Intercalation of water and guest molecules within Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>–Montmorillonite

The high potential for intercalations by water and various guest molecules is induced by the exchangeable cation inside Ca²⁺–Montmorillonite gallery. XRD peak for Mon at 2θ = 6.04° (d ₀₀₁ = 1.462 nm) shows the structural effect on the clay gallery influenced by the intercalated water layers. Further increases in the gallery height are observed with the intercalation of octadecyl ammonium cations in OMON (d ₀₀₁ = 1.840 nm) and ENR-50 matrix chains in CENR-50 (d ₀₀₁ = 1.954 nm). DSC studies on the other hand reveal the thermal behaviors of intercalated molecules that are linked to the exchangeable cations. The endothermic of Ca²⁺–Montmorillonite (H _Mon = 356.3 J/g) in low temperature range (30–100 °C) indicates the removal of free water and hydrogen bonded water molecules, while the endothermic around 150 °C is related to the induced skeletal layer of water within Ca²⁺–Montmorillonite. The OMON endothermic (H _OMON = 47.0 J/g, T _m = 36.94 °C) tells that cation exchange had modified the water structures and content inside the renewed clay. The intercalation of ENR-50 chains into OMON gallery reveals two endothermic with the T _m1 and T _m2 are at 86.24 and 113.80 °C, respectively. These T _ms confirm that the alkyl chain segment on octadecyl ammonium cation occupy the OMON interlayer space.     

Research on photosensitivity of benzoquinones and benzoquinoneimines in the sunlight/Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript> system

This paper investigated the photodegradation characteristics of benzoquinones and benzoquinoneimines. The photosensitivity of benzoquinones and benzoquinoneimines were analyzed by measuring the yield of SO ₄ ^?· in a light/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈ ^2? system and the degradation mechanism of benzoquinones, then discussed benzoquinoneimines in light/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈ ^2? and light/S₂O₈ ^2? system. The results revealed that a more aggressive oxidation of benzoquinones and benzoquinoneimines by the sunlight/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈ ^2? method showed a more rapid and more complete removal of chromaticity than that of the UV/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈ ^2? method. It was showed that they were photosensitizers, and they could generate ¹O₂ and O ₂ ^?· which could promote the formation of SO ₄ ^?· and ^·OH in the sunlight system. Nevertheless, for benzoquinones, the sunlight/S₂O₈ ^2? method was superior to the UV/S₂O₈ ^2? method. For benzoquinoneimines, the sunlight/S₂O₈ ^2? method was inferior to the UV/S₂O₈ ^2? method. In addition, the yield of SO ₄ ^?· in the sunlight/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈ ^2? system was more than that of the UV/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈ ^2? system. Therefore, the photosensitivity of benzoquinones is superior to benzoquinoneimines in water treatment.     

Analysis of the aromaticity in extended systems formed from isoelectronic Al<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript> and C<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript> aromatic clusters

Inspired by carbo-benzene and its inorganic analogues, in the current work, the viability of extended systems (called carbomers) formed from aromatic small rings was studied. The aluminum aromatic cluster, Al₄^2?, and its isoelectronic carbon analogue, C₄²⁺, were employed as starting point. The insertion of alkynyl units into the Al–Al and C–C bonds results in the extended molecules named carbomers. These molecules were compared with the global minima structures, which were searched employing the genetic algorithm program, GEGA. The electronic delocalization (aromaticity) of the isomers was studied with the induced magnetic field (B^ind). The results showed that global minimum of C₁₂²⁺ (formed from C₄²⁺) was an unexpected diatropic structure which presented a similar magnetic response to the C₄²⁺ cluster. Also, optical properties of C₁₂²⁺ were computed.     

Complexation of 4′-nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 with Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Ba<Superscript>2+</Superscript> metal cations in acetonitrile-methanol binary solutions

The complex formation reactions between Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ metal cations with macrocyclic ligand, 4′-nitrobenzo-15C5, were studied in acetonitrile (AN)-methanol (MeOH) binary mixtures at different temperatures using conductometric method. The results show that 4′-nitrobenzo-15C5 forms 1:1 [ML] complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ metal cations in solutions. But in the case of Ba²⁺ cation a 1:2 [ML₂] complex is formed in these solvent systems. The stability of the complexes is sensitive to the solvent composition and a non-linear behavior was observed for variation of logK _f of the complexes versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents. The stability constants of complexes decrease suddenly with increasing the concentration of methanol in this binary system. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH _c^° and ΔS _c^°) for formation of (4′-nitrobenzo-15C5.Mg)²⁺, (4′-nitrobenzo-15C5.Ca)²⁺ and (4′-nitrobenzo-15C5.Sr)²⁺ complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constants and the results show that these parameters are affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents. A non-linear behavior is observed between the ΔS _c^° and the composition of the mixed solvents.     

Extractive separation of Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>–Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript>–Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> mixtures using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylideneaniline

A study on the extraction of copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) from solutions containing ions of both metals with N-salicylideneaniline(SAN) in chloroform has been realized. Distribution of the metal ions in wide range of pH has been studied. Extraction of copper(II) was always favored over that of cobalt(II). Extraction of copper(II) from binary metal solution is selective and it can be quantitatively separated from cobalt(II). The equilibrium constant of the extraction of cobalt and nickel from an aqueous solution containing both metals using SAN were evaluated. The separation factors for cobalt and nickel were expressed as a function of the distribution of nickel and cobalt. From these results, salicylideneaniline is an adequate extractant for extractive separation of such mixtures.     

Experimental Determination of the Isotherm at 15°C of the System Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, SO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2</Superscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Summary.  The diagram of the ternary system Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O was established at 15°C by means of analytical and conductimetric measurements. Three compounds were found in this diagram, which are MgSO₄·6H₂O, MgSO₄·7H₂O, and MgCl₂·6H₂O. The solubility field of MgSO₄·7H₂O is important whereas those of MgSO₄·6H₂O and MgCl₂·6H₂O are small. The compositions (mass-%) of the two invariant points determined by the two methods are: MgSO₄:MgCl₂=2.73:33.80 and MgSO₄: MgCl₂=3.38:28.91. Both the measured and the calculated isotherm at 15°C have been used for modelling of the diagram Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O between 0 and 35°C. The polythermal invariant point was approximately located between 15 and 10°C.  Corresponding author. E-mail: ariguib@planet.tn Received October 16, 2002; accepted (revised) December 3, 2002 Published online April 24, 2003 RID="a" ID="a" Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Heinz Gamsj?ger on the occasion of his 70^th birthday     

Complexation of 4′-Nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 with Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Sn<Superscript>4+</Superscript> Cations in Acetonitrile–Ethanol Binary Mixtures

The complexation reactions of 4′-nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 (4′NB15C5) with Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Sn⁴⁺ cations were studied in acetonitrile–ethanol (AN–EtOH) binary solvent mixtures at different temperatures by the electrical conductometry method. The stability constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were determined from computer fitting of the conductance versus mole ratio data. The results show that the selectivity order of 4′NB15C5 for the metal cations in the AN–EtOH (mol-%AN=76) binary solvent at 298.15 K is: Cr³⁺>Mn²⁺≈Zn²⁺>Sn⁴⁺, but the selectivity order changes with the composition of the mixed solvents. A nonlinear relationship was observed between the stability constants (log ₁₀ K _f) of these complexes and the composition of the AN–EtOH binary solvents. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (DH_c^o, DS_c^o)(\Delta H_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{o}}, \Delta S_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{o}}) were obtained from the temperature dependence of the stability constants using van’t Hoff plots. The results show that the values and also the sign of these parameters are influenced by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.     

A study of the hydrolysis of ZrF<Stack><Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack> and the structure of intermediate hydrolysis products by <Superscript>19</Superscript>F and <Superscript>91</Superscript>Zr NMR in the 9.4 T field

The high-field ¹⁹F and ⁹¹Zr NMR method is used to study the hydrolysis and polycondensation of hexafluorozirconate ZrF₆²⁻ in aqueous and water-peroxide solutions. During hydrolysis in aqueous solutions only ZrF₆²⁻ and F⁻ ions were observed by NMR, however, in the water-peroxide medium, an intermediate product of hydrolysis ([F₅Zr-OO-ZrF₅]⁴⁻ dimer) was detected. The dimer structure is confirmed by ¹⁹F and ⁹¹Zr NMR. In high fields (¹⁹F NMR frequency > 200 MHz), the fluorine exchange between ZrF₆²⁻ and F⁻ is slow in the ¹⁹F NMR scale and has a multisite character.     

Theoretical evaluation of the radiative lifetimes of LiCs and NaCs in the A<Superscript>1</Superscript>Σ<Superscript>+</Superscript> state

Calculations of the adiabatic potential energy curves and the transition dipole moments between the ground (A¹Σ⁺) and the first excited (A¹Σ⁺) states have been determined for the LiCs and NaCs molecules. The calculations are performed using an ab initio approach based on non-empirical pseudopotentials for Cs⁺, Li⁺ and Na⁺ cores, parameterized l-dependent polarization potentials and full configuration interaction calculations. The potential energy curves and the transition dipole moment are used to estimate the radiative lifetimes of the vibrational levels of the A⁺Σ⁺ state using the Franck–Condon (FC) approximation and the approximate sum rule method. The radiative lifetimes associated with the A⁺Σ⁺ state are presented here for the first time. These data can help experimentalists to optimize photoassociative formation of ultracold molecules and their longevity in a trap or in an optical lattice.     

Studies on structure and electrochemical properties of pillared M–MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M=Ba<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, ZrO<Superscript>2+</Superscript>)

Supramolecular pillared oxides were prepared through the intercalation of M²⁺ cations into a MnO₂ host matrix by the method of ion exchange between the precursor δ-K _x MnO₂ and the corresponding guest. The materials M-MnO₂ crystallize in the hexagonal system, the same structure as the precursor, with a larger interlamellar spacing. In the case of ZrO-MnO₂, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) determination indicates that the Zr atom locates between the MnO₂ layers forming a stable structure. Compared with the precursor, the cycling property of M-MnO₂ was improved distinctly, while the capacity decreased to some degree due to the strong interaction between pillars and the host matrix. Among these pillared materials, ZrO-MnO₂ has an advanced reversible capacity of 161.5 mAh·g⁻¹ and improved cycling behavior compared with the precursor.     

IR Luminescence of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> β-Diketonates in Different Aggregate States

The influence of the aggregate state on the IR luminescence is studied for the Nd(III), Sm(III), and Yb(III) complexes with the thienyl, phenyl, and alkyl derivatives of acetylacetone in solutions and as sorbates on the polymer matrix. It is found that the luminescence intensity of the sorbates of the complexes is 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than that in solutions due to the elimination of diffusion and respective intermolecular nonradiative losses of the excitation energy.     

Comparison of sorption of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on Kaolinite clay and polyvinyl alcohol-modified Kaolinite clay

Kaolinite clay obtained from Ubulu-Ukwu, Delta state in Nigeria was modified with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reagent to obtain PVA-modified Kaolinite clay adsorbent. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the PVA-modified adsorbent suggests that Kaolinite clay particles were made more compact in nature with no definite structure. Modification of Kaolinite clay with PVA increased its adsorption capacity for 300 mg/L Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ by a factor of at least 6, i.e., from 4.5 mg/g to 36.23 mg/g and from 4.38 mg/g to 29.85 mg/g, respectively, at 298 K. Binary mixtures of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ decreased the adsorption capacity of Unmodified Kaolinite clay for Pb²⁺ by 26.3% and for Cd²⁺ by 0.07%, respectively. In contrast, for PVA-modified Kaolinite clay, the reductions were up to 50.9% and 58.5% for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, respectively. The adsorption data of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ onto both Unmodified and PVA-modified Kaolinite clay adsorbents were found to fit the Pseudo-Second Order Kinetic model (PSOM), indicating that adsorption on both surfaces was mainly by chemisorption and is concentration dependent. However, kinetic adsorption data from both adsorbent generally failed the Pseudo-First order Kinetic model (PFOM) test. Extents of desorption of 91% Pb²⁺ and 94% Cd²⁺ were obtained, using 0.1 M HCl, for the Unmodified Kaolinite clay adsorbent. It was found that 99% Pb²⁺ and 97% Cd²⁺, were desorbed, for PVA-modified Kaolinite clay adsorbents within 3 min for 60 mg/L of the metal ions adsorbed by the adsorbents.     

Stability of coordination compounds of Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions with succinic acid anion in water–ethanol solvents

Stability constants of the coordination compounds of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) ions with succinic acid anion in water–ethanol solvents are determined via potentiometric titration at ionic strength of 0.1 and at T = 298.15 K. It is found that logβ values of monoligand complexes of these ions and succinic acid anions rise along with the content of ethanol in solution (X _EtOH = 0–0.7 mole fractions). Based on an analysis of the thermodynamic characteristics of the solvation of the reagents involved in complex formation, it is found that the increased stability of succinate complexes of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) ions in water–ethanol solvents is mainly determined by the weakening of the solvation of succinic acid anion (Y^2?).     

Isothermal solubility diagram of the 2Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>,Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>‖2Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, 2ClO<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>‒</Superscript></Stack>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O quaternary system at 20 and 100°C

The solubility in the 2Na⁺,Mg²⁺‖2Cl⁻, 2ClO₃⁻-H₂O system was studied at 20 and 100°C and the solubility diagrams were plotted. New compounds were not found to form in the title quaternary reciprocal system. The sodium chloride field was observed to expand with rising temperature.     

Standard thermodynamic functions and constants of the formation of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Lа<Superscript>3+</Superscript> complexes with glycine in aqueous solutions at 298 K

The enthalpies of complexation of glycine (HGly^±) with Nd³⁺ and La³⁺ ions at 298.15 K and at an ionic strength of 0.5 (KNO3) are determined by means of calorimetry. The thermodynamic characteristics of the reactions of formation are calculated for NdGly²⁺, NdGly ₂ ⁺ , LaGly²⁺, and LaGly ₂ ⁺ complexes.     

A theoretical study on the dynamics of the gas phase reaction of NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>(<Superscript>2</Superscript>B<Subscript>1</Subscript>) with HO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(<Superscript>2</Superscript>A″)

Quasi-classical trajectory calculations and stochastic one-dimensional chemical master equation simulation methods are used to study the dynamics of the reaction of amidogen radical [NH₂(²B₁)] with hydroperoxyl radical [HO₂(²A″)] on the lowest singlet electronic state. The title complex reaction takes place on a multi-well multichannel potential energy surface consisting of three deep potential wells and one van der Waals complex. In quasi-classical trajectory calculations a new analytical potential energy surface based on CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//MPW1K/6-31+G(d,p) ab initio method was driven and used to study the dynamics of the title reaction. In quasi-classical trajectory calculations, the reactive cross sections and reaction probabilities are determined for 200–2000 K relative translational energies to calculate the rate constants. The same ab initio method was used to have the necessary data for solving the one-dimensional chemical master equation to calculate the rate constants of different channels. In solving the master equation, the Lennard-Jones potential model was used to form the collision between the collider gases. The fractional populations of different intermediates and products in the early stages of the reaction were examined to determine the role of the energized intermediates and the van der Waals complex on the dynamics of the title reaction. Although the calculated total rate constants from both methods are in good agreement with the reported experimental values in the literature, the quasi-classical trajectory simulation predicts the formation of NH₂O + OH as the major channel in the title reaction in accordance with the previous studies (Sumathi and Peyerimhoff, Chem. Phys. Lett., 263:742–748, 1996), while the stochastic master equation simulation predicts the formation of HNO + H₂O as the major products.     

Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> → Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> energy transfer in Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and temperature characteristic of near-infrared photoluminescence

For the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ powders, the strong near-infrared photoluminescence (PL) centered at 1.535 μm derived from the energy transfer (ET) from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ was detected by a 978 nm laser diode excitation. Compared with that of Er³⁺ doped Al₂O₃ powders, the PL intensity enhanced about 9 times, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) extended from 82 to 90 nm, and the lifetime increased from 3.22 to 4.17 ms for Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ powders at room temperature. The ET coefficient of 2.18 × 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ s⁻¹ from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ was obtained based on the rate equations. The decrease of PL intensity with increasing temperature in the range of 298–733 K was observed, due to thermally enhanced nonradiative relaxation ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 dominated over thermally enhanced phonon-assisted ET in the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃.     

Cis→Trans Isomerization of Pro<Superscript>7</Superscript> in Oxytocin Regulates Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Binding

Ion mobility/mass spectrometry techniques are employed to investigate the binding of Zn²⁺ to the nine-residue peptide hormone oxytocin (OT, Cys¹-Tyr²-Ile³-Gln⁴-Asn⁵-Cys⁶-Pro⁷-Leu⁸-Gly⁹-NH₂, having a disulfide bond between Cys¹ and Cys⁶ residues). Zn²⁺ binding to OT is known to increase the affinity of OT for its receptor [Pearlmutter, A. F., Soloff, M. S.: Characterization of the metal ion requirement for oxytocin-receptor interaction in rat mammary gland membranes. J. Biol. Chem. 254, 3899–3906 (1979)]. In the absence of Zn²⁺, we find evidence for two primary OT conformations, which arise because the Cys⁶–Pro⁷ peptide bond exists in both the trans- and cis-configurations. Upon addition of Zn²⁺, we determine binding constants in water of K_A = 1.43 ± 0.24 and 0.42 ± 0.12 μM^?1, for the trans- and cis-configured populations, respectively. The Zn²⁺ bound form of OT, having a cross section of Ω = 235 Ų, has Pro⁷ in the trans-configuration, which agrees with a prior report [Wyttenbach, T., Liu, D., Bowers, M. T.: Interactions of the hormone oxytocin with divalent metal ions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 5993–6000 (2008)], in which it was proposed that Zn²⁺ binds to the peptide ring and is further coordinated by interaction of the C-terminal, Pro⁷-Leu⁸-Gly⁹-NH₂, tail. The present work shows that the cis-configuration of OT isomerizes to the trans-configuration upon binding Zn²⁺. In this way, the proline residue regulates Zn²⁺ binding to OT and, hence, is important in receptor binding.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Pulse radiolysis study of the oxidation of the I<Superscript>−</Superscript> ions with the radical anions Br<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>·−</Superscript> in an aqueous solution: formation and properties of the radical anion BrI<Superscript>·−</Superscript>

The radiation chemical redox transformations in solutions of bromides in the presence of minor additives of iodides were studied by pulse radiolysis. The change in the concentrations of the Br⁻ and I⁻ ions changes the ratio of the formed short-lived radical anions Br₂ ^·−, BrI^·−, and I₂ ^·−. The spectrum of the mixed radical anion BrI^·− contains a broad optical band at 370 nm with ɛ₃₇₀ = 9650 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The reduction potential of the BrI^·−/Br⁻, I⁻ pair is 1.25 V. The rate constants for the forward and backward reactions Br₂ ^·− + I⁻ ⇌ BrI^·− + Br⁻ are k _f = 4.3·10⁹ and k _r = 1.0·10⁵ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively; for the reactions BrI^·− ⇌ Br⁻ + I^·, k _f = 5.7·10⁸ s⁻¹ and k _r = 1.0·10¹⁰ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1787–1792, September, 2008.     

Catalysis of redox reactions by Ag@TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Ag@TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> core–shell type nanoparticles

Ag nanoparticles encapsulated by TiO₂ shells have the ability to catalyze redox reactions on their surface. By continually monitoring by use of UV–visible spectroscopy it was found that the surface charge of both TiO₂-coated and uncoated colloidal silver particles changed after chemical electron injection. The charging and discharging process of Ag@TiO₂ vary, depending on the different Ag content of the core–shell nanoparticles. In order to enhance the stability of Ag@TiO₂ colloids, Fe³⁺ was doped into the lattice of the TiO₂ shells. The experimental results showed that the Fe³⁺ ions have the capacity to store and transfer electrons. Furthermore, the charging and discharging rate can be controlled by changing the thickness of the TiO₂ shells, because they are limited by the diffusion distance of electrons through the TiO₂ shells.