Temperature-driven Precipitation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) in Cationic,Anionic and Nonionic Surfactant Solutions

The temperature-driven precipitation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) (P(NIPAM-co-MAA)) in anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants solutions was investigated under an acidic (e.g. pH 3.0) and an alkali condition (pH 9.0). Under the acidic condition, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC, cationic) increased the cloud point of the copolymer and they suppressed the temperature-sensitivity. Under the alkali condition, SDS suppressed the temperature sensitivity as under the acidic condition, but CTAC boosted the temperature sensitivity and it decreased the cloud point of the copolymer. The effect of CTAC on the phase transition under the alkali condition was opposite to the effect observed under the acidic condition. Tween 20 (non-ionic) had little effect on the cloud point and the temperature-sensitivity under both the acidic and the alkali conditions.     

Ultrasound-assisted efficient synthesis of polyfunctional 1,2,4-triazoles as novel antibacterial and antioxidant agents

Novel 4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives were synthesized using a facile and highly efficient, one-pot, four-component procedure in the presence of KHSO₄ as an acidic catalyst under ultrasonic irradiations in short reaction times (10–25 min) and good to excellent yields (70–96%). The synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus) bacteria, and their antioxidant activity was also evaluated. Some of the products showed potential antibacterial and high antioxidant activities.     

Synthesis,swelling properties,and network structure of new stimuli‐responsive poly(N‐acryloyl‐N′‐ethyl piperazine‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels

Poly(N‐acryloyl‐N′‐ethyl piperazine‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels were prepared by thermal free‐radical copolymerization of N‐acryloyl‐N′‐ethyl piperazine (AcrNEP) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in solution using N, N′‐methylene bisacrylamide as the crosslinking agent. The gels were responsive to changes in external stimuli such as pH and temperature. The pH and temperature responsive character of the gels was greatly dependent on the monomer content, namely AcrNEP and NIPAM, respectively. The gels swelled in acidic (pH 2) and de‐swelled in basic (pH 10) solutions with a response time of 60 min. With increase in temperature from 23 to 80 °C the swelling of the gels decreased continuously and this effect was different in acidic and basic solutions. The temperature dependence of equilibrium water content of the gels was evaluated by the Gibbs–Helmholtz equation. Detailed analysis of the swelling properties of these new gels in relation to molecular heterogeneity in acidic (pH 2) and basic (pH 10) solutions were performed. Water transport property of the gels was studied gravimetrically. In acidic solution, the diffusion process was non‐Fickian (anomalous) while in basic solution, the diffusion was quasi‐Fickian. The effect was more evident in solution of pH 2 than in pH 10. Various structural parameters of the gels such as number‐average molar mass between crosslink (M_c), the crosslink density (ρ_c), and the mesh size (ξ) were evaluated. The mesh sizes of the hydrogels were between 64 and 783 Å in the swollen state in acidic solution and 20 and 195 Å in the collapsed state in basic solution. The mesh size increased between three to four times during the pH‐dependent swelling process. The amount of unbound water (free water) and bound water of the gels was also evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Mechanisms of photoinduced protolytic interactions of 2,5-diphenyloxazoleortho-hydroxy derivatives in media of various acidities

The mechanism of photoinduced intra- and intermolecular protolytic interactions ofortho-hydroxy derivatives of 2,5-diphenyloxazole in an aqueous alcohol medium was studied over a wide range of acidity from pH ∼13 toH ₀ of ∼−7. The spectral parameters of protolytic forms and equilibrium constants were obtained, and rate constants for the primary photochemical processes (excited-state intra- and intermolecular proton transfer reactions) were evaluated. It was shown that the spectral characteristics of oxazoleortho-hydroxy derivatives in an acidic medium are formed as a result of competition and interchange of intra- and intermolecular protolytic interactions. The phototautomeric form in strongly acidic solutions was found to be produced by dissociation of the cationic form with the protonated oxazole ring.     

Thermodynamic properties of ternary mixtures containing water, 2-ethoxyethanol,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-butanol at 298.15 K

Ultrasonic speeds and isentropic compressibilities were measured at 298.15 K in the water-rich region of aqueous solutions of water + 2-ethoxyethanol (2EE) + t-butanol. The excess properties of ultrasonic speed and isentropic compressibility were also calculated and have been discussed in terms of molecular interactions. The concentrations of t-butanol at which ultrasonic speed becomes maximum and isentropic compressibility becomes minimum are found to decrease with increase in the concentration of 2EE in the cosolvent (aqueous 2EE). This behavior indicates that the aqueous ternary solutions are less structured than aqueous t-butanol. This behavior is explained as due to a decrease in the ability of t-butanol to form clathrate hydrates owing to the presence of 2EE. When the concentration of 2EE in the cosolvent (x _2EE) > 0.14, ultrasonic speed decreases and isentropic compressibility increases with concentration of t-butanol indicating that the ternary solution behaves as normal solution wherein any further addition of 2EE or t-butanol leads to destabilization of the hydrogen bonded structure of water and t-butanol looses its ability to form clathrate hydrates in aqueous solutions.     

Uranium removal from acidic aqueous solutions by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Debaryomyces hansenii,Kluyveromyces marxianus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida colliculosa</Emphasis>

The sorption of uranium from acidic aqueous solutions (pH 4.5, C _init = 10 to 1000 mg U/L) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Debaryomyces hansenii, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Candida colliculosa was investigated using a batch technique. The U-sorption onto Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Debaryomyces hansenii followed a Langmuir, while that onto Kluyveromyces marxianus and Candida colliculosa a Freundlich isotherm. The results demonstrated that all investigated biomasses could effectively remove uranium from acidic aqueous solutions. From all sorbents, Saccharomyces cerevisiae appeared to be the most effective with a maximum sorption capacity of 127.7 mg U/g dry biomass.     

Extraction of vanadium(V) by N′,N′-dialkylhydrazides of carboxylic acids from acidic solutions

Extraction of vanadium(V) with solutions of 2-ethylhexanoic acid N′,N′-dialkylhydrazides in kerosene from acidic media was studied. The optimal extraction conditions were determined depending on the concentrations of H₂SO₂, HCl, and the extraction agent; the composition of the recovered complexes was proposed. The conditions for back-extraction of vanadium(V) from the organic phase were studied. It was found that benzoic acid N′,N′-diheptylhydrazide did not recover vanadium(V) from acidic media.     

State of Platinum Group Metals and Gold in Mineral Acid Solutions and the Catalytic Activity of These Metals in the Oxidation of N-Methyldiphenylamine-4-Sulfonic Acid

The state of rhodium, iridium, platinum, and gold in HCl, HClO₄, H₂SO₄, and HNO₃ solutions was studied by capillary electrophoresis. The electrophoresis was performed in an acidic phosphate buffer solution using an unmodified fused-silica capillary. It was found that the catalytic activity of the metals in the reaction of N-methyldiphenylamine-4-sulfonic acid oxidation with periodates in weakly acidic solutions depends on the analyte speciation. It was found that rhodium and iridium cations formed upon the treatment of a sample with concentrated perchloric acid catalyze the above reaction; this is favorable for the selective determination of these cations in the presence of platinum and gold.     

An Efficient Ultrasound‐Assisted Synthesis of N‐Alkyl Derivatives of Carbazole,Indole, and Phenothiazine

Heterocyclic compounds bearing an acidic hydrogen atom attached to nitrogen such as carbazole, indole, and phenothiazine can be efficiently alkylated in DMSO or N,N‐DMF under ultrasonic irradiation in the presence of potassium hydroxide as a base. In almost all cases, a dramatic reduction of the reaction time results and a clear yield increase accompanied by an improved quality of the products occurs.     

Electrochemical Properties of an Osmium(II) Copolymer Film and Its Electrocatalytic Ability Towards the Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid in Acidic and Neutral pH

Copolymerization of an osmium(II) functionalized pyrrole moiety, osmium‐bis‐N,N'‐(2,2′‐bipyridyl)‐N‐(pyridine‐4‐ylmethyl‐(8‐pyrrole‐1yl–octyl)‐amine)chloride ( I ) with 3‐methylthiophene was carried out. The resulting conducting polymer film exhibited a clear redox couple associated with the Os^3+/2+ response and the familiar conducting polymer backbone signature. The effect of film thickness upon the redox properties of the copolymer was investigated in organic electrolyte solutions. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) along with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectra of the copolymerized films were undertaken, both after formation and redox cycling in neutral buffer solution. These clearly show that electrolyte is incorporated into the polymer film upon redox cycling through the Os^3+/2+ redox system. The Os^3+/2+ response associated with the copolymer was seen to be significantly altered in the presence of ascorbic acid both in acidic and neutral pH buffer solutions. This pointed to an electrocatalytic reaction between the ascorbic acid and the Os³⁺ form of the copolymer. Under acidic conditions the copolymer film exhibited a sensitivity of 1.76 (±0.05) μA/mM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.45 μM for ascorbic acid. Under neutral pH conditions the copolymer exhibited a sensitivity of 19.26 (±1.05) μA/mM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.28 μM for ascorbic acid.     

Photochemistry of ommochromes and related compounds. Part II

The visible light irradiated solutions of the 1-methyl-1-(1′-[11-(β-aspartoyl-methyl ester-imino)]ethenyl]-ketal-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazin-5-one ( 1 ) and the 1,5-dimethoxy-11-(β-aspartoyl-N-acetyl-methyl ester)-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazine ( 2 ) [1], in methanol and acidic methanol, are examined. Both methanolic solutions undergo light induced transformation according to an opening of the phenoxazinone and phenoxazine systems, not reversible in darkness. On the contrary, 1 and 2 in methanol-acid solutions, under visible light irradiation, yield a solvent photoaddition, reversible in darkness. Some phototransformation products are examined and a plausible mechanism, for the reactions explanation, is suggested.     

Properties of an amphoteric cellulose derivative containing anionic carboxymethyl and cationic 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio) propyl substituents

An amphoteric cellulose derivative, O-carboxymethyl-O-2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio) propylcellulose (CM-HTMAPC), was prepared by the etherification of O-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with (3-chloro-2-hydroxy-n-propyl)-trimethylammonium chloride in a NaOH solution. Apparent molecular sizes of the amphoteric cellulose derivative in aqueous solutions of different NaCl concentrations under various pH conditions were investigated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and results were evaluated in terms of inter- and intramolecular ionic interactions. Relation between GPC and viscosity results was also discussed. A titration method to determine the apparent acidic dissociation constants of carboxymethyl substituents was developed and the effect of cationic substituents on apparent acidic dissociation constants was examined. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The Ortho Effect on the Acidic and Alkaline Hydrolysis of Substituted Formanilides

The kinetics of formanilides hydrolysis were determined under first‐order conditions in hydrochloric acid (0.01–8 M, 20–60°C) and in hydroxide solutions (0.01–3 M, 25 and 40°C). Under acidic conditions, second‐order specific acid catalytic constants were used to construct Hammett plots. The ortho effect was analyzed using the Fujita–Nishioka method. In alkaline solutions, hydrolysis displayed both first‐ and second‐order dependence in the hydroxide concentration. The specific base catalytic constants were used to construct Hammett plots. Ortho effects were evaluated for the first‐order dependence on the hydroxide concentration. Formanilide hydrolyzes in acidic solutions by specific acid catalysis, and the kinetic study results were consistent with the A_AC2 mechanism. Ortho substitution led to a decrease in the rates of reaction due to steric inhibition of resonance, retardation due to steric bulk, and through space interactions. The primary hydrolytic pathway in alkaline solutions was consistent with a modified B_AC2 mechanism. The Hammett plots for hydrolysis of meta‐ and para‐substituted formanilides in 0.10 M sodium hydroxide solutions did not show substituent effects; however, ortho substitution led to a decrease in rate constants proportional to the steric bulk of the substituent.     

A comparative spectroelectrochemical study of the redox electrochemistry of nitroanilines

The oxidative and reductive electrochemistry of the three isomeric nitroanilines has been studied in neutral (0.1 mol L⁻¹ KClO₄) and acidic (0.1 mol L⁻¹ HClO₄) aqueous electrolyte solutions by cyclic voltammetry and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The cyclic voltammograms recorded for o- and p-nitroanilines with a gold electrode in acidic solution, scanning toward negative potentials, revealed formation of phenylenediamine not observed in neutral solution. Similar behavior of nitroanilines and phenylenediamines was observed on gold and platinum electrodes. An oxygen–gold adsorbate stretching mode was detected between 400 and 430 cm⁻¹ in the SER-spectra of the three isomeric nitroanilines in both electrolyte solutions at positive electrode potentials, implying perpendicular adsorption via the nitro group.     

Studies on syntheses and dynamic swelling of pH-sensitive macroporous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels

A series of macroporous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAm-AA) hydrogels with different composition were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization in the presence of silica particles as a pore generating agent. The equilibrium swelling ratio, half swelling time and dynamic swelling kinetics of the copolymers previously soaked in different acidic buffer solutions were investigated at pH 7 at 25°C. Experimental results revealed that the swelling rate of the macroporous hydrogels was greatly increased compared to conventional hydrogels due to existence of the macroporous structures. It was found that the swelling history of previously putting in acidic solutions copolymers had strong influence on their dynamic swelling kinetics especially for the samples ranging in composition between 30 and 70 mol % of NIPAAm, whereas the swelling history had little influence on the equilibrium swelling ratio of copolymers. The swelling pattern exhibits sigmoid swelling curves. This is explained by an autocatalytic mechanism. The hydrogen bonding dissociation plays an important role in the dynamic swelling behavior.     

Studies on the Thermostability of Modified Lyocell Dopes

Modification of Lyocell dopes with special additives enables the creation of new innovative materials. Additives with functional groups and active surfaces may initiate complex chemical reactions in cellulose/N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO) solutions. The effect of carboxylic groups on the thermostability was investigated by incorporating of sugar acids, acidic ion exchange resins (IER) and superabsorbing polymers (SAP) into the solutions. Whereas the sugar acids show strict correlations between the carboxyl group content in solution and onset temperature, viscosity reduction, coloration and by-product formation, the additives show an induction time, which finally leads to accelerated degradation reactions. The cellulose/NMMO solutions were additionally characterized by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy.     

Rhenium(VII) extraction with 2-ethylhexanoic acid N,N-dialkylhydrazides from acidic solutions

Rhenium(VII) extraction with 2-ethylhexanoic acid N′,N′-dialkylhydrazides in kerosene from acidic media was studied. Optimal extraction conditions were established depending on H₂SO₄, HCl and extractant concentrations and the composition of extracted complexes. A mechanism of perrhenate ion extraction and back-extraction with ammonium solutions was proposed.     

Synthesis and kinetics of the acid hydrolysis of the monothiooxalato-S,O-bis(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) complex

Cis-[Cr(en)₂(SC₂O₃)]Cl·H₂O has been synthesized by a new method involving the reaction of cis-[Cr(en)₂Cl₂]Cl with K₂SC₂O₃ at 60°C and the kinetics of the acidic aquation of this complex have been studied. The complex has been characterized by IR and electronic spectroscopic techniques. The aquation of the purified product was carried out at 30, 40 and 50°C in acidic media at constant ionic strength. The experimental result indicates a pH-dependent aquation of the compound in HCl solutions to yield H₂S and ethylenediamine. The plot of the rate of the reaction versus the square of the proton concentration, [H⁺]², produces a straight line giving the pseudo-first-order rate constant, k_obs. Activation energies were found to be proportional with the entropies in various acidic solutions. The “isokinetic temperature” of 285 K and the free energy of activation, ΔG‡ = 94.7 kJ mol⁻¹, were determined from the linear relationship. The results of experiments for the aquation of this compound suggest a mechanism through formation of a conjugate acid of an asymmetric atom, and the Cr---S bond cleavage is considered as the rate determining step.     

Characterization and Electrocatalytic Properties of Composite Poly(new fuchsin) and Phosphomolybdate Films

Organic/inorganic hybrid films of poly(new fuchsin) and phosphomolybdate (PMo₁₂O ) have been prepared in acidic aqueous solutions. These new combination films are stable, electrochemically active, and can be produced on glassy carbon, platinum, gold, and transparent semiconductor tin oxide electrodes. An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance along with cyclic voltammetry and UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy were used to study the in situ growth of the hybrid films. The hybrid poly(new fuchsin) and PMo₁₂O films showed four obvious redox couples, and when transferred to various acidic aqueous solutions, the formal potentials of the four redox couples were found to be pH dependent. The electrocatalytic reduction of ClO , BrO , IO , SO , S₂O , H₂O₂, and NO by the hybrid poly(new fuchsin) and PMo₁₂O films was achieved in acidic aqueous solutions. In an aqueous solution at pH 1.5, a hybrid poly(new fuchsin) and PMo₁₂O film showed a higher electrocatalytic reduction activity of IO than BrO or ClO , and the order of electrocatalytic activity was IO >BrO >ClO . The order of electrocatalytic reduction of SO , S₂O , H₂O₂, and NO by hybrid poly(new fuchsin) and PMo₁₂O films in an aqueous solution at pH 1.5 was NO >H₂O₂>S₂O and SO . The electrocatalytic reactions of the poly(new fuchsin) and PMo₁₂O films were investigated using the rotating ring‐disk electrode method.     

Synthetic and natural silica‐aluminates as inorganic acidic catalysts in ring opening polymerization of cyclosiloxanes

Ring opening polymerization (ROP) of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D₃) and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) was promoted by acid‐treated synthetic and natural silica‐aluminates. Silica‐alumina (1:3 Si/Al molar ratio) was obtained using a simple and economic route from precipitation of aluminum sulfate solutions. The material was treated in an acidic medium to improve the content of acid sites and successfully tested as inorganic acidic catalyst for ROP of D₃ or D₄ cyclosiloxanes. Natural bentonite was treated and used in a similar manner. Once the ROP reaction completed, the catalyst was easily removed and it was found that the recovered synthetic silica‐alumina was active in a second ROP reaction. The effect of the concentration and type of catalyst in respect to the molecular weight and polydispersity of polydimethylsiloxanes was analyzed: increasing the amount of silica‐alumina in ROP of D₄ from 0.05 to 0.1 g decreased the average molecular weight (M_n = 13–1.8 kDa) associated with an increase in the polydispersity (2.95 vs. 1.81). Analogous results were found with bentonite. These values suggest that an increase in the catalyst concentration led to a lower M_n, with a more homogeneous molecular chain dimension. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.