Radiochemical scheme for the quantitative isolation and gamma-spectrometric determination of La,Ga, Hf and Sc in neutron activation analysis of refractory materials

A new radiochemical scheme for the quantitative isolation of Ga, Sc, Hf and La, based on ion exchange and extraction chromatography, was devised, Ga and Sc were selectively retained on a Dowex 50WX2 [H⁺] column from 10 M HBr at 50°C. Ga was then eluted with ethyl acetate 0.25M in HBr, and scandium with 4M HBr. Hf was separated from 10M HBr at 75°C on a Kel-F column impregnated with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO). The lanthamm fraction, after evaporation to dryness, was purified by ion-exchange chromatography in the system: Dowex 50WX8 [H⁺]−HCl. The effect of accompanying elements, and also the differences in the mechanism of uptake by the resin of various elements from concentrated HBr solution are briefly discussed. The scheme has been used for the determination of these four elements in refractory materials by activation analysis. As this procedure assured practically quantitative isolation of Ga, Sc, Hf and La, the addition of carriers and determination of chemical yield were unnecessary. The radiochemical purities of the respective fractions were as a rule high, and the measurements were performed by NaI(Tl) spectrometry. The detection limits were of the order of fractions of ppm, and could be considerably improved if necessary by increasing the counting time and sample weight.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the cationic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran in solution. I. THF–CCI4 system

Polymerization of THF in CCl₄ solvent was initiated with 1,3-dioxolan-2-ylium eations with AsF₆^?, PF₆^?, and SbF₆^? anions as well as with esters of fluorosulfonic and trifluoromethanesulfonic acids. With these esters polymerization proceeds with a marked acceleration period, due to slow initiation. The corresponding rate constants of initiation and their dependence on the polarity of the THF/CCl₄ mixture were determined. The rate constant of propagation on the macroion-pairs (k_p^±) of the polytetrahydrofurylium cation with AsF₆^?, PF₆^?, and SbF₆^? and CF₃SO₃^?, anions was found to be independent in CCl₄ solvent on the anion structure and given by the expression: k_p^± = 2.93 × 10^?2 exp {?4.7 × 10³/T} at [THF]₀ = 8.0M. This constant depends on the polarity of the polymerization mixture, and at 25°C for the THF-CCl₄ system, k_p^± = 1.78 × 10^?2 exp {?4.9/D}; thus, in CCl₄ at [THF]₀ = 8.0M, and at 25° k_p^± = 4.0 × 10^?21/mole-sec. In the polymerization with derivatives of CF₃SO₃H (able to form the corresponding macroester) the overall polymerization rate is much lower than that with complex anions because of the reversible conversion of the macroion-pairs into the macroester (internal return). The macroester is much less reactive than the macroionpair (10²–10³ times) in the monomer addition reaction. At [THF]₀ = 8.0M and at 25°C, 96.5% of the growing species exists in the macroester form. Polymerization of THF initiated with derivatives of CF₃SO₃H is a subject of a strong special salt-effect. At a sufficiently high ratio of [AgSbF₆] to [I]₀, where the initiator I is C₂H₅OSO₂CF₃, the overall polymerization rate is equal to that observed for the polymerization of THF on the macroion-pairs, since the internal return within the triflate ion-pair (the macroester formation) is eliminated and polymerization proceeds on the macroion-pairs with SbF₆- anions exclusively.     

Protolytic reactions of 3,3'-dimethylnaphthidine and 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine

The dissociation constants of diprotonated 3,3'-dimethylnaphthidine (DMN) and 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine (DMB) have been determined spectrophotometrically. They are: pK(a1) = 2.62 +/- 0.03, pK(a2) = 3.33 +/- 0.09 for DMN: pK(a1) = 2.83 +/- 0.07, pK(a2) = 4.05 +/- 0.12 for DMB. The molar absorptivities (l.mole(-1).cm(-1)) of all forms of the indicators have been also determined: epsilon(B) = 1.68 x 10(4), epsilon(BH(+)) = 9.34 x 10(3), epsilon(BH(2+)(2)) = 1.80 x 10(3) at 300 nm for DMB; epsilon(B) = 7.33 x 10(3), epsilon(BH(+)) = 3.73 x 10(3), epsilon(BH(2+)(2)) = 0 at 330 nm for DMN.     

The polymorphic transformations of cobalt molybdate

Polymorphic transformations of CoMoO₄ were studied by means of high temperature X-ray measurements within the temperature range 25–1200°C. On heating phase a obtained from low temperature modification b a new modification a′ was discovered. Phase a obtained by thermal decomposition of solvated α-CoMoO₄ shows different behaviour. At 700–930°C depending on the conditions of preparation it transforms irreversibly into still another modification a″. On cooling, a mixture of phases a + a″ is obtained, the presence of a″ being responsible for the explosionwise transition into b, observed around the room temperature.     

Long-range interaction in the D and D′ states of H2

The interaction energy between two hydrogen atoms in the D and D′ ¹Π_u states of the hydrogen molecule has been calculated for large internuclear distances (12 ? R ? 25 bohr). The variational method and a very flexible trial wave-function were used. The results indicate that for the states under consideration the Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory with the multipole expansion of the interaction hamiltonian gives reliable results only for R > 25 bohr i.e. in the region where the interaction energies are practically negligible.     

Über eine neue automatische Apparatur zur Zentigramm-Bestimmung von Kohlenstoff und Wasserstoff in organischen Substanzen

Zusammenfassung Das vom Verfasser undE. Sucharda schon 1928 angewandte Prinzip, die durch das Verhalten der Substanz beim Erhitzen bewirkten Druckschwankungen im Verbrennungsrohre zum Zwecke der automatischen Regulierung der Vergasungsgeschwindigkeit der Substanz bei der Elementaranalyse auszunutzen, wurde bei der Konstruktion einer neuen, elektrisch betriebenen, automatischen Apparatur angewandt. Hierbei wird das mit der Substanz gefüllte Mikroschiffchen mittels eines elektrischen Hochfrequenzgenerators erhitzt. Der Stromzufluß zu dem Hochfrequenzgenerator wird durch die erwähnten Druckschwankungen einoder ausgeschaltet. Die Verbrennung verläuft dann bei praktisch konstantem Druck im Verbrennungsrohre, also auch bei konstantem Sauerstoffüberschuß. Die neue Apparatur wird an Hand beigefügter Abbildungen beschrieben. Als Absorptionsmittel für Stickstoffoxyde werden 1 bis 2 g Bleidioxyd in einem 12 cm langen Porzellanschiffchen bei 190° angewandt. Die Absorption des Wassers erfolgt durch wasserfreies Kobaltchlorid, die der Kohlensäure ausschließlich durch Ascarit. Die Sauerstoffgeschwindigkeit im Verbrennungsrohre beträgt 8 ml pro Minute. Bei Substanzen, die mehr als 10% N enthalten, wird zwischen den Kohlensäureabsorptionsapparat und den Wasserabsorptionsapparat ein mit Mangandioxyd gefüllter Apparat eingeschaltet.

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Summary The principle used by the author andE. Sucharda as early as 1928, which employs the variations in pressure in the combustion tube resulting from the behavior of the substance when heated, for automatically regulating the rate of gasifying the substance was applied in the construction of a new electrically operated automatic apparatus. The micro boat charged with the sample is heated by means of a high frequency generator. The flow of current to the high frequency generator is switched on and off by the variations in pressure mentioned above. The combustion then proceeds at practically constant pressure in the combustion tube, and even when there is a constant excess of oxygen. The new apparatus is described in the accompanying figures. The nitrogen oxides are absorbed in 1 to 2 grams of lead dioxide contained in a porcelain boat (12 cm long) at 190°. The absorption of the water is by means of anhydrous cobalt chloride, while the carbon dioxide is taken up in ascarite. The speed of the oxygen in the combustion tube is 8 ml per minute. In the case of samples that contain more than 10% nitrogen, an apparatus filled with manganese dioxide is placed between the carbon dioxide absorber and the apparatus for taking up the water.

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Résumé Le principe de l'utilisation des variations de pression qui se produisent dans un tube à combustion en analyse élémentaire, lors du chauffage de la substance, a été utilisé dès 1928 par l'auteur etE. Sucharda pour la régulation automatique de la gazéification de cette substance. Il a été appliqué à la construction d'un nouvel appareil automatique commandé électriquement. La micronacelle qui contient la substance est chauffée électriquement à l'aide d'un générateur de courant de haute fréquence. Les variations de pression pendant la combustion provoquent l'ouverture ou la fermeture du circuit d'alimentation de ce générateur. Il en résulte que la combustion est effectuée à pression pratiquement constante ainsi qu'à excès d'oxygène constant. Ce nouvel appareil est décrit sur les figures de la publication.On utilise 1 à 2 grammes de bioxyde de plomb disposés dans une nacelle de porcelaine de 12 cm de longueur, portée à 190° pour absorber les oxydes de l'azote. L'eau est absorbée par du chlorure de cobalt anhydre et l'anhydride carbonique exclusivement par de l'ascarite. Le débit du courant d'oxygène dans le tube de combustion est de 8 ml par minute. Pour les substances contenant plus de 10% d'azote, on intercale un absorbeur à bioxyde de manganèse entre l'absorbeur à anhydride carbonique et l'absorbeur à eau.

     

Electronic structure of octacyanides of molybdenum IV and V according to the SCCC MO method

The SCCC MO method has been used to calculate the electronic structure and spectrum of Mo(CN) ₈ ^4– and Mo(CN) ₈ ^3– ions of a D _4d symmetry. All metal-ligand and ligand-ligand interactions and all overlap integrals (over products of HF atomic orbitals) have been included within the SCCC MO scheme. Basing on these calculations a new assignment of some absorption bands is proposed. The overall agreement between the calculated and observed electronic spectrum is satisfactory.

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Zusammenfassung Elektronenstruktur und Spektrum der [Mo(CN)₈]^–4- und [Mo(CN)₈]^–3-Ionen in D _4d -Symmetrie wurden mit der SCCC-MO-Methode berechnet. Alle Metall-Ligand- und Ligand-Ligand-Wechsel-wirkungen und Überlappungsintegrale wurden berücksichtigt. Die Bandenzuordnung wurde neu vorgenommen. Die Übereinstimmung der berechneten und gemessenen Spektren ist befriedigend.

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Résumé Application à Mo(CN) ₈ ^4– et Mo(CN) ₈ ^3– de la méthode SCCC MO basée sur des orbitales atomiques HF approchées, en tenant compte du recouvrement et de toutes les interactions ligand-ligand. Dans la partie I on discute le cas de la symétrie D _4d . L'accord global avec l'expérience est satisfaisant en ce qui concerne les spectres. On montre aussi que toutes les attributions antérieures basées sur la théorie du champ cristallin semblent inadéquates.

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The authors are grateful to Prof. W. Jakób, Dr. Z. Stasicka and Dr. A. Samotus for many interesting discussions, to Prof. J. Chojnacki for providing us with new X-ray results before publication and to Dr. A. J. Sadlej for a help in dealing with the computer.     

Grafting of maleic anhydride on polyethylene. II. Mechanism of grafting in a homogeneous medium in the presence of radical initiators

Grafting of maleic anhydride on polyethylene is found to take place also in a homogeneous medium. The course of reaction in nitrogen and in air and the influence of temperature of initiator and polymer concentrations suggest that grafting is due to the chain transfer reaction to polyethylene.