Phenol methylation over CrPO4 and CrPO4?AlPO4 catalysts

The vapor-phase catalytic alkylation of phenol with methanol and dimethyl carbonate on a series of differently prepared CrPO₄ (Cr/P=1) and CrPO₄-AlPO₄ (CrAIP) catalysts, has been studied at different temperatures (473–673 K). The reaction is first order in phenol, giving a mixture of O- and C-alkylated products (C-alkylation taking place preferentially at theortho-position). Moreover, dimethyl carbonate is a better methylating agent than methanol.     

Single-crystal 2H NMR of deuterated 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid included in hydrogenated urea channels

The intergrowth of 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid and urea give infinite hydrogen-bonded chains of the guest included in the hexagonal urea host. A deuterium high-resolution solid-state NMR study of the selectively deuterated intergrowth compound 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid/hydrogenated urea at variable temperature in the range 90 < or = T < or = 300 K was performed on a single crystal. The analysis of the second moment as a function of temperature is shown to be compatible with the known phase transition occurring near T(c) = 203 K. Moreover, the spectra indicate that the orientational disorder is strong, and is compared to an axial uniform disorder. For this purpose, the general equation for the second moment of a system with uniform two-dimensional axial orientational disorder is given, and a method to take into account the non-uniform excitation of the pulse sequence is proposed.     

Calculation of the electronic properties of neutral and ionized divalent-metal clusters

The electronic properties of neutral and ionized divalent-metal clusters have been studied using a microscopic theory, which takes into account the interplay between van der Waals (vdW) and covalent bonding in the neutral clusters, and the competition between hole delocalization and polarization energy in the ionized clusters. By calculating the ground-state energies of neutral and ionized Hg _n clusters, we determine the size dependence of the bond character and the ionization potentialI _p (n). For neutral Hg _n clusters we obtain a transition from van der Waals to covalent behaviour at the critical sizen _c ～10–20 atoms. Results forI _p (Hg _n ) withn≤20 are in good agreement with experiments, and suggest that small Hg _n ⁺ clusters can be viewed as consisting of a positive trimer core Hg ₃ ⁺ surrounded byn?3 polarized neutral atoms.     

Nitrosation of peptide bonds. Cleavage of nitrosated peptides by pyrrolidine and α-amino esters

The reaction of several α-amino acids and peptides (containing Gly, L-Ala, L-Leu, L- or DL-Phe, and/or L- or D-Val) with air-diluted nitrogen oxides has been studied to roughly mimic the N-nitrosation of peptide bonds that the contaminated urban air might produce in pulmonary tissues. Most N-protected α-amino acids give practically quantitative yields of N-nitroso derivatives. N-Protected dipeptides afford either dinitrosated peptides, mixtures of di- and mononitrosated compounds, selectively mononitrosated products, or no reaction at all, depending mainly on steric effects. The same trends are observed for some higher peptides. The (po1y)nitrosated Peptides, which retain the chirality of the starting materials, have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and are cleaved by pyrrolidine and amino esters under mild conditions to give (new) amides or peptides plus diazo derivatives.     

Paper-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence of phenothiazine derivatives enhanced by thallium(I) nitrate and surface-active agents

The effects of anionic, non-ionic, and cationic surfactants and thallium(I) nitrate on the paper-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of eleven phenothiazine derivatives are described. Enhancement factors within the range 1.5–10 are observed after addition of sodium dodecylsulfate, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride and thallium(I) nitrate. The influence of surfactant on phosphor characteristics as well as effects of moisture are discussed. Limits of detection were in the range 0.2–2 ng. Results are also reported for p-aminobenzoic acid, carbazole and o-terphenyl.     

Preparation of USY zeolite VOx supported catalysts from V(AcAc)3 and NH4VO3. Catalytic properties for the dehydrogenation of n-butane in oxygen-free atmosphere

The preparation of different samples of vanadia supported on ultrastable zeolite (VO(x)/USY) is discussed. The samples were prepared in order to obtain highly dispersed V-species, avoiding the formation of crystalline vanadia and the destruction of the zeolite framework. Two methods were employed for preparing VO(x)/USY samples: an organic route using V(AcAc)3 and an inorganic route using NH4VO3. The characterization of the samples was performed with XRD, TPR, NH3-TPD, and N2 isotherms. From these results it is concluded that when VO(x) is supported on the surface of USY from acidic aqueous solution of ammonium metavanadate, the destruction of the zeolite framework is accomplished. For higher pH values in the impregnating solution, undesired V2O5 is formed on the USY surface. On the other hand, VO(x)/USY prepared from the organic precursor shows no destruction of the USY structure. In addition, highly dispersed VO(x) are formed, though for relatively high V loadings (6%) an obstruction of the zeolite windows takes place. The samples are tested as catalysts for gas phase dehydrogenation of n-butane to olefins. The catalysts prepared from NH4VO3 are almost inactive for the reaction. On the other hand, both samples prepared from V(AcAc)3 present initial conversion levels in the 8-12% range. However, the selectivity depends on the V loading, the catalysts with 6% loading being the most selective (75%). The catalytic patterns of the samples (activity and selectivity) are in agreement with the physicochemical features of the VO(x)/USY surface.