Potentiometric determination of the 'formal' hydrolysis ratio of aluminium species in aqueous solutions

The ‘formal’ hydrolysis ratio (h = C(OH⁻)_added/C(Al)_total) of hydrolysed aluminium-ions is an important parameter required for the exhaustive and quantitative speciation-fractionation of aluminium in aqueous solutions. This paper describes a potentiometric method for determination of the formal hydrolysis ratio based on an automated alkaline titration procedure. The method uses the point of precipitation of aluminium hydroxide as a reference (h = 3.0) in order to calculate the initial formal hydrolysis ratio of hydrolysed aluminium-ion solutions. Several solutions of pure hydrolytic species including aluminium monomers (AlCl₃), Al₁₃ polynuclear cluster ([Al₁₃O₄(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂]⁷⁺), Al₃₀ polynuclear cluster ([Al₃₀O₈(OH)₅₆(H₂O)₂₆]¹⁸⁺) and a suspension of nanoparticulate aluminium hydroxide have been used as ‘reference standards’ to validate the proposed potentiometric method. Other important variables in the potentiometric determination of the hydrolysis ratio have also been optimised including the concentration of aluminium and the type and strength of alkali (Trizma-base, NH₃, NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃ and KOH). The results of the potentiometric analysis have been cross-verified by quantitative ²⁷Al solution nuclear magnetic resonance (²⁷Al NMR) measurements. The ‘formal’ hydrolysis ratio of a commercial basic aluminium chloride has been measured as an example of a practical application of the developed technique.     

Lead(II) Sulfide. Synthesis in Lead(II) Tetraoxophosphate(V) Gelatin-immobilized Matrix Implantates and Sorption Activity Toward Silver(I) Ions

Processes that occur in lead(II) tetraoxophosphate(V) gelatin-immobilized matrix systems on their contact with aqueous solutions containing the sulfide anion S₂ ^- were studied. As a result of this contact, lead(II) sulfide is formed. The sorption activity of the resulting metal sulfide gelatin-immobilized matrix systems with respect to Ag(I) ions is associated with substitution of Pb(II) by Ag(I) ions.     

Improvements to CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> headspace biodegradability test

This study proposes changes to the design and evaluation of the CO₂ headspace test, which is used as a simple method for assessment of the complete biodegradability of surfactants. It presents a modified equation for the calculation of biodegradation. It is proposed that the solution of 7 mol L^?1 sodium hydroxide commonly used in the process involving alkalinisation of the vial contents be replaced with 15 mol L^?1 sodium hydroxide. The use of the higher hydroxide concentration leads to a significant reduction in the value of the blank CO₂ headspace test.     

Chemistry of the CARBOFTOREX process. Identification of the absorption bands of the ligands in the electronic spectra of aqueous solutions of U(VI) fluoride carbonate complexes

The electronic absorption bands of U(VI) fluoride carbonate and fluoride hydroxide complexes were assigned taking account of dissociation, hydration, association, and ligand exchange. The absorption in the range of 190–400 nm was found to be related to the formation of neutral and dissociated anionic U(VI) fluoride carbonate and fluoride hydroxide complexes and the polynuclear Na_2n [(UO₂–O–UO₂)F₄(OH)_2n–1 ? kH₂O] complex.     

Über kristallines Chrom(III)hydroxid. I

When hydroxide ions are added to a solution of Cr(H₂O)₆³⁺ ions at low temperature a well crystallized chromium hydroxide hydrate is formed, corresponding to the formula [Cr(OH)₃-(H₂O)₃]_∞. Its structure is the inverse of bayerite type, two thirds of the octahedral M³⁺ positions being vacant. It loses water easily and turns into a totally amorphous hydroxide of variable water content. An amorphous hydroxide is also obtained when solutions are alkalized at higher temperatures or when aged solutions (containing polynuclear complexes) are used.     

Polypyrrole-palladium systems prepared in PdCl2 aqueous solutions

In the work, reactions of a partially deprotonated polypyrrole doped with hydroxide ions (PPyOH) in various PdCl₂ aqueous solutions which differed in acidity were studied. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy it was established that in the PdCl₂ solutions of lower acidity PPyOH was oxidatively doped and Pd⁰ and Pd²⁺ were incorporated into the polymer matrix. Pd²⁺ formed palladium(II) hydroxy-and/or aquochlorocomplex dopant anions and/or was coordinated by nitrogen atoms of the polymer (Pd-N bond). Additionally, deprotonation of PPyOH occurred in the PdCl₂ solutions of lower acidity. It was proposed that deprotonation of PPyOH was caused by nucleophilic attack of [PdCl₃(H₂O)]⁻ on the positively charged, doped polymer chain. By comparison of the PPyOH and chloride-doped polypyrrole (PPyCl)-palladium systems prepared in similar PdCl₂ solutions of lower acidity it was shown that the type of the counterion in the starting polymer has a decisive effect on the deprotonation process.PPyOH was less reactive towards palladium species in the PdCl₂ solutions of higher acidity where [PdCl₄]²⁻ was the dominant complex. PPy-palladium systems containing exclusively Pd²⁺ were obtained in this case. It was proposed that incorporation of palladium species in these conditions proceeded via an acid-base reaction or coordination of palladium ions by the polymer chain (Pd-N bond formation).Results of the studies may serve as the basis for the preparation of a variety of polypyrrole-supported palladium catalysts.     

Polynuclear Branched Tetrazole Systems. 2. New 2-(5-Tetrazolyl)ethylpodands and Their NH-Acidity

Nine new polynuclear 2-(5-tetrazolyl)ethyl podands have been obtained by the azidation of the corresponding nitriles. Using Bjerrum distribution functions, the values of pK _a ¹, pK _a ², pK _a ³, and pK _a ⁴ have been determined by a potentiometric method for 14 polynuclear tetrazoles in aqueous and aqueous methanolic solution. The found values lie in the range from 3.5 to 7.5 pH units. The overall rules and the sequence of the ionization of the spatially separated tetrazole fragments in these podand systems are discussed.     

Water Activities, Osmotic and Activity Coefficients and Some Correlation of Aqueous Mixtures of Alkaline-Earth and Ammonium Nitrates, NH4NO3-Y(NO3)2-H2O with Y ≡ Ba2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ at T = 25 °C

The thermodynamic properties of the mixed aqueous electrolyte of ammonium and alkaline earth metal nitrates have been studied using the hygrometric method at 25?°C. The water activities of these {yNH₄NO₃+(1?y)Y(NO₃)₂}(aq) systems with Y ≡ Ba²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were measured at total molalities ranging from 0.10 mol?kg^?1 to saturation for different NH₄NO₃ ionic-strength fractions of y=0.20, 0.50 and 0.80. These data allow the calculation of osmotic coefficients. From these measurements, the ionic mixing parameters are determined and used to calculate the solute activity coefficients in the mixtures at different ionic-strength fractions. The results of these ternary solution measurements are compared with those for binary solutions of the alkaline earth nitrates of magnesium, calcium and barium with ammonium nitrates. The behavior of the aqueous electrolyte solutions containing mixtures of barium or calcium or magnesium with ammonium nitrates are correlated and show that ionic interactions are more important for the system containing Mg²⁺ than for Ca²⁺ or Ba²⁺. The trends are mainly due to the effects of the ionic size, polarizability and the hydration of the ions in these solutions.     

A method for the estimation of the enthalpy of formation of mixed oxides in Al2O3-Ln2O3 systems

A new method is proposed for the estimation of the enthalpy of formation (Δ_oxH) of various Al₂O₃-Ln₂O₃ mixed oxides from the constituent binary oxides. Our method is based on Pauling's concept of electronegativity and, in particular, on the relation between the enthalpy of formation of a binary oxide and the difference between the electronegativities of the oxide-forming element and oxygen. This relation is extended to mixed oxides with a simple formula given for the calculation of Δ_oxH. The parameters of this equation were fitted using published experimental values of Δ_oxH derived from high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. Using our proposed method, we obtained a standard deviation (σ) of 4.87 kJ mol⁻¹ for this data set. Taking into account regularities within the lanthanide series, we then estimated the Δ_oxH values for Al₂O₃-Ln₂O₃ mixed oxides. The values estimated using our method were compared with those obtained by Aronson's and Zhuang's empirical methods, both of which give significantly poorer results.     

Hydrocracking of vacuum gas oil in the presence of supported nickel-tungsten catalysts

The supports containing 70% Al₂O₃ and 30% β zeolite (AZ-1 and AZ-2), which differed in mixing procedures, and the Ni-W/AZ-1 and Ni-W/AZ-2 catalysts were characterized using an adsorption technique, high-resolution electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tested in the hydrocracking reaction of vacuum gas oil (VGO). It was found that the supports differed in texture characteristics and surface Lewis acidity at the same composition and similar concentrations of Brønsted acid sites. The formation of Ni-W-S sulfide species on the surfaces of both of the supports occurred in different manners: multilayer Ni-W-S sulfide species were formed on AZ-1 (S _sp = 220 m²/g), whereas single-layer species were mainly formed on AZ-2 (S _sp = 380 m²/g). It was found that catalysts containing multilayer Ni-W-S sulfide species, which were characterized by a higher degree of sulfidation, provided a higher yield of diesel fuel upon the hydrocracking of VGO, whereas catalysts containing single-layer Ni-W-S sulfide species were more active in the reactions of VGO hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitration.     

An ab initio quantum chemical study of reaction mechanisms in the C2H2/CH3OH/KOH/DMSO system

An ab initio quantum chemical study (MP2/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-31+G*) of a number of possible interactions is performed for the gas phase system of acetylene—potassium hydroxide-dimethylsulfoxide(DMSO)—methanol and with regard to the solvent effect within the continuum model. Key structures in the vinylation reaction are shown to be methoxide ion complexes with the alkali metal hydroxide and acetylene molecules. The formation of these complexes results in the activation of the acetylene molecule and an increase in the nucleophilicity of the methoxide ion. In the C₂H₂/CH₃OH/KOH/DMSO reaction system, a proton exchange between the acetylene molecule and the anionic nucleophile ([OH]^- and [CH₃O]^-) is freely performed with the formation of systems with ethynideions, whereas the thermodynamically preferable formation of vinyl alcohol or methyl vinyl ether is determined by a barrier of 20 kcal/mol.     

Microvolume turbidimetry for rapid and sensitive determination of the acid labile sulfide fraction in waters after headspace single-drop microextraction with in situ generation of volatile hydrogen sulfide

In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying headspace single-drop microextraction with in-drop precipitation for the quantitative determination of the acid labile sulfide fraction (H₂S, HS⁻, and S²⁻ (free sulfide), amorphous FeS and some metal sulfide complexes-clusters as ZnS) in aqueous samples by microvolume turbidimetry. The methodology lies in the in situ hydrogen sulfide generation and subsequent sequestration into an alkaline microdrop containing ZnO₂²⁻ and exposed to the headspace above the stirred aqueous sample. The ZnS formed in the drop was then determined by microvolume turbidimetry. The optimum experimental conditions of the proposed method were: 2 μL of a microdrop containing 750 mg L⁻¹ Zn(II) in 1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH exposed to the headspace of a 20-mL aqueous sample stirred at 1600 rpm during 80 s after derivatization with 1 mL of 6 mol L⁻¹ HCl. An enrichment factor of 1710 was achieved in only 80 s. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 5-100 μg L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.5 μg L⁻¹. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was 5.8% (N = 9). Finally, the proposed methodology was successfully applied to the determination of the acid labile sulfide fraction in different natural water samples.     

Potentiometric study on the complex equilibria between ni(ii) and mn(ii) and 3-(2-furyl)-2-mercaptopropenoic and 3-(2-furyl)-2-mercaptopropanoic acids

Complex formation between Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) and 3-(2-furyl)-2-mercaptopropenoic and 3-(2-furyl)-2-mercaptopropanoic acids has been studied using glass electrode potentiometry. Ligand-metal ion mixtures in 10% (v/v) ethanol-water containing 0.1 mol dm^–3KNO₃ were titrated with potassium hydroxide. The e.m.f. data obtained have been analyzed using the linearization method, and initial estimates of protonation constants for the ligands and complex formation constants have been refined with the MINIQUAD program.     

Expressions for Enthalpies of Concurrent Polynuclear Complex Formation Reactions in Two-Phase Aqueous Systems

The paper presents a new thermodynamic approach to studying polynuclear complex formation reactions in multicomponent two-phase systems, solid phase plus saturated aqueous solution, under real conditions. The quintessence of this developed approach consists in the thermodynamic analysis of concurrent reactions on the basis of the introduced notion of a generalized reaction equation. The formation of complex polynuclear species is characterized by certain peculiarities in the behavior of studied two-phase heterogeneous systems. The formation of polynuclear complexes of the metal ion with a complexing agent leads to expressions for the enthalpy ?H and heat capacity ?C_p as certain concentration functions, which are normative multipliers, referring these thermochemical quantities to one mole of the metal ion. It is shown that one of these functions, Φ, characterizes the degree of formation of polynuclear complexes. In the case of concurrent formation of mono- and polynuclear complexes, the derived expressions are useful in distinguishing separate contributions of individual complex formation reactions to the ?H and ?C_p of the overall process.     

Activity of cobalt sulfide catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol: Effects of the nature of a support and the procedure of supporting a cobalt precursor

The conversion of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol on various catalysts containing supported cobalt sulfide in an atmosphere of hydrogen was studied at atmospheric pressure and T = 190°C. On CoS introduced into the channels of zeolite HSZM-5, the process occurred at a high rate but with a low selectivity for methanethiol because the proton centers of the support participated in a side reaction with the formation of dimethyl sulfide and hydrogen sulfide. Under the action of sulfide catalysts supported onto a carbon support, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and an amorphous aluminosilicate, the decomposition of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol occurred with 95–100% selectivity. The CoS/Al₂O₃ catalysts were found to be most efficient. The specific activity of alumina-cobalt sulfide catalysts only slightly depended on the phase composition and specific surface area of Al₂O₃. The conditions of the thermal treatment and sulfurization of catalysts and, particularly, the procedure of supporting a cobalt precursor onto the support were of key importance. Catalysts prepared through the stage of supporting nanodispersed cobalt hydroxide were much more active than the catalysts based on supported cobalt salts.     

Calculations of the intrinsic constants of the complexation between Cu(II) and halide ions in solution

Experimental curves of spectrophotometric titration for systems containing mononuclear homoleptic complexes were interpreted in an alternative way involving calculation of the intrinsic constants of binding of the ligand by a central ion with fixed coordination sites. This matrix approach allows one to reduce the number of variables in least-squares optimization of titration curves, describing the formation of complexes [MX _n ] (n = 1–4) via three independent variables (\(\bar K\), ω _cis and ω _trans ) for a square planar geometry and via two variables (\(\bar K\) and ω) for a tetrahedral geometry. Differences in the mutual cis-and trans-influences of coordinated ligands were quantitatively estimated for labile complexes in solution. The method proposed was used to calculate the intrinsic constants of complexation between Cu²⁺ and the chloride ion in methanol from spectrophotometric titration data.     

The Effect of Metal Cations on the Aqueous Behavior of Dopamine. Thermodynamic Investigation of the Binary and Ternary Interactions with Cd2+, Cu2+ and UO22+ in NaCl at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures

The interactions of dopamine [2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine, (Dop⁻)] with cadmium(II), copper(II) and uranyl(VI) were studied in NaCl(aq) at different ionic strengths (0 ≤ I/mol dm⁻³ ≤ 1.0) and temperatures (288.15 ≤ T/K ≤ 318.15). From the elaboration of the experimental data, it was found that the speciation models are featured by species of different stoichiometry and stability. In particular for cadmium, the formation of only MLH, ML and ML₂ (M = Cd²⁺; L = dopamine) species was obtained. For uranyl(VI) (UO₂²⁺), the speciation scheme is influenced by the use of UO₂(acetate)₂ salt as a chemical; in this case, the formation of ML₂, MLOH and the ternary MLAc (Ac = acetate) species in a wide pH range was observed. The most complex speciation model was obtained for the interaction of Cu²⁺ with dopamine; in this case we observed the formation of the following species: ML₂, M₂L, M₂L₂, M₂L₂(OH)₂, M₂LOH and ML₂OH. These speciation models were determined at each ionic strength and temperature investigated. As a further contribution to this kind of investigation, the ternary interactions of dopamine with UO₂²⁺/Cd²⁺ and UO₂²⁺/Cu²⁺ were investigated at I = 0.15 mol dm⁻³ and T = 298.15K. These systems have different speciation models, with the MM’L and M₂M’L₂OH [M = UO₂²⁺; M’ = Cd²⁺ or Cu²⁺, L = dopamine] common species; the species of the mixed Cd²⁺ containing system have a higher stability with respect the Cu²⁺ containing one. The dependence on the ionic strength of complex formation constants was modelled by using both an extended Debye–Hückel equation that included the Van’t Hoff term for the calculation of the formation enthalpy change values and the Specific Ion Interaction Theory (SIT). The results highlighted that, in general, the entropy is the driving force of the process. The quantification of the effective sequestering ability of dopamine towards the studied cations was evaluated by using a Boltzmann-type equation and the calculation of pL_0.5 parameter. The sequestering ability was quantified at different ionic strengths, temperatures and pHs, and this resulted, in general, that the pL_0.5 trend was always: UO₂²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺.     

A polarographic study of the complexes formed in alkaline solution by the cadmium(II) ion with ethylenediamine,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine,and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine

A multiple regression analysis of polarographic data has been used to determine the formulas and formation constants of complexes formed in alkaline solution by reaction of cadmium(II) ion and hydroxide ion with ethylenediamine (en), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine (hn) and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (2hn). The complexes formed are designated by the general formula Cd(A)_p(OH)_p^2?q and the formation constants are given as log β_pq. The complexes found and their formation constants are: for en, 1 : 2 (10.3), 1 : 3 (12.3), and 1 : 2 : 1 (12.2); for hn, 1 : 2 (9.5), 1 : 2 : 1 (12.2), and 1 : 2 : 2 (12.6); and for 2hn, 1 : 2 (8.9), 1 : 1 : 2 (11.1), 1 : 2 : 1 (11.2), and 1 : 2 : 2 (12.6). It is concluded that in each case for which the hydroxide ion is reacted, a proton is removed from an alcoholic hydroxyl group which is coordinated to form a five-membered chelate ring linking a nitrogen atom and oxygen atom to the cadmium(II) ion.     

The effect of chemisorbed sulfide ions on the gold electrodeposition from acidic thiocarbamide electrolytes

Introducing sodium sulfide (about 10^?5 M) into acidic thiocarbamide solutions reduces the gold reduction overpotential. The reaction rate passes through a maximum at a potential of 0.1 V. The overpotential depends on the sulfide ion concentration and the time of electrode exposure to solution prior to the beginning of scanning. Transients of potential measured on a renewable gold electrode in thiocarbamide electrolytes containing catalytically active species served as the basis for calculations of the coefficient of trapping of sulfide ions by the growing gold deposit. The kinetics of gold electrodeposition at fixed surface coverages with adsorbed sulfide ions θ is studied. It is shown that at θ = const, the dependence of the reaction rate on the overpotential is described by the Tafel equation. It is shown that with an increase in θ, the effective values of exchange current and transfer coefficient increase from i ₀ ≌ 10^?5 A/cm² and α ≌ 0.25 in pure solutions to α ≌ 0.5 and i ₀ ≌ 10^?4 A/cm² at θ ≥ 0.3 and then remains virtually unchanged. The reaction order decreases in the absolute magnitude, remaining negative. Thus for θ ≌ 0, p _k = ?logi/?logc = ?1, whereas for θ ≥ 0.3, p _k = ?0.3. A possible explanation is proposed for the catalytic effect of the sulfide ion adsorption on the mechanism of the gold reduction from acidic thiocarbamide electrolytes.     

Oxygen electrodes in fused salts: Investigation and mechanistic remarks on the system (Ni)O2, H2O/OH− in the (Na,K)NO3 eutectic melt

A potentiometric investigation on the system (Ni)O₂, H₂O/OH^? was carried out within the temperature range 513?T?636 K in the (Na, K)NO₃ equimolar mixture containing OH^? ions in the concentration range 5×10^?6<[OH^?]<10^?1m and flushed with a mixture of O₂ and H₂O at variable partial pressures. The system has been found to behave reversibly in all hydroxide concentration and temperature intervals studied with respect to all the species involved in the over-all electrode reaction ½ O₂+H₂O+2e^?=2OH^? so that the following nernstian relationship could be written E=E_O2,H₂O/OH^?+RT/Fln{[O₂]^1/4[H₂O]^1/2/[OH^?]} This potentiometric behaviour was tentatively interpreted on the basis of mechanistic models involving, in some steps, solid nickel oxides formed on the electrode surface by contact with the melt. The actual formation and existence of these compounds on the electrode surface under the given experimental conditions was proved by a proper XPS investigation.