Pyrolysis studies of aromatic polyesters

The products of pyrolysis, at 400°C in vacuo (1 Pa), of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) and poly(butyleneterephthalate) (PBT) were studied. The products were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. The highly volatile products of PET contained acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, styrene and ethylbenzene and in the case of PBT, butadiene, tetrahydrofuran, vinylcyclohexene and ethylbenzene were the major products. A qualitative analysis of the products of low volatility revealed that the main components were benzoic acid, terephthalic acid, monovinyl esters of terephthalic acid and higher oligomers in the case of PET, whereas benzoic acid, monobutenyl esters of terephthalic acid and higher oligomers were the main products from PBT. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained from pyrolysis experiments, carried out directly in the mass spectrometer. Mechanisms to explain the occurrence of the different products are proposed.     

One-dimensional magnetism and crystal structure ofcatena-di-bromobis(3,5-dimethylpyridine)copper(II)

Summary Crystals ofcatena-di--bromobis(3,5-dimethylpyridine)copper(II) are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a. The unit cell constants area=13.900(2),b=14.416(2),c=4.097(1) Å,=93.49(2)°, V=819.4 ų and Z=2. The structure was determined from powder data using a Guinier-Johansson focussing powder camera. The structure was solved using a simplex method for function minimization to a conventional R-value of 0.13.The structure consists of infinite linear chains parallel toc in which the copper coordination is distorted elongated octahedral. Cu-Br distances were found to be 2.449(7) and 3.286(7) Å, whereas the Cu-N bond length is 2.02(2) Å. All distances are in the range usually observed for this type of compounds.The antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions between adjacent Cu^II ions (J = –21 cm^–1) has been compared with those observed in structural similar CuBr₂L₂ compounds. The differences in observed J-values are discussed briefly, in relation to the structural variations. It appears that very small changes in structural parameters strongly affect the magnetic exchange.     

The discovery of two kinds of ion pairs

The discovery and implications of the existence of two kinds of ion pairs in solutions of carbanion salts is described. Also discussed are the factors controlling tight–loose ion pair equilibrium: the nature of the carbanion and its counterion, temperature, pressure, solvent, and cation‐complexing additives. A few examples are presented of the effect of these ionic species on the mechanisms of anionic polymerization and proton transfer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3655–3667, 2004     

Ueber die Titration der Schwefels?ure mit Benzidinchlorhydrat

Zusammenfassung In Vorstehendem wurde zunächst die Ausführung der von einem von uns ausgearbeiteten Schwefelsäuretitration mittelst Benzidinchlorhydrats nochmals genau beschrieben, sodann wurden die Bedingungen festgestellt, unter denen verschiedene Schwefelsäuremengen am genauesten zu bestimmen waren. Es hat sich dabei herausgestellt, dass die Schwefelsäure bis zu 0,01g H₂SO₄ herunter nach der beshriebenen Methode auf 1–2 genau bestimmt werden kann. Die Anwendung der Methode auf verschiedene Fälle (Ammoniumsulfat, Alaun, Zinksulfat-heptahydrat, Mohr'sches Salz, Mangansulfat-tetrahydrat), wobei die Metalle in einigen Fällen vorher ausgefällt wurden, bestätigten die zuvor festgestellten Regeln; ausserdem wurde gezeigt, dass beim Ausfällen von Zink, Eisen und Mangan nach dem angegebenen Verfahren Schwefelsäure nicht mitgerissen wird. Die Zeit, welche eine derartige Bestimmung, auch wenn die beschriebenen Ausfällungen vorgenommen werden müssen, bei einiger Uebung erfordert, ist sehr kurz, weil alles Auswaschen und so weiter in Fortfall kommt, so dass auch hier ein Vortheil gegenüber dem gewichtsanalytischen Verfahren vorhanden ist.     

Study of the structure of poly(methyl methacrylate) obtained in the presence of potassium hydride

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in positive- and negative-ion mode and multi-step tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS ( n) ) were selected for the determination of the structure of poly(methyl methacrylate) obtained using potassium hydride as initiator. Macromolecules with methoxy and methyl starting groups, i. e. those situated at the beginning of the polymer backbone, were observed in this case. No other differences in the chain structure were found in the polymer.     

Insight into the extractability of metals from soils using an implementation of the linear adsorption isotherm model

This paper deals with an often overlooked artifact in sequential and single extraction of metals from soils, viz. the volume to mass (V/m) ratio as a potential source for inadequate extraction yields. We offer a theoretical framework to get a grip on this intricate parameter and came up with a model based on a linear adsorption isotherm to derive the correct maximal metal extractability for a certain extractant. We verified the model experimentally using 0.1 mol l⁻¹ nitric acid for extraction of seven metals (Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn) from an urban soil sample, and concluded that commonly used V/m ratios in the range of 10-40 ml g⁻¹ may give as much as 50% too low extraction yields. Thus, a strong caveat is in place as to be very critical what V/m ratios to use and preferably apply the model derived to obtain the correct maximal extractability using a variable V/m ratio method.     

Über grünes Bis-(2-Iminoisopropyl-thiophenolato)-nickel(II) und weitere, ähnliche NiII-Komplexe

Green Bis-(2-iminoisopropyl-thiophenolato)nickel(II) and other Similar Ni^II Complexes The compounds [Ni^II(iitp)₂] 1 (iitp = 2-iminoisopropyl-thiophenolate), [Ni(imptp)₂] · 2 CH₃OH 2 , a dinuclear compound with an Ni? Ni distance of 276 pm, and [PPh₄] · [Ni^II(imptp)(SCN)] 3 (imptp = 2-(2-iminopentane-4-on)-thiophenolate) have been prepared by the reaction of nickel(II)-acetate-tetrahydrate with 2-iminoisopropyl-thiophenole and 2-(2-iminopentane-4-on)-thiophenole in methanol, respectively. They have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis and other physical methods. The redox behaviour of 1–3 has been studied in detail (chemically as well as by cyclovoltammetry and ESR spectroscopy). Particularly interesting are the electronic properties of 1 and its reduction with NaBH₄ and the following reaction of the product with O₂. The complexes are model compounds for some Ni-containing enzymes. For details of the crystal structure determination see “Inhaltsübersicht”.     

Nitrogen binding to the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase

Density functional calculations are presented to unravel the first steps of nitrogen fixation of nitrogenase. The individual steps leading from the resting state to nitrogen binding at the FeMo-cofactor with a central nitrogen ligand are characterized. The calculations indicate that the Fe-Mo cage opens as dinitrogen binds to the cluster. In the resting state, the central cage is overall neutral. Electrons and protons are transferred in an alternating manner. Upon dinitrogen binding, one protonated sulfur bridge is broken. An axial and a bridged binding mode of dinitrogen have been identified. Adsorption at the Mo site has been investigated but appears to be less favorable than binding at Fe sites.     

Binucleare Nickel(0)-Komplexe mit „Schlangenliganden”︁ vom 1-Azadientyp: Modellsysteme der oxidativen Kopplung von 1-Azadienen und 1,3-Dienen am Nickel(0)

Binuclear Nickel(0) Complexes with “Snake Ligands” of 1-Azadiene Type: Model Systems of the Oxidative Coupling of 1-Azadienes and 1.3-Dienes at Nickel(0) Synthesis, properties, and reactions of dimeric nickel(0) complexes with special 1-azadiene typ ligands (“snake ligands”) are described. The X-ray analysis of a typical compound (Bis-(bis-cinnamaldehyde-N,N'-propylendiimine)-dinickel(0)) shows that both central atoms have the coordination number 3. The four 1-azadiene groups are coordinated in a different way: unidendate coordination by N-Ni(1) bond and bidendate coordination by N-Ni(1) and olefine-Ni(2) bond. The compound is a good model system for the oxidative coupling reaction of 1-azadienes with 1.3-dienes at 2 nickel(0) centres. IR and electronic spectra show other complexes with this type of ligands to have an analogous coordination sphere.     

Computer-Assisted Solution of Chemical Problems—The Historical Development and the Present State of the Art of a New Discipline of Chemistry

The topic of this article is the development and the present state of the art of computer chemistry, the computer-assisted solution of chemical problems. Initially the problems in computer chemistry were confined to structure elucidation on the basis of spectroscopic data, then programs for synthesis design based on libraries of reaction data for relatively narrow classes of target compounds were developed, and now computer programs for the solution of a great variety of chemical problems are available or are under development. Previously it was an achievement when any solution of a chemical problem could be generated by computer assistance. Today, the main task is the efficient, transparent, and non-arbitrary selection of meaningful results from the immense set of potential solutions—that also may contain innovative proposals. Chemistry has two aspects, constitutional chemistry and stereochemistry, which are interrelated, but still require different approaches. As a result, about twenty years ago, an algebraic model of the logical structure of chemistry was presented that consisted of two parts: the constitution-oriented algebra of be- and r-matrices, and the theory of the stereochemistry of the chemical identity group. New chemical definitions, concepts, and perspectives are characteristic of this logic-oriented model, as well as the direct mathematical representation of chemical processes. This model enables the implementation of formal reaction generators that can produce conceivable solutions to chemical problems—including unprecedented solutions—without detailed empirical chemical information. New formal selection procedures for computer-generated chemical information are also possible through the above model. It is expedient to combine these with interactive methods of selection. In this review, the Munich project is presented and discussed in detail. It encompasses the further development and implementation of the mathematical model of the logical structure of chemistry as well as the experimental verification of the computer-generated results. The article concludes with a review of new reactions, reagents, and reaction mechanisms that have been found with the PC-programs IGOR and RAIN.