Distribution behavior of astatine: Solvent extraction and back extraction

The distribution behavior of astatine was studied at tracer concentrations and over a wide range of carrier iodide concentration in both solvent extraction and back extraction processes. Astatine compounds were extracted instantly into the organic solvent, CS₂ from the carrier free and carrier iodide containing solutions. Back extraction of astatine with various NaOH solutions followed by solvent extraction caused the hydrolysis of astatine. The distribution behavior of astatine was explained by the extraction reaction schemes.     

Conversion of Methane over Ag<Superscript>+</Superscript>-exchanged Zeolite in the Presence of Ethene

Methane is shown to react with ethene over silver-exchanged zeolites at around 673 K to form higher hydrocarbons. Methane conversion of 13.2% is achieved at 673 K over Ag–ZSM−5 catalyst. Under these conditions, H–ZSM−5 does not catalyze the methane conversion, only ethene being converted into higher hydrocarbons. Zeolites with extra-framework metal cations such as In and Ga also activate methane in the presence of ethene. Using ¹³C-labeled methane as a reactant, propene is shown to be a primary product from methane and ethane. ¹³C atoms were not found in benzene molecules produced, indicating that benzene is entirely originated from ethane. On the other hand, in toluene, ¹³C atoms are found in both the methyl group and the aromatic ring. This implies that toluene is formed by the reaction of propene with butenes formed by the dimerization of ethene, and also by the reaction of benzene with methane. The latter path was confirmed by direct reaction of ¹³CH₄ with benzene. In this case, ¹³C atoms are found only in methyl groups of toluene produced. The heterolytic dissociation of methane over Ag⁺-exchanged zeolites is proposed as a reaction mechanism for the catalytic conversion of methane, leading to the formation of silver hydride and CH₃^δ+ species, which reacts with ethene and benzene to form propene and toluene, respectively. The conversion of methane over zeolites loaded with metal cations other than Ag⁺ is also described. The reaction of methane with benzene over indium-loaded ZSM−5 afforded toluene and xylenes in yields of up to 7.6% and 0.9% at 623 K when the reaction was carried out in a flow reactor.     

C–H bond activation versus ring cleavage in the gas phase ion-molecule reactions of Nb+ and Ta+ with toluene and picoline

The reactions of Nb⁺ and Ta⁺ with toluene and picoline and their deuterium-labelled analogues were studied in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Methyl substitution completely changes the reactivities relative to benzene and pyridine. Both metals react to dehydrogenate toluene exclusively. In contrast to benzene, no ring cleavage is observed in the Ta⁺/toluene reaction. A simple explanation for this difference in reactivities is proposed based on the relative energies of the Hückel orbitals of benzene and toluene. The (b₁) symmetric antibonding orbital is higher in energy for toluene. Population of this orbital is necessary for formation of the metallanorbornadiene intermediate and does not occur at thermal energies. Reaction with ring labelled toluene-d₅ shows exclusive H₂ or D₂ elimination in reaction with Nb⁺ and H₂, HD, and D₂ elimination in reaction with Ta⁺. Reactions with the picolines show both dehydrogenation and ring cleavage. Isotope labelling studies show facile H/D scrambling occurs in the intermediate ion-molecule complexes with HCN and DCN both eliminated from the methyl-d₃-2-picoline and 4-picoline. The metals react with picoline and pyridine by different mechanisms. The isotope labelling results suggest a metal-hydrido-azepinium structure for the intermediate complex.     

Photopolymerization of cyclohexene oxide by use of o-nitrobenzyl triphenylsilyl ether/aluminum compound catalyst. Dependence of catalyst activity on the structure of the silyl ether

o-Nitrobenzyl triphenylsilyl ehther/aluminum compound has been previously shown by the authors to act as catalyst in the photopolymerization of epoxides. The dependence of the structure of the silyl ether on the catalyst activity was examined. There were two steps in the photopolymerization. The first step (“Step 1”) is photodecomposition of the silyl ether to silanol. The second step (“Step 2”) is the initiation of polymerization by silanol and the aluminum compound. The introduction of an electron withdrawing group, Cl, CF₃, on the benzene ring bonded to Si made the quantum yield of Step 1 low, however, the rate of Step 2 was increased. The low quantum yield of Step 1 was explained in terms of the rate of electron transfer that is controlled by the relative electron density between the CH₂ and NO₂ in the o-nitrobenzyl group. The acceleration of Step 2 was explained in terms of an increase in silanol acidity that was promoted by the introduction of an electron withdrawing group. The overall rate of the photopolymerizatiol depends to a greater degree on the rate of Step 2 than on that of Step 1.     

Bis(η-arene)di-palladium(I) chemistry: catalytic dimerization of ethylene under mild conditions. The possible role of PdPd bonds in the reaction.

Pd(I) complexes of formula |(η-arene)PdX|₂ (X = AlCl₄, Al₂Cl₇; arene = benzene, toluene, p-xylene) are active catalysts for the ethylene dimerization under mild conditions; a mechanism for the reaction is suggested.     

Catalytic transformation of methane over in-loaded ZSM-5 zeolite in the presence of ethene

Methane is shown to react with ethene over In-loaded ZSM-5 to higher hydrocarbons such as propene and toluene at around 673 K. Such methane conversion is not catalyzed by proton-exchanged ZSM-5 (H-ZSM-5) under the same conditions, only C2H4 being converted to higher hydrocarbons. By using 13C-labeled methane (13CH4) as a reactant, the reaction paths for the formation of propene, benzene and toluene were examined. 13C-labeled propene (13CC2H6) is formed by the reaction of 13CH4 with C2H4. The lack of 13C-labeled benzene revealed that propene is not transformed to benzene, which instead originates entirely from C2H4. The 13C atom is inserted both into the methyl group and benzene ring in the toluene formed. This indicates that toluene is formed by two reaction paths; the reaction of 13CC2H6 with butenes formed by the dimerization of C2H4 and the reaction of benzene with 13CH4. The existence of the latter path was proved by the direct reaction of 13CH4 with benzene. The reaction of methane with benzene was also carried out in a continuous flow system over In-loaded ZSM-5. The reaction afforded 7.6% and 0.9% yields of toluene and xylenes, respectively, at 623 K.     

Solvent Extraction Behavior of Astatine and Radioiodine at Tracer Concentrations

The solvent extraction behavior of radioioine and astatine has been investigated under various conditions in order to compare the extraction behavior of astatine with radioiodine at tracer concentration. In this study, basic tracer solutions of astatine and radioiodine were extracted into the CS₂ solution under various conditions. Astatine existed as a pure species in the tracer solution and formed cationic compound in the acidic solution which was also extracted into the organic solvent instantaneously. On the other hand, radioiodine existed as a complex in the tracer solution and was partly extracted into the organic solvent at tracer concentration. The observed different extraction behavior of astatine and radioiodine were consistently explained by the respective proposed extraction reaction schemes.     

The alkylation reaction of benzene with methanol to produce toluene: Y-C and Y-CCs catalyst

The secondary reaction of toluene is difficult to be suppressed in benzene alkylation with methanol over conventional acidic zeolite catalysts. Moreover, the formation of coke yet remains a challenging problem. In this study, Na-Y zeolites were modified with ammonium carbonate (AC), citric acid (CA) and caesium nitrate(CN) to evaluate the alkylation of benzene with methanol, which was also characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, N₂ adsorption and Py-IR. For the Na-Y treated with AC-CA-CN, not only the catalytic selectivity for the alkylation of benzene with methanol was improved (the total selectivity of toluene and xylene was 97.9% and toluene selectivity was 86.4%), but also the quantity of coke was greatly decreased.     

Track effects in the radiolysis of aromatic liquids

The chemical effects induced by the track structure of heavy ions have been exploited to show that H₂ production in the radiolysis of simple aromatic liquids (benzene, pyridine, toluene and aniline) is primarily due to second order processes. Similar dependences of H₂ yields on the linear energy transfer, LET, for each of these compounds suggest a common mechanism for H₂ formation. Furthermore, the yields of H₂ are significant at very high LET and they approach that found with aliphatic compounds. Yields of “dimers” (biphenyl, bibenzyl, dipyridyl, and diphenylamine for benzene, toluene, pyridine, and aniline, respectively) have different dependences on LET reflecting the variety of pathways leading to their production. Bibenzyl formation in toluene exhibits a complex dependence on LET suggesting several competing pathways for its production whereas biphenyl formation in benzene is nearly independent of LET suggesting a unimolecular process. Dipyridyl, and diphenylamine yields in pyridine and aniline, respectively, decrease with increasing LET, which indicates that their precursor is being depleted.     

Synthesis of 3,4-dibromo-3,4,4-trichloro-1-phenylbutan-1-one and 1-aryl-2-bromo-3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-en-1-ones from 3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-enoic acid

Bromination of 3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-enoic acid in boiling carbon tetrachloride led to the formation of 2-bromo-3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-enoic acid as a result of replacement of hydrogen in the CH₂ group. The reaction at 40°C involved the double C=C bond to give 3,4-dibromo-3,4,4-trichlorobutanoic acid. The brominated acids were converted into the corresponding chlorides which were used to acylate benzene, toluene, and bromobenzene according to Friedel-Crafts. The acylation was not selective, and only the reaction of 3,4-dibromo-3,4,4-trichlorobutanoyl chloride with benzene gave 3,4-dibromo-3,4,4-trichloro-1-phenylbutan-1-one as the only product. 1-Aryl-2-bromo-3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-en-1-ones were synthesized by bromination of the corresponding 1-aryl-3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-en-1-ones which were prepared previously by Friedel-Crafts acylation of substituted benzenes with 3,4,4-trichlorobut-3-enoyl chloride.     

Dediazoniations of Arene Diazonium Ions in Homogeneous Solution. Part III: Heterolytic arylations in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol - an SN1-or an SN2-reaction?

Benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol decomposes to give fluorobenzene and phenyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether. In the presence of benzene, toluene, trifluoromethyl-benzene or anisole, the respective biphenyl derivatives are formed in addition to fluorobenzene and the ether. The distribution of the isomeric substituted biphenyls is consistent with an electrophilic substitution. No homolytic products (diazo tars, benzene) are formed. The reaction kinetics clearly show that ether formation and aryl-dediazoniations are of second-order type, i.e. that trifluoroethanol and the benzene derivatives mentioned above are rate-determining factors. It is shown that these results exclude the S_N1-mechanism which is usually assumed for heterolytic dediazoniations; free aryl cations are therefore not involved in these reactions. An S_N2-like mechanism seems to be the most likely, but one involving an encounter complex containing the dissociated benzenediazonium ion is also consistent with the experimental data.     

Deoxygenation of Epoxides with Carbon Monoxide

The use of carbon monoxide as a direct reducing agent for the deoxygenation of terminal and internal epoxides to the respective olefins is presented. This reaction is homogeneously catalyzed by a carbonyl pincer-iridium(I) complex in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst to achieve a pre-activation of the epoxide substrate, as well as the elimination of CO₂ from a γ-2-iridabutyrolactone intermediate. Especially terminal alkyl epoxides react smoothly and without significant isomerization to the internal olefins under CO atmosphere in benzene or toluene at 80–120 °C. Detailed investigations reveal a substrate-dependent change in the mechanism for the epoxide C−O bond activation between an oxidative addition under retention of the configuration and an S_N2 reaction that leads to an inversion of the configuration.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of arenes in the presence of heteropoly acids and palladium(II) complexes supported on silica gel

Pd(II) complexes and twelfth-series heteropoly acids (HPA) H₉[PMo₆V₆O₄₀] and H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] supported on silica gel oxidize benzene and toluene at 95°C. The formation of methyldiphenylmethane in the oxidation of toluene on HPA/SiO₂ and (PdCl₂−HPA)/SiO₂ catalysts, KIE>1 for the toluene/toluene-d₈ pair, and greater rate for toluene than for benzene are in accord with a one-electron transfer mechanism. L. M. Litvinenko Institute of Physical Organic and Coal Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 70 R. Lyuksemburg ul., Donetsk 340114, Ukraine. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 249–252, July–August, 1999.     

Astatine Facing Janus: Halogen Bonding vs. Charge-Shift Bonding

The nature of halogen-bond interactions was scrutinized from the perspective of astatine, potentially the strongest halogen-bond donor atom. In addition to its remarkable electronic properties (e.g., its higher aromaticity compared to benzene), C₆At₆ can be involved as a halogen-bond donor and acceptor. Two-component relativistic calculations and quantum chemical topology analyses were performed on C₆At₆ and its complexes as well as on their iodinated analogues for comparative purposes. The relativistic spin–orbit interaction was used as a tool to disclose the bonding patterns and the mechanisms that contribute to halogen-bond interactions. Despite the stronger polarizability of astatine, halogen bonds formed by C₆At₆ can be comparable or weaker than those of C₆I₆. This unexpected finding comes from the charge-shift bonding character of the C–At bonds. Because charge-shift bonding is connected to the Pauli repulsion between the bonding σ electrons and the σ lone-pair of astatine, it weakens the astatine electrophilicity at its σ-hole (reducing the charge transfer contribution to halogen bonding). These two antinomic characters, charge-shift bonding and halogen bonding, can result in weaker At-mediated interactions than their iodinated counterparts.     

Kinetics of the Reaction of 2‐Chloro‐3,5‐dinitrobenzotriflouride with Aniline in Toluene and Methanol‐Toluene Mixed Solvents

Kinetics of the reaction of 2‐chloro‐3,5‐dinitrobenzotriflouride with aniline were studied in toluene, methanol‐toluene binary solvents, benzene and chloroform. The reaction in toluene exhibits third‐order kinetics consistent with aggregates of aniline. Thermodynamic parameters (H^#, (S^# and (G^#are calculated and discussed for the reaction of 2‐chloro‐3,5‐dinitrobenzotriflouride with aniline in methanol‐toluene. Molecular complexes between aniline and the substrate are rejected spectrophotometricaly. The mechanism is studied and compared with the reaction in presence of pyridine. It shows an amine dependence and formation of homo and/or hetero mixed aggregates between aniline and pyridine i.e. dimer mechanism.     

Ein Kobalt(II)-Corrin-Komplex als reversibler Sauerstoffträger. Eine ESR.-spektroskopische Untersuchung

The diamagnetic crystalline Jodo-Co(II)-cobyrinicacid-heptamethylester dissolves in benzene or toluene forming solutions which contain the monomeric paramagnetic complex unit. From anisotropic ESR.-parameters, measured in frozen solutions, follows a ground state configuration (d_xz,d_yz)⁴(d_xy)²(d_z²)¹ for the Co(II). The unpaired electron is highly delocalized to the axially coordinated iodide ion, giving rise to a strong hyperfine coupling with the iodine nucleus. The complex forms in a very fast and completely reversible reaction a 1:1 adduct with molecular oxygen in toluene solutions below ca. 280° K. ESR.-parameters of the oxygen adduct are presented and discussed. Thermodynamic data for the formation reaction of the adduct are estimated.     

Reaction of hydrogen with aromatic compounds in a 13.6-MHz discharge

A series of aromatic compounds C₆H₅X (X=CH₃, Cl, NO₂, NH₂, OCH₃, CO₂CH₂CH₃, COCH₃, CN) were reacted with hydrogen in a 13.6-MHz inductively coupled glow discharge. The flow rates of aromatic and hydrogen were typically 0.5 mmol/min and 18 mmol/min, respectively. The applied power was varied from 50–200 W and the total pressure was varied from 2–14 torr. The products were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography. Three types of reactions were observed: (1) addition of hydrogen to the aromatic, (2) replacement of the group X by hydrogen, and (3) reactions characteristic of aromatic in the absence of hydrogen. The toluene reaction was studied most carefully. Methylcyclohexenes and benzene were the major products identified. The benzene was optimized by increasing the power and decreasing the pressure of either hydrogen or toluene. Reaction of toluene-d₈ with hydrogen revealed that hydrogens were sequentially exchanged for deuteria on toluene and each of the products. A new apparatus is described which allows flow rates and pressure to be preselected and controlled and which allows a series of product samples to be collected without quenching the plasma.     

Transition metal-catalyzed olefin arylation via C–H bond activation of arenes

In this article, two kinds of our transition metal-catalyzed olefin arylations are summarized and discussed. The first one is Ir-catalyzed novel anti-Markovnikov hydroarylation of olefins with benzene. Using this reaction catalyzed by [Ir(μ-acac-O,O′,C₃)(acac-O,O′)(acac-C₃)]₂ (acac = acetylacetonato), 1, straight-chain alkylarenes, which were not obtainable by the conventional Friedel-Crafts aromatic alkylation with olefins, were able to be successfully synthesized directly from arenes and olefins with the higher selectivity than that of branched alkylarenes. This is the first efficient catalyst which shows the desirable high regioselectivity. The reaction of benzene with propylene gave n-propylbenzene and cumene in 61% and 39% selectivities, respectively, and the reaction of benzene and styrene afforded 1,2-diphenylethane in 98% selectivity. The reaction of alkylarene and olefin showed meta and para orientations. A wide range of olefins and arenes can be employed for the synthesis of alkylarenes. The mechanism of the reaction involves C–H bond activation of benzene by Ir center to form Ir–phenyl species. The second reaction is Rh-catalyzed oxidative arylation of ethylene with benzene to directly produce styrene, namely one-step synthesis of styrene. The reaction of benzene with ethylene catalyzed by Rh(ppy)₂(OAc) (ppyH = 2-phenylpyridine, OAc = acetate), 3 with Cu oxidizing agent gave styrene and vinyl acetate in 77% and 23% selectivities, respectively, in contrast to those by Pd(OAc)₂, 47% of styrene and 53% of vinyl acetate. The mechanism of the reaction involves Rh-mediated C–H bond activation of benzene, which appears to be a rate-determining step. Furthermore, Rh complexes in a Rh(I) oxidation state at the beginning of the reaction work as catalysts for the reaction by addition of acacH and O₂ without any oxidizing agent, like Cu salt.     

Kinetic modeling of benzene and toluene decomposition in air and in flue gas under electron beam irradiation

Computer simulations of benzene and toluene decomposition in air (79% N₂+21% O₂) and in flue gas (87% N₂+10% O₂+3% H₂O+160 ppm SO₂+80 ppm NO) under electron beam (EB) irradiation were carried out using computer code KINETIC and GEAR method. 285 reactions involving 73 species and 294 reactions involving 78 species were considered for simulation of benzene and toluene decomposition, respectively. Calculation results of benzene and toluene decomposition in air under electron beam agree well with the published experimental results. OH radicals play a main role in benzene or toluene decomposition.     

Catalytic benzene mono-alkylation over three catalysts: improving activity and selectivity with M-Y catalyst

Modified Y type catalyst (M-Y) shows great potential for the preparation of toluene attribute to catalyst topology and synergistic effect of Lewis acid and Brönsted acid in the alkylation reaction. However, it still remains a big challenge to build a reaction mechanism. Thereby, based on the study of HZSM-5, H-beta and M-Y catalysts structure and physical properties, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra and Pyridine adsorption infrared. The activity of catalysts was tested in benzene alkylation with methanol and was found to be in the following increasing order: Na-Y (no effect)?<?H-Y?<<?HZSM-5?<?H-beta?<?M-Y.