Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Air by Chemiluminescence

Abstract

The present review is devoted to applications of chemiluminescence to the analysis of trace sulfur species in air. Determinations of oxidized (sulfur dioxide and sulfite), reduced (hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide and mercaptans) and/or sulfur compounds in general are described and some practical considerations are discussed. The development of detectors based on chemiluminescence in the aproximately last fifteen years is also reviewed.     

Changes in Reduced Gaseous Sulfur Compounds Collected in Glass Gas Sampling Bulbs

Abstract

Changes which volatile reduced sulfur species (hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide and carbon disulfide) undergo in glass gas sampling bulbs were determined as influenced by the balance gas matrix and moisture. Results have shown that differences in reduced sulfur gas concentrations compared with the initial values were less than 5% in each sulfur compounds within 24 hours if the balance gas was dry nitrogen. There was no change in composition if dry air sample was measured within 3 hours. Significant decrease in hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol concentrations was observed with a short period of time following sampling if moisture was present within the bulb atmosphere.     

Activity of catalysts in the synthesis of dimethyl sulfide from dimethyl disulfide

Dimethyl disulfide conversion at T = 190–350°C over catalysts containing acid and basic sites is reported. The products of this reaction are dimethyl sulfide, methanethiol, hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, methane, and ethylene. At 190°C, these products form via parallel reactions. At higher temperature of up to 350°C, dimethyl sulfide can form by the condensation of the resulting methanethiol. The strong basic sites of the catalysts are uninvolved in dimethyl sulfide formation. Over catalysts whose surface has only strong protonic or strong Lewis acid sites, dimethyl sulfide formation does take place, but slowly and nonselectively. The highest dimethyl sulfide formation activity and selectivity are shown by catalysts having medium-strength basic sites along with strong protonic and strong Lewis acid sites.     

The Reaction of Ethyl Bromoacetate with Dimethyl Sulfoxide

The reaction of excess dimethyl sulfoxide with ethyl bromoacetate has been shown to produce ethyl glyoxylate, hydrogen bromide, and dimethyl sulfide. The yield of glyoxylate at first was reduced because the dimethyl sulfide reacted with bromoacetate to form trimethylsulfonium bromide and ethyl (methylmercapto) acetate, presumably via carbethoxymethyldimethylsulfonium bromide. These side reactions were diminished in a thin-film reactor, but the result was not satisfiable, the yield was 51%, and the side reactions were prevented by addition of methyl bromide, which rapidly consumed the dimethyl sulfide with formation of trimethylsulfonium bromide. Addition of 1, 2-epoxy-3-phenoxypropane removed the hydrogen bromide, thereby preventing the deleterious effects casued by its reduction of dimethyl sulfoxide to dimethyl sulfide. In this way has been developed a convenient preparation of ethyl glyoxylate in yields averaging about 70%. Identification and stoichiometry of the reaction products are presented.     

New method of dimethyl sulfide synthesis

The synthesis of dimethyl sulfide consists in the reaction of dimethyl disulfide with methanol in the presence of solid catalyst, aluminum γ-oxide. The yield of dimethyl sulfide grows with growing temperature, contact time, and content of methanol in the reaction mixture. At 350–400°C, molar ratio methanol-dimethyldisulfide 2.0–2.5, and total conversion of the reagents the yield of dimethyl sulfide reached 95 mol%.     

海水和大气中挥发性硫化物分析方法的研究

建立了大气和海水中挥发性硫化物的气相色谱分析方法,确定了最佳实验条件.为了适应不同的基质和保存方式,大气和海水样品采用了不同的分析方法.测定大气样品时,采用大气采样罐及三级冷阱预浓缩气相色谱-质谱联用技术,而海水样品采用吹扫捕集-气相色谱测定.本方法测定大气挥发性硫化物的线性范围较好,精密度为7.7%~15.1%,检出限为0.23~4.7 ng;海水中挥发性硫化物的精密度为3.5%~5.3%,检出限为2.5~3.5 ng.将本方法用于青岛近海海水和大气中硫化物的测定,测得海水中羰基硫、二甲基硫和二硫化碳的平均浓度分别为(268±58)pmol/L、(1264±0.2)pmol/L、(19±2)pmol/L,大气中的平均浓度为543±39、39±9和56±20(×10-12,V/V).本方法可准确测定海洋环境中的挥发性硫化物.     

Interaction of product analogues with the active site of rhodobacter sphaeroides dimethyl sulfoxide reductase

We report a structural characterization using X-ray absorption spectroscopy of Rhodobacter sphaeroides dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reductase reduced with trimethylarsine and show that this is structurally analogous to the physiologically relevant dimethyl sulfide reduced DMSO reductase. Our data unambiguously indicate that these species should be regarded as formal MoIV species and indicate a classical coordination complex of trimethylarsine oxide, with no special structural distortions. The similarity of the trimethylarsine and dimethyl sulfide complexes suggests, in turn, that the dimethyl sulfide reduced enzyme possesses a classical coordination of DMSO with no special elongation of the S-O bond, as previously suggested.     

Density Functional Investigation of Methanethiol and Dimethyl Sulfide Adsorption on Zeolite

The density functional theory and cluster model methods have been employed to investigate the interactions between methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide and zeolites. The molecular complexes formed by adsorption of methanethiol or dimethyl sulfide on silanol H3SiOSi(OH)2OSiH3 with five coordination forms or four coordination forms, and complexes formed by interactions of Bronsted acid sites of bridging hydroxyl H3Si(OH)Al(OH)2OSiH3 with methanethiol or dimethyl sulfide have been investigated. Full optimization and frequency analysis of all cluster models have been carried out using the B3LYP hybrid method at 6-31 G (d,p) basis set level for hydrogen, silicon, aluminum, oxygen, carbon, and sulfur atoms. The structures and energy changes of different coordination forms between methanethiol and H3Si(OH)Al(OH)2OSiH3, dimethyl sulfide and H3Si(OH)Al(OH)2OSiH3, methanethiol and H3SiOSi(OH)2OSiH3, dimethyl sulfide and H3SiOSi(OH)2OSiH3 complexes have been comparatively studied. The calculated results showed the nature of interactions that led to the formation of all complexes was van der Waals force confirmed by an insignificant change of geometric structures and properties. The conclusions that methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide molecules were adsorbed on bridging hydroxyl group prior to silanol group were obtained on the basis of adsorption heat, the most stable adsorption models of a 6 ring structure for interaction between bridging hydroxyl and methanethiol, and a 7 ring structure for interaction between bridging hydroxyl and dimethyl sulfide.     

Conversion of dimethyl disulfide in the presence of zeolites

Dimethyl disulfide conversion in the presence of zeolites was studied at atmospheric pressure and T = 190–350°C. For all catalysts, the products of the reaction at T = 190°C—methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide—result directly from dimethyl disulfide. The relative reaction rate and the dimethyl sulfide selectivity decreases in the order HZSM-5 ≥ CoHZSM-5 > HNaY > NaX, NaY. The methanethiol formation selectivity changes in the reverse order. The highest methanethiol selectivity at T = 190°C is shown by the sodium zeolites; the highest dimethyl sulfide selectivity, by the high-silicz zeolite HZSM-5. Raising the reaction temperature increases the reaction rate and changes the process route: at high temperatures, dimethyl disulfide decomposes to methanethiol, which then condenses to yield dimethyl sulfide and hydrogen sulfide. The observed regularities are explained in terms of the different acidic properties of the zeolite surfaces.     

Molecular addition compounds. 17. Borane and chloroborane adducts with organic sulfides for hydroboration

The following sulfides have been examined as borane carriers in comparison with dimethyl sulfide and 1,4-oxathiane: tert-butyl methyl sulfide, isoamyl methyl sulfide, ethyl isoamyl sulfide, tert-butyl isoamyl sulfide, diisoamyl sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydro-thiopyran, thioanisole, 3-ethylthiotetrahydrofuran, bis(3-tetrahydrofuryl) sulfide, and bis(2-methoxyethyl) sulfide. Their complexing ability toward borane increases in the following order: thioanisole < ether-sulfides < dialkyl sulfides < dimethyl sulfide. Borane adducts of the sulfides are liquids above 0 degrees C. The thioanisole adduct loses diborane at room temperature. The reactivity of the adducts toward 1-octene increases in the reversed order of the complexing ability of the sulfides. Diisoamyl sulfide has a mild, ethereal, agreeable aroma, its synthesis is economical and the borane adduct, 4.2 M in BH3, is stable over prolonged periods at room temperature. The sulfide can be recovered from hydroboration-oxidation products by distillation. Consequently, diisoamyl sulfide is a new promising borane carrier. Bis(2-methoxyethyl) sulfide, easily synthesized from the low cost thiodiethanol, is three times more soluble in water than 1,4-oxathiane. Its borane adduct is 6.0 M in BH3 and can substitute for more expensive borane-1,4-oxathiane in hydroboration reactions. Applications of these new borane adducts in the synthesis of mono- and dichloroborane adducts was also studied. The equilibrium ratios observed for the new chloroborane adducts were similar to that observed for dimethyl sulfide adducts. However, the hydroboration of 1-octene with these new chloroborane adducts are much faster than the corresponding adducts of dimethyl sulfide, which are currently used extensively.     

Surface-enhanced Raman study of organic sulfides adsorbed on silver

The surface-enhanced Raman scatterings of dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide have been investigated in silver sol. The dimethyl disulfide molecule decomposes on silver to the corresponding mercaptide implying facile cleavage of its S---S bond. The C---S bond in dialkyl monosulfide appears not to cleave on silver. For diethyl sulfide, the C₂ conformation seems to be favorable on silver than other conformations.     

Determination of distribution coefficients of volatile sulfur-containing compounds among aqueous solutions and gas phase by continuous gas extraction

The method of continuous gas extraction at 10–40°C was used to measure the distribution coefficients of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide between the gas phase and buffer aqueous solutions with a constant pH value.     

Confusion between dimethyl selenenyl sulfide and dimethyl selenone released by bacteria

Dimethyl selenone [(CH₃)₂SeO₂] has been reported in the literature as a metabolite released by bacteria in contact with selenium metal or selenium salts. In this study, mass spectral, chromatographic, and boiling-point data are presented that show that dimethyl selenone has been confused with dimethyl selenenyl sulfide (CH₃SeSCH₃). In addition, the headspaces above monocultures of selenium-resistant bacteria were examined using gas chromatography followed by fluorine-induced chemiluminescence detection. A number of alkyl sulfur and selenium species were detected, along with dimethyl selenenyl sulfide. A pathway from oxidized selenium salts to reduced methylated selenides and dimethyl selenenyl sulfide is also presented.     

Hexacoordination of a dimethyl sulfide molecule

Interaction of the trifunctional Lewis acid [(o-C6F4Hg)3] (1) with dimethyl sulfide in dichloroethane leads to the formation of an extended supramolecule which features sandwiched dimethyl sulfide molecules. The sulfur atom of the latter interacts simultaneously with the mercury centers of two neighboring molecules of 1 and thereby achieves hexacoordination.     

Catalytic reaction of methanol with alkanethiols

Methanol reacts with primary alkanethiols (R=C₁–C₃) over alumina catalysts to yield dialkyl sulfides. Methanethiol is completely converted to dimethyl sulfide. Ethane-and 2-propanethiols give methyl alkyl sulfides. However, the process is complicated by side reactions producing olefins and dimethyl sulfide. If mixed thiols are used, their transformations hinder each other.     

Dimethyl disulfide catalytic conversion into methanethiol in the presence of water

The processes of dimethyl disulfide conversion yielding methanethiol, ethylene and hydrogen sulfide, and the disproportionation of methanethiol formed in this reaction into hydrogen sulfide and dimethyl sulfide proceed on acid-base type catalysts at 350°C in the presence of water. Catalysts with weak proton sites exhibit low activity, which increases with the increasing surface acidity. Catalysts with weak Lewis acid sites and strong basic sites are most active and selective in the reaction of methanethiol formation. The presence of water inhibits the side reaction of disproportionation, thus enhancing the methanethiol formation selectivity. V. N. Yakovleva and L. G. Sakhaltueva participated in the experimental part of this work.     

Activity of zeolites in dimethyl sulfide synthesis

Dimethyl disulfide conversion into dimethyl sulfide over various zeolites in an inert medium at atmospheric pressure and T = 190–330°C is reported. A significant activity in dimethyl sulfide formation is shown by the decationized zeolites HNaY and HZSM-5, whose surface has strong protonic and nonprotonic acid sites. Cobalt-containing faujasite is more active than HNaY, and the activity of CoHZSM-5 is comparable with the activity of its decationized counterpart.     

Determination of Dimethyl Sulfide in Gas Samples by Single Photon Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

It is difficult to determine sulfur-containing volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere because of their reactivity. Primary off-line techniques may suffer losses of analytes during the transportation from field to laboratory and sample preparation. In this study, a novel method was developed to directly measure dimethyl sulfide at parts-per-billion concentration levels in the atmosphere using vacuum ultraviolet single photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This technique offers continuous sampling at a response rate of one measurement per second, or cumulative measurements over longer time periods. Laboratory prepared samples of different concentrations of dimethyl sulfide in pure nitrogen gas were analyzed at several sampling frequencies. Good precision was achieved using sampling periods of at least 60 seconds with a relative standard deviation of less than 25%. The detection limit for dimethyl sulfide was below the 3 ppb olfactory threshold. These results demonstrate that single photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry is a valuable tool for rapid, real-time measurements of sulfur-containing organic compounds in the air.     

Activity of cobalt sulfide catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol: Effects of the nature of a support and the procedure of supporting a cobalt precursor

The conversion of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol on various catalysts containing supported cobalt sulfide in an atmosphere of hydrogen was studied at atmospheric pressure and T = 190°C. On CoS introduced into the channels of zeolite HSZM-5, the process occurred at a high rate but with a low selectivity for methanethiol because the proton centers of the support participated in a side reaction with the formation of dimethyl sulfide and hydrogen sulfide. Under the action of sulfide catalysts supported onto a carbon support, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and an amorphous aluminosilicate, the decomposition of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol occurred with 95–100% selectivity. The CoS/Al₂O₃ catalysts were found to be most efficient. The specific activity of alumina-cobalt sulfide catalysts only slightly depended on the phase composition and specific surface area of Al₂O₃. The conditions of the thermal treatment and sulfurization of catalysts and, particularly, the procedure of supporting a cobalt precursor onto the support were of key importance. Catalysts prepared through the stage of supporting nanodispersed cobalt hydroxide were much more active than the catalysts based on supported cobalt salts.     

Selective Determination of Dimethyl Sulfide in Seawater Using Reactive Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Reactive extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used for the rapid, sensitive determination of dimethyl sulfide in seawater without sample pretreatment. Using silver cations (Ag⁺) as the ionic reagent, the analyte was selectively extracted from seawater to form adduct ions of [CH₃SCH₃?+?Ag]⁺. The characteristic product ions of Ag⁺, generated from parent ions of [CH₃SCH₃?+?Ag]⁺ by tandem mass spectrometry, were used for quantitative analysis. A linear calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 10,000 pg/mL with acceptable relative standard deviations of 3.2–8.1%. This method provided a low limit of detection (0.3 pg/mL), reasonable recovery (82–111%), and acceptable precision (3.9 and 4.2% for intraday and interday measurements). Trace dimethyl sulfide was determined in seawater by this method. These results demonstrate that reactive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is suitable for the rapid, reliable, and sensitive determination of dimethyl sulfide in seawater. Further investigations will improve our understanding on the relationship between global climate change and dimethyl sulfide concentrations in the ocean.