Rate constant of the recombination of CF<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>•</Superscript></Stack> radicals in a gas (He,Ar, N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, or CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>I)

From recent rate constant data for the recombination reaction 2CF₃^• → C₂F₆ ($ k_{(CF_3 )_2 }^M $ k_{(CF_3 )_2 }^M ) in the high-pressure limit and from experimental data obtained at intermediate pressures of buffer gases M (M = He, Ar, N₂, CF₃I), analytical expressions for $ k_{(CF_3 )_2 }^M $ k_{(CF_3 )_2 }^M (in Lindemann’s formulation) are derived for the temperature range of 300–1300 K and intermediate pressures of the buffer gases.     

Electrophilic addition to norbornene derivatives containing CF<Subscript>3</Subscript> and NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> groups

Electrophilic sulfenylation, selenenation, and halogenation of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptenes containing CF₃ or NO₂ group in position endo-5 were studied. The sulfenylation and selenenation were accomplished by arylsulfene- and arylselenenamides activated by POHal₃ (Hal = Br, Cl), and iodination was performed by KICl₂. The reactions are regiospecific and involve an exo-attack of the electrophilic fragment (arylthio or arylseleno group or iodine) on the C=C bond atom located closer to the CF₃ or NO₂ group. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1445–1448, June, 2005.     

Surface Modification of Silicone Rubber by CF<Subscript>4</Subscript> Radio Frequency Plasma Immersion

Silicone rubber samples were treated by CF₄ capacitively coupled plasma at radio frequency (RF) power of 60, 100 and 200 W for a treatment time up to 20 min under CF₄ flow rate of 20 sccm, respectively. Static contact angle, ATR-FTIR and XPS, and AFM were employed to characterize the changes of surface on hydrophobicity, functional groups, and topography. The results indicate the static contact angle is improved from 100.7 to 150.2°, and the super-hydrophobic surface, which corresponds to a static contact angle of 150.2°, appears at RF power of 200 W for a 5 min treatment time. It is suggested that the formation of super-hydrophobic surface is ascribed to the co-action of the increase of surface roughness created by the ablation reaction of CF₄ plasma and the formation of [–SiF _x (CH₃)_2−x –O–] _n (x = 1, 2) structure produced by the direct attachment of F atoms to Si.     

Dual-level direct dynamics studies on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of fluorine atoms with CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>X(X=F,Cl)

The kinetic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF₃CH₂F + F → CF₃CHF + HF (R1) and CF₃CH₂Cl + F → CF₃CHCl + HF (R2) have been studied by dual-level direct dynamics method. Optimized geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points and extra points along the minimum-energy path (MEP) were obtained at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,2p) level. Two complexes with energies less than that of the reactants were located in the reactant side of each reaction. The energy profiles were further refined with the interpolated single-point energies (ISPE) method at the G3(MP2) level of theory. Using canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with the small-curvature tunneling correction (SCT) method, the rate constants were evaluated over a wide temperature range of 200–2,000 K. Our calculations have shown that C–H bond activity decreases when one hydrogen atom of CF₃CH₃ is substituted by a fluorine atom, than when substituted with a chlorine atom. This is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Studies on the copolymerization of norbornene with CO catalyzed by a new catalytic system PdCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>/phen/M(CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>n</Subscript>

A new three-component catalytic system, PdCl₂/phen/M(CF₃SO₃)_n where M = La, Y, Yb, Zn, and Cu, was studied for the copolymerization of norbornene (NBE) with CO to prepare polyketone (PK). It was found that the CF₃SO₃H catalytic system gave a low catalytic activity for the copolymerization of norbornene with CO, but when M(CF₃SO₃)_n was introduced instead of CF₃SO₃H, the PdCl₂/phen/M(CF₃SO₃)_n catalytic system exhibited much higher activity. The effects of ligands, M(CF₃SO₃)_n, solvents, and temperatures on the copolymerization have been discussed in detail. The results showed that with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂ used as cocatalysts, the corresponding reaction rate reached 82 000 g PK (mol Pd)⁻¹h⁻¹ when the reaction was carried out in methanol at 90°C and 3.0 MPa of CO, and the weight average molecular weight (M _w) of the resultant copolymer is 1090 g/mol. The copolymer was characterized with various techniques such as FT-IR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, TGA, and DSC. The infrared spectrum of the product includes two features at 1697 and 1732 cm⁻¹ for the NBE/CO copolymer in CH₃OH that are attributed to carbonyl groups in ketones (repeating unit) and esters (end group), respectively. Due to the tension of the ring of norbornene, the degree of copolymerization is not high. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2007, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 51–58. This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Searching blue-shifted O–H···Y hydrogen bond in CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH complexes with CF<Subscript>4</Subscript>, C<Subscript>2</Subscript>F<Subscript>2</Subscript>, OC,Ne, and He: a theoretical study

The hydrogen-bonded structures of the CH₃OH complexes with CF₄, C₂F₂, OC, Ne, and He are designated as the starting points for geometry optimizations without and with counterpoise (CP) correction at MP2 level of theory with the basis sets 6-31+G*, 6-31++G**, and 6-311++G**, respectively. Tight convergence criteria are applied throughout all geometry optimizations in order to reduce the computational errors. According to the optimizations without CP correction, a blue-shifted O–H···Y (where Y = F, O, Ne, or He) hydrogen bond exists in all these five complexes. The magnitudes of blue shifts of ν(O–H) of the former four complexes with respect to that of CH₃OH are reduced greatly when the polarization and diffuse functions of the hydrogen atoms are added (results from 6-31+G* versus those from 6-31++G**). However, for the complexes CH₃OH–CF₄ and CH₃OH–C₂F₂, our optimizations using the CP corrections did not find the hydrogen-bonded structure to be a stationary point. The energy minimum of both the complexes corresponds to a non-hydrogen-bonded structure.     

Quantum-chemical study of organoxenon molecules Xe(CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> and FXeCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Charges on the atoms and structural parameters of the Xe(CF₃)₂, FXeCF₃, and XeF₂ molecules were calculated by the MP2(full)/MIDI(d₆)&6-311G(d ₆) quantum-chemical methods. The calculated energy of Xe(CF₃)₂ is greater by 113 kcal/mol than the overall energy of C₂F₆ and Xe, and the energy of FXeCF₃ is greater by 108 kcal/mol than the overall energy of CF₄ and Xe, the barrier to the decomposition being estimated at 40 kcal/mol. Both Xe(CF₃)₂ and FXeCF₃ molecules are stable with respect to spontaneous decomposition with elimination of difluorocarbene.__________Translated from Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, Vol. 40, No. 12, 2004, pp. 1808–1810.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Semenov, Sigolaev.     

Time-Resolved Fourier Transform Emission Spectroscopy of CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>Br and CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>CFHCF<Subscript>3</Subscript> in a Pulsed Electrical Discharge

The environmentally important decomposition of halogenated species CF₃Br and CF₃CHFCF₃ in helium discharge plasma was investigated by time-resolved high-resolution Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy. Contrary to classical pyrolysis, a deeper fragmentation of precursors up to atoms and lower molecular species was observed. Excited molecular products CF, CF₂ and CF₄ achieved the maximal concentration in the afterglow. The high concentration of all these species is in agreement with a kinetic model based on radical chemistry. The non-detectable concentration of CF₃ can be connected to its high reactivity and the formation of more stable products, CF₄ and CF₂, by addition or release of a fluorine atom, respectively. Other products included HF, HBr, CO and cyano compounds that were produced by secondary reactions with traces of water vapor, atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen present in original industrial samples as impurities.     

Activation of freons by cascade electron transfer from a nucleophile using two mutually complementary mediators—Methylviologen and sulfur dioxide

It was shown that a system consisting of two mutually complementary electron transfer mediators (methylviologen and sulfur dioxide) is capable of bringing about cascade electron transfer from thiophenols to Freons (CF₃Br, CF₂ClCCl₂F), activating the latter under mild conditions, and bringing them into fluoroalkylation. L. V. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 31 Prospekt Nauki, Kiev 252039, Ukraine. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 34, No. 6, pp. 347–350, November–December, 1998.     

Fabrication and characterization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite nanoparticles and polyurethane/(TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) nanocomposite films

TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles were prepared by a sol–gel process. To obtain the assembly of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles, different molar ratios of Ti/Si were investigated. Polyurethane (PU)/(TiO₂–SiO₂) hybrid films were synthesized using the “grafting from” technique by incorporation of modified TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles building blocks into PU matrix. Firstly, 3-aminopropyltriethysilane was employed to encapsulate TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles’ surface. Secondly, the PU shell was tethered to the TiO₂–SiO₂ core surface via surface functionalized reaction. The particle size of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite sol was performed on dynamic light scattering, and the microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared. Thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) employed to study the hybrid films. The average particle size of the TiO₂–SiO₂ composite particles is about 38 nm when the molar ratio of Ti/Si reaches to1:1. The TEM image indicates that TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles are well dispersed in the PU matrix.     

A Novel Uranyl Complex with Dimeric Lacunary Polyoxoanion: [(A-α-SiW<Subscript>9</Subscript>O<Subscript>33</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>K{UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>11−</Superscript>

A novel uranyl complex with dimeric lacunary polyoxoanion like open-mouthed clam, Na₅[(A-α-SiW₉O₃₃H₃)₂K{UO₂(H₂O)}₂], was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the anion, two A-α-SiW₉O₃₄¹⁰⁻ groups share two terminal oxygen atoms O_d′ derived from removal of three corner-shared W atoms from saturated α-Keggin anion, forming a dimeric anion with an open mouth in which potassium ion and uranyl ions are coordinated. Uranium atom adopts a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. The coordinating anions are linked by sodium ions via coordination of terminal or bridging oxygen atoms, forming two-dimensional layer arrangement. Between the layers are the hydrogen bonds from which a supramolecular architecture is created. UV–VIS spectrum gives W–O and U–O charge transfer transitions at 230–265 and 432 nm, showing the change of geometry of the polyanion and weakening of the U–O bonds of the uranyl cation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis and structure of the polymeric complex [Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Ph<Subscript>3</Subscript>P)<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>10</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

A method for the synthesis of the silver(I) complex with the closo-decaborate anion and triphenylphosphine [Ag₂(Ph₃P)₂B₁₀H₁₀] _n was developed and the structure of this complex was studied. The polymeric chain of the complex is formed with participation of Ag(I) atoms, which coordinate the B₁₀H₁₀²⁻ anions through the apical (B(1)–B(2), B(9)–B(10)) and equatorial (B(3)–B(6), B(5)–B(8)) edges, the metalligand bonding occurring through three-center two-electron bonds (MHB). The P atoms of two triphenylphosphine molecules are also incorporated in the inner coordination sphere of the metal: the CN of the silver atom is 4 + 1.     

Hindered internal rotation of the CF<Subscript>3</Subscript> group in the 2-trifluoromethylnitrobenzene radical anion in DMF:H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O mixtures

The temperature dependences of the EPR spectrum of the 2-trifluoromethylnitrobenzene radical anion in DMF:H₂O mixtures, caused by the dynamic modulation of the fluorine isotropic hyperfine interaction by the hindered internal rotation of the CF₃ group, have been measured and reconstructed numerically. The activation energy of rotation (E _F) and the dynamic mode depended on the water content in the mixture. For mixtures with a molar fraction of water χ = 0, 0.186, 0.315, 0.409, 0.534, 0.650, 0.810, and 0.910, E _F = 34.70 kJ/mol, 41.31 kJ/mol, 42.30 kJ/mol, 38.41 kJ/mol, 37.01 kJ/mol, 34.51 kJ/mol, 24.10 kJ/mol, and 21.78 kJ/mol, respectively. For χ = 0.186 in the temperature ranges accessible for measurements, the dynamic exchange is slow; for χ = 0.315, 0.409, 0.534, and 0.650, transitions from slow to intermediate and fast exchange take place; for χ = 0.810 and 0.910 in the temperature ranges under study T ∈ [252, 309]; [254, 297] (K), the exchange is fast. In the range 0.6 < χ < 0.9, E _F decreased drastically, and the activation energy of rotational diffusion (E _r) of the radical anion became maximum, which corresponds to the range of the compositions of DMF:H₂O with maximum deviations from the ideal state.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> uptake by oil shale ashes

In the present research, CO₂ and SO₂ binding ability of different oil shale ashes and the effect of pre-treatment (grinding, preceding calcination) of these ashes on their binding properties and kinetics was studied using thermogravimetric, SEM, X-ray, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis methods. It was shown that at 700 °C, 0.03–0.28 mmol of CO₂ or 0.16–0.47 mmol of SO₂ was bound by 100 mg of ash in 30 min. Pre-treatment conditions influenced remarkably binding parameters. Grinding decreased CO₂ binding capacities, but enhanced SO₂ binding in the case of fluidized bed ashes. Grinding of pulverized firing ashes increased binding parameters with both gases. Calcination at higher temperatures decreased binding parameters of both types of ashes with both gases studied. Clarification of this phenomenon was given. Kinetic analysis of the binding process was carried out, mechanism of the reactions and respective kinetic constants were determined. It was shown that the binding process with both gases was controlled by diffusion. Activation energies in the temperature interval of 500–700 °C for CO₂ binding with circulating fluidized bed combustion ashes were in the range of 48–82 kJ mol⁻¹, for SO₂ binding 43–107 kJ mol⁻¹. The effect of pre-treatment on the kinetic parameters was estimated.     

Chemisorption of SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the Zn-modified In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> surface

Chemisorption of SO₂ and O₂ on the In₂O₃ surface containing a zinc additive (0.4–2.7 at.%) was studied in a temperature range of 22–200 °C. At least three forms of sorbed SO₂ exist on the modified In₂O₃ surface. The temperature affects the contribution of single forms of SO₂ sorption and, hence, the change in the electric conductivity. The preliminary sorption of O₂ favors the formation of a donor form of chemisorbed SO₂. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2228–2232, October, 2005.     

Kinetics of the oxidation of diethyl sulfide in the B(OH)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

Data obtained for the kinetics of oxidation of diethyl sulfide (Et₂S) by hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution catalyzed by boric acid indicate that monoperoxoborates B(O₂H)(OH) ₃ ⁻ and diperoxoborates B(O₂H)₂(OH) ₂ ⁻ are the active species. The rates of the reactions of Et₂S with B(O₂H)(OH) ₃ ⁻ and B(O₂H)₂(OH) ₂ ⁻ are 2.5 and 100 times greater than with H₂O₂. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 38–42, January–February, 2007.     

Electrical conductivity studies in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>1.33</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.67</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Electrical conductivity in the monoclinic Li₂TiO₃, cubic Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄, and in their mixture has been studied by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 20–730 °C. Li₂TiO₃ shows low lithium ion conductivity, σ₃₀₀≈10^–6 S/cm at 300 °C, whereas Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄ has 3×10^–8 at 20 °C and 3×10^–4 S/cm at 300 °C. Structural properties are used to discuss the observed conductivity features. The conductivity dependences on temperature in the coordinates of 1000/T versus log_e(σT) are not linear, as the conductivity mechanism changes. Extrinsic and intrinsic conductivity regions are observed. The change in the conductivity mechanism in Li₂TiO₃ at around 500–600 °C is observed and considered as an effect of the first-order phase transition, not reported before. Formation of solid solutions of Li_{2– x} Ti_{1+ x} O₃ above 900 °C significantly increases the conductivity. Irradiation by high-energy (5 MeV) electrons causes defects and the conductivity in Li₂TiO₃ increases exponentially. A dose of 144 MGy yields an increase in conductivity of about 100 times at room temperature. Electronic Publication     

Mass spectrometric determination of the electron affinity of C<Subscript>60</Subscript>(CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>10</Subscript> and C<Subscript>60</Subscript>(CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>12</Subscript> molecules

Knudsen cell mass spectrometry was used to study ion-molecular electron exchange reactions between some trifluoromethyl derivatives of C₆₀ fullerene. Electron affinity values were experimentally determined for C₆₀(CF₃)₁₀ and the S ₆ isomer of C₆₀(CF₃)₁₂ and compared with the results of calculations and the data in the literature.     

Preparation of novel visible-light-driven In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CaIn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite photocatalyst by sol–gel method

Novel visible-light-activated In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ photocatalysts were developed in this paper through a sol–gel method. The photocatalytic activities of In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ composite photocatalysts were investigated based on the decomposition of methyl orange under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results revealed that the In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ composite samples with different In₂O₃ and CaIn₂O₄ content can be obtained by controlling the synthesis temperature, and the composite photocatalysts extended the light absorption spectrum toward the visible region. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the composite samples demonstrated high visible-light activity for decomposition of methyl orange. The significant enhancement in the In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ photo-activity under visible light irradiation can be ascribed to the efficient separation of photo-generated carriers in the In₂O₃ and CaIn₂O₄ coupling semiconductors.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> submicron-belts synthesized by a sol–gel H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> route

One-dimensional (1D) submicron-belts of V₂O₅ have been prepared by a sol–gel route using V₂O_5, H₂O₂ and aniline as starting materials. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the samples. Electrochemical behaviors as cathode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement and cyclic voltammeter. The results showed that the synthesized V₂O₅ appeared to be submicron-belts and orthorhombic structure. The V₂O₅ submicron-belts exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 346 mAh/g and stayed 240 mAh/g after 20 cycles at 0.1 C discharge rate in the potential region 1.8–4.0 V.