Electrochemical and calorimetric methods

Electrochemistry may be exploited for the analysis of extremely low concentrations of elec-trochemically active species, for laboratory scale preparations and in manufacturing processes on a massive scale [ 17]. In the context of the investigation of reaction mechanisms in solution, the present focus is on electroanalytical techniques these are included in Chapter 6, but there are obvious connections with Chapter 5 (see above) and Chapter 10 on free radicals. 

Several methods have been developed over the years for the thermochemical characterisation of compounds and reactions, and the assessment of thermal safety, e.g. differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), as well as reaction calorimetry. Of these, reaction calorimetry is the most directly applicable to reaction characterisation and, as the heat-flow rate during a chemical reaction is proportional to the rate of conversion, it represents a differential kinetic analysis technique. Consequently, calorimetry is uniquely able to provide kinetics as well as thermodynamics information to be exploited in mechanism studies as well as process development and optimisation [21]. 

More significantly, when calorimetry is combined with an integral kinetic analysis method, e.g. a spectroscopic technique, we have an expanded and extremely sophisticated method for the characterisation of chemical reactions. And when the calorimetric method is linked to FTIR spectroscopy (in particular, attenuated total reflectance IR spectroscopy, IR-ATR), structural as well as kinetic and thermodynamic information becomes available for the investigation of organic reactions. We devote much of Chapter 8 to this new development, and the discussion will focus on reaction calorimeters of a size able to mimic production-scale reactors of the corresponding industrial processes. 

Reaction characterisation by calorimetry generally involves construction of a model complete with kinetic and thermodynamic parameters (e.g. rate constants and reaction enthalpies) for the steps which together comprise the overall process. Experimental calorimetric measurements are then compared with those simulated on the basis of the reaction model and particular values for the various parameters. The measurements could be of heat evolution measured as a function of time for the reaction carried out isothermally under specified conditions. Congruence between the experimental measurements and simulated values is taken as the support for the model and the reliability of the parameters, which may then be used for the design of a manufacturing process, for example. A reaction modelin this sense should not be confused with a mechanism in the sense used by most organic chemists-they are different but equally valid descriptions of the reaction. The model is empirical and comprises a set of chemical equations and associated kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. The mechanism comprises a description of how at the molecular level reactants become products. Whilst there is no necessary connection between a useful model and the mechanism (known or otherwise), the application of sound mechanistic principles is likely to provide the most effective route to a good model. 

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