New carbon nanofiber/graphite felt composite for use as a catalyst support for hydrazine catalytic decomposition

Graphite felt supporting 40 nm diameter carbon nanofibers was synthesized and successfully used as a support for a high loaded iridium catalyst (30 wt%) in the decomposition of hydrazine; a strong mechanical resistance and a high thermal conductivity led to a very efficient and stable catalyst as compared to that used industrially, iridium supported on a high surface area alumina.     

Direct quantitative determination of surface Brønsted acidity of solids by H/D exchange using D2O

A highly flexible method for direct and quantitative determination of surface Br?nsted acidity of solids in terms of number, type and strength of the acid sites based on quantitative H/D exchange kinetics between the acid solid and gaseous D2O has been developed and applied to materials covering the whole range of acidity.     

Comparison of yellow poplar pretreatment between NREL digester and sunds hydrolyzer

Single-stage cocurrent dilute acid pretreatments were carried out on yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) sawdust using an as-installed and short residence time modified pilot-scale Sunds hydrolyzer and a 4-L bench-scale NREL digester (steam explosion reactor). Pretreatment conditions for the Sunds hydrolyzer, installed in the NREL process development unit (PDU), which operates at 1 t/d (bone-dry t) feed rate, spanned the temperature range of 160 – 210°C, 0.1 – 1.0% (w/w) sulfuric acid, and 4-10-min residence times. The batch pretreatments of yellow poplar sawdust in the bench-scale digester were carried out at 210 and 230°C, 0.26% (w/w) sulfuric acid, and 1-, 3-, and 4-min residence times. The dilute acid prehydrolysis solubilized more than 90% of the hemicellulose, and increased the enzymatic digestibility of the cellulose that remained in the solids. Compositional analysis of the pretreated solids and liquors and mass balance data show that the two pretreatment devices had similar pretreatment performance.     

Die Kristallstruktur von AgCu3Cu(AsO4)3 und ihre strukturellen Beziehungen zu AgCo3H2(AsO4)3 bzw. AgZn3H2(AsO4)3

Crystal Structure of AgCu₃Cu(AsO₄)₃ and its Structural Relations to AgCo₃H₂(AsO₄)₃ and AgZn₃H₂ (AsO₄)₃ The compound AgCu₃Cu(AsO₄)₃ was synthesized and investigated by X-rays. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 1 212.7(2), b = 1 249.0(2), c = 727.8(1) pm, β = 117.94(1)°, Z = 4. The structure is closely related to the structures of AgCo₃H₂(AsO₄)₃ and AgZn₃H₂(AsO₄)₃. Only two hydrogen atoms are replaced by an additional copper atom forming a copper coordination square instead of two hydrogen bridges. The remaining copper atoms are sixfold coordinated with the generally observed Jahn-Teller distortion. Whereas in AgCo₃H₂(AsO₄)₃ and AgZn₃H₂(AsO₄)₃ silver has a (4+4) coordination, it is in this compound distinctly eightfold coordinated.     

Zur Theorie der Chiralitätsfunktionen

The Algebraic Theory of Chirality Functions is derived by means of exclusively qualitative considerations. Hence, the significance of quantitative results is questionable. Moreover the construction of “Näherungsansätze” (”Approximation-Ansatz”), which may be interpreted as semiempirical methods, is achieved on the basis of plausibility and mathematical simplicity. Since physical arguments are not included, the consistency or inconsistency of “Näherungsansätze” with experimental results do not justify direct physical conclusions.     

X-ray diffraction/Calorimetry coupling

Polymorphism of trilaurin mixed with 4% of cholesterol was studied with a setup coupling calorimetry and phase characterisation by in-situ X-ray diffraction (Microcalix). Four polymorphic forms were identified. Monotropic and enantiotropic transitions were identified from the reconstruction of Gibbs free energy diagram which allows the control of trilaurin polymorphism. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation of tetra(ethylene oxide) terminated Si-C linked monolayers and their derivatization with glycine: an example of a generic strategy for the immobilization of biomolecules on silicon

Surface modification with oligo(ethylene oxide) functionalized monolayers terminated with reactive headgroups constitutes a powerful strategy to provide specific coupling of biomolecules with simultaneous protection from nonspecific adsorption on surfaces for the preparation of biorecognition interfaces. To date, oligo(ethylene oxide) functionalized monolayer-forming molecules which can be activated for attachment of biomolecules but which can selectively form monolayers onto hydrogen terminated silicon have yet to be developed. Here, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing tetra(ethylene oxide) moieties protected with tert-butyl dimethylsilyl groups were formed by thermal hydrosilylation of alkenes with single-crystal Si(111)-H. The protection group was used to avoid side reactions with the hydride terminated silicon surface. Monolayer formation was carried out using solutions of the alkene in the high-boiling-point solvent 1,3,5-triethylbenzene. The protecting group was removed under very mild acidic conditions to yield a free hydroxyl functionality, a convenient surface moiety for coupling of biological entities via carbamate bond formation. The chemical composition and structure of the monolayers before and after deprotection were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray reflectometry. To demonstrate the utility of this surface for covalent modification, two reagents were compared and contrasted for their ability to activate the surface hydroxyl groups for coupling of free amines, carbonyl diimidazole (CDI), and disuccinimidyl carbonate (DSC). Analysis of XP spectra before and after activation by CDI or DSC, and after subsequent reaction with glycine, provided quantitative information on the extent of activation and overall coupling efficiencies. CDI activated surfaces gave poor coupling yields under various conditions, whereas DSC mediated activation followed by aminolysis at neutral pH was found to be an efficient method for the immobilization of amines on tetra(ethylene oxide) modified surfaces.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von HgPb2O(OH)Br3

Inhaltsübersicht. Die erstmals dargestellte Verbindung HgPb₂O(OH)Br₃ kristallisiert orthorhombisch in der Raumgruppe Aba2 (Nr. 41) mit den Gitterkonstanten a = 14,652(3) Å, b = 14,6491(8) Å, c = 7,782(2) Å und Z = 8. Die Bestimmung der Kristallstruktur mit Einkristallmethoden zeigte “isolierte”, verzerrt würfelförmige Baugruppen der Zusammensetzung [Hg₂Pb₄O₂(OH)₂]. Diese Einheiten werden von Bromidionen umhüllt. HgPb₂O(OH)Br₃ stellt damit hinsichtlich des strukturellen Aufbaus ein Bindeglied zwischen den Verbindungen [Pb₄(OH)₄](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O [1] und Pb₉O₄Br₁₀ [2] dar. Preparation and Crystal Structure of HgPb₂O(OH)Br₃ The new compound, HgPb₂O(OH)Br₃ was prepared and investigated by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Crystals of orthorhombic symmetry show space group Aba2 (No. 41) with lattice parameters a = 14.652(3) Å, b = 14.6491(8) Å, c = 7.782(2) Å, and Z = 8. Remarcable structural units with heterocubane skeleton were found. The [Hg₂Pb₄O₂(OH)₂] group forms a new member of the structural class between [Pb₄(OH)₄] and [Pb₈O₄] units with the relating compounds [Pb₄(OH)₄)](ClO₄)₄ · 2 H₂O [1] und Pb₉O₄Br₁₀ [2].     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von Blei(II)‐oxidhalogenid‐Alkoholaten mit unterschiedlichen Verknüpfungsvarianten von Pb4O4‐Heterokubaneinheiten

Synthesis and Crystal Structure Determination of Lead(II) Oxide Halide Alcoholates with Different Connectivity of Pb₄O₄ Heterocubane‐like Subunits The reaction of red lead(II) oxide (Litharge) and lead(II) halide (Cl^? and Br^?) with diethylene glycole at a temperature of 180 °C leads to the isotypic compounds [Pb₆(C₄H₈O₃)O₂Cl₆] (1) and [Pb₆(C₄H₈O₃)O₂Br₆] (2) . In a similar synthesis with PbI₂ as educt at temperature of 160 °C the two modifications β‐[Pb₆(C₄H₈O₃)O₂I₆] (3) and α‐[Pb₆(C₄H₈O₃)O₂I₆] (4) were found, whereas at a reaction temperature of 180 °C [Pb₉(C₂H₄O₂)(C₄H₈O₃)O₃I₈] (5) was surprisingly obtained as product. The X‐ray diffraction data show that at a temperature of 180 °C a splitting of the ether took place. The cited compounds show cubane like subunits built by lead and oxygen atoms. These fragments are connected by alkoholate molecules. In 5 additionally an I₆ octahedra centered by lead is observed.