Study of simultaneous solubility of salts in the ammonium nitrate–ammonium chloride–water system

Ternary eutectic of the NH₄NO₃–NH₄Cl–H₂O system at–23.6°С has been found using a set of theoretical and experimental methods. According to the data of visual-polythermal and differential thermal analyses data, crystallization surface of the system has been plotted at–23.6 to 100°С.     

Novel ions of quaternary ammonium halides in FDMS

Field desorption mass spectrometry exhibited novel ions [ Y-n H+n R ]+and [ Y-nH+nX]+as well as cluster ions [nY+(n-1)X-mH+mR]+and [nY+( n-1)X-mH+mX]+(n,m=0-3; X and Y represent the cation and anion moieties of quaternary ammonium halides),whose formation mechanism was discussed.     

Phase transitions in n-alkyl­ammonium di­hydrogenphosphates and -arsenates and ferroelastic n-hexyl- and n-octyl­ammonium di­hydrogen­arsenate

-Hexyl­ammonium di­hydrogenarsenate, (C₆­H₁₆N)[AsO₂(OH)₂], and -octyl­ammonium di­hydrogenarsenate, (C₈H₂₀N)[AsO₂(OH)₂], are both ferroelastic at room temperature. The samples used in this study were not subjected to a phase transition after they had been crystallized. The structures are monoclinic (P2₁/n) and isostructural with the corresponding di­hydrogenphosphates. Each sample contained two domains and each structure was refined as a twin. There are strong hydrogen bonds between di­hydrogenarsenates and moderate hydrogen bonds between di­hydrogenarsenates and -alkyl­ammonium groups. The hydrogen-bond distances correspond well to those observed in the di­hydrogenphosphates. All the atoms except two H atoms exist in pairs linked by the lost symmetry operations derived from the prototypic space group P2/b2₁/n2₁/a. Each of these two different H atoms is involved in an asymmetric hydrogen bond between an oxy­gen pair. These oxy­gens are supposed to change their roles as hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors during the ferroelastic switching. The phase-transition sequences are affected by interactions between the neighbouring organic chains in the structure.     

Alkali metal and ammonium cation–arene interactions with tetraphenylborate anion

Sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, ammonium and tetramethylammonium tetraphenylborates were studied by both positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry. An affinity order of Cs⁺ > Rb⁺ > K⁺ ～ Na⁺ was obtained. The results obtained were compared with both calculations and solid-state structures, where available. The previously reported high affinity of caesium for tetraphenylborate concluded from NMR experiments was confirmed for the gas phase. The affinity does not appear to result from steric effects and a cation–pi interaction seems likely. In the positive ion mode, a unique acetonitrile complex of NaBPh₄ was observed.     

Active transport of uranyl ion by macrocyclic polycar☐ylate-hydrophobic ammonium carriers

The active transport of uranyl ion through a liquid membrane was facilitated synergetically by macrocyclic polycar☐ylate anion and hydrophobic ammonium cation.     

Revised thermochemistry of gaseous ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃(g)

In an earlier paper (Hildenbrand, D. L., Lau, K. H., and Chandra, D. J. Phys. Chem. B 2010, 114, 330.), we detected the presence of NH?NO?(g) in the vapor over the solid nitrate and evaluated its partial pressure along with those of HNO? and NH?. The molecular constants of the gaseous nitrate were estimated in the absence of experimental values in an attempt to derive its enthalpies of sublimation and formation. After publication, we became aware of the sought molecular data, evaluated primarily from high-level theoretical calculations, and revised the analysis to yield Δ(f)H???°(NH?NO?(g)) = ?61.8 ± 5 kcal mol?1.     

Synthesis of antibacterial cellulose materials using a “clickable” quaternary ammonium compound

Development of advanced functional materials from naturally abundant polymers such as cellulose are of significant importance. Of particular interest is embedding antibacterial functionality to cellulose materials to make permanent antibacterial materials and devices. In the present research, a “clickable” quaternary ammonium compound, N-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)-N,N-dimethylprop-2yn-1-aminium bromide (EdMPABr) was synthesized via a simple reaction with nearly stoichiometric yield and well characterized with 1D (¹H, ¹³C) and 2D (COSY, HSQC) NMR and ATR-FTIR. EdMPABr can be covalently bonded to many molecules containing an azido group to form non-leaching antibacterial materials via the simple Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide [2 + 3] cycloaddition reaction. As an example, EdMPABr was attached to our previously reported 3-O-azidopropoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-2,6-di-O-thexyldimethylsilyl cellulose (3-N₃PEG-2,6-TDMS cellulose, DS = 0.54 at C3 determined by ¹H NMR). Significant antibacterial activity of the synthesized 3-O-quaternary ammonium-2,6-di-O-thexyldimethylsilyl cellulose (3-QA-2,6-TDMS cellulose, DS = 0.30 at C3 determined by using N content from elemental analysis) was confirmed by testing against the representative bacteria Escherichia coli. By linking the EdMPABr to the honeycomb film of 3-N₃PEG-2,6-TDMS cellulose, the formed honeycomb film exhibited both antibacterial and antifouling properties. This research provides a simple and robust route towards the development of permanent antibacterial materials and biomedical devices.     

Highly selective hydration reaction of a-pinene over H-mordenites pretreated with quaternary ammonium salts

The application of shape-selectivity of zeolite in petrochemistry has been an ac-tive research area since it was first proposed by Weisz and Frilette, and the tendencyto utilize the potential for specific, highly selective syntheses in the field of inter-mediates and fine chemicals has continued steadily in recent years. Nevertheless,     

Structural reinvestigation of ammonium hypophosphite: was dihydrogen bonding observed long ago?

The past decade has seen the explosive emergence of "dihydrogen bonds", interactions between the electrons of M-H sigma-bonds, where M is less electronegative than H (M = Al, B, Ga, Ir, Mo, Mn, Os, Re, Ru, W) and traditional proton donors. But 70 years ago, such an interaction was proposed by Zachariasen and Mooney [J. Chem. Phys. 1934, 2, 34-37] on the basis of their single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure (heavy atoms positions only) of ammonium hypophosphite (NH(4)H(2)PO(2)). We redetermined this structure at high resolution with a focus on the hydrogen atoms, using a modern diffractometer equipped with a CCD detector. Molecular orbital calculations were performed to investigate the charge density and the bond polarity of the P-H bonds and to assess their potential for participation in dihydrogen bonds. Neither the theory nor the X-ray structure supports the original claim of H...H interactions in this salt.     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of nonlinear optical urea–ammonium chloride crystals

Semi-organic nonlinear optical urea–ammonium chloride (UAC) crystals have been grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation technique. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The presence of functional groups was determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The thermal analysis studies indicate that the material possess optimum thermal stability. Optical absorption studies show low absorption in the entire visible region and UV cut – off is found to be at 240 nm. The presence of second harmonic generation (SHG) for the grown crystal was confirmed by Kurtz powder technique.     

Thermochemistry of ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃, in the gas phase

Hildenbrand and co-workers have shown recently that the vapor above solid ammonium nitrate includes molecules of NH?NO?, not only NH? and HNO? as previously believed. Their measurements led to thermochemical values that imply an enthalpy change of D??? = 98 ± 9 kJ mol?1 for the gas-phase dissociation of ammonium nitrate into NH? and HNO?. Using updated spectroscopic information for the partition function leads to the revised value of D??? = 78 ± 21 kJ mol?1 (accompanying paper in this journal, Hildenbrand, D. L., Lau, K. H., and Chandra, D. J. Phys. Chem. B 2010, DOI: 10.1021/jp105773q). In contrast, high-level ab initio calculations, detailed in the present report, predict a dissociation enthalpy half as large as the original result, 50 ± 3 kJ mol?1. These are frozen-core CCSD(T) calculations extrapolated to the limiting basis set aug-cc-pV∞Z using an anharmonic vibrational partition function and a variational treatment of the NH? rotor. The corresponding enthalpy of formation is Δ(f)H???°(NH?NO?,g) = ?230.6 ± 3 kJ mol?1. The origin of the disagreement with experiment remains unexplained.     

Why do ammonium salt/phenol-based deep eutectic solvents show low viscosity?

The viscosity of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) plays an important role in determining how they are used industrially. In order to gain a deeper insight into the parameters which affect the viscosity of ionic DES, a series of systems composed of ammonium salts and two types of representative donors were prepared and characterized. They were investigated by quantum-chemistry calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The viscosity of phenol/4-methylphenol-based system is much lower than that of glycolic acid-based system. Moreover, DESs containing glycolic acid exhibit higher activation energy values compared with DESs containing phenolics. It was found the existence of a strong charge transfer complex between glycolic acid and ammonium salt, thus suggesting its vital role in the fluidity difference of studied mixtures. The hydrogen bonds of glycolic acid-based system are partially covalent and partially electrostatic, manifested via atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis. Additionally, Cl^??HO_{phenolic hydroxyl} is expected to be less covalent than Cl^??HO_carboxyl, which is also identified by lower delocalization index in the AIM basin. The interaction network stability of glycolic acid-based DES is more robust than that of phenolics-based one due to the strong covalency of hydrogen bond. This is the main reason that ammonium salt/phenol-based DESs show low viscosity. This work gives new perspectives on more rational design of novel DES with low viscosity.     

Chemical effects induced by γ-irradiated Na2SO4 in aqueous ammonium nitrate

It is well known that paramagnetic centers are formed when Na₂SO₄ crystals are exposed to -radiation. The dissolution of such crystals in aqueous ammonium nitrate results in reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Various factors which influence the yield of nitrite are investigated. The yield of nitrite is found to vary with the amount of irradiated Na₂SO₄ added, the dose absorbed by Na₂SO₄ crystals, the storing period of the irradiated salt, photoannealing time, concentration of aqueous ammonium nitrate and particle size of the Na₂SO₄ crystals. The G(NO ₂ ^– ) value under optimum conditions of the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by irradiated Na₂SO₄ in aqueous ammonium nitrate is 0.009. The efficiency of energy transfer is 1.5%. The mechanism of reduction is based on the reactions of paramagnetic centers with nitrate ions.     

pH-dependent complex formation of amino acids with β-cyclodextrin and quaternary ammonium β-cyclodextrin

Stability constants for the complexes of anionic, neutral (zwitterionic) and protonated forms of l- and d-enantiomers of eight amino acids with β-cyclodextrin and the positively charged quaternary ammonium β-cyclodextrin (QA-β-CD, DS?=?3.6?±?0.3) have been determined by spectrophotometric and pH-potentiometric methods. The highest stability constants have been obtained for the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. Except the dianion of tyrosine and QA-β-CD, values for the anions in the range of 80–120 have been found, the stability constants for the zwitterionic forms are much smaller and complex formation is negligible with the protonated species. In the case of the other amino acids the differences are less pronounced. The results are interpreted in terms of hydrogen bonding, steric effects and electrostatic interactions between the amino acid moiety and the rims of the cyclodextrins, in addition to the inclusion of the side chain, and are supported by ¹H and ¹³C NMR investigations on the systems containing l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine. The differences between the complex formation constants of the l- and d-enantiomers do not exceed the limits of experimental error in most cases.     

Microwave-assisted ammonium formate-mediated synthesis of Hanstzch dihydropyridines under solvent-free conditions – a green protocol

Abstract

Microwave-assisted ammonium formate-mediated eco-friendly synthesis of structurally varied Hantzsch dihydropyridines under solvent-free conditions has been successfully accomplished with good yield, minimization of toxic reagents and organic solvents in the process. The elimination of the inorganic support decreased the disposal problem and the extremely small reaction time minimized energy dissipation.     

Electrochemical oxidation of methylthiomethyleneisoquinolinium chloride — the first water soluble alkylthiomethylene substituted ammonium salt

Electrochemical oxidation of methylthiomethyleneisoquinolinium chloride (MTMIQ), the first alkylthiomethyl substituted ammonium salt, which is fully miscible with water has been investigated by voltammetric (SWV) method using glassy carbon electrode. On the electrode, MTMIQ undergoes oxidation at the potential near Ep = 0.07V (vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl). The influence of the pH of buffers, amplitude, frequency, step potential on the received signal was studied. The best results were obtained with a citrate buffer at a pH of 5. The oxidation peak current used for MTMIQ voltammetric determination was in the range of 2–8×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, LOD = 3.7×10⁻⁶, LOQ = 1.2×10⁻⁵. The product of the oxidation was accumulated at the working electrode and was investigated by spectroscopic method. Mechanistic pathways of the oxidation have been proposed.      

Screening of variables in β-xylosidase recovery using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide reversed micelles

β-Xylosidase recovery by micelles using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) cationic surfactant was verified under different experimental conditions. A 2⁵⁻¹ fractional factorial design with center points was employed to verify the influence of the following factors on enzyme extraction: pH (x ₁), CTAB concentration (x ₂), electrical conductivity (x ₃), hexanol concentration (x ₄), and butanol concentration (x ₅). Statistical analysis of the results shows that of the fivevariables studied only hexanol and electrical conductivity did not have significant effects on the recovery of β-xylosidase. The other factors had significant effects in increasing order: (x ₁)>(x ₂)>(x ₅). The model predicts a recovery value of about 45%, which is similar to that obtained experimentally (43.5%).     

Solvation effects on cation–π interactions: a test study involving the quaternary ammonium ion

Water solvation effects on theoretical binding energies of the tetramethylammonium cation with benzene, phenol and indole have been analyzed as a prototype of biological cation– interactions. Solvent effects were introduced in the quantum chemical computations either by considering molecules belonging to the first solvation of the tetramethylammonium or by a polarizable continuum model. Our results show that the calculated binding energies are reduced by about three quarters with respect to the corresponding gas-phase results, but the sequence benzene<phenol<indole is preserved, in accordance with the concept of cation– interactions. Similar results are obtained for the interaction of tetramethylammonium with the benzene–indole pair.Contribution to the Jacopo Tomasi Honorary Issue     

Efficiency of energy transfer from γ-irradiated ammonium halides in aqueous iodide and nitrate solutions

It is well known that ammonium halide (NH₄X) crystals, on -exposure, store energy in the form of primary and secondary radiolytic products. Such crystals on dissolution in aqueous iodide and nitrate solutions result in oxidation of iodide and reduction of nitrate, respectively. The yields of iodine and nitrite are determined by chemical methods under varying conditions of the amount, dose and particle size of the irradiated ammonium halide salts. The maximum values of the efficiency of energy transfer for oxidation and reduction processes for ammonium halide salts correspond to 40% and 10%, respectively. At low doses, an empirical relation proposed between the percent efficiency of energy transfer and the absorbed dose is valid. The concentrations of inherent oxidizing and reducing species initially present are 7.0×10¹⁸ and 1.0×10¹⁸ per mol of ammonium halide, respectively.