Stimulus response and molecular structural modification of polyacrylamide gel in nitric acid: A study by Raman,FTIR, and photoluminescence techniques

Stimulus response of photopolymerized 1% and 0.5% N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) crosslinked 10% polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels was studied in nitric acid. The hydrogels swelled exponentially to saturation in 13 h due to the osmotic pressure arising from diffusion of ions in to the gel. MBA (0.5%) gels swell more with larger time constant than 1% MBA gels due to lower bulk modulus. Diffusion coefficient of nitric acid in the hydrogel and polymer‐solvent interaction parameter were estimated from the swelling behavior and discussed. At longer times, the hydrogels deswelled linearly in nitric acid due to molecular modification of amide group by acidic hydrolysis. Degree of swelling and deswelling increase with nitric acid concentration. Raman and FTIR investigations revealed the formation of carboxylic acid due to acidic hydrolysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 710–720, 2008     

Synthesis of Nitro‐Octaaza Derivatives of Reduced Anthracene

Nitro compounds of octaaza derivatives of reduced anthracene were synthesized for the first time by reaction of 2,3,4a,6,7,8a,9,10‐octaaza‐4,8‐dioxo‐3,4,4a,7,8,8a,9,9a,10,10a‐decahydroanthracene with nitric acid, mixed nitric acid/sulfuric acid, and nitric acid/acetic anhydride at between –20 and –30 °C. In addition, 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine azido derivatives were obtained by hydrolytic decomposition of the starting compound by nitrous acid. All the resultant compounds exhibit high thermal stability.     

Visible‐Light‐Mediated Synthesis of β‐Chloro Ketones from Aryl Cyclopropanes

We report the visible‐light‐mediated synthesis of β‐chloro ketones from aryl cyclopropanes, oxygen, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid. The operationally simple and catalyst‐free method uses cheap standard laboratory reagents and displays broad functional‐group tolerance. Moreover, scale up of the reaction and late‐stage functionalization of bioactive compounds is possible, providing the opportunity to utilize the cyclopropane ring as a masked β‐chloro ketone in a reaction sequence. We propose a light‐driven radical chain reaction initiated by the reaction of diluted hydrochloric and nitric acid to produce small quantities of molecular chlorine. The mechanistic hypothesis is supported by ¹⁸O labelling and UV/Vis experiments, cyclovoltammetry, and several control reactions.     

On the reaction of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidones with nitric acid. Preparation and x‐ray structure analysis of a stable nitrolic acid

A series of substituted 3,4‐dihydro‐2‐pyrimidones (DHPMs) was reacted with nitric acid under different reaction conditions. Treatment of DHPMs with 50‐65% nitric acid at 0 °C led to the formation of the corresponding dehydrogenated 2‐pyrimidones in moderate to good yields. In contrast, reaction of one representative DHPM with 60% nitric acid at 50 °C led to an unusually stable nitrolic acid, involving a formal nitration, nitrosation, and dehydrogenation step. The molecular structure of this product was determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis     

Nitric acid oxidation on carbon dispersion and suspension stability

In this study, we have investigated the effect of nitric acid oxidation on the dispersion and suspension stability of activated carbon powder. We treated activated carbon powder with nitric acid at different concentrations. We measured the content of functional groups, the zeta potential and the powder particle size of the activated carbon powder with the Boehm titration, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, a zeta potential analyzer, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that with the increase of nitric acid molar concentration, the content of acid functional groups increased, whereas the content of alkali functional groups decreased. At a nitric acid concentration of 10 mol/l, the surface‐modified activated carbon powder displays features such as the highest functional group content and zeta potential value, the smallest particle size, and the best dispersion and suspension stability in the solution. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An improved procedure for the nitration of benzo‐2,1,3‐selenadiazoles and their reduction to ortho‐phenylenediamines

A method for the nitration of benzo‐2,1,3‐selenadiazoles using nitric acid dissolved in a mixture of methanesulfonic acid and phosphorus pentoxide at room temperature is presented. The S_N2Ar displacement of fluoride that is observed when sulfuric acid is used as solvent is prevented and yields are high. Sodium nitrate could be used in place of nitric acid with no loss in yield. Following nitration, the 2,1,3‐selenadiazole ring is cleaved with hydriodic acid to afford a 3‐nitro‐ortho‐phenylenediamine. The method is applied to the multi‐gram preparation of 4‐fluoro‐3‐nitrobenzene‐1,2‐diamine.     

Improved Catalytic Performance of Pt Supported on Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes as Cathode for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Applications Prepared by Dual‐Stepped Surface Thiolation Processes

This study develops a simple surface modification process for modifying the MWCNT surface by thiolation reaction after the conventional nitric acid treatment for strong interface attachment of Pt NPs and improved dispersion onto MWCNTs. The thiolated MWCNTs (Pt/MWCNTs) showed significant improvement of methanol electro‐oxidation activity compared with that treated only by nitric acid solution. The prepared electrode with thiolated MWCNTs was used as the cathode for assembling MEA for DMFC single‐cell applications. Testing results indicate that the thiolated MWCNT cathode can improve the power density of MEA by more than 300% (from 4.6 to 20.6 mW cm^?2) compared with that treated only by conventional nitric acid reactions. The dual‐step modification process for MWCNT surface treatment showed significant improvement over the convention nitric acid treatment and can be successfully used in DMFC applications.     

Synthesis and Properties of a pH‐Insensitive Fluorescent Nitric Oxide Cheletropic Trap (FNOCT)

The synthesis and properties of the new fluorescent nitric oxide cheletropic trap (FNOCT) 14 , designed for the trapping and quantification of nitric oxide (NO) production in chemical and biological systems, is described (Scheme 3). The dicarboxylic acid 14 and the corresponding bis[(acetyloxy)methyl] ester derivative 15 of the FNOCT contain a 2‐methoxy‐substituted phenanthrene group as fluorophoric unit. The fluorescence of the reduced NO adduct of this FNOCT (λ_exc 320 nm, λ_em 380 nm) is pH‐independent. Trapping experiments were carried out in aqueous buffer solution at pH 7.4 with nitric oxide being added as a bolus as well as being released from the NO donor compound MAHMA NONOate (= (1Z)‐1‐{methyl[6‐(methylammonio)hexyl]amino}diazen‐1‐ium‐1,2‐diolate), indicating a trapping efficiency of ca. 50%. In a biological application, nitric oxide was scavenged from a culture of lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated rat alveolar macrophages. Under the applied conditions, a production of 11.1 ± 1.5 nmol of NO per hour and per 10⁵ cells was estimated.     

Facile synthesis of novel nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists

A series of Losartan analogues 1‐12 with different functional groups were synthesized and characterized. In comparison with the previous reports, the synthetic procedures described in this paper have been optimized as follows below: 1) preparation of aromatic amine 15 and 18 through hydrogenation by employing Raney Ni and hydrazine as catalysts in place of palladium; 2) preparation of nitro‐compound 17 by using pure fuming nitric acid at ‐20 ‐ ‐15 °C; 3) alkylation of 21 with 22 or 23 in the presence of sodium hydride in place of potassium tert‐butylate; 4) preparation of carboxylic acid 4 by ester cleavage rather than hydrolysis of cyano group.     

The effect of surface modification with nitric acid on the mechanical and tribological properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic polyimide composite

Polyacrylamideacrylate (PAN)‐based carbon fibers were submitted to nitric acid oxidation treatments to improve the interfacial adhesion of the carbon fiber (CF)‐reinforced polyimide (CF/PI) composite. The carbon fiber surfaces were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Nitric acid oxidation not only affects the oxygen concentration but also produces an appreciable change in the nature of the chemical functions, namely the conversion of hydroxy‐type oxygen into carboxyl functions. Nitric acid oxidation treatment modifies the element constituting the fiber, the nitrogen concentration being about 1.2 times higher at the fiber external surface compared to the untreated one. The mechanical and tribological properties of the polymide (PI) composites reinforced by the carbon fibers treated with nitric acid oxidation were investigated. Results showed that the tensile strength of the CF/PI composites improved remarkably due to nitric acid treatment along with enhancement in friction and wear performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (CH3NH3)2[Cu(NO3)4]: a Rare Example of a Tetranitratocuprate(II) with a Light Cation of the Type M2[Cu(NO3)4]

The reaction of methylammonium nitrate and copper(II) nitrate pentahemihydrate in concentrated nitric acid yields the novel bis(monomethylammonium) tetranitratocuprate(II). By evaporation of the nitric acid at elevated temperatures single crystals suitable for crystal structure analysis by X‐ray diffraction were obtained. The crystal structure shows a clear Jahn‐Teller distortion in the octahedral nitratocuprate anion.     

Metastable Nitric Acid Trihydrate in Ice Clouds

The composition of high‐altitude ice clouds is still a matter of intense discussion. The constituents in question are ice and nitric acid hydrates, but the exact phase composition of clouds and its formation mechanisms are still unknown. In this work, conclusive evidence for a long‐predicted phase, alpha‐nitric acid trihydrate (alpha‐NAT), is presented. This phase was characterized by a combination of X‐ray and neutron diffraction experiments, allowing a convincing structure solution. Furthermore, vibrational spectra (infrared and inelastic neutron scattering) were recorded and compared with theoretical calculations. A strong interaction between water ice and alpha‐NAT was found, which explains the experimental spectra and the phase‐transition kinetics. On the basis of these results, we propose a new three‐step mechanism for NAT formation in high‐altitude ice clouds.     

Absorption and Oxidation of Nitrogen Oxide in Ionic Liquids

A new strategy for capturing nitrogen oxide, NO, from the gas phase is presented. Dilute NO gas is removed from the gas phase by ionic liquids under ambient conditions. The nitrate anion of the ionic liquid catalyzes the oxidation of NO to nitric acid by atmospheric oxygen in the presence of water. The nitric acid is absorbed in the ionic liquid up to approximately one mole HNO₃ per mole of the ionic liquid due to the formation of hydrogen bonds. The nitric acid can be desorbed by heating, thereby regenerating the ionic liquid with excellent reproducibility. Here, time‐resolved in‐situ spectroscopic investigations of the reaction and products are presented. The procedure reveals a new vision for removing the pollutant NO by absorption into a non‐volatile liquid and converting it into a useful bulk chemical, that is, HNO₃.     

Nitrous‐Acid‐Mediated Synthesis of Iron–Nitrosyl–Porphyrin: pH‐Dependent Release of Nitric Oxide

Two iron–nitrosyl–porphyrins, nitrosyl[meso‐tetrakis(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) acetic acid solvate ( 3 ) and nitrosyl[meso‐tetrakis(4‐methoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) CH₂Cl₂ solvate ( 4 ), were synthesized in quantitative yield by using a modified procedure with nitrous acid, followed by oxygen‐atom abstraction by triphenylphosphine under an argon atmosphere. These nitrosyl porphyrins are in the {FeNO}⁷ class. Under an argon atmosphere, these compounds are relatively stable over a broad range of pH values (4–8) but, under aerobic conditions, they release nitric oxide faster at high pH values than that at low pH values. The generated nitric‐oxide‐free iron(III)–porphyrin can be re‐nitrosylated by using nitrous acid and triphenylphosphine. The rapid release of NO from these Fe^II complexes at high pH values seems to be similar to that in nitrophorin, a nitric‐oxide‐transport protein, which formally possesses Fe^III. However, because the release of NO occurs from ferrous–nitrosyl–porphyrin under aerobic conditions, these compounds are more closely related to nitrobindin, a recently discovered heme protein.     

Preparation of polymer‐grafted carbon black nanoparticles by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Pristine carbon black was oxidized with nitric acid to produce carboxyl group, and then the carboxyl group was consecutively treated with thionyl chloride and glycol to introduce hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl group on the carbon black surface was reacted with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide to anchor atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator. The ATRP initiator on carbon black surface was verified by TGA, FTIR, EDS, and elemental analysis. Then, poly (methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene chains were respectively, grown from carbon black surface by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) using CuCl/2,2‐dipyridyl (bpy) as the catalyst/ligand combination at 110 °C in anisole. ¹H NMR, TGA, TEM, AFM, DSC, and DLS were used to systemically characterize the polymer‐grafted carbon black nanoparticles. Dispersion experiments showed that the grafted carbon black nanoparticles had good solubilities in organic solvents such as THF, chloroform, dichloromethane, DMF, etc. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3451–3459, 2007     

Can Conventional Bases and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons Be Converted into Gas‐Phase Superacids That Are Stronger than Most of the Known Oxyacids? The Role of Beryllium Bonds

The association of BeX₂ (X: H, F, Cl) derivatives with azoles leads to a dramatic increase of their intrinsic acidity. Hence, whereas 1H‐tetrazole can be considered as a typical N base in the gas phase, the complex 1H‐tetrazole–BeCl₂ is predicted to be, through the use of high‐level G4 ab initio calculations, a nitrogen acid stronger than perchloric acid. This acidity enhancement is due to a more favorable stabilization of the deprotonated species after the beryllium bond is formed, because the deprotonated anion is a much better electron donor than the neutral species. Consequently, this is a general phenomenon that should be observed for any Lewis base, including those in which the basic site is a hydroxy group, an amino group, a carbonyl group, an aromatic N atom, a second‐row atom, or the π system of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The consequence is that typical bases like aniline or formamide lead to BeX₂ complexes that are stronger acids than phosphoric or chloric acids. Similarly, water, methanol, and SH₂ become stronger acids than sulfuric acid, pyridine becomes a C acid almost as strong as acetic acid, and unsaturated hydrocarbons such as ethylene and acetylene become acids as strong as nitric and sulfuric acids, respectively.     

Synthesis of new proton‐ionizable crown ether compounds containing substituted lh‐pyridin‐4‐one subcyclic units

Five novel pyridono‐18‐crown‐6 ( 10‐14 ) and two new benzyloxy‐substituted pyridino‐18‐crown‐6 ( 15 and 16 ) ligands have been prepared. By the catalytic hydrogenative removal of the benzyl group from the benzyloxy moiety at position 4 of the pyridine ring of 15 and 16 , pyridono‐18‐crown‐6 ethers 5 and 12 were obtained. These ligands were transformed to their 3,5‐dibromo ( 10 and 13 ) and 3,5‐dinitro derivatives ( 11 and 14 ) by treatment with bromine in methylene chloride and nitric acid in acetic anhydride, respectively. The latter proton‐ionizable crown ethers have pK_avalues of about 7.5 for 10 and 13 and 4.5 for 11 and 14 . Thus, they are good candidates for complexation and proton‐coupled transport of selected cations.     

Benzoyl peroxide oxidation route to polyaniline salts—Part I

Aniline was oxidized to polyaniline salt using benzoyl peroxide as an oxidizing agent in the presence of acids such as sulfuric, nitric, or hydrochloric acid by aqueous polymerization pathway. Polyaniline salts, their corresponding bases and redoped polyaniline salts were characterized by infrared, electronic absorption, x‐ray diffraction spectral techniques, elemental analysis and conductivity measurement. The result of this study indicates that both acid and surfactant group are present in the polyaniline salt as dopants. Polyaniline salts with reasonable yield (around 80%) and conductivity (0.04 S/cm) were prepared. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical Surface Treatment for Highly Improved Dispersibility of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Water

In order to increase the dispersibility of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in water without any additives, various acid treatments were used. Generally, acid treatment used to remove or purify carbon nanotubes. MWNTs treated with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids showed high dispersion stability by means of UV‐visible spectrophotometry and higher crystallinity than other samples. In addition, it was clearly shown that acid treatment efficiently removed the impurities of MWNTs, which was proven by thermogravimetric analysis. In particular, one of functional groups, cyano (C‐N) bonding characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared after acid treatment were formed the surface of MWNTs.     

Desorption kinetics of model polar stratospheric cloud films measured using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Temperature‐Programmed Desorption

This study combines Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and temperature‐programmed desorption to examine the evaporation kinetics of thin films of crystalline nitric acid hydrates, solid amorphous H₂O/HNO₃ mixtures, H₂O–ice, ice coated with HCl, and solid HNO₃. IR spectroscopy measured the thickness of each film as it evaporated, either at constant temperature or during a linear temperature ramp (temperature‐programmed infrared, TPIR). Simultaneously, a mass spectrometer measured the rate of evaporation directly by monitoring the evolution of the molecules into the gas phase (temperature‐programmed desorption, TPD). Both TPIR and TPD data provide a measurement of the desorption rate and yield the activation energy and preexponential factor for desorption. TPD measurements have the advantage of producing many data points but are subject to interference from experimental difficulties such as uneven heating from the edge of a sample and sample‐support as well as pumping‐speed limitations. TPIR experiments give clean but fewer data points. Evaporation occurred between 170 and 215 K for the various films. Ice evaporates with an activation energy of 12.9 ± 1 kcal/mol and a preexponential factor of 1 × 10^32±1.5 molec/cm² s, in good agreement with the literature. The beta form of nitric acid trihydrate, β–NAT, has an E_des of 15.6 ± 2 kcal/mol with log A = 34.3 ± 2.3; the alpha form of nitric acid trihydrate, α–NAT, is around 17.7 ± 3 kcal/mol with log A = 37.2 ± 4. For nitric acid dihydrate, NAD, E_des is 17.3 ± 2 kcal/mol with log A = 35.9 ± 2.6; for nitric acid monohydrate, NAM, E_des is 13 ± 3 kcal/mol with log A = 31.4 ± 3. The α–NAT converts to β–NAT during evaporation, and the amorphous solid H₂O/HNO₃ mixtures crystallize during evaporation. The barrier to evaporation for pure nitric acid is 14.6 ± 3 kcal/mol with log A = 34.4 ± 3. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 295–309, 2001