Synthesis and structures of N,N,O-scorpionatoruthenium(II) complexes featuring “non-innocent” o-benzoquinonediimines

A series of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing redox-active o-benzoquinonediimines (o-bqdi) was synthesized and characterized. Reactions of [RuCl(bdmpza)(η⁴-cod)] (bdmpza = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 1,2-benzenediamines such as o-phenylenediamine (o-pdaH₂), 4,5-difluoro-1,2-benzenediamine (o-pdaF₂), 4,5-dichloro-1,2-benzenediamine (o-pdaCl₂), and 4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-benzenediamine (o-pda(OMe)₂) afforded [RuCl(bdmpza)(o-bqdiX₂)] (X = H, 1; X = F, 2; X = Cl, 3; X = OMe, 4).     

Optimization of α-amylase production for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles

Biocompatible gold nanoparticles have received considerable attention in recent years because of their promising applications in bioimaging, biosensors, biolabels, and biomedicine. The generation of gold nanoparticles using extra-cellular α-amylase for the reduction of AuCl₄ with the retention of enzymatic activity in the complex is being reported. The enhanced synthesis of particles has been brought about by optimizing the medium components for α-amylase. Response surface methodology and central composite rotary design (CCRD) were employed to optimize a fermentation medium for the production of α-amylase by Bacillus licheniformis at pH 8. The three variables involved in the study of α-amylase were fructose, peptone and soya meal. Only fructose had a significant effect on α-amylase production. The most optimum medium (medB) containing (%) fructose: 3, peptone: 1, soya meal: 2, resulted in a amylase activity of 201.381 U/ml which is same as that of the central level. The least optimum (medA) and most optimum (medB) media were compared for the synthesis of particles indicated by difference in color formation. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that the particles exhibited a peak at 582 nm and the A₅₈₂ for the Med B was 8-fold greater than that of the Med A. The TEM analysis revealed that the particle size ranged from 10 to 50 nm.     

Thermodynamic properties of tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate and tetraphenylarsonium perchlorate fromT → 0 toT = 340 K

The temperature dependence of the standard molar heat capacity C_{p, m}^oof samples of crystalline tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate and tetraphenylarsonium perchlorate was measured in an adiabatic low-pressure calorimeter between T =  4.8 K and T =  340 K and from T =  5.8 K to T =  340 K, respectively, mostly to within a precision of 0.2 per cent. For tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate, an anomalous change of the heat capacity in the range T =  125 K to T =  185 K, probably arising from the excitation of hindered rotations of atomic groups, was found and its thermodynamic characteristics were determined. No such anomaly was observed for tetraphenylarsonium perchlorate. The data obtained were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions C_{p, m}^o(T) / R, Δ₀^TH_m^o / R·K, Δ₀^TS_m^o / R, and Φ_m^o = Δ₀^TS_m^o − Δ₀^TH_m^o / T(where R is the universal gas constant) of the compounds between T →  0 and T =  340 K.     

Thermodynamics of dibenzo-p-dioxin and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin fromT = 5 K toT = 490 K

In adiabatic low-pressure and dynamic calorimeters the temperature dependence of the standard molar heat capacity C_{p, m}^oof dibenzo- p -dioxin and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin have been determined at temperatures in the range T =  5 K to T =  490 K: from T =  5 K to T =  340 K with an accuracy of about 0.2 per cent and with an accuracy of 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent between T =  340 K and T =  490 K. The temperatures, enthalpies, and entropies of melting of the above compounds have been determined. The experimental data were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions C_{p, m}^o / R, Δ₀^TH_m^o / (R·K), Δ₀^TS_m^o / R, and Φ_m^o = Δ₀^TS_m^o − Δ₀^TH_m^o / T(where R is the universal gas constant) in the range T →  0 to T =  490 K. The isochoric heat capacity C_{V, m}of both dioxins has been estimated over the range T →  0 to T_fus. The effect of substitution of four hydrogen atoms by chlorine atoms on the lattice and atomic components of the isochoric heat capacity was considered.     

Surface-enhanced Raman studies of bradykinin using colloidal gold

In this paper, bradykinin (BK), an endogenous peptide hormone, which is involved in a number of physiological and pathophysiological processes was deposited onto the colloidal Au nanoparticles. The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to determine the adsorption mode of BK under different environmental conditions, including: excitation wavelengths (514.5 nm and 785.0 nm), pH of aqueous sol solutions (from pH = 3 to pH = 11), and size of the colloidal nanoparticles (10, 20, and 50 nm). The metal surface plasmon of the colloidal suspended Au nanoparticles was examined by ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The results showed that the C-terminal part of BK plays a crucial role in the adsorption process onto the colloidal suspended Au particles. The Phe^5/8 and Arg⁹ residues of BK mainly participate in the interactions with the colloidal Au nanoparticles. At acidic pH of the solution (pH = 3), the BK COO⁻ terminal group through the both oxygen atoms strongly binds to the Au nanoparticles. The Phe⁵/Phe⁸ rings adopt tilted orientation with respect to the colloidal Au nanoparticles with diameters of 10 and 20 nm. As the particle size increases to 50 nm, the flat orientation of the Phe ring(s) with respect to the Au nanoparticles is observed.     

Thermodynamic study on the sublimation of six methylnitrobenzoic acids

The Knudsen mass-loss effusion technique was used to measure the vapour pressures at different temperatures of the following six compounds: 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid, between T =  357.16 K and T =  371.16 K; 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic acid, between T =  355.16 K and T =  369.16 K; 3-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid, between T =  371.16 K and T =  385.14 K; 3-methyl-4-nitrobenzoic acid, between T =  363.21 K and T =  379.16 K; 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid, between T =  363.10 K and T =  377.18 K; 5-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid, between T =  355.18 K and T =  371.08 K. From the temperature dependence of the vapour pressure, the standard molar enthalpies of sublimation were derived by the Clausius–Clapeyron equation and the molar entropies of sublimation at equilibrium pressures were calculated. Using estimated values for the heat capacity differences between the gas and the crystal phases of the studied compounds the standard, p^o =  10⁵Pa, molar enthalpies Δ_cr^gH_m^o, entropies Δ_cr^gS_m^oand Gibbs energies Δ_cr^gG_m^oof sublimation at T =  298.15 K, were derived:     

Solubility and dissolution enthalpy of xanthine

At a constant ionic strength corresponding to human urine (I_c =  0.300 mol · dm ^− 3), the solubilities of xanthine were measured as a function of  − lg{c (H ⁺ ) / c^o} (c^o =  1 mol · dm ^− 3) at the temperatures T =  298.15 K and T =  310.15 K, respectively. Highly reproducible solubility and dissociation constants were obtained. Also, for the first time, the dissolution enthalpy of xanthine was determined calorimetrically. The values of this quantity obtained from both calorimetric determination and temperature dependence of solubility equilibrium constants are thermodynamically consistent.     

The measurement of activity coefficients for solutes at infinite dilution with mixed solvents formamide + glucose,or + fructose,or + sucrose using a gas liquid chromatography at 298.15 K

Using gas liquid chromatography, activity coefficients for nine solutes at infinite dilution (γ_i^∞) in stationary solvent of formamide + glucose, + fructose and + sucrose at 298.15 K have been measured. Linear dependence of ln γ_i^∞ on the mole fraction of sugar was observed.     

The thermodynamics of formation,molar heat capacity,and thermodynamic functions ofZrTiO4(cr)

As part of an ongoing study of titanate-based ceramic materials for the disposal of surplus weapons-grade plutonium, we report thermodynamic properties of a sample ofzirconium titanate (ZrTiO₄) quenched from a high-temperature synthesis. The standard enthalpy of formationΔ_fH_m^o was obtained by using high-temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry. The molar heat capacity C_{p, m}was measured fromT =  13 K to T =  400 K in an adiabatic calorimeter and extrapolated toT =  1800 K by using an equation fitted to the low-temperature results. The results atT =  298.15 K areΔ_fH_m^o =  − (2024.1  ±  4.5)kJ · mol ^− 1,Δ₀^TS_m^o =  (116.71  ±  0.31 )J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1, andΔ_fG_m^o =  − (1915.8  ±  4.5 )kJ · mol ^− 1; the molar entropy includes a contribution of 2 R ln2 to account for the random mixing of Zr^4 + and Ti^4 + on a four-fold crystallographic site. Values for the standard molar Gibbs energies and enthalpies of formation of ZrTiO_4,Δ_fG_m^oandΔ_fH_m^o , and for the free energies and enthalpies for the reaction to form ZrTiO₄(cr) from ZrO₂(cr) and TiO₂(cr), are tabulated over the temperature interval, 0 ⩽(T / K)⩽ 1800. From these results, we conclude that ZrTiO₄is not stable with respect to (ZrO₂ +  TiO₂) at T =  298.15 K, but becomes so at T =  (1250  ±  150) K.     

The standard molar enthalpy of sublimation ofη5-bis-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iron measured with an electrically calibrated vacuum-drop sublimation microcalorimetric apparatus

A heat-flow Calvet microcalorimeter was adapted for the measurement of sublimation enthalpies by the vacuum-drop method, with samples of masses in the range 1 mg to 5 mg. The electrically calibrated apparatus was tested by determining the enthalpies of sublimation of benzoic acid and ferrocene, at T =  298.15 K. The obtained results, Δ_cr^gH_m^o(C₇H₆O₂)  =  (88.3  ±  0.5)kJ · mol ^− 1and Δ_cr^gH_m^o(C₁₀H₁₀Fe) =  (73.3  ±  0.1)kJ · mol ^− 1, are in excellent agreement with the corresponding values recommended in the literature. Subsequent application of the apparatus to the determination of the enthalpy of sublimation of η⁵-bis-pentamethylcyclopentadyenyl iron, at T =  298.15 K, led to Δ_cr^gH_m^o(C₂₀H₃₀Fe)  =  (96.8  ±  0.6)kJ · mol ^− 1.     

Conductivity and fluorescence studies on the micellization properties of sodium cholate and sodium deoxycholate in aqueous medium at different temperatures: Effect of selected amino acids

In order to add to the existing knowledge of aqueous solution behavior of bile salts in presence of amino acids, the micellization properties of sodium cholate (NaC) (1 to 20) mmol · kg⁻¹, and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) (0.5 to 10) mmol · kg⁻¹ in 0.1 mol · kg⁻¹ aqueous solution of glycine, leucine, methionine, and histidine have been investigated at different temperatures (293.15 to 318.15) K at intervals of T = 5 K by using conductivity and fluorescence probe studies. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values have been determined and elucidated in terms of hydrophobicity as well as hydrophilicity of NaC and NaDC in aqueous solution of these additives. Thermodynamic parameters of micellization viz. standard Gibbs free energy (Δ_micG^o), standard enthalpy (Δ_micH^o), and standard entropy (Δ_micS^o) have also been calculated to extract information regarding the nature of micellization of bile salts in aqueous solutions. The (enthalpy + entropy) compensation plots have been interpreted to the contribution of chemical part towards micellization or stability of the micelle formed.     

The investigation of thermodynamic parameters of kinetic reaction between o-phenylenediamine and gold (III)

A visible spectrophotometric method has been developed for the reaction kinetics of o-phenylenediamine in the presence of gold (III). The method is based on the measurement of the absorbance of the reaction o-phenylenediamine and gold (III). Optimum conditions for the reaction were established as pH 6 at λ = 466 nm.When the reaction kinetic of o-phenylenediamine by gold (III) was investigated, it was observed that the following rate formula was found as ln (A/A₀) = −kt, according to absorbance measurements. The activation energy E_a and Arrhenius constant A were calculated from the Arrhenius equation as 1.009 kJ · mol⁻¹ and 3.46 · 10⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. Other activation thermodynamic parameters, entropy, ΔS (J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹), enthalpy, ΔH (kJ · mol⁻¹), Gibbs free energy, ΔG (kJ · mol⁻¹) and equilibrium constant, K_e were calculated at T = (283.2, 303.2, 323.2, and 343.2) K. The study was exothermic due to the decrease of entropy and was a non-spontaneous process during activation.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on microbial decontamination,and chemical and sensory characteristic of lycium fruit

Lycium fruit, popular traditional Chinese medicine and food supplement generally is ingested uncooked, was exposed to several doses of gamma irradiation (0–14 kGy) to evaluate decontamination efficiency, changes in chemical composition, and changes in sensory characteristic. In this study, lycium fruit specimens contained microbial counts of 3.1×10³–1.7×10⁵ CFU/g and 14 kGy was sufficient for microbial decontamination. Before irradiation, the main microbe isolated from lycium fruit was identified as a strain of yeast, Cryptococcus laurentii. After 10 kGy of irradiation, a Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus cereus, was the only survivor. The first 90% reduction (LD₉₀) of C. laurentii and B. cereus was approximately 0.6 and 6.5 kGy, respectively, the D₁₀ doses of C. laurentii and B. cereus was approximately 0.6 and 1.7 kGy, respectively. After 14 kGy irradiation, except the vitamin C content, other chemical composition (e.g., crude protein, β-carotene, riboflavin, fructose, etc.) and the sensory characteristic of lycium fruit specimens did not have significant changes. In conclusion, 14 kGy is the optimal decontamination dose for lycium fruit for retention of its sensory quality and extension of shelf life.     

Thermodynamics of the oxidation–reduction reaction {2 glutathionered(aq) + NADPox(aq)=glutathioneox(aq) + NADPred(aq)}

Microcalorimetry, spectrophotometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) have been used to conduct a thermodynamic investigation of the glutathione reductase catalyzed reaction {2 glutathione_red(aq) + NADP_ox(aq)=glutathione_ox(aq) + NADP_red(aq)}. The reaction involves the breaking of a disulfide bond and is of particular importance because of the role glutathione_red plays in the repair of enzymes. The measured values of the apparent equilibrium constant K^′ for this reaction ranged from 0.5 to 69 and were measured over a range of temperature (288.15 K to 303.15 K), pH (6.58 to 8.68), and ionic strength I_m (0.091 mol · kg⁻¹ to 0.90 mol · kg⁻¹). The results of the equilibrium and calorimetric measurements were analyzed in terms of a chemical equilibrium model that accounts for the multiplicity of ionic states of the reactants and products. These calculations led to values of thermodynamic quantities at T=298.15 K and I_m=0 for a chemical reference reaction that involves specific ionic forms. Thus, for the reaction {2 glutathione_red⁻(aq) + NADP_ox³⁻(aq)=glutathione_ox²⁻(aq) + NADP_red⁴⁻(aq) + H⁺(aq)}, the equilibrium constant K=(6.5±4.4)·10⁻¹¹, the standard molar enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH^o_m=(6.9±3.0) kJ · mol⁻¹, the standard molar Gibbs free energy change Δ_rG^o_m=(58.1±1.7) kJ · mol⁻¹, and the standard molar entropy change Δ_rS^o_m=−(172±12) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹. Under approximately physiological conditions (T=311.15 K, pH=7.0, and I_m=0.25 mol · kg⁻¹ the apparent equilibrium constant K^′≈0.013. The results of the several studies of this reaction from the literature have also been examined and analyzed using the chemical equilibrium model. It was found that much of the literature is in agreement with the results of this study. Use of our results together with a value from the literature for the standard electromotive force E^o for the NADP redox reaction leads to E^o=0.166 V (T=298.15 K and I=0) for the glutathione redox reaction {glutathione_ox²⁻(aq) + 2 H⁺(aq) + 2 e⁻=2 glutathione_red⁻(aq)}. The thermodynamic results obtained in this study also permit the calculation of the standard apparent electromotive force E^′o for the biochemical redox reaction {glutathione_ox(aq) + 2 e⁻=2 glutathione_red(aq)} over a wide range of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. At T=298.15 K, I=0.25 mol · kg⁻¹, and pH=7.0, the calculated value of E^′o is −0.265 V.     

Equilibrium solubility of sodium 2-naphthalenesulfonate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures at temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K

The equilibrium solubility of sodium 2-naphthalenesulfonate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures was measured at elevated temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K using a steady-state method. With increasing temperatures, the solubility increases in aqueous solvent mixtures. The results of these results were regressed by a modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution entropy and enthalpy determined using the method of the least-squares and the change of Gibbs free energy calculated with the values of Δ_diffS^o and Δ_diffH^o at T = 278.15 K.     

Partial molar heat capacities and volumes of transfer of some saccharides from water to aqueous sodium chloride solutions at T=298.15 K

Partial molar heat capacities (C^o_p,2,m) and volumes (V^o_2,m) of seven monosaccharides, namely, d(−)-ribose, d(−)-arabinose, d(+)-xylose, d(+)-glucose, d(+)-mannose, d(+)-galactose, and d(−)-fructose; five disaccharides, namely, sucrose, d(+)-cellobiose, d(+)-maltose monohydrate, d(+)-lactose monohydrate, d(+)-trehalose dihydrate, and one trisaccharide, d(+)-raffinose pentahydrate, have been determined in NaCl(aq), m = (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0) mol·kg⁻¹ at T=298.15 K from volumic heat capacity and density measurements employing a Picker flow microcalorimeter and a vibrating-tube densimeter, respectively. These data were combined with the earlier reported C^o_p,2,m and V^o_2,m values in water to calculate the corresponding partial molar properties of transfer (Δ_trC^o_p,2,m and Δ_trV^o_2,m) from water to aqueous sodium chloride solutions at infinite dilution. These transfer parameters are positive, and the values increase with the concentration of sodium chloride for all the saccharides. Transfer parameters have been discussed in terms of solute-cosolute interactions on the basis of a cosphere overlap model. Pair and higher-order interaction coefficients have also been calculated from transfer parameters.     

1,2,4-Triazole as a reference material for combustion calorimetry of N-containing compounds

A micro-bomb combustion calorimeter recently designed for samples of mass  ≈ 80 mg has been improved and tested with m -methoxybenzoic acid in order to verify the chemistry of the combustion process and the accuracy of the energy corrections involved in the analysis of results. From measurements in this calorimeter, the standard massic energy of combustion of 1,2,4-triazole was determined to beΔ_cu^o =  − (19200.3  ±  3.4)J · g ^− 1. Some new measurements with our macro combustion calorimeter confirm an earlier result from this laboratory of  − (19203.1  ±  1.2)J · g ^− 1. Determination of the purity by d.s.c. of 1,2,4-triazole purified some 10 years ago reveals that samples of this compound remained unchanged and suggest that 1,2,4-triazole be used as a possible reference material for organic compounds with a high content of nitrogen. From the experimental results with the micro-bomb combustion calorimeter, the actual and earlier results from macro-bomb combustion calorimetry, and those obtained in other laboratories, the standard massic energy of combustion of 1,2,4-triazole was deduced to beΔ_cu^o =  − (19202.5  ±  1.7)J · g ^− 1.     

Determination of the standard enthalpy of formation of paratungstate A ion

Enthalpy changes for the reaction of HCl(aq) withNa₂WO₄ (aq) were measured at T =  298.15 K in a HT-1000 calorimeter. The standard enthalpy of reaction for the formation ofW₇O₂₄^6 −  (aq) was calculated on the basis of the experimental results, Δ_rH_m^o(298.15K )  =  − (320.7  ±  1.0)kJ · mol ^− 1. Combining this with the values from the literature led to the standard enthalpy of formation of W₇O₂₄^6 − (aq),Δ_fH_m^o (298.15 K)  =  − 6689.8 kJ · mol ^− 1.     

Electrochemical performances of LaBaCuFeO5+x and LaBaCuCoO5+x as potential cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Layered perovskite-structure oxides LaBaCuFeO_5+x (LBCFO) and LaBaCuCoO_5+x (LBCCO) were prepared and the electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance were investigated as potential cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The electrical conductivity of LBCCO is much higher than that of LBCFO. Area specific resistances of LBCFO and LBCCO cathode materials on Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (SDC) electrolyte are as low as 0.21 Ω cm² and 0.11 Ω cm² at 700 °C, respectively. The maximum power density of the LBCFO/SDC/Ni-SDC and LBCCO/SDC/Ni-SDC cells with 300 μm thick electrolytes attains 557 mW cm^?2 and 603 mW cm^?2 at 800 ^oC, respectively. Preliminary results demonstrated that the layered perovskite-structure oxides LBCFO and LBCCO are very promising cathode materials for application in IT-SOFCs.     

Destabilization in the isomeric nitrobenzonitriles: an experimental thermochemical study

The enthalpies of combustion and of sublimation, respectively, of the three isomeric nitrobenzonitriles have been measured: o-, {(−3456.3±2.9), (88.1±1.4)} kJ·mol⁻¹; m-, {(−3442.8±3.3), (92.8±0.3)} kJ·mol⁻¹; p-, {(−3448.2±3.6), (91.1±1.3)} kJ·mol⁻¹. In turn, from these values, the standard molar enthalpies of formation for the condensed and gaseous state, respectively, have been derived: o-, {(130.1±3.1), (218.2±3.4)} kJ·mol⁻¹; m-, {(116.5±3.5), (209.3±3.5)} kJ·mol⁻¹; p-, {(122.0±3.8), (213.1±4.0)} kJ·mol⁻¹. Destabilization energies associated with the presence of the two electron-withdrawing groups have been determined, for o-, m-, and p-nitrobenzonitrile, {(17.6±4.1), (8.7±4.2), and (12.5±4.6)} kJ·mol⁻¹, respectively, and are consistent with those obtained for the corresponding sets of isomeric methyl benzenedicarboxylates, dicyanobenzenes, dinitrobenzenes, and (neutral and ionized) nitrobenzoic acids.