Solvent influence on the rotational isomerism in terephthalaldehyde

Experimental and theoretical studies were carried out in order to investigate the rotational isomerism of terephthalaldehyde. The dipole moment measurements and infrared spectroscopy in Ar matrix and using various solvents were performed experimentally. In order to supplement the experimental study, both static and dynamical theoretical calculations were performed. IR spectra and potential energy distribution (PED) were calculated for both cis and trans isomers of terephthalaldehyde in gas phase using B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Further calculations consisted of conformational analysis were performed in order to estimate the rotational barrier and relative stabilities of isomers. The DFT theory with B3LYP functional and four double-zeta and triple-zeta basis sets served as framework for this part of calculations. Semiempirical AM1 and PM3 methods were also used for gas-phase modeling. Molecular dynamics using MM3 force field was applied to study the preferences of solvent molecules’ orientation around the studied molecule. Additionally, the effect of solvent polarity on the Gibbs energy of the trans ⇌ cis equilibrium was analyzed in terms of the continuum dielectric medium models.     

Electron impact mass spectra of some enamines

The mass spectra of α,β-diarylaminocrotonic acid anilides have been determined and the fragmentation pathways are now discussed. The proposed pathways have been confirmed by deuterium labelling, the spectrum of the model compound, or the appropriate metastables. The detailed electron impact data are given.     

'Self-organization' processes in proton and deuteron mixtures in open-chain hydrogen bond systems: polarization IR spectra of 4-mercaptopyridine crystals.

This paper is devoted to IR spectroscopic studies in polarized light of 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MPD) hydrogen-bonded crystals. These studies were preceded by determination of the 4-mercaptopyridine X-ray structure. Polarization spectra of 4-mercaptopyridine crystals were measured in the frequency ranges of V(N-H) and V(N-D) bands at room temperature, and also at the temperature of liquid nitrogen, for the two different crystalline faces: 'bc' and 'ac'. When investigating 'residual' v(N-H) band shapes for crystals that were diluted by deuterium, strong dichroic effects in the spectra were still observed, providing evidence for the existence in the hydrogen bond chains of domains containing exclusively protons or deuterons. This phenomenon proves the existence of a new kind of H/D isotopic effects in open chain hydrogen bond systems, namely 'self-organization' effects. Such effects, however, were not observed for other open chain hydrogen bond systems, e.g. alcohol crystals. Solid-state spectra of 4-mercaptopyridine were quantitatively interpreted, along with the strong polarization and the isotopic effects, when based on the 'strong-coupling' theory for linearly arranged hydrogen bond dimers.     

Polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in acetic acid crystals

The paper presents the results of our investigations of the polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in crystals of acetic acid, CH₃COOH, as well as in crystals of three deuterium isotopomers of the compound: CH₃COOD, CD₃COOH and CD₃COOD. The spectra were measured at 283 K and at 77 K by a transmission method using polarized light. Theoretical analysis of the results concerned the linear dichroic effects, together with the H/D isotopic and temperature effects observed in the solid-state IR spectra of the hydrogen and of the deuterium bond at the frequency ranges of the ν_O–H and the ν_O–D bands, respectively. Basic spectral properties of the crystals can be interpreted satisfactorily in terms of one of the quantitative theories of the IR spectra of the hydrogen bond, i.e. the “strong-coupling” theory or the “relaxation” theory when a hydrogen bond dimer model is used. From the spectra obtained it resulted that the strongest exciton coupling involved the closely spaced hydrogen bonds, belonging to different chains of associated acetic acid molecules. These results contradict the former explanation of the spectra within a model, which assumed a strong vibrational exciton coupling between four hydrogen bonds in a unit cell. On analyzing the spectra of isotopically diluted crystalline samples of acetic acid it has been proved that a non-random distribution of the protons and deuterons takes place in the hydrogen bond lattices. This non-conventional isotopic effect is a result of dynamical co-operative interactions involving hydrogen bonds in the system. Simultaneously it has been also found that in an individual hydrogen bonded chain in the crystals, distribution of the hydrogen isotope atoms H and D was fully random. The H/D isotopic “self-organization” mechanism most probably involves a pair of hydrogen bonds from each unit cell where each hydrogen bond belongs to a different chain.     

Polyoxometallates as inorganic templates for electrocatalytic network films of ultra-thin conducting polymers and platinum nanoparticles

We develop a concept of fabrication of the multilayer network films on electrodes by exploring the ability of a Keggin-type polyoxometallate, phosphododecamolybdate (PMo(12)O(40)(3-)), to form stable anionic monolayers (templates) on carbon and metals including platinum. By repeated alternate treatments in the solution of PMo(12)O(40)(3-) (or in the colloidal suspension of polyoxometallate-protected Pt-nanoparticles) and in the solution of monomer (e.g. anilinium) cations, the amount of the material can be increased systematically (layer-by-layer) to form stable three-dimensional assemblies on electrode (e.g. glassy carbon) surfaces. In the resulting hybrid (organic-inorganic) films, the layers of negatively charged polyoxometallate, or polyoxometallate-protected (stabilized) Pt-nanoparticles, are linked or electrostatically attracted by ultra-thin layers of such positively charged conducting polymers as polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT. Consequently, the attractive physicochemical properties of polymers and reactivity of polyoxometallate or noble metal particles are combined. The films are functionalized and show electrocatalytic properties towards reduction of nitrite, bromate, hydrogen peroxide or oxygen. They are of importance to the chemical and biochemical sensing as well as to the biochemical and medical applications.     

1:1 Molybdenum(VI) citric acid complexes

Summary The complexes obtained by crystallisation from an aqueous solution of molybdate and citric acid (H₄cit) at pH 4–8 have Mo:cit ratio 11. The new complexes have been characterised by a variety of methods in the solid state and in solution. On this basis two dimeric species, [(MoO₂)₂O(citH)₂]^4– and [(MoO₂)₂O(cit)₂]^6–, and a monomeric species [MoO₃(cit)OH₂]^4– are proposed.     

Quantum yields of [W(CN)8]4− formation in charge-transfer photochemistry of octacyanotungstate (V)

Summary The reactions of monochromatically photolyzed aqueous [W(CN)₈]^3– solutions in the pH range 1–13 were found to consist of a two-step sequence involving a primary inter-molecular redox process and a consecutive thermal chain process, both leading to the formation of octacyanotungstate(IV) as the main reaction product. The initial quantum yields, ₀, are practically constant for the entire pH range and equal to 0.81±0.05 mole/Einstein. The final quantum yields, _f, for both neutral and alkaline solution, were found to be greater than 1, having also an approximately constant value of 3.42±0.25. The empirical rate law for the post-irradiation reaction under excess of [W(CN)₈]^3– and at constant pH is given by: rate = k_obs[R]²[W(CN) ₈ ^4– ]^–2 where R is a one-electron reductant. Kinetic data suggest a mechanism of the Haber-Weiss type for the thermal reduction of [W(CN)₈]^3– by H₂O₂.     

Mass spectrometric decompositions of copper complexes with esters and amides of nicotinic acid

Mass spectrometric decompositions of complexes of nicotinic acid esters and amides with copper are discussed. Liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) was used as an ionisation technique and metastable ion spectra were recorded by using B/E linked scans. The fragmentation pathways consist mainly of the loss of one ligand molecule and also the cleavage of amide or ester bonds. It may be possible, on the basis of cleaved neutral fragments, to determine the site of coordination in the gas phase. It was also found that the presence of a chlorine atom affects the fragmentation pathways of complexes.     

Thermal behaviour of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and Pd(II) complexes with isatin-β-thiosemicarbazone

The isatin-β-thiosemicarbazone (ITC) complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and Pd(II) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, as well as molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR, UV-Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopic methods. The complexes were also studied for its thermal stability. They all behaviour as anhydrous complexes and its thermolysis passes through the stages of deamination (517–547 K) and complete thermal decomposition (619–735 K).     

Synthesis, characterisation and anion exchange properties of copper, magnesium, zinc and nickel hydroxy nitrates

Anion exchange reactions of four structurally related hydroxy salts, Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃, Mg₂(OH)₃NO₃, Ni₂(OH)₃NO₃ and Zn₃(OH)₄(NO₃)₂ are compared and trends rationalised in terms of the strength of the covalent bond between the nitrate group and the matrix cation. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and elemental analysis are used to characterise the materials. Replacement of the nitrate anions in the zinc and copper salts with benzoate anions is possible although exchange of the zinc salt is accompanied by modification of the layer structure from one where zinc is exclusively six-fold coordinated to a structure where there is both six- and four-fold zinc coordination. Magnesium and nickel hydroxy nitrates, on the other hand, hydrolyse to their respective metal hydroxides.