Effects of gamma irradiation on cell-wall constituents of some agricultural residues

The effects of 150 kilogray (kGy) of γ irradiation on cell-wall constituents of cottonwood (CW), lentils straw (LS), apple pruning products (AP) and olive cake (OC) were investigated. Samples were irradiated by γ irradiation at a dose level of 150 kGy under identical conditions of temperature and humidity and analyzed for crude fibre (CF), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid-detergent lignin (ADL). The results indicate that γ irradiation decreased CF contents by about 29% for CW, LS and AP and by 17% for OC. NDF values were also decreased by about 4% for CW and OC, and by about 12% for LS and AP. γ Irradiation treatment also decreased ADF values only for CW by 8%. ADL contents decreased by 8% for CW and 5% for OC with no effects for LS and AP. The percentage of cellulose (CL): CF ratio increased by 30, 34, 38 and 20% for CW, LS, AP and OC, respectively. Also, the percentage of hemicellulose (HCL): CF increased by 57% for CW and 16% for OC and decreased by 7% for LS and AP. The percentage of HCL: ADL increased by 22% for CW but decreased by 33% for LS and AP with no changes for OC. There were no changes in CL: ADL ratio for all residues.     

Effect of urea and urea–gamma treatments on cellulose degradation of Thai rice straw and corn stalk

Cellulose degradation of 20% urea treated and 20% urea–10 kGy gamma treated Thai rice straw and corn stalk showed that combination effect of urea and gamma radiation gave a higher % decrease in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin and cutin in comparison with urea effect only for both room temperature storage and room temperature +258 K storage. The results also indicated that cellulose degradation proceeded with time, even at 258 K. A drastic drop to less than half of the original contents in NDF, ADF, and ADL could not be obtained in this study.     

Radical additions to fluoro-olefins. photochemical mono-fluoroalkylation and sequential bis-fluoroalkylation of oxolane

Oxolane was fluoroalkylated by its photoadditions under atmospheric pressure. Monofluoro-alkylations were carried out with hexafluoropropene (1) and perfluorovinyl ethers C₃F₇O-[CF(CF₃)CF₂O]_n-CF = CF₂ (24, n = 0–2) by direct photoexcitation of the olefins to give high yields of addition products 9–12 (81–94%). The reactions were completely regioselecti ve at the oxolane molecule and almost completely regioselective (93–99%) at the double bond of fluoro-olefins; no bis-fluoroalkylated oxolanes were detected. The completely selective introduction of a second fluoroalkyl into position 5 of the oxolane molecule was accomplished by acetone-sensitised photoaddition of 2fluoroalkylated oxolanes 9,10 to fluoro-olefins 1 and 2. Byproducts from reactions of the dimethylketyl radical which is formed in the initiation step were isolated and have given some evidence about the reaction mechanism that is discussed.     

Evaluation of two procedures to determine acid and neutral detergent fibers in ruminant feeds of the temperate region of Argentina

The objective of this work was to compare the traditional Van Soest's procedure to analyze neutral detergent fibers (NDF) and acid detergent fibers (ADF) using filtering crucibles (VS) with a semiautomatic method which uses filter bags in an ANKOM Technology Corp. instrument (ANK). Nine ruminant feeds widely used in the temperate region of Argentina were analyzed: soybean meal expeller, alfalfa, pasture silage, ryegrass, corn silage, weeping lovegrass, tall wheatgrass, guinea grass, and barley grass. Four runs were done for each technique and feed. The comparison of ADF and NDF means by the means test for paired samples showed no significant differences between techniques (alpha = 0.01). The variability among runs was greater with the VS method than the ANK, both for NDF, standard deviation (SD) = 0.71 vs 0.39, and for ADF, SD = 0.83 vs 0.56, but the differences were not significant. The linear regressions were VS = 1.43 + 0.95 ANK; R2 = 0.99, and VS = 0.53 + 0.98 ANK; R2 = 0.99 for NDF and ADF, respectively, which indicated a strong linear relationship among the results of both procedures. It was concluded that the ANK procedure gave results comparable to those of the VS method when ruminant feeds from the temperate region of Argentina were analyzed.     

A facile synthetic route to (η-benzoyleyclopentadienyl) metal compounds

A reaction between cyclopentadienylsodium and ethyl benzoate in refluxing THF produces (benzoylcyclopentadienyl)sodium (4) in 70–80% yield. Subsequent treatment of 4 in ethanol solution with thallium ethoxide affords (benzoyleyclopentadienyl)thallium (3) in nearly quantitative yield. Reactions of 3 with Mn(CO)₅Br, Re(CO)₅Br, [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ or FeCl₂ lead to the respective η⁵-benzoylcyclopentadienyl derivatives of these metals, and demonstrate the utility of 3 in organometallic syntheses. Reactions of several of these organometallic ketones with cymantrenyllithium [(η⁵-C₅H₄Li)Mn(CO)₃] provide a useful new route to bimetallic compounds.     

Correlating detergent fiber analysis and dietary fiber analysis data for corn stover collected by NIRS

There exist large amounts of detergent fiber analysis data [neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL)] for many different potential cellulosic ethanol feedstocks, since these techniques are widely used for the analysis of forages. Researchers working in the area of cellulosic ethanol are interested in the structural carbohydrates in a feedstock (principally glucan and xylan), which are typically determined by acid hydrolysis of the structural fraction after multiple extractions of the biomass. These so-called dietary fiber analysis methods are significantly more involved than detergent fiber analysis methods. The purpose of this study was to determine whether it is feasible to correlate detergent fiber analysis values to glucan and xylan content determined by dietary fiber analysis methods for corn stover. In the detergent fiber analysis literature cellulose is often estimated as the difference between ADF and ADL, while hemicellulose is often estimated as the difference between NDF and ADF. Examination of a corn stover dataset containing both detergent fiber analysis data and dietary fiber analysis data predicted using near infrared spectroscopy shows that correlations between structural glucan measured using dietary fiber techniques and cellulose estimated using detergent techniques, and between structural xylan measured using dietary fiber techniques and hemicellulose estimated using detergent techniques are high, but are driven largely by the underlying correlation between total extractives measured by fiber analysis and NDF/ADF. That is, detergent analysis data is correlated to dietary fiber analysis data for structural carbohydrates, but only indirectly; the main correlation is between detergent analysis data and solvent extraction data produced during the dietary fiber analysis procedure.     

Theoretical studies on the BN substituted fullerenes C70−2x(BN)x (x=1–3)—isoelectronic equivalents of C70

The equilibrium structures and relative stabilities of BN-doped fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x (x=1–3) have been studied at the AM1 and MNDO level. The most stable isomers of C_70−2x(BN)_x have been found out and their electronic properties have been predicted. The calculation results show that the BN substituted fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x have considerable stabilities, though they are less stable than their all carbon analog. For C₆₈BN, the isomers whose BN is located in the most chemically active bonds of C₇₀ (namely B and A) are among the most stable species, of which B is predicted to be the ground state. The stabilities of C₆₈BN decrease and the dipole moments increase with increasing the distance between the heteroatoms. For C₆₆(BN)₂, the lowest energy species is the isomer in which the B–N–B–N bond is formed; For C₆₄(BN)₃, the most stable species should have three BN units located in the same hexagon to form B–N–B–N–B–N ring. The ionization potentials and the affinity energies of the most stable species of BN-doped C₇₀ are almost the same as those of C₇₀ because of the isoelectronic relationship. The ionization potentials and affinity energies depend on the relative position of the heteroatoms in C₆₈BN, the chemical reactivities of the isomers whose heteroatoms are well separated should differ significantly from their all carbon analog.     

Simultaneous monitoring of pH, CO2 and O2 using an optical imaging fiber

The interdependence of pH, CO₂ and O₂ during chemical and biochemical processes has driven the need to monitor them simultaneously, continuously and in situ, in order to exert better control over such reactions. We present the fabrication and performance of a multi-analyte imaging fiber sensor that allows pH, CO₂ and O₂ to be monitored simultaneously with rapid response. Sensing elements are fabricated by covalently immobilizing fluorescent indicators within polymer matrices via photopolymerization, resulting in the formation of distinct regions of analyte-sensitive polymer at the fiber's distal end. The multianalyte sensor's working range is 0%–100% for O₂ and 0%–10% for CO₂ in the pH range 5.5–7.5. The sensor was used to monitor the pH, CO₂ and O₂ changes during a beer fermentation.     

Highly stereoselective reduction of methyl ketone complexes of the chiral Lewis acid [(η-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)] by K(s-C4H9)3BH; synthesis of optically active secondary alcohols and derivatives

Reaction of optically active ketone complexes (+)-(R)-[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)-(PPh₃)(η¹-O=C(R)(CH₃)]⁺ BF₄⁻ (R = CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂m C(CH₃)₃, C₆H₅) with K(s-C₄H₉)₃BH gives alkoxide complexes (+)-(RS)-(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)-(OCH(R)CH₃) (73–90%) in 80–98% de. The alkoxide ligand is then converted to Mosher esters (93–99%) of 79–98% de.     

The direct synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas over hybrid catalysts with sulfate-modified γ-alumina as methanol dehydration components

A series of γ-Al₂O₃ samples modified with various contents of sulfate (0–15 wt.%) and calcined at different temperatures (350–750 °C) were prepared by an impregnation method and physically admixed with CuO–ZnO–Al₂O₃ methanol synthesis catalyst to form hybrid catalysts. The direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas was carried out over the prepared hybrid catalysts under pressurized fixed-bed continuous flow conditions. The results revealed that the catalytic activity of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ for methanol dehydration increased significantly when the content of sulfate increased to 10 wt.%, resulting in the increase in both DME selectivity and CO conversion. However, when the content of sulfate of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ was further increased to 15 wt.%, the activity for methanol dehydration was increased, and the selectivity for DME decreased slightly as reflected in the increased formation of byproducts like hydrocarbons and CO₂. On the other hand, when the calcination temperature of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ increased from 350 °C to 550 °C, both the CO conversion and the DME selectivity increased gradually, accompanied with the decreased formation of CO₂. Nevertheless, a further increase in calcination temperature to 750 °C remarkably decreased the catalytic activity of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ for methanol dehydration, resulting in the significant decline in both DME selectivity and CO conversion. The hybrid catalyst containing the SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ with 10 wt.% sulfate and calcined at 550 °C exhibited the highest selectivity and yield for the synthesis of DME.     

Effect of solvent polarity on the aggregation of fullerenes: a comparison between C60 and C70

Effect of solvent polarity on the aggregation behaviour of C₇₀ has been investigated in several mixed solvents using optical absorption, fluorescence, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopic measurements and compared with those observed for the other fullerene analogue, C₆₀. It is seen that similar to C₆₀, aggregation of C₇₀ also requires the solvent polarity to exceed some critical value. In terms of solvent dielectric constant the critical solvent polarity, required for C₇₀ aggregation is found to be in the range of 27–31, which is much higher than that required for C₆₀ aggregation (12–14). The large difference in the critical solvent polarity required for C₆₀ and C₇₀ aggregation has been rationalized on the basis of the molecular shapes and the polarizabilities of two fullerene molecules.     

Performance of Pt/SnO2 catalyst in the gas phase hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde

Selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde was performed on 5% Pt/SnO₂ catalysts, in gaseous phase, at atmospheric pressure, at 353 K. Two types of catalyst were prepared using H₂PtCl₆ and Pt(NH₃)₄(NO₃)₂ as metallic precursors. Their performances were compared as a function of the reduction temperature and both catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction after different reduction treatments. Using the ex-chloride catalyst, the selectivity values to the unsaturated alcohol (UOL) resulted into a maximum of 45% while a selectivity as high as 70–77%, in 0–25% conversion range, was achieved by using ex-nitrate catalyst reduced at 443 K. The formation of Pt–Sn alloy on the metal particles of platinum was thought to be necessary to improve the activity and the selectivity on these catalysts. In the contrast, a presence of PtSn₂ formed at a reduction temperature higher than 473 K led to a decrease of activity and selectivity.     

Preparation of TiO2–ZrO2 mixed oxides with controlled acid–basic properties

Titania–zirconia mixed oxides with various ZrO₂ content in TiO₂ (10, 50 and 90 wt.%) were prepared by the sol–gel method. High specific surface areas (77–244 m²/g) were obtained. Acidity determined by NH₃-TPD and FTIR-pyridine adsorption showed that in mixed oxides the number of acid sites is dramatically increased; it varies from 173 μmol NH₃/g for TiO₂ to 1226–1456 μmol NH₃/g for the mixed oxides. FTIR-pyridine adsorption showed the presence of Lewis sites in the catalysts. Basic sites were identified by FTIR-CO₂ adsorption, suggesting the formation of mixed oxides with acid–basic properties. XRD spectra identified anatase in the TiO₂ rich region, amorphous material in the mixed oxide 50–50 TiO₂–ZrO₂ and tetragonal and monoclinic crystalline phases in the ZrO₂ rich region. Activity in the isopropanol decomposition showed a good correlation between the acid–basic properties and the selectivity to propene, acetone and isopropyl ether. The latter was found as a product which mainly depends of the acid sites density.     

Comprehensive study of positronium formation in polymer blends between polyethylene and ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer

The intensity I₃ of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) in a polymer blend system consisting of polyethylene (PE) and ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA, random copolymer with a vinylacetate content of about 14%) was measured as functions of EVA weight content (Φ=0–100%), electric field (E=0–60 kV/cm ), positron irradiation time (t=0–200 h) and temperature (T=100–300 K). It was found that the addition of small amounts of EVA to PE significantly alters the electric field, positron irradiation time and temperature dependence of I₃. Positron trapping on polar EVA is suggested to be responsible for the sensitive effects of EVA.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of noble gas coordinated dipalladium–dioxygen complexes

The reaction products of palladium atoms with molecular oxygen in solid argon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. In addition to the previously reported mononuclear palladium–dioxygen complexes: Pd(η²–O₂) and Pd(η²–O₂)₂, dinuclear palladium–dioxygen complexes: Pd₂(η²–O₂) and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂ were formed under visible light irradiation and were identified on the basis of isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations. In addition, experiments doped with xenon in argon coupled with theoretical calculations suggest that the Pd(η²–O₂), Pd₂(η²–O₂) and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂ complexes are coordinated by two argon or xenon atoms in solid argon matrix, and therefore, should be regarded as the Pd(η²–O₂)(Ng)₂, Pd₂(η²–O₂)(Ng)₂ and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂(Ng)₂ (NgAr or Xe) complexes isolated in solid argon.     

Ab initio structural trends and torsional sensitivity in n-hexane and comparisons with crystallographic structural results

The molecular structures of n-hexane were determined by RHF/4-21G ab initio geometry optimization at 30° grid points in its three-dimensional τ₁(C11–C8–C5–C1), τ₂(C14–C11–C8–C5), τ₃(C17–C14–C11–C8) conformational space. Of the resulting 12×12×12=1728 grid structures, 468 are symmetrically non-equivalent and were optimized constraining the torsions τ₁, τ₂, and τ₃ to the respective grid points, while all other structural parameters were relaxed without any constraints. From the results, complete parameter surfaces were constructed using natural cubic spline functions, which make it possible to calculate parameter gradients, |P|=[(∂P/∂τ_i)²+(∂P/∂τ_j)²]^1/2, where P is a C–C bond length or C–C–C angle. The parameter gradients provide an effective measure of the torsional sensitivity of the system and indicate that dynamic activities in one part of the molecule can significantly affect the density of states, and thus the contributions to vibrational entropy, in another part. This opens the possibility of dynamic entropic conformational steering in complex molecules; i.e. the generation of free energy contributions from dynamic effects of one part of a molecule on another. When the conformational trends in the calculated C–C bond lengths and C–C–C angles are compared with average parameters taken from some 900 crystallographic structures containing n-hexyl fragments or longer C–C bond sequences, some correlation between calculated and experimental trends in angles is found, in contrast to the bond lengths for which the two sets of data are in complete disagreement. The results confirm experiences often made in crystallography. That is, effects of temperature, crystal structure and packing, and molecular volume effects are manifested more clearly in bond lengths than bond angles which depend mainly on intramolecular properties. Frequency analyses of the τ₁, τ₂ and τ₃ torsional angles in the crystal structures show conformational steering in the sense that, if τ₁ is trans peri-planar (170°≤τ₁≤180°; −180°≤τ₁≤−170°), the values of τ₂ and τ₃ are clustered closely around the ideal gauche (±60°) and trans (±180°) positions. In contrast, when τ₁ is in the region (50°≤τ₁≤70°), there is a definite increase in the populations of τ₂ and τ₃ at −90 and −150°.     

Oxovanadium(IV) based coordination polymers and their catalytic potentials for the oxidation of styrene, cyclohexene and trans-stilbene

Reaction between 5,5′-methylenebis(salicylaldehyde) or 5,5′-dithiobis(salicylaldehyde) and 1,2-diaminocyclohexane in equimolar ratio leads to the formation of new polymeric chelating ligands [–CH₂(H₂sal-dach)–]_n (I) and [–S₂(H₂sal-dach)₂–]_n (II). These ligands react with [VO(acac)₂] in DMF to give coordination polymers [–CH₂{VO(sal-dach)·DMF}–]_n (1) and [–S₂{VO(sal-dach)·DMF}–]_n (2). Both complexes are insoluble in common solvents and exhibit a magnetic moment value of 1.74 and 1.78μ_B, respectively. IR spectral studies confirm the coordination of ligands through the azomethine nitrogen and the phenolic oxygen atoms to the vanadium. These complexes exhibit good catalytic activity towards the oxidation of styrene, cyclohexene and trans-stilbene using tert-butylhydroperoxide as an oxidant. Concentration of the oxidant and reaction temperature has been optimised for the maximum oxidation of these substrates. Under the optimised conditions, oxidation of styrene gave a maximum of 76% (with 1) or 85% (with 2) conversion having following products in order of selectivity: benzaldehyde > styreneoxide > 1-phenylethane-1,2-diol > benzoic acid. A maximum of 98% conversion of cyclohexene was obtained with both the catalysts where selectivity of cyclohexeneoxide varied in the order: 2 (62%) > 1 (45%). With the conversion of 33% (with 1) and 47% (with 2), oxidation of trans-stilbene gives benzaldehyde, benzil and trans-stilbeneoxide as major products.     

Multi-elemental analysis of non-food packaging materials by inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry

Commercial non-food packaging materials of four different matrices (paper, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene-polypropylene (PE-PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE)) were examined for the content of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb and U. The examined samples (0.17–0.35 g) were digested in HNO₃ and H₂O₂ (papers, LDPE and PE-PP) and in HNO₃, H₂SO₄ and H₂O₂ (HDPE) using microwave assisted high pressure system. The inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS) has been employed as the detection technique. All measurements were carried out using internal standardization. Yttrium and rhodium (50 ng g⁻¹) were used as internal standards. The detection and quantification limits obtained were in the range of 0.005 ng g⁻¹ (⁵²Cr) to 0.51 ng g⁻¹ (⁶⁶Zn) and 0.015 μg g⁻¹ (⁵²Cr) to 2.02 μg g⁻¹ (⁶⁶Zn) of dry mass, respectively. The evaluated contents (mg kg⁻¹) of particular elements in the examined materials were as follows: 0.22–219; <1.05–9.03; 1.25–112; <2.02–449; <0.98–<1.30; <0.36–2.06; <0.29–113; <0.22–44.1; <0.06–57.4; <0.66–<0.88; <0.08–0.24; <0.13–1222 and <0.08–0.44 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb and U, respectively.     

Amberlite XAD-2 functionalized with o-aminophenol: synthesis and applications as extractant for copper(II), cobalt(II), cadmium(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and lead(II)

A stable chelating resin matrix was synthesized by covalently linking o-aminophenol (o-AP) with the benzene ring of the polystyrene–divinylbenzene resin, Amberlite XAD-2, through a –N=N– group. Elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectra have characterized the resulting chelating resin. It has been used to preconcentrate Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺, prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb are 6.2–7.4, 5.6–7.2, 5.6–9.0, 6.0–9.0, 5.7–7.0 and 5.0–6.0, respectively. These metals are desorbed (recovery 91–98%) with 4 mol dm⁻³ HNO₃. The sorption capacity of the resin is 3.37, 3.42, 3.29, 3.24, 2.94 and 3.32 mg of metal g⁻¹ of resin, respectively, for Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb. The effect of NaF, NaCl, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, and Na₃PO₄ on the sorption of these metal ions has been investigated. These electrolytes are tolerable up to 0.01 mol dm⁻³ in case of all the metal ions, except Cl⁻ which is tolerable even up to 0.1 mol dm⁻³ for Zn and 1.0 mol dm⁻³ for Pb. The preconcentration factor for Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb are 50, 50, 100, 65, 40 and 40 (concentration level 10–25 μg dm⁻³) respectively. Simultaneous enrichment of the six metals is possible. The method has been applied to determine Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb content in well water samples (RSD≤8%).     

Membrane purification of Cl2 gas: I. Permeabilities as a function of temperature for Cl2, O2, N2, H2 in two types of PDMS membranes

Permeability (P) of Cl₂, O₂, N₂ and H₂ was measured in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite membranes with two different degrees of cross-linking. The permeability was measured in the low pressure range (1–3 bar absolute) over a fairly large temperature range 35–120°C. The functionalities of the membranes were compared on the basis of permeation rate and ability to separate the gases Cl₂–O₂. These results are part of an extensive survey where perfluorinated and carbon membranes are also included (not reported here). The purpose of the project is to develop an industrial membrane with high permselectivity for either O₂ or Cl₂ (depending on the type of membrane) at temperatures preferably above 70°C. Process conditions are set in an industrial project. The PDMS membranes are good candidates for this separation, having a high permeation rate for Cl₂ and a selectivity of Cl₂/O₂ in the range of 8–25 depending on temperature. Durability of the PDMS membranes in this aggressive environment is found to be very dependent on process conditions and on how the material is polymerized and cured. For documentation of durability, various silicones were tested; these results are to be reported separately.