Features of stable radical generation in lignin on exposure to nitrogen dioxide

The mechanism of stable radical generation in lignin under the action of nitrogen dioxide and NO₂ - air mixture is considered. The formation of phenoxyl, iminoxyl and acylaminoxyl radicals has been detected by EPR. The proposed mechanism involves a primary oxidative reaction of phenol groups with dimers of NO₂ (nitrosyl nitrate) resulting in the formation of phenoxyl radicals and nitric oxide. In the subsequent recombination of phenoxyl radicals and nitric oxide, nitroso compounds and oximes are formed. By reaction of oximes with radicals NO₂, stable iminoxyl radicals are formed. This mechanism is confirmed by kinetic dependencies obtained over a wide range of NO₂ concentrations. From IR spectroscopy measurements it follows that hydroxyl groups of non-phenolic structures of lignin are oxidised to aldehydes producing acylaminoxyl radicals by reaction with NO₂. The kinetic data show that the adsorption of NO₂ on the lignin surface is the rate-determining factor in stable radical formation.     

Mechanism of stable radical generation in aromatic polyamides on exposure to nitrogen dioxide

By using the example of poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide, the mechanism of generation of stable nitrogen-containing radicals in aromatic polyamides in the presence of nitrogen dioxide is considered. The proposed mechanism is based on the reactions of dimers of nitrogen dioxide in the form of nitrosyl nitrate. As a result of a primary reaction of electron transfer from donor functional groups of macromolecules to nitrosyl nitrate, macromolecular radical cations and nitric oxide are formed. Amide groups and phenyl rings can act as electron donors. In the subsequent reactions with participation of radical cations, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide oximes, nitroso compounds and nitrites are formed. Generation of stable iminoxyl radicals occurs by reactions of oximes with nitrogen dioxide. Thermolysis of the polymer nitration products gives iminoxyl and acylarylaminoxyl radicals. The structure of iminoxyl radicals and features of dynamics of their formation have been confirmed by ab initio quantum-chemical calculations.     

Thermal lens spectrophotometry of nitrogen dioxide using an excimer-laser-pumped dye laser

A thermal lens spectrophotometer based on a pulsed dye laser pumped by an excimer laser was constructed. A thermal lens spectrum was measured for nitrogen dioxide by scanning the dye laser wavelength, which was well correlated with an absorption spectrum. A linear calibration graph was obtained in the nl 1^?1 range, the detection limit being 4 nl 1^?1, which is similar to the best value achieved by other laser spectrometric methods. The enhancement factor achieved was 16, which is much smaller than the theoretical value of 292 calculated by assuming an exciting laser with a single transverse mode (beam waist radius 0.12 mm). However, the observed enhancement factor agrees fairly well with the theoretical value of 17 calculated from the observed beam radius (0.5 mm) at the waist. Hence the observed small enhancement factor is ascribed to poor beam quality of the dye laser used. Pulsed thermal lens spectrophotometry is shown to be useful especially for the analysis of gaseous samples at elevated temperatures.     

Interaction of nitrogen dioxide with sublimed films ofmeso-tetraphenylporphyrinatozinc

The interaction of NO₂ with sublimed films ofmeso-tetraphenylporphyrinatozinc was studied by IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The π-radical cation (ZnTPP)^•+NO₂ ⁻ containing an unpaired electron on HOMO of the A_2u symmetry is formed at the first stage of the reaction. The second NO₂ molecule attacks themeso-carbon atom to form zinc isoporphyrin with the covalently bound nitro group. The IR data indicate that the NO₂ ⁻ anion is axially coordinated to the central metal atom, and the NO₂ group is covalently bonded through the N atom. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 665–668, April, 1998.     

被动采样法测定室内空气环境中的二氧化氮

用基于气体分子扩散理论研制的被动采样器 (Passivesampler) ,结合Saltzman法 ,离子色谱法 (IC)分析、测定室内空气环境中的NO2 ,利用风洞实验装置进行模拟曝露实验 ,着重研究捕集液的种类、浓度和风洞内NO2 初始浓度、湿度对捕集NO2 能力的影响以及采样器的材料、结构与采样性能的关系。结果表明 ,本文研制的采样器在空气中曝露数个小时后 ,测定空气中NO2 浓度可达n×1 0 μg/L ,与用NOx 分析仪直接测定结果比较误差在 2 0 %以内。本采样器体积小、质量小、结构简单 ,不仅适用于生活环境中NO2 的测定 ,也适用于NO2 个人曝露量的测定     

Interaction of carbon dioxide with ditoluenetitanium

The interaction of ditoluenetitanium with CO{in2} has been studied. Based on hydrolysis, thermolysis, and IR spectral data, the conclusion is drawn that a low-valent titanium oxalate is formed.This study was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 93-03-5538).Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2241–2242, December, 1994.     

Effect of complexones and tensides on selectivity of nitrogen dioxide determination in air with a chemiluminescence aerosol detector

Modification of the luminol solution by means of addition of various complexones and surfactants has been investigated to eliminate interferences from gaseous co-pollutants in the determination of ambient nitrogen dioxide using a chemiluminescence aerosol detector. The simultaneous presence of EDTA and triton X-100 or X-405 together with sulphite and iodide in the luminol solution suppressed interferences from ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate to a negligible level and no scrubbers or corrections of the NO₂ measurements were needed.

In general, the best composition of the reagent solution included luminol, KOH, Na₂SO₃, KI, Na₂EDTA and triton X-100. From the point of view of selectivity of NO₂ determination, an optimum reagent solution consisted of luminol (0.002 M), KOH (0.5 M), Na₂SO₃ (0.2 M), KI (0.1 M), Na₂EDTA (0.05 M) and triton X-100 (0.5 vol.%). Interferences from ozone (170 ppb (v/v)) and peroxyacetyl nitrate (81 ppb (v/v)) were 0.2 and 1.2%, respectively, for nitrogen dioxide at a concentration of 50 ppb (v/v) and 0.25 and 1.7%, respectively, for 0.5 ppb (v/v) NO₂. The calibration graph was linear for NO₂ concentrations ranging from 3 to 665 ppb (v/v). Below 3 ppb (v/v) NO₂ the detector response to nitrogen dioxide can be fitted with a linear equation of the third order.     

Interaction of chlorine dioxide with nitroxyl radicals

The formation of charge transfer complexes between chlorine dioxide and nitroxyl radicals (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 4-acetylamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-phenyl-3-imidazolin-1-oxyl, and bis(4-methoxyphenyl) nitroxide) in acetone, acetonitrile, n-heptane, diethyl ether, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, and dichloromethane was found by spectrophotometry at –60—+20 °C. The thermodynamic parameters of complex formation were determined. The radical structure affects its complex formation ability. The charge transfer complex is transformed into the corresponding oxoammonium salt.     

Vapor-liquid equilibria for benzyl alcohol with carbon dioxide, ethane, or nitrogen at elevated pressures

Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) phase compositions were measured for the binary systems of benzyl alcohol with carbon dioxide, ethane, or nitrogen at temperatures from 333.15 K to 453.15 K and pressures up to 19 MPa. Henry's constants were calculated from the isothermal equilibrium data. The new VLE data were correlated by the Patel-Teja equations of state with three different types of mixing rules. In general, using the one-fluid, two-parameter van der Waals mixing rule yielded the best representation for the investigated systems. The validity of a generalized Soave model was also tested with the equilibrium data of carbon dioxide + benzyl alcohol.     

Interaction of carbon dioxide with zirconocene and hafnocene dihydrides

Zirconocene and hafnocene dihydrides Cp₂MH₂ (M = Zr, Hf) are capable of rapid absorbing carbon dioxide at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a THF medium. In the case of Cp₂ZrH₂, the reaction results in the cleavage of the C=O bond of a CO₂ molecule to form cyclic trimeric zirconocene oxide [Cp₂ZrO]₃, whose structure was confirmed by analytical and spectral methods as well as by X-ray diffraction study. Small amounts of formaldehyde and methyl formate are found in the organic products of the reaction.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2366–2368, September, 1996.     

Validating the correlation of traffic-associated hydrocarbon and nitrogen dioxide with distance from a trunk road within a rural environment in UK

This study monitored traffic-associated air pollutants at four sampling sites within the A49 trunk road. Measurements of the gaseous air pollutants were carried out at various distances (roadside, 50 m, and 100 m) from the A49 trunk road using short term tubes at breathing heights. Data was collected over a 23-month period (June 2008-April 2010). Statistical analyses of hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) show positive r² and p-values, and suggest seasonal, intra- and inter-site variations in a distance-decay relationship. Higher mean concentrations were obtained within the winter season and near the roadside with a gradual decline with distance from the emission source. However, at some locations with increased vehicular activities, this relationship was altered. Elevated mean concentrations were observed within 50 m at Craven Arms (CA 50) and Strefford Road (SR 50); suggesting the influence of traffic on the concentration levels of the contaminants.     

Measurement of nitrogen dioxide in cigarette smoke using quantum cascade tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectroscopy (TILDAS)

Although nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) has been previously reported to be present in cigarette smoke, the concentration estimates were derived from kinetic calculations or from measurements of aged smoke, where NO(2) was formed some time after the puff was taken. The objective of this work was to use tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectroscopy (TILDAS) equipped with a quantum cascade (QC) laser to determine if NO(2) could be detected and quantified in a fresh puff of cigarette smoke. A temporal resolution of approximately 0.16s allowed measurements to be taken directly as the NO(2) was formed during the puff. Sidestream cigarette smoke was sampled to determine if NO(2) could be detected using TILDAS. Experiments were conducted using 2R4F Kentucky Reference cigarettes with and without a Cambridge filter pad. NO(2) was detected only in the lighting puff of whole mainstream smoke (without a Cambridge filter pad), with no NO(2) detected in the subsequent puffs. The measurement precision was approximately 1.0 ppbVHz(-1/2), which allows a detection limit of approximately 0.2 ng in a 35 ml puff volume. More NO(2) was generated in the lighting puff using a match or blue flame lighter (29+/-21 ng) than when using an electric lighter (9+/-3 ng). In the presence of a Cambridge filter pad, NO(2) was observed in the gas phase mainstream smoke for every puff (total of 200+/-30 ng/cigarette) and is most likely due to smoke chemistry taking place on the Cambridge filter pad during the smoke collection process. Nitrogen dioxide was observed continuously in the sidestream smoke starting with the lighting puff.     

Air quality monitoring network design to control nitrogen dioxide and ozone, applied in Malaga, Spain

Air monitoring networks are necessary to assess air quality in order to reduce pollution to levels which minimize harmful effects on human health and the environment. This paper describes a method to design or optimize air quality monitoring networks for nitrogen dioxide and ozone and its application in Malaga, a medium large city located in Andalusia, southern Spain, with traffic being the main source of air pollution. The completion of this method revealed that the old assessment network in Malaga was badly designed and made it possible to determine that one traffic-orientated and one background control station were necessary for NO₂ assessment in Malaga, as well as two control stations for O₃. First the number of stations necessary is obtained from historical data. Sampling campaigns with passive diffusion samplers at 74 sites were then carried out to obtain information on the pollution distribution in Malaga. The average concentrations found for NO₂ and O₃ were 22.8 μg/m³ and 64.3 μg/m³ respectively. Maximum values of up to 42.2 μg/m³ NO₂ were found in Malaga city centre and O₃ reached 91.5 μg/m³ downwind from the emission source. After spatial interpolation of the obtained values with Geographical Information Systems, a selection of the best locations for the monitoring stations was made, in line with the macro- and microscale siting requirements of the European Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe.     

氮中二氧化氮气体标准物质的研制

采用称量法制备并计算定值,研制(10～5000)μmol.mol-1氮中二氧化氮气体标准物质。考察了气体标准物质随贮存时间和钢瓶压力变化的稳定性,将制备的气体标准物质与GBW 08180进行比对验证,结果表明研制的气体标准物质定值的扩展不确定度优于3%(k=3),有效期限为12个月。     

Copolymers of carbon dioxide and nitrogen: an AM1 and ab initio computational study

Extending work by various groups on possible dimers, trimers, etc. of dinitrogen and of carbon dioxide, the authors have studied analogous copolymers of N₂ and CO₂ computationally. Twelve cyclic structures were examined with the AM1, HF/3-21G, HF/6-31G* and MP2(FC)/6-31G* methods, and the acyclic “monomer” to “tetramer” HO(C(O)O–N= N–)_nH, n=1–4, were studied at the AM1 and HF/3-21G levels; the cyclic species included 2-oxa-3,4-diazacyclobut-3-ene-1-one, 2-oxa-3,4,5,6-tetraazacyclohexa-3,5-diene-1-one, and various aza/oxa bicyclo[2.2.0] and bicyclo[2.2.2] systems. For the cyclic species, it was concluded that only the MP2(FC)/6-31G* results, which differ considerably from those at the other three levels, are likely to be reliable. These MP2 calculations indicate that only seven of the 12 cyclic structures studied are stationary points (one is a transition structure), and none of them is kinetically stable at room temperature. Although some have high energy densities (ca. 7–10 kJ g⁻¹), their expected low kinetic stabilities seems to make this of little practical value. The acyclic “copolymers” were all relative minima at the AM1 and HF/3-21G levels; unlike the cyclic species, their kinetic stabilities were not investigated directly by comparing the energies of reactants and decomposition transition states. The energy density of the infinite acyclic polymer was found by extrapolation to be 5.1 (AM1) or 5.6 (3-21G) kJ g⁻¹. The calculated vibrational spectra of the MP2 stationary points and of the acyclic molecules gave some indication of instability by the presence of low-frequency modes leading in the limit to decomposition.     

A novel chromogenic and fluorogenic scaffold for detection of oxidative radicals

Radicals have profound biorelevance and their robust detections are warranted. We have devised a novel “covalent-assembly” type scaffold for sensitive detection of oxidative radicals.     

Absorption, concentration and determination of trace amounts of air pollutants by flow injection method coupled with a chromatomembrane cell system: application to nitrogen dioxide determination

The concentration distribution of an analyte in a chromatomembrane cell (CMC) was examined by using various air samples of different air pollutant (NO₂) concentrations and volumes, and the results obtained could be explained by a proposed principle of the concentration distribution of the analyte in the CMC. This principle was for the first time proved experimentally in the present study. On-line preconcentration and continuous determination of the air pollutant (NO₂) in air samples were realized by coupling a three-hole CMC with a flow injection analysis (FIA) system, where a triethanolamine (TEA) aqueous solution (2 g l⁻¹) was used as an absorbing solution for NO₂ in the air samples. A calibration method with standard nitrite aqueous solutions was developed for the determination of NO₂ in the air samples. Concentrations of NO₂ in indoor air and its diluted air samples were determined by the proposed CMC/FIA method. The volume of air sample necessary for the measurement was decreased to only 5 ml. The measuring time for one sample was about 5–6 min even when a 20 ml air sample was used.     

Lifetime of alkyl macroradicals in irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

The interaction of UHMWPE with an electron beam in vacuum and in the presence of oxygen has been investigated. UHMWPE irradiated to various doses was examined with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Fourier Transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopies. EPR was used to explore the nature of radicals produced in UHMWPE upon irradiation and to follow their decay as a function of time. Hydroperoxides formation and distribution throughout the samples were studied with FTIR spectroscopy.A correlation between the rate of decay of macroradicals and that of hydroperoxide formation has been proposed. Accordingly, the lifetime of secondary alkyl macroradicals in the amorphous phase of the polymer was found to range approximately from 3 to 10 h.     

EPR study of radiation damage to DNA irradiated with synchrotron soft X-rays around nitrogen and oxygen K-edge

In order to obtain detailed insights into the physicochemical mechanism of DNA damage induction, “in situ” measurement of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal from DNA constituent nucleobases, guanine and adenine, has been performed in a vacuum using monochromatic synchrotron soft X-rays. We found that short-lived unpaired electron species arise only during irradiation to the evaporated thin film on a surface. The EPR spectrum of the short-lived species significantly depends on the photon energy irradiated, and the spin concentration obtained from the EPR spectra shows a similar fine structure to the X-ray photoabsorption spectra (X-ray absorption near edge structure; XANES). For the adenine sample, the spin concentration alters strikingly by water absorption on the sample surface. Trapping of photo- or Auger electrons into a newly generated potential in the nucleobases as the consequence of photoelectric effect is suggested as mechanisms of the induction of the short-lived species.     

Interaction with William Carnall

A personal account is given of interaction with William T. Carnall during the period 1977-1988, when I made regular visits to the Argonne National Laboratory to discuss the theoretical background to the spectroscopic work he was carrying out on the lanthanides and actinides.