Electronic Structure Modulation in an Exceptionally Stable Non‐Heme Nitrosyl Iron(II) Spin‐Crossover Complex

The highly stable nitrosyl iron(II) mononuclear complex [Fe(bztpen)(NO)](PF₆)₂ (bztpen=N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays an S=1/2?S=3/2 spin crossover (SCO) behavior (T_1/2=370 K, ΔH=12.48 kJ mol^?1, ΔS=33 J K^?1 mol^?1) stemming from strong magnetic coupling between the NO radical (S=1/2) and thermally interconverted (S=0?S=2) ferrous spin states. The crystal structure of this robust complex has been investigated in the temperature range 120–420 K affording a detailed picture of how the electronic distribution of the t_2g–e_g orbitals modulates the structure of the {FeNO}⁷ bond, providing valuable magneto–structural and spectroscopic correlations and DFT analysis.     

Supercritical fluid chromatography with photodiode array detection for pesticide analysis in papaya and avocado samples

To improve the analysis of pesticides in complex food matrices with economic importance, alternative chromatographic techniques, such as supercritical fluid chromatography, can be used. Supercritical fluid chromatography has barely been applied for pesticide analysis in food matrices. In this paper, an analytical method using supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detection has been established for the first time for the quantification of pesticides in papaya and avocado. The extraction of methyl parathion, atrazine, ametryn, carbofuran, and carbaryl was performed through the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe methodology. The method was validated using papaya and avocado samples. For papaya, the correlation coefficient values were higher than 0.99; limits of detection and quantification ranged from 130–380 and 220–640 μg/kg, respectively; recovery values ranged from 72.8–94.6%; precision was lower than 3%. For avocado, limit of detection values were ?450 μg/kg; precision was lower than 11%; recoveries ranged from 50.0–94.2%. Method feasibility was tested for lime, banana, mango, and melon samples. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method is applicable to methyl parathion, atrazine, ametryn, and carbaryl, toxics pesticides used worldwide. The methodology presented in this work could be applicable to other fruits.     

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Sulfate Impact Physiological Parameters and Boosts Lipid Peroxidation in Soil Grown Coriander Plants (Coriandrum sativum)

The objective of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and the physiological and antioxidant responses of coriander plants (Coriandrum sativum) grown for 58 days in soil with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of Zn/kg of soil. The results revealed that all Zn compounds increased the total chlorophyll content (CHLt) by at least 45%, compared to the control group; however, with 400 mg/kg of ZnSO₄, chlorophyll accumulation decreased by 34.6%. Zn determination by induction-plasma-coupled atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) showed that Zn absorption in roots and shoots occurred in plants exposed to ZnSO₄ at all concentrations, which resulted in high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Only at 400 mg/kg of ZnSO₄, a 78.6% decrease in the MDA levels was observed. According to the results, the ZnSO₄ treatments were more effective than the ZnO NPs to increase the antioxidant activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidases (POD). The results corroborate that phytotoxicity was higher in plants subjected to ZnSO₄ compared to treatments with ZnO NPs, which suggests that the toxicity was due to Zn accumulation in the tissues by absorbing dissolved Zn⁺⁺ ions.     

Hydrogen‐bonded nucleophile effects in ANS: the reactions of 1‐chloro and 1‐fluoro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene with 2‐guanidinobenzimidazole, 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperidine and N‐(3‐aminopropyl)morpholine in aprotic solvents

The kinetics of the reactions of 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene (DNClB) with 2‐guanidinobenzimidazole (2‐GB) at 40 ± 0.2 °C in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), toluene, and in toluene–DMSO mixtures, and with 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperidine (2‐AEPip) and N‐(3‐aminopropyl)morpholine (3‐APMo) in toluene at 25 ± 0.2 °C were studied under pseudo first‐order conditions. For the reactions of 2‐GB carried out in pure DMSO, the second‐order rate coefficients were independent of the amine concentration. In contrast, the reactions of 2‐GB with DNFB in toluene, showed a kinetic behaviour consistent with a base‐catalysed decomposition of the zwitterionic intermediate. These results suggest an intramolecular H‐bonding of 2‐GB in toluene, which is not present in DMSO. To confirm this interpretation the reactions were studied in DMSO–toluene mixtures. Small amounts of DMSO produce significant increase in rate that is not expected on the basis of the classical effect of a dipolar aprotic medium; the effect is consistent with the formation of a nucleophile/co‐solvent mixed aggregate. For the reactions of 3‐APMo with both substrates in toluene, the second‐order rate coefficients, k_A, show a linear dependence on the [amine]. 3‐APMo is able to form a six‐membered ring by an intramolecular H‐bond which prevents the formation of self‐aggregates. In contrast, a third order was observed in the reactions with 2‐AEPip: these results can be interpreted as a H‐bonded homo‐aggregate of the amine acting as a better nucleophile than the monomer. Most of these results can be well explained within the frame of the ‘dimer nucleophile’ mechanism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of New Five Membered Nitrogen Containing Heterocycles Bearing D-Galactose Side Chains

The synthesis of 5-[6′-deoxy-(1′,2′:3′,4′-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranos-6′-yl)]tetrazole and its reaction with acetic anhydride and 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-6-O-(4-toluenesulfonyl)-α-D-galactopyranose are described.     

Preparation of α,ω‐telechelic hexyl acrylate polymers with ?OH, ?COOH,and ?NH2 functional groups by RAFT

The design, synthesis, and use of two new, stable, functionalized chain transfer agents (CTA's) containing OH and amine end groups for the RAFT polymerization is reported: 2‐hydroxyethoxy‐carbonylphenylmethyl dithiobenzoate and 2‐(2‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)ethylamino)‐2‐oxo‐1‐phenylethyl benzodithioate, respectively. The RAFT polymerization of n‐hexyl acrylate (HA) using those CTA's, were compared to several other functionalized dithiobenzoate esters reported in the literature containing COOH and Ester groups. The performances of the dithiobenzoates were compared in terms of kinetics and molecular weight distribution control. Good control in polymerization of n‐hexyl acrylate with a linear increase of M_n with conversion mantaining polydispersity indices (PDI) below 1.1 was obtained by use of the new functionalized CTA's developed and also by use of some other CTA's tested, to produce well‐defined linear polymers with one specific chain‐end functionality: ? OH, ? COOH or Amine. Using a postpolymerization reaction with functionalized azocompounds in a 5 to 1 ratio, α,ω‐telechelic polymers, with ? OH or ? COOH as functional group at the second end were obtained. By using this synthetic strategy α,ω‐homotelechelic and heterotelechelic polymers were readily prepared. The chemical availability of functional end‐groups in the telechelics was demonstrated by reaction with methacrylic anhydride. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3033–3051, 2010     

Synthesis and characterization of a new semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel obtained by gamma radiations

A new polyacrylic acid/polyhydroxybutyrate semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel, the s-IPN/PAA-PHB, was prepared by a gamma radiation-induced polymerization. Thermal behavior was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while the s-IPNs composition, FTIR spectra, and swelling kinetics were also determined. It was found that the DSC curve showed a melting point which is attributed to polyhydroxybutyrate. The TG curves showed various stages of degradation which are in correspondence of the presence of crosslinked polyacrylic acid and confirmed the higher thermal stability of the polymer network. The s-IPN/PAA-PHB composition was 10% of PHB and 90% of PAA. Moreover, the network reached approximately 600% of swelling in water, so it behaves like a superabsorbent hydrogel.     

Thermal treatment of the carbon nanotubes and their functionalization with styrene

In this work we studied the functionalization of commercially available multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) (Nanocyl 3100) with polystyrene by the method so called “grafting from”. The nanotubes were used as received and oxidized in air at 400 °C. The functionalization was started using thionyl chloride under reflux, followed by a reaction with ethylene glycol which allowed the inclusion of hydroxyl groups. The reaction of those with 2-chloropropionyl chloride led to the generation of the polymerization initiator. Last, the radical polymerization of the functionalized nanotubes, using styrene as the monomer, led to new materials which were studied with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy.     

Use of cyclodextrin‐modified gold nanoparticles for enantioseparations of drugs and amino acids based on pseudostationary phase‐capillary electrochromatography

The application of chemical‐modified gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as chiral selector for the enantioseparation based on pseudostationary phase‐CEC (PSP‐CEC) is presented. GNPs modified by thiolated β‐CD were characterized by NMR and FT‐IR. The nanoparticle size was determined to be of 9.5 nm (+2.5 nm) by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV spectra. Four pairs of dinitrophenyl‐labeled amino acid enantiomers (DL‐Val, Leu, Glu and Asp) and three pairs of drug enantiomers (RS‐chlorpheniramine, zopiclone and carvedilol) were analyzed by using modified GNPs as the chiral selector in PSP‐CEC. Good theoretical plate number (up to 2.4×10⁵ per meter) and separation resolution (up to 4.7) were obtained even with low concentration of modified GNPs (0.8–1.4 mg/mL). The corresponding concentration of β‐CD in the buffer was only 0.30?0.53 mM, which was much lower than the optimum concentration of 15 mM if pure β‐CD was used as chiral selector. Our results showed that thiolated β‐CD modified GNPs have more sufficient interaction with the analytes, resulting in significant enhancement of enantioseparation. The study shed light on potential usage of chemical modified GNPs as chiral selector for enantioseparation based on PSP‐CEC.