Estimation of the uncertainty of mass measurements from in-house calibrated analytical balances

The uncertainty evaluation of mass measurements when using “in-house” calibrated analytical balances is revisited according to the Guide to the expression of Uncertainty Measurement (GUM). The calibration of analytical balances is discussed according to the guidelines of several bodies such as ASTM, UKAS and DKD/PTB. The remainder components of uncertainty can be estimated from the balance data sheet specifications.     

FTIR study of CO adsorption on molybdena-alumina catalysts for surface characterization

CO adsorption at low temperature has been used to probe Lewis acid sites created upon dehydroxylation of γ-Al₂O₃ and reduction of Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts, using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Carbon-monoxide adsorption on γ-Al₂O₃ and Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts dehydroxylated and reduced at different temperatures was studied at 78 K by IR spectroscopy. However, our results indicate that there is an approximately linear correlation between the increase either of dehydroxylation or the extent of reduction of the catalysts and the increasing absorbance of CO due to CO adsorption on Lewis acid sites created upon dehydroxylation of γ-Al₂O₃ and reduction of Mo/Al₂O₃.     

Application of a Laplace Transform Method to the Study of Binary Mixtures of Spherical and Rod-Like Particles for Low Intensity Levels.

A Laplace Transform (LT) method is used to improve the results obtained in a quasi-elastic scattering (QELS) experiment. This is designed to determine the characteristic parameters of a bimodal solution of spherical and rod-like macromolecules. The theoretical study and the experimental simulation are carried out for low light levels and the results show that the LT technique provides a real alternative to the second order correlation function, g⁽²⁾(τ), in QELS measurements for these particularly difficult experimental conditions.     

Arsenic Speciation in Marine Sediments: Effects of Redox Potential and Reducing conditions

Abstract

The speciation of arsenic in the environment is among others controlled by reduction, methylation and oxidation processes and therefore influenced by the prevailing redox conditions. In this study we have analyzed sediments taken from La Coruña estuary in the north west of Spain. Inorganic (trivalent and pentavalent) and the organic (MMA and DMA) arsenic speciation is related to Eh, Fe and Mn load. The various of the arsenic species concentration and other parameters was analyzed at different depths in some of the sampling points. Low arsenic concentrations (1–10 μg·g^–1) were found. In spite of oxidising conditions (Eh values between 31–96 mV), most of the samples showed a higher As(V) percentage than As (III). Principal component analysis was made to see a sample groups and the results showed that speciation depends on reducing conditions (Eh and Mn).     

Unexpected reactivity of pyridinium salts toward alkynyl Fischer complexes to produce oxo‐heterocycles

The unprecedented reaction of ketone‐containing aromatic pyridinium salts 3a ‐ e and alkynyl Fischer complexes 1a ‐ f proceeds via a mild domino process to provide 4,6‐disubstituted pyran‐2‐ones 5a ‐ k and 2,3,5‐trisubstituted furans 6a ‐ h (45‐97%). According of the results of isotopic labeling experiments, a mechanism involving an initial Michael addition appears to be the key step, obtaining a mesomeric structure responsible for the formation of both products.     

The Effect of Auxiliary Nitrogenated Linkers on the Design of New Cadmium-Based Coordination Polymers as Sensors for the Detection of Explosive Materials

Three new cadmium-based coordination polymers, denoted [Cd(hfipbb)(4,4’-bipy)] ( CdPF-1 ), [Cd(hfipbb)(2,2’-bipy)] ( CdPF-2 ), and [Cd(hfipbb)(1,10-phen)] ( CdPF-3 ), have been hydrothermally synthesized by using the well-known V-shaped organic linker 4,4’-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)bis(benzoic acid) (H₂hfipbb), together with different nitrogenated auxiliary linkers. Considering the d¹⁰ configuration of the transition metal selected, the luminescent properties for these CdPF-n materials were explored, finding that materials CdPF-2 and CdPF-3 act as excellent sensors in the detection of explosive nitro aromatic compounds. The photoluminescence properties of CdPF-2 and CdPF-3 revealed that significant and sensitive fluorescence quenching was observed toward NP (nitrophenol) for CdPF-2 and PA (picric acid) for CdPF-3 in MeOH suspensions.     

Conformational properties of propargyloxy-calix[4]arene tricarboxamides: NMR and DFT studies on the O-through-the-annulus rotation

The size limit of substituents allowing O-through-the-annulus rotation of substituted calix[4]arenes was further extended to the propargyloxy group in 24-propargyloxy-25,26,27-tris(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylmethoxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene by demonstrating its free but slow motion affording equilibrium between the partial cone and 1,2-alternate conformers. The effect of solvent and upper rim substituents R¹ on the conformational inversion was investigated by means of ¹H NMR. The rotational isomerisation of the parent (R¹ = H) analogue could not unambiguously be detected. The experimental results were supported by comprehensive density functional theory studies.