Zn3(C6H14N2)3[B6P12O39(OH)12] · (C6H14N2)[HPO4]: A Chiral Borophosphate – Triethylenediammonium Hydrogenphosphate Composite

A novel borophosphate, Zn₃(C₆H₁₄N₂)₃[B₆P₁₂O₃₉(OH)₁₂] · (C₆H₁₄N₂)[HPO₄] has been synthesised under mild hydrothermal conditions at T = 165 °C. The chiral crystal structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction data (trigonal, R3 (no. 146), Z = 3, a = 2089.55(4) pm, c = 1237.03(4) pm, V = 4677.5(2) · 10⁶ pm³, R₁ = 0.066, wR₂ = 0.164 for 5100 observed reflections). The title compound can be considered as an ordered composite of the two different and neutral structures which fit into each other: An open framework of composition Zn₃(C₆H₁₄N₂)₃[B₆P₁₂O₃₉(OH)₁₂] and columns of composition (C₆H₁₄N₂)[HPO₄]. The framework structure is formed by mixed octahedral‐tetrahedral secondary building units, in a three‐dimensional arrangement reflecting a hierarchical derivative of the NbO structure type. The underlying NbO topology is illustrated with the help of Periodic Nodal Surfaces. The composite nature of the compound is resolved in the spatial segregation of two frameworks with a separating surface.     

Characterization and quantification of Sm(III)/ and Cm(III)/clay mineral outer-sphere species by TRLFS in D2O and EXAFS studies

In order to assess the long-term safety of deep radioactive waste repositories, a precise characterization of the different sorption processes on a molecular basis and the exact definition of geochemical boundary conditions for their relevance are of immense importance. Through sorption on various minerals the migration of radionuclides will be hindered and their retention will be ensured. Using time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, it was possible to identify outer-sphere sorbed trivalent lanthanides and actinides onto different montmorillonites and illite. Furthermore, the quantification of Cm(III)/clay outer-sphere sorption in D(2)O at different ionic strengths was shown. The results were confirmed by ion exchange model calculations. Finally, the structural parameters of a Sm(III)/clay outer-sphere complex were obtained by EXAFS measurements.     

Cycling behaviour of Li/Li4Ti5O12 cells studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

We studied the behaviour of Li/Li(4)Ti(5)O(12) cells by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to gain insight into the changes at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces during extensive cycling. A simple equivalent-circuit model is able to describe the impedance of the complete battery as a function of both state-of-charge and state-of-degradation. The formation of the solid-electrolyte interface and dendrite growth at the Li metal electrode have a strong influence on the impedance measurements although the battery performance is not significantly affected.     

(C2H10N2)[BPO4F2] — Structural Relations between [BPO4F2]2— and [Si2O6]4—

(C₂H₁₀N₂)[BPO₄F₂] — Strukturbeziehungen zwischen [BPO₄F₂]^2— und [Si₂O₆]^4— Colourless crystals of (C₂H₁₀N₂)[BPO₄F₂] were prepared from mixture of ethylendiamine, H₃BO₃, BF₃ · C₂H₅NH₂, H₃PO₄ and HCl under mild hydrothermal conditions (220 °C). The crystal structure was determined by single crystal methods (triclinic, P1¯ (no. 2), a = 451.85(5) pm, b = 710.20(8) pm, c = 1210.2(2) pm, α = 86.08(1)°, β = 88.52(2)°, γ = 71.74(1)°, Z = 2) and contains infinite tetrahedral zweier‐single‐chains {[BPO₄F₂]^2—} which are isoelectronic (48e^—) with the polyanions {[Si₂O₆]^4—} of the pyroxene family.     

Determination of fluorinated surfactants and their metabolites in sewage sludge samples by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry after pressurised liquid extraction and separation on fluorine-modified reversed-phase sorbents

An analytical method was elaborated for simultaneous extraction and determination of fluorinated anionic and non-ionic surfactants in sewage sludge. Surfactant compounds were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) after Soxhlet extraction, hot steam extraction and pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) using spiked sludge samples. PLE in a multiple-step procedure consisting of sequential use of ethyl acetate-dimethylformamide and methanol-phosphoric acid resulted in the most efficient extraction procedure. Quantitative analyses of the fluorinated anionic perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and the partly fluorinated non-ionic alkylpolyglycol ether (FAEO) surfactants were performed by selected ion monitoring LC-MS. Electrospray ionisation or atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in negative or positive mode was performed. Recoveries between 105 and 120% could be reached. No PFOS and non-ionic FAEO surfactants in concentrations higher than 6 or 10 mg kg(-1) dry matter were observed in real environmental samples. Therefore aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation was performed to investigate the fate of fluorinated surfactants reaching wastewaters. Biological wastewater treatment in laboratory scale under aerobic or anaerobic conditions led to an elimination by biodegradation.     

Anabolic, doping, and lifestyle drugs, and selected metabolites in wastewater—detection, quantification, and behaviour monitored by high-resolution MS and MS n before and after sewage treatment

Municipal wastewater has been examined for steroids, β₂-agonists, stimulants, diuretics, and phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors (PDE type V inhibitors), which are “dual-use-drugs” applied either as anabolic, doping, and lifestyle drugs or for treatment of diverse diseases. To identify their origin, fitness centre discharges under suspicion of being point sources and sewage-treatment plant feed and effluents were sampled and concentrations determined. Sensitive and selective methods for determination and quantification based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography–high resolution mass and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–(HR)MS and HPLC–MS–MS) were developed and established for analysis of these compounds in wastewater and to assess their effect on the environment. The methods developed enabled quantification at trace concentrations (limit of quantification (LOQ): 5 ng L⁻¹). Of the steroids and stimulants under investigation, testosterone, methyltestosterone, and boldenone or ephedrine, amphetamine, and MDMA (3,4-methylendioxy-N-methylamphetamine) were observed at up to 5 μg L⁻¹ (ephedrine). Of the β₂-agonists salbutamol only, and of the diuretics furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide were confirmed in the extracts. Quite high concentrations of the PDE type V inhibitors sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil and their metabolites were confirmed in fitness centre discharges (sildenafil: 1,945 ng L⁻¹) whereas their concentrations in municipal wastewater did not exceed 35 ng L⁻¹. This study identified anabolic and doping drugs in wastewater for the first time. Results obtained from wastewater treatment plant effluents proved that these “dual-use-drugs”, with the exception of hydrochlorothiazide, were mostly eliminated.     

Positive dipole correlation at the I/B2 transition in the isotropic phase

The first evidence of a positive dipole correlation in the isotropic phase near to the I/B₂ transition is given.     

Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium of Copolymer Solutions with Broad and Asymmetric Chemical Distributions

ABSTRACT

A solution of a random copolymer showing polydispersity only with respect to chemical composition is considered. A model distribution very flexible in its breadth and in its asymmetry is used to describe the polydispersity. Based on continuous thermodynamics, equations for the cloud-point curve, the shadow curve, the spinodal, the critical point, and the heterogeneous double critical point are derived. the activity coefficients are calculated with the aid of Huggins' χ-parameter concept assuming χ to depend linearly on the average chemical composition of the copolymer. the influence of the breadth and the asymmetry of the distribution on the liquid-liquid equilibrium of the copolymer solution is discussed.