Basicity of Phenyl‐ and Methyl‐Substituted 1,2,4‐Oxadiazoles

The basicity of a series of 3,5‐disubstituted 1,2,4‐oxadiazoles in aqueous H₂SO₄ was examined by means of UV and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The experimental data were analyzed by the modified Yates–McClelland method to yield the following pK values: 3,5‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole, −1.66±0.06; 3‐methyl‐5‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole, −2.61±0.02; 3‐phenyl‐5‐methyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole, −2.95±0.01; 3,5‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole, −3.55±0.06. A pK value of ca. −3.7 was estimated for the parent unsubstituted 1,2,4‐oxadiazole based on substituents' additivity increments. Possible protonation sites of the compounds were discussed in terms of both experimental data and theoretical calculations (HF/6‐31G**). Generally, protonation is most likely to occur at N(4) of the 1,2,4‐oxadiazole ring. However, concurrent formation of both N(4)‐ and N(2)‐protonated species in comparable amounts is possible in the case of 3‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazoles.     

The mechanism of O(3P) atom reaction with ethylene and other simple olefins

Reactions of oxygen atoms with ethylene, propene, and 2-butene were studied at room temperature under discharge flow conditions by resonance fluorescence spectroscopy of O and H atoms at pressures of 0.08 to 12 torr. The measured total rate constants of these reactions are K = (7.8 ± 0.6)·10^?13cm³s^?1,K = (4.3 ± 0.4) ± 10^?12 cm³ s^?1, K = (1.4 ± 0.4) · 10^?11 cm³ s^?1. The branching ratios of H atom elimination channels were measured for reactions of O atoms with ethylene and propene. No H-atom elimination was found for the reaction of O-atoms with 2-butene. A redistribution of reaction O + C₂ channels with pressure was found. A mechanism of the O + C₂ reaction was proposed and the possibility of its application to other olefins is discussed. On the basis of mechanism the pressure dependence of the total rate constant for reaction O + C₂ was predicted and experimentally confirmed in the pressure range 0.08–1.46 torr.     

Mass transfer of oxygen in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

The diffusion coefficient of oxygen in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) has been explicitly measured using an optical technique based on fluorescence quenching. This measurement represents the first explicit determination of D in PHEMA. A diffusion coefficient of oxygen in PHEMA of 1.36 × 10^?7 cm²/s at 20°C was obtained from this measurement. This value is shown to agree well with permeability data for PHEMA, the free volume theory of diffusion, and with values of D that have been explicitly measured in other methacrylate hydrogels.     

Chemical actinometry at 147.0 nm

Hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and O₂ were photolyzed at 147.0 nm to investigate their use in chemical actinometry. The products, CO for the former and O₃ in the latter case, were monitored. For accurate comparison, both of these substances were irradiated by a single light source with two identical reaction cells at 180° to each other. The light intensities I were measured under the same integrated as well as instantaneous photon flux based on ? and ?_CO (quantum yield) as 2 and 1, respectively. Optimum conditions for maximum product yield were 5.0 torr HFA pressure and an O₂ flow rate of 200 ml/min at 1 atm pressure for a 20-minute photolysis period. For light intensity variations between 1.09 × 10¹⁴ and 2.10 × 10¹⁵ photons absorbed/sec, the ratio I/I_HFA was found to be unity. Calibration with the commonly used N₂O actinometer for a ? value of 1.41 showed that I/I_HFA and I/I are unity. Both HFA and O₂ are suitable chemical actinometers at 147.0 nm with ?_CO and ? of 1 and 2, respectively. The light intensity determination in the first case involves the measurement of only one product which is noncondensible at 77°K, whereas wet analysis for O₃, the only product, in the second actinometer is necessary. Both of these determinations are quite simple and are preferable over product analysis in N₂O actiometry, wherein N₂ separation from other noncondensibles at 77°K is required.     

The kinetics of the reaction F + H2 → HF + H. A critical review of literature data

Published experimental studies concerning the determination of rate constants for the reaction F + H₂ → HF + H are reviewed critically and conclusions are presented as to the most accurate results available. Based on these results, the recommended Arrhenius expression for the temperature range 190–376 K is k = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹⁰ exp |-(450 ± 50)/T| cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the recommended value for the rate constant at 298 K is k = (2.43 ± 0.15) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The recommended Arrhenius expression for the reaction F + D₂ → DF + D, for the same temperature range, based on the recommended expression for k and accurate results for the kinetic isotope effect k/k is k = (1.06 ± 0.12) × 10^×10 exp |-(635 ± 55)/T|cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the recommended value for 298 K is k = (1.25 ± 0.10) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 67–71, 1997.     

Electrophilicity versus Electrofugality of Tritylium Ions in Aqueous Acetonitrile

First‐order rate constants k_w for the reactions of a series of donor‐substituted triphenylmethylium (tritylium) ions with water in aqueous acetonitrile have been determined photometrically at 20 °C using stopped‐flow and laser‐flash techniques. The rate constants follow the linear free energy relationship log k(20 °C)=s(N+E). The reactivities k_w of the methyl‐ and methoxy‐substituted tritylium ions towards water correlate linearly with the corresponding pK values with a Leffler–Hammond coefficient α=δΔG^≠/δΔG⁰ of 0.62. The amino‐substituted compounds react more slowly than expected from the correlation of the less stabilized systems. Quantum chemical calculations of tritylium ions and the corresponding triarylmethanols and 1,1,1‐triarylethanes have been performed at the MP2(FC)/6‐31+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level. The calculated gas‐phase hydroxide and methyl anion affinities of the tritylium ions correlate linearly with a slope of unity, indicating that the relative anion affinities do not depend on the nature of the anion. The pK values of the methyl‐ and methoxy‐substituted tritylium ions correlate linearly with the calculated gas‐phase hydroxide affinities, and the slope of this correlation shows that the differences in carbocation stabilities in the gas phase are attenuated to 66 % in solution. Mono‐ and bis(dimethylamino)‐substituted derivatives deviate from this correlation; their pK values are higher than expected from their calculated gas‐phase hydroxide affinities, which is explained by the extraordinary solvation of unsymmetrically amino‐substituted tritylium ions. Complete free‐energy profiles for the solvolyses of substituted trityl benzoates in 90:10 (v/v) acetonitrile/water have been constructed.     

Polyolefin based gas separation membranes

Three kinds of membrane material were prepared by means of modification or functionalization of polyolefin. They are terpolymer of ehtylene, propene and butene-1 (EPB), poly (butadiene- block- dimethylsiloxane) copolymer (PB- b- PDMS), and sulfonated EPDM metallic salt ionomer (S- EPDM- Me). These materials are used as oxygen enrichment membranes. Some interesting results were obtained from the separation of oxygen and nitrogen, e. g. the permeation coefficients of oxygen (P) for EPB, PB-b-PDMS and S-EPDM-Me are 23.5 × 10⁻¹⁰, 59.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 12.1 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³(STP) · cm/cm² · s · cmHg, and the separation factors (P/P) are 3. 8, 4. 5 and 4. 5, respectively.     

The effect of water content on the ultimate properties of rubbery nanocomposite gels

An investigation was conducted into the effects of water content (R) on the ultimate tensile properties of nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/clay networks. Rubbery NC gels with low clay contents (<NC10) exhibited unique changes in their stress–strain curves, depending on the R. At high R, where PNIPA chains are fully hydrated, NC gels retained their rubbery tensile properties, whereas they changed to exhibit plastic‐like deformations with decreasing R. Consequently, for a series of NC gels with different R, a failure envelope was obtained by connecting the rupture points in the stress–strain curves. Here, the counterclockwise movement was observed as either the R decreased or the strain rate increased. This seemed to be analogous to that of a conventional elastomer (e.g., SBR), although the mechanisms are different in the two cases. From the R and C_clay dependences of the ultimate properties, three critical values of R were defined, where R showed a maximum strain at break, a steep increase in initial modulus, and onset of brittle fracture. Compared with NC gels, OR gels (chemically crosslinked hydrogels) showed similar but very small changes in their stress–strain curves on altering R, whereas LR (viscous PNIPA solution) showed a monotonic decrease (increase) in ε_b (E_i) with decreasing R. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2328–2340, 2009     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Family of POCOP Pincer Complexes with Nickel: Reactivity Towards CO2 and Phenylacetylene

A cyclohexyl‐based POCOP pincer ligand (POCOP=cis‐1,3‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphinito)cyclohexyl) cyclometalates with nickel to generate a series of new POCOP‐supported Ni^II complexes, including the halide, hydride, methyl, and phenyl species. trans‐[NiCl{cis‐1,3‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphinito)cyclohexane}], [(POCOP)NiCl] ( 1 a ) and the analogous bromide complex ( 1 b ) were synthesized and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of 1 a and 1 b alongside their bis(phosphine) analogues [(PCP)NiCl] ( 2 a ) and [(PCP)NiCl] ( 2 a ) (PCP=cis‐1,3‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphino)cyclohexyl) indicate a reduced electron density at the metal center upon introducing electron‐withdrawing oxygen atoms in the pincer arms. The methyl [(POCOP)NiMe] ( 3 ) and phenyl [(POCOP)NiPh] ( 4 ) complexes were formed from 1 a by reaction with the corresponding organolithium reagents. 1 a also reacts with LiAlH₄ to give the hydride complex [(POCOP)NiH] ( 5 ). The methyl complex 3 reacts with phenyl acetylene to give the acetylide complex [(POCOP)NiCCPh] ( 6 ). The reactivity of compounds 3 – 5 towards CO₂ was studied. The hydride complex 5 and the methyl complex 3 both underwent CO₂ insertion to form the formate species [(POCOP)NiOCOH] ( 7 ) and acetate species [(POCOP)NiOCOCH₃] ( 8 ), respectively, although with a higher barrier of insertion in the latter case. Compound 4 was unreactive towards CO₂ even at elevated temperatures. Complexes 3 – 8 were all characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography.     

The 13C and D kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl

The kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of methane (CH₄) with Cl atoms are studied in a relative rate experiment at 298 ± 2 K and 1013 ± 10 mbar. The reaction rates of ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl radicals are measured relative to ¹²CH₄ in a smog chamber using long path FTIR detection. The experimental data are analyzed with a nonlinear least squares spectral fitting method using measured high‐resolution spectra as well as cross sections from the HITRAN database. The relative reaction rates of ¹²CH₄, ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl are determined as k/k = 1.06 ± 0.01, k/k = 1.47 ± 0.03, k/k = 2.45 ± 0.05, k/k = 4.7 ± 0.1, k/k = 14.7 ± 0.3. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 110–118, 2005     

Thermodynamic Studies on the Complexation Reactions of copper(II) Macrocyclic Tetramine Complexes with Monodentate Ligands: I. RAC-5, 7, 7, 12, 14, 14-Hexamethyl-l, 4, 8, 11-Tetraazacyclotetradecane-Copper(II) (Blue) with-Halide Ions

The possibility of a trigonal bipyramidal structure for [Cu(tet b)X]⁺ (blue) (where X=Cl, Br, I) is supported by the observation of two distinct d-d bands, which are assigned as and d, d_xy→d and d_xz, d_yz→d transitions respectively. The stability constants for the formation of [Cu(tet b)X]⁺ (blue) from [Cu(tet b)]^z+ (blue) and X^? were determined by spectrophotometric method at 25°, 35° and 45°C. The corresponding δH° and δS° values were obtained from the variations of the stability constants between 25° and 45°C     

Recommendations for measuring second-order rate constants and kinetic solvent isotope effects on acid-catalyzed reactions

Kinetic solvent isotope effects (KSIE) were measured for the hydrolyses of acetals of benzaldehydes in aqueous solutions covering the pH (pD) range of 1–6. For p-methoxybenzaldehyde diethyl acetal, k/k = 1.8–3.1, depending on the procedure used to calculate the KSIE and on the pH (pD) range used as the basis for k(k). It is shown that this variation is an experimental artifact, and is a characteristic of KSIE measurements in general. It is recommended that k be calculated from a least-squares fit of data to the equation k_obs = k[L⁺], and that the KSIE be reported as k/k. The limitation remains, however, that the KSIE measured for a variety of substances over quite different pH (pD) ranges may not be comparable to more than ?20%. The source of these observations is discussed in terms of small changes in the activity coefficient ratios (a specific salt effect), including the solvent isotope effect on the activity coefficient ratio [eq. (3)].     

1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of some substituted acetophenones

Measurements are reported on the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the acetyl protons of a series of substituted acetophenones. Although the extreme values of the chemical shifts, δ for the meta- and para- substituted compounds differ only by 0·2 units, the values themselves are linearly related to the Hammett substituent constants. No such relationship exists for the ortho-substituted compounds. The magnitude of the chemical shift is independent of substrate concentration over a five-fold variation.     

Lawesson's reagent for direct thionation of hydroxamic acids: Substituent effects on LR reactivity

To explore the generality and scope of direct thionation of hydroxamic acids (HAs), the reaction of various structurally diverse HAs with Lawesson's reagent was investigated. The yield of thiohydroxamic acid (THAs) is poor when HAs possess bulky acyl and/or N‐substituents, acidic α‐hydrogen atoms, or an N‐phenyl ring. THAs yields were correlated with Brown sigma parameter. The relative rates of two subsequent processes k and k were also measured. Correlation was also found for methine proton chemical shifts of N‐isopropyl benzothiohydroxamic acids. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:676–684, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20259     

The quantum efficiency of the primary processes in formaldehyde photolysis at 3130 Å and 25°C

The mechanism of the photolysis of formaldehyde was studied in experiments at 3130 Å and in the pressure range of 1–12 torr at 25°C. The experiments were designed to establish the quantum yields of the primary decomposition steps (1) and (2), CH₂O + hν → H + HCO (1): CH₂O + hν → H₂ + CO (2), through the effects of added isobutene, trimethylsilane, and nitric oxide on Φ_CO and Φ. The ratio Φ_CO/Φ was found to be 1.01 ± 0.09(2σ) and (Φ + Φ_CO)/2 = 1.10 ± 0.08 over the range of pressures and a 12-fold change in incident light intensity. Isobutene and nitric oxide additions reduced Φ to about the same limiting value, 0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.04, respectively, but these added gases differed in their effects on Φ_CO. With isobutene addition Φ_CO/Φ reached a limiting value of 2.3; with NO addition Φ_CO exceeded unity. The addition of small amounts of Me₃SiH reduced Φ to 1.02 ± 0.08 and lowered Φ_CO to 0.7. These findings were rationalized in terms of a mechanism in which the “nonscavengeable,” molecular hydrogen is formed in reaction (2) with ?₂ = 0.32 ± 0.03, while the “free radical” hydrogen is formed in reaction (1) with ?₁ = 0.68 ± 0.03. In the pure formaldehyde system these reactions are followed by (3)–(5): H + CH₂O → H₂ + HCO (3); 2HCO → CH₂O + CO (4); 2HCO → H₂ + 2CO (5). The data suggest k₄/k₅ ? 5.8. Isobutene reduced Φ by the reaction H + iso-C₄H₈ → C₄H₉ (20), and the results give k₂₀/k₃ ? 43 ± 4, in good agreement with the ratio of the reported values of the individual constants k₃ and k₂₀.     

Aging and degradation of polyolefins. II. γ-initiated oxidations of atactic polypropylene

Oxidations of bulk atactic polypropylene (PP) have been carried out at 22 and 45°C, and the dependence of rate of formation of each product on rate of initiation has been determined. The principal product is PP hydroperoxide, formed in a half-order reaction. One termination product is polymeric dialkyl peroxide, formed in a first-order reaction. Other termination and propagation products, alcohols and carbonyl compounds, are formed in reactions that are mostly first-order in initiation. At 22°C, G is 9–63. G is about three times as great at 45°C as at 22°C. Experiments with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol shows that it can inhibit all non-cage propagation and all formation of PP hydroperoxide, but that it does not affect cage reactions of initiating radicals and their successors. Only about 16% of the initiating PPO₂· radicals escape the cage at 45°C. Oxidations of PP, n-hexane, and their mixture with both peroxide and γ-ray initiation show that nearly all the initiating radicals escape the cage in solution but that the concentration of PPO₂· radicals is much less than in bulk because of a much faster chain termination. Both the propagation and termination constants for PP oxidation are much faster in solution, but the changes compensate so that k_p/(2k_t)^½ is about the same in solution as in bulk.     

A study on the metalation of fluorinated phenyl benzyl ethers

Lithiation of a series of aryl benzyl ethers containing fluorine atoms or CF group in the phenolic ring has been studied. It was found that the long‐distance inductive effect (two fluorine atoms in 2,6‐ or 2,3‐position to the oxygen) and the cooperation of the coordination and inductive effects (fluorine atom or CF group meta to oxygen atom) are the main factors directing ortholithiation. Dilithiation of aryl benzyl ethers by butyllithium is generally less effective, but in the presence of PMDTA occurs efficiently and gives compounds containing lithium atoms at the phenyl ring and in the benzylic position. 2,3‐Difluoro‐benzyloxybenzene was dilithiated using BuLi–PMDTA complex and the intermediate was trapped with Me₃SiCl to give disilylated product in high yield. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of substitution reactions with sulfur-containing nucleophiles in aqueous acid solutions. I—rates of reactions of some tetrahalopalladate (II) anions with thiourea and selenourea

The activation energy parameters for the reaction of PdX (X=Cl^?, Br^?) in aqueous halide acid solution with thiourea (tu) and selenourea (seu) have been determined. High rates of reaction parallel low enthalpies and appreciable negative entropy of activation. The rate law in each case simplifies to k_obs=k[L] where L=tu or seu, and only ligand-dependent rate constants are observed at 25°C. The ligand-dependent rate constants for the first identifiable step in the PdCl + X system is (9.1±0.1) × 10³ M^?1 sec^?1 and (4.5±0.1) × 10⁴ M^?1 sec^?1 for X=tu and seu, respectively, while for the PdBr + X system it is (2.0±0.1) × 10⁴ M^?1 sec^?1 and (9.0±0.1) × 10⁴ M^?1 sec^?1 for X=tu and seu, respectively.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of nitrate radicals with geraniol,citronellol, and dihydromyrcenol

Terpenes and terpene alcohols are prevalent compounds found in a wide variety of consumer products including soaps, flavorings, perfumes, and air fresheners used in the indoor environment. Knowing the reaction rate of these chemicals with the nitrate radical is an important factor in determining their fate indoors. In this study, the bimolecular rate constants of k (16.6 ± 4.2) × 10^?12, k (12.1 ± 3) × 10^?12, and k (2.3 ± 0.6) × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were measured using the relative rate technique for the reaction of the nitrate radical (NO₃?) with 2,6‐dimethyl‐2,6‐octadien‐8‐ol (geraniol), 3,7‐dimethyl‐6‐octen‐1‐ol (citronellol), and 2,6‐dimethyl‐7‐octen‐2‐ol (dihydromyrcenol) at (297 ± 3) K and 1 atmosphere total pressure. Using the geraniol, citronellol, or dihydromyrcenol + NO₃? rate constants reported here, pseudo‐first‐order rate lifetimes (k′) of 1.5, 1.1, and 0.002 h^?1 were determined, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 669–675, 2010     

Synthesis,properties, and gas permeability of novel poly(diarylacetylene) derivatives

Poly(diphenylacetylene)s having various silyl groups are soluble in common solvents, from whose membranes poly(diphenylacetylene) membranes can be obtained by desilylation. The oxygen permeability coefficients of the desilylated polymers are quite different from one another (120–3300 barrers) irrespective of the same polymer structure. When bulkier silyl groups are removed, the oxygen permeability increases to larger extents. Poly[1-aryl-2-p-(trimethylsilyl)phenylacetylene]s are soluble in common solvents, and afford free-standing membranes. These Si-containing polymer membranes are desilylated to give the membranes of poly[1-aryl-2-phenylacetylene]s. Both of the starting and desilylated polymers show very high thermal stability and high gas permeability. 1-Phenyl-2-p-(t-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenylacetylene polymerizes into a high-molecular-weight polymer. This polymer is soluble in common organic solvents to provide a free-standing membrane. Desilylation of this membrane yields a poly(diphenylacetylene) having free hydroxyl groups, which is the first example of a highly polar group-carrying poly(diphenylacetylene). The P/P and P/P permselectivity ratios of poly(1-phenyl-2-p-hydroxylphenylacetylene) membrane are as large as 47.8 and 45.8, respectively, while keeping relatively high P of 110 barrers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5028–5038, 2006