A Comprehensive Study on the Synthesis and Micellization of Disymmetric Gemini Imidazolium Surfactants

Two groups of disymmetric Gemini imidazolium surfactants, [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ (m = 10, 12, 14) and [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ (m + n = 24, m = 12, 14, 16, 18) surfactants, were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR and ESI–MS spectroscopy. Their adsorption at the air/water interface, thermodynamic parameters and aggregation behavior were explored by means of surface tension, electrical conductivity and steady-state fluorescence. A series of surface activity parameters, including cmc, γ _cmc, π _cmc, pC ₂₀, cmc/C ₂₀, Γ _max and A _min, were obtained from surface tension measurements. The results revealed that the overall hydrophobic chain length (N _c) for [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ and the disymmetry (m/n) for [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ had a significant effect on the surface activity. The cmc values decreased with an increase of N _c or m/n. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (ΔG _m ^θ , ΔH _m ^θ , ΔS _m ^θ ) derived from the electrical conductivity indicated that the micellization process of [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ and [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ was entropy-driven at different temperatures, but the contribution of ΔH _m ^θ to ΔG _m ^θ was enhanced by increasing N _c or m/n. The micropolarity and micellar aggregation number (N _agg) were estimated by steady-state fluorescence measurements. The results showed that the surfactant with higher N _c or m/n can form larger micelles, due to a tighter micellar structure.     

Effect of heat transfer conditions on the critical pressure of metal ignition in oxygen

Experimental data on the critical pressure of ignition of titanium alloy fragments in gaseous oxygen are analyzed. The fragments are obtained after fracture of alloy samples in the dynamic mode (p₂^*) and under natural convection conditions (p₁^*). The results are analyzed with allowance for the heat transfer coefficients from material ignition initiators under similar conditions. Based on the shape of the experimental thermograms of plate cooling, the coefficient of heat transfer from microcraters with a juvenile surface formed due to knockout of metal particles from the plate by the high-velocity flow is found: α₂ ≈ 11 kW(m² ·K). The value of α₂ is close to the value of this coefficient calculated with the use of the coefficient α₁ ≈ 5 kW/(m² · K) of heat transfer from titanium rod microfragments (with the size of the order of metal grains) formed during titanium rod fracture in oxygen under conditions of natural convection with allowance for the ratio p₂^*/p₁^*.     

One Pot Synthesis and Properties of Cationic Surfactants: <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Alkyl-3-Methylpyridinium Bromide

Three new amphiphilic compounds i.e., n-decyl-3-methylpyridinium bromide (a), n-dodecyl-3-methylpyridinium bromide (b), and n-tetradecyl-3-methylpyridinium bromide (c), have been synthesized by condensation reaction and characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The micellization behavior of the compounds has been studied in ethanol employing conductometry and UV/visible spectroscopy. The critical micellization concentration (CMC) values for compound a, b and c was found to be 0.31, 0.29 and 0.27 m mol L^?1, respectively. Effect of temperature on the CMC was checked in the range of 298-318 K. The thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS of the micellization process of these surfactants were computed. The negative values of ΔG and positive values of ΔH indicated the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the micellization process. Antimicrobial activities of these amphiphiles showed significant activity against different bacterial strains.     

On the critical displacement of excited kinetic units in liquids and glasses

The critical displacement of an atom (a group of atoms) in inorganic glasses Δr _m, which corresponds to the maximum of the interatomic attractive force, is calculated using available data on the surface tension and elastic constants. It is found that the critical atomic displacement Δr _m is close in order of magnitude to the linear dimension of the activation volume of atomic excitation v _h ^1/3 for glasses in the As-S and Ge-As-S systems with a chain structure and is considerably less than the value of v _h ^1/3 for alkali silicate glasses and glasses in the Cd-As system with a structure involving ionic sublattices. A relationship for calculating the activation volume of the atomic excitation from data on the glass transition temperature and elastic constants is derived within the model of an excited state.     

Effects of co-ion initial concentration ratio on removal of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from aqueous solution by modified sugarcane bagasse

A modified sugarcane bagasse (SCB) fixed bed column was used to remove Pb²⁺ from aqueous solution. To determine the optimal condition for Pb²⁺ separation, Ca²⁺ was chosen as the model interfering ion, and effects of Ca²⁺ and Pb²⁺ initial concentration ratio (C ₀ ^Ca : C ₀ ^Pb ) on the adsorption of Pb²⁺ were investigated. Results showed that adsorption amount ratio of Ca²⁺ and Pb²⁺ (q _e ^Ca : q _e ^Pb ) had a good linear relationship with C ₀ ^Ca : C ₀ ^Pb . Mass ratio of Pb²⁺ absorbed on the modified SCB was higher than 95% at C ₀ ^Ca : C ₀ ^Pb <1.95, illustrating that Pb²⁺ could be selectively removed from aqueous solution. To verify that, simulated waste water containing co-ions of K⁺, Na⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ was treated, and results showed that the equilibrium amount of Pb²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ adsorbed was 134.14, 0.083, 0.058, 1.28, and 1.28mg g^?1, respectively, demonstrating that the modified SCB could be used to remove Pb²⁺ from aqueous solution in the investigated range.     

Predicting the classification characteristics of coal. Part 3. Gross calorific value of dry,ash-free coal

For 63 samples of Ukrainian, Russian, and imported coal, equations for predicting the gross calorific value Q_s^daf on the basis of the following coal characteristics are developed: W^a, O_d^daf, Q_s^af, and C_ar. The error is within the standard tolerances (σ ≤ 0.3 MJ/kg). With sufficient accuracy, Q_s^daf may be predicted from equations based on petrographic characteristics such as the vitrinite reflectance, the content of liptinitegroup minerals, and the sum of lean macerals (I + 2Sv/3). In these equations, the coefficients correspond to the heat of combustion of the vitrinite components at different metamorphic stages, the liptinite, and the lean macerals.     

IR Spectroscopy in Rank and Group Assignment of Coal

The possibility of express determination of the characteristics V _IR ^daf , R_{o, IR}, y_IR, ΣLC_IR, and A _IR ^d used in the ranking of coal on the basis of IR spectroscopy is assessed for a specific example: Kuznetsk coals of different maceral composition and metamorphic development. The IR characteristics are compared with values obtained by standard methods (V^daf, R_{o, r, y}, ΣLC, and A^d).     

Effect of the 3<Subscript>d</Subscript>-Transition Metal Oxides on the Surface Tension of the Sodium Silicate Melt

The effect of 3d-transition metal oxides on the surface tension of the 17.5Na₂O · 82.5SiO₂ · nRO (R = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; n = 0.1–10) melt is revealed in the temperature range 1250–1450°C. It is found that cobalt oxide in the range of low concentrations (0.1–1.0 mol %) is characterized by anomalously low values of the surface tension. In the case of CoO oxide, the surface tension increases as the temperature increases and the melts containing MnO, FeO, NiO, and CuO oxides have negative temperature coefficients. In the range of high concentrations of the studied oxides (n = 10 mol %), the surface tension of melts decreases with an increase in the atomic number of cation in the sequence Mn → Fe → Co → Ni → Cu.     

Excess volume and excess enthalpy of binary mixtures composed of 1,2-dichloropropane and 1-alkanol (C5-C8)

The excess molar volumes and excess molar enthalpies at T=298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for the binary systems {CH₃CHClCH₂Cl (1)+CH₃(CH₂) _n?1OH (2)} (n=5 to 8) have been determined over the whole range of composition from the density and heat flux measurements using a digital vibrating-tube densimeter and an isothermal calorimeter, respectively. The measured excess molar volumes of all binary mixtures showed positive symmetrical trend with values increasing with chain length of 1-alkanol. Similarly, excess enthalpy values of all binary mixtures showed skewed endothermic behavior with values increasing with chain length of 1-alkanol. The maxima of excess molar enthalpy values were observed around x₁=0.65 with excess enthalpy value ranging from 1,356.8 J/mol (1-pentanol) to 1,543.4 J/mol (1-octanol). The experimental results of both H _m ^E and V _m ^E are fitted to a modified version of Redlich-Kister equation using the Padé approximant to correlate the composition dependence. The experimental H _m ^E data were also fitted to three local-composition models (Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC). The correlation of excess enthalpy data in these binary systems using UNIQUAC model provides the most appropriate results.     

Structure of a biologically active binuclear palladium complex in the compound (bis[(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-2-chloroethylammonium)(1,10-phenanthroline)-palladium(I)]) · tetranitrates · hydrate

The structure of a biologically active palladium complex [(1,10-phenanthroline)Pd(μ₂-2-chloroethylammoniu)] ₂ ⁴⁺ · 4NO ₃ ^? · H₂O has been determined from the diffractometric data. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group of symmetry P \(\bar 1\), with the unit cell parameters a = 12.8352(8) Å, b = 14.4040(8) Å, c = 12.1668(9) Å, α = 116.16(1)°, β = 115.72(1)°, γ = 91.09(1)°, V = 1756.3 ų, Z = 2, and ρ = 1.892 g/cm³. The final reliability factor is R ₁ = 0.0351 for 7357 nonequivalent reflections with I ≥ 2σ(I), wR ₂ = 0.0970, and S = 1.044. The asymmetric part of the unit cell contains one positively charged binuclear palladium complex, four NO ₃ ^?1 anions, and one water molecule. The nanocomplexes are involved in the stacking π-π interaction by pairs: each complex forms a stacking with only one adjacent complex. The interaction between layers and inside each layer occurs through the van der Waals interactions and a three-dimensional system of hydrogen bonds, which are formed by the N ₃ ⁺ groups and water molecules.     

EPR and optical studies on binary mixed alkali-alkaline earth oxide borate glasses doped with Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Mixed alkali alkaline earth oxide borate glasses of the composition (25 – x)Li₂O–xK₂O–12.5BaO–12.5MgO–49B₂O₃–1CuO (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mol %) were prepared by the melt quenching technique. The X-ray diffractograms of all the glass samples were recorded at room temperature. Peak free X-ray spectra revealed the amorphous nature of all the prepared glasses. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) was used to determine the glass-transition temperature (T _g ). The probable mixed alkali effect was investigated using experimental techniques like density, molar volume, MDSC, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and optical absorption studies. From the EPR spectra the spin-Hamiltonian parameters were evaluated. The spin-Hamiltonian parameter values indicated that the ground state of \(C{u^{2 + }}is{\kern 1pt} {d_{{x^2} - {y^2}}}\) orbital (²B_1g) and the site symmetry around Cu² is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The variation of g _|| and A _|| as a function of Li₂O content was found to be nonlinear. A broad optical absorption band was observed in all the glasses containing Cu² ions corresponding to ²B_1g → ²B_2g transition. From the optical absorption studies the values of the optical band gap (E _opt) for indirect, direct transitions and Urbarch energy (ΔE) have been evaluated. By co-relating the EPR and optical absorption data, bonding parameters α², β² and β ₁ ² were evaluated.     

Properties of the solid thermolysis products of brown coal impregnated with an alkali

The mechanism of formation of a porous active carbon framework is considered, and the properties of the solid thermolysis products of brown coal (Aleksandriisk deposit, Ukraine) with potassium hydroxide are studied. The yields of the solid thermolysis products (Y _STP, %) and potassium humates, the rate of the interaction of the solid thermolysis products with KOH at 700–900°C, the specific surface areas (S _BET, m²/g), the adsorption capacities for methylene blue (A _MB, mg/g) and iodine (A _I, mg/g), and the specific activities of surface areas A _MB ^′ = A _MB/S _BET and A _I ^′ = A _I/S _BET (mg/m²) are determined under variation of the KOH/coal ratio (R _KOH < 18 mol/kg) and temperature (110–900°C).     

Modulating the Aggregation Behavior of 1-Methyl-3-Octylimidazolium Chloride by Alcohols in Aqueous Media

The self-organization and aggregation behavior of a surface active ionic liquid (SAIL) 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride [C₈mim]Cl, was investigated in aqueous solutions of alcohols 1,2-propanediol and 1-propanol in different compositions using conductivity, surface tension and fluorescence measurements at room temperature. This surface active ionic liquid was synthesized by the reaction of 1-methylimidazole with 1-chlorooctane. Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to get detailed insight into the local microenvironment of the aggregates, critical aggregation concentrations (CAC) and aggregation number (N _agg.). Degree of ionization (α), CAC and various thermodynamic parameters like the standard Gibbs free energy of aggregation (ΔG _agg. ⁰ ), standard enthalpy of aggregation (ΔH _agg. ⁰ ) and standard entropy of aggregation (ΔS _agg. ⁰ ) were calculated using conductivity measurements at different temperatures (288.15, 298.15 and 308.15 K). The surface activity of the IL in various mixed solvents was evaluated from surface tension measurements by calculating various surface parameters like the minimum surface area occupied by a single ionic liquid molecule (A _min), adsorption efficiency (pC ₂₀), maximum excess concentration at the surface (Γ _max), effectiveness of surface tension reduction(Π _CAC), surface tension at CAC (γ _CAC), p (packing parameter) and CAC at different compositions. Increases in the CAC values were observed with the increase in the amount of alcohols which is attributed to the balancing between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The results from different techniques show that the CAC increases with increase in the amount of the alcohol which is due to the solubilization of the IL molecules which delays the aggregation process. This shows that the spontaneity of the aggregation process of IL decreases with the increase in the concentration of alcohols in water.     

Structure of a biologically active binuclear palladium complex in the compound bis(bis[(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-2-chloroethylammonium) (1,10-phenanthroline)-palladium(I)]) · octanitrates · dihydrates

The structure of a biologically active binuclear palladium complex, namely, [(1,10-phenanthroline) Pd(μ₂-2-chloroethylammonium) ₂ ⁴⁺ · 4NO ₃ ^? · H₂O, has been determined using X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group of symmetry Cc, with the unit cell parameters a = 24.527(3) Å, b = 13.097(1) Å, c = 22.651(3) Å, β = 104.23(1)°, V = 7052(2) ų, Z = 8, and ρ = 1.88 g/cm³. The final discrepancy factor is R1 = 0.0316 for 15581 symmetrically nonequivalent reflections with I ≥ 2σ(I), wR2 = 0.0513, and GooF = 1.047. The palladium atoms reside in the oxidation state of 1+, which is rarely encountered in organometallic compounds. The asymmetric part of the unit cell contains two chemically equivalent but crystallographically independent positively charged binuclear palladium complexes, eight NO ₃ ^? anions, and two water molecules. The π-π stacking interaction between the nearest 1,10-phenanthroline rings of the neighboring layers takes place. Moreover, the interlayer and intralayer interactions occur through electrostatic interaction forces and a complex three-dimensional system of hydrogen bonds, which are formed by water molecules and N ₃ ⁺ groups.     

Moisture-holding capacity of coals

As a result of a comprehensive study of 63 samples of coal concentrates (from Ukraine, Russia and countries outside the former Soviet Union), it was established that the prediction of the moisture-holding capacity of coals can be appropriately performed according to their values of W ^a, R ₀, O _d ^daf , and O _s ^daf . It was found that the oxidation of coal increased its moisture-holding capacity; however, in this case, the absolute change in this parameter was smaller than the error of its determination (0.5%). Therefore, upon the oxidation of almost 30% of the organic matter of coal, the moisture-holding capacity increased by only 0.4%. There is a close correlation between the maximum moisture capacity of coals and the water pore volume, and this correlation was described by a linear equation in the studies.     

Structure of a biologically active binuclear palladium complex,bis(bis[(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-cysteine)(2,2′-dipyridyl)-palladium(II)]) · hexanitrates · novemhydrates

The structure of a biologically active binuclear palladium complex, namely, [(dipy)Pd(μ-cysH) (μ-cys)Pd(dipy)]³⁺ · 3NO ₃ ^? · 4.5H₂O (dipy = 2,2′-dipyridyl, C₁₀H₈N₂; cys = cysteine, C₃H₇NO₂S), has been determined from X-ray diffractometry data. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, symmetry space group P1, with the unit cell parameters a = 13.863(1) Å, b = 13.819(1) Å, c = 12.170(1) Å, α = 122.13(1)°, β = 103.61(1)°, γ = 91.40(1)°, V = 1887.02 ų, Z = 2, and ρ = 1.82 g/cm³. The final discrepancy factor is R1 = 0.0495 for 12884 symmetrically nonequivalent reflections with F ₀ ≥ 4σ(F ₀), wR2 = 0.1071, and GooF = 0.978. The unit cell contains two chemically equivalent but crystallographically independent positively charged binuclear palladium complexes, six NO ₃ ^? anions, and nine water molecules. The π-π stacking interaction between the nearest pyridyl rings of the neighboring layers takes place. Moreover, the interlayer and intralayer interactions occur through van der Waals interactions and a complex three-dimensional system of hydrogen bonds, which are formed by water molecules, NH ₃ ⁺ groups, and carboxyl groups.     

Optimization of controlled ring-opening polymerization of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide to hydroxyl terminated polylactides using zinc acetate catalyst

Hydroxyl terminated polylactide polymers with number of average molecular weights (M _n ) varying from 1625 to 3459 g mol^?1 were synthesized by ring opening bulk polymerization of lactide in the presence of zinc acetate being a potent catalyst. The use of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) initiator leads to hydroxyl terminated polylactides, thus excellent precursors for shape-memory biodegradable polyurethanes. Different reaction conditions employed for the synthesis of hydroxyl terminated polylactide polymers via activated monomer mechanism may result in differences in M _n , percentage mass conversion and percentage degree of crystallinity (%χ _c ) of the product. Influence of process parameters, i.e. catalyst concentration, initiator concentration, reaction temperature and time on characteristics of hydroxyl terminated polylactides was studied. These polymers were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. FTIR and ¹H-NMR confirmed the formation of hydroxyl terminated polylactides. M _n was determined by ¹H-NMR, GPC and end group analysis. %χ _c was calculated from XRD spectra. Maximum mass conversion, M _n and %χ _c were observed at 5 mol% SnOct₂ and 5 mol% BDO concentration. At optimum temperature of 145 °C, these characteristics improved linearly with polymerization time up to 6 h and declined thereafter.     

Effect of Sodium Carbonate on the Cloud Point in Alkyl Ether/Brine Systems: Apparent Relation with Dynamic Interfacial Tension Minimum

The effect of Na₂CO₃ on the cloud point in Na₂CO₃/surfactant/brine was investigated using two series of nonionic surfactants, C₁₃EO _x and C₁₇EO _x . The cloud point, T _cp, was found to decrease linearly with increasing Na₂CO₃ concentration. This was attributed to Na⁺ and particularly to CO₃ ^2?salting-out effect. The slope a = dTcp/d[Na₂CO₃] became more and more negative as the degree of ethoxylation is increased, suggesting that the higher the number of ethylene oxide (EO) groups the stronger is the cloud point depression for a given increment in Na⁺and CO₃ ^2?ions in solution. This was also illustrated by the linear variation of ΔT _cp = T _cp,0 ? T _cp,[Na2CO3] with the surfactant degree of ethoxylation.     

Structure of a catalytically active oxo-centered trinuclear cobalt complex triaqua-(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-oxo)-hexa(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-pivalato-O,O′)-tricobalt(III)

The structure of a catalytically active oxo-centered trinuclear cobalt complex, namely, [triaqua-(μ₃-oxo)-hexa(μ₂-pivalato-O,O′)-tricobalt(III)]¹⁺ · NO ₃ ^? · 3H₂O, has been determined using X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system, space group of symmetry P6₃/mmc, with the unit cell parameters a = 12.328(1) Å, c = 22.625(1) Å, V = 2978.1(4) ų, Z = 2, and ρ = 1.075 g/cm³. The final discrepancy factor is R1 = 0.0596 for 589 symmetrically nonequivalent reflections with I ? 2σ(I), wR2 = 0.1612, and GooF = 1.035. The high-symmetry complex [C₃₀H₆₀O₁₆Co₃]¹⁺ with symmetry D _6h and a diameter of ～11 Å is an oxo-centered trinuclear cluster consisting of three symmetrically equivalent Co(III) atoms. Among the oxo-centered trinuclear metal complexes known to date, this complex has the highest symmetry and differs by the presence of two chemically equivalent bridges between the metal atoms. Apart from the two positively charged symmetrically equivalent trinuclear complexes, the unit cell contains two symmetrically equivalent NO ₃ ^? ions (statistically disordered over four positions) and six crystal water molecules.     

Modeling Self-Organization Processes in Crystal Forming Systems. Symmetry and Topology Codes of Cluster Self-Assembly of Crystal Structure of Na<Subscript>44</Subscript>Tl<Subscript>7</Subscript> (Na<Subscript>6</Subscript>Tl)

The geometrical and topological analysis of the crystal structure of intermetallide Na₄₄Tl₇ (Na₆Tl, a = 24.154 Å, V = 14091.8 ų, space group F-43m) is carried out. The algorithms of the combinatorial-topological analysis, which ensure the recovery of the symmetrical and topological code (program) of the cluster self-assembly of the crystal structure of an intermetallide, are developed. The topological type of the basic 3D network for two types of cluster precursors corresponds to a simple cubic 3D network P _c with CN = 6 and basic 2D network of type 4⁴. There are eight cluster precursors in the unit cell: four K86 and four K50. The cluster precursor K86 made from 86 atoms is formed from eight icosahedra i-TlNa₁₂ linked by the apices. The center of the cluster precursor K86 is at the position 4a (0, 0, 0) with the point symmetry g = –43m. The 50-atomic cluster precursor K50 consists of six i-TlNa₁₂ icosahedra. The center of the cluster precursor K50 is in the partial position 4b (0, 0, 0) with the point symmetry g = –43m. The symmetrical and topological codes of the self-assembly of 3D structures from nanocluster precursors K86 and K50 are reconstructed in the following form: primary chain → microlayer → microframework.