Molecular interpretation of Trouton’s and Hildebrand’s rules for the entropy of vaporization of a liquid

The entropy of vaporization at a liquid’s boiling point is well approximated by Trouton’s rule and even more accurately by Hildebrand’s rule. A cell method is used here to calculate the entropy of vaporization for a range of liquids by subtracting the entropy of the gas from that of the liquid. The liquid’s entropy is calculated from the force magnitudes measured in a molecular dynamics simulation based on the harmonic approximation. The change in rotational entropy is not accounted for except in the case of liquid water. The predicted entropies of vaporization agree well with experiment and Trouton’s and Hildebrand’s rules for most liquids and for water except other liquids with hydrogen bonds. This supports the idea that molecular rotation is close to ideal at a liquid’s boiling point if hydrogen bonds are absent; if they are present, then the rotational entropy gain must be included. The method provides a molecular interpretation of those rules by providing an equation in terms of a molecule’s free volume in a liquid which depends on the force magnitudes. Free volumes at each liquid’s boiling point are calculated to be ～1 Å³ for liquids lacking hydrogen bonds, lower at ～0.3 Å³ for those with hydrogen bonds, and they decrease weakly with increasing molecular size.     

Rapid screening of hydrolases for the enantioselective conversion of ‘difficult-to-resolve’ substrates

Hydrolases showing high enantioselectivity towards three racemic alcohols (1-methoxy-2-propanol, 3-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran, 3-butyn-2-ol) and pantolactone were identified by a step-wise screening procedure. Initially, those biocatalysts, which exhibited hydrolytic activity towards the corresponding acetates or butyrates, were selected out of >100 enzymes. Here, rapid screening was performed in a pH-indicator, based format in microtiter plates. Subsequently, enantioselectivity of active hydrolases was determined in small scale reactions (∼1 mg substrate per reaction) by means of gas chromatography using chiral columns. Enzymes exhibiting highest enantioselectivities were then chosen for preparative scale resolution. Using this strategy, at least one suitable hydrolase was found for 3 out of the 4 model compounds examined, allowing efficient kinetic resolution. Moreover, in all cases enantiocomplementary enzymes were identified thus enabling access to both enantiomers of all substrates.     

Evaluation of ‘east-to-west’ ether-forming strategies for the total synthesis of maoecrystal V

Model systems that evaluated different approaches to construct the central ether ring of maoecrystal V are described. Our first model systems attempted the ether formation using C–H functionalization reactions, which led to interesting rearrangements but none of the desired ether product. An intramolecular conjugate addition strategy was then explored that successfully formed the targeted C–O bond but resulted in the undesired stereochemistry.     

Use of the ‘characteristic function’ for modelling repeatability precision

The ‘characteristic function’ is a two-parameter function relating precision or uncertainty in analytical results to the concentration of the analyte. In previous papers, in this series, it has been shown to provide a good model of precision measured: (a) under reproducibility conditions and (b) under ‘instrumental’ conditions. The present study shows that it is also a valuable model for precision estimated under repeatability conditions. The study data were large sets of duplicated results obtained for the purposes of quality control on typical test materials in routine analysis. As the analytes exhibited concentration ranges encompassing between one and three orders of magnitude, there was ample scope to demonstrate goodness of fit to the function under different circumstances.     

Proposed terminology of ‘lato sensu metrology’ for scientific methodology

Currently, there are two international scientific vocabularies devoted to properties: one dealing on quantities and the other one dealing on nominal properties. In this article, I am proposing the two mentioned vocabularies be merged in order to make available most of the basic concepts, terms, and definitions needed in observational and experimental scientific methodology in a single vocabulary. In addition, I propose the provisional use of the term “lato sensu metrology” to describe the new vocabulary.     

Application of Multilinear Gradient Elution for Optimization of Separation of Chlorophenols Using Derringer’s Desirability Function

Multilinear gradient elution was applied for the simultaneous optimization of resolution and analysis times of nine chlorophenols separated by HPLC. The first relationship of ln k versus φ was determined using the isocratic retention time for each analyte. For prediction of gradient retention times of analytes, the fundamental equation of gradient elution was numerically solved. Then a grid search program was used to simulate chromatograms under each new condition. Two different chromatographic goals, analysis time and minimum distance between adjacent peaks, were evaluated simultaneously using Derringer’s desirability function for each chromatogram. The sigmoid function was used to transform the optimization criteria to desirability values. Under optimal conditions, a good agreement was observed between predicted and experimental values of the chromatographic response function when analysis time was less than 40 min.     

One-year’s experience of a ‘repeat analysis’ quality programme for blood gas analysers

The aim of this study was to determine the value of a quality assurance (QA) programme based on the repeat analysis principle, where a sample is analysed at one site, and sent to another site for repeat analysis and the comparison of the two sets of values. Once each day a routine blood gas sample, collected from a patient in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) of the hospital, was analysed by the ITU nurse on the ITU blood gas analyser. The air bubble was expelled and the sample sealed and sent to the biochemistry laboratory immediately. The sample was re-analysed in the biochemistry laboratory. This programme was continued for a year. The biochemistry laboratory results (gold standard) were compared with the ITU results and rule breaches were notified to ITU immediately after the repeat analysis. All results were graphed and linear regressions and correlation coefficients calculated. The correlation coefficients ranged from r ²=0.9317 for pH to r ²=0.4381 for pO². All parameters except pO₂ and Na⁺ gave satisfactory correlations. The Na⁺ results should be adjusted by inserting a slope and intercept. It is suspected that improvement in the pO₂ would be possible if the time between ITU and biochemistry analyses could be reduced from its current levels.Presented at the 8th Conference on Quality in the Spotlight, 17–18 March 2003, Antwerp, Belgium     

Strategies for examination of Alzheimer’s disease amyloid precursor protein isoforms

We describe a proteomics procedure using bioinformatics, immunoprecipitation, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, in-gel digestion, LC–MS, MALDI–MS, and MS–MS for isolation and identification of amyloid precursor protein (APP) isoforms APP₆₉₅, APP₇₅₁, and APP₇₇₀. Retinoic acid-induced Ntera 2 cell line, derived from a human teratocarcinoma cells, was the in-vitro source of APP. Initial isolation of whole APP was performed by immunoprecipitation, using AB10, a monoclonal antibody raised to amino acids 1–17 of the β-amyloid peptide sequence, which is present in all three alpha secretase-cleaved isoforms of interest. The next stage was separation of whole APP into its isoform components by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Because of low APP concentrations, detection by the usual staining methods, for example Sypro Ruby, able to detect low picomole concentrations, did not enable visualisation of the isoforms. Western analysis, however, enabled primary detection of APP, because of the inherent sensitivity of antibodies raised to specific isoform regions. This initial visualization acted as a template for excision of isoforms from 2D gels, which were then subjected to peptide mass mapping. Initial theoretical digestion of each isoform revealed the presence of specific peptides, which were then used as “tags” for isoform detection.     

Comparative evaluation of two substituted diglycolamide extractants for ‘actinide partitioning’

Extraction behaviour of actinides, lanthanides, fission products and structural elements has been studied with the two diglycolamide extractants, namely N,N,N′,N′-tetra-2-ethylhexyl diglycolamide (T2EHDGA) and N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA). The acid extraction studies suggested that T2EHDGA (K_H: 1.8) is less basic as compared to its linear homologue, TODGA (K_H: 4.1). The distribution ratio of Am(III) by 0.1 M diglycolamides followed the order: TODGA > T2EHDGA. The number of ligand molecules present in the stoichiometry of the extracted species of Am(III) was found to be three and four for T2EHDGA and TODGA, respectively. Thermodynamics studies suggested that the extraction of Am(III) by both the extractants is exothermic in nature. The radiolytic stability of TODGA and T2EHDGA solutions in n-dodecane has been investigated. Due to lower distribution ratio of Am by T2EHDGA, 0.2 M of its solution has been used as compared to 0.1 M solution of TODGA. The distribution behaviour of various metal ions, viz. Am, Nd, Fe, Mo, Cr, Sr and Cs has been studied from nitric acid as well as from simulated high level waste solution.     

Cross-linking copolymers of acrylates’ gel electrolytes with high conductivity for lithium-ion batteries

The cross-linking gel copolymer electrolytes containing alkyl acrylates, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and liquid electrolyte were prepared by in situ thermal polymerization. The gel polymer electrolytes containing 15 wt% polymer content and 85 wt% liquid electrolyte content with sufficient mechanical strength showed the high ionic conductivity around 5?×?10^?3 Scm^?1 at room temperature. The gel electrolytes containing different polymer matrices were prepared, and their physical observation and conductivity were discussed carefully. The cross-linking copolymer gel electrolytes of alkyl acrylates with other monomers were designed and synthesized. The results showed that copolymerization can improve the mechanical properties and ionic conductivities of the gel electrolytes. The polymer matrices of gels had excellent thermal stability and electrochemical stability. The scanning electron microscope analysis showed the gel electrolyte was the homogeneous structure, and the cross-linking polymer host was the porous three-dimensional network structure, which demonstrated the high conductivity of the gel electrolytes. The gel polymer Li-ion battery was prepared by this in situ thermal polymerization. The cell exhibited high charge-discharge efficiency at 0.1 C. The results of LiFePO4-PEA-Li cell and graphite-PEA-Li cell showed that gel polymer electrolytes have good compatibility with the battery electrodes materials.     

Solid–liquid phase equilibria for binary mixtures of propellant’s stabilizers

Solid–liquid equilibria for three binary mixtures of N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-p-nitroaniline (1) + 2-nitrodiphenylamine (2), N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-p-nitroaniline (1) + ethyl centralite (2) and N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-p-nitroaniline (1) + methyl centralite (2) have been determined experimentally using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Simple eutectic behaviours for these systems have been observed. The experimental results have been correlated by means of NRTL and UNIQUAC equations. The root-mean-square deviations of the solubility temperatures for all measured data vary from 0.61 to 3.32 K and depend on the particular model used. The best solubility correlation has been obtained with the UNIQUAC model.     

One-step preparation of sulfonated carbon-based solid acid from distillers’ grain for esterification

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A carbon-based solid acid catalyst was prepared by simultaneous carbonization and sulfonation of distillers’ grain with concentrated sulfuric acid....     

Production of certified reference materials for mycotoxins: IRMM’s view on the assessment of uncertainties

Analytical difficulty and the economic importance of controlling mycotoxin levels in food and feed led the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) to prepare a series of certified reference materials (CRM) for various mycotoxins. Because of the wide acceptance of these CRM and the need to ensure the comparability and traceability of measurements in the future it is necessary to prepare and certify new batches of mycotoxin reference materials (RM). In the following text two different approaches for evaluation of the characterisation uncertainty of CRM will be compared using the certification of aflatoxin M₁ (AfM₁) in milk powder as an example. The conventional approach is based on evaluation of characterisation exercise data; the alternative approach is based on measurement uncertainties of the employed analytical methods. Because laboratories are using totally different approaches to estimate the measurement uncertainties, combination of the uncertainties obtained from the participating laboratories was not recommended. Therefore, a new integrated approach for assessment of the measurement uncertainties of the analytical methods on the basis of additional data collected during the characterisation exercise will be described. The conventional approach was found to be the most appropriate and economical approach to evaluate the characterisation uncertainty as a characterisation exercise must be performed anyway to establish the property values of candidate (C)RM, irrespective of whether or not reliable measurement uncertainties can be provided by the laboratories. An integrated approach for assessment of measurement uncertainties based on additional characterisation data as applied here to enable use of an uncertainty-based approach provides more information but is too time-consuming and cost-intensive to become common practice.     

Simulation of electrical field for the formation mechanism of Bird’s Nest patterned structures by electrospinning

In our previous work, it was found that large Bird’s Nest patterned nanofibrous membranes can be simply electrospun from chlorinated polypropylene solution doped with an ionic liquid, and a plausible formation mechanism of Bird’s Nest patterned architectures was proposed. Here, we use Ansoft Maxwell version 12 software (3D, electrostatic solver) to simulate the electrical field distribution of the electrospinning setup, and to clarify the rationality of proposed formation mechanism. Calculation results clearly show that the introduction of charged nanofibrous bundles would produce a similar patterned electrical field distribution, which definitely confirms the important role of surface residual charges. The proposed mechanism can be well extended to other polymer systems including polystyrene, poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) and chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide).     

Models for Mandel’s formula

Photon-counting models based on Poisson transforms was pioneered by Mandel (Proc. Phys. Soc. 74, 233–243 1959). This note derives a collection of some sixteen flexible models for the formula suggested by Mandel (Proc. Phys. Soc. 74, 233–243 1959). The corresponding estimation procedures are also derived by the method of moments. We expect that this work could serve as a useful reference for photon-counting problems.     

Effect of Supercritical Fluids on the Biological Activity of Absidia coerulea for the Hydroxylation of Reichsterin’s Substance Acetate

In a number of fermentation processes, organic solvents are often used due to the poorsolubility of many substrates and/or products in water. However, the interface betweenwater and organic phases may lead to the diffusion-limited bioconversion. Supercriticalfluid technology can be employed to eliminate the mass transfer resistance existed in thebiphasic system1-6. Hydrocortisone is an effective anti-inflammatory drug and an important precursor ofother steroid drugs. The C11β-hydroxylati…     

Chemometric modeling of PET imaging agents for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease: a QSAR approach

Structural Chemistry - Recently, adenosine A2A receptor antagonists have been identified as an interesting drug target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Radiolabelled molecular...