The influence of chemical structure on thermal properties and surface morphology of polyurethane materials

The surface morphology and thermal properties of polyurethanes can be correlated to their chemical composition. The hydrophilicity, surface morphology, and thermal properties of polyurethanes (differed in soft segments and in linear/cross-linked structure) were investigated. The influence of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) presence in soft segments and blending of polyurethane with polylactide on surface topography were also estimated. The linear polyurethanes (partially crystalline) had the granular surface, whereas the surface of cross-linked polyurethanes (almost amorphous) was smooth. Round aggregates of polylactide un-uniformly distributed in matrix of polyurethane were clearly visible. It was concluded that some modification of soft segment (by mixing of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) with different polydiols and polytriol) and blending of polyurethanes with small amount of polylactide influence on crystallinity and surface topography of obtained polyurethanes.     

Influence of constant magnetic field on electrodeposition of metals,alloys, conductive polymers,and organic reactions

The paper presents and summarizes some research on constant magnetic field effects in chemistry. Metals and alloys electrodeposited under constant magnetic field have greater thickness and smoother surface with finest grains. Metallic materials deposited under the influence of uniform magnetic field may have stronger corrosion resistance, than those obtained without the presence of magnetic field. Constant magnetic field also causes an increase of the electropolymerization rate and yield of some organic reactions. Our research also shows that the presence of constant magnetic field affects the electrodeposition process of alloys and their morphology to a great extent. The effects of magnetic field on metals, alloys, composites, polymers and other materials are due to the Lorentz force and the magnetohydrodynamic effect. It is possible that the further development of magnetoelectrodeposition will allow for using the constant magnetic field to improve the properties of metal coatings, alloys, polymers, and other materials in the industry.     

Asymmetric Catalytic Preparation of Polysubstituted Cyclopropanol and Cyclopropylamine Derivatives

The catalytic asymmetric carbometalation of cyclopropenes followed by either an electrophilic oxidation or amination reaction provides a unique approach to the formation of diastereomerically pure and enantiomerically enriched cyclopropanol and cyclopropylamine derivatives, respectively.     

Forced flow,and physical field enhanced thin-layer chromatography

Planar chromatography was firstly introduced by Izmailow and Schreiber in 1938. Since then it has been used as a one of the basic techniques in liquid chromatography, but after introducing High Performance Liquid Chromatography in the 70’s of the past century by many investigators has been marginalized due to the worse separation capabilities and efficiency. The attempt of solving this problem was introducing forced flow planar techniques, and coupling it with other method of separation. In this article the ideas and history of Rotational Planar chromatography, Overpressured Layer Chromatography Planar Electrochromatography, and Thin Layer chromatography in Magnetic field have been presented. The short discussion on strong and weak sides of every presented technique and their further development possibilities was also included.     

Determination of microgram amounts of azide by gas chromatography

Azide ions (5–120 μg) are oxidized by cerium(IV) in an acidic medium. The nitrogen evolved is displaced by helium carrier and quantified by gas chromatography with a thermal conductivity detector. The relative standard deviation is <5%. Many sulphur anions, cyanide and some metal ions which form azide complexes do not interfere.     

Thallium fractionation in polluted environmental samples using a modified BCR three-step sequential extraction procedure and its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Determination of thallium in polluted environmental samples and their extracts obtained by a modified BCR three-step sequential extraction procedure was used to study thallium distribution and mobility in the monitored polluted area affected by acidification (Šobov, Central Slovakia). The results of fractionation applied to 5 soil certified reference materials and 14 environmental samples show that the vast majority of thallium occurred in the residual fraction. This means that highly toxic thallium is strongly entrapped in the parent rock materials remains immobile and its environmental toxicity is therefore reduced. The limit of detection for thallium in the studied fractions was lower than 0.050 mg kg⁻¹, the precision (RSD) of the ultratrace determination of thallium in the studied fractions was better than 17 % and the accuracy of the used method was verified by analyzing certified reference materials. Presented at the XVIIIth Slovak Spectroscopic Conference, Spišská Nová Ves, 15–18 October 2006.     

Synthesis and properties of cationic polyelectrolyte with regioregular polyalkylthiophene backbone and ionic‐liquid like side groups

High‐regioregular poly{3‐[6‐(1‐methylimidazolium‐3‐yl)hexyl]thiophene‐2,5‐diyl bromide}, PMHT‐Br, has been prepared by reaction of high‐regioregular (above 92%) poly[3‐(6‐bromohexyl)thiophene‐2,5‐diyl] with 1‐methylimidazole. PMHT‐Br is soluble in water and water miscible solvents such as methanol, DMSO and shows solvatochromism; λ_max (nm): 423 (H₂O); 435 (MeOH); 452 (DMSO). Increased absorption band broadening observed for aqueous solution as well as NMR spectra in D₂O suggests a micelle‐like structure of PMHT‐Br molecules in these solutions: poly(3‐hexylthiophene) core and 1‐methylimidazolium bromide shell. Despite the disturbing effect of ionic groups, the solid‐state PMHT‐Br shows absorption maximum at 520 nm, the band edge at 660 nm (ca. 1.9 eV), and fluorescence emission with maximum at 635 nm, in a good agreement with the polymer regioregularity. Fluorescence emission maxima: λ_em (nm): 598 (H₂O); 562 (MeOH); 574 (DMSO), occur in a vicinity of corresponding adsorption band edges. Plot of electrical conductivity of PMHT‐Br (measured under the dynamic vacuum conditions, 5 × 10^?5 Pa) versus 1/T shows a break at about 70 °C same as the temperature dependence of λ_max of the solid PMHT‐Br. These breaks indicate an increase in the mobility of polymer segments and ions within PMHT‐Br; however, a thermal analysis did not provide solid evidence for it. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3073–3081, 2010     

Chromatographic and capillary electrophoretic determination of microcystins

Microcystins are cyclic peptide hepatotoxins that are produced during blooming of cyanobacteria. In recent two decades they gained a great interest because of the related ecological and public health risks. Over 70 different analogs of microcystins have been isolated from natural blooms and laboratory cultures of cyanobacteria. Because they are inhibitors of protein phosphatases they act as tumor promoters, but on the other hand, inhibitive enzymatic and ELISA methods may be employed for their screening or quantitative determination. Much larger analytical potential for this purpose have, however high‐performance separation chromatographic and electromigration techniques. Based on about 70 references from original journal papers these methods are reviewed together with presentation of their preconcentration methods and clean‐up procedures for analyzing environmental samples. Some attention is also focused on increasing application of LC/MS methods, and comparison of separation techniques with immunochemical or enzymatic methods.     

Synthesis of betulin derivatives and the determination of their relative lipophilicities using reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography

A series of superlipophilic or highly lipophilic semisynthetic betulin derivatives was prepared and their relative lipophilicity was measured by reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (RP‐TLC) at different pH values using 1,4‐dioxane–acetate buffer mixtures as mobile phases. Cholesterol, 17β‐estradiol and pure betulin were used as the reference compounds. Linear relationships were found between R_M values and 1,4‐dioxane concentrations in the mobile phases. LogP values were also calculated with computer programs ACD/LogP (ChemSketch 11.0, Advanced Chemistry Development Inc.) and ClogP (Daylight Chemical Information Systems Inc.). The empirical and theoretical data were compared, and the R_M0 values correlated well with logP. Two of the synthesized betulin derivatives are reported for the first time. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of catechin and epicatechin in the peel of apple varieties resistant and non-resistant to apple scab

Catechin and epicatechin were analysed in the peel of six apple cultivars (three resistant and three non-resistant to apple scab). Two methods of analytical sample preparation following extraction were tested: solid phase extraction and column separation with Sephadex LH-20 coupled to a differential refractometric detector. Prior to GC and GC-MS analyses, these compounds were silylized. This permitted co-injection with standards and the comparison of retention values and mass spectra with those recorded for standards. The content of catechin and epicatechin in apple peel is discussed in relation to the resistance of apple trees to scab.