Equilibrium structure of the carbon dioxide-water complex in the gas phase: an ab initio and density functional study

High-level ab initio (MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) geometry, Gaussian-2, MP4(SDTQ) and QCISD(T) binding energies) and density-functional (Becke3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd)) calculations have been performed on the charge-transfer complex between water and carbon dioxide. The complex appears to have two equivalent non-planar minima of C_s symmetry. Minima are separated by transition states with C₁ symmetry, whereas the totally planar structure with C_2v symmetry is a second-order transition state. All the critical points lie at approximately the same energy (less than 0.05 Kj mol⁻¹ difference). Therefore, the experimentally observable structure should be planar. The best equilibrium intermolecular distance for this complex calculated at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level is 2.800 Å. Our best estimate of the observable intermolecular distance (corrected for anharmonicity) is 2.84 Å, in agreement with the experimentally derived value of 2.836 Å. Our best estimate of the binding energy at the QCISD(T) level, taking into account the variation of the distance owing to anharmonicity and the use of more sophisticated theoretical treatments, is −12.0 ± 0.2 kJ mol⁻¹. Our best estimate of the barrier to internal rotation, also at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level, is 4.0 kJ mol⁻¹, outside the error limits of the experimental determination (3.64 ± 0.04 kJ mol⁻¹). Density functional theory at the level employed here gives an equilibrium intermolecular distance that is too large (2.857 Å), a binding energy that is too small (8.1 kJ mol⁻¹), attributable neither to geometry nor to the basis set, and also a barrier to internal rotation that is slightly too small (3.39 kJ mol⁻¹). The overall picture is, however, reasonably good.     

Thermodynamics of (1,4-difluorobenzene + an n-alkane) and of (hexafluorobenzene + an n-alkane)

Excess molar enthalpies H^E and excess molar volumes V^E have been measured, as a function of mole fraction x₁, at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for the five liquid mixtures (x₁1,4-C₆H₄F₂ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7, 8, 10, 12 and 16. In addition, H^E and excess molar heat capacities C_P^E at constant pressure have been determined for the two liquid mixtures (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7 and 14, at the same temperature and pressure. The instruments used were flow microcalorimeters of the Picker design (the H^E version was equipped with separators) and a vibrating-tube densimeter, respectively.

The excess enthalpies of the five difluorobenzene mixtures are all positive and quite large; they increase with increasing chain length l of the n-alkane from H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1050 for l = 7 to 1359 for l = 16. The corresponding excess volumes V^E are all positive and also increase with increasing l: V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 0.650 for l = 7 and 1.080 for l = 16. Interestingly, the excess enthalphies of the corresponding mixtures with hexafluorobenzene are only about 5% larger, whereas the excess volumes of (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2) are roughly twice as large as those of their counterparts in the series containing 1,4-C₆H₄F₂. Specifically, at 298.15 K H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1119 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆) and 1324 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀), and for the same mixtures V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 1.882 and 2.093, respectively. The excess heat capacities for both systems are negative and of about the same magnitude as the excess heat capacities of mixtures of fluorobenzene with the same n-alkanes (Roux et al., 1984): C_P^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = −1.18 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆), and −2.25 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀). The curve C_P^E vs. (x₁ for x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀) shows a sort of “hump” for x₁ 0.5, which is presumed to indicate emerging W-shape composition dependence at lower temperatures.     

A computational study of adducts between atomic chlorine and carbon dioxide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide

The geometries and vibrational frequencies of the adducts ClCO₂, ClCOS and ClCS₂ were derived at the Hartree-Fock (HF) 3-21G (^*) level. The C_a, structure of ClCO₂ corresponds to one C-O bond and one C=O bond. Similarly, C_a, ClCS₂ has one C-S and one C=S bond, and ClCOS has one C-S and one C-O bond. Single-point spin-projected fourth-order Møller-Plesset (MP4) 3-21G (^*) calculations at these geometries were used in bond-separation reactions to derive ΔH^o₀ for adduct formation, which is calculated to be about 39 kJ mol⁻¹ exothermic for ClCOS and ClCS₂, but about 39 kJ mol⁻¹ endothermic for ClCO₂. The C_2v structures for ClCO₂ and ClCS₂ were also characterized. The geometry of ClCS₂ has not been determined experimentally; comparison with an available measured entropy for ClCS₂ suggests that the C_2v structure is the one formed by addition of Cl to CS₂, although the energy relative to the C_a form is not reliably calculated because of instability in the HF wavefunction.     

Big macrocyclic assemblies of carboranes (big MACs): synthesis and crystal structure of a macrocyclic assembly of four carboranes containing alternate ortho- and meta-carborane icosahedra linked by para-phenylene units

The macrocyclic compound, [1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄]₂ (5)—a novel cyclooctaphane, was prepared by condensation of the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of meta-carborane with 1,2-bis(4-iodophenyl)-ortho-carborane. The X-ray crystal structure of 5·C₆H₆·6C₆H₁₂ was determined at 150 K, revealing an extremely loose packing mode. Molecule 5 has a crystallographic C_s and local C_2v symmetry; the macrocycle adopts a butterfly (dihedral angle 143°) conformation with the ortho-carborane units at the wingtips and the phenylene ring planes roughly perpendicular to the wing planes. Multinuclear NMR spectra suggest that molecule 5 in solution inverts rapidly via the planar D_2h geometry, which (from ab initio HF/6-31G* calculations) is only 1 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy than the C_2v one. An attempt to prepare an even larger macrocycle, comprising three para-carborane and three ortho-carborane units linked by six para-phenylene units, was unsuccessful.     

TEMPO-initiated oxidation of 2-aminophenol to 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one

The oxidation reaction of 2-aminophenol (OAP) to 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one (APX) initiated by 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) has been investigated in methanol at ambient temperature. The oxidation of OAP was followed by electronic spectroscopy and the rate constants were determined according to the rate law −d[OAP]/dt=k_obs[OAP][TEMPO]. The rate constant, activation enthalpy and entropy at 298 K are as follows: k_obs (dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹)=(1.49±0.02)×10⁻⁴, E_a=18±5 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH^‡=15±4 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^‡=−82±17 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The results of oxidation of OAP show that the formation of 2-aminophenoxyl radical is the key step in the activation process of the substrate.     

Thermodynamic stabilities of NiTeO3 and Ni3TeO6 by solid oxide electrolyte e.m.f. method

The e.m.f. of the galvanic cells Pt,C,Te(l),NiTeO₃,NiO/15 YSZ/O₂ (P_o2 = 0.21 atm),Pt and Pt,C,NiTeO₃,Ni₃TeO₆,NiO/15 YSZ/O₂ (P_o2 = 0.21 atm),Pt (where 15 YSZ=15 mass% yttria-stabilized zirconia) was measured over the ranges 833–1104 K and 624–964 K respectively, and could be represented by the least-squares expressions E₍₁₎±1.48 (mV) = 888.72 − 0.504277 (K) and E_(II) ±4.21 (mV) = 895.26 − 0.81543T (K).

After correcting for the standard state of oxygen in the air reference electrode, and by combining with the standard Gibbs energies of formation of NiO and TeO₂ from the literature, the following expressions could be derived for the ΔG^°_f of NiTeO₃ and Ni₃TeO₆: ΔG_f^°(NiTeO₃) ± 2.03 (kJ mol⁻¹) = −577.30 + 0.26692T (K) and ΔG^°_f(Ni₃TeO₆)±2.54 (kJ mol⁻¹) = −1218.66 + 0.58837T (K).     

The vibrational spectra, molecular structure and conformation of organic azides : Part IV. An ab initio study of hydrazoic acid, azidomethane, azidoethane, azidoethene and azidomethanal

Fully optimized geometries have been calculated for the title compounds at the Hartree—Fock SCF level and compared with existing experimental data. A basis set of double zeta quality has been employed. For hydrazoic acid, a calculation with a larger basis set, expected to give results near the Hartree—Fock limit, has also been performed. All of the calculations show the azide group to be slightly bent with a trans configuration around the central NN bond. Azidoethane is predicted to exist in two conformations, gauche (71°) and anti, with a negligible energy difference of 0.26 kJ mol⁻¹ between them. Azidoethene and azidomethanal both prefer the syn orientation of the azide group with respect to the C---C or C---O bonds, the computed energy difference between the anti and syn conformations being 3.31 and 30.3 kJ mol⁻¹ respectively.

The barrier to rotation around the C---N bond has been calculated to be 3.75 kJ mol⁻¹ in azidomethane while in azidoethane it was 3.30 and 9.40 kJ mol⁻¹ in the eclipsed anti-clinal (120°) and syn positions, respectively.

Complete harmonic force fields and dipole moment derivatives have been calculated for hydrazoic acid, azidomethane and for the two stable conformations of azidoethane. For azidoethane and azidomethanal only the azide part of the harmonic force field has been calculated. The theoretical harmonic force fields have been modified through scaling by a least squares refinement to the observed wavenumbers of hydrazoic acid, azidomethane and azidoethane (anti and gauche). Infrared vapour phase intensities have been calculated and theoretical spectra are presented for azidomethane and azidoethane.     

The molecular structure and pseudorotational motion of 1,1-difluorosilacyclopetane as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction

The structure of 1,1-difluorosilacyclopentane has been studied by gas-phase electron diffraction. The molecule is found to have a barrier of pseudorotion of 2.25(90) kcal mol⁻¹. The potential function has minimum at the twist form (C₂) symmetry and maxima at the envelope forms. The major bond distances (itr)_g) and valence angles obtained from the least-squares refinements with error estimates are as follow: r(C---H) = 1.128(7) A, r(C---C)_av = 1.553(15) A, r(Si---F) = 1.582(6) A, r(Si---C) = 1.853(3) A, (CSiF) = 113.4′(3), CCC = 106°(1), and Tau(C1C2C3C4) = 56.0°(32).     

Thermochemistry of organosilicon compounds VII. Permethylcyclosilazanes and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane

The enthalpy of formation (ΔH_f⁰), enthalpy of evaporation (ΔH_v⁰) and enthalpy of atomization (ΔH_a) of permethylcyclosilazanes (Me₂SiNH)_n (n = 3, 4) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane (Me₂SiH)₂NH have been determined. The enthalpies of formation of these compounds were compared with those calculated by the Benson-Buss-Franklin and Tatevskii additive schemes. In higher permethylcyclosilazanes the energy of the endocyclic Si---N bond is 306 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ (73 kcal mol⁻¹), that is 12 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ (3 kcal mol⁻¹) lower than the energy of the acyclic Si---N bond. The strain energy of the cyclotrisilazane ring is estimated to be 10.5 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.5 kcal mol⁻¹), whereas the energy of the ring Si---N bond is 295 kJ mol⁻¹ (70.5 kcal mol⁻¹).

The thermochemical data for permethylcyclosilazanes were compared with the corresponding values for permethylcyclosiloxanes calculated from the results of previously reported studies.     

Structures and energetics of C3H6S isomers: a Gaussian-3 ab initio study

Twenty-two isomers/conformers of C₃H₆S^+√ radical cations have been identified and their heats of formation (ΔH_f) at 0 and 298 K have been calculated using the Gaussian-3 (G3) method. Seven of these isomers are known and their ΔH_f data are available in the literature for comparison. The least energy isomer is found to be the thioacetone radical cation (4⁺) with C_2v symmetry. In contrast, the least energy C₃H₆O^+√ isomer is the 1-propen-2-ol radical cation. The G3 ΔH_f298 of 4⁺ is calculated to be 859.4 kJ mol⁻¹, ca. 38 kJ mol⁻¹ higher than the literature value, ≤821 kJ mol⁻¹. For allyl mercaptan radical cation (7⁺), the G3 ΔH_f298 is calculated to be 927.8 kJ mol⁻¹, also not in good agreement with the experimental estimate, 956 kJ mol⁻¹. Upon examining the experimental data and carrying out further calculations, it is shown that the G3 ΔH_f298 values for 4⁺ and 7⁺ should be more reliable than the compiled values. For the five remaining cations with available experimental thermal data, the agreement between the experimental and G3 results ranges from fair to excellent.

Cation CH₃CHSCH₂^+√ (10⁺) has the least energy among the eleven distonic radical cations identified. Their ΔH_f298 values range from 918 to 1151 kJ mol⁻¹. Nevertheless, only one of them, CH₂=SCH₂CH₂^+√ (12⁺), has been observed. Its G3 ΔH_f298 value is 980.9 kJ mol⁻¹, in fair agreement with the experimental result, 990 kJ mol⁻¹.

A couple of reactions involving C₃H₆S^+√ isomers CH₂=SCH₂CH₂^+√ (12⁺) and trimethylene sulfide radical cation (13⁺) have also been studied with the G3 method and the results are consistent with experimental findings.     

Ab initio calculations of the vibrational spectra of the ammonia and fluoramide complexes with HF

The structures, energetics, vibrational frequencies and IR intensities of the H₃N HF, H₃N F₂ and NH₂FHF (three isomers) complexes were examined using the self-consistent field method within the 6-311G^** basis set. The interaction energies were calculated using the MP2 approach. The results are compared with monomer calculations and experimental data. The complex NH₂FHF was found to exist in three forms: one with the HF molecule hydrogen bonded to the nitrogen lone pair of NH₂F (D₀ =7.403 kcal mol⁻¹), another a complex formed through the F atom lone pair (D₀=4.698 kcal mol⁻¹) and third a cyclic structure (D₀=5.644 kcal mol⁻¹).     

Synthesis and thermodynamic properties of a metal-organic framework: [LaCu6(μ-OH)3(Gly)6im6](ClO4)6

A metal-organic complex, which has the potential property of absorbing gases, [LaCu₆(μ-OH)₃(Gly)₆im₆](ClO₄)₆ was synthesized through the self-assembly of La³⁺, Cu²⁺, glycine (Gly) and imidazole (Im) in aqueous solution and characterized by IR, element analysis and powder XRD. The molar heat capacity, C_p,m, was measured from T = 80 to 390 K with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. The thermodynamic functions [H_T − H_298.15] and [S_T − S_298.15] were derived from the heat capacity data with temperature interval of 5 K. The thermal stability of the complex was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Thermoynamic properties (Hm, CP,m, Vm, κT) of binary mixtures {x1,3-Dioxane + (1−x)Cyclohexane} at 298.15 K

Molar excess enthalpies H_m^E, isobaric heat capacities C_P,m^E, volumes V_m^E and isothermal compressibilities κT^E for the 1,3-dioxane(3DX) + cyclohexane mixture were measured at 298.15 K, in order to compare to those of the 1,4-dioxane(4DX) + cyclohexane mixture. H_m^E is endothermic and the maximum value about 1.5 kJ mol⁻¹ at x ≈ 0.45, and lower than that of the 4DX mixture by about 80 J mol⁻¹. V_m^E is positive over the whole concentration and the maximum value is about 0.85 cm³ mol⁻¹ at x ≈ 0.45, and lower than that of the 4DX mixture. The above results suggest the energetic unstabilization, resulting in the volume expansion in the mixture. C_P,m^E shows the characteristic W-shaped concentration dependence, which has maximum at x ≈ 0.45 and two minima at x ≈ 0.1 and 0.9. The maximum C_P,m^E value for 3DX mixture shifts toward the positive side, compared to that of 4DX mixture. κT^E were estimated from speeds of sound, densities, thermal expansion coefficients and isobaric heat capacities of the pure component liquids and the mixtures. The κT^E result shows the positive concentration dependence over the whole composition range. The 3DX mixture has the similar thermodynamic properties to the 4DX mixture, despite that 4DX is the nonpolar solvent and 3DX is the dipolar liquid. this means that there exists the local dipolar interaction between 4DX molecules, and the prevalence of “microheterogeneity” in the both mixtures.     

Kinetic study of trifluoromethylation with s-(trifluoromethyl) dibenzothiophenium salts

The kinetic parameters were determined for C-trifluoromethylation of aniline with S-(trifluoromethyl)dibenzothiophenium triflate (1), its 3,7-dinitro derivative (2) and S-(trifluoromethyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate (3) in DMF-d₇. The higher reactivity of heterocyclic 1 compared with non-heterocyclic 3 could be explained on the basis of its greatly enhanced activation entropy (ΔS^≠: −11.2 cal mol ⁻¹ K⁻¹ for 1; −47.1 for 3), but not its enhanced activation enthalpy (ΔH^≠: 21.2 kcal mol⁻¹ for 1; 12.1 for 3). The aromatic delocalization of the heterocyclic ring may thus be only slightly disturbed by the S-trifluoromethyl substituent. The high reactivity of 2 was attributed to the great electron deficiency caused by two nitro groups in addition to the heterocyclic salt system (ΔH^≠ 17.0 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔS^≠ −9.1 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for 2). The reaction mechanism is discussed; the conventional S_N2 attack mechanism was ruled out and a mechanism for a side-on attack to the CF₃-S bond may possibly be applicable.     

Rotational relaxation of homonuclear diatomic molecules by classical trajectory computation

The rotational relaxation times of molecular nitrogen and molecular chlorine have been obtained using an exact classical mechanical calculation and Wang Chang—Uhlenbeck's theory of polyatomic gases. The intermolecular potential used was an extended Lennard-Jones potential of the form V(R,_X1, _X2) = C₁₂R⁻¹² _1+b [P ₂(cos_X1)+P₂(cos_X2)]-C₆R⁻⁶ 1+ a[P₂(cos_X1) + P₂(cos_X2)]. Numerical results were obtained for a number ef values of the anisotropy parameters (a,b) for nitrogen and for a single set of values for chlorine. Comparison with experimental ultrasonic results for nitrogen gave very good agreement for (a,b) around (0.1, 0.7). Using a box-quantization procedure we have furthermore obtained detailed cross sections for inelastic collisions from which a surprisal analysis was carried out. The analysis showed that our results follow the exponential gap law of Polanyi, Ding and Woodall reasonably well although this law was suggested for atom—diatom collisions.     

Heat capacity of copper hydride

The heat capacity of copper hydride has been measured in the temperature range 2–60 and 60–250 K using two adiabatic calorimeters. Special procedure for the purification of CuH has been applied and a careful analysis of sample contamination has been performed. The experimental results have been extrapolated up to 300 K due to instability of the copper hydride at room temperature. From the temperature dependence of heat capacity the values of entropy S°(T), thermal part of enthalpy H°(T)−H°(0) and Gibbs function [−(G°(T)−H°(0))] have been calculated assuming S°(0)=0. The standard absolute entropy, standard entropy of formation from the elements and enthalpy of decomposition of copper hydride from the elements have been calculated and found to be 130.8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (H₂), −85.1 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (H₂), −55.1 kJ mol⁻¹ (H₂), respectively. These new results gave the possibility of discussion on thermodynamic properties of copper hydride. Debye temperature has been for the first time determined experimentally.     

The first 1,2-dibora-[2]ferrocenophane and its dynamic behaviour in solution

1,2-Bis(dimethylamino)-1,2-dibora-[2]ferrocenophane (1) was prepared by the reaction of 1,1′-dilithioferrocene with 1,2-dichlorobis(dimethylamino)diborane(4). In addition to hindered rotation about the B-N bond (ΔG^‡ > 80 kJ mol⁻¹), another dynamic process was revealed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR in solution at low temperature, and interpreted as motion of the cyclopentadienyl rings between staggered and eclipsed conformations (ΔG_{(233 K)}^‡ = 44 ± 1 kJ mol⁻¹).     

Benzooxirene. Ab initio calculations

Ab initio calculations have been performed on benzooxirene, the corresponding oxo carbene (“ketocarbene”), and the transition state linking the two. At the highest level used, QCISD(T)/6-31G^*//MP2(FULL)/6-1G^* with MP2(FULL)/ 6-31G^* zero point energy corrections, the relative energies of the oxirene, the transition state and the carbene are 0, 24.6, and −17.8 kJ mol⁻¹. Correlation energy effects are very important in this system: at the QCISD(T) level the oxirene lies above the carbene, as at the MP4 and HF levels, but at the MP2 level the ordering is reversed. Benzooxirene is probably slightly nonplanar: the HF/6-31G^* geometry is C_2v but the MP2(Fermi contact)/6-31G^* geometry is C_s with a 6-/3-ring coplanarity deviation of about 6.9 °, although in the MP2(FULL)/6-31G^* geometry this is reduced to about 3.1 °.     

Syntheses and structural determination of nine-coordinate K3[Nd(nta)2(H2O)]·6H2O and K3[Er(nta)2(H2O)]·5H2O

The syntheses and structural determination of Nd^III and Er^III complexes with nitrilotriacetic acid (nta) were reported in this paper. Their crystal and molecular structures and compositions were determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analyses and elemental analyses, respectively. The crystal of K₃[Nd^III(nta)₂(H₂O)]·6H₂O complex belongs to monoclinic crystal system and C2/c space group. The crystal data are as follows: a=1.5490(11) nm, b=1.3028(9) nm, c=2.6237(18) nm, β=96.803(10)°, V=5.257(6) nm³, Z=8, M=763.89, D_c=1.930 g cm⁻³, μ=2.535 mm⁻¹ and F(000)=3048. The final R₁ and wR₁ are 0.0390 and 0.0703 for 4501 (I>2σ(I)) unique reflections, R₂ and wR₂ are 0.0758 and 0.0783 for all 10474 reflections, respectively. The Nd^IIIN₂O₇ part in the [Nd^III(nta)₂(H₂O)]³⁻ complex anion has a pseudo-monocapped square antiprismatic nine-coordinate structure in which the eight coordinate atoms (two N and six O) are from the two nta ligands and a water molecule coordinate to the central Nd^III ion directly. The crystal of the K₃[Er^III(nta)₂(H₂O)]·5H₂O complex also belongs to monoclinic crystal system and C2/c space group. The crystal data are as follows: a=1.5343(5) nm, b=1.2880(4) nm, c=2.6154(8) nm, b=96.033(5)°, V=5.140(3) nm³, Z=8, M=768.89, D_c=1.987 g cm⁻³, μ=3.833 mm⁻¹ and F(000)=3032. The final R₁ and wR₁ are 0.0321 and 0.0671 for 4445 (I>2σ(I)) unique reflections, R₂ and wR₂ are 0.0432 and 0.0699 for all 10207 reflections, respectively. The Er^IIIN₂O₇ part in the [Er^III(nta)₂(H₂O)]³⁻ complex anion has the same structure as Nd^IIIN₂O₇ part in which the eight coordinate atoms (two N and six O) are from the two nta ligands and a water molecule coordinate to the central Nd^III ion directly.     

Role of axial ligation on potentiometric response of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrin-doped polymeric membranes to nitrite ions

Two types of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrins, Co(III)TPPX (I) and Co(III)(N)TPPX (II), where X = C1⁻ or NO⁻₂ and N = C₅H₅N or C₆H₅CH₂C₅H₄N, are used as ionophores to prepare nitrite responsive polymeric membrane electrodes. The influence of the initial axial ligand (X⁻ and N) on the operative ionophore mechanism of these metalloporphyrins within the solvent polymeric membranes is examined. Results from potentiometric and electrodialysis experiments suggest that in the presence of nitrite in the test sample and internal solution, both types of Co (III) porphyrins studied (I and II) act as neutral carriers and that the addition of lipophilic cationic sites (e.g., tridodecylmethylammonium ions (TDMA⁺)) to the organic membrane is essential to improve the selectivity and long term stability of sensors prepared with these species. Membranes formulated with (I) or (II) in the nitrite form along with TDMACl in plasticized PVC films exhibit the following selectivity sequence: SCN⁻ > NO⁻₂ ˜ C1O⁻₄ > Sal⁻ > NO⁻₃ > Br⁻ > C1⁻. Membrane electrodes with added lipophilic cationic sites are shown to exhibit rapid, fully reversible and Nernstian response towards nitrite ions in the concentration range of 10⁻¹–10⁻⁵ M, with good long term stability.