Potentiometry of effective concentration of polyacrylate as scale inhibitor

The concentration of polyacrylate (PA) used as a scale inhibitor was potentiometrically determined with a solid state copper ion-selective electrode after addition of Cu²⁺ as a probe. While the conventional methods monitor only the total concentration of PA, the proposed method measures the free, “effective” concentration of PA in equilibrium with species like Ca²⁺ and CaCO₃. The slope of a potential response to PA was −40 mV decade⁻¹ and the limit of detection was 10^−6.3 M (= mol dm⁻³) at a probe concentration of 10⁻⁶ M. The system could be used to control the PA concentration just enough to prevent the scale formation in various circulating water systems.     

A study of the phase transitions and proton dynamics of the superprotonic conductor Cs5H3(SO4)4·0.5H2O single crystal with H and Cs nuclear magnetic resonance

The phase transitions and proton dynamics of Cs₅H₃(SO₄)₄·0.5H₂O single crystals were studied by measuring the NMR line shape, the spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, and the spin-spin relaxation time, T₂, of the ¹H and ¹³³Cs nuclei. The “acid” protons and the “water” protons in Cs₅H₃(SO₄)₄·0.5H₂O were distinguished. The loss of water protons was observed above T_C1, whereas the content of water protons was found to recover above T_C2. Therefore, the water protons play a special role in the stability of the superprotonic phase at high temperatures. The mechanism of fast proton conduction was found to consist of hydrogen-bond proton transfer involving the breakage of the weak part of the hydrogen bond and the formation of a new hydrogen bond. Thus, these structural phase transitions probably involve significant reorientation of the SO₄ tetrahedra and dynamical disorder of the hydrogen bonds between them.     

Specific heat and dielectric relaxations in ultra-thin polystyrene layers

The effect of thickness on the glass transition dynamics in ultra-thin polystyrene (PS) films (4 nm < L < 60 nm) was studied by thin film ac-calorimetry, dielectric spectroscopy (DRS) and capacitive dilatometry (CD). In all PS-films, a prominent α-process was found in both the ac-calorimetric and dielectric response, indicating the existence of cooperative bulk dynamics even in films as thin as 4 nm. Glass transition temperatures (T_g) were obtained from ac-calorimetric data at 40 Hz and from capacitive dilatometry, and reveal a surprising, marginal thickness dependence T_g(L). These results, which confirm recent data by Efremov et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 91 (2003)] but oppose many previous observations, is rationalized by differences in film annealing conditions together with the fact that our techniques probe exclusively cooperative dynamics (ac-calorimetry) or allow the effective separation of surface and “bulk”-type mobility (CD). Two other observations, a significant reduction in c_p towards lower film thickness and the decrease in the contrast of the dilatometric glass transition, support the idea of a layer-like mobility profile consisting of both cooperative “bulk” dynamics and non-cooperative surface mobility.     

55Mn nuclear spin relaxation in the truly axial single-molecule magnet Mn12-t-butylacetate thermally-activated down to 400 mK

We report on the measurements of the spin–lattice relaxation time, T₁, of Mn₁₂O₁₂(O₂CCH₂Bu^t)₁₆(CH₃OH)₄ · CH₃OH, a truly axial symmetry Mn₁₂ single-molecule magnet (SMM), with the view to examining the role of point symmetry and lattice-solvate molecules in this Mn₁₂ SMM. The measurements were made over 0.390–1.8 K, on freshly prepared single crystals which afforded much higher spectral resolution than magnetically aligned powder. The measured T₁ is found to be thermally activated, and follows either a T² or exponential behavior over 0.390–0.7 K, in contrast to the temperature-independent behavior for Mn₁₂-acetate, where Jahn–Teller isomers are thought to be the origin of the temperature-independent nuclear relaxation mechanism.     

Chemistry of organophosphonate scale growth inhibitors: two-dimensional, layered polymeric networks in the structure of tetrasodium 2-hydroxyethyl-amino-bis(methylenephosphonate)

Aminomethylene phosphonates are important scale inhibitors applied in diverse areas of technology. This study adds to the existing body of information on this subject and reports the crystal and molecular structures of tetrasodium 2-hydroxyethylamino-bis(methylene-phosphonate) decahydrate ([Na₄(HOCH₂CH₂N(CH₂PO₃)₂)]·10H₂O, 1). The crystal structure of 1 could be described as two-dimensional polymeric layered structure hydrogen bonded into a 3D supramolecular polymeric network. The structure of the tetraanion consists of a “three-arm” backbone stemming from the N atom. Two “arms” are deprotonated methylene phosphonate (-CH₂PO₃²⁻) moieties and the third is a hydroxyethyl (-CH₂CH₂OH) moiety. One Na cation forms an intramolecular complex with two oxygens from separate phosphonate groups, a hydroxyl oxygen, the nitrogen and two lattice water molecules. The position of this Na cation points to a possible coordination site for Ca in a proposed Ca-HEABMP complex (HEABMP=2-hydroxyethylamino-bis(methylene-phosphonate).     

The effect of external orienting electric field on dielectric relaxation of segmented polyesters in dilute solution

A comparative study of dipole polarization relaxation in the absence and in the presence of an external orienting electric field was performed for linear segmented polyesters with alternating rigid (oxyfumaroylbis-4-oxybenzoates) and flexible (methylene-CH₂-, ethylene oxide-CH₂CH₂-O-, and dimethylsiloxane-Si(CH₃)₂-O-Si(CH₃)₂-) fragments in dilute solutions. Polyesters that do not display mesomorphic properties in the bulk show several regions of dielectric absorption with relaxation character. These regions are associated with the motions via the local mobility mechanisms of different polar fragments of the macromolecule. In solutions of polyesters that possess LC properties in the bulk, large-scale dipole polarization relaxation with long relaxation times and high activation energies was revealed along with local dielectric relaxation transitions. This process is associated with the cooperative motion of mesogenic fragments in their associates. In an external orienting electric field, the intensity of dielectric absorption usually increases for all types of dielectric transition; relaxation times and activation energies experience changes only for large-scale processes.     

Electronic state of Fe used as Mössbauer probe in the perovskites LaMO3 (M=Ni and Cu)

For the first time a comparative study of rhombohedral LaNiO₃ and LaCuO₃ oxides, using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer probe spectroscopy (1% atomic rate), has been carried out. In spite of the fact that both oxides are characterized by similar crystal structure and metallic properties, the behavior of ⁵⁷Fe probe atoms in such lattices appears essentially different. In the case of LaNi_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, the observed isomer shift (δ) value corresponds to Fe³⁺ (3d⁵) cations in high-spin state located in an oxygen octahedral surrounding. In contrast, for the LaCu_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, the obtained δ value is comparable to that characterizing the formally tetravalent high-spin Fe⁴⁺(3d⁴) cations in octahedral coordination within Fe(IV) perovskite-like ferrates. To explain such a difference, an approach based on the qualitative energy diagrams analysis and the calculations within the cluster configuration interaction method have been developed. It was shown that in the case of LaNi_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, electronic state of nickel is dominated by the d⁷ configuration corresponding to the formal ionic “Ni³⁺-O²⁻” state. On the other hand, in the case of LaCu_0.99Fe_0.01O₃ a large amount of charge is transferred via Cu-O bonds from the O:2p bands to the Cu:3d orbitals and the ground state is dominated by the d⁹L configuration (“Cu²⁺−O” state). The dominant d⁹L ground state for the (CuO₆) sublattice induces in the environment of the ⁵⁷Fe probe cations a charge transfer Fe³⁺+O⁻(L)→Fe⁴⁺+O²⁻, which transforms “Fe³⁺” into “Fe⁴⁺” state. The analysis of the isomer shift value for the formally “Fe⁴⁺” ions in perovskite-like oxides clearly proved a drastic influence of the 4s iron orbitals population on the Fe−O bonds character.     

The Spin Probe Dynamics and the Free Volume in a Series of Amorphous Polymer Glass-Formers

We report the results of a combined study of the local structure and the reorientation dynamics in a series of five amorphous polymers of different fragility: cis-trans-1,4-poly(butadiene) (c-t-1,4-PBD), cis-1,4-poly(isoprene) (cis-1,4-PIP), poly(isobutylene) (PIB), poly(vinyl methylether)(PVME) and poly (propylene glycol) (PPG) by using two different probe methods. The reorientation dynamics of the molecular spin probe 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) from electron spin resonance (ESR) is related to the annihilation behaviour of the atomic ortho-positronium (o-Ps) one as obtained by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). It was found that a slow to fast transition in the spin probe rotation mobility at the operationally defined spectral temperature parameter, T_50G, is connected with the mean o-Ps lifetime, τ₃ (T_50G) = (2.04 ± 0.26) ns. Consequently, using the free-volume concept of the o-Ps annihilation in terms of a quantum-mechanical model of o-Ps lifetime this transition can be connected with the occurrence of the mean free volume hole, V_h (T_50G) = (102 ± 17) ų, nearly independent of the chemical composition and the basic structural relaxation parameters of the amorphous polymers investigated. Finally, the free volume hole distribution aspect of the slow to fast transition indicates the presence of a sufficient free volume fluctuation at T_50G for both typical fragile PVME and strong PIB polymer and emphasizes the essential role of free volume in the spin probe dynamics.     

FT-far-infrared spectroscopic studies of solute-solvent interactions and molecular dynamics in solutions of methanol,N-methyl formamide and N,N-dimethyl formamide

Quantitative measurements of the optical constants (4–170 cm^–1) of three organic liquids and their dilute solutions in carbon tetrachloride have been interpreted in terms of molecular relaxation processes arising from solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions. The behaviour of CH₃OH and NMF on dilution is quite different from that of DMF, emphasizing the importance of hydrogen bonding potentials in the former two liquids.     

Light induced magnetic properties of spiropyrane tris(oxalato)chromate (III) single crystals

The effect of UV light on Weiss temperature and ESR spectra in 1-isopropyl-3, 3, 5′, 6′-tetramethylspiro[indolin-2,2′-[2H]pyrano[3,2-b]pyridinium] tris(oxalato)chromate (III) (Sp₃Cr(C₂O₄)₃) has been found. Additional line has been observed in the ESR spectra of irradiated samples in “strong” magnetic fields of ~15 kOe. The analysis of angular dependences of the ESR spectra allowed a contribution of Cr³⁺ ions to magnetic properties of Sp₃Cr(C₂O₄)₃ to be determined. The zero-field splitting parameters D=0.619 cm⁻¹, E=0.024 cm⁻¹ were derived from the experimental data. The parameters were typical for Cr³⁺ in the chromium oxalate. Weiss temperature changed sign from 25 to −25 K under UV irradiation. The value of Weiss temperature and its changing cannot be explained by exchange interaction, dipole-dipole interaction or the effect of crystal field. The existence of Weiss temperature is explained by the changes in amount and spin of paramagnetic particles. The change is due to thermoactivated redistribution of electrons between chromium ions and spiropyrane molecules. Light-induced transfer of electrons is also explaining the change in sign of Weiss temperature under UV irradiation.     

Spin trapping studies of poly(methyl methacrylate) degradation in solution

Free radicals produced either by γ or ultrasonic irradiation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in benzene solution were stabilized by spin trapping; they were identified by analysis of ESR spectra of the trapped radicals (the spin adducts). The radical species identified after γ-irradiation were methyl, ester (COOCH₃), a pair of the chain scission radicals, ～CH₂C(CH₃)(COOCH₃) and CH₂C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)～, and phenyl radical originating from the solvent. The chain scission radicals were also detected by spin trapping after ultrasonic irradiation of the benzene solution. Taking account of the difference in the trapping rate for two spin trapping agents, 2,4,6-tri-t-butylnitrosobenzene (BNB) and penta-methyl-nitrosobenzene (PMNB) the radical species trapped by PMNB are assumed to be precursors of those trapped by BNB. Based on the radical species found by the spin trapping method, plausible degradation processes for PMMA in benzene solution are proposed.     

Local orientational mobility in dendrimers. Theory and computer-aided simulation

The orientational mobility of segments in dendrimers are studied by the method of Brownian dynamics, and the results are analyzed in terms of an earlier proposed analytical theory. The orientational autocorrelation function for the cosine of an angle of segmental rotation in dendrimers of a given generation P ₁(t) is controlled by three relaxation processes with the corresponding relaxation times. Characteristic times and the contribution from the above processes to P ₁(t) are calculated. The first process refers to the local mobility of a selected segment; the second process, to the rotations of a dendrimer branch, which originates from the selected segment of a given generation; and the third process, to the rotation of a dendrimer macro-molecule as a whole. The proposed approach makes it possible to estimate the relaxation spectrum of a dendrimer by studying the orientational mobility of segments in different generations. The relaxation times can be used to describe various relaxation processes observed by different experimental methods, such as dielectric relaxation, NMR, dynamic birefringence, and polarized luminescence.     

Di(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)-dibenzo-18-crown-6: A “light fluorous” recyclable phase transfer catalyst

A series of dibenzo-18-crown-6 lariat ethers containing two C₇H₁₅ (11), (CH₂)₂C₆F₁₃ (14), (CH₂)₂C₈F₁₇ (15), NHC₇H₁₅ (18) and NHCH₂C₆F₁₃ (19) sidearms were prepared and the single crystal X-ray structure of cis-4,4′-di(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)-dibenzo-18-crown-6 (15a) is reported. The “light fluorous” dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether (14) has emerged as a stable and robust PTC catalyst, which can be recycled efficiently by fluorous solid-phase extraction, and gives better PTC catalytic activity compared to the parent, non-fluorinated PTC catalyst, dibenzo-18-crown-6, and the alkylated derivative (11) in aliphatic and aromatic nucleophilic substitutions.     

The relaxation processes of several long-chain aliphatic ketones and amines in glassy media

The dielectric absorption of 2-alkanones (CH₃(CH₂)_nCOCH₃) (where n = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16) and 1-aminoalkanes (CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂) (where n = 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) has been studied in a polystyrene matrix between 80 and 300 K in the frequency range 10–10⁵ Hz. 2-alkanone with n = 8 has also been examined in polyphenylether, glassy o-terphenyl and a polypropylene matrix. For both series two sets of absorption peaks were obtained, one around 80–150 K and the other in approximately the 170–300 K region. The lower-temperature absorption can be accounted for by a model involving segmental motion about the CC bonds with consequent displacement of the polar end group. The enthalpy of activation for this intramolecular motion is independent of whether the polar end group is -CH₂Br, -COCH₃, or -CH₂NH₂. The higher-temperature absorption may be ascribed to a molecular relaxation process.     

Pulsed NMR study of molecular motions and phase transitions in [N(CH3)4]PbX3 (XCl,Br, I)

Proton spin—lattice relaxation time (T₁) is measured in [N(CH₃)₄]PbX₃ (XCl, Br, I) from 300-77 K at 9.75 MHz. All the compounds show discontinuous changes in T₁ values (at 256, 270 and 277 K, respectively), indicating phase transitions. Single T₁ minimum is observed in all the cases and the T₁ variation is explained in terms of [N(CH₃)₄] and CH₃ group dynamics. The activation energy E_α decreases from chloride to iodide (from 4 to 2 kcal/mol). In bromide and iodide, T₁ is found to decrease with increase in temperature at higher temperatures, indicating the presence of spin—rotation interaction.     

A DFT study of lithium battery materials: application to the β-VOXO4 systems (X=P, As, S)

VOXO₄ systems have been considered as potential lithium battery electrodes. They mainly present two distinct structural types: the tetragonal “α” type with a two-dimensional framework, and the three-dimensional orthorhombic “β”. DFT calculations were performed on this latter system for several β-Li_xVOXO₄ compounds (x=0, 1; X=P, As, S). They allowed to propose structural models for VOAsO₄ and LiVOSO₄, not fully crystallographically well described yet. Based on an experimental model of two-phase processes, these calculations led also to a good simulation of electrochemical potential values. A density of states analysis put in evidence the “inductive effect” and the role played by (XO₄)ⁿ⁻ groups inside the host frameworks on these potentials.     

N-arylammonio- and N-pyridinium-substituted derivatives of dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-)

We report two methods for preparing N-arylammonio, N-pyridyl and N-arylamino dodecaborates: heating of the tetrabutylammonium salt of dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-) with aryl and pyridyl amines, or nucleophilic attack of [closo-B₁₂H₁₁NH₂]²⁻ on a strongly deactivated aromatic system. With aryl amines we obtained [1-closo-B₁₂H₁₁N(R¹)₂C₆H₅]⁻ (R¹ = H, CH₃). With 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NC₅H₄)-4-N(CH₃)₂]⁻, with a bond between the boron and the pyridinium nitrogen, was obtained. A presumable mechanism for this kind of reactions is reported. By nucleophilic substitution, two products, [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₃)-3,4-(CN)₂]²⁻ and [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₂)-2-(NO₂)-4,5-(CN)₂]²⁻, were formed with 4-nitrophthalonitrile and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene gave [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₃)-2,4-(NO₂)₂]²⁻. For [1-closo-B₁₂H₁₁N(CH₃)₂C₆H₅]⁻ and [1-closo-(B₁₂H₁₁NHC₆H₃)-2,4-(NO₂)₂]²⁻ single crystal X-ray structures were obtained.     

Practical synthesis of 1,4-dioxane derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion and its ring opening with acetylenic alkoxides

Practical method of synthesis of the 1,4-dioxane derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion was developed. The cleavage of the dioxonium ring in [B₁₂H₁₁O(CH₂CH₂)₂O]⁻ with acetylenic alcohols gave rise to the preparation of closo-dodecaborate derivatives with terminal acetylene group. These compounds can be introduced into click reactions with phenylazide leading to the corresponding triazoles. The structures of (Bu₄N)[B₁₂H₁₁O(CH₂CH₂)₂O] and (Bu₄N)₂[B₁₂H₁₁(OCH₂CH₂)₂OCH₂CCH] · 0.5HOCH₂CCH were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Hydride abstraction of methylamine with Cu(S) in the gas phase: A density functional theory study

The gas-phase hydride abstraction of methylamine with Cu⁺(¹S) is theoretically investigated by using density functional theory. Geometries for all the stationary points involved are fully optimized at both the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p) levels and the reaction is analyzed in terms of the topology of potential energy surface. Approach of Cu⁺ towards methylamine could form either “classical” N or “nonclassical” η¹-methyl-H attached complex with the former being the global minimum. Both complexes are found to be key intermediates for the hydride abstraction, which could transfer into each other via two parallel routes, i.e., concerted metal movement and stepwise C-H activation-rearrangement. A charge-transfer process is detected for the “nonclassical” complex converting to a precursor species (CuH-NH₂CH₂⁺), which accounts for the final products by a nonreactive dissociation.     

Ideal-gas heat capacities of dimethylsiloxanes from speed-of-sound measurements and ab initio calculations

A two-pronged approach has been used to obtain accurate ideal-gas heat capacities of cyclic and linear dimethylsiloxanes that are useful for thermodynamic modeling of several processes involving these compounds. Acoustic resonance measurements were made on gas-phase octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄, [(CH₃)₂–Si–O]₄) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D₅, [(CH₃)₂–Si–O]₅) over the temperature range 450–510 K. These new data, along with previously published molecular vibrational frequency data for hexamethyldisiloxane (MM, [(CH₃)₃–Si–O_1/2]₂), were used to develop an appropriate frequency scaling factor that can be used with ab initio frequency calculations to produce reliable ideal-gas heat capacities as a function of temperature. Ideal-gas heat capacities for both cyclic [(CH₃)₂–Si–O]_n (with 3≤n≤8$3\le n\le 8$) and linear (CH₃)₃–Si–O–[(CH₃)₂–Si–O]_n–Si–(CH₃)₃ (with 0≤n≤5$0\le n\le 5$) siloxanes over a wide range of temperatures were determined with the ab initio method.