Determination of estrogens in environmental water samples using 1,3‐dipentylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid as extraction solvent in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

In this work, the potential of a symmetric dialkyl‐substituted ionic liquid (IL), 1,3‐dipenthylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([PPIm][PF₆]), as extraction solvent in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been studied for the analysis of a group of three natural (estriol, 17β‐estradiol, and 17α‐estradiol) and four synthetic (17α‐ethynylestradiol, diethylstibestrol, dienestrol, and hexestrol) estrogenic compounds as well as one mycotoxin with estrogenic activity (zearalenone) in different types of water samples (Milli‐Q, mineral, and wastewater). Separation, determination, and quantification were developed by HPLC‐DAD and a fluorescence detector (FD) connected in series. Factors influencing the IL‐DLLME procedure (sample pH, amount of IL, type and volume of disperser solvent, ionic strength, and assistance of vortex agitation) were investigated and optimized by means of a step‐by‐step approach. Once the optimum extraction conditions were established (10 mL of water at pH 8, 60 mg of [PPIm][PF₆], 500 μL of ACN as disperser solvent and vortex agitation for 1 min), the calibration curves of the whole method (IL‐DLLME‐HPLC‐DAD/FD) were obtained and precision and accuracy were evaluated. It was demonstrated that the developed methodology was repeatable, accurate, and selective with limits of detection in the 0.30–0.57 μg/L and 13.8–37.1 μg/L range for FD and DAD, respectively. Relative recovery values were higher than 85% for the different types of water samples and the Student's t test demonstrated that there were not significant differences between the added and the found concentration.     

Probing the Charge Transfer in a Frustrated Lewis Pair by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations

A classical Lewis adduct derives from a covalent bond between a Lewis acid and a base. When the adduct formation is precluded by means of steric hindrance the association of the respective acid-base molecular system is defined as a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP). In this work, the archetypal FLP Mes₃P/B(C₆F₅)₃ was characterized for the first time by resonance Raman spectroscopy, and the results were supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The charge transfer nature of the lowest energy electronic transition, from phosphine to borane, was confirmed by the selective enhancement of the Raman bands associated to the FLP chromophore at resonance condition. Herein, we demonstrate the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy as a distinguished technique to probe the weak interaction involved in FLP chemistry.     

Reactivity of Aliphatic and Phenolic Hydroxyl Groups in Kraft Lignin towards 4,4′ MDI

Several efforts have been dedicated to the development of lignin-based polyurethanes (PU) in recent years. The low and heterogeneous reactivity of lignin hydroxyl groups towards diisocyanates, arising from their highly complex chemical structure, limits the application of this biopolymer in PU synthesis. Besides the well-known differences in the reactivity of aliphatic and aromatic hydroxyl groups, experimental work in which the reactivity of both types of hydroxyl, especially the aromatic ones present in syringyl (S-unit), guaiacyl (G-unit), and p-hydroxyphenyl (H-unit) building units are considered and compared, is still lacking in the literature. In this work, the hydroxyl reactivity of two kraft lignin grades towards 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) was investigated. ³¹P NMR allowed the monitoring of the reactivity of each hydroxyl group in the lignin structure. FTIR spectra revealed the evolution of peaks related to hydroxyl consumption and urethane formation. These results might support new PU developments, including the use of unmodified lignin and the synthesis of MDI-functionalized biopolymers or prepolymers.     

Calorimetric (DSC) and dielectric (TSDC) investigation on the thermal behavior and molecular mobility in the supercooled liquid and glassy states of bifonazole and lamotrigine

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The thermal behavior of the two glass-forming drugs bifonazole and lamotrigine was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); we reported a...     

Generating unexpected spin echoes in dipolar solids with pi pulses

NMR spin echo measurements of 13C in C60, 89Y in Y2O3, and 29Si in silicon are shown to defy conventional expectations when more than one pi pulse is used. Multiple pi-pulse echo trains may either freeze out or accelerate the decay of the signal, depending on the pi-pulse phase. Average Hamiltonian theory, combined with exact quantum calculations, reveals an intrinsic cause for these coherent phenomena: the dipolar coupling has a many-body effect during any real, finite pulse.     

Methane conversion to higher value-added product and energy co-generation using anodes OF PdCu/C in a solid electrolyte reactor: alkaline fuel cell type monitored by differential mass spectroscopy

Research on Chemical Intermediates - PdxCuy/C catalysts combinations were employed to CH4 partial oxidation in mild condition using a solid electrolyte reactor—alkaline fuel cell type. The...     

Mass spectrometry imaging: a new vision in differentiating Schistosoma mansoni strains

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease with large geographic distribution worldwide. Among the several different species of this parasite, S. mansoni is the most common and relevant one; its pathogenesis is also known to vary according to the worms' strain. High parasitical virulence is directly related to granulomatous reactions in the host's liver, and might be influenced by one or more molecules involved in a specific metabolic pathway. Therefore, better understanding the metabolic profile of these organisms is necessary, especially for an increased potential of unraveling strain virulence mechanisms and resistance to existing treatments. In this report, MALDI‐MSI and the metabolomic platform were employed to characterize and differentiate two Brazilian S. mansoni strains: males and females from Belo Horizonte (BH) and from Sergipe (SE). By performing direct analysis, it is possible to distinguish the sex of adult worms, as well as identify the spatial distribution of chemical markers. Phospholipids, diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols were located in specific structures of the worms' bodies, such as tegument, suckers, reproductive and digestive systems. Lipid profiles were found to be different both between strains and males or females, giving specific metabolic fingerprints for each group. This indicates that biochemical characterization of adult S. mansoni may help narrowing‐down the investigation of new therapeutic targets according to worm composition, molecule distribution and, therefore, aggressiveness of disease. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.