Structure and Shape Control of Hydrothermally Synthesized PbTiO3--Effects of pH and Complexing Agents

Tabular PE-PbTiO3,spherical PY-PbTiO3,and acicular PX-PbTiO3 powders were hydrothermally synthesized from triethanolamine(TEA)-complexed precurso;clubbed PE-PbTiO3 powders were obtained from diethanolamine(DEA)-complexed precursor,The effects of pH of the hydrolyzation as well as complexing agents including TEA,DEA,and MEA(monoethanolamine) on the structure and the morphology of PbTiO3 powders are discussed.The optimal conditions for hydrothermal Synthese of acicular and clubbed PbTiO3 powders have been established.The products were characterized by means of XRD.TEM and other techniques.     

Synthesis of PbTiO3 ceramics using mechanical alloying and solid state sintering

The pressure-less sintering behavior of PbTiO₃ powders synthesized by mechanical alloying TiO₂ and PbO was investigated using dilatometry and Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns. As-synthesized, the powders are nanocrystalline with a mean particle size of 20 nm. Pressure-less sintering in the range 500-1050°C gives single phase ceramics with densities of 85-90% and crystallite sizes in the range 80-400 nm. Cracking due to the paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition was not observed in samples sintered below 700°C due to the small crystallite size whereas macroscopic cracks formed in samples sintered above 700°C. Rietveld analysis indicates the formation of Pb vacancies in samples sintered and held for 24 h at intermediate temperatures (600-1000°C) which gives some insight into the mechanism of Pb loss and second phase formation in this system.     

Multicommutation in flow analysis. Part 3. Spectrophotometric kinetic determination of creatinine in urine exploiting a novel zone sampling approach

Zone sampling performed on a single analytical channel and associated with the stopped-flow approach was proposed and applied to the spectrophotometric kinetic determination of creatinine in urine based on Jaffé's reaction. The flow network comprised microcomputer controlled three-way solenoid valves. With multicommutation, the potentialities of zone sampling and stopped-flow were expanded, and the design of the flow set up was simplified. Influence of the main related parameters such as system configuration, reagent concentrations, temperature and timing were studied. The proposed system handled about 24 samples per hour. Baseline drift was not observed during extended operation periods (8 h). Sample pretreatment was not required. Results were reproducible (R.S.D. < 3%) and in agreement with those obtained in a batch procedure.     

Mechanistic investigation, kinetic modeling and analysis parameters of poly(3-hexylthiophene) degradation to fullerenes

Thermal degradation of Poly (3-hexylthiopene) (P3HT) was studied under nitrogen environment. Kinetic parameters of thermal degradation were determined using Vyazovkin model free method and model fitting method. Vyazovkin model free kinetic analysis is carried out to understand the variation of activation energy (E_α) required for degradation of polymer with conversion (α). Various reaction models have been tested for probable reaction mechanism using hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA). Diffusion model and nucleation & growth with n = 2/3 has prominent role in thermal decomposition of P3HT. A plausible degradation route is proposed based on the experimental details acquired from gas chromatography (GC), Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Degradation of P3HT starts at around 195 °C with release of lighter units like CS. Further increase in the temperature results in detachment of the hexyl chain from P3HT and the residue obtained at 1050 °C contains fullerenes mixed with amorphous carbon.     

Thermal stability and kinetic studies of new dinuclear copper(II) complexes with octaazamacrocyclic and multidonor bidentate ligands

The thermal properties of four copper(II) complexes with N,N′,N″,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (tpmc) and several bidentate ligands N,S (thiosemicarbazide and thiourea) or N,O donors (semicarbazide and urea), of the general formula [Cu₂(X)tpmc](ClO₄)₄, have been investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal stability order can be recognized for the examined complexes, depending on coordinated bidentate bridging N,S or N,O ligand. Kinetic data demonstrated first-order thermal decomposition. A plausible mechanism has been proposed which explains the major products of the degradation.     

Influence of barium source on the characteristics of sol-precipitated BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders and related ceramics

In order to obtain pure and fine BaTiO₃ powders with controlled morphology, sol-precipitation methods involving the use of titanium iso-propoxide and of two different barium sources, i.e. barium nitrate and barium acetate, were proposed in this work. The thermal behaviour of the synthesized gels and the X-ray diffraction data obtained for the oxide powders pointed out that, by using Ba(NO₃)₂ as barium source, the decomposition process was completed at lower temperature (750°C) and was accompanied by a more pronounced tendency to obtain a single phase BaTiO₃ composition, by comparison with the synthesis where barium acetate was used as raw material (1100°C). Scanning electron microscopy investigations emphasized the effect of the nature of barium source and synthesis conditions on the morphology of the oxide powders, as well as on the microstructure of the related ceramics.     

Oxidation and flow-injection amperometric determination of 5-hydroxytryptophan at an electrode modified by electrochemically assisted deposition of a sol-gel film with templated nanoscale pores

The oxidation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTPP) yielded a passivating polymeric film at an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. Coating ITO with a nanoscale sol-gel film with a mesoporous structure was shown to change the pathway of the chemical reaction coupled to the electron transfer. The sol-gel film was deposited by an electrochemically assisted process, and the mesoporosity was imparted by including generation-4 poly(amidoamine) dendrimer in the precursor solution. The dendrimer was removed subsequently with an atmospheric oxygen plasma. This electrode remained active during cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis of 5-HTPP, which was attributed to dimer, rather than polymer, formation from the oxidation product. Mass spectrometry confirmed this hypothesis. The anodic current was limited by the electron-transfer kinetics. Modification of the sol-gel film by inclusion of cobalt hexacyanoferrate, which catalyzes the oxidation, resulted in a diffusion-limited current. Determination of 5-HTPP by flow-injection amperometry had a detection limit of 17 nM.     

A new approach for fast, simultaneous NO/NO2 analysis: application of basic features of multiphoton-induced ionization and dissociation of NOx

A new method of simultaneously recording NO and NO2 concentrations in complex gas mixtures is described. This method is based on resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), on time-of-flight mass analysis, and on monitoring the kinetic energy released upon dissociation of NO2. Its benefits are high speed and high flexibility. NO/NO2 analysis can therefore be combined with the simultaneous monitoring of other components. For instance, NH3 is a compound of interest when studying the chemical reactions of NO(x) in catalytic converters of combustion engines. The spectroscopic excitation schemes used for this new method are discussed in detail. Its reliability has been demonstrated by performing measurements at an industrial motor test facility. This novel technique performs well in comparison with conventional NO(x) analysis using chemiluminescence detection.     

A general approach to medium-sized ring ethers via hydrolytic and oxidative kinetic resolutions: stereoselective syntheses of (−)-cis-lauthisan and (+)-isolaurepan

A short and enantioselective approach to medium ring ethers and its application to the syntheses of (−)-cis-lauthisan and (+)-isolaurepan are described. The synthetic strategy features Jacobson's Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution (HKR), oxidative resolution of secondary alcohol, and highly diastereoselective Et₃SiH/TMSOTf-promoted reductive cyclization of a hydroxy ketone to give exclusively the different medium-sized cis-disubstituted cyclic ethers.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of Al2−x Cr x O3 powders obtained by polymeric precursor method

Al₂O₃ and Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04) powders have been synthesized by the polymeric precursors method. A study of the structural evolution of crystalline phases corresponding to the obtained powders was accomplished through X-Ray Diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy (reflectance spectra and CIEL^*a^*b^* color data). The obtained results allow to identify the γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition. The single-phase α-Al₂O₃ powder was obtained after heat treatment at 1050 °C for 2 h. The results show that the green to red color transition and ruby luminescence lines observed for the powders of Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ are related to the γ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition and the temperature and time range for such transition depends on the chromium content.     

Method development and validation for the analysis of a new anti-cancer infusion solution via HPLC

A fast and simple HPLC method has been developed and validated for the quantification of a completely new anti-cancer drug during the manufacturing process. The combination of four compounds including α-ketoglutaric acid, hydroxymethylfurfural, N-acetyl-L-methionine and N-acetyl-L-selenomethionine, administered intravenously, is still in test phase but has already shown promising results in cancer therapy. HPLC separation was achieved on an RP-18 column with a gradient system. However, the highly different concentrations of the compounds required a variation in the detection wavelength within one run. In order to produce a chromatogram where peaks were comparable on a similar range scale, detection at absorption maxima for the two most concentrated components was avoided. After optimization of the gradient program it was possible to detect all four substances within 14 min in spite of their strongly different chemical structure. The method developed was validated for accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility and robustness in relation to temperature and pH of buffer. Linearity as well as the limit of detection and quantification were determined. This HPLC method was found to be precise, accurate and reproducible and can be easily used for in-line process control during the manufacture of the anti-tumour infusion solution.     

An efficient and economical synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via Pb(II) salt catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and sodium azide

A simple, mild and efficient method is developed for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles. Out of three used Pb(II) catalysts, lead chloride (PbCl₂) has been found to be an efficient catalyst for [3+2] cycloaddition of NaN₃ with aromatic and aliphatic nitriles to afford 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles. The catalyst is reusable up to four cycles with consistent activity. The cost effectiveness and easy availability of the catalyst, simple methodology, excellent yield and easy work-up are the additional advantages.     

Structural and computational analysis of intermolecular interactions in a new 2‐thiouracil polymorph

The crystallization and characterization of a new polymorph of 2‐thiouracil by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, Hirshfeld surface analysis and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations are described. The previously published polymorph (A ) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P , while that described herein (B ) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2₁/c . Periodic DFT calculations showed that the energies of polymorphs A and B , compared to the gas‐phase geometry, were −108.8 and −29.4 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The two polymorphs have different intermolecular contacts that were analyzed and are discussed in detail. Significant differences in the molecular structure were found only in the bond lengths and angles involving heteroatoms that are involved in hydrogen bonds. Decomposition of the Hirshfeld fingerprint plots revealed that O…H and S…H contacts cover over 50% of the noncovalent contacts in both of the polymorphs; however, they are quite different in strength. Hydrogen bonds of the N—H…O and N—H…S types were found in polymorph A , whereas in polymorph B , only those of the N—H…O type are present, resulting in a different packing in the unit cell. QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms in molecules) computational analysis showed that the interaction energies for these weak‐to‐medium strength hydrogen bonds with a noncovalent or mixed interaction character were estimated to fall within the ranges 5.4–10.2 and 4.9–9.2 kJ mol⁻¹ for polymorphs A and B , respectively. Also, the NCI (noncovalent interaction) plots revealed weak stacking interactions. The interaction energies for these interactions were in the ranges 3.5–4.1 and 3.1–5.5 kJ mol⁻¹ for polymorphs A and B , respectively, as shown by QTAIM analysis.     

Structural analysis of certain linear operators representing chemical network systems via the existence and uniqueness theorems of spectral resolution. IV

Part IV of this series consists of two complementary subparts devoted to attain the following two goals: (i) By shifting from the previous setting of the Banach algebra B (ℬ︁)= B (ℬ︁, ℬ︁) to a broader setting of the space B (X, ℬ︁) of all bounded linear operators from a normed space X to a Banach space ℬ︁, we extend our previous theoretical framework to incorporate part of the theory of additive correlation involving the Asymptotic Linearity Theorems, which have been developed for a study of correlation between structure and properties in molecules having many identical moieties, especially in macromolecules having repeating units. (ii) By reverting our focus to the special algebra B (ℋ︁) with ℋ︁ being a Hilbert space, we develop a theorem which is useful for a structural analysis of spectral symmetry of linear operators representing physico-chemical network systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 67 : 57–69, 1998     

Structural analysis of certain linear operators representing chemical network systems via the existence and uniqueness theorems of spectral resolution. III

By extending the methodology given in Parts I and II of this series of articles, certain dynamical systems of chemical kinetic equations are analyzed in the setting of the Banach algebra B(ℬ︁) of all bounded operators acting on a Banach space ℬ︁. In this article, we proceed from the general setting of B(ℬ︁), which played a central role in Part II, toward its specific application to the dynamical systems. In our analysis, crucial initial steps are taken by (i) equipping the abstract space ℬ︁ with the “positive quadrant,” which we denote by Γ(ℝ⁺ⁿ), and by (ii) investigating the asymptotic behavior of the solution χ_ϵ(t) of the initial-value problem is suitably specified for our application purposes. The main theorem and its two specialized versions, together with the notions of Γ-semipositive operators and semipositive matrices presented here, serve as fundamental tools for the analysis of a class of dynamical systems of chemical kinetic equations whose examples were illustratively treated in the previous parts of this series of articles. The techniques developed here for an asymptotic analysis of chemical kinetic dynamical systems will be linked and unified with those for the asymptotic analysis of quantum mechanical systems in a forthcoming part of this series of articles. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 63: 149–163, 1997     

Reactions of Co2(CO)8 and of Co2(CO)6L (L = 3-pentyn-1-ol, 1,4-butyn-diol or 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol) with 2(diphenylphosphino)ethyl-trietoxysilane and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine for applications to new sol-gel materials

The complex Co₂(CO)₆[μ-η²-(H₃CCCCH₂CH₂OH)] (1) with the ligand 3-pentyn-1-ol (pol) has been synthesized following established procedures. Its structure has been determined by X-ray analysis. The complex Co₂(CO)₆(mbo) (mbo = 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, HCCC(CH₃)₂OH), (3), along with the already known Co₂(CO)₆(bud) (bud = 1,4-butyn-diol, HOCH₂CCCH₂OH) (2), and Co₂(CO)₈ were reacted with 2(diphenylphosphino)ethyl-triethoxysilane [Ph₂PCH₂CH₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃] (dpts) and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine [P(CH₂OH)₃] (thp). With dpts, mono- and di-substituted complexes were obtained: these were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The structures of Co₂(CO)₆(dpts)₂ (5) and of Co₂(CO)₄(pol)(dpts)₂ (8) have been determined by X-ray analysis.Complex (1) was reacted with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate [(H₃CCH₂O)₃Si(CH₂)₃NCO] (tsi): the new complex Co₂(CO)₆[H₃CCCCH₂CH₂OC(O)NH(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃] (9) was obtained and spectroscopically characterized. The complex has also been reacted with tetraethyl orthosilicate (teos); a new inorganic-organometallic material was obtained. Complex (5) has been grafted on the mesoporous material SBA-15. The hybrid inorganic-organometallic materials obtained have been characterized by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) under vacuum conditions, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled to EDS probe (SEM-EDS).     

Synthesis and application of bimetallic chiral [Co(salen)]‐type complexes: a new catalytic approach to synthesis of optically pure β‐blockers via kinetic resolution of epichlorohydrin

A series of bimetallic chiral [Co(salen)]‐type complexes were successfully applied for the synthesis of optically pure β‐blockers via phenolic kinetic resolution (PKR) of racemic epichlorohydrin [2‐(chloromethyl)oxirane; ( ± )ECH]. The reaction proceeded readily at room temperature and consequently provided enantiomerically enriched corresponding α‐aryloxy alcohols with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 98% ee. The PKR method described in this work is highly efficient and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of chiral building blocks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous liquid chromatography-fluorescence analysis of type A and type B trichothecenes as fluorescent derivatives via reaction with coumarin-3-carbonyl chloride

A method for the simultaneous LC-fluorescence detection (FLD) determination of eight trichothecenes A and B by pre-column derivatization with coumarin-3-carbonyl chloride, a highly fluorescent fluorophore, has been developed. The reaction conditions (temperature, reaction time, reactant ratios) were optimized to give a reproducible quantitative conversion. All derivatives were characterized by LC-MS. The chromatographic parameters were optimized (column, eluent) to give a very good separation of three type A (diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin) and five type B trichothecenes [deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol, fusarenon-X, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol]. The best conditions were obtained on a narrow-bore C18 column with a water-methanol gradient. The detection limits (S/N = 3:1) in grain samples, with an injected volume of 5 microl, were 0.2-1 ng/g for all trichothecenes. These values are more than one order of magnitude lower than those of other LC-FLD and LC-MS methods and are similar to those obtained by GC-MS. The calibration curves were linear between 100 and 2500 ng/g. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of a certified wheat reference material, after solvent extraction and clean-up on a Mycosep column, obtaining a good recovery (89% for DON) and a high accuracy (z-score value: 0.67).     

Structural,functional, and evolutionary analysis of late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEA) in Triticum aestivum: A detailed molecular level biochemistry using in silico approach

LEA (Late Embryogenesis Abundant) proteins are abundant in plants and play a crucial role in abiotic stress tolerance. In our work, we primarily focused on the variations in physiochemical properties, conserved domains, secondary structure, gene ontology and evolutionary relationships among 40 LEA proteins of Triticum aestivum (common wheat). Wheat LEA protein belongs to first 6 classes out of the 13 classes present in LEApdB, the comprehensive database for LEA proteins. Proteins belonging to each LEApdB class have structures and functions distinguished from other classes. The study found three different conserved LEA domains in Triticum aestivum. One important domain was dehydrin, present in wheat proteins of classes 1, 2 and 4, though varied in sequence level, have similar biological processes. The study also found sequence level and phylogenetic similarity between dehydrin domains of class 1 and 4, but distinct from that of LEApdB class 2. This study also demonstrated functional diversity in two class 6 proteins occurred due to many destabilizing mutations in the LEA4 domain that caused alteration of ligand binding and conformational shift from 3₁₀-helix → turn within the domain. The LEA4 domains of these proteins also showed functional similarity and evolutionary relatedness with three other proteins of genus Aegilops, denoting that these proteins in Triticum aestivum were derived from its ancestor Aegilops. The study also assigned LEApdB class 4 to an unclassified LEA protein ‘WZY2-1’ based on amino acid composition, conserved domain, motif architecture and phylogenetic relatedness with class 4 proteins. Our study has revealed a detailed analysis of LEA proteins in Triticum aestivum and can serve as a pillar for further investigations and comparative analysis of wheat LEA proteins with other cereal or plant types.     

Hybrid peptide hairpins containing alpha- and omega-amino acids: conformational analysis of decapeptides with unsubstituted beta-, gamma-, and delta-residues at positions 3 and 8

The effects of inserting unsubstituted omega-amino acids into the strand segments of model beta-hairpin peptides was investigated by using four synthetic decapeptides, Boc-Leu-Val-Xxx-Val-D-Pro-Gly-Leu-Xxx-Val-Val-OMe: peptide 1 (Xxx=Gly), peptide 2 (Xxx=betaGly=betahGly=homoglycine, beta-glycine), peptide 3 (Xxx=gammaAbu=gamma-aminobutyric acid), peptide 4 (Xxx=deltaAva=delta-aminovaleric acid). 1H NMR studies (500 MHz, methanol) reveal several critical cross-strand NOEs, providing evidence for beta-hairpin conformations in peptides 2-4. In peptide 3, the NMR results support the formation of the nucleating turn, however, evidence for cross-strand registry is not detected. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of peptide 3 reveal a beta-hairpin conformation for both molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, stabilized by four cross-strand hydrogen bonds, with the gammaAbu residues accommodated within the strands. The D-Pro-Gly segment in both molecules (A,B) adopts a type II' beta-turn conformation. The circular dichroism spectrum for peptide 3 is characterized by a negative CD band at 229 nm, whereas for peptides 2 and 4, the negative band is centered at 225 nm, suggesting a correlation between the orientation of the amide units in the strand segments and the observed CD pattern.