President Joe Biden's Environmental Protection Agency finalized a new rule Tuesday taxing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, but critics argue the move is "irrelevant" and will serve to boost Big Oil and stifle innovation.

Savard, M M; Jautzy, J J; Lavoie, D; Dhillon, R S; Defliese, W. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta vol. 298, 2021 p. 43-54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.01.041
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Huntsman Corporation has named Doug Brady as president of Huntsman Building Solutions.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry announced on Sept. 9 the results of a two-year survey on the polyurethanes industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

RUGS-1 is a new urethane release agent for the EIFS and stucco industries by Rescom Products. The product helps prevent construction materials, such as cementitious products, spray foam adhesives and caulk, from sticking to hand tools and surfaces.

On Oct. 2, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council announced the recipients of two prestigious industry awards – the 2024 Polyurethane Innovation Award and the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award.

The company is rolling out its updated and improved Foam Kit 15FR Disposable Polyurethane Foam System

What should I know about polyurethane foot protection?

Engineered for truck or bus garages, repair and diesel/LNG conversion shops, and test bays and park ramps, this methane detection system can spot leaks as small as 100 parts per million.

The Jackson Safety G60 Level 2 Polyurethane-Coated Cut Glove features ANSI/EN388 Level 2 cut resistance and a stretch Kevlar liner for cut resistance and a comfortable fit. The G60 offers excellent dexterity for improved productivity and is coated in polyurethane as a barrier against oil penetration.

Kimberly-Clark Professional

Washington – NIOSH is looking for companies that use spray polyurethane foam to participate in a study about the health effects of occupational exposure to flame retardants.

Arlington, VA — An underground coal mine fire stemming from the injection of polyurethane foam into a roof cavity has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert.

Belle Pulses, in Saskatchewan, Canada, produces pea and legume protein for plant-based products including crackers and baked goods, dairy, soups and meats.

A chiral nickel(II) Schiff base complex derived from 2-hy­droxy­benzo­phenone and (1S,2S)-1,2-di­phenyl­ethyl­enedi­amine shows a λ conformation of the central di­amine chelate ring. The substituents on the C&z-dbnd;N carbon atoms significantly affect the circular dichroism spectra.

The title compound, [Ni(C40H30N2O2)] (1), with an optically active Schiff base ligand derived from 2-hydroxybenzophenone and (1S,2S)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, was crystallized as the solvent-free and ethanol solvate forms (1 and 1·2C2H5OH). In both structures, the two phenyl groups on the stereogenic centers of the O,N,N,O-tetradentate ligand are axially oriented, and the conformation of the central diamine chelate ring is λ. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of 1 and the analogous nickel(II) complex [Ni(C30H26N2O2)] (2) in solution show partially similar patterns in the 350–450 nm range, but are mirror images in the longer wavelength region (450–650 nm). In the latter region, the sign of CD for these complexes is sensitive to the substituents on the C=N carbon atoms (phenyl for 1 and methyl for 2) rather than the diamine chelate ring conformation.

The title compound, [RuCl2(C25H22P2)2] or [RuCl2(dppm)2] (dppm = bis­(di­phenyl­phosphan­yl)methane, C25H22P2) crystallizes as two half-mol­ecules (completed by inversion symmetry) in space group Poverline{1} (Z = 2), with the RuII atoms occupying inversion centers at 0,0,0 and 1/2, 1/2, 1/2, respectively. The bidentate phosphane ligands occupy equatorial positions while the chlorido ligands complete the distorted octa­hedral coordination spheres at axial positions. The bite angles of the phosphane chelates are similar for the two mol­ecules [(P—Ru—P)avg. = 71.1°], while there are significant differences in the twisting of the methyl­ene backbone, with a distance of the methyl­ene C atom from the RuP4 plane of 0.659 (2) and 0.299 (3) Å, respectively, and also for the phenyl substituents for both mol­ecules due to variations in weak C—H⋯Cl inter­actions.

The reaction of ethane-1,2-di­amine (en, C2H8N2), the sodium salt of naphthalene-1,5-di­sulfonic acid (H2NDS, C10H8O6S2), and nickel sulfate in an aqueous solution resulted in the formation of the title salt, [Ni(C2H8N2)(H2O)4](C10H6O6S2)·2H2O or [Ni(en)(H2O)4](NDS)·2H2O. In the asymmetric unit, one half of an [Ni(en)(H2O)4]2+ cation and one half of an NDS2− anion, and one water mol­ecule of crystallization are present. The Ni2+ cation in the complex is positioned on a twofold rotation axis and exhibits a slight tetra­gonal distortion of the cis-NiO4N2 octa­hedron, with an Ni—N bond length of 2.0782 (16) Å, and Ni—O bond lengths of 2.1170 (13) Å and 2.0648 (14) Å. The anion is completed by inversion symmetry. In the extended structure, the cations, anions, and non-coordinating water mol­ecules are connected by inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, as well as C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming a three-dimensional network.

In the title complex, [Ni(C19H13N5)2](CF3SO3)2·(CH3CH2)2O, the central NiII atom is sixfold coordinated by three nitro­gen atoms of each 2,6-bis­(2-benzimidazol­yl)pyridine ligand in a distorted octa­hedral geometry with two tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate ions and a mol­ecule of diethyl ether completing the outer coordination sphere of the complex. Hydrogen bonding contributes to the organization of the asymmetric units in columns along the a axis generating a porous supra­molecular structure. The structure was refined as a two-component twin with a refined BASF value of 0.4104 (13).

In the title complex, [Ru(C10H8N2)2(C6H6N2O)(H2O)](CF3SO3)2, the central RuII atom is sixfold coordinated by two bidentate 2,2'-bi­pyridine, an isonic­otinamide ligand, and a water mol­ecule in a distorted octa­hedral environment with tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate ions completing the outer coordination sphere of the complex. Hydrogen bonding involving the water mol­ecule and weak π–π stacking inter­actions between the pyridyl rings in adjacent mol­ecules contribute to the alignment of the complexes in columns parallel to the c axis.

The title compound, [Ag2(C19H20N2)4]Cl·0.5C2H4Cl2, can be readily generated by treatment of (1-benzyl-3-(2,4,6-tri­methyl­phen­yl)imidazolium chloride with sodium bis­(tri­methyl­sil­yl)amide followed by silver chloride. The mol­ecular structure of the compound was confirmed using NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure of the title compound at 110 K has monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry. The represented silver compound is of inter­est with respect to anti­bacterial properties and the structure displays a series of weak inter­molecular hydrogen-bonding inter­actions with the chloride counter-anion.

A new triazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene IrI cationic complex with a tetra­fluorido­borate counter-anion and hemi-solvating di­chloro­methane, [Ir(C8H12)(C8H15N3)(C18H15P)]BF4·0.5CH2Cl2, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. There are two independent ion pairs in the asymmetric unit and one di­chloro­methane solvent mol­ecule per two ion pairs. The cationic complex exhibits a distorted square-planar conformation around the IrI atom, formed by a bidentate cyclo­octa-1,5,diene (COD) ligand, a tri­phenyl­phosphane ligand, and an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC). There are several close non-standard H⋯F hydrogen-bonding inter­actions that orient the tetra­fluorido­borate anions with respect to the IrI complex mol­ecules. The complex shows promising catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation reactions. The structure was refined as a non-merohedral twin, and one of the COD mol­ecules is statistically disordered.

Geminal and vicinal bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate) esters are highly reactive alkyl­ene synthons used as potent electrophiles in the macrocyclization of imid­azoles and the transformation of bypyridines to diquat derivatives via nucleophilic substitution reactions. Herein we report the crystal structures of methyl­ene (C3H2F6O6S2) and ethyl­ene bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate) (C4H4F6O6S2), the first examples of a geminal and vicinal bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate) ester characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD). With melting points slightly below ambient temperature, both reported bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate)s are air- and moisture-sensitive oils and were crys­tallized at 277 K to afford two-com­ponent non-merohedrally twinned crystals. The dominant inter­actions present in both com­pounds are non-classical C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and inter­molecular C—F⋯F—C inter­actions between tri­fluoro­methyl groups. Mol­ecular electrostatic potential (MEP) cal­culations by DFT-D3 helped to qu­antify the polarity between O⋯H and F⋯F contacts to rationalize the self-sorting of both bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate) esters in polar (non-fluorous) and non-polar (fluorous) domains within the crystal structure.

The title compound, N1,N2-di­methyl­ethane­dihydrazide, C4H10N4O2, was obtained by the methyl­ation of oxalyl dihydrazide protected with phthalimide. The mol­ecule is essentially non-planar with a dihedral angle between the two planar hydrazide fragments of 86.5 (2)°. This geometry contributes to the formation of a multi-contact three-dimensional supra­molecular network via C—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds.

We report the synthesis and structural characterization of three crystalline borylated ortho-silylaryl tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonates: 5-(4,4,5,5-tetra­methyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-(tri­methyl­sil­yl)phenyl tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate, C16H24BF3O5SSi (1a), 4-(4,4,5,5-tetra­methyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-(tri­methyl­sil­yl)phenyl tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate, C16H24BF3O5SSi (1b), and 2-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetra­methyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-6-(tri­methyl­silyl)phen­yl tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate, C17H26BF3O5SSi (2), which are versatile aryne precursors. For all three compounds, the heteroatom substituents are almost coplanar with the central aromatic moiety. C—heteroatom bonding metrics are unexceptional and fall withing the typical range of C—B, C—Si, and C—O single bonds. Despite numerous electronegative sites, only weak inter­molecular inter­actions are observed in the solid state.

Two 2,4,6-tri­methyl­aniline-based trifuloro­methane­sulfonate (tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate) salts were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. N,2,4,6-Tetra­methyl­anilinium tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate, [C10H14NH2+][CF3O3S−] (1), was synthesized via methyl­ation of 2,4,6-tri­methyl­aniline. N-Iso­propyl­idene-N,2,4,6-tetra­methyl­anilinium tri­fluoro­meth­ane­sulfonate, [C13H20N+][CF3O3S−] (2), was synthesized in a two-step reaction where the imine, N-iso­propyl­idene-2,4,6-tri­methyl­aniline, was first prepared via a dehydration reaction to form the Schiff base, followed by methyl­ation using methyl tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate to form the iminium ion. In compound 1, both hydrogen bonding and π–π inter­actions form the main inter­molecular inter­actions. The primary inter­action is a strong N—H⋯O hydrogen bond with the oxygen atoms of the tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate anions bonded to the hydrogen atoms of the ammonium nitro­gen atom to generate a one-dimensional chain. The [C10H14NH2+] cations form dimers where the benzene rings form a π–π inter­action with a parallel-displaced geometry. The separation distance between the calculated centroids of the benzene rings is 3.9129 (8) Å, and the inter­planar spacing and ring slippage between the dimers are 3.5156 (5) and 1.718 Å, respectively. For 2, the [C13H20N+] cations also form dimers as in 1, but with the benzene rings highly slipped. The distance between the calculated centroids of the benzene rings is 4.8937 (8) Å, and inter­planar spacing and ring slippage are 3.3646 (5) and 3.553 Å, respectively. The major inter­molecular inter­actions in 2 are instead a series of weaker C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds [C⋯O distances of 3.1723 (17), 3.3789 (18), and 3.3789 (18) Å], an inter­action virtually absent in the structure of 1. Fluorine atoms are not involved in strong directional inter­actions in either structure.

The title mol­ecule, C18H26O4, consists of two symmetrical halves related by the inversion centre at the mid-point of the central –C—C– bond. The hexene ring adopts an envelope conformation. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are connected into dimers by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with R22(8) ring motifs, forming zigzag ribbons along the b-axis direction. According to a Hirshfeld surface analysis, H⋯H (68.2%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (25.9%) inter­actions are the most significant contributors to the crystal packing. The contribution of some disordered solvent to the scattering was removed using the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] in PLATON. The solvent contribution was not included in the reported mol­ecular weight and density.

The synthesis, crystallization and characterization of a tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate salt of 5,10,15,20-tetra­kis­(1-benzyl­pyridin-1-ium-4-yl)-21H,23H-por­phy­rin, C68H54N84+·4CF3SO3−·4H2O, 1·OTf, are reported in this work. The reaction between 5,10,15,20-tetra­kis­(pyridin-4-yl)-21H,23H-porphyrin and benzyl bromide in the presence of 0.1 equiv. of Ca(OH)2 in CH3CN under reflux with an N2 atmosphere and subsequent treatment with silver tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate (AgOTf) salt produced a red–brown solution. This reaction mixture was filtered and the solvent was allowed to evaporate at room temperature for 3 d to give 1·OTf. Crystal structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXD) revealed that 1·OTf crystallizes in the space group P21/c. The asymmetric unit contains half a porphyrin mol­ecule, two tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate anions and two water mol­ecules of crystallization. The macrocycle of tetra­pyrrole moieties is planar and unexpectedly it has coordinated CaII ions in occupational disorder. This CaII ion has only 10% occupancy (C72H61.80Ca0.10F12N8O16S4). The pyridinium rings bonded to methyl­ene groups from porphyrin are located in two different arrangements in almost orthogonal positions between the plane formed by the porphyrin and the pyridinium rings. The crystal structure features cation⋯π inter­actions between the CaII atom and the π-system of the phenyl ring of neighboring mol­ecules. Both tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate anions are found at the periphery of 1, forming hydrogen bonds with water mol­ecules.

The mol­ecular structure of the tripodal carbamoyl­methyl­phosphine oxide compound diethyl {[(5-[2-(di­eth­oxy­phosphor­yl)acetamido]-3-{2-[2-(di­eth­oxy­phos­phor­yl)acetamido]­eth­yl}pent­yl)carbamo­yl]meth­yl}phospho­nate, C25H52N3O12P3, features six intra­molecular hydrogen-bonding inter­actions. The phospho­nate groups have key bond lengths ranging from 1.4696 (12) to 1.4729 (12) Å (P=O), 1.5681 (11) to 1.5811 (12) Å (P—O) and 1.7881 (16) to 1.7936 (16) Å (P—C). Each amide group adopts a nearly perfect trans geometry, and the geometry around each phophorus atom resembles a slightly distorted tetra­hedron.

The title compound, [Cd(C14H16N3S)Cl] or [CdLCl] (1), where LH = 2-[bis­(pyridin-2-ylmeth­yl)amino]­ethane-1-thiol, was prepared and structurally characterized. The Cd2+ complex crystallizes in P21/c with a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal metal coordination geometry. Supra­molecular inter­actions in 1 include parallel offset face-to-face inter­actions between inversion-related pyridyl rings and potential hydrogen bonds with chlorine or sulfur as the acceptor. Additional cooperative pyrid­yl–pyridyl inter­actions with roughly 45° tilt angles and centroid–centroid distances of less than 5.5 Å likely also contribute to the overall solid-state stability. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that H⋯H (51.2%), Cl⋯H/H⋯Cl (13.9%), C⋯H/H⋯C (12.3%) and S⋯H/H⋯S (11.8%) inter­actions are dominant in the solid state.

The title compound, catena-poly[[tri­aqua­sodium]-di-μ-aqua-[tri­aqua­sodium]-μ-(ethane-1,2-di­yl)bis­[(3-meth­oxy­prop­yl)phosphinodi­thiol­ato]], [Na2(C10H22O2P2S4)(H2O)8]n, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The dianionic [CH3O(CH2)3P(=S)(S—)CH2CH2P(=S)(S—)(CH2)3OCH3]2− ligand fragments are joined by a dicationic [Na2(H2O)8]2+ cluster that includes the oxygen of the meth­oxy­propyl unit of the ligand to form infinite chains.

The U.S. should take bold steps to improve measurement, monitoring, and inventories of methane emissions caused by human activities, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Yodda announced the launch of their elder care services in the cities of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai today. It will now offer emergency services, healthcare services and convenience services to senior citizens living in these cities.

Archaea are a major branch of life, but we still have a lot to learn about these microbes, which were only discovered in the 1970s.

While many parts of the world are feeling the effects of climate change, air temperatures in the Arctic are warming faster than anywhere else on the planet

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) anticipates changes in policy and products in the near future. Is the roofing industry ready?

The Biden administration issued a new fee on climate-warming methane pollution, but the EPA regulation faces an uncertain future under President-elect Trump

Colorado has led the nation on regulating methane emissions and now companies in the state are major contributors to a new satellite expected to be an important tool in identifying and quantifying the emissions globally.

Fast-rising methane emissions could undermine efforts to limit global warming by mid-century, prompting scientists and policymakers to urge aggressive action to curb output of the potent greenhouse gas.

A fee created to push oil and gas companies to plug methane leaks could be axed by the incoming Trump administration, hampering efforts to curb the potent greenhouse gas

Jul 10, 2023

The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University launched today a major research and outreach initiative to reduce global methane emissions. The initiative seeks meaningful and sustained progress in global methane-emissions reductions through research and effective engagement with government policymakers — and with key stakeholders in business, nongovernmental organizations, and international institutions.

Nov 8, 2023

Economic historian Emma Rothschild, the Jeremy and Jane Knowles Professor of History at Harvard, lauded the efforts of young scholars to discover local solutions to mitigate the impacts of global climate change in the latest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.

Nov 15, 2023

Efforts around and impacts of global methane-emissions abatement will be the focus at an official side event on December 6 co-sponsored by the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP-28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai. Harvard Project Director Robert Stavins will also participate in a number of other events at COP-28.

Dec 13, 2023

The Harvard Project on Climate Agreements (HPCA) assembled a panel of leading academics and government officials to discuss strategies for achieving significant methane emissions reductions at relatively low costs at an official COP 28 Side Event last Wednesday (Dec. 6). The event, titled “Reducing Global Methane Emissions: Imperatives, Opportunities, and Challenges,” was moderated by HPCA Director Robert Stavins.

Feb 14, 2024

The Harvard Project participates in a major Harvard initiative aimed at reducing emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Participating researchers represent a range of academic disciplines and Harvard schools.

Jul 11, 2024

Efforts to measure and mitigate the impact of methane emissions was the topic of discussion last Monday (June 10, 2024) at a panel convened as part of Climate Action Week in the Northwest Building, sponsored by Harvard’s Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability and moderated by Harvard Environmental Economics Program and Harvard Project Director Robert Stavins.

U.S. exports of ethane and ethane-based petrochemicals reached an all-time high of 21.6 million metric tons (MMmt) in 2023, up 135% since the United States began exporting ethane in 2014 and 17% more than in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The rapid expansion of U.S. ethane and ethane-based petrochemical exports has been fueled by the growth in domestic ethane production, which has increased with the country's natural gas production and the buildout of export and production infrastructure.