Thermal decomposition of FC(O)OCH3 and FC(O)OCH2CH3.

The thermal decomposition of methyl and ethyl formates has been extensively studied due to their importance in the oxidation of several fuels, pesticidal properties and their presence in interstellar space. We hitherto present the study of the thermal decomposition of methyl and ethyl fluoroformates, which could help in the elucidation of the reaction mechanisms. The reaction mechanisms were studied using FTIR spectroscopy in the temperature range of 453-733 K in the presence of different pressures of N2 as bath gas. For FC(O)OCH3 two different channels were observed; the unimolecular decomposition which is favored at higher temperatures and has a rate constant kFC(O)OCH3 = (5.3 ± 0.5) × 1015 exp[-(246 ± 10 kJ mol-1/RT)] (in units of s-1) and a bimolecular channel with a rate constant kFC(O)OCH3 = (1.6 ± 0.5) × 1011 exp[-(148 ± 10 kJ mol-1/RT)] (in units of s-1 (mol L)-1). However for ethyl formate, only direct elimination of CO2, HF and ethylene operates. The rate constants of the homogeneous first-order process fit the Arrhenius equation kFC(O)OCH2CH3 = (2.06 ± 0.09) × 1013 exp[-(169 ± 6 kJ mol-1/RT)] (in units of s-1). The difference between the mechanisms of the two fluoroformates relies on the stabilization of a six-centered transition state that only exists for ethyl formate. First principles calculations for the different channels were carried out to understand the dynamics of the decomposition.

An experimental and theoretical study of the photoisomerization and thermal reversion on 5-arylmethylene-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one.

Unraveling the photochemical behaviour of the green fluorescent protein chromophore has lately attracted widespread attention among scientists. In this paper we present the study of the photochemical isomerization Z → E and the back reaction of the chromophore analog, 5-arylmethylene-2- thioxoimidazolidin-4-one. Experimental results are supported with ab initio calculations at the DFT, (B3LYP/6-31+g(d,p)), TD-DFT (B3LYP/6-311++g(3df,3pd)) and CASSCF levels. A first excitation to the S2 state, where the isomerization occurs, is proposed followed by two conical intersections to S1 and S0 respectively. Three different mechanisms were analyzed for thermal reversion, concluding that the preferred channel involves an intersystem crossing between the S0 and T1 states with the formation of a biradical.

Integral assessment of pollution in the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) as a contribution to lotic ecosystem restoration programs.

The Suquía River lower-middle basin (Córdoba, Argentina) is subject to a strong anthropic impact because it receives pollutants from different sources (industries, wastewaters, heavy traffic, agricultural land use, etc.) We have assessed the degree of watershed degradation of Suquía River lower-middle sections through the analysis of different ecosystem compartments (air, water, riparian soil, sediments and biota), in order to provide useful data to be considered in future river restoration programs. Four study sites were selected along the river (La Calera city, Córdoba city, Corazón de María village and Río Primero city) which were sampled during the low- and high-water flow periods. We analyzed: a) chemical and physical characteristics of water, sediments, and riparian soil; b) heavy metal content of water and sediments, and c) semi-volatile organic compounds in air. Besides, pollutant bioindicators such as fish assemblages, lichens (Usnea amblyoclada), vascular plants (Tradescantia pallida), and microorganisms (fecal coliform and Escherichia coli) were used to further assess the status of the river. All analyzed ecological compartments were affected by water pollution, particularly, fish assemblages, sediments and riparian soils by heavy metal and coliform bacteria. Moreover, we detected a possible contribution of sulfur and a high pollutant content in air that merit further research about other air-water exchanges. Accordingly, we strongly suggest that an action to restore or remediate the anthropic effect on the Suquía River be extended to all possible compartments along the river.

Molecular structure, spectroscopy and matrix photochemistry of fluorocarbonyl iodide, FC(O)I.

The molecular structure of FC(O)I has been determined by gas electron diffraction. High-level ab initio methods, including coupled-cluster and the new correlation-consistent basis sets for fourth row elements, have been used to calculate the structure of FC(O)I. A comprehensive vibrational spectroscopic study (both IR and Raman) complemented by high-level calculations has also been performed. Furthermore, UV, mass, and NMR spectra have been recorded for FC(O)I. The matrix photochemistry of FC(O)I has been studied with a low-pressure mercury lamp and with a high-pressure xenon lamp in combination with interference and cut-off filters. UV photolysis revealed the formation of the OC. IF and OC.FI complexes and further photolysis of these complexes at lambda>320 nm resulted in a re-formation of FC(O)I. The structural conformation of the complexes has been characterized by comparing shifts in their CO and IF vibrational modes with respect to those of the free species. The structures, vibrational properties, and stability of the complexes were analyzed with the aid of coupled-cluster ab initio calculations.

Reaction of CF3 radicals with CO and O2. Isolation of bis(trifluoromethyl)peroxydicarbonate, CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3, and identification of bis(trifluoromethyl)trioxydicarbonate, CF3OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF3.

The synthesis of CF3OC(O)OOCF3, CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3, and CF3OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF3 is accomplished by the photolysis of a mixture of (CF3CO)2O, CO, and O2. Pure CF3OC(O)OOCF3 and CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3 are isolated after thermal decomposition of CF3OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF3 and repeated trap-to-trap condensation. Additional spectroscopic data of known CF3OC(O)OOCF3 are obtained by recording NMR, IR, Raman, and UV spectra: At room temperature CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3 is stable for days in the liquid or gaseous state. The melting point is -38 degrees C, and the boiling point is extrapolated to 73 degrees C from the vapor pressure curve log p = 8.657-1958/T (p/mbar, T/K). The new compound is characterized by molecular mass determination and by NMR, vibrational, and UV spectroscopy. The new trioxide CF3OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF3 cannot be separated from CF3-OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3 by distillation due to their similar boiling points. CF3OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF3 decomposes at room temperature within hours into a mixture of CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3, CF3OC(O)OOCF3, CO2, and O2. Its characterization is discussed along with a possible mechanism for formation and decomposition reactions.

On the O2( (1)Δ g )-mediated photooxidative behaviour of tripeptide glycyl-tyrosyl-alanine in alkaline medium A kinetic study.

The type II singlet molecular oxygen [O2((1)Δ g )]-mediated photo-oxidation of the tripeptide gly-tyr-ala was studied. It has two non-oxidizable amino-acids (gly and ala) bonded to the oxidizable one, tyr. Overall (k t) and reactive (k r) rate constants for the interaction were determined by time-resolved methods (IR emission of O2((1)Δ g )) and stationary photolysis, in water at pH 11.5 as well as in alkaline non-aqueous etOH-MeCN (80:20, v/v, 10 mM in KOH) solutions. An important solvent polarity effect onk t was detected; the rate constant increasing one order of magnitude in going from the organic mixture to water (k t H2O = 2 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)). Nevertheless,k r does not parallel this trend; gly-tyr-ala being less photooxidizable in a more polar environment. The effective quantum yield (∅ r ) forTPE photooxidation is much higher in etOH-MeCN (∅ r = 0.056) than in water (∅ r = 0.023). Results are discussed on the basis of the formation of an exciplex with polar character between the TPE and O2((1)Δ g ).Two remarkable points should be taken into account: a) the rate costants for the interaction of O2((1)Δ g ) with gly-tyr-ala are practically the same as for free tyr. b) New -NH2 groups are generated upon sensitized irradiation. Both findings indicate that the peptide bonds in the TPE break as a result of the photooxidation. A thorough analysis with data for tyrosine and related dipeptides is undertaken.