Influence of protonation on physico-chemical properties of metal extractants

Summary The protonation constants of several metal extractants, especially hydroxamic acids have been determined by a solvent extraction method. The influence of the acidity on the solubility and the distribution ratio has been studied. A plot correlates the protonation behaviour of these metal extractants with the Hammett Acidity Function, H_o. The protonation constant is useful to explain the acid catalysed hydrolysis rate of these metal extractants and to determine the extraction coefficients of their metal chelates.     

Anion-exchange studies of metal thiocyanates in aqueous and mixed solvent systems

The anion-exchange behaviour of metal ions in aqueous NH(4)CNS and aqueous NH(4)CNS-organic solvent mixtures has been studied. The effect of the pH and the concentrations of thiocyanate and organic solvent on the distribution coefficients has been investigated. Fifteen binary metal ion separations are reported.     

Thin-layer chromatographic behaviour and separation of rare earths in silica gel-aqueous alkali metal chloride systems

Summary The thin-layer chromatographic behaviour of all the rare earths except Pm on silica gel in aqueous solutions of five alkali metal chlorides has been surveyed. The Rf-values and the logarithms of the separation factors relative to Gd vary in a regular and peculiar way with increasing atomic number, through a reflection of the strong tetrad effect. A discussion concerning the effects on the Rf-values of the solvent cations and the solvent anions, and typical chromatograms for the separations of multi-component mixtures containing adjacent lanthanoids are also presented.     

Radiative and nonradiative decay rates of a molecule close to a metal particle of complex shape

We present a model to evaluate the radiative and nonradiative lifetimes of electronic excited states of a molecule close to a metal particle of complex shape and, possibly, in the presence of a solvent. The molecule is treated quantum mechanically at Hartree-Fock (HF) or density-functional theory (DFT) level. The metal/solvent is considered as a continuous body, characterized by its frequency dependent local dielectric constant. For simple metal shapes (planar infinite surface and spherical particle) a version of the polarizable continuum model based on the integral equation formalism has been used, while an alternative methodology has been implemented to treat metal particles of arbitrary shape. In both cases, equations have been numerically solved using a boundary element method. Excitation energies and nonradiative decay rates due to the energy transfer from the molecule to the metal are evaluated exploiting the linear response theory (TDHF or TDDFT where TD--time dependent). The radiative decay rate of the whole system (molecule + metal/solvent) is calculated, still using a continuum model, in terms of the response of the surrounding to the molecular transition. The model presented has been applied to the study of the radiative and nonradiative lifetimes of a lissamine molecule in solution (water) and close to gold spherical nanoparticles of different radius. In addition, the influence of the metal shape has been analyzed by performing calculations on a system composed by a coumarin-type molecule close to silver aggregates of complex shape.     

Luminescent metal alkynyls - from simple molecules to molecular rods and materials

This review describes the design and synthesis of a number of luminescent transition metal alkynyls by this laboratory. The luminescence properties of the complexes have been studied and their emission origin elucidated. Some of these complexes have been shown to be ideal building blocks for the design and construction of luminescent molecular rods and materials, in which the luminescence properties can be readily tuned by changing the alkynyl ligands. Some of them also exhibited luminescence switching behaviour with the “ON-OFF” luminescence states modulated by redox processes, metal ion-binding or solvent composition.     

Effect of the nature of the metal on the dielectric properties of polar liquids at the interface with electrodes. A phenomenological approach

The dielectric behaviour of water, DMSO and ACN at the interface with transition and non-transition metals is examined by analysing the inner-layer capacity as a function of the metal surface chemical affinity. An, inner-layer capacity in the absence of metal-solvent specific interaction is defined and derived by graphical correlations. The permittivity of the surface phase of the solvent under these conditions is derived and analysed to elucidate the nature of the factors contributing to the dielectric behaviour at an interface. The capacity-potential curves for Fe, as a typical transition metal, are elaborated to investigate the orientation of the solvent on the surface and the applicability of the Gouy-Chapman-Stern model. Suggestions on the nature of the metal-water surface bond are given on the basis of the derived parameters. The structure of the double layer in ACN at transition metals is discussed in the light of recent measurements.     

Influence of the preparation method on the surface characteristics and activity of boron-nitride-supported noble metal catalysts

In this article, we report how variations in the preparation method of boron-nitride-supported noble metal catalysts may influence the surface characteristics of the active phase and consequently the potential applications as catalysts for oxidation reactions. The deposition and the dispersion of the active phase are strongly influenced by the preparation process and in particular by the protic or aprotic solvent used as the dispersing phase; in this study, benzene, glyme, water, tetrahydrofuran, diglyme, 2-propanol, and glycol have been investigated. Characterization techniques, such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, have been used to study the influence of the choice of a solvent phase on the particle size and dispersion of the metal deposited on the BN support. The modifications undergone by the support during the deposition of palladium in different solvents have also been studied. Through the use of the same deposition procedure, different noble metal coatings (Pt, Pd, Au, and Ag) have been prepared. The acidic and redox characteristics of the resulting samples were characterized by temperature-programmed reduction and adsorption microcalorimetry. The catalytic performances of these materials were tested in the total oxidation of methane in lean conditions (excess oxygen and presence of water).     

TLC separations of some metal ions with aqueous and aqueous-organic solvent systems containing formic acid

Summary The chromatographic behaviour of some metal ions on silica gel thin layers has been studied in aqueous formic acid and mixed aqueous-organic solvent systems containing formic acid. Many analytically important separations of cations have been achieved in varying concentrations of formic acid solution in DMSO, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. Semiquantitative determination of nine cations has also been attempted.The most suitable concentration range of acid for reliable and reproducible separations was found to be 0.1M to 1.0M.     

Chromatographic behaviour of metal ions on tin(IV) and titanium(IV) antimonate papers

Summary The chromatographic behaviour of 49 metal ions has been studied on papers impregnated with Sn(IV) and Ti(IV) antimonates in aqueous HNO₃ and mixed solvent systems containing dimethyl sulphoxide. Numerous separations have been achieved and the Alberti equation, for Sn(IV) and Ti(IV) antimonate papers, in the modified form: –nloga K⁺=R_M + constant (a K⁺=activity of K⁺), has been verified. The effect of the concentration of impregnating reagents on these papers has been determined and compared with other papers. The effect of pH on R_f, R_i, log R_f and R_M values of metal ions has also been examined in aqueous systems.     

Cation-exchange chromatography of some metal ions using aqueous NH4SCN-organic solvent mixtures

Summary Systematic cation-exchange studies of 19 metal ions have been made in various concentrations of NH₄SCN in 4060 organic solvent-water mixtures. The exchange behaviour of the ions depends on the solvent employed. Most of the metal ions show decreasing distribution coefficients with increasing concentration of ammonium thiocyanate in the solvent. Based on the variation of distribution coefficients as a function of NH₄SCN concentration, separations could be predicted and subsequently column chromatographic separations involving Zn, Hg(II), Mg, Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Ce(III), Fe(III), La and Th(IV) were achieved.     

Solution behavior of metal sulfonate ionomers. II. Effects of solvents

Previous studies on the dilute-solution behavior of sulfonated ionomers have shown these polymers to exhibit unusual viscosity behavior in mixed solvents of low polarity. These results have been interpreted as arising from specific solvation effects by the solvents with the metal sulfonate groups which persist as ion pairs. The consequences of ion pair interactions and their solvation are exceptional thickening behavior at low polymer levels as compared to unfunctionalized polymers, and anomolous solution viscosities with varying temperature. These studies have now been extended to single-component solvents which traverse a range of polarities. Using the sodium salt of lightly sulfonated polystyrene (S-PS) as a model system, the authors found the solution behavior in low-polarity solvents (tetrahydrofuran) to be consistent with that observed previously for mixed solvents; ion pair interactions predominated. However, in polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethyl formamide, these polymers behave as classic polyelectrolytes even at sulfonate levels below 2 mol %. The behavior of the S-PS acids is similar to that observed for the metal salts. To a first approximation these two behaviors, ion pair association and polyelectrolyte behavior, are dependent on solvent polarity. In some cases it is possible to induce polyelectrolyte behavior in a S-PS/solvent combination exhibiting ion pair interactions by the addition of very low levels of a polar cosolvent, such as water. These results again demonstrate the selectivity of the solvent-sulfonate interactions.     

Synthesis,characterization and metal ion sorption studies of graft copolymers of cellulose with glycidyl methacrylate and some comonomers

To develop low-cost and environmentally friendly polymeric materials for enrichment, separation and remediation of metal ions from water, novel reactive graft copolymers based on cellulose extracted from pine needles were synthesized by grafting of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) alone and with comonomers acrylic acid, acrylamide and acrylonitrile by benzoyl peroxide initiation. Structural aspects of graft copolymers have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, and solvent uptake behaviour. An attempt has been made to study sorption of Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions on candidate graft copolymers by an equilibration method and to investigate the structural aspects of graft copolymers and establish a relationship between the structural aspects of graft copolymers and metal ion uptake efficiency and selectivity.     

Re-assessment of chelating ion-exchange resins for trace metal analysis of sea water

The behaviour of the chelating ion-exchange resin Chelex-100 for collection of trace metals from sea water has been studied by anodic stripping voltammetry after acid digestion of the sea water sample and the resin effluent. All the naturally occurring, electrochemically reducible species of Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn are chelated by the resin; this fraction of these metals is regarded as the dissolved fraction. Centrifugation showed that some of the metal liberated by acid digestion is associated with colloidal species. Neither this nor the metal adsorbed on fine particles is affected or removed by the chelating resin.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of some lanthanide metal ions by polyoxyalkylene systems

Polyoxyalkylene systems, namely, polypropylene glycol (PPG-1025), polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) and polybutadieneoxide (PBDO-700) dissolved in either nitrobenzene or 1,2-dichloroethane have been tested as prospective extractants for some lanthanide metal ions (Eu(3+), Pr(3+) and Er(3+)) from their aqueous solutions in the presence of picrate anions. The metal ions were quantified before and after extraction using the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometry technique. The percent extraction and the distribution coefficients have indicated that pH of the aqueous phase, picrate concentration and the organic solvent are the major parameters that affect the extraction efficiency of the metal ions. The optimum pH range was found to be 3.5-5.5 and the picrate concentration should be as high as possible; however, a picrate concentration of about 0.05 M proved to be adequate for a near quantitative extraction. In all cases, nitrobenzene enhanced a higher percent extraction compared to 1,2-dichloroethane. The efficiency of the polyoxyalkylene systems to extract certain lanthanide metal ions was in the order PBDO-700>PPG-1025>PEG-600 when nitrobenzene was the organic solvent and in the order PPG-1025>PBDO-700 approximately PEG-600 when 1,2-dichloroethane used as the solvent in the organic phase. The extractability of PPG-1025 towards the lanthanide metal ions was in the order Pr(3+)>Eu(3+)>Er(3+) irrespective of the organic solvent used. The stoichiometry of the extracted polyoxyalkylene ion-pairs with the lanthanide metal ions has been estimated. Each mole of metal ions is associated with three moles of picrate anions and 13 to 14 moles of propyleneoxide units in the case of PPG-1025, and about 9 to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide units in the case of PEG-600 and 10 moles of butadieneoxide units in the case of PBDO-700.     

Microwave assisted solvent free amination of halo-(pyridine or pyrimidine) without transition metal catalyst

A solvent free direct amination of halo-(pyridine or pyrimidine) has been developed in good to high yields under computer-controlled microwave irradiation without transition metal catalyst. This reaction is a solvent and metal free, useful method for coupling of halo-(pyridine or pyrimidine) with pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives by nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr).     

Silica gel thin-layer chromatography of acidic phospholipids. II. Chromatographic behaviour of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid applied with different cation composition on adsorbents either free of metal ions or containing a surplus of divalent metal ions.

Different salt forms of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid (two acidic phospholipids) have been subjected to thin-layer chromatography on two commonly used silica adsorbents, one of which (silica gel HR) is practically free of metal ions and the other (silica gel G) contains 13% of calcium sulphate as binder. The chromatographic behaviour was studied in an acidic, a neutral and a basic solvent. Both adsorbents provided usable systems for phosphatidylserine with each of the three solvents, except for silica gel G with the neutral solvent, in which system tailing was prominent. The inclusion of calcium sulphate in the silica gel tended to impair chromatography of phosphatidylserine in acidic and neutral solvents, but improved its chromatography in the basic solvent. In all the systems, the migration was independent of the cation composition of the applied phosphatidylserine samples. For the chromatography of phosphatidic acid, only three of the systems tested were usable, and in those three, the chromatographic behaviour was independent of the cation composition of the samples. The calcium sulphate in an adsorbent increased tailing of phosphatidic acid in acidic and neutral solvents, as it did for phosphatidylserine, whereas with the basic solvent, calcium sulphate in the adsorbent caused phosphatidic acid to remain at the origin. Two one-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic systems previously recommended for the chromatography of acidic phospholipids were unsuitable for the chromatography of phosphatidic acid under the conditions used here. For both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid chromatographed in acidic systems, the solvent must contain water in addition to acetic acid if excessive tailing is to be avoided.     

Host-guest assembly of ligand systems for metal ion complexation. Synergistic solvent extraction of copper(II) and silver(I) by 1,4,8,11-tetrabenzyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclodecane in combination with carboxylic acids

Host-guest formation between 1,4,8,11-tetrabenzyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclodecane (1) and lipophilic organic carboxylic acids in chloroform has been investigated and the effect of such ligand assembly on the solvent extraction of copper(II) and silver(I) has been probed. NMR titration experiments in the absence of a metal ion confirm the formation of weak 1:1 and 1:2 (macrocycle:carboxylic acid) assemblies in CDCl(3) between 1 and palmitic (hexadecanoic) acid or 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid while difunctional salicylic acid showed a 1 [ratio] 2 interaction that is somewhat stronger. The interaction between the former two acids and the tetra-N-benzylated macrocycle is significantly less than that reported previously for its non-substituted parent, cyclam; a result that likely reflects the presence of the less-basic, more sterically hindered tertiary nitrogens in 1 relative to the secondary nitrogens present in cyclam. Carboxylic acid-containing assemblies of this type have been used as extractants in a series of solvent extraction (water/chloroform) experiments. From both previous observations as well as from entropy considerations, it was anticipated that the use of a host-guest assembly of the above type for metal-ion complexation might contribute to enhanced metal ion binding (and concomitant enhanced metal ion extraction). Such behaviour is postulated to arise from the components of the coordination sphere being, at least in part, assembled for complex formation. In accord with this, the use of the ligand assembly involving palmitic acid/macrocycle 1 was found to lead to enhanced (synergistic) extraction of copper(II) at a metal ion concentration of 10(-3) mol dm(-3) while, for silver(I), synergism was somewhat marginal at this concentration but was clearly apparent under related conditions when the silver concentration was reduced to 10(-4) mol dm(-3). Similar behaviour towards silver was also observed when 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid was substituted for palmitic acid, while the use of salicylic acid resulted in enhanced (synergistic) extraction at both metal ion concentrations.     

Absorption spectra of first-row transition metal complexes of bacteriochlorins: a theoretical analysis

A theoretical study on a family of divalent transition metal bacteriochlorin complexes (M-BC, where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni Cu, and Zn) has been carried out to elucidate their potentialities as active molecules in photodynamic therapy (PDT). To draw a complete picture of their electronic properties, both for the ground and excited states, these complexes have been studied by the means of density functional theory (DFT). The time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) approach was used to interpret the electronic spectra, while solvent effects were taken into account by explicitly considering both two water molecules coordinated to the central metal atom and the contribution from the solvent bulk. Particular attention has been devoted to the analysis of the so-called Q bands, since these can be particularly important for medical applications. Metal substitution and environment (solvent) effects have been analyzed, and good agreement is found between computed and available UV-vis spectra. These theoretical data, especially those relative to the metallobacteriochlorins not yet completely characterized at the experimental level, could give some hints for future medical applications.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds by non-noble metal complexes of chitosan

Silica-supported mono-metal (such as Ni, Cu) complexes and mixed metal (such as Cu/Zn, Cu/Cr) complexes of chitosan have been prepared. It is found that these non-noble metal complexes could be used as efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds. The effects of type of metal, reaction temperature and pressure, solvent, nitrogen/metal molar ratio in the complex catalysts on the yields from nitrobenzene to aniline have been examined. It was also found that catalysts are active for the catalytic hydrogenation of other aromatic nitro compounds such as 2-nitroanisole, 2-nitroaniline, 2-nitrotoluene and 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene.     

Redox switching and oxygen evolution at oxidized metal and metal oxide electrodes: iron in base

Outstanding issues regarding the film formation, redox switching characteristics and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalytic behaviour of multicycled iron oxyhydroxide films in aqueous alkaline solution have been revisited. The oxide is grown using a repetitive potential multicycling technique, and the mechanism of the latter hydrous oxide formation process has been discussed. A duplex layer model of the oxide/solution interphase region is proposed. The acid/base behaviour of the hydrous oxide and the microdispersed nature of the latter material has been emphasised. The hydrous oxide is considered as a porous assembly of interlinked octahedrally coordinated anionic metal oxyhydroxide surfaquo complexes which form an open network structure. The latter contains considerable quantities of water molecules which facilitate hydroxide ion discharge at the metal site during active oxygen evolution, and also charge compensating cations. The dynamics of redox switching has been quantified via analysis of the cyclic voltammetry response as a function of potential sweep rate using the Laviron-Aoki electron hopping diffusion model by analogy with redox polymer modified electrodes. Steady state Tafel plot analysis has been used to elucidate the kinetics and mechanism of oxygen evolution. Tafel slope values of ca. 60 mV dec(-1) and ca. 120 mV dec(-1) are found at low and high overpotentials respectively, whereas the reaction order with respect to hydroxide ion activity changes from ca. 3/2 to ca. 1 as the potential is increased. These observations are rationalised in terms of a kinetic scheme involving Temkin adsorption and the rate determining formation of a physisorbed hydrogen peroxide intermediate on the oxide surface. The dual Tafel slope behaviour is ascribed to the potential dependence of the surface coverage of adsorbed intermediates.