Electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry determination of gold, palladium, and platinum using chelating resin YPA(4) as both extractant and chemical modifier

A new method for determination of trace gold (Au), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt) in environmental and geological samples by electrothermal vaporization (ETV)-inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with the use of chelating resin YPA₄ as both solid phase extractant and chemical modifier has been developed. The resin loaded with analytes was prepared to slurry and directly introduced into the graphite furnace without any pretreatment. The factors affecting the vaporization behaviors of Au, Pd, and Pt were investigated in detail. It was found that, in the presence of YPA₄, Au and Pd could be quantitatively vaporized at lower vaporization temperature of 1900 °C. Compared with the conventional electrothermal vaporization, the vaporization temperature was decreased by 700 °C, and the detection limits for Au and Pd was decreased by a three-fold. However, a little effect of YPA₄ on the ETV-ICP-AES determination of Pt was found. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits (3σ) of Au, Pd, and Pt for this method are 75, 60, and 217 pg, respectively; and their relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) are 4.4, 5.6, and 3.7%, respectively (n=9, C=0.2 μg ml⁻¹). The proposed method has been applied to the determination of trace Pd and Pt in sewage sludge, and the results well agreed with the recommended values. In order to further verify the accuracy of the developed method, a GBW07293 certified geological reference material and an auto catalyst NIST SRM 2557 reference material were analyzed, and the determined values coincided with the certified values very well.     

Study on photocatalytic oxidation for determination of the low chemical oxygen demand using a nano-TiO2-Ce(SO4)2 coexisted system

A new photocatalytic system, nano-TiO₂-Ce(SO₄)₂ coexisted system, which can be used to determine the low chemical oxygen demand (COD) is described. Nano-TiO₂ powders is used as photocatalyst in this system. The measuring method is based on direct determination of the concentration change of Ce(IV) resulting from photocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds. The mechanism of the photocatalytic oxidation for COD determination was discussed and the optimum experimental conditions were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a good calibration graph for COD values between 1.0 and 12 mg l⁻¹ was obtained and the LOD value was achieved as low as 0.4 mg l⁻¹. When determining the real samples, the results were in good agreement with those from the conventional methods.     

Disilanyl-amines — compounds comprising the structural unit Si?Si?N,as single-source precursors for plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PE-CVD) of silicon nitride

As potential single-source precursors for the plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition of silicon nitride, a series of disilanyl-amines has been prepared containing the structural unit Si? Si? N. Hexachlorodisilane reacts with Et₂NH to yield (Et₂N)Cl₂SiSiCl₂(NEt₂), 1 , and (Et₂N)₂ClSiSiCl(NEt₂)₂, 2 , while with ( i -Pr)₂NH the compounds [( i -Pr)₂N]Cl₂SiSiCl₃, 3 , and [( i -Pr)₂N]Cl₂SiSiCl₂[N( i -Pr)₂]₂, 4 , are formed as colourless, stable liquids ( 1 – 3 ) or solids ( 4 ). The crystal structure of 4 has been determined. The molecule shows a staggered gauche conformation (dihedral angle N? Si? Si? N 71°, Si? Si 1.670 Å). Compounds 2 – 4 are converted into the corresponding hydrides 6 – 8 in good yields by reaction with LiAlH₄ in monoglyme, while 1 is undergoing an isomerization to give 1,1 -bis(diethylamino)disilane ( 5 ) in this process. The disilanes 5 – 8 are colourless liquids, not spontaneously inflammable in air. 1,2- B is(di- i - p ropylamino)disilane (BIPADS), 8 , was chosen for down-stream mode PE-CVD of silicon nitride. With substrate temperatures at 300°C, high quality thin films were obtained at high growth rates. These films show refraction indices of 1.631 – 1.814 and have low carbon and very low oxygen contents, but high (Si-bound) hydrogen contents. Good insulating properties and good resistance to aqueous alkaline etching are further characteristics which could make BIPADS-generated films an attractive alternative to conventional plasmanitride materials. BIPADS is easy to handle and reduces the hazards usually associated with standard silane precursors.     

Silica-Supported LiHSO4 as a Highly Efficient,Mild, Heterogeneous,and Reusable Catalytic System for the Solvent-Free Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methanes

Silica-supported LiHSO₄ (LiHSO₄/SiO₂) is used as a green, cheap, and efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes via the condensation of indoles with carbonyl compounds under solvent-free conditions. The reactions proceed rapidly at room temperature, and the title compounds are obtained in high to excellent yields.     

In-silico investigation of phenolic compounds from leaves of Phillyrea angustifolia L. as a potential inhibitor against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro PDB ID:5R83) using a virtual screening method

There is currently a global COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants. This highly contagious viral disease continues to pose a major health threat global. The discovery of vaccinations is not enough to prevent their spread and dire consequences. To take advantage of the current drugs and isolated compounds, and immediately qualifying approach is required. The aim of our research is evaluation the potency for natural antiviral compounds against the SARS CoV-2 M^pro. Molecular docking of four phenolic compounds from Phillyrea angustifolia leaves with SARS-CoV-2 M^pro has been conducted. Similarly, the stability of selected ligand–protein interactions has been determined using MD simulations. Moreover, the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR), MMGBSA binding energies, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness predictions for selected phenolic have been reported. The selected phenolic compounds (Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, Apigenin-7-O-glucoside, Demethyl-oleuropein, and Oleuropein aglycone) revealed strong binding contacts in the two active pockets of a target protein of SARS-CoV-2 M^pro with the docking scores and highest binding energies with a binding energy of ?8.2 kcal/mol; ?7.8 kcal/mol; ?7.2 kcal/mol and ?7.0 kcal/mol respectively. Both Demethyloleoeuropein and Oleuropein aglycone can interact with residues His41 and Cys145 (catalytic dyad) and other amino acids of the binding pocket of M^pro. According to QSAR, studies on pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties suggested that oleuropein aglycone could be the best inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 for new drug design and development. Further in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies are highly needed to examine the potential of these phenolic compounds in the fight against COVID-19.     

Synthesis of a hydrophilic and non-ionic anthracene derivative, the N,N′-di-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-9,10-anthracenedipropanamide as a chemical trap for singlet molecular oxygen detection in biological systems

We report herein the synthesis of a new hydrophilic and non-ionic anthracene derivative, the N,N′-di-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-9,10-anthracenedipropanamide. The evaluation of this compound as chemical trap of singlet molecular oxygen by using labeling experiments and HPLC-MS analysis showed that it could be efficiently used in biological investigations.     

Use of a database of plots of pesticide retention (R F) against mobile-phase composition.Part II. TLC as a pilot technique for transferring retention data to HPLC, and use of the data for preliminary fractionation of a mixture of pesticides by micropreparative column chromatography

Summary Relationships betweenR _F values and mobile-phase composition have been determined for moderately polar pesticides in normal-phase systems (NP) of the type silica-non-polar diluent (heptane)-polar modifier (ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, or dioxane) and in reversed-phase systems (RP) of the type octadecyl silica-water-polar modifier (acetonitrile, methanol, or tetrahydrofuran). These relationships constitute a retention database which has enabled choice of the optimum conditions for preparative column chromatographic separation of pesticides into fractions; these were then applied to a silica plate and chromatographed. The plate was videoscanned, furnishing a real picture of the plate showing complete separation of the pesticide fractions.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 244: Synthesis of the racemate and enantiomers of (11Z,19Z)-CH503 (3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol), a new sex pheromone of male Drosophila melanogaster to show its (S)-isomer and racemate as bioactive

The enantiomers of (11Z,19Z)-3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol were synthesized from the enantiomers of 3,4-epoxy-1-butanol PMB ether. Its racemate was also synthesized. Its (S)-isomer and racemate were shown to possess the same pheromone activity as CH503, a long-lived inhibitor of male courtship in Drosophila melanogaster, although the racemate was less active.