The reaction between oxalatotetraammine-cobalt(III) ion and hydroxide ion in aqueous solution

The rate of the reaction between sodium hydroxide and oxalatotetraamminecobalt(III) ion was measured for a variety of hydroxide ion concentrations and at four temperatures. The rate law below 333 K is given by k_obs = k₀ + k₂[OH⁻]² and above 333 K is shown to be k_obs = k₀ + k₁[OH⁻]. The reaction proceeds with a single rate controlling step, which is interpreted as oxalate ring opening. This is followed by a rapid oxalate loss step.     

Orthophosphate and metaphosphate ion removal from aqueous solution using alum and aluminum hydroxide

The removal of orthophosphates (10(-2) kg P m(-3)), condensed phosphates (10(-2) kg P m(-3)), and mixtures of both (5 x 10(-3) kg P m(-3) as orthophosphate and 5 x 10(-3) kg P m(-3) as metaphosphate) in aqueous solution is studied using alum and aluminum hydroxide. The effects of coagulant dose, pH, temperature, aging of aluminum hydroxide, and presence of different ions are investigated. On the basis of the experimental results, alum is much more efficient in phosphorus removal than aluminum hydroxide even if, in both cases, at the conditions studied, the active coagulant form is Al(OH)(3). The differences then could be due to the higher activity of the in situ formed hydroxide. Orthophosphates and metaphosphates seem to have similar behavior vs pH variation: maximum removal is achieved at pH values 5-6 in all cases. On the other hand, in the simultaneous presence of both P forms, orthophosphate and metaphosphate ions have different affinities for the surface sites of aluminum hydroxide, since for both alum and aluminum hydroxide, orthophosphates are preferentially removed compared to metaphosphates, due probably to orientation effects and the charge per P atom. The presence of sodium, potassium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, and magnesium, at the concentrations studied and for a pH value of 6, does not influence P removal. Temperature variation, between 25 and 60 degrees C, does not affect alum efficiency but both P forms are increasingly removed with increasing temperature, probably due to polymer Al(OH)(3) breaking, producing new surfaces for adsorption. Aging decreases sorption capacity of Al(OH)(3), while crystallites of increasing size are formed. Finally adsorption of both P forms is best described by the Freundlich isotherm [[K(F)=(49.1-69.1) x 10(-3) (m(3)kg(-1))(1/N), 1/N: 0.14-0.19 for T=25-60 degrees C] and [ K(F)=(1.58-2.79) x 10(-3) (m(3)kg(-1))(1/N), 1/N: 2.17-2.47 for T=25-60 degrees C] for orthophosphate and metaphosphate, respectively.     

State of the hydroxide ion in water and aqueous solutions

Conclusion Analysis of these experimental facts leads to the conclusion that in water and aqueous solutions of alkali metal hydroxides it is extremely probable that the hydroxide ion exists in the form H₃O₂ ^–. The marked displacement of the extrapolated chemical shift of the proton of the H₃O₂ ^– ion towards weak fields and the displacement of the frequency of the bending vibrations of the OH bond towards higher frequencies for hydroxide solutions indicate strong hydrogen bonding between the OH^– ion and the H₂O molecule. The comparatively low heat of hydration of the OH^– ion (111 cal/mole) compared with the heat of hydration of the H₊ ion (276 cal/mole) cannot, as has been shown, serve as proof that there is no strong electrostatic bond between the OH^– ion and a water molecule. All the heat of hydration is used up in the formation of this bond; this can be regarded as additional confirmation of the hydrophobic nature of the ion produced. The experimental data on the absolute value of the chemical shift of the proton of the H₃O₂ ^– ion indicate the important role played by the excited state of the proton in this complex. This conclusion agrees with the spectroscopic data.M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 969–974, November–December, 1971.     

Cyclic voltammetry of ion transfer across the polarized interface between the organic molten salt and the aqueous solution

A molten salt, or ionic liquid, composed of tetrahexylammonium bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide forms with an aqueous solution a polarized interface where the phase-boundary potential can be controlled externally. The available potential window of about 300 mV at 40 °C enables us to apply various electrochemical techniques for studying the structure and charge transfer reactions at the molten salt–water interface. Cyclic voltammetry of the transfer of moderately hydrophobic ions, such as 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium and hexafluorophosphate ions, across the interface exemplifies the potentiality of this new electrochemical interface. This new type of polarized interface would facilitates electrochemical studies of molten salt–water two-phase systems that have been studied as an environmentally benign alternative of organic solvent–water two-phase systems for liquid–liquid extraction and two-phase organic synthesis.     

Mercury-coated platinum microelectrodes for steady-state voltammetry in aqueous solutions at high temperature

Sphere-cap mercury microelectrodes fabricated on a platinum disk substrate were tested in aqueous solutions over the temperature range 295–353 K. The performance of these electrodes was assessed in solutions containing Ru(NH₃)₆Cl₃ and LiClO₄ as supporting electrolyte. From the steady-state limiting current obtained at three different mercury microelectrodes, the diffusion coefficient of the electroactive species at different temperatures was determined. It was found that the diffusion coefficient values were consistent with the Stokes–Einstein and activation energy models. The results obtained also allowed us to conclude that sphere-cap mercury microelectrodes can be useful for elevated temperature electroanalysis in aqueous solutions.     

Physisorption of hydroxide ions from aqueous solution to a hydrophobic surface

We present results from detailed molecular dynamics simulations revealing a counterintuitive spontaneous physical adsorption of hydroxide ions at a water/hydrophobic interface. The driving force for the migration of the hydroxide ions from the aqueous phase is the preferential orientation of the water molecules in the first two water layers away from the hydrophobic surface. This ordering of the water molecules generates an electrical potential gradient that strongly and favorably interacts with the dipole moment of the hydroxide ion. These findings offer a physical mechanism that explains intriguing experimental reports indicating that the interface between water and a nonionic surface is negatively charged.     

On the steady-state assumption and its application to the rotating disk voltammetry of adsorbed enzymes

Rotating disk voltammetry is routinely used to study electrochemically driven enzyme catalysis because of the assumption that the method produces a steady-state system. This assumption is based on the sigmoidal shape of the voltammograms. We have introduced an electrochemical adaptation of the King-Altman method to simulate voltammograms in which the enzyme catalysis, within an immobilized enzyme layer, is steady-state. This method is readily adaptable to any mechanism and provides a readily programmable means of obtaining closed form analytical equations for a steady-state system. The steady-state simulations are compared to fully implicit finite difference (FIFD) simulations carried out without any steady-state assumptions. On the basis of our simulations, we conclude that, under typical experimental conditions, steady-state enzyme catalysis is unlikely to occur within electrode-immobilized enzyme layers and that typically sigmoidal rotating disk voltammograms merely reflect a mass transfer steady state as opposed to a true steady state of enzyme intermediates at each potential.     

Preparation of magnesium hydroxide from nitrate aqueous solution

Nucleation of Mg(OH)₂ was investigated by measuring the electrical conductivity and pH of the Mg(NO₃)₂ reaction solution to which ammonia containing different amounts of NH₄NO₃ was added. NH₄NO₃ increases solubility and slows down precipitation of Mg(OH)₂ in the system. Data are presented on the influence of NH₄NO₃ on the solubility of Mg(OH)₂ at 25°C. The phenomena observed can be explained by the solvation effect of nitrate ions brought to the system with the addition of ammonium nitrate, which was proved by NMR spectroscopy. When the mass fraction of NH₄NO₃ exceeds 15 %, homogeneous nucleation does not proceed. It was found that seeding of the system with Mg(OH)₂ crystals only influenced the rate of Mg(OH)₂ crystallisation, not the size and shape of the crystals. Primary crystals are smaller than 0.1 μm. The large difference in the surface energy of individual crystal planes leads to oriented agglomeration. This process is accelerated in a pressure reactor at 130°C. The resulting polycrystals are hexagonal plates 0.2 μm thin with a diameter of 1–2 μm. Under variable reaction conditions, agglomerates as big as 30 μm can be prepared.     

From self-assembly to noncovalent synthesis of programmable porphyrins' arrays in aqueous solution

Self-organization is the driving force that led to the evolution of life. Rationalization of the spontaneous self-assembly paradigm will offer tremendous potentialities to obtain a wide variety of complex systems, having specific functionality and properties. Herein, we will propose an overview of the developments in non-covalent syntheses of multi-porphyrin supramolecular species in aqueous solution. This work took inspiration from the pioneering studies aimed at rationalizing the spontaneous aggregation processes, governed by conventional solution properties (i.e. pH, ionic strength, and concentration). The more recent chemical strategies, to hierarchically manipulate the cooperative nature of weak interactions to design and synthesize supramolecular entities having pre-determined structure and properties, demonstrate the feasibility to attain, in a reproducible manner, molecular organization to supramolecular levels. In particular, calixarene-porphyrin species represents concrete evidence of a quantitative complexation, governed by precise hierarchical rules, which together with a rational functionalization of the molecular components leads to supramolecular entities of well-defined and tunable stoichiometry. These systems, thus, represent fertile ground to envisage and implement controlled self-organization strategies as bottom up methodologies to obtain supramolecular nanostructures and smart nanomachines.     

Electrooxidation of vanillyl alcohol in acidic aqueous solution using rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry.

The electrooxidation of benzylic alcohol derivative in acidic aqueous solution shows an oxidation pre-peak in the cyclic voltammogram, which means that the reaction is proceeding via an ECE mechanism where the second electron transfer occurs at a less positive potential. From the result of the rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry, the initial oxidation response of the electrode reaction can be extracted.     

Stable suspension of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles in aqueous solution

Seriously aggregated LDH agglomerates can be dispersed by a hydrothermal treatment into homogeneous stable suspensions that contain LDH particles in the range of 50-300 nm.     

Nature of the aqueous hydroxide ion probed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

X-ray absorption spectra of aqueous 4 and 6 M potassium hydroxide solutions have been measured near the oxygen K edge. Upon addition of KOH to water, a new spectral feature (532.5 eV) emerges at energies well below the liquid water pre-edge feature (535 eV) and is attributed to OH- ions. In addition to spectral changes explicitly due to absorption by solvated OH- ions, calculated XA spectra indicate that first-solvation-shell water molecules exhibit an absorption spectrum that is unique from that of bulk liquid water. It is suggested that this spectral change results primarily from direct electronic perturbation of the unoccupied molecular orbitals of first-shell water molecules and only secondarily from geometric distortion of the local hydrogen bond network within the first hydration shell. Both the experimental and the calculated XA spectra indicate that the nature of the interaction between the OH- ion and the solvating water molecules is fundamentally different than the corresponding interactions of aqueous halide anions with respect to this direct orbital distortion. Analysis of the Mulliken charge populations suggests that the origin of this difference is a disparity in the charge asymmetry between the hydrogen atoms of the solvating water molecules. The charge asymmetry is induced both by electric field effects due to the presence of the anion and by charge transfer from the respective ions. The computational results also indicate that the OH- ion exists with a predominately "hyper-coordinated" solvation shell and that the OH- ion does not readily donate hydrogen bonds to the surrounding water molecules.     

Alkylation of pentaerythritol by phase-transfer catalysis : 2. Crucial effect of the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution

The mechanistic aspects of the alkylation of pentaerythritol (2-2'-bis(hydroxymethyl)-l,3-propanediol) (PE) by phase-transfer catalysis have been investigated. The dramatic effect of an excess and renewal of sodium hydroxide solutions on the one hand, and the solubility of the PT catalyst in the organic phase on the other, argue that the selectivity of this reaction appears to be controlled almost completely by the possible protonation of the sodium form of the alkoxide anion of PE (4). This protonation depends on the assumption that water molecules are present in the PT medium, and is based upon the observation that this PT medium is actually a three liquid-layer system. As the unusual layer (catalyst layer) may be readily hydrated, the concentrated sodium hydroxyde solution can be no longer considered as an unquestionable desiccant.     

Electrochemical characterization of ordered arrays of metallo-porphyrins in aqueous solution

Metallated meso-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MTMPyP) and 5,11,17,23-tetrasulfonato-25,26,27,28-tetrakis-(hydroxylcarbonylmethoxy)-calix[4]arene (C(4)TsTc) were used as key components for building up discrete supramolecular entities starting from the formation of the template species MTMPyP:C(4)TsTc (1?:?4, M = Cu, Zn). The stepwise addition of further amount of porphyrin allows the facile non-covalent synthesis of discrete supramolecular entities (2?:?4 and 3?:?4) which can be built up just by programming the right stoichiometric addition of the proper porphyrin. The redox potentials of these supramolecular complexes in aqueous media, as well as those of the parent metalloporphyrins, have been characterized by using square wave voltammetry technique. The use of the simulation procedure leads us to establish the electrochemical steps involved in the redox processes for each supramolecular species, evidencing multistep electron reductions which were not experimentally resolved clearly because of their closeness. The most striking result is that the electrochemistry of each of these supramolecular complexes is different from that of the parent components. This "anomalous" behavior can be explained only considering each of these supramolecular complexes as a unique entity, in which such an internal electronic communication might occur. The formation of the 1?:?4 supramolecular complex produces a negative shift as to the metallated porphyrin redox potentials of about 30 mV. In the case of 2?:?4 and 3?:?4 species, the redox potentials progressively shifts towards more positive values by about 10-15 mV for each complexation step.     

Isotopic exchange between manganese hydroxide and manganese ions in aqueous solution

Heterogeneous isotopic exchange between manganese hydroxide and manganese ions in aqueous solutions tagged with radioactive⁵⁴Mn has been studied at different values of α, the ratio of the quantity of exchangeable ions in the solid phase to that in the liquid phase. The aging of the precipitate in its mother liquor prior to the exchange has a significant effect on both the extent and rate of the exchange reaction. A marked feature of great interest is the appearance of two aging-times, one at about 10² and the other at about 10⁴ min. The overall reaction appears to be of the consecutive type. In the case of a fresh precipitate, “complex-surface-exchange” and “self-diffusion” mechanisms are the most probable rate-determining steps in the initial and final stages of the reaction, respectively. “Complex-surface-exchange” is a new suggested mechanism. In the case of a well-aged precipitate, “surface-exchange” and ‘self-diffusion” mechanisms are the most probable-determining steps in the initial and final stages of the reaction, respectively.     

Formation and stability of the 4-methoxyphenonium ion in aqueous solution

The reaction of 2-methoxyphenylethyl tosylate (MeO-1-Ts) is first-order in [N(3)(-)]. A carbon-13 NMR analysis of the products of the reactions of MeO-1-[α-(13)C]Ts shows the formation of MeO-1-[β-(13)C]OH and MeO-1-[β-(13)C]N(3) from the trapping of a symmetrical 4-methoxyphenonium ion reaction intermediate 2(+). An analysis of the rate and product data provides a value of k(az)/k(s) = 83 M(-1) for partitioning of 2(+) between addition of azide ion and solvent. These data set a limit for the lifetime of 2(+) in aqueous solution.     

Ab initio aqueous thermochemistry: application to the oxidation of hydroxylamine in nitric acid solution

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed and thermochemical parameters estimated for 46 species involved in the oxidation of hydroxylamine in aqueous nitric acid solution. Solution-phase properties were estimated using the several levels of theory in Gaussian03 and using COSMOtherm. The use of computational chemistry calculations for the estimation of physical properties and constants in solution is addressed. The connection between the pseudochemical potential of Ben-Naim and the traditional standard state-based thermochemistry is shown, and the connection of these ideas to computational chemistry results is established. This theoretical framework provides a basis for the practical use of the solution-phase computational chemistry estimates for real systems, without the implicit assumptions that often hide the nuances of solution-phase thermochemistry. The effect of nonidealities and a method to account for them is also discussed. A method is presented for estimating the solvation enthalpy and entropy for dilute aqueous solutions based on the solvation free energy from the ab initio calculations. The accuracy of the estimated thermochemical parameters was determined through comparison with (i) enthalpies of formation in the gas phase and in solution, (ii) Henry's law data for aqueous solutions, and (iii) various reaction equilibria in aqueous solution. Typical mean absolute deviations (MAD) for the solvation free energy in room-temperature water appear to be ~1.5 kcal/mol for most methods investigated. The MAD for computed enthalpies of formation in solution was 1.5-3 kcal/mol, depending on the methodology employed and the type of species (ion, radical, closed-shell) being computed. This work provides a relatively simple and unambiguous approach that can be used to estimate the thermochemical parameters needed to build detailed ab initio kinetic models of systems in aqueous solution. Technical challenges that limit the accuracy of the estimates are highlighted.