C–H⋅<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>O hydrogen bond networks in <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>- and Z-unsaturated esters of C-glycosides

Methyl E(Z)-4,7 anhydro-5-benzamido-6,8-di-O-benzoyl-2,3,5-trideoxy-d-allo-oct-2-enoate have been synthesized like intermediates and isolated as single crystals during the synthesis of pyrazole-related C nucleosides as synthetic product with cytotoxic activity.¹ Crystal structures of E(Z) isomers were determined by X-ray analysis. E isomer crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group P1, a = 5.319(1) Å, b = 10.758(2) Å, c = 12.229(2) Å, α = 72.38(2)^∘, β = 89.97(2)^∘, γ = 87.07(2)^∘, D_x = 1.320 Mgm⁻³ and Z isomer in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 5.1297(13) Å, b = 19.667(5) Å, c = 25.871(6) Å, D_x = 1.348 Mgm⁻³. The molecular structure was solved by direct method on the basis of 2609 and 2727 unique reflections recorded at the temperature 293 K (E-isomer) and 173 K (Z-isomer) up to the final R-factor 0.0378 and 0.0435, respectively. C–H⋅sO contact networks were analyzed and the correlation established between the existence of the weak C–H⋅sO hydrogen bonds and the melting point of the single crystals.     

Quantification of measurement uncertainty in the sequential determination of <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb and <Superscript>210</Superscript>Po by liquid scintillation counting and alpha-particle spectrometry

Methodologies for the quantification of measurement uncertainties associated with the determination of ²¹⁰Pb- and ²¹⁰Po-specific activities by liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and alpha-particle spectrometry are presented, and are demonstrated using the soil reference material IAEA-326. Major contributors to the combined uncertainty associated with the measurement result of ²¹⁰Pb were the uncertainties of net count rates in the ²¹⁰Pb energy region of the sample spectrum and in the ²¹⁰Bi energy region of the blank spectrum. The predominant sources of uncertainty in the measurement of ²¹⁰Po were the uncertainties of net count rates in the regions of interest of ²⁰⁹Po and ²¹⁰Po. The relative standard uncertainty of ²¹⁰Po exponentially increases with the time interval between the sampling date and the separation date of Po, and this effect is strongly dependent on the ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb activity ratio. When the specific activity of ²¹⁰Pb is much higher than that of ²¹⁰Po in the sample, the relative standard uncertainty of the ²¹⁰Po determination increases significantly within a short time interval between the sampling date (or reference date) and the separation date of Po in samples.     

Recent advances in the synthesis and applications of azo initiators

This mini-review describes recent developments and trends in the area of syntheses and applications of azo compounds, which are planned to act as initiators of radical reactions, particularly polymerizations. The paper reports chemical modifications of well-known initiators (AIBN, etc.) or variants of syntheses of new types of these compounds. The chemical modifications of basic skeletons of azo initiators are discussed in the context with their properties and applications. Also discussed are the contemporary trends in the development of these initiators, particularly in preparation of microparticles and nanoparticles of polymers or hybrid inorganic–organic microparticles and nanoparticles prepared for intentional studies and applications.     

Ground states of a nonlinear curl-curl problem in cylindrically symmetric media

We consider the nonlinear curl-curl problem \({\nabla\times\nabla\times U + V(x) U= \Gamma(x)|U|^{p-1}U}\) in \({\mathbb{R}^3}\) related to the Kerr nonlinear Maxwell equations for fully localized monochromatic fields. We search for solutions as minimizers (ground states) of the corresponding energy functional defined on subspaces (defocusing case) or natural constraints (focusing case) of \({H({\rm curl};\mathbb{R}^3)}\). Under a cylindrical symmetry assumption corresponding to a photonic fiber geometry on the functions V and \({\Gamma}\) the variational problem can be posed in a symmetric subspace of \({H({\rm curl};\mathbb{R}^3)}\). For a defocusing case \({{\rm sup} \Gamma < 0}\) with large negative values of \({\Gamma}\) at infinity we obtain ground states by the direct minimization method. For the focusing case \({{\rm inf} \Gamma > 0}\) the concentration compactness principle produces ground states under the assumption that zero lies outside the spectrum of the linear operator \({\nabla \times \nabla \times +V(x)}\). Examples of cylindrically symmetric functions V are provided for which this holds.     

Nutraceutical Products—State-of-the-Art for Sample Preparation in Pesticide Residues Analysis

Nutraceutical products are plant-based materials primarily valued for their possible medicinal or therapeutic properties. According to their “natural” origin they are often perceived as being safe; however, for the prevention of economic losses, pesticides may be used against pest, mold and insects causing plant damage. Bearing in mind that a nutraceutical is a concentrated form of the plant, pesticides could be found in the final product in possibly worrying concentration. Nutraceutical products and dried herb materials typically represent very complex matrices for pesticide residue analysis, therefore a proper sample preparation protocol with appropriate clean-up steps is necessary prior to the analysis. Hence, this article gives an overview of pesticide residue analyses in nutraceuticals and provides the state of the art for sample preparation techniques applied for different types of nutraceuticals.     

Interaction forces between talc and pitch probed by atomic force microscopy

Colloidal wood resin components present in pulp are collectively called "pitch". The presence of pitch may cause severe problems due to deposits in and on the paper machine. There is thus a need for controlling pitch aggregation and adsorption. To be able to develop more efficient pitch control systems, one needs to develop the understanding of pitch-pitch interactions and of the interactions between pitch and other materials. With this general goal in mind, we present methods for preparing geometrically well-defined pitch particles attached to atomic force microscopy tips. This has enabled us to investigate the interactions between pitch and talc, an additive commonly used for pitch control. We have used model pitch particles consisting of one component only (abietic acid), a mixture of components (collophonium), and particles prepared from real pitch deposits. We show that the forces acting between pitch and talc are attractive and, once the initial approach is made, exert this attraction out to large distances of separation. We present evidence that the formation of bridging air bubbles or cavities is responsible for this interaction.     

Synthesis and dehydration reaction of 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-2-ol: possible intermediate of Lasofoxifene

The paper deals with a simple and sufficient synthesis of key precursor of Lasofoxifene. The 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was prepared by a sequence of five reactions steps: first 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was prepared (70%), and this was quantitatively epoxidized to 7b-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-5-methoxy-1a,2,3,7b-tetrahydronaphtho[1,2-b]oxirene. Catalytic (ZnI₂) isomerization of the epoxide gave 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-one (75%). Its subsequent reaction with phenylmagnesium bromide gave 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthol (87%). Acid-catalysed dehydration of this alcohol by polyphosphoric acid (25°C) provides 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene (80%). Dehydration in the system of acetic anhydride/polyphosphoric acid gives 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (66%).     

A new,simple, green,and one-pot four-component synthesis of bare and poly(α,γ,<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-glutamic acid)-capped silver nanoparticles

A simple and green chemical method has been developed to synthesize stable bare and capped silver nanoparticles based on the reduction of silver ions by glucose and capping by poly(α,γ,l-glutamic acid) (PGA). The use of ammonia during synthesis was avoided. PGA has had a dual role in the synthesis and was used as a capping agent to make the silver nanoparticle more biocompatible and to protect the nanoparticles from agglomerating in the liquid medium. The synthesized PGA-capped silver nanoparticles in the size range 5–45 nm were stable over long periods of time, without signs of precipitation. Morphological examination has shown that the silver nanoparticles had a nearly spherical, multiply twinned structure. The effects of the reaction temperature and the reaction time during the synthesis were investigated too. The biocompatibility of the PGA-capped silver nanoparticles is discussed in terms of in vitro toxicity with human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The samples were characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential measurements.     

Removal of ammonia emissions from waste air in a biotrickling filter: pilot-scale demonstration in real conditions

This study was aimed at testing the possibility of using a biotrickling filter for the treatment of waste air resulting from animal farming. For this purpose, a laboratory and pilot biotrickling filter with a moving bed were constructed. In the first case, the removal of ammonia emissions from waste air, by means of ammonia nitrogen utilization by present micro-organisms under laboratory conditions, was tested. The mass load of the biotrickling filter was gradually increased by slowly increasing the ammonia concentration. In the second case, the pilot biotrickling filter with a moving bed was installed inside a pig farm and it was tested under real operation conditions. In the first case, the highest value of the laboratory biotrickling filter’s elimination capacity was 6.2 g_NH3 m⁻³ of filling h⁻¹. The elimination capacity of the pilot filter was 1.6 g_NH3 m⁻³ of filling h⁻¹. The source of carbon for the present micro-organisms was a 1% sucrose solution, which simulated waste water with high content of COD_CR. [<-define what COD is, if mentioned for the first time] At the same time there was almost 89% decrease in waste water pollution. It was also shown that the contribution of the ammonia nitrogen utilization by the present micro-organisms to the removal of ammonia from the waste air was 90%.      

Novel goniofufurone and 7-epi-goniofufurone mimics from an unexpected titanium-mediated displacement process

Treatment of 7-O-benzoyl-5-O-benzyl derivatives of (+)-goniofufurone or 7-epi-(+)-goniofufurone with titanium(IV) chloride or titanium(IV) bromide gave 7-chloro and 7-bromo-7-deoxy-goniofufurone mimics as the main reaction products along with minor amounts of the corresponding C-7 epimers. An unexpected cyclized product, benzoxepane 8 was isolated in some cases.