Moisture induced solid phase degradation of l-ascorbic acid part 2, separation and characterization of the major degradation products

The influence of moisture in the presence and absence of air on the solid state degradation of l-ascorbic acid has been investigated previously [1]. Reaction kinetics were studied using tristimulus colorimetry and a quantitative high performance liquid chromatographic assay for both total l-ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid. The degradation gave rise to a discolouration of the samples, the most severely degraded samples were almost black in appearance although over 68% w/w of the l-ascorbic acid remained. The samples were analyzed for the presence of carbonyl compounds, furan related compounds, compounds responsible for the discolouration and evolution of carbon dioxide. No 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNP) derivatives of carbonyl compounds or furan related compounds were detected by HPLC. An HPLC screening procedure was developed which was used to monitor for compounds responsible for the discolouration, at least eight unknown compounds were resolved and a relative response factor of 5.47 was assigned to them with respect to l-ascorbic acid at 280 nm. One mole of carbon dioxide was evolved per mole of l-ascorbic acid. This paper describes the investigation into the identity of the degradation products.     

Comparison of the degradation behavior of cotton, linen, and kozo papers

The long term degradation behavior of cotton, linen, and kozo papers was studied to compare changes to the chemical and physical properties with time. The elemental composition, α-content, β-content, γ-content, and lignin content (K number) of the three unaged controls were determined. The papers were then degraded at 90 °C and 50 % relative humidity for several thousand hours. Changes to the pH, carbonyl content, yellowness index (YI), moisture content, molecular weight, and tensile strength with aging were monitored. The general trends in degradation behavior of linen and kozo papers were similar to cotton in that all three showed decreases in pH, molecular weight, and strength as well as increases in carbonyl content and YI during hydrolysis. However, the kinetics of degradation differed between the three papers. The cellulose component of all three papers dominated measured changes to the molecular weight while the presence of hemicellulose in the linen and kozo papers led to unique measured moisture contents, carbonyl group, and YI values relative to cotton after the same amount of degradation had occurred.     

Effect of acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes on thermo-oxidative stability and degradation behavior of silicone rubber

The effect of acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on thermo-oxidative stability and degradation behavior of silicone rubber (SR) was evaluated. Raman microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis were performed to characterize the surface states of MWCNTs samples. The results demonstrated that after acid treatment the nanodefects and surface oxygen-containing groups (mainly hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) were formed and the number of them was gradually increased by increasing the treatment time. Then these MWCNTs were embedded into SR matrix. Furthermore, the thermo-oxidative stability and degradation behavior of MWCNTs/SR composites were studied using thermogravimetric/infrared spectrometry (TG-IR). Thermo-oxidative stability test in air revealed that the degradation of SR, at relatively low temperature, was mainly due to the oxidation of Si-CH₃ side groups and the generation of free radicals. This behavior was hindered by the MWCNTs’ surface nanodefects and hydroxyl groups, as proved by TG-IR study which revealed that the amount of carbonyl compounds was reduced more than 60%, compared with that of neat SR. Therefore, acid treatment led a better thermo-oxidative stability of MWCNTs/SR. For 4hAT-MWCNTs/SR, with maximum hydroxyl groups on MWCNTs surface, the T_i (defined as the temperature for 5% mass loss) of it is increased by 34.8 °C compared to that of neat SR, and even increased by 18.5 °C compared with that of raw-MWCNTs/SR.     

Degradation and stabilisation of poly(ethylene-stat-vinyl acetate): 1 - Spectroscopic and rheological examination of thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation mechanisms

The degradation of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers was compared with low density polyethylene (LDPE), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) using FTIR, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as thermal and rheological analyses. Thermal, thermo-oxidative and photo-oxidative studies were conducted. Thermo-oxidation below 180 °C shows more similarities between EVA and LDPE. The luminescence spectra of degraded EVA and LDPE were almost identical but very different to that of PVAc. UV-vis analysis showed that the polyenes present in aged PVC were unlikely to be the same species responsible for the observed colour formation in aged EVA. It is suggested that they are polyconjugated carbonyl products. Rheological analysis also showed the evolution of crosslinking reactions during thermo-oxidation. FTIR studies after thermal degradation in inert conditions 290 °C showed complete loss of the ester functionality and associated lactone formation along with some evidence for ketonic and unsaturated carbonyl groups. Degradation in air at 180 °C, however, revealed that loss of the ester group was not so marked, with PVAc exhibiting the greatest stability. This was in line with the induction time to onset of autocatalytic carbonyl growth at 180 °C; the latter showed an apparent exponential decrease with increasing vinyl acetate content up to 28% w/w. Fluorescence analysis produced trends that complemented those of carbonyl index; the time to decomposition of initial fluorescent α,β-unsaturated carbonyl species coincided with the time to onset of carbonyl growth. Furthermore, the rate of formation of the new fluorescent species produced in EVA, and LDPE was similar to that of carbonyl growth. These new fluorescent species are therefore likely to be di- or tri-carbonyl products.     

Thermal degradation of flame-retardant compounds derived from castor oil

Castor oil is a non-edible plant oil produced in a large quantity annually. It is a triglyceride of primarily (approximately 90%) ricinoleic acid. The acid residues contain both a hydroxyl group and a double bond which permit ready functionalization. The hydroxyl group may be converted to phosphorus esters of varied structure while the unsaturation readily undergoes addition of bromine. Derivatives of castor oil containing phosphorus, bromine, or phosphorus and bromine have been prepared and fully characterized using spectroscopic and thermal methods. The thermal stability and mode of degradation for these compounds have been assessed using thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The primary mode of degradation for the phosphorus esters is elimination of the corresponding phosphorus acid (phosphates more readily than phosphonates). Brominated castor oil undergoes thermally induced dehydrobromination at relatively modest temperatures and this promotes dehydration (at temperatures well below that required for dehydration of unmodified castor oil). Brominated phosphorus esters of castor oil undergo degradation initiated by dehydrobromination.

     

聚酯催化缩聚与热降解过程的半经验量子化学研究

以苯甲酸β-羟乙酯(BAHET)为模型反应物,采用半经验量子化学方法(PM3),分析了生成聚酯的催化缩聚与热降解机理。计算结果表明,端羟基氧与酯羰基氧是反应物与金属催化剂作用的活性位。金属催化剂与两者作用后,可以使酯羰基碳的正电性与端羟基氧的负电性增加。由于静电作用力增加,促使缩聚反应得以进行。研究结果表明,在钛系催化体系中,端羟基氧和酯醚键氧能与钛原子作用形成热力学稳定的五元环结构,它的存在将影响钛系催化体系中聚酯的热降解行为。     

Unusual reaction of beta-hydroxy alpha-diazo carbonyl compounds with Cl3CCN/NaH and Rh(II)-catalyzed reaction of beta-trichloroacetylamino alpha-diazo carbonyl compounds

The hydroxyl group was directly converted into the trichloroacetylamino group by reacting beta-hydroxy alpha-diazo carbonyl compounds with Cl(3)CCN and NaH. Rh(II)-catalyzed reactions of the beta-amino alpha-diazo carbonyl compounds were discussed. [reaction: see text]     

Analysis of the degradation products of diproteverine by moving belt LC/MS

Moving belt LC/MS has been used to identify the degradation products of the slow calcium membrane channel inhibitor, Diproteverine, after storage at elevated temperature and humidity. The major products observed result from oxidation. Two of these products, both ketones, yield [M ? 14 + H]⁺ ions by chemical ionization. These unusual ions also occur for some simple aromatic ketones used as model compounds and are shown to arise by reduction of the carbonyl group to a methylene by the reagent gas.     

Colour formation in poly(ethylene terephthalate) during melt processing

The discolouration, that occurs in virgin poly(ethylene terephthalate) - PET during melt processing, was studied using various bulk and surface analytical techniques. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) was used to study the bulk chemical changes occurring in the polymer during thermo-oxidative degradation. Chemical derivatisation with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) was used to label the hydroxyl groups introduced on the polymer surface by thermal oxidation.From the surface analysis studies using photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PA/FT-IR), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) it was evident that colour formation starts initially with the hydroxylation of the terephthalic ring. Further, the formation of additional carbonyl functionalities and conjugated chromophoric systems complete the colour formation process.     

Effect of different coupling agents on the browning of cellulose-polypropylene composites during melt processing

The effects of two coupling agents on the discoloration of cellulose/polypropylene composites during melt processing have been investigated. Composites of polypropylene, coupling agent and bleached eucalyptus Kraft pulp were produced by compounding in a twin-screw extruder. The coupling agents were maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) and polyethylenimine (PEI). The discoloration was measured using standard colorimetry and the discoloration was investigated using diffuse reflectance (FTIR and UV-Visible) spectroscopy. Both MAPP and PEI increase the browning, but the two mechanisms are clearly different. PEI reacts with carbonyl compounds produced in the cellulose degradation to form new chromophores; however, no specific discoloration processes were detected in composites made with MAPP. In this case, the detrimental effect on the discolouration was related to the increased frictional degradation.     

Thermal degradation of acetate-intercalated hydroxy double and layered hydroxy salts

Two hydroxy double salts (HDSs), zinc copper hydroxy acetate (ZCA) and zinc nickel hydroxy acetate (ZNA), and an analogous layered compound, zinc hydroxy acetate (ZHA), have been prepared by a coprecipitation method. The thermal degradation of these materials was characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and TGA coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of gas-phase products, TGA-FTIR. Loss of physisorbed and interlayer H2O was observed between 50 and 150 degrees C for all compounds. Acetic acid, acetone, water, and CO2 were released at high temperatures with relative acetone yields found to be dependent on precursor identity, with very little formed from ZCA compared with ZHA and ZNA. Combined FTIR and XRD analysis of solid residues extracted at different points in the heating profile suggests that ketonization occurs via dissociative adsorption of acetic acid on ZnO surfaces. Nanometer-sized ZnO particles were formed from ZHA, showing slight preferential growth in the ZnO (002) lattice direction, while the presence of a second metal, Ni or Cu, served to retard ZnO crystallite growth at temperatures below 600 degrees C and eliminate preferential growth. ZCA leads to the formation of reduced copper species (metallic copper and Cu2O) when heated to 250 degrees C.     

Biochemical Studies on Hemoglobin Modified with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Hemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen transporting metalloprotein in the red cells of blood in mammals and other animals. Hemoprotein-mediated oxidative stress is thought to play a major role in pathophysiology of cerebral hemorrhage, blast pressure injury, crush injury, myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. Hemoglobin undergoes oxidation-reduction reactions that lead to both generation and consumption of highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. In the present study, hemoglobin molecule was treated with hydrogen peroxide and the modification so incurred was analyzed by UV spectra, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and detection of carbonyl content. Our observations suggest that carbonyl content increases with increase in concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Production of hydroxyl radical was assessed by using benzoate degradation analysis. Our results was in tandem with the fact that hemoglobin on treatment with hydrogen peroxide rapidly generates free-radical species that can degrade benzoate to thiobarbituric acid reactive material which on reacting with thiobarbituric acid gives color. The increase in absorbance of ROS-modified hemoglobin at 532 nm shows the increase in benzoate degradation, which is a parameter of hydroxyl radical formation with increase in concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Modified hemoglobin was treated with catalase, mannitol, thiourea, glutathion, sodium benzoate and their effect were detected by spectroscopy and SDS-PAGE (12%). Substantial scavenging effect of aforementioned antioxidants reiterates the formation of hydroxyl radical. Catalase shows the maximum scavenging effect followed by thiourea and mannitol.     

A new oligosaccharide synthesis using special hydroxy protecting group

A new hydroxy protecting group for convenient preparation of oligosaccharide was developed using uni-chemo protection (UCP) concept. The UCP group was comprised of polymerized amino acid derivatives and protecting each hydroxyl groups by ester linkage. Depending on the polymerization degree, the hydroxyl groups were characterized and controlled. Using this protecting group, two kinds of sialyl-T analogues were successfully synthesized from same sugar parts merely by repeating Edman degradation and coupling.     

Surface degradation of wood by ultraviolet light

Wood is beautiful but sensitive to light. Because of the chromophoric system at its surface, ultraviolet light cannot penetrate it deeper than 80 μm. Surface characteristics of ultraviolettreated wood were analyzed by infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Analyses of infrared spectra revealed that ultraviolet-treated wood is rich in carboxylic and carbonyl chromophoric groups and poor in aromatic functional groups. Ultraviolet spectral studies suggest that water-soluble low molecular weight fractions of degraded products from the wood surface are mainly derived from lignin. These degradation products contained carbonyl conjugated phenolic hydroxyl groups and had a weight-average molecular weight of about 900, confirmed by gel permeation chromatography.     

The influence of polypropylene degradation on the membrane wettability during membrane distillation

In the membrane distillation process only gaseous phase can exist in the membrane pores. The resistance to wettability of capillary polypropylene membranes has been investigated in this work. The SEM-EDS investigations revealed that the pores located up to 100 μm from the membrane surface were filled by the feed during the production of demineralized water over a period of 4500 h. However, the pores located inside the membrane wall were still dry and no feed leakage was observed. Both scaling and polypropylene degradation were indicated as the major reason for partial membrane wettability. The SEM-EDS, XRD and FTIR methods were used for investigations of polypropylene degradation, and material cracking and the presence of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups on the membrane surface has been identified. The membranes irradiated by UV light or stored up to 9 years in air were used to evaluate the membrane wetting caused by the products of polymer oxidation. The membrane samples were soaked in either water or a concentrated solution of NaCl at temperature of 343 K, and their wettability was evaluated on the basis of their variations in the air permeability. It was found that the products of polypropylene oxidation significantly accelerated the degree of wettability during the first 30 days of investigations, but after 60 days the results were similar. The soaked membrane samples wetted faster in NaCl solutions than those soaked in distilled water, which came as a result of the chemical reactions of salt with the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups found on the polypropylene surface.     

Thermal degradation of polymers with phenylene units in the chain. I. Polyphenylenes and poly(phenylene oxides)

The thermal degradation of polyphenylenes and poly(phenylene oxides) was studied under vacuum at temperatures between 350 and 620°C. The volatile and solid degradation products were analyzed by mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Overall mechanisms for the thermal breakdown have been proposed. Polyphenylene decomposes to form polymer carbon, while hydrogen is the major volatile product. Some ring breakdown occurs with evolution of methane. Poly(phenylene oxide) forms mainly low molecular weight chain fragments, partially with hydroxyl endgroups. Some of the ether linkages decompose with ring breakdown, yielding carbon monoxide, water, and some carbon dioxide. Pendent groups on polyphenylenes and poly(phenylene oxides) are removed at the lower temperatures. The hydroxyl group yields essentially carbon monoxide and dioxide (the carbon being supplied by the rings), the methyl group methane, and the methoxy group methane and some methanol.     

Thermal degradation of biodegradable edible films based on xanthan and starches from different sources

Films based on xanthan/wheat starch and xanthan/maize starch were prepared in different proportions and analysed in terms of thermal stability in relation to the degradation reaction in an inert atmosphere. The main gaseous decomposition products were identified by infrared spectroscopy. Xanthan was found to be less thermally stable than starch from different sources. The starch addition to xanthan induced an increase in the film thermal stabilities. The thermal degradation mechanism of xanthan starts with scission of the side chain groups with subsequent scission of the main chain. Starches from maize and wheat presented a constant mechanism of thermal degradation. The proportion of xanthan/starch (50/50) presented a synergistic behaviour which may be associated with changes in the mechanism of the thermal degradation process. The FTIR spectra of the gaseous products during thermal degradation of xanthan showed a broad absorption in the 2750–3300 cm⁻¹ region, probably indicating decomposition of β-d-mannopyranosyl groups, present in xanthan side chains. For pure starches, absorptions related to alcohol O–H stretching (3500–3750 cm⁻¹), CO stretching of CO₂, CO and carbonyl compounds (2361, 2177 and 1743 cm⁻¹, respectively) were observed. For xanthan/starch mixtures (50/50) the same compounds as those for the pure polymer degradation were evolved. However, a shift of the CO to higher wavenumber values indicates that new carbonyl compounds are being formed due to changes in the thermal degradation mechanism.     

Synthesis of 1,7-epoxycyclononanes and 1,8-epoxycyclodecanes by β-fragmentation reactions using LTA and I2

The reaction of derivatives on C3 of 6-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-11-oxatricyclo[6.2.1.0^2,6]undecan-4-one with lead tetraacetate and iodine, gave, in a good yield, 1,7-epoxycyclononanes. These compounds are the result of a β-fragmentation at the level of C2-C6 respect to the tertiary hydroxyl group on C6, with an unexpected contraction from a ten to a nine-membered ring system, via a radical addition to the carbonyl group on C4. The treatment of precursors (non-functionalized on C3) with LTA and iodine produced again a β-fragmentation without any structural rearrangement, affording a typical 1,8-epoxycyclodecane system. The transformation of the carbonyl group on C4 into acetate avoided radical additions and rearrangements affording, in high yield, the corresponding cyclodecanes. By this methodology, either 1,7-epoxy-cyclononane or 1,8-epoxycyclodecane could be synthesized, in a good yield, from the same versatile precursor.     

Identification of the related substances of tilmicosin by liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry

Structures of seven impurities of the veterinary drug tilmicosin have been elucidated by multiple fragmentation with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. All related compounds possess the main lactone ring of tilmicosin. The differences in their structures are due to the hydroxyl, mycaminose, 3,5-dimethylpiperidine and mycinose groups connected to C(3), C(5), C(6), C(14) of the lactone ring, respectively. The following compounds of the impurity profile of tilmicosin were identified: B - tilmicosin with a hydroxyl group at C(3); C - tilmicosin without a methyl group at the N-atom connected to C(3) of the mycaminose ring; D - tilmicosin with a hydroxyl group at C(6) of the mycaminose ring; E - tilmicosin with a methoxy group at C(3), F - desmicosin; G - 20-dihydrodesmicosin; and H - tilmicosin without a mycaminose ring. Isomers of the compounds B, C, D, E and H were identified by their mass chromatograms and retention times. The concentrations of the impurities varied in the range of 0.1% to 2.9%.     

Effect of environment on the degradation of starch and pro-oxidant blended polyolefins

The aim of this study was to understand the rate of degradation of commercial pro-oxidant blended and starch blended High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), pro-oxidant blended Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and starch blended polypropylene in three different environments, namely under direct sunlight, buried in soil and immersed in marine waters for a period of 150 days. The bio-fouling parameters were also monitored in the case of polymers deployed in sea water. Exposure to sunlight showed highest weight loss (>10%) and samples buried in soil showed the lowest (∼1%). Pro-oxidant blended HDPE showed higher weight loss when compared to starch blended (22.7 as against 11%). Scanning electron microscopy revealed surface deterioration and decrease in contact angle indicated reduction in surface hydrophobicity. Increase in the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the infra-red spectrum of the exposed samples suggested abiotic degradation. Starch blended PP exposed to sunlight showed the highest thermo gravimetric weight loss (63.8%) followed by the same polymer buried in soil (46.1%).