Stabilization of p-block organoelement terminal hydroxides, thiols, and selenols requires newer synthetic strategies

Metal hydroxides represent a very interesting and highly useful class of compounds that have been known to chemists for a very long time. While alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides (s‐block) are commonplace chemicals in terms of their abundance and their use in a chemical laboratory as bases, the interest in Brønsted acidic molecular terminal hydroxides of p‐block elements, such as aluminum and silicon, has been of recent origin, with respect to the variety of applications these compounds can offer both in materials science and catalysis. Moreover, these systems are environmentally friendly, relative to the metal halides, owing to their ‐OH functionality (resembling that of water). Design and conceptualization of the corresponding terminal thiols, selenols, and tellurols (M? SH, M? SeH, and M? TeH) offer even more challenging problems to synthetic inorganic chemists. This concept summarizes some of the recent strategies developed to stabilize these otherwise very unstable species. The successful preparation of a number of silicon trihydroxides a few years back resulted in the generation of several model compounds for metal–silicates. The recent synthesis of unusual aluminum compounds such as RAl(OH)₂, RAl(SH)₂, and RAl(SeH)₂ with terminal EH (E=O, Se, or Se) groups is likely to change the ways in which some of the well‐known catalytic conversions are being carried out. The need for very flexible and innovative synthetic strategies to achieve these unusual compounds is emphasized in this concept.     

A simple isotherm equation for describing gas adsorption on heterogeneous microporous solids

A simple isotherm equation for describing gas adsorption on solids showing heterogeneity of microporous structure is proposed. It is shown that this equation gives a good representation of the experimental data of argon, nitrogen and benzene adsorption on different types of activated carbons. Its parameters may be used to characterize heterogeneity of microporous structure of the solids.

---

Eine einfache Isotherme zur Beschreibung der Gas-Adsorption an heterogenen mikroporösen Feststoffen

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine einfache Isotherme zur Beschreibung der Gasadsorption an Feststoffen mit heterogener mikroporöser Struktur vorgeschlagen. Es wird gezeigt, daß diese Gleichung die experimentellen Daten für die Adsorption von Argon, Stickstoff und Benzol an verschiedenen Typen von Aktivkohle gut beschreibt. Die Parameter der Isotherme können zur Charakterisierung der Heterogenität der mikroporösen Struktur von Festkörpern herangezogen werden.

     

Validation of an analytical method to determine trace metal impurities in fluoride compounds by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy

 The development of an analytical method for the determination of some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn and Ni) in fluoride compounds [Cu(BF₄)₂, Sn(BF₄)₂, Pb(BF₄)₂ and HBF₄] by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy is described. This method is to be used as a routine analytical method in an industrial quality control laboratory. To this end the "performance characteristics" of an instrumental analytical method such as matrix effects, sensitivity, linearity, detection and quantitation limits, precision and accuracy were evaluated for every system under study. The results of these investigations showed that non-spectral interferences (due to the presence of large concentrations of major metals such as Cu, Sn and Pb) were observed. Nevertheless it was possible to define a matrix concentration interval where matrix effects were not statistically significant, and therefore a direct calibration approach could be used as the calibration tool whenever the major metal concentration was not higher than 40×10^–3 kg l^–1. A guide to the developement of an analytical method for trace metal determination is provided. General tools for quality control have been used in order to show how an analytical method can be tested daily and evaluated in a convenient manner. Received: 29 January 1997 Accepted: 11 March 1997     

Two parameter donor-acceptor approach to solvent effects on the electrode kinetics of cations

A two parameter approach to solvent variations in the electroreduction rate constants of cobalt complexes and europium cations is presented and discussed in terms of solvent—solute and solvent—solvent interactions.

---

Ein Zwei-Parameter Donor-Acceptor-Ansatz für Lösungsmitteleffekte bei der Elektrodenkinetik von Kationen (Kurze Mitteilung)

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Zwei-Parameter-Annäherung der Lösungsmitteleinflüsse auf die Geschwindigkeitskonstanten der Elektroreduktion von Kobalt-Komplexen und Europium-Kationen präsentiert und auf der Basis von Lösungsmittel—gelöster Stoff- und Lösungsmittel—Lösungsmittel-Wechselwirkung diskutiert.

     

Reactivity of N-alkyl derivatives of hydroxylamine in decomposition of 4-nitrophenyl diethylphosphonate in water and in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles

Neutral forms of hydroxylamine, N-methylhydroxylamine, and N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine are typical α-nucleophiles in water. In comparison with aryl anions of similar basicity their rate of reaction in the decomposition of 4-nitrophenyl diethylphosphonate is increased by about 10² times. Decomposition of the substrate is accelerated in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles (about 4 to 30 fold). Hydroxylamine and its N-alkyl derivatives are the most effective low basicity nucleophiles. The sole factor responsible for the micellar effects is the concentration of the reagent in the surfactant micelles. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 231–236, July–August, 2007.     

Capto-dative Substituent Effects in Syntheses with Radicals and Radicophiles [New synthetic methods (32)]

The 100 yers old Wurster's salts have long been recognized as compounds with redical cations. Their unusual stabilization derives partly form capto-dative (cd) substitution. This principle is now discussed as one factor of radical stabilization and it is applied to simple methine derivatives. cd-Substitution has synthetically useful applications: cd-substituents on a carbon atom allow its selective dehydrodimerization. Olefines with geminal and thus cross-conjugated cd-substituents are “radicophilic” and permit twofold carbon radical addition. cd-Substituted olefines are useful antioxidants, polymerization inhibitors and are promising agents in the control of biological radical reactions. Generally, many reactions of cd-substituted molecules appear to involve radicals.     

Orbital Energy Order and the Through Bond Interaction in Homonuclear Diatomic Molecules

The homonuclear diatomic molecules are the simplest systems having both the σ framework and the lone pair orbitals n_a and _b for investigating their through space and through bond interaction. The striking orbital energy order n_g～ n_a+ n_b > n_n ～ n_a - n_b has been accounted for by the through bond interaction. However, when the p-content in the lone pair orbitals n_a and n_b decreases, one may have the reverse orbital energy order: n_g < n_g. A reverse orbital energy order has been found in F₂ and Cl₂, whose n_a and n_b are almost pure s-type atomic orbitals. The reverse order also occurs in molecule N₂ when the internuclear distance is larger man 1.5 Å. It is also found that the detail through space and through bond interaction and the eventual orbital energy order for n_g and n_u can be accounted for by the Fock operator within the localized molecular orbital space.     

Substituent Effects on the C-C Bond Strength, 15[1] Geminal Substituent Effects, 7[2]. Thermochemistry and Thermal Decomposition of Alkyl-substituted Tricyanomethyl Compounds

The thermolysis reactions of the tricyanomethyl compounds 10a-c were studied in solution. 2,2-Dicyano-3-methyl-3-phenylbutyronitrile ( 10a ) and 2,2-dicyano-3-methyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)butyronitrile ( 10b ) decomposed heterolytically into carbenium ions and (CN)₃C⁻ anions, while 9-methyl-9-(tricyanomethyl)fluorene ( 10c ) underwent about 11% homolytic C-C bond cleavage into 9-methyl-9-fluorenyl- and tricyanomethyl radicals. The rates of the homolysis were determined by a radical scavenger procedure under conditions of pseudozero order kinetics. From the temperature effect on the rate constants the activation parameters were determined [ΔH ( 10c ) = 155· 2 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS ( 10c ) = 58· 5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹]. Standard enthalpies of formation ΔH (g) were determined for 2,2-dicyanopropionitrile ( 2 ) (422.45 kJ mol⁻¹), 2,2-dicyanohexanenitrile ( 3 ) (349.74 kJ mol⁻¹), 2,2-dicyano-3-phenylpropionitrile ( 4 ) (540.75 kJ mol⁻¹), 2-butyl-2-methylhexanentrile ( 5 ) (-133.20 kJ mol⁻¹), 2,2-dimethylpentanenitrile ( 6 ) (-45.78 kJ mol⁻¹), and 2-methylbutyronitrile ( 7 ) (2.44 kJ mol⁻¹) from the enthalpies of combustion and enthalpies of sublimation/vaporization. From these data and known Δ (g) values for alkanenitriles and -dinitriles, thermochemical increments for ΔH (g) were derived for alkyl groups with one, two, or three cyano groups attached. The comparison of these increments with those of alkanes reveals a strong geminal destabilization, which is interpreted by dipolar repulsions between the cyano groups. - From ΔH (g) of 10c and ΔH of its homolytic decomposition the radical stabilization enthalpy for the tricyanomethyl radical 1 RSE ( 1 ) = -18 kJ mol⁻¹ was determined. Thus, 1 is destabilized, in comparison with the RSEs of tertiary α-cyanalkyl (23 kJ mol⁻¹) and α,α-dicyanoalkyl (27 kJ mol⁻¹) radicals, which were recalculated from bond homolysis measurements^[4] and the new thermochemical data. This change of RSE on increasing the number of α-cyano groups is discussed as the result of the additive contributions by resonance stabilization and increasing destabilization by dipolar repulsion. The amount of the dipolar energies was estimated by molecular mechanics (MM2).     

Advances in two-dimensional GC with glass capillary columns

A versatile two-dimensional gas chromatograph is described, consisting of 2 separate ovens, one intermediate trap, an auxiliary inlet, and the necessary hardware to effect off-line switching according to the principle of Deans. The unit has been designed for use with high resolution glass capillary columns. The performance of individual instrumental components was critically evaluated. Results showed that low dead volume glass to metal connections were required in the manifold and detector lines to minimize extra-column effects. The mass of the intermediate trap must be low to allow rapid heating. Operational parameters are discussed and examples of some applications are shown.