Calcium-based hydrated minerals: Promising halogen-free flame retardant and fire resistant additives for polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers

In this study, we evaluated the potential flame retardant effect of calcium-based hydrated minerals, such as hydrated lime, partially and completely hydrated dolomitic limes in polyethylene (MDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) and compared to that obtained with magnesium di-hydroxide (MDH). The most significant flame retardant effects, observed using the mass loss calorimeter test, indicated that Ca-based MDPE composites showed similar peak Heat Release Rate (pHRR) level to that obtained with MDH composite while the pHRR was lower for Ca-based fillers in EVA compositions. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data, combined with thermal analysis results, indicated that the calcium di-hydroxide plays a role in the formation of an intumescent cohesive residue during the combustion. Indeed, Ca(OH)₂ reacts with CO₂ formed during the thermal degradation of the polymer to generate CaCO₃ (calcium carbonate) that contributes to the enhancement of the mechanical resistance of the residue.     

Synthesis of New Iminocoumarins Bearing Parabanic Moieties

The synthesis of novel substituted 3-p-nitro-phenyliminocoumarins and corresponding N-ureaiminocoumarins is described. The condensation of these materials with oxalyl chloride leads to the corresponding N-parabanic iminocoumarins, which have not previously been described, in moderate or good yields and high selectivity. The structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis.

Synthesis of Novel Organosilicon Compounds Possessing Fully Substituted Imidazole Nucleus Sonocatalyzed by Fe-Cu/ZSM-5 Bimetallic Oxides

An efficient four-component synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles is described by one-step condensation of an aldehyde, benzil, ammonium acetate, and primary aromatic amine with nanostructure Fe-Cu/ZSM-5 bimetallic oxides in water under ultrasonic irradiation. The short reaction time, good yields, environmental friendly procedure, mild reaction conditions, and convenient operation are important advantage of this protocol. The products generated during the study have been utilized as substrates for synthesis of organosilicon-containing imidazoles. Synthesis of tris(triorganosilyl)methylimidazole derivatives were carried out using organolithium reagent (Me₃Si)₃CLi, prepared via metalation of (Me₃Si)₃CH with methyllithium in tetrahydrofuran, in excellent yields.     

Mutagenic, antimutagenic and antioxidant activities of a new class of beta-glucoside hydroxyhydroquinone from Anagallis monelli growing in Tunisia

A new skeleton of an O-heteroside natural substance named zinolol, the first representative of a new class of aminated hydroxyhydroquinone, has been isolated from the whole plant Anagallis monelli. Its structure has been established by one and two dimensional NMR spectroscopic procedures. Antioxidant, mutagenic, antimutagenic activities were realised and positive results were recorded.     

The caffeine contents of dietary supplements commonly purchased in the US: analysis of 53 products with caffeine-containing ingredients

As part of a study initiating the development of an analytically validated Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID) in the United States (US), a selection of dietary supplement products were analyzed for their caffeine content. Products sold as tablets, caplets, or capsules and listing at least one caffeine-containing ingredient (including botanicals such as guarana, yerba mate, kola nut, and green tea extract) on the label were selected for analysis based on market share information. Two or three lots of each product were purchased and analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Each analytical run included one or two National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) and two products in duplicate. Caffeine intake per serving and per day was calculated using the maximum recommendations on each product label. Laboratory analysis for 53 products showed product means ranging from 1 to 829 mg caffeine/day. For products with a label amount for comparison (n = 28), 89% (n = 25) of the products had analytically based caffeine levels/day of between −16% and +16% of the claimed levels. Lot-to-lot variability (n = 2 or 3) for caffeine in most products (72%) was less than 10%.     

The NIH analytical methods and reference materials program for dietary supplements

Quality of botanical products is a great uncertainty that consumers, clinicians, regulators, and researchers face. Definitions of quality abound, and include specifications for sanitation, adventitious agents (pesticides, metals, weeds), and content of natural chemicals. Because dietary supplements (DS) are often complex mixtures, they pose analytical challenges and method validation may be difficult. In response to product quality concerns and the need for validated and publicly available methods for DS analysis, the US Congress directed the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to accelerate an ongoing methods validation process, and the Dietary Supplements Methods and Reference Materials Program was created. The program was constructed from stakeholder input and incorporates several federal procurement and granting mechanisms in a coordinated and interlocking framework. The framework facilitates validation of analytical methods, analytical standards, and reference materials.     

Chiral selectors for enantioresolution and quantitation of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine in pharmaceutical formulations by (19)F NMR spectroscopic method

¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy was applied to the quantitative determination of fluoxetine enantiomers using different chiral recognition agents in pharmaceutical formulations. Several parameters affecting the enantioresolution including the type and concentration of chiral selector, concentration of fluoxetine and temperature were studied. The chiral selectors investigated are the cyclic oligosaccharides α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin and a diamino derivative of methylated α-cyclodextrin (DAM-α-CD), linear polysaccharides (maltodextrin with dextrose equivalents of 4.0-7.0, 13.0-17.0 and 16.5-19.5) and the macrocyclic antibiotic vancomycin. Among the chiral selectors used, DAM-α-CD turned out to give the best resolution of the ¹⁹F NMR signals of (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine. The calibration curve was linear for (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine over the range 0.10-1.35 mg mL⁻¹, the detection limits (S/N = 3) being 5.9 and 7.5 μg mL⁻¹ for the pure solutions of (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine, respectively. The recovery studies performed on pharmaceutical samples ranged from about 90 to 110% with relative standard deviations of <8%. The results showed that the proposed method is rapid, precise and accurate. Applying statistical Student's t-test revealed insignificant difference between the real and measured contents at the 95% confidence level.     

Comparative Studies on the Behavior of 3-Amino-2-phenyl-4(3 H )-quinazolinone Towards Some Organophosphorus Reagents

The reaction of 3-amino-2-phenyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone with oxovinylidenetriphenylphosphorane afforded 5-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-c] quinazoline-2(3H)-one and triphenylphosphine oxide. On the other hand, when quinazolinone reacts with phosphorus ylides, the corresponding phosphorane adducts were obtained. Moreover, quinazolinone reacts with trisdialkylaminophosphines to give the new (dialkylamino)oxophosphonium dipolar products. Possible reaction mechanisms are considered and the structural assignments are based on analytical and spectroscopic results.