Kinetics and mechanism of the first aquation stage for the [Cr(pic)3]0 and [Cr(pic)2(OH)]2 0 complexes in HClO4 solutions

Aquation of [Cr(pic)₃]⁰ and [Cr(pic)₂(OH)]₂ ⁰ in aqueous HClO₄ solutions leads to formation of the common product – [Cr(pic)₂(H₂O)₂]⁺. The first, reversible stage, the ring opening via Cr—N bond breaking in [Cr(pic)₃]⁰ is followed by the second, rate-determining step – one-end bonded pic ligand liberation. In the case of the [Cr(pic)₂(OH)]₂ ⁰ complex, the first faster stage produces the singly bridged dimer, which undergoes cleavage into the parent monomers in the second, much slower step. The subsequent aquation of [Cr(pic)₂(H₂O)₂]⁺ is extremely slow and leads to [Cr(pic)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ formation, which practically does not undergo further ligand substitution under the conditions applied. Kinetics of the first aquation stage for [Cr(pic)₃]⁰ and of the second step for [Cr(pic)₂(OH)]₂ ⁰ were studied spectrophotometrically in the 0.1–1.0 M HClO₄ range at I = 1.0 M. The observed pseudo-first order rate constant for [Cr(pic)₃]⁰ decreases with [H⁺] increase according to the rate law: k _obs = k ₁ + k _–1 Q ₁/[H⁺], where k ₁ and k _–1 are the rate constants of the forward and the reverse processes in the unprotonated substrate and Q ₁ is the protonation constant of the pyridine nitrogen atom. In the case of the [Cr(pic)₂(OH)]₂ ⁰ complex, the rate for the singly bridged dimer cleavage does not depend on [H⁺]. The activation parameters for the chelate-ring opening in [Cr(pic)₃]⁰ and for the singly bridged dimer cleavage have been determined and discussed. Some kinetic data of the slow, second aquation stage for the [Cr(pic)₃]⁰ complex and of the fast, first aquation stage for the doubly bridged dimer have been studied; for both reactions the rate increases linearly with the increase in [H⁺].     

Radiative lifetimes of the Rb(n 2 F)(n=6, 7, 8) states measured with the stepwise dipole-quadrupole excitation scheme

We report measurements of lifetimes of the Rb(n ² F)(n=6, 7, 8) states performed in a vapour cell. TheF-states were excited in a two-step sequence of an electric-dipole transition followed by an electric-quadrupole transition. Single photon counting was used for detection. The results are: (6² F)=171(4), (7² F)=262(15), (8² F)=387(12) (in ns). These lifetimes, have been compared with theoretical values given by different authors. An estimate of the cross sections for quenching due to collisions with ground-state Rb atoms is also given.This work was supported by the Polish Committee for Scientific Research under grant No. 2 2341 92 03     

Radon-222 and 226Ra concentrations in mineralized groundwaters of Gorzanów (Kłodzko Basin, Sudeten Mountains, SW Poland)

This work characterizes the occurrence of radionuclides ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra in the mineralized groundwaters of Gorzanów. The village is situated in the Sudeten Mountains, which are known in Poland for having increased concentrations of the aforesaid radionuclides in their groundwaters. However, in Gorzanów, the measured concentrations of ²²⁶Ra were low both in the reservoir rocks and mineralized waters. Consequently, the ²²²Rn concentration in the groundwaters also turned out to be low. The ²²⁶Ra content of these waters should mainly be associated with the dissolution of this nuclide, together with other main ions, at large depths, at slightly enhanced temperature. Radon-222, on the other hand, penetrates into the water during its outflow to the surface, in the zones of intensive friable deformations near fault zones. Thus, in the groundwaters of Gorzanów, the concentrations of these nuclides, subsequent in the uranium series, do not have a common genesis and they are not correlated with each other.     

IR study of heterogeneity of OH groups in zeolite HY-splitting of OH and OD bands

We have been studying the problem of heterogeneity of OH groups in zeolites HY for a long time. The heterogeneity was suggested by the shift of the IR band of OH groups restoring upon ammonia desorption and also by the fact that the band of OH groups forming hydrogen bonds was relatively broad (broader than for homogeneous acidic OH). In the present study we present another important argument for heterogeneity: the splitting of the IR band of free OH and OD groups in a zeolite of Si/Al=8.3 dealuminated by (NH₄)₂SiF₆ treatment. Such a splitting is the best seen in low temperature spectra of OD groups. We found less acidic 3640 cm⁻¹ (AlO)(SiO)₂SiO₁HAl(OSi)₃ and more acidic 3625 cm⁻¹ (SiO)₃SiO₁HAl(OSi)₃ groups. The presence of these two kinds of hydroxyls corresponds to the presence of Si(2Al) and Si(1Al), respectively, detected in ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra. We also found a small amount of strongly acidic 3599 cm⁻¹ hydroxyls interacting with extraframework Al species.     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of Co3O4 powder and single crystals

Kinetics of thermal decomposition in vacuum of Co₃O₄ powder as well as single crystals has been investigated. Discrepancies with the results of previous authors have been discussed. Decomposition of Co₃O₄ proceeds through formation of a compact layer of CoO and hence diffusion is the rate-limiting factor. The experimental curves α(t) be described for 0.05 < α < 0.85 using a modified Ginstling-Brounshtein equation: 1 ? 2α/3 ? (1 ? α)^2/3 = ktⁿ where the activation energy varies with the degree of decomposition.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of two low-dimensional materials constructed from [Mn(III)(salen)H2O]+ and [M(CN)8](3-/4-) (M = Mo or W) precursors

The syntheses, X-ray structures, and magnetic behaviors of two new cyano-bridged assemblies, the molecular [Mn(III)(salen)H2O]3[W(V)(CN)8].H2O (1) and one-dimensional [Mn(salen)(H2O)2]2[[Mn(salen)(H2O)][Mn(salen)]2[Mo(CN)(8)]].0.5ClO4.0.5OH.4.5H2O (2), are presented. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, has space group P2(1)/c, and has unit cell constants a = 13.7210(2) A, b = 20.6840(4) A, c = 20.6370(2) A, and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, has space group P, and has unit cell dimensions a = 18.428(4) A, b = 18.521(3) A, c = 18.567(4) A, and Z = 2. The structure of 1 consists of the asymmetric V-shaped Mn-NC-W-NC-Mn-O(phenolate)-Mn molecules, where W(V) coordinates with [Mn(salen)H2O] and singly phenolate-bridged [Mn(salen)H2O]2 moieties through the neighboring cyano bridges. The [W(V)(CN)8]3- ion displays distorted square-antiprism geometry. The structure of 2 consists of the cyano-bridged [Mn3(III)Mo(IV)]n- repeating units linked by double phenolate bridges into one-dimensional zigzag chains. The Mn(III) centers are bound to Mo(IV) of square-antiprism geometry through the neighboring cyano bridges. The magnetic studies of 1 reveal the antiferromagnetic intramolecular interactions through the CN and phenolate bridges and the relatively weak intermolecular interactions. Compound 1 becomes antiferromagnetically ordered below TN = 4.6 K. The presence of the magnetic anisotropy is documented with the MH measurements carried out for both polycrystalline and single-crystal samples. At T = 1.9 K, the spin-flop transition is observed in the field of 18 kOe applied parallel to the bc plane, which is the easy plane of magnetization. Field dependence of magnetization of 1 shows field-induced metamagnetic behavior from the antiferromagnetic ground state of ST = 3/2 to the state of ST = 5/2. The magnetic properties of 2 indicate a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn(III) centers in double-phenolate-bridged [Mn(III)(salen)]2 dinuclear subunits and a very weak ferromagnetic interaction between them through the diamagnetic [Mo(IV)(CN)8]4- spacer.     

Matrix separation of palladium and iridium by the cellulose anion exchanger Cellex T and the subsequent determination of palladium at theμg/g-level

The preconcentration and separation of palladium and iridium from base metals is studied with cellulose (Cellex T) and styrene-divinylbenzene (Varion AT 400) anion exchangers. In spite of lower capacity of Cellex T to chloride complexes of Pd and Ir, it allowed to get a higher preconcentration factor. Yields of 92–99% are achieved for Pd and 96–97% for Ir from the solutions containing great excess of base and heavy metals. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is used for the final measurements. The procedure has been applied to the determination of palladium in natural samples.     

Studies of the soluble part of oxidised coals

Soluble products obtained from the oxidation of four types of coal, each characterised by different degree of coalification and different degree of sulphur content, are studied. The coals are oxidised with peracetic acid (PAA) and nitric acid. Analyses are performed by Atmospheric Pressure-Temperature Programmed Reduction (AP-TPR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The soluble products contain much more sulphur than the insoluble products of oxidation. The products obtained from the reaction with HNO₃ contain higher amounts of inorganic sulphur compounds, while those obtained from the reaction with PAA are characterised by an increased content of organic sulphur species.     

Desorption of chloroorganic compounds from a bed of activated carbon

The desorption of 1,2-dichloroethane from a bed of DTO activated carbon after adsorption from aqueous solution has been investigated. The desorption process was carried out using steam. The basic characteristics of the process were determined. The studies were performed in the temperature range 100-160 degrees C. A steam consumption indicator reduces with an increase of temperature from 100 to 140 degrees C. An elevation of temperature above 140 degrees C does not cause an improvement in the desorption efficiency. The number of performed cycles does not reduce the adsorption capacity of used activated carbon. Studies on the regeneration of the bed saturated with a seven-component mixture of chloroorganic compounds at temperature of 140 degrees C were carried out. The degree of removal of the sum of chloro-derivatives exceeded 0.96 at a volume ratio of steam (recalculated on the condensate) to bed of about 10. It was found that the dechlorination proceeds during desorption at elevated temperature. The quantitative ratio of chloro-derivatives in the desorbate was changed in comparison to the composition of wastewater directed to the adsorption.     

Creatinine biosensor based on ammonium ion selective electrode and its application in flow-injection analysis

A new, highly sensitive, fast responding and stable potentiometric biosensor for creatinine determination is developed. The biosensor is based on an ammonium ion-selective electrode. Creatinine deiminase (EC 3.5.4.21) is chemically immobilized on the surface of the polymeric ion-sensitive membrane in the form of monomolecular layer using a simple, one-step carbodiimide covalent attachment method. The resulting enzyme electrodes are useful for measurement under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions. The biosensors exhibit excellent operational and storage stability. The enzyme electrodes retain over 70% of initial sensitivity after ten weeks of work under FIA conditions. The storage stability at 4 °C is longer than half a year without loss of sensitivity. Under optimized conditions near 30 samples per hour can be analyzed and the determination range (0.02-20.0 mmol l⁻¹) fully covers creatinine concentrations important from clinical and biomedical point of view. The simple biosensor/FIA system has been successfully used for determination of creatinine in urine, serum and posthemodialysate samples.