Amino-Modified Silicate Xerogels Complexed with Cu(II) as Catalyst Precursors. Coordination State and Thermal Decomposition

The sol-gel process is a useful method for preparing two series of organically and co-ordinately modified xerogels of the types [CuN _n ]·N _5–n ·5xSiO_4/2 (n < 4) and [Cu(N–N)_n]·(N–N)_2–n ·2x SiO_4/2(n 2), where N = NH₂(CH₂)₃ SiO_3/2, N–N = NH₂(CH₂)₂NH·(CH₂)₃SiO_3/2 and x = [SiO_4/2]/[N] or [SiO_4/2]/[N–N]. The amino groups in the materials are coordinately active and participate partly in the coordination sphere of Cu(II) ions. The composition of the coordination sphere can be varied with the SiO_4/2 content and also as a result of the thermal decomposition of the organic residues at higher temperatures.Because the xerogel materials are considered to be catalyst precursors, this study is focused on their coordination and thermal properties. The prepared xerogels, such as silica, aminated silicates with N and N–N, as well as those entities complexed with Cu(II), were characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy. During gelation and thermal decomposition the materials were analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The xerogels were additionally studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The gaseous products of the thermal decomposition of these materials in an Ar atmosphere were investigated by the use of FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with TG and DTG thermal analysis. These data were complemented by temperature-programmed decomposition (TPDec) in a 2% O₂ + 98% Ar stream coupled with quadrupole mass spectroscopy.     

The analysis of the zero-order and the second derivative spectra of retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate and coenzyme Q10 and estimation of their analytical usefulness for their simultaneous determination in synthetic mixtures and pharmaceuticals

The aim of the present work was to develop a simple and rapid method of retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate and coenzyme Q(10) determination in pharmaceuticals without involving any preparation operations like separation or masking. The values of second derivative amplitude at 212 nm for tocopherol, 351 nm for retinol and 222 nm for coenzyme were used for construction of calibration graphs. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.5-20, 0.5-7.5 and 0.5-30 microg ml(-1) for retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate and coenzyme, respectively. The elaborated procedures were successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of studied compounds in their binary synthetic mixtures and in commercial preparations with high reliability and repeatability. Spectral properties of retinol acetate allows to determine its contents in ternary mixture which includes Vitamin E and coenzyme Q(10).     

Fluorescence lifetimes and spectral properties of protochlorophyllide in organic solvents in relation to the respective parameters in vivo

In this work, absorption and fluorescence spectra of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide), as well as its fluorescence lifetime, were investigated in organic solvents having different physical properties. The obtained Pchlide spectral features are discussed in relation to the parameters describing solvent properties (refractive index and dielectric constant) and taking into account the specific solvent-Pchlide interaction. The correlation of Pchlide Qy and Soret absorption bands with solvent polarizability function ((n2 - 1)/(n2 + 2)) has been found; however, the dispersion of the observed points was rather high. A small Stokes shift of a magnitude between 50 and 300 cm(-1) was found, which indicates low sensitivity of Pchlide to nonspecific solvation. The fluorescence decay of Pchlide was single exponential in all the investigated solvents, with the lifetime value ranging from 5.2 ns for dioxane to 3.5 ns for methanol. Dependence of the obtained fluorescence lifetimes on the solvent orientation polarizability, a parameter being the function of both refractive index and dielectric constant, was discussed. In water-methanol mixtures, a further decrease of the fluorescence lifetime was observed, giving values of 2.9 ns for 25% methanol. Double-exponential decay of Pchlide fluorescence was found for Pchlide in a solution of 15% methanol with the lifetimes of 4.5 +/- 0.5 ns and 1.2 +/- 0.3 ns and in pure water with the lifetimes of 2.5 +/- 0.5 ns and 0.4 +/- 0.1 ns. The obtained results are discussed in relation to spectroscopic properties of Pchlide in vivo.     

Chromatographic and spectroscopic investigation of the associative changes with the selected higher fatty alcohols

An attempt was made to compare usefulness of the ir spectroscopic technique with paper chromatography in the investigations concerning self-association of higher fatty alcohols. A conclusion was drawn that only the complementary application of both analytical methods better enabled to trace the establishing of association equilibria in the given experimental conditions.     

Preconcentration and Separation Procedures for the Spectrochemical Determination of Platinum and Palladium

Low concentrations of Pt and Pd in industrial (µgg^–1 level) and environmental samples (ngg^–1 level) together with the complexity of the matrix causing many interferences during the determination of noble metals often require elaboration and application of pre-concentration/matrix separation procedures before detection of the analyte. Different pre-concentration/matrix separation procedures applied prior to the determination of Pt and Pd by atomic spectrometric techniques are reviewed and critically compared taking into account potential interferences. The methods studied are divided into 5 groups including precipitation and coprecipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, electrochemical pre-concentration and biosorption. The main analytical problems occuring during sample preparation and storage are discussed.     

Effects of nonionic sugar surfactants on the phase transition of DPPC membranes

The influence of newly synthesized N-alkanoyl-N-methyllactitolamines (decanoyl [C₁₀MELA], lauoroyl [C₁₂MELA] and miristoyl [C₁₄MELA]) on the thermotropic phase transition of phosphatidylcholine bilayer was compared with common sugar-based surfactants N-dodecyl-β-d-glucopyranoside [C12G1] and decanoyl-N-methyl glucamide [MEGA-10]. The results indicate that C_nMELA are very active at the membrane surface and disturb the phospholipid bilayer structure less than commercially used MEGA-10 and C12G1.     

Improvement and simplification of synthesis of 3-aryloxy-1,2-epoxypropanes using solvent-free conditions and microwave irradiations. Relation with medium effects and reaction mechanism

Some 3-aryloxy-1,2-epoxypropanes, interesting as potential synthons in β-adrenergic receptor antagonists preparation, were obtained in excellent yields (65-96% within 2-17 min) by microwave activation (monomode system) using solid-liquid solvent-free phase transfer catalysis (PTC). The best results for the O-alkylation of some phenols with epichlorohydrin were obtained using TBAB and NaOH/K₂CO₃ (1:4 mol/mol) as phase transfer catalyst and more acceptable basic system, respectively. These new procedure is compared with classical methods. Significant specific microwave effect (non-purely thermal) was evidenced in all cases. They were discussed in terms of reaction medium and mechanism, taking into account the variations in polarity of the systems.     

Effect of substituents at silicon on the oxidative addition of trisubstituted silanes to [RhCl(cod)PPh3]

Summary Trisubstituted silanes, HSiR_3–n X _n (R = Me, Et, Pr or Bu; X = Cl, OEt or Ph; and n = 0–3) readily undergo oxidative addition to complex [RhCl(cod)PPh₃] (where cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene).The quantitative correlation between rate constants, k ₁, of the reaction, followed spectrophotometrically at 20 °C in benzene solutions, and the structure of tri-substituted silanes represented by stereoelectronic parameters , and E of the substituents, was established: logk ₁ = a + b + c + dE. The reaction rate is accelerated by electron-withdrawing substituents at silicon and retarded by the bulk and pd donation of nonalkyl substituents.Author to whom all correspondence should be directed.     

Thermal and spectral analysis of copolymers with sulphur groups

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The paper presents the synthesis, structure and polymerization of S-phenyl 2-methylprop-2-enethioate (PSM). This compound was prepared in the reaction...