Rapid extraction of bioactive compounds from gardenia fruit using new and recyclable deep eutectic solvents

The utilization of deep eutectic solvent as an alternative and environmentally friendly option has gained significant attention. This study first proposed a series of benzylammonium chloride based-deep eutectic systems for the extraction of bioactive compounds from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Through the implementation of response surface methodology, the optimal solvent was determined to be dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride–levulinic acid (1:3, mol/mol) with 35% (v/v) water, specifically tailored to extract geniposide, genipin-1-β-d -gentiobioside, crocin-1, and crocin-2 from gardenia fruits with the ratio of solid to liquid of 1:20 at 86°C for 16 min. Their total extraction yields could reach 70.6 mg/g, outperforming those obtained by other solvents and corresponding techniques. Furthermore, the eutectic system was retrieved after first-cycle extraction, and then applied in the subsequent extraction progress, yielding a consistent extraction efficiency of 97.1%. As compared to previous traditional methods, a quick, high-yielding, and green extraction procedure was achieved through simple heating settings that did not constrain the instrument. Therefore, dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride–levulinic acid could serve as a sustainable and reusable solvent for efficient extraction of natural bioactive compounds from plant-based raw materials. The application of deep eutectic solvents has demonstrated their potential as designable solvents with stronger extraction capabilities than traditional organic solvents.     

Slurry sampling for determination of lead in marine plankton by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A slurry sampling method has been developed for the determination of Pb in marine plankton by ETAAS using a freshwater plankton certified reference material (CRM 414). Slurries were prepared in 1–3% m/v range with 1% v/v HNO₃ by ultrasonic agitation for 5 min. The effects of several chemical modifiers, including Ir(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂ + Mg(NO₃)₂, and Mg(NO₃)₂ + NH₄H₂PO₄, were investigated for the stabilization of Pb during thermal pretreatment. Lead in slurries was effectively stabilized up to 1000 °C with Ir, Pd and Pd + Mg modifiers among which Pd + Mg provided the best results with complete atomization at 1850 °C. Firings in the presence of Ir were, problematic due to ash formation inside the atomizer. Water, dilute HNO₃ and HF were examined as suspension medium. Dilute HNO₃ (1–2% v/v) proved to be advantageous over water as it afforded extraction of Pb from plankton almost quantitatively in 5 min agitation. Hydrofluoric acid was the least suitable medium. Increasing HF concentration up to 5% v/v resulted in inaccuracy and substantial background absorption. Fast-heating furnace method provided comparable accuracy and precision to that of conventional-heating in slurries of CRM 414. Detection limits and characteristic masses were, respectively, 0.49 μg L^− 1 and 32 pg for the conventional method and 0.62 μg L^− 1 and 37 pg for the fast-heating method. However, fast-heating approach suffered from distorted peaks at high temperatures and incomplete pyrolysis of matrix at lower temperatures. Analysis of marine plankton samples for Pb was performed by using the conventional furnace program. The results showed a high correlation with those obtained by solution ICP-MS. Differences were statistically insignificant within 95% confidence interval.     

Development of soft X-ray multilayer laminar-type plane gratings and varied-line-spacing spherical grating for flat-field spectrograph in the 1–8 keV region

W/C and Co/SiO₂ multilayer laminar-type holographic plane gratings (groove density 1/σ = 1200 lines/mm) in the 1–8 keV region are developed. For the Co/SiO₂ grating the diffraction efficiencies of 0.41 and 0.47 at 4 and 6 keV, respectively, and for the W/C grating 0.38 at 8 keV are observed. Taking advantage of the outstanding high diffraction efficiencies into practical soft X-ray spectrographs a Mo/SiO₂ multilayer varied-line-spacing (VLS) laminar-type spherical grating (1/σ = 2400 lines/mm) is also developed for use with a flat field spectrograph in the region of 1.7 keV. For the Mo/SiO₂ multilayer grating the diffraction efficiencies of 0.05–0.20 at 0.9–1.8 keV are observed. The FWHMs of the measured line profiles of Hf-Mα₁(1644.6 eV), Si-Kα₁(1740.0 eV), and W-Mα₁ (1775.4 eV) are 13.7 eV, 8.0 eV, and 8.7 eV, respectively.     

Thermodynamics of Solutions of Trimethyl Aluminum and Trimethyl Gallium with Tetramethyl Tin

The enthalpies and entropies of evaporation of Al(CH₃)₃–Sn(CH₃)₄and Ga(CH₃)₃–Sn(CH₃)₄solutions were determined. It was established that solvates are formed in these systems and that the dissociation energies of specific interactions in them change in the following order: (10.3) > > > (4.08 kJ mol^–1), (6.52) > (5.14) > > (4.08 kJ mol^–1).     

An <Emphasis Type="Italic">ab initio </Emphasis> Quantum-Chemical Study of C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>S(O)CH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>S(O)CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The potential functions of internal rotation around the C -S bond in the C₆H₅S(O)CH₃ and C₆H₅S(O)CF₃ molecules were obtained by ab initio MP2(full)/6-31+G* calculations. The stationary points were identified by solving the vibrational problems. The structures in which the plane of the C -S-C bonds is approximately perpendicular to the benzene ring plane correspond to the energy minimum. The barriers to rotation around the C -S bond, corrected for the zero-point vibration energy, are 21.29 [C₆H₅S(O)CH₃] and 28.98 [C₆H₅S(O)CF₃] kJ mol⁻¹. The bond angles (deg) are as follows: 95.7 (CSC), 107.1 (C SO), 106.3 (C SO) in C₆H₅S(O)CH₃; 93.5 (CSC), 108.2 (C SO), 105.2 (C SO) in C₆H₅S(O)CF₃. The bond lengths are as follows (Å): 1.520 (S=O), 1.804 (C -S), 1.810 (C -S) in C₆H₅S(O)CH₃; 1.507 (S=O), 1.799 (C -S), 1.870 (C -S) in C₆H₅S(O)CF₃. According to the results of NBO calculations, the formally double S=O bond consists of a strongly polarized covalent σ bond (S→O) and an almost ionic bond. An increase in the S=O bond multiplicity relative to a single bond is mainly due to hyperconjugation by the mechanism n(O)→σ*(C -S) and n(O)→σ*(C -S) and, to a lesser extent, by interaction of the oxygen lone electron pairs with the Rydberg orbitals of the S atoms, characterized by a large contribution of the d component.__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 1, 2005, pp. 96–104.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Bzhezovskii, Il’chenko, Chura, Gorb, Yagupol’skii.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Copper(II) Complex with <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-Phthalic Acid and 1-Methylimidazole [Cu(HPht)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(1-CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>Im)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

A new Cu(II) complex [Cu(HPht)₂(1-CH₃Im)₂] (I), where HPht is the monoanion of o-phthalic acid and 1-CH₃Im is 1-methylimidazole, is synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound I contains molecular complexes in which the o-phthalic acid residue is monodeprotonated and linked to a metal through the carboxyl group in a 1,3-chelate mode. The cis-octahedral coordination of copper is formed by two HPht residues and two 1-CH₃Im molecules. The distances are Cu-N1.945(6) Å, Cu-O2.018(5) Å and 2.374(6) Å. Polymeric chains are formed in complex I due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The chains are unified into layers by the interactions between the 1-CH₃Im molecules of the adjacent complexes.__________Translated from Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 8, 2005, pp. 630–635.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Gherco.     

Preparation and properties of chiral complexes of Cu(II) with (S)-2-[(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzaldehyde oxime,catalysts of azlactone hydrolysis

Two Cu(II) complexes of (S)-2-[(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzaldehyde oxime (L) were isolated. The complex Cu[(LH^–1)(Cl)] is green, whereas Cu₂(LH₂)_–2 is red-brown. The structure of these complexes was proved by elemental analysis, IR and UV spectroscopy. The average molecular masses ( ) of the complexes in ethanol were determined by precision ebulliometry. The concentration dependence of the values of these complexes is consistent with the existence of the following equilibria in ethanol: Cu[(LH_–1)(Cl)] + EtOH Cu[(LH_–1)(HOEt)]⁺+Cl⁺ and [Cu₂(LH_–2)₂] + EtOH 2[Cu(LH-_–2)(HOEt)]. The equilibrium constants of these two reactions were determined. Both [Cu(LH_–1)(Cl)] and [Cu₂(LH_–2)₂] catalyze with equal efficiency the hydrolysis of 2-methyl-4-benzyl-5(4H)-oxazolone in aqueous solutions at a given pH. The UV spectra of both complexes in water at similar pH values are identical. Thus, both complexes must be interconvertible in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the absence of any electrophoretically mobile particles in neutral aqueous buffers is an indication that the complexes [Cu₂(LH^–2)₂] and [Cu(LH^–2)(H₂O)] are the predominant species in solution under these conditions.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2270–2275, October, 1991.     

On-line molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction for the selective spectrophotometric determination of catechol

A molecularly imprinted polymer has been synthesized for a selective on-line catechol extraction, followed by its spectrophotometric determination in guarana powder, mate tea and tap water samples. A clean-up column, containing a methacrylic polymer + C₁₈ solid phase, was also used in order to enhance selectivity. The imprinted polymer was prepared by bulk polymerization using catechol as template and 4-vinylpyridine as the functional monomer. Permanganate solution was used as spectrophotometric reagent, where Mn(VII) was reduced to Mn(II) by catechol in an acid medium, causing color loss, which was monitored at 528 nm. Physical (extraction flow rate, elution flow rate, coil length) and chemical (nature and concentration of the eluent, potassium permanganate concentration) variables were optimized, and the selectivity was appraised using three molecules (4-chloro-2-methylphenol, 2-cresol, 2-methoxyphenol) similar to catechol. These molecules did not present interference in 1:8, 1:10 and 1:10 (catechol/concomitant) proportions, respectively. The analytical calibration curve ranged from 3.0 up to 100 μmol L^− 1 (r > 0.999; seven concentrations levels, n = 3) and the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.8 and 2.7 μmol L^− 1, respectively. Precision, expressed as RSD, was of 3.0% (20 μmol L^− 1, n = 10), and the analytical frequency was 15 h^− 1. Accuracy was checked by the HPLC technique and the results did not present significant difference at 95% confidence levels according to the t test.     

Crystal Structure of 4,7,13,16,21,24-Hexaoxa-1,10-diazoniabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane Semihydrate Oxonium Tribromide

The crystal structure of 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazoniabicyclo-[8.8.8]hexacosane semihydrate oxonium tribromide, [H₂(2.2.2-Crypt)·0.55H₂O]²⁺·H₃O⁺·3Br⁻ (I) was determined by XRD analysis. The triclinic structure of I (space group P , a = 10.026 Å, b = 11.292 Å, c = 13.115 Å, α = 78.37°, β = 72.11°, γ = 77.50°, Z = 2) was solved by direct methods; full-matrix least-squares refinement in an anisotropic approximation converged to R = 0.055 for all 4057 independent reflections collected (CAD-4 automatic diffractometer, λCuK _α).Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by A. N. Chekhlov__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 6, pp. 1136–1141, November–December, 2004.     

Spectral correlations for β-chlorovinyl ketones

The IR and UV spectroscopic data of a series of alkyl substituted β-chlorovinyl ketones have been determined. Some of the IR and UV spectroscopic criteria, developed for the S-cis or S-trans conformation of ordinary α,β-unsaturated ketones, seem to be applicable for the β-chlorovinyl ketones: the S-cis conformer shows a low ratio (rⁱ) of the integrated intensities of the carbonyl and double bond stretching vibrations and a relatively low UV ε value; whereas high rⁱ and ε values are found for the S-trans conformer; non-planarity increases the rⁱ value and decreases the ε value.The prefered conformations as determined by the IR and UV spectral data have led to the presentation of benzene solvation models for a series of β-chlorovinyl ketones. These models made it possible to assign thecis ortrans structure to α,β-dialkyl-β-chlorovinyl ketones on the basis of the NMR aromatic solvent induced shifts of the β-alkyl group: high solvent shifts to a higher field (0·31–0·66 ppm) are found forcis-β-chlorovinyl ketones, whereas low solvent shifts (0·040·15) are found for thetrans-β-chlorovinyl ketones. Assignments based on the chemical shifts alone can lead to erroneous interpretations.     

IR study of cation effects on the O-D stretching frequencies of isotopically dilute HDO in aqueous salt solutions

IR spectra of 3 normal solutions of 14 different salts [chlorides of Al⁺⁺⁺, Be⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺, Sr⁺⁺, Ba⁺⁺, Zn⁺⁺, Cd⁺⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, N(CH₃) ₄ ⁺ ] in both, 96% H₂O+4% D₂O and 100% H₂O, were measured in the frequency range =2 800–2 100 cm^–1. From up to 18 single measurements for each solution the frequencies and halfwidths of the O-D stretching bands of isotopically dilute HDO were determined with high accuracy. Frequencies in the range =2 510–2 529 cm^–1 and halfwidths in the range =155–205 cm^–1 resulted atT=30°C with standard deviations typical less than ±1 cm^–1 and ±4 cm^–1, respectively. An almost perfect correlation between the O-D stretching band parameters and the polarizing power of the cations was obtained.Herrn Prof. Dr.A. Neckel, Wien, zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Experimental Determination and Computational Prediction of Dehydroabietic Acid Solubility in (−)-α-Pinene + (−)-β-Caryophyllene + P-Cymene System

The solubility of dehydroabietic acid in (−)-α-pinene, p-cymene, (−)-β-caryophyllene, (−)-α-pinene + p-cymene, (−)-β-caryophyllene + p-cymene and (−)-α-pinene + (−)-β-caryophyllene were determined using the laser monitoring method at atmospheric pressure. The solubility of dehydroabietic acid was positively correlated with temperature from 295.15 to 339.46 K. (−)-α-pinene, p-cymene, and (−)-β-caryophyllene were found to be suitable for the solubilization of dehydroabietic acid. In addition, the non-random two liquid (NRTL), universal quasi-chemical (UNIQUAC), modified Apelblat, modified Wilson, modified Wilson–van’t Hoff, and λh models were applied to correlate the determined solubility data. The modified Apelblat model gave the minor deviation for dehydroabietic acid in monosolvents, while the λh equation showed the best result in the binary solvents. A comparative analysis of compatibility between solutes and solvents was carried out using Hansen solubility parameters. The thermodynamic functions of Δ_solH⁰, Δ_solS⁰, Δ_solG⁰ were calculated according to the van’t Hoff equation, indicating that the dissolution was an entropy-driven heat absorption process. The Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) combined with an experimental value was applied to predict the reasonable solubility data of dehydroabietic acid in the selected solvents systems. The interaction energy of the dehydroabietic acid with the solvent was analyzed by COSMO-RS.     

Diffuse reflectance spectra of iron(III) vanadates

The electronic spectra of solid iron(III) vanadates FeVO₄ and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ were investigated by the diffuse reflectance technique in the spectral range 12 500–50 000 cm⁻¹. The spectra of investigated vanadates contain 2–3 intensive CT bands in the UV region and two lowest energy d–d bands in the 12 000–22 000 cm⁻¹ range. The presence of the weak bands for FeVO₄ and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ at 16 500 cm⁻¹ and 20 500 cm⁻¹ points to the lattice deffects (oxygen deficiency and the presence of the V⁴⁺ ions) in the structure of investigated vanadates.     

Development,Validation, and Application of the UPLC-DAD Methodology for the Evaluation of the Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Phenolic Compounds in the Fruit of American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton)

Phenolic compounds in the fruit of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other biological effects. The berries are used in the production of medicinal preparations and food supplements, which highlights the importance of qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in cranberry fruit raw material. The aim of our study was to develop and validate an efficient, cost-effective, reproducible, and fast UPLC-DAD methodology for the evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in raw material and preparations of American cranberry fruit. During the development of the methodology, chlorogenic acid and the following flavonols were identified in cranberry fruit samples: myricetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinopyranoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, myricetin, and quercetin. The developed and optimized UPLC-DAD methodology was validated according to the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH), evaluating the following parameters: range, specificity, linearity (R² > 0.999), precision (%RSD < 2%), LOD (0.38–1.01 µg/mL), LOQ (0.54–3.06 µg/mL), and recovery (80–110%). The developed methodology was applied to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in fruit samples of cranberry cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Bergman’, ‘Prolific’, and ‘Searles’, as well as ‘Bain-MC’ and ‘BL-12′ clones. In the tested samples, the majority (about 70%) of the identified flavonols were quercetin derivatives. The greatest amount of quercetin-3-galactoside (1035.35 ± 4.26 µg/g DW) was found in fruit samples of the ‘Searles’ cultivar, and the greatest amount of myricetin-3-galactoside (940.06 ± 24.91 µg/g DW) was detected in fruit samples of the ‘Woolman’ cultivar.     

Alkali metal ion-selective electrodes based on relevant alkali metal ion doped manganese oxides

Potentiometric properties of manganese oxides doped with alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺), which were prepared by heating mixed solutions (starting solution) of each alkali metal and Mn²⁺ ions, were examined. Electrodes based on mixed phases of Nao₄₄MnO₂/Mn₂O₃ and hollandite KMn₈O₁₆/M₂O₃ found by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) exhibited Na⁺- and K⁺-selective responses with a near-Nernstian slope, respectively, when the molar ratio of alkali metal ion to Mn²⁺ ion in the starting solution was 0.1. When no alkali metal ions were added in the manganese oxide films, no significant potentiometric response was observed to any alkali metal ions. The selectivity coefficients of these electrodes were = 6.7 × 10^–2, = 7.1 × 10^–3, < 9 × 10^–4 and < 9x 10^–4 for the Na_0.44MnO₂/Mn₂O₃, and <4 × 10^–4 <4x 10^–4, =60 × 10^–2 ×10^–4, < 4 × 10^–4, for the KMn₈O₁₆/Mn₂O₃, respectively. Electrodes based on manganese oxides made from mixed solutions of Rb⁺/Mn²⁺ and Cs⁺/Mn²⁺ also responded to the respective primary ions, that is, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ ions, although XRD patterns for the manganese oxides thus made did not show any peaks except for Mn₂O₃ (bixbyite); it was concluded in these cases that some amorphous type manganese oxides were formed in the Rb⁺/Mn²⁺ and Cs⁺/Mn²⁺ systems and they responded to the respective ions. Conditioning of these electrodes in an aerated indifferent electrolyte solution, 0.1M tetramethylammonium nitrate (TMA-NO₃), for relatively long time, typically more than 2 hours, was found to be a prerequisite for near-Nernstian response to the respective alkali metal ions. During this electrode conditioning, vacant sites (template) suitable in size for selective uptake of primary ions seemed to be formed by releasing the doped alkali metal ions from the solid phase into the adjacent electrolyte solution accompanying oxidation of the manganese oxide film.     

A Pilot-Scale Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction to Valorize Colombian Mango Seed Kernel

Colombian mango production, which exceeded 261,000 t in 2020, generates about 40% of the whole fruit as solid waste, of which more than 50% are seed kernels (over 52,000 t solid by-product); though none is currently used for commercial purposes. This study reports the results of the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) extraction of an oil rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) from revalorized mango seed kernels and the optimization of the process by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). In pilot-scale scCO₂ experiments, pressure (23–37 MPa) and temperature (52–73 °C) were varied, using 4.5 kg of CO₂. The highest experimental oil extraction yield was 83 g/kg (37 MPa and 63 °C); while RSM predicted that 84 g/kg would be extracted at 35 MPa and 65 °C. Moreover, by fine-tuning pressure and temperature it was possible to obtain an EFA-rich lipid fraction in linoleic (37 g/kg) and α-linolenic (4 g/kg) acids, along with a high oleic acid content (155 g/kg), by using a relatively low extraction pressure (23 MPa), which makes the process a promising approach for the extraction of oil from mango waste on an industrial scale, based on a circular economy model.     

Chemical Variability and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Leaf Essential Oil from Ivorian Isolona dewevrei (De Wild. & T. Durand) Engl. & Diels

The chemical variability and the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf essential oil from Ivorian Isolona dewevrei were investigated for the first time. Forty-seven oil samples were analyzed using a combination of CC, GC(RI), GC-MS and ¹³C-NMR, thus leading to the identification of 113 constituents (90.8–98.9%). As the main components varied drastically from sample to sample, the 47 oil compositions were submitted to hierarchical cluster and principal components analyses. Three distinct groups, each divided into two subgroups, were evidenced. Subgroup I−A was dominated by (Z)-β-ocimene, β-eudesmol, germacrene D and (E)-β-ocimene, while (10βH)-1β,8β-oxido-cadina-4-ene, santalenone, trans-α-bergamotene and trans-β-bergamotene were the main compounds of Subgroup I−B. The prevalent constituents of Subgroup II−A were germacrene B, (E)-β-caryophyllene, (5αH,10βMe)-6,12-oxido-elema-1,3,6,11(12)-tetraene and γ-elemene. Subgroup II−B displayed germacrene B, germacrene D and (Z)-β-ocimene as the majority compounds. Germacrene D was the most abundant constituent of Group III, followed in Subgroup III−A by (E)-β-caryophyllene, (10βH)-1β,8β-oxido-cadina-4-ene, germacrene D-8-one, and then in Subgroup III−B by (Z)-β-ocimene and (E)-β-ocimene. The observed qualitative and quantitative chemical variability was probably due to combined factors, mostly phenology and season, then harvest site to a lesser extent. The lipoxygenase inhibition by a leaf oil sample was also evaluated. The oil IC₅₀ (0.020 ± 0.005 mg/mL) was slightly higher than the non-competitive lipoxygenase inhibitor NDGA IC₅₀ (0.013 ± 0.003 mg/mL), suggesting a significant in vitro anti-inflammatory potential.     

Electroconductivity,Nature of Conduction,Thermodynamic Stability of the BaPr1 –xYxO3 – αCeramics

The electroconductivity and the nature of conduction of vacuum-dense ceramics BaPr_{1 – x} Y _x O_{3 –} (x= 0.05–0.15) is studied at temperatures of 373 to 985°C, of 2.1 × 10⁴to 10^–11Pa, and of 40 to 2400 Pa. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion is measured. The ceramics have a perovskite structure and are practically p-type semiconductors with a maximum conductivity of 0.26 S cm^–1at x= 0.10 and 800°C, in air. The share of ionic (proton) conductivity of the ceramics does not exceed 0.2–0.4%. The conductivity is weakly dependent on the air humidity. In a hydrogen-containing atmosphere, the ceramics undergoes reduction with destruction. Boundaries of thermodynamic stability of BaPr_0.9Y_0.1O_{3 –} at 500–900°C are determined.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a new layered gallium phosphate using triethylenetetramine as structure-directing agent

A new layered gallium phosphate Ga₁₀(PO₄)₂(HPO₄)₁₂(OH)₅2.5N₄C₆H₂₀4.5H₂O was hydrothermally synthesized at 180 °C for 3 days by using triethylenetetramine (teta) as structure-directing agent. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with a triclinic cell in the space group P-1 (n^o 2) with a=8.4718(1) Å, b=18.5915(1) Å, c=24.1994(3) Å, α=110.538(1)°, β=93.656(1)°, γ=93.549(1)° and V=3547.45(6) Å³. It consists of [Ga₁₀(PO₄)₂(HPO₄)₁₂(OH)₅]⁵⁻ macroanionic sheets composed of infinite chains of GaO₄(OH)₂ octahedra connected via corner-sharing to PO₄ and GaO₄ tetrahedra. They contain four-, seven- and nine-membered rings. The inorganic layers are held together through hydrogen bond between the terminal PO bondings, the water molecules and the terminal ammonium groups of the intercalated teta molecules.     

Oscillatory variation in yields of I2 and the reactivity of γ-irradiated TiO2 in KI solution

The reactivity of preheated and -irradiated TiO₂ was observed in KI solution by studying the kinetics of liberation of I₂. The rate of the reaction was found to be low. species proposed on the surface of oxide probably dissociate into . surface sites which oxidize I^– ions to produce free I₂. During irradiation and are produced which are reducing in nature and therefore very low yields of I₂ are observed for low -doses. In further irradiation the reformation of –O–O–, peroxy linkages is proposed hence the observed higher yields. All the processes ultimately lead to an oscillatory variation in yields of I₂ with -doses.