1. Introduction
Understanding the thermodynamic properties of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate and ethyl hydrocinnamate, in the liquid phase at room temperature, namely their enthalpies of vaporization and formation, is crucial, since this knowledge facilitates the prediction of their behavior under various conditions, ensuring safety to handle and to process, optimizing industrial procedures, and offering valuable insights for forecasting of related compounds [
1]. Moreover, in the fine chemicals industry, where most chemical reactions are exothermal and compounds often exist in a metastable state, proper management of thermal energy involved is very relevant. The release of energy during these reactions, if not controlled, can lead to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of reliable data for the thermodynamic properties of chemicals required in industrial processes.
This study integrates a broad research project whose main goal is to determine thermodynamic properties of essential fragrance classes, addressing current knowledge gaps and enhancing estimation methods for environmental risk assessment of similar compounds [
2,
3,
4]. Herein, a comprehensive comparative analysis of the thermodynamic properties of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate and ethyl hydrocinnamate is provided, depicted by structural formulas in
Figure 1.
Regarding the liquid compounds ethyl (
E)-cinnamate and ethyl hydrocinnamate, they are widely found across several industries, such as the flavor and fragrance, biomedical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and polymer sectors. Despite their similar basic structures, characterized by an ethyl ester linked to a phenyl group, the structural differences exhibited by these compounds lead to varied chemical properties and applications. Ethyl (
E)-cinnamate (IUPAC name: ethyl (2
E)-3-phenylacrylate) features a phenyl ring attached to an acrylic acid ester with a
trans double bond, giving it unique chemical reactivity and sensory properties, such as a sweet and fruity odor [
5]. This makes its use common in perfumes, cosmetics, food products, household cleaners, and detergents [
6,
7,
8]. In the biomedical research, ethyl (
E)-cinnamate is used in a new tissue-clearing method (2Eci) for imaging large 3D structures while preserving fluorescence and being non-toxic [
9]. Concerning the polymer industry, this compound serves as a "green plasticizer" for polylactide (PLA), enhancing its ductility and impact strength, improving processability, and offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived plasticizers [
10]. Its molecular structure enhances chain mobility, cohesion, and compatibility, leading to better performance in biodegradable materials. Moreover, it is an intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis [
11] and agricultural chemical production [
12]. On the other hand, ethyl hydrocinnamate (IUPAC name: ethyl 3-phenylpropanoate) presents a phenyl ring connected to a saturated propanoic acid ester. The absence of a double bond in the side chain makes its structure more stable and less reactive compared to ethyl (
E)-cinnamate. This stability, combined with its sweet, floral odor, makes this cinnamate derivative a desirable component in the flavor and fragrance industry [
13,
14].
This work involved the use of calorimetric techniques to study the thermodynamic properties of the two cinnamate derivatives. The investigation encompassed: (a) determination of the corresponding standard molar enthalpy of formation in the liquid phase, , by static-bomb combustion calorimetry experiments; and (b) determination of both enthalpies of vaporization, , via high-temperature microcalorimetry. These two parameters enabled the derivation of standard molar enthalpies of formation for both molecules in the gaseous phase, , at T = 298.15 K. Additionally, computational studies were conducted using the G3(MP2)//B3LYP composite method to estimate the of the two compounds.
The gas phase serves as a reference state in thermodynamics for establishing and discussing of the relationships related with the structure, energy, and reactivity of molecules. In gaseous phase, the molecules are widely spaced, being predominant intramolecular interactions, while intermolecular forces among molecules are often negligible. Focusing on the gaseous phase allows to “isolate” the contributions of intramolecular interactions, thereby simplifying the analysis of the relationship between molecular structure and thermodynamic properties. The standard molar enthalpy of formation in the gaseous state, , is a critical thermodynamic parameter used in this context.
The hydrogenation enthalpy of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate to ethyl hydrocinnamate in the gas phase,
, will be calculated using the experimental enthalpy of formation values obtained in this study and compared with literature values, together with a detailed analysis of the hydrogenation enthalpy of isomers (E/Z), which offers a valuable foundation for future research in this area. Nowadays, hydrogenation reactions are a central focus of scientific research due to the quest for sustainable, efficient, and carbon-neutral energy storage solutions [
15], since hydrogen, with its high energy output and environmentally friendly characteristics, is emerging as a promising candidate for future energy systems. However, storing and transporting hydrogen poses significant challenges due to its low volumetric energy density and the complexities of handling gaseous substances. Therefore, reactions that enable the chemical storage and release of hydrogen, particularly those involving Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs), are essential for efficient and secure hydrogen storage [
16].
In relation to the current state of research, a study conducted by Kozlovskiy et al. [
17] investigated a series of esters, including ethyl (
E)-cinnamate, phenethyl acetate, phenethyl propionate, phenethyl butyrate, and phenethyl hexanoate. The vapor pressures of these compounds were determined within the range of 298.15 K up to their boiling temperatures, using gas chromatography. The purity of the compounds does not seem to pose an obstacle in this study, as gas chromatography effectively separates impurities. This capability underscores a key advantage of the technique, enabling the evaluation of pure component properties within mixed substances. Previous thermodynamic investigations on three liquid pyridine acetyl derivatives, conducted using identical experimental methodologies [
18], yielded good results.
4. Discussion
Experimental determination of the standard molar gas-phase enthalpy of formation, , often involves starting with the enthalpy of formation in the condensed state, where both intermolecular and intramolecular interactions are considered. By combining this with the enthalpy of phase transition, the intermolecular interactions can be effectively canceled out, isolating the contributions of intramolecular interactions for analysis. This approach fulfills the initial objective of the work by allowing for a clearer understanding of the effects of molecular structure on thermodynamic properties and chemical behavior.
In
Table 5, the standard (
p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation (liquid and gas) and vaporization for ethyl (
E)-cinnamate and ethyl hydrocinnamate obtained in this study are compiled. Comparing the experimental values with the computational values obtained for the
, the difference for ethyl (
E)-cinnamate is 7.3 kJ⋅mol
-1, while for ethyl hydrocinnamate it is 0.4 kJ⋅mol
-1. The difference for ethyl (
E)-cinnamate falls within the acceptable range established for experimental and computational values [
38].
Considering the structural differences between the compounds studied, understanding the enthalpic difference associated with the hydrogenation of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate to ethyl hydrocinnamate requires knowledge of the experimental
values. This information is relevant for a comprehensive understanding of the hydrogenation process.
Figure 2 illustrates the hydrogenation reaction of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate to ethyl hydrocinnamate (eq. 8), with the gas-phase hydrogenation enthalpy at 298.15 K being
= − 114.1 ± 5.2 kJ⋅mol
-1, calculated using Hess Law. The hydrogenation enthalpy for the reaction of ethyl (2
E)-butenoate to ethyl butyrate (Equation (9)) was also calculated, which involves only the substituents without the benzene ring, yielding a value of − 109.5 ± 2.6 kJ⋅mol
-1; this result is consistent with the previous value when accounting for the associated uncertainty.
Williams [
41] pioneered the design of the first hydrogen calorimeter specifically for measuring enthalpy of hydrogenation in solution. The setup used a conventional reaction calorimeter with a Dewar flask, but required hydrogen-tight conditions. The sample was in a glass ampoule, broken by an externally controlled mechanical device to start the reaction. Williams investigated the hydrogenation of methyl (
Z)-cinnamate and methyl (
E)-cinnamate to methyl hydrocinnamate at 302 K (
Figure 3), using glacial acetic acid as the solvent for both reactions. This enthalpy value at this temperature is close to 298 K, given the minimal difference in heat capacities (at constant pressure) between the methyl cinnamate derivatives and hydrogen, making any corrections unnecessary. The enthalpy of hydrogenation was −117.9 ± 1.0 kJ·mol⁻¹ for methyl (
Z)-cinnamate and −101.2 ± 1.0 kJ·mol⁻¹ for methyl (
E)-cinnamate. It is important to note that for methyl (
Z)-cinnamate, the fusion enthalpy value was used to calculate the gas-phase hydrogenation enthalpy due to the compound being solid, which may explain the observed lower enthalpy value.
Table 6 presents hydrogenation enthalpies values at 298.15 K compiled by Rogers [
42] (NIST–JANAF Thermochemical Tables) for some linear alkenes, specifically for the
E and
Z isomers. A brief analysis of these values shows that the hydrogenation enthalpy for the
Z (cis) isomers tends to be more negative compared to the
E (trans) isomers. This can be explained by the fact that the Z isomer is generally less stable than the E isomer, which causes the Z isomer to release more energy upon hydrogenation due to the greater stability difference between the isomer and the resulting saturated product (alkane). Therefore, the hydrogenation enthalpy of the
Z isomer tends to be more negative than that of the
E isomer.
Figure 1.
Structural formulae of ethyl (E)-cinnamate (A) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (B).
Figure 1.
Structural formulae of ethyl (E)-cinnamate (A) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (B).
Figure 2.
Conformational composition, χi, for the most stable predominant molecular geometries, corresponding to minima on the potential energy surface, obtained using the G3(MP2)//B3LYP composite method for cinnamate derivatives. Atom color code: grey, C; red, O; white, H.
Figure 2.
Conformational composition, χi, for the most stable predominant molecular geometries, corresponding to minima on the potential energy surface, obtained using the G3(MP2)//B3LYP composite method for cinnamate derivatives. Atom color code: grey, C; red, O; white, H.
Figure 2.
Hydrogenation reactions with corresponding enthalpy of hydrogenation values for the conversion of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate to ethyl hydrocinnamate and ethyl (2
E)-2-butenoate to ethyl butyrate. Refs [
39,
40].
Figure 2.
Hydrogenation reactions with corresponding enthalpy of hydrogenation values for the conversion of ethyl (
E)-cinnamate to ethyl hydrocinnamate and ethyl (2
E)-2-butenoate to ethyl butyrate. Refs [
39,
40].
Figure 3.
Hydrogenation reactions with corresponding experimental enthalpy of hydrogenation values for the conversion of methyl (E)-cinnamate and methyl (Z)-cinnamate to methyl hydrocinnamate at the temperature of 302 K.
Figure 3.
Hydrogenation reactions with corresponding experimental enthalpy of hydrogenation values for the conversion of methyl (E)-cinnamate and methyl (Z)-cinnamate to methyl hydrocinnamate at the temperature of 302 K.
Table 1.
Standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar values for ethyl (E)-cinnamate (EEC) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (EHC) at T = 298.15 K in the liquid phase obtained from combustion calorimetry experiments.
Table 1.
Standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar values for ethyl (E)-cinnamate (EEC) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (EHC) at T = 298.15 K in the liquid phase obtained from combustion calorimetry experiments.
Compound |
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
EEC |
−5726.2 ± 2.4 1
|
−5731.2 ± 2.4 1
|
−312.4 ± 2.8 2
|
EHC |
−5901.2± 2.8 1
|
−5907.4 ± 2.8 1
|
−422.0 ± 3.2 2
|
Table 2.
Standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of vaporization for ethyl (E)-cinnamate (EEC) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (EHC) obtained from high-temperature microcalorimetry experiments.
Table 2.
Standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of vaporization for ethyl (E)-cinnamate (EEC) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (EHC) obtained from high-temperature microcalorimetry experiments.
Compound |
T /K |
/kJ·mol-1
|
/kJ⋅mol-1
|
/ kJ·mol-1
|
EEC (l) |
345.6 |
82.8 ± 0.81
|
10.4 ± 0.22
|
72.4 ± 2.53
|
EHC (l) |
376.1 |
86.4 ± 0.31
|
18.6 ± 0.42
|
67.9 ± 1.74
|
Table 3.
Hypothetical gas-phase reactions proposed for calculating the gas-phase enthalpy of formation, , for ethyl (E)-cinnamate, along with the corresponding calculated values for the enthalpies of reaction , at T = 298.15 K. All values account for the conformer distribution of the six minimum conformers.
Table 3.
Hypothetical gas-phase reactions proposed for calculating the gas-phase enthalpy of formation, , for ethyl (E)-cinnamate, along with the corresponding calculated values for the enthalpies of reaction , at T = 298.15 K. All values account for the conformer distribution of the six minimum conformers.
Table 4.
Hypothetical gas-phase reactions proposed for calculating the gas-phase enthalpy of formation, , for ethyl hydrocinnamate, along with the corresponding calculated values for the enthalpies of reaction , at T = 298.15 K. All values account for the conformer distribution of the eleven minimum conformers.
Table 4.
Hypothetical gas-phase reactions proposed for calculating the gas-phase enthalpy of formation, , for ethyl hydrocinnamate, along with the corresponding calculated values for the enthalpies of reaction , at T = 298.15 K. All values account for the conformer distribution of the eleven minimum conformers.
Table 5.
Compilation of the standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation (liquid and gaseous) and vaporization for ethyl (E)-cinnamate (EEC) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (EHC).
Table 5.
Compilation of the standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation (liquid and gaseous) and vaporization for ethyl (E)-cinnamate (EEC) and ethyl hydrocinnamate (EHC).
|
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
experimental |
computational |
EEC |
72.4 ± 2.51
|
−312.4 ± 2.81
|
−240.0 ± 3.82
|
−247.3 ± 2.51
|
EHC |
67.9 ± 1.71
|
−422.0 ± 3.21
|
−354.1 ± 3.62
|
−353.7 ± 1.71
|
Table 6.
Compilation of experimental values for the gas-phase hydrogenation enthalpy of some unbranched (E/Z) isomeric alkenes at the T = 298.15 K [Error! Bookmark not defined.].
Table 6.
Compilation of experimental values for the gas-phase hydrogenation enthalpy of some unbranched (E/Z) isomeric alkenes at the T = 298.15 K [Error! Bookmark not defined.].
Reactions |
/ kJ⋅mol-1
|
|
Isomer E |
Isomer Z |
|
But-2-ene + H2 → Butane |
−114.5 ± 0.4 |
−118.5 ± 0.4 |
|
Pent-2-ene + H2 → Pentane |
−114.6 ± 0.4 |
−118.5 ± 0.4 |
|
Hex-2-ene + H2 → Hexane |
−113.8 ± 1.3 |
−115.8 ± 0.8 |
|
Hex-3-ene + H2 → Hexane |
−112.3 ± 1.7 |
−122.6 ± 1.3 |
|
Hept-2-ene + H2 → Heptane |
−114.1 ± 0.5 |
−117.9 ± 0.4 |
|
Hept-3-ene + H2 → Heptane |
−114.7 ± 0.3 |
−120.0 ± 2.9 |
Oct-2-ene + H2 → Octane |
−115.5 ± 0.7 |
−119.4 ± 1.1 |
Oct-3-ene + H2 → Octane |
−115.8 ± 0.4 |
−117.8 ± 0.4 |
Oct-4-ene + H2 → Octane |
−115.0 ± 0.7 |
−114.6 ± 0.4 |