Variations in Elastic and Viscous Properties in the Course of Nematic–Nematic Transition in the Tetrapalladium Organyl–Pentadecane System

Temperature dependences of elasticity constants and viscosity coefficients for nematic phases of a tetrapalladium organyl–pentadecane system were experimentally studied. At the temperature of the nematic–nematic transition, all the parameters measured were shown to vary in a stepwise manner. For the high-temperature phase N₂, the ratio of elasticity constants K ₃/K ₁ 3, whereas K ₃/K ₁ 10 for the low-temperature phase. The effective viscosity decreases by the order of magnitude in the course of the N₂–N₁ phase transition. On the basis of these results, the conclusion was made that the order parameter and length of columns, structural units of the nematic phases, sharply increase upon the N₂ N₁ transition.     

Determination of Size Distribution of Nano-particles by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

A new method was developed for the determination of the size distribution of nano-particles by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Scattering effect of nanoparticles was studied. This method for the determination of size distribution was statistical.     

Synthesis of Glass-Ceramics in Mixed Fluorozirconate–Phosphate Systems

Fluorozirconate-phosphate glasses of the ZrF₄–BaF₂–NaPO₃(LiPO₃) and ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–AlF₃–LiPO₃ systems doped with EuF₃, ErF₃, and NdF₃ were studied by the differential-thermal (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, luminescence spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) methods. Addition of the phosphate component up to 20 mol % decreases the glass transition temperature and increases the glass stability to crystallization. Heat treatment in the range >T_g–T_c1 of glass transition and first maxima of crystallization temperatures causes crystallization of nanosized β-BaZrF₆ particles. At LiPO₃ (NaPO₃) concentrations of more than 80 mol %, glasses containing a crystalline phase are formed during the synthesis process.

     

Viscosity of Polymer–Bitumen Binders

Polymer–bitumen binders for the highway engineering were obtained by the addition of a ternary ethylene–propylene rubber to a bitumen. The addition of a vulcanizing agent to a polymer–bitumen composition caused the structuring of the system through cross-linking of rubber molecules in the bitumen matrix that was confirmed by the study of structural viscosity of the polymer–bitumen compositions, as well as molecular mobility by the methods of NMR-relaxation and pulsed field gradient NMR-relaxation (self-diffusion).     

A Survey of Strain-Promoted Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition in Polymer Chemistry

Highly efficient reactions that enable the assembly of molecules into complex structures have driven extensive progress in synthetic chemistry. In particular, reactions that occur under mild conditions and in benign solvents, while producing no by-products and rapidly reach completion are attracting significant attention. Amongst these, the strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition, involving various cyclooctyne derivatives reacting with azide-bearing molecules, has gained extensive popularity in organic synthesis and bioorthogonal chemistry. This reaction has also recently gained momentum in polymer chemistry, where it has been used to decorate, link, crosslink, and even prepare polymer chains. This survey highlights key achievements in the use of this reaction to produce a variety of polymeric constructs for disparate applications.     

Redox Conversions of Polyaniline in Composite Polyaniline–Nafion Polymer Films

Redox processes that occur in composite polyaniline–Nafion films formed on platinum or glassy carbon during the potential cycling are studied by radioisotope and electrochemical methods. Following a change in the conditions and range of potential cycling, the films exhibit a slow relaxation (memory effect).     

Unique Possibilities of Dynamic Metal–Polymer Interactions in Selective Hydrogenation

Rationally designed polymers can function as supports or promoters for metal catalysts, imparting distinct catalytic properties in selective hydrogenation. With strongly metal–ligating functional groups, mobile polymer chains can spontaneously decorate the metal catalyst surfaces under mild conditions, forming stable metal–polymer interfaces. We have termed this phenomenon ‘dynamic metal–polymer interaction (DMPI),’ which can be roughly considered as an organic version of the strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) concept. The polymer chains that dynamically interact with the metal surface can control the adsorption of reactants and products through competitive adsorption, significantly improving selectivity and catalyst stability. One of the remarkable advantages of using polymers as catalytic materials is that their molecular structures, such as molecular weight, crystallinity, and chemical functionality, can be tailored using rich organic chemistry. This, in turn, allows us to precisely tune the metal–polymer interactions and catalytic properties. In this Concept, we will discuss how metal–polymer interfaces can be designed and utilized for selective hydrogenation, with a particular emphasis on the industrially relevant acetylene partial hydrogenation reaction.     

Stability of Polymer–Monomer Particles of Synthetic Latexes

The presence of “living” macroradicals in the volume of a polymer–monomer particle may be one of the factors responsible for the loss of the aggregative stability of latexes. If the adsorption protection of a polymer–monomer particle is insufficient, high content of “living” macroradicals leads to gelation in the latex in the course of storage. Correlation between the latex life time, hydration of nonionic surfactant molecules in the adsorption layer of a polymer–monomer particle, and extent of the action of the macroradicals was determined. Naphthalenesulfonic dispersing agents enhance the stability of latex systems in the step of polymerization and distillation of the monomers owing to a decrease in the critical micelle concentration of the emulsifier, to extension of the micellar period of the polymerization, to an increase in the degree of saturation of polymer–monomer particles, and to an increase in the probability of macroradical recombination in the volume of a polymer–monomer particle. With an increase in the degree of polycondensation of naphthalene-containing dispersing agents, their surface activity increases, whereas the ability to support the aggregative stability of latexes decreases.     

Synthesis of Silver Complexes in DMSO–HX and DMSO–HX–Ketone Systems

Comparative analysis of the oxidizing and complexing properties of the DMSO–HX (X = Cl, Br, I) and DMSO–HX–ketone (X = Br, I; the ketone is acetone, acetylacetone, or acetophenone) systems toward silver was performed. The reaction products are AgX (X = Cl, Br, I), [Me₃S⁺]Ag _n X^– _m (n= 1, 2; m= 2, 3; X = Br, I) and [Me₂S⁺CH₂COR]AgX^– ₂(R = Me, Ph; X = Br, I). The composition of the obtained complexes depends on both the DMSO : HX ratio and the nature of HX, as well as on the methods used to isolate solid products from the solution. It was noted that the formation of the [Me₂S⁺CH₂COMe]AgBr^– ₂complex in the Ag⁰–DMSO–HBr–acetylacetone system occurs with cleavage of the acetylacetone C–C bond and follows a specific reaction course. The optimum conditions for production of the silver compounds in the title systems are determined.     

Physical Stability and the Droplet Distribution of Rice Oil–in–Water Emulsion

The objective of the current study was to evaluate long-term stability of emulsions with rice oil by assessing their physical properties. For this purpose, six emulsions were prepared, their stability was examined empirically, and the most correctly formulated emulsion composition was determined using a computer simulation. Variable parameters (oil and thickener content) were indicated with optimization software based on Kleeman's method. Synthesized emulsions were studied by numerous techniques involving determination of particle size and distribution of emulsion, optical microscopy, viscosity, and novelty analysis—Turbiscan test.

The emulsion containing 50 g of oil and 1.2 g of thickener had the highest stability. Empirically determined parameters proved to be consistent with the results obtained using the computer software. The computer simulation showed that the most stable emulsion should contain from 35.93 to 50 g of oil and 0.94 to 1.19 g of thickener. The computer software based on Kleeman's method proved to be useful for fast optimization of the composition and providing parameters of stable emulsion systems. Forming emulsions based on rice oil is a chance to introduce a new, interesting representative of functional food as well as a cosmetic product.     

DSC Study of the Postdenaturated Structures in Biopolymer–water Systems

The temperature dependences of heat capacity for water–denaturated biopolymer (globular proteins, collagen and DNA) were measured in a wide range of temperatures (0–140°C) and water content of the systems. It has been shown that thermally denaturated globular proteins (lysozyme, myoglobin and catalase) are able to form the thermoreversible heat-set structures under the certain conditions studied. The additional endothermal maximum observed is the calorimetric manifestation of the phase transition related to the melting of these thermotropic non-native structures. The melting gels are completely formed just after denaturation during relatively short time and only their prolonged state at T>T _d leads to their transformation to thermoirreversible non-melting ones. The post denaturated structures from water-denaturated protein (Mb, Lys and RN-ase) systems with a different amount of free water were also studied. The thermoreversible cold-set gels are formed from both water-denaturated DNA and water-denaturated collagen systems. These thermotropic structures are metastable. A spatial gel network of both collagen and DNA is formed from the native-like renaturated structures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Physical Diffusion and Electron-transfer Dynamics of Electroactive Solutes in Polymer Electrolytes Ⅱ. Effect of the Ionic Size of Supporting Electrolytes

ConsiderableattentioniscurrntlyfocusedonsolidpolyInerelectrolytes(SPE)fromafhadamentalstandpointandfortheiruseaselectrolytesinhigh-energy-densitybatteries,sPecificionsensors,eleCtrochrndcdisplnys,andotherelectrochemicaldevicesI.Duringthelast2Oyears,toincreasethebulkionicconduCtivityofSPEasandtounderstandthemechanismofmasstranSPortinpolyInerelectrolytes"arethetWokeynotesinSPEresearchfield.MasstranSportandelectronchsferdynamicsinpolyInersolventSdependonmanyfactors,e.g.,thenatUrandconcen…     

Thermodynamic Investigation of Phase Equilibria in Metal Carbonate–Water–Carbon Dioxide Systems

 Solubility measurements as a function of temperature have been shown to be a powerful tool for the determination of thermodynamic properties of sparingly-soluble transition metal carbonates. In contrast to calorimetric methods, such as solution calorimetry or drop calorimetry, the evaluation of solubility data avoids many systematic errors, yielding the enthalpy of solution at 298.15 K with an estimated uncertainty of ±3 kJ · mol⁻¹. A comprehensive set of thermodynamic data for otavite (CdCO₃), smithsonite (ZnCO₃), hydrozincite (Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂), malachite (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃), azurite (Cu₃(OH)₂(CO₃)₂), and siderite (FeCO₃) was derived. Literature values for the standard enthalpy of formation of malachite and azurite were disproved by these solubility experiments, and revised values are recommended. In the case of siderite, data for the standard enthalpy of formation given by various data bases deviate from each other by more than 10 kJ · mol⁻¹ which can be attributed to a discrepancy in the auxiliary data for the Fe²⁺ ion. A critical evaluation of solubility data from various literature sources results in an optimized value for the standard enthalpy of formation for siderite. The Davies approximation, the specific ion-interaction theory, and the Pitzer concept are used for the extrapolation of the solubility constants to zero ionic strength in order to obtain standard thermodynamic properties valid at infinite dilution, T = 298.15 K, and p = 10⁵ Pa. The application of these electrolyte models to both homogeneous and heterogeneous (solid-solute) equilibria in aqueous solution is reviewed.     

Thermodynamic Investigation of Phase Equilibria in Metal Carbonate–Water–Carbon Dioxide Systems

Summary.  Solubility measurements as a function of temperature have been shown to be a powerful tool for the determination of thermodynamic properties of sparingly-soluble transition metal carbonates. In contrast to calorimetric methods, such as solution calorimetry or drop calorimetry, the evaluation of solubility data avoids many systematic errors, yielding the enthalpy of solution at 298.15 K with an estimated uncertainty of ±3 kJ · mol⁻¹. A comprehensive set of thermodynamic data for otavite (CdCO₃), smithsonite (ZnCO₃), hydrozincite (Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂), malachite (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃), azurite (Cu₃(OH)₂(CO₃)₂), and siderite (FeCO₃) was derived. Literature values for the standard enthalpy of formation of malachite and azurite were disproved by these solubility experiments, and revised values are recommended. In the case of siderite, data for the standard enthalpy of formation given by various data bases deviate from each other by more than 10 kJ · mol⁻¹ which can be attributed to a discrepancy in the auxiliary data for the Fe²⁺ ion. A critical evaluation of solubility data from various literature sources results in an optimized value for the standard enthalpy of formation for siderite. The Davies approximation, the specific ion-interaction theory, and the Pitzer concept are used for the extrapolation of the solubility constants to zero ionic strength in order to obtain standard thermodynamic properties valid at infinite dilution, T = 298.15 K, and p = 10⁵ Pa. The application of these electrolyte models to both homogeneous and heterogeneous (solid-solute) equilibria in aqueous solution is reviewed. Received June 26, 2001. Accepted July 2, 2001     

Dowex Polymer–Mediated Protection of Carbonyl Groups

Dowex (strongly acidic cationic exchange resin) polymer is employed as solid acid catalyst for the clean and less hazardous protection of carbonyl compounds as phenylhydrazones and 2,4‐dintrophenylhydrazones in ethanol under reflux conditions. The reactions proceed very smoothly and the yields of the derivatives are excellent.     

Voltammetric Investigation of Host–Guest Systems in the Absence of a Supporting Electrolyte

Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry - In the classic voltammetric approach to host--guest systems the investigations are carried out in excess of a supporting electrolyte,...     

States of Phase Equilibrium in Diphenyl Oxide–n-Heptadecane and Biphenyl–Diphenyl Oxide–n-Heptadecane Systems

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - Nonvariant equilibrium points in diphenyl oxide–n-heptadecane and biphenyl–diphenyl oxide–n-heptadecane systems are calculated according...     

The Shortened Transition Metal–Tellurium Bonds in Organometallic Clusters

The shortening of partly multiple M–Te (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Cr or W) bonds is observed for two classes of organometallic compounds: (1) formally electron-deficient species with additional donor–acceptor interaction between Te lone pairs and half-occupied d-orbitals of M; (2) formally electron-saturated species having additional dative interaction between M lone pairs and LUMO of Te. These compounds could be prepared by two main methods: (a) interaction of [CpMn(CO)₂PhC(O)⁻]Li⁺ with Te proceeds via formation of intermediate {[CpMn(CO)₂]₂Te}²⁻ which is further transformed into binuclear complex [CpMn(CO)₂]₂Te(CH₂Ph)₂ or into trinuclear ditelluride cluster [CpMn(CO)₂]₃Te₂ on one hand or to mixed-metal monotelluride clusters [CpMn(CO)₂]₂TeM(CO)₅ on another hand. (b) treatment of Fe(CO)₅, CpMn(CO)₂(THF) or Me₄C₄Co(CO)₂I with [PhTeI]₄, PhTeI₃ or PhTeI₂HC = CPhI results in different PhTeI-containing complexes of Fe, Mn or Co. The molecular structures of all new compounds were studied by means of X-ray diffraction analyses and the mechanism of M–Te bond shortening is discussed. Proceeding of the international workshop on transition metal clusters, 3–5 July 2008, Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.     

Enhanced Metallophilicity in Metal–Carbene Systems: Stronger Character of Aurophilic Interactions in Solution

Metallophilicity is an essential concept that builds upon the attraction between closed shell metal ions. We report on the [M₂(bisNHC)₂]²⁺ (M=Au^I, Ag^I; NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) systems, which display almost identical features in the solid state. However, in solution the Au₂ cation exhibits a significantly higher degree of rigidity owed to the stronger character of the aurophilic interactions. Both Au₂ and Ag₂ cationic constructs are able to accommodate Ag⁺ ions via M–M interactions, despite their inherent Coulombic repulsion. When electrostatic repulsion between host and guest is partially diminished, M–M distances are substantially shortened. Quantum chemical calculations estimate intermetallic bond orders up to 0.2. Although at the limit of (or beyond) the van der Waals radii, metallophilic interactions are responsible for their behavior in solution.