Shape‐Selective Zeolites Promote Ethylene Formation from Syngas via a Ketene Intermediate

Syngas conversion by Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is characterized by a wide distribution of hydrocarbon products ranging from one to a few carbon atoms. Reported here is that the product selectivity is effectively steered toward ethylene by employing the oxide‐zeolite (OX‐ZEO) catalyst concept with ZnCrO_x‐mordenite (MOR). The selectivity of ethylene alone reaches as high as 73 % among other hydrocarbons at a 26 % CO conversion. This selectivity is significantly higher than those obtained in any other direct syngas conversion or the multistep process methanol‐to‐olefin conversion. This highly selective pathway is realized over the catalytic sites within the 8‐membered ring (8MR) side pockets of MOR via a ketene intermediate rather than methanol in the 8MR or 12MR channels. This study provides substantive evidence for a new type of syngas chemistry with ketene as the key reaction intermediate and enables extraordinary ethylene selectivity within the OX‐ZEO catalyst framework.     

H-ZSM-5分子筛催化4-MBP与甲醇甲基化的反应机理

4,4?-二甲基联苯(4,4?-DMBP)是生产高性能聚合物材料的重要前驱体,可以通过4-甲基联苯(4-MBP)甲基化制得.本文采用“our own-N-layered integrated molecular orbital+molecular mechanics”(ONIOM)和密度泛函理论(DFT)方法研究H-ZSM-5分子筛孔内4-MBP和甲醇择形甲基化的反应机理,考虑了分步和协同反应机理.分步机理的活化能低于协同机理.在两种反应机理中,4,4?-DMBP为动力学优先生成产物.过渡态择形的特征也使甲基化更容易生成4,4?-DMBP.在分子筛孔内,4-MBP 异构化生成3-甲基联苯(3-MBP)的反应被抑制.在分子筛外表面,4-MBP异构化生成3-MBP比甲基化反应更有动力学优势,导致4,4?-DMBP选择性降低.对外表面进行改性将会抑制4-MBP异构化反应,并使反应在分子筛孔内进行,因此可以提高4,4?-DMBP的选择性. H-ZSM-5催化择形和非择形反应的计算结果与实验现象一致.     

Methane Conversion to C2 Hydrocarbons Using Dielectric-barrier Discharge Reactor: Effects of System Variables

The partial oxidation of methane to C₂ hydrocarbons was investigated experimentally in a dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The effects of reactor wall temperature, input gas flow rate and volumetric ratio of methane to oxygen over methane conversion and C₂ production were investigated. The highest C₂ selectivity of about 50% was achieved at 1.8% methane conversion. Finally the model equations were used to correlate methane conversion and ethylene selectivity with the system variable within the studied range of them. The correlation equation shows the sole effects and interaction effects of system variables on methane conversion and ethylene selectivity.     

Synthesis of a Resorcylic Acid Lactone (RAL) Library Using Fluorous‐Mixture Synthesis and Profile of its Selectivity Against a Panel of Kinases

A library of resorcylic acid lactones (RAL) containing a cis‐enone moiety targeting kinases bearing a cysteine residue within the ATP‐binding pocket was prepared using a fluorous‐mixture synthesis and evaluated against a panel of 19 kinases thus providing important structure–activity trends. Two new analogues were then profiled for their selectivity against a panel of 402 kinases providing the broadest evaluation of this pharmacophores’ selectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of NaY zeolite-encapsulated Mn-hydrazone Schiff base: an efficient and reusable catalyst for oxidation of olefins

The Mn-hydrazone Schiff base has been prepared, characterized, and encapsulated into NaY to prepare a new heterogeneous catalyst. Elemental analysis, UV-Vis, infrared spectroscopic analysis, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, thermal analysis, small angle X-ray diffraction, and N₂ sorption indicate the presence of Mn-hydrazone Schiff base within the nanocavity pores of zeolite-Y. The catalysts showed excellent catalytic efficiency in epoxidation with various olefinic compounds including cyclooctene, using tert-BuOOH as oxidant. Cyclooctene showed high conversion (97%) as well as epoxide selectivity (89%) with tert-BuOOH. Moreover, the encapsulated complex showed good recoverability without significant loss of activity and selectivity within successive runs.     

Orientational isomerism controlled by the difference in electronic environments of a self-assembling heterodimeric capsule

Tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 1 and tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 2 self-assemble into a heterodimeric capsule 1.2 via four ArOH...pyridyl hydrogen bonds in CDCl3. The 1.2 expresses the orientational isomerism of an encapsulated unsymmetrical guest with high orientational selectivity because the electronic environment of the 1 unit is different from that of the 2 unit. For p-ethoxyiodobenzene and 2-iodo-6-methoxynaphthalene encapsulated in 1.2, the iodo group is specifically oriented to the cavity of the 2 unit. The orientational isomeric selectivity for methyl p-acetoxybenzoate and methyl p-ethoxybenzoate within 1.2 is 1:0.11 and 1:<0.05, respectively, wherein the methyl ester group is preferentially oriented to the cavity of the 2 unit. The delicate balance among electrostatic potential repulsion, CH-pi interaction, or CH-halogen (halogen-pi) interaction, in 1.2-guest assembly influences the orientational isomeric selectivity of unsymmetrical guests within 1.2.     

Formation of monoaldehydes by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate oxidation of unsymmetric dimethylnaphthalenes

When 1,2-, 1,3-and 1,6-dimethylnaphthalene are oxidized by Ce⁴⁺ in acetic acid the corresponding monoaldehydes are formed in better than 80% yield. In each case aldehyde formation takes place with a high degree of selectivity as the methyl-1- to methyl-2-naphthaldehyde ratio is better than 11:1. The selectivity may be explained from differences in reactivity as calculated within the frontier orbital method.     

Tighter Confinement Increases Selectivity of d-Glucose Isomerization Toward l-Sorbose in Titanium Zeolites

Aqueous-phase isomerization of d -glucose to d -fructose and l -sorbose is catalyzed in parallel by Lewis acidic Ti sites in siliceous frameworks. Glucose isomerization rates (per Ti, 373 K) are undetectable when Ti sites are confined within mesoporous voids (Ti-MCM-41, TiO₂-SiO₂) and increase to detectable values when Ti sites are confined within the smaller 12-membered ring (12-MR) micropores of Ti-Beta. Isomerization rates decrease to lower values (by ≈20×) with further decreases in micropore size as Ti sites are confined within 10-MR pores (Ti-MFI, Ti-CON), likely because of intrapore reactant diffusion restrictions, and reach undetectable values within the 8-MR pores of Ti-CHA as size exclusion prevents glucose from accessing active sites. Remarkably, the selectivity toward l -sorbose over d -fructose increases systematically as spatial constraints around Ti sites become tighter, and is >10 on Ti-MFI. These findings demonstrate the marked influence of confinement around Ti active sites on the selectivity between parallel stereoselective sugar isomerization pathways.     

Intrazeolite photooxygenation of chiral alkenes. Control of facial selectivity by confinement and cation-π interactions

Depending on the nature of the substituents on the stereogenic carbon atom, the ene reaction of singlet oxygen with several chiral alkenes by confinement within thionin-supported zeolite NaY, may exhibit significant changes on facial selectivity by comparison to their photooxygenation reaction in solution. It is proposed that, apart from the conformational consequences as a result of the alkene confinement within the zeolite cavities, a synergism between Na⁺-π interactions and singlet oxygen-Na⁺ interactions plays a significant role in the transition states of ene hydroperoxidation. Within NaY, the diastereoselectivity may significantly depend on the site selectivity, as probed through specific deuterium labelling of trisubstituted alkenes bearing a gem-dimethyl group. In certain cases, a remote stereogenic centre relative to the reacting double bond may induce enhanced diastereoselection and regioselectivity.     

Studies on shape selectivity of RP C18-columns

Summary Stationary phases with octadecyl groups have been prepared with different carbon content without and in the presence of water and characterized for their selectivity for the shape of various polyaromatic hydrocarbons. It is shown that both a high hydrocarbon content and a good accessibility of the bonded groups within the pores is required to achieve shape recognition for PAH. High carbon content alone is not sufficient. The two tests for shape selectivity proposed by Sander and Wise as well as by Tanaka are compared. In most cases the results are similar: A low selectivity with the Sander and Wise test (α TBN/BaP<1) corresponds to a high value with the Tanaka test (α TRI/o-TER>3). However, not in all cases the tests give corresponding answers. Further studies on molecular recognition are required.     

Retention characteristics in gas chromatography as function of molecular mass of the stationary phase

The thermodynamic characteristics of the selectivity of stationary phases in gas-liquid chromatography have been used to study the change in selectivity of a stationary phase with its increasing molecular mass within the limits of the same class of compounds. It is shown that the entropy of disssolution is the dominant thermodynamic factor of selectivity in the case of paraffinic stationary phases; a linear relatinship exists between the logarithm of relative retention of different sorbates and the reciprocal molecular mass of the stationary phase. In the case of solutions where hydrogen bonds can be formed, the enthalpy of dissolution serves as the dominant factor; in this case a linear relationship exists between the relative retention of alcohols and the reciprocal molecular mass of the stationary phase (polyethylene glycol). For the other classes of sorbates and stationary phases, the entropy as well as the enthalpy of dissolution contribute to the relative retention when the molecular phase varies within a single class of substances. The theoretical postulations have been confirmed by experimental data for paraffinic stationary phases, polyethylene glycols, and phthalic acid esters.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 81–90, January–February, 1988.     

Selectivity of complex heterogeneous catalytic reactions over energetically nonuniform surfaces

The selectivity in parallel and consecutive heterogeneous catalytic reactions over nonuniform surfaces has been analyzed within the framework of the surface electron gas model. Equations for the selectivity are derived in the case of slow adsorption (no rate-limiting steps). Conditions when the nonuniform character of real catalytic surfaces should be taken into account in modeling of the selectivity behavior are discussed.     

Studies of inorganic precipitate membrane. Part XXX. Membrane selectivity from electrical potential and conductivity measurements

Bi-ionic and multi-ionic potentials across parchment-supported mercuric sulfide membrane with various combinations of 1:1 electrlytes at different concentrations were measured. Membrane conductivity in contact with a single electrolyte was experimentally determined to evaluate selectivity of the membrane with the predetermined values of intramembrane mobility ratio. The selectivity sequence of the membrane was K⁺>Na⁺>Li⁺, which on the basis of the Eisenman–Sherry model of membrane selectivity, points toward the weak field strength of the charge groups attached to the membrane matrix. The permeability ratio of ions within the membrane was also evaluated by use of the equation based on the macroscopic linear laws of nonequilibrium thermodynamics derived by Sandblom and Eisenman. Three different methods of various integrated forms of the Nernst-Plank flux equation were used to derive the potentiometric selectivity constant K_ij^pot of the membrane. These values were close to one another.     

The coupling effect of the thermodynamic swelling process in pervaporation

In order to analyze the coupling effect in thermodynamic swelling process, the relationship between the activity and volume fraction of each component within membrane was defined as ^m_i=γ^m_iφ^m_i. The concept of reference state in thermodynamic swelling process which only considered the interaction between individual component and membrane matrix was also set up. The difference of activity coefficient of each component within the membrane from reference state reflected the contribution of coupling effect to thermodynamic swelling process. For chitosan and H₂SO₄ crosslinking chitosan membrane the influence of coupling effect on selectivity of H₂O in thermodynamic swelling process could be described from distribution coefficients and competition distribution coefficients of H₂O and EtOH successfully. The interaction between H₂O and the membrane matrix dominated the activity coefficient of H₂O within the membrane, and the coupling effect between H₂O and EtOH within the membrane only had a little influence on the activity coefficient of H₂O. However, the activity coefficient of EtOH was dominated strongly by the coupling effect between H₂O and EtOH within the membrane. This was attributed to the large amount of H₂O present in the membrane. The distribution coefficient of EtOH, k^m₂ and competition distribution coefficient of membrane k^m₁₂ directly determined the selectivity of H₂O in thermodynamic swelling process and the coupling effect between H₂O and EtOH within the membrane had a negative influence on the selectivity of H₂O within the membrane.     

Acyl‐Chain Elongation Drives Ketosynthase Substrate Selectivity in trans‐Acyltransferase Polyketide Synthases

Type I modular polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are responsible for the biosynthesis of many biologically active agents, possess a ketosynthase (KS) domain within each module to catalyze chain elongation. Acylation of the KS active site Cys residue is followed by transfer to malonyl‐ACP to yield an extended β‐ketoacyl chain (ACP=acyl carrier protein). To date, the precise contribution of KS selectivity in controlling product fidelity has been unclear. Six KS domains from trans‐acyltransferase (trans‐AT) PKSs were subjected to a mass spectrometry based elongation assay, and higher substrate selectivity was identified for the elongating step than in preceding acylation. A close correspondence between the observed KS selectivity and that predicted by phylogenetic analysis was seen. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of KS selectivity in this important group of PKSs, can serve as guidance for engineering, and show that targeted mutagenesis can be used to expand the repertoire of acceptable substrates.     

The effect of adamantane on the hydroconversion ofn-heptane over pure and platinum-containing H-Y and H-mordenite zeolites

The effect of adamantane (Ad) has been studied on the activity and selectivity of the H- and Pt/H-forms of zeolite Y and mordenite (MOR) in the hydroisomerization and cracking ofn-heptane at 443 K.Ad was found to induce pronounced increase in the isomerization activity and selectivity of the H-Y zeolite, while the activity of the Pt/H-Y and MOR was only moderately influenced. Findings suggest thatAd acts as a hydride transfer cocatalyst, but, its activity is controlled by the limited accessibility of the active sites within the zeolitic channels.     

The dark side of disulfide-based dynamic combinatorial chemistry

During the last two decades, disulfide-based dynamic combinatorial chemistry has been extensively used in the field of molecular recognition to deliver artificial receptors for molecules of biological interest. Commonly, the nature of library members and their relative amounts are provided from HPLC-MS analysis of the libraries, allowing the identification of potential binders for a target (bio)molecule. By re-investigating dynamic combinatorial libraries generated from a simple 2,5-dicarboxy-1,4-dithiophenol building block in water, we herein demonstrated that multiple analytical tools were actually necessary in order to comprehensively describe the libraries in terms of size, stereochemistry, affinity, selectivity, and finally to get a true grasp on the different phenomena at work within dynamic combinatorial systems.

We show that multiple analytical tools are necessary in order to describe the different phenomena within disulfide-based dynamic combinatorial libraries in terms of size, stereochemistry, affinity and selectivity.     

A Porous Polyaromatic Solid for Vapor Adsorption of Xylene with High Efficiency,Selectivity, and Reusability

Development of porous materials capable of capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene and its derivatives, with high efficiency, selectivity, and reusability is highly demanded. Here we report unusual vapor adsorption behavior toward VOCs by a new porous solid, composed of a polyaromatic capsule bearing a spherical nanocavity with subnano-sized windows. Without prior crystallization and high-temperature vacuum drying, the porous polyaromatic solid exhibits the following five features: vapor adsorption of benzene over cyclohexane with 90 % selectivity, high affinity toward o-xylene over benzene and toluene with >80 % selectivity, ortho-selective adsorption ability (>50 %) from mixed xylene isomers, tight VOCs storage even under high temperature and vacuum conditions, and at least 5 times reusability for xylene adsorption. The observed adsorption abilities are accomplished at ambient temperature and pressure within 1 h, which has not been demonstrated by organic/inorganic porous materials reported previously.     

Polymorph selectivity under nanoscopic confinement

Polymorph selectivity has been achieved during crystallization of anthranilic acid (AA) and 5-methyl-2-[(2-nitrophyenyl)amino]-3-thiophenecarbonitrile (ROY), both considered benchmarks of polymorphic behavior, within nanoporous glass beads and polymer monoliths. Whereas polymorph III of AA crystallizes from the melt on nonporous glass beads or within larger pores, the metastable polymorph II crystallizes in pores with diameters <23 nm, with the selectivity toward this form increasing with decreasing pore size. Of the six ROY polymorphs characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, the yellow form (Y) crystallizes during evaporation of pyridine solutions imbibed by the 30-nm cylindrical pores of porous polycyclohexylethylene (p-PCHE) monoliths. Although both R and ON grow from the melt on the external surfaces of PCHE, only the red form (R) crystallizes in the pores. Amorphous ROY also forms in p-PCHE pores during evaporation from pyridine solutions, subsequently crystallizing to the R nanocrystals upon heating. Although heterogeneous nucleation on the pore walls may play a role, these observations suggest that nucleation and polymorph selectivity is governed by critical size constraints imposed by the ultrasmall pores. The ability to achieve polymorph selectivity in both glass and polymer matrices suggests wide-ranging compatibility with various organic crystalline solids, promising a new approach to controlling polymorphism and searching for unknown polymorphs.     

Optimization and characterization of the chiral separation of citalopram and its demethylated metabolites by response-surface methodology

Summary Response-surface modelling and sequential optimization have been used for optimization and characterization of the separation of the enantiomers of citalopram, desmethylcitalopram, and didesmethylcitalopram on an acetylated β-cyclodextrin column. In the model chosen the separation conditions mobile phase methanol content, buffer concentration, column temperature, and pH were varied to investigate their influence on the chromatography. It was found that what is good for selectivity within an enantiomer pair is bad for selectivity between enantiomer pairs. Because within-pair and between-pair selectivity does not reach its optimum at the same conditions, a middle course approach has to be followed. Use of an experimental design for this investigation enabled understanding of the mechanisms of within- and between-pair separation for citalopram, desmethylcitalopram, and didesmethylcitalopram. Sequential optimization can be a quicker means of optimizing a chromatographic separation; response-surface modelling, in addition to enabling optimization of the chromatographic process, also serves as a tool for leaming more about the separation mechanism.