Exchange reactions of anions, especially ferrocyanide and carbonate, with layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were investigated in relation to the origin of life on the early Earth. The effect on ferrocyanide exchange of concentration, pH, reaction time and cations are discussed. It was found that there were two different kinds of ferrocyanide species: one was that intercalated into the layered structure, occupying a site of D symmetry within the LDHs, while in the other, the ferrocyanide group retains full O symmetry. In addition, very low concentration, ferrocyanide associated with LDH will change its FTIR absorption shape. Carbonate was much more strongly intercalated than ferrocyanide into the LDHs, probably because of the strong hydrogen bonding.

The square-planar tetracyanonickelate(II) anion was intercalated into 2:1 and 3:1 Mg-Al layered double hydroxide systems (LDHs). In the 2:1 material, the anion holds itself at an angle of about 30° to the layers, whereas in the 3:1 material it lies more or less parallel to the layers. This is confirmed by orientation effects in the infrared spectra of the intercalated materials and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The measured basal spacings for the intercalated LDH hosts are approximately 11 Å for the 2:1 and approximately 8 Å for the 3:1. The IR of the 2:1 material shows a slight splitting in the ν(CN) peak, which is suppressed in that compound's oriented IR spectrum, indicating that at least some of the intercalated anion's polarization is along the z-axis. This effect is not seen in the 3:1 material. A comparison between chloride LDHs and nitrate LDHs was made with respect to intercalation of tetracyanonickelate(II) anions. Both XRD data and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) data of the LDH tetracyanonickelates confirms that there are no significant differences between the products from the two types of starting materials. The presence of a weak ν(NO) peak in the IR spectra of those samples made from nitrate parents indicates the presence of small amounts of residual [NO3]- in those systems. Small amounts of Cl- present in the chloride-derived samples, while perhaps detectable using AAS, would not be detectable in this manner. An attempted synthesis of Mg-Al LDH carbonates starting from reduced Mg and Al was unsuccessful due to pH constraints on hydroxide solubility in the solvent system used (water). The pH required to precipitate Al(OH)3 in the system was too high to allow precipitation of Mg(OH)2. Consequently, we found it impossible to have both of the required metal hydroxides present simultaneously in the system. An additional synthesis using a halogen as an oxidizing agent also failed to produce material of any characterizable quality.

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are a class of anionic clay with alternating layers of positive and negative charge. A metal hydroxide layer with divalent and trivalent metals with a positive charge is complemented by an interlayer region containing anions and water with a negative charge. The anions can be exchanged under favorable conditions. Hydrotalcite (Mg6Al2(OH)16[CO3]·4H2O) and other variations are naturally occurring minerals. Synthetic LDH can be prepared as a powder or film by numerous methods. Synthetic LDH is used in electrode materials, adsorbents, nuclear waste treatment, drug delivery systems, water treatment, corrosion protection coatings, and catalysis. In this dissertation Zn-Al-NO3 derivatives of zaccagnaite (Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3]·3H2O) are electrochemically synthesized as films and applied to sensing and corrosion resistance applications. First, Zn-Al-NO3 LDH was potentiostatically electrosynthesized on glassy carbon substrates and applied to the electrochemical detection of gallic acid and caffeic acid in aqueous solutions. The modified electrode was then applied to the detection of gallic acid in green tea samples. The focus of the work shifts to corrosion protection of stainless steel. Modified zaccagnaite films were electrodeposited onto stainless steel in multiples layers to reduce defects caused by drying of the films. The films were deposited using a step potential method. The corrosion resistance of the films in a marine environment was investigated while immersed in 3.5 wt.% NaCl environments. Next modified zaccagnaite films were potentiostatically electrodeposited onto stainless steel followed by a hydrophobization reaction with palmitic acid in order to prepare superhydrophobic (>150° contact angle) surfaces. Each parameter of the film synthesis was optimized to produce a surface with the highest possible contact angle. The fifth chapter examines the corrosion resistance of the optimized superhydrophobic film and a hydrophobic film. The hydrophobic film is prepared using the same procedure as the superhydrophobic film except for a difference in electrodeposition potential. The corrosion resistance of these films is investigated in a simulated marine environment (3.5 wt.% NaCl) for short and extended durations. The last chapter summarizes the previous chapters and suggests future directions for this work.

The use of Au-NHC complexes in homogenous gold catalysis has become very popular during the last 10 years. The work described in this thesis represents a modest contribution towards a better understanding of the reactivity of these fascinating complexes and the intermediate species involved during gold-catalysed transformations. There are two main themes that permeate the following chapters: a) synthesis and reactivity studies of monoaurated species and b) synthesis and reactivity studies of diaurated species. The main motivation for the work presented herein was to develop more efficient synthetic routes towards a series of gold complexes, such as [Au(NHC)Cl], [Au(NHC)(OH)] and [{Au(IPr)}₂(μ-OH)][X], in order to be able to further explore their reactivity. Chapter 2 constitutes the first approach that I had with the chemistry of Au-NHC complexes, and describes our efforts to evaluate how the use of a highly sterically demanding NHC ligand affects gold-catalysed transformations. Chapters 3 and 4 explore alternative, more efficient synthetic routes towards known Au- NHC complexes. For example, a new, highly robust protocol has been developed for the synthesis of [Au(NHC)X] (X = Cl, Br, I) complexes, which are the starting materials to prepare a wide range of Au-NHC based species. Moreover, as a result of our investigations it has been possible to isolate a series of [Au(NHC)(OH)] species and to gain some insight into the stability of these complexes. Chapters 5 and 6 describe the synthesis and applications of digold hydroxide species [{Au(IPr)}₂(μ-OH)][X] in a series of catalytic and stoichiometric transformations. For example, they have been used as silver-free catalysts for water-inclusive gold-catalysed transformations or to access key intermediates in gold catalysis, such as gem-diaurated and σ,π-digold-acetylide species. Finally, Chapter 7 combines what we learned about the reactivity of [{Au(IPr)}₂(μ- OH)][X] in order to develop for the first time a gold-catalysed transformation where two gold centres independently react with two substrate molecules to catalyse the hydrophenoxylation of alkynes.

No description available.

Hidróxidos Duplos Lamelares (HDL) são materiais lamelares constituídos de camadas positivamente carregadas de um hidróxido misto de dois metais (um di e um trivalente), com ânions hidratados no domínio interlamelar. Apesar de serem potenciais adsorventes, o estudo da adsorção de colato de sódio sobre estes sólidos foi pouco explorado até hoje. Este estudo é importante, pois abre caminho para uma potencial aplicação farmacêutica de HDL na remoção de colato produzido em excesso pelo corpo humano, e diminuindo o risco de doenças conseqüentes desse excesso. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a adsorção e a sorção de colato de sódio a partir de soluções aquosas, em hidróxido duplo lamelar de magnésio e alumínio intercalado com carbonato, Mg-Al-CO3-HDL, verificando o efeito de variáveis como temperatura, pH e força iônica do meio. O adsorvente foi preparado pelo método de coprecipitação a pH variável e caracterizado quanto à composição, organização estrutural, textura e morfologia, sendo utilizado na forma original ou após calcinação. A adsorção de colato de sódio no HDL não calcinado indicou que não ocorre a substituição do ânion interlamelar (CO32-), mas sim a adsorção por interação do ânion orgânico com as cargas residuais na superfície do HDL. O processo mostrou uma grande dependência das variáveis estudadas. A análise multivariacional confirmou e quantificou a importância de cada variável. Em todos os casos, o aumento da temperatura resultou em uma diminuição na quantidade máxima adsorvida. O aumento da força iônica do meio, por meio da adição de um sal neutro, resulta em uma melhoria na capacidade de remoção de ânions. Na faixa avaliada, quanto maior o valor do pH das soluções de colato, menor a quantidade máxima adsorvida. Os resultados obtidos para a sorção no HDL calcinado mostraram que inicialmente o HDL é reconstituído com a intercalação de ânions OH-. Em casos onde a concentração do composto orgânico era alta, o colato foi intercalado formando uma nova fase. Neste caso, a sorção de colato apresentou curvas com perfil semelhante às da adsorção: as isotermas atingem um patamar onde a sorção torna-se constante e o aumento da temperatura diminui a quantidade sorvida. Pelos resultados obtidos, foi proposto um modelo de intercalação de colato em bicamada. Os resultados indicam também que a remoção do colato pelo HDL calcinado se mostra mais eficiente do que aquela obtida com o HDL não calcinado. / Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH), are lamellar materials constituted of positively charged layers of two mixed cations hydroxide (a bi and a trivalent one), with hydrated anions in the interlayer domain. In spite of being potential adsorbents, the study of the sodium cholate adsorption on these solids has not been well explored yet. This study is important, because it opens the perspective for the application of LDH in the pharmaceutical field in the removal of cholate produced in excess by the human organism and decreasing the risk of consequent diseases from this excess. The aim of this work was to study the adsorption and the sorption of sodium cholate from aqueous solutions, in Mg-Al-CO3-LDH, verifying the effect of the variables: temperature, pH and ionic strength of the media. The adsorbent was prepared by the coprecipitation at variable pH method and characterized with respect to their composition, structural organization, texture and morphology, being utilized in the pristine form or after calcination. The adsorption of sodium cholate in pristine LDH indicated that the exchange of the interlayer anion (CO32-) doesn\'t occur, but the adsorption process occurs by the interaction of the anion with the residual charges on the LDH surface. The process showed great dependence on the parameters studied. The multivariational analysis confirmed and quantified the influence of each variable. In all the experiments, increasing the temperature resulted in a decrease in the maximum adsorbed quantity. Increasing the ionic strength of the media, by the addition of a neutral salt, results in a better anions removal capacity. In the evaluated interval, the bigger the initial pH value of the cholate solutions, the lower the maximum adsorbed quantity. The results obtained for the sorption in calcined LDH showed that initially the LDH are reconstituted with the OH- anions intercalated. In the experiments at high concentration, the cholate is intercalated forming a new phase. The profile of cholate sorption are similar to that of the adsorption: the isotherms reach a plateau where the sorption becomes constant and the raise in the temperature decreases the sorbed quantity. By the obtained results, it was proposed a cholate intercalation model forming a bilayered structure. The results indicate that the cholate removal by the calcined LDH is more efficient than that presented by the uncalcined one.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Institute of Paper Chemistry, 1976. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-133).

No description available.

Fertilizer phosphorus (P) can become unavailable to crops due to immobilization of P in acidic soils through forming chemical bonds with iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) amorphous oxides.  Organic chelating agents form strong bonds with metals in soil and may reduce P binding with Fe and Al.  Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEEDTA), gluconic acid (GA), and citric acid (CA) were tested to determine their influence on water-soluble P (WSP), Mehlich-1 P and Mehlich-3 P in Loam and Sand soils fertilized with P and incubated for 49 days.  Soil P sorption capacity (PSC) was estimated from an oxalate extraction of Fe and Al, and chelates were applied at rates of 90 percent of the PSC.  The EDTA, HEEDTA, and CA significantly (P<0.05) reduced P sorption in the Loam and Sand when measured by WSP.  In soils without P fertilizer added, EDTA and HEEDTA significantly increased WSP, Mehlich-1, and Mehlich-3 P concentrations.  EDTA and HEEDTA were also applied at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 percent PSC to produce a rate response curve for WSP in a second soil incubation.  With increasing chelating rate, there was a linear increase in WSP for both soils, thus indicating higher rates of chelating agents were most efficient at decreasing P sorption. EDTA and HEEDTA were also tested in a 4-week greenhouse study for efficiency at increasing plant available P to corn (Zea mays L.) in two soils.  Phosphorus was added with and without the addition of chelating agents to the center of the pot, simulating a starter band of P.  After 4weeks, soils were analyzed for WSP, Mehlich-1, and Mehlich-3 P and corn above- and below-ground biomass was quantified and analyzed for total P concentration.  Without the presence of chelating agents, concentrations of WSP, Mehlich-1 P, Mehlich-3 P, above- and below-ground biomass, and TKP increased linearly as P fertilizer rates increased at 0, 9.6, 19.3, 28.9, and 38.5 kg P ha-1.  Decreased P sorption using chelating agents was not observed in this experiment.  However, with the results from the soil incubation, chelating agents do show potential for increasing plant available P, but the application and incorporation method needs to be further studied. / Master of Science

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.