- Organic Chemistry
- Oxidation-Reduction Chemistry
- Aqueous Chemistry
- pH Measurement
- Formaldehyde Chemistry
- Phosphorus Chemistry
- Reaction Mechanisms
While my training is in organic chemistry and physical organic chemistry, my broad experience includes biochemistry, bio-organic chemistry, aqueous chemistry, organometallic chemistry, photochemistry, analytical chemistry and many aspects of inorganic chemistry. Since I keep up with the literature in my specialty areas, I can bring the most current research and solutions to bear on your problems as your chemistry consultant. My training and experience combine to produce a unique problem-solving capability.
I welcome queries involving oxidation reactions of hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, hypochlorite (bleach), air, oxygen, ozone, chlorine, perchlorate, permanganate, iodosobenzene and the whole range of available oxidants.
Aqueous chemistry involves the structure and reactions of substances in water. Water is highly polar and a better hydrogen bond donor and acceptor than most other compounds, making it a unique reaction medium. Reactions in water are complicated by the great range of acidity (over fourteen orders of magnitude) available and many reactions vary with pH. These have a distinct maximum rate at a certain pH and slow if the pH moves higher or lower. Most acids, bases and salts are electrolytes which split into positive and negative ions in aqueous solution and generate special situations that are often complex and hard to analyze. Thus, aqueous chemistry is a special branch of solution chemistry that is often far more complex than textbooks describe.
While pH is an important parameter for many chemical processes, it can be surprisingly difficult to measure. The theory behind pH measurement assumes dilute sample conditions in just water, but such conditions are seldom achieved in chemical manufacturing processes or even analytical labs. Most pH meters, pH testers and pH electrodes assume certain conventions that are often not satisfied in the real world. Sodium and other common ions can interfere with proper electrode function. The temperature dependence of the pH measurement is also a complicating factor that many analysts assume is accounted for through temperature compensation practices, but often is not. All these factors can lead to erroneous or variable results. Some of these difficulties are outlined in my article on pH measurement. If you have reason to think that your pH measurement is suspect, give me a call.
Formaldehyde sometimes gives complex and confusing mixtures of products due to its oxidizing and reducing properties but is one of my favorite topics. The risk of formaldehyde and base forming flammable hydrogen gas is also of some concern and should not be overlooked. This hydrogen-forming hazard also extends to glyoxal, glyoxylic acid, benzaldehyde and other aldehydes lacking α-hydrogens.
I have experience with elemental phosphorus, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphine, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonic acids and derivatives and a range of organo-phosphorus compounds. Several of these materials may react violently with water or air, while some can form hazardous gases as deadly as cyanide and inflame on contact with air. Please call with your questions, problems or concerns.
My training and experience are applicable not only to the chemical process industries, but also to pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, consumer products, paints and coatings, food processing, pulp and paper and many other fields that manipulate materials. When you need a chemistry consultant specialist, give me a call.
Problem-solving is a passion of mine so I welcome the opportunity to solve yours.
