Activated aluminum oxide selectively retaining long chain n-alkanes. Part I, description of the retention properties

Aluminum oxide activated by heating to 350-400 °C retains n-alkanes with more than about 20 carbon atoms, whereas iso-alkanes largely pass the column non-retained. Retention of n-alkanes is strong with n-pentane or n-hexane as mobile phase, but weak or negligible with cyclohexane or iso-octane. It is strongly reduced with increasing column temperature. Even small amounts of polar components, such as modifiers or impurities in the mobile phase, cause the retention of n-alkanes to irreversibly collapse. Since n-alkanes are not more polar than iso-alkanes and long chain n-alkanes not more polar than those of shorter chains, retention by a mechanism based on steric properties is assumed. The sensitivity to deactivation by polar components indicates that polar components and n-alkanes are retained by the same sites. The capacity for retaining n-alkanes is low, with the effect that the retention of n-alkanes depends on the load with retained paraffins. These retention properties are useful for the pre-separation of hydrocarbons in the context of the analysis of mineral oil paraffins in foodstuffs and tissue, where plant n-alkanes, typically ranging from C₂₃ to C₃₃, may severely disturb the analysis (subject of Part II).     

Separation of C1-C5 aliphatic carboxylic acids on a highly sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resin column with a C6 aliphatic carboxylic acid solution as the mobile phase

Simultaneous separation of C₁-C₅ aliphatic carboxylic acids (formic, acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, butyric, iso-valeric and valeric acids) on a highly sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resin column (TSKgel SCX,  mm i.d.) was performed with C₆ aliphatic carboxylic acids (3-methyl-n-valeric, iso-caproic and caproic acids) solutions as the mobile phases. Using 0.05 mM sulfuric acid at pH 4.0 as the mobile phase, although good separation of these C₁-C₅ acids was achieved, peaks of the C₅ acids (iso-valeric and valeric acids) with large hydrophobicity tailed strongly. In contrast, using 1 mM C₆ acids at pH ca. 4.0 as the mobile phases, although vacant peaks corresponding to the C₆ acids in the mobile phase appeared, the peak shapes of the C₅ acids were improved greatly. Excellent simultaneous separation, symmetrical peaks and relatively high-sensitivity conductimetric detection for these C₁-C₅ acids were achieved on the TSKgel SCX column in 15 min with 1 mM iso-caproic acid at pH 4.0 as the mobile phase.     

Prediction of molecular weight and density of n-alkanes (C6-C44)

Heavy n-alkanes and their mixtures were characterized by high temperature-simulated distillation using gas chromatography with a capillary column. In this work, the atmospheric boiling point is determined by the HT-SimDis GC method. In this study, molecular weights and density of n-alkanes were evaluated with this method by using retention times and normal boiling points as input data. ASTM D2887 calibration mixture containing 17 n-alkanes in the C₆-C₄₄ range were used for qualitative analyses. Retention times (t_R) of n-alkanes were measured with this method. The other input data that normal boiling points (T_b) and molecular weight (M) had been taken in the literature. Experimental densities (at 20 °C) of n-alkanes were obtained from API Research Projects. Empirical molecular weight and density correlations were developed by using the nonlinear and multiple regressions with correlation coefficients. The results of calculations were compared with experimental data. Normal boiling point predictions were obtained as an average absolute deviation of 1.07%. Molecular weight and density results were evaluated as average absolute deviations of 0.68% and 0.21%, respectively.     

The first ‘alkane-like’ functionalization of n-alkyl acetates: a new method for one-pot selective syntheses of bifunctional aliphatic compounds with an acetate group

Selective one-pot functionalization of linear alkyl acetates C_nH_2n + 1OCOMe (n = 6, 8), with CO and various nucleophilic substrates (iso-propanol, morpholine, piperidine, and anisole) in the presence of the superelectrophilic system CBr₄·2AlBr₃ is performed for the first time.     

Electron beam-assisted cracking of synthetic paraffins

The electron beam-initiated cracking of a mixture of C₁₇–C₁₂₀ paraffins at 350–370°C has been studied. The cracking regime implied simultaneous feedstock irradiation and rapid distillation of fragmentation products from the irradiation zone. The distillate was a mixture of 61.5 wt % alkanes and 38.5 wt % alkenes. The product molecule contained on average 13 carbon atoms. The gasoline fraction in the condensate was 32.3 wt %. It was demonstrated that the product composition can be changed depending on the geometric parameters of reaction equipment and temperature distribution at the reactor outlet.     

Fast determination of evaporation enthalpies of solvents and binary mixtures using a microsilicon chip device with integrated thin film transducers

A silicon chip device with two types of integrated platinum thin film resistors was applied for microcaloric measurements. It was shown that the device is capable of fast characterization of liquid evaporation behaviour and allows the determination of evaporation enthalpies for pure liquids and mixtures. The applicability was demonstrated for a wide range of solvents from nonpolar aliphatic solvents over polar organics to protic solvents (e.g. iso-octane, toluene, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water). The sample volumes were in the range of about 2-5 μL. The determination of transient times, in case of constant power mode, or the power integral over time was used for the fast estimation of binary liquid mixtures. Thermo-resistive measurements of 5 μL droplets of solvent mixtures like methanol/iso-propanol, ethanol/water, iso-octane/iso-propanol and iso-octane/1,4-dioxane showed significant changes in temperature characteristics and evaporation enthalpies in dependence on composition. The applied heating power was about 1 W, which corresponds to measurement times between a few seconds and a minute.     

Synthesis and monolayer properties of double-chained phosphatidylcholines containing perfluoroalkyl groups of different length

A series of double-chained phosphatidylcholines (PCs), 1,2-dioctadec-9′-ynoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine analogs containing perfluoroalkyl moieties (CF₃, C₂F₅, n-C₄F₉ or n-C₈F₁₇) as the terminal segment in two hydrophobic chains, 1a-d, were synthesized. Equilibrium spreading pressures of these fluorinated PCs at the air-water interface were measured as an indication of monolayer stability, in order to obtain the minimal fluorine content in PC molecule efficient to exhibit monolayer stabilizing effect. The monolayer stability sigmoidally increased with the fluorine content in PC molecule and subsequently leveled off above a certain fluorine content, i.e., n-C₄F₉ moiety, at 25 °C. Under this condition, the replacement of at least five hydrogen atoms at the terminal hydrophobic segment in double-chained PC molecule by fluorine atoms, i.e., CF₃CF₂ moiety, is required to exhibit the monolayer stabilizing effect, whereas further fluorination of double-chained PC (F(CF₂)_n; n > 4) has a minor effect on the monolayer stability.     

Baker's yeast reduction of α-methyleneketones

The bioreduction of α-methyleneketones, R¹C(O)C(CH₂)R² (R¹=Me, Et, Pr, iso-Bu, Ph, CH₂CH₂Ph; R²=Cl, Me, Et, n-Pr, iso-Pr, n-Bu, n-C₆H₁₃, Ph, CH₂Ph), was mediated by baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to obtain the corresponding α-methylketones. The R¹ and R² groups had a significant influence on the rate and enantioselectivity of the reductions. The rate of CC bond reduction was higher than that of CO bond reduction. Only α-methyleneketones having R¹=Me yielded α-methylketones in high enantioselectivity with e.e.s of 88–99%.     

Characteristics of bicyclic sesquiterpanes in crude oils and petroleum products

This study presents a quantitative gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of bicyclic sesquiterpanes (BSs) in numerous crude oils and refined petroleum products including light and mid-range distillate fuels, residual fuels, and lubricating oils collected from various sources. Ten commonly recognized bicyclic sesquiterpanes were determined in all the studied crude oils and diesel range fuels with principal dominance of BS3 (C₁₅H₂₈), BS5 (C₁₅H₂₈) and BS10 (C₁₆H₃₀), while they were generally not detected or in trace in light fuel oils like gasoline and kerosene and most lubricating oils. Laboratory distillation of crude oils demonstrated that sesquiterpanes were highly enriched in the medium distillation fractions of ∼180 to 481 °C and were generally absent or very low in the light distillation fraction (boiling point to ∼180 °C) and the heavy residual fraction (>481 °C). The effect of evaporative weathering on a series of diagnostic ratios of sesquiterpanes, n-alkanes, and biomarkers was evaluated with two suites of weathered oil samples. The change of abundance of sesquiterpanes was used to determine the extent of weathering of artificially evaporated crude oils and diesel. In addition to the pentacyclic biomarker C₂₉ and C₃₀ αβ-hopane, C₁₅ and C₁₆ sesquiterpanes might be alternative internal marker compounds to provide a direct way to estimate the depletion of oils, particularly diesels, in oil spill investigations. These findings may offer potential applications for both oil identification and oil-source correlation in cases where the tri- to pentacyclic biomarkers are absent due to refining or environmental weathering of oils.     

Modeling of the three-phase equilibrium in systems of the type water + nonionic surfactant + alkane

Liquid–liquid equilibria of systems water (A) + C_iE_j surfactant (B) + n-alkane (C) have been modeled by a mass-action law model previously developed and so far successfully applied to a series of binary water + C_iE_j systems and to the ternary system water + C₄E₁ + n-dodecane. These calculations provide the basis for the presented modeling. The aqueous systems give information about the association constants and the χ_AB-parameter of the Flory–Huggins theory and the ternary C₄E₁-system provides universal temperature functions for the χ_AC- and the χ_BC-parameter. The three-phase equilibrium for seven ternary C_iE_j systems (i = 6–12, j = 3–6) has been calculated by fitting one additional parameter for each of both temperature functions to the characteristic “fish-tail” point. The agreement with the experimental data is reasonably well. For systems with very small three-phase areas the results can considerably be improved by individual temperature functions that incorporate the experimental temperature maximum of the “fish” into the parameter fit. Based on the parameters of the system water + C₈E₄ + n-C₈H₁₈ the “fish-shaped” phase diagram of the system water + C₈E₄ + n-C₁₄H₃₀ was predicted reasonably well.     

Investigation on isobaric vapor liquid equilibrium for acetic acid + water + (n-propyl acetate or iso-butyl acetate)

Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for acetic acid + water, acetic acid + n-propyl acetate, acetic acid + iso-butyl acetate, acetic acid + water + n-propyl acetate, acetic acid + water + iso-butyl acetate are measured at 101.33 kPa with a modified Rose still. The nonideal behavior in vapor phase caused by the association of acetic acid are corrected by the chemical theory and Hayden-O’Connell method, and analyzed by calculating the second virial coefficients and apparent fugacity coefficients. The VLE data for acetic acid + water, acetic acid + n-propyl acetate, and acetic acid + iso-butyl acetate are correlated through the NRTL and UNIQUAC models using the nonlinear least square method. The obtained NRTL model parameters are used to predict the ternary VLE data. The ternary predicted values obtained in this way agree well with the experimental values.     

An in-tube SPME device for the selective determination of chlorophyll a in aquatic systems

We report a new device for the estimation of the content of chlorophyll a pigment in water samples as an indicator of water quality. The extraction of the pigment from water was also optimized. 10 mL of water was filtered through a nylon filter (45 μm pore size and 13 mm of diameter), after the chlorophylls were dissolved by immersing the filter in 1 mL of a low non-hazardous solvent as ethanol. An in-valve in-tube SPME device coupled to capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection was designed. A capillary column of 70 cm in length (0.32 mm i.d. coated with 5% diphenyl-95% polydimethylsiloxane, 3 μm coating thickness) was used as the loop of the injection valve for preconcentration and a Zorbax SB C₁₈ (SiO₂-based) 150 mm × 0.5 mm i.d., 5 μm column (Agilent) was used as analytical column. The achieved detection limit was 0.05 μg L⁻¹ and the working range of concentrations was 0.1-1 μg L⁻¹. % RSD values between 2 and 11 were obtained. Chlorophyll a in several water matrices was determined with good results in presence of other pigments such as chlorophyll b, pheophytin a and pheophytin b.     

Fluorinated phosphorus compounds: Part 10. Bis(fluoroalkyl) S-alkyl phosphorothiolates and tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphorothionates

Treatment of bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)H, where R_F was CF₃ or C₂F₅ with sulfur in pyridine at 80 °C gave salts of structure [(R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)SH]NC₅H₅ in 90 and 88% yield, respectively. The salts reacted with alkyl iodides in acetonitrile at 50 °C to furnish bis(fluoroalkyl) S-alkyl phosphorothiolates (R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)SR, where R was Me, Et, n- and i-Pr (when R_F = CF₃) and Me (when R_F = C₂F₅). Yields ranged from 21 to 57%. Bis(trifluoroethyl) S-methyl phosphorothiolate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)SMe underwent fluorination by silver(I) fluoride in acetonitrile at room temperature to yield the phosphorofluoridate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)F in 75% yield. Tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphorothionates (R_FCH₂O)₃P = S, where R_F was CF₃, C₂F₅ and C₃F₇, were prepared in 30-34% yield by heating the tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FCH₂O)₃P and sulfur to 200 °C in a sealed tube for 8 h.     

Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibria for the n-heptane + ethylene glycol monopropyl ether and n-octane + ethylene glycol monopropyl ether systems

Vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) for the n-heptane + ethylene glycol monopropyl ether and n-octane + ethylene glycol monopropyl ether systems were measured. Isobaric VLE measurements of the associating fluid mixtures were conducted at several pressures (60 kPa, 80 kPa and 100 kPa) using Fischer VLE 602 equipment. The experimental data were correlated using a two-term virial equation for vapor-phase fugacity coefficients and the three suffix Margules equation, Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC models for liquid-phase activity coefficients. The results show good agreement with the variety of models.     

Types of rotary crystal state of solid solutions of paraffins

Thermal deformations and polymorphous transformations of solid solutions of paraffins in C₁₇–C₁₉, C₁₉–C₂₁, C₂₁–C₂₃, C₂₂–C₂₄, and C₂₃–C₂₄ systems are investigated by thermal X-ray diffractometry using a temperature step of several tenths of a degree. It is examined how the length of a molecular chain of a homolog (n) and the difference in length (Δn) between the chains as well as the molecular composition of a solid solution affect these transitions, and the data are compared with those for the individual homologs of paraffins. St. Petersburg University. Translated fromZhurnal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 380–394, May–June, 1998. This work was supported by RFFR grant No. 97-05-65534 and ISSEP grants No. 156p and a97-2633.     

Excess molar enthalpies of the ternary mixtures (1-hexene + tetrahydrofuran or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran + methyl tert-butyl ether) at the temperature 298.15 K

Microcalorimetric measurements of excess enthalpies at the temperature T = 298.15 K are reported for the binary mixture, (x₁C₆H₁₂ + x₂C₄H₈O) and the two ternary mixtures {x₁C₆H₁₂ + x₂(C₄H₈O or C₅H₁₀O) + x₃(C₅H₁₂O)}. Smooth representations of the results are presented and used to construct constant excess molar enthalpy contours on Roozeboom diagrams. It is shown that good estimates of the ternary enthalpies can be obtained from the Liebermann and Fried model, using only the physical properties of the components and their binary mixtures.     

Solid solutions of normal paraffins

The results of the X-ray diffraction and thermal X-ray diffraction studies of the paraffins C_nH_2n+2 are revised based on new principles asserting the existence of several types of rotator states of paraffins. Along with the known isomorphism factors, such as the parity (symmetry) of the starting components and the difference between the chain lengths of their molecules (Δn), there is a factor that is specific to paraffins: differences in the energy state of molecules entering solid solutions. St. Petersburg State University. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 929–938. September–October, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities of aqueous N-acetyl-d-glucosamine at temperatures from 278.15 K to 368.15 K and of aqueous N-methylacetamide at temperatures from 278.15 K to 393.15 K at the pressure 0.35 MPa

We determined apparent molar volumes V_? from densities measured with a vibrating-tube densimeter at 278.15 ? (T/K) ? 368.15 and apparent molar heat capacities C_p,? with a twin fixed-cell, differential, temperature-scanning calorimeter at 278.15 ? (T/K) ? 363.15 for aqueous solutions of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine at m from (0.01 to 1.0) mol · kg⁻¹ and at p = 0.35 MPa. We also determined V_? at 278.15 ? (T/K) ? 368.15 and C_p,? at 278.15 ? (T/K) ? 393.15 for aqueous solutions of N-methylacetamide at m from (0.015 to 1.0) mol · kg⁻¹ and at p = 0.35 MPa. Empirical functions of m and T for each compound were fitted to our results, which are then compared to those for N,N-dimethylacetamide. Estimated values of Δ_rV_m(m, T) and Δ_rC_p,m(m, T) for formation of aqueous N-acetyl-d-glucosamine from aqueous d-glucose and aqueous acetamide are calculated and discussed.     

Theoretical study of the thermochemistry and the kinetics of the SFxCl (x = 0-5) series

A systematic thermodynamic and kinetic study of the entire SF_xCl (x = 0-5) series has been carried out. High-level quantum chemical composite methods have been employed to derive enthalpy of formation values from calculated atomization and isodesmic energies. The resulting values for the SCl, SFCl, SF₂Cl(C₁), SF₃Cl(C_s), SF₄Cl(C_s) and SF₅Cl molecules are 28.0, −36.0, −64.2, −134.3, −158.2 and −237.1 kcal mol⁻¹. A comparison with previous experimental and theoretical values is presented. Statistical adiabatic channel model/classical trajectory, SACM/CT, calculations of selected complex-forming and recombination reactions of F and Cl atoms with radicals of the series have been performed between 200 and 500 K. The reported rate coefficients span over the normal range of about 6 × 10⁻¹² and 5 × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ expected for this type of barrierless reactions.     

Artifacts related to N-methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide derivatization of citrulline revealed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry using both electron and chemical ionization

Derivatization with N-methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) was used for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of citrulline and ornithine. Aqueous 50 μl aliquots at 1 and 10 mM concentrations were dried and derivatized separately, and 70 eV electron ionization or CH₄ positive chemical ionization were used. Ornithine produced a single GC peak. Physiological citrulline concentrations produced GC artifact peaks for the ornithine derivative, and a compound consistent with elimination of a water molecule from the tri-tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) citrulline derivative. A third GC peak obtained using 10 mM citrulline concentrations gave a mass spectrum consistent with a mixture of true tri- and tetra-TBDMS citrulline. Analyses of ¹³C-ureido-labeled citrulline confirmed the presence of the true TBDMS citrulline derivatives produced from 10 mM samples and provided evidence that the TBDMS ornithine artifact results from loss of TBDMS isocyanate from tetra-TBDMS citrulline. Linear-programmed temperature GC retention index data relative to n-alkanes are reported for observed GC peaks.