Protonation and ring closure of stereoisomeric alpha-substituted cinnamic acids in superacidic media studied by 13C NMR spectroscopy and computations

Five alpha-substituted cinnamic acids [(E)- and (Z)-2,3-diphenyl-, (E)- and (Z)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenyl- and (E)-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-propenoic acids] have been protonated in fluorosulfonic acid at -78 degrees C, Protonation of the carboxylic group and a second protonation on the methoxy group at -78 degrees C or the ring bearing the methoxy group at 0 degrees C have been observed by C-13 NMR spectroscopy Upon protonation (Z)-alpha-phenylcinnamic acid is transformed to a protonated indenol derivative, Dehydrative ring closure begins at -78 degrees C and goes to completion at 0 degrees C, Similar transformations of the other studied Z-acid are suppressed by the deactivating effect of the protonated methoxy group. Only protonation has been observed for the E-acids at -78 degrees C as well as 0 degrees C, Calculations at the HF/3-21G level provide the equilibrium structures of the corresponding cations, Results of IGLO/C-13 NMR shift calculations are in good agreement with the experimental findings

Organic fuel cell methods and apparatus

A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion.TM.. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon.TM.-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion.TM./methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion.TM.. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed. New organic fuels, namely, trimethoxymethane, dimethoxymethane, and trioxane are also described for use with either conventional or improved fuel cells

Organic fuel cell methods and apparatus

A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion.TM.. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon.TM.-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion.TM./methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion.TM.. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed. New organic fuels, namely, trimethoxymethane, dimethoxymethane, and trioxane are also described for use with either conventional or improved fuel cells

Aqueous liquid feed organic fuel cell using solid polymer electrolyte membrane

A liquid organic fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion.TM.. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon.TM.-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion.TM./methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion.TM.. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed. New organic fuels, namely, trimethoxymethane, dimethoxymethane, and trioxane are also described for use with either conventional or improved fuel cells