Search results for "Chemical reaction"

Current‐voltage curves of bipolar membranes

1992

Bipolar membranes consist of a layered ion‐exchange structure composed of a cation selective membrane joined to an anion selective membrane. They are analogous to semiconductor p‐n devices as both of them present current‐voltage curves exhibiting similar rectification properties. In this article, we present some current‐voltage curves obtained for different bipolar membranes at several temperatures. The results can be interpreted in terms of a simple model for ion transport and field‐enhanced water dissociation previously developed. The mechanism responsible for water splitting is assumed to be a catalytic proton transfer reaction between the charged groups and the water at the membrane int…

2016

Abstract. Gaseous formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important precursor of OH radicals and a key intermediate molecule in the oxidation of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Budget analyses reveal large discrepancies between modeled and observed HCHO concentrations in the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the interactions of gaseous HCHO with soil surfaces through coated-wall flow tube experiments applying atmospherically relevant HCHO concentrations of  ∼  10 to 40 ppbv. For the determination of uptake coefficients (γ), we provide a Matlab code to account for the diffusion correction under laminar flow conditions. Under dry conditions (relative humidity  =  0 %), an initial γ of (1.1 ± …

Improvements of organic aerosol representations and their effects in large-scale atmospheric models

2012

Organics dominate the composition of the atmospheric aerosol, especially in the fine mode, influencing some of its characteristics such as the hygroscopicity, which is of climatic relevance for the Earth system. This study targets an improvement in the description of organic aerosols suitable for large-scale modelling, making use of recent developments based on laboratory and field measurements. In addition to the organic mass and particle number distribution, the proposed method keeps track of the oxidation state of the aerosol based on the OH exposure time, describing some of its chemical characteristics. This study presents the application of the method in a global chemistry climate mode…

2011

Abstract. The ability of coated mineral dust particles to act as ice nuclei (IN) was investigated at LACIS (Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator) during the FROST1- and FROST2-campaigns (Freezing of dust). Sulphuric acid was condensed on the particles which afterwards were optionally humidified, treated with ammonia vapour and/or heat. By means of aerosol mass spectrometry we found evidence that processing of mineral dust particles with sulphuric acid leads to surface modifications of the particles. These surface modifications are most likely responsible for the observed reduction of the IN activation of the particles. The observed particle mass spectra suggest that different treatme…

Electronic aspects of the hydride transfer mechanism. Ab initio analytical gradient studies of the cyclopropenyl‐cation/lithium hydride model reactan…

1985

The electronic mechanisms of a model hydride transfer reaction are theoretically studied with ab inito RHF and UHF SCF MO procedures at the 4‐31G basis set level and analytical gradient methods. The model system describes the reduction of cyclopropenyl cation to cyclopropene by the oxidation of lithium hydride to lithium cation. The molecular fragments corresponding to the asymptotic reactive channels characterizing the stepwise mechanisms currently discussed in the literature have been characterized. The binding energy between the fragments is estimated within a simple electrostatic approximate scheme. The results show that a hydride‐ion mechanism is a likely pathway for this particular sy…

A kinetic study of the cracking, isomerization, and disproportionation of n-heptane on a chromium-exchanged Y zeolite

1982

The kinetic rate constants for the cracking, isomerization, and disproportionation of n-heptane over a CrHNaY (32% chromium exchanged) zeolite catalyst at 400, 450, and 470 °C have been calculated. The interaction of n-heptane with a model Lewis acid such as BF3 and progress along the reaction coordinate have been studied by means of molecular orbital calculations. From the kinetic results, i.e., activation energies and frequency factors, and the theoretical calculations, it can be concluded that the controlling step in these reactions is not the formation of the carbonium ion, but the subsequent transformation of this carbonium ion. In addition, the theoretical calculations show that the a…

Presenilin is the molecular target of acidic γ-secretase modulators in living cells.

2012

The intramembrane-cleaving protease γ-secretase catalyzes the last step in the generation of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and is a principal therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease. Both preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that inhibition of γ-secretase is associated with prohibitive side effects due to suppression of Notch processing and signaling. Potentially safer are γ-secretase modulators (GSMs), which are small molecules that selectively lower generation of the highly amyloidogenic Aβ42 peptides but spare Notch processing. GSMs with nanomolar potency and favorable pharmacological properties have been described, but the molecular mechanism of GSMs remains uncertain an…

Importance of the liquid to solid weight ratio in the powdered solid-liquid reactions Example drawn from cement constituent hydration

1997

Abstract It seems justified to wonder if the chemical processes which have been evidenced from diluted stirred suspensions are or are not in accordance with those involved in a stagnant paste. The present paper is aimed at clarifying this question which is in connection with the problem of the so called ‘dormant period’ or ‘induction period’ at the beginning of the hydration of Portland cement.

Hydration of cementitious materials, present and future

2011

This paper is a keynote presentation from the 13th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement. It discusses the underlying principles of hydration and recent evidence for the mechanisms governing this process in both Portland cements and other cementitious materials. Given the overriding imperative to improve the sustainability of cementitious materials, routes to reducing CO2 emissions are discussed and the impact of supplementary materials on hydration considered. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enzymatic effects on reactant and transition states. The case of chalcone isomerase.

2007

Chalcone isomerase catalyzes the transformation of chalcone to naringerin as a part of flavonoid biosynthetic pathways. The global reaction takes place through a conformational change of the substrate followed by chemical reaction, being thus an excellent example to analyze current theories about enzyme catalysis. We here present a detailed theoretical study of the enzymatic action on the conformational pre-equilibria and on the chemical steps for two different substrates of this enzyme. Free-energy profiles are obtained in terms of potentials of mean force using hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics potentials. The role of the enzyme becomes clear when compared to the counterpart eq…