Identifying acetylated lignin units in non-wood fibers using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A series of non-wood plant fibers, namely kenaf, jute, sisal and abaca, have been analyzed upon pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) of the whole material. The pyrolysis products mainly arise from the carbohydrate and lignin moieties of the fibers. The lignin-derived phenols belonged to the p-hydroxyphenylpropanoid (H), guaiacylpropanoid (G) and syringylpropanoid (S) structures, and showed a high S/G ratio of between 2.0 and 5.4, the highest corresponding to kenaf. Among the lignin-derived phenols released, small amounts of sinapyl and coniferyl acetates (in both cis- and trans-forms) were identified for the first time upon Py-GC/MS of lignocellulosic materials. Acetylation of the sinapyl and coniferyl alcohols was at the gamma-position of the side chain. The release of these alcohols derived from intact acetylated lignin units upon pyrolysis seems to indicate that the native lignin in the fibers selected for this study is at least partially acetylated. Sinapyl (and coniferyl) acetates have recently been suggested to be authentic lignin precursors involved in the polymerization of lignin along with the normal sinapyl and coniferyl alcohols. Py-GC/MS will offer a convenient and rapid tool for analyzing naturally acetylated lignins, as well as to screen plant materials for the presence of acetylated units in lignin.     

Reduction of sulfoxides with boranes catalyzed by MoO2Cl2

The first example of an organic reduction with boranes catalyzed by a high valent oxo-complex is reported. The systems catecholborane/MoO₂Cl₂(H₂O)₂ (5 mol %) and BH₃·THF/MoO₂Cl₂ (5 mol %) proved to be very efficient for the reduction of sulfoxides to the corresponding sulfides in excellent yields.     

Flow injection system for hydrolysable tannin determination

A flow injection system was proposed to evaluate the transient product of a colorimetric reaction between hydrolysable tannin and potassium iodate (KIO₃) solution. The system optimization was accomplished by using statistical methods based on experimental design. Flow rate of KIO₃ solution, sample volume, carrier flow rate, and reaction coil were the selected factors for evaluation. On screening step, complete factorial 2⁴ was used and two levels for each selected factor were studied. For the optimization phase, a centered face composite design 2² + star was employed to evaluate sample volume and flow rate of KIO₃ solution, which were the factors identified in the screening phase as having more influence on the absorbance signal. After optimization, the proposed system was compared with batch determination. Some characteristics, such as analytical frequency, reagent consumption and chemical residues generation presented better results by the use of the proposed system if compared with batch method. The system presented good repeatability with standard deviation lower than 3%, for n = 10, linearity (R² = 0.9974) for tannic acid standard, analytical frequency of 15 injections h^− 1 and limit of quantification of 24 mg L^− 1 of tannic acid. Good results were obtained when the proposed system was applied to hydrolysable tannin determination in Stryphnodendron barbatimão, Eucalyptus citriodora and Phyllanthus niruri, samples of plants commonly used in popular medicine.     

Molybdenum(VI)-complexes with chiral N,O-ligands derived from carbohydrates: synthesis, structure and catalytic properties in asymmetric olefin epoxidation

Novel chiral 2′-pyridinyl alcohols derived from isopropylidene-protected carbohydrates are reported. They show different characteristics at the hydroxy group, but are all suitable ligands for chiral molybdenum(VI) complexes of the type MoO₂L₂ (L = chiral 2′-pyridinyl alcoholate). MoO₂(acac)₂ served as starting material in the complex syntheses. The structure of one ligand and one dioxo complex were exemplary established by X-ray crystallography. For catalytic runs in the enantioselective epoxidation catalysis trans-methylstyrene was used as model substrate, tert-butylhydroperoxide and cumolhydroperoxide, resp., as the oxidant.     

Transition metal complexes with thiosemicarbazide-based ligands,IV: Synthesis and molecular structure of 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde S-methylisothiosemicarbazonato-piperidine-copper(II)

Summary The reaction of warmDMF solutions of Cu(II) perchlorate, 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde S-methylisothiosemicarbazone (H₂ L) and piperidine (Pip) yielded the paramagnetic (_eff=2.19 B.M.) Cu(L)Pip complex, whereL is the dianionic form of H₂ L, formed as a result of deprotonation of the phenolic hydroxyl and NH₂ group. Crystal data of the complex are: monoclinic P2₁,a=11.902(4),b=6.765(3),c=11.343(4)Å; =112.92°,V=841.20(8)ų,M=400.9,Z=2,d ₀=1.60 gcm^–3,d _c =1.58 gcm^–3,F(000)=424. The structure was refined to a residualR=0.047. The copper(II) ion is coordinated in a square-planar arrangement by the piperidine nitrogen and the NNO set of donor atoms ofL.

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Komplexe der Übergangsmetalle mit Thiosemicarbazid-Liganden, IV. Synthese und molekulare Struktur von 5-Nitrosalicylaldehyd-S-methylisothiosemicarbazonato-piperidin-kupfer(II)

Zusammenfassung Durch die Reaktion in warmenDMF-Lösungen von Cu(II) Perchlorat, 5-Nitrosalicylaldehyd-S-methylisothiosemicarbazon (H₂ L) und Piperidin (Pip) wurde ein paramagnetischer Komplex (_eff=2.19 B.M.) Cu(L)Pip erhalten, wobeiL nach doppelter Deprotonierung (NH₂- und Phenolhydroxyl-Gruppe) als dianionische Form von H₂ L vorliegt. Die kristallographischen Daten des Komplexes sind: monokline Raumgruppe P2₁,a=11.902(4),b=6.765(3),c=11.343(4)Å, =112.92°;V=841.20ų,M=400.9,Z=2,d ₀=1.60 gcm^–3,d _c =1.58 gcm^–3,F(000)=424. Die struktur wurde bis zu einemR-Wert von 0.047 verfeinert. Die Koordination des Kupfers wird quadratisch-planar über den Piperidin-Stickstoff und die NNO-Donorhülle der Chelatliganden gebildet.

     

NADH Electrooxidation Using Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) (2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)-Exchanged Zirconium Phosphate Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes

We present a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified using the electron mediator bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione)(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺) exchanged into the inorganic layered material zirconium phosphate (ZrP). X‐Ray powder diffraction showed that the interlayer distance of ZrP increases upon [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺ intercalation from 10.3 Å to 14.2 Å. The UV‐vis and IR spectroscopies results showed the characteristic peaks expected for [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺. The UV‐vis spectrophotometric results indicate that the [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺ concentration inside the ZrP layers increased as a function of the loading level. The exchanged [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺ exhibited luminescence even at low concentration. Modified CPEs were constructed and analyzed using cyclic voltammetry. The intercalated mediator remained electroactive within the layers (E°′=–38.5 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, 3.5 M NaCl) and electrocatalysis of NADH oxidation was observed. The kinetics of the modified CPE shows a Michaelis–Menten behavior. This CPE was used for the oxidation of NADH in the presence of Bakers' yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. A calibration plot for ethanol is presented.     

Hair color changes and protein damage caused by ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet and visible radiations are known to damage hair. However, quantitative data relating damage to hair type, proteins and color to the radiation wavelength are missing. We studied the effect of UV plus visible, UVA plus visible, visible mercury-vapor lamp radiation and sunlight on (blended) virgin dark-brown, blond and red hair and (one head) virgin black and curly dark-brown hair. All hair types showed a substantial increase in protein loss in water after lamp and sun irradiation. The damaging effect of UVB was about 2-5 times higher than that of UVA plus visible radiation, depending on the hair type. Significant color changes were also observed in every hair type, after lamp and sun irradiation, being more pronounced for the light colored hairs. The luminosity difference parameter was the major contributor to the hair color changes, but significant changes in the red-green and yellow-blue parameters of every hair were observed. In this case, the damaging effect is ascribable mainly to UVA radiation. No significant changes in the mechanical properties or topography were observed in any case. We discuss these results in terms of hair type and composition and melanin types.     

Optimization model to support sustainable crop planning for reducing unfairness among farmers

Central European Journal of Operations Research - Agri-food production must increase while food waste needs to be reduced for improving the position of farmers. To do so it is necessary to...