Ion Selective Electrode Determination of Free Versus Total Fluoride Ion in Simple and Fluoroligand Coordinated Hexafluoropnictate (PnF<Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript>, Pn = P,As, Sb,Bi) Salts

Interpretation of the results of determinations of free fluoride (F_f⁻) and total fluoride (F_t⁻) obtained with fluoride ISE while conducting elemental chemical analysis of bulk material of newly synthesized inorganic fluoride compounds is of crucial importance for the purpose of determination of purity and stoichiometry of these compounds. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of these compounds in aqueous media is therefore essential. Observations are presented on the determinations of the amounts of F_t⁻ and F_f⁻ in fluorinated compounds, in the particular hexafluoropnictate salts (PnF₆⁻, Pn = P, As, Sb, Bi) as found in aqueous media and in some compounds with XeF₂, AsF₃ ligands. A critical look at the determined amounts of F_f⁻, F_t⁻and calculated amounts of bound fluoride (F_b⁻) is provided.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the arsenate mineral strashimirite Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4·5H2O—Relationship to other basic copper arsenates

The basic copper arsenate mineral strashimirite Cu₈(AsO₄)₄(OH)₄·5H₂O from two different localities has been studied by Raman spectroscopy and complemented by infrared spectroscopy. Two strashimirite mineral samples were obtained from the Czech (sample A) and Slovak (sample B) Republics. Two Raman bands for sample A are identified at 839 and 856 cm⁻¹ and for sample B at 843 and 891 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the ν₁ (AsO₄³⁻) symmetric and the ν₃ (AsO₄³⁻) antisymmetric stretching modes, respectively. The broad band for sample A centred upon 500 cm⁻¹, resolved into component bands at 467, 497, 526 and 554 cm⁻¹ and for sample B at 507 and 560 cm⁻¹ include bands which are attributable to the ν₄ (AsO₄³⁻) bending mode. In the Raman spectra, two bands (sample A) at 337 and 393 cm⁻¹ and at 343 and 374 cm⁻¹ for sample B are attributed to the ν₂ (AsO₄³⁻) bending mode. The Raman spectrum of strashimirite sample A shows three resolved bands at 3450, 3488 and 3585 cm⁻¹. The first two bands are attributed to water stretching vibrations whereas the band at 3585 cm⁻¹ to OH stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. Two bands (3497 and 3444 cm⁻¹) are observed in the Raman spectrum of B. A comparison is made of the Raman spectrum of strashimirite with the Raman spectra of other selected basic copper arsenates including olivenite, cornwallite, cornubite and clinoclase.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral bindheimite Pb2Sb2O6(O,OH)

Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has been used to characterise the antimonate mineral bindheimite Pb₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH). The mineral is characterised by an intense Raman band at 656 cm⁻¹ assigned to SbO stretching vibrations. Other lower intensity bands at 664, 749 and 814 cm⁻¹ are also assigned to stretching vibrations. This observation suggests the non-equivalence of SbO units in the structure. Low intensity Raman bands at 293, 312 and 328 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the OSbO bending vibrations. Infrared bands at 979, 1008, 1037 and 1058 cm⁻¹ may be assigned to δOH deformation modes of SbOH units. Infrared bands at 1603 and 1640 cm⁻¹ are assigned to water bending vibrations, suggesting that water is involved in the bindheimite structure. Broad infrared bands centred upon 3250 cm⁻¹ supports this concept. Thus the true formula of bindheimite is questioned and probably should be written as Pb₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH,H₂O).     

Effets de sels dans la reaction de trialkylaluminium avec le benzaldehyde

Tetra-n-butylammonium halides and, to a lesser extent alkali fluorides, enhance the addition/reduction ratio in the reaction of trialkylaluminium with benzaldehyde in ether, and lower the reactivity of the organoaluminium compounds. These results are consistent with the existence of complexes between salts and organoaluminium compounds [MX•R₃ Al (1/1) and MX•2R₃ Al (1/2)]. The more stable the complex, the more important are the effects I⁻ Br⁻ Cl⁻ F⁻ and NaF KF Bu₄ NF. The 1/1 complexes are more stable and less reactive than their corresponding 1/2 complexes.     

IR-analysis of H-bonded H2O on the pure TiO2 surface

The surface state of optically pure polydisperse TiO₂ (anatase and rutile) was determined by infra-red (IR) spectroscopy analysis in the temperature range of 100–453 K. Anatase A300 spectrum, contrary to rutile R300 one, has a broad three-component absorption band with peaks at 1048, 1137 and 1222 cm⁻¹ in the spectral range of δ(Ti–O–H) deformation vibrations. For rutile R300 we observed a very weak band at 1047 cm⁻¹, and for the thermal treated rutile R900 these bands were not appeared at all. The analysis of temperature dependencies for the mentioned absorption bands revealed the spectral shift of 1222 cm⁻¹ band towards the high frequencies, when the temperature increased, but the spectral parameters of 1137 and 1048 cm⁻¹ bands remained the same. The temperature of 1222 cm⁻¹ band maximum shift was 373–393 K and correlated with DSC data. Obtained results allowed to assign 1222 cm⁻¹ band to the deformation vibrations of OH-groups, bounded to the surface adsorbed water molecules by weak hydrogen bonds (5 kcal/mol). During the temperature growth these molecules desorbed, which also resulted in the intensity decreasing of stretching OH-groups vibration IR-bands at 3420 cm⁻¹. The destruction and desorption of surface water complexes led to Ti–O–H bond strengthening. IR bands at 1137 and 1048 cm⁻¹ were attributed to the stronger bounded adsorbed water molecules, which are also characterized with stretching OH-groups vibration bands at 3200 cm⁻¹. These surface structure were additionally stabilized by hydrogen bonds with the neighbouring TiO₂ lattice anions and other OH-groups, and desorbed at higher temperatures.     

Resonance Raman spectroscopy of mass selected Al2 in an argon matrix

In an excitation range of 620–760 nm, resonance Raman spectra of aluminum dimers (Al₂) in an argon matrix have been obtained for the first time. Temperature annealing experiments were performed to remove Raman lines attributed site effects caused by the Al₂/Ar matrix. We observe a single fundamental at 293.3 (5) cm⁻¹ along with a progression up to 1149 (1) cm⁻¹. Taking successive differences of band centers we obtain spectroscopic constants for the ground state fundamental, ω_e=297.5 (5) cm⁻¹, the anharmonicity, ω_ex_e=1.68 (8) cm⁻¹. Our results are in close agreement with previous experimental results for Al₂ which designate the ground state as a ³Π_u state, and may be considered as confirmation of this assignment.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of 2,3,6,7-tetrakis(2-cyanoethylthio)tetrathiafulvalene salts

The synthesis of the protected TTF tetrathiolate 2,3,6,7-tetrakis(2-cyanoethylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (TCE-TTF), as well as those of five new radical cation salts [TCE-TTF](X), X⁻ = PF₆⁻, CF₃SO₃⁻, BF₄⁻, obtained by electrocrystallization technique is presented. Five crystal structures of these materials based on their fully oxidized donor molecules are described. The flexibility of the cyanoethylene arm yields two conformations cis and trans to the molecule. Then compounds with PF₆⁻ and BF₄⁻ anions crystallized as two different phases. All these materials are insulators, and the magnetic studies of one phase of [TCE-TTF](PF₆) revealed an antiferromagnetic behavior.     

Kinetics of the R + HBr RH + Br (CH3CHBr, CHBr2 or CDBr2) equilibrium. Thermochemistry of the CH3CHBr and CHBr2 radicals

The kinetics of the reaction of the CH₃CHBr, CHBr₂ or CDBr₂ radicals, R, with HBr have been investigated in a temperature-controlled tubular reactor coupled to a photoionization mass spectrometer. The CH₃CHBr (or CHBr₂ or CDBr₂) radical was produced homogeneously in the reactor by a pulsed 248 nm exciplex laser photolysis of CH₃CHBr₂ (or CHBr₃ or CDBr₃). The decay of R was monitored as a function of HBr concentration under pseudo-first-order conditions to determine the rate constants as a function of temperature. The reactions were studied separately from 253 to 344 K (CH₃CHBr + HBr) and from 288 to 477 K (CHBr₂ + HBr) and in these temperature ranges the rate constants determined were fitted to an Arrhenius expression (error limits stated are 1σ + Student’s t values, units in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, no error limits for the third reaction): k(CH₃CHBr + HBr) = (1.7 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹³ exp[+ (5.1 ± 1.9) kJ mol⁻¹/RT], k(CHBr₂ + HBr) = (2.5 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹³ exp[−(4.04 ± 1.14) kJ mol⁻¹/RT] and k(CDBr₂ + HBr) = 1.6 × 10⁻¹³ exp(−2.1 kJ mol⁻¹/RT). The energy barriers of the reverse reactions were taken from the literature. The enthalpy of formation values of the CH₃CHBr and CHBr₂ radicals and an experimental entropy value at 298 K for the CH₃CHBr radical were obtained using a second-law method. The result for the entropy value for the CH₃CHBr radical is 305 ± 9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The results for the enthalpy of formation values at 298 K are (in kJ mol⁻¹): 133.4 ± 3.4 (CH₃CHBr) and 199.1 ± 2.7 (CHBr₂), and for α-C–H bond dissociation energies of analogous compounds are (in kJ mol⁻¹): 415.0 ± 2.7 (CH₃CH₂Br) and 412.6 ± 2.7 (CH₂Br₂), respectively.     

Differential pulse polarographic determination of some organotin(IV) compounds in dimethyl sulfoxide

The differential pulse polarographic behavior of two series of organotin(IV) compounds having the general formula R_xSnCl_{4 − x} (R = Me, Ph; x = 1, 2, 3, 4) has been investigated in DMSO. The peaks obtained are recommended for the trace determination of these compounds. Linear calibration curves are obtained over the concentration range 10⁻⁴ –10⁻⁶ M.     

Redox features of β-VOPO4 catalyst using tracer and laser Raman spectroscopy

The oxygen ions of the β-VOPO₄ catalyst were exchanged with an tracer by a reduction–oxidation method and by a catalytic oxidation of but-1-ene using ₂. The bands at 992 and 900 cm⁻¹ were more shifted to lower frequencies than those at 1076 and 1002 cm⁻¹. Applying the correlation between the Raman bands and stretching vibrations in the literature, the exchanged oxygen species were estimated. The results suggest that the P–O–V vacancies corresponding to 992 and 900 cm⁻¹ were responsible for reoxidation and the V=O oxygen corresponding to the 1002 cm⁻¹ band of β-VOPO₄ was not. The (VO)₂P₂O₇ was oxidized to β-VOPO₄ by O₂ above 823 K. The insertion position of oxygen was determined at the bands at 992 and 900 cm⁻¹ of β-VOPO₄ using ₂, which is the same as the exchanged position.     

A fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study of the molecular interaction in synthetic bilayer membrane

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to study the molecular interaction between gramicidin D and bilayer membranes, dioctadecadimethylammonium bromide (2C₁₈N⁺2C₁Br⁻), and 1,2-di-palmytoyl- -α-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Frequencies and bandwidths of the symmetric CH₂ stretching band measured as a function of temperature are used to study variation of packing of alkyl chains. The bilayer membrane prepared from 2C₁₈N⁺2C₁Br⁻ is found to have a gel to liquid crystal phase transition at 42°C. The presence of gramicidin in the membrane causes an increase in the mobility of the alkyl chain and also a decrease in the abruptness of the transition.The frequencies of amide I and II bands of gramicidin reflecting secondary structures of polypeptides are used to identify its conformation in membranes and to study the interaction between gramicidin and the matrices. Gramicidin is found to have hydrophobic interaction with 2C₁₈N⁺2C₁Br⁻, whereas it has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions with DPPC.     

Anisotropy of the T-T absorption spectra of naphthalene and phenanthrene

The naphthalene absorption in the spectral region of 3500–4100 Å consists of two perpendicularly polarized band systems. This can be shown by polarization measurements. The arguments given do not allow a decision as to whether or not the short axis polarized band is the ³A_g⁻ ← ³B_iu⁺ transition or an induced vibronic band of the ³B_3g⁻ ← ³B_iu⁺ transition generated by a b_3g vibration mode. The T-T polarization of phenanthrene as a function of the excitation wavenumber is quantitatively compared with the equivalent S₁ ← S₀ fluorescence polarization. There is a good agreement between the calculated and the measured curve.     

Thermochemical data for n-alkylmonoamine intercalation into crystalline lamellar zirconium phenylphosphonate

Layered crystalline zirconium phenylphosphonate, Zr(O₃PC₆H₅)₂, changed its interlamellar distance of 1481 pm after intercalation of n-alkylmonoamines, CH₃---(CH₂)_n---NH₂ (n=0–6). The infrared spectra of the precursor host and the corresponding intercalated compounds presented vibrations associated with PO₃ groups in the 1163–1039 cm⁻¹ range and additional bands related to C---H stretching bands in the 2950–2850 cm⁻¹ interval were observed after amine insertion. The thermogravimetric curves showed a mass loss assigned to the phenyl group; however, the amine intercalated fraction was not quantitatively determined. A peak in the ³¹P NMR spectrum centered at −6 ppm for the host was observed. The surface area was 42.0±0.2 m² g⁻¹ and the scanning electron micrograph gave images consistent with lamellar structural features. The layered compound was calorimetrically titrated with amine in ethanol, requiring three independent operations: (i) titration of matrix with amine, (ii) matrix salvation, and (iii) dilution of the amine solution. From those thermal effects the variation in enthalpy was calculated as: −41±1.00,−33.28±0.50,−34.40±0.80,−10.40±0.40,−12.40±0.42,−16.10±0.08 and −7.0±0.04 kJ mol⁻¹, for n=0–6, respectively. The exothermic enthalpic values reflected a favorable energetic process of amine–host intercalation in ethanol. The negative Gibbs free energy results supported the spontaneity of all these intercalation reactions. The positive favorable entropic values, as carbon chain size increased, are in agreement with the free solvent molecules in the medium, as the amines are progressively bonded to the crystalline lamellar inorganic matrix at the solid/liquid interface.     

Synthesis of Nonsymmetric Dibenzoyldihydromonobenzotetraazacyclo[14]annulenes as Transition Metal Hosts: X-ray Structure of 13,14-Benzo-3,10-di(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5, 8-dihydro-2,4,9,11-tetramethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,9,11-tetraene

13,14-Benzo-5,8-dihydro-2,4,9,11-tetramethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,9,11-tetraene and 13,14-benzo-3,10-di(p-[X]benzoyl)-5,8-dihydro-2,4,9,11-tetramethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,9,11-tetraene, wherein X = CH₃, H, Cl, NO₂ and OCH₃, were synthesized and characterized. IR spectra of the benzoylated compounds showed an intense band assigned to the stretching modes of C==O in the region 1632 ~ 1638 cm⁻¹. Hammett plot of the energies of π → π^* for the compounds was linear with a positive slope (+0.923). ¹H NMR signals exhibited a deshielding effect due to benzoyl groups, while methyl protons only exhibited the shielding effect by the magnetic anisotropy of the group. The substituent effect on ¹³C NMR was similar to that on proton NMR. The cyclic voltammograms of the compounds mostly showed two one-electron irreversible oxidation peaks and one or two reduction waves between −0.280 and −2.500 V depending on the substituents. Hammett plots of 1st and 2nd oxidation potentials (E_op(1) and E_op(2)) were linear with slopes of +0.036 and +0.045, respectively. The structure of the compound 4 (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 26.0059 (19), b = 6.9058 (5), c = 33.082 (2), β = 109.5930°, Z = 8) was determined using X-ray diffraction method.     

Tunability of anion binding strength based on acyl-thiourea receptors containing isatin group

Some acyl-thiourea derivatives containing isatin group were synthesized and their interactions with anions were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy and ¹H NMR titrations in DMSO and DMSO-d₆, respectively. These compounds have a same molecular framework, functionalising with different groups lead to different anion binding strength of these receptors. Receptor 1 showed a higher binding affinity for AcO⁻ than for F⁻, due to the cooperative multiple hydrogen bond interactions of AcO⁻ with the acyl-thiourea group and N–H group in the indole unit of receptor 1. Displacing the N–H proton in the indole unit with –CH₃ group, receptor 2 showed no obviously discriminative responses for F⁻, AcO⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ due to lack of such additional binding. In the case of receptor 3, which was functionalised with strong electron-withdrawing group, it showed selectively chromogenic response for F⁻ based on double deprotonation of the receptor in DMSO, whereas AcO⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ induced single deprotonation only.     

Solvation Phenomena of Potassium Thiocyanate in Methanol–Water Mixtures

This paper reports the results of a variety of experiments carried out for understanding the solvation behavior of potassium thiocyanate in methanol–water mixtures. Electrical conductivity, speed of sound, viscosity, and FT-Raman spectra of potassium thiocyanate solutions in 5 and 10% methanol–water (w/w) mixtures were measured as functions of concentration and temperature. The conductivity and structural relaxation time suggest the ion–solvent and solvent-separated ion–ion associations increase as the salt concentration increases in the mixtures. The Raman band shifts due to the C–O stretching mode of methanol for the solvent mixtures reveal the formation of methanol–water complexes. The significant changes in the Raman bands for the C–N, C–S and O–H stretching modes indicate the presence of SCN⁻−solvent interactions through the N-end, “free” SCN⁻ and the solvent-shared ion pairs as potassium thiocyanate is added to the methanol–water mixtures. The relative changes corresponding to H–O–H bending and C–O stretching frequencies indicate that K⁺ is preferentially solvated by water in these solvent mixtures. The appearance and increase of the intensity of a broad band at ≈940 cm⁻¹ upon salt addition was attributed to the SCN⁻–H₂O–K⁺ solvent-shared ion pairs. No Raman spectral evidence for K⁺(H₂O)_n species was observed. The preferential solvation of K⁺ and SCN⁻ in the methanol−water mixtures was verified by the application of the Kirkwood−Buff theory of solutions. This theory confirms that K⁺ is strongly preferentially solvated by water, whereas SCN⁻ is preferentially solvated by the methanol component.     

Reactions of small negative ions with O2(a Δg) and O2(X Σg)

The rate constants and product ion branching ratios were measured for the reactions of various small negative ions with O₂(X ³Σ_g⁻) and O₂(a ¹Δ_g) in a selected ion flow tube (SIFT). Only NH₂⁻ and CH₃O⁻ were found to react with O₂(X) and both reactions were slow. CH₃O⁻ reacted by hydride transfer, both with and without electron detachment. NH₂⁻ formed both OH⁻, as observed previously, and O₂⁻, the latter via endothermic charge transfer. A temperature study revealed a negative temperature dependence for the former channel and Arrhenius behavior for the endothermic channel, resulting in an overall rate constant with a minimum at 500 K. SF₆⁻, SF₄⁻, SO₃⁻ and CO₃⁻ were found to react with O₂(a ¹Δ_g) with rate constants less than 10⁻¹¹ cm³ s⁻¹. NH₂⁻ reacted rapidly with O₂(a ¹Δ_g) by charge transfer. The reactions of HO₂⁻ and SO₂⁻ proceeded moderately with competition between Penning detachment and charge transfer. SO₂⁻ produced a SO₄⁻ cluster product in 2% of reactions and HO₂⁻ produced O₃⁻ in 13% of the reactions. CH₃O⁻ proceeded essentially at the collision rate by hydride transfer, again both with and without electron detachment. These results show that charge transfer to O₂(a ¹Δ_g) occurs readily if the there are no restrictions on the ion beyond the reaction thermodynamics. The SO₂⁻ and HO₂⁻ reactions with O₂(a) are the only known reactions involving Penning detachment besides the reaction with O₂⁻ studied previously [R.S. Berry, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 7 (2005) 289–290].     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr ions in d-gluconic acid monohydrate

EPR studies are carried out on Cr³⁺ ions doped in d-gluconic acid monohydrate (C₆H₁₂O₇·H₂O) single crystals at 77 K. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin Hamiltonian parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured to be 1.9919, 349 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹ and 113 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹, respectively. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature. From the observed band positions, the cubic crystal field splitting parameter Dq (2052 cm⁻¹) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameter B (653 cm⁻¹) are evaluated. From the correlation of EPR and optical data the nature of bonding of Cr³⁺ ion with its ligands is discussed.     

The reduction mechanism of the C=O group. Part 2. The electrochemical reduction of p-diacetylbenzene in aqueous medium

A detailed study of the electrochemical reduction of diacetylbenzene A in aqueous medium between H_o = −5 and pH 14 is presented. The reactants are strongly adsorbed, so that the reactions are of a surface nature. From H_o = −5 to pH 6, a global 2e⁻ reduction yielding an enediol-type intermediate occurs. Analysis using the theory of the square schemes with protonations at equilibrium shows that, up to pH 4, the reaction is controlled by the first electron uptake, the paths being successively H⁺e⁻ and e⁻H⁺. The elementary electrochemical surface rate constants are 9.6 × 10⁷ s⁻ and 1.2 × 10⁶ s⁻ for AH⁺ and A respectively. From pH 6 to 14, a le⁻ adsorption wave, corresponding to the formation of (a) monoradical(s), appears and is followed by a le⁻ wave due to the reduction of the radical(s). A dimerization occurs, due to the coupling A⁻ + AH, as in the case of the monocarbonyl compounds. The rate of this surface process, k_d = 5 × 10¹³ cm² mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, is markedly smaller than the rate of the homogeneous reaction obtained in alkaline ethanol by Savéant et al. for the coupling of the radicals of benzaldehyde, benzophenone and acetophenone.     

Structural and dynamic properties of the polyanionic hydrides SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH

The quaternary aluminium hydrides SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH were synthesized from either hydrogenating the intermetallic AlB₂-type precursors SrAlGe and BaAlGe or reacting SrH₂ with a mixture of Al and Ge in the presence of pressurized hydrogen. Their structures were characterized by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction of the corresponding deuterides. The compounds crystallize with the trigonal SrAlSiH structure type (space group P3m1, Z = 1, a = 4.2435(2) and 4.3450(2) Å, c = 4.9710(3) and 5.2130(4) Å for SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH, respectively) and feature a two-dimensional polyanion [AlGeH]²⁻ which represents a corrugated hexagon layer built from three-bonded Al and Ge atoms. H is terminally attached to Al. Polyanions [AlGeH]²⁻ are electron precise and, according to electronic structure calculations, the quaternary hydrides display band gaps with sizes between 0.7 and 0.8 eV. Infrared and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy show Al–H stretching and bending mode frequencies at around 1250 and 870 cm⁻¹, respectively. SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH are thermally stable up to at least 500 °C. When exposed to air the hydrides decompose rapidly to amorphous, orange colored materials.