Electrospray mass spectrometric detection of products and short-lived intermediates in aqueous aerosol microdroplets exposed to a reactive gas

The intermediates ISO3- (m/z=207) and IS2O3- (m/z=239) generated in aqueous (NaI/Na2S2O3) microdroplets traversing dilute O3 gas plumes are detected via online electrospray mass spectrometry within approximately 1 ms, and their stabilities gauged by collisionally induced dissociation. The simultaneous detection of anionic reactants and the S2O62-, HSO4-, IO3-, and I3- products as a function of experimental conditions provides evidence of genuinely interfacial reaction kinetics. Although O3(aq) reacts about 3 times faster with I- than with S2O32- in bulk solution, only S2O32- is significantly depleted in the interfacial layers of [I-]/[S2O32-]=10 microdroplets below [O3(g)] approximately 50 ppm.     

Long-term γ-radiolysis kinetics of NO3(-) and NO2(-) solutions

Radiolysis kinetics in NO(3)(-) and NO(2)(-) solutions during γ-irradiation were studied at an absorbed dose rate of 2.1 Gy·s(-1) at room temperature. Air- or argon-saturated nitrate or nitrite solutions at pH 6.0 and 10.6 were irradiated, and the aqueous concentrations of molecular water decomposition products, H(2) and H(2)O(2), and the variation in the concentrations of NO(3)(-) and NO(2)(-) were measured as a function of irradiation time. The experimental data were compared with computer simulations using a comprehensive radiolysis kinetic model to aid in interpretation of the experimental results. The effect of nitrate and nitrite, present at concentrations below 10(-3) M, on water radiolysis processes occurs through reactions with the radical species generated by water radiolysis, (?)e(aq)(-), (?)O(2)(-), and (?)OH. The changes in H(2) and H(2)O(2) concentrations observed in the presence of nitrate and nitrite under a variety of conditions can be explained by a reduction in the radical concentrations. The kinetic analysis shows that the main loss pathway for H(2) is the reaction with (?)OH and the main loss pathways for H(2)O(2) are reactions with (?)e(aq)(-) and (?)OH. Nitrate and nitrite compete for the radicals leading to an increase in the concentrations of H(2) and H(2)O(2). Post-irradiation measurements of H(2), H(2)O(2), NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-) concentrations can be used to calculate the radical concentrations and provide information on the redox conditions of the irradiated aqueous solutions.     

Rates of water exchange on the [Fe4(OH)2(hpdta)2(H2O)4]0 molecule and its implications for geochemistry

The ammonium salt of [Fe(4)O(OH)(hpdta)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](-) is soluble and makes a monospecific solution of [Fe(4)(OH)(2)(hpdta)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](0)(aq) in acidic solutions (hpdta = 2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamino-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate). This tetramer is a diprotic acid with pK(a)(1) estimated at 5.7 ± 0.2 and pK(a)(2) = 8.8(5) ± 0.2. In the pH region below pK(a)(1), the molecule is stable in solution and (17)O NMR line widths can be interpreted using the Swift-Connick equations to acquire rates of ligand substitution at the four isolated bound water sites. Averaging five measurements at pH < 5, where contribution from the less-reactive conjugate base are minimal, we estimate: k(ex)(298) = 8.1 (±2.6) × 10(5) s(-1), ΔH(++) = 46 (±4.6) kJ mol(-1), ΔS(++) = 22 (±18) J mol(-1) K(-1), and ΔV(++) = +1.85 (±0.2) cm(3) mol(-1) for waters bound to the fully protonated, neutral molecule. Regressing the experimental rate coefficients versus 1/[H(+)] to account for the small pH variation in rate yields a similar value of k(ex)(298) = 8.3 (±0.8) × 10(5) s(-1). These rates are ～10(4) times faster than those of the [Fe(OH(2))(6)](3+) ion (k(ex)(298) = 1.6 × 10(2) s(-1)) but are about an order of magnitude slower than other studied aminocarboxylate complexes, although these complexes have seven-coordinated Fe(III), not six as in the [Fe(4)(OH)(2)(hpdta)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](0)(aq) molecule. As pH approaches pK(a1), the rates decrease and a compensatory relation is evident between the experimental ΔH(++) and ΔS(++) values. Such variation cannot be caused by enthalpy from the deprotonation reaction and is not well understood. A correlation between bond lengths and the logarithm of k(ex)(298) is geochemically important because it could be used to estimate rate coefficients for geochemical materials for which only DFT calculations are possible. This molecule is the only neutral, oxo-bridged Fe(III) multimer for which rate data are available.     

Rates of oxygen exchange between the [H(x)Nb(6)O(19)](8)(-)(x)(a)(q)) Lindqvist ion and aqueous solutions

Oxygen-isotope-exchange rates were measured between sites in the Lindqvist-type [H(x)()Nb(6)O(19)](8)(-)(x)()((aq)) polyoxoanion and aqueous solution as a function of pH and temperature. The ion has a central mu(6)-O that is inert to exchange, 12 mu(2)-O(H), and 6 eta-O. The potassium salt of this ion is recrystallized in (17)O-enriched water to (17)O-label the anion, which is then redissolved into isotopically normal water so that the (17)O NMR signals from structural oxygens can be followed as a function of time. Because the central mu(6)-O retains its (17)O signal throughout the experiments, it is clear that the polyoxoanion remains intact during isotopic equilibration of the other structural oxygens. At pH conditions where the [HNb(6)O(19)](7)(-) ion predominates, the mu(2)-O(H) sites isotopically exchange with solution about an order of magnitude more rapidly than the eta-O sites. Yet, we observe that the terminal and bridging oxo sites react at nearly the same rates when the ion is coordinated to 2-3 protons and possibly when it is unprotonated. On the basis of molecular models and experimental kinetic data, we propose metastable polymorphs of the hexaniobate structure where four of the mu(2)-O(H) and eta-O sites are temporarily equivalent and bonded to a coordinatively unsaturated Nb(V). This hypothesized intermediate allows facile access to bulk water molecules for exchange but cannot fully explain the kinetic results and additional experiments on other Lindvist ions are required.     

Bicarbonate surfoxidants: micellar oxidations of aryl sulfides with bicarbonate-activated hydrogen peroxide

The mechanism and kinetics of bicarbonate-catalyzed oxidations of sulfides by H(2)O(2) at the aqueous /cationic micellar interface have been investigated. The general term surfoxidant is introduced to describe the combination of an ionic surfactant with a reactive counterion that is itself an oxidant or activates an oxidant from the bulk solution to form an oxidant counterion. It is shown that the new catalytic cationic surfoxidant CTAHCO(3) (cetyltrimethylammonium bicarbonate) significantly enhances the overall oxidation rates as compared to the addition of bicarbonate salts to CTACl and CTABr, for which the halide counterions must undergo equilibrium displacement by the oxidant anion (peroxymonocarbonate, HCO(4)(-)). General equations based on the classic pseudophase model have been derived to account for the preequilibrium reaction in the aqueous and micellar phases, and the resulting model can be used to describe any micellar reaction with associated preequilibria. Rate constants and relevant equilibrium constants for HCO(4)(-) oxidations of aryl sulfides at micellar surfaces have been estimated for CTAHCO(3), CTACl, and CTABr. The second-order rate constants in the Stern layer (k(2)(m)) for sulfide oxidations by HCO(4)(-) are estimated to be approximately 50-fold (PhSEtOH) and approximately 180-fold (PhSEt) greater than the background rate constant k(m)(0) for oxidation by H(2)O(2) at the micellar surface. The estimated values of k(2)(m) are lower than the corresponding values in water by a factor of 20-70 depending on the substrate, but the high local concentration of the bicarbonate activator in the surfoxidant and the local accumulation of substrate as a result of strong binding to the micelle lead to a net increase in the observed reaction rates. Comparisons of CTAHCO(3)-activated peroxide to other highly reactive oxidants such as peroxymonosulfate (HSO(5)(-)) in aqueous surfactant media suggest a wide variety of potential applications for this green oxidant.     

Aqueous ferryl(IV) ion: kinetics of oxygen atom transfer to substrates and oxo exchange with solvent water

The aqueous iron(IV) ion, Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+), generated from O(3) and Fe(aq)(2+), reacts rapidly with various oxygen atom acceptors (sulfoxides, a water-soluble triarylphosphine, and a thiolatocobalt complex). In each case, Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+) is reduced to Fe(aq)(2+), and the substrate is oxidized to a product expected for oxygen atom transfer. Competition methods were used to determine the kinetics of these reactions, some of which have rate constants in excess of 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). Oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has k = 1.26 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and shows no deuterium kinetic isotope effect, k(DMSO-d(6)) = 1.23 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). The Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+)/sulfoxide reaction is the product-forming step in a very efficient Fe(aq)(2+)-catalyzed oxidation of sulfoxides by ozone. This catalytic cycle, combined with labeling experiments in H(2)(18)O, was used to determine the rate constant for the oxo-group exchange between Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+) and solvent water under acidic conditions, k(exch) = 1.4 x 10(3) s(-1).     

Electrospray droplet impact/secondary ion mass spectrometry: cluster ion formation

The electrospray droplets that are sampled through an orifice into the vacuum chamber are accelerated by 10 kV and impact on the stainless steel substrate. The mass and the kinetic energy of electrospray droplets are roughly estimated to be a few 10(6) u and approximately 10(6) eV, respectively. The molecular ion M(+.) and the protonated molecule [M+H](+) are observed as secondary ions for chrysene and coronene deposited on the metal substrate (no matrix used). The ionization may take place in the shock wave generated by the high-momentum coherent collision between the droplet projectile and the solid sample. Cluster ions of H(+)(H(2)O)(n) and CF(3)COO(-)(H(2)O)(n), with n up to approximately 150, were observed as secondary ions formed by the electrospray droplet impact ionization (EDI) for 10(-2) M trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) aqueous solution. This indicates that the charged droplets that collide with the metal substrate with the kinetic energy of approximately 10(6) eV do not vaporize completely but are disintegrated into many tiny microdroplets. The ion signal intensity anomalies (i.e. magic numbers) were observed for the cluster ions of H(3)O(+)(H(2)O)(n) and CF(3)COO(-)(H(2)O)(n) for 10(-2) M TFA aqueous solution and of Cs(+)(H(2)O)(n), I(-)(H(2)O)(n), Cs(+)(CsI)(n), and I(-)(CsI)(n) for 10(-2) M CsI aqueous solution.     

On the formation of hydrogen peroxide in water microdroplets

Recent reports on the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in water microdroplets produced via pneumatic spraying or capillary condensation have garnered significant attention. How covalent bonds in water could break under such mild conditions challenges our textbook understanding of physical chemistry and water. While there is no definitive answer, it has been speculated that ultrahigh electric fields at the air–water interface are responsible for this chemical transformation. Here, we report on our comprehensive experimental investigation of H₂O₂ formation in (i) water microdroplets sprayed over a range of liquid flow-rates, (shearing) air flow rates, and air composition, and (ii) water microdroplets condensed on hydrophobic substrates formed via hot water or humidifier under controlled air composition. Specifically, we assessed the contributions of the evaporative concentration and shock waves in sprays and the effects of trace O₃(g) on the H₂O₂ formation. Glovebox experiments revealed that the H₂O₂ formation in water microdroplets was most sensitive to the air–borne ozone (O₃) concentration. In the absence of O₃(g), we could not detect H₂O₂(aq) in sprays or condensates (detection limit ≥250 nM). In contrast, microdroplets exposed to atmospherically relevant O₃(g) concentration (10–100 ppb) formed 2–30 µM H₂O₂(aq), increasing with the gas–liquid surface area, mixing, and contact duration. Thus, the water surface area facilitates the O₃(g) mass transfer, which is followed by the chemical transformation of O₃(aq) into H₂O₂(aq). These findings should also help us understand the implications of this chemistry in natural and applied contexts.

A. Gallo Jr, H. Mishra et al., pinpoint the origins of the spontaneous H₂O₂ formation in water microdroplets formed via spraying or condensation, i.e., without the addition of electrical energy, catalyst, or co-solvent.     

Iodine emission in the presence of humic substances at the water's surface

Humic substances that preferentially adsorb at the air/water interfaces of water or aerosols consist of both fulvic and humic acid. To investigate the chemical reactivity for the heterogeneous reaction of gaseous ozone, O(3)(g), with aqueous iodide, I(-)(aq), in the presence of standard fulvic acid, humic acid, or alcohol, cavity ring-down spectroscopy was used to detect gaseous products, iodine, I(2)(g) and an iodine monoxide radical, IO(g). Fulvic acid enhanced the I(2)(g) production yield, but not the IO(g) yield. Humic acid, n-hexanol, n-heptanol, and n-octanol did not affect the yields of I(2)(g) or IO(g). We can infer that the carboxylic group contained in fulvic acid promotes the I(2)(g) emission by supplying the requisite interfacial protons more efficiently than water on its surface.     

Disproportionation of aquachromyl(IV) ion by hydrogen abstraction from coordinated water

In aqueous solutions, the aquachromyl(IV) ion, Cr(aq)O(2+), disproportionates to Cr(aq)(3+) and HCrO(4)(-). The reaction exhibits second-order kinetics with an inverse [H(+)] dependence, -d[Cr(aq)O(2+)]/dt = 38.8[Cr(aq)O(2+)](2)[H(+)](-1) at 25 degrees C. The combination of the rate law and substantial kinetic isotope effect, k(H)/k(D) = 6.9, suggests a mechanism whereby a hydrogen atom is abstracted from a coordinated molecule of water or hydroxo group within a singly deprotonated transition state. The buildup of chromate is more complicated and somewhat slower than the loss of chromyl, suggesting the involvement of intermediates.     

Crystallization pathways of sulfate-nitrate-ammonium aerosol particles

Crystallization experiments are conducted for aerosol particles composed of aqueous mixtures of (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(aq) and NH(4)NO(3)(aq), (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(aq) and NH(4)HSO(4)(aq), and NH(4)NO(3)(aq) and NH(4)HSO(4)(aq). Depending on the aqueous composition, crystals of (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(s), (NH(4))(3)H(SO(4))(2)(s), NH(4)HSO(4)(s), NH(4)NO(3)(s), 2NH(4)NO(3) x (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(s), and 3NH(4)NO(3) x (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(s) are formed. Although particles of NH(4)NO(3)(aq) and NH(4)HSO(4)(aq) do not crystallize even at 1% relative humidity, additions of 0.05 mol fraction SO(4)(2-)(aq) or NO(3)(-)(aq) ions promote crystallization, respectively. 2NH(4)NO(3) x (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(s) and (NH(4))(3)H(SO(4))(2)(s) appear to serve as good heterogeneous nuclei for NH(4)NO(3)(s) and NH(4)HSO(4)(s), respectively. 2NH(4)NO(3) x (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(s) crystallizes over a greater range of aqueous compositions than 3NH(4)NO(3) x (NH(4))(2)SO(4)(s). An infrared aerosol spectrum is provided for each solid based upon a linear decomposition analysis of the recorded spectra. Small nonzero residuals occur in the analysis because aerosol spectra depend on particle morphology, which changes slightly across the range of compositions studied. In addition, several of the mixed compositions crystallize with residual aqueous water of up to 5% particle mass. We attribute this water content to enclosed water pockets. The results provide further insights into the nonlinear crystallization pathways of sulfate-nitrate-ammonium aerosol particles.     

Equilibrium thermodynamic studies in water: reactions of dihydrogen with rhodium(III) porphyrins relevant to Rh-Rh, Rh-H, and Rh-OH bond energetics

Aqueous solutions of rhodium(III) tetra p-sulfonatophenyl porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh(III)) complexes react with dihydrogen to produce equilibrium distributions between six rhodium species including rhodium hydride, rhodium(I), and rhodium(II) dimer complexes. Equilibrium thermodynamic studies (298 K) for this system establish the quantitative relationships that define the distribution of species in aqueous solution as a function of the dihydrogen and hydrogen ion concentrations through direct measurement of five equilibrium constants along with dissociation energies of D(2)O and dihydrogen in water. The hydride complex ([(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4)) is a weak acid (K(a)(298 K) = (8.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-8)). Equilibrium constants and free energy changes for a series of reactions that could not be directly determined including homolysis reactions of the Rh(II)-Rh(II) dimer with water (D(2)O) and dihydrogen (D(2)) are derived from the directly measured equilibria. The rhodium hydride (Rh-D)(aq) and rhodium hydroxide (Rh-OD)(aq) bond dissociation free energies for [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) and [(TSPP)Rh-OD(D(2)O)](-4) in water are nearly equal (Rh-D = 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1), Rh-OD = 62 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)). Free energy changes in aqueous media are reported for reactions that substitute hydroxide (OD(-)) (-11.9 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), hydride (D(-)) (-54.9 kcal mol(-1)), and (TSPP)Rh(I): (-7.3 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)) for a water in [(TSPP)Rh(III)(D(2)O)(2)](-3) and for the rhodium hydride [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) to dissociate to produce a proton (9.7 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), a hydrogen atom (approximately 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)), and a hydride (D(-)) (54.9 kcal mol(-1)) in water.     

Evaluation of [Co(gly)3]- as a 35Cl- NMR shift reagent for cellular studies

We studied the efficacy of the tris-glycinatocobaltate(II) complex ([Co(gly)(3)](-)) as a shift reagent (SR) for chloride by (35)Cl NMR spectroscopy and compared to that of Co(2+)((aq)). Due to the relatively low thermodynamic stability of [Co(gly)(3)](-), a 1:3 Co(II)/gly stoichiometric solution at physiological pH is approximately a 2:1 mixture of [Co(gly)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Co(gly)(H(2)O)(4)](+). This SR was found to be stable up to higher pH values than Co(2+)((aq)), better preventing Co(OH)(2) formation at alkaline pH. No significant differences in the (35)Cl(-) NMR chemical shift induced by Co(II)/gly or Co(2+)((aq)) were observed in the presence of physiological concentrations of either Ca(2+) or Mg(2+), or of either Na(+) or K(+). Although Co(2+)((aq)) was almost twice as effective as Co(II)/gly in shifting the (35)Cl(-) NMR resonance at the same high rho ([SR]/[Cl(-)]) value and low ionic strength, Co(2+)((aq)) showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the (35)Cl(-) chemical shift at higher ionic strength. Line widths at half-height were significantly (p < 0.05) less for Co(II)/gly than for Co(2+)((aq)) at rho values in the range 0.066-0.40. Intracellular chloride was clearly detectable by (35)Cl NMR spectroscopy in human skin fibroblast cells suspended in medium containing 40 mM Co(II)/gly SR. We determined that, although Co(2+)((aq)) provides a larger shift than Co(II)/gly at the same rho value, there are significant advantages for using Co(II)/gly, such as pH stability, ionic strength independent chemical shifts, narrow (35)Cl(-) NMR resonances, and reduced cellular toxicity, as a SR in biological systems.     

Olefin epoxidation by the hydrogen peroxide adduct of a novel non-heme mangangese(IV) complex: demonstration of oxygen transfer by multiple mechanisms

Olefin epoxidations are a class of reactions appropriate for the investigation of oxygenation processes in general. Here, we report the catalytic epoxidation of various olefins with a novel, cross-bridged cyclam manganese complex, Mn(Me2EBC)Cl2 (Me2EBC is 4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane), using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant, in acetone/water (ratio 4:1) as the solvent medium. Catalytic epoxidation studies with this system have disclosed reactions that proceed by a nonradical pathway other than the expected oxygen-rebound mechanism that is characteristic of high-valent, late-transition-metal catalysts. Direct treatment of olefins with freshly synthesized [Mn(IV)(Me2EBC)(OH)2](PF6)2 (pKa = 6.86) in either neutral or basic solution confirms earlier observations that neither the oxo-Mn(IV) nor oxo-Mn(V) species is responsible for olefin epoxidization in this case. Catalytic epoxidation experiments using the 18O labels in an acetone/water (H2(18)O) solvent demonstrate that no 18O from water (H2(18)O) is incorporated into epoxide products even though oxygen exchange was observed between the Mn(IV) species and H2(18)O, which leads to the conclusion that oxygen transfer does not proceed by the well-known oxygen-rebound mechanism. Experiments using labeled dioxygen, (18)O2, and hydrogen peroxide, H2(18)O2, confirm that an oxygen atom is transferred directly from the H2(18)O2 oxidant to the olefin substrate in the predominant pathway. The hydrogen peroxide adduct of this high-oxidation-state manganese complex, Mn(IV)(Me2EBC)(O)(OOH)+, was detected by mass spectra in aqueous solutions prepared from Mn(II)(Me2EBC)Cl2 and excess hydrogen peroxide. A Lewis acid pathway, in which oxygen is transferred to the olefin from that adduct, Mn(IV)(Me2EBC)(O)(OOH)+, is proposed for epoxidation reactions mediated by this novel, non-heme manganese complex. A minor radical pathway is also apparent in these systems.     

Direct observation of triple ions in aqueous solutions of nickel(II) sulfate: a molecular link between the gas phase and bulk behavior

Electrospray ionization of an aqueous solution of nickel(II) sulfate provides direct experimental evidence for the formation of triple ions of the type [Ni(2)(SO(4))(H(2)O)(n)](2+) and [Ni(SO(4))(2)](2-), whose existence in aqueous solution has previously been proposed based on relaxation spectroscopy [Chen et al. J. Sol. Chem. 2005, 34, 1045]. Formally, these triple ions are formed by aggregation of the solvated ions Ni(2+) and SO(4)(2-), respectively, with the neutral ion pair NiSO(4). In addition, also higher adducts are observed, e.g. the "pentuple ions" [Ni(3)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(n)](2+) (n = 7-9) and [Ni(2)(SO(4))(3)](2-), of which the dicationic is extensively hydrated, whereas the anionic is not. The structures of the dinuclear nickel clusters are derived from ab initio calculations and their infrared spectra are compared with experimental data obtained for the gaseous ions [Ni(2)SO(4)(H(2)O)(5)](2+) and [Ni(2)(SO(4))(3)](2-), respectively. The calculations show that the structures are crucially controlled by the degree of solvation of nickel ion. Explicit consideration of solvating water molecules within the first coordination sphere suggest that the dicationic triple ion [Ni(2)SO(4)](aq)(2+) is bent and thus bears a permanent dipole moment, whereas the [Ni(SO(4))(2)](aq)(2-) dianion tends to be quasi-linear. The experimental and theoretical data for the gaseous ions thus support the elegant, but indirect, deductions previously made based on solution-phase studies.     

Oxygen-17 NMR study of aqueous peroxotungstates

Aqueous peroxotungstates have been studied from pH 0.5 to 9.0, over a range of peroxide concentrations. Although equilibria are not always established, many anions can be identified by 17O NMR because the ratio of deltaO(W anion)/deltaO(known Mo anion) is consistently 79 +/- 3%. They are [WO3(HO2)]-; [WO(OH)(O2)2]-; [WO(OH2)(O2)2]0; [W2O3(O2)4]2-; [W2O3(OH)(O2)4]3-; [W4O12(O2)2]4-; [W7O23(O2)]6- and [W7O22(O2)2]6-. Their pKa values, where measurable, are about 2 units lower than the corresponding peroxomolybdates, e.g. 0.0 for [WO(OH2)(O2)2]0 and 8.0 for [W2O3(O2)4]2-. Other peroxotungstate species are also present but can only be broadly identified. These include Keggin structures with relatively low peroxo content, and a very unsymmetrical anion appearing at pH ca. 7 that bears no obvious structural relationship to any species previously reported. The main product from the reaction of powdered W metal with 30% aqueous peroxide is provisionally identified as the symmetrical anion [W6O13(OH)2(OH2)2(O2)5]2-, although other minor species are also formed, probably having fewer peroxo substituents.     

Structure of the aqueous solvated electron from resonance Raman spectroscopy: lessons from isotopic mixtures

The structure and thermodynamics of the hydrated electron are probed with resonance Raman spectroscopy of isotopic mixtures of H(2)O and D(2)O. The strongly enhanced intramolecular bends of e(-)(H(2)O) and e(-)(D(2)O) produce single downshifted bands, whereas the e(-)(HOD) bend consists of two components: one slightly upshifted from the 1,446 cm(-1) bulk frequency to 1,457 cm(-1) and the other strongly downshifted to approximately 1,396 cm(-1). This 60 cm(-1) split and the 200 (120) cm(-1) downshifts of the OH (OD) stretch frequencies relative to bulk water reveal that the water molecules that are Franck-Condon coupled to the electron are in an asymmetric environment, with one proton forming a strong hydrogen bond to the electron. The downshifted bend and librational frequencies also indicate significantly weakened torsional restoring forces on the water molecules of e(-)(aq), which suggests that the outlying proton is a poor hydrogen bond donor to the surrounding solvent. A 1.6-fold thermodynamic preference of the electron for H(2)O is observed based on the relative intensities of the e(-)(H(2)O) and e(-)(D(2)O) bands in a 50:50 isotopic mixture. This equilibrium isotope effect is consistent with the downshifted vibrational frequencies and a relative reduction of the zero-point energy of H(2)O bound to the electron. Our results enhance the cavity model of the solvated electron and support only those models that contain water monomers as opposed to other molecular species.     

Cation exchange at the mineral-water interface: H3O+/K+ competition at the surface of nano-muscovite

This article describes a (39)K nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic study of K (+) displacement at the muscovite/water interface as a function of aqueous phase pH. (39)K NMR spectra and T 2 relaxation data for nanocrystalline muscovite wet with a solid/solution weight ratio of 1 at pH 1, 3, and 5.5 show substantial liquid-like K (+) only at pH 1. At pH 3 and 5.5, all K (+) appears to be associated with muscovite as inner- or outer-sphere complexes, indicating that H 3O (+) does not displace basal surface K (+) beyond the (39)K detection limit under these conditions. In our pH 1 mixture, only approximately 1/3 of the initial basal surface K (+) population is located more than 3-4 A from the surface. (29)Si and (27)Al MAS NMR spectra and SEM images show no evidence of dissolution during the (39)K experiments, consistent with the liquid-like (39)K fraction originating from displaced basal surface K (+). Assuming no muscovite dissolution or interlayer exchange, the K (+)/H 3O (+) ratio relevant to the solution/surface exchange equilibrium is controlled by the total amount of K (+) on the surface and H 3O (+) in solution (K (+) surf/H 3O (+) aq). These parameters, in turn, depend on the basal surface area, solution pH, and the solid/solution ratio. The results here are consistent with significant displacement of surface K (+) only under conditions where the initial K (+) surf/H 3O (+) aq ratio is less than approximately 1. Computational molecular models of the muscovite/water interface should account for both K (+) and H 3O (+) in the near-surface region.     

Aqueous spectroscopy and redox properties of carboxylate-bound titanium

The aqueous chemistry of Ti(III) and Ti(IV) in two different chemical environments is investigated given its relevance to environmental, materials, and biological chemistry. Complexes of titanium with the carboxylate ligands citrate and oxalate, found ubiquitously in Nature, were synthesized. The redox properties were studied by using cyclic voltammetry. All the titanium citrate redox couples are quasi-reversible. Electrospray mass spectrometry of the Ti(III) citrate solution shows the presence of a 1:2 Ti/cit complex in solution, in contrast to the predominant 1:3 Ti/cit complex with Ti(IV). The change in the coordination of the ligand to the metal on reduction may explain the quasi-reversible behavior of the electrochemistry. The redox potentials for Ti(IV) citrate in water vary with pH. At pH 7, the approximate E(1/2) is less than -800 mV. This stated change in redox properties is considered in light of the previously reported Ti(IV) citrate solution speciation. Analogous speciation behavior is suggested from the EPR spectroscopy of Ti(III) citrate aqueous solutions. The g tensors are deduced for several pH-dependent species from the simulated data. The X-ray crystal structure of a Ti(III)(2) oxalate dimer Ti(2)(mu-C(2)O(4))(C(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(6).2H(2)O (3), which crystallizes from water below pH 2, is reported. Complex 3 crystallizes in a monoclinic P2(1)/c space group with a = 9.5088(19) Angstroms, b = 6.2382(12) Angstroms, c = 13.494(3) Angstroms, V = 797.8(3) Angstroms(3), and Z = 2. The infrared spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry on complex 3 are reported. The cyclic voltammetry shows an irreversible redox couple approximately -196 mV which likely corresponds to the Ti(IV)(2)/Ti(III)Ti(IV) couple. The EPR spectroscopy on solid complex 3 shows a typical S = 1 triplet-state spectrum. The solid follows non-Curie behavior, and the antiferromagnetic coupling between the two metal centers is determined to be -37.2 cm(-1). However, in solution the complex follows Curie behavior and supports a Ti(III)Ti(IV) oxidation state for the dimer.     

Reactivity of fullerene epoxide: preparation of fullerene-fused thiirane, tetrahydrothiazolidin-2-one, and 1,3-dioxolane

The epoxide moiety in the fullerene-mixed peroxide C60(O)(OOtBu)4 1 reacts readily with aryl isocyanates ArNCS (Ar = Ph, Naph) to form both the thiirane derivative C60(S)(OOtBu)4 and fullerene-fused tetrahydrothiazolidin-2-one. The reaction of 1 with trimethylsilyl isothiocyanate TMSNCS yields the isothiocyanate derivative C60(NCS)(OH)(OOtBu)4, the isothiocyanate and hydroxyl moieties of which could be converted to a fullerene-fused tetrahydrothiazolidin-2-one ring with alumina quantitatively. Treating 1 with BF3.Et2O yields the fullerene-fused [1,3,2]-dioxoborolane derivative C60(O2BOH)(OOtBu)4. In the presence of aldehyde or acetone, BF3.Et2O catalyzes the conversion of epoxide to fullerene-fused 1,3-dioxolane derivatives. The products are characterized by spectroscopic data. Two of the compounds are also characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis.