Chemical reactions of double bonds in activated carbon: microwave and bromination methods

The reaction of localised C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds on the surface of activated carbons has been shown to be an effective method of chemical modification especially using microwave-assisted reactions.     

Contact angle hysteresis, adhesion, and marine biofouling

Adhesive and marine biofouling release properties of coatings containing surface-oriented perfluoroalkyl groups were investigated. These coatings were prepared by cross-linking a copolymer of 1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate and acrylic acid with a copolymer of poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) and methyl methacrylate at different molar ratios. The relationships between contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, adhesion, and marine biofouling were studied. Adhesion was determined by peel tests using pressure-sensitive adhesives. The chemical nature of the surfaces was studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Resistance to marine biofouling of an optimized coating was studied by immersion in seawater and compared to previous, less optimized coatings. The adhesive release properties of the coatings did not correlate well with the surface energies of the coatings estimated from the static and advancing contact angles nor with the amount of fluorine present on the surface. The adhesive properties of the surfaces, however, show a correlation with water receding contact angles and contact angle hysteresis (or wetting hysteresis) resulting from surface penetration and surface reconstruction. Coatings having the best release properties had both the highest cross-link density and the lowest contact angle hysteresis. An optimized coating exhibited unprecedented resistance to marine biofouling. Water contact angle hysteresis appears to correlate with marine biofouling resistance.     

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography and argentation chromatography of the minor capsaicinoids

An investigation of the liquid chromatography of the minor capsaicinoids in a commercial capsaicinoid mixture is reported. Twelve stationary phases including C₈, C₁₈, C₃₀, phenyl, and cation-exchange chemistries were examined in combination with isocratic aqueous methanol and aqueous acetonitrile mobile phases. A phenyl stationary phase and aqueous acetonitrile mobile phase baseline-resolved 7 of 11 capsaicinoids, and selected ion chromatograms (LC–ESI-MS) demonstrated this was the most effective reversed-phase separation. Argentation chromatography with an alkyl or phenyl column and aqueous silver nitrate–methanol mobile phase revealed the presence of the 6-ene-8-methyl and 6-ene-9-methyl homocapsaicin isomers and the absence of 7-ene-9-methyl homocapsaicin. A mixed phenyl–cation-exchange stationary phase (charged with silver ion) enabled unique and useful separations of the capsaicinoids.     

Evaluation of the VIDAS Listeria (LIS) immunoassay for the detection of Listeria in foods using demi-Fraser and Fraser enrichment broths, as modification of AOAC Official Method 999.06 (AOAC Official Method 2004.06)

A multilaboratory study was conducted to compare the VIDAS LIS immunoassay with the standard cultural methods for the detection of Listeria in foods using an enrichment modification of AOAC Official Method 999.06. The modified enrichment protocol was implemented to harmonize the VIDAS LIS assay with the VIDAS LMO2 assay. Five food types--brie cheese, vanilla ice cream, frozen green beans, frozen raw tilapia fish, and cooked roast beef--at 3 inoculation levels, were analyzed by each method. A total of 15 laboratories representing government and industry participated. In this study, 1206 test portions were tested, of which 1170 were used in the statistical analysis. There were 433 positive by the VIDAS LIS assay and 396 positive by the standard culture methods. A Chi-square analysis of each of the 5 food types, at the 3 inoculation levels tested, was performed. The resulting average Chi square analysis, 0.42, indicated that, overall, there are no statistical differences between the VIDAS LIS assay and the standard methods at the 5% level of significance.     

Disk morphology and disk-to-cylinder tunability of poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(methyl acrylate)-b-polystyrene triblock copolymer solution-state assemblies

Disk and cylindrical micellar assemblies were formed through self-organization of poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(methyl acrylate)-b-polystyrene (PAA-b-PMA-b-PS) amphiphilic triblock copolymers with organic diamines as counterions in water/ tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent mixtures. The system was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the assembled-state morphologies could be modified by alteration of the type and concentration of cationic diamine counterion undergoing interaction with the negatively charged, polyelectrolyte PAA corona block, the relative amount of water in the water/THF mixture, and the hydrophobic block chain length. Multivalency of the organic amine counterion was critical for disk formation. It was further demonstrated that a single block copolymer underwent disc-to-cylindrical micellar transitions reversibly with variation in the relative water/THF ratio. The ability to form disks beginning from either THF-rich or water-rich solutions indicated that the disk morphology was thermodynamically stable and that THF was important in keeping the micellar structure from becoming kinetically frozen. The nanoassemblies were produced having low size dispersities and were stable for at least one month. Intermediate structures between disks and cylinders were also observed, indicating two distinct kinetic pathways between the two micelle structures.     

Chromium(VI) Forms Thiolate Complexes with gamma-Glutamylcysteine, N-Acetylcysteine, Cysteine, and the Methyl Ester of N-Acetylcysteine

Reaction of potassium dichromate with gamma-glutamylcysteine, N-acetylcysteine, and cysteine in aqueous solution resulted in the formation of 1:1 complexes of Cr(VI) with the cysteinyl thiolate ligand. The brownish red Cr(VI)-amino acid/peptide complexes exhibited differential stability in aqueous solutions at 4 degrees C and ionic strength = 1.5 M, decreasing in stability in the order: gamma-glutamylcysteine > N-acetylcysteine > cysteine. (1)H, (13)C, and (17)O NMR studies showed that the amino acids act as monodentate ligands and bind to Cr(VI) through the cysteinyl thiolate group, forming RS-Cr(VI)O(3)(-) complexes. No evidence was obtained for involvement of any other possible ligating groups, e.g., amine or carboxylate, of the amino acid/peptide in binding to Cr(VI). EPR studies showed that chromium(V) species at g = 1.973-4 were formed upon reaction of potassium dichromate with gamma-glutamylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine. Reaction of potassium dichromate or sodium dichromate with N-acetylcysteine and the methyl ester of N-acetylcysteine in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) also led to the formation of RS-Cr(VI)O(3)(-) complexes as determined by UV/vis, IR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Thus, an early step in the reaction of Cr(VI) with cysteine and cysteine derviatives in aqueous and DMF solutions involves the formation of RS-CrO(3)(-) complexes. The Cr(VI)-thiolate complexes are more stable in DMF than in aqueous solution, and their stability towards reduction in aqueous solution follows the order cysteine < N-acetylcysteine < gamma-glutamylcysteine < glutathione.     

Coordination chemistry and biological activity of two tridentate ONS and NNS Schiff bases derived from S-benzyldithiocarbazate

Two tridentate Schiff bases having ONS and NNS donor sequences were prepared by condensing S-benzyldithiocarbazate (NH₂NHCSSCH₂Ph) (SBDTC) with pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and salicylaldehyde, respectively. Complexes of these ligands with Ni^II, Zn^II, Cr^III, Co^II, Cu^II, and Sn^II were studied and characterized by elemental analyses and various physico-chemical techniques. Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II and Sn^II complexes were four-coordinate while the Cr^III, Sr^III and Co^III complexes were six-coordinate. The ONS Schiff base was moderately active against leukemia, while its zinc, antimony and cobalt complexes were strongly active against leukemic cells with DC₅₀ = 0.35–5.00.     

Ultrathin Carbon Film Electrodes from Vacuum‐Carbonised Cellulose Nanofibril Composite

A novel way to produce ultrathin transparent carbon layers on tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO) substrates is developed. The ITO surface is coated with cellulose nanofibrils (from sisal) via layer‐by‐layer electrostatic binding with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) or PDDAC acting as the binder. The cellulose nanofibril‐PDDAC composite film is then vacuum‐carbonised at 500 °C. The resulting carbon films are characterised by atomic force microscopy (AFM), small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), and Raman methods. Smooth carbon films with good adhesion to the ITO substrate are formed. The electrochemical characterisation of the carbon films is based on the oxidation of hydroquinone and the reduction of benzoquinone in aqueous phosphate buffer media. A modest effect of the cellulose nanofibril‐PDDAC film on the rate of electron transfer is observed. The effect of the film on the rate of electron transfer after carbonisation is more dramatic. For a 40‐layer cellulose nanofibril‐PDDAC film after carbonisation a two‐order of magnitude change in the rate of electron transfer occurs presumably due to a better interaction of the hydroquinone/benzoquinone system with the electrode surface.     

An Interpenetrated Framework Material with Hysteretic CO2 Uptake

A new, twofold interpenetrated metal–organic framework (MOF) material has been synthesized that demonstrates dramatic steps in the adsorption and hysteresis in the desorption of CO₂. Measurement of the structure by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis indicates that structural changes upon CO₂ sorption most likely involve the interpenetrated frameworks moving with respect to each other.