Dehydrogenation of cyclohexane over supported Pd catalysts, II. Influence of the support and reduction temperature

We have studied the activity of Pd/sepiolite and Pd/SiO₂–AlPO₄ catalysts in cyclohexane aromatization. The catalysts were characterized by H₂ chemisorption measurements. The influence of support and reduction temperature on the metal surface properties and activity of the catalysts is discussed.     

The loge theory as a starting point for variational calculations. I. General formalism

It is shown that any expectation value of any observable associated with a molecule is the sum of loge contributions and of loge pair contributions. This result provides a rigorous theoretical basis for the study of additive properties of molecules. It is demonstrated that molecular wave functions (exact or approximate) can be expressed as a sum of functions corresponding to the various electronic events. Furthermore any of these event functions can be expressed in terms of correlated loge functions. This expression suggests many kinds of variational procedures of calculating wave functions (known methods and new ones). The case in which noncorrelated completely localized loge functions are used is discussed. If continuous functions are used the variational equation reduces to a sum of independent variational equations, each one corresponding to a particular electronic event. This is not so when discontinuous functions are used or when a delocalized function is added to replace the correlation interloge function. The noncorrelated completely localized loge model is analyzed in more detail. It is seen that local spin operators can be introduced and that each event density operator is the product of the loge density operators. Therefore that model is an independent loge model. The corresponding generalized self-consistent field equations are derived. This treatment helps us to understand how a localized state of a molecule can produce an ion containing a delocalized region, a phenomenon which is sometimes at the origin of some misunderstanding in photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally it is seen how virtual loge functions can be introduced to describe excited states.     

Synthesis and physicochemical study of the laminin active sequence: SIKVAV

The synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and interaction with membrane model systems of a peptide derived from the PA22-2 region of laminin are described. Surface activity studies indicate that this peptide is able to spread at the air-water interface being the maximal spreading pressure 20 mN/m at subphase concentrations around 10 micro M. Besides, these peptide molecules are also able to form stable monolayers. Physicochemical studies concerning the interaction of this peptide with lipids, organized in mono and bilayers, were carried out using Langmuir balance experiments and polarization fluorescence techniques. The peptide penetrates better in monolayers of DPPC than in those of PC and forms condensed mixed monolayers with DPPC. Energies of mixing are small thus indicating that deviations from ideality were almost negligible. Interactions with bilayers were studied through microviscosity changes (DPH and TMA-DPH probes), membrane permeability alterations (CF, NBD-PE/dithionite), and fusion promotion (NBD-PE/Rh-PE, resonance energy transfer). Results indicate that this sequence interacts very softly with bilayers without promoting changes in their organization. These data as well as the lack of interaction with erythrocytes suggest that coating liposomes with this peptide through chemical amide bonds can render stable inmunoliposomes for further biological applications.     

Solubility of Triethylamine in Tetraethylammonium Chloride Aqueous Solutions from 20 to 35°C

Solubilities of triethylamine in aqueous tetraethylammonium chloride solutions were measured at 20, 25, and 35°C. The molalities in Et₄NCl of the aqueous solvents ranged from 0.03 to 1 mol-kg^–1. The data were evaluated from density measurements using a vibrating-tube densimeter. At each temperature, least-squares method was used to fit experimental density data points to double polynomial equations of various degrees. Triethylamine molalities of the saturated aqueous phases were estimated by extrapolation from those equations. Experimental data were interpreted in terms of hydrophobic and electrostatic perturbed domains in the hydration shells of the noneleceory and of the cation of the salt, as a function of temperature and salt concentration. The conclusions obtained are consistent with previous volumetric studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of MCM-48 tubular membranes

MCM-48 membranes have been prepared on alumina supports of different pore sizes. A battery of characterization techniques has been used to study the physical properties and the quality of the membranes prepared. The highest quality membranes were prepared on supports with pore size of up to 60 nm. The MCM-48 membranes were tested in the separation of gas phase mixtures and a cyclohexane/O₂ selectivity higher than 270 was obtained. The selective separation of organic compounds from inert components is a result of the cooperative effects of capillary condensation in MCM-48 pores and of the specific interactions of the permeating compounds and the membrane material.     

Terbium-sensitized luminescence determination of levofloxacin in tablets and human urine and serum

A selective and sensitive luminescence method for the determination of levofloxacin is described. The method is based in the luminescence signal from a terbium(III)-levofloxacin complex, in a micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), using a chemical deoxygenation agent (Na2SO3). The method allows the determination of 8-600 ng mL-1 of levofloxacin in 10 mM SDS solution containing 0.04 M acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer (pH 6) and 7.5 mM Na2SO3 with lambda exc = 292 nm and lambda em = 546 nm. The luminescence method was applied to the determination of the levofloxacin in a Spanish commercialized pharmaceutical formulation Tavanic (Hoechst Marion Roussel). Good concordance was found between the nominal and experimental values (500 and 488 mg, respectively), with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.6%. The proposed method was shown to be 100-fold more sensitive than the spectrophotometric method, and nearly 2-fold more sensitive than the fluorescence method. The method was also applied to levofloxacin determination in human serum (by external calibration method) and urine (by standard additions method), spiked at levels found after drug administration at normal clinical doses. Average recoveries found were 90.1 (RSD 1%) and 102 (RSD 1.9%), respectively.     

Compatibility mechanisms between EVA and complex impact heterophasic PP-EPx copolymers as a function of EP content

Compatibility mechanisms between EVA and complex heterophasic iPP-EPx copolymers have been studied as a function of EP content. Systematic studies were made in order to characterize the thermal, morphological and mechanical behavior, before and after blending a series of PP-EPx/EVA concentrations. Multiple melting, proportional to the EP content, was observed for the neat copolymers and an explanation was given for its evolution in terms of rejection-like secondary crystallization. After blending with EVA, the generation of a single T_g was taken as an indication of compatibility between both polymers. A morphological transition toward compatibility was first determined at 20 wt.% EVA which was in correlation with a morphological change from isolated spherical domains to interconnected voids. A second morphological transition from interconnected voids to fibrous crystals was observed above 40 wt.% EVA. This last transition marked the beginning of compatibility. Overall, the evolution of blends was explained in terms of the nature of the complex heterophasic copolymers. Tensile mechanical studies were also consistent with morphological changes. Increases in the x content in EPx and in EVA concentration worked in favor of impact resistance.     

Synthesis and reactivity of N-[α-acetoxy)-4-pyridylmethyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzamide

The synthesis of N-[(α-acetoxy)-4-pyridylmethyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzamide (4) and its reactivity are described. Since the acetoxy is a good leaving group, 4 gives S_N processes easily.