Analysis of sulfur-containing compounds in ambient air using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection

A new analysis method for sulfur-containing compounds in air using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography and pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD), SPME-GC-PFPD method, has been developed. The analysis method is simple, fast and easily performed. To demonstrate the usefulness and versatility of the method air samples collected in geothermal areas in Rotorua, at a muddy beach in Auckland (cities in New Zealand), and in a wastewater treatment plant were analysed. COS, H₂S, CS₂, SO₂, CH₃SH, (CH₃)₂S and CH₃(CH₂)₂CH₂SH were identified in the samples from Rotorua. It was noted that air quality in residential areas with respect to sulfur compounds was better than that around geothermal sources. Samples from the wastewater treatment plant contained COS, H₂S, CS₂, SO₂, CH₃SH, (CH₃)₂S and (CH₃)₂S₂. It was found that the emission of sulfur compounds was reduced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. The potential impact of the detected sulfur compounds on human health is briefly discussed.     

SOME REACTIONS OF ALIPHATIC AMIDES WITH SULFUR AND SODIUM POLYSULFIDES

Abstract

Some reactions of the aliphatic amides, CH₃CONH₂, CH₃CONHCH₃, CH₃CON(CH₃)₂ and CH₃CON(C₂H₅)₂ with elemental S and sodium sulfides, Na₂S _n , n ≥ 1, have been studied. The initial reaction product with elemental sulfur appears to be a substituted polysulfane, CH₃COS _n NR, formed by the insertion of the sulfur chain into the C[sbnd]N bond. This product decomposes on further heating, forming COS as the major gas product. In solutions of Na₂S _n in the amides, the reactive material appears to be elemental S, present in equilibrium with S _n ^?2. In the N-dialkyl substituted amides, CH₃CON(CH₃)₂ and CH₃CON(C₂H₅)₂, the tetrasulfide is uniquely stabilized by solvent coordination so that solutions of Na₂S₄ in these amides are stable for long periods of time at 130°C.     

Reaktionen von elementarem Schwefel mit halogenierten Methanen

Reactions of elemental Sulfur with Halogenated Methanes At 250°C a reaction between CCl₄ and sulfur forms S₂Cl₂ and CS₂ (besides small amounts of S₃Cl₂ and S₄Cl₂). CHCl₃ and sulfur above 200°C under catalytic influence of AlCl₃ are forming HCl, S₂Cl₂, and CS₂; CH₂Cl₂ and sulfur also are reacting (with AlCl₃ or AI as catalyst) to CS₂ and HCl. Only at 345°C one gets,CS₂, HCl, and H₂S from CH₃Cl and sulfur. At 160°C forms HBR,BR₂, and CS₂. Aluminium is necessary for the reaction of CH₂Br₂ at 250°C with sulfur, forming CS₂ and HBr. A mixture of products (CS₂,H₂S, HBr, CH₃SCH₃, and (CH₃)₃SBr) results from CH₃ Br and sulfur at 250°C. CH₃I and sulfur produce CS₂,I₂, and H₂S at 145°C. The same products are formed from CH₂I₂ and sulfur with aluminium as catalyst at 175°C.     

Reactions of the nitrate radical with a series of reduced organic sulphur compounds in air

A 480 L evacuable reaction chamber, equipped with FT-IR spectroscopy on-line and ion chromatography off-line, has been used to study the gas phase reaction between the nitrate radical, NO₃, and the reduced organic sulphur compounds CH₃CH₂SH, (CH₃CH₂)₂S, (CH₃CH₂)₂S₂, and CH₃CH₂SCH₃ in air. The products CH₃CH₂SO₃H, SO₂, H₂SO₄, CH₃CHO, and CH₃CH₂ONO₂ were identified and quantified in the reactions of the first three compounds, CH₃CH₂SH, (CH₃CH₂)₂S, and (CH₃CH₂)₂S₂. The reaction products were CH₃CH₂SO₃H, CH₃SO₃H, SO₂, H₂SO₄, CH₃CHO, and CH₂O in the reaction of CH₃CH₂SCH₃. On the basis of identified reaction products and intermediates observed in the infrared spectra, mechanisms are proposed for the reactions between the NO₃ radical and the four reduced organic sulphur compounds. The results of this study, together with those from previous experiments performed in this laboratory on CH₃SCH₃, CH₃SH, and CH₃SSCH₃ lead to the conclusion that all these species, in the reaction with the NO₃ radical, follow a similar degradation mechanism producing SO₂, H₂SO₄, R? SO₃H, R? CHO, and R? CH₂ONO₂, as the main reaction products. The inital step of the reaction of NO₃ with R? S? R and R? S? H type (R = CH₃, CH₂CH₃) reduced organic sulphur compounds was found to be H-atom abstraction, probably after the formation of an initial adduct. For the reaction between NO₃ and R? S? S? R type compounds, evidence for an addition-decomposition reaction, as the initial steps, was obtained. R? S·, R? S(O)·, and R? S(O)₂· appear to be formed as intermediates in all the reactions. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Anchoring of sulfur‐containing alkylphosphonic and semifluorinated alkylphosphonic molecules on a polycrystalline aluminum substrate

Self‐assembly on a polycrystalline aluminum substrate of two sulfur‐containing alkylphosphonic acids, CH₃? (CH₂)₁₁? S? (CH₂)₂? PO(OH)₂, and CF₃? (CF₂)₇? (CH₂)₂? S? (CH₂)₂? PO(OH)₂, has been compared with CH₃? (CH₂)₁₅? PO(OH)₂. The reaction of the phosphonic head groups with the hydroxyls at the alumina surface to form phosphonates was studied with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and polarization modulation infrared reflection‐absorption spectroscopy (PM‐IRRAS). Barrier effects of the resulting layers was assessed by electrochemical polarization curves. With the conditions used in the present work for the self‐assembly reaction, it appears that the sulfur‐containing molecules do not perform as well as CH₃? (CH₂)₁₅? PO(OH)₂ in terms of film quality. Questions are raised about the possibility that the sulfur‐containing molecules could undergo cleavage during surface modification. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and reactions of some sulfur ylide complexes of palladium

The iodo-bridged sulfur ylide complex [Pd(μ-I)((CH₂)₂(SO)(CH₃))]₂ (1) when treated with dithiolates, acetylacetone and various Lewis bases gave [Pd((CH₂)₂(SO)(CH₃))(S ∼ S)] (S ∼ S = S₂CN(C₂H₅)₂, S₂COC₂H₅ and S₂P(OC₂H₅)₂), [Pd((CH₂)₂(SO)(CH₃))(acac)] (acac = acetylacetonate) and [PdI((CH₂)₂(SO)(CH₃))(base)]a (base = PPh₃, (P(OMe)₃, P(OPh)₃ and C₅H₅N). In the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The reactions rates and yields were greatly increased. Reaction of several related sulfur ylide complexes with I₂, HI or aqueous NaOH gave 1. The single crystal structure of [Pd((CH₂)₂(SO)(CH₃))₂] was determined (orthorhombic, Pbcn, a 13.379(2), b 8.081(1), c 9.048(2) Å, V 978.2 ų, Z = 4). The compound has a rather long PdCH₂ bond (2.096(1) Å, mean).     

Theoretical study of the gas‐phase ion pairs SN2 reactions of LiX with CH3SY (X,Y = F,Cl, Br,I)

The gas‐phase ion pair S_N2 reactions at saturated sulfur LiX + CH₃SY → CH₃SX + LiY (X, Y = F, Cl, Br, I) are investigated using the CCSD(T) calculations. The calculated results show that the reactions LiX + CH₃SY are exothermic only when the nucleophile is a heavier lithium halide. Central barrier heights are found to depend primarily on the identity of nucleophile LiX, decreasing in the order LiF > LiCl > LiBr > LiI. Another interesting feature of the ion pair reactions at sulfur is the good correlation between the reaction barriers with geometrical looseness of Li? X and S? Y bonds in the transition state structures. The data for the reaction barriers show good agreement with the prediction of the Marcus equation and its modification. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Molecular-field splitting in S2p photoelectron spectra of dimethyl sulfide and sulfur dichloride

High-resolution S2p photoelectron spectra have been measured for sulfur dichloride and dimethyl sulfide. By means of efficient fitting procedures and theoretical analyses, the vibrational fine structure has been disentangled from the molecular-field induced splitting of the S2p_3/2 core-ionized level. The resulting molecular-field splitting is determined to be 177 meV in the case of SCl₂ and 104 meV for (CH₃)₂S. Ab initio calculations that include core–valence electron correlation are able to reproduce these values to within 3 meV. Theoretical predictions of the molecular-field splitting are presented for a series of related sulfur compounds, SX₂, where X=H, NH₂, CN, and F.     

Reaction kinetics and thermochemistry of the chemically activated and stabilized primary ethyl radical of methyl ethyl sulfide,CH3SCH2CH2•, with O2 to CH3SCH2CH2OO•

Oxidation of methyl ethyl sulfide (CH₃SCH₂CH₃, methylthioethane, MES) under atmospheric and combustion conditions is initiated by hydroxyl radicals, MES radicals, generated after loss of a H atom via OH abstraction, will further react with O₂ to form chemically activated and stabilized peroxyl radical adducts. The kinetics of the chemically activated reaction between the CH₃SCH₂CH₂• radical and molecular oxygen are analyzed using quantum Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel theory for k(E) with master equation analysis and a modified strong-collision approach to account for further reactions and collisional deactivation. Thermodynamic properties of reactants, products, and transition states are determined by the B3LYP/6-31+G(2d,p), M062X/6-311+G(2d,p), ωB97XD/6-311+G(2d,p) density functional theory, and CBS-QB3, G3MP2B3, and G4 composite methods. The reaction of CH₃SCH₂CH₂• with O₂ forms an energized peroxy adduct CH₃SCH₂CH₂OO• with a calculated well depth of 34.1 kcal mol⁻¹ at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. Thermochemical properties of reactants, transition states, and products obtained under CBS-QB3 level are used for calculation of kinetic parameters. Reaction enthalpies are compared between the methods. The temperature and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for both the chemically activated reactions of the energized adduct and the thermally activated reactions of the stabilized adducts are presented. Stabilization and isomerization of the CH₃SCH₂CH₂OO• adduct are important under high pressure and low temperature. At higher temperatures and atmospheric pressure, the chemically activated peroxy adduct reacts to new products before stabilization. Addition of the peroxyl oxygen radical to the sulfur atom followed by sulfur-oxygen double bond formation and elimination of the methyl radical to form S(= O)CCO• + CH₃ (branching) is a potentially important new pathway for other alkyl-sulfide peroxy radical systems under thermal or combustion conditions.     

Structure and fragmentations of [C3H7S]+ ions

The principal fragmentation reactions of metastable [C₃H₇S]⁺ ions are loss of H₂S and C₂H₄. These reactions and the preceding isomerizations of [C₃H₇S]⁺ ions with six different initial structures were studied by means of labelling with ¹³C or D. From the results it is concluded that the loss of H₂S and C₂H₄ both occur at least mainly from ions with the structure [CH₃CH₂CH? SH]⁺ or from ions with the same carbon sulfur skeleton, with the exception of the ions with the initial structure [CH₃CH₂S? CH₂]⁺, which partly lose C₂H₄ without a preceding isomerization. For all ions, more than one reaction route leads to [CH₃CH₂CH?SH]⁺. It is concluded that the loss of H₂S is at least mainly a 1,3-elimination from the [CH₃CH₂CH?SH]⁺ ions. Both decomposition reactions are preceded by extensive but incomplete hydrogen exchange.     

Schwingungsspektren und Kraftkonstanten der Übergangsreihen OP(OCH3)3?OP(SCH3)3 und SP(OCH3)3?SP(SCH3)3

The IR- and RAMAN spectra are reported for the above mentionned compounds. All valence force-constants are calculated. The substitution of oxygen by sulfur causes a decrease of all force-constants. 18% for f P? OCH₃ and f P? SCH₃, 10% for f O?P and f S?P and 2% for f O? CH₃ and f S? CH₃.     

The molecular structure of chlorothiomethoxymethyl-bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) methylenechloride solvate at −160°C

The precise molecular structure of [PdCl(CH₂SCH₃)(PPh₃)₂] has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data collected at ?160°C. The CH₂Cl₂ solvated crystal ([PdCl(CH₂SCH₃)(PPh₃)₂ · CH₂Cl₂]) belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with four formula units in a cell of dimensions: a 14.973(3), b 15.333(3), c 17.377(3) Å and β 115.77(1)° at ?160°C. The structure was solved by the conventional heavy atom method and refined by the least-squares procedure to R = 0.035 for observed reflections. The geometry around the palladium atom is square-planar. The phosphorus atoms of the two triphenylphosphine ligands are mutually trans. The CH₂SCH₃ group is bonded to the palladium atom only through the PdC σ-bond and the sulfur atom is not bonded to the metal atom (PdC(1) 2.061(3), SC(1) 1.796(3), SC(2) 1.817(5), Pd?S 2.973(1) Å, PdC(1)S 100.64(14)° and C(1)SC(2) 101.28(18)°). The structure is in contrast to that of [PdCl(CH₂SCH₃)(PPh₃)], in which both the carbon and sulfur atoms of the CH₂SCH₃ group are bonded to the palladium atom.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with (C2H5)3PO and (CH3O)2P(S)Cl at 296 ± 2 K

The kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with (C₂H₅O)₃PO and (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl and of the reactions of NO₃ radicals and O₃ with (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl have been studied at room temperature. Using a relative rate technique, the rate constants determined for the reactions of the OH radical with (C₂H₅O)₃PO and (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl at 296 ± 2 K and 740 torr total pressure of air were (5.53 ± 0.35) × 10^?11 and (5.96 ± 0.38) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. Upper limits to the rate constants for the NO₃ radical and O₃ reactions with (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl of <3 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and <2 × 10^?19 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, were obtained. These data are compared and discussed with previous literature data for organophosphorus compounds.     

A theoretical investigation on the kinetics and reactivity of the gas-phase reactions of ethyl chlorodifluoroacetate with OH radical and Cl atom at 298 K

The mechanism, kinetics, and thermochemistry of the gas-phase reactions of CF₂ClC(O)OCH₂CH₃,ethyl chlorodifluoroacetate (ECDFA) with the OH radical and Cl atom are investigated. Geometry optimization and frequency calculations have been performed at the MPWB1K/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory and energetic information is refined by using G2(MP2) theory. Transition states are searched on the potential energy surface of reaction channels and each of the transition states is characterized by the presence of only one imaginary frequency. Connections of the transition states between designated local minima are confirmed by intrinsic reaction coordinate calculation. Theoretically calculated rate constants at 298 K using the Canonical Transition State Theory are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally measured ones. Using group-balanced isodesmic reactions as working chemical reactions, the standard enthalpies of formation for CF₂ClC(O)OCH₂CH₃, CF₂ClC(O)OCH₂CH₂, and CF₃C(O)OCHCH₃ are also reported for the first time. The hydrogen abstraction occurs mainly from –CH₂ group. The T1 diagnostic calculation suggests that the multi-reference character is not an issue for such systems. The estimated atmospheric life time of ECDFA is expected to be around 24 days.     

Ion–Molecule Reactions of “Rollover” Cyclometalated [Pt(bipy−H)]+ (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine) with Dimethyl Ether in Comparison with Dimethyl Sulfide: An Experimental/Computational Study

The ion–molecule reactions of dimethyl ether with cyclometalated [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ were investigated in gas‐phase experiments, complemented by DFT methods, and compared with the previously reported ion–molecule reactions with its sulfur analogue. The initial step corresponds in both cases to a platinum‐mediated transfer of a hydrogen atom from the ether to the (bipy?H) ligand, and three‐membered oxygen‐ and sulfur‐containing metallacycles serve as key intermediates. Oxidative C? C bond coupling (“dehydrosulfurization”), which dominates the gas‐phase ion chemistry of the [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ ion with dimethyl sulfide, is practically absent for dimethyl ether. The competition in the formation of C₂H₄ and CH₂X (X=O, S) in the reactions of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with (CH₃)₂X (X=O, S) as well as the extensive H/D exchange observed in the [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺/(CH₃)₂O system are explained in terms of the corresponding potential‐energy surfaces.     

Temperature-dependent kinetics of the simplest Criegee intermediate reaction with dimethyl sulfoxide

Criegee intermediates are thought to play roles in atmospheric chemistry, including OH radical formation, oxidation of SO₂, NO₂, etc. CH₂OO is the simplest Criegee intermediate, of which the reactivity has been a hot topic. Here we investigated the kinetics of CH₂OO reaction with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) under 278–349 K and 10–150 Torr. DMSO is an important species formed in the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide in the biogenic sulfur cycle. The concentration of CH₂OO was monitored in real-time via its mid-infrared absorption band at about 1,286 cm⁻¹ (Q branch of the ν₄ band) with a high-resolution quantum cascade laser spectrometer. The 298 K bimolecular rate coefficient was determined to be k₂₉₈ = (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹² cm³/s at 30 Torr with an Arrhenius activation energy of −3.9 ± 0.2 kcal/mol and a weak pressure dependence for pressures higher than 30 Torr (k₂₉₈ = (2.8 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹² cm³/s at 100 Torr). The reaction is speculated to undergo a five-membered ring intermediate, analogous to that of CH₂OO with SO₂. The negative activation energy indicates that the rate-determining transition state is submerged. The magnitude of the reaction rate coefficient lies in between those of CH₂OO reactions with (CH₃)₂CO and with SO₂.     

Bis(trimethylsilyl)-hypophosphit und Alkoxycarbonylphosphonigsäure-bis(trimethylsilyl)ester als Schlüsselsubstanzen für die Synthese von Organophosphorverbindungen

Bis(trimethylsilyl)hypophosphite und Alkoxycarbonylphosphonous Acid Bis(trimethylsilyl) esters as Building Blocks in Organophosphorus Chemistry The oxidation of pure bis(trimethylsilyl)hypophosphite ( BTH ) with chalcogenides forming (Me₃SiO)₂P(X)H (X = O, S, Se, Te) is described as well as its reactions with alkylhalides RX (X = Cl, Br, I) and Cl? C(O)OR (R = Me, Et, Bzl). By reaction with oxygen, sulfur, and selenium the alkoxycarbonylphosphonous acid bis(trimethylsilyl)esters form RO? C(O)? P(X)(OSiMe₃)₂ (X = O, S, Se) whereas with Cl? C(O)OR the bis(alkoxycarbonyl)-phosphinic acid trimethylsilylesters are obtained. After partial hydrolysis the resulting instable RO? C(O)? P(O)H(OSiMe₃) gives RO? C(O)? P(O)(OSiMe₃)? CH₂? NH? A? COOR′ (A = CH₂, CH₂CH₂, CHCH₃, CH₂CH₂SH, CHCH(CH₃)₂,…) when allowed to react with hexahydro-s-triazines of the aminoacid esters. Reactions of the alkoxycarbonyl-P-silylesters with NaOR or NaOH result in the corresponding mono-, di-, or trisodium salts. With mineral acids decarboxylation occurs, but H? P(O)(OH)? CH₂? NH? A? COOH can be obtained, too. The structure of the compounds described are discussed by their n.m.r. data.     

An Integrated Photoelectrochemical–Chemical Loop for Solar‐Driven Overall Splitting of Hydrogen Sulfide

Abundant and toxic hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from industry and nature has been traditionally considered a liability. However, it represents a potential resource if valuable H₂ and elemental sulfur can be simultaneously extracted through a H₂S splitting reaction. Herein a photochemical‐chemical loop linked by redox couples such as Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and I^?/I₃^? for photoelectrochemical H₂ production and H₂S chemical absorption redox reactions are reported. Using functionalized Si as photoelectrodes, H₂S was successfully split into elemental sulfur and H₂ with high stability and selectivity under simulated solar light. This new conceptual design will not only provide a possible route for using solar energy to convert H₂S into valuable resources, but also sheds light on some challenging photochemical reactions such as CH₄ activation and CO₂ reduction.     

A novel approach to molecular similarity

Summary We review briefly the general problem of assessing the similarity between one molecule and another. We propose a novel approach to the quantitative estimation of the similarity of two electron distributions. The procedure is based on momentum space concepts, and avoids many of the difficulties associated with the usual position space definitions. Results are presented for the model systems CH₃CH₂CH₃, CH₃OCH₃, CH₃SCH₃, H₂O and H₂S.     

Influence of Reagent Structure on the Rate and Mechanism of the Reaction of Aryloxiranes with Benzoic Acids

The kinetics of the reactions of aryloxiranes (XC₆H₄CH(O)CH₂, X = H, 4-Cl, 3-NO₂, 4-NO₂, and 3-Br and 4-Br in part) with arylcarboxylic acids (YC₆H₄₍₃₎ COOH, Y = H, 3-Br, 3-NO₂, 3,5-(NO₂)₂, and 4-OCH₃ in part) in acetonitrile have been studied at 343 K. Non-additive effects of the structural factors have been estimated quantitatively by cross-correlation analysis. The mechanism of the reactions is discussed.