Counterion Exchange Selectivity in Detergent–Polymer Aggregates

In aqueous solution, the interaction between sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) results in the formation of small aggregates or clusters of SDS attached to the PEG polymer chain. Selectivity coefficients for exchange of two monovalent (N-methyl-4-cyanopyridinium cation and Tl⁺) and two divalent (methylviologen cation and Cu²⁺) counterions at the surface of SDS–PEG clusters, determined employing photophysical techniques, are similar, but not identical, to those for exchange at the surface of SDS micelles in the absence of PEG. The principal factor affecting ion exchange selectivity in SDS–PEG clusters does not appear to be aggregate size or surface charge density but rather the presence of poly(oxyethylene) subunits at the aggregate surface.     

Preliminary characterization of anhydrous ethanol used in Brazil as automotive fuel

This work reports preliminary studies on the characterisation of anhydrous ethanol (AEA) used as an automotive fuel mixed with gasoline in Porto Alegre (South Brazil). Pre-concentration of the impurities contained in 1000 ml of AEA was carried on through solid-phase extraction using XAD4 resin. The main compounds in the extract were identified by means of spectral data from the library of the equipment. The concentrate was then fractionated using a preparative liquid chromatographic column filled with activated silica gel and the elution procedure was carried out with, n-hexane, n-hexane-benzene (1:1, v/v) and dichloromethane. Prior to analysis by GC-MS, each fraction was reduced to 1 ml with a gentle stream of nitrogen. Saturated linear hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons eluted in the first fraction and oxygenated compounds such as aldehydes. ketones and alcohols, eluted in the second one. were the main compounds detected in the sample.     

Chaotic scattering in the gravitational three-body problem

We summarize some results of an ongoing study of the chaotic scattering interaction between a bound pair of stars (a binary) and an incoming field star. The stars are modeled as point masses and their equations of motion are numerically integrated for a large number of initial conditions. The global features of the resulting initial-value space maps are presented, and their evolution as a function of system parameters is discussed. We find that the maps contain regular regions separated by rivers of chaotic behavior. The probability of escape within the chaotic regions is discussed, and a straightforward explanation of the scaling present in these regions is reviewed. We investigate a statistical quantity of interest, namely the cross section for temporarily bound interactions, as a function of the third star's incoming velocity and mass. Finally, a new way of considering long-lived trajectories is presented, allowing long data sets to be qualitatively analyzed at a glance.     

Preparation of Re(I)- and (99m)Tc(I)-metallocarboranes in water under weakly basic reaction conditions

A new method for the preparation of Re- and (99m)Tc-metallocarboranes in water under mild reaction conditions was developed. Three nido-carborane ligands were reacted with [Re(CO)(3)Br(3)](2)(-) in the presence of aqueous potassium fluoride to give the corresponding eta(5)-Re(CO)(3)-carborane complexes. The use of KF as a base afforded the desired Re-metallocarboranes in good yields while avoiding the formation of Re clusters, which are byproducts commonly observed when reactions are carried out in the presence of strong aqueous bases. The reaction was also performed at the tracer level producing the first (99m)Tc-carborane complex, which was isolated in 80% radiochemical yield following a simple Sep-Pak purification process. The resulting organometallic complex was stable to cysteine and histidine challenges for more than 24 h.     

Polymer-supported Cinchona alkaloid-derived ammonium salts as recoverable phase-transfer catalysts for the asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino acids

Alkaloids such as cinchonidine, quinine and N-methylephedrine have been N-alkylated using polymeric benzyl halides or co-polymerized and then N-alkylated, thus affording a series of polymer-supported chiral ammonium salts which have been employed as phase-transfer catalysts in the asymmetric benzylation of an N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine ester. These new polymeric catalysts can be easily recovered by simple filtration after the reaction and reused. The best ee's were achieved when Merrifield resin-anchored cinchonidinium ammonium salts were employed.