Study of Complex Formation between N-Phenylaza-15-Crown-5 with Mg2+, Ca2+, Ag+ and Cd2+ Metal Cations in Some Binary Mixed Aqueous and Non-aqueous Solvents using the Conductometric Method

The complexation reactions between Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal cations with N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 (Ph-N15C5) were studied in acetonitrile (AN)–methanol (MeOH), methanol (MeOH)–water (H₂O) and propanol (PrOH)–water (H₂O) binary mixtures at different temperatures using the conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stochiometry of all of the complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ cations is 1:1 (L:M). The stability of the complexes is sensitive to the solvent composition and a non-linear behaviour was observed for variation of log K _f of the complexes versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents. The selectivity order of Ph-N15C5 for the metal cations in neat MeOH is Ag⁺>Cd²⁺>Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺, but in the case of neat AN is Ca²⁺>Cd²⁺>Mg²⁺>Ag⁺. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH _c ^o , ΔS _c ^o ) for formation of Ph-N15C5–Mg²⁺, Ph-N15C5–Ca²⁺, Ph-N15C5–Ag⁺ and Ph-N15C5–Cd²⁺ complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of stability constants and the results show that the thermodynamics of complexation reactions is affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new adsorbent for capture of metal from aqueous solutions

A new material containing a potential ligand for transition metals was prepared through the reaction of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and thioglycolic acid. The new adsorbent was characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and specific surface area calculations. The formulated material was used in the removal of cobalt, copper, and nickel cations from aqueous solutions. Calorimetric titration was applied to study the interaction of these cations with the new adsorbent; the latter displayed a chelating moiety with basic centers containing nitrogen, oxygen, and several sulfur atoms, capable of capturing cations from aqueous solutions. This process of extraction was carried out by a batch method to yield the following order of maximum retention capacity: Ni > Co > Cu. The process of cation interactions showed exothermic enthalpies. The calculated ΔG values are in agreement with the spontaneity of the proposed reactions and conformed to the values found by applying the Langmuir model to these systems. The positive entropy and negative enthalpy values indicated that the reactions are favorable.     

The molar formation enthalpy of nano-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> with different surface area

Three samples of silicon dioxide were syhthesized and their surface areas were measured. A thermo-chemical cycle was designed to calculate the molar formation enthalpy. The molar formation enthalpy, Δ_f H _m^Φ, for three amorphous silica with the Langmuir surface area 198.0854, 25.1108 and 11.9821 m² g⁻¹ gave −895.52, −910.86 and −915.67 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. With the increasing surface area, the values of Δ_f H _m^Φ increased accordingly. The results suggest that the silica with larger surface area is more unstable. The wetting heat was also measured by adding the silica powder into water. With the rehydration of the more SiOH groups on the surface, the larger surface areas of silica lead to the more wetting heat. A smaller particle has the more unstable hydroxyl groups and surface energy.     

Design of silica microparticles with oligopeptide brushes and their interaction with proteins

Synthesis of small oligopeptide brushes (oligo(S-benzyl-l-cysteine)) onto polyelectrolyte functionalized silica microparticles was developed. Poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) adsorbed from salt-free and KCl 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ aqueous solution onto silica microparticles was chemically and naturally cross-linked by epichlorohydrin and CO₂, respectively. After the adsorption of PVAm onto microporous silica particles and stabilization by cross-linking, five repeated coupling reactions of Boc-S-benzyl-l-cysteine were performed. To test the protein interactions with the newly designed surface, human serum albumin (HSA) has been selected as a model protein. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, total organic carbon, potentiometric and polyelectrolyte titrations, and electrokinetic analysis were employed to obtain information about the polyelectrolyte adsorption and the amount of the amino acid S-benzyl-l-cysteine that was covalently bound to the solid surface and for determination of the protein amount adsorbed onto functionalized surface. The amount of HSA adsorbed onto modified silica microparticles decreased in order: silica/PVAm-cross-linked (silica/PVAm-C) (8.00 mg g⁻¹) > silica/PVAm-C/S-benzyl-l-cysteine (6.34 mg g⁻¹) > silica (4.86 mg g⁻¹) > silica/PVAm-C/(S-benzyl-l-cysteine)₅ (1.86 mg g⁻¹).     

Sodium and silver phosphate glasses doped with chlorides of Fe,Mn and Zn

A number of samples of sodium and silver phosphate glasses doped with various compositions of some transition metals viz. iron, manganese and zinc chlorides alongwith undoped samples of sodium and silver phosphate glasses were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectral, electrical conductivity and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperature (T _g) and crystallization temperature (T _c) values obtained from DSC curves were found to increase with increasing concentration of the dopant Fe/Mn/Zn chlorides in both sodium and silver phosphate glasses and the following sequence is observed: T _g(–FeCl₃)>T _g(–MnCl₂)>T _g(–ZnCl₂) T _c(–FeCl₃)>T _c(–MnCl₂)>T _c(–ZnCl₂) The increase in T _g and T _c values indicate enhanced chemical durability of the doped glasses. The electrical conductivity values and the results of FTIR spectral studies have been correlated with the structural changes in the glass matrix by the addition of different transition metal cations as dopants.     

Study on the influence of teos–diol molar ratio on their chemical interaction during the gelation process

Hybrid organic–inorganic materials, silica–diol, were synthesized by the sol–gel process from mixtures of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and diols: ethylene glycol (HO–CH₂–CH₂–OH) and 1,3 propane diol (HO–CH₂–CH₂–CH₂–OH), in acid catalysis. The gels have been synthesized for a molar ratio H₂O:TEOS = 4:1 and different molar ratios diol/TEOS: 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 1.0; 1.25 and 1.5. The resulting gels were studied by thermal analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, in order to evidence the interaction of diols with silica matrix. Thermal analysis indicated that the condensation degree increases with the molar ratio diol/TEOS until a certain value. The thermal decomposition of the organic chains bonded within the silica network in the temperature range 250–320 °C, leaded to a silica matrix with modified morphology. The adsorption–desorption isotherms type is different for the samples with and without diol. Thus, the specific surface areas have values <11 m²/g for the samples without diol and >200 m²/g for the samples with diols, depending on the annealing temperature.     

Complexation of 4′-Nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 with Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Sn<Superscript>4+</Superscript> Cations in Acetonitrile–Ethanol Binary Mixtures

The complexation reactions of 4′-nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 (4′NB15C5) with Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Sn⁴⁺ cations were studied in acetonitrile–ethanol (AN–EtOH) binary solvent mixtures at different temperatures by the electrical conductometry method. The stability constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were determined from computer fitting of the conductance versus mole ratio data. The results show that the selectivity order of 4′NB15C5 for the metal cations in the AN–EtOH (mol-%AN=76) binary solvent at 298.15 K is: Cr³⁺>Mn²⁺≈Zn²⁺>Sn⁴⁺, but the selectivity order changes with the composition of the mixed solvents. A nonlinear relationship was observed between the stability constants (log ₁₀ K _f) of these complexes and the composition of the AN–EtOH binary solvents. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (DH_c^o, DS_c^o)(\Delta H_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{o}}, \Delta S_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{o}}) were obtained from the temperature dependence of the stability constants using van’t Hoff plots. The results show that the values and also the sign of these parameters are influenced by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.     

A Conductometric Study of Complexation Reactions Between Dibenzo-18-Crown-6 (DB18C6) with Cu2+, Zn2+, Tl+ and Cd2+ Metal Cations in Dimethylsulfoxide–Ethylacetate Binary Mixtures

The complex formation between Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Tl⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal cations with macrocyclic ligand, dibenzo- 18-crown-6 (DB18C6) was studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–ethylacetate (EtOAc) binary systems at different temperatures using conductometric method. In all cases, DB18C6 forms 1:1 complexes with these metal cations. The stability constants of the complexes were obtained from fitting of molar conductivity curves using a computer program, Genplot. The non-linear behaviour which was observed for variations of log K _f of the complexes versus the composition of the mixed solvent was discussed in terms of changing the chemical and physical properties of the constituent solvents when they mix with one another and, therefore, changing the solvation capacities of the metal cations, crown ether molecules and even the resulting complexes with changing the mixed solvent composition. The results show that the selectivity order of DB18C6 for the metal cations in pure ethylacetate and pure dimethylsulfoxide is: Tl⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ but the selectivity order is changed with the composition of the mixed solvents. The values of enthalpy changes (ΔH°_C) for complexation reactions were obtained from the slope of the van’t Hoff plots and the changes in standard enthalpy (ΔS°_C) were calculated from the relationship: ΔG°_C,298.15=ΔH°_C − 298.15 ΔS°_C. The obtained results show that in most cases, the complexes are enthalpy stabilized, but entropy destabilized and the values of ΔH°_C and ΔS°_C depend strongly on the nature of the medium.     

Effective preparation of crack-free silica aerogels via ambient drying

Effective ambient-drying techniques for synthesizing crack-free silica aerogel bulks from the industrial waterglass have been developed. Silica wet gels were obtained from aqueous colloidal silica sols prepared by ion-exchange of waterglass solution (4–10 wt% SiO₂). Crack-free monolithic silica aerogel disks (diameter of 22 mm and thickness of 7 mm) were produced via solvent exchange/surface modification of the wet gels using isopropanol/trimethylchlorosilane/n-Hexane solution, followed by ambient drying. The effects of the silica content in sol and the molar ratio of trimethylchlorosilane/pore water on the morphology and property of final aerogel products were also investigated. The porosity, density, and specific surface area of silica aerogels were in the range of 92–94%, 0.13–0.16 g/cm³, and ∼675 m²/g, respectively. The degree of springback during the ambient drying processing of modified silica gels was 94%.     

Thermodynamic data for divalent cations onto new modified glycidoxy silica surface at solid/liquid interface

Ethylenediamine molecule was chemically bonded on a silica gel surface previously anchored with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. This new surface was employed to adsorb divalent cation from aqueous solutions at 298±1 K. The series of adsorption isotherms were adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation from data obtained by suspending the solid with MCl₂ (M=Cu, Ni, Zn and Co) solutions, which gave the maximum number of moles adsorbed as 1.54, 0.56, 0.45 and 0.36 mmol g^-1 for Cu, Ni, Co and Zn, respectively. Suspended aliquots of the chemically modified surface were calorimetrically titrated and the thermodynamic data showed the system is favored enthalpically and by free Gibbs energy. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

ESR study of free-radical intramolecular transfer of a hydrogen atom: mechanisms and kinetics of the reactions

A method for preparing >Si(R₁(R₂ ^.) structures (R₁=CH₃, CD₃, or CH₂−CH₃, R₂ ^.=CH₂−CH₂ ^. or CD₂−CD₂ ^.) grafted to a silica surface is developed. The reactions of intramolecular transfer of H (D) atoms between the R₁ and R₂ ^. fragments were studied by ESR. The directions and kinetic parameters of these reactions were established. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1468–1471, August, 1997.     

Conductance Studies on Complex Formation Between Aza-18-Crown-6 with Ag+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ Cations in DMSO–H2O Binary Solutions

The complexation reactions between Ag⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ metal cations with aza-18-crown-6 (A18C6) were studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–water (H₂O) binary mixtures at different temperatures using the conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of the complexes in most cases is 1:1(ML), but in some cases 1:2 (ML₂) complexes are formed in solutions. A non-linear behaviour was observed for the variation of log K _f of the complexes vs. the composition of the binary mixed solvents. Selectivity of A18C6 for Ag⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ cations is sensitive to the solvent composition and in some cases and in certain compositions of the mixed solvent systems, the selectivity order is changed. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH _c^o, ΔS _c^o) for formation of A18C6–Ag⁺, A18C6–Hg²⁺ and A18C6–Pb²⁺ complexes in DMSO–H₂O binary systems were obtained from temperature dependence of stability constants and the results show that the thermodynamics of complexation reactions is affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.     

Sorption of strontium on Slovak bentonites

Sorption of Sr on five Slovak bentonites of deposits has been studied with the use of batch technique. In the experiments there have been used natural, chemically modified and irradiated samples, in three different kinds of grain size. The pH influence on sorption of strontium on bentonites, pH change after sorption and influence of competitive ions have been studied. Distribution ratios have been determined for bentonite–strontium solution system as a function of contact time, pH and sorbate concentration. The data have been interpreted in term of Langmuir isotherm. The uptake of Sr has been rapid and the sorption of strontium has increased by increasing pH. The percentage sorption has decreased with increasing metal concentrations. The pH value after sorption for the natrificated forms of bentonite starts already in the alkaline area and moves to the higher values. For the natural bentonites the values occur in the neutral or in the acidic area. Sorption of Sr has been suppressed by presence of competitive cations as follows: Ba²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > NH₄ ⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺. By sorption on natrificated samples colloidal particles and pH value increase have been formed. The bentonite exposure as a result of interaction of γ-rays has led to expansion of the specific surface, increasing of the sorption capacity and to the change in the solubility of the clay materials.     

Thin-layer chromatographic behavior of rare earths on silica gel with aqueous alkaline earth metal nitrate solutions as mobile phases

The TLC behavior of all the rare earths except Pm has been surveyed on silica gel (pH 7.0) pretreated with 0.1 mol L^–1 tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and 0.1 mol L^–1 HCl with aqueous nitrate solutions of alkaline earth metals as mobile phases. The R_F values of the lanthanides varied in a regular and characteristic way accompanied by the tetrad effect with increasing atomic number, and when the mobile phases were changed the R_F values of each metal decreased in the order Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ba²⁺, as the crystal ionic radii of the alkaline earth metals increased. This adsorption sequence was not observed with alkali metal nitrate and alkali metal chloride mobile phases. A brief discussion concerning the effect on R_F values of the solvent cations and the adsorption mechanism is included; also presented are typical chromatograms for the separation of multi-component mixtures containing adjacent lanthanides. Received: 9 October 2000 / Revised: 20 February 2001 / Accepted: 26 February 2001     

Obtaining of Ni<Subscript>0.65</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.35</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposites by thermal decomposition of complex compounds embedded in silica matrix

This article presents the results of our investigation on the obtaining of Ni_0.65Zn_0.35Fe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles embedded in a SiO₂ matrix using a modified sol–gel synthesis method, starting from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), metal (Fe^III,Ni^II,Zn^II) nitrates and ethylene glycol (EG). This method consists in the formation of carboxylate type complexes, inside the silica matrix, used as forerunners for the ferrite/silica nanocomposites. We prepared gels with different compositions, in order to obtain, through a suitable thermal treatment, the nanocomposites (Ni_0.65Zn_0.35Fe₂O₄)_x–(SiO₂)_100–x (where x=10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mass%). The synthesized gels were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetry (TG) and FTIR spectroscopy. The formation of Ni–Zn ferrite in the silica matrix and the behavior in an external magnetic field were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and quasi-static magnetic measurements (50 Hz).     

Enthalpy changes of salting processes of hen-egg white lysozyme in various electrolyte solutions

The enthalpy changes of salting process of hen-egg white lysozyme in buffer acetate solutions (pH=4.25) as a function of concentration of following electrolytes: LiCl, KCl, K₂SO₄, Li₂ SO₄ and (NH₄)₂SO₄ are determined. Obtained data according to McMillan and Mayer’s approach, has been analyzed in the terms of the enthalpic pairwise interaction coefficients: lysozyme – lysozyme h_xx, and lysozyme – salt h_xy. The ability of cations to precipitate lysozyme solution in relation to the concentration of cations can be seen from the series as follows: Li⁺> Na⁺>K⁺>NH₄+⁺     

First steps of the reactions of alkanes and arenes with adamantyl cations in sulfuric acid in comparison with other reagents

Solutions of 1-adamantanol in sulfuric acid at T < 100 °C interact with alkanes (RH, [H₂SO₄] > 85%) and arenes (ArH, [H₂SO₄] > 59%). The data on the kinetics, kinetic isotope effect (KIE), effects of the structure of RH and ArH and acidity of the medium, and the observation of 1,4-cis-dimethylcyclohexane isomerization indicate that adamanyl cations (Ad⁺) serve as reactive species. In the reactions with alkanes, the Ad⁺ cation abstracts the hydride ion from RH in the rate-determining step. Compensation dependences appear between the activaion parameters for the KIE and “effect 5/6” (ratio of the rate constants for the C–H bond cleavage in cyclopentane and cyclohexane) in the reactions of cycloalkanes with Ad⁺ and other electrophilic reagents, such as “anthracene” (An₂)H⁺ and hydroxymethyl (CH₂OH)⁺ cations and Hg^II ions, including the points of the lower selectivity limit (k _H/k _D) = 1.4, (“5/6”) = 1. In the reactions with the Ad⁺ cation, the bond selectivity 3⁰: 2⁰ of alkanes is higher, while 2⁰: 2⁰ is lower compared to other reagents. In the first case, the selectivity is probably determined predominantly by the energies of the cleaved C–H bonds, whereas in the second case it is determined by steric hindrances. Judging by the kinetic and selectivity data in the series benzene—toluene—o-xylene—m-xylene and the absence of the reaction with p-xylene, mesitylene, and pseudocumene, it can be concluded that the main contribution to the Ad⁺ + ArH interaction is made by adamantylation to the para- and meta-positions of the benzene ring, whereas the ortho-positions are inaccessible to the attack because of steric hindrances. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1581–1596, August, 2008.     

Nanosized centers for mercury(II) ions adsorption on a surface of modified silica

The present work investigates the adsorptive interactions of Hg(II) ions in aqueous medium with hydroxylated silica, aminopropylsilica and silica chemically modified by β-cyclodextrin. Batch adsorption studies were carried out with various agitation times and mercury(II) concentrations. The maximum adsorption was observed within 15–30 min of agitation. The kinetics of the interactions, tested with the model of Lagergren for pseudo-first and pseudo-second order equations, showed better agreement with first order kinetics (k₁ = 3.4 ± 0.2 to 5.9 ± 0.3 min⁻¹). The adsorption data gave good fits with Langmuir isotherms. The results have shown that β-cyclodextrin-containing adsorbent has the largest adsorption specificity to Hg(II): K _L = 4125 ± 205 mmol⁻¹. “β-cyclodextrin-NO3-” inclusion complexes with ratio 1: 1 and super molecules with composition C₄₂H₇₀O₃₅ ⊎ 3 Hg(NO₃)₂ are formed on the surface of β-cyclodextrin-containing silica.      

Study of complexation reactions between alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations with dibenzo-18-crown-6(DB18C6) in mixed nonaqueous solvents using the conductometry method

The complexation reactions between alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations with DB18C6 were studied in acetonitrile-methanol (AN-MeOH) and tetrahydrofuran-threechloromethane (THF-CHCl₃) binary mixtures at different temperatures using the conductometric method. The obtained results show that in most cases, the DB18C6 forms 1:1 complexes with these metal cations and the stability of the complexes is affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents. The stability order of complexes in AN-MeOH binary systems was found to be Na⁺ > Li⁺, and in the case of THF-CHCl₃ binary mixtures was Na⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Li⁺. An anomalous and interesting behavior was observed for the case of complexation of a K+ ion with DB18C6 in the AN-MeOH binary mixture and also for complexation of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ cations with this ligand in pure THF and also in THF-CHCl₃ binary systems. The values of the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH _c ^o and ΔS _c ^o ) for complexation reactions obtained from the temperature dependence of the stability constants and the results show that the complexes are both enthalpy-and entropy-stabilized. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Polyurethane cationomers synthesised with 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), polyoxyethylene glycol and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyl diethanolamine

Polyurethane cationomers with increased contents of ions were synthesised in the reaction of 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) with polyoxypropylene glycol (M = 450) and N-methyl diethanolamine (N-MDA). Amine segments were built-in to the urethane–isocyanate prepolymer in the reaction with formic acid and then they were converted to alkyl-ammonium cations. The obtained isocyanate prepolymers were then extended in the aqueous medium with the use of 1,6-hexamethylenediamine. That yielded stable aqueous dispersions, which were applied on the surfaces of test poly(tetrafluoroethylene) samples. After evaporation of water, the dispersions formed thin polymer coatings. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral methods were employed to confirm chemical structures of synthesised cationomers and to modify their quantitative composition in relation to that assumed on the basis of the stoichiometry of the reactions, which were conducted on successive stages of the polyaddition process. Furthermore, the GPC method was used to learn the sizes and distributions of mean molecular weights of those cationomers. Based on ¹H NMR spectra, the factor κ was calculated which represented the polarity level of the obtained cationomers. Good correlation was found between that factor and the free surface energy γ _S (increasing in the range 38–42 mJ/m²) as well as its polar and acid-base components, as determined from the van Oss–Good model on the basis of measured wetting angles between the coatings and model liquids with various polarities. The values of κ and γ _S parameters resulted principally from the increasing amounts of cations NH⁺, which were evaluated on the basis of the concentrations of tertiary nitrogen atoms increasing within 1.37–2.66 wt%. Those concentrations and amounts resulted, in turn, from the amounts of amine N-MDA which could be built into cationomers. The effects were discussed of chemical structures and polarity specifications of polyurethane cationomers on the viscosities of produced aqueous dispersions and on the sizes of their colloidal particles, on the values of free surface energy and on its polar and acid-base components, and on the glass transition temperatures T _g2 of the rigid segments as found by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method.