Do secondary and tertiary ammonium cations act as structure-directing agents in the formation of layered uranyl selenites?

Two new layered uranyl selenites, [C(4)H(12)N(2)](0.5)[UO(2)(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))] (1) and [C(6)H(14)N(2)](0.5)[UO(2)(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))].0.5H(2)O.0.5CH(3)CO(2)H (2), have been isolated from mild hydrothermal reactions. The preparation of 1 was achieved by reacting UO(2)(C(2)H(3)O(2))(2).2H(2)O with H(2)SeO(4) in the presence of piperazine at 130 degrees C for 2 d. Crystals of 2 were synthesized by reacting UO(2)(C(2)H(3)O(2))(2).2H(2)O, H(2)SeO(4), and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane at 150 degrees C for 2 d. The structure of 1 consists of UO(2)(2+) cations that are bound by bridging HSeO(3)(-) anions and chelating/bridging SeO(3)(2)(-) anions to yield UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids. The joining of the uranyl moieties by the hydrogen selenite and selenite anions creates two-dimensional 2(infinity) [UO(2)(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))](-) layers that extend in the bc-plane. The stereochemically active lone pair of electrons on the HSeO(3)(-) and SeO(3)(2)(-) anions align along the a-axis making each layer polar. The 2(infinity)[UO(2)(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))](-) layers and piperazinium cations stack in a AA'BAA'B sequence where two layers stack on one another without intervening piperazinium cations. While each 2(infinity)[UO(2)(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))](-) layer is polar, in the AA' stacking, the polarity of the second sheet is reversed with respect to the first, yielding an overall structure that is centrosymmetric. The structure of 2 is constructed from uranyl cations that are bound by three bridging SeO(3)(2)(-) and two bridging HSeO(3)(-) anions to create UO(7) pentagonal bipyramids. The linking of the uranyl cations by the HSeO(3)(-) and SeO(3)(2-) anions creates 2(infinity)[UO(2)(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))](-) layers that extend in the ac-plane. In 1 and 2, the organic ammonium cations form hydrogen bonds with the anionic uranyl selenite layers. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 10.9378(5) A, b = 8.6903(4) A, c = 9.9913(5) A, beta = 90.3040(8) degrees, Z = 4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a = 13.0858(8) A, b = 17.555(1) A, c = 10.5984(7) A, Z = 8.     

Density functional theory analysis of the reaction pathway for methane oxidation to acetic acid catalyzed by Pd2+ in sulfuric acid

Density functional theory has been used to investigate the thermodynamics and activation barriers associated with the direct oxidation of methane to acetic acid catalyzed by Pd2+ cation in concentrated sulfuric acid. Pd2+ cations in such solutions are ligated by two bisulfate anions and by one or two molecules of sulfuric acid. Methane oxidation is initiated by the addition of CH4 across one of the Pd-O bonds of a bisulfate ligand to form Pd(HSO4)(CH3)(H2SO4)2. The latter species will react with CO to produce Pd(HSO4)(CH3CO)(H2SO4)2. The most likely path to the final products is found to be via oxidation of Pd(HSO4)(CH3)(H2SO4)2 and Pd(HSO4)(CH3CO)(H2SO4)2 to form Pd(eta2-HSO4)(HSO4)2(CH3)(H2SO4) and Pd(eta2-HSO4)(HSO4)2(CH3CO)(H2SO4), respectively. CH3HSO4 or CH3COHSO4 is then produced by reductive elimination from the latter two species, and CH(3)COOH is then formed by hydrolysis of CH3COHSO4. The loss of Pd2+ from solution to form Pd(0) or Pd-black is predicted to occur via reduction with CO. This process is offset, though, by reoxidation of palladium by either H2SO4 or O2.     

Crystallographic evidence for oxygen acceptor directionality in oxyanion hydrogen bonds.

A survey of 2632 D-H...O-A hydrogen bonds in crystal structures (where D is any atom and A is the central atom of a trigonal planar (A = C, N) or tetrahedral (A = P, S, Cl, As, Se, Cr, Mo) oxyanion, has established the existence of a distinct directionalities at the oxygen atom acceptors. The directionality depends primarily on the geometry of the oxyanion. With the trigonal planar oxyanions NO3-, HCO3-, and CO32-, the average H...O-A angle is 115 +/- 12 degrees and there is a clear preference for the hydrogen to lie within the plane of the anion. With the tetrahedral oxyanions H2PO4-, HPO42-, HSO4-, SO42-, ClO4-, H2AsO4-, HAsO42-, AsO43-, HSeO4-, SeO42-, CrO42-, and MoO42-, the average H...O-A angle is 122 +/- 12 degrees , and there is a weak preference for eclipsed H...O-X-O dihedral angles. The observed directionality closely coincides with minima on electrostatic potential surfaces calculated for the anions.     

Hydration of the bisulfate ion: atmospheric implications

Using molecular dynamics configurational sampling combined with ab initio energy calculations, we determined the low energy isomers of the bisulfate hydrates. We calculated the CCSD(T) complete basis set (CBS) binding electronic and Gibbs free energies for 53 low energy isomers of HSO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n=1-6) and derived the thermodynamics of adding waters sequentially to the bisulfate ion and its hydrates. Comparing the HSO(4)(-)/H(2)O system to the neutral H(2)SO(4)/H(2)O cluster, water binds more strongly to the anion than it does to the neutral molecules. The difference in the binding thermodynamics of HSO(4)(-)/H(2)O and H(2)SO(4)/H(2)O systems decreases with increasing number of waters. The thermodynamics for the formation of HSO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n=1-5) is favorable at 298.15 K, and that of HSO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n=1-6) is favorable for T < 273.15 K. The HSO(4)(-) ion is almost always hydrated at temperatures and relative humidity values encountered in the troposphere. Because the bisulfate ion binds more strongly to sulfuric acid than it does to water, it is expected to play a role in ion-induced nucleation by forming a strong complex with sulfuric acid and water, thus facilitating the formation of a critical nucleus.     

Syntheses, structural studies, and magnetic properties of divalent Cu and Co selenites with organic constituents

Six new divalent metal selenites have been synthesized by hydro-/solvothermal methods which leads to the incorporation of the organic template as a cation or a ligand. The structure of [H(2)pip][Cu(SeO(3))(2)] (1) (pip=piperazine) features 1D anionic chains of [Cu(SeO(3))(2)](2-) which are cross-linked by the template cations through hydrogen bonds into a 2D layer. In [Cu(C(3)H(4)N(2))(SeO(3))] (2) the organic template is coordinated to the copper(II) ion of the inorganic Cu(SeO(3)) layer. The isostructural compounds [H(2)en][M(HSeO(3))(2)Cl(2)] (en=ethylenediamine; M=Cu (3), Co (4)) contain layers of [MCl(2)(HSeO(3))(2)](2-) units (M=Cu, Co), which are cross-linked by the template cations via hydrogen bonds into a 3D network. The structure of [H(2)en][Cu(2)(SeO(3))(2)(HSeO(3))](2)H(2)O (5), consists of a pillared layered architecture in which the Cu(SeO(3)) layers are further interconnected by bridging hydrogen selenite groups (the pillar). The compound [H(2)pip][Cu(2)(Se(2)O(5))(3)] (6), which crystallizes as a 3D open framework represents the first organically templated metal diselenite. These new compounds are thermally stable up to at least 170 degrees C. All of the compounds exhibit fairly strong antiferromagnetic interactions. More interestingly, compounds 3 and 4 behave as a weak ferromagnets below the critical temperatures of T(c)=12 and 8 K, respectively, and both of them exhibit spin-flop phase transitions around 800+/-100 Oe.     

吗啡啉功能化酸性离子液体的合成、表征及其催化酯化性能

制备和表征了三种新型质子酸离子液体: 吗啡啉硫酸氢盐([Hnhm]HSO4)、4-甲基吗啡啉硫酸氢盐 ([Hnmm]HSO4)和SO3H-功能化的4-(3-磺丙基)吗啡啉硫酸氢盐([C3SO3Hnhm]HSO4). 以氯乙酸(CAA)和乙醇合成氯乙酸乙酯的酯化反应考察了它们的酸性和催化活性, 并与1-(3-磺酸基)丙基-3-甲基咪唑硫酸氢盐、1-(3-磺丙基)吡啶硫酸氢盐、1-(3-磺丙基)-2-吡咯烷酮硫酸氢盐等三种具有不同氮杂环的SO3H-功能化酸性离子液体以及浓硫酸相对照. 结果表明, 上述SO3H-功能化离子液体对酯化反应的催化性能比非SO3H-功能化的[Hnhm]HSO4和[Hnmm]HSO4都高, 等同甚至优于浓硫酸. 当反应条件为: n(EtOH)∶n(CAA)∶n([C3SO3Hnhm]HSO4)＝1.3∶1∶0.2, 反应温度80 ℃, 反应时间3 h, 酯收率可达93.4%. 而且离子液体经真空干燥重复使用9次, 催化活性仍无明显下降. 以[C3SO3Hnhm]HSO4催化乙酸和不同醇的酯化反应获得较高的酯收率和选择性, 离子液体跟酯产物均能自动分相. 还考察了SO3H-功能化酸性离子液体对奥氏体316不锈钢的腐蚀性. 尽管SO3H-功能化离子液体与硫酸的酸性相近, 但对钢试样的腐蚀率不到硫酸的1/3.     

Communication: Vibrational spectroscopy of atmospherically relevant acid cluster anions: bisulfate versus nitrate core structures

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra for the smallest atmospherically relevant anions of sulfuric and nitric acid allow us to characterize structures and distinguish between clusters with a bisulfate or a nitrate core. We find that bisulfate is the main charge carrier for HSO(4)(-)·H(2)SO(4)·HNO(3) but not for NO(3)(-)·H(2)SO(4)·HNO(3). For the mixed dimer anion, we find evidence for the presence of two isomers: HSO(4)(-)·HNO(3) and NO(3)(-)·H(2)SO(4). Density functional calculations accompany the experimental results and provide support for these observations.     

Interaction of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Sulfuric Acid,Bisulfate and Sulfate Anions

<正>Intermolecular geometries and energies of the dimers formed between simple aromatic hydrocarbons(benzene,toluene and naphthalene)and sulfate species(sulfuric acid, bisulfate and sulfate)were studied by density functional theory.The AH:H_2SO_4 complexes were determined by the OH-πH-bond,with H_2SO_4 acting as the H-bond donor and AHs as the acceptor. However,the AHs:HSO_4~-and AHs:SO_4~(2-)complexes were established by the H-bond,with AHs serving as acid and HSO_4~-or SO_4~(2-)as alkali.The atmospheric implications of those complexes were strongly supported by their considerable binding energies.     

Bond energies and structures of ammonia-sulfuric acid positive cluster ions

New particle formation in the atmosphere is initiated by nucleation of gas-phase species. The small molecular clusters that act as seeds for new particles are stabilized by the incorporation of an ion. Ion-induced nucleation of molecular cluster ions containing sulfuric acid generates new particles in the background troposphere. The addition of a proton-accepting species to sulfuric acid cluster ions can further stabilize them and may promote nucleation under a wider range of conditions. To understand and accurately predict atmospheric nucleation, the stabilities of each molecular cluster within a chemical family must be known. We present the first comprehensive measurements of the ammonia-sulfuric acid positive ion cluster system NH(4)(+)(NH(3))(n)(H(2)SO(4))(s). Enthalpies and entropies of individual growth steps within this system were measured using either an ion flow reactor-mass spectrometer system under equilibrium conditions or by thermal decomposition of clusters in an ion trap mass spectrometer. Low level ab initio structural calculations provided inputs to a master equation model to determine bond energies from thermal decomposition measurements. Optimized ab initio structures for clusters up through n = 3, s = 3 are reported. Upon addition of ammonia and sulfuric acid pairs, internal proton transfer generates multiple NH(4)(+) and HSO(4)(-) ions within the clusters. These multiple-ion structures are up to 50 kcal mol(-1) more stable than corresponding isomers that retain neutral NH(3) and H(2)SO(4) species. The lowest energy n = s clusters are composed entirely of ions. The addition of acid-base pairs to the core NH(4)(+) ion generates nanocrystals that begin to resemble the ammonium bisulfate bulk crystal starting with the smallest n = s cluster, NH(4)(+)(NH(3))(1)(H(2)SO(4))(1). In the absence of water, this cluster ion system nucleates spontaneously for conditions that encompass most of the free troposphere.     

Quantum mechanical study of sulfuric acid hydration: atmospheric implications

The role of the binary nucleation of sulfuric acid in aerosol formation and its implications for global warming is one of the fundamental unsettled questions in atmospheric chemistry. We have investigated the thermodynamics of sulfuric acid hydration using ab initio quantum mechanical methods. For H(2)SO(4)(H(2)O)(n) where n = 1-6, we used a scheme combining molecular dynamics configurational sampling with high-level ab initio calculations to locate the global and many low lying local minima for each cluster size. For each isomer, we extrapolated the M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) energies to their complete basis set (CBS) limit and added finite temperature corrections within the rigid-rotor-harmonic-oscillator (RRHO) model using scaled harmonic vibrational frequencies. We found that ionic pair (HSO(4)(-)·H(3)O(+))(H(2)O)(n-1) clusters are competitive with the neutral (H(2)SO(4))(H(2)O)(n) clusters for n ≥ 3 and are more stable than neutral clusters for n ≥ 4 depending on the temperature. The Boltzmann averaged Gibbs free energies for the formation of H(2)SO(4)(H(2)O)(n) clusters are favorable in colder regions of the troposphere (T = 216.65-273.15 K) for n = 1-6, but the formation of clusters with n ≥ 5 is not favorable at higher (T > 273.15 K) temperatures. Our results suggest the critical cluster of a binary H(2)SO(4)-H(2)O system must contain more than one H(2)SO(4) and are in concert with recent findings (1) that the role of binary nucleation is small at ambient conditions, but significant at colder regions of the troposphere. Overall, the results support the idea that binary nucleation of sulfuric acid and water cannot account for nucleation of sulfuric acid in the lower troposphere.     

Hydrogen transfer between sulfuric acid and hydroxyl radical in the gas phase: competition among hydrogen atom transfer, proton-coupled electron-transfer, and double proton transfer

In an attempt to assess the potential role of the hydroxyl radical in the atmospheric degradation of sulfuric acid, the hydrogen transfer between H2SO4 and HO* in the gas phase has been investigated by means of DFT and quantum-mechanical electronic-structure calculations, as well as classical transition state theory computations. The first step of the H2SO4 + HO* reaction is the barrierless formation of a prereactive hydrogen-bonded complex (Cr1) lying 8.1 kcal mol(-1) below the sum of the (298 K) enthalpies of the reactants. After forming Cr1, a single hydrogen transfer from H2SO4 to HO* and a degenerate double hydrogen-exchange between H2SO4 and HO* may occur. The single hydrogen transfer, yielding HSO4* and H2O, can take place through three different transition structures, the two lowest energy ones (TS1 and TS2) corresponding to a proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism, whereas the higher energy one (TS3) is associated with a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism. The double hydrogen-exchange, affording products identical to reactants, takes place through a transition structure (TS4) involving a double proton-transfer mechanism and is predicted to be the dominant pathway. A rate constant of 1.50 x 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 298 K is obtained for the overall reaction H2SO4 + HO*. The single hydrogen transfer through TS1, TS2, and TS3 contributes to the overall rate constant at 298 K with a 43.4%. It is concluded that the single hydrogen transfer from H2SO4 to HO* yielding HSO4* and H2O might well be a significant sink for gaseous sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.     

Au2(SeO3)2(SeO4): synthesis and characterization of a new noncentrosymmetric selenite-selenate

The reaction of elemental gold and selenic acid in Teflon-lined steel autoclaves leads to orange-yellow single crystals of Au2(SeO3)2(SeO4) (orthorhombic, Z = 4, Cmc2(1) (No. 36), a = 1689.1(3) pm, b = 630.13(8) pm, c = 832.7(1) pm, V = 886.2(2) angstroms3, Rall = 0.0452). In the crystal structure, Au3+ is surrounded by four oxygen atoms of just as many monodentate SeO3(2-) ions in a square planar manner. The linkage of the polyhedra leads to double chains in the [001] direction which are connected to puckered layers by SeO4(2-) groups. The noncentrosymmetric space group could be proved by the observation of an SHG effect upon irridation at 1064 nm that shows an efficiency of about 43% compared to a KDP reference. Upon heating, Au2(SeO3)2(SeO4) decomposes at about 370 degrees C in one step yielding elemental gold. The presence of selenite and selenate groups in the compounds is also obvious from the IR and Raman spectra which show the characteristic bands of both species. Furthermore, solid-state NMR spectra reveal the different surroundings of the selenium atoms in the compound.     

Hydrothermal syntheses, structures, and properties of the new uranyl selenites Ag(2)(UO(2))(SeO(3))(2), M[(UO(2))(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))] (M = K, Rb, Cs, Tl), and Pb(UO(2))(SeO(3))(2)

The transition metal, alkali metal, and main group uranyl selenites, Ag(2)(UO(2))(SeO(3))(2) (1), K[(UO(2))(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))] (2), Rb[(UO(2))(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))] (3), Cs[(UO(2))(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))] (4), Tl[(UO(2))(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))] (5), and Pb(UO(2))(SeO(3))(2) (6), have been prepared from the hydrothermal reactions of AgNO(3), KCl, RbCl, CsCl, TlCl, or Pb(NO(3))(2) with UO(3) and SeO(2) at 180 degrees C for 3 d. The structures of 1-5 contain similar [(UO(2))(SeO(3))(2)](2-) sheets constructed from pentagonal bipyramidal UO(7) units that are joined by bridging SeO(3)(2-) anions. In 1, the selenite oxo ligands that are not utilized within the layers coordinate the Ag(+) cations to create a three-dimensional network structure. In 2-5, half of the selenite ligands are monoprotonated to yield a layer composition of [(UO(2))(HSeO(3))(SeO(3))](1-), and coordination of the K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), and Tl(+) cations occurs through long ionic contacts. The structure of 6 contains a uranyl selenite layered substructure that differs substantially from those in 1-5 because the selenite anions adopt both bridging and chelating binding modes to the uranyl centers. Furthermore, the Pb(2+) cations form strong covalent bonds with these anions creating a three-dimensional framework. These cations occur as distorted square pyramidal PbO(5) units with stereochemically active lone pairs of electrons. These polyhedra align along the c-axis to create a polar structure. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements revealed a response of 5x alpha-quartz for 6. The diffuse reflectance spectrum of 6 shows optical transitions at 330 and 440 nm. The trailing off of the 440 nm transition to longer wavelengths is responsible for the orange coloration of 6.     

Organically templated vanadyl selenites with layered structures

Two layered vanadyl selenites with the compositions, [DABCOH2]0.5[(VIVO)(HSeO3)(SeO3)].H2O,I, and [enH2][(VivO)2-(VVO)O2(SeO3)3]-.1.25H2O, II, have been prepared by the reaction of NaVO3 with SeO2 or H2SeO4 under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of organic amines. Crystal data: I, orthorhombic, space group Pbcn (No. 60), a = 6.3152(3) A, b = 18.1918(8) A, c = 17.7172(8) A, V = 2035.4(2) A3, Z = 8, R1 (all data) = 0.0368; II, triclinic, space group P1 (No.2), a = 6.3406(2) A, b = 10.2085(3) A, c = 13.2551(10) A, alpha = 101.238(2) degrees, beta = 96.503(2) degrees, gamma = 104.332(2) degrees, V = 803.47(4) A3, Z = 2, R1 (all data) = 0.0814. While I contains the ladder motif, commonly found in open-framework metal phosphates, II is formed by a secondary building unit composed of a V4O18 cluster along with SeO3 and VO5 groups. The study demonstrates that the selenite unit can be fruitfully exploited to design interesting open-framework structures.     

Electrical conductances of aqueous Na2SO4, H2SO4, and their mixtures: limiting equivalent ion conductances, dissociation constants, and speciation to 673 K and 28 MPa

The electrical conductivities of aqueous solutions of Na(2)SO(4), H(2)SO(4), and their mixtures have been measured at 373-673 K at 12-28 MPa in dilute solutions for molalities up to 10(-2) mol kg(-1). These conductivities have been fit to the conductance equation of Turq et al.(1) with a consensus mixing rule and mean spherical approximation activity coefficients. Provided the concentration is not too high, all of the data can be fitted by a solution model that includes ion association to form NaSO(4)(-), Na(2)SO(4)(0), HSO(4)(-), H(2)SO(4)(0), and NaHSO(4)(0). The adjustable parameters of this model are the dissociation constants of the SO(4)(-) species and the H(+), SO(4)(-2), and HSO(4)(-) conductances (ion mobilities) at infinite dilution. For the 673 K and 230 kg m(-3) state point with the lowest dielectric constant, epsilon = 3.5, where the Coulomb interactions are the strongest, this model does not fit the experimental data above a solution molality of 0.016. Including the species H(9)(SO(4))(5)(-) gave satisfactory fits to the conductance data at the higher concentrations.     

Atoms-in-molecules analysis of extended hypervalent five-center, six-electron (5c-6e) C(2)Z(2)O interactions at the 1,8,9-positions of anthraquinone and 9-methoxyanthracene systems

To clarify the nature of five-center, six-electron (5c-6e) C(2)Z(2)O interactions, atoms-in-molecules (AIM) analysis has been applied to an anthraquinone, 1,8-(MeZ)(2)ATQ (1 (Z=Se), 2 (Z=S), and 3 (Z=O)), and a 9-methoxyanthracene system, 9-MeO-1,8-(MeZ)(2)ATC (4 (Z=Se), 5 (Z=S), and 6 (Z=O)), as well as 1-(MeZ)ATQ (7 (Z=Se), 8 (Z=S), and 9 (Z=O)) and 9-MeO-1-(MeZ)ATC (10 (Z=Se), 11 (Z=S), and 12 (Z=O)). The total electronic energy density (H(b)(r(c))) at the bond critical points (BCPs), an appropriate index for weak interactions, has been examined for 5c-6e C(2)Z(2)O and 3c-4e CZO interactions of the n(p)(O)sigma*(Z--C) type in 1-12. Some hydrogen-bonded adducts were also re-examined for convenience of comparison. The total electronic energy densities varied in the following order: OO (3: H(b)(r(c))=0.0028 au)=OO (6: 0.0028 au)>OO (9: 0.0025 au)> or =NNHF (0.0024 au)> or =OO (12: 0.0023 au)>H(2)OHOH (0.0015 au)>SO (8: 0.0013 au)=SO (2: 0.0013 au)> or =SO (11: 0.0012 au)=SO (5: 0.0012 au)>HFHF (0.0008 au)=SeO (10: 0.0008 au)=SeO (4: 0.0008 au)> or =SeO (1: 0.0007 au)> or =SeO (7: 0.0006 au)>HCNHF (-0.0013 au). H(b)(r(c)) values for SO were predicted to be smaller than the hydrogen bond of H(2)OHOH and H(b)(r(c)) values for SeO are very close to or slightly smaller than that for HFHF in both the ATQ and 9-MeOATC systems. In the case of Z=Se and S, H(b)(r(c)) values for 5c-6e C(2)Z(2)O interactions are essentially equal to those for 3c-4e CZO if Z is the same. The results demonstrate that two n(p)(O)sigma*(Z--C) 3c-4e interactions effectively connect through the central n(p)(O) orbital to form the extended hypervalent 5c-6e system of the sigma*(C--Z)n(p)(O)sigma*(Z--C) type for Z=Se and S in both systems. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealed that n(s)(O) also contributes to some extent. The electron charge densities at the BCPs, NBO analysis, and the total energies calculated for 1-12, together with the structural changes in the PhSe derivatives, support the above discussion.     

Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy of the sulfuric acid anion adsorbed on Pd(S)-[n(111) x (111)] electrodes

Adsorption of the sulfuric acid anion (HSO4- or SO42-) has been studied on Pd(S)-[n(111) x (111)] electrodes (n = 2, 3, 5, 9, 20, infinity) using in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). A single band is observed around 1200 cm(-1) on all the electrodes. The band is assigned to the SO stretching vibration of the sulfuric acid anion adsorbed with three- or onefold geometry. This result differs from the case of Pt-stepped surfaces on which two IRAS bands are observed around 1200 and 1100 cm(-1). The maximum coverage of the sulfuric acid anion is enhanced with the increase of the terrace width. The surfaces with n more than 3 have similar IRAS band shifts (dv/dE). Pd-stepped surfaces, for which the terrace is wide enough for the anion adsorption, adsorb the anion on the terrace rather than the step.     

Effective diffusion coefficients for methanol in sulfuric acid solutions measured by Raman spectroscopy

The diffusion of methanol into 0-96.5 wt % sulfuric acid solutions was followed using Raman spectroscopy. Because methanol reacts to form protonated methanol (CH 3OH 2 (+)) and methyl hydrogen sulfate in H 2SO 4 solutions, the reported diffusion coefficients, D, are effective diffusion coefficients that include all of the methyl species diffusing into H 2SO 4. The method was first verified by measuring D for methanol into water. The value obtained here, D = (1.4 +/- 0.6) x 10 (-5) cm (2)/s, agrees well with values found in the literature. The values of D in 39.2-96.5 wt % H 2SO 4 range from (0.11-0.3) x 10 (-5) cm (2)/s, with the maximum value of D occurring for 61.6 wt % H 2SO 4. The effective diffusion coefficients do not vary systematically with the viscosity of the solutions, suggesting that the speciation of both methanol and sulfuric acid may be important in determining these transport coefficients.     

Laser desorption/ionization and laser ablation synthesis of new selenium oxide compounds from selenium(IV) dioxide

Laser desorption/ionization (LDI) and/or laser ablation (LA) of selenium dioxide crystals or its mixtures with sodium peroxide were studied using a commercial matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. It was found that LDI and LA of selenium (IV) dioxide not only ionizes SeO(2), but also leads to the formation of several positively and negatively singly charged species: SeO(n) (+) (n = 0-2), Se(2) (+), SeO(n) (-) (n = 0-4), Se(2)O(n) (-) (n = 3-7), Se(3)O(n) (-) (n = 4-9), Se(4)O(n) (-) (n = 8-10). A rather high yield of selenium species in the positive ion mode, Se(m) (+) (m = 1-8) and Se(m)OH(+) (m = 3-7), was obtained by using the MALDI approach while the species detected in the negative ion mode, SeO(n) (-) (n = 0-4), Se(2)O(n) (-) (n = 3-7), Se(3)O(n) (-) (n = 4-9), and Se(4)O(n) (-) (n = 9, 10), were the same as those observed during LDI/LA of selenium dioxide. The addition of sodium peroxide to selenium dioxide with the aim of enhancing its oxidation and thus increasing the production of SeO(4) product resulted in extensive cationization of the species with sodium or potassium. The following positively and negatively charged species were identified: Se(+), Se(2) (+), Se(2)OH(+), Se(2)ONa(+), SeO(n) (-) (n = 0-3), and Se(2)O(n) (-) (n = 0, 1, 4). Also observed in mass spectra of such mixtures, various mixed sodium and/or potassium adducts with selenium oxide species, e.g. Se(2)O(4)K(2)Na(-), were identified. In all, 26 totally new species, Se(2)O(n) (-) (n = 3-6), Se(3)O(n) (-) (n = 4-9), Se(4)O(n) (-) (n = 8-10), Se(4)O(11)H(5) (-), Se(4)O(12)H(3) (-), Se(2)O(4)Na(-), Se(2)O(5)HNa(-), Se(2)O(5)HNa(2) (-), Se(3)O(6)K(2)Na(-), Se(3)O(6)K(2)Na(2) (-), Se(2)ONa(+), and Se(m)OH(+) (m = 3-7), were described for the first time. Also, for the first time, the formation of selenium(IV) diperoxide, O-O-Se-O-O or O(2)SeO(2), is described. The stoichiometries of the compounds generated were confirmed using isotopic pattern modeling.     

Size-dependent charge-separation reaction for hydrated sulfate dianion cluster, SO(2-)(H2O)n, with n=3-7

The decrease in the reaction rate for the charge separation in SO(4) (2-)(H(2)O)(n) with increasing cluster size is examined by first-principles calculations of the energetics, activation barriers, and thermal stability for n=3-7. The key factor governing the charge separation is the difference in the strength of solvation interaction: while interaction with water is strong for the reactant SO(4) (2-) and the product OH(-), it is relatively weak for HSO(4) (-). It gives rise to a barrier for charge separation as SO(4) (2-) is transformed into HSO(4) (-) and OH(-), although the overall reaction energy is exothermic. The barrier is high when more than two H(2)O are left to solvate HSO(4) (-), as in the case of symmetric solvation structure and in the case of large clusters. The entropy is another important factor since the potential surface is floppy and the thermal motion facilitates the symmetric distribution of H(2)O around SO(4) (2-), which leads to the gradual reduction in reaction rate and the eventual switch-off of charge separation as cluster size increases. The experimentally observed products for n=3-5 are explained by the thermally most favorable isomer at each size, obtained by ab initio molecular-dynamics simulations rather than by the isomer with the lowest energy.