Interpretation of water isotherm hysteresis for an activated charcoal using stochastic pore networks

Water vapor adsorption equilibria on activated carbons typically exhibit hysteresis. The size and shape of the hysteresis loop which separates the adsorption and desorption branches is a strong function of the pore size and interconnectivity of the pores. Neither conventional pore filling models nor statistical thermodynamics approaches provide a means for predicting the extent of hysteresis from only adsorption measurements. This work uses the Kelvin Equation in conjunction with the structural concept of a stochastic pore network to describe measured water isotherms on BPL carbon. Using a pore segment distribution function determined from the adsorption branch, it is shown that totally random assemblies underestimate the extent of hysteresis. It is possible, however, to closely fit the measured BPL-water hysteresis loop using a patchy heterogeneity in which a proportion of the larger pores are preferentially located on the exterior, mid-range pores are concentrated in a sub-surface layer and some large pores form shielded voids behind much smaller pores.Nomenclature p vapor phase partial pressure of sorbate - p _sat saturation vapor pressure of sorbate - R gas constant - r pore radius - T absolute temperature - t adsorbed layer thickness - V _L molar volume of adsorbed phase - surface tension - contact angle     

Biochar as heterogeneous support for immobilization of Pd as efficient and reusable biocatalyst in C–C coupling reactions

Biochar is a stable and carbon‐rich solid which has a high density of carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups on its surface. In this work, the surface of biochar nanoparticles (BNPs) was modified with 3‐choloropropyltrimtoxysilane and further 2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole was anchored on its surface. Then, palladium nanoparticles were fabricated on the surface of the modified BNPs and further the catalytic application was studied as recyclable biocatalyst in carbon–carbon coupling reactions such as Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki cross‐coupling reactions. The structure of the catalyst was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalyst can be reused several times without a decrease in its catalytic efficiency. In addition to the several advantages reported, application of biochar as catalyst support for the first time is a major novelty of the present work.     

Optical properties,structural, and DFT studies of Pd(II) complexes with 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-thiol,X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(κ1-S-ptt)2(κ2-dppe)] complex

Seven tetrazole-thione complexes, [Pd₂(κ²-ptt)₄]( 1 ), trans-[Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(PPh₃)₂] ( 2 ), trans-[Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(SPPh₃)₂] ( 3 ), trans-[Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(OPPh₃)₂] ( 4 ), [Pd(k¹-N-ptt)₂(k²-dppe)] ( 5a ), [Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(k²-dppe)] ( 5b ), [Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(k²-dppeS₂)] ( 6 ), and [Pd(k¹-S-ptt)₂(k²-dppeO₂)] ( 7 ), were prepared from 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (Hptt), with substituted phosphines. These complexes were investigated by CHNS analysis; infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (¹H and ³¹P), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy; and single-crystal X-ray data for 5b . In Complex 1 , the ptt⁻ ligand adopted μ²- k-N, k-S bridging mode to afford a dimeric complex, whereas in Complexes 2–4 , 6 , and 7 , the ptt⁻ was covalently coordinated via sulfur atom of the thiol group as a solo product. In contrast, in Complex 5 , the ptt⁻ ligand was bonded in a monodentate fashion through a deprotonated tetrazole ring nitrogen atom in isomer 5a or via a thiolato sulfur atom in isomer 5b . These linkage isomers were clearly shown in the ³¹P-{¹H} NMR. To explain the adoption of the ligand binding modes in Complexes 5a and 5b , geometry optimization calculations were carried out on two isomers. Very small differences of all molecular parameters were found between 5a and 5b isomers. This confirms the reason for obtaining two isomers. Also, theoretical studies are made for all compounds, and excellent agreement is obtained with experimental data. The direct band gap (Eg) values are equal to 2.88, 2.85, and 2.45 eV for Complexes 1 , 2 , and 4 , respectively, revealing a semiconductor nature. The inhibition activity of Complexes 1–3 , 5 , and 8 were evaluated versus the growth of four types of bacteria in vitro. The complexes showed a good activity compared with free ligand and a standard antibiotic.     

Uranium(VI) recovery from acidic leach liquor using manganese oxide coated zeolite (MOCZ) modified with amine

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Manganese oxide coated zeolite modified with trioctyl amine (MOCZ/TOA) was tested for adsorption of uranium. Different experiments were performed...     

n-Bit Quantum Secret Sharing Protocol Using Quantum Secure Direct Communication

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - The proposed quantum secret sharing protocol in this article conveys n bit secret messages from the sender to the n receivers making use of a secure...     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Putative Genes Involved in the Tryptophan-Dependent Pathway of Auxin Biosynthesis in Rice

Plant proteome databases were mined for a flavin monooxygenase (YUCCA), tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), nitrilase (NIT), and aldehyde oxidase (AO) enzymes that could be involved in the tryptophan-dependent pathway of auxin biosynthesis. Phylogenetic trees for enzyme sequences obtained were constructed. The YUCCA and TDC trees showed that these enzymes were conserved across the plant kingdom and therefore could be involved in auxin synthesis. YUCCAs branched into two clades. Most experimentally studied YUCCAs were found in the first clade. The second clade which has representatives from only seed plants contained Arabidopsis sequences linked to embryonic development. Therefore, sequences in this clade were suggested to be evolved with seed development. Examination of TDC activity and expression had previously linked this enzyme to secondary products synthesis. However, the phylogenetic finding of a conserved TDC clade across land plants suggested its essential role in plant growth. Phylogenetic analysis of AOs showed that plants inherited one AO. Recent gene duplication was suggested as AO sequences from each species were similar to each other rather than to AO from other species. Taken together and based on the experimental support of the involvement of AO in abscisic synthesis, AO was excluded as an intermediate in IAA production. Phylogenetic tree for NIT showed that the first clade contained sequences from species across the plant kingdom whereas the second branch contained sequences from only Brassicaceae. Even though NIT4 orthologues were conserved in the second clade, their major role seems to be detoxification of hydrogen cyanide rather than producing IAA.     

Singlet oxygen quenching by thione analogues of canthaxanthin, echinenone and rhodoxanthin

Thione analogues of three naturally occurring carotenones (canthaxanthin, echinenone, and rhodoxanthin) were synthesized just over ten years ago, and it was reported that substitution of the oxygen atom by sulphur brings about a large red shift and some broadening in the optical absorption spectrum of the compound. Since the three carotenothiones are scarce, determination of their molar absorption coefficients presents a challenge. A method for relating the molar absorption coefficient of a carotenothione (Car-S) to that of its ketone analogue (Car-O) has been developed, which has revealed that the peak molar absorption coefficient of a Car-S is only about 60% of the corresponding value for Car-O. Using methylene blue as the sensitizer and acetonitrile as the solvent, we have also investigated the quenching (under photostationary conditions) of the 1270nm phosphorescence emission of singlet oxygen by each of the six carotenoids. The data conform to the Stern-Volmer relation, and show that substitution of a carbonyl oxygen atom by sulphur does not lead to an appreciable change in the value of the quenching constant, which is close to 1.5 x 10(10)M(-1)s(-1) for all six quenchers.     

A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method for determining furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and phenol red: applicability to intestinal permeability studies

A simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection at 280 nm was developed for simultaneous quantitation of furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide along with phenol red as a nonabsorbable marker for in situ permeability studies in anaesthetized rats. A jejunal segment of approximately 10 cm was isolated and cannulated in both ends for inlet and outlet solution. The perfusate was collected every 10 min, and samples were analyzed using the developed method. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water-triethylamine-glacial acetic acid (41.5 + 57.4 + 0.1 + 0.9, adjusted to pH 5.6) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min; the run time was 9 min. The calibration graphs were linear for all 3 compounds (r > 0.999) across the concentration range of 7.93-125 microg/mL for phenol red and 6.25-100 microg/mL for hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide. The limits of quantitation were 7.2, 8.9, and 6.8 microg/mL for furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and phenol red, respectively. The coefficients of variation for intraassay and interassay precision were less than or equal to 7.6%, and the accuracy was between 93.2-103.4%. Using the single pass intestinal perfusion technique and the suggested HPLC method for sample analysis, mean values of 0.25 x 10(-4) (+/-0.16) cm/s and 0.22 x 10(-4) (+/-0.13) cm/s were obtained for furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively.     

Solid-phase synthesis of dinucleoside and nucleoside-carbohydrate phosphodiesters and thiophosphodiesters

Unprotected nucleosides (ROH) were reacted with two polymers bound to N,N-diisopropylamino-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane in the presence of 1H-terazole. Oxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide or sulfurization with Beaucage's reagent, followed by the 1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane ring opening with unprotected nucleosides or carbohydrates (R'OH) in the presence of DBU, afforded nucleoside-(5'-5')-nucleoside or nucleoside-carbohydrate phosphodiester and thiophosphodiester derivatives through the elimination of polymer-bound ethylene episulfide. This strategy offers the advantages of facile isolation of final products and monosubstitution of unprotected nucleosides and carbohydrates.     

Synthesis of polymer-bound 4-acetoxy-3-phenylbenzaldehyde derivatives: applications in solid-phase organic synthesis

Aminomethyl polystyrene resin was reacted with 4-(5'-formyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoic acid and 4-(5'-formyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl propionic acid, respectively, in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide to yield polymer-bound benzaldehydes. The phenolic group in resins was acetylated with acetic anhydride to afford two polymer-bound 4-acetoxybenzaldehydes. The reductive amination of polymer-bound linkers by amines and sodium triacetoxyborohydride, followed by sulfonylation with arylsulfonyl chloride derivatives in the presence of pyridine and the cleavage with TFA/DCM/H2O, produced pure sulfonamides.