An Efficient Method of Birch Ethanol Lignin Sulfation with a Sulfaic Acid-Urea Mixture

For the first time, the process of birch ethanol lignin sulfation with a sulfamic acid-urea mixture in a 1,4-dioxane medium was optimized experimentally and numerically. The high yield of the sulfated ethanol lignin (more than 96%) and containing 7.1 and 7.9 wt % of sulfur was produced at process temperatures of 80 and 90 °C for 3 h. The sample with the highest sulfur content (8.1 wt %) was obtained at a temperature of 100 °C for 2 h. The structure and molecular weight distribution of the sulfated birch ethanol lignin was established by FTIR, 2D ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The introduction of sulfate groups into the lignin structure was confirmed by FTIR by the appearance of absorption bands characteristic of the vibrations of sulfate group bonds. According to 2D NMR spectroscopy data, both the alcohol and phenolic hydroxyl groups of the ethanol lignin were subjected to sulfation. The sulfated birch ethanol lignin with a weight average molecular weight of 7.6 kDa and a polydispersity index of 1.81 was obtained under the optimum process conditions. Differences in the structure of the phenylpropane units of birch ethanol lignin (syringyl-type predominates) and abies ethanol lignin (guaiacyl-type predominates) was manifested in the fact that the sulfation of the former proceeds more completely at moderate temperatures than the latter. In contrast to sulfated abies ethanol lignin, the sulfated birch ethanol lignin had a bimodal and wider molecular weight distribution, as well as less thermal stability. The introduction of sulfate groups into ethanol lignin reduced its thermal stability.     

Electrochemical microfluidic biosensor for the detection of nucleic acid sequences

A microfluidic biosensor with electrochemical detection for the quantification of nucleic acid sequences was developed. In contrast to most microbiosensors that are based on fluorescence for signal generation, it takes advantage of the simplicity and high sensitivity provided by an amperometric and coulorimetric detection system. An interdigitated ultramicroelectrode array (IDUA) was fabricated in a glass chip and integrated directly with microchannels made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The assembly was packaged into a Plexiglas housing providing fluid and electrical connections. IDUAs were characterized amperometrically and using cyclic voltammetry with respect to static and dynamic responses for the presence of a reversible redox couple-potassium hexacyanoferrate (ii)/hexacyanoferrate (iii) (ferri/ferrocyanide). A combined concentration of 0.5 microM of ferro/ferricyanide was determined as lower limit of detection with a dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude. Background signals were negligible and the IDUA responded in a highly reversible manner to the injection of various volumes and various concentrations of the electrochemical marker. For the detection of nucleic acid sequences, liposomes entrapping the electrochemical marker were tagged with a DNA probe, and superparamagnetic beads were coated with a second DNA probe. A single stranded DNA target sequence hybridized with both probes. The sandwich was captured in the microfluidic channel just upstream of the IDUA via a magnet located in the outside housing. Liposomes were lysed using a detergent and the amount of released ferro/ferricyanide was quantified while passing by the IDUA. Optimal location of the magnet with respect to the IDUA was investigated, the effect of dextran sulfate on the hybridization reaction was studied and the amount of magnetic beads used in the assay was optimized. A dose response curve using varying concentrations of target DNA molecules was carried out demonstrating a limit of detection at 1 fmol assay(-1) and a dynamic range between 1 and 50 fmol. The overall assay took 6 min to complete, plus 15-20 min of pre-incubation and required only a simple potentiostat for signal recording and interpretation.     

Structure and mechanical property variations in Mg–Gd–Y–Zn–Zr alloy depending on its composition and processing conditions

An effect of alloying element content on mechanical properties and precipitate formation in Mg–RE alloys was studied for Mg–8Gd–4Y–1Zn–0.4Zr (wt%) and Mg–10Gd–5Y–1.8Zn–0.4Zr (wt%). It is shown that small variations in the alloying element concentration can be used to manipulate the alloy microstructure and precipitate formation towards eliminating the asymmetry (tension/compression) and anisotropy of yield stress.     

The Structure of Tris(trifluoromethyl)tellurium Fluoride Dimethylformamide, $\rm [Te(CF_{3})_{3} \times DMF(\mu-F)]{\infty}$

represents the first structurally characterized example of a trifluoromethyl main group element compound with more than 8‐N (where N is the main group number) perfluoroalkyl groups and also the first fluoro(triorgano)tellurium derivative. Its polymeric nature is caused by asymmetric bridging fluorine atoms forming infinite chains.     

Low-temperature rapid-scan detection of reactive intermediates in epoxidation reactions catalyzed by a new enzyme mimic of cytochrome p450

The use of synthetic iron(III) porphyrins as models for heme-type catalysts in biomimetic cytochrome P450 research has provided valuable information on the nature and reactivity of intermediates produced in the "peroxide shunt" pathway. This article reports spectroscopic detection of reactive intermediates formed in the epoxidation reaction of cis-stilbene with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid catalyzed by a new mimic of cytochrome P450 with a substituted RSO3- group (1). The application of low-temperature rapid-scan stopped-flow techniques enabled the determination of equilibrium and rate constants for the formation and decay of all intermediates in the catalytic cycle of 1, including the rate constant for the formation (1*+)FeIV=O and for oxygen transfer to the substrate. Noteworthy, the reaction of (1*+)FeIV=O with cis-stilbene leads to an almost complete re-formation (95%) of the starting complex 1. The results show that complex 1 is a valuable catalyst with promising properties for further applications in a biomimetic approach toward mimicking oxygenation reactions of cytochrome P450.     

Microwave‐assisted synthesis of 2‐(2‐pyridyl)azoles. Study of their corrosion inhibiting properties

An efficient and fast procedure for the synthesis of 2‐(2‐pyridyl)azoles is described using ionic liquids as catalysts under microwave irradiation. The X‐ray crystallographic analyses for three of the four synthesized compounds are presented. Potentiodynamic polarization studies were carried out to analyze the electrochemical behavior of the compounds in corrosive acidic media. Of the four derivatives, one compound was detected to be an effective corrosion inhibitor prototype for oil refinery environments.     

[Me3Si(CF3)F]− and [Me3Si(CF3)2]−: Reactive Intermediates in Fluoride-Initiated Trifluoromethylation with Me3SiCF3— An NMR Study

The long-postulated reactive intermediates of polar fluoride-inititated trifluoromethylations with Me₃SiCF₃ (see scheme) were identified by NMR spectroscopy as [Me₃Si(CF₃)F]⁻ and [Me₃Si(CF₃)₂]⁻_.     

Monodisperse Particles Based on Copolymers of Methyl methacrylate or Styrene with N-Vinylformamide

Sammary: Various techniques of one-step batch emulsion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) or styrene (St) with N-vinylformamide (NVF) initiated by 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropanamidine) (AIBA) or 2,2′-azobis[4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-yl] (AIP) dihydrochlorides in the presence of dextran, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or without any stabilizers were examined to obtain monodisperse submicron and nano- particles, having both positive surface charge and hydrophilic surface. After hydrolysis in acidic media, the particle surface contained amino groups originating from NVF units along with carboxylic groups from hydrolyzed initiator residues. The obtained particles were tested as building blocks of hierarchic structures. Owing to their amphiphilic surface, the particles were capable of self-assembling from their dispersions into three-dimentional (3D) ordered arrays.     

Mechanistic Insight into Formation of Oxo‐Iron(IV) Porphyrin π‐Cation Radicals from Enzyme Mimics of Cytochrome P450 in Organic Solvents

Two new models for cytochrome P450 in which the thiolate axial ligand is replaced by an RSO₃^? group, form oxo‐iron(IV) porphyrin π‐cation radicals as sole oxidation products in “peroxo shunt” reactions (see scheme) independent of the nature of the employed solvent (polar or non‐polar) and electronic nature of the porphyrin rings.

     

Kinetic approach for evaluation of total antioxidant activity

We propose a novel approach for assessment of total antioxidant activity by monitoring kinetics of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging after its injection into liquid sample under study. H₂O₂ is known to be the strongest oxidant, really presented in human body in contrast to the majority of the model oxidative systems used for evaluation of antioxidant activity. In addition, kinetic approach, being more informative than the commonly used determination of the final product, obviously provides better discrimination of potential antioxidants. Prussian Blue based sensor due to its high sensitivity and operational stability allowed to monitor kinetics of hydrogen peroxide consumption in turbid and colored samples. The pseudo-first order kinetic constants of hydrogen peroxide scavenging in the presence of different food additives correlated with total antioxidant activity of these samples evaluated via standard procedure based on lipid peroxidation. However, in contrast to the standard method, the proposed kinetic approach is expressed and does not require fresh biological tissues.