Pre-formulation of an oral cyclosporine free of surfactant

The purpose of this study was to develop a new oral cyclosporine A (CsA) formulation free of surfactant cremophor using cyclodextrin terpolymers (P-αβ-CD, P-βγ-CD and P-αγ-CD) as excipients in attempt to enhance its stability, dissolution rate and eliminate surfactant side effects. Two spray-dried dispersions (SDDs) containing poorly water-soluble CsA were prepared with either P-αβ-CD, P-βγ-CD or P-αγ-CD using water ( $ F_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ ) and ethanol (F _EOH) via spray-drying technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution, circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance along with the dissolution study which was compared to Neoral^® and Sandimmune^®. The results showed an interaction between CsA and P-αβ-CD, P-βγ-CD and P-αγ-CD without secondary structure change of CsA. The order of the CsA release from the terpolymers was ranked as follows: P-αγ-CD/CsA ( $ F_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ ) = Neoral^® > P-βγ-CD/CsA ( $ F_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ ) > P-αβ-CD/CsA ( $ F_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ ) > P-αγ-CD/CsA (F _EOH) > Sandimmune^® > P-αβ-CD/CsA (F _EOH) > P-βγ-CD/CsA (F _EOH). The results of ( $ F_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ ) could be explained by hydrophilisation and absence of crystallinity of CsA while maintaining part of its crystallinity in the case of formulations (F _EOH). In summary, developed SDD formulations P-αγ-CD/CsA ( $ F_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ ) revealed same dissolution profile as Neoral^® and better than Sandimmune^®. These systems seem to be stable to carry cyclosporine and release it, while preserving structure and thus, potentially, also maintaining cyclosporine activity.     

Synthesis of high-energy-density LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode through surficial Nb doping for lithium-ion batteries

LiMn₂O₄ is one of the most promising cathode materials due to its high abundance and low cost. However, the practical application of LiMn₂O₄ is greatly limited owing to its low volumetric energy density. Therefore, increasing its energy density is an urgent problem to be resolved. Herein, using the simple and mass production preferred solid-state reaction, surficial Nb-doped LiMn₂O₄ composed of the truncated octahedral or spherical-like primary particles are successfully synthesized. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations confirm that most of Nb⁵⁺ enrich in the surficial layer of the particles to form a LiMn_2-xNb_xO₄ phase. This kind of doping can increase the specific discharge capacity of LiMn₂O₄ materials. Contrast with the pristine LiMn₂O₄, the discharge capacity of LiMn_1.99Nb_0.01O₄-based 18650R-type battery increases from 1497 to 1705 mAh with the volumetric energy density increasing by ~?13.9%, benefiting from the joint increments of the specific discharge capacity from 119.5 to 123.7 mAh g^?1 and the compacted density from 2.81 to 3.10 g cm^?3. Furthermore, the capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C (1500 mA) is also improved by 17.1%.

Open image in new window

Graphical abstract ?

     

Crystal structure and thermodynamic properties of dipotassium diiron(III) hexatitanium oxide

In the present work, the temperature dependence of heat capacity of dipotassium diiron(III) hexatitanium oxide has been measured for the first time in the range from 10 to 300 K by means of precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry. The experimental data were used to calculate standard thermodynamic functions, namely the heat capacity $ C_{p}^{ \circ } (T) $ , enthalpy $ H^{ \circ } (T) - H^{ \circ } (0) $ , entropy $ S^{ \circ } (T) - S^{ \circ } (0), $ and Gibbs function $ G^{ \circ } (T) - H^{ \circ } (0) $ for the range from T → 0 to 300 K. The structure of K₂Fe₂Ti₆O₁₆ is refined by the Rietveld method: space group I4/m, Z = 1, a = 10.1344(2) Å, c = 2.97567(4) Å, V = 305.618(7) Å³. The high-temperature X-ray diffraction was used for the determination of coefficients of thermal expansion.     

Group VB transition metal oxide clusters M4O n −/0 (M = Nb, Ta; n = 8–11): structural evolution and chemical bonding

The structural and electronic properties of two series of Group VB transition metal oxide clusters, M₄O _n ^? and M₄O _n (M = Nb, Ta; n = 8–11), are investigated using density functional theory calculations. Generalized Koopmans’ theorem is applied to predict the vertical detachment energies and simulate the photoelectron spectra. Large highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps are observed for these two stoichiometric M₄O₁₀ clusters and estimated to be 3.98 and 4.38 eV for M = Nb and Ta, respectively. The M₄O ₁₀ ^?/0 (M = Nb, Ta) clusters are polyhedral cage structures with high symmetry (T _d for the neutral and D _2d for the anion) in which each metal atom joints three bridging and one terminal O atoms. For the Nb oxide species, Nb₄O ₈ ^?/0 and Nb₄O ₉ ^?/0 can be viewed as removing two and one terminal O atoms from Nb₄O ₁₀ ^?/0 , respectively. The Ta species follow the same rule to the Nb species, except that the anionic Ta₄O₈ ^? is formed by removing one terminal and one bridging O atoms from Ta₄O₁₀ ^?. The Ta₄O₉ containing a localized Ta³⁺ site can readily react with O₂ to form the Ta₄O₁₁ which can also be viewed as replacing a terminal oxygen atom in Ta₄O₁₀ by a peroxo O₂ unit, whereas the added oxygen atom is found to be a bridging one in the O-rich clusters Nb₄O ₁₁ ^?/0 and the anionic Ta₄O₁₁ ^?. Molecular orbital analyses are performed to analyze the chemical bonding in the tetra-nuclear metal oxide clusters and to elucidate their structural and electronic evolution.     

Thermal analysis, phase transitions and molecular reorientations in [Sr(OS(CH3)2)6](ClO4)2

Thermal analysis (TG/DTG/QMS), performed for [Sr(OS(CH₃)₂)₆](ClO₄)₂ in a flow of argon and in temperature range of 295–585 K, indicated that the compound is completely stable up to ca. 363 K, and next starts to decompose slowly, and in the temperature at ca. 492 K looses four (CH₃)₂SO molecules per one formula unit. During further heating [Sr(DMSO)₂](ClO₄)₂ melts and simultaneously decomposes with explosion. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements performed in the temperature range of 93–370 K for [Sr(DMSO)₆](ClO₄)₂ revealed existence of the following phase transitions: glass ? crystal phase Cr5 at T _g  ≈ 164 K (235 K), phase Cr5 → phase Cr4 at $ T_{\text{c6}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 241 K, phase Cr4 → phase Cr3 at $ T_{\text{c5}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 255 K, phase Cr3 → phase Cr2 at $ T_{\text{c4}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 277 K, phase Cr2 ? phase Cr1 at $ T_{\text{c3}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 322 K and $ T_{\text{c3}}^{\text{c}} $  ≈ 314 K, phase Cr1 ? phase Rot2 at $ T_{\text{c2}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 327 K and $ T_{\text{c2}}^{\text{c}} $  ≈ 321 K and phase Rot2 ? phase Rot1 at $ T_{\text{c1}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 358 K and $ T_{\text{c1}}^{\text{c}} $  ≈ 347 K. Entropy changes values of the phase transitions at $ T_{\text{c1}}^{\text{h}} $ and $ T_{\text{c2}}^{\text{h}} $ (?S ≈ 79 and 24 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively) indicated that phases Rot1 and Rot2 are substantially orientationally disordered. The solid phases (Cr1–Cr5) are more or less ordered phases (?S ≈ 7, 10, 4 and 3 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively). Phase transitions in [Sr(DMSO)₆](ClO₄)₂ were also examined by Fourier transform middle infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR). The characteristic changes in the FT-MIR absorption spectra of the low- and high-temperature phases observed at the phase transition temperatures discovered by DSC allowed us to relate these phase transitions to the changes of the reorientational motions of DMSO ligands and/or to the crystal structure changes.     

Thermal synthesis and structural characterization of the orthorhombic Th2(PO4)(P3O10)

Polycrystalline thorium(IV) phosphate-triphosphate, Th₂(PO₄)(P₃O₁₀) (1), was obtained by (NH₄)₂Th(PO₄)₂·H₂O (2) heating from room temperature to 1,273 K. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pn2₁ a (a = 11.6846(2) Å, b = 7.1746(1) Å, c = 12.9320(3) Å, Z = 4). Combining powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction data and DFT geometry optimization, a structural model is proposed for 1. The structure is built on ThO₈ polyhedral chains along the b-axis. PO₄ ^3? and P₃O₁₀ ^5? groups coexist in the structure and the latter group forms non-linear chains. Cohesion of the structure is made by the linkage of ThO₈ chains by PO₄ and P₃O₁₀ groups. Thermal transformation from 2 to 1 was monitored by thermogravimetric analysis (activation energy as a function of the extent of conversion was obtained from Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) isoconversional method) and powder X-ray thermo-diffraction. For 2, the dehydration process takes place in two steps, with the apparition of a layered intermediate phase, (NH₄)₂Th(PO₄)₂·nH₂O (0 < n < 1, d = 6.42 Å), previously to the formation of (NH₄)₂Th(PO₄)₂ (d = 6.31 Å). The condensation process produces an amorphous material that crystallizes to α-ThP₂O₇ (3) when the temperature increases. At 1,273 K, 3 slowly transforms to 1.     

The thermodynamic parameters of oxygen nonstoichiometry defects in lanthanum cobaltite doped with acceptor impurities (Sr and Ni)

The oxygen nonstoichiometry δ of lanthanum cobaltite doped with acceptor impurities (Sr and Ni), La_{1 ? x} Sr_xCo_0.9Ni_0.1O_{3 ? δ} (x = 0.1, 0.3), was studied by high-temperature thermogravimetry over the temperature and pressure ranges 723 K ≤ T ≤ 1373 K and 10^?3 atm ≤ $p_{O_2 } $ ≤ 1 atm. The partial replacement of cobalt with nickel and lanthanum with strontium increased the oxygen nonstoichiometry δ. The partial molar enthalpies $\Delta \bar H^\circ _O $ and entropies $\Delta \bar S^\circ _O $ of solution of oxygen in the solid phase were calculated. Models of point defect formation were suggested and analyzed. The equilibrium constants of formation and concentrations of predominant point defects, ionized oxygen vacancies V _o ^.. , holes Me _Co ^. (Co _Co ^. and Ni _Co ^. ), and electrons Me _Co ^′ (Co _Co ^′ and Ni _Co ^′ ) localized on 3d transition metals, were determined by nonlinear regression from the experimental and theoretical logp $p_{O_2 } $ ?δ dependences.     

Synergistic extraction of some divalent metal cations into nitrobenzene by using strontium dicarbollylcobaltate and electroneutral macrocyclic lactam receptor

From extraction experiments and $ \gamma $ -activity measurements, the exchange extraction constants corresponding to the general equilibrium M²⁺(aq) + 1·Sr²⁺(nb) $ \Leftrightarrow $ 1·M²⁺(nb) + Sr²⁺(aq) taking place in the two-phase water–nitrobenzene system (M²⁺ = Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, $ {\hbox{UO}}_{2}^{2 + } $ , Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺; 1 = macrocyclic lactam receptor–see Scheme 1; aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) were evaluated. Moreover, the stability constants of the 1·M²⁺ complexes in nitrobenzene saturated with water were calculated; they were found to increase in the following cation order: Mg²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ < Cd²⁺ < Ca²⁺ < Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺ < Pb²⁺ <  $ {\hbox{UO}}_{2}^{2 + } $ .

Thermodynamic Model for the Solubility of NdF3(cr) in the Na+–NH 4 + –Nd3+–F−–H2O System at 25 °C

The major objective of this study, based on critical review and experimental studies, was to develop a reliable thermodynamic model for the Nd–F system at 25 °C. The SIT model was used to convert concentration constants reported in the literature to constants at zero ionic strengths for cross comparison and selection of reliable values. The critically evaluated thermodynamic constants for the formation of NdF²⁺ and NdF ₂ ⁺ were then used to interpret the extensive NdF₃(cr) solubility data in NaF and NH₄F solutions, ranging in concentrations from extremely low values to as high as 1.0 mol·kg^?1, equilibrated for different periods ranging up to as long as 72 days. These efforts have resulted in $ \log_{10} \beta_{n}^{0} $ log 10 β n 0 for the reaction [Nd³⁺ + nF^? ? NdF _n ^3?n ] of (3.81 ± 0.10), (5.89 ± 0.77), and <12.48 for n values of 1–3, respectively. The $ \log_{10} K_{\text{sp}}^{0} $ log 10 K sp 0 for the solubility of NdF₃(cr) (NdF₃(cr) ? Nd³⁺ + 3F^?) was determined to be (?20.49 ± 0.37). Because (1) Nd is an excellent analog for trivalent actinides—An(III) (i.e., Pu(III), Am(III), and Cm(III)), and (2) the available data for the An(III)–F system, especially the solubility products of AnF₃(cr), are of extremely poor quality, the critical literature review in combination with the experimental Nd–F system data have been used to assign thermodynamic constants for the An(III)–F reactions until good quality specific data for them becomes available.     

Comparison of ordered mesoporous materials sorption properties towards amino acids

The adsorption of amino acids such as l-phenylalanine and l-histidine was carried out on a series of mesoporous carbons obtained with the use ordered silicas KIT-6, SBA-16, SBA-15 as templates and furfuryl alcohol as carbon precursor. Small angle XRD analysis confirmed the ordered mesoporous structures of all materials obtained. They were also characterised by well-developed surface areas and high pore volumes. Adsorption behaviour of amino acids on ordered mesoporous carbons was investigated in potassium phosphate buffer solutions with adjustable l-phenylalanine and l-histidine concentration, ion strength, and pH. The highest sorption capacity towards the amino acids were observed at pH close to the isoelectric point of l-phenylalanine (pI = 5.48) and l-histidine (pI = 7.59). Electrostatic, hydrophobic and steric interactions had very strong effect on the adsorption of amino acids on mesoporous carbons. The amount of l-phenylalanine and l-histidine adsorbed decreased in the following sequence: C_KIT-6 > C_SBA-16 > C_SBA-15 that was strongly related to their structure, surface areas and average pore diameters.     

Carbohydrate recognition of symmetrical tripodal receptor type tris(2-aminoethyl)amine derivatives

Carbohydrate recognition of some bioactive symmetrical tripodal receptor type tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) derivatives was investigated. In calorimetric experiments, the highest binding constant (Ka) of compound C (C₃₅H₄₉N₅O₄S) with methyl α-d-mannopyranoside was Ka = 858 M^?1 with 1:1 stoichiometry. Formation of hydrogen bonds in binding between symmetrical tripodal receptor type compound C and sugars was suggested by the large negative values of ?H° (=?34 to ?511 kJ mol^?1). In a comparison of each set of α- and β-anomers of some monosaccharides (methyl α/β-d-galactopyranoside, methyl α/β-d-glucopyranoside, and methyl α/β-l-fucopyranoside), compound C showed that the binding constant of β-anomer was larger than that of the corresponding α-anomer, indicating higher β-anomer selectivity. The calculated energy-minimized structure of the complex of compound C with guest methyl α-d-mannopyranoside is also presented. The experimental results obtained from this work indicated that symmetrical tripodal receptor type TAEA derivative C has a lectin-like carbohydrate recognition property.     

Studies on high-temperature thermal transformation and dielectric property of aluminum–chromium phosphates

High-temperature thermal transformation of aluminum–chromium phosphates has been investigated by means of DSC–TG, IR, and XRD analysis. The relative dielectric constant and thermal decomposition were measured and discussed. The results show that crystallization and thermal decomposition started at about 1,273 K, only AlPO₄ and Cr₂O₃ have been found at 1,873 K due to the decomposition of PO ₃ ^? , P₂O ₇ ^2? , and PO ₄ ^3? . The relative dielectric constant is fluctuant.     

Theoretical study of N–H· · ·O hydrogen bonding properties and cooperativity effects in linear acetamide clusters

We investigated geometry, energy, ${\nu_{{\text{N--H}}}}$ harmonic frequencies, ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole coupling tensors, and ${n_{\rm O}\to \sigma _{{\text{N--H}}}^\ast}$ charge transfer properties of (acetamide) _n clusters, with n = 1 ? 7, by means of second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) and DFT method. Dependency of dimer stabilization energies and equilibrium geometries on various levels of theory was examined. B3LYP/6-311++G** calculations revealed that for acetamide clusters, the average hydrogen-bonding energy per monomer increases from ?26.85 kJ mol^?1 in dimer to ?35.12 kJ mol^?1 in heptamer; i.e., 31% cooperativity enhancement. The n-dependent trend of ${\nu_{{\text{N--H}}}\,{and}\,^{14}}$ N nuclear quadrupole coupling values were reasonably correlated with cooperative effects in ${r_{{\text{N--H}}}}$ bond distance. It was also found that intermolecular ${n_{\rm O}\to \sigma_{{\text{N--H}}}^\ast}$ charge transfer plays a key role in cooperative changes of geometry, binding energy, ${\nu_{{\text{N--H}}}}$ harmonic frequencies, and ¹⁴N electric field gradient tensors of acetamide clusters. There is a good linear correlation between ¹⁴N quadrupole coupling constants, C _Q (¹⁴N), and the strength of Fock matrix elements (F _ij ). Regarding the ${n_{\rm O}\to \sigma_{{\text{N--H}}}^\ast}$ interaction, the capability of the acetamide clusters for electron localization, at the N–H· · ·O bond critical point, depends on the cluster size and thereby leads to cooperative changes in the N–H· · ·O length and strength, N–H stretching frequencies, and ¹⁴N quadrupole coupling tensors.     

Heats of formation of the amino acids re-examined by means of W1-F12 and W2-F12 theories

We have obtained accurate heats of formation for the twenty natural amino acids by means of explicitly correlated high-level thermochemical procedures. Our best theoretical heats of formation, obtained by means of the ab initio W1-F12 and W2-F12 thermochemical protocols, differ significantly (RMSD = 2.3 kcal/mol, maximum deviation 4.6 kcal/mol) from recently reported values using the lower-cost G3(MP2) method. With the more recent G4(MP2) procedure, RMSD drops slightly to 1.8 kcal/mol, while full G4 theory offers a more significant improvement to 0.72 kcal/mol (max. dev. 1.4 kcal/mol for glutamine). The economical G4(MP2)-6X protocol performs equivalently at RMSD = 0.71 kcal/mol (max. dev. 1.6 kcal/mol for arginine and glutamine). Our calculations are in excellent agreement with experiment for glycine, alanine and are in excellent agreement with the recent revised value for methionine, but suggest revisions by several kcal/mol for valine, proline, phenylalanine, and cysteine, in the latter case confirming a recent proposed revision. Our best heats of formation at 298 K ( $\Delta H_{f,298}^{\circ }$ ) are as follows: at the W2-F12 level: glycine ?94.1, alanine $-$ 101.5, serine $-$ 139.2, cysteine $-$ 94.5, and methionine $-$ 102.4  kcal/mol, and at the W1-F12 level: arginine $-$ 98.8, asparagine $-$ 146.5, aspartic acid $-$ 189.6, glutamine $-$ 151.0, glutamic acid $-$ 195.5, histidine $-$ 69.8, isoleucine $-$ 118.3, leucine $-$ 118.8, lysine $-$ 110.0, phenylalanine $-$ 76.9, proline $-$ 92.8, threonine $-$ 149.0, and valine $-$ 113.6 kcal/mol. For the two largest amino acids, an average over G4, G4(MP2)-6X, and CBS-QB3 yields best estimates of $-$ 58.4 kcal/mol for tryptophan, and of $-$ 117.5 kcal/mol for tyrosine. For glycine, we were able to obtain a “quasi-W4” result corresponding to $\hbox {TAE}_e$  = 968.1, $\hbox {TAE}_0$  = 918.6, $\Delta H_{f,298}^{\circ }=-90.0$ , and $\Delta H_{f,298}^{\circ }=-94.0$  kcal/mol.     

Gas-phase reactions of CF2 with O(3P) to produce COF: Their significance in plasma processing

Reactions between CF₂ and O(³P) have been studied at 295 K in a gas flow reactor sampled by a mass spectrometer. The major reaction for CF₂ has been found to be $$CF_2 + O \to COF + F$$ with $$CF_2 + O \to CO + 2F(F_2 )$$ more than a factor of three slower. The rate coefficient for all loss processes for CF₂ on reaction with O is (1.8±0.4)×10^?11 cm³ s^?1. The COF produced in (18) undergoes a fast reaction with O to produce predominantly CO₂. $$COF + O \to CO_2 + F$$ It is uncertain from the results whether or not $$COF + O \to CO + FO$$ occurs, but in any event (19) is the major route. The rate coefficient for the loss of COF in this system [i.e., the combined rate coefficients for (19) and (20)] is (9.3±2.1)×10^?11 cm³ s^?1. Stable product analysis reveals that for each CF₂ radical consumed, the following distribution of stable products is obtained: COF₂ (0.04±0.02), CO (0.21±0.04), and CO₂ (0.75±0.05). Thus COF₂, which we assume is produced via $$CF_2 + O \xrightarrow{M} COF_2$$ is a very minor product in this reaction sequence. The measured rate coefficients demonstrate that reactions (18) and (19) are important sources of F atoms in CF₄/O₂ plasmas.     

Porous,hollow Li<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.53</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> microspheres as a positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries

A porous, hollow, microspherical composite of Li₂MnO₃ and LiMn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3O₂ (composition: Li_1.2Mn_0.53Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂) was prepared using hollow MnO₂ as the sacrificial template. The resulting composite was found to be mesoporous; its pores were about 20 nm in diameter. It also delivered a reversible discharge capacity value of 220 mAh g^?1 at a specific current of 25 mA g^?1 with excellent cycling stability and a high rate capability. A discharge capacity of 100 mAh g^?1 was obtained for this composite at a specific current of 1000 mA g^?1. The high rate capability of this hollow microspherical composite can be attributed to its porous nature.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract ?

     

Excess Molar Volumes and Excess Isentropic Compressibilities of o-Toluidine + Tetrahydropyran with Pyridine or Benzene or Toluene Ternary Mixtures at 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15 K

The densities, ρ ₁₂₃, and speeds of sound, u ₁₂₃, of ternary o-toluidine (OT, 1) + tetrahydropyran (THP, 2) + pyridine (Py) or benzene or toluene (3) mixtures have been measured as a function of composition at 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15 K. Values of the excess molar volumes, $ V_{123}^{\text{E}} , $ and excess isentropic compressibilities, $ (\kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} )_{123} , $ of the studied mixtures have been determined by employing the measured experimental data. The observed thermodynamic properties were fitted with the Redlich–Kister equation to determine adjustable ternary parameters and standard deviations. The $ V_{123}^{\text{E}} $ and $ (\kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} )_{123} $ values were also analyzed in terms of Graph theory. It was observed that Graph theory correctly predicts the sign as well as magnitude of $ V_{123}^{\text{E}} $ and $ (\kappa_{\text{S}}^{\text{E}} )_{123} $ values of the investigated mixtures. Analysis of the data suggests strong interactions and a more close packed arrangement in OT (1) + THP (2) + Py (3) mixtures as compared to those of the OT (1) + THP (2) + benzene (3) or toluene (3) mixtures. This may be due to the presence of a nitrogen atom in Py which results in stronger interactions for the OT:THP molecular entity as compared to those with benzene or toluene.     

Phase pure (Ba0.3Sr0.7)(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 nanocrystalline particles synthesized by sol–gel technique at low temperature and their application

Phase pure (Ba_0.3Sr_0.7)(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (BSZN) perovskite ceramic nanocrystalline particles were synthesized at low temperature with high reaction yield and high synthetic reproducibility using the sol–gel technique. The results showed that high-purity perovskite BSZN phase with high crystalline quality was obtained at 800 °C, that is, the volatilization of ZnO was successfully overcome. The nanocrystalline particles were about 20–30 nm in diameter with regular and uniform spherical shapes, high dispersive properties, and less aggregation. The pellets made by these nanoparticles had excellent dielectric properties: dielectric constant $ \varepsilon_{\text{r}} $ 40.5, temperature coefficient of resonant frequency $ \tau_{\text{f}} $  0.5 × 10^?6/ °C, and quality factor Q × f: 75,000 at 3.89 GHz, and a high relative density of 98.1 %.     

The yjjN of E. coli codes for an l-galactonate dehydrogenase and can be used for quantification of l-galactonate and l-gulonate

Escherichia coli is able to utilize l-galactonate as a sole carbon source. A metabolic pathway for l-galactonate catabolism is described in E. coli, and it is known to be interconnected with d-galacturonate metabolism. The corresponding gene encoding the first enzyme in the l-galactonate pathway, l-galactonate-5-dehydrogenase, was suggested to be yjjN. However, l-galactonate dehydrogenase activity was never demonstrated with the yjjN gene product. Here, we show that YjjN is indeed an l-galactonate dehydrogenase having activity also for l-gulonate. The K _m and k _cat for l-galactonate were 19.5?±?0.6 mM and 0.51?±?0.03 s^?1, respectively. In addition, YjjN was applied for a quantitative detection of the both of these substances in a coupled assay. The detection limits for l-galactonate and l-gulonate were 1.65 and 10 μM, respectively.     

A 3-D open-framework material with intrinsic chiral topology used as a stationary phase in gas chromatography

Compared with liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, the diversity of gas chromatography chiral stationary phases is rather limited. Here, we report the fabrication of Co(d-Cam)_1/2(bdc)_1/2(tmdpy) (d-Cam?=?d-camphoric acid; bdc?=?1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; tmdpy?=?4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine)-coated open tubular columns for high-resolution gas chromatographic separation of compounds. The Co(d-Cam)_1/2(bdc)_1/2(tmdpy) compound possesses a 3-D framework containing enantiopure building blocks embedded in intrinsically chiral topological nets. In this study, two fused-silica open tubular columns with different inner diameters and lengths, including column A (30 m?×?530 μm i.d.) and column B (2 m?×?75 μm i.d.), were prepared by a dynamic coating method using Co-(d-Cam)_1/2(bdc)_1/2(tmdpy) as the stationary phase. The chromatographic properties of the two columns were investigated using n-dodecane as the test compound at 120 °C. The number of theoretical plates (plates/m) of the two metal–organic framework columns was 1,450 and 3,100, respectively. The separation properties were evaluated using racemates, isomers, alkanes, alcohols, and Grob's test mixture. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.125 and 0.417 ng for citronellal enantiomers, respectively. Repeatability (n?=?6) showed lower than 0.25 % relative standard deviation (RSD) for retention times and lower than 2.2 % RSD for corrected peak areas. The experimental results showed that the stationary phase has excellent selectivity and also possesses good recognition ability toward these organic compounds, especially chiral compounds.