Should the Gibbs analysis be revised?

Recently, some arguments were published that cast doubt on the validity of the Gibbs adsorption isotherm. The doubt was on whether the often visible linearly declining part in the surface tension versus logarithm of concentration plot of a surfactant solution, just before the critical micelle concentration, really represents a situation of constant adsorption. Those published arguments are partly of a conceptual nature and partly based on experimental evidence. The conceptual arguments appear to be based on a misunderstanding of the theory, while the arguments based on experimental evidence stem from an inaccurate treatment of these data. Our conclusion is that none of the relevant arguments put forward are valid. The experimental evidence, if properly treated, is in line with the Gibbs theory.     

Can extrapolation to the basis set limit be an alternative to the counterpoise correction? A study on the helium dimer

Configuration interaction and coupled cluster calculations are reported for He₂ using various orbital basis sets of the d-aug-AVXZ type, with the results being extrapolated to the one electron basis set limit both with counterpoise and without counterpoise correction. A generalized uniform singlet- and triplet-pair extrapolation scheme has been utilized for such a purpose. Using appropriate corrections to mimic full configuration interaction, the energies were predicted in excellent agreement with the best available estimates. The results also suggest that extrapolation to the complete basis set limit may be a general alternative to the counterpoise correction that yields a more accurate potential energy while being more economical.     

Should the AOAC use-dilution method be continued for regulatory purposes?

Despite its very poor reproducibility, AOAC INTERNATIONAL's use-dilution method (UDM) for bactericidal activity (AOAC Methods 964.02, 955.14, and 955.15) has been required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 1953 for regulatory purposes, while methods with better reproducibility have been adopted in Canada and Australia. This study reviews UDM from a statistical perspective. Additionally, the test's expected results were compared to those obtained from actual evaluation of several formulations. Significant gaps have been identified in the reproducibility of the test data as predicted by statistical analysis and those presented to the EPA for product registration. UDM's poor reproducibility, along with its qualitative nature, requires the concentration of the active ingredient to be high enough to ensure all or most carriers to be free of any viable organisms. This is not in accord with the current trends towards sustainability, human safety, and environmental protection. It is recommended that the use of the method for regulatory purposes be phased out as soon as possible, and methods with better design and reproducibility be adopted instead.     

Can Cellular Phototoxicity be Accurately Predicted on the Basis of Sensitizer Photophysics?

The phototoxicity of three structurally related photosensitizers (PS), deuteroporphyrin IX (DP) and monobromo (Br-DP) and dibromo (Br2-DP) derivatives, was studied in murine L1210 leukemia cells. These compounds were chosen on the basis of heavy-atom-induced differences in triplet yield, phi T, and lifetime, tau T, and used as tools to test a model for phototoxicity based on photophysical parameters. All three porphyrins were found to localize preferentially in the plasma membrane of L1210 cells by confocal fluorescence microscopy. A poor correlation was observed between the measured photodynamic efficacies of these PS and a model using photophysical parameters determined by laser flash photolysis in homogeneous solution. However, an excellent correlation was obtained when the same parameters measured directly in the cells were used. The biological microenvironment of the porphyrins in cells induces significant changes in the photophysics of the PS. Reduction in fluorescence yield, phi F, and phi T observed for Br2-DP in cell suspensions arises from self association of the molecule due to increased hydrophobicity and high local concentrations. The photophysical model was also tested for its ability to handle variations in the oxygen dependence of cellular phototoxicity of these PS. The good correlation achieved between laser flash photolysis data determined in cells and the measured phototoxicity under air, 1.5% and 0.5% O2-saturated conditions, proves the intermediacy of singlet oxygen. This study gives further credence to the direct use of photophysical techniques to elucidate photochemical mechanisms in biological media while highlighting the potential pitfalls of using solution data to predict photosensitizing potential.     

Should negative electron affinities be used for evaluating the chemical hardness?

Despite recent advances in computing negative electron affinities using density-functional theory, it is an open issue as to whether it is appropriate to use negative electron affinities, instead of zero electron affinity, to compute the chemical hardness of atoms and molecules with metastable anions. We seek to answer this question using the accepted empirical rules linking the chemical hardness to the atomic size and the polarizability; we also propose a new correlation with the C6 London dispersion coefficient. For chemical reactivity in the gas phase, it seems to make no difference whether negative, or zero, electron affinities are used for systems with metastable anions. For reactions in solution the evidence that is presently available is insufficient to establish a preference. In addressing this issue, we noted that electron affinity data from which atomic chemical hardness values are computed are out of date; an update to Pearson's classic 1988 table [Inorg. Chem., 1988, 27, 734-740] is thus provided.     

Interfacial properties of amphiphilic systems on the basis of natural polymers—chitin derivatives

A review of the amphiphilic derivatives of chitin, obtained by covalent grafting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic radicals, is given. It is shown that water-soluble alkylated derivatives of chitin and chitosan, as well as surfactant-polyelectrolyte complexes between oppositely charged surfactants, exhibit interfacial activity, forming structured (gel-like) adsorption layers (AL). Gel formation inside AL of chitin derivatives is characterized by means of interfacial dilational rheometry.     

Should the Woodward–Hoffmann Rules be Applied to Mechanochemical Reactions?

Since decades, pericyclic reactions have been well‐understood by means of the Woodward–Hoffmann rules and their classification as thermally or photochemically “allowed” or “forbidden”. Recently, stunning results on such reactions subject to mechanochemical activation by external forces instead of heat or light have revealed reaction pathways at sufficiently large forces, which are not expected from the Woodward–Hoffmann rules. This led to the much reiterated idea that the “Woodward–Hoffmann rules are broken in mechanochemistry”. Here, by studying ring‐opening of cyclopropane, we show that the electronic structure underlying the dis‐ and conrotatory pathways, which are greatly distorted upon applying forces to an extent that eventually the “thermally forbidden” process becomes “mechanochemically allowed”, does not change along both pathways. It is rather the mechanical work that lowers the activation barrier of the thermally forbidden conrotatory process relative to the disrotatory one at large forces.     

Prediction of the vaporization enthalpy based on modified Randi? indices. I. Monohydric alcohols

The vaporization enthalpy of monohydric alcohols with different structures under normal conditions is calculated using a modified Randič method with an error comparable to the experimental one. The energy of hydrogen bonds in alcohols is determined and shown to be constant and independent on the alcohol structure. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2009 by E. L. Krasnykh __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 577–581, May–June, 2009.     

How could the program of aging be arranged?

Aging could be a consequence of the programmed partial dedifferentiation of brain neurons that is performed through nonrandom losses of chronomeres-short perichromosomal DNA molecules that also participate in maintenance of cellular differentiation state. Process of their sequential losses, implementing as the “relay-race partial dedifferentiations,” serves as a basis for the activity of the lifelong brain clock that regulates a physiological age of multicellular animals. These relay-race dedifferentiations are performed in a consecutive mode by different groups of neurons during the peaks of a so called T-rhythm, whose length of period is different in various animal species.     

Analysis of influence of substituents on electrochemical oxidation and reduction potentials of aromatic and heterocyclic compounds,on the basis of the dependence of electronic effects of the substituents in π-systems on the character of the π-molecular orbitals

The influence of substituents on the electrochemical potentials of aromatic and heterocyclic -systems has been analyzed from the standpoint of the relationship between the electronic effects of the substituents and the structure of the -molecular orbitals. The proposed calculational schemes and parametrization can be used for quantitative estimates of the magnitudes of the electrochemical oxidation and reduction potentials of substituted aromatic and heterocyclic compounds.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 153–165, May–June, 1995.     

Teaching reaction efficiency through the lens of green chemistry: Should students focus on the yield,or the process?

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Immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B on the surface of modified sol–gel matrix

The use of modified sol–gel matrix to immobilize the enzyme Candida antartica lipase B (CALB) was investigated. Free hydroxyl groups on the matrix surface were exploited to covalently immobilize the enzyme. Based from the results, incorporating hydrophobic sol–gel precursor (ethyltrimethoxysilane) enhanced enzyme activity. An enzyme activity of 192.02 U/g beads with 80.88 % attachment was obtained. At alkaline pH, immobilization yield of enzyme increased. The attachment of enzyme on the surface of the matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscope images. Covalently immobilized CALB on sol–gel supports has higher thermal stability with 2.7 times higher half-life compared to soluble enzymes at 60 °C. This enzyme immobilization system retains the enzyme residual activity even for repetitive use. Hence, the immobilization approach developed recommends its further application.     

Annelation of the 1,2,4-triazole ring on the basis of α-hydrazino-substituted heterocycles and their hydrazones (review)

The literature data on methods for the synthesis of annelated 1,2,4-triazole systems on the basis of -hydrazino-substituted heterocycles and their hydrazones are correlated, and their chemical properties and biological activity are examined briefly.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 12, pp. 1587–1613, December, 1993.     

Novel sensor based on carbon paste/Nafion? modified with gold nanoparticles for the determination of glutathione

Several problems for the direct electrochemical oxidation of reduced glutathione (GSH) challenge the usage of electroanalytical techniques for its determination. In this work, the electrochemical oxidation of GSH catalyzed by gold nanoparticles electrodeposited on Nafion modified carbon paste electrode in 0.04?mol?L^?1 universal buffer solution (pH?7.4) is proved successful. The effect of various experimental parameters including pH, scan rate and stability on the voltammetric response of GSH was investigated. At the optimum conditions, the concentration of GSH was determined using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in two concentration ranges: 0.1?×?10^?7 to 1.6?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 and 2.0?×?10^?5 to 2.0?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1 with correlation coefficients 0.9988, 0.9949 and the limit of detections (LOD) are 3.9?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 and 8.2?×?10^?8?mol?L^?1, respectively, which confirmed the sensitivity of the electrode. The high sensitivity, wide linear range, good stability and reproducibility, and the minimal surface fouling make this modified electrode useful for the determination of spiked GSH in urine samples and in tablet with excellent recovery results obtained.     

Adsorption of β-carotene on modified magnesium silicate

Modified flocculation magnesium silicate is prepared by a hydrothermal process at 120°C for 18 h after adding Al₂(SO₄)₃ into the magnesium silicate gel. Compared with standard magnesium silicate with 328.116 m² g^–1 surface area, this modified magnesium silicate has a bigger BET surface area of 536.803 m² g^–1 and a lower interlayer water content. Modified magnesium silicate exhibits high β-carotene adsorption with a maximum adsorption capacity of 364.96 mg g^–1. It is shown that when suspended in organic solvent, this material can be used effectively for carotenoid separation. Furthermore, our results suggest that modified magnesium silicate may be a promising candidate as an absorbent in the decoloring of oil.     

DFT Methods to Study the Reaction Mechanism of Iridium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Olefins: Which Functional Should be Chosen?

To enable the selection of more accurate computational methods for the future theoretical exploration of the reaction mechanism of Ir‐catalyzed olefin hydrogenation, we compared high‐level ab initio coupled cluster and DFT calculations with a simplified model of Pfaltz's Ir/P,N‐type catalyst for all four previously proposed Ir^I/Ir^III and Ir^III/Ir^V mechanisms. Through the systematic assessment of the DFT performances, the DFT empirical dispersion correction (DFT‐D3) is found to be indispensable for improving the accuracy of relative energies between the Ir^I/Ir^III and Ir^III/Ir^V mechanisms. After including the DFT‐D3 correction, the three best performing density functionals (DFs) are B2‐PLYP, BP86, and TPSSh. In these recommended DFs, the computationally more expensive double‐hybrid functional B2‐PLYP‐D3 has a balanced and outstanding performance for calculations of the reaction barriers, reaction energies, and energy gaps between different mechanisms, whereas the less costly BP86‐D3 and TPSSh‐D3 methods have outstanding, but relatively less uniform performances.