Surface Chemistry on Small Ruthenium Nanoparticles: Evidence for Site Selective Reactions and Influence of Ligands

The reactivity of two classes of ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) of small size, either sterically stabilized by a polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP) or electronically stabilized by a ligand (bisdiphenylphosphinobutane, dppb) was tested towards standard reactions, namely CO oxidation, CO₂ reduction and styrene hydrogenation. The aim of the work was to identify the sites of reactivity on the nanoparticles and to study how the presence of ancillary ligands can influence the course of these catalytic reactions by using NMR and IR spectroscopies. It was found that CO oxidation proceeds at room temperature (RT) on Ru NPs but that the system deactivates rapidly in the absence of ligands because of the formation of RuO₂. In the presence of ligands, the reaction involves exclusively the bridging CO groups and no bulk oxidation is observed at RT under catalytic conditions. The reverse reaction, CO₂ reduction, is achieved at 120 °C in the presence of H₂ and leads to CO, which coordinates exclusively in a bridging mode, hence evidencing the competition between hydrides and CO for coordination on Ru NPs. The effect of ligands localized on the surface is also evidenced in catalytic reactions. Thus, styrene is slowly hydrogenated at RT by the two systems Ru/PVP and Ru/dppb, first into ethylbenzene and then into ethylcyclohexane. Selectively poisoning the nanoparticles with bridging CO groups leads to catalysts that are only able to reduce the vinyl group of styrene whereas a full poisoning with both terminal and bridging CO groups leads to inactive catalysts. These results are interpreted in terms of location of the ligands on the particles surface, and evidence site selectivity for both CO oxidation and arene hydrogenation.     

The dynamic development of exclusion zones on cellulosic surfaces

The dynamics of the development of solute exclusion zones produced by water in contact with various cellulosic surfaces are reported. The term “exclusion zone” (EZ) refers to the ordered water volume present immediately contiguous to hydrophilic surfaces. As such, three examples of cellulose-based films, i.e., cellophane, cellulose acetate with 0.94 degree of substitution (CA0.94) and cellulose acetate with 2.51 degree of substitution (CA2.51) were compared by exposure to sulfated-polystyrene microspheres (2 μm diameter) suspended in water. Zones that were not penetrated by the microspheres were observed in each case and measured by means of an optical microscope. The thickness of these exclusion zones adjacent to the cellulosic surfaces increased progressively with time and reached a maximum value of 190 μm after 1 h of exposure. Zone formation was influenced by roughness, crystallinity, and the degree of acetylation of the surfaces. For the cellulosic surfaces, the rougher the surface, the thicker was the EZ formed. Both the accessibility and availability of the hydroxyl groups on the cellulosic surfaces also influenced the thickness of the resultant EZ in the sequence, cellophane > CA0.94 > CA2.51. The surface of cellulose acetate with the greater substitution degree (CA2.51) produced the thinnest EZ. The diminution of the capacity of these cellulose derivatives to instigate water-molecule ordering is considered to be due to the hydrophobicity imparted by the acetyl group content.     

In situ Synchrotron IR Microspectroscopy of CO2 Adsorption on Single Crystals of the Functionalized MOF Sc2(BDC‐NH2)3

Synchrotron radiation (SR) IR microspectroscopy has enabled determination of the thermodynamics, kinetics, and molecular orientation of CO₂ adsorbed in single microcrystals of a functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF) under conditions relevant to carbon capture from flue gases. Single crystals of the small‐pore MOF, Sc₂(BDC‐NH₂)₃, (BDC‐NH₂=2‐amino‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate), with well‐defined crystal form have been investigated during CO₂ uptake at partial pressures of 0.025‐0.2 bar at 298–373 K. The enthalpy and diffusivity of adsorption determined from individual single crystals are consistent with values obtained from measurements on bulk samples. The brilliant SR IR source permits rapid collection of polarized spectra. Strong variations in absorbance of the symmetric stretch of the NH₂ groups of the MOF and the asymmetric stretch of the adsorbed CO₂ at different orientations of the crystals relative to the polarized IR light show that CO₂ molecules align along channels in the MOF.     

Analysis of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in extremely low gestational age neonate urines by UPLC-MS/MS

Extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGAN) frequently require the use of oxygen supply in the delivery room leading to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress that are responsible for increased morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to establish reference ranges of a set of representative isoprostanes and prostaglandins, which are stable biomarkers of lipid peroxidation often correlated with oxidative stress-related disorders. First, a quantitative ultra performance liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated. The proposed analytical method was tailored for its application in the field of neonatology, enabling multi-analyte detection in non-invasive, small-volume urine samples. Then, the lipid peroxidation product concentrations in a total of 536 urine samples collected within the framework of two clinical trials including extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGAN) were analyzed. The access to a substantially large number of samples from this very vulnerable population provided the chance to establish reference ranges of the studied biomarkers. Up to the present, and for this population, this is the biggest reference data set reported in literature. Results obtained should assist researchers and pediatricians in interpreting test results in future studies involving isoprostanes and prostaglandins, and could help assessing morbidities and evaluate effectiveness of treatment strategies (e.g., different resuscitation conditions) in the neonatal field.

Biofuel Cell Operating in Vivo in Rat

Biocatalytic electrodes made of buckypaper were modified with PQQ‐dependent glucose dehydrogenase on the anode and with laccase on the cathode. The enzyme modified electrodes were assembled in a biofuel cell which was first characterized in human serum solution and then the electrodes were placed onto exposed rat cremaster tissue. Glucose and oxygen dissolved in blood were used as the fuel and oxidizer, respectively, for the implanted biofuel cell operation. The steady‐state open circuitry voltage of 140±30 mV and short circuitry current of 10±3 µA (current density ca. 5 µA cm^?2 based on the geometrical electrode area of 2 cm²) were achieved in the in vivo operating biofuel cell. Future applications of implanted biofuel cells for powering of biomedical and sensor devices are discussed.     

Surface‐Imprinted Nanofilaments for Europium‐Amplified Luminescent Detection of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

The development and characterization of novel, molecularly imprinted polymer nanofilament‐based optical sensors for the analysis of enrofloxacin, an antibiotic widely used for human and veterinary applications, is reported. The polymers were prepared by nanomolding in porous alumina by using enrofloxacin as the template. The antibiotic was covalently immobilized on to the pore walls of the alumina by using different spacers, and the prepolymerization mixture was cast in the pores and the polymer synthesized anchored onto a glass support through UV polymerization. Various parameters affecting polymer selectivity were evaluated to achieve optimal recognition, namely, the spacer arm length and the binding solvent. The results of morphological characterization, binding kinetics, and selectivity of the optimized polymer material for ENR and its derivatives are reported. For sensing purposes, the nanofilaments were incubated in solutions of the target molecule in acetonitrile/HEPES buffer (100 mM , pH 7.5, 50:50, v/v) for 20 min followed by incubation in a 10 mM solution of europium(III) ions to generate a europium(III)–enrofloxacin complex on the polymer surface. The detection event was based on the luminescence of the rare‐earth ion (λ_exc=340 nm; λ_em=612 nm) that results from energy transfer from the antibiotic excited state to the metal‐ion emitting excited state. The limit of detection of the enrofloxacin antibiotic was found to be 0.58 μM .     

Fast and highly efficient acetylation of xylans in ionic liquid systems

In this study high molecular weight pure rye arabinoxylan and spruce arabinoglucuronoxylan were acetylated in ionic liquid (IL) systems. Two different ILs were used in our study. In both IL, using optimized procedures, it was possible to achieve acetylation within 5 min. The first system involved direct dissolution into 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([emim][Me₂PO₄]), followed by addition of acetyl chloride/pyridine (AcCl/Pyr) and additional chloroform (CHCl₃), as co-solvent. The other system involved direct dissolution into the novel protic IL 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium acetate ([DBNH][OAc]), followed by acetic anhydride/1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (Ac₂O/DBN) and no co-solvent added. The full acetyl substitution of the xylans was confirmed by FT IR and ¹H NMR. The acetylated xylans maintained a high molecular weight, which was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography. The products were soluble in CHCl₃ and dimethyl carbonate, which is considered as a ‘green’ reagent or solvent. This allowed for the casting of the materials into clear transparent films, opening opportunity for further processing and evaluation of these materials.     

Dicyclohexylamine-Thiourea Clathrate

Abstract

The reaction of dicyclohexylamine (DCHA) with thiourea leads to the formation of the inclusion compound DCHA(6 Thiourea). Room temperature, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows the product has a trigonal structure, α=β=90°, γ=120°, a=b=15.801(2)A, c=12.451(3)A, which may be described as a thiourea matrix defining hexagonal cavities where the di-cyclohexylamine molecules are accommodated. ¹³C-cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR study indicates the guest inside the cavities has a relatively free rotation and that the channels are, concerning this amine, perfect van der Waals cavities. Thermal studies indicates that the structural identity of the thiourea matrix endures after a partial loss of amine.     

Free-Radical Copolymerizations of N-Phenyl Maleimide

Free radical-initiated copolymerization of N-phenyl maleimide (NPMI) with styrene (St), vinyl acetate (VAc) and methyl meth-acrylate (MMA) at 35°C in benzene solution initiated by AIBN was studied. The copolymerization of NPMI and St yields a “nearly equimolecular” alternating copolymer, irrespective of monomer feed. Reactivity ratios of NPMI with St, VAc, and MMA were determined by a curve-fitting method which has the advantage of delivering values not involving personal judgement. Q₁ and e₁ values of NPMI were also calculated. Tentative explanations have been proposed to Interpret the “nearly alternating” copolymerization between NPMI and St. In addition, thermal stabilities of copolymers were studied by using a programmed thermo-gravimetric analysis technique. Copolymers of St, VAc, and MMA show a considerable increase in thermal stability with increasing content of NPMI. The glass transition temperatures of copolymers of NPMI with MMA and St were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. In both series of copolymers the glass transition temperature increases markedly with increasing in NPMI content. In the case of NPMI-St copolymers, the relative thermal stability as well as glass transition temperature also corroborated the nearly alternating behavior observed.