Sequosempervirin A, a novel spirocyclic compound from Sequoia sempervirens

A novel spirocyclic compound (4R)-4-(4-hydroxy-benzyl) spiro [4,5] dec-1-en-8-ol (sequosempervirin A) was isolated from the branches and leaves of Sequoia sempervirens. Its structure and relative stereochemistry were mainly determined by MS, 2D NMR and X-ray means, which is the first naturally occurring norlignan containing one spirocycle with C6 (cyclohexane)-C2-C3-C6 skeleton.     

The Mutual Conversion of CO2 and CO in Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD)

Non-equilibrium plasma, which was engendered by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used to analyze the mutual conversion between CO₂ and CO. The results showed that the conversion ratio of CO increased monotonously with the increasing voltage. But CO₂ was not so. Its conversion ratio reached maximum when the voltage was 3600 V in Ar system. It also showed that the existence of water molecules was more advanageous for the conversion of CO to CO₂ in Air system than in oxygen system, and the conversion ratio could reach 75.8% when the relative humidity was 100%. We also discussed the energy yield and energy efficiency, and the result was that high voltage and high concentration of reactant was disadvantageous for energy utilization.     

Light- and temperature-assisted spin state annealing: accessing the hidden multistability

Among responsive multistable materials, spin crossover (SCO) systems are of particular interest for stabilizing multiple spin states with various stimulus inputs and physical outputs. Here, in a 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymer, [Fe(isoq)₂{Au(CN)₂}₂] (isoq = isoquinoline), a medium-temperature annealing process is introduced after light/temperature stimulation, which accesses the hidden multistability of the spin state. With the combined effort of magnetic, crystallographic and Mössbauer spectral investigation, these distinct spin states are identified and the light- and temperature-assisted transition pathways are clarified. Such excitation-relaxation and trapping-relaxation joint mechanisms, as ingenious interplays between the kinetic and thermodynamic effects, uncover hidden possibilities for the discovery of multistable materials and the development of multistate intelligent devices.

Two new two-stage manipulation protocols, namely light- and temperature-assisted spin state annealing (LASSA/TASSA), are applied to a spin crossover coordination polymer, [Fe(isoq)₂{Au(CN)₂}₂], revealing the hidden multistability of spin states.     

Room-temperature ferroelectric and ferroelastic orders coexisting in a new tetrafluoroborate-based perovskite

The coexistence of multiferroic orders has attracted increasing attention for its potential applications in multiple-state memory, switches, and computing, but it is still challenging to design single-phase crystalline materials hosting multiferroic orders at above room temperature. By utilizing versatile ABX₃-type perovskites as a structural model, we judiciously introduced a polar organic cation with easily changeable conformations into a tetrafluoroborate-based perovskite system, and successfully obtained an unprecedented molecular perovskite, (homopiperazine-1,4-diium)[K(BF₄)₃], hosting both ferroelectricity and ferroelasticity at above room temperature. By using the combined techniques of variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray structural analyses, differential scanning calorimetry, and dielectric, second harmonic generation, and piezoresponse force microscopy measurements, we demonstrated the domain structures for ferroelectric and ferroelastic orders, and furthermore disclosed how the delicate interplay between stepwise changed dynamics of organic cations and cooperative deformation of the inorganic framework induces ferroelectric and ferroelastic phase transitions at 311 K and 455 K, respectively. This instance, together with the underlying mechanism of ferroic transitions, provides important clues for designing advanced multiferroic materials based on organic–inorganic hybrid crystals.

An unprecedented tetrafluoroborate-based perovskite reveals the coexistence of ferroelastic and ferroelectric transitions arising from delicate interplay between stepwise frozen organic cations and cooperative deformation of the framework.     

Determination of tetracyclines in ovine milk by high-performance liquid chromatography with a coulometric electrode array system

A method has been developed to analyze residual tetracyclines (TCs) (oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), methacycline (MTC), doxycycline (DC)) in ovine milk, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a coulometric electrode array system. The samples were pretreated, using liquid-liquid extraction based on hexane. The chromatography was performed, using a C18 column (150 mm x 4 mm i.d. and 5 microm) with a mobile phase: sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate (pH 2.2, 0.05 M)-acetonitrile (78:22, v/v). The flow rate of mobile phase was kept constantly at 1ml/min. The residues were monitored by an ESA electrochemical detector. Potentials of four electrodes in series were set at 400, 660, 680 and 700 mV, respectively. The first electrode was set to remove those interfering substances that may co-elute with TCs and the other three electrodes were used for quantification. The maximal potential of our detection was 700 mV. Calibration curve showed good linearity and the detection limit of TCs was 12.5, 20, 25, 10 and 25 ng/ml, respectively. Optimization of the pH of the mobile phase, the proportion of acetonitrile and the pH of the pretreatment were also performed. Recoveries of TCs from spiked samples were more than 88% and the relative standard deviations were less than 4.3%. This method was reliable, sensitive, economical and suited for routine monitoring of TC residues in ovine dairy milk.     

Quantification of analytes in overlapping peaks from capillary electrophoresis using multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares methods

Application of multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares (ALS) methods to second-order data from capillary electrophoresis diode array detector (CE-DAD) is shown. Second-order data are easily obtained by setting individual data matrix of CE run one in top of the other. Initial qualitative solutions obtained by evolving factor analysis can be further optimized by simultaneous analysis of multiple electrophoresis run data with ALS regression. Quantification is achieved by the comparison of the analyte peak areas with that of pure standards. During the ALS regression procedure, the following constraints were applied: (i) both concentrations and unit pure spectra of the resolved components must be positive; (ii) elution profiles have an unimodal shape; (iii) correspondence exists between common species in the different data matrices; (iv) the pure spectrum of each species is the same in all runs where it is present. The above methods were applied for the determination of dinitrotoluene (DNT) isomeric compounds in overlapping peaks from CE.     

钇对Nd-Fe-Al-Ni非晶合金热稳定性与晶化行为的影响

采用差示扫描量热法（DSC）、X射线衍射（XRD）和透射电镜（TEM）研究了Y对Nd-Fe-Al-Ni非晶合金热稳定性和晶化行为的影响。结果表明,淬火态的Nd60Fe20Al10Ni10-xYx（x=0,2）合金基本为非晶组织同时还含有少量的淬态相,Y的加入抑制了淬态相的析出。加入Y后,非晶合金的晶化开始温度和晶化峰值温度都向高温方向移动,证明其热稳定性提高。Y的加入改变了合金的晶化方式和最终晶化产物,使非晶基体中析出的晶化相更加弥散圆整细小。并且Y具有在化学上钝化氧杂质的作用,从而抑制了氧的有害作用。利用Kissinger方程获得了Nd60Fe20Al10Ni8Y2非晶合金的晶化开始和晶化峰值激活能分别为1.21和1.16 eV。     

Liquid–liquid equilibria for the quaternary system methyl isobutyl ketone–water–phenol–hydroquinone

Liquid–liquid equilibria data of the quaternary system methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)–water–phenol–hydroquinone were measured at 25 °C under atmosphere pressure. The experimental data were correlated with the UNIQUAC and NRTL activity coefficient models on the base of the fixed binary interaction parameters that were obtained from two sub-ternary systems MIBK–water–phenol and MIBK–water–hydroquinone. The root mean square deviations (RMSD) show that the regressed results for the quaternary system were in good agreement with the experimental data for both UNIQUAC and NRTL models. The comparison between experimental and calculated distribution coefficient values of phenol and hydroquinone shows that a relative deviation of less than 5% is obtained.     

固载Ru基催化剂上二氧化碳加氢合成甲酸Ⅱ反应条件对催化剂性能的影响

The synthesis of formic acid from carbon dioxide and hydrogen using a silica immobilized ruthenium catalyst as precursor has been studied in different reaction conditions. The results revealed that the TOF （turn over frequency） of HCOOH achieved 1481.5 h^-1 on immobilized ruthenium catalyst near the critical pressure point of CO2 with H2 pressure of 4.0 MPa, reaction temperature of 80℃ and PPh3/Ru molar ratio of 6：1. The reaction activity of immobilized catalyst was higher than that of homogeneous catalyst, and the immobilized catalyst also offered the practical advantages such as easy separation and reuse.     

Methotrexate-loaded biodegradable polymeric micelles: preparation, physicochemical properties and in vitro drug release

Polymeric micelles based on amphiphilic diblock copolymers methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-polylactide with various hydrophobic lengths were designed as carriers of poorly water-soluble anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX). Relationship between physicochemical characteristics of micelles and release behavior was explored. The critical micelle concentration was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using 9-chloromethyl anthracene as fluorescence probe. Core-shell type polymeric micelles were prepared by free-surfactant dialysis technique. The mean size of micelles loaded with MTX was 50-200 nm with narrow polydispersity. Physicochemical properties of drug-loaded micelles were evaluated. In vitro release behavior of MTX was also investigated. MTX was continuously released from micelles and less than 50% MTX was released in 5 days. Release rate was dependent on chemical structures of micelles and enhanced by decreasing polylactide lengths.