The solvation number of ions obtained from their entropies of solvation

The entropy of solvation of an ion contains contributions from i) the change of the volume at its disposal, ii) long-range electrostatic effects, iii) immobilization of solvent molecules in the first solvation shell, and iv) effects on the structure of the solvent. The last item is important in water, but can be ignored in less structured solvents. Standard ionic entropies of transfer from water to a dozen solvents are used for the estimation of the entropy of solvent immobilization, and the (extrapolated) entropy of freezing of the solvent is then used to estimate the number of solvent molecules immobilized.Presented in part at the IX ICNAS (International Conference on Non-Aqueous Solutions), Pittsburgh, PA, August 1984.     

Thermal effects of solvation processes on alkali metal alcoxide formation and stability

The formation of alkali metal alcoxides by an alcohol reacting on the elemental metal itself cannot be completed under stoichiometric conditions. As a consequence of solvation, the chemical activity of the reacting alcohol is drastically reduced. Thus, the reaction cannot undergo completion without a large excess of alcohol with respect to the alkali metal. Moreover, solvation processes can drop the reaction kinetics down to nearly zero. When an excess of alkali metal is reacted with alcohol, the heat accumulated by solvation can be suddenly released by an addition of pure alcohol. Extremely dangerous thermal runaways can be started this way. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

DFT study on the selective complexation of B12N12 nanocage with alkali metal ions

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were applied at the M05-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of the theory to investigate the interaction of the B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage (BN) and alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) in the gas phase and in water. On the basis of the results, BN nanocage is able to form a selective complex with Li⁺. Water, as a solvent, reduces the stability of the metal ion-BN complexes in comparison with the gas phase. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses, reveal that the electrostatic interaction between the BN and metal ions can be considered as the driving force for complex formation in which the role of water is of significance. Density of states (DOSs) analysis of the BN nanocage structure in the presence of different metal ions showed a noticeable change in the frontier orbitals, especially in the gas phase, and Fermi level shifting toward the lower values.     

Conductance study of the complexation of substituted and lariat 16-crown-5 derivatives with alkali metal ions in nonaqueous solvents

Formation constants (K _ML) of 1:1 complexes of 15-(2,5-dioxahexyl)-15-methyl-16-crown-5 (L16C5) and 15,15-dimethyl-16-crown-5 (DM16C5) with alkali metal ions were determined in acetonitrile (AN) and propylene carbonate (PC) by conductometry at 25°C. Except for the case of Li⁺-and K⁺-16C5 complexes in PC, the selectivity sequences of L16C5 and DM16C5 are identical with those of the parent crown ether 16-crown-5 (16C5) regardless of the solvent (AN, PC, methanol) (Na¹ > Li⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺), which show the size-fit correlation. The selectivities of L16C5 and DM16C5 for the alkali metal ions are governed not by the sidearms but by the cavity size. The stability of the crown ether complex is dependent not on the dielectric constant but largely on the donor number of the solvent. TheK _ML(M₁ ⁺)/K _ML(M₂ ⁺) ratio of L16C5 or 16C5 varies very much with the solvent in the cases of M₁=Na, M₂=K and M₁=Na, M₂=Li, but that of DM16C5 is almost constant regardless of the solvent.     

Thermodynamics of alkali metal cation complexation by ionised calixcrown ligands

Binding of alkali metal cations (AMCs) by 1,3-alternate, ionised calix[4]arene-benzocrown-6 ligands was investigated by isothermal calorimetric titration in methanol. The groups of –C(O)NHSO₂CH₃ and more acidic –C(O)NHSO₂CF₃ were attached to the 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene-benzocrown-6 skeleton in two locations. In one series, the acidic group was attached to the para position of one aromatic ring in the calixarene framework, thereby positioning it over the polyether cavity. In the other series, the ionisable group was a substituent on the benzo group in the polyether ring. This oriented the acidic group away from the crown ether cavity. For these calixcrown ligands, the effects of the location of the ionisable group and its acidity and the identity of the AMC on the binding constant, enthalpy and entropy of complexation are assessed.     

Effects of alkali metal ions on the thermal decomposition of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate

The thermal decomposition of pure ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (AHMT), and doped with Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ ions was investigated using thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, infrared and X-ray diffraction techniques. Results obtained revealed that the decomposition of AHMT proceeded in three decomposition stages in which both NH₃ and H₂O were released in all stages. The presence of 0.5 mol % alkali metal ions enhances the formation of the intermediateb (NH₄)₂MO₇O₂₂·2H₂O while the decomposition of this intermediate into MoO₃ is slightly affected in the presence of all dopant concentrations used. The infrared absorption spectra of the thermal products of AHMT treated with 10 mol% alkali metal ions (AMI) at 350°C indicated a reduction of some Mo⁶⁺ ions. By heating of AHMT above 500°C in presence of 5 or 10 mol % of AMI, a solid-solid interaction between alkali metal oxides and MoO₃ giving rise to well crystallized alkali metal molybdates. finally the activation energies accompanied various decomposition stages were calculated.     

Ionic recognition by thiacalixarenes: binding of alkali and heavy metal ions by thiacalix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] ethers

The binding properties of two thiacalix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] derivatives (n = 5 and 6) were examined through extraction experiments. The stability constants of the resulting complexes in methanol were determined. The replacement of the bridging CH2 groups by sulfur atoms leads to a strong decrease in both extraction and complexation levels of alkali metal ions but does not affect the selectivity within the series of crown ethers. The stability of complexes with heavy metal ions does not change markedly on passing from thiacalix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] ethers to their calix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] counterparts; therefore no clear-cut conclusions about the possible interactions between these cations and the sulfur atoms can be drawn.     

Transfer activity coefficients of crown ethers and their complexes with univalent metal ions between pairs of polar organic solvents

From a comparison of transfer activity coefficients, [(LM⁺)]_PC,2 between propylene carbonate and solvent S₂ of alkali or silver ions complexed with dibenzo-substituted crown ethers (L=DB-18-cr-6, DB-21-cr-7, DB-24-cr-8, DB-30-cr-10) it can be concluded that in the complex LM⁺ both L and M⁺ are solvated, particularly in solvents of high donicity, e.g., N,N-dimethylformamide. From the abnormally low ionic mobility of DB-30-cr-10K⁺ in acetonitrile and the high value of the association constant of the ion pair DB-30-cr-10KBr it is concluded that the outer solvent shell is stripped upon formation of the ligand separated ion pair. A linear relation is found between [log (LM⁺)]_PC,2 and [log(M⁺)]_PC,2 only when L is 18-cr-6, B-18-cr-6, or DB-18-cr-6. Deviation from the linearity of complexes of the larger dibenzo crown ethers is attributed to the flexibility of L. It is shown that solution of 18-cr-6, DB-18-cr-6 and DB-30-cr-10 is enthalpy assisted to a greater extent in acetonitrile than in methanol, while the entropy of solution is more favorable in the latter.     

Modeling the solvation shell of complexes in solution for quantum chemical calculations of electronic spectra

A procedure that allows for solvation effects is suggested; it is designed for quantum chemical calculations of the electronic spectra of complex compounds. Based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of the solvation shell one can calculate the electrostatic potential created by the solvation shell at the sites of all atoms of the complex; appropriate corrections are added to the diagonal elements of the Fock matrix and to the matrix elements of the Hamiltonian in the configuration interaction method. The method suggested has been implemented based on the semiempirical (CINDO) version of the CI (configuration interaction) technique and tested on the following compounds: [Ru(NH₃)₅(py)]²⁺, [Ru(NH₃)₅(pyz)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)(CN)₄]^2?, [Ru(NO)(py)₄-NC-Ru(py)₄(CN)]³⁺.     

Fluorescence quenching studies on the interaction of a novel deepened cavitand towards some transition metal ions

A novel ‘three-level’ deepened cavitand featuring a significantly sizable portal has been synthesized and its interaction with some transition metal ions has been investigated in THF/H₂O binary solvent using fluorescence quenching technique. The results suggest that among the used transition metal ions including Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, Hg²⁺, La³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺, only Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ show good quenching ability. In order to interpret the quenching mechanism, the Stern–Volmer kinetics, and the presence of both the dynamic and static quenching have been discussed. It was found that the simultaneous presence of the sphere-of-action static quenching and dynamic quenching model agrees very well with the experimental results. The limits of detection for Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ were found to be 2.1 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ (3σ) and 3.6 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ (3σ), respectively. Cations with potential interference, such as K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, La³⁺ and Mn²⁺ do not have significant effects on the determinations of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺. This cavitand can be potentially applied as optical sensor for the detection of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺.     

The complexation of alkaline cations by crown ethers and cryptands in acetone

Stability constants and thermodynamic values for the complex formation of alkali ions by crown ethers, diaza crown ethers and cryptands have been measured by means of potentiometric and calorimetric titrations in acetone as solvent. The interactions between the ligands and solvent molecules play an important role for the complex formation. Cryptands form the most stable complexes with alkali ions if inclusion complexes are formed. Even in the case that the salts are not completely dissociated in acetone the presence of ion pairs does not influence the calculated values of the stability constants.     

Real and chemical solvation energies of individual ions in solution

On the basis of the proposed concept of real thermodynamic properties for individual ions in solution, the real thermodynamic properties of transport (resolvation) for various ions (sodium, potassium, chloride, bromide, and iodide) from water to mixtures of water with ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl alcohols, acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide, and dimethylformamide are determined by the method of Volta potential differences. Values of the chemical thermodynamic properties of transport of the ions under investigation are determined on the basis of previously calculated values of surface potentials of the solvents mentioned above. A comparative analysis of the values obtained is carried out, and characteristics of the solvation of ions of different sign are established as functions of their nature relative to the physicochemical and structural properties of the solvents. The satisfactory agreement of the data obtained on the basis of the total Gibbs energy of transport of the ions under investigation in the indicated solvents with literature data is the criterion of correctness for the scientific material presented in this paper.     

Thermochemistry of 18C6 complexation with alkali,alkaline earth metal cations and ammonium ion

The object of the present study is to examine the factors governing the process of 18C6 complexation in aqueous solution by interpreting of thermodynamic parameters of the reaction in terms of observed selectivity and solvation characteristics under various temperature conditions.     

Preparation of hydrazinodeoxycellulose and carboxyalkyl hydrazinodeoxycelluloses and their adsorption behavior toward heavy metal ions

Nitrogen-containing cellulose derivatives hydrazinodeoxycellulose (HDC) and carboxyalkyl hydrazinodeoxycelluloses (α- and β-CAHDCs) were prepared from 6-chlorodeoxycellulose (CDC). Their adsorption of divalent transition metal ions was determined from dilute aqueous solutions and compared with that of aminoalkyl celluloses (AmACs) reported previously. HDC scarcely adsorbs metal ions in the pH range of 1–2, whereas α- and β-CAHDCs adsorb metal ions in this pH range. However, the adsorption of metal ions on HDC increases rapidly with increasing pH and HDC more effectively adsorbs metal ions than α- and β-CAHDCs in weakly acidic conditions. The ability to adsorb Cu²⁺ ions was in the order of AmAC (carbon number in the diamine moiety m = 2) > HDC > α-CAHDC > β-CAHDC in the weakly acidic region. These adsorbents selectively adsorb Cu²⁺ ions from the solutions containing other metal ions such as Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺, and the Irving–Williams series is obeyed in these adsorbent/metal ion systems. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 3359–3363, 1997     

Alkali metal complexation properties of resorcinarene bis-crown ethers: effect of the crown ether functionality and preorganization on complexation

The synthesis and characterization of tetramethoxy resorcinarene tribenzo-bis-crown ethers, m- and p-TBBC6, are described. The effect of the added aromatic functionality in the crown ether bridge on the alkali metal complexation properties was investigated and compared to the properties of tetramethoxy resorcinarene bis-crown-5 (BC5) by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. It was found that BC5 and m-TBBC6 were capable of binding alkali metal cations (K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺), with the highest affinity toward Cs⁺ cation, while no binding was observed in the case of p-TBBC6, which confirms the significance of the complementarity and preorganization for complexation affinity.     

Chemically modified silica gel for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of heavy metal ions

This paper describes our research on the synthesis of the sorbent with chemically bonded ketoimine groups, and, furthermore, using this sorbent in the SPE technique to extract and preconcentrate trace amounts of metal ions in water samples. Surface characteristics of the sorbent were determined by elemental analysis, NMR spectra for the solid phases (²⁹Si CP MAS NMR), and analysis of pore size distribution of the sorbent and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The newly proposed sorbent with ketoimine groups was applied for the extraction and preconcentration of trace amounts of Cu (II), Cr (III) and Zn (II) ions from the water from a lake, post-industrial water and purified water unburdened back to the lake. The determination of the transition-metal ions was performed on an emission spectroscope with inductively coupled plasma ICP-OES. For the batch method, the optimum pH range for Cu (II) and Cr (III) extraction was equal to 5, and Zn(II)–to 8. All the metal ions can be desorbed from SPE columns with 10?mL of 0.5?mol?HNO₃. The detection limits of the method were found to be 0.7?µg?L^?1 for Cu (II), 0.08?µg?L^?1 for Cr (III), and 0.2?µg?L^?1 for Zn (II), respectively.     

Competitive binding exchange between alkali metal ions (K+, Rb+, and Cs+) and Na+ ions bound to the dimeric quadruplex [d(G4T4G4)]2: a 23Na and 1H NMR study

A comparative study of the competitive cation exchange between the alkali metal ions K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ and the Na⁺ ions bound to the dimeric quadruplex [d(G₄T₄G₄)]₂ was performed in aqueous solution by a combined use of the ²³Na and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The titration data confirm the different binding affinities of these ions for the G‐quadruplex and, in particular, major differences in the behavior of Cs⁺ as compared to the other ions were found. Accordingly, Cs⁺ competes with Na⁺ only for the binding sites at the quadruplex surface (primarily phosphate groups), while K⁺ and Rb⁺ are also able to replace sodium ions located inside the quadruplex. Furthermore, the ¹H NMR results relative to the CsCl titration evidence a close approach of Cs⁺ ions to the phosphate groups in the narrow groove of [d(G₄T₄G₄)]₂. Based on a three‐site exchange model, the ²³Na NMR relaxation data lead to an estimate of the relative binding affinity of Cs⁺ versus Na⁺ for the quadruplex surface of 0.5 at 298 K. Comparing this value to those reported in the literature for the surface of the G‐quadruplex formed by 5′‐guanosinemonophosphate and for the surface of double‐helical DNA suggests that topology factors may have an important influence on the cation affinity for the phosphate groups on DNA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of chemoselectivity in epoxidation reactions over TS-1 catalysts by alkali and alkaline metal ions

Alkali metal ions, when present during the synthesis of TS-1, lead to inactive oxidation catalysts. However, when added, in small amounts, to the reaction medium during the epoxidation of allyl alcohol or allyl chloride by H₂O₂ over TS-1, they increase the selectivity for the epoxide. To probe this phenomenon in detail, the influence of pH and alkali and alkaline earth ions on the structure and catalytic activities of the oxo-Ti species generated in H₂O₂. TS-1 and TiMCM-41 systems have been investigated using EPR and diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopies. In acidic and neutral pH, two types of superoxo-Ti species (Ti(O₂√⁻)), A and B, are observed over TS-1. In the presence of alkali and alkaline metal ions or at high pH, Ti³⁺ ions and a new type of Ti(O₂√⁻) species, A′ are observed. Only the B-type species, however, is observed on TiMCM-41. The A-type are more reactive than the B-type. Epoxide selectivities approaching 100% can be achieved by a proper control of the reaction medium.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of a novel calix[4]arene derivative for facilitated transfer of alkali metal ions across water/1,2-dichloroethane micro-interface

The alkali metal ion transfers facilitated by a novel calix[4]arene derivative (OPEC) across the water/1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) micro-interface supported at the tip of a micropipette were presented. The well-defined voltammetric behaviours except Cs⁺ was obtained by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The bulk concentration of metal ions was much higher than that of OPEC in the performed measurements. The diffusion coefficient of OPEC in the 1,2-DCE phase was calculated as 5.18 ± 0.70 × 10^? 6 cm² s^? 1. On the basis of the changes of the half-wave transfer potentials, the logarithms of the association constants having 1:1 ionophore–ion complex stoichiometry for Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺ in 1,2-DCE were determined as 4.80, 4.62, 4.98 and 5.32, respectively. The facilitated ion transfers were also evaluated by the Randles equivalent circuit used for ac-impedance data analysis.     

The catalytic activity of alkali metal alkoxides and titanium alkoxides in the hydrosilylation of unfunctionalized olefins

The catalytic activities of titanium alkoxides and alkali metal alkoxides for hydrosilylation of unfunctionalized olefins have been studied. Titanium(IV) alkoxides showed excellent catalytic activity, while alkali metal alkoxides have low catalytic activity for the hydrosilylation of olefins. However, by using titanocene dichloride as an additive, alkali metal alkoxides showed also excellent catalytic property for hydrosilylation. In comparison with titanium alkoxides, no α-adduct was obtained by using alkali metal alkoxides/Cp₂TiCl₂ as catalysts.