Gas chromatographic headspace analysis: its theory and applications

Gas chromatographic headspace analysis is concerned predominantly with the determination of traces of volatile compounds in samples which are difficult to analyse by conventional gas chromatography.     

Gentle immobilization of nonionic polymersomes on solid substrates

Vesicles from Pluronic L121 (PEO5-PPO68-PEO5) triblock copolymers were first stabilized by a permanent interpenetrating polymer network and then gently immobilized onto a glass or mica surface. Fluorescence-labeled micrometer-sized vesicles were visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy, and smaller sized capsules, around 100 nm, were probed by liquid atomic force microscopy. The immobilized vesicles were weakly attached to a negatively charged surface via negatively charged polyelectrolytes in combination with Mg2+ ions and can be reversibly detached from the surface by slightly elevated temperatures. To illustrate that the immobilized vesicles remain responsive to external stimuli, we show that it is possible to transform their shape from spherical to cylindrical by introducing a second Pluronic, namely, P123 (PEO20-PPO70-PEO20). The detailed transition process has been recorded in real time by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Electron microscopy studies confirmed that a similar morphology change also occurs in the bulk.     

Developing a new class of axial chiral phosphorus ligands: preparation and characterization of enantiopure atropisomeric phosphinines

Both enantiomers of the first atropisomeric phosphinine (1) have been isolated by using analytical HPLC on a chiral stationary phase. The enrichment of one enantiomer and a subsequent investigation into its racemization kinetics revealed a barrier for internal rotation of DeltaG(298)(double dagger) = (109.5+/-0.5) kJ mol(-1), which is in excellent agreement with the theoretically predicted value of DeltaG(298)(double dagger) =116 kJ mol(-1). Further analysis with UV and circular dichroism spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations led to the determination and assignment of the absolute configurations of both enantiomers. These results are the basis for future investigations into this new class of axially chiral phosphinine-based ligands and their possible applications in asymmetric homogeneous catalysis.     

Influence of volatile chlorides on the molten salt synthesis of ternary oxide nanorods and nanoparticles

A molten salt synthesis route, previously reported to yield BaTiO3, PbTiO3, and Na2Ti6O13 nanorods, has been re-examined to elucidate the role of volatile chlorides. A precursor mixture containing barium (or lead) and titanium was annealed in the presence of NaCl at 760 or 820 degrees C. The main products were respectively isometric nanocrystalline BaTiO3 and PbTiO3. Nanorods were also detected, but electron diffraction revealed that the composition of the nanorods was respectively BaTi2O5/BaTi5O11 and Na2Ti6O13 for the two different systems, in contradiction to the previous studies. It was shown that NaCl reacted with BaO (PbO) resulting in loss of volatile BaCl2 (PbCl2) and formation and preferential growth of titanium oxide-rich nanorods instead of the target phase BaTiO3 (or PbTiO3). The molten salt synthesis route may therefore not necessarily yield nanorods of the target ternary oxide as reported previously. In addition, the importance of NaCl(g) for the growth of nanorods below the melting point of NaCl was demonstrated in a special experimental setup, where NaCl and the precursors were physically separated.     

A Twist‐Bend Nematic Phase Driven by Hydrogen Bonding

The liquid crystalline phase behavior of 4‐[6‐(4′‐cyanobiphenyl‐4‐yl)hexyloxy]benzoic acid (CB6OBA) and 4‐[5‐(4′‐cyanobiphenyl‐4‐yloxy)pentyloxy]benzoic acid (CBO5OBA) is described. Both acids show an enantiotropic nematic phase attributed to the formation of supramolecular complexes by hydrogen bonding between the benzoic acid units. In addition, CB6OBA provides the first example of hydrogen bonding driving the formation of the twist‐bend nematic phase. The observation of the twist‐bend nematic phase for CB6OBA, but not CBO5OBA, is attributed to the more bent molecular shape of the complexes formed by the former, reinforcing the view that shape is a key factor in stabilizing this new phase. Temperature‐dependent FTIR spectroscopy reveals differences in hydrogen bonding between the two nematic phases shown by CB6OBA which suggest that the open hydrogen‐bonded complexes may play an important role in stabilizing the helical arrangement found in the twist‐bend nematic phase.     

Improving the Capture of CO2 by Substituted Monoethanolamines: Electronic Effects of Fluorine and Methyl Substituents

The influence of electronic and steric effects on the reaction between CO₂ and monoethanolamine (MEA) absorbents is investigated using computational methods. The pK_a of the alkanolamine, the reaction enthalpy for carbamate formation, and the hydrolytic carbamate stability are important factors for the efficiency of CO₂ capture. The steric and electronic effects of CH₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, CF₃, F, dimethyl, difluoro, and bis(2‐trifluoromethyl) substituents at the α carbon of MEA on this reaction are investigated. Density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP, M06‐2X, M08‐HX and M11‐L) and ab initio methods [spin component‐scaled second‐order Møller‐Plesset theory (SCS‐MP2), G3], each coupled with solvent models [conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) and universal solvation models (SM8 and SMD)], are shown to yield accurately calculated pK_a values of the substituted MEAs. Specifically, G3, SCS‐MP2, and M11‐L methods coupled with the SMD and SM8 solvation models perform well with a mean unsigned error (MUE) of only 0.15, 0.24 and 0.25 pK_a units, respectively. SCS‐MP2 is used to calculate the reaction enthalpy for carbamate formation and the carbamate stability towards hydrolysis. With the introduction of β‐fluoro substituents (especially the CH₂F moiety) the reaction enthalpy for the formation of carbamates can be fine‐tuned to be less exothermic than that using the unsubstituted MEA. This implies a reduced energy requirement for the solvent‐regeneration step in the post‐combustion carbon‐capture method, which is currently the energy‐limiting step in efficient CO₂ capture. β‐Fluoro‐substituted MEAs are also shown to form less stable carbamates than MEA. Thus, β‐fluoro‐substituted MEAs display a great potential for the use in the post‐combustion carbon‐capture process. Finally, a clear correlation is observed between the gas‐phase basicity and the tendency to form carbamates. This allows for the rapid prediction of which species will be formed experimentally, and thus the CO₂‐absorbing capacities of alkanolamines can be estimated.     

Kinetic Monte Carlo modeling of silicate oligomerization and early gelation†

We present a lattice-gas kinetic Monte Carlo model to investigate the formation of silicate oligomers, their aggregation and the subsequent gelation process. In the early oligomerization stage, the 3-rings are metastable, 5-rings and 6-rings are formed in very small quantities, 4-rings are abundant species, linear and branched species are transformed into more compact structures. Results reveal that the gelation proceeds from 4-ring containing species. A significant amount of 5-rings and 6-rings, sharing Si with 4-ring, form in the aging stage. These reveal the formation mechanism of silicate rings and clusters during zeolite synthesis.