The Ethylbenzene/Styrene Preferential Separation with Ionic Liquids in Liquid–Liquid Extraction

The objective of this work was to explore the feasibility of using ionic liquids (ILs), namely N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholinium dicyanamide, [EMMor][DCA], (3-hydroxypropyl)-1-methylmorpholinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃OHMMor][DCA], 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide, [N-C₃OHMIM][DCA], 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyridinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃OHPy][DCA], (3-cyanopropyl)pyridinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃CNPy][DCA], and (3-cyanopropyl)methylpyrrolidinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃CNMPyr][DCA] for the separation of ethylbenzene and styrene. The liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data in ternary systems of {IL (1)?+?styrene (2)?+?ethylbenzene (3)} at T?=?298.15 K and ambient pressure is presented for the six ILs synthesized by us. The final chromatography analysis of the composition of tie-lines has shown that the studied ILs are not found in the raffinate phase and they show interesting results on the selectivity and solute distribution ratio for styrene extraction. A comparison of different ILs is presented for the studied separation problem. It was observed that the best separation selectivities were found for [N-C₃CNPy][DCA] (S_Av?=?2.38) and [N-C₃OHMMor][DCA] (S_Av?=?2.42) in comparison with other studied ILs in this work and those presented in the literature. While the data presented here are useful from a theoretical standpoint, the possibility of applications for these ILs in technological processes is questionable because of low solute distribution ratios, especially those calculated from the masses [N-C₃CNPy][DCA] (β_MAv?=?0.08) and [N-C₃OHMMor][DCA] (β_MAv?=?0.07). The experimental tie-lines were correlated with the non-random two liquid NRTL model.     

LC with a Teicoplanin Aglycone Chiral Sorbent for the Separation of the Enantiomers of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: An Evaluation of Chiral Capillary Columns

A capillary column with a teicoplanin aglycone (TAG) stationary phase (CSP) was used for enantioselective separation of selected profen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in capillary liquid chromatography (cLC). The effect of variations in the mobile phase composition on the retention and enantioselective separation was examined. The best resolution was attained in the mobile phase composed of 40/60 (v/v) methanol/1.0% triethylamine acetate buffer, pH 4.0 or 4.5. Under the optimized separation conditions, five of the set of eight analytes were enantioresolved with resolution values better than 0.9. Only fenoprofen was not enantioseparated in any system tested. The optimized separation conditions were used for evaluation of three chiral capillary columns (all prepared in the same way in our laboratory) in terms of the repeatability and reproducibility of the results. The run-to-run repeatability was expressed in terms of the relative standard deviation (RSD) values, obtained from ten independent measurements, for the following parameters: the retention factor for the first eluted enantiomer (k ₁), the selectivity (α), the enantioresolution (R), the theoretical plate count per meter for the first eluted enantiomer (N ₁) and the elution curve asymmetry for the first eluted enantiomer (As ₁). None of the RSD values exceeded 8%. The column-to-column reproducibility of these parameters ranged between 1 and 9%. The results obtained with TAG based CSPs in cLC (a laboratory packed capillary column) were compared with those obtained by classical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a commercially available column. The cLC procedure provided a better enantioresolution and the elution curves had a better symmetry.     

The use of recurrent equations in chromatography

Recurrent equations A(x + k) = aA(x) + b were shown to be applicable to the approximation not only of virtually arbitrary properties of organic compounds (A) in homologous series (A = n _C, k = 1 or 2) but also of the dependences of chromatographic retention parameters on the number of carbon atoms in homologue molecules (A = t _R). The same equations described the temperature dependences of retention times of arbitrary compounds under isothermal separation conditions in gas chromatography (x = T, k = ΔT = const) and the dependences of retention times on the concentration of an organic solvent as an eluent component (x = C, k = ΔC = const) under isocratic separation conditions in high performance liquid chromatography.     

A Search for a Direct Relationship Between Chromatographic and Adsorption Data

Shifts of chromatographic peak maxima and centres of gravity have been investigated for different amounts of propane injected on to a chromatographic column in ideal, non-linear chromatography. Specific retention volumes (V _{g (273)}, corrected to the standard temperature, 273.15 K), propane adsorption isotherms, and the first and second derivatives of the isotherms, (da/dp) _T and (d²a/dp²) _T , were determined for samples of active carbon and for different amounts of propane injected on column. Relationships between specific retention volume and the molar differential work of adsorption, A, were calculated on the basis of the propane isotherms and using the retention times of the peak maxima and the centres of gravity of the peaks. The equations obtained, ln V _{g (273)}=f₁(A) and(dW/dA) _{T, F c} = f₂(ln V _{g (273)}), have been used to explain the relationships between (i) chromatographic peak profiles and (ii) the distribution function of pore volumes filled with propane and the molar differential work of adsorption at different column temperatures (303–318 K).     

Production and Accumulation of 4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Methyl-α-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Glucuronosyl-Xylotriose by Growing Culture of Thermophilic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoxybacillus</Emphasis> sp. Strain JT-12

A thermophilic Anoxybacillus sp. strain JT-12, isolated from soil, produced acidic xylotriose, 4-O-methyl-α-d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose (MeGlcAX₃), as a main product from birchwood xylan and accumulated them in the culture under optimum conditions at pH 7.0 and 55 °C using 0.75% (w/v) birchwood xylan as a carbon source for 42–72 h. The acidic xylotriose was purified by ethanol precipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography using NH₂ Lichosher® 100 column. The results of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, mass to charge ratio (m/z) 603.23, confirmed that the purified sample was acidic xylotriose that had benefits and applications in many fields.     

Modelling of proton and metal exchange in the alginate biopolymer

Acid–base behaviour of a commercial sodium alginate extracted from brown seaweed (Macrocystis pyrifera) has been investigated at different ionic strengths (0.1≤I/mol l^?1≤1.0) and in different supporting electrolytes (Et₄NI, NaCl, KCl, LiCl, NaCl+MgCl₂), with the aim of examining the influence of ionic medium on the proton-binding capacity and of quantifying the strength of interaction with light metal ions in the perspective of speciation studies in natural aqueous systems. Potentiometric ([H⁺]-glass electrode) and titration calorimetric data were expressed as a function of the dissociation degree (α) using different models (Henderson–Hasselbalch modified, Högfeldt three parameters and linear equations). The dependence on ionic strength of the protonation constants was taken into account by a modified specific interaction theory model. Differences among different media were explained in terms of the interaction between polyanion and metal cations of the supporting electrolytes. Quantitative information on the proton-binding capacity, together with the stabilities of different species formed, is reported. Protonation thermodynamic parameters, at α=0.5, are log K ^H=3.686±0.005, ΔG ⁰=?21.04±0.03 kJ mol^?1, ΔH ⁰=4.8±0.2 kJ mol^?1 and TΔS ⁰=35.7±0.3 kJ mol^?1, at infinite dilution. Protonation enthalpies indicate that the main contribution to proton binding arises from the entropy term. A strict correlation between ΔG and TΔS was found, TΔS=?9.5–1.73 ΔG. Results are reported in light of building up a chemical complexation model of general validity to explain the binding ability of naturally occurring polycarboxylate polymers and biopolymers. Speciation profiles of alginate in the presence of sodium and magnesium ions, naturally occurring cations in natural waters, are also reported.     

Interaction Between an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Ionic Liquid Benzalkonium Salicylate and Small Biomolecules in Aqueous Solution: UV Absorption,Conductivity, and Volumetric Study

UV absorption spectroscopy, electrical conductivity and density experiments have been used to investigate the interactions of some small biomolecules (amino acids/dipeptides) with an active pharmaceutical ingredient in ionic liquid form (API-IL), benzalkonium salicylate (BaSal), in aqueous solution. A number of useful parameters, such as critical micellar concentration (cmc), aggregation number (N_agg) and limiting molar conductivity (Λ₀) of BaSal, standard partial molar volumes (\(V_{2,\phi }^{ \circ }\)), corresponding volumes of transfer from water to aqueous BaSal solutions (Δ_trV^o), standard partial molar expansibilities (\(E_{\phi }^{ \circ }\)), hydration number (n_H) of small biomolecules, as well as the binding constants (K_b) for small biomolecule–BaSal complexes have been evaluated. The dependence of the properties on concentration, temperature and alkyl chain length of amino acids/dipeptides is examined. The results are used to identify the solute–solvent physicochemical interactions occurring in the studied systems.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizosaccharomyces pombe</Emphasis> as an Efficient Yeast to Convert Sugarcane Bagasse Pretreated with Ionic Liquids in Ethanol

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass with ionic liquids (ILs) has been extensively studied, being regarded as one of the most promising methods for obtaining fermentable sugars. In this research, it was investigated the production of ethanol from sugars released from sugarcane bagasse pretreated with the ionic liquids [C₄mim][OAc] and [C₂mim][OAc], hydrolysed with Penicillium echinulatum enzymes and using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Yields of about 43 and 56% of ethanol were observed for S. cerevisiae and biomass pretreated with [C₂mim][OAc] and [C₄mim][OAc], respectively. S. pombe yielded 52 and 78% ethanol for [C₂mim][OAc] and [C₄mim][OAc], respectively. These results indicate that S. pombe showed best performance for alcoholic fermentation from sugars released from pretreated biomass by ILs.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic stability of cerium(IV) complexes with a series of aminopolyacetic acids

The compositions, stability constants, and rate constants of intramolecular redox decomposition of cerium(IV) complexes with anions of aminoacetic (H₂NCH₂COOH), iminodiacetic [HN(CH₂COOH)₂], nitrilotriacetic [N(CH₂COOH)₃], ethylenediaminetetraacetic [(CH₂COOH)₂N(CH₂)₂N(CH₂COOH)₂], and hexamethylenediaminetetraacetic [(CH₂COOH)₂N(CH₂)₆N(CH2COOH)₂] acids were determined by potentiometric, spectrophotometric, and kinetic methods at pH in the range 1.3?2.0 in perchlorate and nitrate media at an ionic strength I = 0.1 and a temperature of 298.15 K. Direct linear correlation between the logarithms of the stability constants of the complexes, log β₁₀₁, and logarithms of the cumulative protonation constants, log В _m+k (k = 1–2), of aminopolyacetic acid anions L ^m–, and inverse linear correlation between log β₁₀₁ and logarithms of the rate constants of intramolecular redox decomposition of the complexonates [CeL]^4–m (m = 1–4), log k _n=1, were found.     

Tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl phosphate–ionic liquid mixtures for Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> extraction from Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-containing brines at 303–343 K

Extraction of Li⁺ ions from salt lake brine into an ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C₂mim][NTf₂]) mixed with tri-n-butyl was investigated. The extraction mechanism was been studied using UV–Vis spectroscopy From the temperature dependence data, the thermodynamic functions values (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were calculated. Furthermore, stripping of metals from ionic liquid phase to an aqueous phase by hydrochloric acid was accomplished.     

New Ether-Functionalized Ionic Liquids for Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Biodiesel

Ionic liquids (ILs) are being explored as solvents for the enzymatic methanolysis of triglycerides. However, most available ILs (especially hydrophobic ones) have poor capability in dissolving lipids, while hydrophilic ILs tend to cause enzyme inactivation. Recently, we synthesized a new type of ether-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) carrying anions of acetate or formate; they are capable of dissolving a variety of substrates and are also lipase-compatible (Green Chem., 2008, 10, 696–705). In the present study, we carried out the lipase-catalyzed transesterifications of Miglyol® oil 812 and soybean oil in these novel ILs. These ILs are capable of dissolving oils at the reaction temperature (50 °C); meanwhile, lipases maintained high catalytic activities in these media even in high concentrations of methanol (up to 50% v/v). High conversions of Miglyol oil were observed in mixtures of IL and methanol (70/30, v/v) when the reaction was catalyzed by a variety of lipases and different enzyme preparations (free and immobilized), especially with the use of two alkylammonium ILs 2 and 3. The preliminary study on the transesterification of soybean oil in IL/methanol mixtures further confirms the potential of using oil-dissolving and lipase-stabilizing ILs in the efficient production of biodiesels.     

Thermodynamic properties of triphenylantimony dibenzoate

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity of triphenylantimony dibenzoate Ph₃Sb(OC(O)Ph)₂ is studied in the range of 6–480 K by means of precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The melting of the compound is observed in this temperature range, and its standard thermodynamic characteristics are identified and analyzed. Ph₃Sb(OC(O)Ph)₂ is obtained in a metastable amorphous state in a calorimeter. The standard thermodynamic functions of Ph₃Sb(OC(O)Ph)₂ in the crystalline and liquid states are calculated from the obtained experimental data: C_p^°(T), H°(T)–H°(0), S°(T), and G°(T)–H°(0) for the region from T → 0 to 480 K. The standard entropy of formation of the compound in the crystalline state at T = 298.15 K is determined. Multifractal processing of the low-temperature (T < 50 K) heat capacity of the compound is performed. It is concluded that the structure of the compound has a planar chain topology.     

Gold(I) complexes with methionine residue in aqueous solutions

Equilibria of stepwise substitution AuCl₂^? + iMet^– = AuCl_2–iMet _i ^– + iCl^–, β _i (i = 1, 2), where Met^– is a methionine residue, in aqueous solutions are studied at 25°C and I = 0.2 M (NaCl). The equilibrium constants are determined: logβ₁ = 3.8 and logβ₂ = 5.4.     

RBaCuCoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (R = Nd,Sm, Gd) layered cuprocobaltites: Synthesis,structure, and properties

Cuprocobaltites RBaCuCoO_{5 + gd}(R = Nd, Sm, Gd) were prepared. Their unit cell parameters were determined, and thermal expansion, electrical conductivity (σ), and Seebeck coefficient (S) were studied in air in the range 300–1100 K. The compounds have tetragonal structures (space group P4/mmm, Z = 1). Their unit cell parameters are a = 0.3906(2) nm, c= 0.7648(7) nm for NdBaCuCoO_5.21; a = 0.3904(2) nm, c = 0.7609(6) nm for SmBaCuCoO_5.06; and a = 0.3891(2), c = 0.7592(6) nm for GdBaCuCoO_5.02. The RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} cuprocobaltites at room temperature are p-type semiconductors, whose electrical conductivity and linear thermal expansion coefficient (LTEC) increase with increasing R³⁺ ionic radius, whereas the Seebeck coefficient decreases. The LTECs of RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} phases in the range 500–575 K increase by a factor of 1.2–1.5 because of the elimination of weakly bound oxygen. S = f(T) curves for RBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (R = Nd, Sm, Gd) feature maxima at 510 K for R = Sm and 365 K for R = Gd, probably, due to the change in the spin state of cobalt cations in these phases.     

Dissolved air flotation for treating wastewater of the nuclear industry: preliminary results

Preliminary testing of dissolved air flotation (DAF) for wastewater treatment is presented. A combined coagulation-flocculation/DAF column system is used to remove oil and ⁶⁰Co from nuclear industry wastewater. In this work, operational conditions and coagulant/flocculant concentrations are optimized by varying pH. Determinations of air-solids ratio (G/S), retention time (θ), pressure (P), volume of depressurized air–water mixture (V), turbidity and ⁶⁰Co concentrations are reported. The effect of the treatment on the efficiency of separation of oily residues is also discussed. The results establish that the coagulant/flocculant system, formed by a modified polyamine (25 mgL^?1) and a slightly cationic polyacrylamide (1.5 mgL^?1), under specific operational conditions (pH = 7, mixing intensity Im₁ = 300 s^?1 and Im₂ = 30 s^?1), allowed the destabilization of colloidal matter, resulting in resistant flocs. It was concluded that by using G/S = 0.3, θ = 15 min, P = 620 kPa and V = 0.0012 m³, the greatest percentage removals of oil, turbidity, total cobalt and ⁶⁰Co were obtained. These preliminary results then show that dissolved air flotation represents a good alternative for treatment of nuclear industry wastewater contaminated with radionuclides.     

Solution Thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Superscript>/</Superscript>-Ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) Chloride in Aqueous Dimethylsulphoxide

The densities, viscosities and refractive indices of N,N ^/-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) chloride, [Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂]Cl, in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with different mass fractions (w ₂ = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00) of DMSO were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. From measured densities, viscosities and refractive indices the apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), standard partial molar volume (V _φ ⁰ ), the slope (S _V ^* ), standard isobaric partial molar expansibility (φ _E ⁰ ) and its temperature dependence (?φ _E ⁰ /?T) _p , the viscosity B-coefficient, its temperature dependence (?B/?T), solvation number (S _n ) and apparent molar refractivity (R _D ^φ ), etc., were calculated and discussed on the basis of ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions. These results revealed that the solutions are characterized by ion–solvent interactions rather than by ion–ion interactions and the complex behaves as a long range structure maker. Thermodynamics of viscous flow was discussed in terms of transition state theory.     

Electron density distribution in crystals of the antimony(V) spiroendoperoxide complexes

The experimental and theoretical electron densities in complexes [6-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)imino-2,4-di-tert-butylcyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-peroxo-1-olato-N,O,O′]tris(p-chlorophenyl)antimony(V), (p-Cl–C₆H₄)₃Sb(2,6-iso-Pr–Ph–AP) · O₂ (I), and [6-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imino-2,4-di-tert-butylcyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-peroxo-1-olato-N,O,O′]tris(p-chlorophenyl)antimony(V), (p-Cl–C₆H₄)₃Sb(2,6-Me–Ph–AP) · O₂ (II), where AP is 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-o-iminobenzoquinone dianion, are studied on the basis of high-resolution X-ray diffraction data and theoretical calculations using the density functional theory (B3LYP/DGDZVP). The nature of chemical bonds and the charge distribution on atoms are studied, and the energy of molecular oxygen addition to the Sb(V) o-aminophenolate complexes is estimated. The structures are deposited with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CIF files CCDC nos. 1560600 (spherical refinement) and 1560601 (multipole refinement) for complex I; 1560602 (spherical) and 1560603 (multipole) for complex II).     

Thermodynamic characteristics of the formation of complexes of nickel(II) with L-homoserine

The formation of complexes of nickel(II) with L-homoserine at 298.15 K and ionic strengths I = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 (KNO₃) are investigated by potentiometry and calorimetry. Standard characteristics of studied equilibria (log K°, Δ_rG°, Δ_rH°, and Δ_rS°) are determined.     

Synthesis and sorption properties of layered hydrous manganese dioxide saturated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-metal cations

Layered compounds based on hydrous manganese dioxide (hereafter, Mn-phases) saturated with s-metal (Ba²⁺), p-metal (Pb²⁺), and d-metal (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺) cations, analogues of manganese minerals of oceanic ferromanganese formations (vernadite, birnessite, buserite-I, and asbolan), were prepared at 4–6°C. All Mn-phases have poorly ordered structures. The sorption properties of phase compounds were studied in relation to alkali-metal (Na⁺ and K⁺) and other s-, p-, and d-metal cations. The exchange capacities of Mn-phases for alkali cations are very low, within 0.02–0.10 mg-equiv/g; for the other cations, the exchange capacities are 0.13–4.20 mg-equiv/g. The sorption of divalent metal cations depends on the phase and chemical composition of the Mn-phase.     

Fischer—Tropsch synthesis in ionic liquids

A comparative evaluation of the activity of different catalysts in the Fischer—Tropsch synthesis was performed. The reaction was conducted under batch conditions (autoclave) with the catalysts suspended in nonpolar and polar media, viz., n-decane or ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The fused Fe—K system, cobalt carbonyl, and pivalate complex [Co(Piv)_2–x OH] _n were used as catalysts. In the most cases, the use of the non-acidic ionic liquid decreases the activity of these catalytic systems. The formation of liquid hydrocarbons С₅—С₁₄ is observed only with the combination ionic liquid—Сo₂(CO)₈. When the Fe—К catalyst is modified with a cocatalyst in the form of the ionic liquid supported on the silica gel surface ([BMIM][BF₄](30%)/SiO₂), the conversion of carbon monoxide somewhat increases (by 5—7%). The ratio paraffins/olefins/iso-paraffins/aromatics in the reaction products was shown to change in a wide range.