Synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides by HTTA and neutral donors-II

Synergistic extraction studies on Np(VI) and Pu(VI) have been carried out as a part of the programme on the synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides. Extraction of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) were carried out by mixtures of HTTA and TBP in benzene from aqueous perchlorate and nitrate media. Equilibrium constant values for the various reaction equilibria involved were calculated from the data obtained by using slope-ratio as well as Job’s method. The extraction of Np(VI) by the synergistic mixture from 1M nitric acid indicated that the species NpO₂ (TTA) (NO₃). TBP was not involved in the extraction. The log values of K_A, K_AB and β_AB were −1.5, 2.92 and 4.43, respectively for Np(VI) and −1.63, 2.50 and 4.13 respectively for Pu(VI).     

Five-coordinate Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes Derived from 2-pyridine-2-yl-3-(pyridine-2-carboxylideneamino)-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one. The Crystal Structure of the Cobalt(II) Complex

The synthesis of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 2-pyridine-2-yl-3(pyridine-2-carboxylideneamino)-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one is described. The ligand and metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, spectral (u.v.–vis., i.r., 1D n.m.r., 2D hetcor and mass) and thermal studies. The cobalt(II) complex crystallizes as pink crystals in the monoclinic crystal system, space group P21/n with a = 10.066(6) Å, b = 15.929(9) Å, c = 12.624(7) Å, α = 90.00(9)°, β = 110.850 (8)°, γ = 90.00, V = 1891.5 (18) ų and Z = 4. The geometry around the cobalt atom is distorted trigonal bipyramidal with τ = 0.83 [structural parameter, τ = (β − α)/60; where α and β are the two basal angles in a five coordinate complex].     

Determination of the stability constant of Np(V) fluoride complex using a fluoride ion selective electrode

Fluoride complexing of Np(V) has been studied using fluoride ion selective electrode (F-ISE). Free fluoride ion concentrations in the presence of Np(V) were measured at 0.1 and 1.0M ionic strength. The data were used to calculate the stability constant of the fluoride complex of Np(V) and the values obtained are reported here.     

Rh(i)-catalyzed stereoselective desymmetrization of prochiral cyclohexadienones via highly exo-selective Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition

A Rh(i)-catalyzed highly stereoselective desymmetrization of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde-tethered cyclohexadienones triggered by intramolecular Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition has been developed. This method enables convergent construction of complex epoxy-bridged polycyclic ring systems with five contiguous stereocenters with excellent exo-selectivity and broad substrate scope. The highly atom-economical process involves 6-endo-dig cyclization of carbonyl oxygen onto an activated alkyne resulting in a highly reactive metal–benzopyrylium intermediate, which readily undergoes intramolecular [3 + 2] annulation/hydration. Asymmetric induction is also achieved for the first time in Rh(i)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using an easily accessible chiral diene as the ligand.

A Rh(i)-catalyzed highly stereoselective desymmetrization of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde-tethered cyclohexadienones triggered by intramolecular Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition has been developed.     

Parallel synthesis of PNA-peptide conjugate libraries

An optimized semi-automatic protocol for parallel synthesis of up to 96 peptide nucleic acids (PNA) or PNA-peptide conjugates using Boc-protection strategy has been developed using a robotic system. The approach is illustrated by synthesizing PNA and PNA-peptide libraries varying between 15 and 27 amino acid units. The peptides (NLS (nuclear localization signal) or Tat-peptide) were attached to N-terminus of the PNA. The method was found to be far superior to that based on the SPOT/Fmoc protocol by which PNA oligomers are synthesized on a modified cellulose membrane. On a 0.5 micromole scale the method typically yielded 2 mg product of 90% purity by HPLC/MALDI-TOF analysis. This approach is suitable for screening of a large number of PNA and/or peptide sequences for biochemical and biological studies.     

Near infrared spectral investigations of hydration of 18-crown-6 in HDO-D2O solutions at different temperatures

Near infrared spectra of solution of 6.4 M HDO in D(2)O have been obtained at 15, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C. It was observed that the bands of HDO in D(2)O occur at 1416, 1525, 1556, and 1666 nm, which are in good agreement with the similar data reported earlier by Worley and Klotz. The calculations of enthalpy change for hydrogen bond formation (DeltaH degrees ) yielded the value of -2.5+/-0.4 kcal mol(-1), which is in excellent agreement with the value reported by Walrafen. Similar spectra were recorded for 1 and 2 m 18-crown-6 (18C6) dissolved in the solution of HDO in D(2)O at different temperatures. The band positions remain unchanged, however, the variation of intensity as a function of concentration of 18C6 and temperature clearly indicate that 18C6 acts as a structure making solute. The structural temperature and DeltaH degrees values have been obtained for the 18C6 solutions. These results are explained on the basis of the stabilization of 18C6 in the D(3d) conformation through hydrogen bonding of HDO molecules [doubly hydrogen bonded, i.e. bridging, and singly hydrogen bonded] to the oxygen atoms of 18C6 molecules. Slightly different DeltaH degrees values obtained can be attributed to clathrate like structure at 1 m 18C6 concentration while at 2 m 18C6 concentration it is postulated that the hydrophobic interactions are contributing additionally.     

Thermodynamics of solvent extraction of thorium by solutions of HHTA and mixtures of HHTA and TBP

The changes in free energy, enthalpy and entropy for the extraction of thorium by solutions of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and mixtures of solutions of HTTA and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP), in three diluents, viz. cyclohexane, benzene and chloroform, were determined using the solvent extraction data obtained at different temperatures. From these data the thermodynamic parameters associated with the formation of Th(TTA)₄ · TBP in the respective organic diluents were evaluated. Trends in the enthalpy changes were attributed to different degrees of association of the diluents with themselves and with the solutes present in them.     

Influence of extended π-conjugation units on carrier mobilities in conducting polymers

Carrier mobilities in thin films of copolymers with repeat units consisting of oligothiophenes bridged by Si atoms are measured over a range of doping levels, where the numbers of thienylenes in the repeat unit are 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14. The mobilities for these polymer films increased with the increase in doping level and the mobility enhancement followed an increasing order of the π-conjugation length. The magnitude of the mobility increase for the Si polymer comprising 14 thiophene units reached ca. 10⁴, implying that this π-conjugation length is almost sufficient to reproduce transport properties of polythiophenes.     

Search for hydrophobic association between small aprotic solutes from an application of the nuclear magnetic relaxation method

Proton and deuteron magnetic relaxation rates of the four solutes acetone, acetonitrile, trimethylamine, and tetramethylurea in their aqueous mixtures are reported. For the normal and deuterated organic substances the water was D₂O and H₂O, respectively. The intermolecular relaxation rates were determined. Experimental results for the self-diffusion coefficients of trimethylamine and tetramethylurea in their aqueous mixtures are also reported. From these results and literature data the A parameter, A=(1/T₁)_inter·D₁/c_′1 being a criterion for association, was calculated. We obtained the result that only for the largest solute molecule, i.e. tetramethylurea, A showed the typical concentration dependence indicating solute-solute association. For the other three components self-association is not outside the range of the sensitivity of the present method.     

Effect of metal oxides on the gamma radiolysis of ammonium nitrate

The studies of radiation decomposition of ammonium nitrate in the presence of MnO₂, PbO and V₂O₅ with the absorbed dose reveal that MnO₂ retards while PbO and V₂O₅ accelerate the rate of radiolysis. G/NO ₂ ^– / values were found to increase with the mole% of V₂O₅ in an admixture. The results are explained on the basis of electron donor-acceptor properties of oxides affecting the equilibrium concentration of electrons present in pure ammonium nitrate in the presence of the added oxides.