Theoretical and experimental study of the acetohydroxamic acid protonation: the solvent effect

The mechanism of the protonation of acetohydroxamic acid is investigated comparing experimental results and ab initio calculations. Experimentally, the UV spectral curves were recorded at different temperatures, at constant dioxane/water concentration, and at very high concentrations of strong mineral acids. The process is followed by monitoring the changes in the UV curves with increasing acid concentration. The molecular structures and the solvation energies were calculated with the RHF, B3LYP, and MP2 methods. The solvent is treated as a continuum of uniform dielectric constant. The isolated molecule of acetohydroxamic acid exhibits two protonation sites, the carbonyl oxygen and the nitrogen atom. In dioxane/water mixture, the RHF calculations predict the existence of a third cation of low stability, where the proton is bonded to the OH oxygen. With the MP2 ab initio calculations, the free energies of the formation processes in solution of the two most stable cations, CH3COH-NHOH+ (O3H+) and CH3CO-NH2OH+ have been evaluated to be -160.2 kcalmol(-1) and -157.6 kcal mol(-1). The carbonyl site is the most active center in solution and in the gas phase. The carbonyl site is also the most active center in the UV measurements. Experimentally, the ionization constant was found to be pK(O3H+) = -2.21 at 298.15 K, after the elimination of the medium effects using the Cox-Yates equation for hight acidity levels. Experiments and ab initio calculations indicate that K(O3H+) decreases with the temperature.     

The effect of acetohydroxamic acid on stainless steel corrosion in nitric acid

We present the first study of the effect of acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) on the corrosion behaviour of stainless steels. Particularly, studies have been performed using steels and physico-chemical conditions equivalent to those proposed for use in advanced nuclear reprocessing platforms. In these, AHA has been shown to have little effect on either steel passivation or reductive dissolution of both SS304L and SS316L. However, under transpassive dissolution conditions, AHA while in part electrochemically oxidised to acetic acid and nitroxyl/hydroxylamine, also complexes with Fe^3 +, inhibiting secondary passivation and driving transpassive dissolution of both steels.     

New data on decomposition of nitric solutions of acetohydroxamic acid

Acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) is an important complexant/reductant for Pu(IV) in the UREX process. It decomposes in the presence of nitric acid. In literature, its decomposition kinetics in nitric acid is traditionally reported as pseudo-first order reaction. In this study, new experimental data were reported for kinetics experiments under wide consecration conditions. It was found that the decomposition reaction was first order with respect to both the components hence overall second order.     

Complexation of uranium(VI) with acetohydroxamic acid

The advanced separation extraction process based on tri-n-butyl phosphate organic phase called UREX is being developed to separate uranium from fission products and other actinides, and the acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) is employed to reduce and complex plutonium and neptunium in order to decrease their distribution to the TBP-organic phase. In this study, the extraction of uranium was performed from various aqueous matrices with different concentrations of HNO₃, LiNO₃, and AHA. Extraction of uranium increases with increasing both initial HNO₃ and total nitrate concentration. UV-VIS spectrophotometry confirmed that AHA is involved in the complex of uranium with TBP.     

Equilibrium study of ternary complexes involving heteroaromaticN-bases and acetohydroxamic acid

Summary Stability constants (K _MAL ^MA ) and other thermodynamic parameters, including statistical factors relating to the ternary complexes (MAL) [M=Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II or Zn^II; A=2, 2-dipyridylamine (A³), 5-nitro-o-phenanthroline (A⁵), 5-methyl-o-phenanthroline (A⁶); LH=acetohydroxamic acid] have been determined at 25° C, at ionic strength 0.1 M KNO₃. The results are compared with data on aminopolycarboxylic acids, such as iminodiacetic acid (A¹), and other unsubstituted heteroaromaticN-bases:e.g. 2, 2-bipyridine (A²),o-phenanthroline (A⁴). The resulting stability sequence is: , and for heteroaromaticN-bases: . The results have been explained in the light of electrostatic interactions, -acidities of the primary ligands (A) andcistrans equilibria for MAL.     

Deprotonation sites of acetohydroxamic acid isomers. A theoretical and experimental study

Theoretical (ab initio calculations) and experimental (NMR, spectrophotometric, and potentiometric measurements) investigations of the isomers of acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) and their deprotonation processes have been performed. Calculations with the Gaussian 98 package, refined at the MP2(FC)/AUG-cc-pVDZ level considering the molecule isolated, indicate that the Z(cis) amide is the most stable form of the neutral molecule. This species and the less stable (Z)-imide form undergo deprotonation, giving rise to two stable anions. Upon deprotonation, the E(trans) forms give three stable anions. The ab initio calculations were performed in solution as well, regarding water as a continuous dielectric; on the basis of the relative energies of the most stable anion and neutral forms, calculated with MP2/PCM/AUG-cc-pVDZ, N-deprotonation of the amide (Z or E) structure appeared to be the most likely process in solution. NMR measurements provided evidence for the existence of (Z)- and (E)-isomers of both the neutral and anion forms in solution. Comparisons of the dynamic NMR and NOESY (one-dimensional) results obtained for the neutral species and their anions were consistent with N-deprotonation, which occurred preferentially to O-deprotonation. The (microscopic) acid dissociation constants of the two isomers determined at 25 degrees C from the pH dependence of the relevant chemical shifts, pK(E) = 9.01 and pK(Z) = 9.35, were consistent with the spectrophotometric and potentiometric evaluations (pK(HA) = 9.31).     

One-electron oxidation of acetohydroxamic acid: the intermediacy of nitroxyl and peroxynitrite

The pharmacological effects of hydroxamate derivatives have been attributed not only to metal chelation or enzyme inhibition but also to their ability to serve as nitroxyl (HNO/NO(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) donors. However, the mechanism underlying the formation of these reactive nitrogen species is not clear and requires further elucidation. In the present study, one-electron oxidation of acetohydroxamic acid (aceto-HX) by (?)OH, (?)N(3), (?)NO(2), CO(3)(?-), and O(2)(?-) radicals was investigated using pulse radiolysis. It is demonstrated that only (?)OH, (?)N(3), and CO(3)(?-) radicals attack effectively and selectively the deprotonated form of the hydroxamate moiety, yielding the respective transient nitroxide radical. This nitroxide radical is a weak acid (CH(3)C(O)NHO(?), pK(a) = 9.1), which decays via a pH-dependent second-order reaction, 2k(2CH(3)C(O)NO(?-)) = (5.6 ± 0.4) × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) (I = 0.002 M), 2k(CH(3)C(O)NO(?-) + CH(3)C(O)NHO(?)) = (8.3 ± 0.5) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)), and 2k(2CH(3)C(O)NHO(?)) = (8.7 ± 1.3) × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). The second-order decomposition of the nitroxide yields transient species, one of which decomposes via a first-order reaction whose rate increases linearly upon increasing [CH(3)C(O)NHO(-)] or [OH(-)]. One-electron oxidation of aceto-HX under anoxia does not give rise to nitrite even after exposure to O(2), indicating that NO is not formed during the decomposition of the nitroxide radical. The presence of oxidants such as Tempol or O(2) during CH(3)C(O)NO(?-) decomposition had no effect on the reaction kinetics. Nevertheless, in the presence of Temopl, which does not react with NO but does with HNO, the formation of the hydroxylamine Tempol-H was observed. In the presence of O(2), about 60% of CH(3)C(O)NO(?-) yields ONOO(-), indicating that 30% NO(-) is formed in this system. It is concluded that under pulse radiolysis conditions, the transient nitroxide radicals derived from one-electron oxidation of aceto-HX decompose bimoleculary via a complex mechanism forming nitroxyl rather than NO.     

Proton exchange and protonation of substituted oxadiazoles in trifluoroacetic acid

The rates of NH? COOH proton exchange between 5-amino-( 1a ) and 5-N-methylamino-( 1b )3-[2-(5′-nitro-2′-furyl)vinyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) have been measured by NMR spectroscopy. The values of the first-order rate constant and thermodynamic parameters for 1a and 1b , respectively, are: k_app (sec^?1) = 820 and 40 (50°C), ΔF (kcal/mole) = 14·7 and 16·5, ΔH^# (kcal/mole) = 17·3 and 24·3 and ΔS^# (e.u.) = 17 and 34. The comparison of rate constants indicates that after correction for proton equivalency proton exchange in 1a is faster than in 1b by a factor of ten. The presence of an NH₂ proton resonance ( 1a ) and an N-methyl doublet (J = 5·0 Hz) between 0 and 30° ( 1b ) suggests that 1a and 1b are present as amines and not as imines in TFA.     

Evidence of protonation during the oxidation of some aryl alcohols by permanganate in perchloric acid medium and mechanism of the oxidation processes

The oxidation of benzyl alcohol and methoxy-, chloro-, and nitro- substituted benzyl alcohols by permanganate has been studied in aqueous and acetic acid medium in presence of perchloric acid. The reaction is first-order in [MnO₄^?] and [XC₆H₄CH₂OH], but the order is complex with respect to [H⁺]. Different thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated. The reaction occurs through the protonation of alcohol in a fast preequilibrium followed by a slow rate-determining oxidation step. A two-electron transfer oxidation step has been suggested for benzyl alcohol and chloro- and nitro- substituted alcohols, while the oxidation of methoxy compounds involves a one-electron transfer via a free-radical mechanism. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Modeling of processes in fuel cells based on sulfonic acid membranes and platinum clusters

The density functional theory with account for gradient correction (DFT/PBE) and periodical boundary conditions was used to model the main stages of processes occurring in hydrogen low-temperature fuel cells. Modeling was carried out at the example of calculation of catalytic anodic and cathodic processes occurring on the surface of the Pt₁₉ catalyst supported on a SnO₂ and water adsorption processes on the surface of a membrane represented by a crystal of metisylene sulfonic acid dihydrate [(CH₃)₃C₆H₂SO ₃ ^? · H₅O ₂ ⁺ ]. It was shown that the most energy-efficient process in the membrane is formation of crystals, in which two stoichiometric water molecules correspond to a single SO₃H group. Superstoichiometric water is adsorbed on the crystal surface with the adsorption energy of 0.3–0.6 eV; its transition inside the crystal is energy-consuming (2 eV). Barriers of surface proton conductivity are 0.2–0.3 eV.     

水杨醛肟和乙酰氧肟酸钛氧簇合物的合成及光电性质

通过溶剂热合成方法,以水杨醛肟(H₂Saox)和乙酰氧肟酸(H₂Ahox)为染料敏化功能配体,分别以异丁酸(HiBuac)和苯基膦酸(PhPO₃H₂)为辅助配体,与钛酸四异丙酯(Ti (OⁱPr)₄)反应,合成了六核钛氧簇配合物[Ti₆(μ₃-O)₄(Saox)₂(ⁱBuac)₄(OⁱPr)₈](1)和八核钛氧簇配合物[Ti₈(μ₃-O)₂(Ahox)₂(PhPO₃)₄(OⁱPr)₁₆](2)。配合物1和2均通过红外光谱、元素分析和单晶X射线衍射进行了结构表征。光谱性质表明,配合物1和2在可见光区均有吸收,其带隙分别为2.43和2.61 eV。配合物2是首个基于乙酰氧肟酸的钛氧簇,具有光催化析氢性能且速率可达140.2 μmol·g^-1·h^-1。     

Purification of uranium product from plutonium contamination using acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) based process

Acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) based uranium product purification process to remove plutonium was optimized. For this process, equilibrium data was generated to optimize AHA concentration and acidity of stripping agent/scrubbing agent. Two options namely (i) Pu complexation in aqueous phase followed by extraction and scrubbing ii) extraction followed by scrubbing with AHA were studied. Results of these studies indicate that U product obtained in AHA purification is near to the table top specification and also quantitative Pu recovery from the AHA strip product is possible by oxalate precipitation.     

Novel photosystem involving protonation and deprotonation processes modelled on a PYP photocycle

The synthesis of novel ortho-coumaric acid derivatives, with an amide group linked with an olefin moiety, which introduced photoinduced switching of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds is presented. An intramolecular OH...O=C hydrogen bond formed in a Z-phenol compound was switched to an intramolecular NH...O hydrogen bond in Z phenolate state via deprotonation. The pK(a) value of the Z-phenol derivative was lower than that of E-phenol, and a novel photocycle system involving protonation and deprotonation processes was achieved.     

Quantum-chemical gas-phase calculations on the protonation forms oftrans- andcis-urocanic acid

The neutral, cationic, and anionic structures of both prototropic tautomers oftrans- andcis-urocanic acid [(E)- and (Z)-3-(1H-imidazol-4(5)-yl)propenoic acid, respectively] were studied by using semiempirical andab initio gas-phase calculations. Potential energy surfaces of the structures were calculated by using the semiempirical AM1 method, and the geometries corresponding to global minima on these surfaces were optimized up to the MP2/6-31G^* level of theory. The calculated protonation forms of each urocanic acid isomer have a planar molecular structure due to a delocalized -electron system, and all of them prefer thes-trans conformation with respect to the bond between the imidazole and the propenoic acid moieties. Thecis-urocanic acid structures are stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond. The chargedcis-urocanic acid isomers have a lower molecular energy than the correspondingtrans-isomers, whereas the neutral molecules have, after inclusion of thermodynamic corrections, approximately the same energy. The cationic urocanic acid structures have about 2500 kJ mol^–1 lower energy than the anionic ones and about 1000 kJ mol^–1 lower energy than the neutral ones. The nonzwitterionic forms of the neutral urocanic acid isomers have about 200 kJ mol^–1 lower energy than the zwitterionic ones. These energy differences are explained by the proton affinities of the imidazole and the propenoic acid moieties of the urocanic acid structures.     

NMR titration and molecular model MOPAC calculation of protonation processes of two MRI ligands

The protonation process of two DTPA bis(amide) derivatives,DTPA-BDMA and DTPA-BDEA,was studied by using 1H NMR titration and MOPAC calculation.Their protonation process was proposed in the order of the central amine,the terminal amines,the central carboxyl,the terminal carboxyl,the other terminal carboxyl and central amine.During the protonation of the terminal amine,there existed a large fraction of proton transfer from the central amine to the other terminal amine.     

Kinetics and mechanism of iron(III)-nitrilotriacetate complex reactions with phosphate and acetohydroxamic acid

The kinetics and mechanism of the substitution of coordinated water in nitrilotriacetate complexes of iron(III) (Fe(NTA)(OH(2))(2) and Fe(NTA)(OH(2))(OH)(-)) by phosphate (H(2)PO(4)(-) and HPO(4)(2)(-)) and acetohydroxamic acid (CH(3)C(O)N(OH)H) were investigated. The phosphate reactions were found to be pH dependent in the range of 4-8. Phosphate substitution rates are independent of the degree of phosphate protonation, and pH dependence is due to the difference in reactivity of Fe(NTA)(OH(2))(2) (k = 3.6 x 10(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) and Fe(NTA)(OH(2))(OH)(-) (k = 2.4 x 10(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)). Substitution by acetohydroxamic acid is insensitive to pH in the range of 4-5.2, and Fe(NTA)(OH(2))(2) and Fe(NTA)(OH(2))(OH)(-) react at equivalent rates (k = 4.2 x 10(4) and 3.8 x 10(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), respectively). Evidence for acid-dependent and acid-independent back-reactions was obtained for both the phosphate and acetohydroxamate complexes. Reactivity patterns were analyzed in the context of NTA labilization of coordinated water, and outer-sphere electrostatic and H-bonding influences were analyzed in the precursor complex (K(os)).     

Effects of protonation on proton transfer processes in Watson–Crick adenine–thymine base pair

Intermolecular proton transfer processes in the Watson and Crick adenine–thymine neutral and protonated base pairs have been studied using the density functional theory (DFT) with the non-local hybrid B3LYP density functional. Protonated systems subject to study are those resulting from protonation at the main basic sites of the base pair model, namely N₇ and N₃ of adenine and O₂^′ and O₄^′ of thymine. Protonation of adenine induces a strengthening by about 4–5 kcal/mol of the base pair and does not significantly modify the double proton transfer energy profile obtained for the unprotonated system. On the other hand, protonation at the O₄^′ and O₂^′ thymine moiety causes thymine’s N₃ proton to spontaneously transfer to adenine while non-transferred minima disappear at this level of theory. The different behaviour between protonated adenine– thymine and protonated guanine–cytosine is discussed. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Contribution to the Fernando Bernardi Memorial Issue.