Effect of gamma irradiation on the thermal decomposition of zinc bromate by dynamic thermogravimetry

The thermal decoposition of -irradiated zinc bromate has been studied by dynamic thermogravimetry. The reaction order, activation energy, frequency factor and entropy of activation were computed using the Coats-Redfern, Freeman-Carroll and Horowitz-Metzger methods and were compared with those of the unirradiated salt. Irradiation enhances the decomposition and the effect increases with the irradiation dose. The activation energy decreases on irradiation. The mechanism for the decomposition of unirradiated and irradiated zinc bromate follows the Avrami model equation, 1-(1-)^1/3=kt, and the rate-controlling process is a phase boundary reaction assuming spherical symmetry.     

Synthesis and ion-exchange properties of zirconium molybdoarsenate (ZrMAs)

Zirconium molybdoarsenate (ZrMAs), an inorganic ion exchanger, has been synthesized and the suitable conditions to separate cesium-137 from fission products waste solution are suggested.     

Clouding behaviour in surfactant systems

A study on the phenomenon of clouding and the applications of cloud point technology has been thoroughly discussed. The phase behaviour of clouding and various methods adopted for the determination of cloud point of various surfactant systems have been elucidated. The systems containing anionic, cationic, nonionic surfactants as well as microemulsions have been reviewed with respect to their clouding phenomena and the effects of structural variation in the surfactant systems have been incorporated. Additives of various natures control the clouding of surfactants. Electrolytes, nonelectrolytes, organic substances as well as ionic surfactants, when present in the surfactant solutions, play a major role in the clouding phenomena. The review includes the morphological study of clouds and their applications in the extraction of trace inorganic, organic materials as well as pesticides and protein substrates from different sources.     

Adsorption of organic molecules on silica surface

The adsorption behaviour of various organic adsorbates on silica surface is reviewed. Most of the structural information on silica is obtained from IR spectral data and from the characteristics of water present at the silica surface. Silica surface is generally embedded with hydroxy groups and ethereal linkages, and hence considered to have a negative charged surface prone to adsorption of electron deficient species. Adsorption isotherms of the adsorbates delineate the nature of binding of the adsorbate with silica. Aromatic compounds are found to involve the pi-cloud in hydrogen bonding with silanol OH group during adsorption. Cationic and nonionic surfactants adsorb on silica surface involving hydrogen bonding. Sometimes, a polar part of the surfactants also contributes to the adsorption process. Styryl pyridinium dyes are found to anchor on silica surface in flat-on position. On modification of the silica by treating with alkali, the adsorption behaviour of cationic surfactant or polyethylene glycol changes due to change in the characteristics of silica or modified silica surface. In case of PEG-modified silica, adsolubilization of the adsorbate is observed. By using a modified adsorption equation, hemimicellization is proposed for these dyes. Adsorptions of some natural macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids are investigated to study the hydrophobic and hydrophilic binding sites of silica. Artificial macromolecules like synthetic polymers are found to be adsorbed on silica surface due to the interaction of the multifunctional groups of the polymers with silanols. Preferential adsorption of polar adsorbates is observed in case of adsorbate mixtures. When surfactant mixtures are considered to study competitive adsorption on silica surface, critical micelle concentration of individual surfactant also contributes to the adsorption isotherm. The structural study of adsorbed surface and the thermodynamics of adsorption are given some importance in this review.     

Strong Stokes and Upconversion Luminescence from Ultrasmall Ln3+‐Doped BiF3 (Ln=Eu3+, Yb3+/Er3+) Nanoparticles Confined in a Polymer Matrix

Heavy metal fluorides like BiF₃ as a host for lanthanide ions are of interest as bismuth is the only heavy metal that is nontoxic. In this work, we report the synthesis of highly water‐dispersible ultrasmall BiF₃ nanoparticles about 6 nm in size within a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) matrix by a hydrothermal method. Microscopy analysis reveals that the nanoparticles are well separated and confined within the polymer network. These nanoparticles were found to be excellent hosts for lanthanide (Ln³⁺) ions. Through suitable Ln³⁺ doping, BiF₃ exhibits strong emissions in the visible region upon both UV and near infrared (NIR) excitations. The non‐toxicity of both bismuth and PVP can be advantageous for the potential use of BiF₃ nanoparticles in drug delivery and bioimaging.     

Synthesis of Carbazole Alkaloids by Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Ring Rearrangement–Aromatization

Aprocess for the assembly of carbazole alkaloids has been developed on the basis of ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) and ringrearrangement–aromatization (RRA) as the key steps. This method is based on allyl Grignard addition to isatin derivatives to provide smooth access to 2,2‐diallyl 3‐oxindole derivatives through a 1,2‐allyl shift. The diallyl derivatives were used as RCM precursors to afford a novel class of spirocyclopentene‐3‐oxindole derivatives, which underwent a novel RRA reaction to afford carbazole derivatives. The synthetic sequence to carbazoles was shortened by combining the RCM and RRA steps in an orthogonal tandem catalytic process. The utility of this methodology was further demonstrated by the straightforward synthesis of carbazole alkaloids, including amukonal derivative, girinimbilol, heptaphylline, and bis(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylcarbazole).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the anation of (αβ)-hydroxo(tetraethylenepentamine)cobalt(III) by thiosulfate, the base hydrolysis of the (sulfur-bonded) thiosulfato(tetraethylenepentamine)-cobalt(III) and photochemistry of oxygen and sulfur-bonded thiosulfato complexes

Summary The reaction of ()-(tetren)CoOH²⁺ with S₂O ₃ ^2- in the 7.25–8.28 pH range at 20–40 °C yielded S- (yellow) and O- (purple) bonded thiosulfato(tetren)cobalt(III) complexes, the former in larger quantities. The rate determining step is preceded by diffusion-controlled ion-pair [(tetren)CoOH²⁺,S₂O ₃ ^2- ] formation. Replacement of coordinated OH^- by S₂O ₃ ^2- is interpreted in terms of an internal conjugate base mechanism: (tetren)CoOH²⁺ (tetren-H)CoOH ₂ ²⁺ , the reactive amido conjugate base being generated by intramolecular proton transfer from the coordinated NH site.In acid medium the S-bonded (tetren)Co(S₂O₃)⁺ is highly stable to redox decomposition, in contrast to its pentaammine analogue. The complex however, undergoes base hydrolysis yielding the corresponding hydroxo complex. The rate and activation parameters for the base hydrolysis have been reported. Photolysis of O- and S-bonded isomers of [(tetren)CoS₂O₃]⁺ in acidic medium at 254 and 313 nm, respectively, yielded aquation products accompanied by some decomposition of S₂O ₃ ^2- .     

Extraction of ternary complexes of thorium(IV) with 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone and neutral donors from nitric acid medium

The extraction behaviour of thorium(IV) from aqueous nitric acid employing 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) in the presence of tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) as well as tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in xylene medium was investigated. The extraction constant (log k(ex)) for the binary organic phase species Th(PBI)(4) was determined to be 8.26 which is by far the largest amongst the corresponding values known for other beta-diketones. The overall extraction constant (log K) for the ternary species Th(PBI)(4) TBP and Th(PBI)(4).2TOPO were estimated to be 14.96 and 20.96 respectively. An inverse correlation of the adduct formation constant (log K(s)) with the pK(a) of the beta-diketones, 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone and HPBI, was observed. The steric as well as the electronic effects of adduct formation have been discussed. Analytical application of HPBI for the separation of (234)Th radiotracer from natural uranium (99.3% (238)U) has been suggested.     

Reactions of sulfur(IV) with an octahedral manganese(IV) complex of 1,8-bis(2-hydroxy benzamido)-3,6-diaza octane: the role of phenolate–amide–amine coordination

The Mn^IV complex of tetra-deprotonated 1,8-bis(2-hydroxybenzamide)-3,6-diazaoctane (Mn^IVL) engrossed in phenolate-amido-amine coordination is reduced by HSO₃⁻ and SO₃²⁻ in the pH range 3.15–7.3 displaying biphasic kinetics, the Mn^IIIL⁻ being the reactive intermediate. The Mn^IIIL⁻ species has been characterized by u.v.–vis. spectra {λ _max, (ε, dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹): 285(15 570), 330 sh (7570), 469(6472), 520 sh (5665), pH=5.42}. SO₄²⁻ was the major oxidation product of S^IV; dithionate is also formed (18 ± 2% of [Mn^IV]_T) which suggests that dimerisation of SO₃^−• is competitive with its fast oxidation by Mn^IV/III. The rates and activation parameters for Mn^IVL + HSO₃⁻ (SO₃²⁻) → Mn^IIIL⁻; Mn^IIIL⁻ + HSO₃⁻ (SO₃²⁻) → Mn^IIL²⁻ are reported at 28.5–45.0 °C (I=0.3 mol dm⁻³, 10% (v/v) MeOH + H₂O). Reduction by SO₃²⁻ is ca. eight times faster than by HSO₃⁻ both for Mn^IVL and Mn^IIIL⁻. There was no evidence of HSO₃⁻/SO₃²⁻ coordination to the Mn centre indicating an outer sphere (ET) mechanism which is further supported by an isokinetic relationship. The self exchange rate constant (k₂₂) for the redox couple, Mn^IIIL⁻/Mn^IVL (1.5 × 10⁶ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25 °C) is reported.