Fluorescent compacts prepared by the entrapment of benzoxazole type dyes into a silica matrix at high pressure

We have produced silica-gel compacts doped with 2,5-Bis(benzoxazol-2^′-yl)-4-methoxyphenol dye using high-pressure processing of powders synthesized by the sol-gel technique. The high-pressure compaction of powders with three different dye concentrations was done at 4.5 GPa and room temperature. We have measured optical and mechanical properties of the obtained compacts. They were very stable, transparent, crack free, hard (3.56 ± 0.07 GPa) and dense (1.95 ± 0.03 g/cm³), being resistant to polishing and leaching, which enables its use in optical applications. The Stokes shift observed was higher than 100 nm indicating that the intramolecular proton-transfer in the electronically excited state (ESIPT) of this dye is maintained, even in an OH rich environment like silica. A shift to higher wavelength in the fluorescence spectra of the compacts, attributed to the increasing in the conjugation of the π system, was observed.     

A holomorphic extension theorem from a fractal hypersurface in ℂ<Superscript>2</Superscript>

We consider the problem of identifying boundary values of holomorphic functions on bounded domains in ℂ². We use the quaternionic analysis techniques to extending the CR structure to a pure function theoretical nature. The advantage of our procedure lies in the fact that it also runs for domains with fractal boundary.     

Syntheses and structures of highly hindered N-functionalised alkyl and amido group 12 complexes MR2 (M=Zn, Cd, and Hg), [MRCl]2 (M=Zn and Hg)

The reaction of MCl₂ (M=Zn, Cd and Hg) with Li(2-(C(SiMe₃)₂)(6-Me-C₅H₃N)), [Li(MeR)], affords mononuclear metal(II) alkyls. These, in the solid state, show intramolecular M-N interactions in their four-membered chelate rings, which progressively weaken down the series, the C-M-C angles becoming more open (〈M-N〉= 2.30(2), 2.52(2), 2.913(4) Å, C-M-C=160.7(2), 168.5(2), 180(-)°). Alkylmercury chloride complexes have been prepared by the reaction of HgCl₂ with [Li(MeR)], Li(2-(C(SiMe₃)₂)(C₅H₄N)), [Li(HR)], or Li(2-(NSiMe₃)(6-Me-C₅H₃N)), [Li(mpsa)], or from the redistribution reaction of the dialkyl (or amido) mercury complex with HgCl₂. The alkylmercury chloride complexes are dimeric or polymeric in nature with near-linear 2-coordination; (Hg-Cl=2.329(5), 2.318(4), 2.272(8) Å, Cl-Hg-C(N)=175.0(4), 174.7(4), 175.6(5)°). Cd(2-(CH(SiMe₃))(6-Me-C₅H₃N))₂(tmen), prepared from the reaction of Li(2-(CH(SiMe₃))(6-Me-C₅H₃N)) and CdCl₂ in the presence of tmen, has also been structurally authenticated as the rac isomer with the ipso protons directed towards the tmen.     

Simultaneous determination of nicotinamide,nicotinic acid,riboflavin, thiamin,and pyridoxine in enriched Brazilian foods by HPLC

The control of the enrichment levels in foods is difficult, due mainly to the lack of appropriate analytical methodologies. The amounts of the five B-group vitamins (nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, ribofla-vin, thiamin, and pyridoxine) have been determined in enriched Brazilian foods by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Fifty products, such as biscuits, liquid and dry milks, flavored milk drinks, flour, macaroni, and cereals were analyzed. Some products showed the amounts declared on the package. Although some slight quantitative variations were shown in the biscuits, one showed levels of riboflavin 35% lower than the value declared. Of five different corn cereal brands, only one showed the declared vitamin content, the others showing levels 30 % lower than that declared. No B-group vitamins were detected in one brand of enriched macaroni, except for the nicotinic acid naturally present in the flour. On the other hand, one flavored milk drink exhibited vitamins levels 200% higher than the amounts declared and one milk drink mix presented thiamin, riboflavin, and nicotinamide levels 3 to 5 times greater than stated. These results suggest an absence of control of the amount of vitamins in enriched foods.     

Detection of trace radioisotopes in soil,sediment and vegetation by glow discharge mass spectrometry

The possibility for the determination of some radioisotopes of cesium, strontium, plutonium, uranium and thorium by glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) in soils, sediments and vegetations is investigated. The preparation of samples is described as a combination of the use of a conductive host matrix and a secondary cathode in order to decrease the dilution effect of the blending material for the trace level determination and to gain a stable discharge. Effects of interferences arising from the nature of the conductive host matrix and of the secondary cathode on the sensitivity of the method are discussed. The determination of (137)Cs and (90)Sr has been attempted and the results obtained were in agreement with those from other analytical techniques. Accuracy, internal and external precisions have been also evaluated. GDMS is shown to be a helpful technique for the determination of radioisotopes in environmental samples. Radioisotopes can be determined according to the matrix of the sample (e.g. grass), also in presence of isobaric interferences. However, limitations still exist on the application of GDMS.     

The Effects of Temperature of Condensation on the Thermal Stability and Morphology of 1,4-Phenylenediamine-1-Propylsilica Xerogels

1,4-phenylenediamine-1-propylsilica hybrid xerogels were obtained for two composition at different temperatures of gelation, from 5 up to 70C. The morphological effects produced by the different gelation temperatures were investigated by using N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability of the organic groups and their distribution on the xerogel matrix, i.e. the fraction of the organic groups that were trapped in closed pores, formed during the xerogel synthesis, and the fraction of organic groups present on the surface, were obtained by using infrared thermal analysis. The higher porosity of the xerogels and the higher thermal stability of the organic groups were achieved for samples gelled at 25C.     

Theoretical study of the mechanism for the gas‐phase pyrolysis kinetics of 2‐methylbenzyl chloride

The study of the kinetics and mechanism of dehydrochlorination reaction of 2‐methyl benzyl chloride in the gas phase was carried out by means of electronic structure calculations using ab initio Móller‐Plesset MP2/6‐31G(d,p), and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods: B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p), MPW1PW91/6‐31G(d,p), MPW1PW91/6‐31++G(d,p)], PBE/6‐31G(d,p), PBE/6‐31++G(d,p). Investigated reaction pathways comprise: Mechanism I, a concerted reaction through a six‐centered cyclic transition state (TS) geometry; Mechanism II, a 1,3‐chlorine shift followed by beta‐elimination and Mechanism III, a single‐step elimination with simultaneous HCl and benzocyclobutene formation through a bicyclic type of TS. Calculated parameters ruled out Mechanism III and suggest the elimination reaction may occur by either unimolecular Mechanism I or Mechanism II. However, the TS of the former is 20 kJ/mole more stable than the TS of the latter. Consequently, the Mechanism I seem to be more probable to occur. The rate‐determining process is the breaking of C‐Cl bond. The involvement of π‐electrons of the aromatic system was demonstrated by NBO charges and bond order calculations. The reaction is moderately polar in nature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 537–546, 2011