Ultrasonic Velocities,Densities, and Refractive Indices of Binary Mixtures of Polyethylene Glycol 250 Dimethyl Ether with 1-Propanol and with 1-Butanol

Measurements of the ultrasonic velocity (u), density (ρ) and refractive index (n) for binary mixtures of polyethylene glycol 250 dimethyl ether with 1-propanol and 1-butanol have been made at three temperatures (T=293, 303 and 31 K) over the entire composition range in order to investigate the nature of intermolecular interactions between the components of these liquid mixtures. Various excess thermodynamic properties such as the excess ultrasonic velocity (Δu), deviation in isentropic compressibility (Δk _S ), excess intermolecular free length (L_f^E)(L_{\mathrm{f}}^{\mathrm{E}}), excess acoustic impedance (Z ^E), excess pseudo-Grüneisen parameter (Γ ^E), and molar refraction deviation (ΔR _m) were calculated using experimental values of the ultrasonic velocity, density and refractive index and were then represented with the Redlich-Kister polynomial equation. The observed excess deviation parameter values were explained on the basis of the strength of intermolecular interactions between the components of the mixtures. Estimations of the refractive index and ultrasonic velocity have also been made using various empirical relations and are discussed in terms of the average percentage deviations (APD).     

Viscosity of Aqueous Solutions of Lithium,Sodium, Potassium,Rubidium and Caesium Cyclohexylsulfamates from 293.15 to 323.15 K

The viscosities of aqueous solutions of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium cyclohexylsulfamates were measured at 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 313.15 and 323.15 K. The relative viscosity data were analyzed and interpreted in terms of the Kaminsky equation, η _r=1+Ac ^1/2+Bc+Dc ². The viscosity A-coefficient was calculated from the Falkenhagen-Dole theory. The viscosity B-coefficients are positive and relatively large. Their temperature coefficient ∂ B/∂ T is negative or near zero for lithium and sodium salts whereas for potassium, rubidium and caesium salts it is positive. The viscosity D-coefficient is positive. This was explained by the size of the ions, structural solute–solute interactions, hydrodynamic effect, and by higher terms of the long-range Debye-Hückel type of forces. From the viscosity B-coefficients the thermodynamic functions of activation of viscous flow were calculated. The limiting partial molar Gibbs energy of activation of viscous flow of the solute was divided into contributions due to solvent molecules and the solute in the transition state. The activation energy of the solvent molecules was calculated using the limiting Gibbs energy of activation for the conductance of the solute ions. The activation energy of the solvent molecules was then discussed in terms of the nature of the alkali-metal ions and their influence on the structure of water. The limiting activation entropy and enthalpy of the solute for activation of viscous flow were interpreted by ion-solvent bond formation or breaking in the transition state of the solvent. The hydration numbers of the investigated electrolytes were calculated from the specific viscosity of the solutions.     

Volumetric Properties of Aqueous Solutions of L-Glutamic Acid and Magnesium-L-Glutamate

Densities of aqueous solutions of L-glutamic acid and magnesium-L-glutamate were determined from T=288.15 to 333.15 K at 5 K temperature intervals. The measured densities were used to evaluate the apparent molar volumes, V _2,φ (m,T), the cubic expansion coefficients, α(m,T), and the changes of isobaric heat capacities with respect to pressure, (∂ C _p /∂ p) _T,m . They were qualitatively correlated with changes in the structure of water that occur when L-glutamic acid or magnesium-L-glutamate are present.     

The Enthalpies of Solution of L-cysteine, L-serine and L-asparagine in Aqueous Solutions of Some Alcohols at 298.15 K

Heats of solution, Δ_sol H _m , of L-cysteine, L-serine and L-asparagine amino acids have been measured at different concentrations of aqueous ethanol, propanol and 2-propanol at 298.15 K using solvation calorimetry. These data are compared with the results reported earlier for L-alanine in ethanol. The enthalpic coefficients, h _xy , of the solute-organic cosolvent pair interaction in water have been obtained from the McMillan-Mayer approach and the data have been interpreted in terms of various interactions and changes in solvent structure.     

Partial Molar Volumes of Uracil,Thymine, Adenine in Water and of Adenine in Aqueous Solutions of Uracil and Thymine

The partial molar volumes of uracil, thymine and adenine in water and adenine in aqueous solutions of uracil and thymine, at fixed composition, were determined over a range of temperatures. The partial molar volumes of adenine in aqueous uracil and thymine are less than in pure water.     

Effects of a non-ionic surfactant,Tween 20, on adsorption/desorption of saccharification enzymes onto/from lignocelluloses and saccharification rate

In this work, we examined the role of a non-ionic surfactant, Tween 20, on enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocelluloses. Delignified lignocelluloses (pine wood chip) were used as model substrates. Effects of Tween 20 on adsorption/desorption onto/from lignocelluloses with and without hydrolysis were evaluated respectively. Tween 20 lowered the non-biospecific adsorption of β-glucosidase and enhanced the bio-specific adsorption of cellulase. Tween 20 did not affect the liquid phase reaction (cellobiose hydrolysis). However, for the solid surface reaction (cellulose hydrolysis), cellulose conversion for 72 hrs was increased 9–21% and 1–8.5% for samples with high lignin contents (PI) and low lignin contents (PIII) by injection of Tween 20 (0.024–0.24 mM), respectively. Moreover, Tween 20 increased the cellulose conversion rate substantially. It is suggested that the increase of cellulase amount adsorbed due to the increase of effective cellulose surface by Tween 20 contribute to the enhancement of cellulose conversion.     

Rocco Ungaro, 40 years of Calixarene chemistry

Abstract

During the Calix2015 conference that took place in Giardini Naxos in July of this year, the first C. David Gutsche Award for Calixarene Chemistry was awarded to one of the founders of the field, Professor Rocco Ungaro of the University of Parma. In this paper, Rocco Ungaro’s seminal contributions to the field are described. His collaborations with many other groups, his role in the European supramolecular chemistry community and his most important scientific results are briefly summarised.     

Measurement of Magnesium Stability Constants of Biologically Relevant Ligands by Simultaneous Use of pH and Ion-Selective Electrodes

Simultaneous measurements with magnesium ion-selective and pH glass electrodes have been used for determination of the stability constants of magnesium ions with various biologically relevant ligands by alkalimetric titration under physiological conditions (37^○C, I=0.15 mol⋅dm⁻³). New systems were investigated: magnesium with pyroglutamate, pyridoxine and HEPES, along with citrate, lactate, glycinate, aspartate and glutamate. For comparison, calcium stability constants with the same ligands were determined similarly, using calcium ion-selective and pH glass electrodes. Ligand protonation constants, necessary for the calculation of the metal complex formation constants, were also determined.     

Stability and Coordination Mode of Complexes of Polyphosphates and Polymetaphosphates with Copper(II) Ions in Aqueous Solution—Potentiometric,Spectral and Theoretical Studies

Complexes of copper(II) with a number of polyphosphate and polymetaphosphate anions have been studied in aqueous solutions by potentiometric, spectroscopic and theoretical methods. Stability constants of the complexes have been determined as well as their coordination modes. Results of the equilibrium studies provided evidence for the formation of ML, MHL and ML(OH) _x type complexes with the ligands studied. The length of the polyphosphate chain was found to affect the oxygen atom charge that is reflected in the stability constants of the ML type complexes. Moreover, the stability of the complex is also influenced by the spatial arrangement of the phosphate groups in phosphates and metaphosphates. The spectral parameters observed for certain complexes have permitted us to deduce the inner coordination sphere of the studied complexes.     

Volumetric Study of Aqueous Solutions of Polyethylene Glycol as a Function of the Polymer Molar Mass in the Temperature Range 283.15 to 313.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Density measurements were made for binary aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol at seven temperatures: 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. Polyethylene glycol samples with nominal average molar masses of 3000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 3000), 6000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 6000), 10000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 10000) and 20000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 20000) were used. These results were used to determine the specific volumes of solutions with solute-to-solvent mass ratios (mass of the solute/mass of the solvent) in the range 0.0546 to 1.4932 for PEG 3000, from 0.0553 to 1.4986 for PEG 6000, from 0.0552 to 1.2241 for PEG 10000, and from 0.0530 to 1.2264 for PEG 20000. The differences between the specific volume of a solution and the specific volume of the pure solvent, at a given temperature, were represented by a virial-type equation in terms of solute concentration. The first-order coefficient of the expansion is the partial specific volume of the solute at infinite dilution. The higher-order coefficients are related to the contribution of pairs, triplets, and higher-order solute aggregates, according to the Constant-Pressure Solution Theory. The functional dependence of the virial coefficients upon temperature is discussed in terms of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions. The effect of the PEG molar mass on the partial specific volume of solute at infinite dilution, as well as the contributions of pairs of solute molecules to the solution volume, are also investigated. The apparent specific volume, apparent specific expansibility, apparent specific expansibility at infinite dilution and virial coefficients of the apparent specific expansibility are also presented.     

Temperature Dependence of Physical Properties of Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids: Internal Pressure and Molar Refraction

Density, speed of sound and refractive index of the imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs), 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride [C₈mim][Cl], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate [C₄mim][C₁OSO₃], and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate [C₄mim][C₈OSO₃], have been measured in the temperature range from 283.15 to 343.15 K. Experimental density and speed of sound have been used to calculate the internal pressure p _i of the ILs. The p _i values were found to be higher than those of water and molecular organic liquids, but lower than those of classical molten salts. We also calculated molar refraction R _M from the measured refractive index n _D in the temperature range from 288.15 to 343.15 K. Refractive indices of ILs were also higher than those of normal organic liquids, but comparable to long-chain hydrocarbon organic solvents. The structure-property correlation of the ILs has been discussed and the results have been compared to our earlier studies (Kumar in J. Solution Chem. 37:203–214, 2008).     

Kinetic Investigation of the Electrochemical Oxidation of Bis(benzene)chromium(0) in Diethyl ketone/N,N-Dimethylformamide

The cyclic voltametric technique utilizing a platinum working electrode was applied for the investigation of the electrochemical oxidation of bis(benzene)chromium(0), (C₆H₆)₂Cr to bis(benzene)chromium(I), (C₆H₆)₂Cr⁺ in diethyl ketone (DEK), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and DEK/DMF binary mixtures containing n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) as the supporting electrolyte at T=298.15 K. The half-wave potentials (E _1/2) of the (C₆H₆)₂Cr^+/0 redox couple in DEK, DMF and DEK/DMF binary mixtures, were determined. The variation of E _1/2 with the solvent composition was found to be almost linear. The E _1/2 results were analyzed in terms of the electron-donating power of the solvent medium. The diffusion coefficients, D, were calculated using the Randles-Sevcik equation. The kinetics of the electrode reaction were investigated through the determination of the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants, k _s, according to the electrochemical rate equation proposed by Nicholson. Furthermore, the activation Gibbs energies for the electron-transfer process (ΔG ^≠) were also calculated. The results indicate that the redox couple (C₆H₆)₂Cr^+/0 exhibits an electrochemically reversible and diffusion-controlled process in all the investigated solvent media.     

Enthalpies of Dilution of N,N′-hexamethylenebisacetamide in Pure Water and Aqueous Solutions of Alkali Halide at 298.15 K

Enthalpies of dilution of N,N′-hexamethylenebisacetamide in water and aqueous alkali halide solutions at the concentration of 0.150 mol⋅kg⁻¹ (approximately the concentration of physiological saline) have been determined by isothermal titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K. The enthalpic interaction coefficients in the solutions have been calculated according to the excess enthalpy concept based on the calorimetric data. The values of enthalpic pair-wise interaction coefficients (h ₂) of the solute in aqueous solutions of different salts were discussed in terms of the different alkali salt ions and weak interactions of the diluted component with coexistent species as well as the change in solvent structure caused by ions.     

Adsorption properties of BEA zeolites and their aluminum phosphate extrudates for purification of isomaltose

The disaccharide isomaltose is produced via an enzymatic reaction and is adsorbed to BEA zeolite. This reaction integrated adsorption can be achieved as fluidized bed as well as fixed bed. We investigated isotherms, adsorption enthalpies and sorption kinetics of BEA zeolite and extrudates with a novel aluminum phosphate sintermatrix. These extrudates contain 50% (w/w) of BEA 150 zeolites (Si/Al = 75) as primary crystals. BET-surface for extrudates is 245 m²⋅g⁻¹ and 487 m²⋅g⁻¹ for zeolite. Extrudates show a monomodal macropore structure with a maximum at 90 nm. All isotherms show a type I shape. For lower equilibrium concentrations, which occur during the enzymatic reaction, Henry’s law is applied and compared to a Langmuir model. Adsorption equilibrium constant K _i,L calculated from Langmuir for extrudates at 4 °C is 64.7 mL⋅g⁻¹ and more than twice as high as obtained from Henry’s law with K _i is 26.8 mL⋅g⁻¹. Adsorption on extrudates at 4 °C is much stronger than on zeolite crystals where the Henry coefficient K _i is 17.1 mL⋅g⁻¹. Adsorption enthalpy Δh _Ad calculated from van’t Hoff plot with the Henry equation is −44.3 kJ⋅mol⁻¹ for extrudates and −29.6 kJ⋅mol⁻¹ for zeolite crystals. Finally, the kinetics for ad- and desorption were calculated from the initial slope. The diffusion rate for ad- and desorption on extrudates were in the same range while adsorption on zeolites is three orders of magnitudes faster than desorption.     

Synthesis Characterization and Viscosity Studies of Homopolymer of Methyl Methacrylate and Copolymer of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene

A homopolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and its copolymer with styrene at different compositions were synthesized and characterized. Viscosity measurements of the synthesized homopolymer and the copolymers in toluene solutions were performed at 313 K. Different equations were used to calculate the intrinsic viscosity, viscometric constants values, and molecular weight of the synthesized polymers. The values of intrinsic viscosity and viscosity average molecular weight obtained by the two methods (single point determination and graphical extrapolation) were compared in order to verify the validity of the single point determination for the polymers. Viscometric properties derived included the specific viscosity (it determines the contribution of the solute to the viscosity of the solution), the reduced viscosity (that provides a measure of the polymer capacity for increasing the solution viscosity), and the intrinsic viscosity.     

Dynamics of monolayer films formed on a substrate of square symmetry

The paper discusses the ground state properties and dynamics of monolayer films formed by atomic adsorbates on a square lattice, being the (100) plane of a face centered cubic crystal. The vibrations of films ordered into the commensurate c(2×2) as well as into the recently discovered ordered phase exhibiting a distorted Archimedean tiling of the type (3².4.3.4) are considered. The dispersion relations and the densities of states are determined and discussed.     

Studies of Partial Molar Volumes of Alkylamines in Non-electrolyte Solvents. IV. Alkyl Amines in Cyclic Ethers at 303.15 K

Apparent molar volumes V _φ,B of n-propylamine, n-butylamine, di-n-propylamine, di-n-butylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, and tri-n-butylamine in 1,4-dioxane and in oxolane (tetrahydrofuran) have been determined at 303.15 K using a high-precision Anton Paar vibrating-tube densimeter (model DMA 60/602). The limiting partial molar volumes and limiting excess partial molar volumes are analyzed and interpreted in terms of solute-solvent interactions and structural effects of the molecules. Analyses were made of the contributions of specific interactions to the partial molar volumes of these primary, secondary and tertiary amines in 1,4-dioxane and oxolane using the Terasawa model, scaled particle theory (SPT) and hard-sphere theory (HST). The ERAS model has also been applied to estimate the apparent molar volumes and excess apparent molar volumes of alkylamine solutions in 1,4-dioxane and oxolane.     

Buffer Standards for the Physiological pH of the Zwitterionic Compound,DIPSO, from 5 to 55 °C

The values of the second dissociation constant, pK ₂, and related thermodynamic quantities of 3-[N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (DIPSO) have already been reported over the temperature range 5 to 55 °C including 37 °C. This paper reports the pH values of four NaCl-free buffer solutions and four buffer composition containing NaCl salt at I=0.16 mol⋅kg⁻¹. Conventional pa _H values are reported for all eight buffer solutions. The operational pH values have been calculated for four buffer solutions recommended as pH standards, at 25 and 37 °C after correcting the liquid junction potentials with the flowing junction cell.