Spectroscopic Characterization of Intermediates in the Iron Catalyzed Activation of Alkanes

The present report begins with a brief survey of recent hypervalent iron chemistry and mentions two previously reported ferrate papers funded by the DOE/BES grant. The focus is then shifted to the seven publications acknowledging support of the grant that have not been reported since the last Progress Report, DOE/ER/14340-9, was prepared. These papers deal with: (a) the successful use of an ATR element in a stopped-flow infrared spectrometer, (b) the rationalization of a depolarization of a LiClO4 solution in polyethylene oxide high polymer, (c) an analysis of several coupled ultrasonic relaxations observed in solutions of pentoses undergoing isomerization, (d) the combination of ultrasonic absorption and Raman scattering measurements to elucidate zinc thiocyanate solutions in water, (e) the use of NMR to determine stability constants when LiClO4:12-crown-4 is dissolved in acetonitrile and in methanol, (f) the possible existence of triple ions in low permittivity solutions, and (g) the properties of a high surface area ceria aerogel. Collectively, these papers illustrate advantages of bringing several modern experimental techniques to bear on complex chemical systems

The potential to narrow uncertainty in projections of stratospheric ozone over the 21st century

Future stratospheric ozone concentrations will be determined both by changes in the concentration of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and by changes in stratospheric and tropospheric climate, including those caused by changes in anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs). Since future economic development pathways and resultant emissions of GHGs are uncertain, anthropogenic climate change could be a significant source of uncertainty for future projections of stratospheric ozone. In this pilot study, using an "ensemble of opportunity" of chemistry-climate model (CCM) simulations, the contribution of scenario uncertainty from different plausible emissions pathways for ODSs and GHGs to future ozone projections is quantified relative to the contribution from model uncertainty and internal variability of the chemistry-climate system. For both the global, annual mean ozone concentration and for ozone in specific geographical regions, differences between CCMs are the dominant source of uncertainty for the first two-thirds of the 21st century, up-to and after the time when ozone concentrations return to 1980 values. In the last third of the 21st century, dependent upon the set of greenhouse gas scenarios used, scenario uncertainty can be the dominant contributor. This result suggests that investment in chemistry-climate modelling is likely to continue to refine projections of stratospheric ozone and estimates of the return of stratospheric ozone concentrations to pre-1980 levels

No. 84, Edward (Ted) Eyring, interview by Robert Miller

Transcript (71 pages) of interview by Robert Miller with Ted Eyring, chemistry professor at the University of Utah and son of chemist Henry Eyring, on June 5, 1984. This interview is part of the Everett L. Cooley Oral History Project, interview no. 84Eyring recalls the work and home life of his father, Henry Eyring, 1930s-1970s. Interviewer: Robert Mille

Chemical looping combustion kinetics

reportOne of the most promising methods of capturing CO2 emitted by coal-fired power plants for subsequent sequestration is chemical looping combustion (CLC). A powdered metal oxide such as NiO transfers oxygen directly to a fuel in a fuel reactor at high temperatures with no air present. Heat, water, and CO2 are released, and after H2O condensation the CO2 (undiluted by N2) is ready for sequestration, whereas the nickel metal is ready for reoxidation in the air reactor. In principle, these processes can be repeated endlessly with the original nickel metal/nickel oxide participating in a loop that admits fuel and rejects ash, heat, and water. Our project accumulated kinetic rate data at high temperatures and elevated pressures for the metal oxide reduction step and for the metal reoxidation step. These data will be used in computational modeling of CLC on the laboratory scale and presumably later on the plant scale. The oxygen carrier on which the research at Utah is focused is CuO/Cu2O rather than nickel oxide because the copper system lends itself to use with solid fuels in an alternative to CLC called chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU)

Statistical mechanics and dynamics

viii, 785 hlm. : il. ; 21 cm