Prediction of infinite dilution activity coefficients of sulfur dioxide in organic solvents

Infinite dilution activity coefficients of sulfur dioxide in various organic solvents were correlated with two basicity scales: the solvent Gutmann donor number and Arnett heat of hydrogen bonding. Linear correlations were observed for both basicity scales, and the accuracy of activity coefficient prediction is estimated to be ±20 to 25%. Infinite dilution activity coefficients of sulfur dioxide in over 80 organic solvents were estimated from the correlations.     

Thermochemistry of copper(II) ion solvation in aqueous organic solvents

The integral heat effects of CuCl₂ dissolution in aqueous DMSO, aqueous ethanol and aqueous acetone solutions at 298. 15 K in the electrolyte concentration range 0.001–0.01M were measured by means of calorimetry. ΔH _sol ⁰ values were obtained by extrapolation to zero electrolyte concentration. Literature data were used to determine the thermodynamic characteristics of Cu²⁺ transfer from water to aqueous organic solvents.     

Solvation of the potassium ion complexed with dibenzo-30-crown-10. Transfer activity coefficients between methanol and various solvents

The stability constants of the potassium complex with dibenzo-30-crown-10 have been determined from potentiometric or solubility measurements in the solvents: methanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile and dimethylsulfoxide. The solubility of the ligand in these solvents has also been determined and the transfer activity coefficients of the potassium complex for transfer from methanol to solvent (S), _SM(KL⁺), have been computed. Although solid state studies indicate that dibenzo-30-crown-10 completely surrounds the potassium ion and shields it from water, the transfer activity coefficient of the potassium complex is found to be highly solvent dependent. Dibenzo-30-crown-10 is thus less effective for the removal of the solvation sphere of the potassium ion than previously estimated.     

Reversible dissociation of dibromobromates in organic solvents

A study was carried out on the reversible decomposition of dibromobromate anions in organic solvents and we found the equilibrium constants for the processes responsible for the distribution of active halogen and hydrogen halide between their different forms in solution. The capacity of the solvent to form hydrogen bonds with the bromide anion, the feasibility of forming a molecular complex with bromine, and the structure of the cation (in solutions with low ionizing capacity) were all found to affect the reversible decomposition of the dibromobromate anion. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 298–305, September–October, 2008.     

Solvation of ions in liquid solvents and proteins

Despite their well-known drawbacks, the approaches of continuum electrostatics are widely used at the analysis of the energies of solvation and reorganization. We propose a method to check the applicability of these approaches in the determination of the solvation energy, which is based on measuring the difference of redox potentials ΔE of two consecutive redox reactions, e.g. for the pairs Co(Cp) ₂ ⁺ /Co(Cp)₂/Co(Cp) ₂ ^? (here, Cp is cyclopentadienyl). In this difference, the solvophobic effects and the liquid junction potential between the working and reference electrodes, which is impossible to measure, cancel out. From the difference of ΔE in two different solvents, the sum of the electrostatic components of the cation-and anion-transfer energies is determined. It is shown that, for large low-charged ions in aprotic media, the continuum electrostatics proves to be true in a wide range of dielectric permittivities including those typical for proteins. The Stokes shift of fluorescence spectra for proflavine (PF) showed that the water reorganization energy and, hence, the energy of the static dielectric response are anomalously high. To study this effect on the solvation energy, we determined the redox potentials of the Co(Cp) ₂ ⁺ /Co(Cp)₂ pair in a number of water-organic media. The organic cosolvent breaks the water structure and reduces the reorganization energy. Accordingly, the redox potential turns more positive. This allowed us to determine the energy of transfer of Co(Cp) ₂ ⁺ ions (and, hence, of other ions) nonviolated by the water structure specifics. The experimental energies of the acetate transfer exceed those calculated by an order of magnitude. This demonstrates the incorrectness of the widely used semicontinuum calculations of the pK of ionogenic groups of proteins. A new algorithm, which permits overcoming this discrepancy, is proposed, namely, the short-range interactions are taken into account based on the experimental energies of the transfer to a model DMF solvent, while the transfer energy from this solvent to the protein is calculated electrostatically. The energy of the ion charging in a protein consists of two physically different components, namely, the charging energy in the pre-existing field of protein dipoles and charges and the energy of the dielectric response of the medium. The former energy is determined by the electronic polarization of the protein (its optical dielectric permittivity), while the latter is determined by all kinds of polarization (static permittivity). Taking into account all the aforementioned peculiarities leads to reasonable agreement with the experiment when estimating the pK of certain groups in α-chymotrypsin. These calculations as well as experimental data (both our and taken form the literature (molecular dynamics)) point to the enhanced dielectric permittivity of the outer layers of proteins.     

Enthalpies of dilution of urea solutions in six polar solvents at several temperatures

Using the isothermal displacement calorimeter, enthalpies of dilution are obtained for solutions of urea in water, methanol, ethanol, formamide, N,N-dimethyl-formamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The results are discussed in terms of solute-solvent and solute-solute interactions.Now Diane Beaumont.     

Limiting partial molar excess enthalpies by flow calorimetry: Some organic solvents in water

A Picker flow microcalorimeter was employed in conjunction with asymmetric syringe-type pumps to measure heats of mixing of highly dilute aqueous solutions of organic solvents. These data were used in turn to determine limiting partial molar excess enthalpies of the examined solvents in water. The measurements were carried out at 298.15 K for 29 common, oxygen and/or nitrogen containing solvents exhibiting complete miscibility with water. Except for only one compound, formamide, the limiting partial molar excess enthalpies are exothermic indicating that the process of dissolution is energetically favored. Comparison to literature data (in most cases to solution enthalpies at infinite dilution measured by batch calorimetry) proved the technique applied to be sufficiently accurate.     

Effect of some organic solvents and acids on the laser-induced atomic fluorescence of tin in air-hydrogen flames

The effects of some organic solvents and acids on the atomic fluorescence of tin in air-hydrogen flames have been examined. Ketones and alcohols greatly reduced the florescence sensitivity in fuel rich air-hydrogen flame whereas organic acids generally enhanced the fluorescence signal. The depressive effect of organic solvents was found to be highly dependent on the fuel to oxidant ratio in the flame. An attempt has been made to explain these effects, on the basis of possible reactions occurring in the flame.On leave from Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, PakistanOn leave from Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain     

Ionic Solvation in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Solutions

Summary.  The history of studies on ionic solvation is briefly reviewed, and structural and dynamic properties of solvated ions in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions are discussed. An emphasis is placed on ionic solvation in nonaqueous mixed solvents in which preferential solvation of ions takes place. A new parameter for expressing the degree of preferential solvation of an ion is proposed. Received January 16, 2001. Accepted January 31, 2001     

Optimization of hydrolase efficiency in organic solvents

The application of hydrolases in organic solvents for synthetic purposes is a procedure routinely adopted in organic chemistry, especially for the preparation of chiral building blocks. Numerous studies have shed light on several aspects of the mechanism of hydrolase action in low-water environments. Procedures suitable to improve the catalytic efficiency of enzymes and productivity of the synthetic processes have been reported. These fundamental and applied investigations have made hydrolase-catalyzed reactions in organic solvents of industrial interest. In this article we describe and discuss various approaches adopted to optimize the performance of hydrolases in organic media, with special emphasis on the formulation of the biocatalysts which, under proper conditions, can display an activity equal to that displayed in aqueous buffers.     

Solubility of naproxen in several organic solvents at different temperatures

By using the van’t Hoff and Gibbs equations the thermodynamic functions Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of solution, were evaluated from solubility data of naproxen (NAP) determined at several temperatures in octanol, isopropyl myristate, chloroform, and cyclohexane, as pure solvents. The water-saturated organic solvents also were studied except cyclohexane. The excess free energy and the activity coefficients of the solutes, and the mixing and solvation thermodynamic quantities were also determined. The NAP solubilities were higher in chloroform and octanol with respect to those obtained in cyclohexane. In addition, by using literature values for NAP aqueous solubility, the thermodynamic functions relative to transfer of this drug from water to organic solvents were also estimated.     

Modified enzymes for reactions in organic solvents

Recent studies on biocatalysis in water—organic solvent biphasic systems have shown that many enzymes retain their catalytic activities in the presence of high concentrations of organic solvents. However, not all enzymes are organic solvent tolerant, and most have limited and selective tolerance to particular organic solvents. Protein modification or protein tailoring is an approach to alter the characteristics of enzymes, including solubility in organic solvents. Particular amino acids may play pivotal roles in the catalytic ability of the protein. Attaching soluble modifiers to the protein molecule may alter its conformation and the overall polarity of the molecule. Enzymes, in particular lipases, have been chemically modified by attachment of aldehydes, polyethylene glycols, and imidoesters. These modifications alter the hydrophobicity and conformation of the enzymes, resulting in changes in the microenvironment of the enzymes. By these modifications, newly acquired properties such as enhancement of activity and stability and changes in specificity and solubility in organic solvents are obtained. Modified lipases were found to be more active and stable in organic solvents. The optimum water activity (a _w ) for reaction was also shifted by using modified enzymes. Changes in enantioselective behavior were also observed.     

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse CdSe quantum dots in different organic solvents

Nearly monodisperse CdSe quantum dots (QDs) have been prepared by a soft solution approach using air-stable reagents in different organic solvents. This scheme is a supplement to the conventional thermal decomposition of organometallic compounds at higher temperatures. CdSe nanocrystals of different sizes could be obtained by simply changing the solvent. This method is reproducible and simple and thus can be readily scaled up for industrial production. The reaction process was monitored by the temporal evolution of the UV-Vis absorption and room temperature photoluminensce spectra. The structures of the CdSe quantum dots were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The phase-transfer of oleic acid-stabilized CdSe nanocrystals into PBS buffer solutions was also studied for their potentials in biological applications. __________ Translated from Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2005, 39(1) (in Chinese)     

Solubility and solution thermodynamics of sorbic acid in eight pure organic solvents

By the gravimetric method, the solubility of sorbic acid in eight solvents including ethanol, 2-propanol, methanol, 1-butanol, ethyl acetate, methyl tert-butyl ether, acetone and acetonitrile was determined over a temperature range from 285.15 to K at atmospheric pressure. For the temperature range investigated, the solubility of sorbic acid in the solvents increased with increasing temperature. The experimental values were correlated with the linear solvation energy relationship, modified Apelblat equation, λh equation, non-random two-liquid (NRTL) model, and Wilson model. On the other hand, the enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy of dissolution were obtained from these solubility values by using the van’t Hoff and Gibbs equations. The excess enthalpy of solution was estimated on the basis of λh equation. Furthermore, the a priori predictive model COSMO-RS was employed to predict the solubility of sorbic acid in selected solvents and reasonable agreement with experimental values is achieved.     

锂及锂离子蓄电池有机溶剂研究进展

从有机溶剂对电池安全性的影响，氧化稳定性，与负极的相容性及对电解液电导率的影响四个方面，论述了锂及锂离子蓄电池有机溶剂的化学和电化学，介绍了碳酸酯类，醚类和羧酸酯类溶剂的性质与电极的相容性及在有机电解液中的应用，对含硫，硼基及胺类有机溶剂等也作了论述。     

Dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals in polar organic solvents

In an attempt to prepare stable dispersions of cellulose nanocrystals in dipolar aprotic solvents, dilute aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals were prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis of cotton. The aqueous suspensions were freeze-dried, and then sonicated in the solvent of interest. Dispersions of 1 and 3% w/v concentration were prepared in polar organic solvents DMSO and DMF. The dispersions showed flow birefringence. The redispersion was incomplete, and there was some evidence for aggregation in the suspensions. A small amount of water appeared to be critical to suspension stability. Birefringent cellulose films were prepared from the dispersions by drying under vacuum and at ambient conditions.     

Solvation thermodynamics of water in nonpolar organic solvents indicate the occurrence of nontraditional hydrogen bonds

Experimental data for the solvation of water in nonpolar organic solvents indicate that the process is spontaneous under the Ben-Naim standard conditions, due to a large and negative enthalpy change. The process is analyzed by considering that the solvation Gibbs energy change is given by the sum of two opposing terms: the work to create a suitable cavity and the work to turn on the attractive solute-solvent interactions. Basic calculations point out unequivocally that, beyond the van der Waals contributions, additional favorable interactions occur between water and the surrounding solvent molecules. These additional favorable interactions should be nontraditional hydrogen bonds such as those between the delocalized pi-electron cloud of the aromatic ring and the hydrogen atoms of water, and those between the CH groups of both aliphatics and aromatics and the oxygen atom of water.