A new heterometallic pivalate {Fe8Cd} complex as an example of unusual "ferric wheel" molecular self-assembly.

The interaction of the pivalate complexes of iron(iii), [Fe3O(Piv)6(H2O)3]·HPiv, and cadmium(ii), [Cd(Piv)2], in Et2O resulted in one more type of "ferric wheel" family complex, namely [Fe8(Piv)16{Cd(Piv)2}(µ-OH)8]·Et2O (1). The complex is an octanuclear iron(iii) wheel with a {Cd(Piv)2} moiety asymmetrically incorporated into the ring.

Radical indicator reaction for determination of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine.

2,3,5-Triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TPT) has been proposed as a redox indicator for determination of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) which is used as a rocket propellant. It has been found that TPT is a sensitive chromogenic reagent due to its potentiometric and spectral characteristics. Products of the reaction between DMH and TPT have been characterized by mass spectrometry and EPR spectroscopy. In the EPR studies, C,N-diphenylnitrone (DPN) has been used as the radical trap and the obtained data indicate the radical nature of the reaction. The EPR spectrum of a mixture containing DPN and DMH has been recorded and calculated, whereas the spectrum of a three-component mixture containing DPN, TPT, and DMH is measured but it is complex for interpretation. A passive chemical dosimeter as a paper indicator strip with a polymer substrate impregnated with TPT has been manufactured and tested for continuous monitoring and determination of DMH in air in out-of-laboratory conditions at a concentration as low as 0.006 mg/m3 (warehouse operation area) and 0.5 mg/m3 (a warehouse box).

Surface tension model for surfactant solutions at the critical micelle concentration.

A model for the limiting surface tension of surfactant solutions (surface tension at and above the critical micelle concentration, cmc) was developed. This model takes advantage of the equilibrium between the surfactant molecules on the liquid/vacuum surface and in micelles in the bulk at the cmc. An approximate analytical equation for the surface tension at the cmc was obtained. The derived equation contains two parameters, which characterize the intermolecular interactions in the micelles, and the third parameter, which is the surface area per surfactant molecule at the interface. These parameters were calculated using a new atomistic modeling approach. The performed calculations of the limiting surface tension for four simple surfactants show good agreement with experimental data (~30% accuracy). The developed model provides the guidance for design of surfactants with low surface tension values.