Degradation of lignin by ozone. II. Molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the alkali-soluble degradation products

The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the alkali-soluble degradation products from the ozonolysis of spruce periodate and cuoxam lignins and spruce protolignin have been studied by gel permeation chromatography and ultracentrifugation. The bimodal distribution previously reported for soluble lignins was found to be an artifact; the correct distribution has one broad lowmolecular-weight maximum, with a long tail extending toward the high-molecular-weight end of the distribution. Weight-average molecuar weights of the alkali-soluble degradation products, obtained by sedimentation equilibrium measurements, increased with time of ozonization up to about 15 min. Beyond this time fragmentation of the partly degraded products results in a decrease in molecular weight. Lignin degradation followed the pattern expected of a three-dimensional, infinite-network polymer gel undergoing breakdown. Based on the molecular weights and the molecular weight distributions, a random stepwise mechanism is suggested as the mode of lignin degradation by ozone.     

Ozone reduction at Nafion modified Au electrode and the measurement of ozone concentration in highly resistive solutions

The mass transport and charge transfer kinetics of ozone reduction at Nafion coated Au electrodes were studied in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and highly resistive solutions such as distilled water and tap water. The diffusion coefficient and partition coefficient of ozone in Nafion coating are 1.78×10-6 cm2·s-1 and 2.75 at 25℃ (based on dry state thickness), respectively. The heterogeneous rate constants and Tafel slopes for ozone reduction at bare Au are 4.1×10-6 cm·s-1, 1.0×10-6 cm·s-1 and 181 mV, 207 mV in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and distilled water respectively and the corresponding values for Nafion coated Au are 5.5×10-6 cm·s-1, 1.1×10-6 cm·s-1 and 182 mV, 168 mV respectively. The Au microelectrode with 3 μm Nafion coating shows good linearity over the range 0-10 mmol/L ozone in distilled water with sensitivity 61 μA·ppm-1 ·cm-2, detection limit 10 ppb and 95% response time below 5 s at 25℃. The temperature coefficient in range of 11-30℃ is 1.3%.     

Delignification of deciduous wood under the action of hydrogen peroxide and ozone

Kinetic curves of the dependence of ozone specific absorption (Q _{r, sp} ) upon the ozonation of aspen wood pretreated with solutions of hydrogen peroxide of various concentrations (from 5 × 10^?4 to 2 × 10^?1 mol/L) are obtained. The water content in the samples being 56 ± 3%. The initial rate of ozone absorption and total ozone consumption (Q _inlet) are determined. Wood samples are investigated by IR and UV diffuse reflection spectroscopy. Based on the kinetics and spectral data, it is concluded that pretreating wood with a H₂O₂ solution allows the degree of delignification (DD) to be increased at a constant Q _inlet value. The DD is maximal at $ C_{H_2 O_2 } = 5 \times 10^{ - 3} $ mol/L and is 88% in contrast to a sample ozonated without H₂O₂ (DD = 85%). The role of pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide and the subsequent action of the O₃/H₂O₂ system in the process of delignification of wood is analyzed.     

Homogeneous oxidation of hydrogen selenide with ozone in an argon-oxygen medium

Homogeneous oxidation of hydrogen selenide with ozone present in deficiency was studied. One of the reaction products is elemental selenium Se₈, which can be formed by multistep radical-chain polycondensation of hydrogen selenide. One mole of ozone is consumed per mole of hydrogen selenide. The observed rate constant of the reaction of hydrogen selenide with ozone at 20 ± 1°C is no less than (1.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁵ l mol^?1 s^?1.     

Kinetics and stoichiometry of the reaction between ozone and C70 fullerene in CCl4

The kinetics and stoichiometry of the reaction between C₇₀ fullerene and ozone have been studied. The reaction obeys a bimolecular rate law. The stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction are 1: 12 to 1: 22, depending on reaction conditions. The rate constant at 22°C is 5 × 10⁴ l mol^?1 s^?1 for the first stage of fullerene conversion and (0.8–0.6) × 10⁴ l mol^?1 s^?1 for the subsequent stages. Since the stages differ in terms of reaction rate, the original C₇₀ molecules are first involved in the reaction, whereas, at the subsequent stages, all molecules are involved with equal probabilities, irrespective of the number of preceding reaction events in which they have participated.     

Decomposition of meta- and para-phenylphenol during ozonation process

The decomposition of meta-phenylphenol (m-PP) and para-phenylphenol (p-PP) in a heterogeneous gas-liquid system using ozone was investigated. The influence of different reaction parameters such as ozone and PP isomers concentration as well as pH and temperature of the reaction mixture on the PP decay rate was determined. The second-order rate constants for the direct reaction of molecular ozone, determined in a homogeneous system, were (5.85 ± 0.35) × 10² M^?1 s^?1 and (8.90 ± 0.33) × 10² M^?1 s^?1 for m-PP and p-PP, respectively. The rate constants for the reaction of m-PP and p-PP with ozone increased with increasing pH. The reaction rate constants with ozone were found to be (1.75 ± 0.02) × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 and (1.86 ± 0.02) × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 for m-PP and p-PP anions, respectively.     

Degradation of lignin by ozone. III. The fate of the carbohydrate matrix during the degradation of spruce protolignin by ozone

Solvent-extracted spruce wood meal was ozonized in 45% aqueous acetic acid at room temperature. The ozone-treated wood meal was then extracted with dilute alkali at 65°C for 1 h. Lignin, α-cellulose, and hemicellulose content and the viscosities of the pulped wood-meal samples were measured as a function of the time of ozonization. Results indicate that although the attack on the wood components by ozone is not selective in this medium cellulose and hemicelluloses are degraded slowly compared with lignin. Lignin degraded approximately four times faster than the carbohydrates. At the fiber liberation point the pulp retained 78% of the original hemicelluloses and about 90% of the α-cellulose compared with 25% of the lignin. The pulp samples obtained during ozonization of the wood meal showed a slow decrease in the average degree of polymerization (DP); the limit reached near 350 was attributed to the inaccessibility of the ordered regions in native cellulose to ozone.     

The solubility of ozone and kinetics of its chemical reactions in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride

The solubility of ozone and the kinetics of its decomposition and interaction with chloride ions in a 1 M aqueous solution of NaCl at 20°C and pH 8.4–10.8 were studied. The ratio between the concentration of O₃ in solution and the gas phase was found to be 0.16 at pH 8.4–9.8. The concentration of dissolved ozone decreased sharply as pH increased to 10.8 because of a substantial increase in the rate of its decomposition. It was observed for the first time that the interaction of O₃ with Cl^? in alkaline media resulted in the formation of ClO ₃ ^? chlorate ions. The dependence of the rate of formation of ClO ₃ ^? on pH was determined; its maximum value was found to be 9.6 × 10^?6 mol l^?1 min^?1 at pH 10.0 and the concentration of ozone at the entrance of the reactor 30.0 g/m³. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of chlorate ions (concentrations 1 × 10^?5?3 × 10^?4 M) in aqueous solutions was suggested.     

Effect of silver and copper ions on the decomposition of ozone in water

Features of the kinetics of ozone decomposition in water at pH 2 are studied depending on the concentration of silver and copper ions that are present. The existence of a critical concentration of metal ions (??3?6 × 10^?6 M) is established, below which ions slow the rate of ozone decomposition and above which the accelerate the process. It is concluded that the first region is due to the capture of hydroxyl and other radicals by metal ions, inhibiting the chain of ozone decomposition in water. A further increase in the concentration of ions leads to dominance of their direct interaction with molecules of ozone. A mechanism for the process is proposed and the rate constants of reaction of ozone with silver ions and copper are calculated (0.033 and 0.06 M^?1 s^?1, respectively).     

Macromolecular properties and topological structure of spruce dioxane lignin

Samples of spruce dioxane lignin were isolated by means of six-stage extraction from spruce sawdust, their macromolecular characteristics were determined, and the hydrodynamic properties of the fractions were studied. The conformational properties and the topological structure of dioxane lignin were characterized. The heterogeneity of spruce dioxane lignin isolated in the successive steps of organosolv delignification was established, a property that is confirmed by the variability of the Tsvetkov-Klenin hydrodynamic invariant and a departure from linearity of the logarithmic dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the molecular mass. It was assumed that dioxane lignin macromolecules exist as branched polymers at M _w< 2 × 10⁴ and a network structure is formed at M _w > 2 × 10⁴.     

Rate constant for the reaction of nh2 with ozone in relation to atmospheric processes

The absolute rate constant of the reaction between NH₂ and ozone has been measured using a flash photolysis-laser resonance technique and found to be k₄ = 6.3 (=1.0) × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^? s^?1 at room temperature. The Arrhenius expression, determined from measurements in the temperature range 298–380 K is k₄ = 4.2 × 10^?12 exp(?2.5 = 0.5/RT) (E in kcal mole ^?1. The possibility of formation or elimination of nitrogen oxides from the reactions of NH₂ in the atmosphere is examined.     

A study of the cathodic reduction of ozone at the rotating disc electrode in acid electrolyte

The cathodic reduction of ozone according to O₃+2H⁺+2e^?→H₂O+O₂ was studied at a rotating disc electrode consisting of bright platinum in 1 M HClO₄ at 20°C. The current-potential curves obtained potentiostatically are determined by slow charge transfer in the range of low polarization (Tafel region) and diffusion as rate controlling step at high overvoltage. From the exchange current densities (i₀), obtained by extrapolation of Tafel lines to the reversible potentials, the heterogeneous rate constant k was evaluated giving an average value of 2.5×10^?7 cm s^?1. Likewise the diffusion coefficient (D_O3=1.7×10^?5 cm² s^?1) was calculated from the limiting currents measured at various partial pressures of ozone and different values of rotation rate. An equation for the total current-polarization curve was developed. The computed curves are in good agreement with the data which were obtained experimentally.     

The solubility and kinetics of decomposition of ozone in aqueous solutions of nitrates

The influence of the concentration of NaNO₃ on the solubility of ozone in water was studied at 20, 30, and 40°C. The solubility coefficients of ozone were calculated, and the Henry constants and Sechenov coefficients determined. The Sechenov coefficients (K _c ) were found to decrease insignificantly as the temperature increased. The kinetics of dissolved O₃ transformations was analyzed. The decomposition of ozone was described by a pseudofirst-order equation with respect to salt concentration. The rate constant (k _c ) for the decomposition of ozone in the presence of NaNO₃ was found to be 3.5 × 10^?4 l mol^?1 s^?1.     

Absolute rate constants for the gas‐phase ozonolysis of isoprene and methylbutenol

The reactions of the biogenic organic compounds isoprene and 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol (MBO) with ozone have been investigated under controlled conditions for pressure (atmospheric pressure) and temperature (293 ± 2 K), using FTIR spectrometry. CO was added to scavenge hydroxyl radical formation during the ozonolysis experiments. Reaction rate constants were determined by absolute rate technique, by measuring both ozone and the organic compound concentrations. The measured values were k₁ = (1.19 ± 0.09) × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the reaction between ozone and isoprene and k₂ = (8.3 ± 1.0) × 10_?18 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the reaction between ozone and MBO. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 152–156 2004     

Organocobalt chelates as initiators of emulsion polymerization of styrene

The kinetics of decomposition of organocobalt chelates in the pH range of 2.2–7.0 has been studied. It has been shown that the rate constant of decomposition of the octyl chelate complex at 20°C changes from ～3 × 10^?3 to ～6 × 10^?6 s^?1 in the above pH range. The rate constants of decomposition of complexes with ethyl, octyl, and cetyl ligands, as estimated at 20°C and pH 8.3, are 1.69 × 10^?4, 1.39 × 10^?4, and 2.42 × 10^?5 s^?1, respectively. As evidenced by emission spectrometry measurements, ～100% of organocobalt chelates with ethyl and isopropyl ligands occur in the aqueous phase, while organocobalt chelates with octyl and cetyl ligands are partitioned between monomer and aqueous phases. The rates of initiation of the emulsion polymerization of styrene have been measured by the inhibited polymerization procedure. It has been demonstrated that among three tested compounds (diphenyl picryl hydrazyl, hydroquinone, and benzoquinone), benzoquinone has been found to be a suitable inhibitor for the polymerization under study. The rates of initiation of styrene polymerization at 30°C for organocobalts with ethyl, octyl, and cyclohexyl ligands are 1.0 × 10^?7, 1.04 × 10^?7, and 3.7 × 10^?6 mol/(l s), respectively. The rate constant of decomposition of the organocobalt complex with the octyl ligand at 30°C is 2.28 × 10^?5 s^?1, and the efficiency of initiation with this complex is 0.95.     

Electrochemical Properties of the Oxo‐Manganese‐Phenanthroline Complex Immobilized on Ion‐Exchange Polymeric Film and Its Application as Biomimetic Sensor for Sulfite Ions

A biomimetic sensor containing the oxo‐bridged dinuclear manganese‐phenanthroline complex incorporated into a cation‐exchange polymeric film deposited onto glassy carbon electrode for detection of sulfite was studied. Cyclic voltammetry at the modified electrode in universal buffer showed a two electron oxidation/reduction of the couple Mn^IV(μ‐O)₂Mn^IV/Mn^III(μ‐O)₂Mn^III. The sensor exhibited electrocatalytic property toward sulfite oxidation with a decrease of the overpotential of 450 mV compared with the glassy carbon electrode. A plot of the anodic current versus the sulfite concentration for potential fixed (+0.15 V vs. SCE) at the sensor was linear in the 4.99×10^?7 to 2.49×10^?6 mol L^?1 concentration range and the concentration limit was 1.33×10^?7 mol L^?1. The mediated mechanism was derived by Michaelis? Menten kinetics. The calculated kinetics values were Michaelis? Menten rate constant= =1.33 µmol L^?1, catalytic rate constant=6.06×10^?3 s^?1 and heterogeneous electro‐chemical rate constant=3.61×10^?5 cm s^?1.     

Indirect determination of aqueous ozone concentrations via oxidation of iron(II)

A method is described for determination of ozone in clean aqueous solutions from the extent of oxidation of excess of iron (II); the excess is quantified spectrophotometrically by using 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline disulfonate. With suitable reaction conditions, the ozone concentrations thus determined agree within 1% with those determined by ultraviolet absorption for ozone concentrations near 3×10^?4 M and within 5% with those obtained by using the indigo dye bleaching method for ozone concentrations near 3×10^?5 M.     

Hydrogenolysis of rice husk lignin. IV

The hydrogenolysis of rice husk protolignin and of rice husk hydrolysis lignin in the presence of catalyst D-101, which is used in the hydrocracking of petroleum, has been studied. A substantial amount of products with syringyl structures has been found in the lignin cleavage products. The hydrogen content of the hydrol lignins isolated was considerably higher than that of the analogous lignins obtained on hydrogenolysis with the use of other catalysts.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Scientific-Research Chemical and Technical Institute of the Medical and Microbiological Industry, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 602–605, July–August, 1993.     

The effect of organic nitriles on the radiation induced polymerization of styrene

The effect of a range of 10 organic nitriles on the radiation-induced polymerization of styrene was studied. A dose rate of 4.4 rad s^?1 was used. A rate of polymerization of styrene (1.744 mol L^?1 of toluene solution) of 5.0 × 10^?7 mol L^?1 s^?1 was found. With organic nitriles present (styrene:nitrile ratio of 1:0.28) the rate of polymerization increased. Rates in the range of 5.5 × 10^?7 ?5.2 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 s^?1, depending on the nitrile present, were obtained. The polymers were partially characterized and evidence of involvement of each of the nitriles in the polymer chains was revealed. The increase in rate of polymerization has been attributed to the part played by nitrile radicals in the initiation of styrene polymerization. Radical yield values [as G(nitrile radical)] were derived from the relevant rate expressions. Values ranged from 2.7 to 49.5, depending on the particular nitrile. Corresponding values of G(nitrile radical) in the range of 5.1–129.4 were obtained by the manipulation of number-average molar mass data. Values of k_pk_t of approximately 2 × 10^?5 L mol^?1 s^?1 were found. Trommsdorff types of effect are absent from these systems.     

A consistent model for the thermal decomposition of NCN3 and the singlet– triplet relaxation of NCN

The thermal decomposition of cyanogen azide (NCN₃) and the subsequent collision‐induced intersystem crossing (CIISC) process of cyanonitrene (NCN) have been investigated by monitoring excited electronic state ¹NCN and ground state ³NCN radicals. NCN was generated by the pyrolysis of NCN₃ behind shock waves and by the photolysis of NCN₃ at room temperature. Falloff rate constants of the thermal unimolecular decomposition of NCN₃ in argon have been extracted from ¹NCN concentration–time profiles in the temperature range 617 K <T< 927 K and at two different total densities: k(ρ ≈ 3 × 10^?6 mol/cm³)/s^?1=4.9 × 10⁹ × exp (?71±14 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 30%); k(ρ ≈ 6 × 10^?6 mol/cm³)/s^?1=7.5 × 10⁹ × exp (‐71±14 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 30%). In addition, high‐temperature ¹NCN absorption cross sections have been determined in the temperature range 618 K <T< 1231 K and can be expressed by σ /(cm²/mol)= 1.0 × 10⁸ ?6.3 × 10⁴ K^?1 × T (± 50%). Rate constants for the CIISC process have been measured by monitoring ³NCN in the temperature range 701 K <T< 1256 K resulting in k_CIISC (ρ ≈ 1.8 ×10^?6 mol/cm³)/ s^?1=2.6 × 10⁶× exp (‐36±10 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 20%), k_CIISC (ρ ≈ 3.5×10^?6 mol/cm³)/ s^?1 = 2.0 × 10⁶ × exp (?31±10 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 20%), k_CIISC (ρ ≈ 7.0×10^?6 mol/cm³)/ s^?1=1.4 × 10⁶ × exp (?25±10 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 20%). These values are in good agreement with CIISC rate constants extracted from corresponding ¹NCN measurements. The observed nonlinear pressure dependences reveal a pressure saturation effect of the CIISC process. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 30–40, 2013