Diffusion–Migration Currents on Microelectrodes in the Absence of Supporting Electrolyte at an Arbitrary Charge of Ions

Limiting diffusion–migration currents on microelectrodes in systems comprising two types of electroactive ions and one type of inactive ions with arbitrary charges (z _j) and diffusion coefficients (D _j) are calculated. The electric field which induces the ion migration disappears when the condition D ₁₂/D ₂₁ = z ₁/z ₂ is fulfilled for two types of electroactive ions, where _j are their stoichiometric coefficients in the electrode reaction. For a reversible [Fe(CN)₆]^3–/4– system on microelectrodes, the migration effects are more pronounced as compared with the convective reactant delivery, which is explained by the different nature of the dependence of the limiting current on the diffusion coefficient.     

Liebig–Denigès Method of Cyanide Determination: A Comparative Study of Two Approaches

The paper compares two approaches to the simulated argentometric titration of cyanide with the use of the modified Liebig?CDenigès (L-D) method, carried out according to GATES and applied with (1) classical and (2) pH-static titrations. Both approaches are discussed thoroughly and the results obtained from calculations are presented graphically. The calculations are performed with the use of an iterative computer program, based on charge and concentration balances and expressions for equilibrium constants, providing all physicochemical knowledge of the dynamic system in question. This way, physicochemical knowledge on complex electrolytic systems can be gained during the analytical procedure, i.e., the physicochemical and analytical knowledge are interrelated. The simulations follow the analytical procedures applied in experimental titrations and so provide an example of searching for the best a priori conditions for the quantitative analysis of cyanide. The computer program for pH-static titrations (described in this paper) enables one to carry out the simulation procedures with different preliminary data (concentrations, volumes).     

New Chemical Technologies Based on Turing Reaction–Diffusion Processes

Doklady Chemistry - Diamond–SiC composite materials were obtained by impregnation with gaseous and liquid Si. The mechanisms of the impregnation and consolidation of the diamond–silicon...     

Two extended organic–inorganic hybrids based on sandwich tungstogermanates

Two inorganic–organic composite polyoxotungstates, [Cu(en)₂(H₂O)]₂[Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂]-{[Cu(en)₂]₃[Cu₄(GeW₉O₃₄)₂]} · 10H₂O (1, en = ethylenediamine) and (H₂en){[Zn(en)₂]₄-[Zn₄(Hen)₂(GeW₉O₃₄)₂]} · 10H₂O (2), were hydrothermally synthesized and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 consist of sandwich polyanions [Cu₄(B-α-GeW₉O₃₄)₂]^12? or [Zn₄(Hen)₂(GeW₉O₃₄)₂]^10? linked by [M(en)₂]²⁺ bridges to form 2-D networks, which are further packed into a 3-D supramolecular porous framework via extensive hydrogen bonding interactions. Their IR and UV spectra, thermal stabilities, and cyclic voltammograms were also investigated.     

Two inorganic–organic hybrids based on a polyoxometalate: Structures,characterizations, and epoxidation of olefins

Two new inorganic–organic hybrids, [Co₃(bpdo)₆(H₂O)₄Cl₂][SiW₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O (Co-SiW) and [Ni₃(bpdo)₆(H₂O)₄Cl₂][SiW₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O (Ni-SiW) (bpdo = 4,4′-bis(pyridine-N-oxide)), were synthesized from the Keggin-type [SiW₁₂O₄₀] anion and Co(II) and Ni(II) under hydrothermal conditions, respectively, and characterized by elemental analyses, powder XRD, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural analysis indicates that the 1D chain is constructed from a POM-based half-cage as a secondary building block linked by bridging bpdo ligands. The zigzag chains further stack into a three-dimensional body with channels. The 3D network structure with amphiphilic cavities is shaped by electrostatic interactions through the planes, which has potential to allow molecules such as styrene and H₂O₂ ingress and egress. Both of the hybrids demonstrated catalytic activity for epoxidation of olefins, which was examined using styrene and aqueous hydrogen peroxide (30%) as oxidant in acetonitrile, along with Co-SiW and Ni-SiW in a heterogeneous manner at 60 °C. Moreover, the conversion of epoxidation reaction in a heterogeneous manner is close to that of homogeneous catalysis, while being conveniently recovered and steadily reused without change of catalyst structure after epoxidation reactions.     

Influence of Metal–Peptide Complexation on Fragmentation and Inter-Fragment Hydrogen Migration in Electron Transfer Dissociation

The use of metal salts in electrospray ionization (ESI) of peptides increases the charge state of peptide ions, facilitating electron transfer dissociation (ETD) in tandem mass spectrometry. In the present study, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ were used as charge carriers to form multiply-charged metal–peptide complexes. ETD of the potassium- or calcium-peptide complex was initiated by transfer of an electron to a proton remote from the metal cation, and a c'-z? fragment complex, in which the c' and z? fragments were linked together via a metal cation coordinating with several amino acid residues, was formed. The presence of a metal cation in the precursor for ETD increased the lifetime of the c'-z? fragment complex, eventually generating c? and z' fragments through inter-fragment hydrogen migration. The degree of hydrogen migration was dependent on the location of the metal cation in the metal-peptide complex, but was not reconciled with conformation of the precursor ion obtained by molecular mechanics simulation. In contrast, the location of the metal cation in the intermediate suggested by the ETD spectrum was in agreement with the conformation of “proton-removed” precursors, indicating that the charge reduction of precursor ions by ETD induces conformational rearrangement during the fragmentation process.

Diffusion pack cementation of hafnium powder with halide activator on Ni–Ti shape memory alloy

The effect of a Hf chloride activator on the pack cementation of Hf powder on a Ni–Ti shape memory alloy wire was investigated. For this purpose, a Ni–Ti wire with a diameter of 0.5 mm was pack cemented in a powder mixture consisting of Hf and HfCl₄ powders at 1000 °C for 24 h. It was observed that Hf noticeably diffused into the Ni–Ti matrix with the aid of the HfCl₄ activator. The diffusion distance significantly increased as the amount of HfCl₄ activator increased. By the addition of 10 mass% HfCl₄, the martensite-to-austenite phase transformation start and finish temperatures increased from 12 to 142 °C and from 28 to 200 °C, respectively. The diffusion kinetics model was established based on Fick’s first law. It is suggested that 48 h of halide-activated pack cementation with 10 wt% HfCl₄ is necessary to increase the overall Hf content above 15 at.% throughout the Ni–Ti wire.     

Gradual Growth of Gold Nanoseeds on Silica for Silica@Gold Core–Shell Nano Applications by Two Different Methods: A Comparison on Structural Properties

This paper describes the homogeneous growth of gold shells on the surfaces of spherical dielectric silica nanoparticle cores by two different approaches: common two-step method (the name) and deposition–precipitation process. The methods basically are different in forming the precursor gold seed particles on silica. The structural and optical properties and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectrophotometery, and photo luminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results showed that, although in both the methods the core–shell nanoparticles can be reliably prepared in a controlled fashion with a favorable uniformity, but deposition–precipitation method indicated a better mechanical stability while it was more cost and time effective too. A regular red shift, from 488 to 662 nm, and peak broadening was also risen for the striking plasmon absorption peak as gold nanoseeds created by each of the two methods grew in size on silica cores.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Two Organic–Inorganic Hybrids Based on Sandwich-type Polyoxometalates

Abstract  Two novel inorganic–organic hybrid sandwich-type phosphotungstates [H₂en][Ni(en)₂]₂[{(α-B-PW₉O₃₄)₂Ni₄(H₂O)₂}{Ni(en)₂(H₂O)}₂] · 5H₂O (1) and [Ni(en)₂][Ni(en)₂(H₂O)₂][{(α-B-PW₉O₃₄)₂Ni₄(Hen)₂}{Ni(en)₂(H₂O)}₂] · 10H₂O (2) (en = ethylenediamine) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions of trivacant precursors Na₉[α-A-PW₉O₃₄] · 7H₂O/Na₁₂[α-P₂W₁₅O₅₆] · 18H₂O with NiCl₂ · 6H₂O in the presence of en and structurally characterized by IR spectra, elemental analyses and thermogravimetric analyses. X-ray crystallographic analyses indicate that 1 is made up of inorganic polyoxoanions [Ni₄(H₂O)₂(α-B-PW₉O₃₄)₂]^10– decorated by nickel-organoamine groups, while 2 is constructed from inorganic–organic hybrid polyoxoanions [(α-B-PW₉O₃₄)₂Ni₄(Hen)₂]^8– decorated by nickel-organoamine groups. Graphical Abstract   Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Two Organic–Inorganic Hybrids based on Sandwich-type Polyoxometalates Bing Li, Zhao Dan, Shou-Tian Zheng, Guo-Yu Yang      

Impact of Zeolite Framework Composition and Flexibility on Methanol-To-Olefins Selectivity: Confinement or Diffusion?

The methanol-to-olefins reaction catalyzed by small-pore cage-based acid zeolites and zeotypes produces a mixture of short chain olefins, whose selectivity to ethene, propene and butene varies with the cavity architecture and with the framework composition. The product distribution of aluminosilicates and silicoaluminophosphates with the CHA and AEI structures (H-SSZ-13, H-SAPO-34, H-SSZ-39 and H-SAPO-18) has been experimentally determined, and the impact of acidity and framework flexibility on the stability of the key cationic intermediates involved in the mechanism and on the diffusion of the olefin products through the 8r windows of the catalysts has been evaluated by means of periodic DFT calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The preferential stabilization by confinement of fully methylated hydrocarbon pool intermediates favoring the paring pathway is the main factor controlling the final olefin product distribution.     

Pitzer and Pitzer–Simonson–Clegg Modeling Approaches: Ternary HCl + 2-Propanol + Water Electrolyte System

Despite its success for modeling electrolyte thermodynamics in aqueous media, the use of the Pitzer approach for the investigation of electrolytes in nonaqueous or in mixed solvent media is still very limited. Further, a review of the literature reveals that there are no more than a few research groups who have used the exact form of the Pitzer–Simonson–Clegg (PSC) ion-interaction approach for the investigation of electrolytes in mixed solvent systems. As a continuation of our previous studies, the present investigation reports modeling of HCl in the 2-propanol + water mixed solvent system with the Pitzer, PSC and an extended form of the PSC ion-interaction approaches using the experimental potentiometric data from a cell containing pH glass membrane and Ag/AgCl electrodes. The electrochemical measurements were performed over the HCl molality range from 0.01 to 4.5 mol⋅kg⁻¹ in mixed 2-propanol (x%)+water (100−x%) solvents, with different solvent percent mass fractions (x%=10,20,30,40 and 50%) at 298.15±0.05 K.     

Two independent, 1-D metal–organic nanotubes based on rings or helical chain units

Three coordination polymers {[Mn(bte)(NO₂-1,3-bdc)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (1), {[Mn(btp)(NO₂-1,3-bdc)(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n (2), and {[Mn(btb)(NO₂-1,3-bdc)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (3) (bte, 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane; btp, 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane; btb, 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane, NO₂-1,3- H₂bdc, 5-nitroisophthalic acid) were synthesized by combination of bte, btp, and btb, conformationally flexible ligands with different spacer lengths, and the rigid [NO₂-1,3-bdc]^2?. In 1, two [NO₂-1,3-bdc]^2? anions link adjacent [Mn₂(bte)₂] rings to give an independent, 1-D metal–organic nanotube (MONT). The structure of 2 is an undulating 2-D (4,4) network. In 3, the combination of a [Mn(btb)]_n single helical chain and two [Mn(NO₂-1,3-bdc)]_n linear chains assemble an intriguing independent, 1-D MONT. An interesting structural feature of 1 and 3 is that the nitro groups of each 1-D MONT interpenetrate into two adjacent 1-D MONTs to form a 1-D → 2-D interdigitated array. 3-D architectures in 1 and 3 are assembled via hydrogen bond interactions. The luminescent properties and thermal stabilities of 1, 2, and 3 were investigated.     

Two d10 metal–organic frameworks based on a novel semi-rigid aromatic biscarboxylate ligand: Syntheses,structures and luminescent properties

Two new d¹⁰ metal–organic frameworks based on a novel semi-rigid aromatic biscarboxylate ligand, namely, [Zn ( RGAA )( BPY )_1/2] ( 1 ) and [Cd₅(μ₃-OH)₂( RGAA )₄] ( 2 ) [H₂ RGAA = 4-(carboxymethyl)-2-ethoxybenzoic acid, BPY = 4,4′-bipyridine], have been synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction, and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared, elemental analyses, X-ray single-crystal diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. Complex 1 displays a three-dimensional (3D) network with a (2,3,4)-connected (6ˆ3.8ˆ2.10)₂(6ˆ3)₂(8) topology, while complex 2 exhibits a 3D framework with a (3,10)-connected (3.4.5)₂(3ˆ4.4ˆ6.5ˆ18.6ˆ14.7ˆ2.8) topology. The luminescent properties of compounds 1 and 2 have been investigated in detail, where the emission maxima are 464 and 349 nm, respectively.     

Hexavalent chromium quantification in solution: Comparing direct UV–visible spectrometry with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide colorimetry

Quantification of Cr(VI) in an aqueous solution is conducted by direct UV–visible spectrophotometry based on the yellow coloring of the chromate ion. Measurements show that absorption follows the Beer–Lambert law over a wide range of concentrations. At pH below the pK_a of 6.4 (HCrO₄^?/CrO₄^?2), the absorption maximum lies at 350 nm wavelength and the linear range spans from 0.5 to 100 mg Cr(VI)/L; above the pK_a (pH 6.4), the absorption maximum is 373 nm and linearity occurs in the range of 0.5–25 mg/L. The wide range of validity of the Beer–Lambert law is advantageous for the measurement of concentrated samples. The standard method of analysis of aqueous Cr(VI) is by colorimetry with the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC)–Cr(VI) complex. This method, although very sensitive, bears a narrow range of linearity from 0 to 0.8 mg Cr(VI)/L. It is shown that when analyzing Cr(VI) solutions with concentrations in the range of 30–500 mg/L, the DPC method gives inaccurate results and relative standard deviations of 20–50%. This is due to high dilution factors. On the contrary, the direct method performs with high accuracy. Relative standard deviation is only 0.5% at 500 mg Cr(VI)/L. The direct method is fast, reliable, and nondestructive for the sample. The direct method is recommended for the quantification of Cr(VI) at concentrations greater than 1 mg/L.     

Two new lanthanide–radical complexes: synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties

Two new lanthanide–radical complexes, [Tb(hfac)₃(EtVNIT)₂] (1) and [Dy(hfac)₃(EtVNIT)₂] (2) (EtVNIT?=?2-(4′-ethoxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, hfac?=?1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate), were synthesized; both display radical–Ln(III)–radical (Ln=Tb (1), Dy (2)) tri-spin structures. Magnetic studies reveal that interactions between the lanthanide ions and radicals are ferromagnetic.     

Migration Effects in Reversible System [Fe(CN)6]3–/4– on a Microelectrode

Migration factors Y are determined for an [Fe(CN)₆]^3–/4– reversible system at a platinum microelectrode 10 m in radius by measuring anodic and cathodic limiting currents at different concentrations of the redox forms in solution, from which Y _a and Y _c are calculated. The obtained results agree with theory. The experimental error for the Y _a/Y _c ratio is smaller than for each factor taken separately.     

Two new micro-isostructural metal–organic polymers based on mixed-ligand copper(I): Structures and selective sensing of nitro explosives in water

Two new one-dimensional metal–organic polymers (MOPs) {[Cu(L)(PPh₂Py)·I₂]·CH₃Cl}_n ( I ) and {[Cu(L)(PPh₂Py)·Br₂]·CH₃Cl}_n ( II ) (L = (1E,2E)-1,2-bis(pyridine-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine) (4-bpmh)) have been synthesized and elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis unambiguously revealed that the two polymers are isostructural with the major intermolecular CH⋯π and π⋯π interactions. Microstructures of these polymers were also synthesized using a sonochemical method in different concentrations and reaction times. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and IR spectroscopy were applied to fully characterize these compounds. The photoluminescent properties of microrod MOPs were also evaluated to add to our understanding of their potential ability for nitro compound sensing. These experiments showed that MOPs I and II are good luminescence sensors for detection of nitro explosives in aqueous media. The probes maintained their high sensitivity and selectivity for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The energy transfer process accompanied by electrostatic interactions of 4-NP with these MOPs can be considered as an influential reason for the selectivity of 4-NP. The competitive study of the quenching process has a6lso shown superior operation with microparticles compared with bulky polymers. These results indicate that this method may be useful to synthesize luminescent materials possessing good sensing properties.     

Two new layered inorganic–organic hybrids: intercalation of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate in lead bisphosphonate

Hydrothermal reactions of N-benzyl-iminobis(methylenephosphonic acid), C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ (H₄L), with lead(II) carbonate in the presence of butane diacid resulted in a new layered lead(II) amino-bisphosphonate, namely, Pb₃L(H₂L)·1.5H₂O 1. When 1,3,5-benzene-tricarboxylic acid (H₃BTC) was used instead of butane diacid, a new layered lead(II) amino-bisphosphonate containing noncoordinated H₃BTC molecules, Pb₃(HL)₂·2(H₃BTC)·2H₂O 2 was isolated. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell dimensions of a=17.6776(14) Å, b=10.0111(8) Å, c=16.6017(13) Å, β=104.134(2)° and Z=4. Compound 2 crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1 with cell parameters of a=4.8797(4) Å, b=9.9736(7) Å, c=24.3631(17) Å, α=97.680(2)°, β=95.0000(10)°, γ=102.4340(10)° and Z=1. Both compounds feature a layered structure and have a same metal/ligand ratio of 3:2. Compound 1 contains two types of ligands with different charges, −2 and −4, respectively. The lead(II) ions are bridged by bisphosphonate ligands, resulting in a 〈100〉 layer. In compound 2, the interconnection of the lead(II) ions by bridging phosphonate groups resulted in a 〈001〉 layer, with the neutral H₃BTC ligand intercalated between two layers, forming hydrogen bonds with lattice water molecules, noncoordinated phosphonate or carboxylate groups. In both compounds, the phenyl groups of the ligands are orientated toward the interlayer space. TGA and IR spectra for both compounds have been also studied.     

Tree ring microanalysis by LA–ICP–MS for environmental monitoring: validation or refutation? Two case histories

An empirical approach is presented for validating trace metal profiles in tree rings for use as environmental archives. Concentration profiles of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb and U in tree rings and lake sediments are compared for assessing the reliability of the former as an environmental proxy. Laser ablation sampling in conjunction with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) is used for the direct analysis of tree rings. An optimised analytical protocol is devised with particular emphasis on sample preparation and quantification strategy. Significant correlations in the two environmental archives were found for zinc, copper and uranium, while cadmium and lead temporal trends, although showing enrichment in recent years, do not agree with the concentration profiles in lacustrine sediment cores. A chemical model based on metal affinity for hard type ligands present in wood is proposed to explain these results. Moreover, spring and winter wood are analysed separately thanks to the high spatial resolution of laser ablation sampling. As a result, enhanced metal loadings are shown to lead to intraring differences in trace metal concentrations.