Metallo‐supramolecular block copolymer micelles: Improved preparation and characterization

Micelles prepared from amphiphilic block copolymers in which a poly(styrene) segment is connected to a poly(ethylene oxide) block via a bis‐(2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine‐ruthenium) complex have been intensely studied. In most cases, the micelle populations were found to be strongly heterogeneous in size because of massive micelle/micelle aggregation. In the study reported in this article we tried to improve the homogeneity of the micelle population. The variant preparation procedure developed, which is described here, was used to prepare two “protomer”‐type micelles: PS₂₀‐[Ru]‐PEO₇₀ and PS₂₀‐[Ru]‐PEO₃₇₅. The dropwise addition of water to a solution of the compounds in dimethylformamide was replaced by the controlled addition of water by a syringe pump. The resulting micelles were characterized by sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium analyses in an analytical ultracentrifuge and by transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained samples. Sedimentation analysis showed virtually unimodal size distributions, in contrast to the findings on micelles prepared previously. PS₂₀‐[Ru]‐PEO₇₀ micelles were found to have an average molar mass of 318,000 g/mol (corresponding to 53 protomers per micelle, which is distinctly less than after micelle preparation by the standard method) and an average hydrodynamic diameter (d_h) of 18 nm. For PS₂₀‐[Ru]‐PEO₃₇₅ micelles, the corresponding values were M = 603,000 g/mol (31 protomers per micelle) and d_h = 34 nm. The latter particles were found to be identical to the “equilibrium” micelles prepared in pure water. Both micelle types had a very narrow molar mass distribution but a much broader distribution of s values and thus of hydrodynamic diameters. This indicates a conformational heterogeneity that is stable on the time scale of sedimentation velocity analysis. The findings from electron microscopy were in disagreement with those from the sedimentation analysis both in average micelle diameter and in the width of the distributions, apparently because of imperfections in the staining procedure. The preparation procedure described also may be useful in micelle formation from other types of protomers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4458–4465, 2004     

Eine semiempirische Gleichung zur Beschreibung des Lösungsmitteleinflusses auf Statik und Kinetik chemischer Reaktionen. Teil I

A model has been developed for calculating the enthalpy, entropy and free energy change associated with the creation of cavities in a liquid the size of which corresponds to the volume occupied by a solvent molecule. The molar enthalpy change H _cav equals the molar enthalpy of vaporization of the liquid, the free energy change G _cav is given by G _cav=–RT ln (V _m ·p _eq /RT) (V _m =molar volume,p _eq =equilibrium vapor pressure) and is related to the standard free energy of vaporization. This relationship provides an estimate of the free energy of cavity formation required to accomodate a substrate in the liquid. It has been shown, that the free energy of solvation of a substrate can be dissected into different contributions accounting for (1) the concentration dependence of partial molar free energy quantities, (2) the formation of holes in the solvent, (3) the existence of specific, short range solute-solvent interactions and (4) the dielectric polarization of the medium. Application of this concept leads to an equation of the general form G ^S –G ^R =a(DN ^S –DN ^R )+b(AN ^S –AN ^R )+c(G _vp ^oS –G _vp ^oR ), where G represents the free energy of reaction or activation,DN the donor number,AN the acceptor number and G _vp ^o the standard free energy of vaporization of a solventS and a reference solventR, resp.

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Über den Nachweis und die Bestimmung des Schädlingsbekämpfungsmittels E 605 in der gerichtlichen Chemie

Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, daß sich Insektizide auf der Basis der Ester der Thiophosphorsäure (E 605) aus biologischem Material mittels Wasser-dampfdestillation auf verhältnismäßig einfache Weise abscheiden lassen. Im Destillat erfolgt die Bestimmung nach Ausäthern und Lösen des Rückstandes in Äthanol durch Messen der Lichtabsorption im UV. Hierbei zeigt sich, daß die rechnerische Eliminierung der Störstoffe bei geringeren Konzentrationen der Ester leichter ist als bei hohen.Durch Messung der Lichtabsorption im IR läßt sich, genügende Konzentration vorausgesetzt, entscheiden, welcher Ester vorliegt.

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Summary It was shown that insecticides based on the ester of thiophosphoric acid (E 605) can be separated in relatively simple fashion from biological material by means of steam distillation. The distillate is shaken out with ether and the residue dissolved in ethanol and the determination is accomplished by measuring the absorption in ultraviolet light. It was found that the computational elimination of the interfering materials is easier at lower concentrations of the ester than when higher concentrations are present. By measuring the light absorption in infrared, it is possible to decide which ester is present, provided the concentration is high enough.

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Résumé On montre que les insecticides se séparent d'une manière relativement simple de l'élément biologique par un entraînement à la vapeur d'eau sur la base de l'ester de l'acide thiophosphorique (E 605). Le dosage s'effectue sur le distillat d'après l'épuisement à l'éther et la solubilité du résidu dans l'éthanol et la mesure de l'absorption lumineuse dans l'ultraviolet. On en déduit que l'élimination calculée de la substance gênante est plus facile pour les faibles concentrations de l'ester que pour les grandes. En mesurant l'absorption de la lumière dans l'infrarouge, on peut savoir de quel ester il s'agit pour des concentrations supposées suffisantes.

     

Prospects and limitations of an isotope tracer technique for understanding sulfur cycling in forested and agro-ecosystems

Abstract Applications of isotopically distinct sulfur compounds have recently been used for tracing the fate of added sulfur in whole catchments or sub-compartments therein. Basic principles, the analytical methodology, and data evaluation for this isotope tracer technique are briefly described. We recommend that δ(34)S-values of applied and natural sulfur compounds in the investigated ecosystem should differ by more than 20‰ in order to successfully ascertain sulfur fluxes. Where possible, a high ratio of applied sulfur loads versus sulfur pool sizes in the ecosystem should also be realized in order to allow the assessment of sulfur transformations in the study area. Prospects and limitations of this isotope tracer technique are critically discussed by reviewing results from recently or currently conducted lysimeter and field experiments.     

A comparison of differential pulse and d.c. amperometric detection modes for the liquid chromatographic determination of oxalic acid

Oxalic acid determinations are made using two modes of electrochemical detection, namely, classical d.c. and differential pulse, after separation by ion-pair, ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Peak height ratio plots are constructed and compared for uric acid and oxalic acid mixtures using both electrochemical detection modes. The enhanced selectivity realized by use of the differential pulse electrochemical detection mode is demonstrated.     

The yield of solvent excited states in the radiolysis of cyclohexane solutions

It is confirmed by pulse radiolysis that emitting solvent excited states are produced in the radiolysis of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and cyclohexane. The emission is quenched by benzene and benzene emission appears. Applying stern - volmer kinetics to emissions from solvent, benzene and toluene in cyclohexane a very high energy transfer rate constant, viz., k = 2.8 × 10¹¹M⁻¹ sec⁻¹ is obtained. The yield of the excited state of cyclohexane is not greater than 0.3, and it is concluded that the major part of the excited states of other aromatics produced in cyclohexane solutions comes from ion neutralisation.     

Synthesen in der Carotinoid-Reihe. 22. Mitteilung. Totalsynthese von Rhodoxanthin

The total synthesis of rhodoxanthin according to the scheme C₁₄ + C₁₂ + C₁₄ is reported.     

Confirmation of the "long-lived" tetra-nitrogen (N4) molecule using neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations

Tetra-nitrogen (N(4)), which has been the subject of recent controversy [Cacace, d. Petris, and Troiani, Science 295, 480 (2002); Cacace, Chem. Eur. J. 8, 3839 (2002); Nguyen et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 107, 5452 (2003); Nguyen, Coord. Chem. Rev. 244, 93 (2003)] as well as of great theoretical interest, has been prepared from the N(4) (+) cation and then detected as a reionized gaseous metastable molecule with a lifetime exceeding 0.8 micros in experiments based on neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry. Moreover, we have used the nature of the charge-transfer reaction which occurs between a beam of fast N(4) (+) ions (8 keV translational energy) and various stationary gas targets to identify the vertical neutralization energy of the N(4) (+) ion. The measured value, 10.3+/-0.5, most closely matches that of the lowest energy azidonitrene (4)N(4) (+)C(s)((4)A(')) ion, resulting in the formation of the neutral bound azidonitrene (3)N(4)C(s)((3)A(")). Neutralization of the global minimum (2)N(4) (+)D( infinity h)((2)Sigma(u) (+)) ion leads to a structure 166 kJ mol(-1) above the dissociation products [N(2)((1)Sigma(g) (+))+N(2)((1)Sigma(g) (+))]; moreover, it was not possible to find a minimum on the (1)N(4) neutral potential energy surface for a covalently bonded structure. Ab initio calculations at the G3, QCISD/6-31G(d), and MP2/AUG-cc-pVTZ levels of theory have been used to determine geometries and both vertical neutralization energies of ions (doublet and quartet) and ionization energies of neutrals (singlet and triplet). In addition, we have also described in detail the EI ion source for the Ottawa VG ZAB mass spectrometer [Holmes and Mayer, J. Phys. Chem. A 99, 1366 (1995)] which was modified for high-pressure use, i.e., for the production of dimer and higher number cluster ions.     

Crossed molecular beam chemiluminescence study of the metastable mercury reaction: Hg(3P)+Br2 → HgBr(B) + Br

Chemiluminescence from HgBr(B) formed in the reaction of Hg(6³P_o with Br₂ has been observed using a N₂-seeded nozzle beam of metastable Hg³P_o) atoms. The cross section has been estimated to be 3⁺³_?2 at a collission energy of 0.33 eV. This value is smaller by more than an order of magnitude than the corresponding value for Hg(³P₂) atoms measured by Krause et al., in accordance with their inference based on less direct evidence.