Low-Field NMR Relaxation Analysis of High-Pressure Ethane Adsorption in Mesoporous Silicas

Understanding the behaviour of short-chain hydrocarbons confined to porous solids informs the targeted extraction of natural resources from geological features, and underpins rational developments in separation, storage and catalytic conversion processes. Herein, we report the application of low-field (12.7 MHz) ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements to characterise ethane dynamics within mesoporous silica materials exhibiting mean pore diameters between 6 and 50 nm. Our measurements provide NMR-based adsorption isotherms within the range 25–50 bar and at ambient temperature, incorporating the ethane condensation point (40.7 bar at our experimental temperature of 23.6 °C). The quantitative nature of the acquired data is validated via a direct comparison of NMR-derived excess adsorption capacities with ex situ gravimetric ethane adsorption measurements, which are demonstrated to agree to within 0.2 mmol g⁻¹ of the observed ethane capacity. NMR relaxation time distributions are further demonstrated as a means to decouple interparticle and mesopore dominated adsorption phenomena, with unexpectedly rapid relaxation rates associated with interparticle ethane gas confirmed via a direct comparison with NMR self-diffusion analysis.     

Asymmetric [2,3]-rearrangement of glycine-derived allyl ammonium ylids

The first examples of highly enantioselective [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of acyclic allylic ammonium ylids are reported. Thus, a range of N-{2'-[(N'-allyl-N',N'-dialkyl)ammonium]}acetyl camphor sultams undergo rearrangement at 0 degrees C in DME solution with high diastereofacial control (up to 99:1 dr) to give allylglycines in generally high yield. The power of the method has been demonstrated in a rapid and efficient synthesis of (R)-allyl glycine.     

A mass spectral study of some symmetric and unsymmetric sulfides,disulfanes, and trisulfanes

The low-resolution mass spectra of 13 trifluoromethyl and/or methyl sulfur-containing compounds (CF₃S_nCF₃, CF₃S_nCH₃, CH₃S_nCH₃, CF₃S_mCl, and CH₃S_mCl; n = 1, 2, 3; m = 1, 2) are reported and discussed. There is a considerable similarity between the fragmentation pattern of compounds with the same terminal groups. However, with a fluorinated and a non-fluorinated methyl group, the major fragmentation products produced are similar to those for the dimethyl compounds.     

Making the liquid-phase catalytic hydrodechlorination of pce over Pd/C safer

Summary The hydrodechlorination of tetrachloroethylene in methanol (MeOH) over palladium catalysts on activated carbon (Pd/C) at 20°C and atmospheric pressure was rendered safer by using ethanol (EtOH), isopropanol (IPA) or water-alcohol mixtures as solvents. Adding water to MeOH was better than using EtOH or IPA since it resulted in a faster reaction and better stability of Pd/C, which could also be completely reactivated.     

Endo entry to the nortricyclyl-norbornenyl cation system: stereochemistry in the fragmentation of endo-5-norbornenyl-2-oxychlorocarbene

Fragmentation of (S)-endo-5-norbornenyl-2-oxychlorocarbene [(S)-8] in cyclohexane-d12 gives approximately 20% (S)-endo-2-chloro-5-norbornene [(S)-7] with approximately 50% ee, 65-70% (R)-exo-2-chloro-5-norbornene [(R)-4] with >95% ee, and approximately 12% (R)-3-nortricyclyl chloride [(R)-5] with approximately 22% ee. (Analogous stereochemical results were also obtained starting with the enantiomeric carbene (R)-8.) The (S)-8 to (S)-7 and (S)-8 to (R)-4 conversions are ascribed mainly to retention and inversion S(N)i transition states, respectively. These have been located by computational methods and are nearly isoenergetic. In more polar solvents (CDCl3 and CD3CN), the fragmentation of (S)-8 increasingly occurs via competitive ion pair pathways in which steroselectivity is diminished, and escape to the norbornenyl-nortricyclyl cation directs the products away from endo-2-chloro-5-norbornene toward exo-chloride 4 and nortricyclyl chloride 5.     

The synthesis and structure of bis(acetonitrile)nitrosyl tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borato molybdenum hexafluorophosphate

Summary Treatment of [Mo{HB(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)₃}(NO)I₂] with one or two moles of AgPF₆ in acetonitrile afforded the paramagnetic (one unpaired electron) complex [Mo{HB(3,5-Me₂C₃NH₂)₃}(NO)(NCMe)₂][PF₆]. The structure of this complex was determined crystallographically, and the six-coordinate geometry of the complex cation confirmed.     

Oxygen quenching of tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) complexes in thin organic films

A study is presented of the quenching, by oxygen, of the luminescence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) complexes immobilized in thin, transparent, polymer-based films. The film media consist of a water-insoluble linear polymer plasticized with a trialkylphosphate ester, in which the complex ruthenium cations are solubilized by ion pairing with organophilic anions such as tetraphenylborate.

Luminescence lifetimes were studied in relation oxygen concentration in a gas stream contiguous with the film medium, film thickness and concentration of the metal complex within the film medium. It is shown that the microheterogeneous environment of the luminescent complex, which has recently been implicated in the non-linear quenching responses of polymer-immobilized, transition metal complex oxygen sensors, may arise simply as a consequence of the limited solubility of the complex in the film medium. When solubility is limited, the partial precipitation of the complex results in a colloidal of luminescent particles which exhibit non- uniform susceptibilities to quenching by oxygen. Good solubility, and therefore linear quenching characteristics, are promoted by methyl substitution of the bipyridyl ligand and by use of a plasticizer (tributylphosphate) with marked cation solvating powers.