Influence of anionic and nonionic micelles upon hydrolysis of 3‐hydroxy‐carbofuran

The effect of nonionic and anionic micelles upon the stability of 3‐hydroxy‐carbofuran in basic media has been studied. The presence of micelles in the reaction medium implies a large inhibition of the basic hydrolysis of 3‐hydroxy‐carbofuran, due to the association of 3‐hydroxy‐carbofuran with the micellar core. The kinetic constants for the basic hydrolysis in these microheterogeneous media have been obtained on the basis of a micellar pseudophase model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 402–408, 2011     

The unusual ability of α‐angelicalactone to form adducts: A kinetic approach

Since α‐angelicalactone (AAL) substantially inhibits the formation of tumors, here its chemical reactivity was compared with that of carcinogenic lactones. Investigation of the electrophilic potential of AAL was carried out by studying the capacity of this lactone to form adducts with NBP, 4‐(p‐nitrobenzyl)pyridine, a substrate with nucleophilic characteristics similar to DNA bases. The formation of the AAL–NBP adduct occurs about 900,000‐fold faster than with β‐propiolactone, the most effective carcinogenic lactone (ΔG^#₃₅ = 52 and 87 kJ mol^?1, respectively). A stopped‐flow technique was required for this reaction to be monitored. It was concluded that the formation of AAL–NBP adducts takes place through an entropy‐strain‐catalyzed mechanism caused by early lactone ring cleavage. The kinetic results are consistent with the AAL potential as a chemoprotective agent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 591–594, 2007     

Application of spectroscopic techniques for the study of paper documents: A survey

For many centuries paper was the main material for recording cultural achievements all over the world. Paper is mostly made from cellulose with small amounts of organic and inorganic additives, which allow its identification and characterization and may also contribute to its degradation. Prior to 1850, paper was made entirely from rags, using hemp, flax and cotton fibres. After this period, due to the enormous increase in demand, wood pulp began to be commonly used as raw material, resulting in rapid degradation of paper. Spectroscopic techniques represent one of the most powerful tools to investigate the constituents of paper documents in order to establish its identification and its state of degradation. This review describes the application of selected spectroscopic techniques used for paper characterization and conservation. The spectroscopic techniques that have been used and will be reviewed include: Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, X-Ray spectroscopy, Laser-based Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Mass Spectroscopy, Laser ablation, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.     

ICP-AES法测定色漆可溶性金属含量

用ICP-AES法测定了色漆中的“可溶性”金属铬、镉、铅元素，考察了不同酸度对分析结果的影响，优化了测试条件。进行了回收率和精密度试验。并用原子吸收光谱国标方法进行对照，结果一致。     

Reactivity of lactones and GHB formation

The behavior of lactones in their hydrolysis reactions is a good indicator of their reactivity as electrophilic molecules. The hydrolysis of four- to six-membered lactones was investigated in neutral (water) and slightly acid media and in water/dioxane media. The following conclusions were drawn: (i) The reactivity of beta-propiolactone in neutral water is more than four times greater than that of beta-butyrolactone, due to the flow of charge caused by the latter's methyl substituent. Reactivity is enthalpy-controlled. (ii) The reactivity of beta-lactones diminishes in water/dioxane media when the percentage of dioxane increases. The increase in the dioxane percentage relaxing the intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the ordered structure of the water reduces DeltaH# and simultaneously increases the -DeltaS# value. (iii) An inverse solvent kinetic isotope effect in the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of gamma-butyrolactone and delta-valerolactone was observed, this being indicative of acyl cleavage. (iv) The DeltaH# and DeltaS# values permit discrimination between alkyl and acyl cleavage. (v) A correlation was found between the chemical reactivity of lactones and their carcinogenic activity. (vi) The results suggest that orally ingested gamma-butyrolactone remains largely in its nonhydrolyzed form in the stomach before passing into the blood. (vii) The concentration equilibrium constant of GHB formation at human body temperature is Keq (37 degrees C)=0.40. (viii) Study of GHB formation shows that, contrary to earlier results, this is an endothermic process, with DeltarH=3.6 kJ mol(-1).     

Gamma activation analysis of marine sediments at Havana Bay, Cuba

Summary Twenty six elements was studied preliminary in the superficial sediments of Havana Bay using gamma activation analysis by the electron accelerator microtron MT-25 at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, JINR. Samples from five zones of Havana Bay including the three coves were analyzed. The obtained results show a close relation between the concentration levels of the studied elements and the pollution sources. Some elements (As, Ba, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr, Mn) have high concentration levels compared to the values for other environmental marine sediments reported in the literature.     

Epithermal neutron flux characterization of the IEA-R1 research reactor,Sao Paulo,Brazil

Summary The nonideality of the epithermal neutron flux distribution at a reactor site parameter (α) and the thermal-to-epithermal neutron ratio (ƒ) were determined in three typical irradiation positions of the IEA-R1 reactor of IPEN-CNEN/SP, Sao Paulo, Brazil, using the “Cd-ratio for multimonitor” and “bare bi-isotopic monitor” methods, respectively. This characterization is to be used in the k₀-method of NAA, recently introduced at the IPEN.     

Improved method for the simultaneous determination of whey proteins, caseins and para-kappa-casein in milk and dairy products by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis method for the simultaneous determination of whey proteins, caseins and their degradation products, such as para-kappa-casein, was proposed. The effect of several parameters (pH, ionic strength and concentration of urea in the electrophoresis buffer and applied voltage) on the analysis time and on the separation efficiency of the major milk proteins was studied. Using a hydrophilically coated capillary, in combination with electrophoresis buffer 0.48 M citric acid-13.6 mM citrate-4.8 M urea at pH 2.3, and a separation voltage of 25 kV, a complete separation of beta-lactoglobulin and para-kappa-casein was achieved, permitting the quantification of both components.