Desulfurization of sour crude oil using an invasive weed adsorbent: An efficient,eco-friendly,and ultra-low-cost option

Desulfurization is a technology commonly used by refineries to mitigate the environmental burden caused by toxic gas emissions from hydrocarbon fuels. Expanding global population will increase liquid fuel demand by 20% between 2018 and 2050, with a total consumption of 240 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2050. Conventional catalytic Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) accounts for high cost and severe operating conditions (high temperature, pressure, catalyst poisoning and H₂S safety). While studies have shown that adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) is highly effective in the removal of organic sulfur, limitations in the regeneration of adsorbent and selection of adsorbent with suitable structure to remove organic sulfur compounds exist. On the other hand, Prosopis juliflora, the world's most threatening invasive weed causes multifaceted environmental problems. The present study offers a novel solution that addresses both these issues contributing to climate change. Desulfurization of sour crude oil sample is performed using chemical-free, non-activated charcoal obtained from invasive weed species as adsorbent. XRD analysis showed amorphous structure and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of CC bending functional group of the adsorbent. Adsorption-desorption isotherm showed presence of mesopores with pore diameter of 2.718 ?nm. Kinetic study findings reported 46% removal of total sulfur. GCMS findings showed efficient removal of some organic sulfur, including 100% removal of dibenzothiophene 4-methyl -. The equilibrium data is best represented by Freundlich isotherm. ICP-OES tests indicate the removal of toxic elements as well. The cost of the adsorbent is USD 0.12628 per kg, the lowest among all the adsorbents known thus far. The present study describes a novel, ultra-low cost, efficient, eco-friendly, desulfurization process that implements a chemical-free, non-activated adsorbent, achieves synergy, and offers multi-dimensional benefits to the environmental development. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize desulfurization of sour crude oil using an invasive weed.     

Room temperature ionic liquid promoted improved and rapid synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl imidazoles from aryl aldehydes and 1,2-diketones or α-hydroxyketone

An improved and rapid one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl imidazoles in a room temperature ionic liquid is described, which does not need any added catalyst. Different ionic liquids based on 1-n-butyl and 1,3-di-n-butyl imidazolium salts were screened and their efficacy in terms of acidity and polarity have been correlated with yields and reaction period. The one-pot methodology resulting in excellent isolated yields in short reaction times is characterized by simple work up procedures and efficient recovery and recycling of the ionic liquid, which acts as a promoter.     

Methyltrioxorhenium catalyzed oxidation of 1,2-diols to 1,2-diketones using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant

A variety of 1,2-diols were oxidized selectively to the corresponding 1,2-diketones by the dropwise addition of 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide using methyltrioxorhenium as catalyst.     

Evaluation of graphene as an advantageous adsorbent for solid-phase extraction with chlorophenols as model analytes

Graphene, a novel class of carbon nanostructures, possesses an ultrahigh specific surface area, and thus has great potentials for the use as sorbent materials. We herein demonstrate the use of graphene as a novel adsorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE). Eight chlorophenols (CPs) as model analytes were extracted on a graphene-packed SPE cartridge, and then eluted with alkaline methanol. The concentrations in the eluate were determined by HPLC with multi-wavelength UV detection. Under the optimized conditions, high sensitivity (detection limits 0.1-0.4 ng/mL) and good reproducibility of CPs (RSDs 2.2-7.7% for run-to-run assays) were achieved. Comparative studies showed that graphene was superior to other adsorbents including C18 silica, graphitic carbon, single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the extraction of CPs. Some other advantages of graphene as SPE adsorbent, such as good compatibility with various organic solvents, good reusability and no impact of sorbent drying, have also been demonstrated. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of tap and river water samples with recoveries ranging from 77.2 to 116.6%. This work not only proposes a useful method for environmental water sample pretreatment, but also reveals great potentials of graphene as an excellent sorbent material in analytical processes.     

One-pot synthesis of quinoxaline-2-carboxylate derivatives using ionic liquid as reusable reaction media

The catalyst-free one-pot synthesis of quinoxaline-2-carboxylate is reported by the reaction of α-halo-β-ketoesters with 1,2-diamines using an ionic liquid as an environmentally benign solvent. The recovered ionic liquid was reused for four to five cycles. Moreover, the method is applicable for a variety of 1,2-diamines and α-halo-β-ketoesters.     

Electropolymerization of ionic liquid substituted polyphenylene as supercapacitors materials

A new type of polyphenylene, ionic liquid (IL) 1,3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate substituted, has been prepared by electrodeposition on Au electrode surface via pulse galvanostatic method in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate solution. The obtained polymer film had a spherulitic morphology with smallest grains of around 500 nm. Infrared spectrometry revealed that polyphenylene was deposited to a certain extent. The capacitive behavior of the IL substituted polyphenylene was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge method in 0.2 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ aqueous solutions or pure IL [bmim]PF₆. The specific capacitance of the polymer at the charge–discharge current density of 1 mA cm⁻² equaled 206 F g⁻¹ in acidic aqueous solution or 164 F g⁻¹ in [bmim]PF₆. Additionally, excellent charge–discharge cycle stability (over 85% value of specific capacitance remained after 600 charge–discharge cycles) and power characteristics of the polymer electrode were observed in both electrolytes.     

Hydrothermal development of magnetic-hydrochar nanocomposite from pineapple leaves and its performance as an adsorbent for the uptake of Mn2+ and reuse of the metal loaded adsorbent in latent fingerprint

Manganese is one of the heavy metals that is a major environmental concern when present in large amount. Manganese is discarded into water systems by numerous industries, including mining, batteries and electroplating etc. Pineapple leaves were applied as a biomass source to produce a magnetic hydrothermal treated hydochar nanocomposite; Fe₃O₄-HC. The BET surface area of Fe₂O₃-HC nanocomposite was 21.27 m²/g. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the uptake of Mn²⁺ fit well in the pseudo second kinetics model, while the adsorption isotherm best fit the Freundlich model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 2.99 mg/g at 25 °C and a pH of 5. The obtained thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that Mn²⁺ ion adsorption using the Fe₂O₃-HC nanocomposite was endothermic and nonspontaneous. Additionally, Fe₂O₃-HC nanocomposite demonstrated to be highly selective towards Mn²⁺ ions in the presence of other ions. The removal percentage of Mn²⁺ from a real water sample spiked with 50 mg/L Mn²⁺ was reported to be 53.2%. The spent adsorbent was then used to detect latent fingerprints, which revealed that Mn²⁺-Fe₂O₃-HC nanocomposite generated better and clear latent fingerprints than Fe₂O₃-HC nanocomposite.     

甘油催化加氢制备1,2-丙二醇液相产物的气相色谱分析

采用气相色谱-电子轰击离子源质谱(GC-MS)与比较标准品色谱保留值技术,确定了甘油催化加氢制备1,2-丙二醇液相产物的组成。优化了气相色谱-氢火焰离子法(GC-FID)的色谱条件,使主产物与副产物同时达到最佳分离。以正戊醇为内标物,建立了同时检测甘油催化加氢产物中7种醇类化合物的气相色谱分析方法。在分析方法的线性范围内,各化合物加标回收率均在94.4%～112.6%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)在1.5%～7.2%之间。反应产物中乙醇、异丙醇、丙醇和丙酮醇的方法最小检出限(LOD)小于0.05μg/g,乙二醇、1,2-丙二醇和甘油的LOD分别为0.21μg/g,0.23μg/g和0.25μg/g,线性相关系数均大于等于0.9957。     

A highly divergent Pictet-Spengler approach for pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines from aryl amine using 1,2-dinitrobenzene as an oxidant

A convenient Pictet-Splengler approach for the synthesis of substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines from aryl amine and 1-(2-aminoaryl)-pyrrole has been developed. This is the first domino protocol involving formation of benzaldehyde as an intermediate from benzyl amines and benzyl alcohols using 1,2-DNB as an oxidant, followed by its endo cyclization with 1-(2-aminophenyl)-pyrrole to furnish the pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines. Notably, this procedure exhibits good functional group tolerance as well as good to moderate yield of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline.     

纤维素经离子液体预处理酶解糖化研究

利用离子液体氯化1－丁基－3－甲基－咪唑（[C4mim]Cl）进行纤维素预处理。实验表明,纤维素经离子液体预处理后聚合度下降;糖化速度随预处理温度增加呈现先增大后下降的趋势,在90℃出现最大值;延长预处理时间和采用乙醇作为沉淀剂,可促进酶解糖化。与未处理的纤维素相比,经离子液体预处理后纤维素的糖化速度可提高70％。根据扫描电子显微镜（SEM）观察,纤维素出现了明显的解聚。     

Liquid structure of the ionic liquid 1,3-dimethylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide

Neutron diffraction has been used to determine the liquid structure of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide ([dmim][NTf2]). Significantly smaller charge ordering is found in this liquid compared with analogous chloride and hexafluorophosphate salts due to the diffuse charge density and size of the [NTf2]- anion. This is manifested in a much larger cation-cation and cation-anion separation and an overlap of the cation-cation and cation-anion shells. Comparison of the liquid structure with the crystal structure reported by Holbrey et al. (Dalton Trans. 2004, 2267) indicates little correlation, for example, the [NTf2]- anion adopts a trans orientation predominantly in the liquid whereas a cis orientation is found in the solid phase.     

Simple nanoprecipitation method for size-restricted synthesis of aloevera nanoparticles: Characteristic analysis and its application as an adsorbent

The Nanoprecipitation method has been proved favorable to synthesize size-restricted Aloevera nanoparticles from the aloevera polysaccharide in a very simple and single step. Dropwise addition of 1% homogeneous aloevera solution (1 ?mL) to absolute alcohol (20 ?mL) resulted in the formation of 50–100 ?nm-sized Aloevera nanoparticles. The results showed that the amount of ethanol played a significant role in deciding the shape and size of nanoparticles. The synthesis of aloevera nanoparticles has been confirmed by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and BET studies. The effect of other precipitating mediums and surfactants has also been studied to analyze their effect on the size of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are also found to be potential adsorbents of Reactive Blue H5G dye which showed an affinity for AVNP and the adsorption study indicated 95% adsorption of the dye in 4 ?h. This indicates its efficacy as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment.     

柴油等离子体催化氧化-离子液体萃取脱硫的实验研究

随着环境法的日益完善,柴油的低硫化成了亟待解决的问题。本文采用浸渍法制备了Cu2+负载型酸化改性Al2O3型催化剂,对市售0#柴油进行了等离子体催化氧化脱硫实验研究,后又用自制的新型离子液体(BMIMDBP)对氧化脱硫后的柴油进行萃取脱硫。实验结果表明:在使用板-板式石英反应器,催化剂质量分数为w(catalyst)=5%,空气流速为200 mL/min,放电时间为15min,离子液体与柴油的体积比为1∶1和萃取5次的条件下,脱硫率可以达到52.1%。本方法的实施为柴油脱硫开辟了一条新的途径。     

The first one-pot oxidative 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation and 1,2-disulfenylation of Baylis-Hillman alcohols in an ionic liquid

The first example of tandem oxidation and 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation/1,2-disulfenylation of Baylis-Hillman (BH) alcohols to afford 1,2-acetoxysulfides/1,2-dithioethers is reported. The reaction involves oxidation of BH alcohols with IBX in [bmim]Br to give β-ketomethylene compounds in situ followed by CuI-imidazole-catalyzed 1,2-acetoxysulfenylation with an organodisulfide and acetic acid under air to afford vicinal acetoxysulfides in excellent yields with complete regioselectivity. In the absence of the Cu(I) catalyst, 1,2-disulfenylation takes place to give vicinal dithioethers in 81-90% yields.     

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols using an ionic liquid anhydride as acylating agent

A task-specific ionic liquid bearing an anhydride moiety was synthesized for the first time in good yield (83%) through a carbodiimide-mediated coupling reaction. The enantiomeric separation of a series of sec-alcohols was performed via enzymatic kinetic resolution, employing an ionic anhydride as acylating agent and Candida antarctica Lipase B as a biocatalyst. A fast and efficient recovery of both enantiomers was achieved separately due to the ionic nature of the acyl donor, combined with the possibility of carrying out the enzymatic step in an organic solvent.     

Co-NC as adsorbent and matrix providing the ability of MALDI MS to analyze volatile compounds

Traditional matrix does not allow matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI MS) to analyze volatile compounds,because volatile analytes may vaporize during the sample preparation process or in the high vacuum circumstance of ion source.Herein,we reported a Co and N doped porous carbon material(Co-NC) which were synthesized by pyrolysis of a Schiff base coordination compound.Co-NC could simultaneously act as adsorbent of volatile compounds and as matrix of MALDI MS,to provide the capability of MALDI MS to analyze volatile compounds.As adsorbent,Co-NC could stro ngly adsorb and enrich the volatile compounds in perfume and herbs,and hold them even in the high vacuum circumstance.On the other hand,Co-NC could absorb the energy of the laser,and then transfer the energy to the analyte for desorption and ionization of analyte in both negative and positive ionization modes.Additionally,the background interferences were avoided in the low-mass region(<500 Da) when using Co-NC as matrix,overcoming the challenges of MALDI MS analysis of small molecule compounds.In summary,Co-NC as matrix tremendously extended the application of MALDI MS.     

Sonogashira cross-coupling of 3-bromo-1,2-diones: an access to 3-alkynyl-1,2-diones

A new general method for the synthesis of enols of cyclic 3-alkynyl-substituted 1,2-diketones is developed. Sonogashira cross-coupling of silyl enolates of cyclic 3-bromo-cyclopentane- and 3-bromo-cyclohexane-1,2-diones with variety of substituted acetylenes afforded enols of cyclic 3-alkynyl-1,2-diones with good yields (up to 93%) in a short reaction time. The starting 3-bromo-1,2-diones are easily obtainable by direct bromination of 1,2-diones with NBS.     

Using NaCl particles as porogen to prepare a highly adsorbent chitosan membranes

Macroporous chitosan membranes were prepared by using NaCl particles porogen and genipin as cross-linking agent. For characterization and sorption behavior comparison, other genipin cross-linked chitosan membranes were prepared by either freeze drying or by using silica particles as porogen. The mean pore diameter, the porosity, the crystallinity index (CrI) as well as the effect of the drying procedures of these chitosan membranes were examined. NaCl reduced the CrI of the chitosan membrane. The oven drying (OD) procedure decreased the mean pore diameter, the porosity, and increased the CrI of the chitosan membranes when compared with the vacuum drying (VD) procedure. The heat treatment of chitosan membrane in aqueous NaOH to attract silica porogen increased the CrI of the membrane. Under the same conditions, the membranes prepared with NaCl had better sorption performance on RR 189 and Cu²⁺ than other membranes. The maximum sorption capacity (q_e) reached 1836.17 mg RR 189/g chitosan and 151.98 mg Cu²⁺/g chitosan. The pore diameter (d_pore) of the membranes was much larger than the diameter of the adsorbate molecules (d_adsorbate), such that the ratio of d_pore/d_adsorbate had little influence on q_e. The porosity and the amorphous extent of the membranes were almost the same on q_e. When using tyrosinase catalyzing, the hydrocaffeic acid (HCA) grafted on the NaCl treated chitosan membrane was almost 10 times more than on chitosan beads. The chitosan membrane prepared with NaCl can be used as a good adsorbent with high loading capacity for implanting molecules (such as ligands, enzymes, etc.) on.