A Thermodynamic Study Between 18-Crown-6 with Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+and Ba2+ Cations in Water–Methanol and Water–Ethanol Binary Mixtures Using The Conductometric Method

The complexation reactions between Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations with the macrocyclic ligand, 18-Crown-6 (l8C6) in water–methanol (MeOH) binary systems as well as the complexation reactions between Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations with 18C6 in water–ethanol (EtOH) binary mixtures have been studied at different temperatures using conductometric method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of all the complexes is 1:1. It was found that the stability of 18C6 complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations is sensitive to solvent composition and in all cases, a non-linear behaviour was observed for the variation of log K _f of the complexes versus the composition of the mixed solvents. In some cases, the stability order is changed with changing the composition of the mixed solvents. The selectivity order of 18C6 for the metal cations in pure methanol is: Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺. The values of thermodynamic parameters (Δ H _c ° and Δ S _c °) for formation of 18C6–Mg²⁺, 18C6–Ca²⁺, 18C6–Sr²⁺ and 18C6–Ba²⁺complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constants. The obtained results show that the values of (Δ H _c ° and Δ S _c °) for formation of these complexes are quite sensitive to the nature and composition of the mixed solvent, but they do not vary monotonically with the solvent composition.This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Adsorption of Large Hydrocarbons on Coinage Metals: A van der Waals Density Functional Study

The adsorption of organic molecules onto the close‐packed facets of coinage metals is studied, and how accurately adsorption heights can be described by using recent advances of the van der Waals density functional (vdWDF), with optPBE/vdWDF, optB86b/vdWDF, vdWDF2, and rev/vdWDF2 functionals is illustrated. The adsorption of two prototypical aromatic hydrocarbons is investigated, and the calculated adsorption heights are compared to experimental literature values from normal incident X‐ray standing wave absorption and a state‐of‐the‐art semi‐empirical method. It is shown that both the optB86b/vdWDF and rev/vdWDF2 functionals describe adsorption heights with an accuracy of 0.1 Å, compared to experimental values, and are concluded as reliable methods of choice for related systems.     

Perfluorobutyric Acid and Its Monohydrate: A Chirped Pulse and Cavity Based Fourier Transform Microwave Spectroscopic Study

Rotational spectra of perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA) and its monohydrate were studied with a broadband chirped pulse and a narrow‐band cavity based Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, and high‐level ab initio calculations. Extensive conformational searches were performed for both the acid and its monohydrate at the MP2/6‐311++G(2d,p) level of theory. Two and three conformers were predicted to exist for PFBA and its monohydrate, respectively. One set of rotational transitions was observed and assigned for each, PFBA and its monohydrate. Based on the measured broadband spectra, we confidently conclude that only one dominant conformer exists in each case. The orientation of the hydroxyl group in PFBA was determined by using isotopic analysis. Comparison of the observed transition intensities and the calculated electric dipole moment components allowed us to identify the most stable monohydrate conformation, which takes on an insertion hydrogen‐bonding topology. Comparisons to the shorter chain analogues, that is, trifluoroacetic acid, perfluoropropionic acid, and their monohydrates, are made to elucidate the general trend in their conformational preference and binding topologies.     

Solubility and Raman Spectroscopic Study of As(III) Speciation in Organic Compound-Water Solutions. A Hydration Approach for Aqueous Arsenic in Complex Solutions

Solubilities of arsenolite (As₂O₃, cub.) were measured from 22 to 90°C in water–acetone, water–acetic acid, and water—formic acid solutions of compositions ranging from the pure organic compound to pure water. Raman spectra were obtained at ambient temperature on As-containing water–acetic acid and water–acetone solutions. Results show that arsenic solvation by these organic compounds is negligible and hydroxide species dominate As speciation over a wide range of water activity (a_{H 2 O}> 0.01). The solubility data were analyzed using an approach based on stoichiometric hydration reactions. Results show that As₂O₃ solubility can be described as a function of water activity, independently of the nature of the organic compound, by involving two neutral As hydroxide complexes: As(OH)₃ and As(OH)₃·4H₂O. Stability constants derived for these species indicate that hydration weakens with increasing temperature. Calculations using these constants show that at low temperatures the tetrahydrate As(OH)₃·4H₂O is dominant in water-rich solutions; by contrast, in high-temperature crustal fluids, As(OH)₃ becomes the major As species. The proposed hydration model can be used to analyze solubility of arsenic-bearing minerals and arsenic transport in complex H₂O–CO₂—electrolyte solutions encountered in natural and industrial environments.     

The Intramolecular Interaction of Thiophene and Furan with Aromatic and Fluoroaromatic Systems in Some [3.3]Meta(heterocyclo)paracyclophanes: A Combined Computational and NMR Spectroscopic Study

Four thiophene‐ and furan‐containing [3.3]meta(heterocyclo)paracyclophanes were designed and synthesized to study the intramolecular interaction between standard heteroaromatic rings and tetra‐H‐ or tetra‐F‐substituted benzenes. A complete conformational analysis, carried out by DFT calculations and variable‐temperature NMR techniques, showed that, despite their structural similarity, these adducts have different conformational preferences and undergo different types of isomerizations depending on the nature of the heterocycle. The thiophene‐derived adducts adopted a parallel stacked arrangement of the aromatic systems in the ground‐state conformations. Their isomerization pathways involved a thiophene ring‐flip process passing through an edge‐to‐face arranged transition state in which the heterocycle is perpendicular to the benzene platform and its sulfur atom points toward the center of that ring. The threshold energy barrier to the ring‐flip process was higher by 10 kJ mol^?1 in the case of the adduct featuring the perfluorinated benzene. This difference was rationalized by assuming that the ground‐state conformations of the H‐ and F‐substituted compounds have different stability. On the contrary, the furan‐derived adducts were shown by calculations and NMR spectroscopy to adopt, in their ground‐state conformations, a perpendicular edge‐to‐face disposition of the rings with the oxygen atom pointing toward the benzene platform. The adoption of this arrangement was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. In the case of these compounds, the isomerization process involved distortion of the CH₂SCH₂ bridges connecting the aromatic systems and the adoption of transition‐state geometries for which the rings were arranged in a parallel‐stacked orientation. Once again a very nice agreement was observed between the predicted and the experimentally determined geometries and pathways. In the case of the furan‐containing compounds, the threshold barriers were found to be much lower in energy that those observed for the thiophene derivatives. Remarkably, they were virtually independent of the presence of fluorine atoms on the platform benzene ring.     

Recent Advances in Composites of Graphene and Layered Double Hydroxides for Water Remediation: A Review

Composites of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and graphene (G) are exciting nanomaterials because of their unique surface structures and excellent physicochemical properties. Such materials offer the advantages of both components, that is, the large surface area and ample functional groups of graphene and the outstanding layered structure and ion‐exchangeability of layered double hydroxides, whilst effectively avoiding the coagulation of graphene and the instability of pristine layered double hydroxides, and they have been widely investigated for applications in water remediation. This Minireview begins by summarizing the most common methods for the synthesis of G@LDH composites, including hydrothermal treatment, coprecipitation, and in situ growth. Then, we review the adsorption and catalytic ability of G@LDH materials in the removal of contaminants from water, such as heavy metal ions, radionuclides, dyes, and other organic pollutants. Finally, we discuss the challenges and offer a perspective on the directions of future research of G@LDH composites.     

Zinc(II) Hydration in Aqueous Solution: A Raman Spectroscopic Investigation and An ab initio Molecular Orbital Study of Zinc(II) Water Clusters

Raman spectra of aqueous Zn(II)–perchlorate solutions were measured over broad concentration (0.50–3.54 mol-L^–1) and temperature (25–120°C) ranges. The weak polarized band at 390 cm^–1 and two depolarized modes at 270 and 214 cm^–1 have been assigned to ₁(a _1g), ₂(e _g), and ₅(f _2g) of the zinc–hexaaqua ion. The infrared-active mode at 365 cm^–1 has been assigned to ₃(f _1u). The vibrational analysis of the species [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] was done on the basis of O _h symmetry (OH₂ as point mass). The polarized mode ₁(a _1g)-ZnO₆ has been followed over the full temperature range and band parameters (band maximum, full width at half height, and intensity) have been examined. The position of the ₁(a _1g)-ZnO₆ mode shifts only about 4 cm^–1 to lower frequencies and broadens by about 32 cm^–1 for a 95°C temperature increase. The Raman spectroscopic data suggest that the hexaaqua–Zn(II) ion is thermodynamically stable in perchlorate solution over the temperature and concentration range measured. These findings are in contrast to ZnSO₄ solutions, recently measured by one of us, where sulfate replaces a water molecule of the first hydration sphere. Ab initio geometry optimizations and frequency calculations of [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] were carried out at the Hartree–Fock and second-order Møller–Plesset levels of theory, using various basis sets up to 6-31 + G*. The global minimum structure of the hexaaqua–Zn(II) species corresponds with symmetry T _h. The unscaled vibrational frequencies of the [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] are reported. The unscaled vibrational frequencies of the ZnO₆, unit are lower than the experimental frequencies (ca. 15%), but scaling the frequencies reproduces the measured frequencies. The theoretical binding enthalpy for [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] was calculated and accounts for ca. 66% of the experimental single-ion hydration enthalpy for Zn(II).Ab initio geometry optimizations and frequency calculations are also reported for a [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ¹⁸ ] (Zn[6 + 12]) cluster with 6 water molecules in the first sphere and 12 in the second sphere. The global minimum corresponds with T symmetry. Calculated frequencies of the zinc [6 + 12] cluster correspond well with the observed frequencies in solution. The ₁-ZnO₆ (unscaled) mode occurs at 388 cm^–1 almost in perfect correspondence to the experimental value. The theoretical binding enthalpy for [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ¹⁸ ] was calculated and is very close to the experimental single ion-hydration enthalpy for Zn(II). The water molecules of the first sphere form strong hydrogen bonds with water molecules in the second hydration shell because of the strong polarizing effect of the Zn(II) ion. The importance of the second hydration sphere is discussed.     

Effect of Ethylene Glycol on the Molecular Organization of H2O in Comparison with Methanol and Glycerol: A Calorimetric Study

Excess partial molar enthalpies of ethylene glycol, H ^E _EG, in binary ethylene glycol–H₂O, and those of 1-propanol, H ^E _IP, in ternary 1-propanol–ethylene glycol (or methanol)–H₂O were determined at 25°C. From these data, the solute–solute interaction functions, H ^E _EG–EG = N(H ^E _EG/n _EG) and H ^E _1P–1P = N(H ^E _1P/n _1P), were calculated by graphical differentiation without resorting to curve fitting. Using these, together with the partial molar volume data, the effect of ethylene glycol on the molecular organization of H₂O was investigated in comparison with methanol and glycerol. We found that there are three concentration regions, in each of which the mixing scheme is qualitatively different from the other regions. Mixing scheme III operative in the solute-rich region is such that the solute molecules are in a similar situation as in the pure state, most likely in clusters of its own kind. Mixing scheme II, in the intermediate region, consists of two kinds of clusters each rich in solute and in H₂O, respectively. Thus, the bond percolation nature of the hydrogen bond network of liquid H₂O is lost. Mixing scheme I is a progressive modification of liquid H₂O by the solute, but the basic characteristics of liquid H₂O are still retained. In particular, the bond percolation of the hydrogen bond network is still intact. Similar to glycerol, ethylene glycol participates in the hydrogen bond network of H₂O via-OH groups, and reduces the global average of the hydrogen bond probability and the fluctuations inherent in liquid H₂O. In contrast to glycerol, there is also a sign of a weak hydrophobic effect caused by ethylene glycol. However, how these hydrophobic and hydrophilic effects of ethylene glycol work together in modifying the molecular organization of H₂O in mixing scheme I is yet to be elucidated.     

Complex Formation of Crown Ethers with Cations in the Water–Organic Solvent Mixtures. Part VIII.1 Thermodynamic of Interactions of Na+ Ion with 15-Crown-5 and Benzo-15-Crown-5 Ethers in the Mixtures of Water with Hexamethylphosphortriamide at 298.15 K

The equilibrium constants of complex formation of 15-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers with the sodium cation have been determined by conductivity measurements. The enthalpic effect of complex formation has been measured by a calorimetric method at 298.15 K. The thermodynamic functions of complex formation of 15-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers with the sodium cation in the mixtures of water with hexamethylphosportriamide at 298.15 K have been calculated. The extent of complex formation in this mixed solvent depends on the enthalpic effect. In water–hexamethylp- hosportriamide mixtures with medium and low water content, the complex of crown ethers with the sodium cation is not formed because of the strong solvation of sodium cation and crown ethers molecules; this implies that the entropy of complex formation is more negative than the enthalpy of complex formation.