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Chang CF, Paragian K, Sadula S, Rangarajan S, Vlachos DG. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Molecules from (Hemi)Cellulose: Computational Insights into Synthesis Routes, Fuel Properties, and Process Chemistry Metrics. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:12927-12937. [PMID: 39211384 PMCID: PMC11351710 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c04199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) can significantly reduce the aviation industry's carbon footprint. Current pathways that produce SAFs in significant volumes from ethanol and fatty acids can be costly, have a relatively high carbon intensity (CI), and impose sustainability challenges. There is a need for a diversified approach to reduce costs and utilize more sustainable feedstocks effectively. Here, we map out catalytic synthesis routes to convert furanics derived from the (hemi)cellulosic biomass to alkanes and cycloalkanes using automated network generation with RING and semiempirical thermochemistry calculations. We find >100 energy-dense C8-C16 alkane and cycloalkane SAF candidates over 300 synthesis routes; the top three are 2-methyl heptane, ethyl cyclohexane, and propyl cyclohexane, although these are relatively short. The shortest, least endothermic process chemistry involves C-C coupling, oxygen removal, and hydrogen addition, with dehydracyclization of the heterocyclic oxygens in the furan ring being the most endothermic step. The global warming potential due to hydrogen use and byproduct CO2 is typically 0.7-1 kg CO2/kg SAF product; the least CO2 emitting routes entail making larger molecules with fewer ketonization, hydrogenation, and hydrodeoxygenation steps. The large number of SAF candidates highlights the rich potential of furanics as a source of SAF molecules. However, the structural dissimilarity between reactants and target products precludes pathways with fewer than six synthetic steps, thus necessitating intensified processes, integrating multiple reaction steps in multifunctional catalytic reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Fei Chang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, 124 E Morton Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Kristin Paragian
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Catalysis
Center for Energy Innovation and Delaware Energy Institute, 221 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Sunitha Sadula
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Catalysis
Center for Energy Innovation and Delaware Energy Institute, 221 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Srinivas Rangarajan
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, 124 E Morton Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Dionisios G. Vlachos
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
- Catalysis
Center for Energy Innovation and Delaware Energy Institute, 221 Academy St., Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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Yang H, Yang ZJ, Huang TX, Pan L, Wei XM, Hu YF, Yuan YQ, Wang LL, Ding JJ. Accurate Density Prediction of Sesquiterpenoid HEDFs and the Multiproperty Computing Server SesquiterPre. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:26213-26221. [PMID: 38911735 PMCID: PMC11191094 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Accurate and rapid evaluation of density is crucial for evaluating the packing and combustion characteristics of high-energy-density fuels (HEDFs). This parameter is pivotal in the selection of high-performance HEDFs. Our study leveraged a polycyclic compound density data set and quantum chemical (QC) descriptors to establish a correlation with the target properties using the XGBoost algorithm. We utilized a recursive feature elimination method to simplify the model and developed a concise and interpretable density prediction model incorporating only six QC descriptors. The model demonstrated robust performance, achieving coefficients of determination (R 2) of 0.967 and 0.971 for internal and external test sets, respectively, and root-mean-square errors (RMSE) of 0.031 and 0.027 g/cm3, respectively. Compared to the other two mainstream methods, the marginal discrepancy between the predicted and actual molecular densities underscores the model's superior predictive ability and more usefulness for energy density calculation. Furthermore, we developed a web server (SesquiterPre, https://sespre.cmdrg.com/#/) that can simultaneously calculate the density, enthalpy of combustion, and energy density of sesquiterpenoid HEDFs, which greatly facilitates the use of researchers and is of great significance for accelerating the design and screening of novel sesquiterpenoid HEDFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
- School
of Physics and Electronics Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
| | - Zhi-Jiang Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Teng-Xin Huang
- School
of Physics and Electronics Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
| | - Li Pan
- State
Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Xin-Miao Wei
- State
Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Yan-Fei Hu
- Department
of Applied Physics, Chengdu University of
Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Yu-Quan Yuan
- School
of Physics and Electronics Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
| | - Liang-Liang Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Jun-Jie Ding
- State
Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
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3
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Kumar N, Gupta P. DFT Struggles to Predict the Energy Landscape for Iron Pyridine Diimine-Catalyzed [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Alkenes: Insights into the Problem and Alternative Solutions. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:4114-4127. [PMID: 38659086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c08325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, noninnocent pyridine diimine (PDI) complexes featuring first-row transition metals have emerged as prominent catalysts, demonstrating efficacy in a diverse range of vital organometallic transformations. However, the inherent complexity of the fundamental reactivity paradigm in these systems arises from the presence of a noninnocent ligand and the multispin feasibility of 3d metals. While density functional theory (DFT) has been widely used to unravel mechanistic insights, its limitations as a single-reference method can potentially misrepresent spin-state energetics, compromising our understanding of these intricate systems. In this study, we employ extensive high-level ab initio state averaged-complete active space self-consistent field/N-electron valence state perturbation theory (SA-CASSCF/NEVPT2) calculations in combination with DFT to investigate an iron-PDI-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of alkenes. The transformation proceeds through two major steps: oxidative cyclization and reductive elimination. Contrary to the predictions of DFT calculations, which suggest two-state reactivity in the reaction and identify reductive elimination as the turnover-limiting step, SA-CASSCF/NEVPT2-corrected results unequivocally establish a single-state reactivity scenario with oxidative cyclization as the turnover-limiting step. SA-CASSCF/NEVPT2-based insights into electronic ground states and electron distribution elucidate the intriguing interactions between the PDI ligand and the iron center, revealing the highly multiconfigurational nature of these species and providing a precise depiction of metal-ligand cooperativity throughout the transformation. A comparative assessment of several widely recognized DFT functionals against SA-CASSCF/NEVPT2-corrected data indicates that single-point energy calculations using the modern density functional MN15 on TPSSh geometries offer the most reliable density functional methodology, in scenarios where SA-CASSCF/NEVPT2 computational cost is a consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikunj Kumar
- Computational Catalysis Center, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Puneet Gupta
- Computational Catalysis Center, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
- Center for Sustainable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
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4
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Kovel CB, Darmon JM, Stieber SCE, Pombar G, Pabst TP, Theis B, Turner ZR, Üngör Ö, Shatruk M, DeBeer S, Chirik PJ. Bimolecular Reductive Elimination of Ethane from Pyridine(diimine) Iron Methyl Complexes: Mechanism, Electronic Structure, and Entry into [2+2] Cycloaddition Catalysis. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5061-5073. [PMID: 36821524 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The application of bimolecular reductive elimination to the activation of iron catalysts for alkene-diene cycloaddition is described. Key to this approach was the synthesis, characterization, electronic structure determination, and ultimately solution stability of a family of pyridine(diimine) iron methyl complexes with diverse steric properties and electronic ground states. Both the aryl-substituted, (MePDI)FeCH3 and (EtPDI)FeCH3 (RPDI = 2,6-(2,6-R2-C6H3N═CMe)2C5H3N), and the alkyl-substituted examples, (CyAPDI)FeCH3 (CyAPDI = 2,6-(C6H11N═CMe)2C5H3N), have molecular structures significantly distorted from planarity and S = 3/2 ground states. The related N-arylated derivative bearing 2,6-di-isopropyl aryl substituents, (iPrPDI)FeCH3, has an idealized planar geometry and exhibits spin crossover behavior from S = 1/2 to S = 3/2 states. At 23 °C under an N2 atmosphere, both (MePDI)FeCH3 and (EtPDI)FeCH3 underwent reductive elimination of ethane to form the iron dinitrogen precatalysts, [(MePDI)Fe(N2)]2(μ-N2) and [(EtPDI)Fe(N2)]2(μ-N2), respectively, while (iPrPDI)FeCH3 proved inert to C-C bond formation. By contrast, addition of butadiene to all three iron methyl complexes induced ethane formation and generated the corresponding iron butadiene complexes, (RPDI)Fe(η4-C4H6) (R = Me, Et, iPr), known precatalysts for the [2+2] cycloaddition of olefins and dienes. Kinetic, crossover experiments, and structural studies were combined with magnetic measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy to elucidate the electronic and steric features of the iron complexes that enable this unusual reductive elimination and precatalyst activation pathway. Transmetalation of methyl groups between iron centers was fast at ambient temperature and independent of steric environment or spin state, while the intermediate dimer underwent the sterically controlled rate-determining reaction with either N2 or butadiene to access a catalytically active iron compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carli B Kovel
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Jonathan M Darmon
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - S Chantal E Stieber
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Gisselle Pombar
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Tyler P Pabst
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Bastian Theis
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Zoë R Turner
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Ökten Üngör
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States
| | - Michael Shatruk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States
| | - Serena DeBeer
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstraße 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Paul J Chirik
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
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Keller CL, Doppalapudi KR, Woodroffe JD, Harvey BG. Solvent-free dehydration, cyclization, and hydrogenation of linalool with a dual heterogeneous catalyst system to generate a high-performance sustainable aviation fuel. Commun Chem 2022; 5:113. [PMID: 36697844 PMCID: PMC9814387 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00725-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of efficient catalytic methods for the synthesis of bio-based, full-performance jet fuels is critical for limiting the impacts of climate change while enabling a thriving modern society. To help address this need, here, linalool, a terpene alcohol that can be produced via fermentation of biomass sugars, was dehydrated, cyclized, and hydrogenated in a one-pot reaction under moderate reaction conditions. This sequence produced a biosynthetic fuel mixture primarily composed of 1-methyl-4-isopropylcyclohexane (p-menthane) and 2,6-dimethyloctane (DMO). The reaction was promoted by a catalyst composed of commercial Amberlyst-15, H+ form, and 10% Pd/C. Two other terpenoid substrates (1,8-cineole and 1,4-cineole) were subjected to the same conditions and excellent conversion to high purity p-menthane was observed. The fuel mixture derived from linalool exhibits a 1.7% higher gravimetric heat of combustion and 66% lower kinematic viscosity at -20 °C compared to the limits for conventional jet fuel. These properties suggest that isomerized hydrogenated linalool (IHL) can be blended with conventional jet fuel or synthetic paraffinic kerosenes to deliver high-performance sustainable aviation fuels for commercial and military applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Luke Keller
- grid.482248.00000 0004 0511 8606Research Department, Chemistry Division, US NAVY, NAWCWD, China Lake, CA 93555 USA
| | - Karan R. Doppalapudi
- grid.482248.00000 0004 0511 8606Research Department, Chemistry Division, US NAVY, NAWCWD, China Lake, CA 93555 USA
| | - Josanne-Dee Woodroffe
- grid.482248.00000 0004 0511 8606Research Department, Chemistry Division, US NAVY, NAWCWD, China Lake, CA 93555 USA
| | - Benjamin G. Harvey
- grid.482248.00000 0004 0511 8606Research Department, Chemistry Division, US NAVY, NAWCWD, China Lake, CA 93555 USA
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Kennedy CR, Joannou MV, Steves JE, Hoyt JM, Kovel CB, Chirik PJ. Iron-Catalyzed Vinylsilane Dimerization and Cross-Cycloadditions with 1,3-Dienes: Probing the Origins of Chemo- and Regioselectivity. ACS Catal 2021; 11:1368-1379. [PMID: 34336370 PMCID: PMC8317497 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The selective, intermolecular, homodimerization and cross-cycloaddition of vinylsilanes with unbiased 1,3-dienes, catalyzed by a pyridine-2,6-diimine (PDI) iron complex is described. In the absence of a diene coupling partner, vinylsilane hydroalkenylation products were obtained chemoselectively with unusual head-to-head regioselectivity (up to >98% purity, 98:2 E/Z). In the presence of a 4- or 2-substituted diene coupling partner, under otherwise identical reaction conditions, formation of value-added [2+2]- and [4+2]-cycloadducts, respectively, was observed. The chemoselectivity profile was distinct from that observed for analogous α-olefin dimerization and cross-reactions with 1,3-dienes. Mechanistic studies conducted with well-defined, single-component precatalysts (MePDI)Fe(L2) (where MePDI = 2,6-(2,6-Me2-C6H3N═CMe)2C5H3N; L2 = butadiene or 2(N2)) provided insights into the kinetic and thermodynamic factors contributing to the substrate-controlled regioselectivity for both the homodimerization and cross cycloadditions. Diamagnetic iron diene and paramagnetic iron olefin complexes were identified as catalyst resting states, were characterized by in situ NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies, and were corroborated with DFT calculations. Stoichiometric reactions and computational models provided evidence for a common mechanistic regime where competing steric and orbital-symmetry requirements dictate the regioselectivity of oxidative cyclization. Although distinct chemoselectivity profiles were observed in cross-cycloadditions with the vinylsilane congeners of α-olefins, these products arose from metallacycles with the same connectivity. The silyl substituents ultimately governed the relative rates of β-H elimination and C-C reductive elimination to dictate final product formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jordan M. Hoyt
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Carli B. Kovel
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Paul J. Chirik
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
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7
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Muldoon JA, Harvey BG. Bio-Based Cycloalkanes: The Missing Link to High-Performance Sustainable Jet Fuels. CHEMSUSCHEM 2020; 13:5777-5807. [PMID: 32810345 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202001641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The development of sustainable energy solutions that reduce global carbon emissions, while maintaining high living standards, is one of the grand challenges of the current century. Transportation fuels are critical to economic development, globalization, and the advancement of society. Although ground vehicles and small aircraft are beginning a slow transition toward electric propulsion with energy sourced from solar radiation or wind, the extreme power requirements of jet aircraft require a more concentrated source of energy that is conveniently provided by liquid hydrocarbon fuels. This Review describes recent efforts to develop efficient routes for the conversion of crude biomass sources (e. g., lignocellulose) to cycloalkanes. These cycloalkanes impart advantageous properties to jet fuels, including increased density, higher volumetric heat of combustion, and enhanced operability. The combination of bio-based cycloalkanes and synthetic paraffinic kerosenes allows for the preparation of 100 % bio-based fuels that can outperform conventional petroleum-based fuels. In this Review methods are described that convert biomass-derived small molecules, including furfural, furfuryl alcohol, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, cyclic ketones, phenolics, acyclic ketones, cyclic alcohols, furans, esters, and alkenes to high-density cycloalkanes. In addition to describing the chemical transformations and catalysts that have been developed to efficiently produce various cycloalkanes, this Review includes summaries of key fuel properties, which highlight the ability to generate fuels with customized performance metrics. This work is intended to inspire other researchers to study the conversion of sustainable feedstocks to full-performance aviation fuels. An acceleration of this research is critical to reducing the carbon footprint of commercial and military aviation on a timescale that will help blunt the impacts of global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake A Muldoon
- US NAVY, NAWCWD, Research Department, Chemistry Branch, China Lake, California, 93555, USA
| | - Benjamin G Harvey
- US NAVY, NAWCWD, Research Department, Chemistry Branch, China Lake, California, 93555, USA
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8
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Rosenkoetter KE, Kennedy CR, Chirik PJ, Harvey BG. [4+4]-Cycloaddition of Isoprene for the Production of High-Performance Bio-Based Jet Fuel. GREEN CHEMISTRY : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL AND GREEN CHEMISTRY RESOURCE : GC 2019; 21:5616-5623. [PMID: 33790688 PMCID: PMC8009188 DOI: 10.1039/c9gc02404b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Isoprene was efficiently converted to 1,6-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene (DMCOD) by selective [4+4]-cycloaddition with a catalyst formed by in situ reduction of [(MePI)FeCl(μ-Cl)]2 (MePI = [2-(2,6-(CH3)2-C6H3-N=C(CH3))-C4H5N]). DMCOD was isolated in 92% yield, at the preparative scale, with a catalyst loading of 0.025 mol%, and a TON of 3680. Catalytic hydrogenation of DMCOD yielded 1,4-dimethylcyclooctane (DMCO). The cyclic structure and ring strain of DMCO afforded gravimetric and volumetric net heats of combustion 2.4 and 9.2% higher, respectively, than conventional jet fuel. In addition, the presence of methyl branches at two sites resulted in a -20 °C kinematic viscosity of 4.17 mm2 s-1, 48 % lower than the maximum allowed value for conventional jet fuel. The ability to derive isoprene and related alcohols readily from abundant biomass sources, coupled with the highly efficient [Fe]-catalyzed [4+4]-cycloaddition described herein, suggests that this process holds great promise for the economical production of high-performance, bio-based jet fuel blendstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E Rosenkoetter
- US NAVY, NAWCWD, Research Department, Chemistry Division, China Lake, California 93555
| | - C Rose Kennedy
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Paul J Chirik
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Benjamin G Harvey
- US NAVY, NAWCWD, Research Department, Chemistry Division, China Lake, California 93555
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