Small-angle neutron-scattering study of bis(quaternaryammonium bromide) surfactant micelles in water. Effect of the long spacer chain on micellar structure

The microstructure of the normal micelles formed by dimeric surfactants with long spacers, [Br⁻(CH₃)₂N⁺(C _m H_{2 m +1})-(CH₂) _S  -(C _m H_{2 m +1})N⁺(CH₃)₂Br⁻, m = 10 and s = 8, 10 and 12], has been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering and compared with previously reported results for micelles of the same dimeric surfactants with shorter spacers (m = 10 and s = 2, 3, 4 and 6). It was found that for dimeric surfactants with long spacers (s = 8 and 10), both micellar growth and variation in shape occur to only a small extent, if at all, compared with dimeric surfactants with short spacers. However, for the dimeric surfactant with the longest spacer, s = 12, the extent of micellar growth and shape variation is also large. These results are due to the differences in conformation of dimeric surfactants with short spacers (s = 2–6) compared with that of the surfactants with long spacers (s = 8–12). Received: 15 June 1998 Accepted: 22 July 1998     

Electrochemical behaviour of a lead electrode in phosphoric acid

 A lead electrode was studied in 6 and 12 M H₃PO₄. Oxidation of a freshly polished electrode occurred in the −0.5 to −0.3 V vs. SCE range, and led to PbHPO₄ growth on the electrode surface. The dissolution of this layer by electrochemical reduction occurred between −0.5 and −0.7 V. The influence of temperature (20 °C and 65 °C) was investigated and showed that the anodic and the cathodic peaks were increasing, and more markedly for the 12 M H₃PO₄. The ratio Q _cathodic/Q _anodic (Q=electrical charge flowing through the electrode) was equal or close to the unity at 20 °C and decreased as the temperature was increased. The influence of Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ ions was also evaluated. The addition of Cl⁻ and Br⁻ predominantly led to Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl and Pb₅(PO₄)₃Br, respectively, while I⁻ led to a mixture of PbI₂ and PbHPO₄. Received: 18 July 1999 / Accepted: 2 November 1999     

Surface active and aggregation behavior of methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids of type [Cnmim] [X], n?=?4, 6, 8 and [X]?=?Cl?, Br?, and I? in water

The surface active and aggregation behavior of ionic liquids of type [C _n mim][X] (1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium (mim) halides), where n = 4, 6, 8 and [X] = Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ was investigated by using three techniques: surface tension, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). A series of parameters including critical aggregation concentrations (CAC), surface active parameters and thermodynamic parameters of aggregation were calculated. The ¹H NMR chemical shifts and SANS measurements reveal no evidence of aggregates for the short-chain 1-butylmim halides in water and however small oblate ellipsoidal shaped aggregates are formed by ionic liquids with 1-hexyl and 1-octyl chains. Analysis of SANS data analysis at higher concentrations of [C₈mim][Cl] showed that the microstructures consist of cubically packed molecules probably through π–π and hydrogen bond interactions.     

Applications of cationic gemini surfactant in preparing multi-walled carbon nanotube contained nanofluids

Stable homogeneous nanofluids of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by using gemini cationic surfactant trimethylene-1,3-bis (dodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide), abbreviated as 12-3-12,2Br⁻¹, as dispersing agents. Zeta potential and FT-IR measurements were employed to investigate the adsorption mechanism of 12-3-12,2Br⁻¹ on MWNTs. The interactions between MWNTs and 12-3-12,2Br⁻¹ through hydrophobic segments cause hydrophilic MWNT-suspended medium interfaces with high positive charges, which enables the nanofluids to be stable for long periods. At relatively low temperatures the superfluous surfactant molecules form stable layer or column micelles, making an increase in the viscosity of nanofluids. Only 0.6 wt% gemini surfactant was used to obtain 0.5 wt% MWNT dispersions. The dispersions show no MWNTs precipitation for at least 5 weeks.     

Raman scattering spectra and molecular conformations of bis(quaternaryammonium bromide)-water systems

The dimeric bis(quaternaryammonium bromide) surfactants, [Br⁻(CH₃)₂N⁺(C _m H_{2 m +1})—(CH₂) _s —(C _m H_{2 m +1})N⁺(CH₃)₂Br⁻, s = 2, 3 and m = 4, 6, 10 and 12, s = 6 and m = 8, 10, 12], have been synthesized and the phase maps of the sm6-8-water, sm6-10-water and sm6-12-water binary systems have been determined (sm6-8 implies s = 6, m = 8). In order to examine the molecular structures of these solid samples and of their dimeric surfactant-water binary systems, Raman spectra of the simple dimeric surfactants, sm2-4 and sm3-4, in which crystal structures of the trans- and cis-type conformations have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, have been investigated, and Raman bands characteristic of these skeletal structures were found in the skeletal deformation region. On the basis of these characteristic Raman bands for the two conformations, it has been concluded that the dimeric surfactants, sm6-8, sm6-10 and sm6-12 also take up a cis-type conformation in the crystalline state. Furthermore, it has been found that the Raman bands in the C—H stretching, skeletal stretching and CH₂ scissoring regions are sensitive to phase structure. Received: 21 July 1998 Accepted in revised form: 9 November 1998     

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) chlorides and bromides with tetrazol-1-yl-tris(hydroxymethyl)methane: Synthesis and structure

The reactions of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) chlorides and bromides and their metallic powders with tetrazol-1-yl-tris(hydroxymethyl)methane (L) afforded new complexes ML₂Hal₂ · mH₂O(M = Co(II) or Ni(II), Hal = Cl⁻; M = Cu(II), Hal = Cl⁻ or Br⁻, m = 0; and M = Co(II) or Ni(II), Hal = Br⁻, m = 2), MLnCl₂ (M = Co(II) or Ni(II), n = 2 or 4; M = Cu(II), n = 2), and MLnBr₂ · mH₂O (M = Ni(II), n = 2, m = 2; M = Cu(II), n = 2, m = 0). The compositions and structures of the synthesized complexes were determined by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy (50–4000 cm⁻¹), and X-ray diffraction analysis. The introduction of a bulky substituent into position 1 of the tetrazole cycle was shown to exert almost no effect on the coordination mode but affected the composition and structure of the complexes.     

Catalysis of the alkaline hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl diethyl phosphonate by cationic dimeric surfactant micelles

Dimeric (gemini) surfactants containing hydroxyl functional groups have been synthesized and studied. These new surfactants have low critical micelle formation concentrations (<5·10⁻⁵ mol/L) and Krafft temperatures (≤0 °C). Depending on the pH of the medium, the alkaline hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl diethyl phosphonate, which is a model of organophosphorus ecotoxicants, proceeds 20–80 times more rapidly in the presence of gemini surfactant micelles than in water.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of spinel Li4Ti5O12−x Cl x anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were synthesized successfully via high temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize their structure and morphology. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge cycling performance tests were used to characterize their electrochemical properties. The results showed that the Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were well-crystallized pure spinel phase and that the grain sizes of the samples were about 3–8 μm. The Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the best discharge capacity among all the samples and showed better reversibility and higher cyclic stability compared with pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. When the discharge rate was 0.5 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the superior discharge capacity of 148.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was 129.8 mAh g⁻¹; when the discharge rate was 2 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the discharge capacity of 120.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was only 89.8 mAh g⁻¹.     

Characterization of a Thermostable Family 1 Glycosyl Hydrolase Enzyme from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Putranjiva roxburghii</Emphasis> Seeds

A 66-kDa thermostable family 1 Glycosyl Hydrolase (GH1) enzyme with β-glucosidase and β-galactosidase activities was purified to homogeneity from the seeds of Putranjiva roxburghii belonging to Euphorbiaceae family. N-terminal and partial internal amino acid sequences showed significant resemblance to plant GH1 enzymes. Kinetic studies showed that enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside (pNP-Glc) with higher efficiency (K _cat/K _m = 2.27 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) as compared to p-nitrophenyl β-d-galactopyranoside (pNP-Gal; K _cat/K _m = 1.15 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). The optimum pH for β-galactosidase activity was 4.8 and 4.4 in citrate phosphate and acetate buffers respectively, while for β-glucosidase it was 4.6 in both buffers. The activation energy was found to be 10.6 kcal/mol in the temperature range 30–65 °C. The enzyme showed maximum activity at 65 °C with half life of ~40 min and first-order rate constant of 0.0172 min⁻¹. Far-UV CD spectra of enzyme exhibited α, β pattern at room temperature at pH 8.0. This thermostable enzyme with dual specificity and higher catalytic efficiency can be utilized for different commercial applications.     

Micellization of monomeric and dimeric (gemini) surfactants in polar nonaqueous-water-mixed solvents

Dimeric or gemini surfactants are novel surfactants that are finding a great deal of discussion in the academic and industrial arena. They consist of two hydrophobic chains and two polar head groups covalently linked by a spacer. Data on critical micelle concentration (cmc) and degree of counterion dissociation (α) are reported on bis-cationic C₁₆H₃₃N⁺(CH₃)₂–(CH₂)_s–N⁺(CH₃)₂C₁₆H₃₃, 2Br⁻, referred to as 16-s-16, for spacer lengths s=4, 5, 6 in aqueous and in polar nonaqueous (1-propanol, 2-methoxyethanol or methyl cellosolve, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile)-water-mixed solvents. The behavior is compared with conventional monomeric surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Thermodynamic parameters are obtained from the temperature dependence of the cmc values. It is observed that micellization tendency of the surfactants decreases in the presence of polar nonaqueous solvents. However, detailed studies with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) show that the geminis nearly outclass the micellization-arresting property of this solvent. Also, within geminis, higher spacer length is found suitable for showing micellization even with high DMSO content (50% v/v). The implications of these results of gemini micellization may be useful in micellar catalysis in polar nonaqueous solvents.     

The Effect of Temperature on the Equivalent Conductivities and Ion-Association Constants of Some Tris-(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) Complexes in N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide

The equivalent conductivities of tris-(ethylenediamine)chromium complexes, [Cr(en)₃]X₃ (where X⁻= Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; en = ethylenediamine) were measured as functions of temperature (278.15 to 328.15 K) and concentration [(1.948 ×10⁻⁴ to 10.728 ×10⁻⁴ mol⋅dm⁻³) and (2.282 ×10⁻⁴ to 11.246 ×10⁻⁴ mol⋅dm⁻³)] in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC), respectively. Equivalent conductivity values for [Cr(en)₃]X₃ in DMF were found to be higher than those in DMAC. The conductivity data were analyzed with the Robinson-Stokes equations. For [Cr(en)₃]X₃, the limiting equivalent ionic conductivities of [Cr(en)₃]³⁺ and the ion-association constants (K _A) of the ion-pair between [Cr(en)₃]³⁺ and the monovalent halide anions were determined in DMF and DMAC. The values of K _A for three complex salts in DMF were higher than those in DMAC. This can be ascribed to an increase of the ion-association constants with a decrease of the relative permittivity of the solvents. The values of K _A at 298.15 K decreased in the order Cl⁻> Br⁻> I⁻ in DMF and Cl⁻> I⁻> Br⁻ in DMAC. The K _A values for [Cr(en)₃]Cl₃ increased with increasing temperature in both DMF and DMAC. For [Cr(en)₃]X₃(X⁻= Br⁻, I⁻) in both solvents, this indicates increasing disorder occurs with increasing temperature. Thermodynamic parameters (standard Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy changes) were determined from the temperature dependence of K _A in DMF and DMAC. These parameters were inter-compared in their dependences on temperature and solvent.     

New anionic gemini surfactant based on EDTA accessible by convenient synthesis

A straightforward, broadly applicable synthetic strategy to anionic dimeric (“gemini”) surfactants is demonstrated, reacting ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) dianhydride with fatty amines. Characteristic surfactant properties in water are examined for the model compound based on N-methyldodecylamine. The new dimeric surfactant exhibits a low value for the critical micellization concentration (cmc < 10⁻⁴ mM), low surface tension at the cmc, and an enhanced solubilization capacity in comparison with a monomeric reference surfactant, sodium laurate. In particular, solutions of the gemini surfactant are remarkably stable in hard water, compared to conventional carboxylate surfactants.     

Significantly Improved Expression and Biochemical Properties of Recombinant Serratia marcescens Lipase as Robust Biocatalyst for Kinetic Resolution of Chiral Ester

A lipase gene from Serratia marcescens ECU1010 was cloned into expression vector pET28a, sequenced, and overexpressed as an N terminus His-tag fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Through the optimization of culture conditions in shake flask, the lipase activity was improved up to 1.09 × 10⁵ U/l, which is a great improvement compared to our previous reports. It was purified to homogeneity by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography with an overall yield of 59.4% and a purification factor of 2.4-fold. This recombinant lipase displayed excellent stability below 30 °C and within the pH range of 5.0−6.8, giving temperature and pH optima at 40 °C and pH 9.0, respectively. The lipase activity was found to increase in the presence of metal ions such as Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, and some nonionic surfactants such as PEG series. In addition, among p-nitrophenyl esters of fatty acids with varied chain length, the recombinant lipase showed the maximum activity on p-nitrophenyl laurate (C₁₂). Using racemic trans-3-(4′-methoxy-phenyl)-glycidyl methyl ester [(±)-MPGM] as substrate, which is a key chiral synthon for production of diltiazem, a 50% conversion yield was achieved after 4 h in toluene–water (100 mM KPB phosphate buffer, pH 7.5) biphasic system (5:5 ml) at 30 °C under shaking condition (160 rpm), affording (−)-MPGM in nearly 100% ee. The K _m and V _max values of the lipase for (±)-MPGM were 222 mM and 1.24 mmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively. The above-mentioned features make the highly enantioselective lipase from Serratia marcescens ECU1010 a robust biocatalyst for practical use in large-scale production of diltiazem intermediate.     

Micellar‐accelerated hydrolysis of organophosphate and thiophosphates by pyridine oximate

Rate constants for the hydrolysis reaction of phosphate (paraoxon) and thiophosphate (parathion, fenitrothion) esters by oximate (pyridinealdoxime 2‐PyOx⁻ and 4‐PyOx⁻) and its functionalized pyridinium surfactants 4‐(hydroxyimino) methyl)‐1‐alkylpyridinium bromide ions (alkyl = C_nH_2n+1, n = 10, 12, 14, 16) have been measured kinetically at pH 9.5 and 27°C in micellar media of cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB). Acid dissociation constant, pK_a, of oximes has also been determined by spectrophotometric, kinetic, and potentiometric methods. The rate acceleration effects of cationic micelles have been explored. Cationic micelles of the pyridinium head group (CPB) showed a large catalytic effect than the ammonium head group (CTAB). The effects of pH, oximate concentration, and surfactants have been discussed.     

Small-angle neutron-scattering study and micellar model of the gemini (phenylenedimethylene)bis(n-octylammonium)dibromide surfactant micelles in water

The microstructure of the micelles formed in aqueous solution by gemini surfactants with aromatic spacers, [Br(CH₃)₂N⁺(C _m H_{2 m +1})-(Ph)-(C _m H_{2 m +1})N⁺(CH₃)₂Br, m=8 and Ph = o-, m- or p-phenylenedimethylene] has been examined by small-angle neutron scattering. Aggregation of the gemini surfactants with an o-phenylenedimethylene spacer brings about formation of premicelles and small micelles at concentrations below the second critical micelle concentration, while above this concentration marked micellar growth and variation in shape occurs. It is suggested that the minimum aggregate formed at this critical micelle concentration may be the trimer or tetramer and that this result supports the mechanism of “gemini → submicelle → assembly” for micellar growth. Received: 8 September 1998 Accepted in revised form: 27 November 1998     

Influence of Amine‐Based Cationic Gemini Surfactants on Catalytic Activity of α‐Chymotrypsin

The α‐chymotrypsin activity was tested in aqueous media with the presence of novel cationic amine–based gemini surfactant, with different spacer chain lengths and head group size, and also compared with the cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (CTPB) surfactants and aqueous buffer only. The p‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) hydrolysis rate was monitored in the presence of the surfactant concentration at 30°C. Most of these gemini surfactants gave higher catalytic activity as compared to cationic CTAB and CTPB. The highest superactivity was measured in the presence of gemini 16‐12‐16, [dodecanediyl‐1,12‐bis(cetyldimethylammonium bromide)] surfactant at pH 7.5. The catalytic reaction follows the Michaelis–Menten mechanism. The catalytic rate constants, k_cat, show the same profile that the catalytic affinity; K_M being enhanced with increasing space chain length. The results are favorable for considering that the amine‐based gemini surfactant influences more than both the aqueous and cationic micellar media.     

Study of temperature effect on uni-univalent and uni-bivalent ion exchange reaction

Ion exchange equilibrium constant (K) for Cl⁻/Br⁻ and Cl⁻/C₂O₄²⁻ system was studied at different temperatures from 30 to 45°C. For both uni-univalent and uni-bivalent exchange systems, the value of K increases with rise in temperature i.e., from 1.16 at 30°C to 2.95 at 45°C for Cl⁻/Br⁻ system and 19.5 at 30°C to 30.0 at 45°C for Cl⁻/C₂O₄²⁻ system indicating the endothermic ion exchange reaction. The difference in K values at the same temperature for the two was related to the ionic charge of exchangeable ions in the solution. The article is published in the original.     

Electrochemistry and electrocatalytic activity of polypyrrole/ferrocyanide films on a glassy carbon electrode

Functionalized polypyrrole films were prepared by incorporation of Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻ as doping anion during the electropolymerization of pyrrole at a glassy carbon electrode from aqueous solution. The electrochemical behavior of the Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻/Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻ redox couple in polypyrrole was studied by cyclic voltammetry. An obvious surface redox reaction was observed and dependence of this reaction on the solution pH was illustrated. The electrocatalytic ability of polypyrrole film with ferrocyanide incorporated was demonstrated by oxidation of ascorbic acid at the optimized pH of 4 in a glycine buffer. The catalytic effect for mediated oxidation of ascorbic acid was 300 mV and the bimolecular rate constant determined for surface coverage of 4.5 × 10⁻⁸ M cm⁻² using rotating disk electrode voltammetry was 86 M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Furthermore, the catalytic oxidation current was linearly dependent on ascorbic acid concentration in the range 5 × 10⁻⁴–1.6 × 10⁻² M with a correlation coefficient of 0.996. The plot of i _p versus v ^1/2 confirms the diffusion nature of the peak current i _p. Received: 12 April 1999 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

Electrophoretic Mobilities of the Isotopes of Chloride and Bromide Ions in Aqueous Solution at 25 °C and Infinite Dilution

The electrophoretic mobilities of a few halide isotopes in aqueous solution have been evaluated at 25 °C and infinite dilution by analyzing a combination of data obtained by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and conductance data extracted from the literature. The effect of the temperature on the electrophoretic mobility has been thoroughly re-investigated to give the following temperature dependence for the chloride ion at 25 °C: 1.565%/ °C in 5×10⁻³ mol⋅L⁻¹ sodium chromate + 3×10⁻³ mol⋅L⁻¹ sodium borate buffer. The precise determination of the electrophoretic mobility of chloride and bromide ions, including the evaluation of their associated uncertainties, has been performed from conductance data spanning over 75 years. The electrophoretic mobilities are found to be −(79.124±0.020)×10⁻⁹ m²⋅V⁻¹⋅s⁻¹ for Cl⁻ and −(80.99±0.04)×10⁻⁹ m²⋅V⁻¹⋅s⁻¹ for Br⁻. Thanks to the precise determination of the temperature contribution and the re-evaluation of conductance data, the following values have been found for ³⁵Cl⁻, ³⁷Cl⁻, ⁷⁹Br⁻, and ⁸¹Br⁻ (in 10⁻⁹ m²⋅V⁻¹⋅s⁻¹): −(79.18±0.02), −(78.95±0.06), −(81.04±0.04), and −(80.94±0.04).     

Theoretical study on the complexation of bambus[6]uril with the chloride, bromide, and iodide anions

Abstract  

By using quantum mechanical DFT calculations, the most probable structures of the bambus[6]uril·Cl⁻, bambus[6]uril·Br⁻, and bambus[6]uril·I⁻ anionic complex species were derived. In these three complexes, each of the considered univalent halide anions, included in the center of the macrocyclic cavity, is bound by 12 weak C–H⋯X⁻ (X⁻ = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) hydrogen bonds between methine hydrogen atoms on the convex face of the glycoluril units and the respective anion. The lengths of the C–H⋯X⁻ hydrogen bonds increase in the order Cl⁻ < Br⁻ < I⁻.