Understanding the Accelerating Effect of - Caprolactam on the Formation of Urethane Linkages

The accelerating role of -caprolactam on the formation of urethane linkages is studied in the case of the reaction between toluene 2,4-diisocyanate and n-propanol in carbon tetrachloride at room temperature. FT-IR spectroscopy is exploited to follow the consumption of the isocyanate groups. The comparison between the rate of the reactions carried out in the presence and absence of a catalytic amount of -caprolactam shows its accelerating effect. The acylurea-like derivative 1-methyl-2,4-[(2-oxoazepane- 1-carbonyl)amino]benzene has been prepared and identified as the real catalytic species formed in situ as a result of the reaction between toluene 2,4-diisocyanate and -caprolactam. A kinetic model is proposed to analyze the experimental data, and B3LYP/6-31+G* calculations are exploited to investigate the structure of 1-methyl-2,4-[(2-oxoazepane-1-carbonyl)amino]benzene and clarify the structural features leading the catalytic activity

Palladium-Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Fuel cells are clean energy devices that are expected to help address the energy and environmental problems in our society. Platinum-based nanomaterials are usually used as the electrocatalysts for both the anode (hydrogen oxidation) and cathode (oxygen reduction) reactions. The high cost and limited resources of this precious metal hinder the commercialization of fuel cells. Recent efforts have focused on the discovery of palladium-based electrocatalysts with little or no platinum for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This chapter overviews the recent progress of electrocatalysis of palladium-based materials including both extended surfaces and nanostructured ones for ORR. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.[Shao, M.] UTC Power, 195 Governor's Highway, South Windsor, CT, 06074, United State