Liquid crystal orientation in elliptic droplets in nematic emulsions

Elliptic droplets of nematic liquid crystal dispersed in a fluid organic monomer were obtained by phase separation from an isotropic mixture consisting of an organic monomer and a nematic liquid crystal contained in a poly(ethylene terephthalate) cell with inner surfaces treated with rubbed polyimide. The elliptic shape is a consequence of the constraint upon droplet growth along the direction perpendicular to the cell surfaces owing to the small thickness. Then, the resulting droplets will have a contact area with the inner surfaces of the cell treated with polyimide, which will impart a planar orientation on the liquid crystal in the droplet. By means of an optical microscope, using a simple pin hole of 5 μ m, we have selected single droplets for a series of samples having different contact areas. By polarized infrared spectroscopy we have also studied the liquid crystal orientation in selected areas of the droplets. We then report the dependence of the order parameter of the liquid crystal on different contact areas with the alignment surface of the cell. The good degree of planar alignment of the liquid crystal in the elliptic droplets allows the use of such a technique for realizing electro-optical films operating in the reverse mode. We report the electro-optical transmission of reverse mode films with different sizes of elliptic droplet.     

Surface Modification of Poly-ε-Caprolactone with an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

In this work, poly-ε-caprolactone samples are modified by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet in pure argon and argon/water vapour mixtures. In a first part of the paper, the chemical species present in the plasma jet are identified by optical emission spectroscopy and it was found that plasmas generated in argon/0.05 % water vapour mixtures show the highest emission intensity of OH (A–X) at 308 nm. In a subsequent section, plasma jet surface treatments in argon and argon/water vapour mixtures have been investigated using contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The polymer samples modified with the plasma jet show a significant decrease in water contact angle due to the incorporation of oxygen-containing groups, such as C–O, C=O and O–C=O. The most efficient oxygen inclusion was however found when 0.05 % of water vapour is added to the argon feeding gas, which correlates with the highest intensity of OH (X) radicals. By optimizing the OH (X) radical yield in the plasma jet, the highest polymer modification efficiency can thus be obtained.     

The Use of Various Chromatographic Techniques for the Determination of Phenylurea Herbicides and Their Corresponding Anilines in Environmental Samples,II. Applications

Abstract

In earlier work, various strategies have been developed for the trace-level determination of phenylurea herbicides and the anilines which are their main degradation products. They include catalytic hydrolysis of the phenylureas on silica, liquid chromatographic fractionation of complex mixtures of herbicides and anilines, derivatization of anilines and herbicides with electron-capture-sensitive reagents, and final analysis by means of capillary gas chromatography. In the present paper, the application of these principles to trace-level analysis of surface water, soil and crop samples is demonstrated.     

Biosensors based on gold nanoelectrode ensembles and screen printed electrodes

Gold nanowires were synthesized within polycarbonate membranes according to an electroless deposition method, obtaining nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) with special electrochemical features. NEEs were coupled with home-produced carbon graphite screen printed electrodes and the electrochemical properties of the original nanoelectrode ensemble on screen printed substrate (NEE/SPS) assembly has been tested for sensors application. Glucose oxidase has been used as model enzyme in order to verify the feasibility of disposable gold NEE/SPS biosensors. Finally, different immobilisation and electrochemical deposition techniques based on either self assembled monolayers of cysteamine (CYS) or amino-propyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) and conductive polyaniline (PANI) molecular wires were used. Spatial patterning of the enzyme on the polycarbonate surface and of PANI wires on gold nanoelectrodes was obtained. Possible direct electron transfer between the enzyme and the PANI modified gold nanoelectrodes has been evaluated.     

Antarctic Environmental Specimen Bank-First 5 Years of Experience

Abstract

The Project on an Antarctic Environmental Specimen Bank (Banca Campioni Ambientali Antartici—BCAA) began in 1994 in order to collect and classify samples from the Antarctic ecosystem to be used for future studies.

The objectives of the project are similar to the general aims of the Environmental Specimen Banks, but they specifically focus on the chemical aspects concerning the research activities of the Italian Project on the “Micropollutants Chemistry” (Sector “Chemical Contamination” of the Italian Antarctic Research Programme—PNRA).

During these first years the facilities suitable for storing a significant number of specimens (now over 2,000) at different temperatures (from ?30°C to ?150°C) and a database system, specifically designed for managing and consulting information concerning both the storage of samples and data on their chemical characterisation, have been developed.

In addition, a programme for validating the procedures of Antarctic organisms storage by checking the stability of some chemical parameters both in fresh and freeze-dried specimens has been developed.     

Volatile organic compounds in an urban environment: a comparison among Belgium,Vietnam and Ethiopia

The effects of urban and indoor air pollution on human health are a major environmental concern for all, but not much has been researched in the developing world. Specifically, quantitative data on the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – main contributors to air pollution – in Asia and Africa are scarce compared to the availability of data in the developed world. This paper presents one of the first studies focusing on the analysis and occurrence of VOCs in Vietnam and Ethiopia, which constitutes part of the novelty of this work. A spectrum of 34 VOCs was measured at eight different urban sites in Ghent (Belgium), Hanoi (Vietnam), Jimma and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) during three sampling campaigns from September 2008 to September 2010. Sampling was done in an active way by means of sorbent tubes filled with Tenax TA. The analysis was done by TD-GC-MS using internal standard calibration. Data were interpreted and compared in terms of (i) individual, subgroup and total VOCs concentration (TVOCs), (ii) indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) concentration ratios, (iii) source identification by diagnostic ratio and/or correlation coefficients, and (iv) ozone formation potential (OFP) at outdoor sites based on up-to-date maximum incremental reactivity (MIR). I/O concentration ratios varied between 0.2 and 30, with big differences noticed with respect to the type of VOC(s) considered and the type of outdoor sampling location. The highest TVOC concentrations were measured in street samples with maximum values of 54?µg/m³ in Ghent, 507?µg/m³ in Hanoi and 318?µg/m³ in Addis Ababa illustrating the large difference in ambient air quality levels. This is also reflected in the arithmetic mean OFP values (µg/m³) of 82, 1308 and 596 in Ghent, Hanoi and Addis Ababa, respectively. Results of this study could be helpful to support formulation of national policy with regard to ambient air quality.     

Derivatives of 3-Deoxy-3-(N-Hydroxyamino)-D-Ribose

Abstract

A series of 3-(N-arylmethyl-N-hydroxyamino)-l,2-O-cyclopentylidene-3-deoxy-5-O-toluoyl-α-D-riboses has been prepared. The blocking groups used were chosen to allow an easy nucleosidation of these compounds to spin labelled analogs of natural nucleosides. The conformational behavior of the N-arylmethyl-N-hydroxyamino group has been studied using ³/_CH NMR coupling data and molecular mechanics computations. Upon spontaneous oxidation, these hydroxylamines led to the corresponding aminoxyl free radicals which were submitted to EPR spectroscopy and quantum mechanical computations at a semiempirical level (PM3).     

Titanium complexes bearing carbamato ligands as catalytic precursors for propylene polymerization reactions

This report describes propylene polymerization reactions with titanium complexes bearing carbamato ligands, Ti(O₂CNMe₂)Cl₂ ( I ) and Ti(O₂CR₂)₄ [R₂ = NMe₂ ( II ), NEt₂ ( III ) and ( IV )]. Combinations of these complexes and MAO form catalysts for the synthesis of atactic polypropylene, as confirmed by FT‐IR, DSC and ¹³C NMR analysis. Effects of main reaction parameters on the catalyst activity were studied including the type of complex, solvent, temperature, and the [Al]/[Ti] molar ratio. The highest activity was observed when chlorobenzene was used as a solvent and AlMe₃‐depleted MAO was employed as a cocatalyst. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4095–4102     

A New Procedure for Highly Regio‐ and Stereoselective Iodoacetoxylation of Protected Glycals and α‐1,2‐Cyclopropanated Sugars

Protected glycals and α‐1,2‐cyclopropanated sugars were converted in high yields and selectivities in less than 2 h at low temperatures to 2‐deoxy‐2‐iodoglycosyl acetates or novel 2‐deoxy‐2‐iodomethylglycosyl acetates using the simple, inexpensive reagent mixture of ammonium iodide, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic anhydride/acetic acid in acetonitrile. The protected glycals gave rise to 2‐deoxy‐2‐bromoglycosyl acetates when ammonium bromide was used instead of the iodide, although longer reaction times were required and selectivities were inferior. Other simple olefins such as styrene and indene were also converted to their corresponding 1,2‐trans‐iodoacetates.     

Annelated Pyridines as Highly Nucleophilic and Lewis Basic Catalysts for Acylation Reactions

New heterocyclic derivatives of 9‐azajulolidine have been synthesized and characterized with respect to their nucleophilicity and Lewis basicity. The Lewis basicity of these bases as quantified through their theoretically calculated methyl‐cation affinities correlate well with the experimentally measured reaction rates for addition to benzhydryl cations. All newly synthesized pyridines show exceptional catalytic activities in benchmark acylation reactions, which correlate only poorly with Lewis basicity or nucleophilicity parameters. A combination of Lewis basicity with charge and geometric parameters in the framework of a three‐component quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model is, however, highly predictive.