A new approach for the synthesis of K-free nickel hexacyanoferrate

A Ni, Al hydrotalcite-like compound (Htlc) has been proven an useful host material for an alternative synthesis of a K⁺-free mixed hexacyanoferrate Ni_1.5Fe^III(CN)₆, which is very difficult to obtain in bulk. The first stage of the procedure consists in the intercalation of hexacyanoferrate(III) inside the Htlc structure. The intercalated Htlc has been treated with a NiNO₃ solution. The obtained material has been characterized by XRD, XAS Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. The voltammetric response of the compound obtained after the complete solubilization of the Htlc host shows a typical fingerprint of nickel hexacyanoferrate material with a very low level of potassium. Elemental analysis confirmed the absence of K⁺ and thus the occurrence of K⁺-free nickel hexacyanoferrate (14% yield).     

Tetramethylcyclopentadienylselenium derivatives

Bis(1,2,3,4-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)selane (1) has been prepared by the reaction of tetramethylcyclopentadienyllithium (Cp(t)Li) with selenium bis(diethyldithiocarbamate). Treatment of Cp(t)Li with elemental selenium, followed by air oxidation, led to loss of the allylic hydrogen atom, and formation of the novel tricyclic compound 1,4,5,6,7,10,11,12-octamethyltricyclo[7.3.0.0]-2,8-diselenadodeca-3,5,9,11-tetraene (2). The sulfur analogue of 2 has been obtained by a similar procedure. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 have been determined, and the molecular geometry observed for has been probed using DFT calculations.     

A simple approach for improving the hybrid MMVB force field: application to the photoisomerization of s-cis butadiene

MMVB is a QM/MM hybrid method, consisting of a molecular mechanics force field coupled to a valence bond Heisenberg Hamiltonian parametrized from ab initio CASSCF calculations on several prototype molecules. The Heisenberg Hamiltonian matrix elements Q(ij) and K(ij), whose expressions are partitioned here into a primary contribution and second-order correction terms, are calculated analytically in MMVB. When the original MMVB force field fails to produce potential energy surfaces accurate enough for dynamics calculations, we show that significant improvements can be made by refitting the second-order correction terms for the particular molecule(s) being studied. This "local" reparametrization is based on values of K(ij) extracted (using effective Hamiltonian techniques) from CASSCF calculations on the same molecule(s). The method is demonstrated for the photoisomerization of s-cis butadiene, and we explain how the correction terms that enabled a successful MMVB dynamics study [Garavelli, M.; Bernardi, F.; Olivucci, M.; Bearpark, M. J.; Klein, S.; Robb, M. A. J Phys Chem A 2001, 105, 11496] were refitted.     

Concentrated reverse micelles in a random graft block copolymer system: structure and in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles

The structure and rheological properties of a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graft-poly(oxyethylene) copolymer at high concentrations in block-selective solvents were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and rheometry. Analysis of SAXS data indicates that quasispherical, reverse micellar aggregates (with no ordered packing) are present in concentrated solutions of the copolymer in nonpolar solvents, and that upon addition of water, the size of such aggregates increases due to the solubilization inside the micellar cores. The viscosity of concentrated polymer solutions increases exponentially as water is added, and finally, viscoelastic, gel-like behavior is found in the vicinity of the phase separation limit. It was found that small silver nanoparticles with an average diameter of ≈3 nm can be synthesized inside the copolymer aggregates without the need of a reducing agent; namely, particles embedded in a viscoelastic matrix are obtained. The synthesis seems to follow first-order kinetics. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Collection and analytical characterisation of the atmospheric particulate in the city of Bari

In this paper an application of new procedures for atmospheric particulate analysis is illustrated. PM10, PAHs (benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), indeno[1, 2, 3-cd]pyrene (Ip), dibenzo[a, h]anthracene (DbA)) and heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Mn, Cd, Fe and Pb) were investigated. PM10 determination was performed by gravimetric method, PAHs were measured by GC-MS, and heavy metals by HPIC. An air quality monitoring campaign on the territory of Bari municipality has been organised, and its results are shown.     

On the reaction between 3H-1,2-dithiolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-thione and primary alkyl and arylalkylamines

3H-1,2-Dithiolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-thione ( 10 ) reacts with primary alkylamines to give 1,2-dihydro-2-thioxo-3-pyridinecarbothioamides 11a-g and two minor products. Isothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-3(2H)-thiones 12a-g and 3-imino-3H-1,2-dithiolo[3,4-b]pyridines 13a-g were isolated and characterized. Further investigations allowed the synthesis of 12 and 13 in good yield.     

Ytterbium triflate-promoted tandem one-pot oxidation-Cannizzaro reaction of aryl methyl ketones

[reaction: see text] Ytterbium triflate was shown to be an effective catalyst in promoting the synthesis of either isopropyl esters or free alpha-hydroxy-arylacetic acids from substituted aromatic glyoxals and aryl methyl ketones, respectively. The reaction to provide acids starting from differently substituted ketones was carried out by an environmentally friendly method using an aqueous medium as a solvent and giving the adducts in 78-99% yield without any further purification after the usual workup.     

A first theoretical study on the origin of the metal-mediated regioselective opening of 2,3-epoxy alcohols

Hybrid density functional theory (B3LYP) method allows the study of the role of metal ions (Li(+)) in the regioselective opening of 2,3-epoxy alcohols with lithium halides (Cl, Br, I) to the corresponding halohydrins. The theoretical results largely confirm the experimental results, especially with regards to the regioselectivity observed in the opening of the oxirane ring. The C3 halogen attack is always preferred to the C2 attack, with a significant difference in the TS structures with the reaction pathway under kinetic control. The central role of the lithium cation, linked to the oxygen atoms of the epoxy alcohol, is well documented in the reaction mechanisms presented. The energy differences between the two structures of the proposed TS appear to be ascribed to the different contribution of the X-H-O hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl groups of the reactant and the incoming halogen nucleophile.     

Optimizing control of simulated moving beds--linear isotherm

A new optimization based adaptive control strategy for simulated moving beds (SMBs) is proposed. A linearized reduced order model, which accounts for the periodic nature of the SMB process, is used for online optimization and control. The manipulated variables are the four inlet flow rates, the outputs are the raffinate and extract concentrations. Concentration measurements at the raffinate and extract outlets are used as the feedback information. The state estimate from the periodic Kalman filter is used for the prediction of the outlet concentrations over a chosen horizon. Predicted outlet concentrations are the basis for the calculation of the optimal input adjustments, which maximize the productivity and minimize the desorbent consumption subject to constraints on product purities. The realization of this concept is discussed and the implementation on a virtual eight column SMB platform is assessed, in the case of binary linear systems. For a whole series of typical plant disturbances it is shown that the proposed approach is effective in minimizing off-spec products and in achieving optimal SMB operation, also in the case where there are significant model uncertainties.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere: monitoring, sources, sinks and fate. II: Sinks and fate

This paper reviews the transformation processes that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) undergo in the atmosphere. These processes can take place both in the gas phase and in the particulate/aerosol one. Among the gas-phase processes, the most important ones are the daytime reaction with *OH and the nighttime reaction with *NO3. The relative importance of the two processes depends on the particular PAH molecule. For instance, gaseous naphthalene is mainly removed from the atmosphere upon reaction with *OH, while gaseous phenanthrene is mainly removed by reaction with *NO3. Oxy-, hydroxy-, and nitro-PAHs are the main transformation intermediates. Reaction with ozone and photolysis play a secondary role in the transformation of gaseous PAHs. The particle-associated processes are usually slower than the gas-phase ones, thus the gas-phase PAHs usually have shorter atmospheric lifetimes than those found on particulate. Due to the higher residence time on particulate when compared with the gas phase, direct or assisted photolysis plays a relevant role in the transformation of particle-associated PAHs. Among the other processes taking place in the condensed phase, nitration plays a very important role due to the health impact of nitro-PAHs, some of them being the most powerful mutagens found so far in atmospheric particulate extracts.