Compressed liquid densities of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (HFC-236fa)

Densities of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (HFC-236fa) have been measured for temperatures from 293 to 373 K and pressures up to 70 MPa, with a high-pressure vibrating tube densimeter system in the liquid state. The system was calibrated using water and vacuum via the method of Lagourette et al. The uncertainty in the density measurement was estimated to be ±0.6 kg m⁻³. The experimental results were correlated to a Tait equation. The average absolute percentage deviations of measurement results from the correlations of HFC-245fa and HFC-236fa are 0.0096% and 0.031%, respectively.     

Vapor pressures and PVT properties of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa)

The vapor pressures and PVT properties of superheated vapor and compressed liquid of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) were measured at wide range of temperature and pressure. The simple correlation for vapor pressures, compressibility factors of superheated vapor and specific volumes of liquid were developed on the basis of the present measurements. The critical pressure was calculated by extrapolating the developed vapor pressure equation to the critical temperature. Isothermal compressibility of liquid was calculated from the developed Tait equation. Specific volume data obtained show the good linearity in the Hudleston plots. Overall uncertainty in the vapor pressure, compressibility factor and specific volume measurements is estimated less than ±5 kPa, ±1.2% and ±0.09%, respectively.     

Preparation of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) by using a SbF5-attached catalyst

In this report, a simple process for preparing HFC-245fa through the reaction of 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (PCP) and anhydrous HF via two-step vapor-phase catalytic fluorination is described. The antimony pentafluoride catalyst was supported on inert porous materials to improve the catalytic activity. The resulting process catalyst not only exhibited high catalytic activity and excellent thermo-stability, but also improved the performance of SbF₅, in terms of hygroscopicity and corrosion.     

An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization study of the positive and negative ion chemistry of the hydrofluorocarbons 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) and of perfluoro-n-hexane (FC-72) in air plasma at atmospheric pressure

A report is given on the ionization/dissociation behavior of the title compounds within air plasmas produced by electrical corona discharges at atmospheric pressure: both positive and negative ions were investigated at different temperatures using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS). CHF(2)CH(3) (HFC-152a) undergoes efficient ionic oxidation to C(2)H(5)O(+), in which the oxygen comes from water present in the plasma. In contrast, CF(3)CH(2)F (HFC-134a) does not produce any characteristic positive ion under APCI conditions, its presence within the plasma being revealed only as a neutral ligand in ion-molecule complexes with ions of the background (H(3)O(+) and NO(+)). Analogously, the perfluorocarbon FC-72 (n-C(6)F(14)) does not produce significant positive ions at 30 degrees C: at high temperature, however, it undergoes dissociative ionization to form many product ions including C(3)F(6)(+), C(2)F(4)(+), C(n)F(2n+1)(+) and a few families of oxygen containing cations (C(n)F(2n+1)OH(2)(+), C(n)F(2n)OH(+), C(n)F(2n-1)O(+), C(n)F(2n-1)O(2)H(2)(+), C(n)F(2n-2)O(2)H(+)) which are suggested to derive from C(n)F(2n+1)(+) in a cascade of steps initiated by condensation with water followed by steps of HF elimination and H(2)O addition. Negative ions formed from the fluoroethanes CHF(2)CH(3) and CF(3)CH(2)F (M) include complexes with ions of the background, O(2)(-)(M), O(3)(-)(M) and some higher complexes involving also water, and complexes of the fluoride ion, F(-)(H(2)O), F(-)(M) and higher complexes with both M and H(2)O also together. The interesting product O(2)(-)(HF) is also formed from 1,1-difluoroethane. In contrast to the HFCs, perfluoro-n-hexane gives stable molecular anions, M(-), which at low source temperature or in humidified air are also detected as hydrates, M(-)(H(2)O). In addition, in humidified air F(-)(H(2)O)(n) complexes are also formed. The reactions leading to all major positive and negative product ions are discussed also with reference to available thermochemical data and relevant literature reports. The effects on both positive and negative APCI spectra due to ion activation via increasing V(cone) are also reported and discussed: several interesting endothermic processes are observed under these conditions. The results provide important information on the role of ionic reactions in non-thermal plasma processes.     

Phase equilibria of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a) + 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a), and + 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) at 273.15, 293.15, 303.15, and 313.15 K

Isothermal vapor–liquid equilibrium data were determined for the binary systems of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a)+1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) and 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a)+1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) at 273.15, 293.15, 303.15, and 313.15 K in a circulation-type equilibrium apparatus. The experimental data were well correlated with the Carnahan–Starling–De Santis (CSD) equation of state within ±1.0%. Azeotropic behavior has not been found in any of these mixtures.     

Excited electronic states, transition probabilities, and radiative lifetimes of CAs: a theoretical contribution and challenge to experimentalists

High-level CASSCF/MRCI calculations with a quintuple-ζ quality basis set are reported by characterizing for the first time a manifold of electronic states of the CAs radical yet to be investigated experimentally. Along with the potential energy curves and the associated spectroscopic constants, the dipole moment functions for selected electronic states as well as the transition dipole moment functions for the most relevant electronic transitions are also presented. Estimates of radiative transition probabilities and lifetimes complement this investigation, which also assesses the effect of spin-orbit interaction on the A (2)Π state. Whenever pertinent, comparisons of similarities and differences with the isovalent CN and CP radicals are made.     

Highly efficient NMR enantiodiscrimination of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)-3-methoxypropane,a chiral degradation product of sevoflurane,by heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-cyclodextrin

The molecular basis of the efficient enantiodiscrimination of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)-3-methoxypropane, a chiral degradation product of the inhalation anaesthetic sevoflurane, using heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-cyclodextrin as chiral selector, has been investigated by NMR spectroscopy. An interaction mechanism is proposed, which highlights the role of the functional groups on the β-cyclodextrin rims in addition to a partial molecular inclusion.     

Some contribution to W(VI)-peroxo-chemistry: Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,reactivity and DFT studies

Synthesis of white microcrystalline oxodiperoxotungstate(VI) complexes, K[WO(O₂)₂(L)(H₂O)]·H₂O, (L ?= ?salicylate, 5-chlorosalicylate, 4-hydroxybenzoate) have been achieved from reaction of Na₂WO₄·2H₂O with 30% H₂O₂ and the respective hetero-ligands at pH Ca. 7–7.5 in aqueous medium. The newly synthesized compounds were comprehensively characterized by elemental analyses, spectral studies, room temperature magnetic moment measurements and mass spectrometric studies. Infrared spectra suggest that, peroxo groups are bonded to the WO⁺⁴ center in a triangular bidentate (C_2v) fashion and the hetero-ligands benzene-core hydroxycarboxylic acids viz. salicylic acid, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in anoinic form are coordinated in monodentate manner. Compounds are fairly stable in aqueous solution for sufficient period of time. The results of mass spectrometric analysis lend support to the molecular composition of the complexes ascertained on the basis of elemental analyses and spectroscopic studies. Compound potassium(aquo)(5-chlorosalicylato)oxodiperoxotungstate(VI)monohydrate, K[WO(O₂)₂(5-chlorosalicylate)(H₂O)]·H₂O, act as an oxidant of bromide ion in aqueous phase bromination of chosen organic substrates to their corresponding bromo organics. Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed on the synthesized complexes substantiated the experimentally obtained results. The TD-DFT optimized structures are in excellent agreement with the results of elemental analyses, spectral as well as mass spectrometric data.     

(Vapour + liquid) equilibria of the {trifluoromethane (HFC-23) + propane} and {trifluoromethane (HFC-23) + n-butane} systems

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data were measured for the two systems, {trifluoromethane (HFC-23) + propane} and {trifluoromethane (HFC-23) + n-butane}, at temperatures ranging from 283.15 K to 313.15 K at 10 K intervals. These experiments were performed with a circulating-type apparatus and on-line gas chromatography. Experimental data were well correlated by the Peng–Robinson equation of state using the Wong–Sandler mixing rules and the NRTL model.     

A contribution to 1-azapentadienylmetal chemistry: Si, Sn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes

Complexes of three related 1-azapentadienyl ligands [N(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R]⁻, abbreviated as L (R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me), L′ (R = Me = R¹), and L″ (R = Bu^t = R¹), are described. The crystalline compounds Sn(L)₂ (1), Sn(L′)₂ (2), [Sn(L′)(μ-Cl)]₂ (3) and [Sn(L″)(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) were prepared from SnCl₂ and 2 K(L), 2 K(L′), K(L′) and K(L″), respectively, in thf. Treatment of the appropriate lithium 1-azapentadienyl with Si(Cl)Me₃ yielded the yellow crystalline Me₃Si(L) (5) and the volatile liquid Me₃Si(L′) (6) and Me₃Si(L″) (7), each being an N,N,C-trisilyldieneamine. The red, crystalline Fe(L)₂ (8) and Co(L′)₂ (9) were obtained from thf solutions of FeCl₂ with 2 Li(L)(tmeda) and CoCl₂ with 2 K(L′), respectively. Each of 1-9 gave satisfactory C, H, N analyses; 6 and 7 (GC-MS) and 1, 2, 8 and 9 (MS) showed molecular cations and appropriate fragments (also 3 and 4). The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR (1-4) and IR spectra support the assignment of 1-4 as containing Sn-N(SiMe₂R¹)-C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R moieties and 5-7 as N(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂R¹)C(Bu^t)(CH)₃SiMe₂R molecules; for 1-4 this is confirmed by their X-ray structures. The magnetic moments for 8 (5.56 μ_B) and 9 (2.75 μ_B) are remarkably close to the appropriate Fe and Co complex [M{η³-N(SiMe₃)C(Bu^t)C(H)SiMe₃}₂]; hence it is proposed that 8 and 9 have similar metal-centred, centrosymmetric, distorted octahedral structures.     

Chlorine initiated photooxidation studies of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Results for HCFC-22 (CHClF2); HFC-41 (CH3F); HCFC-124 (CClFHCF3); HFC-125 (CF3CHF2); HFC-134a (CF3CH2F); HCFC-142b (CClF2CH3); and HFC-152a (CHF2CH3)

Data on the tropospheric degradation of proposed substitutes for ozone depleting CFCs were obtained by conducting photochemical oxidation studies of HCFCs and HFCs using long path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydrogen abstraction reactions were initiated using Cl radicals rather than OH radicals because of the rather unreactive nature of the compounds. The experimental product yields at T = 25 ± 3°C and 700 Torr of dry air were: CHClF₂ (1.11 ± 0.06 C(O)F₂); CClFHCF₃ (1.00 ± 0.04 CF₃C(O)F); CF₃CHF₂ (1.09 ± 0.05 C(O)F₂); CClF₂CH₃ (0.98 ± 0.03 C(O)F₂); CHF₂CH₃ (1.00 ± 0.05 C(O)F₂); CF₃CH₂F (0.16 ± 0.03 CF₃CF(O), and 0.83 ± 0.22 HFC(O)), where all standard deviations are 2σ. For each compound, the critical step in determining the oxidation products was the decomposition of a halogenated alkoxy radical. For HCFC-22 and HCFC-124, the major alkoxy radical decomposition route was Cl elimination. The HFC-125 product data were consistent with C? C cleavage of a two carbon alkoxy radical as the major decomposition route whereas both C? C cleavage and H abstraction by O₂ were significant contributors to the decomposition of the HFC-134a alkoxy radical. Secondary Cl reactions in the HCFC-142b and HFC-152a experiments prevented an unambiguous determination of the decomposition modes; the data are consistent with both C? C bond scission and Cl reactions with halogenated aldehydes producing the oxidation product C(O)F₂. With the exception of the HFC-134a and HFC-125 data, the proposed mechanisms can account for the major oxidation products. For HFC-134a and HFC-125, a number of product bands could not be identified. The bands are likely due to products from reactions involving the CF₃O₂ radical. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(lactide) stereocomplexes: formation, structure, properties, degradation, and applications

Poly(lactide)s [i.e. poly(lactic acid) (PLA)] and lactide copolymers are biodegradable, compostable, producible from renewable resources, and nontoxic to the human body and the environment. They have been used as biomedical materials for tissue regeneration, matrices for drug delivery systems, and alternatives for commercial polymeric materials to reduce the impact on the environment. Since stereocomplexation or stereocomplex formation between enantiomeric PLA, poly(L-lactide) [i.e. poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)] and poly(D-lactide) [i.e. poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA)] was reported in 1987, numerous studies have been carried out with respect to the formation, structure, properties, degradation, and applications of the PLA stereocomplexes. Stereocomplexation enhances the mechanical properties, the thermal-resistance, and the hydrolysis-resistance of PLA-based materials. These improvements arise from a peculiarly strong interaction between L-lactyl unit sequences and D-lactyl unit sequences, and stereocomplexation opens a new way for the preparation of biomaterials such as hydrogels and particles for drug delivery systems. It was revealed that the crucial parameters affecting stereocomplexation are the mixing ratio and the molecular weight of L-lactyl and D-lactyl unit sequences. On the other hand, PDLA was found to form a stereocomplex with L-configured polypeptides in 2001. This kind of stereocomplexation is called "hetero-stereocomplexation" and differentiated from "homo-stereocomplexation" between L-lactyl and D-lactyl unit sequences. This paper reviews the methods for tracing PLA stereocomplexation, the methods for inducing PLA stereocompelxation, the parameters affecting PLA stereocomplexation, and the structure, properties, degradation, and applications of a variety of stereocomplexed PLA materials.     

New egg-shaped fullerenes: non-isolated pentagon structures of Tm3N@C(s)(51 365)-C84 and Gd3N@C(s)(51 365)-C84

Although there are 51 568 non-IPR and 24 IPR structures for C84, the egg-shaped endohedral fullerenes Tm3N@C(s)(51 365)-C84 and Gd3N@C(s)(51 365)-C84 utilize the same non-IPR cage structure as found initially for Tb3N@C(s)(51 365)-C84.     

Poly(methyl malate) nanoparticles: formation, degradation, and encapsulation of anticancer drugs

PMLA nanoparticles with diameters of 150-250 nm are prepared, and their hydrolytic degradation is studied under physiological conditions. Degradation occurs by hydrolysis of the side chain methyl ester followed by cleavage of the main-chain ester group with methanol and L-malic acid as the final degradation products. No alteration of the cell viability is found after 1 h of incubation, but toxicity increases significantly after 3 d, probably due to the noxious effect of the released methanol. Anticancer drugs temozolomide and doxorubicin are encapsulated in the NPs with 20-40% efficiency, and their release is monitored using in vitro essays. Temozolomide is fully liberated within several hours, whereas doxorubicin is steadily released from the particles over a period of 1 month.     

Novel poly(butylene succinate-co-lactic acid) copolyesters: Synthesis, crystallization, and enzymatic degradation

A series of aliphatic biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-dl-lactide) (PBSLA) copolyesters were synthesized with the aim of improving the degradation rate of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) by incorporation of dl-oligo(lactic acid) (OLA) into the PBS molecular chains. The composition and sequential structure of the aliphatic copolyesters were investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. The crystallization behaviors, the crystal structure and morphology of the copolyesters were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM), respectively. The results indicate that the crystallization of the copolyesters was restricted by the incorporation of lactide (LA) units, which further tuned the mechanical properties of the copolyesters. The copolyesters could form complete spherulites and exhibit the same crystal structure as that of PBS. Enzymatic study indicated that the copolyesters with higher content of LA units degraded faster, and the degradation began in the amorphous regions and then in the crystalline regions. The morphology and the resulting degradation products of the copolyesters were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ¹H NMR analysis during the degradation process.     

Saturated liquid densities of propane at T = (280 to 365) K

Saturated liquid densities for propane were obtained by means of a metal-bellows variable volumometer at T = (280, 300, 320, 340, 360, and 365) K. The mol-fraction purity of the propane used in the measurements was 0.99997. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in temperature, pressure, and density measurements were estimated to be less than ±3 mK, 1.4 kPa (p ≦ 7 MPa), and ±0.09%, respectively. For the determination of the saturation boundary at each temperature for propane, we measured the density data at intervals of about 20 kPa very close to the saturation boundary. After such measurements had been completed, the saturated liquid density data at each temperature were determined as the intersection between the isotherm and our previously determined vapour pressure value. The discrepancies between the three series in the present measurements, in which different sample fillings were used, were also confirmed to be sufficiently lower than the experimental uncertainty. The saturated liquid density correlation was also provided for the systematic comparisons between the present measurements and the literature data.     

Gas chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (GC-API-MS): Review

Although the coupling of GC/MS with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) has been reported in 1970s, the interest in coupling GC with atmospheric pressure ion source was expanded in the last decade. The demand of a “soft” ion source for preserving highly diagnostic molecular ion is desirable, as compared to the “hard” ionization technique such as electron ionization (EI) in traditional GC/MS, which fragments the molecule in an extensive way. These API sources include atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI), electrospray ionization (ESI) and low temperature plasma (LTP). This review discusses the advantages and drawbacks of this analytical platform. After an introduction in atmospheric pressure ionization the review gives an overview about the history and explains the mechanisms of various atmospheric pressure ionization techniques used in combination with GC such as APCI, APPI, APLI, ESI and LTP. Also new developments made in ion source geometry, ion source miniaturization and multipurpose ion source constructions are discussed and a comparison between GC-FID, GC-EI-MS and GC-API-MS shows the advantages and drawbacks of these techniques. The review ends with an overview of applications realized with GC-API-MS.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with CF3CH2CH3 (HFC-263fb), CF3CHFCH2F (HFC-245eb), and CHF2CHFCHF2 (HFC-245ea) between 238 and 375 K

Rate coefficients for reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with three hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) CF3CH2CH3, HFC-263fb, (k1); CF3CHFCH2F, HFC-245eb, (k2); and CHF2CHFCHF2, HFC-245ea, (k3); which are suggested as potential substitutes to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were measured using pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) between 235 and 375 K. The Arrhenius expressions obtained are k1(T) = (4.36 +/- 0.72) x 10(-12) exp[-(1290 +/- 40)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k2(T) = (1.23 +/- 0.18) x 10(-12) exp[-(1250 +/- 40)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k3(T) = (1.91 +/- 0.42) x 10(-12) exp[-(1375 +/- 100)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). The quoted uncertainties are 95% confidence limits and include estimated systematic errors. The present results are discussed and compared with rate coefficients available in the literature. Our results are also compared with those calculated using structure activity relationships (SAR) for fluorinated compounds. The IR absorption cross-sections at room temperature for these compounds were measured over the range of 500 to 4000 cm-1. The global warming potentials (GWPs) of CF3CH2CH3(HFC-263fb), CF3CHFCH2F(HFC-245eb), and CHF2CHFCHF2(HFC-245ea) were calculated to be 234, 962, and 723 for a 20-year horizon; 70, 286, and 215 for a 100-year horizon; and 22, 89, and 68 for a 500-year horizon; and the atmospheric lifetimes of these compounds are 0.8, 2.5, and 2.6 years, respectively. It is concluded that these compounds are acceptable substitutes for CFCs in terms of their impact on Earth's climate.     

Phototriggered atmospheric degradation of poly[methyl(phenyl)silanediyl] in the presence of ultraviolet absorbers

Oxidative changes in poly[methyl(phenyl)silanediyl] (PMPSi) films exposed in a Weather-O-Meter ATLAS Ci 3000+ were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Increases in absorption in the siloxane, carbonyl, and hydroxyl regions, decreases in absorption in the Si Si region, and changes in the aromatic C H bond region were monitored. Experiments in argon and air indicated the key role of oxygen in the process. The photooxidation of PMPSi was retarded by triazine- and oxalanilide-based ultraviolet absorbers [2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-(hexyloxy)phenol and N-(4-tert-butyl-2-ethoxyphenyl)-N′-(2-ethylphenyl)oxalanilide] protecting the polymer by the excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer mechanism. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 714–721, 2004