Modification of Tao–Mason equation of state to ionic liquids

In our previous paper, we extended the Tao and Mason equation of state (TM EOS) to refrigerant fluids, using the speed of sound data. Here, we predict the equation of state for ionic liquids (ILs). The considered ILs are [Bmim][PF₆], [C₂mim][NtF₂], [C₃mim][NtF₂], [C₆mim][NtF₂], [C₇mim][NtF₂], [C₂mim][EtOSO₃], [Bmim][MeSO₄], [Bmim][OcSO₄], and [C₄mim][dca]. The equation of state consists of three temperature-dependent parameters: the second virial coefficient, a constant for scaling the softness of repulsive force, and an effective hard-sphere diameter equivalent to the van der Waals co-volume. The second virial coefficients of ILs are scare and there is no accurate potential energy function to allow their theoretical calculation. In this work, the second virial coefficient have been calculated using corresponding states correlation based on temperature and density at normal boiling point. The other two parameters of the equation of state can be calculated using a scaling rule. Analysis of our predicted results shows that the Tao?CMason equation of state is capable of accurately predicting the density of ILs at any temperature and pressure. The overall average absolute deviation densities for 1,633 data points are 2.05%. Also, the density of ILs obtained from the TM EOS has been compared with those calculated from vdW?CCS?C?? and Peng?CRobinson (PR) equation of state. Our results are in favor of the preference of the TM EOS over the two other equations of state. The overall average absolute deviation for 1,633 data points calculated by vdW?CCS?C?? and PR equation of state are 6.63% and 12.19%, respectively.     

Measuring the solubility of benzoic acid in room temperature ionic liquids using chronoamperometric techniques

The electrochemical reduction of benzoic acid (BZA) has been studied at platinum micro‐electrodes (10 and 2 µm diameters) in acetonitrile (MeCN) and six room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs): [C₂mim][NTf₂], [C₄mim][NTf₂], [C₄mpyrr][NTf₂], [C₄mim][BF₄], [C₄mim][NO₃] and [C₄mim][PF₆] (where [C_nmim]⁺ = 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium, [NTf₂]^? = bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide, [C₄mpyrr]⁺ = N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium, [BF₄]^? = tetrafluoroborate, [NO₃]^? = nitrate and [PF₆]^? = hexafluorophosphate). Based on the theoretical fitting to experimental chronoamperometric transients in [C₄mpyrr][NTf₂] and MeCN at several concentrations and on different size electrodes, it is suggested that a fast chemical step preceeds the electron transfer step in a CE mechanism (given below) in both RTILs and MeCN, leading to the appearance of a simple one‐electron transfer mechanism. The six RTIL solvents and MeCN were saturated with BZA, and potential‐step chronoamperometry revealed diffusion coefficients of 170, 4.6, 3.2, 2.7, 1.8, 0.26 and 0.96 × 10^?11 m² s^?1 and solubilities of 850, 75, 78, 74, 220, 2850 and 48 mM in MeCN and the six ionic liquids, respectively, at 298 K. The high solubility of BZA in [C₄mim][NO₃] may suggest a strong interaction of the dissolved proton with the nitrate anion. Although there are relatively few literature reports of solubilities of organic solutes in RTILs at present, these results suggest the need for further studies on the solubilities of organic species (particularly acids) in RTILs, because of the contrasting interaction of dissolved species with the RTIL ions. Chronoamperometry is suggested as a convenient methodology for this purpose. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular insight into structures of monocationic and dicationic ionic liquids in mica slits

Structures of ionic liquids (ILs) 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide ([C₁₀mim][TFSA]) and 1-decyl-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide ([C₁₀(mim)₂](TFSA)₂) in different-sized mica slits have been investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Ion density and angular distributions for monocationic IL [C₁₀mim][TFSA] were analysed to elucidate the IL structures under different surface charges and especially their changes in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces. [C₁₀mim][TFSA] formes in bilayers, compatible with existing models of ILs with long alkyl chains. For dicationic IL [C₁₀(mim)₂](TFSA)₂, cations adjacent to the mica surface tend to stay parallel to the surface with both positively charged rings absorbed. While near the centre of the slit, dications show the weak tendency of orientation distribution, more random than [C₁₀mim]⁺ ions. Structures of [C₁₀(mim)₂](TFSA)₂ cannot be described by bilayer models. Additionally, the in-plane arrangement of [C₁₀mim][TFSA] is more ordered when K⁺ ions completely neutralise the negative charge of the mica surface, and [C₁₀mim]⁺ ions tend to be located in hexagonal mica lattices with two aluminium atoms in replacement of silicon atoms. [TFSA]^? ions are constrained by the neighbouring K⁺ ions absorbed onto mica lattices.     

NMR Self-diffusion Study of Amino Acid Ionic Liquids Based on 1-Methyl-3-Octylimidazolium in Water

In comparison with the conventional ionic liquids, water-miscible amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) are considered as more biodegradable and biocompatible, less toxic, and as able to enhance the biomaterials stability. An application of some long-chain ionic liquids in catalysis, extraction, etc. requests the detailed analysis of ionic and water transport properties of their diluted aqueous solutions close to the area of its critical micelle concentration (cmc). In this work, the molecular transport properties of two 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium-based AAILs, [C₈mim][Val], and [C₈mim][Leu] (with anions of l-Leucine or l-Valine), in the aqueous solutions were studied by measuring the self-diffusion coefficients and the solution’ viscosities in the temperature ranges 273–343 K at the AAIL’s concentrations below and above its cmc. The data on self-diffusion coefficients of water molecules and cations/anions of AAILs are discussed in terms of activation energies and of hydration effects. Above the cmc, the [C₈mim][Val] molecules demonstrate the strengthening effect on the solvent structure, while the molecules of [C₈mim][Leu] have structure-destructive effect. The results obtained for the relative dynamic viscosities show a decrease of micellar size with increasing temperature. In addition, it was found that the degrees of counterion binding for both AAILs are higher than for 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium halides.     

The Raman and Infrared Spectra and Structures of Ethyl Chloride,Bromide and Iodide

The Raman, infrared and proton NMR spectra of the liquid molecules, C₂H₅-X(X[dbnd]Cl, Br, I) have been recorded. And the molecular structures have been studied on the basis of these spectra. Consequently a non-rigid structure in which a CH₂ group rotates freely with respect to the three hydrogen atoms of CH₃ group is established.     

Experimental and kinetic modeling study of C2H4 oxidation at high pressure

A detailed chemical kinetic model for oxidation of C₂H₄ in the intermediate temperature range and high pressure has been developed and validated experimentally. New ab initio calculations and RRKM analysis of the important C₂H₃ + O₂ reaction was used to obtain rate coefficients over a wide range of conditions (0.003-100 bar, 200-3000 K). The results indicate that at 60 bar and medium temperatures vinyl peroxide, rather than CH₂O and HCO, is the dominant product. The experiments, involving C₂H₄/O₂ mixtures diluted in N₂, were carried out in a high pressure flow reactor at 600-900 K and 60 bar, varying the reaction stoichiometry from very lean to fuel-rich conditions. Model predictions are generally satisfactory. The governing reaction mechanisms are outlined based on calculations with the kinetic model. Under the investigated conditions the oxidation pathways for C₂H₄ are more complex than those prevailing at higher temperatures and lower pressures. The major differences are the importance of the hydroxyethyl (CH₂CH₂OH) and 2-hydroperoxyethyl (CH₂CH₂OOH) radicals, formed from addition of OH and HO₂ to C₂H₄, and vinyl peroxide, formed from C₂H₃ + O₂. Hydroxyethyl is oxidized through the peroxide HOCH₂CH₂OO (lean conditions) or through ethenol (low O₂ concentration), while 2-hydroperoxyethyl is converted through oxirane.     

Laser Raman study of phase transformations in [N(CH3)4]2ZnCI4 single crystals

We report temperature-dependent Raman studies on single crystals of [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZnCI₄ from 300 to 10 K. The observed spectral features suggest that both the N(CH₃)₄ ⁺ and ZnCl^2- ₄ ions are distorted from their regular tetrahedral structure and occupy sites of C_s symmetry in the lattice at room temperature. From the variation of line width of some selected Raman bands and other spectral changes as a function of temperature, it is inferred that both the ZnCl^2- ₄ and—CH₃ groups have high motional freedom at room temperature and the different phase transitions up to 160 K are triggered by the gradual freezing-in of orientational freedom of these groups, while the N—C₄ tetrahedra do not play any significant role in these phase transitions. The monoclinic to orthorhombic superlattice phase transitions at 159 K is triggered by freezing-in of the orientational motions of both the ZnCl^2- ₄ and N(CH₃)⁺ ₄ groups in the lattice.     

Sonocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B in the presence of C60 and CdS coupled TiO2 particles

CdS-TiO₂ and CdS-C₆₀/TiO₂ were prepared using C₆₀, cadmium acetate dehydrate [(CH₃COO)₂Cd·2H₂O], sodium sulfide (Na₂S·5H₂O) and titanium (IV) n-butoxide by a sol-gel method. The prepared sonocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A rhodamine B (RhB) solution under ultrasonic irradiation was used to determine the catalytic activity. Excellent catalytic degradation of an RhB solution was observed using the CdS-C₆₀/TiO₂ composites under ultrasonic irradiation. C₆₀ coupled CdS-TiO₂ can enhance the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and increase the decolorization rate for rhodamine B solution. The results also shows that increase the content of CdS can enhance the catalytic activity.     

Temperature effect on the molecular interactions between two ammonium ionic liquids and dimethylsulfoxide

To understand the molecular interactions between newly synthesized ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) and highly polar solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), precise measurements such as densities (ρ), ultrasonic sound velocities (u) and viscosities (η) have been performed over the whole composition range at temperature ranging from 298.15 to 308.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. The ILs investigated in the present study included diethyl ammonium acetate ([Et₂NH][CH₃COO], DEAA) and triethyl ammonium acetate ([Et₃NH][CH₃COO], TEAA). Further, to gain some insight into the nature of molecular interactions in these mixed solvents, we predicted the excess molar volume (V^E), the deviation in isentropic compressibilities (ΔK_s) and deviation in viscosity (Δη) as a function of the concentration of IL using the measured properties of ρ, u and η, respectively. Redlich-Kister polynomial was used to correlate the results. The intermolecular interactions and structural effects were analyzed on the basis of the measured and the derived properties. A qualitative analysis of the results is discussed in terms of the ion-dipole, ion-pair interactions, and hydrogen bonding between ILs and DMSO molecules and their structural factors.     

New FIR laser lines from optically pumped C2H3F, C2H3Cl, C2H3Br, C2H3CN, C2H5F, CH2CF2, HCOOH and CH3Br

Twenty-seven new cw far infrared laser lines with wavelengths between 137 and 988m have been observed from optically pumping C₂H₃F, C₂H₃Cl, C₂H₃Br, C₂H₅F, C₂H₃CN, CH₂CF₂, HCOOH and CH₃Br with a CO₂ laser. The wavelengths of these FIR laser lines were determined together with their optimum pressures and relative intensities.     

The thermoelastic properties of [N(CH3)4]2ZnBr4 and [N(CH3)4]2MnBr4

The ferrodistortive phase transition in the bis-tetramethylammonium tetrabromide crystals below room temperature is studied within the framework of the Landau theory. The specific heats of [N(CH₃)₄]₂MnBr₄ and [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZnBr₄ are correctly described down to 40°C below the transition temperature. The phenomenological parameters are determined from calorimetric results, elastic constants and thermal expansion data. Using these coefficients, the monoclinic angle in the ferrodistortive phases is obtained. The anharmonic quantities, such as the isothermal compressibility, calculated from the specific heat data, are in good agreement with the values derived from the elastic measurements.     

Lattice site dependent cathodoluminescence behavior and surface chemical changes in a Sr5(PO4)3F host

Eu activated Sr₅(PO₄)₃F phosphor powders have been subjected to the electron bombardment at 2 keV (10 μA) at an oxygen pressure of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr. The synthesized Sr₅(PO₄)₃F phosphor was identical to the hexagonal apatite structure, with the Sr present at two different sites C_s (S1) and C₃ (S2) in the Sr₅(PO₄)₃F host, as inferred from the crystallographic study. Cathodoluminescence (CL) and Auger electron spectroscopy of the phosphor excited by the same electron beam were used to monitor changes in the surface state during prolonged electron bombardment. A direct correlation between the surface reactions and the degradation of the CL brightness was observed. Both C and F were depleted from the surface during electron bombardment. The postulated mechanism for the electron stimulated chemical reactions on the phosphor surface is electron beam dissociation of molecular species to atomic species, which subsequently react with C to form volatile compounds CO₂, CH₄, etc. and with Sr₅(PO₄)₃F to form a non luminescence layer of metal oxides of Sr and P.     

Density functional theory study into the adsorption of CO2, H and CHx (x = 0-3) as well as C2H4 on α-Mo2C(0 0 0 1)

The structures and energetics of the chemisorbed CO₂, CH_x species and H as well as C₂H₄ on the α-Mo₂C(0 0 0 1) surface have been computed at the GGA-RPBE level of density functional theory. It is found that CO₂ adsorbs dissociately into CO and O, in agreement with the experimental finding. The adsorbed O, CH_x and H species prefer the site of three surface molybdenum atoms over a second layer carbon atom (V_C site). On the basis of the calculated adsorption energies of CH_x and H, the sequential dehydrogenation of CH₄ and the C/C coupling reaction of CH_x have been discussed.     

A first-principles study on the adsorption behaviour of methanol and ethanol over C59B heterofullerene

In the present study, the adsorption behaviour of methanol (CH₃OH) and ethanol (C₂H₅OH) molecules over heterofullerene C₅₉B surface is studied by density functional theory calculations. This heterofullerene is obtained from C₆₀ by substituting a carbon atom with a boron atom and relaxing self-consistently the structure to the local minimum. The adsorption of CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH on the C₅₉B is exothermic and the relaxed geometries are stable. The CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH adsorption can also induce a change in the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap of the nanocage. The dehydrogenation pathways of CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH via O–H and C–H bonds scission are also examined. The results indicate that O–H bond scission is the most favourable pathway on the C₅₉B surface.     

ESR spectroscopics study of radicals formed from methoxycarbonylcholine picrate hemihydrate

Abstract

The electron spin resonance of γ-irradiated single crystals of methoxycarbonylcholine picrate hemihydrate, C₇H₁₆NO₃ ⁺ · C₆H₂N₃O₇ ^? · ½ H₂O has been observed and analyzed for different orientations of the crystal in the magnetic field. The crystals have been investigated between 70 and 350 K. The spectra were found to be temperature independent and the radiation damage centers are attributed to – ?[Obar]OCH₃ and –CH₂CH₂O? radicals. The g and hyperfine coupling constants were found to be almost isotropic with an average, g = 2.0060, a _H1 = 4.4G for –CH₂CH₂O?, g = 2.0050, a _H2 = 3.5G for –CH₂CH₂O? and g = 2.0045, a _H = 3.5 G for –?[Obar]OCH₃. These values indicate a long-range coupling between the unpaired electron and H protons.     

The tuning of quantum magnetization for organic/inorganic hybrid materials composed of Mn12-acetate and azobenzene casted into PMMA films on PVA films

In order to examine the effects of polymer matrix substituting crystalline solvents and photoisomerization of azobenzene in photo-modulation of AC susceptibility discovered recently, we have compared various quantum magnetic properties of new organic/inorganic hybrid materials composed of Mn₁₂-acetate (a typical single-molecule magnet, [Mn₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄O₁₂]·2CH₃COOH·4H₂O) containing or not containing azobenzene casted into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films on Polyvinylalchol (PVA) films. The M-H hysteresis loops below blocking temperature for both materials exhibited distinct differences of the dM/dH vs. H plots, which suggested azobenzene as well as crystalline solvents resulted in tuning of magnetic properties. Moreover, the AC susceptibility at 0.1-1000 Hz frequencies provided activation energy U_eff=87 K from Arrhenius law for both materials, albeit Cole-Cole plots indicated perturbation of quantum magnetization for both hybrid materials in polymer matrix.     

Interaction mechanisms of ionic liquids [Cnmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10) with bovine serum albumin

It is important to study the interaction of ionic liquids (ILs) with protein for the applications of ILs in biochemical process, and help the researchers to choose and design the better ILs to serve as a solvent. In this work, the interaction between 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was systematically investigated for the first time by multi-spectroscopic approach (fluorescence, UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy) and density functional theory (DFT). [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10) can bind to BSA by H-bond interaction between their cationic headgroups and Asp/Glu amino acid residue at the surface of BSA, and hydrophobic interaction between their hydrocarbon chains and the hydrophobic amino acid residues in the interior of BSA. On the basis of thermodynamic parameters and the similar structure of [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10), it can be inferred that the hydrophobic interaction plays a major role in the interaction of [C₁₀mim]Br with BSA, while the hydrogen bond and van der Waals force play a major role in the interaction of [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8) with BSA. Synchronous fluorescence and FT-IR spectra indicate that [C₁₀mim]Br could markedly change the secondary structure of BSA, while [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8) could slightly change the secondary structure of BSA. The results allowed us to understand (i) the effect of the alkyl chain length of the cation on the mechanism of ILs–protein interaction and (ii) the effect of the alkyl chain length of the cation on the protein secondary structure.     

TOTAL ASSIGNMENT OF 1H AND 13C NMR SPECTRA OF A BRIDGED TRIRUTHENIUM CLUSTER-POLYPYRIDINE DIMER BASED ON 2D (COSY,HMQC, AND HMBC) TECHNIQUES

The bridged ruthenium cluster-polypyridine dimer [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(tmbpy)Ru(bpy)₂(Cl)](PF₆)₂ (py = pyridine, = 2, 2′-bipyridine and tmbpy = 4, 4′-trimethylenedipyridine) has been synthesized and structurally characterized based on ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. This species exhibits a complex pattern of NMR signals due to the presence of a paramagnetic [Ru₃O] core and seven non-equivalent aromatic rings. 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC and HMBC) correlation techniques have been required for the total assignment of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra.     

Flame structure studies of rich ethylene-oxygen-argon mixtures doped with CO2, or with NH3, or with H2O

Structures of several premixed ethylene-oxygen-argon rich flat flames burning at 50 mbar have been established by using molecular beam mass spectrometry in order to investigate the effect of CO₂, or NH₃, or H₂O addition on species concentration profiles. The aim of this study is to examine the eventual changes of profiles of detected hydrocarbon intermediates which could be considered as soot precursors (C₂H₂, C₄H₂, C₅H₄, C₅H₆, C₆H₂, C₆H₄, C₆H₆, C₇H₈, C₆H₆O, C₈H₆, C₈H₈, C₉H₈ and C₁₀H₈). The comparative study has been achieved on four flames with an equivalence ratio (f) of 2.50: one without any additive (F2.50), one with 15% of CO₂ replacing the same quantity of argon (F2.50C), one with 3.3% of NH₃ in partial replacement of argon (F2.50N) and one with 13% of H₂O in replacement of the same quantity of argon (F2.50H). The four flat flames have similar final flame temperatures (1800 K).CO₂, or NH₃, or H₂O addition to the fresh gas inlet causes a shift downstream of the flame front and thus flame inhibition. Endothermic processes CO₂ + H = CO + OH and H₂O + H = H₂ + OH are responsible of the reduction of the hydrocarbon intermediates in the CO₂ and H₂O added flames through the supplementary formation of hydroxyl radicals. It has been demonstrated that such processes begin to play at the end of the flame front and becomes more efficient in the burnt gases region.The replacement of some Ar by NH₃ is responsible only for a slight decrease of the maximum mole fraction of C₂H₂, but NH₃ becomes much more efficient for C₄H₂ and C₅ to C₁₀ species. Moreover, the efficiency of NH₃ as a reducing agent of C₅ to C₁₀ intermediates is larger than that of CO₂ and H₂O for equal quantities added.     

Catalytic effect of water,water dimer,water trimer,HCOOH, H2SO4, CH3CH2COOH and HN(NO2)2 on the isomerisation of HN(NO2)2 to O2NNN(O)OH: a mechanism study

In this article, the isomerisation mechanisms of HN(NO₂)₂ to O₂NNN(O)OH without and with catalyst X (X = H₂O, (H₂O)₂, (H₂O)₃, HCOOH, H₂SO₄, CH₃CH₂COOH and HN(NO₂)₂) have been investigated theoretically at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. Our results show that the catalyst X (X = H₂O, (H₂O)₂, (H₂O)₃, HCOOH, H₂SO₄ and CH₃CH₂COOH) shows different positive catalytic effects on reducing the apparent activation energy of the isomerisation reaction processes. Such different catalytic effects are mainly related to the number of hydrogen bonds and the size of the ring structure in X (X = H₂O, (H₂O)₂ and (H₂O)₃)-assisted transition states, as well as different values of pK_a for H₂SO₄, HCOOH and CH₃CH₂COOH. Very interesting is also the fact that H₂SO₄-assisted reaction is the most favourable for the hydrogen transfer from HN(NO₂)₂ to O₂NNN(O)OH, due to the smallest pK_a (?3.0) value of H₂SO₄ than H₂O, HCOOH, H₂SO₄ and CH₃CH₂COOH, and also because of the largest ∠X???H???Y (the angle between the hydrogen bond donor and acceptor) involved in H₂SO₄-assisted transition state. Compared to the self-catalysis of the isomerisation mechanisms of HN(NO₂)₂ to O₂NNN(O)OH, the apparent activation energy of H₂SO₄-assisted channel also reduces by 9.6 kcal?mol^?1, indicating that H₂SO₄ can affect the isomerisation of HN(NO₂)₂ to O₂NNN(O)OH, most obvious among all the catalysts H₂O, (H₂O)₂, (H₂O)₃, HCOOH, H₂SO₄, CH₃CH₂COOH and HN(NO₂)₂.