Ultrasound irradiation promotes the synthesis of new 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

Ultrasonic irradiation was used in the synthesis of a series of novel 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. The products were synthetized from the cyclocondensation reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-metoxy-3-alken-2-one [CF₃C(O)CHC(R)OMe, where R = Ph, 4-F-C₆H₄, 4-Br-C₆H₄, 4-I-C₆H₄, 4-CH₃-C₆H₄, 4-CH₃O-C₆H₄, Thien-2-yl, Biphen-4-yl] or β-enaminones [RC(O)CHCHNMe₂, where R = Ph, 4-F-C₆H_4, 4-Br-C₆H_4, 4-I-C₆H_4, 4-CH₃-C₆H₄, 4-CH₃O-C₆H₄, 4-NO₂-C₆H₄, Thien-2-yl, Biphen-4-yl, Naphth-2-yl, Pyrrol-2-yl, CCl₃] with 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole in acetic acid at 99 °C with 5–17 min of ultrasound irradiation. This methodology has shown several advantages, such as shorter reaction times, mild conditions, high regioselectivity, and excellent yields, when compared with conventional thermal heating (oil bath).     

Kinetics for the reactions of phenyl with methanol and ethanol: Comparison of theory and experiment

The kinetics of the C₆H₅ reactions with CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH has been measured by pulsed-laser photolysis/mass-spectrometry (PLP/MS) employing acetophenone as the radical source. Kinetic modeling of the benzene formed in the reactions over the temperature range 306–771 K allows us to reliably determine the total rate constants for H-abstraction reactions. In order to improve our low temperature measurements down to 304 K we have also applied the cavity ring-down spectrometric technique using nitrosobenzene as the radical source. Both sets of data agree closely. A weighted least-squares analysis of the two complementary sets of data for the two reactions gave the total rate constants k(CH₃OH) = (7.82 ± 0.44) × 10¹¹ exp [?(853 ± 30)/T] and k(C₂H₅OH) = (5.73 ± 0.58) × 10¹¹ exp [?(1103 ± 44)/T] cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 for the temperature range studied. Theoretically, four possible product channels of the C₆H₅ + CH₃OH reaction producing C₆H₆ + CH₃O, C₆H₆ + CH₂OH, C₆H₅OH + CH₃ and C₆H₅OCH₃ + H and five possible product channels of the C₆H₅ + C₂H₅OH reaction producing C₆H₆ + C₂H₅O, C₆H₆ + CH₂CH₂OH, C₆H₆ + CH₃CHOH, C₆H₅OH + CH₃CH₂ and C₆H₅OCH₂CH₃ + H have been computed at the G2M//B3LYP/6?311+G(d, p) level of theory. The hydrogen abstraction channels were predicted to have lower energy barriers than those for the substitution reactions and their rate constants were calculated by the microcanonical variational transition state theory at 200–3000 K. The predicted rate constants are in good agreement with the experimental values. Significantly, the rate constant for the CH₃OH reaction with C₆H₅ was found to be greater than that for the C₂H₅OH reaction and both reactions were found computationally to be dominated by H-abstraction from the hydroxyl group attributable to the affinity of the phenyl toward the OH group and the predicted lower energy barriers for the OH attack.     

High adsorption capacity of two Zn-based metal–organic frameworks by ultrasound assisted synthesis

Micro- and nano-rods and plates of two 3D, porous Zn(II)-based metal–organic frameworks [Zn(oba)(4-bpdh)_0.5]_n·(DMF)_1.5 (TMU-5) and [Zn(oba)(4-bpmb)_0.5]_n (DMF)_1.5 (TMU-6) were prepared by sonochemical process and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. These MOFs were synthesized using a non-linear dicarboxylate (H₂oba = 4,4-oxybisbenzoic acid) and two linear N-donor (4-bpdh = 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene and 4-bpmb = N¹,N⁴-bis((pyridin-4-yl)methylene)benzene-1,4-diamine) ligands by ultrasonic irradiation. Sonication time and concentration of initial reagents influencing size and morphology of nano-structured MOFs, were also studied. Calcination of TMU-5 and TMU-6 at 550 °C under air atmosphere yields ZnO nanoparticles. TMU-5 and TMU-6 exhibited maximum percent adsorption of 96.2% and 92.8% of 100 ppm rhodamine B dye, respectively, which obeys first order reaction kinetics.     

Structural,vibrational study and superprotonic behavior of a new mixed dipotassium hydrogenselenate dihydrogenphosphate K2(HSeO4)1.5(H2PO4)0.5

Ongoing studies of the KHSeO₄–KH₂PO₄ system aiming at developing novel proton conducting solids resulted in the new compound K₂(HSeO₄)_1.5(H₂PO₄)_0.5 (dipotassium hydrogenselenate dihydrogenphosphate). The crystals were prepared by a slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The structural properties of the crystals were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis: K₂(HSeO₄)_1.5(H₂PO₄)_0.5 (denoted KHSeP) crystallizes in the space group P 1¯ with the lattice parameters: a = 7.417(3) Å, b = 7.668(2) Å, c = 7.744(5) Å, α = 71.59(3)°, β = 87.71(4)° and γ = 86.04(6)°. This structure is characterized by HSeO₄⁻ and disordered (H_xSe/P)O₄⁻ tetrahedra connected to dimers via hydrogen bridges. These dimers are linked and stabilized by additional hydrogen bonds (O–H–O) and hydrogen bridges (O–H…O) to build chains of dimers which are parallel to the [0, 1, 0] direction at the position x = 0.5.The differential scanning calorimetry diagram showed two anomalies at 493 and 563 K. These transitions were also characterized by optical birefringence, impedance and modulus spectroscopy techniques. The conductivity relaxation parameters of the proton conductors in this compound were determined in a wide temperature range. The transport properties in this material are assumed to be due to H⁺ protons hopping mechanism.     

Crystal chemistry and physical properties of the ternary compounds RE5B4C5 (RE=Ce,Pr, Nd)

The ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides RE₅B₄C₅ (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd) were prepared by arc melting the mixtures of the pure elements and subsequent annealing at 1270 K. Their crystal structures were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. They crystallize in the Ce₅B₄C₅ type of structure (space group Pna2₁, Z=8). Two new compounds were found, Pr₅B₄C₅: a=24.592(2) Å, b=8.4563(5) Å, c=8.4918(5) Å, R₁=0.043 (wR₂=0.076) for 2871 reflections with I_o?2σ(I_o)); for Nd₅B₄C₅: a=24.301(1) Å, b=8.3126(5) Å, c=8.3545(4) Å, R₁=0.035 (wR₂=0.069) for 3707 reflections with I_o?2σ(I_o)). Its structural arrangement consists of a three-dimensional framework of rare-earth atoms resulting from the stacking of slightly corrugated two-dimensional square nets, leading to voids filled with B₄C₄, B₃C₃, BC₂ finite chains and isolated carbon atoms. Ce₅B₄C₅ is an antiferromagnet at 5 K followed by a metamagnetic transition in elevated external fields. Pr₅B₄C₅ and Nd₅B₄C₅ are ferromagnets below T_C=12 and 15 K, respectively.     

Crystal growth and characterization of a new co-ordination complex—barium tetrakis(maleate) dihydrate

Crystals of barium tetrakis(maleate) dihydrate [Ba₄(C₄H₂O₄)₄]^?2H₂O are grown in gelated hydrosilica matrix. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that the crystal system is monoclinic with space group P2₁/c. The unit cell dimensions are a=9.3721(2)  Å, b=20.5880(7)  Å, c=14.0744(4) Å, α=γ=90°, β=90.289(2)°. Powder XRD studies confirmed the single phase nature of the grown crystals. The FTIR data is in conformity with the XRD results. The TG–DTA curves of the material indicate a three-step thermal decomposition. The response of the dielectric properties in the temperature range 30 °C to 500 °C is correlated with the TG–DTA results.     

New Pd(II)–mechlorethamine complex: Synthesis,NMR study of hydrolytic activity and in vitro evaluation of antiradical property of new complex and its alkylating precursor

The reaction of PdCl₂ with anticancer-alkylating agent mechlorethamine hydrochloride (CH₃NH(C₂H₄Cl)₂ = HN2 x HCl), in the molar ratio 1:2, affords the complex [CH₃NH(C₂H₄Cl)₂]₂[PdCl₄] ([H2N2]₂[PdCl₄]). Novel Pd(II) complex and the complex precursor mechlorethamine hydrochloride were tested for their antiradical property. Both present weak interaction with 2, 29-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS). Assays with soybean lipoxygenase and with superoxide anion radicals in vitro showed very high radical scavenging activity of the complex, whereas the complex precursor mechlorethamine hydrochloride presents lower inhibition. Hydrolytic activity of new complex with N-acetylhistidylglycine (AcHis–Gly) was also studied. It was established that regioselective cleavage of the amide bond of the investigated dipeptide had occurred after heating at 60 °C and at pH = 1.5 for 36 h.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopic characterization and optical properties of bis(4-acetylanilinium) tetrachlorocobalt (II)

The chemical preparation, crystal structure, spectroscopic investigations and optical features are given for a novel organic–inorganic hybrid material [C₈H₁₀NO]₂CoCl₄.The compound is crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Cmca, with the following unit cell parameters: a=19.461(2) Å, b=15.523(2) Å, c=13.7436(15) Å, and Z=8. The atomic arrangement shows an alternation of organic and inorganic layers along the b-axis. The cohesion between these entities is performed by N–H…Cl and N–H…O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions.Infrared and Raman spectra at room temperature are recorded in the 4000−400 and 4000−0 cm⁻¹ frequency regions, respectively and analyzed on the basis of literature data. This study confirms the presence of the organic cation [C₈H₁₀NO]⁺ and of the [CoCl₄]²⁻ anion. UV–vis spectroscopy results showed the indirect transition with band gap energy 2.98 eV.     

Adsorption of thiophene on silica-supported Mo clusters

The adsorption/decomposition kinetics/dynamics of thiophene has been studied on silica-supported Mo and MoS_x clusters. Two-dimensional cluster formation at small Mo exposures and three-dimensional cluster growth at larger exposures would be consistent with the Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) data. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) indicates two reaction pathways. H₄C₄S desorbs molecularly at 190–400 K. Two TDS features were evident and could be assigned to molecularly on Mo sites, and S sites adsorbed thiophene. Assuming a standard preexponential factor (ν = 1 × 10¹³/s) for first-order kinetics, the binding energies for adsorption on Mo (sulfur) sites amount to 90 (65) kJ/mol for 0.4 ML Mo exposure and 76 (63) kJ/mol for 2 ML Mo. Thus, smaller clusters are more reactive than larger clusters for molecular adsorption of H₄C₄S. The second reaction pathway, the decomposition of thiophene, starts at 250 K. Utilizing multimass TDS, H₂, H₂S, and mostly alkynes are detected in the gas phase as decomposition products. H₄C₄S bond activation results in partially sulfided Mo clusters as well as S and C residuals on the surface. S and C poison the catalyst. As a result, with an increasing number of H₄C₄S adsorption/desorption cycles, the uptake of molecular thiophene decreases as well as the H₂ and H₂S production ceases. Thus, silica-supported sulfided Mo clusters are less reactive than metallic clusters. The poisoned catalyst can be partially reactivated by annealing in O₂. However, Mo oxides also appear to form, which passivate the catalyst further. On the other hand, while annealing a used catalyst in H/H₂, it is poisoned even more (i.e., the S AES signal increases). By means of adsorption transients, the initial adsorption probability, S₀, of C₄H₄S has been determined. At thermal impact energies (E_i = 0.04 eV), S₀ for molecular adsorption amounts to 0.43 ± 0.03 for a surface temperature of 200 K. S₀ increases with Mo cluster size, obeying the capture zone model. The temperature dependence of S₀(T_s) consists of two regions consistent with molecular adsorption of thiophene at low temperatures and its decomposition above 250 K. Fitting S₀(T_s) curves allows one to determine the bond activation energy for the first elementary decomposition step of C₄H₄S, which amounts to (79 ± 2) kJ/mol and (52 ± 4) kJ/mol for small and large Mo clusters, respectively. Thus, larger clusters are more active for decomposing C₄H₄S than are smaller clusters.     

Vibrational study,phase transitions and electrical properties of 4-benzylpyridinium monohydrogenselenate

The title compound C₆H₅CH₂C₅H₄NH⁺·HSeO₄⁻ crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with the space group Pbca and the following unit cell dimensions: a=27.449(5) Å; b=10.821(6) Å and c=8.830(1) Å.The structure consists of infinite parallel two-dimensional planes built of HSeO₄⁻ anions and C₆H₅CH₂C₅H₄NH⁺ cations mutually.Differential scanning calorimetry study on 4-benzylpyridinium monohydrogen-selenate was carried out. A high temperature second order phase transition at 363 K was found and characterized by electric measurements. The Raman of polycrystalline sample has been recorded at different temperature between 297 and 373 K.The conductivity relaxation parameters associated with some H⁺ conduction have been determined from an analysis of the M′′/M′′_max spectrum measured in a wide temperature range. An appearance of the superionic phase transition in 4-BSe is closely related to a liberation or even a rotation increase of HSeO₄⁻ groups with heating.     

Giant magneto-caloric effect around room temperature at moderate low field variation in La0.7(Ca1−xSrx)0.3MnO3 perovskites

Among the perovskite manganites, a series of La_1?xCa_xMnO₃ has the largest magneto-caloric effect (MCE) (|ΔS_m|_max=3.2–6.7 J/kg K at ΔH=13.5 kOe), but the Curie temperatures, T_C, are quite low (165–270 K). The system of LaSrMnO₃ has quite high T_C but its MCE is not so large. The manganites La_0.7(Ca_1?xSr_x)_0.3MnO₃ (x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) have been prepared by solid state reaction technique with an expectation of large MCE at room temperature region. The samples are of single phase with orthorhombic structure. The lattice parameters as well as the volume of unit cell are continuously increased with the increase of x due to large Sr²⁺ ions substituted for smaller Ca²⁺ ions. The field-cooled (FC) and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) thermomagnetic measurements at low field and low temperatures indicate that there is a spin-glass like (or cluster glass) state occurred. The Curie temperature T_C increases continuously from 258 K (for x=0) to 293 K (for x=0.25). A large MCE of 5 J/kg K has been observed around 293 K at the magnetic field change ΔH=13.5 kOe for the sample x=0.25. The studied samples can be considered as giant magneto-caloric materials, which is an excellent candidate for magnetic refrigeration at room temperature region.     

Ternary LiBH4–MgH2–NaAlH4 hydride confined into nanoporous carbon host for reversible hydrogen storage

Ternary hydride of LiBH₄–MgH₂–NaAlH₄ confined into carbo n aerogel scaffold (CAS) via melt infiltration for reversible hydrogen storage is proposed. Nanoconfinement of hydrides into CAS is obtained together with surface occupation of some phases, such as Al and/or LiH. Regarding nanoconfinement, not only multiple-step decomposition of LiBH₄–MgH₂–NaAlH₄ hydride reduces to about single step, but also reduction of dehydrogenation temperature is significantly observed, for example, ∆T up to 70 °C regarding last dehydrogenation step. Moreover, decomposition of NaBH₄ in nanoconfined sample can be done at 360 °C (dehydrogenation temperature in this study), which is 115 and 180 °C lower than that of NaBH₄ in milled LiBH₄–MgH₂–NaAlH₄ and bulk NaBH₄, respectively. The reaction of LiBH₄+NaAlH₄→LiAlH₄+NaBH₄ takes place during nanoconfinement and the decomposition of LiAlH₄ is observed, resulting deficient hydrogen content liberated. However, hydrogen content released (1st cycle) and reproduced (2nd–4th cycles) from this ternary hydride enhances up to 11% and 22% of full hydrogen storage capacity due to nanoconfinement. After rehydrogenation (T=360 °C and P(H₂)=50 bar H₂ for 12 h), NaBH₄, MgH₂, and Li₃AlH₆ are reversible, whereas Li₃AlH₆ and NaBH₄ in milled sample cannot be recovered due to deficient hydrogen pressure (T=360 °C and P(H₂)=80 bar) and probably evaporation of molten sodium during dehydrogenation, respectively. The latter results in inferior hydrogen content reproduced from milled sample to nanoconfined sample.     

Ionic conductivity and phase transition in Pb4.8Bi1.6Na3.6(PO4)6, an apatite-type compound

Bismuth sodium lead phosphate, Pb_4.8Bi_1.6Na_3.6(PO₄)₆, a compound having an apatite structure, was obtained via a solid-state reaction. Determination of the structure by X-ray diffraction on a single crystal gave the following results: hexagonal, P6₃/m, a = 9.6545(11) Å, c = 7.1457(5) Å, R = 0.03 and R_w = 0.09. The presence of Bi³⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, carrying a lone electron pair, at (6h) sites helped to stabilize the apatite structure in spite of the anionic vacancies in the center of the tunnel. The compound was characterized by chemical analysis, differential thermal analysis, thermal expansion of the cell, and infrared, impedance and ²³Na NMR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior revealed two breaks attributed to order–disorder transitions. One of them was ascribed to a reordering of cations from the (6h) site to the center of the tunnel. Conductivity was dominated by hopping mechanisms.     

Proton conductivity of Al(H2PO4)3–H3PO4 composites at intermediate temperature

Composites of Al(H₂PO₄)₃ and H₃PO₄ were synthesised by soft chemical methods with different Al/P ratios. The Al(H₂PO₄)₃ obtained was found to have a hexagonal symmetry with parameter a = 13.687(3)Å, c = 9.1328(1)Å. The conductivity of this material was measured by a.c. impedance spectroscopy between 100 °C and 200 °C in different atmospheres. The conductivity of pure Al(H₂PO₄)₃ in air is in the order of 10^? 6–10^? 7 S/cm between 100 and 200 °C. For samples containing small excess of H₃PO₄, much higher conductivity was observed. The impedance responses of the composites were found to be similar with AlH₂P₃O₁₀·nH₂O under different relative humidity. The conductivity of Al(H₂PO₄)₃–H₃PO₄ composite with Al/P = 1/3.5 reached 6.6 mS/cm at 200 °C in wet 5% H₂. The extra acid is found to play a key role in enhancing the conductivity of Al(H₂PO₄)₃–H₃PO₄ composite at the surface region of the Al(H₂PO₄)₃ in a core shell type behaviour. 0.7% excess of H₃PO₄ can increase the conductivity by three orders of magnitude. These composites might be alternative electrolytes for intermediate temperature fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Conductivity (9.5 mS/cm) changed little, when the sample was held at 175 °C for over 100 h as the conductivity stabilised.     

Interfacial reactions of Ba2YCu3O6+z with coated conductor buffer layer,LaMnO3

Chemical interactions between the Ba₂YCu₃O_6+x superconductor and the LaMnO₃ buffer layers employed in coated conductors have been investigated experimentally by determining the phases formed in the Ba₂YCu₃O_6+x–LaMnO₃ system. The Ba₂YCu₃O_6+x–LaMnO₃ join within the BaO–(Y₂O₃–La₂O₃)–MnO₂–CuO_x multi-component system is non-binary. At 810 °C (p_O2 = 100 Pa) and at 950 °C in purified air, four phases are consistently present along the join, namely, Ba_2?x(La_1+x?yY_y)Cu₃O_6+z, Ba(Y_2?xLa_x)CuO₅, (La_1?xY_x)MnO₃, (La,Y)Mn₂O₅. The crystal chemistry and crystallography of Ba(Y_2?xLa_x)CuO₅ and (La_1?xY_x)Mn₂O₅ were studied using the X-ray Rietveld refinement technique. The Y-rich and La-rich solid solution limits for Ba(Y_2?xLa_x)CuO₅ are Ba(Y_1.8La_0.2)CuO₅ and Ba(Y_0.1La_1.9)CuO₅, respectively. The structure of Ba(Y_1.8La_0.2)CuO₅ is Pnma (No. 62), a = 12.2161(5) Å, b = 5.6690(2) Å, c = 7.1468(3) Å, V = 494.94(4) Å³, and D_x = 6.29 g cm^?3. YMn₂O₅ and LaMn₂O₅ do not form solid solution at 810 °C (p_O2 = 100 Pa) or at 950 °C (in air). The structure of YMn₂O₅ was confirmed to be Pbam (No. 55), a = 7.27832(14) Å, b = 8.46707(14) Å, c = 5.66495(10) Å, and V = 349.108(14) Å³. A reference X-ray pattern was prepared for YMn₂O₅.     

Polymorphic phase transition and thermal stability in squaric acid (H2C4O4)

Phase transformations in squaric acid (H₂C₄O₄) have been investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry with different heating rates β. The mass loss in TG apparently begins at onset temperatures T_di=245±5 °C (β=5 °C min^?1), 262±5 °C (β=10 °C min^?1), and 275±5 °C (β=20 °C min^?1). A polymorphic phase transition was recognized as a weak endothermic peak in DSC around 101 °C (T_c⁺). Further heating with β=10 °C min^?1 in DSC revealed deviation of the baseline around 310 °C (T_i), and a large unusual exothermic peak around 355 °C (T_p), which are interpreted as an onset and a peak temperature of thermal decomposition, respectively. The activation energy of the thermal decomposition was obtained by employing relevant models. Thermal decomposition was recognized as a carbonization process, resulting in amorphous carbon.     

Ferromagnetic order and spin-glass behavior in multi-metallic compound Ni1.125Co0.375[Fe(CN)6] · 6.8H2O

Multi-metallic Prussian blue compound Ni_1.125Co_0.375[Fe(CN)₆] · 6.8H₂O has been synthesized. The Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature and IR spectra study revealed that the metal ions are bonded through cyanide ligand and the presence of low spin Fe^III(S = 1/2) and high spin Fe^III(S = 5/2) ions, as showed in these structure: Fe^III(S = 1/2)-CN-(Co^II/Ni^II)(96%) and Fe^III(S = 5/2)-NC-(Co^II/Ni^II) (4%). The Curie constant of C = 3.00 cm³ K mol⁻¹ and Weiss paramagnetic Curie temperature of θ = 16.43 K were observed in fitting according to Curie–Weiss law. These results indicate that there existed a ferromagnetic exchange interaction in the complexes. The observed value of coercive field (H_c) and remanent magnetization (M_r) at 4 K for the compound are 497 Oe and 1.03 Nβ. The presence of spin-glass behaviours in the compound is ascribed mainly to domain mobility or domain growth under different cooling conditions.     

Biodiesel production from non-edible Silybum marianum oil using heterogeneous solid base catalyst under ultrasonication

The aim of this study is to investigate modified TiO₂ doped with C₄H₄O₆HK as heterogeneous solid base catalyst for transesterification of non-edible, Silybum marianum oil to biodiesel using methanol under ultrasonication. Upon screening the catalytic performance of modified TiO₂ doped with different K-compounds, 0.7 C₄H₄O₆HK doped on TiO₂ was selected. The preparation of the catalyst was done using incipient wetness impregnation method. Having doped modified TiO₂ with C₄H₄O₆HK, followed by impregnation, drying and calcination at 600 °C for 6 h, the catalyst was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET, TGA, UV and the Hammett indicators. The yield of the biodiesel was proportional to the catalyst basicity. The catalyst had granular and porous structures with high basicity and superior performance. Combined conditions of 16:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 5 wt.% catalyst amount, 60 °C reaction temperature and 30 min reaction time was enough for maximum yield of 90.1%. The catalyst maintained sustained activity after five cycles of use. The oxidative stability which was the main problem of the biodiesel was improved from 2.0 h to 3.2 h after 30 days using ascorbic acid as antioxidant. The other properties including the flash point, cetane number and the cold flow ones were however, comparable to international standards. The study indicated that Ti-0.7-600-6 is an efficient, economical and environmentally, friendly catalyst under ultrasonication for producing biodiesel from S. marianum oil with a substantial yield.     

Fragmentation of 370 MeV/n 20Ne and 470 MeV/n 24Mg in light targets

Total charge-changing cross sections and cross sections for the production of projectile-like fragments were determined for fragmentation reactions induced by 370 MeV/n ²⁰Ne ions in water and lucite, and 490 MeV/n ²⁴Mg ions in polyethylene, carbon and aluminum targets sandwiched with CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors. An automated microscope system and a track-to-track matching algorithm were used to count and recognize the primary and secondary particles. The measured cross sections were then compared with published cross sections and predictions of different models. Two models and the three-dimensional Monte Carlo Particle Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) were used to calculate total charge-changing cross sections. Both models agreed within a few percent for the system ²⁴Mg + CH₂, however a deviation up to 20% was observed for the systems ²⁰Ne + H₂O and C₅H₈O₂, when using one of the models. For all the studied systems, PHITS systematically underestimated the total charge-changing cross section. It was also found that the partial fragmentation cross sections for ²⁴Mg + CH₂ measured in present and earlier works deviated up to 20% for Z = 6–11. Measured cross sections for the production of fragments (Z = 4–9) for ²⁰Ne + H₂O and C₅H₈O₂ were compared with predictions of three different semi-empirical models and JQMD which is used in the PHITS code. The calculated cross sections differed from the measured data by 10–90% depending on which fragment and charge was studied, and which model was used.     

Multi-species time-history measurements during n-hexadecane oxidation behind reflected shock waves

Species concentration time-histories were measured during oxidation for the large, normal-alkane, diesel-surrogate component n-hexadecane. Measurements were performed behind reflected shock waves in an aerosol shock tube, which allowed for high fuel loading without pre-test heating and possible decomposition and oxidation. Experiments were conducted using near-stoichiometric mixtures of n-hexadecane and 4% oxygen in argon at temperatures of 1165–1352 K and pressures near 2 atm. Concentration time-histories were recorded for five species: C₂H₄, CH₄, OH, CO₂, and H₂O. Methane was monitored using DFG laser absorption near 3.4 μm; OH was monitored using UV laser absorption at 306.5 nm; C₂H₄ was monitored using a CO₂ gas laser at 10.5 μm; and CO₂ and H₂O were monitored using tunable DFB diode laser absorption at 2.7 and 2.5 μm, respectively. These time-histories provide critically needed kinetic targets to test and refine large reaction mechanisms. Comparisons were made with the predictions of two diesel-surrogate reaction mechanisms (Westbrook et al. [1]; Ranzi et al. [9]) that include n-hexadecane, and areas of needed improvement in the mechanisms were identified. Comparisons of the intermediate product yields of ethylene for n-hexadecane with those found for other smaller n-alkanes, show that an n-hexadecane mechanism derived from a simple hierarchical extrapolation from a smaller n-alkane mechanism does not properly simulate the experimental measurements.