Toxic elements content in PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> samples from a coastal area of the Northern Adriatic Sea

PM₁₀ samples were collected during winter and summer seasons at two different sites in the area of Trieste (Italy). The content of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and V in the PM₁₀ samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, with the purpose of evaluating the relevance of PM₁₀ inhalation as a route of human exposure to these elements. The results showed that the ambient air concentration of the aforementioned elements were below the limits or target values for both sites and season. Site and season-specific correlation analysis was conducted for the identification of metals with similar origin: very good correlation for the couple Ni-V was found in both sites and seasons, showing the influence of combustion of heavy oils in PM₁₀ composition. The inter-site and seasonal variability of both PM₁₀ and metal concentrations were examined. A stronger impact by the vehicular traffic on the PM₁₀ and metal concentrations was found for the urban site in both seasons. Because of the great importance of the “Bora” wind on the local climate, variability of PM₁₀ and toxic elements concentration with wind were analysed, allowing determination of the effect of wind on dilution of the pollutants for the urban site during both seasons.      

Ionic liquid promoted synthesis of bis(indolyl) methanes

1-benzyl-3-methyl imidazolium hydrogen sulphate [bnmim][HSO₄] was found to be an effective catalyst for the condensation reaction of indoles and derivatives with benzaldehydes in microwave irradiation with lower reaction time and higher yields to give bis(indolyl) methanes.      

Solid-state linear polarized IR-spectroscopy of croconic and rhodizonic acids

The applications of linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy to oriented colloid suspensions in a nematic host are demonstrated with croconic and rhodizonic acids. The experimental IR vibrational assignments of the solid-state of both neutral compounds are presented. Assignments are supported by theoretical quantum chemical calculations and vibrational analysis at the DFT level of theoretical approximation with the 6-311++G^** basis set.      

Ugi products containing boronate esters

The Ugi reaction with formylphenylboronic acid derivatives as the carbonyl component proceeds to give the corresponding boron-containing dipeptide derivatives (Ugi products) in good yields.      

Voltammetric determination of some alkaloids and other compounds in pharmaceuticals and urine using an electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode

Electrochemical behaviour of some alkaloids, namely: caffeine, aminophylline, theophylline, codeine phosphate and papaverine hydrochloride, that are in solution in various combinations or in the presence of other compounds contained in pharmaceuticals or in real samples (urine) was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode.      

RP-HPLC determination of lipophilicity in series of quinoline derivatives

In the present paper we describe results on the synthesis and lipophilicity determination of a series of biologically active compounds based on their heterocyclic structure. For synthesis of styrylquinoline-based compounds we applied microwave irradiation and solid phase techniques. The correlation between RP-HPLC retention parameter log k (the logarithm of retention factor k) and log P data calculated in various ways is discussed, as well as, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds.      

The binary system PbO - BiVO4

Phase equilibria established in the PbO - BiVO₄ system over the whole component concentration range up to 1000°C have been investigated. A phase diagram has been constructed using DTA and XRD.      

Bi(NO3)3 · 5H2O mediated synthesis of 4,4′-diaminotriarylmethane leuco malachite compounds under solvent-free conditions

In this report, we described the synthesis and characterization of a variety of diaminotriarylmethane derivatives with dimethylamino functional groups. These compounds were synthesized by the tandem regio-selective electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction of N,N-dimethylaniline with aryl aldehydes to form the corresponding diaminotriarylmethane compounds. In our strategy, Bi(NO₃)₃ was used as a catalyst under solvent free conditions to afford the desired products in good to excellent yields.      

Spectral study of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid interaction with human and bovine serum albumins

Fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used to investigate the interaction of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) under physiological conditions in a buffer solution of pH 7.4.      

Metathesis transformations of unsaturated derivatives of β-diketones

Selected β-diketones bearing unsaturated derivatives have been demonstrated to undergo homo-metathesis and cross-metathesis with selected olefins in the presence of Grubbs catalysts. The reactions led to respective homo- and cross-metathesis products mainly with good yields and selectivities.      

Recent development in capillary ion chromatography technology

This review summarizes the development of capillary ion chromatography (CIC) over approximately the last 5 years. It mainly focuses on the technologic aspects of several key components associated with CIC, including micropump, microscale electrodialytic eluent generator, microscale suppressor and the detector.      

High Stokes shift long-wavelength energy gap regulated fluorescence in the series of nitro/dimethylamino-substituted ortho-analogs of POPOP

A series of novel nitro-substituted ortho-analogs of POPOP was synthesized. Like the most of the other known compounds of this class, the synthesized molecules demonstrate high Stokes shift fluorescence emission owing to the planarization of their molecules at electronic excitation. Significant fluorescence quenching in polar solvents was described as the “energy gap law” action rather than the specific effect of the dialkylamino group excited state twisting.      

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones catalyzed by aminosulfonamide-ruthenium complexes in ionic liquid

Chiral aminosulfonamides containing imidazolium group were used as ligands for the ruthenium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones in ionic liquid, affording good to excellent conversions and enantiomeric excesses. The catalytic system could be easily recovered and reused several times.      

Simultaneous displacement of a nitro group during coupling of diazotized <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-nitroaniline with phenols

During the diazo-coupling reaction, nucleophilic displacement of a nitro group was also observed. This was the main reaction (1→7) when the starting amine bore either a chlorine or methoxy group at the para position (1b–c). The newly prepared compounds (7) might serve as convenient building blocks in synthesis of some heterocycles.      

Facile dehalogenation of halogenated anilines and their derivatives using Al-Ni alloy in alkaline aqueous solution

This article describes the simple hydrodehalogenation of halogenated anilines and their derivatives by the action of Raney aluminium-nickel alloy in aqueous alkaline solution at room temperature. The reaction course was monitored by means of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and GC-MS spectra.      

Preparation and examination of multilayer graphene nanosheets by exfoliation of graphite in high efficient attritor mill

Graphene multilayers have been prepared by mechanical method based on milling graphite in high efficient attritor mill. The results showed that the best dispersion media is ethanol, and 10 hours of intensive milling proved to be the most efficient way to separate the graphite layers as it was shown by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements.      

Efficient synthesis of diarylidene octahydroacridines by one-pot multi-component tandem reactions

A one-pot multi-component reaction is developed for the efficient synthesis of 4,5-dibenzylidene octahydroacridines in high yields. The reaction is performed by the tandem reaction of three molar equivalent aromatic aldehydes with two molar equivalent 4-alkylcyclohexanone in the system of NH₄OAc/HOAc under microwave irradiation.      

Total polyphenolic compounds contents (TPC), total antioxidant activities (TAA) and HPLC determination of individual polyphenolic compounds in selected Moravian and Austrian wines

Wine samples (Grüner Veltliner (GV) and Zweigelt (ZW) from four different geographical regions of Austria and Czech Republic) were analyzed to determine their total phenolic content (TPC) by applying the Folin-Ciocalteau method, total antioxidant activity (TAA) by FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) assays, and to identify and quantify eleven phenolic compounds using a HPLC/UV-VIS method.