocyanate solutions in 5 and 10% methanol–water (w/w) mixtures were measured as functions of concentration and temperature. The conductivity and structural relaxation time suggest the ion–solvent and solvent-separated ion–ion associations increase as the salt concentration increases in the mixtures. The Raman band shifts due to the C–O stretching mode of methanol for the solvent mixtures reveal the formation of methanol–water complexes. The significant changes in the Raman bands for the C–N, C–S and O–H stretching modes indicate the presence of SCN⁻−solvent interactions through the N-end, “free” SCN⁻ and the solvent-shared ion pairs as potassium thiocyanate is added to the methanol–water mixtures. The relative changes corresponding to H–O–H bending and C–O stretching frequencies indicate that K⁺ is preferentially solvated by water in these solvent mixtures. The appearance and increase of the intensity of a broad band at ≈940 cm⁻¹ upon salt addition was attributed to the SCN⁻–H₂O–K⁺ solvent-shared ion pairs. No Raman spectral evidence for K⁺(H₂O)_n species was observed. The preferential solvation of K⁺ and SCN⁻ in the methanol−water mixtures was verified by the application of the Kirkwood−Buff theory of solutions. This theory confirms that K⁺ is strongly preferentially solvated by water, whereas SCN⁻ is preferentially solvated by the methanol component.     

An aqueous thermodynamic model for a high valence 4∶2 electrolyte Th4+−SO 4 2− in the system Na+−K+−Li+−NH 4 + −Th4+−SO 4 2− −HSO 4 − −H2O to high concentration

An aqueous thermodynamic model that is valid from zero to high concentration is proposed for the Na⁺–K⁺–Li⁺–NH ₄ ⁺ –Th⁴⁺–SO ₄ ^2– –HSO ₄ ^– –H₂O system. The model is based on the aqueous ion-interaction model of Pitzer and coworkers. The thorium sulfate complex species Th(SO₄)₂(aq) and Th(SO₄) ₃ ^2– are also included in the model. The final thermodynamic model presented here accurately predicts all reliable thermodynamic data, including solvent extraction and solubility data, for the Na⁺–K⁺–Li⁺–NH ₄ ⁺ –Th⁴⁺–SO ₄ ^2– –HSO ₄ ^– –H₂O system to high concentration. The aqueous thermodynamics of high-valence (3:2, 4:2), electrolytes are complicated by very strong specific ion interactions or ion pairing in dilute solution and by an effective redissociation of aqueous complex species at high concentration. Methods of treating these complications, in terms of valid aqueous thermodynamic models, are discussed in detail for the high-valence Th⁴⁺–SO ₄ ^2– –H₂O system.     

Raman spectral studies of aqueous zinc bromide solutions to 300°C at pressures of 9 MPa

A Raman spectral study of 14 solutions of varying bromide to zinc ratios was conducted up to 300°C and 9 MPa. The tetra-, tri-, di- as well as the mono-bromozinc complexes were identified. The signal from the ZnBr⁺ complex increased in intensity as temperature increased, for solutions of low bromide- to-zinc ratios. The ZnBr ₄ ^2– species was favored at higher Br/Zn ratios, and higher temperatures favored the formation of the species ZnBr₂ and ZnBr⁺ at the expense of ZnBr ₄ ^2– and ZnBr ₃ ^– . Although solvated water is probably present in these zinc-bromo complexes, we found no evidence of O–Zn vibrations other than for Zn(H₂O) ₆ ²⁺ . However, spectra of successive dilutions of solutions with high bromide to zinc ratios show a relative change in species populations thereby suggesting that water activity plays a decisive role in complex formation. For the first time trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HTFMS) has been used as an internal standard in Raman spectroscopy. This permitted quantitative measurement of stepwise stability constants.     

Hydrolysis of Protactinium(V). I. Equilibrium Constants at 25°C: A Solvent Extraction Study with TTA in the Aqueous System Pa(V)/H2O/H+/Na+/ClO4 −

The hydrolysis of protactinium(V) was studied at tracer scale (ca. 10^–12 M) with the solvent extraction method involving the aqueous system: Pa(V)/H₂O/H⁺/Na⁺/ClO₄ ^– at 25.0°C for three values of ionic strength. Extraction experiments were conducted using the chelating agent thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) in toluene. Hydrolysis constants are reported for each ionic strength investigated. An SIT modeling is presented and extrapolated constants to zero ionic strength are derived, as well as interaction coefficients of the two hydrolyzed species involved.     

Effect of the Supporting-Electrolyte Cation on the Chloroplatinite Ion Reduction at a Dropping Mercury Electrode

The effect of nature and concentration of supporting-electrolyte cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺, (CH₃)₄N⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺) on electroreduction kinetics of PtCl^2- ₄at a dropping mercury electrode is studied. The electroreduction wave for PtCl^2- ₄is complicated by a polarographic maximum of first kind followed by a pronounced plateau of limiting current, after which the current passes through a minimum. The electroreduction occurs probably via two different mechanisms and presumably involves the same species, because the charge z _iof discharging species, determined by the Frumkin–Petrii method, remains virtually constant (z _i –1) on both descending (E= –0.6 to –1.0 V vs. SCE) and ascending (–1.3 to –1.6 V) branches of polarization curves and is independent of the nature of the supporting-electrolyte cation. The mechanism is presumably changed by a changed orientation of discharging species relative to the electrode surface.     

Vibrational spectral studies of solutions at elevated temperatures and pressures. X. Raman spectral study of aqueous cadmium bromide solutions at 25 and 200°C

The Raman spectra of cadmium bromide solutions with bromide to cadmium mole ratios varying from 1.0 to 9.74 were studied at 200°C. Factor analysis revealed that three complexes contributed to the spectra. From a comparison with previous results at 25°C these species were identified as CdBr₂, CdBr ₃ ^– , and CdBr ₄ ^2– cadmium existed as the tetrabromo complex, CdBr ₄ ^2– , at mole ratios greater than 5.99. A formation constant of 7±2 was determined for CdBr ₄ ^2– at 200°C. No evidence of Cd(H₂O) ₆ ²⁺ or CdBr⁺ was found, although electroneutrality dictates that one or both of these species must exist at low mole ratios.     

Raman Combinations and Stretching Overtones from Water, Heavy Water, and NaCl in Water at Shifts to ca. 7000 cm−1

Photographic Raman spectra were obtained at shifts to ca. 7000 cm^–1 for pure water and for a saturated aqueous solution of NaCl using argon ion laser excitation. Raman spectra were also obtained photoelectrically for H₂O and D₂O between ca. 2500 and ca. 7000 cm^–1 using 248-nm excimer laser excitation and boxcar detection. Overtone and combination assignments are presented for H₂O and D₂O. The first IR OH-stretching overtone from water occurs 215 cm^–1 above the first Raman OH-stretching overtone because the IR overtones are dominated by asymmetric stretching. The second OH-stretching Raman overtone from water is estimated to occur near 10,020 ± 20 cm^–1, with 9950 cm^–1 as a lower limit.     

Structures of Concentrated Sulfuric Acid Determined from Density, Conductivity, Viscosity, and Raman Spectroscopic Data

Addition of water to stoichiometric 100% sulfuric acid increases the density untila maximum results near 87 mole% H₂SO₄. The density and conductivity maximaand viscosity minimum, the latter two near 75 mole%, are direct macroscopicresponses to microscopic quantum mechanical properties of H₃O⁺ and of nearlysymmetric H-bond double-well potentials, as follows: (1) lack of H bonding tothe O atom of H₃O⁺; (2) short, 2.4–2.6 A, O—O distances of nearly symmetricH bonds; and, (3) increased mobility of protons in such short H bonds, give riseto the density maximum via (1) and (2); (1) produces the viscosity minimum;and the conductivity maximum results from (2) and (3). A pronounced minimumnear 1030 cm^–1 in the symmetric SO₃ stretching Raman frequency of HSO₄ ^–,observed near 45 mole% also results from double-well effects involving the shortH bonds of direct hydronium ion—bisulfate ion pair interactions. Estimates of theconcentrations of the (H₃O⁺)(HSO₄ ^–) and (H₂SO₄)(HSO₄ ^–) pair interactions weredetermined from Raman intensity data and are given for compositions between42–100 mole%     

FTIR Study of the Interaction of Nitric Oxide with Fe-ZSM-51

The temporal behavior of infrared spectra obtained during NO adsorption on oxidized and reduced Fe-ZSM-5 at –100, 0°C, and ambient temperature is reported. The band assignment is made based on the adsorption of labeled molecules. Bands near 1838 and 1886 cm^–1 (mononitrosyl Fe²⁺(NO) species) form quickly and remain invariant. Bands at 1922 and 1813 cm^–1 (dinitrosyl Fe²⁺(NO)₂) together with a band at 1750 cm^–1 (another mononitrosyl species) gradually become more intense for hours. Purging with He at 0–500°C leads to a gradual decrease in the intensity of all the bands. Mononitrosyl bands near 1886 and 1838 cm^–1 are the most stable. The features of the IR spectra of adsorbed NO suggest the presence of dispersed Fe oxide clusters in the zeolitic pore network in addition to Fe²⁺ ions in cationic positions of ZSM-5.     

Aqueous uranyl complexes. 3. Potentiometric measurements of the hydrolysis of uranyl(VI) ion at 25°C

Potentiometric titrations of uranyl(VI) solutions were conducted using a standard glasslcalomel electrode combination over the pH range 3 to 12 at 0.1 molkg^–1 ionic strength with tetramethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate as the supporting electrolyte. The electrodes were calibrated directly on the hydrogen ion concentration scale during the initial stage of each titration. The species, UO ₂ ²⁺ , (UO₂)₂(OH) ₂ ²⁺ , (UO₂)₃(OH) ₅ ⁺ , (UO₂)₃(OH) ₇ ^– , (UO₂)₃(OH) ₈ ^2– , and (UO₂)₃(OH) ₁₀ ^4– identified in an earlier Raman study were compatible with the analysis of the titration data. Based on this analysis and application of the extended Debye-Hückel treatment, the polynuclear species indicated above were assigned overall formation constants at 25°C and at infinite dilution of –5.51±0.04, –15.3±0.1, –27.77±0.09, –37.65±0.14, and –62.4±0.3, respectively. The results are discussed in reference to hydrolysis quotients reported in the literature for the first three species. Formation quotients for the last two species have not been reported previously.     

Theoretical investigation of changes in the thermodynamic properties of water in the region near an electrode upon the discharge of an hydroxonium ion

A method for investigating solutions in the region near an electrode has been developed in the framework of the Monte Carlo method. The energies of the reorganization of water upon the transfer of an electron to a hydroxonium ion from the unpolarized surface of an absolutely solid charged electrode in the range of surface charge densities from +0.056 to –0.640 C/m² and upon the reverse process have been calculated. The hydration energies of an H₃O⁺ cation and an H₃O^– radical in the region near an electrode have been calculated. The effective interactions of an ion and a nonpolar molecule with an electrode in a solution have been analyzed.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental/naya Khimiya, Vol. 26, No. 5, pp. 596–600, September–October, 1990.     

Electrocatalytic applications of a sol–gel derived cobalt phthalocyanine–dispersed carbon–ceramic electrode

The preparation and characterization of a surface renewable carbon–ceramic electrode, SiO₂/SnO₂/C-graphite/(SiPy⁺)₄CoPcTs⁻⁴, is reported. Cobalt(II) tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (CoPcTs⁻⁴) absorbed on a 3-n-propylpyridinium chloride silsesquioxane polymer was dispersed in a stannic-silica C-graphite sol–gel matrix. The performance of SiO₂/SnO₂/C-graphite/(SiPy⁺)₄CoPcTs⁻⁴ as electrode material was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in the electrocatalytic oxidation of oxalic acid and nitrite. The modified carbon–ceramic material was characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, BET specific surface area, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.     

A polynuclear mixed-valent ruthenium oxide/cyanoruthenate composite that yields thin coatings on a glassy carbon electrode with high catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Polynuclear ruthenium oxide/cyanoruthenate films on carbon substrates were grown by cycling the potential between 0.5 and 1.0 V (vs SCE) for 5–90 min in fresh 2 mM RuCl₃·3 H₂O, 2 mM K₄Ru(CN)₆·3 H₂O, 0.5 M KCl solution at pH 2. During the positive scans, the cationic Ru(III,IV)-oxo polynuclear species interacted with the simultaneously formed anionic CN-bridged Ru dimers to yield sparingly soluble deposits on the electrode surfaces. Different thicknesses, typically corresponding to 2–50×10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻², could be obtained by varying the cycling times. The absorption spectra of the coatings obtained at SnO₂-covered glass electrodes were different from those known for RuO₂ films and exhibited two absorption bands at about 400 and 700 nm. IR spectroscopic measurements confirmed the presence of a CN group in the deposit, as well as showing significant aquation of the entire coating. Ru, O, N and K (from KCl) were detected by means of Auger electron spectroscopy. The surface electrochemistry and stability of the film were significantly enhanced in K⁺-containing supporting electrolytes. The system provides a durable catalytic surface which allows the voltammetric oxidation of methanol; in 0.5 M H₂SO₄+0.5 M K₂SO₄ electrolyte the resulting anodic peak is at 1.01 V (vs. SCE). Electrooxidation was not possible at bare carbon electrodes, at least before the onset of the electrolyte decomposition.     

Raman and Infrared Spectra, Ab Initio Calculations, Normal Coordinate Analysis, and Conformational Stability of 2-Methoxypropene

The Raman (3500–40 cm^–1) and infrared (3500–70 cm^–1) spectra of gaseous and solid 2-methoxypropene, CH₃O(CH₃)C=CH₂, and the isotopomers, CD₃O(CH₃)C=CH₂ and CH₃O(CD₃)C=CD₂ have been recorded. In addition, the Raman spectra of the liquids have been recorded with qualitative depolarization measurements. All of these data indicate that only one conformer is present in the fluid phases at ambient temperature and this form is the cis conformer, which remains in the solid. Assignments are provided for the fundamentals of all three isotopomers for the cis conformer with C_s symmetry. The far-infrared spectra of all three isotopic species have been recorded at a resolution of 0.1 cm^–1 in the gas and 1.0 cm^–1 in the solid. The parameters of the potential function governing the asymmetric torsion are determined to be V₃ = 1485 ± 9 cm^–1 and V₆ = –55 ± 4 cm^–1 for the d₀ compound, where only two terms were determined, since a second conformer was not evident. The barrier to internal rotation for the methyl group attached to the oxygen atom is 1370 ± 8 cm^–1 and the C—CH₃ barrier is 772 ± 5 cm^–1. Ab initio calculations with full electron correlation have been carried out by the perturbation method to second order to obtain the equilibrium structural parameters, harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization values, and conformational stability. The predicted values have been compared to the experimental values where appropriate.     

Thermodynamic Properties of NaCl Solutions at Subzero Temperatures

Heat capacities at infinite dilution of NaCl (aq) for the temperature range 0 to –25°C and apparent molar volumes at infinite dilution for 0 to –15°C have been estimated from a synthesis of experimental data collected at subzero temperatures. The parameters of the Helgeson–Kirkham–Flowers (HKF) equation for Na⁺ (aq) have been obtained, from which the Gibbs energies of Na⁺ and Cl^– have been calculated. The estimated values of Pitzer-equation parameters for thermal and activity-coefficient properties have been adjusted for subzero temperatures. The experimental phase diagram for the NaCl–H₂O system could be reproduced with these data, demonstrating the low-temperature applicability of the HKF model to extrapolate thermodynamic properties of aqueous-solution species at infinite dilution.     

The alkali metal cation effect on the surface-enhanced Raman spectra of phosphate anions adsorbed at silver electrodes

The interaction of adsorbed phosphate anions with alkali metal cations at the Ag|aqueous solution interface has been investigated by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Formation of ion pairs at the interface was evident from the cation-induced perturbations in the SER spectra of anions. The frequency of the external vibration, silver–oxygen (Ag---O′), was not sensitive to the nature of cation, while the relative intensity of this mode was cation-dependent and was explored as a sensitive probe for the monitoring of coadsorption of ions at the interface. From the internal phosphate vibrations, both asymmetric modes, δ_as(PO) and ν_as(PO), were found to be the most sensitive to the nature of the cation. At a relatively positive potential (0.00 V vs. Ag | AgCl) the spectral parameters for the Cs⁺ and K⁺ cations were very similar indicating the same bonding type with anions. A more inhomogeneous chemical environment for the phosphate oxygen atoms was detected in the case of Na⁺ and Li⁺ cations. An increase in ν_as(PO) frequency by ca. 10 cm⁻¹ was the characteristic spectral signature for the interaction of phosphates with Li⁺. The formation of water-shared ion pairs at the interface was suggested based on the absence of splitting in the ν_as(PO) mode and the previously observed frequency sensitivity of this band to solvent H₂O substitution by D₂O. At negative potential (−0.80 V), a stabilization effect of Cs⁺ on the phosphate adlayer was detected based on the twofold increase in intensity of the ν(Ag---O′) mode compared with Li⁺. Splitting of the ν_as(PO) mode suggested the contact interaction of anions with specifically adsorbed Cs⁺ cations.     

Effect of Temperature on Oxide Formation in Ligand-Deficient Cu|Cu(II), Ethylenediamine System

The influence of temperature on formation of oxide layers on copper electrode in solutions containing 0.01 M Cu(II), 0.005 M ethylenediamine, and 0.3 M K₂SO₄ as a supporting electrolyte at pH 5.3 is investigated. The rate of net process Cu + Cu²⁺ + H₂O Cu₂O + 2H⁺ proceeding under open-circuit conditions is supposedly controlled by interaction between copper electrode and Cu²⁺ aqua-ions. Well-defined voltammetric peak is observed at –0.75 V (SHE), the height of which may serve as a measure of Cu₂O formation rate. An activation energy and a formal rate constant of the process are found to equal 30 kJ mol^–1 and 0.17 s^–1.     

Rearrangement of Langmuir-Blodgett stearic acid films and band assignments in deuterated stearic acid monolayers

Band assignments in the C-D stretching region of straight chain hydrocarbon species are derived from the spectra of stearic acid monolayers on gold. The fatty acid molecules reorient with respect to the metal surface as the films age. Correlating the changes in the IR spectra of both the undeuterated and deuterated acids allows one to identify the vibrational modes of the latter based on the accepted assignments of the former. The CD₂ asymmetric and symmetric stretches are observed at 2194 and 2086 cm^–1, respectively. Bands at 2212 and 2221 cm^–1 are attributed to asymmetric in-plane and out-of-plane CD₃ stretches. Assignments of several other features in this region are given while one band remains unassigned.     

Structure determination of zinc iodide complexes formed in aqueous solution

Structures of the complexes formed in aqueous solutions between zinc(II) and iodide ions have been determined from large-angle X-ray scattering, Raman and far-IR measurements. The coordination in the hydrated Zn²⁺ hexaaqua ion and the first iodide complex, [ZnI]⁺, is octahedral, but is changed into tetrahedral in the higher complexes, [ZnI₂(H₂O)₂], [ZnI₃(H₂O)]^– and [ZnI₄]^2–. The Zn-I bond length is 2.635(4)Å in the [ZnI₄]^2– ion and slightly shorter, 2.592(6)Å, in the two lower tetrahedral complexes. In the octahedral [ZnI(H₂O)₅]⁺ complex the Zn-I bond length is 2.90(1)Å. The Zn-O bonding distances in the complexes are approximately the same as that in the hydrated Zn²⁺ ion, 2.10(1)Å.     

Hydrolysis of Protactinium(V). II. Equilibrium Constants at 40 and 60°C: A Solvent Extraction Study with TTA in the Aqueous System Pa(V)/H2O/H+/Na+/ClO− 4

The hydrolysis of protactinium (V) was studied at tracer scale (ca. 10^–12 M) with the solvent extraction method involving the aqueous system: Pa(V)/H₂O/H⁺/Na⁺/ClO^– ₄ at 40 and 60°C for three values of ionic strength. Extraction experiments were conducted using the chelating agent thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) in toluene. Hydrolysis constants are reported for each ionic strength investigated. An SIT modeling is presented and extrapolated constants to zero ionic strength are derived, as well as interaction coefficients involving Pa(V) and perchlorate ions.