Optimization of a nitrogen analyser based on the Dumas method

The objectives of this work was to obtain a total nitrogen concentration in milk with the Dumas method for industrial and research applications. This method was faster than the Kjheldal method (5 min against 2 h or 3 h) but less precise. A three factor experimental design was performed to optimize the instrument, a FP-2000 supplied by LECO. The first interpretation of the experimental design was disappointing and no conclusion could be done. It was not a failure of experimental design but a lack of thinking on the physical and chemical aspect of the problem. Selection and construction of composite responses based on chemical and physical consideration were the keys to optimize the Dumas method. This method is now as precise as the Kjheldal method, but considerably faster.     

Inclusion complexes of trivalent lutetium cations with an acidic derivative of per(3,6-anhydro)-alpha-cyclodextrin

The cyclodextrin derivative (hexakis (2-O-carboxymethyl-3,6-anhydro)-alpha-cyclodextrin) forms mono- and bimetallic complexes with lutetium(III) in aqueous solution; the X-ray structure of the binuclear complex [Lu2(ACX)(H2O)2] is the first example of a lanthanide-cyclodextrin inclusion complex.     

Volume and heat capacity of model non-aqueous self-assembly systems

Blends of immiscible polymers are often stabilized by block copolymers which can form non-aqueous micelles and microemulsions in the liquid polymers. The phase diagrans, apparent volumes and apparent heat capacities of model non-aqueous binary and ternary systems were studied in order to investigate the conditions under which such self-assembly systems could form. 1,2-Hexanediol, which can cosolubilize hexane and ethyleneglycol, forms inverse micelles in hexane and weak microaggregates in ethyleneglycol. Genapol X-060, a commercial alcoholic surfactant containing on the average an aliphatic chain of 13 carbons and 6 oxyethylenes (C₁₃E₆), forms microaggregates in poly(ethyleneglycol) 400. These self-assembly systems are strengthen in the presence of a third component which has an affinity for the inner phase.Presented at the Symposium, 76^th CSC Congress, Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 30–June 3, 1993, honoring Professor Donald Patterson on the occasion of his 65^th birthday.     

DMF promoted xylosylation of terpenols

The glycosidation of 2,3,4-triacetyl-1-bromo-α-d-xylopyranose with various terpenols occurs at 50 °C in DMF without the requirement of any additive. The decisive role of DMF as solvent on the coupling efficiency is highlighted.     

The cyano nitronyl nitroxide radical: experimental and theoretical evidence for the fourth case of the McConnell-I mechanism

The nitronyl nitroxide 2-cyano-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (1) crystallises in the tetragonal P42(1)m space group with a=7.4050(7), c=8.649(1) A. In the crystal the molecules form layers parallel to the ab plane in which they are orthogonal to each other. In the layers there are close contacts, 2.953(2) A, between the NO groups and the bridging carbon atoms of the O-N-C-N-O fragment of neighbouring radicals. The calculated spin density shows a positive population mainly and equally localised on the NO groups and small but significant negative spin densities on the bridging carbon atom and the cyano nitrogen. Absorption spectra show temperature-dependent transitions related to the magnetic behaviour. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility in the range 2-300 K reveals that couplings between the radicals are antiferromagnetic, and is interpreted by considering a two-dimensional square array of spin S=1/2 antiferromagnetically coupled (J=-10 cm(-1) and g=2.01). This is interpreted as an exchange coupling through close contact between positive and negative spin densities in orthogonal orbitals on oxygen and carbon atoms, respectively.     

Synthesis and complexing properties of a double-calix[4]arene crown ether

The template synthesis of copper(II) phthalocyanine by the condensation of dicyanobenzene within the supercages of Cu(II) exchanged X and Y type zeolites was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The exotherms for intrazeolite and surface complexation have been resolved. These thermal events exhibit a dependence on the copper loading and hydration level which has been interpreted as a pressure effect.     

Application of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: a study of flocculation of rigid rod-like biopolymer (schizophyllan) and colloidal particles

The flocculation between the rod-like biopolymer Schizophyllan and two types of colloidal particles (latex with diameter 40 nm and alumina with diameter 60 nm) has been investigated by means of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The concentration ratio of Schizophyllan/particle q was varied in the range 0.1 approximately 20. Under conditions of pH about 5.7, 1 mmol.L(-1) NaCl, and room temperature (22+/-0.5 degrees C), the particles are strongly charged (alumina particles positively charged, latex negatively), while Schizophyllan is neutral. We observed that Schizophyllan chains flocculate with both types of particles, which suggests that the charge neutralization does not play a decisive role in these interactions. The ratio of fluorescence intensity of one floc over that of one particle, Q(f)/Q(p), and the corresponding hydrodynamic radius (r(h)) of the flocs have been measured. For a Schizophyllan-latex system, Q(f)/Q(p) reached a maximum value of 5 for q=3 indicating that the flocs contained five particles on average. The corresponding value of r(h) was r(h)=455 nm. The flocculation kinetic of latex particles with Schizophyllan was too fast to be measurable by FCS. For the Schizophyllan-alumina system, Q(f)/Q(p) was stable at about 1 in the whole studied range of q but r(h) increased with q suggesting that many Schizophyllan chains are adsorbed on individual particles. The flocculation kinetic of this system was studied by FCS and the obtained results were compatible with those of photon correlation spectroscopy.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of alpha-Amino Phosphonic Acids by Diastereoselective Addition of Trimethyl Phosphite onto Chiral Oxazolidines(1)

A simple and general asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino phosphonic acids is described. The method involves the highly selective addition of trialkyl phosphite onto various chiral oxazolidines. Oxazaphosphorinanes thus obtained with an excellent diastereoselectivity furnish the corresponding (S)-alpha-substituted amino phosphonic acids in good overall yields and high ee (77-->97%) after simple deprotection.     

The acidity functions of trifluoroethanol and hexafluoroisopropanol,and their mixtures with water

Acidity measurements in trifluoroethanol and hexafluoroisopropanol as solvents, and in their mixtures with water, are reported. The hydrogen electrode and the glass electrode were used for pH measurements. The “experimental” autoprotolysis constants were determined from measurements in strongly acidic (trifluoromethanesulfonic) media and in strongly basic (alcoholate) media: for trifluoroethanol, pK = -log K/mol² l^-2 = 15 and for hexafluoroisopropanol, pK = 14.8. Evaluation of the pH-indicator potential systems with reference to the ferrocene/ferricinium couple gives the acidity function R₀(H). The values obtained are compared to the H₀ values evaluated in the same conditions.     

Magnetic Orbitals and Mechanisms of Exchange I. Direct Exchange

Summary. The problem of direct exchange is examined in the simplest cases (formal coupling of two electrons initially isolated and hydrogen molecule). Then we consider the general case of a solid characterized by weak overlaps between the atomic orbitals of first-nearest neighbours so that the involved electrons are quasi-localized. We recall the physical origin of spin-orbit coupling. Its influence on direct exchange allows one to revisit Hunds rules and to express phenomenological Hamiltonians describing anisotropic couplings as well as the antisymmetrical Dzialoshinski-Moriya coupling.