Photo-dissociation mechanism of trifluoroacetyl chloride in the gas phase: AIMS dynamic simulations

In this article, the structures and energies of CF₃COCl in the low-lying electronic states have been determined by SA-2-CAS(8,7)/6-31G* and SA-2-MSPT2(8,7)/6-31G* calculations, which include equilibrium geometries, transition states, and three minimum-energy conical intersections (CI-1, CI-2, and CI-3) between S₀ and S₁ states. The AIMS method was used to carry out non-adiabatic dynamic simulations with the ab initio calculation performed at the SA-2-CAS(8,7)/6-31G* level. Upon irradiation to the S₁ state, CF₃COCl first relaxes to S₁ minimum and then overcomes the ∼10 kcal/mol (TS_{S1_CCl}) or ∼30 kcal/mol (TS_{S1_CO}) barrier to the conical intersection region CI-1 or CI-3 (minor), with the S₁ → S₀ transition probability of 63:1. After non-adiabatic transition to the S₀ state through CI-1, trajectories mainly distribute to three different reaction pathways, with one going back to S₀ minimum through shortening of the C-Cl bond, the other forming CF₃CO and Cl radicals by continuous elongation of the C-Cl distance, and another dissociating into CF₃ + CO + Cl and running into the CI-3 region through elongation of C-C and C-Cl distances. Moreover, we found that the trajectories would recross to the S₁ state with the recrossing probability of 13.9% through the CI-3 region due to the extremely sloped topographic character of CI-3. On the basis of time evolution of wavefunctions simulated here, the product ratio of CF₃ + CO + Cl and CF₃CO + Cl is 53.5%:18.4%, which is consistent with the experimental value of 3:1. We further explain the photo-dissociation wavelength dependence of CF₃COCl, and the product ratio of CF₃ + CO + Cl increases with the increase in total energy.

Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on marine environment and human health

Microplastics (MPs) with an average size of less than 5 mm, along with nanoplastics (NPs) of an average size of fewer than 0.1 μm are the result of huge plastic waste fragmentation or straight environmental emissions. Pollution from micro- and nanoplastics is a worldwide paradigm that raises environmental and human health concerns. They may also comprise very harmful chemicals that are implemented in plants and animals when MPs/NPs are used that may lead to higher accumulation of these compounds in food chains. In addition, higher surface area-to-volume ratio, characteristic of MPs/NPs can contribute to their potentially harmful impact as other pollutants, like continuous organic contaminants, can also be bio-accumulated and adsorbed. A complex issue correlated with MPs/NPs is their ability to absorb and interact with other common pollutants in the environment, such as metals, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants. Thus, MPs/NPs can directly influence on destiny and toxicity of these substances to the environment and organisms. In this review, first, we introduce possible sources and formation, their destinies, and environmental impact of MPs/NPs and then explain feasible paths of all these particles entering the human body. Then, the review highlights the effect of MPs/NPs on human health. Finally, it provides a brief summary of the potential as well as the neurological toxicity of MPs/NPs.

Atmospheric HCFC-22, HFC-125, and HFC-152a at Cape Point, South Africa

One hydrochlorofluorocarbon and two hydrofluorocarbons (HCFC-22, HFC-125, and HFC-152a) were measured in air samples at the Cape Point observatory (CPT), South Africa, during 2017. These data represent the first such atmospheric measurements of these compounds from southwestern South Africa (SWSA). Baseline atmospheric growth rates were estimated to be 8.36, 4.10, and 0.71 ppt year^-1 for HCFC-22, HFC-125, and HFC-152a, respectively. The CPT measurements were combined with an inverse model to investigate emissions from SWSA. For all three halocarbons, Cape Town was found to be the dominant source within SWSA. These estimates were extrapolated, based on population statistics, to estimate emissions for the whole of South Africa. We estimate South Africa's 2017 emissions to be 3.0 (1.6-4.4), 0.8 (0.5-1.2), and 1.1 (0.6-1.6) Gg year^-1 for HCFC-22, HFC-125, and HFC-152a, respectively. For all three halocarbons, South Africa's contribution to global emissions is small (<2.5%), but future monitoring is needed to ensure South Africa's compliance with regulation set out by the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments.

A family of polypropylene glycol-grafted polyethyleneimines reversibly absorb and release carbon dioxide to blow polyurethanes

The chemical structure of CO₂ adducts from polypropylene glycol grafted polyethyleneimines has been optimised to blow polyurethanes.

Anharmonic theoretical simulations of infrared spectra of halogenated organic compounds

The recent implementation of the computation of infrared (IR) intensities beyond the double-harmonic approximation [J. Bloino and V. Barone, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 124108 (2012)] paved the route to routine calculations of infrared spectra for a wide set of molecular systems. Halogenated organic compounds represent an interesting class of molecules, from both an atmospheric and computational point of view, due to the peculiar chemical features related to the halogen atoms. In this work, we simulate the IR spectra of eight halogenated molecules (CH2F2, CHBrF2, CH2DBr, CF3Br, CH2CHF, CF2CFCl, cis-CHFCHBr, cis-CHFCHI), using two common hybrid and double-hybrid density functionals in conjunction with both double- and triple-ζ quality basis sets (SNSD and cc-pVTZ) as well as employing the coupled-cluster theory with basis sets of at least triple-ζ quality. Finally, we compare our results with available experimental spectra, with the aim of checking the accuracy and the performances of the computational approaches.

Global warming potentials of Hydrofluoroethers

Global warming potentials are estimated for hydrofluoroethers, which are an emerging class of compounds for industrial use. Comparisons are made to the limited data previously available before observations about molecular design are discussed. We quantify how molecular structure can be manipulated to reduce environmental impacts due to global warming. We further highlight the need for additional research on this class of compounds so environmental performance can be assessed for green design.

An overview of environmental hazards and exposure risk of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are being used as replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that cause significantly stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming. HFCs under commercial uses as cleaning solvents in the electronic components, blowing agent in the foamed plastics, refrigerant in the air conditioning units and refrigerators, fire suppression agent in the fire protection, propellant in the metered dose inhalers (MDIs), and dry etching agent in the semiconductor manufacturing. Among these HFCs, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) is the most widely used one. From the environmental, ecological, and health points of view, it is urgent to mitigate and control the emissions of these HFCs from a diversity of commercial applications and industrial processes. This article aims to introduce these HFCs in commercial uses and environmental hazards (i.e., global warming, photochemical potential, flammability safety, environmental partition and ecotoxicity). Further, the updated data on the human toxicity, occupational exposure and health risk of these HFCs (esp., HFC-134a) are addressed in this review paper.

Transport of 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc) in Rigid Polyurethane Foam and Polyethylene

This study focuses on the mass transfer properties of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc) in the insulating system used in most district heating pipes produced today, namely rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam with a protective layer of polyethylene (HDPE). The solubility, permeability and diffusion coefficients for HFC-365mfc in PUR foam and HDPE have been determined. The coefficients for HFC-365mfc in PUR foam are very similar to those of cyclopentane, currently the most common blowing agent in PUR foams used for district heating pipes in Europe. The polyethylene casing is a better diffusion barrier for HFC-365mfc than it is for cyclopentane. However, the main mass transfer resistance of HFC-365mfc in a district heating pipe is found in the PUR foam.