Spectrophotometric determination of thiocyanate via coprecipitation and thermal decomposition of copper(I) thiocyanate

A method for determination of thiocyanate (6–100 μg described. It is based on the coprecipitation of copper(I) thiocyanate with copper(I) iodide, followed by decomposition of copper(I) thiocyanate in air at 450°C. The decomposition products are CuS, CuO, SO₂, CO₂ and N₂. Released sulphur dioxide is absorbed in sodium tetrachloromercurate(II) solution, and determined spectrophotometrically with bleached p-rosaniline. The method is unaffected by the presence of halides, sulphide, sulphite and thiosulphate.     

Vanadametry Estimation of Thiosulphate

1.(a) We have found that sodium thiosulphate is quantitatively oxidized to tetrathionate in five minutes at room temperature (28°) by excess sodium vanadate in a medium containing sulphuric acid at 0.06N to 0.1N concentration and a little copper sulphate as catalyst. (b) Quantitative emulation of sodium thiosulphate to tetrathionate has also been achieved by the action of excess sodium vanadate during five minutes at room temperature in a medium containing 2.0N—8.0N acetic acid and a little copper salt as catalyst. Further oxidation to sulphate does not occur, even if the mixture is heated to boiling. (c) The excess of unreacted vanadate in 1(a) and 1(b) can be titrated with a standard solution of ferrous ammonium sulphate using diphenylbenzidine as indicator, after adding the requisite quantity of syrupy phosphoric acid. 2. On the other hand, sodium thiosulphate is easily and quantitatively oxidized to sulphate at room temperature, when. acted upon by excess sodium vanadate in a medium containing hydrochloric acid at an overall concentration of 5-6N and 1.0 ml of iodine monochloride as catalyst. The time required for reaction is ten minutes. The unreacted vanadate can be estimated by titration with a standard solution of ferrous ammonium sulphate, using N-phenylanthranilic acid as indicator or with diphenylbenzidine as indicator after suitably diluting and adding phosphoric acid.     

The application of the ph-stat method to metal ion-catalyzed reactions

The pH-stat method, which is well known in organic chemistry and biochemistry, is used for the kinetic determination of metal ion catalysts. Indicator reactions that involve protons can be followed by controlled addition of standard base or acid. This is illustrated by the following examples: determination of copper(II) (0.03–0.3 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction ascorbic acid—peroxydisulphate; determination of molybdenum(VI) (0.2–2.5 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction thiosulphate—hydrogen peroxide; determination of zirconium(IV) (0.2–2 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction iodide—hydrogen peroxide; and determination of vanadium(V) (0.2–2 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction iodide—bromate. For one example, the copper—ascorbic acid—peroxydisulphate reaction, it is shown that the pH-stat method has distinct advantages over closed systems, giving considerably better sensitivity for the determination of copper (0.5–5 ng ml^-1 ).     

Der “thermo-stat” — eine ergänzung der verfahren zur bestimmung katalytisch wirksamer substanzen

The “Thermo-Stat” — a new device for the determination of catalyticaily active substancesA device for the determination of catalytically active substances, called a “ThermoStat”, is described. An additional heater is used to keep constant an arbitrarily preset temperature gradient between the reaction mixture and a cooling coil. Any heat produced by the catalysed reaction induces a deviation from the preset parameter and thus cuts out the additional heater. These breaks are plotted versus time by an integrating recorder. The slope of the reaction curve obtained is a measure of the concentration of the catalyst. As examples, determinations of copper in the range 0.1–2.0μg and molybdenum in the range 5–50 μg are discussed.     

Controlled anodic generation of the catalyst in kinetic continuous flow analysis

Controlled anodic dissolution of copper in a separate generator cell yields well-defined concentrations of catalyst, depending on the voltage applied. This adjustable generation of copper catalyst makes it possible to determine iron over a wide range of concentration (10–1500 μg Fe³⁺ ml^-1) via the iron(III)—thiosulphate reaction. By the copper(II)-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide—hydroquinone reaction, EDTA can be determined as an inhibitor (0.5–5 μg ml^-1) and cadmium(II) as a reactivator (1–10 μg ml^-1). As zinc(II) forms complexes with 2,2'-bipyridine, which activates copper in this reaction, it can be determined (5–50 μg Zn²⁺ ml^-1) by measuring the decrease in activation. The electrogeneration of silver ion as a catalyst is also described. The sulphanilic acid—peroxodisulphate reaction is catalyzed by silver(I), which is again activated by 2,2'-bipyridine. Zinc(II) can be determined (0.29–2.9 mg Zn²⁺ ml^-1) by the same principle as in the copper(II)-catalyzed reaction.     

A study on the structure and catalytic performance of ZnxCu1−xAl2O4 catalysts synthesized by the solution combustion method for the esterification reaction

A Zn_xCu_1−xAl₂O₄ catalyst was prepared via the microwave-assisted solution combustion method (MSC). This method presents a fast procedure for industrial scale catalyst preparation. The physicochemical properties of the fabricated catalyst were characterized using XRD, FTIR, BET, SEM and TEM analyses. The catalytic performance through the esterification reaction was examined under the following conditions: reaction temperature = 180 °C, catalyst concentration = 3% (w/w), molar ratio of oleic acid to methanol = 9 and reaction time = 6 h. XRD results showed that loading both zinc and copper oxides on alumina at a ratio of amounts that were nearly the same resulted in decreased crystalline size and well-dispersed copper-alumina and zinc-alumina crystals. Moreover, the mean pore diameter of the sample was increased by simultaneous loading of zinc and copper oxides on alumina that enhanced permeation of the reactants within pores and increased the interaction of the reactant with the catalyst active sites. The catalyst showed minimum tendency towards adsorbing moisture from air, which was attributed to it having less atoms on the surface through which binding with H₂O molecules takes place. The highest level of activity in the esterification reaction (96.9%) was obtained at the optimum ratio of the Zn:Cu molar ratio, identified to be 2:3. The sample particles ranged from 10 to 30 nm in size, without agglomeration.     

Voltammetry of copper species in estuarine waters induced adsorption of copper on the hanging mercury drop electrode in complexing ligand/surfactant/chloride media

The adsorption of copper species on a positively charged hanging mercury drop electrode in complexing ligand/surfactant/chloride solution is discussed. Techniques used were differential pulse voltammetry of the copper in the adsorbed film, and potential-step reduction of adsorbed copper followed by different pulse anodic stripping voltammetry of Cu(Hg). The CuCl^?₂ species is shown to be the most important copper moiety adsorbed on the electrode and the adsorption is enhanced by organic films. This can be a critical pathway in the reduction of copper(II) in estuarine waters. The induced adsorption of copper in organic layers has biogeochemical implications associated with the nature of organic films and their influence on the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox couple. There are also analytical applications, e.g., the compositional assay of organic monolayers by utilising Cu(II) and Cu(I) adsorption as electoractive probes and the determination of solution copper-organic binding.     

New indicator reaction for the determination of ultralow concentrations of copper by the kinetic method

The optimum conditions of the oxidation of diphenylamine-4-sulfonate by peroxomonosulfate were studied, and a method for the catalytic determination of copper in aqueous solutions was developed on the basis of this reaction. The method is simple in implementation, highly sensitive (c _l = 0.02 μg/L), and sufficiently selective in the direct determination of copper in different samples.     

Reductive amination of cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone to cyclohexylamine using SBA-15 supported copper catalysts

Amination of cyclohexanol was investigated in vapour phase over copper catalysts supported on mesoporous SBA-15. The different products identified during reductive amination of cyclohexanol reaction were cyclohexanone, cyclohexylamine, along with small amounts of N-Cyclohexylidinecyclohexylamine and dicyclohexylamine. Among several catalysts tested for the reductive amination, 5% Cu supported on SBA-15 exhibited better catalytic performance than other catalysts with 36% selectivity towards cylclohexylamine at 80% cyclohexanol conversion. The optimum reaction conditions employed to achieve the best catalyst performance were at 250 °C, 0.1 MPa of H₂/NH₃, TOS-10h. The active Cu sites, acidity of the catalyst, and effect of reaction parameters play a pivotal role in the reductive amination reaction. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, H₂-TPR and NH₃-TPD. The dispersion of Cu, particle size, and metal surface area (m²/g) calculated from pulse N₂O decomposition method. TPR findings reveal the presence of substantially dispersed copper oxide species at lower loadings which is easily reducible than the bulk copper oxide species found at higher Cu loadings. The acidity measurements by NH₃-TPD analysis suggest that the maximum acidic strength was obtained at 5 wt% copper on porous SBA-15, and decreased with Cu loadings. The catalytic properties are well in agreement with the findings of catalysts characterization.     

Stereoselective addition of aliphatic thiols to internal alkynes in a catalytic system with palladium “nanosalt” as an active site

An efficient catalytic system based on easily available palladium acetate was developed for the selective addition of aliphatic thiols to the triple bond of internal alkynes. Formed in situ [M(SR)₂] _n nanostructured particles were found to be an active form of the catalyst. It was experimentally confirmed for the first time that the most active form of the catalyst for thiol addition to internal alkynes is formed only in the reaction mixture containing the both reactants, namely, alkyne and thiol.     

La Méthylfluorone,réactif spécifique De L'antimoine

The purity of the methyl fluorone was controlled by the melting point of its acctyl derivative. Methyl fluorone is stable in the solid state, but not in ethyl alcohol solution. The solubility of the pure methyl fluorone which we prepared is 0.095% in ethyl alcohol, only a fifth of the solubility of the product used by P. Wenger, R. Duckert and Cl. Blancpain.We prefer the filter paper technique to that of a spotting plate or micro test tube. We were led to reject the use of tartaric solutions pH 4. recommended by the abovementioned authors, and prefer solutions in 1 N HCl.In employing the filter paper impregnated with a drop of the saturated alcoholic solution of methyl fluorone, antimony and molybdenum produce a colour change from yellow to red. germanium and tin a slight change from yellow to orange.If the filter paper is impregnated with a drop of acid solution (I N HCl) of methyl fluorone in alcohol, the sharpness of the reaction of antimony and molybdenum is appreciably increased, whilst the colouration due to germanium and tin do not interfere.By treating the spot with a few drops of H₂O₂ + HCl, the colouration due to molybdenum disappears and the reaction for antimony, which was selective, now becomes specific for this element.     

Recyclable nanoparticulate copper mediated synthesis of naphthoxazinones in PEG-400: a green approach

An efficient methodology employing copper nanoparticles for the preparation of 2-naphthol condensed 1,3-oxazinone derivatives employing one-pot condensation reaction in the presence of K₂CO₃ and copper nanoparticles in PEG-400 is described which offers several advantages, viz. high yields, clean reaction, short reaction times, recyclability of the catalyst and simple workup procedure. PEG-400 was found to be the best solvent out of a range of solvents examined for this scheme. Moreover, PEG could stabilize the nanoparticles from oxidation and thus could increase the catalyst efficiency by escalating the TON (Turn over Number) and TOF (Turn over Frequency) of the catalyst, making the protocol greener, eco-friendly and environmentally benign.     

Zur katalytischen Bestimmung von Kupferspuren

Zusammenfassung Das Verfahren beruht auf der Mitfällung der Kupferspuren an Quecksilbersulfid mit Natriumthiosulfat, Entfernung des Hg und katalytischer Bestimmung des Cu mit Hilfe der rhodanidindizierten Eisen(III)-Thiosulfatreaktion nach der Simultankomparationsmethode [2]. Es gestattet die Bestimmung von Kupferspuren bis 5 · 10^–6% (gegebenenfalls 0,01 ppm) in beispielsweise Alkali-, Mg-, Ca-, Sr-, Zn-, Mn-, Co-, Ni-, Al-, Cr-, Cd-Salzen, Borsäure, Salzsäure und anderen Substanzen. Die Verbindungen dürfen nicht als Nitrate vorliegen oder andere Oxydationsmittel sowie stark komplexbildende Anionen enthalten. Mitgeteilte Modelluntersuchungen an AlCl₃ und ZnCl₂ (Cu-Gehalt 0,1 ppm) ergaben in letzterem Falle eine Varianz S von rund 3%.

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On the catalytic determination of traces of copperII. Isolation of traces of copper by coprecipitation with mercury sulphide and their catalytic determination according to the simultaneous-comparison method

The procedure is based on the coprecipitation of traces of copper with mercury sulphide by means of sodium thiosulphate, removal of the mercury and catalytic copper determination by means of the simultaneous-comparison method using the reaction between iron(III) thiocyanate and thiosulphate [2]. Traces of copper down to 5×10^–6% (0.01 ppm) can be determined in alkali, Mg, Ca, Sr, Zn, Mn, Co, Ni, Al, Cr and Cd salts, in boric acid, hydrochloric acid and other substances. Nitrates and other oxidizing agents and also strongly complexing anions must be absent. Results with AlCl₃ and ZnCl₂ (Cu content 0.1 ppm) are given. In the latter case the variation was about 3%.

     

Non-isothermal kinetic and thermodynamic study for the dehydration of copper(II) chloride dihydrate and nickel chloride hexahydrate

Non-isothermal dehydration of copper chloride dihydrate and nickel chloride hexahydrate were studied by using TG, DTG, DTA and DSC measurements. The copper chloride salt loses its two water molecules in one step while nickel chloride salt dehydrates in three consecutive steps. The first two steps involve the loss of 4 water molecules in two overlapped steps while the third step involves the dehydration of the dihydrate salt to give the anhydrous NiCl₂. Activation energies (ΔE) and the frequency factor (A) were calculated from DTG and DTA results. We have also calculated the different thermodynamic parameters, e.g. enthalpy change (ΔH), heat capacity (C _p) and the entropy change (ΔS) from DSC measurements for both reactants. The isothermal rehydration of the completely dehydrated salts was studied in air and under saturated vapour pressure of water. Anhydrous nickel chloride was found to rehydrate in three consecutive steps while the copper salt rehydrated in one step.     

Liquid-phase hydrogenation of alkenes and aromatic compounds with Pd-loaded oxidized diamond catalyst

Hydrogenation reactions of alkenes (cyclohexene, ethyl acrylate, styrene and 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and aromatic compounds (o-, m- and p-xylene) were carried out in order to examine the activity of palladium-loaded surface-oxidized diamond (Pd/O-Dia) catalyst in liquid-phase hydrogenation. The catalytic performance was compared to commercial palladium-loaded activated carbon (Pd/C) catalyst. The catalyst activities were evaluated by conversions of reactants and H₂ uptake rates in the early stage of the reaction. In all the hydrogenation reactions of alkenes and aromatic compounds, the activity of Pd/O-Dia was almost the same as or slightly higher than that of Pd/C. Dispersion of Pd metal was measured by a CO-pulsed adsorption technique and TEM observations of the catalysts. Pd dispersions were on the same order of magnitude according to the CO-pulsed adsorption technique, although the Pd/C catalyst had a higher surface area (718 m²/g) than that of Pd/O-Dia (23 m²/g). The Pd particle sizes on O-Dia measured by TEM observation were slightly smaller than those on the activated carbon. Such highly dispersed Pd particles on O-Dia would contribute to higher activity for the hydrogenation reaction of alkenes and aromatic compounds.     

Enthalpimetric determination of sulphide and thiosulphate by the catalysis of the iodine-azide reaction

The enthalpimetric determination of sulphide and thiosulphate, in the presence and absence of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, making use of the catalysis of the iodine-azide reaction is studied. An excess of the cations avoids losses of sulphide as H₂S and, when cadmium is used, a 30% enhancement of the sensitivity is observed in the determination of sulphide. On the other hand, both cations depress the analytical response produced by thiosulphate, but iodide can be used as an enhancement agent. Limits of detection of 0.1 and 0.3 ppm are obtained for sulphide and thiosulphate, respectively, and linear dynamic ranges comprise about two orders of magnitude.     

Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Molybdenum and Copper in Manganese Compounds

 Adsorptive voltammetry was employed for the determination of copper and molybdenum in manganese compounds. As working electrode the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was used. The method was applied in aqueous solutions of MnCl₂ and Mn(NO₃)₂, as well as in pre-treated manganese dioxide and manganese ores. The detection limits are 3 μg/g for copper and 5 μg/g for molybdenum in the sample. The RSDs at concentration level of 8 μg/g are 2.2 and 3.2% for copper and molybdenum, respectively.     

Carbon nanotubes decorated α-Al2O3 containing cobalt nanoparticles for Fischer-Tropsch reaction

A new hierarchical composite consisted of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) layer anchored on macroscopic α-Al₂O₃ host matrix was synthesized and used as support for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The composite constituted by a thin shell of a homogeneous, highly entangled and structure-opened carbon nanotubes network and it exhibited a relatively high and fully accessible specific surface area of 76 m²·g^?1, compared with that of 5 m²·g^?1 of the original α-Al₂O₃ support. The metal-support interaction between carbon nanotubes surface and cobalt precursor and high effective surface area led to a relatively high dispersion of cobalt nanoparticles. This hierarchically supported cobalt catalyst exhibited a high FTS activity along with an extremely high selectivity towards liquid hydrocarbons compared with the cobalt-based catalyst supported on pristine α-Al2O₃ or on CNTs carriers. This improvement can attribute to the high accessibility of composite surface area comparing with the macroscopic host structure alone or to the bulk CNTs where the nanoscopic dimension induced a dense packing with low mass transfer which favoured the problem of reactants competitive diffusion towards the cobalt active site. In addition, intrinsic thermal conductivity of decorated CNTs could help the heat dissipating throughout the catalyst body, thus avoiding the formation of local hot spots which appeared in high CO conversion under pure syngas feed in FTS reaction. Cobalt supported on CNTs decorated α-Al₂O₃ catalyst also exhibited satisfied high stability during more than 200 h on stream under relatively severe conditions compared with other catalysts reported in the literature. Finally, the macroscopic shape of such composite easily rendered its usage as catalyst support in a fixed-bed configuration without facing problems of transport and pressure drop as encountered with the bulk CNTs.     

Contact angle hysteresis

In thermodynamic equilibrium, the contact angle is related by Young's equation to the interfacial energies. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to measure the equilibrium contact angle. When for example placing a drop on a surface its contact angle can assume any value between the advancing Θ_a and receding Θ_r contact angles, depending on how the drop is placed. Θ_a − Θ_r is called contact angle hysteresis. Contact angle hysteresis is essential for our daily life because it provides friction to drops. Many applications, such as coating, painting, flotation, would not be possible without contact angle hysteresis. Contact angle hysteresis is caused by the nanoscopic structure of the surfaces. Here, we review our current understanding of contact angle hysteresis with a focus on water as the liquid. We describe appropriate methods to measure it, discuss the causes of contact angle hysteresis, and describe the preparation of surfaces with low contact angle hysteresis.     

Verbesserung der Reproduzierbarkeit der Tropfenfallmethode durch Schr?gstellen des Fallrohres

Zusammenfassung Die Reproduzierbarkeit der bekannten Tropfenfallmethode zur Dichtebestimmung wÄ\riger Lösungen bzw. zur Isotopenanalyse des Wassers lÄ\t sich dadurch wesentlich verbessern, da\ das Fallrohr nicht senkrecht, sondern schrÄg gestellt wird. Die Tropfen fallen dann nicht frei, sondern rollen die Wand hinunter. Ist die OberflÄche des Fallrohres genügend eben und gleichmÄ\ig hydrophobiert, so wird der Tropfen auf seinem Weg exakt geführt und sein Fall wird weniger durch Flüssigkeitsströmungen usw. beeinflu\t.

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Summary The falling-drop method used frequently for the density determination of aqueous solutions or for the isotopic analysis of water, may be increased considerably in its reproducibility by employing an inclined rather than a vertical falling tube. Instead of falling freely, the drops roll down the wall of the tube. Provided that the wall surface is sufficiently flat and uniformly coated with water repellants, the drops are guided exactly on their way and are less susceptible to perturbations by liquid convection etc.