Catalytic diesel particulate filters reduce the in vitro estrogenic activity of diesel exhaust

An in vitro reporter gene assay based on human breast cancer T47D cells (ER-CALUX) was applied to examine the ability of diesel exhaust to induce or inhibit estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated gene expression. Exhaust from a heavy-duty diesel engine was either treated by iron- or copper/iron-catalyzed diesel particulate filters (DPFs) or studied as unfiltered exhaust. Collected samples included particle-bound and semivolatile constituents of diesel exhaust. Our findings show that all of the samples contained compounds that were able to induce ER-mediated gene expression as well as compounds that suppressed the activity of the endogenous hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2). Estrogenic activity prevailed over antiestrogenic activity. We found an overall ER-mediated activity of 1.63 +/- 0.31 ng E2 CALUX equivalents (E2-CEQs) per m(3) of unfiltered exhaust. In filtered exhaust, we measured 0.74 +/- 0.07 (iron-catalyzed DPF) and 0.55 +/- 0.09 ng E2-CEQ m(-3) (copper/iron-catalyzed DPF), corresponding to reductions in estrogenic activity of 55 and 66%, respectively. Our study demonstrates that both catalytic DPFs lowered the ER-mediated endocrine-disrupting potential of diesel exhaust.     

Determination of 1-nitropyrene by thin-layer chromatography in a diesel exhaust particulate extract

A method is described for the determination of 1-nitropyrene in a diesel exhaust particulate extract by thin-layer chromatography. 1-Nitropyrene is determined as 1-aminopyrene after prechromatographic reduction and isolation by solvent partition. The fluorescence response of 1-aminopyrene is approximately 1000-fold greater than that of 1-nitropyrene. The poor fluorescence stability of 1-aminopyrene on silica gel plates prevents in situ detection by scanning densitometry unless the plates are impregnated with a mixture of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and Fomblin H-Vac. A linear response from 1 to 150 ng of 1-aminopyrene and a detection limit of 1.0 ng were obtained using the impregnated plates. For fourteen samples of a diesel exhaust particulate extract the concentration of 1-nitropyrene was determined to be 165 μg/g with an RSD = 9.0%. No significant interferences were observed from other nitro- or aminopolycyclic aromatic compounds present in the extract.     

Selective and sensitive analysis of 1-nitropyrene in diesel exhaust particulate extract by multidimensional HPLC

Summary A multicolumn (MC) HPLC method for the determination of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) at trace-levels via on-line reduction to 1-aminopyrene and fluorescence detection is presented. On the first column, packed with a pyrenebutyric acid amide stationary phase, the nitro-derivatives of PAHs are strongly retained and separated from other matrix components. The nitro-PAHs-containing fractions are transferred onto a RP₁₈-column via stepwise gradient elution and finally separated according to their various lipophilicities and sizes. To increase the overall selectivity and sensitivity of the multidimensional method (MD-HPLC system) post-column, on-line reduction of the nitro-PAHs to the respective amino-PAHs via a short catalysis column is performed thus enhancing the sensitivity significantly (to low pg levels). The applicability of this method for the determination of trace amounts of 1-NP in real samples (diesel particulate extracts) is demonstrated.     

Fe-V/TiO_2催化剂NH_3选择性催化还原柴油车尾气NO_x

采用浸渍法制备了一系列不同Fe/V比例的Fe-V/TiO2催化剂,考察了催化剂在模拟柴油车尾气中催化还原NOx的催化性能,采用TG、XRD、H2-TPR、NH3-TPD和Raman光谱对催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,当Fe引入后,能显著降低V2O5在高温下的挥发,减轻了钒系催化剂在移动源的生物毒性危害。其中,Fe/V比为1∶1(Fe1-V1/TiO2)的催化剂形成了FeVO4活性中心,表现出最好的催化活性,在220~420℃NOx转化率可达到90%以上。此外,Fe1-V1/TiO2催化剂高温热稳定性较好,并且具有较强的抗硫性能。     

Analysis of nitro-PAHs in diesel exhaust particulate extracts with multicolumn HPLC

Summary A method is described for the determination of nitrated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs), in particular 1-nitropyrene, in diesel particulate extracts. The method employs a multidimensional HPLC (column switching) technique with final on-line peak identification by UV-VIS spectral comparison with standards. To achieve exceptional chromatographic selectivity for nitro-PAHs, a new pyrene butyric acid amide phase has been prepared which is capable of forming donor-acceptor complexes with them. With this technique it is possible to confirm the presence of 1-nitropyrene in the range 3–100 ng/mg on filter-collected diesel soot. Its utility was demonstrated with diesel exhaust extracts spiked with varying levels of 1-nitropyrene and proved to be highly selective.Parts of this work have been presented at the 15th International Symposium on Chromatography, Nürnberg, October 1984.Dedicated to Prof. J. F. K. Huber at the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

柴油机尾气碳黑氧化催化剂钛酸钾的制备与表征

以TiO₂和K₂CO₃为原料,采用固相法合成K/Ti比不同的钛酸钾催化剂。利用XRD和SEM对催化剂结构进行表征,并通过程序升温反应（TPR）对催化剂活性进行评估。结果表明,K₂Ti₂O₅在850℃达到较好的结晶度,分别以CH₃COOK、KNO₃及K₂CO₃作为K前驱体时,制备出的K₂Ti₂O₅结晶程度基本一致;K/Ti比较高的K₂Ti₂O₅可明显降低碳黑颗粒氧化温度,最低起燃温度为280℃,且K₂Ti₂O₅比担载贵金属Pt催化剂的碳黑氧化催化活性更高。     

气相色谱-质谱联用测定柴油机排气微粒中的可溶性有机组分

采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC/MS)对柴油机排气微粒中的可溶性有机组分(SOF)进行了分离分析。SOF分析液样品采用超声提取法制取。GC条件为:SE-50型石英毛细管色谱柱(30 m×0.2 mm i.d.×0.2 μm）;程序升温：初始温度100 ℃,恒温2.0 min,以4.0 ℃/min升至160 ℃,再以8 ℃/min升至250 ℃,恒温31.75 min;汽化室温度260 ℃;载气为氦气,柱头压力45 kPa;进样量1 μL。MS条件为:电子轰击离子源,电子轰击能量70 eV;倍增器电压18     

Green synthesis of Fe3O4@SiO2‐Ag magnetic nanocatalyst using safflower extract and its application as recoverable catalyst for reduction of dye pollutants in water

This paper reports the green and in situ preparation of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐Ag magnetic nanocatalyst synthesized using safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) flower extract without the addition of any stabilizers or surfactants. The catalytic performance of the resulting nanocatalyst was examined for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in an environment‐friendly medium at room temperature. The main factors such as pH, temperature and amount of catalyst influencing the nanocatalyst performance were studied. The apparent rate constants for 4‐NP, MO and MB reduction were calculated, being 0.756 min^?1, 0.064 s^?1 and 0.09 s^?1, respectively. The catalyst was recovered using an external magnet and reused several times with negligible loss of catalytic activity. The as‐synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible, Fourier transform infrared and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering and vibrating sample magnetometry.     

A comparison of direct thermal desorption with solvent extraction for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of semivolatile organic compounds in diesel particulate matter

Direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DTD-GC-MS) is a technique that is finding application in the characterisation of the semivolatile organic carbon fraction of ambient and combustion source particulate matter (PM) collected on filters. In this study, three DTD-GC-MS methods were assessed and compared to a conventional solvent extraction method for analysis of a mixture of target analytes in solution and of diesel PM collected on quartz filters. The target analytes included n-alkanes, hopanes, steranes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study showed that while the three DTD-GC-MS methods were generally comparable to the solvent extraction method, (1) the choice of calibration strategy and calibration materials has a significant impact on the measured accuracy of a method; (2) very large variations were seen in all methods for the more volatile compounds such as C₁₀ to C₁₃ n-alkanes and naphthalene; (3) accuracy, defined as difference from the known concentration of a liquid sample, ranged from 5% to 32%; (4) precision, defined as the relative standard deviation, ranged from 4% to 16%. The average difference of DTD-GC-MS results from the solvent extraction results for the diesel PM filters ranged from 20% to 40%. This difference was driven by the large number of target analytes present at relatively low concentrations (<25 pg/mm²) and their corresponding higher variability. Differences in performance among the compound classes were noted. Minimum detection limits for the DTD-GC-MS methods were on the order of 0.1 to 1 pg/mm² and were as good as or better than those obtained for the solvent extraction method.     

Identification of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel particulate matter by capillary gas chromatography and capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Summary Using a two-step liquid chromatographic separation on normalphase cartridges, crude extracts of diesel particulate matter can be separated without time-consuming sample handling into special fractions which mainly contain slightly-polar oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAH) and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAH). Subsequent analysis was by fused-silica capillary gas chromatography on a SE54 column along with flame-ionisation (GC/FID) and positive-ion electron-impact mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS) respectively. A number of individual oxy-PAH belonging to four different chemical classes (ketones, quinones, anhydrides and aldehydes) and several individual nitro-PAH were characterized by their retention times and mass spectra. Presented at the 15th International Symposium on Chromatography, Nürnberg, October 1984     

Identification of methyl salicylate as the principal volatile component in the methanol extract of root bark of Securidaca longepedunculata Fers

Securidaca longepedunculata Fers (Polygalaceae) is commonly used as a medicine in many parts of Africa and shows promise for protecting stored grain against insect pests. Analysis of a methanol extract of the root bark by gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed a major component accounting for over 90% of the volatile material. This was identified as methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (methyl salicylate) by comparison of the GC retention times and mass spectrum with those of synthetic standards. This conflicts with an earlier report that the major component is methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate. Two minor components had mass spectra characteristic of 2-hydroxybenzoate esters and were identified as methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate and its benzyl analogue, again conflicting with an earlier report.     

不同金属改性对Pt/β-分子筛催化柴油车尾气中HC、CO及SO_2氧化性能的影响

采用共浸渍法制备了Ce、Cr、Mo和Cu改性的Pt/β-分子筛催化剂,运用氮吸附、XRD、H_2-TPR、NH_3-TPD和XPS等手段对该催化剂进行了表征,研究了不同金属改性对催化剂的织构性质、骨架结构、表面酸性以及在模拟柴油车尾气中抑制SO_2氧化性能和催化HC、CO氧化活性的影响。结果表明,金属改性对催化剂织构性能和骨架结构影响较小。Cr、Mo和Cu的添加可以调变催化剂酸强度,进而抑制SO_2的氧化;Cu改性的催化剂具有最好的抑制SO_2氧化的能力,在350和450℃条件下,与未改性Pt/β-分子筛催化剂相比,Cu改性催化剂上SO_2转化率分别下降了70.4%和70.2%。然而,改性金属与Pt物种之间产生的相互作用,会使Pt物种更难还原,导致Pt对HC和CO氧化的催化活性降低。     

Preparation of Ag/C fiber with nanostructure through in situ thermally induced redox reaction between PVA and AgNO3 and its catalysis for 4‐nitrophenol reduction

A novel synthesized Ag/C fibrous catalyst based on in situ thermally induced redox reaction of PVA/AgNO₃ composite fibers was proposed. Utilizing the plasticization and complexation of AgNO₃ solution, the melt spinning of PVA/AgNO₃ composites was accomplished. Through the in situ thermally induced redox reaction on PVA/AgNO₃ composite fibers combined with carbonization of PVA and reduction of Ag+, the synthesized Ag/C fibrous catalyst was prepared with nanosilver particles with average diameter of 130 nm immobilized on the loose microstructural carbon layers. The synthesized Ag/C fibrous catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity and reused for at least five cycles for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol, which may hold great promise in effective and eco‐friendly waste water treatment.     

Copolymerization with depropagation: A study of α‐methyl styrene/methyl methacrylate in bulk at elevated temperatures

Previously published material on the α‐methyl styrene/methyl methacrylate (α‐MS/MMA) copolymer system at temperatures above the ceiling temperature of α‐MS has focused on low‐conversion results. Several attempts have been made to estimate copolymer reactivity ratios from experimental data, but in most cases errors are present in the determination of copolymer composition variables. In this article, the results of rigorous parameter estimations, as applied to two sets of equations developed independently by P. Wittmer (Adv Chem 1971, 99, 140–174) and H. Kruger, J. Bauer, and J. Rubner (Makromol Chem 1987, 188, 2163–2175), are discussed. Experimental data for the copolymer system at low conversions, as well as over the full conversion range, are presented, covering a temperature range of 60–140 °C. A comparison of the data trends with traditional copolymer systems indicates that the reversibility of both MMA and α‐MS must be considered when composition, polymerization rate, or molecular weight equations are being developed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1981–1990, 2000     

Malva sylvestris L. extract suppresses desferrioxamine‐induced PGE2 and PGD2 release in differentiated U937 cells: the development and validation of an LC‐MS/MS method for prostaglandin quantification

Malva sylvestris is a species used worldwide as an alternative to anti‐inflammatory therapies; however, its mechanism of action remains unknown. In this paper, the anti‐inflammatory effects of M. sylvestris alcoholic extracts were evaluated by measuring the pro‐inflammatory mediators PGE₂ and PGD₂ in desferrioxamine‐stimulated phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐differentiated U937 cells. An HPLC‐DAD fingerprint of the M. sylvestris extract was performed and caffeic acid, ferulic acid and scopoletin were identified and quantified. An HPLC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated to separate and measure the prostaglandins. The lower limits of detection (~0.5 ng/mL for PGE₂ and PGD₂) and quantification (1.0 ng/mL for PGE₂ and PGD₂) indicated that the method is highly sensitive. The calibration curves showed excellent coefficients of correlation (r > 0.99) over the range of 1.0–500.0 ng/mL, and at different levels, the accuracy ranged from 96.4 to 106.4% with an RSD < 10.0% for the precision study. This method was successfully applied using U937‐d cells. A significant dose‐dependent reduction of PGE₂ and PGD₂ levels occurred using 10 µg/mL (10.74 ± 2.86 and 9.60 ± 6.89%) and 50 µg/mL of extract (48.37 ± 3.24 and 53.06 ± 6.15%), suggesting that the anti‐inflammatory mechanisms evoked by M. sylvestris may be related to modulation of these mediators. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular structures of regioisomeric 7‐arylidene hexahydroindazoles from 1H NMR spectra

The structural characterization of two regioisomeric products of the interaction of 2,6‐bis‐(4‐methoxybenzylidene)‐3R‐methylcyclohexanone with methyl hydrazine was achieved using ¹H NMR spectral data, including chemical shifts, coupling constants and results of COSY and nuclear overhauser effect (NOE) experiments. Configurations of the new chiral centers in the (3S,3aR,6R,7E)‐7‐(4‐methoxybenzylidene)‐3,4,5,7‐hexahydro‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐ and 2,4‐dimethyl‐2H‐indazoles were assigned on the basis of experimental data combined with molecular modeling by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The distinction in the helical twisting power of studied compounds under addition to a nematic liquid crystal is discussed on the basis of peculiarities of the molecular structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and catalytic evaluation of Fe3O4/MWCNTs nanozyme as recyclable peroxidase mimetics: Biochemical and physicochemical characterization

In this research, the nanocomposite of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs), as enzyme mimetic, was synthesized using an in situ chemical reduction method. The structure, composition and morphology of the prepared Fe₃O₄/MWCNT nanocomposite materials were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, respectively. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite were investigated by the vibrating sample magnetometer. A colorimetric system involving nanozyme, phenol/4‐aminoantipyrine and H₂O₂ was utilized for the determination of peroxidase mimetic catalytic assay. The obtained results confirmed that the synthesis of Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs nanostructures was successful. It was found that Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs nanohybrid exhibited peroxidase‐like activity without any pH limitation. Colorimetric data demonstrated that the prepared nanocatalyst had higher catalytic activity toward H₂O₂ than MWCNTs. The kinetic parameters of the nanozyme, K_m and V_max, were estimated to be 8.3 mm and 1.4 mm min^?1, respectively. The Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs nanostructures were also successfully applied for glucose detection. In addition, peroxidase‐like activity of the nanozyme increased in the presence of butyl‐imidazolium bromide ionic liquid. These biomimetic catalysts have some advantages, such as simplicity, stability, reusability and cost effectiveness, which makes them great candidates to be used in various fields of biotechnology applications.     

Oxidative polymerization of 2,6‐dimethylphenol to form poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) in water through one water‐soluble copper(II) complex of a zwitterionic calix[4]arene

In the presence of excess NaOH, reaction of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O with equimolar ammonium calix[4]arene [H₄L]I₄ ( 1 , H₄L = [5,11,17,23‐tetrakis(trimethylammonium)‐25,26,27,28‐tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene]) resulted in the formation of a mononuclear cationic Cu(II) complex [Cu(II)L(H₂O)]I₂ ( 2 ) in 43% yield. Complex 2 was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The Cu(II) atom in 2 is coordinated by four oxygen atoms of one L^4? ligand and one O atom from one water molecule, forming a square pyramidal geometry. Complex 2 exhibited high catalytic activity in the oxidative polymerization of 2,6‐dimethylphenol using O₂ as oxidizing agent in water under mild conditions. The selective polymerization produced poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) in high yields with almost no diphenoquinone. The influence of the polymerization temperature, the time interval, the molar ratio of 2,6‐dimethylphenol/ 2 , the concentrations of sodium hydroxide, and sodium n‐dodecyl sulfate were examined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

An Improved Reduction Procedure in the Synthesis of Substituted Pyrrolidines via An Aminomercuration/Reduction Sequence of Primary Alkenylamines

Aminomercuration/reduction sequence of δ-alkenylamines is a typical route to substituted pyrrolidines. Backward reaction to the starting material is a major drawback which occurs during sodium borohydride reduction of the intermediate organomercurial. We describe here a new reduction procedure which prevents almost completely this backward reaction and leads to significant increases in the yields of pyrrolidines.     

Brönsted酸性离子液体[Hmim]+BF4-中高选择性制备2,4-二苯基-4-甲基-1-戊烯的新方法

Highly selective dimerization of α-methylstyrene (AMS) was effected using a Broensted acidic ionic liquid,[Hmim]^ BF4^-, as solvent as well as catalyst, providing the industrial high-value olefin, 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene (1-PT). The desired dimer 1-PT could be obtained in 90% yield at 96% conversion in the dimerization of AMS under optimized conditions. Features of the procedure include use of readily available ionic liquid-catalyst,exclusion of volatile organic solvents, higher selectivity and efficiency for 1-PT.