Calorimetric investigation of the interaction between a macromolecular prodrug of diflunisal and human platelets

The thermal effect due to the interaction between human platelets and α,β poly(N-hydroxy-ethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA) or the PHEA-Diflunisal conjugate was measured by the calorimetric technique at 25°C. The experimental data confirm that PHEA is a biocompatible macromolecule and that its conjugate influences the physiological activity of human platelets.     

Calorimetric investigation of the formation of ZnS nanoparticles in w/o microemulsions

The enthalpies of precipitation of ZnS nanoparticles within water containing reversed micelles of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) solfosuccinate, L-α phosphatidylcholine, tetraethyleneglycol-mono-n-dodecyl ether and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide as a function of the molar concentration ratioR (R=[water]/[surfactant]) were measured by calorimetric technique. The results indicate that the energetic state of ZnS nanoparticles confined in the aqueous core of the reversed micelles is different from that in bulk water. Effects due to nanoparticle size, adsorption of HS⁻ ions on the nanoparticle surface and interactions between nanoparticles and water/surfactant interfaces are discussed. This work has been supported by MURST.     

Kinetics of cerium (IV) oxidation of mandelic acid. Ionic strength and specific cation effects

The kinetics of the redox reaction between mandelic acid (MA) and ceric sulfate have been studied in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions and in H₂SO₄? MClO₄ (M⁺ = H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺) and H₂SO₄? MHSO₄ (M⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) mixtures under various experimental conditions of total electrolyte concentration (that is, ionic strength) and temperature. The oxidation reaction has been found to occur via two paths according to the following rate law: rate = k[MA] [Ce(IV)], where k = k₁ + k₂/(1 + a)²[HSO₄^?]² = k₁ + k₂/(1 + 1/a)²[SO₄^2?]², a being a constant. The cations considered exhibit negative specific effects upon the overall oxidation rate following the order H⁺ ? Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺. The observed negative cation effects on the rate constant k₁ are in the order Na⁺ < Li⁺ < H⁺, whereas the order is in reverse for k₂, namely, H⁺ ? Li⁺ < Na⁺. Lithium and hydrogen ions exhibit similar medium effects only when relatively small amounts of electrolytes are replaced. The type of the cation used does not affect significantly the activation parameters.     

Reaction of 2-acetyltetralone with some esters of benzoic acid

In order to investigate the pharmacological screening of a number of pyran-4-ones their synthesis by cyclization with sulphuric acid of the corresponding 1,3,5-triketones has been carried out with high yields. In the course of preparation of the latter the reaction of 2-acetyltetralone with some esters of benzoic acid derivatives has been studied and in particular, for a number of them, an interesting nucleophilic substitution of a chlorine atom with an alkoxy group on a benzenic nucleus has been evidenced.     

Electrical conductivity and permittivity of water-AOT-n-heptane microemulsions

Measurements of the electrical conductivity and of the complex permittivity of water-sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)-n-heptane microemulsions are reported. The experimental results are rationalized in terms of a hopping mechanism of AOT anions within clusters of reversed micelles. The dependence of the hopping rate and of the cluster dimensions upon the ratio [water]/[AOT] and temperature is discussed.     

Structural and dynamical investigation of gelation containing water-in-oil microemulsions

The gelatin (Bloom 300)/water/AOT/n-heptane system has been investigated at fixed water/AOT molar ratioR (R=31.1) as a function of the gelatin content. Several experimental techniques (densitometry, refractometry, conductometry, rheology, dielectrometry, ultrasonics, hypersonics) have been used to investigate the role played by the gelatin molecule in the observed sol-gel transition above a critical gelatin content. The results appear consistent with the hypothesis of a rigid network of gelatin-water rods coated by surfactant molecules coexisting with gelatin-free AOT reversed micelles at the gelation point.