P-hydrogen-substituted 1,3,2-diazaphospholenes: molecular hydrides

P-Hydrogen-substituted 1,3,2-diazaphospholenes 1 were prepared by an improved procedure from diazadienes and were characterized by spectroscopy and in one case by X-ray diffraction. A unique hydride-type reactivity of the P-H bonds was documented by extensive reactivity studies. Aldehydes and ketones were readily reduced to diazaphospholene derivatives of the corresponding alcohols, with alkyl-substituted ketones being converted at much lower rates than aldehydes or diaryl ketones. Reactions with the tetrachlorides of group 14 elements proceeded via hydride/chloride metathesis to give either partially chlorinated derivatives EH(n)Cl(4-n) (n = 0-3 for E = C, Si) or HCl and phosphenium salts 16c[ECl3] (for E = Ge, Sn) which were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies. Tin dichloride was readily reduced to the element. Reactions of 1c with the P-chloro-diazaphospholene 3c and the salt 16c[OTf] allowed the first experimental detection of intermolecular exchange of a hydride, rather than a proton, between phosphine derivatives. Computational studies indicated that the hydride transfer between 1c and the cation 16c involves a transient H-bridged species with bonding properties similar to those of B2H7-. The preference for the formation of these bridged intermediates over P-P bonded phosphenium-phosphine adducts is attributed to the low electrophilicity of the diazaphospholenium cations and characterizes a novel reaction mode for phosphenium ions.     

Osmotic compression and expansion of highly ordered clay dispersions

Aqueous dispersions of nanometric clay platelets (Laponite) have been dewatered through different techniques: centrifugation, mechanical compression, and osmotic stress (dialysis against a polymer solution). The positional and orientational correlations of the particles have been determined through small-angle neutron scattering. Uniaxial compression experiments produce concentrated dispersions (volume fraction > 0.03) in which the platelets have strong orientational and positional correlations. The orientational correlations cause the platelets to align with their normal along a common axis, which is the axis of compression. The positional correlations cause the platelets to be regularly spaced along this direction, with a spacing that matches the average volume per particle in the dispersion. The swelling law (volume fraction versus separation distance) is one-dimensional, as in a layered system. Changes in the applied osmotic pressure cause the water content of the dispersion to either rise or decrease, with time scales that are controlled by interparticle friction forces and by hydrodynamic drag. At long times, the dispersions approach osmotic equilibrium, which can be defined as the common limit of swelling and deswelling processes. The variation of the equilibrium water content with the applied osmotic pressure has been determined over 1 decade in volume fractions (0.03 < phi < 0.3) and 3 decades in pressures. This equation of state matches the predictions made from the knowledge of the forces and thermal agitation for all components in the dispersion (particles, ions, and water).     

A tripodal sulfur ligand for the selective ruthenium-catalysed hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate

The first example of a catalyst utilising a sulfur-based ligand [MeC(CH2SBu)3] for the selective hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to methyl glycolate is reported.     

Constraints on Contact Angles for Multiple Phases in Thermodynamic Equilibrium

For three or more fluid phases in thermodynamic equilibrium and in contact with a solid surface, the Young equation can be used to find relations between the contact angles for different pairs of fluids. For an n-fluid-phase system, n(n-1)/2 contact angles can be defined, but there are (n-1)(n-2)/2 constraints between them, leaving only n-1 independent values of the contact angle. These constraints are very powerful in limiting and determining possible types of wetting behavior. The consequences are discussed for three- and four-phase flow. They have important applications for the understanding of gas injection processes in petroleum reservoirs. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Analytical chemistry and the cone penetrometer: In situ chemical characterization of the subsurface

The development of novel microanalytical techniques forin situ chemical characterization of the terrestrial subsurface environment has grown significantly over the last decade, particularly those instruments that are interfaced to the cone penetrometer. Cone penetrometer testing (CPT) has emerged as an effective means to introduce samplers and probes forin situ analysis of contaminants in soil and groundwater matrices. A variety ofin situ chemical samplers for CPT have been developed that can be driven into the subsurface to collect soil gas, groundwater, or soil samples at depth, thus providing a means of determining the vertical and horizontal extent of contamination. Cone penetrometer testing is also being explored as a means to deliverin situ subsurface sensor probes, including probes based on laser-induced fluorescence, Raman, and infrared spectroscopies for organics; on laser-induced breakdown and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies for heavy metals; and on passive gamma-ray spectroscopy for radionuclides. The range of analytical technologies used in CPT for the determination of organic and inorganic species in the subsurface is described.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von Na2Mn3O7

Synthesis and Crystal-Structure of Na₂Mn₃O₇ Single crystals of Na₂Mn₃O₇ have been grown hydrothermally applying high oxygen pressure (p = 2 kbar). The new compound cystallizes triclinic; space group P1 ; a = 6.636(6) Å, b = 6.854(6) Å, c = 7.548(6) Å, α = 105.76(6)°, β = 106.86(6)°, γ = 111.60(6)°; Z = 2. The crystal structure has been solved and refined to R = 7.9% and R_w = 6.2% (diffractometer data, 1044 independent reflexions). The crystal structure consists of Mn₃O₇^2? anions with manganese coordinated octahedrally by oxygen. These layered anions are hold together by Na⁺ ions (coordination numbers 5 and 6).     

Integration of continuous-flow sampling with microchip electrophoresis using poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based valves in a reversibly sealed device

Here we describe a reversibly sealed microchip device that incorporates poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based valves for the rapid injection of analytes from a continuously flowing stream into a channel network for analysis with microchip electrophoresis. The microchip was reversibly sealed to a PDMS-coated glass substrate and microbore tubing was used for the introduction of gas and fluids to the microchip device. Two pneumatic valves were incorporated into the design and actuated on the order of hundreds of milliseconds, allowing analyte from a continuously flowing sampling stream to be injected into an electrophoresis separation channel. The device was characterized in terms of the valve actuation time and pushback voltage. It was also found that the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to the buffer system greatly increased the reproducibility of the injection scheme and enabled the analysis of amino acids derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde/cyanide. Results from continuous injections of a 0.39 nL fluorescein plug into the optimized system showed that the injection process was reproducible (RSD of 0.7%, n = 10). Studies also showed that the device was capable of monitoring off-chip changes in concentration with a device lag time of 90 s. Finally, the ability of the device to rapidly monitor on-chip concentration changes was demonstrated by continually sampling from an analyte plug that was derivatized upstream from the electrophoresis/continuous flow interface. A reversibly sealed device of this type will be useful for the continuous monitoring and analysis of processes that occur either off-chip (such as microdialysis sampling) or on-chip from other integrated functions.