Infrared and Raman spectroscopic investigations of the Nb(V) fluoro and oxofluoro complexes in the LiF-NaF-KF eutectic melt with development of a diamond IR cell

A vacuum-tight cell for infrared spectroscopic investigations of extremely corrosive melts, e.g., molten fluorides, has been constructed and tested up to 750 degrees C. The cell has a gold-lined sample chamber and a diamond window transparent for the infrared light. It can be furnished with a gold piston that enables the recording of short-path-length FTIR spectra of liquid samples. Solutions of Nb(V) in LiF-NaF-KF eutectic (FLINAK) with and without oxide additions have been investigated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of NbF7(2-), NbOF5(2-), and NbO2F4(3-) complexes was established in the molten state at 600 degrees C. After solidification NbF7(2-) was still the only Nb(V) all-fluoro complex present. Three oxofluoro complexes, NbOF6(3-), NbOF5(2-), and NbO2F4(3-), have been identified in the solid state. Typical frequency regions for the different complexes are established. Finally, it was shown that K2NbF7 can be used as an indicator to determine the oxide content of the sample melts.     

Proton-ionizable crown compounds. 12. Proton-Coupled selective membrane transport of Li+ using a proton-ionizable pyridono macrocycle

The macrocycle-mediated fluxes of several alkali metal cations have been determined in a H₂O-CH₂Cl₂-H₂O liquid membrane system. Water-insoluble proton-ionizable macrocycles of the pyridono type were used. The proton-ionizable feature allows the coupling of cation transport to reverse H⁺ transport. This feature offers promise for the effective separation and/or concentration of alkali metal ions with the metal transport being driven by a pH gradient. A counter anion in the source phase is not co-transported. The desired separation of a particular metal ion involves its selective complexation with the macrocycle, subsequent extraction from the aqueous phase to the organic phase, and exchange for H⁺ at the organic phase-receiving phase interface. Factors affecting transport which were studied include ring size, source phase pH, and receiving phase pH. Lithium was transported at a rate higher than that of the other alkali metals in both single and competitive systems using a 15-crown-5 pyridono carrier.     

Proton-ionizable crown compounds. 17. Transport studies of alkali metal ions in a H2O-CH2Cl2-H2O liquid membrane system by macrocycles containing two sulfonamide groups derived fromo- andm-phenylene diamine

The transport of alkali metal cations by several macrocycles possessing two sulfonamide groups as a part of an 18-, 20-, or 21-membered macroring has been studied. Some of these compounds were found to be more effective transport agents than the proton-ionizable pyridone- and triazole-containing crown ethers reported previously. The factors affecting transport, such as ring size, source and receiving phase pH, and the nature of the groups attached to the sulfonamide nitrogen atoms were examined. Also, extraction experiments by some of the ligands were performed. The behavior of sulfonamide type crowns in single and competitive transport of the alkali metal cations is explained. The mechanism of transport appears to be complex. Transport of one or two cations per molecule of the disulfonamide carriers occurs. Complexation of these cations appears to occur both within and outside the macrocycle cavity. Our results also suggest that kinetic factors may play a significant role in transport rates and selectivities.Deceased: September 5, 1987.     

In situ FTIR studies on the effect of temperature on the electro-oxidation of small organic molecules at the Ru(0001) electrode

The adsorption and electro-oxidation of formaldehyde, formic acid and methanol at the Ru(0001) electrode in perchloric acid solution have been studied as a function of temperature, potential and time using in situ FTIR spectroscopy, and the results interpreted in terms of the surface chemistry of the Ru(000 1) electrode and compared to those obtained during our previous studies on the adsorption of CO under the same conditions. It was found that no dissociative adsorption or electro-oxidation of methanol takes place at Ru(0001) at potentials < 900 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, and at all three temperatures employed, 10, 25 and 50 degrees C. However, both formaldehyde and formic acid did undergo dissociative adsorption, even at -200 mV, to form linear (CO(L)) and 3-fold-hollow (COH) binding CO adsorbates. In contrast to the adsorption of CO, it was found that increasing the temperature to 50 degrees C markedly increased the amount of CO adsorbates formed on the Ru(0001) surface from the adsorption of both formaldehyde and formic acid. On increasing the potential, the electro-oxidation of the CO adsorbates to CO2 took place via reaction with the active (1 x 1)-O oxide. Formic acid was detected as a partial oxidation product during formaldehyde electro-oxidation. At all three temperatures employed, it was found that adsorbed CO species were formed from the adsorption of both formic acid and formaldehyde, and were oxidised to CO2 faster than was observed in the experiments involving CO adsorbed from CO(g), suggesting a higher mobility of the CO adsorbates formed from the adsorption of the HCOOH and HCHO. At potentials > 1000 mV, both the oxidation of formic acid to CO2 and the oxidation of formaldehyde to both CO2 and formic acid were significantly increased, and the oxidation of methanol to CO2 and methyl formate was observed, all of which were attributed to the formation of an active RuO2 phase on the Ru(0001) surface.     

The excess enthalpies of (carbon dioxide + cyclohexane) at 308.15, 358.15, and 413.15 K from 7.50 to 12.50 MPa

The excess molar enthalpies H_m^E for (carbon dioxide + cyclohexane) were measured in the vicinity of their critical locus and in the supercritical region. Mixtures at 308.15 K and at 7.50 MPa show very exothermic mixing and a region where H_m^E varies linearly with mole fraction x while at 10.50 and 12.50 MPa they show only moderately endothermic mixing. Mixtures at 358.15 and 413.15 K and at all pressures studied except for 358.15 K and 12.50 MPa have an exothermic section in the cyclohexane-rich region, a linear section which starts at a mole fraction x corresponding very closely to that of the minimum value of H_m^E, and an endothermic section in the carbon-dioxide-rich region. The H_m^E results exhibiting a linear section allow the determination of values for the vapor and liquid equilibrium-phase compositions. The changes observed in the excess enthalpy with both pressure and temperature are discussed in terms of liquid-vapor equilibrium and critical constants for (carbon dioxide + cyclohexane).