High pressure differential thermal analysis of nematic compounds with different molecular shapes

By means of high pressure differential thermal analysis we measured the pressure/temperature phase diagrams of several nematic compounds with different molecular structures. Using pressures up to about 500 M Pa we found strongly nonlinear clearing curves. This behaviour is interpreted as changes from 'weak' intermolecular potentials to 'hard' potentials, or using thermodynarmic arguments, strong pressure dependence of the volume discontinuity at the clearing transitions.     

Organometallic complexes with biological molecues,part 3. in vivo cytotoxicity of diorganotin (IV) chloro and triorganotin (IV) chloro derivatives of penicillin g on chromosomes of aphanius fasciatus (pisces,cyprinodontiformes)

In order to obtain a continuous source of mitotic metaphases, gill tissue of Aphaius fasciatus (Pisces, Cyprinodontiformes) has been successfully employed. Results gathered after exposure of fish to R₂SnClpenG, R₃SnClpenGNa, to the parents R₂SnCl₂, R₃SnCl and to penGNa (penGNa = penicillinGNa; R = methyl, butyl and phenyl) suggest that both the parent organotin (IV) chloride and organotin (IV) chloropenG derivatives are toxic while penGNa exerts no significant toxic activity. Essentially, all of the chromosome abnormalities are classifiable as irregularly staining of chromosomes, breakages, side-arm bridges or pseudochiasmata.     

Photoinduced electron transfer variables: rigidity or orientation?

The relatives photoreactives of bridged-ring systems 1, 3, 5-X and 6-X (X ≡ Cl or Br) have been studied at 254 nm in acetic acid. The formation of photosolvolysis product was rationalized in terms of photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer (ET) processes. The relative ease of ET in these donor—bridge—acceptor model system was analyzed in terms of known ET variables including free-energy changes, orientation effects and ridigity effects. The observed relative photoreactivities agreed better with the calculated free-energy changes when relative rigidities of the electron acceptor termini were evaluated. In general, the more rigid system were more photoreactive.     

Synthesis of unsaturated polyester resins for large sized composites

A series of unsaturated polyesters based on phthalic anhydride (PHA), maleic anhydride (MA), ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DG), triethylene glycol (TG), propylene glycol (PG), styrene (Sty) and acrylonitrile (AN) were prepared. The molecular weights of the prepared polyesters were determined by end-group analysis. The effect of the structure of the resin on its curing behavior has been investigated. On the basis of the experimental study, the following were concluded: (1) The maximum curing temperature (T_max) is related to the molecular weight of the glycol incorporated in these castings. In this context the T_max was found to decrease with increasing the molecular weight. Meanwhile the time to peak temperature t_max was increasing. (2) The higher the percentage of AN in the crosslinking monomer system, the slower a resin cures. (3) The values of T_max were found to be influenced to a large extent by the percentage of AN.     

The potential of pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for determining the progress of lignification: An investigation of maturing asparagus sclerenchyma tissue

Sclerenchyma tissues from semi-mature and mature asparagus spears were analysed by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and by conventional chemical methods in order to determine the degree of lignification and compare analytical techniques. The pyrolysis data are similar to those obtained by a chemical method involving alkaline extraction at 70°C followed by spectrophotometric determination of phenolic content. The pyrolysis method was more rapid, sensitive and informative than the chemical technique and shows considerable potential for studying the chemical basis of the textural development of plant foods.     

Dehydration and dehydroxylation of reduced charge montmorillonite

Reduced charge montmorillonites (RCM) were prepared by the thermal treatment of lithiumsaturated montmorillonite. Samples prepared by mild thermal treatment with lithium contained more water sorbed than the original montmorrilonite. When RCMs were prepared, part of the lithium cations reacted with hydroxyl groups in the octahedral sheet and released protons, which reacted with the structure. Acid treatment probably enhanced the surface area. which was reflected in the amount of water sorbed. Deprotonation of hydroxyl groups was proved by the measurements of the ignition loss. The heating of lithium saturated montmorillonite at higher temperatures brough about the collapse of the interlayers and a decrease in the amount of water sorbed.     

A high sensitivity titration calorimeter using pyroelectric sensor

A new sensitive isothermal titration microcalorimeter using polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) as detector has been developed. Heat pulses of less than 0.4 μJ can be detected and the baseline noise level (p-p) is 40 nW. The calorimeter is constructed with one reaction cell (0.7 ml) insulated by several radiation shields inside a vacuum chamber. The performance of the instrument was examined by measuring the heat of protonation of Tris with HCl. The enthalpy of reaction was found to be ?49±1 kJ·mol^?1, in good agreement with the reported value of ?47.5 kJ·mol^?1.     

The dehydration of copper(II) acetate monohydrate

The thermal dehydration of copper(II) acetate hydrate has been studied between 353 and 406 K, over a range of humidities. The dehydration is controlled by nucleation-and-growth kinetics at low temperatures, with an activation energy of 154 kJ·mol⁻¹, which changes to contracting-disc kinetics at higher temperatures with a lower activation energy of 76 kJ·mol⁻¹. Frequency factors have also been derived; the value for the high temperature process is low (10⁷s⁻¹) and that for the low temperature step is high (10¹⁷s⁻¹). Optical microscopy has been used to clarify the bulk kinetics; there is evidence for a reactive layer at the surface of the decomposing solid. In celebration of the 60^th birthday of Dr Andrew K. Galwey     

Development of a so-called hour method for analysis of plutonium in soil samples

A short overview of HPLC column packings is presented. The properties of chromatographic carriers and the possibilities to combine the solid matrices with organic polymeric stationary phases are elucidated in detail. The latest achievements and anticipated future developments in the area are outlined.