Ion-pair Interactions Research Articles

Ionic liquids behave as dilute electrolyte solutions

We combine direct surface force measurements with thermodynamic arguments to demonstrate that pure ionic liquids are expected to behave as dilute weak electrolyte solutions, with typical effective dissociated ion concentrations of less than 0.1% at room temperature. We performed equilibrium force-distance measurements across the common ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][NTf2]) using a surface forces apparatus with in situ electrochemical control and quantitatively modeled these measurements using the van der Waals and electrostatic double-layer forces of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory with an additive repulsive steric (entropic) ion-surface binding force. Our results indicate that ionic liquids screen charged surfaces through the formation of both bound (Stern) and diffuse electric double layers, where the diffuse double layer is comprised of effectively dissociated ionic liquid ions. Additionally, we used the energetics of thermally dissociating ions in a dielectric medium to quantitatively predict the equilibrium for the effective dissociation reaction of [C4mim][NTf2] ions, in excellent agreement with the measured Debye length. Our results clearly demonstrate that, outside of the bound double layer, most of the ions in [C4mim][NTf2] are not effectively dissociated and thus do not contribute to electrostatic screening. We also provide a general, molecular-scale framework for designing ionic liquids with significantly increased dissociated charge densities via judiciously balancing ion pair interactions with bulk dielectric properties. Our results clear up several inconsistencies that have hampered scientific progress in this important area and guide the rational design of unique, high-free-ion density ionic liquids and ionic liquid blends.

Chirality Transfer in Propeller‐Shaped CyclenCalcium(II) Complexes: Metal‐Coordinating and Ion‐Pairing Anion Procedures

A series of quadruple-stranded Na(+) and Ca(2+) complexes with octadentate cyclen ligands was synthesized to produce complexes that contained four different side-arm combinations (one triazole-coumarin group and three pyridine groups (1), four pyridine groups (2), one triazole-coumarin group and three quinoline groups (3), and four quinoline groups (4)). X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that no significant changes occurred in the stereostructure of these complexes upon replacing one pyridine group with a triazole-coumarin moiety, or by replacing Na(+) ions with Ca(2+) ions, although the coordination number of the complexes in the solid state decreased when pyridine groups were replaced by quinoline groups. In solution, all of the side arms were arranged in a propeller-like pattern to yield an enantiomer pair of Δ and Λ forms in each metal complex. The addition of a tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc)-protected amino acid anion, that is, a coordinative chiral carboxylate anion, to the cyclen-Ca(2+) complex induced circular dichroism (CD) signals in the aromatic region by forming a 1:1 mixture of diastereomeric ternary complexes with opposite complex chirality, whilst the corresponding Na(+) complexes rarely showed any response. In complexes 1-Ca(2+) and 3-Ca(2+), this chirality-transfer process was efficiently followed by considering the induction of the CD signals at two different wavelengths, that is, the coumarin-chromophore region and the aza-aromatic region. The sign and intensity of the CD signal were significantly dependent on both the nature of the aza-aromatic moiety and the enantiomeric purity of the external anion. These Ca(2+) complexes worked as effective probes for the determination of the enantiomeric excess of the chiral anion. The cyclen-Ca(2+) complexes also interacted with the non-coordinative Δ-TRISPHAT anion through an ion-pairing mechanism to achieve chirality transfer from the anion to the metal complex; both complexes 1-Ca(2+) and 3-Ca(2+) clearly showed induced CD signals in the coumarin-chromophore region, owing to ion-paring interactions with the Δ-TRISPHAT anion. Thus, the proper combination of an octadentate cyclen ligand and a metal center demonstrated effective chirality transfer.

Introduction of a thermophile-sourced ion pair network in the fourth beta/alpha unit of a psychophile-derived triosephosphate isomerase from Methanococcoides burtonii significantly increases its kinetic thermal stability

Hyperthermophile proteins commonly have higher numbers of surface ionic interactions than homologous proteins from other domains of life. PfuTIM, a triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) from the hyperthermophile archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus, contains an intricate network of 4 ion pairs in its 4th beta/alpha unit, (β/α)4, whereas MbuTIM, a triosephosphate isomerase from a psychrophile archaeon, Methanococcoides burtonii, lacks this network. Notably, (β/α)4 is the first element of the structure formed during folding of certain TIM-type (beta/alpha)8 barrel proteins. Previously, we have shown that elimination of PfuTIM's ion pair network in PfuTIM significantly decreases its kinetic structural stability. Here, we describe the reciprocal experiment in which this ion pair network is introduced into MbuTIM, to produce MutMbuTIM. Recombinant MbuTIM displays multi-state unfolding with apparent Tm values of autonomous structural elements approaching, or above, 70°C, when a temperature scanning rate of 90°C/h is used. The protein displays significant intrinsic kinetic stability, i.e., there is a marked temperature scan rate-dependence of the Tm values associated with unfolding transitions. The Tm values drop by as much as ~10°C when the temperature scanning rate is lowered to 5°C/h. MutMbuTIM, incorporating PfuTIM's ion pair network, shows significantly higher apparent Tm values (raised by 4–6°C over those displayed by MbuTIM). MutMbuTIM also displays significantly higher kinetic thermal stability. Thus, it appears that the thermal stability of triosephosphate isomerase can be increased, or decreased, by either enhancing, or reducing, the strength of ion pair interactions stabilizing (β/α)4, presumably through reduced cooperativity (and increased autonomy) in unfolding transitions.

Block copolymernanolithography to manufacture nanopatterned gold substrate for surface-initiated polymerization

The diblock copolymer polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide forms phase-separated cylindrical nanopatterns with two oriented phases perpendicular to the substrates, which provides a great opportunity for directed flow/diffusion through one of the phases. This work aims to construct a nanopattern of nanoparticles on a surface using the directed diffusion of metal nanocrystals through hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) domains onto the surface, where specific bonding interactions between the nanocrystals and the surface chemical functionality occurs to immobilize the gold nanoparticles on the surface. Gold nanocrystals approximately 12 ± 3 nm in size are allowed to diffuse through about 21 ± 1 nm swollen PEO domains on aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-modified silicon and react with the amino groups via chelating or ion-pairing interactions, forming uniform Au nanodot patterns. The Au nanodot patterns can be used for further attachment, for example, grafting polymer brushes. The morphology of the Au nanopatterns evolves with polymer growth until the Au nanodots are completely masked by polymer brushes. The Au nanopatterns can also be used as substrates for microcontact printing initiators followed by polymer grafting, i.e., nanolithography (20–30 nm, block copolymer) and micropattern technology (2–20 μm, PDMS stamps), which are combined in this manner to construct a dual-patterned structure.

Preparation of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks with adjustable mesh width and hydrophobicity

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) structure were prepared by cross-linking brominated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) with different aliphatic α,ω-diamine cross-linkers in the presence of sulfonated PPO (SPPO). The alkylation of the α,ω-diamine with BPPO resulted in a covalently cross-linked BPPO network where SPPO could be immobilized by interlocking. The interlocked structure was also strengthened by ion pair interactions between the sulfonic acid groups of SPPO and the amine moieties formed in cross-linking. The length of the aliphatic α,ω-diamine cross-linker was varied to modify the hydrophobicity and the mesh width (the average distance between two cross-linked polymer segments) of the cross-linked network host. The effects of these adjustments on the structure of the cross-linked network host were evaluated by the morphology of the hydrophilic domains, and transport properties such as proton conductivity and methanol permeability. It was found that the increase in mesh width and hydrophobicity of networks formed by long cross-linkers resulted in more scattered hydrophilic domains and fewer contiguous connections. On the contrary, the hydrophilic domains in networks with short cross-linkers were closer and more extensively-connected to facilitate proton transport. Methanol crossover in the SIPN membranes, on the other hand, could be suppressed by downsizing the size of the hydrophilic domains. Overall water uptake and dimensional swelling of the membranes were also affected by the cross-linker length. Some of the SIPN membranes delivered better performance than the Nafion® 117 membrane in single stack fuel cell tests, demonstrating the potential of SIPNs for the construction of fuel cell PEMs.

Asymmetric Noncovalent Synthesis of Self-Assembled One-Dimensional Stacks by a Chiral Supramolecular Auxiliary Approach

Stereoselective noncovalent synthesis of one-dimensional helical self-assembled stacks of achiral oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) ureidotriazine (AOPV3) monomers is obtained by a chiral supramolecular auxiliary approach. The racemic mixture of helical stacks of achiral AOPV3 molecules is converted into homochiral helical stacks, as shown by both spectroscopic measurements and molecular modeling simulations. The conversion is promoted by an orthogonal two-point ion-pair interaction with the chiral auxiliary dibenzoyl tartaric acid (D- or L-TA) molecules, which biases the angle population distribution and thereby the stack helicity. The induced preferred helicity is maintained by the OPV stacks even after the removal of the chiral auxiliary by extraction with ethylenediamine (EDA), due to the kinetic stability of the OPV stacks at room temperature. Spectroscopic probing of the helical self-assembly and the racemization process of these π-conjugated OPV chromophores shed further light into the mechanistic pathways of this chiral asymmetric noncovalent synthesis and the kinetic stability of the stacks produced. The racemization of the stacks follows first-order kinetics and no switch in mechanism is observed as a result of a temperature change; therefore, a racemization via disassembly assembly is proposed. Remarkably, the preferred helicity of the stacks of achiral AOPV3 can be retained almost completely after a heating-cooling cycle where the stacks first partially depolymerize and then polymerize again with the still existing stacks being the seeds for self-assembly of achiral AOPV3. Only after a fully dissociated state is obtained at high temperatures, the optical activity of the supramolecular stack self-assembled at room temperature is lost.

Aspartic Acid-Promoted Highly Selective and Sensitive Colorimetric Sensing of Cysteine in Rat Brain

Direct selective determination of cysteine in the cerebral system is of great importance because of the crucial roles of cysteine in physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we report a sensitive and selective colorimetric assay for cysteine in the rat brain with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) as the signal readout. Initially, Au-NPs synthesized with citrate as the stabilizer are red in color and exhibit absorption at 520 nm. The addition of an aqueous solution (20 μL) of cysteine or aspartic acid alone to a 200 μL Au-NP dispersion causes no aggregation, while the addition of an aqueous solution of cysteine into a Au-NP dispersion containing aspartic acid (1.8 mM) causes the aggregation of Au-NPs and thus results in the color change of the colloid from wine red to blue. These changes are ascribed to the ion pair interaction between aspartic acid and cysteine on the interface between Au-NPs and solution. The concentration of cysteine can be visualized with the naked eye and determined by UV-vis spectroscopy. The signal output shows a linear relationship for cysteine within the concentration range from 0.166 to 1.67 μM with a detection limit of 100 nM. The assay demonstrated here is highly selective and is free from the interference of other natural amino acids and other thiol-containing species as well as the species commonly existing in the brain such as lactate, ascorbic acid, and glucose. The basal dialysate level of cysteine in the microdialysate from the striatum of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats is determined to be around 9.6 ± 2.1 μM. The method demonstrated here is facile but reliable and durable and is envisaged to be applicable to understanding the chemical essence involved in physiological and pathological events associated with cysteine.

Modulation of Protein Phosphorylation, N-Glycosylation and Lys-Acetylation in Grape (Vitis vinifera) Mesocarp and Exocarp Owing to Lobesia botrana Infection

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is an economically important fruit crop that is subject to many types of insect and pathogen attack. To better elucidate the plant response to Lobesia botrana pathogen infection, we initiated a global comparative proteomic study monitoring steady-state protein expression as well as changes in N-glycosylation, phosphorylation, and Lys-acetylation in control and infected mesocarp and exocarp from V. vinifera cv Italia. A multi-parallel, large-scale proteomic approach employing iTRAQ labeling prior to three peptide enrichment techniques followed by tandem mass spectrometry led to the identification of a total of 3059 proteins, 1135 phosphorylation sites, 323 N-linked glycosylation sites and 138 Lys-acetylation sites. Of these, we could identify changes in abundance of 899 proteins. The occupancy of 110 phosphorylation sites, 10 N-glycosylation sites and 20 Lys-acetylation sites differentially changed during L. botrana infection. Sequence consensus analysis for phosphorylation sites showed eight significant motifs, two of which containing up-regulated phosphopeptides (X-G-S-X and S-X-X-D) and two containing down-regulated phosphopeptides (R-X-X-S and S-D-X-E) in response to pathogen infection. Topographical distribution of phosphorylation sites within primary sequences reveal preferential phosphorylation at both the N- and C termini, and a clear preference for C-terminal phosphorylation in response to pathogen infection suggesting induction of region-specific kinase(s). Lys-acetylation analysis confirmed the consensus X-K-Y-X motif previously detected in mammals and revealed the importance of this modification in plant defense. The importance of N-linked protein glycosylation in plant response to biotic stimulus was evident by an up-regulated glycopeptide belonging to the disease resistance response protein 206. This study represents a substantial step toward the understanding of protein and PTMs-mediated plant-pathogen interaction shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the grape infection.

Electrochemical Behaviour of Urea at Pt(111) Single-Crystal Surface in 0.1 M NaOH

The present paper reports cyclic voltammetry and alternating current (a.c.) impedance spectroscopic study on electrosorption of urea (U) in 0.1 M NaOH electrolytic medium, carried out at Pt(111) single-crystal surface, which is the only low-index Miller plane, where potential ranges for adsorption of H and OH species in alkaline medium are widely separated by the potential range for double-layer charging. Revealed electrochemical behaviour of U at the (111) plane is evaluated through the analysis of a.c. impedance-derived kinetic parameters. The above is supplemented with the discussion of possible involvement of the so-called ion-pairing interactions between chemisorbed U and OH− electrolyte species, as compared with the behaviour previously reported at Pt for guanidine and N,N-dimethylguanidine (DMG), i.e. two structure-related molecules to U, examined both in acidic and alkaline media.

Modified Ion Pair Interaction for Water Dimers on Supported MgO Ultrathin Films

The dissociation of water dimers at the MgO(100) surface and MgO ultrathin films on Ag(100) has been studied by means of pure DFT and hybrid functional calculations. We demonstrate that at the intermediate regime between the isolated molecule and the water monolayer, barrierless dissociation of water occurs when assisted by another water molecule. The metal support has been shown to crucially influence the overall process. Indeed, on the metal-supported ultrathin film, the dissociated form is noticeably stabilized, at variance with the MgO(100) surface, where the dissociated fragments can easily recombine. The stabilization of the dissociated charged fragments arises from the polarization of the electron density at the oxide-metal interface and from the polaronic distortion of the oxide film. The presence of the metallic substrate strongly weakens the interaction after the dissociation by changing the nature of the newly formed ion pair, with possible effects on the dynamics and the reactivity of water fragments on the oxide ultrathin film.

The influence of self-assembling supramolecular structures on the passive membrane transport of ion-paired molecules

Weak ion-ion interactions, such as those associated with ion-pair formation, are difficult to isolate and characterise in the liquid state, but they have the potential to alter significantly the physicochemical behaviour of molecules in solution. The aim of this work was to gain a better understanding of how ion-ion interactions influenced passive membrane transport. The test system was composed of propylene (PG) glycol, water and diclofenac diethylamine (DDEA). Infrared spectroscopy was employed to determine the nature of the DDEA ion-pair interactions and the drug-vehicle association. Passive transport was assessed using homogeneous synthetic membranes. Solution-state analysis demonstrated that the ion-pair was unperturbed by vehicle composition changes, but the solvent-DDEA interactions were modified. DDEA-PG/water hydrogen bonding influenced the ion-pair solubility (X(dev)) and the solvent interactions slowed transport rate in PG-rich vehicles (0.84±0.05 μg cm(-2) h(-1), at ln(X(dev))=0.57). In water-rich co-solvents, the presence of strong water structuring facilitated a significant increase (p<0.05) in transmembrane penetration rate (e.g. 4.33±0.92 μg cm(-2) h(-1), at ln(X(dev))=-0.13). The data demonstrates that weak ion-ion interactions can result in the embedding of polar entities within a stable solvent complex and spontaneous supramolecular assembly should be considered when interpreting transmembrane transport processes of ionic molecules.

Effect of Glutamate Side Chain Length on Intrahelical Glutamate–Lysine Ion Pairing Interactions

Ion pairing interactions between oppositely charged amino acids are important for protein structure stability. Despite the apparent electrostatic nature of these interactions, the charged amino acids Lys, Arg, Glu, and Asp have a different number of hydrophobic methylenes linking the charged functionality to the backbone. To investigate the effect of Glu (and Asp) side chain length on ion pairing interactions, a series of 36 monomeric α-helical peptides containing Zbb-Xaa (i, i+3), (i, i+4), and (i, i+5) (Zbb = Aad, Glu, Asp; Xaa = Lys, Orn, Dab, Dap) sequence patterns were studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy at pH 7 and 2. Peptides with Glu and Aad exhibited similar helicity and pH dependence, whereas peptides with Asp behaved distinctly different. The side chain interaction energetics were derived from the CD data using the nesting block method coupled with modified Lifson-Roig theory. At pH 7, no Zbb-Xaa (i, i+5) interaction was observed, regardless of side chain length (consistent with the helix geometry). Interestingly, only Lys was capable of supporting Zbb-Xaa (i, i+3) interactions, whereas any Xaa side chain length supported Zbb-Xaa (i, i+4) interactions. In particular, the magnitude of both Zbb(-)-Lys (i, i+4) and Zbb(-)-Orn (i, i+4) interaction energies followed the trend Asp > Glu > Aad. Side chain conformational analysis by molecular mechanics calculations showed that the Zbb-Xaa (i, i+3) interactions involved the χ(1) dihedral combination (g+, g+) for the i and i+3 residues, whereas the Zbb-Xaa (i, i+4) interactions were supported by the χ(1) dihedral combination (t, g+) for the i and i+4 residues. These calculated low energy conformers were consistent with conformations of intrahelical Asp-Lys and Glu-Lys salt bridges in a nonredundant protein structure database. These results suggest that Asp and Glu provide natural variation, and lengthening the Glu side chain further to Aad does not furnish additional characteristics that Glu cannot supply.

Analysis of the association constants for charge-transfer complex formation

The phenomenon of charge transfer (CT) complex formation has been of interest for more than 50 years and has led to the development of numerous applications. Even with the prolonged interest in these complexes the interactions responsible for complex formation have yet to be fully characterized and remain an area of sustained relevance. This report outlines the measurement of the association constants for CT complex formation of a series of methylated benzene donors with tetracyanoethylene, pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone, and 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene acceptors in 1,2-dichloroethane solvent. The evaluation of the position of the CT absorption maximum and the magnitudes of the association constants within a theoretical model is described. The influence of solvent polarity on the magnitudes of the association constants was also discussed. These studies show that non-bonding interactions are important in most complexes while ion-pair interactions play a significant role in a select few of the complexes studied.

Identification of Contact Sites between Ankyrin and Band 3 in the Human Erythrocyte Membrane

The red cell membrane is stabilized by a spectrin/actin-based cortical cytoskeleton connected to the phospholipid bilayer via multiple protein bridges. By virtue of its interaction with ankyrin and adducin, the anion transporter, band 3 (AE1), contributes prominently to these bridges. In a previous study, we demonstrated that an exposed loop comprising residues 175-185 of the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 (cdB3) constitutes a critical docking site for ankyrin on band 3. In this paper, we demonstrate that an adjacent loop, comprising residues 63-73 of cdB3, is also essential for ankyrin binding. Data that support this hypothesis include the following. (1) Deletion or mutation of residues within the latter loop abrogates ankyrin binding without affecting cdB3 structure or its other functions. (2) Association of cdB3 with ankyrin is inhibited by competition with the loop peptide. (3) Resealing of the loop peptide into erythrocyte ghosts alters membrane morphology and stability. To characterize cdB3-ankyrin interaction further, we identified their interfacial contact sites using molecular docking software and the crystal structures of D(3)D(4)-ankyrin and cdB3. The best fit for the interaction reveals multiple salt bridges and hydrophobic contacts between the two proteins. The most important ion pair interactions are (i) cdB3 K69-ankyrin E645, (ii) cdB3 E72-ankyrin K611, and (iii) cdB3 D183-ankyrin N601 and Q634. Mutation of these four residues on ankyrin yielded an ankyrin with a native CD spectrum but little or no affinity for cdB3. These data define the docking interface between cdB3 and ankyrin in greater detail.

Transport Properties of Nano‐sized TiO2‐based Composite Polymer Electrolyte Prepared by a Green Method

AbstractThe transport properties of the nano‐sized TiO2‐based composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) membrane prepared by a green process were investigated. The ion transport phenomena of the CPE was probed by 7Li solid state NMR spectroscopy and it was found that the lithium ions exist in different environments and were respectively ascribed to the interactions of lithium ions and ether groups, anions and also nano‐sized TiO2 particles. Further, the NMR line width become narrowing with temperature suggests that the decrease of ion‐pair interaction in themodified CPE. The NMR data is consistent with the conductivity data observed from impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature. These results suggest that the CPE could be prepared satisfactorily by a greenmethod in which water was used as a solvent instead of organic solvents like THF. In addition, the developed green method is simple, cost effective and environmentally benign due to the absence of hazardous organic solvents.

Structural insight into the molecular basis of polyextremophilicity of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus sibiricus

Biochemical analysis of enantioselective short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus sibiricus (TsAdh319) revealed unique polyextremophilic properties of the enzyme - half-life of 1 h at 100 °C, tolerance to high salt (up to 4 M) and organic solvents (50% v/v) concentrations. To elucidate the molecular basis of TsAdh319 polyextremophilicity, we determined the crystal structure of the enzyme in a binary complex with 5-hydroxy-NADP at 1.68 Å resolution. TsAdh319 has a tetrameric structure both in the crystals and in solution with an intersubunit disulfide bond. The substrate-binding pocket is hydrophobic, spacious and open that is consistent with the observed promiscuity in substrate specificity of TsAdh319. The present study revealed an extraordinary number of charged residues on the surface of TsAdh319, 70% of which were involved in ion pair interactions. Further we compared the structure of TsAdh319 with the structures of other homologous short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) from thermophilic and mesophilic organisms. We found that TsAdh319 has the highest arginine and aspartate + glutamate contents compared to the counterparts. The frequency of occurrence of salt bridges on the surface of TsAdh319 is the highest among the SDRs under consideration. No differences in the proline, tryptophan, and phenylalanine contents are observed; the compactness of the protein core of TsAdh319, the monomer and tetramer organization do not differ from that of the counterparts. We suggest that the unique thermostability of TsAdh319 is associated with the rigidity and simultaneous "resilience" of the structure provided by a compact hydrophobic core and a large number of surface ion pairs. An extensive salt bridge network also might maintain the structural integrity of TsAdh319 in high salinity.

A Series of Amino Acid Functionalized Tripodal Hexaamide Anion Receptors: Ion-Pair-Assisted Capped-Cleft Formation by a Pentafluorophenyl-Functionalized Amide

A new series of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren)-based L-alanine amino acid backboned tripodal hexaamide receptors (L1-L5) with various attached moieties based on electron-withdrawing fluoro groups and lipophilicity have been synthesized and characterized. Detailed binding studies of L1-L5 with different anions, such as halides (F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-)) and oxyanions (AcO(-), BzO(-) (Bz=benzoyl), NO(3)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), and HSO(4)(-)), have been carried out by isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) experiments in acetonitrile/dimethylsulfoxide (99.5:0.5 v/v) at 298 K. ITC titration experiments have clearly shown that receptors L1-L4 invariably form 1:1 complexes with Cl(-), AcO(-), BzO(-), and HSO(4)(-), whereas L5 forms a 1:1 complex only with AcO(-). In the case of Br(-), I(-), and NO(3)(-), no appreciable heat change is observed owing to weak interactions between these anions and receptors; this is further confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The ITC binding studies of F(-) and H(2) PO(4)(-) do not fit well for a 1:1 binding model. Furthermore, ITC binding studies also revealed slightly higher selectivity of this series of receptors towards AcO(-) over Cl(-), BzO(-), and HSO(4)(-). Solid-state structural evidence for the recognition of Cl(-) by this new category of receptor was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of the complex of tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBACl) and L1. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction clearly showed that the pentafluorophenyl-functionalized amide receptor (L1) encapsulated Cl(-) in its cavity by hydrogen bonds from amides, and the cavity of L1 was capped with a TBA cation through hydrogen bonding and ion-pair interactions to form a capped-cleft orientation. To understand the role of the cationic counterpart in solution-state Cl(-) binding processes with this series of receptors (L1-L4), a detailed Cl(-) binding study was carried out with three different tetraalkylammonium (Me(4) N(+), Et(4) N(+), and Bu(4) N(+)) salts of Cl(-). The binding affinities of these receptors with different tetralkylammonium salts of Cl(-) gave binding constants with the TBA cation in the following order: butyl>ethyl>methyl. This study further supports the role of the TBA countercation in ion-pair recognition by this series of receptors.

Optical properties and crystal structure of lanthanide(III) coordination compounds with 2-propenoic acid

Coordination compounds of a new type, Ln(C3H3O2)3·xH2O (where Ln=Nd3+, Dy3+; C3H3O2−=2-propenoic anion/acrylic anion, x=3 or 1.5 for Nd and Dy, respectively), were obtained in crystalline state and their structures were determined. Both crystals are composed of polymeric chains and in both crystals there are two symmetry-independent lanthanide ions, each with a different coordination sphere. The Nd crystal (I) is monoclinic, space group P21/c, and the Dy crystal (II) is triclinic, P1¯. The Ln3+ ions occupy low-symmetry sites in the dimeric structure of Ln(H2CCHCOO)3·xH2O. The spectroscopic investigations of the title monocrystals at room and low temperatures down to 4.2K were performed to explain the electrostatic nature of the Ln3+–ligand bond. Variations in the spectroscopic parameters and their correlations with the nature of the Ln3+–L bond are discussed. Analysis of the low-temperature spectra indicates the presence of ion-pair interactions. The influence of the –CC– double bond in the substituent of the carboxylate ions on the distribution of charge, polarity, strength, and character of the Ln–O(L) coordination bond is analysed. The number of electronic components observed in the absorption spectra measured at 4.2K is compatible with that expected for these systems. Spectroscopic measurements allowed us to compare the optical properties of Ln(H2CCHCOO)3·xH2O with lanthanide acetates and other carboxylates.

Influence of temperature on thermophysical properties of ammonium ionic liquids with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone

To address the molecular interactions between ionic liquids (ILs) such as trimethylammonium acetate [(CH3)3NH][CH3COO] (TMAA), trimethylammonium hydrogen sulphate [(CH3)3NH][HSO4] (TMAS), trimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate [(CH3)3NH][H2PO4] (TMAP) and triethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate [(CH3CH2)3NH][H2PO4] (TEAP) with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), density (ρ), ultrasonic sound velocity (u) and viscosity (η) measurements have been performed across the entire concentration range and the wide temperature range from 298.15 to 313.15K in steps of 5K under ambient pressure. Further, on the basis of the measured properties, excess volumes (VE), isentropic compressibility deviations (Δκs) and viscosity deviations (Δη) were obtained for all these systems under the same experimental conditions. The results are correlated by the Redlich–Kister type equation. The results are also analysed on anion dependent phenomena and temperature influence on measured and derived properties of ILs with NMP mixtures. A qualitative analysis of molecular interactions between ILs and NMP is discussed in terms of the ion-dipole, ion-pair interactions, and hydrogen bonding.

Correlation of Stoichiometries for Rb+ Extraction Determined by Mass Spectrometry and Electrochemistry at Liquid|Liquid Interfaces

The electrochemical extraction of rubidium at micro water|1,2-dichloroethane (w|DCE) and water|room-temperature ionic liquid (w|RTIL) interfaces housed at the tip of a 25-μm capillary using octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) in the TRans Uranic EXtraction (TRUEX) process, was examined. Rubidium is of great interest in a modern spent nuclear fuel cycle as well as toward myocardial perfusion imaging utilizing (82)Sr/(82)Rb isotopic generators. The ligand-to-metal stoichiometry (n:1) and overall complexation constant (β) for interfacial complexation reactions induced by an applied potential were determined by the interfacial electrochemistry. One stoichiometry, n = 2, was observed at the w|DCE interface with β = 3.3 × 10(4). In the w|RTIL system, two rubidium salt solutions were employed: RbNO(3) and RbNO(3) plus Rb(2)SO(4). The former demonstrated a stoichiometry of n = 2 and β = 2.4 × 10(6), while the latter showed n = 4 and β = 3.3 × 10(12). These stoichiometries of the reaction were confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, using an emulsion generated by shaking water and DCE phases containing the dissolved metal and ligand, respectively. Both RbCMPO(+) and RbCMPO(2)(+) complexes were observed. The influence of ion pair interactions in this system will be discussed.