The compensation effect revisited

It is generally accepted that the compensation effect arises when a linear relation between InA andE is detected for a simple reaction taking place over different catalysts or for different reactions over one catalyst. For a perfect linear relation between InA andE representation of the reaction rate constant in an Arrhenius plot results in a series of straight lines which intersect in a single point. The importance is stressed of defining unambiguously what is meant by the compensation effect, and it is shown how the scatter in the values of InA is translated into Arrhenius plots.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the surface tension of ionic liquids

We report molecular dynamics computer simulations of the surface tension and interfacial thickness of ionic liquid-vapor interfaces modeled with a soft core primitive model potential. We find that the surface tension shows an anomalous oscillatory behavior with interfacial area. This observation is discussed in terms of finite size effects introduced by the periodic boundary conditions employed in computer simulations. Otherwise we show that the thickness of the liquid-vapor interface increases with surface area as predicted by the capillary wave theory. Data on the surface tension of size-asymmetric ionic liquids are reported and compared with experimental data of molten salts. Our data suggest that the surface tensions of size-asymmetric ionic liquids do not follow a corresponding states law.     

Study of the drying zirconia gel-precipitates using thermal analysis

Thermoanalytical techniques (TG, DTG, DTA and EGA) can be helpful in studying gel compositions and relating the chemical history and the role of the precipitant to the chemical properties of gels. The objective of our work was to determine the influence of the initial conditions in the reaction mixture on the product characteristics. Zirconia gels were prepared by the gelprecipitation method by the hydrolysis of zirconium tetrachloride dissolved in methanol. The substitution of water by methanol was chosen in order to obtain a reaction medium in which better control of the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the zirconium precursor were achieved and thus also better control of the final properties of the dried zirconia gel-precipitates could be obtained. The nature of the hydrated zirconia gels obtained during the gelation process is strongly influenced by the conditions of the reaction mixture, e.g. concentration of the zirconium precursor, the mixing rate and particularly by the amount of water added. To distinguish between various types of water in the gel-precipitates, the furnace atmosphere and the partial water pressure were altered appropriately. It was shown that initial zirconium to water molar ratio has a significant effect on the properties of the final products. It was assumed that, according to the preparation conditions, three different types of water are present in the formed zirconia gel-precipitates. Modification of the dehydration processes of zirconia gel-precipitates enables control of the final microstructural and surface properties of the dried gels which are suitable for further catalysts support as well as mixed oxide preparation.     

Polarographic determination of stability constants and thermodynamic parameters of lead(II) propanoate and 2-hydroxypropanoate complexes with a computer-controlled system

A computer-controlled electrometric system is described. It is used for d.c. polarographic determinations of the stability constants of lead(II) propanoate and 2-hydroxypropanoate complexes at four temperatures. From the values of the monoligand complex stability constants obtained at different temperatures, standard thermodynamic functions (ΔH_j and ΔS_j) for the first and second steps of complex formation were obtained. Closed-loop interaction between the minicomputer and electrometric instrument was achieved through computer control of the potentiostat, drop-life timer, burette and valve for nitrogen purging. Computer programs are outlined for numerical and statistical evaluation of the experimental data giving E_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}i_d and slope of logarithmic presentation of polarograms, F_o functions and cumulative stability constants, β_j as well as for calculation of the standard thermodynamic functions.     

Mixed iron cobalt carbonyl sulphides

Two new mixed iron cobalt carbonyl sulphide clusters HFe₂(CO)₉S and Fe₂Co(CO)₈(NO)S have been prepared and characterized. The hydride complex undergoes acidic dissociation in polar solvents and the resulting anion was isolated as (Et₄N)[Fe₂Co(CO)₉S]. An efficient high pressure synthesis has been found for H₂Fe₃(CO)₉S.     

Characterisation of flavonols in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) by liquid chromatography-uV diode-array detection-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

The flavonoid composition of broccoli inflorescences has been studied by LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MSn. A large number of hydroxycinnamic acid esters of kaempferol and quercetin glucosides has been characterised. The structures of the flavonoid glycosides were analysed after alkaline hydrolysis, and were identified as 3-sophoroside/sophorotrioside-7-glucoside/sophoroside of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin (this last found in trace amount). These complex quercetin and isorhamnetin glucosides have not been previously characterised in nature. In addition, several less complex glucosides based on the same aglycones have been identified. The effect of sugar substitution and acylation on chromatographic mobility and ESI ionisation and fragmentation are discussed.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the dinuclear zinc-beta-lactamase from Bacteroides fragilis complexed with imipenem

Herein, we present results from MD simulations of the Michaelis complex formed between the dizinc beta-lactamase from B. fragilis and imipenem. We considered two catalytically important configurations, which differ in the presence or absence of a hydroxide bridge connecting the two zinc ions in the active site. The structural and dynamical effects induced by substrate binding, the specific roles of the conserved residues and the zinc-bound water molecules, the near attack conformers of the Michaelis complex, and so forth, are discussed in detail. The relative stability of the two configurations was estimated from QM linear scaling calculations on the enzyme-substrate complex combined with Poisson-Boltzmann electrostatic calculations and normal mode calculations. Importantly, we find that the two configurations have similar energies, indicating that these two structures could readily be interchanged, thereby facilitating catalysis. The configuration with the hydroxide bound to the two zinc ions is predicted to be the resting form of the enzyme, while the configuration without the bridge is the reactive form that was found to place the hydroxide in position to attack the carbonyl of the beta-lactam ring. Thus, we propose that the enzyme initiates catalysis by converting from the hydroxide bridge form into the configuration that lacks the hydroxide bridge. This interconversion increases the nucleophilicity of the hydroxide ion and exposes it to the beta-lactam carbonyl, which ultimately facilitates nucleophilic attack. The implications of the observed modes of binding, the possible influence of mutating the Lys184 and Asn193 residues on substrate binding, and the reaction mechanism are also discussed in detail.     

Sensitive determination of diquat by a kinetic method using the stopped-flow mixing technique

A simple, sensitive, selective, fast and inexpensive assay for the determination of diquat is proposed. The method is based on the reduction of the herbicide to a strongly fluorescent monocation radical with sodium dithionite. The initial rate of this reaction is directly proportional to the diquat concentration. The stopped-flow mixing technique was used because the kinetic data can be obtained in only 7 s, meaning that the method can be automated. The calibration graph is linear over the range 5-500 ng ml-1 and the precision (RSD) is close to 1.2%. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by determining the herbicide in different kinds of samples.     

Activity measurements in the ternary system NaBr+NaClO4+H2O at 25°C

The activity coefficients of sodium bromide in the ternary system NaBr+NaClO₄+H₂O were determined at 25°C and constant ionic strength of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mol-kg^?1 from emf of the cell without, liquid junction $$ISE - Na|NaBr(m_A ), NaClO_4 (m_B ), AgCl_{(s)} 1 Ag$$ The experimental activity coefficients were comparatively analyzed by using the Harned, Scatchard, Pitzer and Lim-HOLL treatments. All these methods are adequate for the analysis of the experimental data. The results have been compared with those of Lanier for the system: NaCl+NaClO₄+H₂O. The Gibbs excess energy of mixing was obtained and qualitatively interpreted in terms of ionic interactions.