Mass accommodation of H2SO4 and CH3SO3H on water-sulfuric acid solutions from 6% to 97% RH

The uptake of H2SO4 and CH3SO3H onto particles composed of water and sulfuric acid was studied in a laminar flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. Their first-order gas-phase loss rate coefficients were determined using a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. Relative humidity was varied from 6% to 97% at 295-297.5 K. The mass accommodation coefficient, alpha, was found to be close to unity for both species. These findings show that alpha does not limit particle growth rates resulting from H2SO4 and CH3SO3H uptake. Diffusion coefficients in N2 for these two species are also reported and a significant dependence upon relative humidity was seen for H2SO4 but not for CH3SO3H. Last, production of small particles was observed due to the presence of SO2 in particle chargers. Formation of these particles can be significantly reduced by adding an OH scavenger such as propane.     

Synthesis and structural properties of patellamide A derivatives and their copper(II) compounds

The synthesis, characterization and copper(II) coordination chemistry of three new cyclic peptide ligands, PatJ(1) (cyclo-(Ile-Thr-(Gly)Thz-Ile-Thr-(Gly)Thz)), PatJ(2) (cyclo-(Ile-Thr-(Gly)Thz-(D)-Ile-Thr-(Gly)Thz)), and PatL (cyclo-(Ile-Ser-(Gly)Thz-Ile-Ser-(Gly)Thz)) are reported. All of these cyclic peptides and PatN (cyclo-(Ile-Ser-(Gly)Thz-Ile-Thr-(Gly)Thz)) are derivatives of patellamide A and have a [24]azacrown-8 macrocyclic structure. All four synthetic cyclic peptides have two thiazole rings but, in contrast to patellamide A, no oxazoline rings. The molecular structure of PatJ(1), determined by X-ray crystallography, has a saddle conformation with two close-to-coparallel thiazole rings, very similar to the geometry of patellamide D. The two coordination sites of PatJ(1) with thiazole-N and amide-N donors are each well preorganized for transition metal ion binding. The coordination of copper(II) was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, and this reveals various (meta)stable mono- and dinuclear copper(II) complexes whose stoichiometry was confirmed by mass spectra. Two types of dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(2)(H(4)L)(OH(2))(n)](2+) (n=6, 8) and [Cu(2)(H(2)L)(OH(2))(n)] (n=4, 6; L=PatN, PatL, PatJ(1), PatJ(2)) have been identified and analyzed structurally by EPR spectroscopy and a combination of spectra simulations and molecular mechanics calculations (MM-EPR). The four structures are similar to each other and have a saddle conformation, that is, derived from the crystal structure of PatJ(1) by a twist of the two thiozole rings. The small but significant structural differences are characterized by the EPR simulations.     

The structural and electronic properties of nanostructured Ce1-x-yZrxTbyO2 ternary oxides: unusual concentration of Tb3+ and metal<-->oxygen<-->metal interactions

Ceria-based ternary oxides are widely used in many areas of chemistry, physics, and materials science. Synchrotron-based time-resolved x-ray diffraction, x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), Raman spectroscopy, and density-functional calculations were used to study the structural and electronic properties of Ce-Zr-Tb oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized following a novel microemulsion method and had sizes in the range of 4-7 nm. The Ce1-x-yZrxTbyO2 ternary systems exhibit a complex behavior that cannot be predicted as a simple extrapolation of the properties of Ce1-xZrxO2, Ce1-xTbxO2, or the individual oxides (CeO2, ZrO2, and TbO2). The doping of ceria with Zr and Tb induces a decrease in the unit cell, but there are large positive deviations with respect to the cell parameters predicted by Vegard's rule for ideal solid solutions. The presence of Zr and Tb generates strain in the ceria lattice through the creation of crystal imperfections and O vacancies. The O K-edge and Tb LIII-edge XANES spectra for the Ce1-x-yZrxTbyO2 nanoparticles point to the existence of distinctive electronic properties. In Ce1-x-yZrxTbyO2 there is an unexpected high concentration of Tb3+, which is not seen in TbO2 or Ce1-xTbxO2 and enhances the chemical reactivity of the ternary oxide. Tb<-->O<-->Zr interactions produce a stabilization of the Tb(4f,5d) states that is responsible for the high concentration of Tb(3+) cations. The behavior of Ce1-x-yZrxTbyO2 illustrates how important can be metal<-->oxygen<-->metal interactions for determining the structural, electronic, and chemical properties of a ternary oxide.     

Characterization of the Potent Insulin Mimetic Agent Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) in Solution by EPR Spectroscopy

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (abbreviated BMOV or VO(ma)(2)) has been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in CH(2)Cl(2), H(2)O, MeOH, and pyridine at both room and low temperatures. Spin Hamiltonian parameters for mono- and bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(ma)](+) (=[VO(ma)(H(2)O)(n)()](+), n = 2 or 3) and VO(ma)(2) (Hma = 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone, maltol) have been obtained by computer simulation (SOPHE). Configurations of solvated vanadyl/maltol complexes, VO(ma)(2)S, in solution (S = solvent) are proposed on the basis of a comparison of their hyperfine coupling constants with those obtained for related vanadium(IV) compounds in the literature. Whereas at room temperature pyridine coordinates to VO(ma)(2) in a position cis to the oxo ligand (cis isomer), in H(2)O or in MeOH solvated and unsolvated cis and trans adducts of VO(ma)(2) are all formed, with the cis isomer dominant. As expected, the coordinating ability was found to be in the order py > H(2)O approximately MeOH > CH(2)Cl(2). In aqueous solutions at room temperature and neutral pH, cis- and trans-VO(ma)(2)(H(2)O) complexes are present as major and minor components, respectively.     

Prochiral and pseudoasymmetric centers: Implications of recent definitions

New definitions of prochiral and of pseudoasymmetric elements have been proposed by Prelog and Helmchen [Helv. Chim. Acta55, 2581 (1972)]. The revised definition of prochiral centers would fail to identify many centers bearing like ligands that can be distinguished experimentally. The new definition of the pseudoasymmetric center would cause some that were previously so designated to be considered chiral. Whenever this occurs, concepts like retention and inversion of configuration would no longer have their customary meaning. Concomitant changes in the sequence subrules would not always provide reliable information about the possibilities of stereoisomerism. A modification of the rules is outlined which would avoid this, but secure similar benefits.     

The Origin of the Wavelength-Dependent Photoreactivity of Trans-Urocanic Acid

Two-color, pulsed-laser photoacoustic calorimetry is used to distinguish between multiple rotamer or electronic state contributions to the absorption spectrum of the epidermal chromophore trans -urocanic acid. The data definitively show that the wavelength-dependent photochemistry of trans -urocanic acid results from the presence of two distinct, weakly coupled electronic states absorbing between 264 nm and 310 nm.     

Probing local and long-range structure simultaneously: an in situ study of the high-temperature phase transition of alpha-AlF3

We show in this Communication that the combination of Rietveld and pair distribution function (PDF) analyses allows unique insight into the nature and driving force of the phase transition of alpha-AlF3, which was not available from conventional structural analysis methods alone. The use of image plate technology allows structural changes to be followed in "real time" and reduces the time required to collect high-resolution PDF data from hours (with a conventional solid state detector) to seconds. This methodology produces raw data that can simultaneously be analyzed by both Rietveld and PDF analysis.     

Microwave-enhanced electro-deposition and stripping of palladium at boron-doped diamond electrodes

In situ microwave activation has been applied to the electro-deposition and stripping of palladium metal (which is widely used as a catalyst) at cavitation resistant boron-doped diamond electrodes. Focused microwave radiation leading to heating, boiling, and cavitation is explored as an option to improve the speed and sensitivity of the analytical detection procedure. The deposition and anodic stripping of palladium by linear sweep voltammetry in 0.1 M KCl (pH 2) solution and at boron-doped diamond electrodes is shown to be strongly enhanced by microwave activation due to both (i) the increase in mass transport and (ii) the increase in the kinetic rate of deposition and stripping.The temperature at the electrode surface is calibrated with the reversible redox couple Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻/Fe(CN)₆³⁻ and found to be reach 380 K. In the presence of microwave radiation, the potential of onset of the deposition of palladium is strongly shifted positive from −0.4 to +0.1 V versus SCE. The optimum potential for deposition in the presence of microwaves is −0.4 V versus SCE and the anodic stripping peak current is shown to increase linearly with deposition time. Under these conditions, the stripping peak current varies linearly with the palladium concentration down to ca. 2 μM. At concentration lower than this a logarithmic variation of the stripping peak current with concentration is observed down to ca. 0.1 μM (for 5 min pre-concentration in presence of microwave radiation).     

Selenium-sulfur analogs 2. Synthesis and characterization of 4-aralkyl-1,2,3-selenadiazoles and -1,2,3-thiadiazoles

1 The3-diketones 5 and 8 were alkylated with methyl iodide to give the nonenolizable diketones 6 and 9 which condensed with semicarbazide hydrochloride yielding the monosemicarbazones 7 and 10 . Cyclization with selenous acid or with thionyl chloride led to the corresponding 1,2,3-selenadiazoles 3a , 4a , and 1,2,3-thiadiazoles 3b , 4b .     

Ring-opening metathesis phase-trafficking (ROMpt) synthesis: multistep synthesis on soluble ROM supports

The use of ring-opening metathesis (ROM) oligomers as soluble supports for a multistep reaction sequence is described. A Mitsunobu reaction followed by an in situ ROMP-mediated phase-trafficking purification is utilized to generate soluble ROM oligomers that are isolated via precipitation with methanol. Once formed, the ROM oligomers serve as soluble supports for further solution-phase reactions, including a ring-closing metathesis. After each step, the support-bound products are isolated by precipitation with a suitable solvent. [reaction--see text]