Thermochemistry of interactions of Na+ with benzo-15-crown-5 ether in acetonitrile-water mixtures at 298.15 K

Enthalpies of dissolution of benzo-15-crown-5 ether (B15C5) in mixtures of acetonitrile with water and in solutions of NaI and NaBPh₄ (I=0.05 mol dm^–3) in these mixtures were measured at 298.15 K. From the obtained results and appropriate literature data, the thermodynamic functions of B15C5/Na⁺ complex formation in acetonitrile-water mixtures were determined. The enthalpies of transfer of the complex B15C5/Na⁺ from pure acetonitrile to the examined mixtures were calculated and are discussed.     

Analysis of NH3-TPD Profiles for CuSSZ-13 SCR Catalyst of Controlled Al Distribution – Complexity Resolved by First Principles Thermodynamics of NH3 Desorption,IR and EPR Insight into Cu Speciation**

NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) is frequently used for probing the nature of the active sites in CuSSZ-13 zeolite for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x. Herein, we propose an interpretation of NH₃-TPD results, which takes into account the temperature-induced dynamics of NH₃ interaction with the active centers. It is based on a comprehensive DFT/GGA+D and first-principles thermodynamic (FPT) modeling of NH₃ adsorption on single Cu²⁺, Cu⁺, [CuOH]⁺ centers, dimeric [Cu-O-Cu]²⁺, [Cu-O₂²⁻-Cu]² species, segregated CuO nanocrystals and Brønsted acid sites (BAS). Theoretical TPD profiles are compared with the experimental data measured for samples of various Si/Al ratios and distribution of Al within the zeolite framework. Copper reduction, its relocation, followed by the intrazeolite olation/oxolation processes, which are concomitant with NH₃ desorption, were revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and IR. DFT/FPT results show that the peaks in the desorption profiles cannot be assigned univocally to the particular Cu and BAS centers, since the observed low-, medium- and high-temperature desorption bands have contributions coming from several species, which dynamically change their speciation and redox states during NH₃-TPD experiment. Thus, a rigorous interpretation of the NH₃-TPD profiles of CuSSZ-13 in terms of the strength and concentration of the active centers of a particular type is problematic. Nonetheless, useful connections for molecular interpretation of TPD profiles can be established between the individual component peaks and the corresponding ensembles of the adsorption centers.     

Isomer-Specific Vibrational Spectroscopy of Microhydrated Lithium Dichloride Anions: Spectral Fingerprint of Solvent-Shared Ion Pairs

The vibrational spectroscopy of lithium dichloride anions microhydrated with one to three water molecules, [LiCl₂(H₂O)_1–3]⁻, is studied in the OH stretching region (3800–2800 cm⁻¹) using isomer-specific IR/IR double-resonance population labelling experiments. The spectroscopic fingerprints of individual isomers can only be unambiguously assigned after anharmonic effects are considered, but then yield molecular level insight into the onset of salt dissolution in these gas phase model systems. Based on the extent of the observed frequency shifts Δν^OH of the hydrogen-bonded OH stretching oscillators solvent-shared ion pair motifs (<3200 cm⁻¹) can be distinguished from intact-core structures (>3200 cm⁻¹). The characteristic fingerprint of a water molecule trapped directly in-between two ions of opposite charge provides an alternative route to evaluate the extent of ion pairing in aqueous electrolyte solutions.     

Determination of Tedizolid Phosphate Using Graphene Nanocomposite Based Solid Contact Ion Selective Electrode; Green Profile Assessment by Eco-scale and GAPI Approach

Antibiotics determination plays a major role in minimizing antimicrobial resistance starting from quality control of pharmaceutical formulations to therapeutic drug monitoring. Green modified glassy carbon electrode has been developed for determination of tedizolid phosphate; new antibiotic prodrug; in presence of its active metabolite. The graphene transducer interlayer, dispersed with PVC, improved the electrode stability and standard potential reproducibility. Graphene hydrophobicity prevented the water layer formation between the sensing layers that decreased the potential drift down to 267 μV h⁻¹. Electrochemical impedance showed a low resistance value for graphene containing sensor due to its high electron transfer ability.     

Driving Organic Nanocrystals Dissolution Through Electrochemistry

We have recently discussed how organic nanocrystal dissolution appears in different morphologies and the role of the solution pH in the crystal detriment process. We also highlighted the role of the local molecular chemistry in porphyrin nanocrystals having comparable structures: in water-based acid solutions, protonation of free-base porphyrin molecules is the driving force for crystal dissolution, whereas metal (Zn^II) porphyrin nanocrystals remain unperturbed. However, all porphyrin types, having an electron rich π-structure, can be electrochemically oxidized. In this scenario, a key question is: does electrochemistry represent a viable strategy to drive the dissolution of both free-base and metal porphyrin nanocrystals? In this work, by exploiting electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM), we monitor in situ and in real time the dissolution of both free-base and metal porphyrin nanocrystals, as soon as molecules reach the oxidation potential, showing different regimes according to the applied EC potential.     

Nanocomposite Hydrogel of Pd@ZIF-8 and Laponite®: Size-Selective Hydrogenation Catalyst under Mild Conditions

The composite hydrogel of a nanoscale metal–organic framework (NMOF) and nanoclay has emerged as a new soft-material with advanced properties and applications. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of a hydrogel nanocomposite by charge-assisted self-assembly of Pd@ZIF-8 nanoparticles with Laponite^® nanoclay which coat the surface of Pd@ZIF-8 nanoparticles. Such surface coating significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the ZIF-8 compared to the pristine framework. Further, the Pd@ZIF-8+LP hydrogel nanocomposite shows better size-selective catalytic hydrogenation of olefins than Pd@ZIF-8 nanoparticles based on selective diffusion of the substrate.     

Inherent Ethyl Acetate Selectivity in a Trianglimine Molecular Solid

Ethyl acetate is an important chemical raw material and solvent. It is also a key volatile organic compound in the brewing industry and a marker for lung cancer. Materials that are highly selective toward ethyl acetate are needed for its separation and detection. Here, we report a trianglimine macrocycle ( TAMC ) that selectively adsorbs ethyl acetate by forming a solvate. Crystal structure prediction showed this to be the lowest energy solvate structure available. This solvate leaves a metastable, “templated” cavity after solvent removal. Adsorption and breakthrough experiments confirmed that TAMC has adequate adsorption kinetics to separate ethyl acetate from azeotropic mixtures with ethanol, which is a challenging and energy-intensive industrial separation.     

Kinetics of the Formation of Goethite in the Presence of Sulfates and Chlorides of Monovalent Cations

The synthesis of goethite by oxidation of Fe²⁺in presence of metallic iron was undertaken in an aqueous medium containing indifferent salts such as Na₂SO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄, NaCl, and NH₄Cl. Temperature and bubbling air rate were maintained, respectively, at 70°C and 1 L/min. The influence of anions and cations on the kinetics of each step of the process has been followed distinctly, the iron dissolution rate has been determined by the variation of the medium acidity, and the precipitation of goethite has been determined by gravimetric measurements. With respect to Cl⁻, the SO₄²⁻anion decreases the rate of the two reactions. NH₄⁺acts as an inhibitor when it is present at low concentrations and as an accelerator for higher concentrations; the limit corresponding to the change of NH₄⁺behavior depends on the nature of the counter ion. The reaction product is composed of pure goethite in the presence of sulfate salts, whereas a mixture of goethite and lepidocrocite, respectively, 60–70 and 40–30%, was observed in the presence of chloride salts.     

Lead-selective membrane electrodes based on dithiophenediazacrown ether derivatives

Three double-armed diazacrown ethers with two thiophene side groups, 7,16-dithenyl-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane (DTDC), 7,16-dithenoyl-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane (DTODC), and 7,16-di-(2-thiopheneacetyl)-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane (DTAODC), have been synthesized and used as novel neutral lead(II) ionophores in ion selective electrode applications. The relationship between the molecular structure of these ionophores and electrochemical properties (linear range, response time, selectivity) of the membrane electrode is discussed. The optimum conditions for the preparation of the electrodes are described. The optimized dithenoyldiazacrown had a detection limit of pPb = 5.7, and Nernstian range with slope 29.2 mV decade⁻¹ from pPb = 5.0 to 2.7. Mercury and silver ions are the major interferences. These electrodes are applied to potentiometric titrations of lead(II) ions and show promise for the determination of lead ions in water samples.